Imagine if you will, an ordinary yellow star – humdrum, prosaic, even boring, little different from the millions, nay billions, of such stars populating our universe. This modest star is located on the fringe of a vast swirling galaxy. There, in the backwaters of its galaxy, it is far enough from the galactic center to avoid excess high energy radiation and interstellar collisions, yet close enough to include significant metals. It is in the Galactic Habitable Zone – a necessity…..
There I was, absently-mindedly perusing social media, and checking my email. Suddenly one caught my eye. It asked a simple question: Who is your favorite fictional couple, and why? The question from Goodreads seemed straight forward, so I began to write. This was too easy, drill sergeant. My favorite fictional couple? Olivia and Mike, of course (Olivia’s Story: Protector of the Realm). Why are they my favorite? To paraphrase John Lennon – Love is what happens while you are busy…..
The whine of planes interrupted Fritz’s ghost story. In the distance, they heard the air raid sirens, followed by the thunder of bombs. “Quick, into the basement,” Olivia cried. She gathered the terrified children and headed to the cellar. The servants ran screaming into the woods. In the basement, Fritz pushed aside the secret panel, and they tumbled into the hidden office. – Olivia’s Story: Protector of the Realm World War II – the world at war, millions locked in…..
“So you wrote a children’s book?” the voice on the phone asked. She was pleasant, but my insecure ears picked up a note of condescension. “Yes, I wrote it for my granddaughter when she was learning to read.” “I see,” the voice paused. “So it’s a picture book?” “No, not a picture book,” I answered trying to think how best to describe it. “Not a picture book, so is the target audience MG or YA?” What? I thought. After retiring…..
“So you wrote a children’s book?” the voice on the phone asked. She was pleasant, but my insecure ears picked up a note of condescension. “Yes, I wrote it for my granddaughter when she was learning to read.” “I see,” the voice paused. “So it’s a picture book?” “No, not a picture book,” I answered trying to think how best to describe it. “Not a picture book, so is the target audience MG or YA?” What? I thought. After retiring…..