I’m with Jan Sikes at her blog, Writing, and Music. Jan is hosting me with another excerpt from Eternal Road – The final stop. Come on over. I think there was a problem with the other link so here is a new one. Thanks for your patience.
Jan Sikes openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author. But she had a story to tell. Not just any story, but a true story that rivals any fiction creation. You simply can’t make this stuff up. It all happened. She chose to tell the story through fictitious characters, and they bring the intricately woven tale to life in an entertaining way.
She released a series of music CDs to accompany the four biographical fiction books and then published a book of poetry and art to bring the story full circle.
And now that the story is told, this author can’t find a way to put down the pen. She continues to write fiction and has published nine short stories with a series of paranormal romance novels waiting in the wings. She is a member of Authors Marketing Guild, The Writer’s League of Texas, the RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB (RRBC), the RAVE WRITER’S INT’L SOCIETY OF AUTHOR (RWISA), sits on the RWISA Executive Council, and hosts a monthly RAVE WAVES blog talk radio show, ASPIRE TO INSPIRE.
“What’s up Twiggy?” “Checking the day.” “It’s Wednesday. How can you check the day by looking out the rear door?” “On Friday the hummingbirds are drinking more. Wednesday not so much.” “Oh.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we found out Lazar has a daughter named Carolyn who will be in jeopardy if ADA Thomas can’t figure out an iron-clad protection program for her and Lazar. It looks like Thomas has been thinking while we were away. Let’s get back and see what she has planned.
“Mr. Popović, I’ve been thinking.”
“Yes?”
“If your story is true and you have those phone conversations, are you willing to testify as to the veracity of the evidence.”
“Excuse me, but I’m not sure what you are asking.”
“Let me interpret.”
“Sure, Mr. Stennis. Go ahead.”
“Lazar, what the ADA is asking is are you willing to get up on the witness stand and swear to the activity in the phone conversations?”
“Can’t someone just play the conversations?”
“There is a problem with that. To be admitted into evidence, they have to be recorded with the knowledge of the other person.”
“Oh. So they are worthless.”
“No. They do form the basis for getting warrants and such under probable cause statutes.”
“I don’t know what that means.”
“You don’t have to worry about it. The point is are you willing to recount the events and conversations as an eye witness.”
“What about protection.”
“Let me handle this, Mr. Stennis.”
“Be my guest, Ms. Thomas.”
“I’m prepared to do whatever is possible to protect your daughter and you. If you testify.”
“Is there a way to get that in writing?”
“Of course. I’ll give Mr. Stennis here an agreement for you to review. In the meantime, I think we had better make some provision for your daughter immediately. You are quite safe here, but I would feel better if she were in protective custody.”
“Sounds like jail time to me.”
“No, not at all. We will get her to a safe house and keep her under protection until the trial is over, and you both have new identities.”
“I don’t think she is going to go for it. She has her friends and school.”
“Her life may depend on it.”
“Or I could just keep my mouth shut.”
“I think it is a little late for that. Cortez’s people know you have been taken. It is only a matter of time till they come after Carolyn if nothing more than for insurance.”
“I guess you are right. When can you get her?”
“I need to place a call. We can have British agents take her to a safe place. Our agents will get there within twelve hours to bring her back.”
“Won’t she be frightened?’
“You will need to talk to her and explain the situation.”
“She has no idea I’m involved in criminal activity.”
“I’m sorry to say, Lazar. That needs to change for her safety. She needs to follow our directions to the letter.”
“When should I call?”
“I need to make a few calls. I’ll come back when it’s time. Give me her address and cell phone number. I will need to give it to the authorities. Where is she?”
“She’s in Oxfordshire.”
“She goes to Oxford?”
“Yes.”
“That location is going to make it a little harder. I’ll have to check and see if there is a landing field that can accommodate one of our jets. If not, then we have to go by car from a bigger city.”
“I’ve flown into Oxford airport in Kidlington. It has a huge runway. They train pilots there.”
“I have it on Google. You are right it has a 5,092-foot runway. That plenty for a G5. Good news. Okay, let me go make a couple of calls. Sit tight, and I’ll be right back.”
“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
I am with Gwen Plano today talking about Eternal Road – The final stop. Please come and visit and read the new excerpt that is there. Here is the link to Gwen’s place.
“I am a retired educator. I taught and served as an administrator in colleges in Japan, New York, Connecticut, and California. My academic background is a bit unusual, but it has served me well. I graduated with honors in nutrition from San Diego State University. I was awarded a master’s degree in theology from the University of the State of New York’s Maryknoll Seminary and then received a master’s in counseling from Iona College. Finally, I earned a doctorate in higher education from Columbia University.
Between travels with my husband and visits with family and friends, I now write. My first book, LETTING GO INTO PERFECT LOVE, Discovering the Extraordinary After Abuse, was published in June 2014 by She Writes Press. My second book, THE CONTRACT between heaven and earth, is co-authored by John W. Howell and was published on June 1, 2018, by Keewaydin Lane Books. My third book, THE CHOICE the unexpected heroes, was published on June 4, 2019, by Fresh Ink Group.
Though writing is an accomplishment of no small measure for me, my greatest treasure and most profound source of joy has been and is my four adult children. It is they who have guided me through life’s mysteries.”
Wikipedia image – Concord Coach with Welles Fargo paint
This week marks the 162nd anniversary of the first transcontinental mail service between St Louis and San Francisco in 1858. It was a stagecoach service, and who wouldn’t want to get on and take a ride. You all know the rules. You need to take the list so that the time continuum will remain intact. I would take your own water too. Life on the road will not be easy.
Top Ten Things Not to Do on the First Transcontinental Mail Route in 1858.
10 If you go, do not ask for a first-class ticket. If you do, at best, the driver will not understand you. At worst, instead of an inside seat, you’ll get to ride up on top. (You can’t blame the driver, Manvel. He thought the best spot on the coach was next to him. I hope you can handle that musket. It has a real kick. Yeah, the grin on the driver gives me the creeps too.)
9 If you go, do not complain to Tiny, the WWF champ, about the food along the way. If you do, at best, Tiny will be too busy to hear you. At worst, Tiny, who thinks the food is great, will take yours. (Well done, Manville. Now Tiny, who has questionable taste, thinks you are going to give him your food for the whole three weeks of the trip. Maybe you can trade a rattlesnake for your old food portion. Watch out when you grab that snake though.)
8 If you go, do not ask if you are there yet. If you do, everyone will think you are joking. At worst, the driver is not pleased and has stopped the coach. (Since you opened your mouth at mile 50, Maolmin, the driver is contemplating leaving you at the side of the road. After all, there are 2750 more miles to go, and he doesn’t want to hear the question 55 more times. Oh-oh, here he comes.)
7 If you go, do not complain about the restroom facilities. If you do, at best, everyone will ignore you. At worst, you’ll be sitting next to William Fargo a director of the Overland Mail Company. ( Not a good person to hear your complaint. You see, Maralyn, his company just invested one million dollars in coach stops every 10 to 15 miles, and the fact that you don’t like them is not sitting well. I think he just told you to use a bush if you are dissatisfied. That puts a different spin on it.)
6 If you go, do not forget your winter clothes. If you do, at best the weather will remain warm. At worst, you’ll be subjected to exteme temperatures. ( The coach has no heat or window glass, Marcell. Maybe you can ask the person next to you if they have an extra coat. No, you can not ask if you can share their coat. That might be an easy way to be put off in the snow.)
5 If you go, do not think you can take all the room you want. If you do, at best, the coach will be empty. At worst, all nine seets will be filled.(The coach is narrow and cramped, Marcellus. You can only have the space by your seat. I think you better stop inadvertently kicking that guy with the .44 revolver on his hip. Say didn’t Wyatt Earp carry a .44?)
4 If you go, do not think you can stay overnight in one of the way stations. If you do, at best they will have room. At worst, you’ll stay overnight and be stuck there. (Because the coaches run 24/7, Marcian, it could be several days until one comes through with an open seat. Because of this, most passengers try to sleep on the coach which is almost impossible. Try going without sleep for three weeks.)
3 If you go, do not tell the masked man with the gun that you are not going to give him your valuables. If you do, at best, he will laugh at your attempt at humor. At worst, he will invite you to do a dance. (There highwaymen do not fool around, Marden. Just give him the money. You do not want to dance to the tune of a pistol.)
2 If you go, do not forget your bandanna. If you do, at best you can buy one in the way station. At worst, you will be confronted with continual clouds of dust. (Remember, Marek, there are no windows on the coach. The dust is a constant companion, and if you are lucky, you won’t come down with consumption as a result of the trip. What is consumption? Don’t ask.)
1 If you go, do not discuss the coming transcontinental railroad with Mr. Fargo. If you do, at best, he’ll laugh. At worst, he’ll be tired of the conversation and ask the guy with the Springfield musket to put you off the coach. (Fargo is worried about the railroad, Maribelle. Of course, his business is safe until 1869 when the government turned its mail service over to the now completed transcontinental route.)
I am with Darlene Foster today talking about Eternal Road – The final stop. Come on over she has a very restful and fascinating blog. Also, I have another new excerpt for you to read. Here is the link.
“I am a writer of children’s stories, a retired employment counsellor, and ESL tutor, a wife, mother and grandmother. I love travelling, reading, shoes, cooking, sewing, music, chocolate, walking on the beach and making new friends. My grandson once called me “super-mega-woman-supreme”. I was brought up on a ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta, where I dreamt of travelling the world and meeting interesting people. I currently divide my time between Orihuela Costa in Spain and the west coast of British Columbia, Canada. My husband, Paul, and I enjoy spending time with our adorable dog, Dot.”
Her books
In addition to the Amanda series, Darlene’s short stories are present in a number of anthologies.
I’m pleased to have Craig Boyack with me today. He is here to discuss a new anthology project in which he participated. Most of you know Craig and his entertaining books and now he has joined seven other authors to bring a variety of stories to their readers. So Craig, tell us about it.
Thanks for having me back again, John. I’m here to talk about a project I got involved in during the early Spring. I was asked to submit a story to a murder anthology. I was approached, because they wanted to include a science fiction author.
I write across a broad spectrum of speculative fields, but I’m no stranger to science fiction, so I accepted. The problem was, I was right in the middle of drafting two novels that I wanted published this year. There was a bit of a time crunch.
Jason Fogg to the rescue:
I happened to have a pre-existing character who could fit the bill. Science fiction is so broad that I didn’t have to place it in outer space or get involved with time travel. If you squint and turn your head, Jason might qualify as a superhero.
Jason has been with me for a long time. He made an appearance in an old trunk novel that will never see the light of day, but he had a different name back then.
He is the result of a science fiction accident. The nutshell version is while he was working to string the high-tension power lines in the Pacific Northwest, a piece of space debris crashed back to Earth. It clipped the wire Jason was working on, and just like when lightning strikes, something traveled along the cable and blasted him into oblivion.
The Pacific Northwest is stormy, cloudy, foggy. The accident evaporated him. He drifted for years until he was able to reform. Now he has the ability to “fog out” at will, but there are limitations. When he does, it’s just him. No clothes, no hair products, not even aftershave. This poses a problem for when he reconstitutes.
I did a quick count, and Jason has appeared in more stories than any other character I’ve written. (At the time of this writing.) Over time, he became a private detective. His abilities allow him to slip into places and through cracks and do quite a bit of snooping around. Sometimes he relies too much on this, and ignores some of the basics of detective work.
Jason even works well in the short form. I’ve published his tales a couple of times as short stories in my own collections. Science fiction (check), mystery (check), murder (Why not?).
Jason Fogg is on the case. Can this private detective run interference for a client accused of murder?
The anthology is called Murder They Wrote. It involves seven different authors dealing with murder in the short form. I’m proud to be included among them, and would appreciate if your fans would check it out.
Cover Blurb: Murder comes in 7 different genres. By 7 different authors. Are you a fan of courtroom drama? In the anthology’s first story, Abraham Lincoln defends a friend’s son against a charge of murder. For lovers of speculative fiction, Jason Fogg dissolves into mist to sneak through open windows and snoop for clues. How about a cozy? Jazzi, Jerod, and Ansel discover a dead body while renovating a kitchen, dining room, and half bath. Have a craving for a Regency? Lord Peregrine and his wife, Elizabeth, use their sharp minds and quick wit to solve a murder at a garden party. Need a bit of literary fiction? A young, lonely widow must deal with the theft of a valuable butterfly collection. And what about a little psychological horror? Twin sisters discover that their attic is haunted by not one, but two ghosts. Last, but never least, the anthology concludes with a historical mystery. A young, newly married knight is accused of murdering his obnoxious host at a holiday gathering in his castle.
Today we are going to check out the Greenbelt and see the effects of the recent rainfall. Since we can walk, we’ll leave the bus at home. Here is a margarita in an insulated to-go container. All set? Let’s go.
To start, we can see the flowers are in bloom.
Beautiful vinca.
A good sign. The creek is running.
I thought these puffballs looed nice.
Some yellow flowers.
A small view of the falls.
A view of the spillway.
The producer took over and climbed down the rocks to get a better shot.
The rest of the photos are taken by The Producer since the access points are a little too dangerous for a senior citizen.
Great shot of the falls from below.
The Producer’s camera is so much better than mine. That falling water is captured in a standstill view,
Another shot of the falls from the lower level.
On the way back, a lonely heron was doing a little fishing. He wouldn’t come out, so The Producer caught him with a water reflection making him visible.
We found this plant with strange clusters of purple berries.
Another plant with pumpkin-colored trumpets.
Well, that is the tour today. I hope you enjoyed it. Save your container for the next time. Have a great week
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and here is Linda Hill with this week’s prompt. So Linda, what do we have today?
“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “collar.” Use it as a verb, a noun, or metaphorically. Bonus points for using it in all three ways! Enjoy!”
Thank you. If you would like to join this group, visit Linda’s blog and read how. Here is the link.
“Well, you have a shirt that doesn’t have a collar. This attaches to it.”
“Why would anyone want that kind of thing?”
“In the olden days, you could wear the shirt without the collar. The collar stays clean. Then when it came time to dress up, you add a clean collar. Get it?”
“I suppose. Sounds like a lot of work to me. What else was in that trunk?”
“You knew my grandfather was a detective, right?”
“Yeah, I heard you mention that a few times. Given the prompt today, can you guess what else is in the truck?”
“What’s the prompt?”
“Collar.”
“Don’t tell me grandpa has records of all his collars?”
“Bingo. You got it. His arrests are all documented, and he kept them all.”
“Sounds a little compulsive to me.”
“Well, he was kind of that way. He was proud of being able to make a collar after a long investigation.”
“Speaking of long.”
“Yeah, I think we’ve covered the subject.”
“You wearing your collar to the bar?”
“No, I think I’ll leave it here.”
“Good, the Eau de mothball is not a good scent for you.”
Today I’m with Jessica Bakkers on the other side of the world. I’m there talking about Eternal Road – The final stop. There is a new excerpt there too. Come visit.
Here is a little about Jessica in her words. “I am a creative writer with over twenty years of writing experience. I write to express myself, I write to tell the tales bound up inside of me, and I write to live… or rather, I live to write.
I have ghost-written novels in the genres of fantasy / romance and paranormal / romance, however my genre of choice when it comes to writing for myself is dark fantasy where I can allow myself to fully explore the anti-hero characters that pepper my stories.
I dabble at poetry and have written professionally for clients internationally.
My major love affair is with the written word; specifically creative writing. I allow myself to indulge and rendezvous with this secret lover whenever time allows… and then we make beautiful poetry together!”
She has launched her first book, Guns of Perdition.
