In print!

After the Collapse is now in print and available on Amazon and other channels. The print copy has photography from Arizona in it.

On a health note, had a stent placed in my circumflex in November and now am working with a lipidologist to overcome some issues of crap genetics which predisposes me to blocked arteries. Suckage.

Intelligent design? not as far as I am concerned.

Busy as usual

So this week I will have proof copies of my book After the Collapse in hand. Very close to publication now! I imagine I will put it up for print within a day of getting the books. Have looked at the pdf proof copy and it looks good.

Next is my rapier manual. Then I have to finish taking pictures for the sidesword manual. that and video.  I have decided that I will have a link in my sidesword book as to where to pick up video for the drills etc.

So much to do and so little time.

Tao of Pooh

I need to read this again.

“There are things about ourselves that we need to get rid of; there are things we need to change. But at the same time, we do not need to be too desperate, too ruthless, too combative. Along the way to usefulness and happiness, many of those things will change themselves, and the others can be worked on as we go. The first thing we need to do is recognize and trust our own Inner Nature, and not lose sight of it.” 
― Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh

Here is a site with some quotes: http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/55188-the-tao-of-pooh

I've come up with a new word

Dipweasel

I first thought of it in relation to Romney. We all know what a dip is. An ignoramus. So, a dipweasel is an ignoramus who is adroit at conning people.

What I as a writer need from my readers

I like to write. I like to share what I write. I send out first drafts. Yeah there are spelling and grammar errors at that stage. What I as a writer need from readers on a first draft is the following:

• Could you identify with the heroine/hero?
• Was the story line entertaining?
• Would you want to read more?
• Was the action captivating?
• Were the bad guys bad enough?

After supplying that type of feedback, if I ask you to be a proofer, then give me the nitty gritty after I supply the rough draft.

Today's thoughts on politucs

I am really getting tired of politics and all the name calling and going back and forth. It is impossible to avoid it; TV, Radio, paper, facebook, google+, everywhere. My honest opinion is that we are pretty much just fucked. Our government has turned into a fascist oligarchy. Doesn’t matter which of the two you pick, democrat or republican, we’re just screwed. It’s like being told you have going to die and you get to pick which way; drowning or hanging. Doesn’t matter the how it’s the result that is the problem. Same with picking either of the two top candidates. Which rights do you want to lose? make your choice which you want to give up.

Two quotes by JFK...

“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.“

We have people rising to power in the US or who are in power in the US that want to take us socially back to the Bronze Age. They want the 1960’s back too. What future will we miss by only looking to the past. Sure we can learn from the past. Especially through past mistakes. But what of the future? Energy? Transportation? Sustainable food? The Environment?

Today I disagree with the first quote. I don’t want to do anything for my government which in my estimation is now the “country.” Like I have said - a fascist oligarchy. Aristotle pushed the term oligarchy as a synonym of rule by the rich. Although the exact term is plutocracy. Fascism with this is an authoritarian state that in one definition is anti-liberal. Put fascism with plutocracy together and what do you get? The good ol’ US of A.

What my country can do for me? Well it could stop it’s present course and go back to personal freedoms and small size. Along with that I believe in this day and age we do need social safety nets. Let’s take care of Americans first and stop being the big bully, do it our way, thug on the block.

What can I do for my country? Be a good example of a citizen. Vote. Obey just laws. Teach my children well. Pay my fair share of taxes for the common good. Be environmentally conscious. Support good leaders who want to maintain freedom. So yeah, am voting libertarian and green. Some will say it is throwing a vote away. No it is making a statement for change and if enough people are tired of the crap, and do the same, change will occur for a better future and a better country.

Storm over Nepal

In between projects I have been writing a new short story that could become the basis of a series. It is about an airship captain who takes on a dangerous mission. Here is the first part of it.

The brilliant flash of the lightning blinded the Captain as the thunder deafened him and

the crew. The winds tossed the airship about like a rag doll held in a running child's

hand. The Captain spun the wheel back and forth trying to make the best of a deadly

situation. Reading the winds was near impossible now that they were in the midst of the

storm. Would there be an eye to give them some respite? No telling, but he hoped

beyond hope that it would be the case. ! !

"Stel! Give me a heading!" he called out over the roar of the storm. Despite the windows

still being intact, it was hard to hear over the roar of the storm on the bridge. ! !

"Make south-southwest Sir!" was all he could make out as another thunderclap rocked

the ship.! !

Sean looked back to the Navigator as she pored over the map, trying to determine a

course to set. She looked up - fear etched into her features - before turning back to the

map. He shook his head. This was by far the worst storm he had ever been in. He

flinched automatically as another brilliant flash lit up the dark roiling clouds and

wondered if they would survive the night. ! !

The pilot lay in the infirmary in a coma, so Sean had to pilot the airship himself. One

elevatorman was lost overboard and three marines killed during the initial conflict.

Others were wounded. Damn the pirates for putting him into this situation. But it was

also partially his fault; he had left warnings unheeded. ! !

Sean thought back to how this all started as he fought with the wheel...! !

Stel took readings before checking the maps as she watched the terrain below for a

moment. "We should be just passing Lalitpur, Sir." she called out as they were passing

over a small city. ! !

"Start to take us down to three hundred meters above the valley." called out the Captain.

They would have to search a bit for the airship berth, not having visited this area in the

past. He had taken on a mission, a type that he had before; Transfer of documents. This

mission came as a bit of a surprise as he normally worked for the British Government.! !

Many weeks before he had finished an assignment from the Crown. Most of the crew

were on leave while his airship was in dock for repairs. Even with the work that had to

be done, the crew still had a sizeable amount for pay. The Captain paid his men well,

knowing that well paid crew made for a hard working crew.! !

As he sat eating his roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, a man in a turban, wearing a tan

coloured suit, approached his table and simply sat down. Sean raised an eyebrow and

frowned at the man, but before he was able to say anything the man said, "Captain

Armstrong, your reputation has preceded you and I would like to hire you for a, let us

say, Delicate mission." his speech was impeccable, a British accent and yet there was a

tinge of the orient. Indian?!

!

Sean looked at the man quizzically and said, "Go on."! !

This was not the way he was normally approached. Typically it would be a letter by post;

A request for a meeting with someone to contact. They would come in when he was in

dock, so his interest was piqued at this new approach and he would at least listen to the

proposal as he could always say no.! !

"Are you familiar with the Kot Massacre that took place about fifty years ago?"! !

"No, don't believe so." replied Sean.! !

"It was a time of upheaval. King Rajendra was deposed from the throne and his son

Surendra Bikram Shah was put on the throne, starting the Shah dynasty."! !

"So what does old history have to do with me working for you?"! !

The man took a look about and then leaned in and spoke quietly, "There is an element

within Nepal that wishes to see a change."! !

"So?"! !

"I represent a leader of a group in Nepal that is intent on restoring the old borders to

Nepal which includes lands that his family owned previously. The Khanal family was

instrumental in establishing trade starting in the 18th century and lost a sizeable fortune

to the East India Company. We have information and other items that need to be

delivered to Katmandu in Nepal."! !

"Alright, if I take on the work, what is in it for me?"! !

"My benefactor is prepared to pay you ten thousand pounds sterling and in addition to

that, upgrade your airship with newer engines and armament."! !

Sean scratched his chin and thought for a moment. Ten thousand pounds was a lot of

money. He could even invest a bit of it in goods in the orient to bring back and sell which

could turn even more profit for the ship. ! !

"We understand your crew uses Webley pistols and Martini-Henry rifles. We will be glad

to supply you with ten of the new Mauser C96 semi-automatic pistols and thirty of the

new Lee-Enfield magazine fed rifles. Two fifty-five millimetre rifled cannon with six

mounts are available. The mounts offer speedy repositioning as they have quick release

hardware. This should help in the event of difficulties."! !

Sean nodded and wondered how the hell the man knew what kinds of arms they carried

but quickly left that thought as the prospect of increasing their firepower sunk in. ! !

"... and so my agents will install the mounts in two days and the remainder of the

supplies and arms will be delivered the morning of your departure. Is this amenable?"! !

"Yes, I believe so." answered the Captain, hoping that he had not missed anything

important.! !

With a simple nod of his head the man disappeared as quickly as he had appeared.

Sean scratched his head and wondered what he had gotten himself into. India was part

of the Empire and the East India Company was very powerful with agents and offices all

over the globe. At a minimum it would be an interesting enterprise. He almost scowled

visibly when he considered the implications of being on the bad side of the East India

Company. Weighing the pros and the cons he decided that the risk would be worth it. If

things went bad enough he could always look for employ in the American west moving

the same types of information and goods. South America would be an option as well.! !

Busy Busy Busy

So the novella is nearing completion. I am formatting it for smashwords as I put in the final edits from my editor. I hope to send it off to be epublished next week. Then it is on to editing the new revision of Arte of Defense. It will be paper published first then we'll layout for epublication.

Time Flies. Or was it fruit flies?

Time flies doesn't it? Finalizing layout of Arte of Defense still. That is my 17th century fencing manual. Am in final edit of my neo-steampunk.western novelette called After the Collapse. Check my poetry page for a short story prequel. Getting set up on smashwords to let them handle getting the books to the different ebook markets. Also using cleartext (?) for the paper copies. Once these are done then I finish the erotic thriller. next spring hope to finish my French and Indian War romance book. Busy busy.

CombatCon

Am having a great time at CombatCon. Rhys was able to attend as well. He has mentioned how much he enjoys it. He is a volunteer and helping me with classes. This year I taught Bolognese sword which was very well attended and well received. This afternoon I will be teaching Victorian great stick and Victorian truncheon. I need to continue to find my focus. With now writing Steampunk books I think branching into Victorian work will be good. I need to add cane and pugilists to the mix. So it would be Bolognese tradition which includes rapier and then some smallsword and then the Victorian combat based off the Bolognese tradition.

Man contemplating life

He sat in the darkness, an unfinished glass of whiskey in his hand. James wondered who he really was? The strong man that he showed to his peers? Or the scared little boy that came out when he was alone like this or when he could let his guard down with certain individuals?

Taking another sip, he let the astringent, peppery liquid pass his lips. It was a younger whisky. Full of vibrancy like a young man. Not mature or mellowed like him. How had he put it once? He had been at a whisky tasting. A round of scotches had been served. The first tasted young like the drink that he had now. It was like a young college girl. Full of life. Raw. Not yet mature. And not something he would take home to savour. And then there was the second. Smooth. Rich flavours that played over the tongue. It was like a mature woman. Deep. Mysterious. The kind you would take home and would savour over time spent.

 Was life like whisky? Could it mature into a fine vintage? And how could he relate this to himself? Could he make the shift back to what he used to be? To what he used to have? He thought again, letting jumbled images pass almost like a cacophony of sound. He thought of the women he knew. How did they see him now? What type of man had he become?

He was coming to realise that he showed a different face, no, a different mask to those that he new. One mask for his peers, another for new people that he met, and yet another to those that he let past his guard. What was it that drew some of these people to him? That he let in and allowed to see that little boy? Who was he really?

Busy busy busy

So much going on. My son is finishing the layout on my rapier manual and I am doing final additions and edits to my neo-steampunk novella. Should hopedully have them both out in a month. Print and ebook.

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Yeah it's been a while

So much going on since my last post. The book I have been working on is in test reading now. I've gotten some notes and comments back and so far it is positive. I'm hoping to have everything back in a week or so and then I can finish it up and get it published. Going through Amazon for electronic and also print editions. Also, my son is in final layout of my AoD book. 4th edition. Hopefully have that ready for a last read through in a week.

Talking of my son, he has been having one hell of a hard time. Some choices he made a while back are biting him on the ass. He's going to have a lot of work to do to get back on track.

Life and being busy

I've been posting mostly on facebook. And busy writing like a maniac. I was able to release my 16th century swordplay book on Kindle and am finishing up a steampunk novel. So yeah, busy as heck. My son is laying out the 4th edition of my rapier manual. So lots coming out in the near future. And! I am going to try and finish my romance novel set during the French and Indian War.