Home School an Option?!

The other day I went to a parent/teacher meeting. The purpose was to explain rules, policy, curriculum, and to help us get to know each other. Two things came out of the hour and a half marathon session.
One: There are so many more state tests than there used to be. It's hard to grasp the amount of money spent on these useless things; money that could be spent on teacher salaries, art programs, music classes, and most importantly, community outreach. Test all you want. Until the community is involved it's a waste of time and funding.
Two: After being told that my son spends more than 90 minutes per day on math, it occurred to me that something is dreadfully wrong!!! My generation and those before me, had much better math skills than the children of today. As a country in general we were better, and we never spent that much time learning math. By the third grade we had mastered skill to which my son is just now being exposed.
I don't know if it methodology or cultural, but it seems to me that education is in a downward spiral. I am seriously considering home schooling my son.

Coming True...You Know...Dreams

The literary world had changed for me so much this past month. The Godling Chronicles is on the best sellers list, people are approaching me for blogs and interviews, and I'm actually selling enough books to pay bills. I can hardly believe that people are interested in my day to day life, but it seems that they are...at least some people.
Still, I keep waiting for it to fall apart. A dream is coming true and I keep trying to wake myself up. I'm happy that I am able to share my writing with others, but I have a hard time believing that it means as much to them as it does to me. But each day I am proven wrong. Readers are telling me that I am giving them something they really want. How awesome is that?
Now I feel that the next book must be better. It needs to live up to expectations. I pray that it does.

A Better Man

As time passes and the infirmities of age slowly eat away at my body, I find myself wondering about what I will leave behind. The idea of shuffling off this mortal coil doesn't make me afraid. The mystery of what awaits me beyond this life, be it heaven, hell, or oblivion, hardly peaks my curiosity. I care little for pondering questions I have no hope of answering. But, the legacy I leave to my son and his children weighs heavily on my heart.
I try to have a positive impact on his life. I try my best to teach him lessons that will equip him for adulthood. I try to do things with my own life that makes him proud to have me for a father. Sadly, I know I often fail. I know the selfish nature I've carried with me throughout my life still bleeds out and stains the people dearest to me.
I suppose, in the end, all I can do is hope that the good overshadows the bad, and that I can continue to learn how to be a better man.

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No Choices

Election day draws ever closer, and the spirit of hope and optimism that permeated the election of four years ago has been replaced by anxiety and fear. As ill news keeps pouring in about the state of the economy, democrats can feel the white house slipping through their fingers. But republicans, who you might think would be confident at this point, remain timidly cautious. Their candidate, an unremarkable stoic, and frankly generic, picture of republican ideals, has thus far shown no indication of taking on an aggressive leadership stance. He seems to me like a boxer that has won seven rounds of a ten round fight, and is now trying "not to lose" more than he's trying to win.

I think back to Ross Perot, and how he lit a fire under the backsides of the major parties. The man had virtually no chance of winning, but he added a dynamic that felt truly American. It gave those who did not feel represented an option. I think that's what we need today. I can't support President Obama, but nor can I support candidate Romney. The sad fact is that neither person, in my opinion, is what this country needs. But where does that leave me, and others like me (and trust me when I say that there are far more than you might think)?

I care about the state of the economy, yet I hear nothing from either side that addresses it in a way that would be effective. One side wants to alienate the top 1% and the other wants to abandon the helpless to their fate. Each speaks of the national debt, but neither makes mention of what really creates that debt in the first place. They know if they do, that so many frauds and lies would be exposed as to shake the country to its foundation, and it's the perpetrators of those frauds and tellers of those lies that pay for elections.

I feel like I am being forced to vote for whoever lies the least. That's no choice.

From Poison-Book One in the Keeper of Light Trilogy

“Oh,”was the only reply I could manage to say.

“Yeah,” he replied just as awkwardly, moving his fork through the little salad he had bought. I took a bite of my favorite sandwich—secretly wishing Ricky was here so I could hug him for it—while Chris watched me. He looked extremely uneasy, like something was bothering him.

I put down the sandwich and opened the bottle of water and offered it to him.

“Drink it,” I ordered sternly,“It’ll help.”

He chuckled, his muscles tense, but he took it. He drank half of it in one gulp and set it down. His eyes looked more relaxed, but his muscles were still flexed, almost as if he was waiting for something to jump out at him.

“Is there someone here?” I asked, my blood freezing in my veins. His eyebrows sunk down to almost cover his eyes, which were scanning the cafeteria like the eyes of a leopard tracking its prey. The look of hostility in his eyes frightened me, but not more than whatever was out there trying to attack me.

“I think so,” he finally answered, slouching into the booth conspicuously. “Maybe I’m just paranoid. . . .” he trailed off in a grumble, murdering his salad with the metal fork in his hand.

I breathed out an erratic gasping sound. I tried to control my breathing, but it continued to come out in uncontrolled pants or long breaths that left me lightheaded. Chris watched me warily, his hands on the surface of the table, palm-up.

“Why won’t you tell me what’s after me?” I managed to finally ask, bringing my golden eyes to meet his sapphire ones.

His eyes seemed to change as I spoke my question; they froze over the beautiful flowing river and made them ice blue and cold.

“Because it’s something you can’t protect yourself from,” he answered. The silence following his question seemed to linger on forever; like someone had just shot a bullet and the birds had flown away. I forced myself to swallow.

“Something I can’t . . . protect myself from?” I asked slowly, my words freezing in my throat, trapping my screams from escaping in the middle of the populated lunchroom.

“I’m here to protect you,” he answered sincerely, but the hard stare didn’t melt from his eyes. “That’s my job. And I believe, in order to do that, I need to keep her identity a secret from you.”

 I just nodded, but remembered the pronoun he had just let slip off his tongue. Her . . .

http://poisonouspurity.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Poison-A-Novel/226041460796266

                            http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5438242.Dejana_Vuleti

Free Book!!! Yeah, you heard me.

Normally, I have something to say....but my book is selling like hotcakes, and I'm on the top 100 best sellers list...so all I can say is....YIPPIE!!!!
In the spirit of my good spirits...the next ten people who send an email to thegodlingchronicles@gmail.com (free kindle in the subject heading) will not only receive a free kindle copy of Book One, but their name in the special thanks section of Book Two. The only thing I ask is an honest review on amazon. Fair enough?

Guest Post With Author Lyra Mcken

HOW “ZOMBIFIED” WAS BORN!

BY LYRA MCKEN 

When asked to discuss how I came up with the concept and story line for my novel Zombified, I had to think back. I had to think of where I was mentally when the idea formed. I had been annoying my family and boyfriend for weeks talking about the Zombie Apocalypse. My Dad would say something about, "If the economy doesn't do something then we are in for it." That isn't exactly what he said, my father doesn't speak like that, but for the sake of this article that is what he said. I would respond with, "The Zombies will take over!"

As annoyed as my family was, I was fascinated with Zombies and why they enthralled our culture so. I begin to think how would you feel if you knew you were going to start eating people and rotting away? Cassie started to form in my mind. She was a young girl with a bright future, derailed by a disease and the end of life as she knew it. I then started thinking, what if Zombies actually could communicate and had a purpose with their constant wondering around. Slopar was born, my idea of the Zombie language. I pictured Cassie talking to someone about her life as she snacked on him and wrote the beginning.

After this I started thinking, what if you bit your crush? I had to give Cassie a gorgeous guy, figure out how to get them alone, and let her ruin it with her soon-to-be-dead tendencies. I really enjoyed writing the novel. I wanted to explore the thoughts of the partially infected, and what would happen when they met up and tried to fight the desire to feed as the infection spread. I hope people enjoy reading Zombified as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thanks for taking a trip into my mind.

xx Lyra Mcken

 

AUTHOR BIO’S 

Lyra McKen (aka, Emily Walker) resides in the mountains of North Carolina. She lives on top of a mountain quite literally with her other half of nine years and her fur baby, Rebel. After a couple of jobs ghost writing for other successful authors she embarked on her own journey to write a novel.

 

ZOMBIFIED

Cassie is a typical teenager.  She’s crushing on a boy and trying to make it through high school. It’s a typical day of classes when all hell breaks loose. Forced to run and hide the situation just keeps getting worse. She makes a mistake and soon becomes infected. She meets others like her and together they sent out to find a cure. Is their fate already sealed? Can they find a cure before it’s too late? See what happens through the eyes of the infected when Cassie tells you how Zombies are people too.

 

LYRA MCKEN’S LINKS:

 

Author Page

Website

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Facebook Fan Page

 

“ZOMBIFIED” BUY LINKS

Amazon

Paperback Createspace

THE GODLING CHRONICLES FAVORITE CHARACTER CONTEST!!!

THE GODLING CHRONICLES FAVORITE CHARACTER CONTEST!!!

Who is your favorite Godling Chronicles Character?



In 500 words or less describe what it is that you like about him/her and why.

First Prize: A personalized copy the the Godling Chronicles:Book One-The Sword of Truth and a mention in the "special thanks" section of the upcoming Book Two-Of Gods and Elves.

Second Prize: A free kindle copy of The Godling Chronicles:Book One-The Sword of Truth and a mention in the "special thanks" section of the upcoming Book Two-Of Gods and Elves.

Third Prize: A free Kindle Copy of The Godling Chronicles:Book One The Sword of Truth.

GET YOUR COPY OF THE BOOK HERE: "The Godling Chronicles: Book One (Sword of Truth)"

Send entries to The Godling Chronicles Page or Thegodlingchronicles@gmail.com
(Be sure to put 'Contest' in the subject line.)

GOOD LUCK!!!

Cover Time!!!!

Okay people....time to show off the cover of The Godling Chronicles-Book Two: Of Gods and Elves.

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, DOUG LUCAS

1. What inspired you to write your first book?

 

Retirement… retirement and boredom if the truth be known. There were other factors, but those two are the prime suspects motivating me to write. After all…how hard can it be to sit down and just write a story with enough skill to make folks think you've become a literary giant?

Years ago I watched my wife start a book, join a writer's group, and read everything she could get her hands on about the correct way to write a novel. She had a super story to tell, worked her heart out learning the craft, and managed to finish half the book before putting it aside, disgusted with life in general and writing in particular. This was to become another factor in my decision to write and have a book published. When I say it's a factor, I mean the turmoil she went through before she became apathetic towards the notion of finishing her book.

 

I would watch her write something she dearly loved and share it with her writer's group or friends. They in turn would say this is great…but if you just wrote it this way the story would be so much stronger. She in turn would take their suggestions to heart and make the suggested changes. Once again they would read what she had liked and changed because of their suggestions to improve or strengthen it and make even more "if you just tweak it this way" helpful hints. I watched one evening as she shut her "faithful Tandy" down, boxed her paper copies of the story and floppy disks up and walk away from the whole idea.

 

Anyone who has ever started a book can understand those actions and they don't require explanation. What does require explanation is it was the very first time I'd ever seen her fail to finish anything she’d started. When I retired I wondered if I could finish a book, without being forced to kill my computer…because other than my wife, no one would see it until I was done.

So you might say it was more a stubborn determination to see if I could finish a book, than a desire to write or publish a novel. That would change after I received three rejection letters from literary agents.

 

2. What specific writing style or genre do you enjoy writing in?

 

I'm not sure what a specific style really means. If you're referring to consciously emulating a particular author…there is only one I try to stay true to…me. Each book I wrote is my story, therefore it should be told my way. I don't think like Stephen King or Tom Clancy, why should I attempt to write the way they do? I also don't have the education of most of the famous authors whose books I've read; therefore what I know about grammar is what you'll read. I do try to avoid grammar mistakes, but I pretty much write the way I talk. If you find a book I wrote boring, then most likely we won't be spending an afternoon in the local bar chatting…unless of course you're buying.

 

As for genre, well that's a grave of a different depth.

 

Once I managed to get the first book published, I decided to see if I couldn't write several more in slightly different genres. I know that an author who wants to be famous is supposed to only write in one genre to develop a following. I don't expect to be famous, find telling the same story monotonous and I've got to admit I like the challenge of seeing if I can get a few readers to try each different book.

 

At this point in our little blog together I'll admit I didn't know there was a genre labeled pedagogy, never had any intentions of trying my hand at non-fiction and of course didn't even want to compete with a book titled "All About Dinosaurs."

 

Having admitted to those facts, then the confusion surrounding the release of my last book, “Flats Teachers' Test," becomes a funny story pointing out that when things go wrong…they really go wrong.

 

My publisher released the book with a three day give away on Amazon, which is free advertising as far as I'm concerned. I checked it the morning it was released and was pleased to find it was listed as number one in its genre. Later that afternoon I again checked on the book's progress, this time paying closer attention to little things…like genre and category. Yes…I had to look up the meaning of pedagogy…I'll also bet a few of you will be doing the same thing right about now.

 

I'd been a little shocked to discover I'd been beaten out of the number one slot by a dinosaur. But must admit I was pleased I'd managed to stay ahead of "Enticing and Exciting the Non-Reader." (Just barely…but I did stay in the number two slot!). What scares me is if my fictional characters are listed as non-fiction…does that mean they'll be using an absentee ballot in the next election? Now that would be an honor for not only for my fictional characters, but me as well.

 

 

 

 

3.  How do you come up with the titles for your books?

 

I don't and at this point I'd love to say something sounding like a sagely witticism from Mark Twain. But the truth is I start a book and the title just seems to happen. I've been told I should invest far more time seeking the Holy Grail of book titles than I do. I also know a snappy title aimed right at the selected reading audience…Something like All about Dinosaurs; is an important part of catching the reader's attention. Unfortunately…I just go with what seems to fit.

Forgotten received its title because the folks who died and suffered in Beirut are forgotten by all but those who loved them.

 

Man in the Mountain was chosen as a title because one of the characters lived in a mountain. From the start of the first paragraph, it had its title.

 

My book Conversations with a Dead Man because the main character was dead…and still talking.

 

Buzz Words just seemed to fit a homicide investigation, although one reader pointed out the buzz word perps was spelled preps. So maybe I should have given that one just a little more thought.

The Flats Teachers' Test came from a quip a gym teacher made to me and when I sat down to write the book I had a title before I ever started…that time. He said the real test of a true teacher is can they make an entire school year without killing an administrator or hurting a student.

I'm working on a SciFi right now have completed ten chapters. Before I've completed the last chapter I hope to have a title….other than "what I'm writing now." The two books I have awaiting the editors chain saw have titles…for now.

 

4. How many of your novels have certain messages that you'd like readers to grasp?

 

Probably only the Flats Teachers' Test has a message I'd like to have a reader understand. I tried to use fiction to show just how much trouble this nation's school systems are really in. We've got some good schools and a few truly great teachers, both of which are in danger of becoming extinct.

 

 

5. How much of your books are based on reality or things you've been through I your own life?

 

If I were to write an autobiography on all of the extraordinarily exciting events of my life worth telling…….it would be shorter than a church bulletin and just about as well read.

 

Besides…now that I'm old, it's clear to me that no other young man could ever be as fantastic as I remember myself being. Therefore I shouldn't depress the younger generation by telling them just how much better I was than they are or ever could be.

 

As you can see from that statement, I write fiction. I firmly believe people read fiction to escape the pressures of everyday life. Maybe they want to experience something uncommon or for a few hours just live in a bizarre world of fiction. It isn't unusual or unexpected for a writer's life to sneak into the tales they tell. But I'd point out that I wrote Conversations with a Dead Man and to the best of my knowledge I'm not dead yet.

 

 

6. What books have you read that have influenced you in some way?

 

Other than the Bible, the two most critical literary works would be "The care and feeding of the M-60 machine gun" and of course "the many orders and regulations published by the Pennsylvania State Police on evidence handling and processing.

 

The Bible will send you to God, a malfunctioning M-60 will send you to hell and break the chain of custody on a piece of evidence and you'll wish you were in hell.

 

7. What writer would you consider to be your mentor?

 

Me…I've said it before and like all old men will repeat myself. I want to tell the stories in my books my own way.

 

The very first Author, whose books caught my attention, was Thomas B. Costain. The man has no idea how many tours he did in Vietnam or the loss I felt when his books The Silver Chalice and The Black Rose met with an untimely demise in 1983. But there is no way I'd ever attempt to copy his style of writing. He was my safety valve and secret pathway to a safer and much more exciting world.

 

 

8. Are there any new authors you have read that you like?

 

In no particular order: Julie Powell (author of Gone and not the author of Julie and Julia), Marissa Carmel, Lee Ann Graff-Vinson (Love and Liberty--I read it by mistake) Dawn Colcasure. Brian Anderson, Mike Evers, and Chris McKenna.  Of course I never read children's books or chick books. A manly man such as myself has only heard that some of these authors can write. I'll add that I've never read anything written by Sheila Deeth and you can't prove I have.

 

All of these folks can spin a yarn in their own way and are well worth finding. Some have books with Gypsy Shadow publishing and the rest can be found on the Great Minds Publishing web page.

 

 

 

9. What's your current project and when might it be available?

 

I'm trying my hand at a Sci-Fi that at present I'm just calling Evolved Man. I thought it might be fun to show a society in the distant future which punishes a non-conformist by sending them into the past (via time travel of course). I have no idea when it will be done because I'm only on chapter ten, I have several poker games (BYOB of course) that need my attention and it's coming up on my favorite time of year to ride motorcycles (fall foliage). As you can see I have a few different priorities than other authors.  Writing for me is a hobby…I refuse to work myself to death over a hobby.

 

 

10. Can you give us an excerpt or tell us a little about your current work?

 

Sure, Here is the first few paragraphs from chapter one:

 

My name is Daniuca West 320…the date chosen for my birth was day two twenty-one in the agreed cycle of thirty fifteen. I was part of the last generation conceived and born in the west wing of the old creation hall. My tissue mass was designated as female, and I was the very last of the six hundred tissue masses for that cycle allowed to evolve into a human.

 

My early years of education and conditioning were normal. I met the female donor of my DNA at age cycle twelve and the male donor at age cycle fifteen…I found them both to be uninteresting. I spent the required twenty life cycles in basic courses for enrichment required by the Committee for Human Growth and Instruction.

 

The Educational Guidance Committee recommended I study Forgotten Pre-Human Skills. I was allowed to spend the next eighty cycles of my life learning how dangerous life for the human race was before order and structure was established.

 

I was thrilled by the recommendation to study Forgotten Pre-Human Skills. It would mean society had decided I would be working as a Harmony Protector or Regulation Enforcement Officer. I would be helping society move forward without the hindrances of the past.

 

Of all the things which have changed during my lifetime, I find my computer Companion to be the single most disturbing. The implanted synchrony is always with you…never dormant and leaves you with no option but to think whatever message is being transmitted. I know our society is far better off because of their existence, a fact my Companion constantly reminds me of.

But there are times when I would just like to feel or discover new things on my own. I also suspect this is the very reason I've been summoned to the Hall for Social Justice and Harmony again.

 

I am far enough into the start of this story to have already had the lady sent back to 1775. I think it will be rather unique to contrast the far future to the distant past.

 

 

11. Is there anything you would consider challenging about your writing?

 

Yes…making sure it doesn't interfere with the things in life that are truly important. Things like afternoon naps, late night poker games (that now means anything after nine PM) and of course long motorcycle rides.

 

 

12. Do you have any advice or anything you'd like to say to your readers?

 

To anyone who may be thinking about writing a book. First and foremost write it to make you happy, not some friend who only wants to make it a little better. Finish what you start; at the very least you'll be an author with one book to their credit. If you find a publisher who wants to publish tour work, then you're a published author. If the book is published and one person (family doesn't count here) buys it, you are a successful author with a following.

 

To my readers…keep buying my books…She Who Should Not Be Named saw another yorkie puppy in need of a home. This means I'll may need two leashes and two pooper scoopers.

AUTHOR BIO’S

 

My name is Doug Lucas, well in reality it's Raymond D. Lucas. Like most people I sometimes forget I have a first name. Mine was borrowed from my father---I tend to confuse myself when I tell others my first name is Raymond.

My Dad had dreams of sending one of his sons to West Point; I had dreams of escaping any form of academic endeavor. Neither one of us was a total success in making those dreams come true. He did manage to force my nonacademic, rebellious mind and body through high school. I managed to join the Marine Corps right after high school before he could inflict the pain of higher learning on my soul.

I began a twenty-five year odyssey that in the beginning worked very well towards the completion of my life ambition of not being forced to endure any more formal education. The Marine Corp started my "reeducation" by training me to become a machine gunner---this worked well for me because no college was required for this position. After my first tour in the exotic Far East the Marines waited for me to reenlist and then changed my status to Combat Photographer, a reward for some misdeed that to this day I am still unaware of committing.

I once again found myself in academic situations, but with a twist that added zest to my desire to learn. Fail a military school and for the most part your career is over at all levels. You might say that I became a very enthusiastic student, with a new found motivation to excel at academics.

As a reward for completing the "schools" I was selected for, I was returned to the Far East to apply my new found knowledge of Combat Photography in a practical environment.  I learned very quickly that in a combat situation, taking a shot with a camera was far less rewarding than taking one with a machine gun.

 

 

 

In the time that I served in the Marines I manage to become a Drill Instructor at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina and serve a tour as a recruiter at RSS Long Island, New York. I have no idea what crimes I committed that forced the Marines inflict those punishments on me.

During this period of travel and education I did managed to entice a lovely young woman to share her life with me, on the condition that she controlled the purse strings. This condition has worked very well for us over the last forty some odd years, at least it has managed to ensure my bills were paid on time. She presented me with two sons and a daughter.

Both of my sons had the same attitudes toward higher education that I had. I would often tell them that they may roll across the stage in a wheel chair on graduation day, but they would graduate from high school.

I take all of the credit for raising our daughter, who now has her Master's Degree in Literature.  Having read some of what I've produced, she has requested that if I ever publish a book, I not mention her name.

After retiring from the Marines I went to work for the Pennsylvania State police as a Forensic Photographer. I liked that job a lot because it was for the most part very quiet and peaceful---you might say dead end. After working at that for a few years I became interested in Forensic Video analysis. I think my main reason for interest in that field was as a way of proving to my father that you can make a living watching television.

I am now totally retired from all forms of work, with the exception of those small requirements my wife now inflicts on me. Tasks that are preformed for little or no pay I might add.

My lovely and gentle wife added to this blend of joy and frustration by acquiring an attack dog for home security. Very few people have the slightest conception of the sense of failure a former Marine achieves as he walks behind a six pound miniature Yorkshire terrier, appropriately named Trouble.

With the profits from my book sales, I hope to be able to afford a "pooper scooper."

Guest Author: Jamie Haden

EXCERPT from ILLUMINATE-ALIVE, SHE CRIED

 

 

                The underlying premise of soul flights in ILLUMINATE-ALIVE, SHE CRIED is there are three types of spirit people, healers, shape-shifters, and spirit seekers. When a healer falls into a trance, the soul leaves the body and ventures into other realms, different realities. Some healers are channels for the spirits and act as mediums. Healers are fully human. Shape-Shifters journey the same way, but are of dual nature. Shifters possess two souls, that of man and animal. As animal, shifters live free from the existential burden of choice. The transformation from man to beast is often violent, for it is during brutal alteration that the bones literally change form. Spirit Seekers are similar to healers; they are human, yet, they are the eyes of the world. These visionaries walk the earth to seek sacred knowledge. They don't need to experience a trance in order to travel into different realms. They have special gifts and abilities. By bridging the gap between Native Americans and shape-shifting, with the underlying philosophical principals of the supernatural worlds, reality and fantasy are able to stand alongside one another and not be mutually exclusive.

 

Hallucination 1

Background: In the following excerpt, Talisa Santiago, the protagonist, has just awoken from a powerful soul flight. She is speaking to her best friend, Dakota Revels.

 

"Dakota, I was with my spirit animal, the falcon was present, but so was my guide. I know her name. She is a part of my psyche, isn’t she?"

"Yeah she is. What did you’ll do together?"

"We flew."

"Where?"

"Back to the desert. She took me to my birthplace. Dakota, I saw some things I don't understand. Will you help me brainstorm?"

"Sure, what's going on?"

"Can you promise never to tell anyone?"

"Talisa, of course I won't tell anyone."

"My spirit guide used to have an eye in the middle of her forehead, a third eye. This time, the image was a serpent eating its own tail. It was a full circle, a ring, no beginning, and no end. What does that mean?"

Dakota thought and scratched his head. "It's Ouroboros, an ancient symbol representing immortality, infinity."

I nodded and went on. "We walked in the desert together for a long while, but then she was gone. I felt alone, abandoned. I was lost and had no idea where I was going. Soon, I came upon a woman. Everything was out of focus, blurry, but I could see she was holding a piece of luggage. It was round. She held it out to me."

"A hatbox?"

"Yes, exactly, a hatbox. A black sheet covered her face. It was blowing, but there wasn't any wind. The desert was very hot; it seemed endless, eternal. The whole thing felt extremely ominous. When I moved closer to the woman, to take the hatbox, I noticed she was standing in the center of a circle. It had four arrows sticking out. The arrows pointed north, south, east, and west. I followed the one closest to me and it led me to—" I stopped talking midsentence and took a deep breath.

"Led you to where?" he asked.

My mouth was dry and I swallowed saliva. "Dakota, I wasn't in this world anymore. I descended."

"To the underworld?"

"Possibly, I don't know."

"What was there?"

"Rage."

"Why do you say rage?"

"It was complete chaos. There was no sunlight. It was just a vast darkened space lit by fire. People ran frantic with no direction. They brutally attacked each other with clubs and bats. Sores covered their grotesquely disfigured bodies. Long chains restrained them. They couldn't break free. I felt tremendous sadness."

Dakota was silent. The stillness was unnerving. "Dakota, say something."

"Go to the beginning and start with the desert. What does it symbolize to you?"

"It was endless, eternal."

"The desert is also a place of purity and divine revelation. Your vision wasn't clear when you saw the woman holding the hatbox. A sheet covered her face; it may represent blindness. Perhaps you are blind to something or perhaps you must overcome something in order to see clearly. Talisa, think, what must you overcome?"

I shrugged.

"Talisa, you witnessed rage. I'm thinking the four arrows were earth, air, fire and, water. You saw fire in the darkened space. Fire represents insights, intuition. Have you heard of The Divine Comedy before?"

"I've heard of it, but I never read it."

"The Divine Comedy is an epic poem by Dante. It is an allegory of a soul's journey toward God. It begins with the Inferno, Dante arriving in hell. There are nine circles, but I'm thinking now of the fifth one. When Dante arrives at the fifth circle, he unknowingly rides across the river Styx. It is a toxic marsh. The people are overcome with rage. The ones who expressed anger in this life are on the surface, fighting each other. The sullen, the ones who repressed anger in this life, are eternally drowned beneath the surface. The allegory represented an awareness of Dante's own sin."

"How do you know all this?"

"We'll talk about that later, but for now, let's worry about you. Go back to the hot, dry desert where you felt alone, abandoned, blurry. Take the sheet off and open your eyes. What do you need to face in order to see clearly?"

 

 

 

Jamie Haden

Wilmington, NC August 2012

 

ILLUMINATE-ALIVE, SHE CRIED a novel by Jamie Haden      

Some say the concept of rebirth is simply a metaphor for living a better life, a holier life. For seventeen-year old Talisa Santiago, such a resurrection is anything but a metaphor. It is her reality.

            Talisa knows she can communicate with the spiritual world. She is the granddaughter of a shaman and going between two different worldly dimensions is something she realizes she is destined to do. However, what she doesn’t count on is what fate has in store for her.

            After surviving the first hurricane of the season on the island where she lives, Talisa learns that her life is in grave danger. She must leave immediately and retreat to live with a secretive clan of Indians on a remote reservation deep within the Great Smokey Mountains.

Her blood brothers, three shifters who have the desires of both man and animal surround her, promising everlasting friendship and protection. Now, Talisa will put her life in their hands, depart from her mother, and begin the journey of a lifetime. However, the majestic mountains hold many secrets and danger lurks in the night. There are evil tricksters everywhere that want her dead. As Talisa falls prey to the confusion of her own sexuality, she unleashes an untamed passion that may get them all killed.  

            Jamie Leigh Haden is the author of Spirit Seeker, a young adult fantasy. Jamie lives and writes near the seashore in North Carolina. She has a Bachelor's degree in philosophy. Jamie is currently working on An Unimagined Life, the sequel to Illuminate-Alive, She Cried. Get Illuminate-Alive, She Cried on Kindle here: http://goo.gl/g6qKF  or in paperback here: http://goo.gl/3V4Of

            Jamie Haden www.jamiehaden.com

Book Two Jitter's

 The release of second book in The Godling Chronicles is fast approaching. The tension is growing. But luckily, Book One is selling. When I first released The Godling Chronicles, I dreamed that thousands of people would read and love it. When it didn't happen right away, I wasn't upset, but I admit I was a bit disappointed. I really didn't expect to become an overnight sensation, but I struggled to get even my friends to read my work and was forced to find creative way to sell books. Hell, I nearly talked myself into peddling door to door. I did sell some books, but at the rate I was going it would have taken one-hundred years to to reach my goals. That has changed....
 My sales are nearly doubling on a weekly basis. Each day that passes I find that I am coming closer to my original dream. And though I am not there yet, and it will likely take quite some time to achieve, it is less a daydream and more a possible future. Oh yes, it's enough to make me want to dance with joy. Unfortunately, this comes at an oddly unique price.
  It has become apparent that Book One is good enough to warrant the interest of fantasy lovers. Reviews have been great and I've had nothing but positive feedback. Even the critics that found something they didn't like, went on to say that it was far outweighed by the compelling nature of the story. What is the price, you ask? The price is that I'm face with an uncertainty that didn't exist for me before.
  When I wrote Book One, the idea that people wouldn't like it had crossed my mind, but it didn't bother me. It wasn't like there were any pre-existing expectations for it to be anything special. If I tried and failed, I could try again. This time, the pressure is on. Now, if people don't like Book Two, there is no turning back. I either discontinue the series, or finish book three with hopes that I can redeem myself. I'll have to wade through an ocean of foul criticism and come out on the other side with my self esteem in tact. Don't get me wrong...I'm strong enough. But it does cause the release date take on a sense of dread that has coupled itself with anticipation.

First Day of School

It's countdown to the first day of school here in New York. It takes me back to my own school days. The summer would wind down and I would slowly but surely get excited. A new teacher and a new group of classmates awaited; although, being that I grew up in a very small town with a very small school, it was mostly the same kids from the previous year. Still, many of them I hadn't seen since the previous year, and there was usually at least one or two new students. Yes, the first day of school was a box of mystery waiting to be opened.
I look at my son and in a strange way feel envious of all the new discoveries that he has in store. The things he will learn...things that will shape the way he perceives the world. New and wondrous lessons that will one day influence what he will do with his life. All this is waiting for him just beyond the schoolhouse door. Will this be the year he falls in love with science, math, or perhaps, like me, history? Will this be the year he shines so brightly that the memory will stay fresh in his mind well into adulthood? Will this be the year he is smitten by a young lady? Will he be embarrassed to tell me about her? Will he buy her little gifts, or will he be a shy boy like I was?
It's easy to fear for the future of our children. All you have to do is turn on the news. Global climate change, peak oil, unemployment, political upheaval, violence, uncertain economic forecasts...all of this is enough to send a parent into a panic. It does me. But then I look at my boy, readying himself for the first day of school and I smile. Suddenly the future looks bright again. And though I realize Jonathan will be faced with many challenges throughout his life, at least here and now the world is a place of discovery and wonder.