SFFS: The Vision's Origins (another snippet from "Genesis")

Welcome to another installment of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday on the blog. Thanks for all the feedback you give on my snippets, but be sure to go visit all of the other writers through the SFFS link above as well.

As mentioned last week, I'm slowly bringing out snippets from "Genesis," a story that I'd written long ago. So, if you didn't catch the previous snippets, here are a few links to get you back up to speed.

Snippet 1
Snippet 2
Snippet 3
Snippet 4
Snippet 5
Snippet 6
Snippet 7 

The boys have just found out they were the subject of a vision's foretelling. Now they're about to find out where the vision came from in today's snippet:

I rubbed my temples. “Where’d this vision come from, the bottom of a bottle?”

He scowled at me. “My vision came from the only One who can bring the truth.”

“And who would that be?”

“The Creator of all things, the Maker of the universe,” he tried to explain.

I cringed, remembering my previous run-ins with his kind. They either wanted money as a tribute to their gods or threatened force if one denied their supremacy. Though the gods and the methods always changed, they all ended up causing problems.

“Listen, friend, we want no trouble,” I told him, holding up my empty hands with palms faced forward while scooting away from the table.

Be sure to come back next week for yet another installment. Again, I always enjoy your comments!

SFFS: The Vision Foretold (a snippet from "Genesis")

Welcome to another installment of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday on the blog. Thanks for all the feedback you give on my snippets, but be sure to go visit all of the other writers through the SFFS link above as well.

As mentioned last week, I'm slowly bringing out snippets from "Genesis," a story that I'd written long ago. So, if you didn't catch the previous snippets, here are a few links to get you back up to speed.

Snippet 1
Snippet 2
Snippet 3
Snippet 4
Snippet 5
Snippet 6 

Colin and Duff have just been told they're going on a journey they didn't even know about. Check out the continuing sage in today's snippet:

I pounded my fists on the table. “No, we aren’t going anywhere!”

The stranger was insistent. “The vision has foretold…”

I held up my hand to stop him. “Listen, friend…”

“Gabriel Peters,” he corrected.

“I’m sure you mean well, but even if this vision of yours has merit, we can’t take you, or anyone, even as far as the upper atmosphere.”

“But the vision was very specific that I would find a pair of travelers from a foreign land who would take me on my journey. You’re the first aliens I’ve seen here since I had the vision.”

Be sure to come back next week for yet another installment. Again, I always enjoy your comments!

Respect

(Just another post in the general musings category...)

I don't often discuss religion here on the blog (nor politics, for that matter) simply because nothing good usually comes from doing so (and people tend to lump everyone into stereotypical silos based on their preconceived notions). That said, I'm a member of the Nazarene denomination (probably not a very good one, considering the material I write into my Aston novels, but nonetheless...), and one of their main tenets is that of missions, or spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

I bring this up mainly because we had one of my favorite missionaries at church this past Sunday (a last minute opportunity came up to bring her in) to speak to us about her ongoing missions work in Belize (which you can follow at the blog she keeps). I met Rebecca about two years ago when she first spoke at our church, and I've been a supporter of her efforts there ever since (and if you ever find yourself with a chance to have her speak to your own congregation, or to hear her speak at one nearby, I highly encourage you to do so).

View Larger Map

But before I go all "fanboy" here, I do have a point to all of this...I think the reason I have such respect for the work she does is the idea that a person could give up on all the modern conveniences that we have in the United States and do the work of God in another country like this. It sort of puts things in perspective when you really need it the most (as I have recently).

Without going into details, I do however feel called to help out a bit more than I have...and despite the not-so-Nazarene nature* of some of my work, I'm pledging all of my royalties from August (retroactive to the 1st) through the end of December toward Rebecca's work in Belize. I encourage you to read her blog and hopefully you'll feel led to donate...but if not, read one (or all) of my books and assist me in my own efforts to help.

And now back to your regularly scheduled programming...

*Although there's a bit more violence and physicality (not nearly enough for some, it seems) in my books and stories, I do think a little of my Nazarene-ness comes through from time to time. For example, Aston has a drinking problem (drinking is a big no-no for Nazarenes, which is one of the reasons why I don't do it myself), as we all know, but you'll find quite often that his drinking leads him into far greater trouble...two examples come to mind, one from the first half of Heroes Die Young, and the other from the middle of Friends in Deed. Conscious decision on my part? We may never know...

SFFS: A Purpose Revealed (a snippet from "Genesis")

Welcome to another installment of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday on the blog. Thanks for all the feedback you give on my snippets, but be sure to go visit all of the other writers through the SFFS link above as well.

As mentioned last week, I'm slowly bringing out snippets from "Genesis," a story that I'd written long ago. So, if you didn't catch the previous snippets, here are a few links to get you back up to speed.

Snippet 1
Snippet 2
Snippet 3
Snippet 4
Snippet 5

So, for those who are trying to find out more about the satchel, you'll have to wait. But if you've been trying to figure out the stranger's purpose, you're in luck with today's snippet:

I looked over at Duff, who simply shrugged while I turned my attention back to the stranger and asked, “Do we know you?”

“You, my friends, are to be my guides for the journey.” His smile broadened, eyes twinkling.

His words sank in and I retorted, “Whoa, hold on!”

A big smile appeared on Duff’s face. “Journey? Colin, where are we going?”

“To the farthest reaches of the universe, if need be,” the stranger responded, “as the full extent of the journey has not been revealed.”

“I’ve always wanted to travel,” my dullard of a companion mused.

Be sure to come back next week for yet another installment. Again, I always enjoy your comments!

SFFS: "Genesis" Continues

Welcome to another installment of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday on the blog. Thanks for all the feedback you give on my snippets, but be sure to go visit all of the other writers through the SFFS link above as well.

As mentioned last week, I'm slowly bringing out snippets from "Genesis," a story that I'd written long ago. So, if you didn't catch the previous snippets, here are a few links to get you back up to speed.

Snippet 1 from Genesis
Snippet 2 from Genesis
Snippet 3 from Genesis
Snippet 4 from Genesis 

And then, get a look at today's snippet:

“What’cha do that for?”

I mumbled, “It’s not polite to stare.”

“You didn’t have to hit me.” He rubbed his head.

I shot a sideways glance at the stranger as the rowdy group in the corner grew quiet for the first time. They were strangely interested in the new arrival, with each peering over, then leaning back in for a huddled conversation with the others.

I became very uncomfortable as his gaze fell on our table. I turned and scowled, but he smiled, reached inside his coat and pulled out a large cloth satchel. He made his way towards us in absolute confidence as I sat there totally confused.

As he neared our table, he uttered, “I was beginning to wonder if you’d ever show.”

Be sure to come back next week for yet another installment. Again, I always enjoy your comments!

Crossroads

I find myself at a crossroads...and maybe this is what a mid-life crisis feels like?

Over half of my life has been spent as a writer. That's a long time, for (though more than some, still) little to show for it. How long does a person continue to do the same thing over and over again, and expect a different result to take place? How does a person enact change after doing the same thing over and over again? Do you completely remove yourself from the field, and find something else to do?

Yet, giving it up really isn't all that much of an option, either. I do have a small group of core fans (mostly friends I know or those I count as relatives) who enjoy what I write, and I get enjoyment out of giving them new material. This isn't even counting the fact that I've considered myself a writer for so long that I'm not sure what I'd be if I wasn't...

Maybe I should just buy myself a sports car...

SFFS: The Continued Saga of "Genesis"

Welcome to another installment of Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday on the blog. Thanks for all the feedback you give on my snippets, but be sure to go visit all of the other writers through the SFFS link above as well.

As mentioned last week, I'm slowly bringing out snippets from "Genesis," a story that I'd written long ago. So, if you didn't catch the previous snippets, here are a few links to get you back up to speed.

Snippet 1 from Genesis
Snippet 2 from Genesis
Snippet 3 from Genesis

And then, head on in for today's snippet:

The bartender polished glasses, trading glances between the rowdy bunch of beasts and our table, occasionally watching the passed-out miner for signs of life. None of us were helping his bottom line, even if Duff would have been more than willing to completely finance the bartender’s retirement fund if we had any money.

The front door popped open and snow rushed inside on a blast of frigid air. Every conscious customer turned to watch this new arrival step inside, slamming the door closed and stomping snow off huge black boots.

I finally got a glimpse of the man underneath as he peeled off his white scarf and lowered the matching hood. He also had the added bonus of a patch on his left eye, jet black to match his disheveled hair. A rather vicious scar ran underneath his one good eye, and I idly wondered whether the scar and the patch were related, but only for a moment before I went back to my business.

Duff, unfortunately, was socially inept and continued to gawk. A few moments passed before I smacked the back of his head. He turned to me, eyes narrowed.

Be sure to come back next week for yet another installment. Again, I always enjoy your comments!