BLOGS

Welcome to my summer reading fest.  I’d like to introduce everyone to my heroine, Shania. Her grandmother has passed away and left her an interesting wood box that hums and glows.  Nobody else can see that part, though. This box is opening up her earth elemental magic. It's awakening her lost memories. 

I’m hoping to inspire conversations around the Africana symbols, Shania’s creepy ex-boyfriend, Thor, her dog, or even if a romance heroine is allowed to have an abortion.Let me know what you think.

BTW, Don't forget to RT/Tweet, like my FB fan page or sign-up for my subscriber's list to win a free e-copy of Breaking Free.  Without further adieu, Here’s Chapter One. 

http://www.aliciamccalla.com/blog/101-summer-reading-fest-flee-the-short-story-prequel-to-the-soul-eaters-chapter-one-

Here's a joint I did a while back for a wedding. When I was approached to do it, I had no intention of making a 'Wedding Video' which are nothing more than just a recording of the wedding which anyone can do. I was intrigued when the couple started talking about their courtship and their fav' movie was 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' the spy/romantic comedy hit. I dug the flick too and suggested we do a movie of their wedding based upon their favorite movie. They were game and so after some serious pre-production, we got the ball rolling.

Using my regular photographer's studio which happened to be in the city where the couple lived, we converted it into a movie set complete with greenscreen, lights and the whole 'schebang'. With a combo of sit down interviews and some fun sessions of the couple and the wedding party getting their 'spy on', the first part of the production went off without a hitch.

The next day, we lost our grip to the flu so yours truly turned into a one-man shoot (not that I haven't done it before, I just try to avoid it!) The couple made sure everyone knew we were shooting a movie and not a video so the guests behaved and gave the Photog and me plenty of latitude to work without hassles.

The whole gig was loooong hours for me, but we were able to get some great footage and turn a nice wedding into a memorable event. So if you've got 20 minutes to spare, take a look at 'Mr. & Mrs. 'H.'' and see how the everyday can be made special....

Mr. & Mrs. 'H.'

Well, the first installment of this summer's Priestess series has wrapped up and a major decision will be made that will affect all who live in the Valley and perhaps beyond! Little Fish now a young man will begin his exploration of the awesome and perhaps terrible power he has been given. The powerful and unpredictable god Qatula has a potentially sinister plan for the Priestess' young husband, the Valley Knight. A new and potentially dangerous goddess now awaits the Chief of the Aesir's acceptance of her entry into the Valley or his rejection. Will even the Priestess and her great powers be able to keep stability in the face of what's to come? New characters, past characters revisited and new far-flung places are yet to come this summer will be revealed by, The Priestess!

WillowRaven Illustration & Design Plus: Kainan has a new cover!: The cover art & design for Kainan is a re-vamp of the original cover for the first book in the epic fantasy series, Deragan Sword Prophe...

To read the rest of the post, follow the link above, or, visit the book's page on my website: http://willowravenillustration.weebly.com/kainan.html

Aidana WillowRaven

http://WillowRaven.weebly.com

PAE = Performance Art of Engineering. I'll probably elaborate in another posting. I thought it an appropriate title for the merger of science and art.

It is nice to be wanted.

See why I didn't us it for the title.

Site: BrightRecruits.com

http://100yss.org/

There's also a Sci-Fi Symposium. Astronaut Mae Jemison, M.D. is chair.

100 Year Starship invites you to participate in the journey of a lifetime! On this mission, everyone has a seat – Thought leaders, experts, trendsetters, space advocates and space enthusiasts, international space agencies, established businesses and start-ups, financiers and entrepreneurs, governmental and non-governmental agencies, universities and private industries, including entertainment, medicine, education, the arts and athletics – and, of course, the general public. You are all invited to join us on a journey to improve our world today as we explore the challenge, benefits, potentially enabling technologies, strategies and awesome potential of interstellar flight to another solar (star) system.

From exotic propulsion systems, exoplanets and “where do we go?” to the social, economic and cultural considerations of “why or should we go?” there’s a technical or academic session just for you. In addition, workshops, classes, networking venues, the Expo, entertainment, celebrities, speakers and guests will enhance your experience and ensure that you have an opportunity to consider and contribute to the wide range of space and related topics needed to chart the research, design, development, policy, outreach and aspirational activities from which long-distance space travel will be generated.

Dear Friend,

We are pleased to invite you to submit to the “Call for Papers” the upcoming 100 Year Starship^TM 2012 Public Symposium to be held in Houston Texas on September 13 – 16, 2012.
 
The 100 Year Starship^TM (100YSS^TM) considers broad and in-depth public engagement critical to accomplishing human interstellar flight within the next 100 years. The 100YSS^TM Public Symposium is central to gathering and sharing knowledge, aspirations, capabilities, as well as building advocacy, imagination and momentum.  During the symposium space experts will participate in a platform for cutting-edge research, space enthusiasts will expand their knowledge, and the public will be engaged by an interactive exposition. 
 
The Symposium’s technical session issues this open call to individuals and organizations from all disciplines—amateur and professional—to contribute to understanding, developing and building the solutions needed for successful interstellar flight.
 
The 2012 Symposium’s theme, Transition to Transformation...The Journey Begins, acknowledges the accomplishments of space exploration to date and calls for authors to consider what changes are needed in how we currently envision and “do space” to truly push forward humanity’s journey to another star. Papers should focus upon those transformative ideas and processes within each track—science, technology and paradigms— that facilitate the breakthroughs in space exploration.There are four technical tracks at the Symposium and a series of special sessions as described in the 2012 100YSS Call for Papers
 
Papers accepted will be included in the 100YSS 2012 Symposium Proceedings.  Papers selected presented individually or as part of a panel as decided by each Track Chair. The Abstract Submission Deadline is June 30, 2012.  Authors whose papers have been submitted for presentation will be notified by July 29; and final papers must be submitted by August 17^th.
 
If you have any questions, please contact the 2012 Symposium Technical Chair, Dr. Richard Obousy at richard.obousy@100YSS.org. We look forward to your participation in our symposium and hope that you will submit a paper.
Sincerely,

Mae Jemison, M.D.
Chair, 100YSS Symposium                                               
                                                                 
Richard Obousy, Ph.D.
Technical Chair, 100 YSS Symposium

Technology Review: Building an Organ on a Chip
Site: Wyss Institute

Writing dialogue can be challenging to new  and veteran writers alike. However, if you are new to writing there are a few simple things to keep in mind when constructing dialogue for your short story or novel.  Here are some things to keep in mind: 

What Not to Do When Writing Dialogue Tip #1: Don’t let dialogue dominate your scene.

Some writers will allow dialogue to dominate the entire scene with their characters. This is a big no-no. While dialogue is a form of action, it can’t be the only factor in scene creation. Here’s a bad example.

Bad Example:

“Don’t come any closer, Tony!”  Mary yelled.

“Why shouldn’t I?” Tony mocked.

“I said don’t come closer!” Mary repeated.

“Oh?”  Tony questioned.

How many times have you read something like this? Doesn’t it seem a little dry? Add something to your conversational exchanges. Such things like physical movement, emotions, objects, etc. can be added to a dialogue exchange to spice it up.

Good Example:

“Don’t come any closer, Tony!”  Mary held up her rusted knife. She glared at him as he ignored her order.

“Why shouldn’t I?” Tony mocked. He was deeply amused by her defensive display. He took a step closer.

“I said don’t come closer!” Mary repeated, pulling the knife closer to her. She stepped back.

“Oh?”  Tony ignored her. He reached for her knife.

What Not To Do When Writing Dialogue Tip #2: Don’t use characters to preach your agenda.

Every writer has something to say – one could even say that is the main reason for writing – however, don’t make your characters peach your opinions. Unlike facts, when a character states an opinion that in actuality is the author’s own views, it can come across as misplaced or odd. Especially when such a belief is contrary to your character’s personality, beliefs, and actions.  

More ‘What Not To Do When Writing Dialogue Tips’ in an upcoming post!

Add your thoughts below!

Wireddotcom

And: if there was such a thing as "reality TV," its impact was not as great as a book.

“We were keeping our eye on 1984. When the year came and the prophecy didn't, thoughtful Americans sang softly in praise of themselves. The roots of liberal democracy had held. Wherever else the terror had happened, we, at least, had not been visited by Orwellian nightmares.

From ― Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business
Wired: Physics Community Afire With Rumors of Higgs Boson Discovery

After a five year period of stability and peace in the Valley, a mysterious visitor from the Chief of the Aesir's past brings potential problems to those of in the land where Gods and Men walk together. Will the Priestess and her Guardian the indomitable Valley Knight allow unrest to be brought forth upon the Valley's inhabitants? Find out as the tale unfolds in The Priestess: A Question of Regrets, Part I!

The first one will be called " The ghost of Rodney King

Where the brother wil come back not to raise hell and cause problems or get revenge.

He will come back to observe and only interfere when somebody is getting some type of injustice served upon them.His new purpose is to preven what happen to him while here not to happen to anybody esle,especially if they are really innoncent.

The second one wil be based on the  idea of the lady who was just made a prosecutor of the internatioal court.

Only in this story it will be a universal court and  they will send out their people to arrest all  the  real criminals behind the scenes to be put on universal trial and   then  given a sentence of life in iimbo in time

Snarky Commentary

Part 3

Sammy was nearing the bridge: a fifteen mile expanse of covered metal and bolts. To the right were the crumbling remains of 21^th century buildings and oases of domes. Under the bridge and for miles to the left stretched the deceptively beautiful blue-green expanse of bay waters encasing the city—toxic and deadly poisonous to anyone foolish enough to drink or swim in them.

The homeless in their rags wandered along the bridge... among the buildings or huddled inside them.  Aside from the deadly weather, pollutants gradually formed sores on their skin. They were clothed in rags, some with makeshift oxygen masks.

Sammy was crossing the bridge now, where homeless clustered together in packs of two and three or shivered in their boxes. It was near midday when the temperature dropped to 20 degrees. Late that afternoon, it would shoot up to 80 or 90 degrees— if they were lucky.

They saw the car, and shuffled toward it, hands outstretched, begging for money and food. Chamberlain's creased in annoyance. I'll be glad when they all die out. It shouldn't take more than another ten years. Might not take that long.

He looked down at his watch. I got a little time to kill. Even if I'm an hour late Schuyler wouldn't dare leave. I could stop by my favorite cathouse...

Then he saw her.

Just ahead she leaned against the railing, her head uncovered, despite the cold. A honey brown nymph with dark eyes, and two long braids flowing over her shoulders. Her rags were draped around her voluptuous frame, like gift wrapping.

She turned her head and looked directly at him, a tiny smile playing about her lips.

“Slow down!” Chamberlain ordered.

“Sir, I don't mean to be impertinent,” Sammy hedged in his bass voice, “but it's never a good idea to pick these people up.” The chauffeur had seen the woman too, and he knew his master's tastes.

“Sammy?”

“Yes sir?”

“Shut the f*** up, and pull alongside that woman ahead.”

“Yes sir.”  Sammy answered meekly. As the sedan slid up beside her, the homeless gathered about the car.

“Please—I'm so hungry!”

“I haven't eaten in days!”

Sammy lowered the window on his right. “Get back! Or I'll electrify the car!” They backed away, their eyes wide and desperate. The chauffeur made eyes contact with the woman, and unlocked the back door. “Get in!”

Without a word, she slid in beside Chamberlain, pulling the door shut behind her. The sedan edged back into the street, moving slowly through the crowd.

She gazed at Chamberlain. “Hi... I'm Natalie.” Her voice was low and musical.

“Natalie...” He repeated, smiling pleasantly, tasting her name on his tongue. He stared at her... her eyes were large and almost black, her lips full and luscious. The rags she wore were nearly transparent. ..

Copyright 2012 Valjeanne Jeffers all rights reserved

read the rest at smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/159250 absolutely free :)

and check out more of my titles at amazon, barnes & noble and http://www.vjeffersandqveal.com

I was researching for my website and ohmygosh, stumbled over these two books! Why, oh why aren't they on my bookshelves already?

Dark Matter: A Century of Speculative Fiction from the African Diaspora (Ages 15+)

The Amazon.com review:

"Dark matter: the nonluminous matter, not yet detected, that nonetheless has detectable gravitational effects on the universe. Dark matter: the Afro-American presence and influences unseen or unacknowledged by Euro-American culture. Dark Matter: the first anthology to illuminate the presence and influence of black writers in speculative fiction, with 25 stories, three novel excerpts, and five essays. This anthology's critical and historical importance is indisputable. But that's not why it will prove to be the best anthology of 2000 in both the speculative and the literary fiction fields. It's because the stories are great: entertaining, imaginative, insightful, sharply characterized, and beautifully written. The earliest story in Dark Matter is acclaimed literary author Charles W. Chesnutt's "The Goophered Grapevine" (1887), in which an aging ex-slave tells a chilling tale of cursed land to a white Northerner buying a Southern plantation. In "The Comet" (1920), W.E.B. Du Bois portrays the rich white woman and the poor black man who may be the only survivors of an astronomical near-miss. In George S. Schuyler's "Black No More" (1931), an excerpt from the satirical novel of the same name, an African American scientist invents a machine that can turn blacks white. More recent reprints include science fiction master Samuel R. Delany's Nebula Award-winning "Aye, and Gomorrah..." (1967), which delineates the socio-sexual effects of asexual astronauts; Charles R. Saunders's heroic fantasy "Gimmile's Songs" (1984), in which a woman warrior encounters a singer with a frightening, compelling magic in ancient West Africa; MacArthur Genius Grant recipient Octavia E. Butler's powerful "The Evening and the Morning and the Night" (1987), in which the cure for cancer creates a terrifying new disease of compulsive self-mutilation; and Derrick Bell's angry, riveting "The Space Traders" (1992), in which aliens offer to trade their advanced technology to the U.S. in exchange for its black population. Other reprints include "Ark of Bones" (1974) by author-poet-folklorist Henry Dumas; "Future Christmas" (1982) by master satirist Ishmael Reed; "Rhythm Travel" (1996) by playwright-poet-critic Amiri Baraka (who has also written as LeRoi Jones and Imamu Amiri Baraka); and "The African Origins of UFOs" (2000) by London-based West Indian author Anthony Joseph.

Most of the stories in Dark Matter are original; these range even more widely in their concerns and themes. In the generation ship of Linda Addison's "Twice, at Once, Separated," a Yanomami Indian tribe preserves its culture in coexistence with technology, while visions tear a young woman from her own wedding. Bestselling novelist Steven Barnes examines degrees of privilege and deprivation when an African American woman artist is trapped in an African concentration camp in his unflinching contribution, "The Woman in the Wall." In John W. Campbell Award winner Nalo Hopkinson's sexy, scary "Ganger (Ball Lightning)," two lovers drifting apart try to reconnect through the separation of virtual sex. A mystic power awakens in the devastated future of Ama Patterson's gorgeous and tough "Hussy Strutt." An artist's infidelity changes two generations in Leone Ross's astute, magic-realist "Tasting Songs." In Nisi Shawl's sharp, witty mythic fantasy "At the Huts of Ajala," the spirit of a modern woman must outwit a god before she is even born. Others contributing new stories are Tananarive Due, Robert Fleming, Jewelle Gomez, Akua Lezli Hope, Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, Kalamu ya Salaam, Kiini Ibura Salaam, Evie Shockley, and Darryl A. Smith. --Cynthia Ward"

Dark Matter: Reading the Bones (Ages 15+)

"In the tradition of The Norton Anthology of Black Literature, DARK MATTER: READING THE BONES, like its ground-breaking predecessor, will introduce black SF, fantasy, and speculative fiction writers to those who have not yet realized the depth and breadth of their work-or even, in some cases, that it exists. Including original short fiction and nonfiction as well as previously published works and essays, DARK MATTER will contain approximately 30 stories from the early part of the century through the most cutting-edge work of today. Contributors to this new volume include Charles Johnson, National Book Award-winning author of Middle Passage; Tananarive Due; Walter Mosley, W.E.B. Du Bois; Samuel R. Delany; Nalo Hopkinson; and many more."

I can only ask myself, "Why aren't these books on my shelves?" I've added them to my own wish list because these are must-have collections for anyone seeking stories and books based on cultures outside of the traditional American/European sci-fi experience. (RDJ)

This is a review of my ANI466 seminar course at the College of Computing and Digital Media at DePaul University in Chicago.

I'd appreciate you leaving any comments directly on my blog, The Animated World of Martin Lindsey.

http://www.martinlindsey.com/2012/06/18/the-wrap-up-for-my-ani466-cinema-animation-art-course/

The Wrap Up For My ANI466 Cinema Animation Art Course

Original Credit: GreadBeyond on Flickr

The epicenter of last year's earthquake my family felt in New York was a mining operation in Virginia.

Things that make you go...hmm.

Scientific American:
Fracking Can Cause Earthquakes, but So Can Oil and Gas Extraction

It's free for another three days. It's not science fiction. It's based on the story of the Good Samaritan. Set in the sixties with African-American protagonists.

Like Lynnette, Paul would appreciate your reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Adventures-Sammy-Alistair-ebook/dp/B008BKVX9S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1340031920&sr=1-1&keywords=sidecar+paul+caro

(Pssst, I did the cover.)