Of Substance and Originality

While we are still awaiting the results of my son's biopsy and MRI, I have been slowly easing back into the groove of writing. I've been gearing back up to the point of full capacity. Work on the novella is progressing well while the novel is being carefully maintained. I am also formulating several other ideas into story lines that I think are real winners, particularly because they're things I've noticed my wife has taken an interest in. Stay tuned for more info!

Another thing that's been on my mind lately is the apprehension of genres that are being used on a constant basis. While I love science-fiction, fantasy, political thriller, horror, poetry, even the abstract, I've noticed that a lot of them have been played again and again. I love new and creative ideas, but lately there haven't been many. There have been remakes, re-imaginings, and expansion on existing genres. A lot of them aren't executed well. Let's take the latest vampire craze; I do enjoy a good horror story, or even suspense/mystery with vampires, the idea has been beaten into the ground with oodles of films done as either empty gore-fests, or teeny-bopper flicks that fill up space. Anymore, they don't have the good substance that makes for an incredible story. They're either mindless monsters or love-crazed youngins. What happened to the Dracula story, or even the eerie story of I Am Legend, including its various film adaptations? The concept of the vampire, for the most part has been turned from a gothic/horror tale into a soap opera genre.

I've been working on a fantasy story for over a decade, mainly because I'm trying to wait for a 'dry spell'. By that I mean when I did finish it years ago, the Lord of the Rings films were coming out. I felt like my originality would be questioned. So I spent the past decade reworking the original concept to ease away from sounding too similar to the Tolkien works and various period pieces being dished out every year.

Enough of my venting. What do you all think?

Good News

My youngest son's surgery went well, though it'll be another week until we get the rest of the results back. OO-RAH! It was rough, waiting without word for hours, but the time finally came when it was all over with. But the most difficult part was watching him being put under general anesthesia. He took it like a trooper. Before he succumbed he kept saying "Daddy, Daddy". That was the hardest thing I ever had to endure as a parent. I felt like I was abandoning him when I had to leave the operating room. Fortunately it all went well. The procedure was a success, and he awoke normally, aside from the soreness and moodiness from the anesthesia. The doctors and nurses were all very impressed with his recovery, especially for being only two. Now is the time to relax and regain some much lost sleep! Keep on keepin' on!

The Liebster Award!

I've received the Liebster from new and rising author Nadja Notariani, check out her blog, her recently published book, Claiming the Prize, and her other thoughts on writing, as well as an upcoming novella, Her Dark Baron.

Now the official rules state that I should follow the person who gave it to me. Then I should link back to their blog. Mission accomplished. The next step is to recommend that I pass along the award to five other writers. The only thing is that most of my other bloggers have already been awarded this, so I think I'm the last in line, as usual. But I highly recommend visiting Nadja's blog, it won't disappoint! 

Day of Remembrance

Today as we remember this day of infamy, we also remember our men and women in uniform. This, for me, meant a day at the 911th Tactical Refueling Wing base for the annual air show. And it was spectacular! There's a reason America's military is #1, and they just showed us a slice of it. While we enjoyed the gigantic cargo and tanker planes opened for civilians to climb aboard and check out, the acrobatics of planes, old and new, showed us just what Amercian airpower could do. From old biplanes, to swift attack helicopters, to Cold War era jets, to modern aircraft it was a reassuring reminder of good old American know-how and ingenuity. The power and maneuverability of the massive C-17 to us is an awesome and inspiring sight, while to our enemies it is the hammerstroke that deals justice round the world. I am a fiercely proud patriot, and staunch supporter of our men and women in the armed services. The fact that I have several family members currently serving just swells my pride in my family, my country, and all that we hold dear. If you know, or see a member of our armed services, please take the time to thank them and show how they have our full support, at home and abroad!

Hello, It's Me!

I'm new-ish, and back from a weekend trip to Lake Erie for Labor Day weekend. The past two days have been spent readjusting to the daily grind. It was a fun-filled time even though it had rained a lot of the time, but we were still able to enjoy many of the sites. My personal favorite was the Maritime Museum, even though the brig, Niagra wasn't there. I loved the historical artifacts from the original brig, and it's sister brig, the Wolverine/Michigan and various other sloops and schooners in Perry's fleet. My kids posed for pictures with the assorted cannons, shouting warnings to imagined Royal Navy adversaries before blasting them with a full broadside. But alas, while we spent the last day on a tour boat of Presque Isle Bay and part of the open lake itself, what did pass us? Why it was the brig itself, well the reproduction actually. Yep, the Niagra was heading for the channel with a crew of students to learn how to put her under full sail on open water. And we got to cruise alongside, about thirty yards away. It was an awe-inspiring sight while it flew the United States flag, the flag of Pennsylvania, and the jack bearing the ship's motto: Don't give up the ship! While I was wowed, I wanted to board and commandeer her, with the mindset to not give up the ship. But reality set in and I was returned to the daily grind. It was difficult being unable to write all weekend, particularly since I had so much in mind. But now I'm back, and ready to go!