Sunday, January 30, 2011

Food That Causes Farts

Food That Causes Farts
How to avoid farting.

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker, Index Of Chapters

A reader suggested that I make it easier to navigate the story on line, so I made this index of the chapters, with a separate link to each. Thanks.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter 27

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter 27
Jon confronts the murderers. Click the link above to read my SF novel on line.

Food Shortages And Higher Food Prices

Food Shortages And Higher Food Prices
What is causing the current round of food price inflation? Learn here, and learn how we can avoid this the next time.

The US Military Meets Politics. What Could Go Wrong?

The US Military Meets Politics. What Could Go Wrong?
An article on the relationship between the US military and our two political parties.

The US Military Meets Politics. What Could Go Wrong?

The US Military Meets Politics. What Could Go Wrong?
An article on the relationship between the US military and our two political parties.

Population Bomb, Teen Pregnancy. Oh No! My Kid Just Had A Kid!

Population Bomb, Teen Pregnancy. Oh No! My Kid Just Had A Kid!
Teen pregnancy is bad, right? Click the link above to read an alternative view.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Just Gotta Love Them Tiny Feet

Just Gotta Love Them Tiny Feet
A link to the first little bit of fiction I ever finished, and the only short story I have written that wasn't a kid's story, or a class assignment. It held up better than I expected, when I went back and read it again. But it demonstrates the rule, show, don't tell. Too much telling, not enough showing. Still, I like the story, it catches some emotions.
Click the link to read.

Politicians Love Poverty And Debt.

Democrat politicians want us to be poor and in debt. Republican politicians don't much care one way or the other. Neither is on the side of the little guy.

Look at the facts. What does the government encourage, and what discourage? Debt is encouraged. What is most peoples' biggest tax deduction? The mortgage. We are encouraged to take on more and bigger debt, in order to qualify for a tax break. We wouldn't need that tax break if taxes weren't so damned high in the first place. Click the link to read the whole thing.
Politicians Love Poverty And Debt.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

A Good First Job For A Kid

A Good First Job For A Kid
In my writing I use memories of my past to bring life to my characters. One of my first jobs was baling hay on the farm. Low pay, hard work with a gang of teen guys. A lot of my characters go through similar experiences, and I try to keep the details realistic. Click the link to read more.

Is Dental Insurance A Scam?

Is Dental Insurance A Scam?
Read an article from a dental insurance insider. Evaluate your policy, cost vs. benefits for dental insurance. Sometimes dental insurance is a scam, sometimes not.

Stuck In Telephone Hell. How To Get Off The Customer Service Merry-Go-Round

Stuck In Telephone Hell. How To Get Off The Customer Service Merry-Go-Round
Some hints on how to avoid the customer service run-around, and get the results you want when you call the customer service line.

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty Five

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty Five
This chapter begins a number of very grim and bloody chapters. Jon is confronted with some of the evil that has been pursuing him. They have finally caught up and are waiting...

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty Four

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty Four
Click the link to read more.

A Little Salt

The boy's name was Akio, it turned out, and Jon soon found himself overwhelmed by his nonstop, barely intelligible conversation. It wasn't long before he found himself invited to share the evening meal with the boy's father, he had no other family it seemed.

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty Four

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty Four
Click the link above to read more.

A Little Salt

The boy's name was Akio, it turned out, and Jon soon found himself overwhelmed by his nonstop, barely intelligible conversation. It wasn't long before he found himself invited to share the evening meal with the boy's father, he had no other family it seemed.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty Three

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty Three
Click the link above to read.

Chapter Twenty Three

Alelu Miami And The Leather Pants

Alelu looked at herself critically in her small mirror. "It will do," she said as she admired her crude haircut and the other changes she had made. Her waist-length hair lay in a mass on the floor beside her stool. Her head felt strange, light, and cold. She had been born with a full head of hair, and had never had more than a trim in all her short life. She felt free.

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty Three

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty Three

Click the link to read.

Chapter Twenty Three

Alelu Miami And The Leather Pants

Alelu looked at herself critically in her small mirror. "It will do," she said as she admired her crude haircut and the other changes she had made. Her waist-length hair lay in a mass on the floor beside her stool. Her head felt strange, light, and cold. She had been born with a full head of hair, and had never had more than a trim in all her short life. She felt free.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Find an Illustrator for your Cover Art

I had a good buddy back in high school that I lost track of. Then, the wonders of Facebook, and we got back in touch. He was an excellent artist then, and I checked out his work on his Facebook page and saw what he is up to now. He has been doing comic book art, including cover art, and he is pretty darned good.

We had a meeting today and discussed my new novel, Eden's Rat, and another novel I have in the works. We didn't talk price, but he is willing to do some sketches for me after he reads the stories. The final product I saw in his portfolio was thematically different from my type of story, but I am excited to see what he can do with science fiction/fantasy themes.

I'll be posting some of his work here over the next few weeks. Maybe if you see some potential there for your novel cover art, you can give him a try.

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty Two

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty Two

Introducing a new character, Shan Shen. Click the link above to read.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Twenty

Alelu Miami In Hiding

"I'm bored," Alelu said to herself, for at least the hundredth time today. Or so she imagined. It was the one thing which she had not prepared for properly. How wonderfully it had all gone, everyone obeying her, falling in with her plans as if they were conscious partners.

Monday, January 10, 2011

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Nineteen

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Nineteen
Here is the next installment of my on-line novel. Click the link above to read. There is a link on that page to chapter one.

The Bow

Jon Homeless had a problem. The day promised glories, hot sun splashed through high trees, casting shadows of oak and walnut leaf across his broad back, but Jon was sunk in thought. The fish in this little pool between twin riffles were playing hard to get. He had already taken, and eaten whole and raw a few small ones, but that was not what had him deep in a muse. The here and now was lost to him. He mechanically drew and cast his line with casual skill, trying first the bank edge, then the center, then the head or foot of the pool as the random urge took him.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Seventeen

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Seventeen
Click the link above to read chapter seventeen or to find a link to the other chapters.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Sixteen

The Tale Of Jon Handshaker Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen, with links to all other chapters, is now on line. Click the link above to read.