Sum-it-up Sunday: Murder, Mayhem, Moms

The Democrats spent a lot of time at their convention on victims of gun violence. Conspicuously absent: victims of illegal immigrants (Kate Steinle?), emphasis on Chicago (isn’t that the current gun violence capital?), jihadist victims (San Bernardino? Orlando?) and cops (Dallas or Baton Rouge family members anywhere?) I guess that means gun violence is okay … Continue reading →

Selling Saturday: Smashwords Coupon for “New Antiques”and the Last 2 Days of Summer/Winter Sale on All My Collections

This week’s Smashword’s coupon is for “New Antiques”: Tim Crabtree takes time out of his daily harassment by the local bullies to wonder why his new neighbors have built a forty-foot pole in their backyard. Are they trying to get hit by lightning? If he only knew… “New Antiques” was yet another go at a … Continue reading →

Forecast Friday: Standing Up for HUMANS

I remember an old issue of OMNI magazine with a tongue-in-cheek article (it was APRIL) about a newly discovered species of GIANT FLYING VAMPIRE TOADS which were feeding on retirement community residents. This was thought to be okay, because the rare species needed to be protected. What’s a few old folks, after all? Yes, this … Continue reading →

Writing Wednesday: Keep Your Story to Yourself

I’ve read somewhere (in one of those HOW TO WRITE books I read when I was THINKING about GETTING SERIOUS about becoming a WRITER – we’ve all done that, haven’t we?) that you shouldn’t talk to people about what you’re writing. It may be tempting – you’re at a cocktail party or a barbecue, and … Continue reading →

“Obsolete” Now Available On Preorder

Up next for publication – “Obsolete”: When we leave Earth, will we forget what it’s like to be human? Mr. Omega, the last unmodified man, stands trial for unthinkingly preserving his own life over that of a superior being. “Obsolete” is a short, speculative fiction. I was wondering – as we FINALLY try to go … Continue reading →

Meandering Monday about How It’s Quiet. Too Quiet.

Someone told me years ago that, when you make a phone call and hear ringing on the line, it isn’t really ringing at the other end. If a couple of seconds go by without a ring we think something’s wrong, so the phone company fakes you out in order to satisfy your expectations. The ringing … Continue reading →

Sum-it-up Sunday: Honor, Honesty, Horror

Senator Ted Cruz gave an excellent speech Wednesday night, one of the best of this year’s Republican Convention. He managed to work in the Military, Law Enforcement, Freedom, The Constitution, We the People vs Big Government, and highlighted the differences between what Republicans and Democrats stand for, and that the Republican Party must be united … Continue reading →

Selling Saturday: Smashwords Coupon for “Dempsey’s Debut”; Summer/Winter Sale on My Collections Continues

This week’s Smashword’s coupon is for “Dempsey’s Debut”: How would you like to be abducted by alien mantises for some live entertainment, and that just because of your namesake? Jack Dempsey feels ‘boxed’ in when he’s forced to carry on the family name, and certainly doesn’t want to become part of the Krills’ warped mating … Continue reading →

Forecast Friday: Just Like Magic

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. – Arthur C. Clarke The EmDrive (see link to MIT Tech Review article HERE) is magic; if I’m reading the article correctly, it doesn’t require fuel and would revolutionize space travel. It violates the law of conservation of momentum – one of the “what we all know” … Continue reading →

Writing Wednesday: Freeing My Mind

The last couple of months have been tough and tedious, but I finally have Detective Jimmy Delaney #5 & #6 ‘put to bed’, as it were. I decided to work on them together, thinking that I would do a better job (and have an easier time maintaining consistency) if I didn’t let other stories and … Continue reading →