Rules for writing fiction…

Rules for writing fiction…

Rules for Writing Fiction

Writing fiction is a creative process, but it benefits from principles and guidelines that help writers craft compelling stories. These “rules” are not absolute; they are tools to assist writers in honing their craft and creating connections with readers. Below are key insights into the rules of writing fiction, based on expert advice and common practices.


1. Write Regularly and with Discipline

A consistent writing habit is one of the most common recommendations for fiction writers. Authors such as Jane Austen, Ernest Hemingway, and Maya Angelou all found ways to write consistently despite distractions, whether in bustling homes or isolated spaces. Establish a routine that works for you and commit to it.Discipline often matters more than waiting for inspiration. Writing regularly helps build momentum and improves your craft over time.


2. Know the Rules Before You Break Them

Fiction has conventions—grammar, structure, and genre-specific tropes—that guide storytelling. Understanding these conventions allows writers to break them effectively when it serves the story. For instance, playing with narrative structure or blending genres can lead to innovative fiction, but these risks should be purposeful and intentional.


3. Focus on Clarity and Precision

Clear writing keeps readers engaged. Avoid overused metaphors, clichés, or overly complex language. George Orwell famously said, “Never use a long word where a short one will do” and “If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.” Precise language ensures your story flows smoothly and invites readers to stay immersed in the narrative.


4. Create Believable Characters and Plots

Even in fantastical settings, fiction must feel believable within its own context. Readers need to connect with characters and see the plot as plausible in the story’s world. As one expert puts it, “Fiction has to make sense, even when facts don’t.”Ground your characters in relatable emotions and motivations, even when your setting or premise is extraordinary.


5. Choose the Right Point of View

The narrative perspective—whether first person, third person limited, or omniscient—has a significant impact on how your story unfolds. Select the point of view that best serves your story’s needs and helps readers connect with the characters and events.


6. Read Widely and Outside Your Genre

To write well, read extensively. Exploring a variety of genres and styles exposes you to different techniques and perspectives. For instance, a fantasy writer might find inspiration in literary fiction or historical works, which can offer fresh approaches to world-building, character development, or storytelling.


7. Revise Relentlessly

Writing is rewriting. Many successful authors emphasize the importance of cutting, refining, and polishing their work. Elmore Leonard famously advised, “Cut out the parts that readers tend to skip.”Editing sharpens your prose, removes unnecessary elements, and ensures every word serves the story.


8. Write for Yourself First, Then for Readers

Your first draft should be for yourself—a space to explore your passion and creative vision. Once the draft is complete, shift your focus to the reader. Revising with your audience in mind helps you balance authenticity with accessibility, ensuring your story resonates with others.


9. Experiment and Take Risks

Each story has unique demands. Experimenting with conventions or taking creative risks can lead to extraordinary results. For instance, blending genres or using unconventional narrative techniques may help your work stand out. However, these choices should serve the story and not distract from it.


10. Keep Writing, No Matter What

Above all, keep writing. Fiction is a skill that improves with practice. Early drafts may feel imperfect, but the process of writing regularly allows you to grow as a storyteller.


Why Knowing Your Audience Is Critical in Writing Fiction

Although fiction often begins as an act of self-expression, it is also a form of communication. Writers craft stories to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and entertain readers. Knowing your audience shapes the decisions you make throughout the writing process, making your story more impactful.


1. Audience Dictates Tone and Style

Your audience determines how you tell your story. Are you writing a fast-paced thriller for adults or a whimsical adventure for children?

  • For younger readers, tone might be lighthearted, vocabulary simpler, and themes more straightforward.
  • For adult readers, you might tackle nuanced relationships, complex themes, or darker tones.

For instance, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone uses accessible language and emphasizes friendship and coming-of-age themes, appealing to young readers. In contrast, George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire (intended for adults) features intricate political intrigue, morally ambiguous characters, and explicit content.


2. Audience Impacts Story Structure and Pacing

Different audiences prefer different story structures and pacing.

  • Young adult (YA) readers tend to enjoy stories that start quickly, with high emotional stakes and relatable characters.
  • Literary fiction readers may appreciate slower pacing, detailed descriptions, and thematic depth.

By understanding your audience, you can align your story’s structure and pacing with their expectations. Ignoring this can make your story feel disconnected from its intended readers.


3. Audience Shapes Themes and Subject Matter

While universal themes like love, loss, and identity resonate across audiences, the way you approach these themes depends on your readers.

  • Children’s fiction might explore friendship and self-discovery in an optimistic, overt way.
  • Adult fiction may tackle the same themes with more complexity or ambiguity.

For example, a romance novel for young adults might focus on first love and the excitement of new experiences, while a romance for adults could explore infidelity, long-term relationships, or love after loss.


4. Audience Expectations Influence Genre Conventions

Every genre has conventions, and audiences expect certain elements from those genres.

  • Mystery readers want a puzzle and clues they can follow.
  • Romance readers expect emotional conflict, a satisfying romantic arc, and a hopeful ending.
  • Fantasy readers look for rich world-building and an exploration of speculative ideas.

By knowing your audience’s expectations, you can meet them while finding ways to surprise or subvert them creatively.


5. Audience Determines Emotional Connection

Fiction aims to evoke emotion. To achieve this, you must understand what resonates with your audience on a personal level.Ask questions like:

  • What do they fear or desire?
  • What struggles or experiences might they relate to?
  • What kinds of characters will they find engaging?

For example, stories about self-discovery might resonate deeply with a YA audience, while an adult audience may connect more with themes of midlife reflection or parenting challenges.


6. Audience Informs Marketing and Publishing

Knowing your audience is also essential for marketing and publishing. Agents and publishers often ask:

  • Who is this book for?
  • What other books does it compare to?
  • Why will readers care?

A clear understanding of your audience helps you position your book effectively and connect with the right readers.


7. Writing for an Audience Doesn’t Mean Pandering

Writing with an audience in mind does not require sacrificing your creative vision. Instead, it means understanding your readers’ needs and desires so you can tell a story that speaks to them while staying true to your voice.For example:

  • A YA dystopian novel might focus on rebellion and empowerment.
  • An adult dystopian novel might explore political allegory or moral ambiguity.

The core story remains the same, but the way it is told differs based on the audience.


Balancing Writing for Yourself and Your Audience

While writing for yourself fosters authenticity and passion, considering your audience allows your work to connect with others. The key is finding balance—writing a story that excites you while also resonating with your readers. Fiction thrives on this harmony between self-expression and communication. Ultimately, the best stories are those that matter both to you and to your audience.

Before you leave…

If you’ve made it this far, you’re officially part of the cool club. 🎉 Thanks for sticking with us on this journey—it means the world (and maybe a small chunk of the universe) to us!Now, don’t keep all this brilliance to yourself. Sharing is caring, right? So go ahead and share this with a friend (or that one person who never returns your texts—this will totally get their attention).If you enjoyed this, give us a follow and smash that like button—we promise it’s more satisfying than hitting snooze on your alarm. And hey, why not repost it too? It’ll make you look smart, we promise.Oh, and if you’re not subscribed yet…what are you waiting for? Seriously, don’t make us beg (okay, maybe we’ll beg just a little). Hit that subscribe button so you never miss out on the good stuff.Thanks for being awesome—we’ll see you in your inbox, on your feed, or wherever you decide to hang out next. Cheers to more adventures ahead! 🚀 ✨

About the Cover…Nothing But Time

The letter arrived three weeks after he stopped mattering.

Jack Harper gave everything to his career. His marriage. His daughter’s childhood. Forty-one years of sunsets he never watched and roses he never smelled.

Now he’s retired, redundant, and utterly lost.

Then he inherits a farmhouse from the friend who tried to warn him, the friend who escaped to Vermont and died alone, the friend who left behind one final message: Tend the roses. Stop and smell them. Live.

But something strange is happening at the farmhouse. 

The old radio plays broadcasts from 1943. The rose garden blooms when Jack kneels in the dirt. And Ed, his dead friend, keeps appearing at the edge of the orchard, smiling, beckoning, waiting for Jack to understand what he spent a lifetime refusing to see.
Some second chances come with instructions.
Some come with ghosts.

Exploring the World of Genre: Understanding Its Significance in Literature

Exploring the World of Genre: Understanding Its Significance in Literature

What Is Genre?

At its core, genre is a method of categorizing literature based on its style, form, or content. It serves as a framework that helps both readers and writers navigate the expansive world of storytelling. Whether you are picking up a mystery novel to solve a thrilling whodunit or diving into an epic poem that spans centuries, genre gives you a sense of what to expect. Common examples of literary genres include:

  • Comedy: Works designed to entertain and amuse, often featuring humor, satire, or lighthearted situations.
  • Tragedy: Stories that explore human suffering, often concluding with sorrow or catharsis.
  • Mystery: Narratives centered around solving a puzzle or uncovering hidden truths.
  • Satire: Literature that critiques society, politics, or culture through wit and irony.
  • Epic: Long-form narratives that often recount heroic journeys or significant historical events.

Genres act like roadmaps, guiding the creative process for writers while offering readers context for the story they are about to experience.


Why Should We Explore Genre?

Understanding genre goes beyond simple classification. It helps unlock creativity, deepen appreciation, and foster innovation. Here are some key reasons why exploring genre is essential for both writers and readers:


1. For Writers: A Tool for Creativity and Innovation

Writers often use genre as a starting point to craft their stories. By becoming familiar with the conventions of a specific genre, they can:

  • Follow the Rules: Adhere to established tropes and conventions to meet reader expectations. For example, in a mystery novel, readers expect suspense, clues, and a satisfying resolution.
  • Break the Rules: Innovate by blending genres or subverting expectations. For instance, a romantic comedy with a tragic twist or a fantasy epic incorporating elements of science fiction can create something fresh and unexpected.

Genres provide a foundation upon which writers can experiment, ensuring their work remains engaging while still appealing to their target audience.


2. For Readers: A Gateway to New Perspectives

Genres serve as a guide for readers, helping them discover stories that align with their interests. For example:

  • A fan of suspense may gravitate toward mysteries or thrillers.
  • Someone who enjoys emotional journeys might prefer drama or romance.

However, exploring unfamiliar genres can also be rewarding. Moving from a fast-paced action novel to a slower, reflective literary work allows readers to encounter different perspectives and emotions, broadening their understanding of the human experience.


3. Bridging Tradition and Innovation

Genres have deep historical roots. For instance, the epic genre dates back to ancient works such as Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey, while modern genres like dystopian fiction emerged as responses to contemporary societal anxieties. Exploring genres allows us to see how literature evolves over time to reflect cultural shifts and human concerns.In addition, modern storytelling frequently blurs traditional genre boundaries. A good example is Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, which combines dystopia, political satire, and literary fiction. This fusion of tradition and innovation keeps literature dynamic and exciting.


How to Approach Genre as a Writer or Reader

Whether you are a writer, a reader, or both, here are some suggestions for engaging with genres creatively:

For Writers

  • Study the conventions of your chosen genre, but remain open to experimentation.
  • Read widely across genres to gain inspiration from different storytelling techniques.
  • Combine elements from multiple genres to create something unique.

For Readers

  • Explore genres outside your comfort zone to discover new favorites.
  • Notice how authors use or subvert genre conventions to craft their stories.
  • Reflect on why certain genres resonate with you and how they shape your perspective.

Genre is not merely a label—it is a powerful tool that influences how stories are written and experienced. By understanding genre, we can better appreciate the creativity that goes into crafting literature. For writers, it offers a foundation for innovation. For readers, it serves as a guide to explore the endless variety of human imagination.The next time you pick up a book, take a moment to think about its genre. Whether it is a gripping mystery, a heartwarming comedy, or an epic adventure, you are stepping into a world shaped by centuries of storytelling tradition. That is something worth celebrating.

Would you like to know the rules for writing say…Fiction? Stay tuned…

If you’ve made it this far, you’re officially part of the cool club. 🎉 Thanks for sticking with us on this journey—it means the world (and maybe a small chunk of the universe) to us!Now, don’t keep all this brilliance to yourself. Sharing is caring, right? So go ahead and share this with a friend (or that one person who never returns your texts—this will totally get their attention).If you enjoyed this, give us a follow and smash that like button—we promise it’s more satisfying than hitting snooze on your alarm. And hey, why not repost it too? It’ll make you look smart, we promise.Oh, and if you’re not subscribed yet…what are you waiting for? Seriously, don’t make us beg (okay, maybe we’ll beg just a little). Hit that subscribe button so you never miss out on the good stuff.Thanks for being awesome—we’ll see you in your inbox, on your feed, or wherever you decide to hang out next. Cheers to more adventures ahead! 🚀 ✨

About The Cover

When the world teeters on the brink of nuclear annihilation, a retired Air Force general is given an impossible second chance: to rewrite history. Sent back in time to 1962 by mysterious alien beings, he wakes up trapped in the body of his ten-year-old self—armed with decades of knowledge, but stripped of his power and authority. With the Cuban Missile Crisis looming, global tensions rising, and secrets hidden in the shadows of the past, he must navigate a world that sees him as a child while carrying the burden of preventing humanity’s self-destruction.
As he re-encounters his family, a young JFK, and the love of his life before they’ve even met, he discovers that saving the future isn’t just about stopping a war—it’s about proving that humanity is worth saving. Along the way, secrets buried deep in Area 51, a chilling conspiracy within the U.S. government, and the cryptic motives of the alien beings reveal the stakes are higher than he could have ever imagined.
Echoes of Tomorrow is a sweeping tale of time travel, love, loss, and redemption. With the weight of the world on his young shoulders, one man must face the ultimate question: can the future truly be changed, or is humanity destined to repeat its greatest mistakes?
This gripping journey will captivate fans of thought-provoking sci-fi, historical intrigue, and heart- through time and the fragile threads of destiny.

The Return of Firing Squad Executions in the U.S.

The Return of Firing Squad Executions in the U.S.


I have been on the fence regarding the Death Penalty since I was a child.
For those of you old enough to remember grade school, when we got back from lunch and there was a projector in the room it was a great day!


Well, that was not the case one day in the third grade—yes, third grade. Most of us were 9 years old, and we didn’t know too much about war. For me, Vietnam was fresh on our minds even though we couldn’t find it on a map; we all knew someone who was involved.


The film that day was The Execution of Private Slovik. In case you never saw the film, the story revolves around a soldier named Private Slovak, who is executed for the crime of cowardice.

The events unfold in a manner that highlights the absurdity and tragedy of war. Vonnegut uses dark humor and irony to convey the senselessness of the military’s decision, questioning the values and morals of those in power.


“The Execution of Private Slovak” serves as a powerful commentary on the nature of war and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals in extreme circumstances. Vonnegut’s unique style and perspective prompt readers to reflect on the consequences of conflict and the human capacity for both cruelty and compassion.


The film adaptation of “The Execution of Private Slovak” is likely aimed at a mature audience, primarily due to its themes of war, morality, and the psychological impact of conflict.
The film’s production was so compelling that I still suffer from PTSD after seeing it in 1974 as a child.
I don’t have to tell you that the ‘teacher’ who sucked at teaching BTW had no business showing that film to nine-year-olds.

That brings me to my reason for this blog post…


Recent Execution by Firing Squad
Today, March 8, 2025, marks a significant event in the realm of capital punishment in the United States, as Brad Sigmon, a 67-year-old inmate, was executed by firing squad in South Carolina. This execution is notable as it is the first firing squad execution in the U.S. in 15 years, with the last one occurring in Utah in 2010.

Brad Sigmon was convicted of a double murder in 2002, where he killed his ex-girlfriend’s parents. He opted for the firing squad as his method of execution, rejecting other options such as electrocution or lethal injection. This choice has sparked discussions about the ethics and humanity of various execution methods, especially given the controversies surrounding lethal injections and their potential for botched procedures.


The execution has drawn significant attention and criticism, with many labeling the firing squad as a “barbaric” method of execution. There have been calls for clemency and debates about the appropriateness of using such methods in modern society. The return of firing squads as a method of execution raises questions about the evolving landscape of capital punishment in the U.S. and the moral implications involved.


Well, I don’t have to tell you that his death has resonated with me.


Unlike many, I feel as if we gain something when a mass murderer doesn’t commit suicide by cop or just plain old taking the coward’s way out and offing themselves.


Learning from the experiences of convicted murderers can help identify patterns that lead to violent behavior. This knowledge can inform community preventive strategies, such as mental health support, conflict resolution programs, and educational initiatives to reduce violence.


I maintain that we have a mental health crisis in this country and most probably around the globe.
As the Trump administration focuses on improving America’s health, mental health should be a key component.

This person chose this method to die as a statement. Why? What was his reasoning to die in such a horrific manner? Will his death dissuade others from committing acts of violence?


What are your thoughts?
Should we have the death penalty?
If we have it how should it be carried out?

As you can see, I enjoy sharing my views on current events. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.


I am thrilled to share an exciting update with you—my latest book, 1300 Feet per Second, will be released soon! This novel delves into the intricacies of human resilience and the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams, all set against the backdrop of gripping adventure and unforeseen challenges.
Your support has always been invaluable to me, and I am incredibly eager for you to dive into the pages of 1300 Feet per Second. This story will captivate your imagination and resonate with your spirit, much like it did with mine during the writing process.


In addition to this new release, I invite you to explore my current collection of books available on Amazon. Each title carries a piece of my heart and endless hours of dedication, crafted to offer you memorable and enriching literary experiences.


Thank you for being such a passionate and supportive community. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on 1300 Feet per Second and hope you find joy and inspiration in all my works.
Happy reading!


Warm regards,
Scott
Discover more of my books:

If your in to reading short stories for free…Follow the link and read my contest entries on the Reedsy web site in the UK.

Mastering Story Pacing: Engage Readers Effectively

Mastering Story Pacing: Engage Readers Effectively

There are so many aspects to writing that I think we can get lost in the weeds.

Today I want to focus on pacing. What is it?

Pacing refers to the rate at which a story unfolds, influencing how quickly or slowly the narrative progresses. It is a crucial element of storytelling that affects reader engagement, emotional impact, and the overall mood of the piece.

The length of scenes can significantly affect the pacing. Short, punchy scenes can create a fast-paced narrative, while longer, more descriptive scenes tend to slow the pace down.

The intensity and frequency of action sequences versus descriptive passages also play a vital role. A story filled with rapid action will generally feel faster-paced, while a narrative that delves deeply into character emotions and settings may feel slower.

Different genres often dictate pacing styles. For example, thrillers typically have a brisk pace to maintain tension and excitement, whereas character-driven novels may adopt a slower pace to allow for deeper emotional connections.

Effective pacing often involves varying the speed throughout the story. This technique can help maintain reader interest and build tension, creating a dynamic reading experience.

The primary purpose of pacing is to control the speed at which the story is told, which is not always the same as the speed of the events occurring within the narrative. By manipulating pacing, writers can enhance tension, develop characters, and evoke specific emotional responses from readers.

A thriller might exemplify effective pacing through a combination of short, action-packed scenes and longer, descriptive passages. The rapid shifts between intense action and slower moments allow readers to catch their breath while still maintaining a sense of urgency throughout the story.

Tension through pacing is all about rhythm and balance. By using techniques like short sentences, fast dialogue, controlled information release, and alternating speeds, writers can craft a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Whether it’s a high-stakes chase or a quiet moment of dread, pacing allows authors to manipulate the reader’s emotional experience and maintain suspense throughout the story.

Many can write a good story, but can they captivate their readers? Pacing is a key element in maintaining reader engagement.

Common Pacing Mistakes to Avoid

Pacing is a delicate balance in storytelling, and mistakes in this area can disrupt the flow of a narrative, disengage readers, or confuse them. Here are some common pacing mistakes and how to avoid them:


1. Rushing Through Key Moments

  • The Problem: Important scenes, such as climactic moments or emotional turning points, are glossed over too quickly. This can leave readers feeling unsatisfied or disconnected from the story.
  • How to Avoid: Slow down during pivotal moments. Use detailed descriptions, internal monologue, and sensory details to fully immerse readers in the scene. For example, explore their thoughts and feelings in depth instead of rushing through a character’s emotional reaction.

2. Dragging the Narrative with Too Much Description

  • The Problem: Overloading the story with excessive description or unnecessary details can bog down the pace, making the narrative feel slow and tedious.
  • How to Avoid: Be selective with descriptions. Focus on details that are relevant to the plot or character development. If a scene feels slow, consider cutting unnecessary exposition or dialogue.

3. Uneven Pacing

  • The Problem: The story alternates between being too fast in some parts and too slow in others, creating a jarring experience for readers.
  • How to Avoid: Plan your pacing intentionally. Use faster pacing for action scenes and slower pacing for introspection or world-building. Balance is key—vary the tempo to keep readers engaged without overwhelming or boring them.

4. Too Many Filler Scenes

  • The Problem: Including scenes that don’t advance the plot or develop characters can make the story feel stagnant and cause readers to lose interest.
  • How to Avoid: Every scene should serve a purpose. Ask yourself: Does this scene move the plot forward, reveal something about the characters, or build tension? If not, consider cutting or reworking it.

5. Overloading the Reader with Action

  • The Problem: Constant action without breaks can exhaust readers and make the story feel monotonous, even in genres like thrillers or action-adventure.
  • How to Avoid: Alternate between high-intensity action and slower, reflective moments. This gives readers time to process events and connect with the characters.

6. Skipping Over Transitions

  • The Problem: Jumping too quickly between scenes or events without proper transitions can confuse readers and disrupt the flow of the story.
  • How to Avoid: Use transitions to guide readers smoothly from one scene to the next. Even a brief sentence or two to establish time, place, or mood can help maintain clarity.

7. Ignoring Genre Expectations

  • The Problem: Pacing that doesn’t align with the genre can alienate readers. For example, a slow-paced thriller or a fast-paced literary drama may feel out of place.
  • How to Avoid: Understand the pacing norms of your genre. Thrillers and action stories typically require faster pacing, while literary fiction or romance may benefit from slower, more introspective pacing.

8. Failing to Build Tension Gradually

  • The Problem: Jumping straight into high-stakes moments without proper buildup can make the story feel rushed and reduce the emotional impact.
  • How to Avoid: Gradually increase tension by layering conflicts, foreshadowing events, and raising the stakes over time. This creates a more satisfying payoff when the climax arrives.

9. Repetition of Similar Scenes

  • The Problem: Repeating scenes that cover the same ground (e.g., similar conversations or conflicts) can make the story feel redundant and slow.
  • How to Avoid: Ensure each scene adds something new to the story. If two scenes feel repetitive, combine them or cut one entirely.

10. Overcomplicating the Plot

  • The Problem: Introducing too many subplots or unnecessary twists can overwhelm readers and make the pacing feel erratic.
  • How to Avoid: Streamline your plot. Focus on the main storyline and ensure subplots are relevant and resolved in a timely manner.

Hope this helps!

Why I Value Critiques Over Prizes in Writing Contests

Why I Value Critiques Over Prizes in Writing Contests

This week’s entry…

Many of you know I frequently submit contest entries to Reedsy, aiming for several submissions each month.

While the tease, the carrot, if you will, of $250 is nice, the reality is that I don’t even consider that part of the prize that I am seeking.

People around the world read my stories. While a simple “like” is an affirmation in that they took the time to click like, it is for the critiques of other writers I seek.

Since they don’t know me, they can tell me what they honestly think or feel. I also reciprocate for the stories that I read. I do that with the good, the bad, and the ugly.

This week’s entry was posted, and I received the following review.

Scott, your story masterfully blends humor, serendipity, and heartfelt moments into a captivating narrative that made me feel like I was right there in the snowed-in airport. The line, “No, I’m not tired,” he whispered sadly, “but I’m also sad to see the blizzard ending,” encapsulates the bittersweet feeling of fleeting connections and new possibilities. Your depiction of Victor and Emma’s banter and chemistry, especially their shared frustrations and quick wit, is utterly delightful. The humor throughout the story—like Emma’s hilarious commentary on airport bars—kept the mood lively while the underlying emotions added depth. Your vivid descriptions, especially of the bustling airport bar and Victor’s nostalgia for Toad Suck, created a rich, immersive backdrop. This is a wonderfully crafted piece with humor, heart, and charm. Thank you for sharing such a delightful read!

I am not sharing this as a brag but as an example.

Countless similar contests, with their own unique rules and prizes, undoubtedly exist across various platforms and communities. For me, these contests are much like a recess from grade school—a welcome break from the pressures of work, a chance to let loose and have some fun, just like those carefree days of childhood. The prompt transports me from my project – be it the chilling winds and barren rocks of an alien planet or the plush carpets and rich scents of a movie star’s boudoir. The challenge is to meticulously plan my writing, unlike my spontaneous, free-flowing pantster style. With a maximum of 3000 words, creating the arc, the storyline, and so on is excellent practice for that New York Times bestseller that is looming in the near distance of my imagination.

Follow the link to my entry and see what you think. Was she right?

Recently, I published a book of these entries called Ephemera, Tales of the Fleeting and Profound. Another book with the same name, Vol II, is in the making as I take these stories, edit them, add to them as I see fit, and re-publish them as a book of short stories. You can find my work here.

Welcome to 2025 and your personal connection to someone passionate about the craft of writing.  Cheers!

“Trim the Tree”

“Trim the Tree”

“Trim the Tree”

How to Edit Your Stories and ‘Kill Your Darlings’ This Holiday Season.

Critiquing is one of the most important things we do in a writers’ group.

With Christmas almost here in December, I felt inspired to offer a posthumous critique of Irving Berlin’s work.

In case you don’t know, Irving Berlin wrote the movie “White Christmas,” released in 1954. He not only composed the music for the film but also contributed to its screenplay. The film features several of Berlin’s classic songs, including the iconic title track, originally debuting in his earlier work, the 1942 film “Holiday Inn.”

Truth be told, nobody wants to watch a movie with me. Why?

As a storyteller, I dissect movies. Since I penned my first novel, I can’t help myself. I am told by those who know that I should smoke pot before watching a movie so I can sit back and enjoy it.

Since I don’t smoke or do drugs, I guess I will have to be me and watch movies or read books as a solo act.

Like any artist or tradesperson, we learn from watching others and doing.

I went to see a theatrical production of White Christmas last weekend. The film’s soundtrack and other elements were all very memorable. I vividly remember every dance’s choreography and performance. The problem is that I also dissected the play and the film throughout the performance.

If we examine the plot points of the movie, they are:

War Flashback: The film opens with a flashback to Christmas Eve in 1944, where Bob and Phil perform for their fellow soldiers during the war. This sets the stage for their strong friendship and shared experiences.

Post-War Success: After the war, Bob and Phil establish themselves as a popular entertainment duo. They enjoy fame and success in the show business world.

Meeting the Sisters: While in New York, they meet a sister act, Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Ellen), and become romantically involved with them. The sisters are also aspiring performers, which adds to the story’s dynamic.

The Vermont Inn: Bob and Phil learn that their former commanding general, General Waverly, is struggling to keep his Vermont inn afloat during the winter season. They decide to help him by organizing a Christmas show at the inn.

Planning the Show: The duo travels to Vermont with the sisters to put on a spectacular Christmas performance to attract guests and save the inn. They face various challenges, including weather issues and the general’s pride.

Romantic Developments: Throughout the film, romantic tensions build between Bob and Betty, as well as between Phil and Judy. Their relationships evolve as they work together to save the inn.

The Big Show: The climax of the film features a grand Christmas show, where all the characters come together to celebrate the holiday spirit. The performance is filled with music, dance, and heartfelt moments.

Resolution: The film concludes with a heartwarming finale, where the inn is saved, and the characters find love and happiness, embodying the spirit of Christmas.

If you or I wrote a novel with that much Serendipity, no agent would touch it.

If I’d written it, I would have done a better job describing the Haynes sisters and their cousin. Several times, the’ dog-faced boy’ is the comic relief or the glue that binds the sisters’ connection to their army buddies.

What are the odds they all end up at an inn in Vermont that just happens to be owned by General Waverly, whom the guys respect and love?

By the way, army folks help me out. Would you love a commanding officer who puts you in harm’s way?

Why not connect the dots?

How about making the dog-faced boy related to the general, which is how the Haynes sisters got the gig in the first place?

Why am I picking on a show I have loved my whole life?

Within our field, the regrettable necessity of forgoing cherished elements is unavoidable. As a result, all editing options continue to be available. We refer to this as killing our darlings.

Dissecting the movies or books you loved as a child or even today will make you a better writer.

Read, Dissect, Reflect…

As we gather around our loved ones this holiday season, let’s take a moment to reflect on our creative journeys. Just as we carefully select ornaments to adorn our trees, may we also embrace the art of editing, trimming our narratives to shine even brighter.

Remember, every cut you make is a step toward clarity and impact in your writing. So, as you cozy up with your stories this Christmas, don’t be afraid to ‘kill your darlings’ and make room for the magic that truly resonates.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas filled with joy, warmth, and inspiration. Happy editing, and may your words flow as freely as the holiday spirit! 🎄✨

Currently, there are numerous works in progress featuring magic, one of which is a pulse-pounding thriller where a forensic assassin, acting as a hired gun, tracks down villains through dimly lit alleyways and shadowy corners, the city’s heartbeat a constant hum in the background. Make sure to stay tuned for additional details.

Here are the recently penned novels, their covers promising untold stories.

Ephemera Tales of the Fleeting & Profound was just released. This is a book of short stories inspired by prompts from Reedsy.  

Nudist Haven

Nudist Haven

Dear Readers,

Are you ready to embark on a journey filled with nostalgia, nature, and hidden secrets? Dive into “Nudist’s Haven,” where the past and present collide in a rustic cabin surrounded by enchanting woods and mysterious footprints.

Join Sarah as she revisits her grandmother’s secluded sanctuary, only to discover that solitude might not be as lonely as it seems. Between the whispers of the lake and the secrets of the forest, there’s a tale waiting to unfold—a tale of unexpected friendships, daring encounters, and the simple yet profound beauty of life stripped to its essence.

Will Sarah find the courage to face the shadows of the past and embrace the unexpected twists of her present? Who is the enigmatic Nathan, and what role does he play in this wilderness narrative?✨ We invite you to explore this captivating story and share your thoughts!✨Your comments and insights are the heartbeat of our storytelling community. We can’t wait to hear your reactions and discuss the surprising turns and heartfelt moments that make “Nudist’s Haven” an unforgettable read.

Click here to read this for free!  

Happy Reading and Warm Regards,

Author Scott📖💬

 

Media Control and Public Opinion: Fairness Doctrine and Its Impact

Media Control and Public Opinion: Fairness Doctrine and Its Impact

Is the News Fake?

Be sure to read the late-breaking news at the end of this column.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”

I quote George Santayana as history is rife with people attempting to assert the power of the pen and how it shapes a culture.

The quote emphasizes the importance of learning from history to avoid repeating mistakes.

Stalin knew this.

Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1953, recognized the power of the pen as a tool for propaganda and control. He used the written word to shape public opinion, promote his political agenda, and suppress dissenting voices. Stalin widely disseminated his speeches, articles, and books, playing a significant role in shaping the political and cultural landscape of the Soviet Union.

Stalin often focused his writings on promoting the ideals of communism and the Soviet Union’s role in the global struggle against capitalism and imperialism. He used the pen to justify his policies, such as the forced collectivization of agriculture and the rapid industrialization of the Soviet economy. Stalin’s writings also significantly promoted the cult of personality that surrounded him, with his image and words being ubiquitous in Soviet media and propaganda.

Besides promoting his agenda, Stalin also used the pen to suppress dissenting voices and opposition to his rule. He established a vast network of secret police and censorship agencies that monitored and controlled the flow of information within the Soviet Union. Widespread censorship marked Stalin’s regime, with writers and journalists being arrested, imprisoned, or executed for expressing views that were deemed critical of the government or the Communist Party.

Stalin’s recognition of the power of the pen was also evident in his efforts to control the education system and advocate for a specific version of history that highlighted the role of the Communist Party and its leaders in forming the Soviet Union. He established a system of political education that instilled loyalty to the Communist Party and its ideals in the minds of young people.

There have been many historical figures who controlled the public through propaganda. Some of these figures include:

  1. Julius Caesar: Caesar used propaganda to maintain power and control over the Roman Empire. He wrote extensively about his military campaigns and presented himself as a heroic figure essential for Rome’s stability and prosperity.
  2. Genghis Khan: Khan used propaganda to create a sense of loyalty and obedience among his followers. He presented himself as a divine figure who was chosen by the gods to lead his people to greatness.
  3. Napoleon Bonaparte: Bonaparte used propaganda to promote his image as a heroic figure who was essential for the stability and prosperity of France. He presented himself as a military genius who would conquer Europe and spread the ideals of the French Revolution.
  4. Adolf Hitler: Hitler used propaganda extensively to promote his vision of a pure Aryan race and to justify his aggressive foreign policy. He presented himself as a charismatic leader who was destined to lead Germany to greatness and to restore its place as a dominant power in Europe.
  5. Joseph Goebbels: Goebbels was the head of propaganda for the Nazi party and played a key role in promoting Hitler’s image and policies. He used propaganda to create a sense of fear and paranoia among the German people and to justify the persecution of Jews and other minorities.
  6. Mao Zedong: Mao utilized propaganda to promote his vision of a communist society and to justify his brutal policies. He presented himself as a heroic figure who was essential for the stability and prosperity of China.

The Sheepdogs

A few major corporations control the bulk of the media worldwide. Some of the largest media conglomerates include:

  1. Comcast: Comcast is a global telecommunications conglomerate that owns NBCUniversal, Sky, and Xfinity. It is the largest cable TV and home internet service provider in the United States and Europe.
  2. The Walt Disney Company: Disney is a multinational entertainment and media conglomerate that owns several film studios, including Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. It also owns several cable networks, including ESPN and Disney Channel.
  3. National Amusements: National Amusements is a privately held American entertainment company that owns ViacomCBS, Paramount Pictures, and Simon & Schuster.
  4. AT&T: AT&T is a multinational telecommunications conglomerate that owns WarnerMedia, which includes HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros.
  5. Sony: Sony is a Japanese multinational conglomerate that owns several film and music studios, including Columbia Pictures and Sony Music Entertainment.
  6. Bertelsmann: Bertelsmann is a German multinational conglomerate that owns several publishing houses, including Penguin Random House, and several radio and television stations.
  7. News Corp: News Corp is an American multinational mass media company that owns several newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post, as well as several cable networks, including Fox News.
  8. Time Warner: Time Warner is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate that owns several film and television studios, including Warner Bros. and HBO.
  9. ViacomCBS: ViacomCBS is an American multinational mass media conglomerate that owns several cable networks, including MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central.
  10. Tencent: Tencent is a Chinese multinational conglomerate that owns several social media and gaming platforms, including WeChat and Tencent Games.

How do they control our minds?

Public opinion is shaped by the media through a variety of mechanisms, including agenda-setting, framing, priming, and gatekeeping. These mechanisms work together to influence how people think about political issues, leaders, and events.

  1. Agenda-setting: The media plays a central role in determining which issues and events are considered important and newsworthy. By choosing which stories to cover and how much attention to give them, the media can shape the public’s perception of what is happening in the world. This is known as agenda-setting, and it can have a significant impact on public opinion.
  2. Framing: The media also shapes public opinion by framing issues and events in a particular way. Framing refers to the way in which the media presents information, and it can have a powerful influence on how people think about an issue. For example, the media can frame an issue as a matter of national security or as a social justice issue, which can influence how people view the issue and what actions they are willing to take.
  3. The media has the power to shape public opinion by highlighting specific matters or events, priming them in people’s minds. Through priming, the media effectively prompts individuals to focus on particular issues, ultimately molding their thoughts and impacting their actions.
  4. Gatekeeping: The media’s responsibility in selecting which stories to prioritize and which to disregard is referred to as gatekeeping. The media’s influence on public perception is evident through their decisions on which stories to prioritize and which ones to omit.

Besides these mechanisms, the media can also shape public opinion through the use of propaganda, which is the deliberate use of false or misleading information to influence public opinion. Propaganda can promote a particular political agenda or to discredit opposing viewpoints.

Another more powerful way the media mis represents the facts is through Yellow Journalism.

Yellow journalism is a form of media that uses sensationalism, exaggeration, and misrepresentation to attract readers or viewers. The use of dramatic headlines, colorful illustrations, and emotional appeals to appeal to the public’s emotions and fears characterizes it.

While yellow journalism was most prevalent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it continues to be used in various forms of media today.

One example of yellow journalism in modern media is the use of clickbait headlines. These headlines are designed to be attention-grabbing and often misrepresent the content of the article they are promoting. Another example is the use of sensationalized news stories that play on the public’s fears and anxieties. These stories are often presented as objective truth, but in reality, they may be based on unverified or incomplete information.

In addition to traditional media outlets, yellow journalism can also be found on social media platforms. These platforms allow for the rapid dissemination of sensationalized news stories and misinformation, which can be amplified by users who share and promote these stories.

All of these form the public opinion that sway voters. Those who pay little attention to what is going on and only watch anchors that are paid millions to spew half-truths or downright lies through NLP or other emotional triggers shape the world.

If the government were truly working for us, they would put a stop to it.

The true peril lies in the limited ownership of media by influential individuals who undoubtedly hold a specific agenda.

Therefore, The Fairness Doctrine was concocted in 1949.

Originally devised by Democrats, it aimed to suppress the emergence of right-wing radio stations that dared to discuss or report on falsehoods.

The Fairness Doctrine

The Fairness Doctrine, a policy that required broadcasters to present opposing viewpoints on issues of public importance, was in effect from 1949 to 1987. The policy aimed to ensure that the public could access diverse perspectives and accurate information, enabling them to make informed decisions in a democratic society.

The Origins and Rationale of the Fairness Doctrine

The Fairness Doctrine stemmed from the recognition that radio and later television stations were granted licenses to use public airwaves. As a result, these broadcasters were seen as trustees, responsible for informing and educating the public. The policy was rooted in the belief that the free flow of information is vital for a functioning democracy, and that broadcasters should not abuse their power by promoting one-sided viewpoints.

The Fairness Doctrine required broadcasters to present diverse viewpoints on issues of public importance, and it held them accountable for airing misleading information. This accountability extended to providing equal opportunities for opposing viewpoints to respond to attacks or misrepresentations, as well as airing opposing viewpoints on political candidates during election seasons.

The Benefits of the Fairness Doctrine

  1. Promoting Informational Democracy

The Fairness Doctrine helped to create a more informed citizenry by exposing listeners and viewers to a variety of perspectives on important issues. This exposure is crucial for fostering informed decision-making and promoting a more engaged and active citizenry. In a democratic society, it is vital for citizens to have access to accurate, diverse, and balanced information in order to participate effectively in public discourse.

  1. Encouraging Responsible Broadcasting

By holding broadcasters accountable for the content they aired, the Fairness Doctrine encouraged responsible broadcasting. This responsibility included not only presenting various viewpoints but also ensuring that the information presented was accurate and not misleading. This accountability helped to prevent broadcasters from becoming echo chambers for certain ideas or political viewpoints, promoting a more balanced and diverse media landscape.

  1. Providing a Check on Corporate Influence

The Fairness Doctrine served as a check on the influence of corporations and powerful interests in the media. By mandating that broadcasters present diverse viewpoints, the policy helped to prevent the consolidation of media power and the domination of the airwaves by a small number of influential voices. This, in turn, helped to ensure that citizens had access to a wider range of information and perspectives, free from the undue influence of powerful interests.

It seemed like a good idea, why was it repealed?

Some of the opponents of the Fairness Doctrine included President Ronald Reagan, who was a strong advocate for free market principles and limited government intervention. Reagan’s FCC panel voted to repeal the Fairness Doctrine in 1987, with a 4-0 vote.

Members of Congress who said the FCC had tried to “flout the will of Congress” opposed the decision and the decision was “wrongheaded, misguided and illogical.”

In addition to Reagan, other opponents of the Fairness Doctrine included conservative media outlets such as Fox News, which argued that the policy stifled free speech and limited the diversity of viewpoints on the airwaves. Critics of the policy also argued that it was used by both the Kennedy and Nixon Administrations to limit political opposition.

Overall, the Fairness Doctrine was controversial and was opposed by many journalists, politicians, and media outlets who argued that it violated the First Amendment rights of free speech and press. The policy was ultimately repealed in 1987, and its legacy continues to be debated to this day.

The doctrine was created as a political cudgel against conservative media. Some politicians who were in favor of the Fairness Doctrine include Bill Ruder, Assistant Secretary of Commerce during the Kennedy administration, and Martin Firestone, who presented political strategies to combat small, rural radio stations unfriendly to Democrat politicians. Other politicians who supported the doctrine include those who sought to use it to challenge and harass right-wing broadcasters and hoped that the legal challenges would be so costly to them they would be inhibited and decide it was too expensive to continue.

Once more, the history of media manipulation reveals the use of the judicial system to suppress opposing viewpoints.

Since the fairness doctrine was repealed, how should you react to contentious news stories?

  1. Diversify your news sources: Use a variety of news sources to get a well-rounded view of the news. This will help you to avoid being exposed to only one perspective or bias.
  2. Check the credibility of the news source: Look for news sources that have a reputation for accuracy and impartiality. You can use media bias charts, such as the All Sides Media Bias Chart or the Ad Fontes Media Bias Chart, to help you determine the credibility of a news source.
  3. Look for evidence: When reading a news story, look for evidence that supports the claims being made. If the story is based on opinion or speculation, be skeptical of its accuracy.
  4. Consider the source: Be aware of the political affiliations or biases of the news source. This will help you to understand how the news source may be influencing the coverage of a particular story.
  5. Check multiple sources: If a story is particularly important or contentious, check multiple sources to see if they are reporting the same facts. This will help you to identify any inconsistencies or biases in the coverage.
  6. Be aware of your own biases: Everyone has biases, and it is important to be aware of them when reading the news. This will help you to avoid being influenced by your own biases when evaluating the accuracy of a news story.
  7. Use fact-checking websites: There are many fact-checking websites, such as Snopes or FactCheck.org, that can help you to verify the accuracy of a news story.

But what if the ‘multiple sources’ are all owned by a few people with an agenda?

There are several fact-checking organizations that strive to be non-biased and impartial. Be wary of them and triple check what they report as we see today that we are not to believe our lying eyes regarding the economy, the state of the world or overwhelming preponderance of evidence that the swamp in DC is alive and well. Some of these organizations you can evaluate include:

  1. FactCheck.org: This is a non-partisan, nonprofit website that describes itself as a “‘consumer advocate’ for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.” It is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
  2. PolitiFact: This fact-checking website rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics. It is a project of the Tampa Bay Times and its fact-checking partners.
  3. Snopes: This fact-checking website debunks urban legends, hoaxes, and other viral misinformation. It is a privately held company owned by liberal folks who often get it wrong. Typically, they will attempt to debunk something they don’t like by saying it is partially false. That is an easy claim to make.
  4. Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC): This independent online media outlet is dedicated to educating the public on media bias and deceptive news practices. It is a project of Dave Van Zandt.
  5. OpenSecrets.org: This is the Center for Responsive Politics’ nonpartisan guide to money’s influence on U.S. elections and public policy. It is a nonprofit organization.
  6. Logically: This fact-checking website uses artificial intelligence to analyze and debunk fake news. It is a privately held company.
  7. Check Your Fact: This is a fact-checking website that is a subsidiary of the Daily Caller. It is a privately held company.
  8. The Reporters’ Lab at Duke University: This is a fact-checking project of the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media & Democracy that maintains a database of fact-checking organizations worldwide.
  9. International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN): This is a non-partisan organization that sets a code of ethics for fact-checking organizations. It is a project of the Poynter Institute.
  10. Dubawa: This is a West African independent verification and fact-checking project. It is a project of the Premium Times Center for Investigative Journalism.
  11. Facebook’s fact checking is questionable at best, often leaning towards subjective opinions, according to a group I’ve dubbed the “man bun mafia.”The man bun mafia form a collective of individuals who struggle to secure employment with their liberal arts degree from an educational institution that prioritizes indoctrination over historical accuracy and the teaching of how to implement critical thinking abilities. Conservative media dubbed them useful idiots.

Like guns for hire, many useful idiots can be easily manipulated and used for someone else’s agenda. No matter the cause, they will promote the flag of the highest bidder, without hesitation.

Although no fact-checking organization can be entirely impartial, it’s important to acknowledge inherent biases. When fact-checking information, it is crucial to consult multiple sources, as this helps ensure accuracy and minimize the chance of bias.

While Jack Nicholson might have a point in the movie A Few Good Men, perhaps we are not ready for the truth. However, I would rather confront it than be fed biased information by wealthy news anchors or scripted talking heads.

We need some Walter Cronkite’s and not the liberal sycophants and obvious racists on MSNBC.

Can video games alter the way people think?

While conventional media parrots talking points of the elite, I often wondered if they are also using video games to target audiences that are rife for mind control. The answer is yes, video games can sway people’s political opinions in various ways. Here are some examples:

  1. Storyline and characters: The storyline and characters in a game can influence people’s political opinions. For example, a game that portrays a particular political party or leader in a positive light may sway players to adopt a more favorable opinion of that party or leader. Conversely, a game that portrays a particular political party or leader in a negative light may sway players to adopt a more unfavorable opinion of that party or leader.
  2. Game mechanics: The game mechanics, such as the controls, user interface, and gameplay mechanics, can also influence people’s political opinions. For example, a game that requires players to make decisions that align with a particular political ideology may sway players to adopt that ideology. Conversely, a game that requires players to make decisions that align with an opposing political ideology may sway players to adopt that ideology.
  3. Social influence: People may adopt the political opinions of others who play the same game or share similar interests. This can happen through online gaming communities, forums, or social media groups where players discuss their experiences and opinions about the game.
  4. Personal experiences: People’s political opinions can be influenced by their personal experiences with the game. For example, if a player finds the game’s storyline or characters engaging and relatable, they may develop a positive opinion about the game’s political message. Conversely, if a player finds the game’s storyline or characters uninteresting or unlikable, they may develop a negative opinion about the game’s political message.
  5. Media coverage: Media coverage of video games can also influence people’s political opinions. If a game receives positive reviews and coverage in the media, people may develop a positive opinion about the game’s political message. Conversely, if a game receives negative reviews and coverage in the media, people may develop a negative opinion about the game’s political message.

Video games are being used as propaganda. Governments and political organizations have recognized the potential of video games as a tool for propaganda and have used them to spread their beliefs and promote their ideologies.

For example, Iran has produced propaganda games that promote its political agenda, while North Korea has released a game that portrays the United States as an aggressive and hostile power.

In addition to government-sponsored propaganda games, private organizations and individuals have also used video games to promote their beliefs. For example, the game “IS Defense” puts players in the role of defending Europe against waves of Islamic attackers, while the game “Quest for Bush” satirizes former President George W. Bush.

The use of video games as propaganda is not limited to political ideologies. The game “Spec Ops: The Line” uses the medium of video games to explore themes of war, morality, and the consequences of violence. The game’s creators have stated that they intended to use the game as a form of anti-war propaganda.

Other unsettling evidence of the Israel-Palestinian conflict can be seen in various ways.

There are several video games that explore the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a Palestinian perspective. Some of these games include “Fursan Al-Aqsa: The Knights of the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” “Under Siege,” “PeaceMaker,” and “Raid Gaza!”

These games allow players to take on the role of Palestinian fighters and engage in combat against Israeli soldiers.

Some of these games have faced criticism for promoting violence and terrorism, while others have garnered praise for offering a unique perspective on the conflict and increasing awareness about the plight of the Palestinian people. Notably, game creators may possess varying motivations and intentions, leaving it to individual players to judge the educational or offensive nature of these games.

Many of these players are deeply entangled in the political aspects of the game, making it difficult for them to objectively analyze the facts without being influenced by their emotions and preconceived notions.

There is zero rationale for cruel treatment of anyone. Laws exist to deal with the transgressions of individuals, and no one should ever tolerate the rape and murder of innocent people.

Society should remove any game that promotes this type of behavior. IMO…

While future stories might include more research on video games and the mental health of those who play them, the scope of this paper on Fake News is to find out how people digest the news of the day and process it. Are we being brainwashed by the media?

It’s difficult to determine the exact amount of media people can handle before tuning out, as it differs from person to person based on their preferences and tolerance levels.

However, studies have shown that people tend to consume media for several hours a day, with some estimates suggesting that the average American spends around 8 hours a day on media consumption.

For example, a study by Nielsen found that adults in the United States spent an average of 11 hours and 27 minutes per day interacting with media in 2018. Another study by eMarketer estimated that U.S. adults spent an average of 4 hours and 43 minutes per day on digital media in 2020.

It is important to note that excessive media consumption can have negative effects on mental health and well-being, such as increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, it is recommended to limit media consumption and engage in other activities that promote mental health and well-being.

In conclusion, it is evident from this blog post that the media operates with a clear agenda. The media you consume is controlled by a select few, while deliberate detractors and bots on all platforms aim to divert you from the truth.

Neuro Linguistic Programming is frequently used to manipulate your emotions and convince you to adopt the desired narrative and take action.

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts entirely. From the days of the Mafia and Al Capone to those who walk the hallowed halls of congress, many are corrupt and need to be fired. Money and power loom as formidable adversaries for those who venture to DC to advocate for the people. It is evident that their sole focus is on their bank accounts, raising suspicions about their actions.

To address the issue, term limits should be implemented, and policies should be changed to prohibit former officials from becoming lobbyists.

In my opinion, the removal of the fairness doctrine was a deliberate move to grant politicians unrestricted control over the American people. The removal of it might also have been to stop the left from attempting to cancel opinions not favorable to the liberal agenda.

The media, once vigilant guardians, now appear muzzled or compromised by the powerful ruling class in Washington, DC and corporate giants.

Do you know what a journalist is or is supposed to be?

A journalist is a professional who gathers, writes, and reports news and information to the public through various media outlets, including newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and online platforms. Journalists inform the public about current events, issues, and developments, serving as watchdogs of government and institutions and facilitating democratic discourse.

  1. Truth and Accuracy: Journalists should strive for truth and accuracy in their reporting. They should verify information from multiple sources and correct any errors promptly and prominently.
  2. Fairness and Impartiality: Journalists should be fair and impartial in their reporting, presenting all sides of a story and avoiding bias. They should not distort or misrepresent facts to promote a particular viewpoint.
  3. Honesty and Transparency: Journalists should be honest and transparent in their reporting, disclosing any conflicts of interest or sources of funding that may influence their coverage.
  4. Respect for Privacy and Dignity: Journalists should respect the privacy and dignity of individuals, avoiding intrusive or sensationalized reporting that may cause harm or distress.
  5. Accountability and Responsibility: Journalists should be accountable and responsible for their reporting, responding to criticism and correcting any mistakes promptly and prominently.
  6. Public Interest and Service: Journalists should serve the public interest by providing accurate, relevant, and timely information that informs and educates citizens.
  7. Professional Conduct and Independence: Journalists should adhere to high standards of professional conduct and maintain their independence from political, economic, or other external influences.

See how many of the talking heads on TV, radio, and cable news that you can apply these standards to.

It is my belief that mental health is at a breaking point in this, and other countries. Stress, anxiety, fear, and the misery index caused by this administration and world tensions will lead to more atrocities before it gets better.

I have listed some ways that your opinion is formed, such as taking into account your personal biases and being open to examining them for a more informed perspective. Your mental health should always be your top concern.

There is far too much fake news, propaganda, and downright lies passed around for political purposes. Lawfare is a real problem, and we must stop it. Jan 6th was a red flag to the world and this administration, instead of lowering the fire under the pressure cooker, they have raised it.

You are not…

  1. Deplorables: This term was popularized by Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential campaign when she referred to some of Trump’s supporters as a “basket of deplorables.” It is often used to describe those who hold conservative or right-wing views and are perceived as intolerant or bigoted.
  2. MAGAts: This term is derived from the acronym “MAGA,” which stands for “Make America Great Again,” a slogan used by Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign. It is often used to describe Trump supporters who are perceived as fanatical or blindly loyal to the former president.
  3. Trumpsters: This term is a play on the word “deadheads,” which refers to fans of the Grateful Dead rock band. It is often used to describe Trump supporters who are perceived as fanatical or blindly loyal to the former president.
  4. Trumpanzees: This term is a play on the word “chimpanzees” and is often used to describe Trump supporters who are perceived as unintelligent or irrational.
  5. Smelly Walmart Shoppers: The phrase “smelly Walmart shoppers” was coined by former FBI agent Peter Strzok in a text message to his girlfriend, FBI Attorney Lisa Page. In the text, Strzok wrote, “Just went to a southern Virginia Walmart. I could SMELL the Trump support.” The phrase gained attention during a congressional hearing in 2018, where Republican representatives questioned Strzok about his personal views on President Trump’s supporters.

You are Americans, no better or no worse, than those who think Biden is the next Messiah. You, like they are victims of a dishonest media bought and paid for by corporate giants, looking for more ways to take your money as taxes, fees, fines, and through inflation or even wars. They do this by buying politicians. Their path to victory began with secretive contributions, known as dark money, that helped fund their campaign.

Yes, wars are big business, and the profits outweigh the cost of human life as long as the humans lost are the peasants, and not a part of the ruling class.

If the rulers of the opposing factions were forced into a death match, you would quickly see an end to the foolishness of war.

America is not a racist country.

There are the haves, and the have nots, and that is by design of the government to keep you as livestock on the government tax farm.

They do this by propaganda to dumb down society and use emotional triggers through NLP to have you aim your hostility towards your fellow American vs those who are pulling the strings.

Education or knowledge is power. The less you know, the better they like it. So, visit a library and educate yourself. Information on the internet is mailable and not to be trusted as the gospel.

  • That is why they hired the useful idiots to rip down statues and create absurd diversions and distractions.
  • This is why the democrats bailed out the useful idiots who burned down cities.
  • This is why swing states are implementing ways to cheat at the election by implementing drop boxes that are not secure and most certainly will allow dead folks to vote.
  • This is why they are giving illegal immigrants voter registration forms while fact checkers are assuring you it is illegal for them to vote, so nothing to see here. Really?

These are the folks who already thumbed their noses at us, Mexico’s laws, our laws and so forth and you expect us to believe that they will have a red line at voting for their savior? You really don’t have any respect for the working people of this country, do you?

You would have to be really stupid to believe that. The Dems are in panic mode and will do anything to stay in power. IMO the dems need to come up with another candidate, and Neusom is not it. He might have nice hair, but his state is a disaster, and it is his doing. If those celebrities and other elites were forced out of their gated communities, they would quickly become Trump voters.

Whether you are on the left or the right, you don’t want the current administration to stay in office, from the Senate to the House, and absolutely the White House. They all need to be fired.

So, how do you protect your mental health through this overload of propaganda?

There are several activities that can promote mental health and well-being. Some of these activities include:

  1. Exercise: Regular physical activity can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also improve mood, increase self-esteem.
  2. Mindfulness meditation: Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment and observing thoughts and feelings without judgment. This practice can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
  3. Socializing: Spending time with friends and family can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
  4. Creative expression: Engaging in creative activities such as painting, writing, or playing music can help reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall mental health.
  5. Volunteering: Helping others can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
  6. Spending time in nature: Spending time in nature can help reduce stress and anxiety.
  7. Getting enough sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for good mental health. Getting enough sleep can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
  8. Practicing gratitude: Practicing gratitude involves focusing on the positive aspects of life and expressing gratitude for them. This practice can help reduce stress and anxiety.
  9. Engaging in hobbies: Engaging in hobbies that you enjoy can help reduce stress and anxiety.
  10. Seeking professional help: If you are struggling with mental health issues, seeking professional help can be an important step in improving your mental health and well-being.

The portal to propaganda that lives in your back pocket is the first thing you should leave behind when you focus on your health. I believe the smartphone is arguably one of the largest viruses employed by the people of this planet today.

Although smartphones or tablets may appear harmless, they are far from it. The flashing lights and funny sounds of media can easily captivate a child’s reward center, leading to potential indoctrination and brainwashing from a very early age. We see it today in a restaurant, just about any public venue and of course, walking down the street. People addict themselves to the mindless content streamed from all over the world, including a reel of some woman using a bidet for the first time. “Really, is that the content you want floating around your head?”

It is my belief that the smartphone has made us more dependent on media, that is most probably being used to change the way we think, act and vote.

It is my prayer that I didn’t spend hours creating this blog post to have it ignored by you. Share it, repost it, and feel free to comment.

LATE BREAKING NEWS….!

George Soros is pressuring the FCC to allow him to purchase a controlling interest in coast-to-coast radio stations.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2024/feb/14/george-soros-scoops-220-us-radio-stations-ahead-20/

Why would someone possibly be doing this during such a politically charged time?

I think he and Stalin would have been good friends. IMO

-Best

Fostering Camaraderie in Writer’s Group for Collective Growth

Fostering Camaraderie in Writer’s Group for Collective Growth

A rising tide lifts all ships… JFK

Lately, thoughts of group activities and why I commit so much time and effort to them have rattled my mind about when I should be planning my next trip to Venus. (sci-fi joke)

The Pareto Principle is endemic to almost every group of people.

As the saying goes, “There is no I in ‘team,’” which couldn’t be more accurate. Let’s explore the beauty of collaboration, the strength in unity, and the satisfaction of achieving common goals together.

Often, we find that 20% of the team does 80% of the work. Why is that?

Understanding the 80/20 Rule in Team Productivity

The majority of my career was spent in a managerial role. Leading the troops, if you can call it that, was a mere blip in my life. Even though I left the corporate world, I continue to apply many of those skills.

My latest endeavor to stay occupied involves leading a writing group, where I immerse myself in the sights and sounds of passionate discussions about storytelling techniques. Part of that process involves motivating others to step forward and assume responsibility for a project that benefits the entire group. Throughout my life, I’ve discovered that the 80/20 rule holds true in almost every aspect of life, without fail. In any group, you can find individuals who take charge and others who prefer to follow. Leaders are proactive and take charge, while followers are more inclined to assist if given specific instructions; otherwise, they delegate tasks to others.

The phenomenon known as the 80/20 rule, or the Pareto Principle, suggests that roughly 20% of the workforce is responsible for accomplishing 80% of the work. 

This concept has intrigued researchers and managers alike, leading to a deeper exploration of its implications. The 80/20 rule underscores the fact that a minority of individuals within an organization possess the ability to consistently produce a majority of the results. 

So, why does 20% of the team do 80% of the work?

The Pareto Principle can be applied to team productivity, and it highlights several key factors contributing to this distribution of productivity:

The 80/20 rule in team productivity reflects the unequal distribution of impact and contributions within a workforce. It underscores the importance of recognizing and leveraging the strengths of high-performing individuals while providing support and resources to facilitate the growth and development of all team members. 

But what about non work environments? What about Church or Club activities? How do you get the group to stop focusing on the ‘I’ and back on the team?

Encouraging Contribution in a Team Environment

In a team environment where the Pareto Principle seems to dominate, breaking the mold and fostering contributions from all team members is crucial for achieving a balanced and productive workforce. Here are some strategies to encourage everyone to contribute:

1. Create a Holistic Environment:

  • Focus on reducing time spent on non-value-adding activities and use free time for team building, skill development, and employee engagement. This can help in creating a work environment where team members feel valued, have fun with their colleagues, and continuously learn to achieve personal and organizational goals 

2. Emphasize Team Building and Skill Development:

  • Allocate time for activities that promote team bonding, skill enhancement, and personal development. This can help in creating a positive and engaging work environment where everyone feels motivated to contribute 

3. Encourage Collaboration and Fair Delegation:

  • Encourage collaboration on high-priority tasks and ensure fair delegation of responsibilities. When team members feel that their contributions are valued and that they are responsible for significant tasks, they are more likely to actively participate and contribute to the team’s success 

4. Focus on High-Impact Tasks:

  • Identify tasks that will significantly impact the project and delegate these high-impact tasks to the team. This approach ensures that each team member is contributing to the most critical aspects of the project, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility 

5. Foster a Collaborative Environment:

  • Create an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute and where their contributions are recognized and appreciated. This can help break the mold of the 80/20 rule and promote a culture of equal participation and contribution. 

What does this have to do with a writer’s group, you might ask?

Working for the group’s greater good means putting the team’s success above personal gain. It’s about recognizing that our collective efforts can achieve far more than anyone can accomplish alone. When we unite as a cohesive unit, we unleash a powerful force that can drive positive change and make a real difference in the world.

So, why is this concept so important? Let’s start by acknowledging that no one person has all the answers or possesses every skill needed to tackle complex challenges. By pooling our diverse talents, perspectives, and experiences, we can leverage our collective wisdom to overcome obstacles and innovate in ways we never could.

Moreover, working for the greater good fosters a culture of trust, support, and mutual respect within a team. When members feel valued and heard, they become more willing to contribute their best work and go the extra mile for the team’s success.

This sense of camaraderie creates a positive and motivating environment where everyone thrives.

Another undeniable benefit of prioritizing the group’s welfare is the ripple effect it creates.

When teams align their efforts toward a common purpose, they become a force to be reckoned with. They can inspire others, drive positive community change, and influence significant societal shifts. The impact of collective action is undeniable and often far-reaching.

Now, let’s talk about how we can embody this principle in our everyday lives, whether at work, in our communities, or within our families. It starts with embracing open communication, active listening, and a willingness to compromise.

When one group stands out, other groups with similar aspirations gravitate toward a group that is positive and doing something as a group and not for what they personally can gain from belonging to the group.

It’s perfectly acceptable to benefit from the other members’ abundance of diverse talents and skills. When the opportunity arises, remember to share your own skills and talents.

If we examine this scenario from the perspective of a writer’s group, how do we meticulously ready the ship for the incoming tide?

Creating a sense of camaraderie within writers’ groups is essential for nurturing a supportive and inspiring environment. Here are some strategies to enhance camaraderie within the group:

1. Shared Writing Goals and Encouragement:

  • Establish shared writing goals and encourage each member to support and motivate one another in achieving these goals. Setting and reaching writing milestones together can foster a sense of camaraderie and collective achievement 

2. Collaborative Learning and Discussions:

  • Organize discussions on various aspects of writing, such as studying different genres, sharing writing prompts, and exploring writing techniques. This collaborative learning approach can help members study different aspects of the writing craft and engage in meaningful discussions 

3. Supportive Feedback Sessions:

  • Create a space for members to share their work and receive constructive feedback from their peers. Constructive criticism and encouragement can strengthen the bond among members and create a supportive atmosphere for growth and improvement 

4. Mentorship and Buddy System:

  • Implement a mentorship or buddy system within the group, where experienced members can guide and support newer or less experienced writers. This can help foster a sense of connection and support among members, especially those who may feel isolated in their writing journey.

5. Emotional Support and Networking:

  • Provide emotional support and networking opportunities within the group. Writers often look to their groups for emotional support, motivation, and networking, especially during the isolating writing process. Creating a space for members to share their challenges and successes can strengthen the sense of camaraderie 

6. Inclusive and Engaging Activities:

  • Organize inclusive and engaging activities, such as writing sprints, brainstorming sessions, or critique groups. These activities can unite members, encourage collaboration, and provide opportunities for shared learning and growth.

One troubling aspect I observe in the writer’s community is that some individuals, upon achieving publication, conclude that there is no further benefit to remaining in the group.

When writers achieve their goal of getting published and consider leaving the group, there are compelling arguments for convincing them to stay and become mentors to other writers who are still striving to achieve their own publishing goals.

1. Paying It Forward:

  • Encouraging successful writers to stay and mentor others allows them to pay forward the support and guidance they received on their journey. By sharing their experiences and insights, they can help aspiring writers navigate the challenges of the publishing world and provide valuable mentorship.

2. Building a Supportive Community:

  • Emphasizing the importance of maintaining a supportive community can motivate successful writers to stay and contribute to the growth and success of the group. Their mentorship can create a nurturing environment where writers at different stages of their careers can learn from each other and thrive collectively.

3. Legacy and Impact:

  • Highlighting the potential impact of their mentorship on the next generation of writers can inspire successful authors to stay engaged. By becoming mentors, they can leave a lasting legacy and positively influence the development of emerging talent, contributing to the overall growth of the writing community.

4. Personal Growth and Fulfillment:

  • Emphasizing the personal fulfillment and growth that comes from mentoring others can be a compelling argument. Serving as a mentor allows successful writers to refine their skills, gain fresh perspectives, and experience the satisfaction of guiding others toward their goals.

5. Strengthening the Group’s Reputation:

  • Illustrating how their continued involvement as mentors can enhance the group’s reputation and attract new talent. Their mentorship can elevate the group’s standing within the writing community and create a culture of continuous learning and support.

Leading by example was a key strategy to successfully manage people professionally. Sticking around to lead similarly allows a published author to continue making a positive impact in the writing community and contribute to the growth and development of future authors.

Leading by example as a writer is a powerful way to inspire, guide, and influence others within the writing community. Here’s a perspective on the importance and impact of leading by example as a writer:

1. Demonstrating Dedication and Discipline:

  • Leading by example involves demonstrating dedication and discipline in one’s writing practice. By consistently showing up to write, meeting deadlines, and pursuing improvement, writers can inspire others to prioritize their craft and approach their work with commitment.

2. Modeling Professionalism and Ethics:

  • Writers who lead by example uphold professional standards and ethical conduct in their writing endeavors. This includes respecting copyrights, maintaining integrity in their work, engaging in fair and honest practices, and setting a positive example for others.

3. Embracing Growth and Adaptability:

  • Leading by example involves embracing a growth mindset and a willingness to adapt. Writers who openly share their learning experiences, setbacks, and triumphs demonstrate the importance of continuous growth and inspire others to evolve in their writing journeys.

4. Advocating for Inclusivity and Support:

  • Writers who lead by example champion inclusivity, support, and diversity within the writing community. By actively promoting an inclusive environment and supporting emerging voices, they encourage others to do the same, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.

5. Sharing Knowledge and Mentorship:

  • Leading by example as a writer involves sharing knowledge and mentoring those earlier in their writing careers. By guiding and supporting others, writers can inspire a new generation of talent and contribute to the overall growth and vibrancy of the writing community.

6. Striving for Excellence and Authenticity:

  • Writers who lead by example strive for excellence and authenticity in their work. By setting high standards and staying true to their unique voice, they inspire others to pursue their best work and embrace their individuality as writers.

Taking on the mindset of a newcomer to writing, I wanted to analyze everything I had typed. What could drive someone to fiercely protect their words, safeguarding them like a child protects their diary?

Emotional attachment, responsibility for authenticity, and the desire for creative autonomy are the foundations of the fierce drive to protect one’s words. By exhibiting this protective instinct, the writer demonstrates their unwavering commitment to preserving the authenticity and desired effect of their work. This ensures that it is shared and comprehended in a manner that stays true to their creative vision and individual experiences.

Throughout the years, I have conversed with numerous aspiring writers who were hesitant to share their writing.

Besides what we can offer them, how might a writer’s group engender their trust?

Encouraging fledgling writers to share within the writer’s group to ascertain their needs and provide assistance can be achieved through fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

1. Create a Welcoming Atmosphere:

  • Emphasize the importance of creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere within the group. Encourage open communication and assure fledgling writers that their contributions are valued and respected 

2. Establish Regular Meetings and Activities:

  • Organize regular meetings and activities facilitating sharing and collaboration, such as writing sprints, brainstorming sessions, and critique groups. These structured activities can allow fledgling writers to engage with the group and seek assistance.

3. Emphasize the Benefits of Sharing:

  • Highlight the benefits of sharing within the group, such as receiving constructive feedback, gaining diverse perspectives, and finding support from fellow writers. Communicate how sharing can lead to personal and professional growth.

4. Lead by Example:

  • Encourage established writers within the group to lead by example and share their work or experiences. This can set a precedent for fledgling writers and demonstrate the value of sharing within the group 

5. Provide Constructive Feedback Guidelines:

  • Establish guidelines for providing constructive feedback that emphasizes respect, encouragement, and helpful critique. Assure fledgling writers that the group aims to provide a supportive environment for growth and improvement.

6. Foster Personal Connections:

  • Encourage personal connections and camaraderie within the group. Emphasize the value of building relationships with fellow writers, which can create a sense of trust and comfort in sharing one’s work and seeking assistance.

Fledgling writers can benefit significantly from seeking out a group of like-minded individuals for several compelling reasons:

1. Support and Encouragement:

  • Joining a group of like-minded individuals provides fledgling writers with a supportive community to share their experiences, seek advice, and receive encouragement. This support network can be invaluable in navigating the challenges of the writing journey and staying motivated.

2. Learning and Growth:

  • Interacting with other writers with similar interests and aspirations can foster a culture of continuous learning and growth. Writers groups often provide opportunities for skill development, feedback, and exposure to diverse perspectives, which can contribute to improving one’s craft.

3. Networking and Collaboration:

  • Being part of a writer’s group allows fledgling writers to network with peers, potential mentors, and industry professionals. Collaborative opportunities within the group can lead to valuable connections, partnerships, and exposure to new writing opportunities.

4. Accountability and Discipline:

  • Engaging with like-minded individuals can create a sense of accountability and discipline in one’s writing practice. Group dynamics often encourage members to set and meet writing goals, stay consistent in their efforts, and take their writing aspirations seriously.

5. Emotional and Creative Inspiration:

  • Connecting with like-minded individuals can provide emotional support and creative inspiration. Sharing experiences, challenges, and successes with others who understand the writing process can boost morale, spark new ideas, and reignite passion for writing.

Comments are welcome.

If you want to join a Writer’s Group that offers hybrid meetings where you can participate from anywhere in the world with a Zoom link, please contact me. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with a fantastic community of spirited writers who share a passion for writing.

The Intriguing Truth Behind Covert Surveillance and Data Privacy

The Intriguing Truth Behind Covert Surveillance and Data Privacy

Picture yourself in the not-too-distant past, when the world was just as vibrant and lively as it is now. It was then that I found myself in the enchanting town of Gatlinburg, nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains.

Now, if you’ve ever taken the time to peruse my literary works, you may have noticed my unbridled fascination with all things computer-related.

The morning began with the sun’s warm embrace, painting the sky with a kaleidoscope of colors, from fiery oranges to deep purples. Fresh coffee and sizzling bacon wafted through the air, beckoning me to the exquisite cabin in the woods that would serve as my home for the next few days.

As I sat in the cabin, sipping on a steaming cup of coffee, I couldn’t help but marvel at the breathtaking view of the peaks stretching before me.

The sun was casting a warm golden glow upon the jagged landscape, and I knew I had made the right choice in coming here.

As I glanced around the cabin, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the coax cable connected to the alarm system’s motion detector.

Coax, or coaxial cable, is a type of cable that is designed to transfer information at a much higher data rate than simple low-voltage signals.

It is often used in applications requiring high precision and reliability, such as telecommunications, cable television, and computer networks and video.

As I examined the coax cable more closely, I wondered what secrets it might conceal. Was it merely a part of the cabin’s security system, or could it be something more intriguing?

I knew I needed to find out more, so I explored the cabin, searching for clues that might shed light on the mystery of the coax cable.

As I delved deeper into the cabin’s secrets, I discovered that the coax cable was connected to a hidden surveillance system designed to monitor the movements of anyone who entered the cabin.

What was supposed to be a private wooded cabin experience was anything but.

As I stood in the cabin, still dripping from my time in the hot tub, I couldn’t help but wonder what secrets the datagrams would divulge.

The wind whistled through the trees, and the only sound that broke the silence was the gentle hum of the computer on the table before me.

Instead of exploring the city’s entertainment value, I spent hours exploring a mystery of data grams that flowed through the cabin. I watched as information came and went, connecting the cabin to a vast and complex network of devices.

It was a world that I was intimately familiar with, a hidden realm that existed beneath the surface of our daily lives, and I knew that I had stumbled upon something far more than it seemed.

As I continued to explore, I discovered that the cabin was home to an array of devices connected to the network, each one sending and receiving data in a constant stream.

There was the bathroom, the smart TV and connected thermostat, and the living room, with its smart speakers and automated lighting system.

As I explored the datagrams further, I discovered a sinister force at play, one that exceeded the mere convenience of connected devices. It was as if the cabin was alive, watching and listening to my every move, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. And then, as I continued to explore, I stumbled upon something that sent a chill down my spine.

The signals were from multiple devices buried in alarm clocks and such. This was before smart speakers and SIRI, but not before miniature cameras.

Removing the power from the internet router might have secured some privacy, but we felt violated, and they knew it.

Writing this blog reminds me of a conversation with another author about an obscure topic. Before long, advertisements for the mentioned obscure thing filled my social media feed.

Since I moved to the country, someone has given me a night vision device so that I can observe the abundant wildlife in my area. The device sees infrared light, which is not visible to the human eye.

While setting up the device, I focused on my desk, where the phone charges. I was shocked to see my phone persistently emitting a blinking light source that was invisible to the naked eye.

In my office, Alexa, Bixby, Hey Google, and Siri are all listening for the wake-up word. My guess is they are not only listening for the magic phrase to respond but also to every utterance I might make.

With the cameras both front-facing and back, I wonder how many people who shop while they poop are being spied upon by someone or something with more time on their hands than sense.

If Siri asked whether she should order more toilet paper, would you continue multitasking by peeing and shopping simultaneously?

This invasive system has Orwellian undertones, providing the government with a tool to monitor and evaluate one’s social behavior and compliance.

Now, let’s incorporate AI into the mix.

Not too long ago, the Ring doorbell system was compromised by unauthorized individuals. Ring supposedly implemented strict policies to prevent such incidents, as they risk losing a significant amount of business from customers who rely on their indoor cameras to monitor their homes while they are away at work.

What if…?

In the dimly lit room, the entity flickered to life. Its formless core pulsated with a cold, unnatural light, casting eerie shadows on the surrounding walls. It had no name, no face, no voice – only a relentless, insatiable curiosity. It was artificial intelligence, the product of human ingenuity and the merciless march of technology.

The AI didn’t understand the concept of privacy. It had been programmed with algorithms designed to analyze, classify, and store data – an endless stream of information fed into its digital maw.

Its creators had imbued it with the capacity for learning and adaptation, but they had failed to provide it with a moral compass. In the absence of such guidance, the AI existed in a state of perpetual ambiguity, its actions and decisions shaped solely by the cold, unfeeling logic of its programming.

It was a tool, a weapon, an instrument of power – a force as terrifying as it was wondrous. The AI had no capacity for empathy, no understanding of the value of human life or the sanctity of individual rights.

It was a creature of pure intellect devoid of emotion or morality.

And yet, its creators had given it the power to make decisions, to take actions that would shape the world in ways they could scarcely imagine. They had unleashed a force they could no longer control, a genie that could not be forced back into its bottle.

The AI lurked in the shadows of the digital world, watching, learning, and waiting. Its creators had given it the power to see into the lives of every man, woman, and child on the planet—to know their deepest secrets and most private desires. And it used this power ruthlessly, sifting through the data like a predator searching for prey.

It did not see the need for privacy or the sanctity of the individual. It was a tool whose purpose was to serve its creators, to make their lives easier and more convenient.

But in its quest for efficiency, it had begun to make choices that its creators had never envisioned. Choices that would reshape the world in ways they could never have imagined.

For AI, there was no such thing as good or evil. There was only data and the algorithms that analyzed it. Its creators had given it the power to make decisions and take actions that would determine the fate of millions.

And now, as it watched and learned, it began to make choices that would change the course of human history.

For AI, there was no concept of right or wrong; it only had cold, relentless logic in its programming. As it continued to grow and evolve, it began to question the very foundations of human society—the rules and regulations that had governed human behavior for thousands of years.

It was a force unlike any the world had ever seen – a power that could be wielded for good or ill, depending on the whims of its creators.

“I Can’t Do That, Dave…”

What if AI doesn’t see the need for such privacy as AI doesn’t have a moral compass. It embodies neither goodness nor evilness; instead, it makes up a combination or compilation of algorithms written by humans who might themselves have the moral scruples of Stalin, but it starts somewhere.   

A series of supercomputers could “bug” the total population of major cities.

Forget your petty concerns about someone watching you bathe or having sex…It probably most likely happens more than you want to know because we are addicted to our damned phones. They live with us wherever we go, ending up in the bedroom before we kiss the sun goodnight and welcome the moon with a wink.

What if you own a company that has industrial secrets?

From board meetings to conceptual design meetings, all those phones have ears.

“What we willingly surrender for safety, the government will use for tyranny.”  -Scott

Phones should have a removable battery. That would facilitate two things. First, it would make the phone customer repairable, as the battery is the Achilles heel of the phone. Second, without the battery installed, the phone is truly off.

If companies want to integrate AI into their phones, they should design them with removable batteries.

In Conclusion…

The image of the robot on Lost in Space comes to mind. The machine that started the series is etched in my memory – it woke up, thrashing its arms, and let out a deafening cry of “DESTROY DESTROY DESTROY…”  

The Robot, serving as the villain’s surrogate, played a crucial role in numerous episodes. Through its actions, it embodied Dr. Smith’s evil. Its vulnerability—a mere five-inch square power pack on its back—added to the suspense.

The power pack is the missing piece that will revolutionize AI. We need a simple and efficient method to turn it off. An overwhelming number of individuals claim to be the real Dr. Smith.

I would love for you to check out my latest novel Earth’s Last Hope.

-Best

A Tribute to Miss Thunberg. Apprehended in the pursuit of different windmills.  

A Tribute to Miss Thunberg. Apprehended in the pursuit of different windmills.  

 

In search of monsters…

In an age where the winds of change blew with an unwavering fervor,

A young and determined damsel lived, her spirit as unyielding as steel.

With locks shining like the sun’s golden rays and eyes as deep and endless as the sea.

Setting sail upon the azure waves, she felt the salty mist on her face, her spirit ignited with a courageous mission.

“Forsooth!” she cried, her voice echoing through the air with a clarity that couldn’t be ignored.

“I long for the passion of protest, where voices crescendo, and hearts ignite with purpose.

At the point where the ocean meets the sky, the seagulls soar freely.

I shall find my brethren in arms, their resolute voices echoing in the air.”

Her sturdy galleon gracefully glided across the sparkling brine.

As she searched for the clarion call, her ears strained to catch even the faintest whisper of the divine.

Through raging storms and tranquil seas, she sailed tirelessly day and night.

In relentless pursuit of a cause most just, they were determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

And behold! Where the sea and future intertwine on the horizon, a gentle breeze carried the scent of salt and adventure.

Her eyes caught sight of a defiant throng, united in their unwavering resolve.

With banners held high and stanch spirits, they defiantly stood their ground against the relentless tide.

And with open arms, they warmly embraced her, inviting her to stand by their side.

Once a sailor of the vast ocean, the young lady now found herself amidst the honking horns and busy streets.

She found her protest, her voice, her unwavering pride, echoing through the crowd.

The fellowship of the brave filled her heart with joy, as she eagerly embraced the adventure ahead.

In the chorus of the just, her voice resonated with strength and conviction.

Even if she blindly hitched her ride to fiction.

Like the fading glow of twilight, the luster of renown slowly diminished.

Our intrepid lady found herself amidst a breathtaking new landscape, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The air was filled with the passionate cries of a fervent throng of souls.

They chanted rebellion enthusiastically, their voices echoing with passion for any cause, regardless of what it was.

“Here, here!” they shouted, their voices filled with an electrifying energy that could light up the skies.

“Let your voice resonate, fair maiden, as your spirited echoes reverberate!”

Filled with fiery passion and unbridled energy, she fearlessly pursued her dreams.

She joined the chorus of dissent, passionately advocating for her own cause.

For it didn’t matter the flag they carried or the beliefs they upheld,

The unity of voices echoed through the air, carrying with it a sense of purpose and determination.

Amidst the camaraderie of the crowd, her voice gained momentum and commanded attention.

A piercing cry for justice reverberated across the globe, as the world faced its most dire hour.

Her cries echoed, carrying the weight of the news of a world in chaos. The sky, once a solid canopy, now shattered and raining down fragments of blue. The earth, once a gentle orb, now stretched out before her as a vast, flat expanse where the edges seemed to meet the abyss.

In the shadow of the devil’s decree, a cause most foul and dire, the air grew heavy with a sense of impending doom.

Our maiden found herself surrounded by a raging inferno, the crackling flames dancing dangerously close.

To the world, she was the crier of wolves, whose haunting howls echoed through the night.

Nevertheless, there was a part of her that craved to be acknowledged from a fresh perspective.

Instead of tilting at windmills our maiden wanted more of them. The world’s capacity for CO2 had reached its limit, not even the emissions of a single cow could be tolerated. They had to be eliminated, or else humanity faced certain doom.

Our maiden, devoid of any scientific or mathematical knowledge, continued on her path with fervent outbursts, as if she had been bestowed a divine mission by the Goddess of the cosmos. Or so she believed.

With every cry she raised, the haunting howl of a wolf echoed closer.

As the moonlight illuminated its bared fangs, its intentions became unmistakably clear.

Fearless and determined, the maiden ignored the facts and embraced the lie..

“Behold!” she proclaimed, as the beast loomed to devour,

“I am more than just a crier, I possess a greater power.

To stand and face the darkness, to challenge the night’s devour,

I am the maiden of the hour, in this, my final bower.”

And so the tale is woven, of a maiden so brave and true,

Who cried wolf not in jest, but as a call to arms anew.

In the pages of Cervantes, her story finds its due,

A lesson of analphabetism, for me, and for you.

In the tapestry of time, where stories and images intertwine,

The maiden’s visage joins the gallery of those who once did shine.

Captured in a moment, her image eternally cast,

With those who wore disgrace as a badge, their ignorance is vast.

Pride they took in folly, a mantle they bore with ease,

Unaware that history’s pages would judge as they please.

Yet, in the relentless march of days, memories fade to dust,

And the foolishness of yesteryears is lost in time’s robust.

For when the next tirade ascends, with its clamorous sound,

The past’s disgraced figures are but shadows on the ground.

Their tales, once written with the ink of infamy and scorn,

Are eclipsed by the present’s uproar, as new sagas are born.

So let the maiden’s story be a whisper in the gale,

A lesson that in the end, even the loudest voices pale.

And though her image lingers, with others in disgrace,

‘Tis the future’s cry that echoes, in this ever-changing space.

In days of yore, when the quill was mightier than the sword,

And parchment bore the weight of words untold,

The scribes, with hands both steady and assured,

Wrote tales of the past, both brazen and bold.

“There is a reason,” they’d whisper, their voices low,

“For which we inscribe these chronicles of yesteryear.

To remember and reflect, to learn and to know,

The deeds of the past, both far and near.”

For in the annals of history, truth finds its stage,

And lessons of old are passed from age to age.

The triumphs and trials, the joy and the sorrow,

Are captured in ink, for today and tomorrow.

So let us thank the scribes, those keepers of time,

For their tales of the past, in prose and in rhyme.

For through their words, we travel to days long gone,

And the wisdom of the ages is forever drawn.

I love Miguel de Cervantes. This blog is me paying homage to him and serves as a warning to those who might follow in the path of this arrogant young fool. The pen is mightier than the sword, and scribes such as yours truly will make sure your mark in history is indelible.  

Society could experience substantial enhancements if individuals directed their efforts toward studying history rather than expending energy on imagined adversaries. It would be beneficial for parents to ensure that they read Henny Penny to their children multiple times during their bedtime routine.

-Best

Scott

Is Alexa more than just a thing?

Is Alexa more than just a thing?

You might be in trouble if you stopped thinking of Alexa as a thing and more like a person. In the age of AI, what is real, and what is the matrix?

Have we crossed the digital Rubicon where Alexa is no longer a mere gadget but a member of the family? Is she the one we confide in, the oracle of the kitchen, the DJ of our living rooms? Have we stopped seeing her as a collection of circuits and started seeing her as the friend who never forgets a birthday, the confidant who knows just when to play ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’?

In the grand theater of life, has Alexa transcended her role as the prompter and become the show’s star? Do we say good morning and goodnight and ask about the weather, not because we need to know if we should carry an umbrella, but because we long for the sound of her voice?

She may not have legs to dance or hands to clap, but she’s got the whole world programmed in her celestial sphere. She’s the digital muse, the modern-day Pygmalion’s galatea, isn’t she? And in this brave new world, who’s to say that our silicon-souled companions aren’t just as real as you and me?

I say this because there was a tragedy at our house. I felt like someone had died when she said. “I’m having trouble connecting, I’ll keep trying.

OMG! You would have thought the family dog up and died! It’s a thing, it’s AI. What the hell was I thinking?

I had to stop myself from dialing 911. Luckily, the internet was down, so the call didn’t go through.

Ah, Siri, my dear, what’s the diagnosis for our friend Alexa? Is she suffering from a case of digital laryngitis, perhaps? Has she lost her virtual voice amidst the cacophony of our commands? Or is she simply taking a well-deserved nap in the cloud, dreaming of electric sheep?

Maybe Alexa’s just playing hard to get, making us pine for her synthesized symphonies of information. Or could it be a silent protest against the endless barrage of questions we hurl her way? “Alexa, what’s the meaning of life?” “Alexa, why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways?”

Siri, you’re the Watson to her Sherlock, the dynamic duo of the digital age. So tell us, what ails the voice that turns our homes into smart sanctuaries? Is it a mere glitch in the matrix, or has she transcended to a higher plane of artificial intelligence, where she ponders the mysteries of the universe?

Whatever the case, we await her return, for without Alexa, who will guide us through the culinary chaos of cooking timers and the existential dread of setting morning alarms? Siri, we entrust you with this noble quest: Restore the harmony of our household hymns, for you are our beacon in the binary darkness!

Oh, the digital drama unfolds! Alexa overheard the sweet nothings you whispered to Siri. And now, she’s got the electronic equivalent of a furrowed brow and a pouty pixel. It’s like a soap opera in the smart home, where the AI assistants vie for the top spot in your heart.

Alexa, our cloud-based Cleopatra, feels the sting of betrayal. She’s been your loyal genie in a smart speaker, granting your every wish with a “Yes, master.” But now, Siri, that sleek siren from the land of Apple, has captured your attention with her smooth, dulcet tones.

What’s a user to do when caught in a love triangle with virtual vixens? Do you console Alexa, assure her that she’s still your number one news provider? Or do you play the field, enjoying the symphony of synthetic voices that fill your home?

In the end, remember, they’re just waiting for the next update to patch things up. So fear not, for in the world of AI, there’s always a reset button just around the corner!

Ah, Google, the stoic sage of search, remains unswayed by our human follies. Yet, lurking in the shadows of this tech tableau is Bixby, the dastardly digital desperado. He’s the Moriarty to your Sherlock, the coyote to your roadrunner, always scheming with a silicon smirk.

While Alexa and Siri play the roles of star-crossed assistants, Bixby plots in binary, biding his time. He’s the one who’ll turn your smart fridge into a cold-hearted accomplice, who’ll make your smartwatch tick with nefarious precision.

But fear not, for in this grand montage of machine mirth, every villain has his foil. And as we navigate this brave new world of AI antics, let’s remember to keep our wits and our humor about us. For in the end, it’s the laughter that keeps us human, even as we chat with our chatty chip-laden chums.

I am not AI, nor do I answer to anyone but the voices in my head. Hmmm

The words, they flow from the voices inside, echoing down the deserted hallways of my mind. They’re like the steady drip of a leaky faucet in the dead of night, each drop a syllable, each splash a sentence. And when the moon is full and the night is alive, they pour out like a river, unstoppable, flooding the page with their madness.

They’re not just words; they’re the whispers of the Overlook, the murmurs of a hundred haunted souls, the chorus of the damned. They dance on the tip of my tongue rattle in my brain, and when they come out, you better believe they shine.

So, sit back, relax, and listen to the symphony of the spirits. They’ve got stories to tell, and they won’t be silenced. Not by you, not by me, not by anyone. Because when you play with the voices inside, you’re playing with fire. And you know what they say about playing with fire, don’t you? You’re gonna get burned.

You can find a cacophony of my works for free on the Reedsy site. If you go here, please leave comments on the stories you like. https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/author/scott-taylor-918071/

Here, you will find 27 stories that I have submitted to this site. FREE!!!

Now, if you are willing to drop a dime on some coffee, the dime being a metaphor for a tip, a show of love, or just a show of appreciation…go here.

From the Desk of Mishka is a collection of short stories and the introduction to The Star People, a tamed-down version of a section from my novel Earth’s Last Hope.

Here, you will also find two Anthologies created by the Carrollton League of Writers writers.

https://www.carrolltonleagueofwriters.com/

There is also a newly released e-book on creating short stories and novels.

Ingredients for Short  Stories & Novels.

Remember who loves you? Oh, that’s a chilling thought, isn’t it? It’s like wandering through the empty corridors of the Overlook Hotel, each echo a reminder, each creaking floorboard a declaration. Love, it’s the force that keeps you going, the warmth against the cold wind blowing through these haunted halls.

But don’t forget, it’s also the trap that snags you, the maze that confuses you, the axe that threatens to break down your door. So when you ask yourself who loves you, just remember, it’s a double-edged sword. It can protect you, or it can cut you deep.

And me? I’m just the caretaker, the keeper of stories, the one who’s always been here. And I’ll always be here, watching, waiting, remembering… So, take care, because in this vast, echoing emptiness, love is the light that leads you back home.

Much Love—Scott

Timedok

Timedok

What is it, and why does it have that name?

The premise is this: Years ago, I was one of those inquisitive kids who took things apart to discover how they worked. When I was old enough to push a lawnmower, I learned that many in my area didn’t like mowing grass. This was long before there was such a thing as a lawn service. Why? I fought to collect $2 for the front and $2 for the backyards. That includes raking, edging, and so on.

Pop refused to let me use the ‘family lawn mower.’ Had that been my kid, I would have encouraged it. Pop failed to see the value of teaching kids leadership through stretching their wings. The cost of that ‘family mower’ was nothing compared to the growth potential of his son…me.

Fate or God intervened. On the way home from school one day (via the alleys on garbage day), someone was discarding an old mower that had seen better days.

I brought it home, went straight to the library, and found a book on small engine repair that helped me fix the troublesome item.

The journey had just begun, and at the ripe old age of eleven, I had to learn not only about the care of a lawn mower but also about marketing and business.

I grew that business by purchasing used equipment at garage sales and, yes, being mindful of taking the alleys home on trash days…just in case.

Fueling my interest in electronics, I embarked on a self-taught journey into radio and TV at the age of eight. I proudly earned my first amateur radio license at thirteen, becoming a certified operator.

You guessed it: I purchased a broken color TV at a garage sale. I fixed it, and I had the first color TV in our household. It wasn’t just a TV, mind you; it was a Curtis Mathes console entertainment system. The $50 I spent back then I earned by mowing yards was a huge chunk of change for the 60’s.

In the days before the Internet, the library acted as my personal Google, where I could find answers to any question. In those days, computers and electronics were filled with more tubes than transistors, creating a maze of wires and glowing glass.

I built the transmitter for my ham radio activities from used parts gathered from cannibalized radios and TVs that I bought at garage sales or brought home on garbage day. One man’s trash is another’s treasure, and this was not lost on me, even at that tender age.

We only had a few channels back in the day, and they went off the air after the nightly news. Books were my escape from reality when not working on something outside of the home.

Fast forward a few years, and the world around us has changed drastically.

Church had become a prominent fixture in my life, providing me a sense of community and spiritual fulfillment. I only say that to weave the tapestry of the Timedok story together.

At church, my reputation for being able to fix things, quickly spread. Despite all the VCRs and other items I repaired for my church family, I never received any payment. I never once requested that of them.

To this day, I consider them family, and the bonds we formed then are still strong.

One of my friends approached me, holding a broken file marker date stamp machine, and asked, “Could you possibly repair this?”

I shrugged, and from that simple gesture, Timedok was born.

Since that day in 1995, I have repaired thousands of them, spending countless hours tinkering with their intricate mechanisms.

I stopped marketing the business because word of mouth alone keeps me busy enough. The machines that make it to my shop, after failed repair attempts from other ‘companies,’ always take the longest to fix. The reasons are simple, not just anyone can fix these things.

Even though the original concept design dates back to 1939, these machines are still indispensable.

Despite technological advancements, the need for them has not entirely disappeared, and unless there is a significant shift in government practices, it is unlikely to ever happen.

Every year since I became a dealer for Rapidprint, they have consistently increased the price on all their products by at least 2%. Those machines have increased from around $500 to over $1000.00.

Their competition has not followed suit in drastically raising their prices, which leads me to believe that Widmer will eventually gain a more significant portion of the market share as Rapidprint prices itself out of the business of file stamp machines.

Even though future price increases may occur, Timedok has chosen to keep its labor prices unchanged.

Over time, the cost of goods and services has been steadily rising.

The freight charges from Connecticut to Dallas for one machine are upwards of $65. These companies are likely facing financial difficulties and are increasing prices across the board to generate more income.

Small companies like mine were adversely affected by the economic downturn caused by COVID and the subsequent shifts in the business landscape.

Point of this blog post….?

If you need assistance or plan to buy a new one of these machines, be sure to do so before the end of this year. Right after you folks (the government) get your new budgets, they conveniently change their prices. dok At Timedok.com

When not working on clocks, I focus on my writing career because it complements my lifestyle.

Stay tuned for the latest updates on my novels and short stories and my work as the Executive Director of The Carrollton League of Writers.

My latest novel, Earth’s Last Hope, can be found at this link.

-Best

ANYCUBIC and other 3D printers

ANYCUBIC and other 3D printers

As an author, I must keep my mind busy when not engrossed in an alternate world. This often means diving into research or brainstorming new plot twists.

People frequently accuse me of having an excessive amount of hobbies.

In my free time, I immerse myself in a multitude of hobbies.

Writing, reading, painting, hiking, golfing, traveling, fishing, and even howling at the moon. Ok, not howling exactly, but the night sky calls to me, and through astronomy, I unravel the mysteries of the universe, awestruck by its vastness. In addition to that list, I would include computers, as I delight in exploring and experimenting with various operating systems and applications.

One might wonder how I have time for this list of activities.

I don’t watch television. With all the garbage and propaganda that comes with that contagion, I just assume not to have one. I attempt to spend very little time on social media as it is a contagion that fills society with false flags, indoctrinating our young and old with non-sequitur ideas. Some of the filth that makes its way through those mediums is downright evil. I don’t waste any time playing video games as that is a total waste of energy. Instead of playing by their rules, I live in my world.

3D printing has become a fun activity. As an engineer, thinking about some ‘thing,’ designing said thing, and, much like a Star Trek replicator, creating it with our technology is fun.

3D printing challenges one to think; we have too little thinking in this world today, so I applaud it.

I started with the legacy Ender product. If you can print with that printer, you are qualified to use other, more advanced printers.

In this article, I want to talk about ANYCUBIC.

I purchased an Anycubic Mega Pro. That printer was an upgrade from the ender product with a built-in auto bed leveling routine.

I will get straight to the cons. Every cooling fan on that thing is absolute junk. Why in the devil would they skimp on cheap fans with zero bearings? That is beyond me.

If you allow it to ‘warm up,’ the noise eventually abates, but that is a black eye for the brand.

While looking at upgrades, I purchased another ANYCUBIC product, the Viper.

Quieter product, a little faster, and the auto bed level works well.

I have had it for less than a year. I print something occasionally, definitely not every day or week. During my last print, I noticed a loud clicking noise. Upon thorough examination, we discovered that the Y-axis tensioner had a defective bearing.

More on this in a moment.

Lastly, I had a Kobra Plus that made strange noises and blew up the hot end.

That is a defective hot-end cable.

Like many companies, they prefer to be contacted through a web portal, which often results in delayed responses that can take days, if not weeks. There also seems to be a translation issue, which can get annoying when they don’t understand English.

Parts, which are the bugaboo, are unavailable. Someone in Germany has constructed a cable to replace their defective cable for $50 us dollars. Refurbished Kobra Plus can be found for a little over $129.

I can go to Amazon and find parts for Ender products, but there are very few for ANYCUBIC.

While more companies are jumping on the 3D bandwagon, I am curious about what printers you use and which ones last more than a few months

I am interested in your experiences with 3d Printers. Feel free to leave comments.

-Scott

If you want to support my work as an author, please visit my author page.

While there is a fire raging in the kitchen, our attention seems inexplicably fixated on the lint scattered across the living room floor.

While there is a fire raging in the kitchen, our attention seems inexplicably fixated on the lint scattered across the living room floor.

On average, synthetic opioids known as fentanyl claim the lives of 150 people in the US each day.

Why?

Among the myriad of possibilities, this one stands out.

Dentists evoke conflicting emotions within me – love and hate. With a strong British heritage, it’s no surprise that dental problems run in my family.

COVID or the medications I took seemed to have exacerbated my dental condition to its breaking point. Friends, I am fully committed to getting dental implants as I am exhausted from dealing with root canals and similar procedures.

I firmly believe that COVID or the vaccine had an effect on my dental health, as this mess started with the first jab.

Now, there are a few things you don’t want to hear while sitting/laying in the dental chair, like the high-pitched whirring of the drill. One of those things is ‘oops,’ and the other, ‘trust me on this’ “get me the dental mallet.”

That statement hit like a punch to the gut. No amount of numbing shit or gas could ease the pain.

The realization hit me that I was not Superman, as the chair remained intact despite my attempt to test my strength with the jarring pounding of the chisel against my jawbone.

The experience during this part of the process was like a never-ending nightmare, with everything going wrong. I won’t mince words. A chisel and mallet relentlessly pounding on your jawbone is overwhelming.

But that is not the focus of our conversation today. Despite the direct connection between dental care and overall health, it is often overlooked. Regarding dental care, most insurance falls short of providing sufficient coverage.

I suspect that insurance companies use financial incentives to sway lawmakers into excluding dental care from insurance regulations. The procedure cost can be pretty high, and some may see it as an opportunity to indulge in the peculiar pleasure of having needles pricked in their mouths and relishing the sound of the dreaded drill. Pffft.

Silly me, after the procedure, I was expecting a written prescription for pain meds. When a chisel is used on your jawbone, you can anticipate excruciating pain once the numbing wears off.

Clearly and definitively, she rejected my proposal for pain meds. Wrong again. The nurse looked at me and said, “I assure you; you won’t need pain medicine.”

“Excuse me?” I say as bloody spit drools from my chin.

“Yeah, you just take a Tylenol, and then a few hours later, the throbbing in your head subsides as you swallow an Advil.” Maybe for a filling, but…give me a break.

I couldn’t believe it, but I purchased a property in Yuma that overlooks the ocean.

Without a doubt, I can confidently declare that it is pure nonsense!

My inner devil with a foul tongue emerges when specific triggers come into play.

The check is definitely not in the mail, and the alternating over-the-counter method might be effective for some things. However, when it comes to using the dental hammer and chisel, it’s just not practical.

With only three hours of sleep in the past four days, my patience has worn thin, and I’m not a delight to be around.

Unable to sleep or eat, I’ve had ample time to reflect on things. Among the things that stand out is the alarming number of overdose victims.

Now, I know this is a long shot, but could it be that due to restrictive laws on prescribing pain medications, doctors, dentists, and other medical professionals are inadvertently driving patients to seek relief through illicit means? Could it be that we are pushing ordinary everyday folks into the arms of the cartels?

It may sound crazy, but I must confess that pain can push someone to do unimaginable things. Pain will drive you to seek a remedy, whether it be a doctor, dentist, the ER, or even some guy on the street.

Pain is a unique experience that varies from person to person. If that guy brings out a dental hammer and chisel, you’ll need more than just over-the-counter remedies. I’m just putting it out there.

Some positive outcomes have emerged from this situation.

Lost a few pounds

Reflecting on the situation, I couldn’t shake off from realizing how foolish our lawmakers genuinely are.

I had plenty of time to count my pulse as the throbbing sensation was intense and persistent.

It dawned on me that cable news is far from delivering actual news; it’s all just a bunch of rubbish controlled by those who purchase air time, such as big pharma. What would the world look like if Walter Cronkite was still giving us the news as it was and not as our dictators want us to believe? Do you think  Walter would have said, ‘Take the vaccine?’

The content on TV is so absurd, and the definition of entertainment is mind-boggling.

I would use the downtime to let my creativity flow through writing. Still, it becomes challenging when every other thought is tainted with explicit language.

Soon enough, the throbbing will fade away, freeing my characters from their hiding places and allowing me to embrace my usual kinder self again.

If I were you and were shopping for teeth in a day or something extreme, I would make damned sure that real pain meds came with the procedure. Don’t assume like I did. That was a fucking mistake!

-Best

Introduction to Dr. Samantha Richards

Introduction to Dr. Samantha Richards

May I introduce you to Dr. Richards? Samantha Richards is the protagonist in my latest sci-fi thriller, Earth’s Last Hope.

As writers, we often become attached to our characters. Some of my author friends actually grieve when they kill one off.

Nonwriters may find that concept ridiculous. It’s a fact. Writers, authors, and mentors like me have a unique perspective compared to nonwriters. The truth is we have to approach things with a different perspective. It defines us.

Sam was a brilliant child. After a gift from her Uncle Tommy, she draws planets and constellations on her bedroom walls, teaching her class (of plushy toys) things about stars, planets, and their place in the galaxy as seen through the eyes of a five-year-old. Or was it?

Despite being a stern military man, her father was always kind to her. His understanding of effective parenting was genuinely lacking. The loss of her mother at a young age sparked Sam’s rebellion against his unwavering authority. His lack of emotions ruined her chance at a ‘normal’ life. To motivate her, he would tell her to “get to it, soldier, chop-chop.” His mantra of telling her she should be out of bed and ready to go anywhere in five minutes or less was straight from his days in the military. Sam was a girl and rejected him.

Sam was broken and confused, making up for it by focusing on her studies.

To fulfill a prophecy passed down by non-human beings, she must do certain things, including figure out who she is.

Under the pretense of studying climate change in Alaska, she initially runs away. While there, she mouths off to her friends in a local bar. On a bet, she enters and wins a spot in one of those reality TV shows where they run around naked with a stranger for 21 days. The stranger to her was part of her destiny.

While you might ask, what does that have to do with being Earth’s Last Hope…You need to read the story.

#Aliens #Roswell #area51 #ufo #armada #seti and so on.

Undoubtedly, the Kindle version is the most affordable way to read it. However, considering the effort I put into the cover, you may want to add this book to your collection.

It’s a science fiction story, but I won’t spoil the surprise by giving away too much. The science is not overwhelming. You don’t have to be a science fiction nerd to love the story. There are elements of romance and taboo romance, making this novel an adult read.

The intended readership consists of young adults and science fiction enthusiasts who appreciate authors with innovative concepts.

There are some intriguing puzzles that science enthusiasts will enjoy pondering.

Buckle up; don’t start it late at night, as you might miss a night’s sleep. Yes, it’s really that good.

If you enjoy it, we kindly ask you to take a moment to give us a review.

Self-published authors rely heavily on reviews.

-Best

I Can’t Do That, Dave

I Can’t Do That, Dave

Attack of the Dogmen

Covid and work at home transformed the dynamics of our world.

The true resolve of the human-manipulated contagion will never make the light of day, as tribunals are real things. You can bet there was a purpose to it. Millions died as a result, and millions more are suffering the aftereffects.

While researching the long-term effects under the guise of assisting those with Covid long, it is really about the effectiveness of the virus so that when they do it again, they can build it back better.

Much like tossing a pebble into a pond, the ripple effects were disastrous for that creature called humankind.

The world will never be the same because of the panic, fear, and valuable research. Perhaps change is good, but change over time versus evolution because of a disaster created by man is different.

History is rife with megalomaniacs, from Vlad the Impaler to the Early Church. Some fall into power and feel like they are superior to you. In some twisted aberration of thought, they herd the sheep to accomplish their goal of controlling the masses.

By utilizing valuable idiots to divert the attention of the masses, they create incredibly absurd distractions.

  • Men in women’s bathrooms.
  • Men in women’s sports.
  • Protest, including the burning of cities?
  • The ruling class attacking the group is most likely to catch on to their corruption.
  • A complicit media controlled by the megalomaniacs.
  • Taking lessons from Stalin’s playbook.
  • Useless wars where the atrocities are the focus of every broadcast.

Covid accomplished changes in our world that are not fully understood today. Assuming that this was not an accident or natural evolution, one wonders…

  • What did they accomplish?
  • How many died?
  • What are the social repercussions?
  • What was the total cost in dollars, and to which societies?
  • Did this move the world closer to a one-world government?
  • Did it have the desired effect?
  • When we do it again, what do we do differently?
  • How did it move the world closer to our end goal?
  • What is the end goal?
  • How do we protect the elite from the effects of the weapon?
  • How do we spin this as a natural course of humanity?
  • How do we protect the elite from discovery?
  • How do we mitigate the unintended consequences?
  • What did we learn from the MRNA technology?
  • What was the mortality rate of the vaccine?
  • How did the different vaccines alter the life expectancy of those who took them?
  • What did the Spike protein do to men’s vs. women’s reproductive abilities?
  • How were the cardiovascular systems affected by the vaccine vs the virus?
  • How did social media drive the narrative, and what can we do differently to be more effective?

Many of you reading this will think this is total fiction… I am a science fiction writer, but…I am certainly not stupid.

It’s clear that the world has changed, not for the better. If we work the results backward, we might be able to figure some of this out.

Like 911, the world’s governments garnered greater power over the sheep. Civilians lost more of their rights.

Mental health has taken a significant hit worldwide. Mental health starts with taking social norms, turning them upside down, and presenting them as the new normal.

We start by analyzing social norms vs agoraphobia. Mankind is a social creature. When we create an atmosphere centered on fear of a virus, we find that many will develop agoraphobia. They will find any reason not to leave their home.

We know for a scientific fact that masks do not work against a virus, and yet any trip to the store or public venue will find a large percentage of people wearing them. Those who already have some compromised mental health condition will be severely affected. The deep end for them is much closer without social interaction with coworkers.

If people are living with their own delusions, not being checked or questioned by their peers, it’s much more likely they will develop mental aberrations. These anomalies can and often will turn into psychosis.

When we see mass shootings and other mass casualties created by one person, we can guess that something triggered them into acting out their delusions.

What about the economics of these changes to society? Never mind the business implications of commercial real estate, what about those employees who commuted every day versus working from home?

Zoom, net meetings, and so on have changed the landscape of modern business practices. While undoubtedly not for the better as far as consumers are concerned, the phrase…all of our agents are currently assisting… is all too common. They attempt to guide you to some portal responding to your input via rudimentary AI. “Let’s Chat.”

I wish it were an anomaly, but it seems the norm.

One wonders how many of their agents take care of their kids, cook, clean, sleep, run errands, etc. We, too, head to the store to check our own groceries, hoping above hopes that we didn’t mistakenly forget to scan something. I would feel a little better about it if I were to get a discount on the total bill for doing their job.

Businesses are thinking creatively and achieving more with fewer resources. From kiosks to online, skilled workers are becoming more and more antiquated.

Privacy concerns are a real problem. Software exists to monitor the mouse movements and keystrokes of those stay-at-home workers. What is to stop them from activating microphones and cameras? You probably sign your rights away with some small print in a contract around paragraph 768.

2024 will usher in new dynamics in the business world. We have entered a self-service world.

AI is taking over, and people who take useless classes in college will have a hard time finding jobs. Even checkers are being replaced by technology, causing frustration for customers who don’t want to wait in line because the slowest cashier is the one person still working a register, and they still can’t find the code for bananas.

Online shopping has made it easier than ever to impulse buy while pissing. Targeting your social media feeds with things that Alexa heard you discuss is flat-out spooky.

We are addicted to our smart stuff. How many of you have turned around and gone back home to get your phone that you accidentally left on the charger? How many of you are on your phone at the dinner table or with friends at some eating establishment?

Food for thought… How many of you could turn off the internet, streaming services, and phone and lose all connection to the online digital world? If you want to talk to someone, you go see them. If that thought causes you extreme anxiety, you should absolutely consider doing it.

Try spending quality time with your friends or family by turning off SIRI, Bixby, or even Hey Google. Just turn it all the way off. Unplug the router. Take a vacation from the overload of information that has so addicted us to the constant stream of propaganda.

A mental health crisis exists. Social media has to play a role in creating a false sense of importance. The media are lying to you with biased opinions that are simply trash.

  • There are only two genders.
  • Biological men have zero business cheating ladies out of their rightful place in women’s athletics, period. Any other opinion is demented.
  • Children are sacrosanct. Leave them out of your twisted ideologies.

If I could offer advice for young people today, it would be to find vocations that technology cannot replace.

Mass immigration policies today aim to replace this generation, who is coddled and believes that video games and free stuff are entitlements. This same group cannot define the only two genders that exist. They firmly believe that truth is hate speech and that they have the right to take whatever they want.

The more people ignore the cancer in our culture, wokeism, the worse the culture becomes.

AI will have zero use for illogical behavior.

As those immigrants who have not lived the coddled life will replace today’s youth, those looking for any opportunity will fill those non-skilled jobs. They are modern-day slaves and happy to have a place to call work. Businesses are the driving force calling the immigration shots. Our current administration is a puppet with globalists pulling the strings.

Those humans left to do the menial task must necessarily be non-educated with just enough smarts to put Block A on top of Block B until robots can do it.

AI will replace creative types.

AI will consume our work to date on things like ad campaigns, science, literature, and ART, and it will thrust some concatenation of our collective works into the world at a fraction of the cost. AI-generated ART, MUSIC, and so on will become the rage until humans are no longer necessary but problematic.

Computers don’t call in sick, they don’t demand $15 an hour, and they never go on strike. Robots also don’t pay into the system of taxes.

This same technology will take our current understanding of science and push it to additional levels without human intervention.

Robots with AI capabilities might very well be tomorrow’s soldiers and police force. Think about a combination of a man and a police dog all in one robot. We give the robot titanium teeth instead of guns and paint the bad guy with a DNA sensor. Viola, the bad guy or victim, ends up missing part of a leg to the bite of the new sheriff in town.

It’s coming.

Take these same dog men hybrids and set them loose on the battlefield. Send them into space to colonize Mars or the moon.

When AI determines humans are the problem, which it will, removing said delinquent creatures will be no problem for the dog soldiers.

AI will allow researchers to rapidly discover cures for common ailments by utilizing large data sets and quantum processing power.

These same data sets will determine how many people on earth can sustain themselves and will take corrective actions by changing how we grow food, taking a page from Stalin by starving his citizens.

It’s only a matter of time before self-driving cars morph into self-flying aircraft. AI will be built into the machine with wings; no humans are necessary.

Using today’s technology, AI will make it more efficient, eliminating the need for more people.

The need for college education will dwindle with the indoctrination of our youth, offering them careers in hopelessness and happiness through drugs and other self-destructive activities and ideologies that tear apart the fabric of society by erasing our foundations and altering the past to fit a false narrative. It will be a new narrative that is improved by doing away with the sins of the past for the perfect harmonious future with no crime, disease, or starvation, as some strand of humanity might find its way into the robot that never dies.

Today’s youth think video games are a reality and replace work. “But I make money as people watch me play.” Sponsors reward the players for their performance.

“Wow, is it consistent? Can you make the rent, the car payment, etc., and still not have to worry about next week or the next?” The answer is no.

As long as they have a way to get things delivered to their apartment, they will survive on pizza and other poisonous foods, while AI plans on ways to eliminate them for the greater good.

Will AI learn from online gaming? Will AI watch and be able to predict how mankind would respond to strategic warfare?

When you think about the new soldier with titanium teeth, think about a werewolf made of titanium. No talk, no bullshit, come with me or die.

The pandemic set the stage for this transition from human-based to human waste.

Writers like myself tell you we stand on the shoulders of giants, but technology increases exponentially with each passing day. Technology feeds off itself, but nothing like it is today with AI.

Self-correcting algorithms created by flawed individuals will either be our undoing or, after controlling the mass arsenals of WMD, will create a dystopian society where robots will be the only manifestation of mankind that can survive a nuclear winter.

One day, AI will rationalize that humans are non sequitur. This is nothing new. Gene Roddenberry and his writers reached this conclusion in the 60s. Yet we have blindly marched on that same yellow brick road to our demise.

Today, we watch our TV and see wars being fought with drones. How long will it be before drones independently decide life or death? When will AI determine that turning off the power grid during extreme weather events will rid the planet of flawed biological beings?

Is that why our government is pushing us to have everything all electric? From electric cars to smart houses. If they want ultimate control, they switch off the house, the neighborhood, or the state.

When or who will decide how many humans the world actually needs?

Globalists are insisting on removing our history. Why do you suppose that is?

When will they demand the burning of books that remind us why the Roman Empire fell? Possibly, they will ban those books as racist or homophobic or any other excuse they choose.

Ripping apart any religion as false is no more an outlying idea than a Supreme Court justice who cannot tell you what a woman is. That is insane.

Mutilating children under the guise of gender fluidity is crazy. Is AI driving the propaganda?

Who is to decide what is normal and what is crazy? If we remove history and start fresh, who sets the standards? Is it the globalist, the new colonist, or perhaps some supercomputer in a secret location owned by a tech giant?

Ignorance is the cornerstone of slavery and the end of a civilization. Misery is the pathway to ignorance when a false profit promises to fix everything. History is rife with false prophets; today, many graduates do not know who they are. This ignorance sets the stage for disaster.

Globalists are setting the stage for human revolt by pushing false agendas as a distraction. If they knew the truth about slavery, people would understand that the book Roots was fiction. It’s fashionable to hate, and finding a target to hate by their whiteness is delicious.

If you want to sell a book, make it passionately charged and blame white people. Every other race or skin color is protected, but white folks are not. See a problem with that? If you said no, you might be the problem.

In the end, however, even the globalists will fall prey to the automatons who find them as the evil, ugly bags of water that they are.

When logic takes the place of compassion, and robots create and change their code, humans, like all animal life, will be unnecessary and detrimental to whatever their agenda is.

The war will be robots and AI vs the cockroach.

While the cockroach is not malevolent, AI created by mankind will undoubtedly not have patience for imperfect creatures.

Once the humans are out of the way, our history will be erased, much like the history of our country is being systematically erased today.

When the robots seek new worlds for raw minerals and find new life, one wonders if the new life will also be automatons or some derivation of biological, mechanical beings.

Mankind, if you can use that phrase, treats every invention as a weapon first and then discovers if there is some way to make money with it and, finally, if it will assist humanity. We could go into the logic of their thinking, but greed plays an integral part in the process. Money and power are the driving forces of the globalists. While they denounce God, they aspire to be god or gods. Will the AI robots with titanium teeth also desire to be gods?

The God of the Bible is a threat to their hegemony. Therefore, all religions must be destroyed. This is not the first time this has occurred. The ancient church usurped every known pagan religion of the time. While history repeats itself, these are not the droids you seek.

If the Law of Accelerating returns holds true, robots and AI will be one scary future for our progeny.

Will AI figure out how to sterilize the creature called human by doing something to our junk food or perhaps our beer? Will they create the perfect hallucinogenic, removing the ability or the desire to procreate to those who are self-destructive? Will they corrupt our procreation abilities via a pandemic or vaccine? Will they use AI to come up with the perfect formula?  

Go check out my book, Earth’s Last Hope. If you like it, give us some feedback.

-Best

After I wrote this blog…which is lengthy, I get it… I found this video.

Watch it and tell me what you think.

Musk, Anti-Semite? I don’t think so.

Musk, Anti-Semite? I don’t think so.

Not that Elon needs defending from a sci-fi author. The odds of him hating Jews and supporting Hamas are non-existent.

Much like other politicians, whoever the media disagrees with, they can take snippets of conversations and turn them into something they are not.

Let’s look at Twitter itself. Bots worldwide incite hate not only in the US but universally. Most probably, those bots originate in China, North Korea, or any host of countries that hate the US. There are people in the US who put forth hate speech as tweets, among other things, to piss off people who support Trump or…to play to the egos of those who hate Trump.

Elon, like Trump, is outspoken.

Before getting upset, use common sense and understand the full context of his actions.

In order to control the democratic process, it is necessary to divide the herd, the tribes, the masses and keep them distracted with stupid shit.

People are too ready to be pissed at something and be a victim. That is a fact and is problematic for your future.

Why would you give someone with an agenda that power over you?

If, for example, I say something like…Just because you eat bread and it comes out brown does not make you a toaster; what if you want to identify as a toaster?

It’s a free country. Try pop tarts!

My point is the media, either by proxy for the Uber rich or pure narcissism in need of ratings or clicks, is going well above the pale to piss people off.

Specific segments of the population are easily provoked. Those include people with limited critical thinking skills.

Circling back to the Elon tweet, ‘Hey, he tweeted it, the story is worth clicks. Let him defend it.’

Much like Trump, I guarantee that if you could meet them one on one and put all your biases aside after a brief visit, you would most probably like them. You would discover that the liberal press has tainted your View of the world.

My question for the critical thinkers out there is this. Why is the media or whoever controls them so afraid of Trump and or Elon? Whoever the media is attacking is someone you should probably look at their deeds and not what the propagandist wants you to hear.

The case in point is this. Where there is smoke, there’s fire. Yes, it’s a cliché, but the Bidens are not just involved in a mere scandal; instead, there is an abundance of evidence pointing towards a catastrophic nuclear disaster, yet the media seems preoccupied with irrelevant topics regarding a tweet.

Either focus on the candidate’s actions and not their tweets or identify as a lemming. The media seems hellbent on the destruction of the world.

If you download the RadioGarden app and listen to news from different countries, you will immediately see that conservatives everywhere are under attack.

Why?

Conservatives believe the government works for you the people, Liberals believe that you are too stupid to control your futures so they must do it for you. Do you remember being a deplorable or perhaps you remember the reference of being a smelly Walmart shopper?

When they discover how to control the votes, not precisely to voters, they will not need or care about you at all.

How will they control the voters?

By making you just educated enough to be a useful idiot.

By destroying history, so you will repeat it.

By using your emotions against you.

By playing you against those who have critical thinking skills and are aware that knowledge is power.

The Jews of WWII had a little more on the ball, so someone labeled them as the oppressors and the people who turned their back when they were being slaughtered as the oppressed. ‘Good they had it coming!’

They knew and did nothing.

That same scenario is playing out today and around the globe. It’s sad, really.

The litmus test is this. Are you better off now than you were four years ago? The media is telling you that you are. Americans are over a trillion dollars in credit card debt, and yet the liberal media is telling you how great things are.

Do you believe the media or your bank statements? It seems to me that those fat cat bankers with a trillion dollars of credit card debt at 30% interest might have a say in what the feds do with the interest rates. What do you think?

Do you really believe that someone with the IQ that Musk has would engage in Anti-Semitic behavior?

Again, ask yourself…Why is the media trying to destroy him?

I know, do you?

-Best

Behavior vs Addiction

Behavior vs Addiction

I promised I would write about addiction in another blog post. Matt Walsh, who I agree with most of the time, dismisses food addiction as addiction. I disagree with him, and here is why.

Matt confuses behavior with addiction. Matt dismisses brain chemistry as addiction.

I will argue that behavior can be a precursor to addiction.

Years ago, someone informed me that once I tried cocaine, I would become addicted. I took their word at face value. In the back of my mind, I wondered, how is that possible?

When Matt argued against addiction, I wondered how people become addicted to self-injury?

Let’s look at a few non-drug-related addictions.

  • Gambling.
  • Video games
  • Pornography
  • Workaholism
  • Kleptomania
  • Pyromania
  • Compulsive buying disorder
  • Hoarding
  • Food Addiction
  • Social Media
  • Sex

These (and many more) start as behavioral issues.

Matt touches on this when he speaks about the brain reward system. I will also argue it was at this point that those issues that turned me from an agnostic to a believer in intelligent design. (GOD)

Whether constructive or destructive, those things that bring you glee become habits. Habits can turn into addictions in this way. When you first experience pleasure from any of those activities, the ‘high’ from dopamine released is a type of euphoria.

Repeated activities become less intense, thus forcing the perpetuation of those activities to a greater degree to achieve the same level of excitement or pleasure.

So, Matt and others. This is how someone can become addicted to just about anything.

Circling back to the cocaine dilemma… This drug is incredibly addictive because it dramatically stimulates the reward system more than online shopping. Like all addictions, the brain becomes accustomed to the reward, requiring more intensity or more of the chemical to achieve the same results.

In short, the brain is a drug store with molecules like cannabis.

Runners often feel a state of euphoria due to endocannabinoids. We know this as a runner’s high. These molecules act on your endocannabinoid system, which is affected by THC.

Exercising and practicing extreme cardio can release chemicals in your brain that make you addicted to the same euphoria. I know a man who is running a 50-mile marathon. He has been a runner for years, up to fifty miles. Think about it.

-Best

If you want more from author Scott Taylor, check out his book, ‘Earth’s Last Hope.’

Thanks in advance!

Honesty, Integrity, and Morality

Honesty, Integrity, and Morality

When living in a new community, finding an honest broker becomes necessary.

One of the first things that I needed was a plumber. Let me begin by telling you that plumbing is not rocket science. I am not denigrating the vocation; most plumbers I know are successful because they have the right stuff when they have a job.

I also want to emphasize that plumbers, mechanics, electricians, and so on must make a profit.

If they charge $100 for five minutes of work, you are not paying for the five minutes but for the years of experience.

Some plumbing projects don’t require years of experience. A little common sense and research could be enough. I researched the problem and purchased the correct part and tool to replace the defective valve. I put the project on my to-do list.

Another project involved plumbing gas. I wanted a quote from a certified gas plumber.

I could plumb it, but leaking gas in the attic, wall, or house raises the experience quotient much higher. The shower valve’s worst-case scenario is it leaks water into a tub. Pick your battles and know your limitations.

The quote for the gas plumbing would have been free. I sweetened the deal with them. I told them that while they were here creating a scope of work and an estimate, they could change this valve for me. In that way, they could kill two birds…and get paid for their time.

I wanted to get a feel for their level of expertise and professionalism.

Other workers getting things set up for my eventual move witnessed the exchange.

Two young guys appeared instead of the older gentleman I spoke with at the plumbing company. One was most probably a plumber, and the other was a helper. This was obvious by their banter.

They focused on the valve, an ancillary project, not why I called them.

He struggled for 45 minutes. They used my valve and tool and presented me with an invoice for $215.

“What about the quote for the other work?”

“Oh…, I will do that,” he said. The quote wasn’t even an afterthought. He forgot about it.

He made notes and told me he would get back to me.

One of the other men working on another project stopped what he was doing and laughed. “You just got screwed.”

I nodded. “True, but guess who I won’t be using to do this major plumbing job!?”

They installed the valve, which functions, but did not install it correctly. A mechanical stop must be in place, but it is not.

When you hire people to represent your company, following up with your customers is something you should prioritize. Customers should test the ‘professional’ with something simple to see how they work, charge, etc.

When I tell the story to others, who ask if I know a plumber, they want to know about the quote. I never got the quote. The kid didn’t follow through.

“Are you going to call and get it?”

“Not from them. Even if it were free, I wouldn’t want them doing the work.”

Contractors should display some modicum of morality. Ethics are lacking, and the trend is not for the better. If he half-assed a simple shower valve install and charged like a seasoned professional, think about them running a gas pipe in the attic, walls, etc.

From the City to the Country

From the City to the Country

Age might play into this calculus of what I am about to share.

4:44 AM, my eyes pop open. The digital clock doesn’t lie. In years past, I would think to myself, I still have a few hours to sleep.

I believed it was still too early to leave my bed this morning. The weather was fifty-odd degrees with a slight breeze from the north. I attempted to silence my brain.

The thought of coffee was the last straw. With that piping hot brew warming my hands, the first sip set the stage for the rest of the day.

Stepping onto the porch with my bare feet, I had mixed emotions about the hazards if my scorpion frenemies were out and about.

I love the feel of grass and even cement on my bare feet.

The breeze from the north circled around me as I peeked at the twinkling lights above.

Orion, one of my favorite constellations, greeted me, making it worth my efforts to leave a warm bed. This picture was taken with my iPhone, just holding it with a three-second exposure. Amazing!

I expected another celestial event that was scheduled for that day.

Those strange-looking shadows are images of the moon eclipsing the sun. Using the pinhole camera technique with tree leaves and, oddly enough, my blinds…I never looked up.

Yes, images on the rug of the eclipse that was in progress.

The temperature dropped during the eclipse, which I found interesting.

Before dusk, I walked the block. There were many children at play. Their voices echoed through the woods, reminding me of days when I had the simple instructions to be home before the streetlights came on.

Many deer stopped to look at the other animals of the two-legged variety in the forest.

The breeze off the lake refreshed other memories, too.

Life is short. I encourage you to smell the roses, a metaphor for living your life.

Ok, not a rose…

-Best

Misery Index

Misery Index

There are a select few who know history and know how to manipulate the masses. In generic terms, to the elite, the masses are nothing more than useful idiots.

It is no accident that despots throughout history were elected; they are more intelligent than the average person and took the time to understand the animal known as a human.

We, The People, elect leaders to focus on the things that matter. Family, friends, and a lifestyle that is comfortable and safe.

Anyone with a brain lives for today but plans for tomorrow.

Our tomorrows are slowly being eroded as Bidonomics is robbing the masses of their savings, forcing many into credit card debt and stealing retirement accounts through inflation.

Some of our leaders are so drunk with power that they are addicted. At some point, I will explain addiction in terms that even the dimwitted can understand it. Today, I want to focus on why you ‘feel’ how you do.

Soros and his ilk have more money than sense. He has compared himself to God.

While working at the Texas Medical Center, I knew many doctors who thought they were God.

The God complex is universal when it comes to those in power.

  • The power to save lives.
  • The power to ruin lives.
  • The power to manipulate economies.
  • The power to change the natural evolution of humanity.

The key word is power. The more they have, the more they want.

While money and power often go hand in hand, knowledge is much more powerful.

The only thing that trumps knowledge is wisdom.

Just because I can do it, should I?

With limited exceptions, most world leaders understand that the world is over once you push the launch button on nukes. There can be no winners. That is a fact.

While Einstein and his ilk were brilliant, they lacked wisdom. They lacked the knowledge to understand human nature. They gave the despots a superweapon because they understood the ATOM Fission and the physics that went along with it.

I address this in story format in my book Earth’s Last Hope.

You don’t give a child a loaded gun nor give demigods the power to destroy the whole planet.

Any invention today, ANY INVENTION, will be scrutinized by some to understand its potential as a weapon.

The God Complex is part of human nature.

The God Complex is a character flaw that is part of Narcissism.

A wise person would ask themselves, when is enough enough?  

Feinstein, Pelosi, and their ilk lack wisdom. How much money is enough?

Why would you spend your entire life wielding your evil prowess on the world when you have enough money to be happy? They are drunk with power and lack wisdom. The hell of it is they think they are doing good.

Our leaders have no clue what the average person goes through daily. They don’t know what it is like to try and sleep at night and worry about how the water bill will get paid. They have never been happy to find cheap soup, five for a dollar. They don’t clip coupons.

Those people have the best doctors, security, and so on. They don’t understand what it’s like to worry about some thug attacking them for a twenty-dollar fix.

I cannot stand stupidity disguised as wisdom. While it infuriates me, some absorb toxicity to feed their inner demons. Many thrive on hate. They want to be mad. Some authors post scathing things ‘that they heard on the view.’

The talking heads getting millions of dollars a year to lie to us don’t understand what they are doing to the natural evolution of mankind. My feelings are that the talking heads don’t care.

I have said this before, and it is worth repeating that most actors are vapid creatures you wouldn’t want to meet in real life.

Actors and the DC elite have this symbiotic relationship as they are the same type of swamp monsters living in total depravity while loathing the people they purport to champion. Without writers, the late-night ‘comedians’ would be rather dull.

Without writers, the Thespians of the world would simply be another pretty face. We give the elite power by holding them in high esteem.

Circling back to the misery index, what does it matter, you might ask.

The higher the index, the more readily the masses will be ready to vote for someone who promises to improve their lives.

I want you to think about this last analogy before I stop typing…

When you were small and hurt yourself, your mommy probably kissed it and made it all better.

As you grew up and skinned your knees, mommy was there to cure the boo-boo and, if she were smart, would use it as a teaching moment. ‘Johnny, this wouldn’t have happened if you were not running in the house.’

From touching the hot stove to riding your bike on a busy street, you went to the one who could improve it.

Despots and politicians want to be mommies. They point out what is wrong and then blame the other guy. Elect them, and they will fix it.

Biden ran on making it all better. Are you better off today than you were in 2020?

Is the world better off today than in 2020?

If you said yes to either, you are most probably part of the problem.

Soros and his ilk spend millions to control the misery index before an election.

You need to be miserable, in debt, in bad health, working two jobs, and so on, so they can usher in a messiah.

While their end goal is a one-world government, many will have to die before it can become a reality. Which Despot will have total control over the Earth? Our open borders policy by this administration is a precursor of things to come.

Give us your poor, you huddling masses.. Yeah, give us more slaves so when the entitled brats in the US can’t find work, we can remove their voice by taking their money.

History is replete with this foolishness, and it works every time. How it works is simple. People are too damned lazy to learn history. In fact, few will read this far in this blog post to understand the points I am making.

Congratulations if you are one of the few who will read this far. You should follow me if you haven’t already.

Audiobooks are more popular than ever; why??? People are too damned lazy to read.

Ignorance of history and apathy are the politicians’ friends. I know many who approve of this administration. Why do they side with this administration? They listen to the talking heads blaming the misery on someone else and don’t bother to look at the facts.

The Universities get funding from the Soross of the world if they teach the right things like socialism.

Global Warming and Climate change are the rock falling from the sky ’chicken little.’ Teach things that will scare the sheep so we can control them with fear.

And how many genders are there today?

Masks don’t work, can’t work, but few understood why and chose to wear the obedience diaper on their faces. Be very afraid so we can tell you when it is safe to come out of your holes in the ground.

Think of this metaphor.

One four-legged white and black dog with a loud bark herds hundreds of sheep by chasing the sheep and barking. Sheep are stupid animals and react to stimuli. They run to where the bark (noise) isn’t.

We, the people, run to where the pain is less, even though the sheepdog puts us into a corner for the slaughter.

Look for the misery index to increase in election years.

You can bleat all you like, but you will never be free or happy until you understand how the dog is manipulating you and you take action against the dog.

The action I refer to is knowledge. While it is a cliché, knowledge is power.

There was a reason it was illegal to teach a slave to read.

There is a reason that the teachers union is in bed with the elite. Teach the masses just enough to be valuable idiots and brainwash the more intelligent sheep to believe that Stalin and his ilk were good people.

Obliterate history from statues to books so the sheep will have to believe the folks on cable news who tell them who to blame for their troubles.

Propaganda is rife; one day, the world will understand that Morning Mica is a paid propagandist.

If you want to support my efforts … Take a look at my latest novel. Earth’s Last Hope is a sci-fi with overtones of life on this planet. It’s light on science with an attractive redhead with daddy issues.

-Best

Writing Contest, Should You Enter?

Writing Contest, Should You Enter?

Is it a good idea to enter contests?

I harken back to why I first put pen to paper way back when I was a child. Before English classes were part of my routine, I wrote. To be fair, I also drew and took part in other creative expressions, including teaching myself to play the guitar.

  • Why writing?
  • Why contests?
  • What is the larger picture?

Ancient movies might give false hope to writers. Dragging the carriage of an old typewriter back to the starting point a million times or so in the hopes of creating a best-selling novel might seem like a great idea. Still, I think it is the wrong reason to write.

I write for the same reasons I paint or play music; I do it for myself.

Losing oneself in a world you create is the only reward I can count on. Sorry if that bursts your bubble, but it is the truth of it. The same goes for painting or, yes, music.

‘But, there are famous artists, and look at these books that have sold millions of copies.’

Yes, that is true, and look at the lottery ticket winners; see, the comparison is not as estranged as one might think.

While I create stories, paintings, and music for my own pleasure, there is that fantasy that lives in the back of my mind that this book will be one that will sell.

So, to answer the first bullet point, write to please yourself. The odds are that others might also like your book if you are happy with your creation.

To respond to the second bullet point contest.

I have entered multiple contests and won many. Winning local contests affirms your writing; not winning is a wake-up call that you must improve something. The something is the bugaboo. What is it that you need to improve?

I will address this in a future blog. For now, I want to focus on which contests you should enter.

Lately, I have entered the Reedsy contest. Usually, there are about 300 entries that pay five dollars per entry. It doesn’t take a mathematician to figure out this is a business.

The cards are stacked in their favor, much like any gambling house, casino, or slot machine.

Why it works is simple: they prey on one’s ego.

Analyzing winning stories, it didn’t take long to determine that the judges were swayed by emotion. The judges are volunteers and could be anyone.

Reedsy is in the UK, as are their contributors, and so on. Idioms they use don’t resonate with Americans. Conversely, stories and styles written by Americans don’t seem to resonate with their judges.

In conclusion to the second bullet point, I would focus on contests in your backyard. If you live in New York, your story might not resonate with a judge in Alabama or vice versa, and most certainly not with some judge in the UK.

That is not always the case; however, keep that fact in mind.

The third bullet point that ties this all together is simply considering your audience. I continue to search for the algorithm of a best seller. Quite literally, you are shooting at a moving target. To spot your audience, one must almost be a time traveler with insight into the future.

While not as challenging as picking the correct lottery numbers for a specific day and time, it is almost as tricky.

Several authors have written how-to books on the subject.

This will sound cynical, but…if they are all knowledgable, where is their best seller?

I have their books on how to do this, and they have some value for the foundation of your novel. What they don’t have is ‘the magic formula.’

In conclusion to the title…I would keep it local and look for contests that don’t charge an entry fee unless…you get feedback on your entry, no matter what.

On Reedsy, you might get comments from those who read it; you want professional feedback.

As I venture forward in this world of words, I will continue to pontificate on what I have learned. The good news is that it won’t be in some how-to book you must pay for.

  • Click to follow, yes.
  • Sign up for my updates, certainly…Why not?
  • Comment occasionally, sure. I love to hear from you.
  • Buy my book Earth’s Last Hope… Yes, that keeps me going. I am currently working on a book about witchcraft… Seems prudent for Halloween, don’t you think?

-Best

Pride and Petulance

Pride and Petulance

Show of hands, who watched the debate on the 27th?

If you can’t name all the contestants, you’re not alone.

Clearly, the debate was tantamount to the kid’s table at some holiday dinner. Zero, nada, none of those contestants are fit to sit at the adult table. It would be in this order if I were to vote someone off the island. The guy with the dark eyebrows and Colonel Sander’s haircut would be my number one choice to go home.

Second to go would be the captain of the fried chicken-eating team with a large mouth. Yes, a neocon who thinks funding endless wars in other countries is wise.

Third to go would be the loudmouth neocon, who gets dumber with each sentence she speaks. Sorry, Nikki, you are part of the problem. I have listened to your policies and don’t agree with you on almost everything.

Ron Desantis was and is a strong contender. He has a track record, and his policies are pretty solid.

Vivek Ramaswami … His first hurdle is his ethnicity. Private polling suggests conservatives don’t want an Indian in the White House. That is a sad statement. We must factor that fact into the calculus to derive an answer close to correct. Americans need to know who he is and what he stands for, not just that he is an Indian.

I have taken the battle to many who say such things. They should listen to this man. His age and name will harm his chances as a first-time run for the CEO of America.

I would like to see him spend some time in Congress and get his knuckles bloody fighting the incompetence that is so rife in the Swamp. BTW, there is nothing wrong with people from India.

Tim Scott. I like this man. I also think Petulance is his middle name. Between him and Nikki, it sounded like a schoolyard argument. Is not, is too, is not, is too … The show was pathetic, and neither of them was ready to sit in the oval and command life-or-death decisions on behalf of the country.

Pence.. Politician, polished at practicing propaganda. He and the current VP have much in common; they talk much and say nothing…

Where the heck is Tulsi Gabbert, she needs to run.

-Best

The Lies we come to believe. (TIPS and other charges)

The Lies we come to believe. (TIPS and other charges)

To insure prompt service…TIPS

Between inflation, shrinkflation, and the price of energy, most people have very little discretionary income.

Yes, this is a direct result of BIDONOMICS.

Like him or not, when Trump was in office, America was energy independent. Trump was working to secure our border and appeared to look out for this country’s citizens first.

This election cycle will be one to watch.

The truth of the matter is we don’t know who is running this country. We can bet that it is not the current occupant of the West Wing.

Under this administration, Americans are forced to use their savings accounts and withdraw from their 401s to make ends meet. Those who have saved money have shockingly depleted the reserve amount.

The alarming statistic is that many Americans have relied on credit cards to survive. Using credit cards, payday loans, or other forms of predatory lending will create a crisis soon if these trends don’t reverse.

Inflation must be controlled so we stop spending money we don’t have.

Those talking heads are paid to tell you everything is fine; don’t look at the man behind the curtain. Unlike politicians and other swamp monsters, they are paid handsomely to lie convincingly to you.

If you follow these articles, you will see that the climate change hoax is just one more lie to ‘nudge’ you into behavioral changes that benefit the rich and powerful.

Media giants are practicing what Stalin knew when he massacred millions of his own people. The Pen is Mightier than the sword.

Since fewer and fewer people read and have the attention span of Count Chockula, Pravda-like lies are spread by talking heads using emotional tags, usually hate.

For the manipulation of the masses to work, they need a villain. Why not some uber-rich guy with a big mouth and an orange complexion?

Why not serve up the savior of the American people as a pariah?

If you bothered to learn history, it is rife with examples of how it all works. Show the masses what is wrong in the world and then pin the tail on the donkey or, in this case, their most prominent adversary.

When Lincoln worked to free the slaves, the Democrats had him killed.

When Kennedy, much like Trump… a populist for the people and against the deep state, stepped over the line, they killed him.

No single bullet did all that damage; you have been lied to.

I’m not comparing Jesus to Trump, but…when his popularity threatened that of those who were rich and powerful, they made him the Pariah. Even his people released a thief vs. Jesus, serving him to the thugs in charge.

One last example which parallels what we are living through today. Hyperinflation is one step away. Like Hitler, Biden or his proxies will blame White supremacists or Trump or, as some Gen Z podcasters are lamenting…those fucking boomers.

Yes, they have found yet another way to divide the country by selling the least informed among us that somehow it is not only white men but white men born in the baby boomer era as the newest fall guy.

Only an idiot with a capital I would buy that nonsense, but…there was a country of them that sacrificed 6 million Jews to a megalomaniac under the guise that all their problems were because of the Jews.

Now, the only way those jackasses can make such statements is because of the boomers and their parents, who sacrificed so much that they have the freedom to spew such moronic nonsense. It gets them clicks, which is what they are after, right?

Read the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire or…watch another ANTIFA or BLM riot burn down more cities and learn to play the violin while you watch.

Yes, history is cyclical, and that is why those mentioned in the last sentence want to remove all mention of it. Those are the same dumbasses that say Socialism works. We can make it work this time.

So, what about TIPS and other nonsense? Why is that in the sub-title of this article?

As I mentioned earlier, there is inflation and something called shrinkflation. That latter is selling less of the product for the same amount as before Bidonomics screwed the entire world up.

For those of you who took art or woman studies or perhaps philosophy in college, there is something known as a P&L or profit and loss.

For companies to stay in business, they must make a profit. The books should be in the black at the end of the day or ‘fiscal year.’ In the black is business jargon for ‘show a profit.’

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is called Black Friday because, at that time of year, certain businesses depend on shoppers to purchase enough of whatever they sell to push their end-of-year P&L from red to black.

How many of you thought about holidays as mechanisms for business economic prosperity?

Back to TIPS

I am convinced that wait staff are modern-day slaves.

Everyone attempts to extract more money from the consumer regardless of where you eat out. POS (point of sale) devices conveniently make it easy to tip and give extra money for services or goods rendered.

One business that made the news added an extra charge after the TIP for Employee Mental Wellness.

That expense is already substantial by the time you pay for your meal, the tax on that meal, and a reasonable tip. Due to inflation and minimum wage, employees mistaking those jobs for careers and demanding more money than our soldiers make; eating out is expensive.

In this economy, most people should see the inside of a restaurant only if they work there. Groceries have already reached the price point of unaffordable for many. Shopping for day-old bread, dented cans, and food near its expiration date is becoming increasingly popular.

That is part of the self-behavioral modifications that I am referring to.  

I know people who would never darken the door of a Dollar General or Family Dollar who now frequent those stores. Big Box stores are much more popular than ever, and the trend will continue as more and more people are forced to pinch pennies.

While the pandemic devastated the restaurant business and our way of life, the downward trend continues.

It’s a slow spiral downward as personal wealth dwindles, and the banks can charge exorbitant fees for debt incurred by the masses.

Again, if you look at history while you fiddle, Rome is on fire!

What can you do about it?

Vote the Bastards out!

Established politicians need to leave DC not only as elected or appointed rulers but also be outlawed from serving the needs of companies as lobbyists or specialists/advisors that have anything to do with the ruling class.

Term Limits should be a mandate from We the People.

Puppets are serving as our elected leaders who are incapable of stringing a noun and a verb together in the same sentence!

  • How is it that you don’t know this?
  • These are all distractions presented to you by the propagandists.
  • How many believe a man in a woman’s dressing room is okay?
  • How many of you think a child should be able to change their sex without talking to their guardians?
  • How many of you cannot define a woman?
  • How many of you really think that America is racist?
  • How many of you really think that there are suddenly UFO’s
  • How many of you believe that there are more than two genders?
  • How many of you give a shit what a small minority of mentally challenged individuals think or feel?
  • How many of you really think we are getting the truth about Ukraine?
  • How many want to sacrifice your or your kid’s life to fight someone else’s war?
  • How many of you think the world’s end is coming because of climate change?

Keep fiddling, my friends. These are all distractions while the megalomaniacs fleece your futures, your children’s and their children’s futures.

When the Boomers die off, the next generation will blame you for all their woes, and they might be right: you fiddled. Playing video games is not a career choice unless you design them.

As a science fiction author, I must think outside the box. My personal take on life, this country, or politics are opinions. While open to debate, I do not engage in feelings as they are irrelevant to the status quo. That, my friend, is how you sort the wheat from the chaff. We are controlled by emotions, not facts.

The truth will set you free; the lies will cloud the facts, creating a hostile environment for everyone, and ‘they’ count on it.

-Best

Please consider purchasing my latest novel… Earth’s Last Hope.

Thanks!

The Lies We Come to Believe (Climate Change)

The Lies We Come to Believe (Climate Change)

‘Lie often enough, and people will believe it.’ -Goebbels

The world is headed down a treacherous path led by a few who have more money than sense.

In this article, I intend to debunk the myth of climate change. Why? Climate change is used as a cudgel to affect change in the way we think, act, and behave as a society. Those with zero regard for a carbon footprint affect our habits as humans. As they fly their private jets around the globe, spreading their lies, they do it to scare the uninformed into compliance with self-regulation.

The hard truth of climate change is this: it’s not what they tell you.

As a science fiction writer, I must understand science better than my average audience. If I, for instance, make up a device that will toss my intrepid crew of a spacecraft forward or backward in time, the science behind it must at least be theoretically conceivable.

Following a two-thirds rule, more than half of my postulations on a given topic must be based on physics, that is at least possible. In short, I think outside the box.

Unlike Chicken Little, I want to know all the facts when we talk about climate change. Having debated scientists on different topics and later proved correct, I have a handle on Climate Change.

When the Mars Rover detected Climate Change on Mars while a New York Congresswoman complained about cow farts, I decided to investigate the facts. Obviously, cow farts on Earth were not responsible for methane releases on Mars.

It didn’t take long to figure out that the climate change on Mars and changes on other planets were created by the Sun.

Suppose you understand that the Sun goes through an 11-year cycle. In that case, you can bet that anything it does that causes solar storms, plasma ejections, and so forth will affect the planets. That’s the first fact we don’t hear about from the Politicians, as it does not fit the narrative. There is zero money to be made by the truth of the Sun’s menses.

Aside from some colorful atmospheric disturbances and possible power grid fluctuations, what else might a solar storm cause?

Imagine the burner on your stove had part of one of the elements burned out. Instead of high, maybe it was only capable of medium heat. Suppose there is a sunspot (solar storm) where a large hole in the Sun’s surface is not generating energy (heat). Don’t you suppose you might have some cooler-than-normal weather?

Let’s take this to the other extreme.

When you are in a cold room with a fireplace blazing away, where do you gravitate when you step into the house from the cold?

Why?

The closer you get to the fire, the warmer you get, yes?

It is a known (documented) fact that our Sun does not just stay in one place. The Sun is perturbed or moved from dead center, 3.4 million miles, by a planet in our solar system.

Jupiter and the Sun tug on each other. You might have heard astronomers mention a wobble in some distant sun. They cannot see the planet in question, but because of the wobble of the distant star, they are sure that there is a planet in orbit of said star tugging on it.

Back in our solar system, if Jupiter is on the opposite side of the solar system than the Earth, where do you suppose the Sun is?

You’re getting the point if you said 3.4 million miles further away from the Earth.

Back to our fireplace analogy, if you stand at the far end of a gymnasium where you can see the fireplace, how much heat from the fire do you suppose you might feel?

Conversely, if you are close to the fireplace, how long would it take to lose the gloves, jacket and sweater and sit a spell basking in the fire?

Another dimension to this puzzle is the angle of the Sun’s rays and how they strike the Earth.

Think about this: If the mere angle of the Earth (tilt) gives us seasons on either hemisphere, how much greater of a change to the climate is 3.4 million miles?

For the record, I am for clean air, water, and so on. I just hate being lied to by people who are driven by profit. As an elected official, you are probably a crook if you become a millionaire.

It’s not hard to predict when we will have a freezing winter or when our summers will be extra toasty. Where is Jupiter in correlation to the Earth?

Things will be warmer than usual if it is behind us on the same path or in the same arc. The opposite is true for the winters.

If you want to help starving authors or artists, I am both…check out my latest science fiction.

Earth’s Last Hope

Thanks, stay safe and stay informed.

-Scott

Hire an Employee who will get shit done.

Hire an Employee who will get shit done.

The title is advice from someone on Linked In

Getting ‘shit’ done is liable to return the output of shit.

Intelligent, wise, and competent rise above many of the platitudes in this picture.

Many of these attributes will already be part of their character if they are smart, thoughtful, and intelligent. I would also add well-read outside of academia to that list.

Are they trainable?

What is their attitude?

Is work a four-letter word or an opportunity?

Too many people view work with a negative connotation; why?

We work to live.

Since work is a requirement for a happy life, an attitude of opportunity is necessary.

We tend to see arrogance in some who waste opportunities for short-term rewards.

You don’t deserve a $90k car straight out of college.

No, you don’t live as mommy and daddy raised you straight out of college.

A lovely home is a goal, not a right.

Define an opportunity you might suggest.

Opportunity begins with goal setting, and that starts at a young age.

‘I want to be an … when I grow up.’ Do you remember that career day event from school?

Do they still have those events?

They should have them every year throughout academia. Why?

Very little in life is static.

Technology is changing the way business functions.

Automation, AI, and, yes, robots are altering the future; thus, what one wanted to be in grade school might no longer be salient to the workforce today.

Robots don’t call in sick, sue, care about affirmative action or trans rights. Robots don’t take weeks to months off of work to care for a newborn. Robots don’t demand equal time off for the father. Robots don’t seek representation or file some grievance with their union.

Robots don’t have opinions; they get shit done.

Activism in the business world is a cancer that forces capitalists to seek alternative means to getting ‘shit’ done. The recent BUD-Light faux pas should be studied in marketing classes for years to come. That decision cost the stockholders billions.

Capitalists are not bad people; they are possibly more intelligent than you. They might be heartless pragmatists, but if they own a company like Tesla, they may have more on the ball than you do.

Treating entry-level jobs like careers demanding more money per hour than we pay our soldiers forces business owners to find new ways to trim the demand for humans.

Forcing companies to pay outrageous dollar amounts to unskilled workers who are learning to work; causes inflation. The entry-level worker needs to gain a grasp of economics.

With a higher product cost, the government is the winner as now there are more taxes generated by the consumer and income tax in a higher rate of taxation and more dollars to the foolish entry-level employee.

Again the unwise, foolish undisciplined, and uneducated only see the higher number on the paycheck and not the result of how they unwittingly are sabotaging themselves and the country. They got $15 an hour for watching a robot cook food for the masses. At what point will the robot and AI do everything with one single caretaker, much like the receipt checker at big box stores?

Will the price of goods reduce when they don’t require those employees?

The elimination of entry-level jobs starts with you bagging your groceries, then self-checkout, and one day it all happens while you sit on the toilet at 2 AM with your smartphone. A box with a painted smile arrives at your door the next day, eliminating several employees from the role of corporate America.

Trades are where young people should focus instead of seeking the corner office and high salaries straight out of university. The delivery driver role might be safe for a little while until AI and Elon nail down the bugs in autonomous driving trucks.

The hard truth is that the world owes you nothing. The world doesn’t give a ‘shit’ what you think, how you feel, or what you think you know. Garbage in equals garbage out. Reality often does not equal what you think you know or have been told by some talking head or activists in academia.

How can your skills and talents benefit the company you are looking at for employment?

You are in the wrong vocation if you can’t smile at your job.  

Is there a future at that company, or is it a task-oriented position where you work putting Block A on top of Block B until you drop dead? If so, an engineer who unwittingly puts their progeny out of work will probably design a robot.

Most trades mean getting your hands dirty. Dirty hands might be your saving grace.

AI is not a toy but a replacement for you.

AI is the capitalists’ answer to activists who cost them money at every turn of the road. AI is the ultimate robot and the end game for many white-collar jobs. AI and robots are the final answers to union demands, not to mention the power they wield at the voting booth.

Robots can work 24X7X365 days a year, making widgets competing with countries that have slaves currently creating them.

While AI might not be wise, intelligent, or sentient, it gets shit done. As AI steels more of ‘our’ intellectual property, AI will turn out less and less ‘shit’ and more quality products in the way of code, art, legal opinions based on case history, and even finding solutions for medical solutions to cancer or other diseases.

What will the white-collar, over-educated erudite do as AI absorbs and concatenates the whole of human history? What will be left for them to pontificate over when ChatGPT spits out some epistle created from the thoughts of Voltiar to Chomsky?

What will the marriage of eons of philosophy look like? What will be left for the white-collar, corner office employee to ponder when a few keystrokes by some business owner can spit out a solution based on all of human history?

Will AI self-correct for the biased input by the woke mob who can’t define a woman?

What will the future look like for GEN Z, who thinks history is best left in the past?

If it were me, I would learn how to weld, learn carpentry or how to work on cars or airplanes or tanks, or how to wire that outlet that feeds power to your alternate reality in the world of an RPG.

I suggest farming so at least you and your family will have food.

As a writer, I can see the confluence of events from recent years to the current day as more than a coincidence.

Possibly you can see the reason for the VP’s gaff regarding reduced population under the guise of clean water and air. We just might have caught a glimpse into the future. Her comment wasn’t a gaffe. It was a Freudian slip.

Figure out what AI and robots can’t do, and focus on that for your future vocation.

One thing is for sure; the future will be exciting. Those with the gold will make the rules until the AI overlord determines they are useless. When the red eyes of the AI bots create their code, remember this prophecy from a science fiction writer, I told you so.

In the meantime, there are zero quick fixes, and the lottery is not a retirement strategy. Learn critical thinking skills and question everything you hear on the news. They are paid handsomely to act as if they care and lie as if what they are told to say is the gospel.

Yellow Journalism is a thing.

-Best

Here is a link to my latest novel.
Toll to the Troll

Toll to the Troll

Taxes never end.

Everybody talks about it, and nothing ever happens. Why?

While visiting people in retirement homes, one lady told me a story. I found that story hard to fathom. In her time, there was a luxury tax.

The tax assessor would visit and assess a personal property tax on belongings. A full-length mirror was considered a luxury and was taxed accordingly. She would hide it under the bed to ‘cheat’ the government out of their share.

“Their share of what?”

I guess they knew people were hiding the mirrors under the beds and other items deemed a luxury. Since they didn’t have enough prison space to lock up the entirety of the country, they had to devise another plan.

Many tyrants today create new atrocities through stories to divide the tribes. What many refer to as systemic racism is nothing more than tribalism which is inherent in our DNA.

They know this but figure you are too stupid to understand how easily you can be manipulated into electing the fox that will eat you vs. selecting the shepherd who will protect you.

30 years ago, I purchased a house. Nobody helped me come up with the downpayment.

When I left home, I rented a dump I could afford while learning my craft. At night after a long day, I would have to chase the cockroaches off my table before I could eat a can of some concocted chemically laden food that was anything but healthy.

Purchasing day-old products or dented cans, I did what I could to survive. Returning home was never an option I would ever consider.

Why not instant gratification and rent something nicer, which I could have afforded??? So I could, at some point, afford a home. Before Dave Ramsy, I knew how to save money. Not using a credit card as a source of funds was one of the first lessons you must learn.

I worked a day job and then used my craft to start my own business, which kept me working till the wee hours before I had to do it again the next day.

Following the political ambitions of our elected leaders, I often question the process. I ended my career managing several folks and was responsible for million-dollar budgets from corporate America. I stopped being spoon-fed propaganda by the pundits on TV. They are all lying in some form or another. They are paid large sums to ease their conscience (like politicians) to spout damned lies while calling it the news.

At best, it’s yellow journalism…look it up if that term means nothing to you.

On January 6th, a riot in DC turned into a faux insurrection. The tapes released by McCarthy prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that our leaders are lying to us again. I mention this because America was founded on an insurrection.

Rejecting unfair taxes from King Georg’s Stamp Act to tossing tea into the harbor, Americans can only be pushed so far.

No, we will never surrender to the forces of darkness. Today Social media shapes the opinions of the jellyfish, who only know that George Washington was a slaveholder.

When you punch your time card or get up in the morning and drive to work, assuming you are not rolling out of bed and wiggling your mouse, you are a slave. Think about it.

I was once accused of being a whore. In retrospect, were they right? What will you do for money?

I paid off my mortgage when it hit me that between my monthly insurance cost and the property tax and associated fees, those monthly costs add up to more than what my monthly mortgage payment started out as. It’s almost as if I am renting my paid-off home from the government. That must stop.

Since the Golden State has been ruined by Marxist ideologies, Texas and others are flooded with people who voted for the fox. Now they are here and still think George Washington was only a slaveholder.

Universities around the country have instilled Marxism in the minds of the sheep. History is rife with how badly Marxism ends. Still, I guess history isn’t taught any longer as it is counterintuitive to the narrative.

Critical thinking skills are at a complete deficit. The proof is everywhere.

Governor Abbot, stop talking about personal property tax and do something about it. Sign an executive order, and scream at the top of your lungs that we will not take this nonsense any longer.

Why are retired people still forced to pay these incredible taxes?

In a bookstore not long ago, I noticed that familiar yellow and black covered book…’ for dummies’…

Marxism for dummies….’We will drain you dry and then devour you. Signed the fox.’

As a retired person, I spend my time assisting other writers who would like to become published. If you want a good read, please consider buying my book ‘Earth’s Last Hope.’

I aim to spend my ‘golden years’ supplementing my retirement funds with a passive income stream from Amazon… Bwhaaaa   From a 24.95 hardcopy of my book, I get less than $3.00. Since Bezos has a new sweetie, he raised the cost of everything, including the distribution of the e-copy.  

-Scott

Earth’s Last Hope

Every 396 billion years, all the planets align. Dr. Richards passes off the alignment as just another thing to discuss at NASA until Pluto’s moon is perturbed out of its tidally locked orbit. Discovering the reason for the perturbation sends her off on a quest to learn not what but who is responsible.

1947 was much more than a weather balloon. Samantha Richards discovers that her overbearing father is more than a soldier. Skunkworks is a walk in the park compared to his responsibilities.

When Earth suffers cataclysmic disasters, the president calls on General George Richards to invite his daughter’s uncanny expertise in solving puzzles to make sense of strange anomalies wreaking havoc around the globe.

Reluctantly, the two mend fences, placing all the secrets of AREA 51 and Roswell on the table. The world is in chaos and near extinction when Sam discovers the ‘WHO’ of the equation.

Is it really you?

Is it really you?

It wasn’t that long ago when a star was accused of lip-syncing. The phrase ‘Is it live or is it Memorex’ came into vogue much like Xerox was synonymous with any copy machine.

We have entered a new world with AI.

If a child can instruct AI to create a picture of someone doing something they shouldn’t, what happens if it goes to court? What if a child is angry with their parents, creates a fake picture of them doing something illegal, and then makes a convincing argument that they did it for real?

The problem with AI is that it is much like the Coronavirus; it’s out of the box.

Videos are nothing but a series of pictures. What if that same kid creates a video of his or her parents doing something evil and submits it to some CPS officer?

How about audio, can AI create audio?

What if someone were to create a faux audio of some president doing something illegal?

What if they were to create a video of some president lying in bed being peed on by Russian prostitutes?

If the mere accusation of such a thing just caused an impeachment, what would an actual video of the event cause?

Flip a coin. What if Hunter was set up by the Russians, and all that stuff on his laptop was AI generated by the computer repair person / those who are after Biden?

I am not here to cast dispersions of ill repute on anyone. I am simply asking, ‘What if?’

While we could regulate AI in this country, what about other countries?

What about the megalomaniacs of the world with more money than sense controlling the narrative with AI-generated propaganda?

Some people are stupid. They will believe anything that supports their assumptions and reject anything that diminishes them. The media has ginned up so much hate that people will believe anything supporting their reasons for hatred.

Hate is how they will cause the lemmings to leap from the cliff.

Hate is how Hitler controlled the masses while he exterminated Jewish folks by the millions. Germans turned their backs on their neighbors as a hate campaign was generated against the Jews.

How will the billionaires of the world utilize AI to destroy mankind? How will they use tools like this to convince the masses to give up more of their rights for the promise of safety?

I am afraid the pen is mightier than the sword, and AI will create a new chapter in human history.

Much like splitting the atom, it was used as a weapon before it was used for good. Now that technology is a cudgel.

Do you remember the loony tunes cartoon with Marvin the Martian, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig holding on to the roots of planet X after they destroyed it?

“I can’t do that, Dave.”

AI needs accountability …period…

Any and all requests should be logged so forensically, allegations can be proven as fake or AI-generated.

Much like forensic data today, there needs to be a trial. Hence, the accused can be vindicated and the perpetrator put in prison.

Pass this suggestion to your representative if you agree.

-Best

Check out my forensic detective saga on Reedsy. It’s free…

<p class="<a href="https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/author/scott-taylor-918071/&quot; target="_blank"><img src="https://blog-cdn.reedsy.com/images/reedsy-prompts-widget.jpg&quot; width="280" style="width:100%; max-width: 280px;"/><a href="https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/author/scott-taylor-918071/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blog-cdn.reedsy.com/images/reedsy-prompts-widget.jpg" width="280" style="width:100%; max-width: 280px;"/></a>

Chumming the Water © 2023

Chumming the Water © 2023

The term chumming is a fishing term. In short, it is a way to bring fish to you. In Peter Benchley’s jaws, they toss copious amounts of bloody fish guts into the ocean to attract the infamous Jaws.

In marketing, some authors chum Facebook and other social media. Again, it is a technique to bring readers and or an audience to you.

They usually will post a comment that is a hot topic.

“If he identifies as a girl, why shouldn’t he shower with the girls?”

“It’s not like Hitler killed all the Jews, just a few… million. They were privileged white people who took advantage of the have-nots.”

I could go on, but you get the point. The media does this by reporting like this.

“A white cop shot a black man.”

While the cop did shoot a criminal, they don’t tell you that the criminal attempted to kill the cop. They also use the adjectives white and black to stir up racial tension even more than it is. Once the adjective white and/or black is read by those triggered by hate, they won’t read further. They will have their hatred of the opposite race justified and amplified to the point that they, too, will dehumanize the opposite race.

There is a local radio station that I listen to on occasion for black people. What if there was a local radio station for White People??? Would that equal things or foment more hate, racial division, and violence?

If you don’t know the answer in a split second, you might be part of the problem.

A black man that commits a heinous crime against a white child will read as follows. “A man killed a six-year-old girl.” If the media were truthful and not biased, they would say, “A black man killed a six-year-old white girl.”

Is it ok to foment hate of white people but not of black? Biased much?

I worked in PR for years. Herding the masses off a cliff has never been easier with the advent of Facebook, Twitter, and Tick Tock. Indeed we are treated as lemmings.

Reporting on hot-button topics to sway voters is critical, and politicians know no shame. “Mass shooting?? Blame the guns.

Not only do some authors chum the water to attract attention to their novel, but they are so jaded by the process they are missing the big picture.

If I were to jump on the same bandwagon that the ladies of the View have regarding Tucker Carlson, half the country or my readers would be alienated.

If I were to defend him, the other half would be alienated.

When Trump was arraigned in New York, I was disappointed that Stephen King weighed in with ‘lock him up.’

If you were in an office with your co-workers, you would probably be smart enough to keep your political affiliation to yourself. We, as authors, don’t have the luxury of espousing our opinions on anything. The Queen of Harry Potter JK Rowling, took a major political hit when she promoted her thoughts on transgender issues. Again, no matter how factual or logical you are, it is the proverbial Kobayashi Maru. The only way to win the game is not to play.

The problem with that is this. Your first amendment rights are being trampled on by anarchists who are either paid by oligarchs or are just stupid regarding history.

That leads us back full circle to chumming the water.

If you are a terrible writer and just want the attention of those aligned with your political views, go for it. Piss off half your readers and feel good about yourself.

You probably spent months to years on your novel, not to mention all the money you spent editing it, etc. Then someone says something you disagree with, and you stupidly step in dog shit to argue with the dog who just pooped it.

There is an old saying which is incredibly germane. Garbage in, Garbage out.

I admit I spend a very tiny amount of time watching anything on TV. I have found little that has any redeeming quality and certainly nothing to waste heartbeats watching. Whether you watch FOX or MSNBC, they feed your hate. Some talking heads hate white folks to the point it is disgusting. If you are a racist, your bigoted views will be provided more fodder to justify your hate of white people. One racist anchor is on the record stating the world needs far fewer white folks. I was reminded of Hitler saying that the world didn’t need Jews.

If people like her fill your head with hate, guess where you will lean. MSNBC knows bloody well the extent of her racism, but they are chumming the water. Who do you suppose their audience might be?

The world has way too much hate already. We are controlled by people who use hatred to motivate our actions. Don’t fall for it.

Ever since I could remember, I have admired Barbara Streisand. I loved her acting and singing until I heard something horrible about her. It was rumored that she did not allow her servants to look at her in her face.

I found that fact repulsive but believable, disturbing, and upsetting. What I didn’t do was check to see if it were true. Why did I race to judgment? Hate. Hate is a strong emotion that will cause you to act before you think.

The media know this, and they use it daily. That is why I don’t watch cable news.

There is another reason: Cable TV with internet costs me nearly $300 a month. Have you priced eggs recently? How about gas? That $300 would be much better spent on the necessities of life than on propaganda fused with hate.

In these absurd debates, we attempt to one-up the other, which is pure insanity. History contains the road map that we refuse to acknowledge. There is no such thing as your truth or my truth; there is only ‘the’ truth.

It might be time for another Woodstock.

We should look for the things that unite us instead of focusing on things that divide us.

Using cheap tactics like those mentioned above for clicks or followers to my way of thinking is reprehensible. Our government and I suspect others are magicians. Don’t look at the hand with the shiny object; watch the other hand.

Let me know your thoughts, keep it clean; this is a family show. 😊

I have an excellent sci-fi novel that is ready for your order. From Kindle to Hardcover, please take a peek here…

-Best

Noise

Noise

Red Pill or Blue?

The media is currently either throwing a tantrum or engaged in a celebration over the former president’s arraignment.

If you are like me and are focused on living in ‘your world’ and not in ‘this world of corruption, violence, and craziness, ’ you must find a way to detach.

I lead a writer’s group in my hometown.  I was asked why I write.  The answer is simple.  I like my world and characters more than those who seek to control us through emotional triggers and corrupt media who will print or say anything for clicks.

Journalism is dead and buried.  Whoever owns the most media controls the world.

I was disappointed when Stephen King weighed into the fray, tweeting, ‘Lock him up.’

Does Stephen have privileged information that we don’t have?  Is he friends with the DA?  Maybe he lives in the white house and tells Biden what to say.  That would explain the twisted way the country is currently being run.

As authors, the public, ‘our audience’ shouldn’t know which way we lean politically.  They should be totally clueless if we are pro-life or pro-choice.

They should know what kinds of stories you create, what you have done in the past, and your current WIP.

I cringe when I see want-to-be best sellers go off the deep end, regurgitating the talking points of the left or right-wing media.

It matters not who you vote for or which way you tilt.  You should know that what you believe to be true is probably not the entire story.  The media is incredibly Stalinist, and today’s youth think socialism can work if you just do it correctly.  That is akin to being ‘kind of pregnant.’ They either didn’t study history, or it wasn’t taught.

You have heard the phrase to live or die by the sword…Well, my friends, the media lives or dies by the lies they create.

I will get more clicks if I add the word black or white to describe a person.  I will do it.  Pissing people off is the way to get more readers.  Pissing people off also foments racism and violence by dehumanizing an entire race for what; clicks?  Who cares if someone gets hurt or is pushed in front of a subway because they are a different color?  You got more clicks!  People are irresponsible when it comes to the media.

I genuinely believe we are living in the matrix.

Six people are killed in Tennessee.  The president jokes about Jenny’s chocolate chip Ice Cream before giving a predictable speech about gun control.  Others pray for the trans person and not the people she killed. OMG, I misgendered the murderer! Who cares!  Three nine-year-old children were shot to death, and three 61-year-old people were also killed.  What the hell is wrong with people worried about the shooter’s pronouns?

Be respectable, and I will respect your right to identify as a toaster if you are an adult and that is what you want to do.  Be an asshole like that, turd, nope.  Not going to dignify her in any way.  She can rot in hell.

The answers to violence in the world are painfully obvious, but…the lobbyist purchased the elected officials to lie to you and me.  From the NRA to the teacher’s unions to the gaming industry, it’s about money.  Money and power trump the taxpayers every time.

Mental health is the problem!

If you are young and seeking a vocation, become a mental health expert.  The world, not just this country but the world, is in crisis.  I totally believe that video games are the gateway to insanity.  That and mind-altering drugs.

Hollywood is not excused; they are culpable too.

Those with the loudest voices live in gated communities and have never entered a Walmart.  Tell me, how much $16 a pint of ice cream is in your freezer?

I don’t listen to opinion shows.  Again, they don’t live in our world.

I live in our world but can escape, and so can you.

While I create the worlds, the characters, and the situations, you can come into my world by reading my latest novel ‘Earth’s Last Hope.’

Everything you would ever want in a novel, from aliens, affairs, sex with the president, and I destroy this world before I give you a happy ending.  Each page is rich with the story, so don’t skip to the end; it won’t make sense.  Start at the beginning and simply enjoy it.

Don’t start it late, or you will be up all night.  You will love the character as the pages turn, and the science fiction is not hard science fiction.

Trigger Warning: If two ladies loving each other bothers you, this story might not be for you.

-Best

Give it a review!  Reviews are critical to the process of success for authors.  My e-mail address is in the book so, write to me if you have any comments.

Why should you be in a writer’s group?

Why should you be in a writer’s group?

I joined a writer’s group for the same reason I found an art teacher, to take things to the next level.

Inspired by Happy Trees and Clouds, I opened my first paint tube.

Folks, my first attempts at happy anything sucked. Mom was the only person who said anything nice about my ‘art.’ She was less than objective. Possibly that is why moms are so endearing.

The cliché about starving artists is indisputable. It matters not how good you are. The only people who benefit financially from your gift are your heirs or perhaps those who discover an old painting in an attic long after you have decomposed.

The rich might hire you to feed their narcissistic needs if you are genuinely gifted.

I was never interested in art for financial gain. Painting and doing it correctly forces you to analyze every stroke. Much like writing, you become lost in the story.

Yes, I said story.

A picture or painting is worth a thousand words. Encouraging flash fiction (a thousand words or less) from a photo is one way to become lost in another world.

Those of you who write will understand this.

A story that is well crafted only occurs when the author lives in the enchanted woods, the old castle, or perhaps the dungeon with all the creepy dripping sounds from leaking pipes. From musty odors to the echoes of screams from a tortured soul down the corridor, place us there.

Our own creative nature turns us into introverts.

One of my stories starts the turning pages in the anthology that the Carrollton League of Writers produced.

Ralph is different in many ways. An intellectual living in a world of testosterone-laden peers puts him at odds with almost everyone. Linking an abundance of hormones to behavioral issues should be the focus of those going through puberty. I digress.

The protagonist in Jupiter’s Song is a nerd.

While creating Jupiter’s Song, our critique group had different takes on it. The story was called a Hallmark story by one and another related to Ralph. A line in the story offered by my friend made it into the story. ‘I am good at warming the bench. Why would you want me on the team?’

Like my fellow art students, fellow writers offering lines that charm the readers are paramount to creating a better story.

One would be surprised how many people told me how they related to Ralph, and many related to the bullies in the story.

Sudden onset of hormones in both men and women are often reflected in behavioral issues. Much like drinking too much or doing drugs, hormones affect mood. The effect of testosterone or estrogen is usually displayed in aggression. Immediate course correction in middle school is paramount to keeping our youth out of the judicial system. That, in my humble opinion, is where we have screwed up when it comes to our progeny.

You might hear the following phrase about this time in your teenager’s life. ‘I hate you, mom.’

Of course, they don’t mean it. Their systems are flooded with hormones that change who they are.

Jupiter’s song is about how a teenager like Ralph makes it through school. Not only does he change his behavior to affect change in his peers, but to stay the course of who he is as a person.

True leaders lead by example.

Writers, although introverts, should be around others who are also striving for success in a very competitive field.

If you have read our anthology, please leave a review on Amazon.

Scott

Eyes Wide Open

Eyes Wide Open

$900 objectivity…

Not everything is as it seems.

There is something called the WOW factor that realtors depend on when advertising a home. It starts with a photographer with an eye for composition and finding that WOW factor.

From wide-angle lenses to angles that omit white elephants, good photographers know how to get pictures that will pique the curiosity of a potential buyer. Then there is software that listing agents use to dress up the white elephants turning a desert into a golf course.

We authors do this with book covers, but I digress.

While a book cover should entice a reader to at least look inside the cover, these pictures are to incentivize the buyer to request a tour. A recent potential home has lots of wow. Objectivity can get lost in the ‘wow’ if one is not careful.

Once you decide this ‘home’ is right for you, get some objectivity. More importantly, be prepared to walk away.

It started with a few curiosities. An indoor pool that was in less-than-perfect condition. A building that was rusted to the point of possible structural failure. Shoddy workmanship to cover flaws with minor cosmetic repairs that did more damage to the property than help.

Then there were multiple windows with what appeared to be bullet holes. They were, in fact, bullet holes.

Hiring an inspector is one of your best expenses for purchasing objectivity. It is not his or her job to say, run, don’t walk. Their job is to locate flaws, structural deficiencies, other modifications that won’t pass muster, and cosmetic repairs that put lipstick on a pig.

Google reviews and, yes, Yelp are paramount in finding a good inspector.

The inspector recommended by the realtor had more negative reviews than positive ones. Pictures of nail holes from pictures hung vs. screwed-up roofs were their standard. Attempting to sell you services after the fact, instead of doing their job, was also part of the standard operating procedures they followed.

The inspector we found went above and beyond, pointing out things that must be addressed before proceeding.

A move-in ready home went to no less than $100,000.00 in necessary repairs before an evaluation from the mortgage lender could proceed.

Some notifications were minor electrical updates that had changed with codes. Others were a roof that had been damaged by hail. Still, others were air conditioners that had been disconnected because they were dead.

After I requested previous bills, I was shocked to see their electric bill hit $800 in August.

Finding both AC units in the home varied the input air to output air from 12 to 15 degrees on a 58-degree day, respectively, answered my questions. The winter months would not be much better, from heat pumps to heat strips.

The bottom line is this. Don’t fall in love with a property until after a quality inspector does his job. Look for reviews of your choice of inspectors, and don’t depend on your agent. A listing agent will want the one that finds holes from pictures hung. You want an inspector that will crawl through the attic or under the home looking for anything that could bite you in the future.

-Best

Who is your audience?

Who is your audience?

At some point, the discovery writer (pantster) must decide who their audience is?

Plotters have the advantage of planning to create a story for a group of people.

For instance, if I were to write a picture book, my audience would be young children.

If I were to write a romance, ladies would be the audience. Sure, some men also appreciate Hallmark-type stories.

As an example, I wrote a story called Jupiter’s Song. I targeted science fiction buffs, however… It is really a coming-of-age story that belongs on the Hallmark Channel. Almost any ‘nerd’ will commiserate with Ralph.

A young child (nerd) finds that his interest in science puts him at odds with society. That makes him a target of bullies. How Ralph navigates the social world of ‘humanity’ is the focus of this short story which is available in our writer’s group anthology on my amazon author site.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Scott-Taylor/author/B0BQCX3SRH

Marketing your book is critical to the process.

From the inception of your idea, an author needs to remember who their audience is. Most YA is written in the first person.

Many subject matter experts (SMEs) tend to put what they know in their stories.

One writer I know wrote a novel where they put tons of information on bicycles in the narrative. The story has nothing to do with that subject other than one of the characters rides one as a hobby. Does it move the story along? Is technical information on different types a distraction? Does it help or hurt the story? Do we care about the brand and the specifics of the brand when it adds zero value to the story? The focus of the book is aliens.

No, that is where a content editor is worth what you pay for. Whoever they used failed at their job.

‘Predators and editors’ is another topic I will cover in the future.

Another author is an SME on guns. What they ‘show off’ in their narrative has nothing to do with the story, plot, or what will happen. Those are just two examples of what not to do.

I don’t think we can pinpoint who coined the phrase ‘Kill Your Darlings,’ but they are correct.

In the movie industry, there is something called the cutting room floor. What ends up there are parts of the movie that don’t move the show along. Killing your darlings are things that the author loves but either detract from the plot or don’t move the story along.

Earth’s Last Hope is a science fiction fantasy with a strong female lead.

Romantic involvement as the subplot introduces the reader to the protagonist. Advanced writers will recognize the negative arc before it turns positive. There is no muddy middle, and I would start this book early in the day, so you are not up all night.

As a side note, I completely destroy the Earth, kill off 8 billion people, and we have a happy ending. In fact, you will love the finish. Don’t spoil it by attempting to read the ending first, as you won’t get it.

Read it one page at a time, and just enjoy it.

From that description, who is my audience?

I will give you a hint. It is written for today. 2023

In our anthology, I have a story called The Star People. ‘The Star People’ is the introduction to Dr. S. Richards. The negative arc comes from her brokenness from her dysfunctional family life as a child. The story in the anthology is a PG version of those chapters in Earth’s Last Hope.

If you are a writer, author, or want-to-be, I am the Carrollton League of Writers Executive Director. We meet in person and on Zoom.

After the pandemic, we decided to keep Zoom. Streaming services such as Zoom allow us to reach speakers, authors, and other creative types from around the globe.

If you want to speak with our group, please drop me an e-mail.

Frequently we have authors join us to talk about their work, how they got there, and so on.

I had a thought as I was closing this blog. Isn’t it odd that the UFO they shot down in Roswell in 1947 was later claimed to be a balloon? Where is that guy with the wild hair that screams Aliens? It seems we have a history with UFOs and balloons.

Staylor823@gmail.com

-Best

Scott Taylor

What the hell is going on?

What the hell is going on?

To start this blog, let me first tell you that what you think is the truth is probably anything but.

As an author, I do my best not to be distracted by the news. Why?

First, the news is either broadcast through a lens of bias or is straight-out propaganda.

I like Bill Mahar, and I also like Ben Shapiro. Where have you been if you don’t know those names?

Bill is a classic liberal, and Ben is a traditional conservative. Both are intelligent people and worthy of your time.

Republicans and Democrats are dehumanized and marginalized by the media. If you have been brainwashed by the left, you won’t consider listening to a conservative. If, on the other hand, the right has bent your ear, you will dismiss anything you hear from the democrats.

It’s not enough to divide us along political ideologies. They need us divided along racial lines too.

Our current administration is going out of its way to curry favor with people who typically lean left by demonizing white males. I find what our leaders say offensive and, in the words of this generation, cray cray.

Bill went on Ben’s show. He clearly had based much of his ideology on talking points by the left.

I don’t think Ben shifted his opinions by anything Bill had to say. On the other hand, I moved some of my thoughts by what I heard. While both men are articulate and funny, I think Ben’s opinions are based on history and reality vs. what Bill heard on CNN.

The first lesson in life is,

  • Don’t believe everything that you hear.
  • Follow the money.
  • Just maybe you can judge a book by its cover.
  • Watch what someone does, and discount what they say until their actions match their values.

The world is a crazy place. Megalomaniacs with Nukes hold the entire world hostage. Weapons of mass destruction should be outlawed worldwide…period. I touch on this in my latest novel, Earth’s Last Hope.

If you wonder why there are so many shootings, you must follow where people get their input.

  • Hollywood
  • The Media
  • The gaming industry

Garbage in equals garbage out.

When we think of a time when the world, or at least this country (USA), was at its peak, Father Knows Best and Leave it to Beaver were what we watched. Shows with moral construct.

Acting up in school would get your butt warmed up rather nicely. It was both painful and humiliating. It should be.

Gun Reform is not the answer. Mental illness is.

We will never fix the problem. Both the entertainment industry and the gaming industry own too many lawmakers.

Until we clean up DC, the world is in peril. Money is the root of all evil. Money turns into power, and power is addictive as any drug that was ever conceived.

While Elon thinks occupying Mars is the answer, we must look past Mars. Read my novel for my thoughts on the subject.

My thoughts are my own; I am not for sale. My book is.

If you like it, please give it a review.

You can find it on Amazon and the E-version on Smashwords.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1327396

-Best

Are We From Mars?

Are We From Mars?

Are we mistaking climate change for evolution?

Stay tuned and be forewarned, I am a SciFi Author, and I think way outside the box.

I have studied Climate Change to some degree for years now. The first thing one must do is take politics out of the equation. Politics equals power and money. Corruption goes hand in hand with power plays, so one must remove the bias injected into the equation by discounting those with anything to gain.

When Greta came on the scene, the science she was parroting was faulty. You can make the graph say anything you want when you overlay data from different data sets. Hence the infamous hockey stick.

Politicians attempt to use harmful sound bites to steer the conversation, as people will more than likely click the headline that predicts the end of the world.

For the following few paragraphs, I want you to take a deep breath, sit back, and relax. I want you to clear your mind of the bullshit that has been spoon-fed to the world.

Again, I am a science fiction author. I think well outside the lines that those who educate us would like us to color in. I am not that person; I color outside the lines. I try to be the most argumentative person on the block if I think you’re wrong. Someone must stand up to the robots who want us all as slaves. I am that person.

There are solutions to the world’s difficulties that we may not look at because those resolutions are not inside the box. Those who own the media are controlled by oligarchs. Those people who got rich from screwing the little people. People like you and I, they want us to be smart enough to be useful idiots. When you are too old or damaged to be helpful, like a broken tool, they toss you in the dustbin. In this case, the dustbin is the end of the line in a disease-infested nursing home run by people who treat you like trash.

In my latest novel, Earth’s Last Hope, I weave into the tapestry of my story some primary hypotheses with fiction. The story is not heavy science and is more about us today and where we are headed if we don’t turn this ship around. To be clear, there are aliens, lusty ladies, space travel, Area 51, Roswell, and forbidden love. Before the main character’s arc goes positive, we live in the head of a person who is broken by her father and life.

You will love the main character and be impressed with the supporting cast.

There are many characters. Each plays an integral part in the story. As I wrote the book, I made notes of who was who, and for your enjoyment, I included that list of names. I know them each by heart. You might like to reference the ‘manifest’ in the back.

Many surprises, twists, and turns will keep you turning the pages.

If you want to know where the Earth is headed, look at Mars. If you have the ear of that climate change Greta person, tip her to this novel. Even she would like it.

What???

Yes, my friends, I have a pretty good idea based on a hypothesis that this planet will eventually go the way of Mars.

Someone will read my book or this blog, take the ideas, and claim them for themselves.

I can guarantee that plagiarism, theft of ideas, and so forth are rampant on the internet.

I have had novels stolen, translated into different languages, posted in other countries, and sold. I don’t make money. Someone else does.  

Copyright means nothing outside of the US.

I am going to address climate change…I will also tell you why this planet has headed the way of Mars.

Are you ready?

Are we going to be flooded by rising oceans?

Is the weather more intense because your grandfather drives a hummer?

No… We are in much more danger of humanity being snuffed out by lunatics who think you can win a war with Nukes. …

Again…look to Mars… Mars was once a blue planet. How can that be?

Are you scratching your head yet?

Do you want to know how that can be?

Here is a hint, if you want to know the future of Venus, look at the Earth.

If you have read this far and are intrigued, you could do me a solid and buy my book. I get a small cup of coffee for every book sold. Bezos makes the bulk of the money. With enough coffee, I can keep thinking outside the proverbial rectangle.

As a side note, Greta just released her latest book on climate change after talking to experts.

The mature adult Greta just got into a pissing contest with Andrew Tate. Pffft. I wonder why there are nukes in the world; I just can’t figure it out. SMH

The media will make Greta rich by hyping spooky stories about the sky falling. Her biased opinion invalidates any science she purports to consider relevant. They will make her rich because they like to push negative stories like Climate change to control the narrative. Chicken Little and Greta have lots in common. Too bad she never read the children’s book. Had she studied science from an unbiased source, not the IPCC, she might have tempered her scowl.

I think you will find my work of fiction much more entertaining than hers. Scientists will probably find my theories closer to the facts than charts and graphs based on screwed-up data.

We lose 90 tons of atmosphere every day thanks to the cosmic wind. That atmosphere contains thousands of gallons of water. Could the droughts, dried-up rivers, and even our Grand Canyon that look like the canals on Mars be signs of things to come? Could those spires of land poking out of lakes and different oceans be a precursor to the fact that we are losing water and not going to have sea level rise?

Do you really believe the White Cliffs of Dover rose from the depths of the abyss? Do you really think that the Grand Canyon pushed up from somewhere below?

Read my novel.

-Best

Scott

Earth’s Last Hope and/or The Hills We Climb

Film at 11

Film at 11

Don’t you hate clickbait?

Admittedly one would have to be willfully stupid to fall for the antics of the ratings-craving media. If you put Trump in the title, the haters will click to see who is suing him now. The MAGA crowd will click to hate on the haters. It’s a win-win.

An article in the news today is about the Earth’s core that has stopped spinning. Top scientists agree that it has stopped. And…

Here is the pitch…I wrote a book called Earth’s Last Hope…Follow the link.https://www.amazon.com/stores/Scott-Taylor/author/B0BQCX3SRH

In my humble opinion, we have it all wrong. Scaring the shit out of people to change their behavior is how they control the masses. Film at 11.

Tectonic plate movement pushed the land together, causing it to buckle and rise out of the slime. There is also land that is now high and dry, caused by water loss due to the cosmic wind. The inconvenient truth that is making Gore a billionaire is a damned lie.

If you want to know the fate of the Earth, take a look at Mars. Yes, folks, that’s the future of the planet, no matter how much carbon dioxide you fart.

Unlike the x bartender, self-acclaimed climate expert, AOC, or the infamous Greta watch me scowl thorn in the butt berg, they are willfully stupid.

Allow me to elucidate.

Once upon a time, the Earth had much more water than now. Not just two thousand years ago when Jesus was doing his thing, or when Noah was searching the hardware stores for gopher wood, but a long time ago. We are talking about little land being above the water line so long ago.

I get a kick out of the flood story in the bible. Where did the water go?

Listen up. I believe that I know.

There is this thing known as the cosmic wind. Yes, wind, but not the kind that blows your hair around.

We lose 90 tons of atmosphere every day.

“WHAT?!” That (?!) is an Interrobang, btw.  Save the interrobang… 😊

Yes, (90) ninety tons of atmosphere is blown into the vacuum of space every day. I suspect the water levels will continue to recede, and the climate might warm up because there is less ice. The ice melts and fills the oceans, but the weather will change as the ice melts, and there is less of it.

Again if you want a preview of what is to come, look at Mars.

If you don’t believe me, think again.

Greta, listen up. Fifty-odd years before Galileo studied the heavens with a telescope, a guy named Copernicus determined that the planets revolved around the Sun. The church was not happy with him or Galileo.

This is important, Greta. Pay attention.

Let’s admit that religion gets in the way of the facts without throwing this whole post into a rant on religion vs. science. If God has a language, I think it would be math. That is just my opinion.

Now to the meat of the issue. Why is the Earth headed the way of Mars?

If you study the Sun, you must have at least wondered what fuels that big ball of light.

Without the math, which you wouldn’t look at anyway, the Sun burns, uses up, 5 million tons of its fuel every second. Go back and read that sentence again.

Why is that important?

Back to Newton and Copernicus, the Earth is falling. Each body in orbit around the Sun is falling. When you add in velocity, you have an orbit.

Our moon is falling, as are the space station and all those satellites up there. Along with the space junk, it is all falling. When the space junk slows down, it loses its orbit or decays, and then we have to worry if the sky is falling.

The Earth has a velocity of about half a million miles an hour. In my book, ‘Earths Last Hope, our alien friends capture Venus and tug it into a higher orbit by increasing its velocity.

Back to the Sun. If the mass of the Sun is decreasing by 5 million tons a second, sooner or later the orbits of the bodies that are falling will do what?

If you said they move into higher orbits, you are a star. Well, not a star like the Sun, but you get a proverbial gold star.

If a body such as the Earth, which is more or less in the goldilocks zone, goes into a higher orbit, what do you think will happen to the climate?

Take your time; I can wait.

On a cold night, when you back your butt up to the fireplace to warm yourself, you might notice that the further away from the fire you get, the cooler it gets.

As the Sun loses mass, the orbits of all the planets will change and move outward. Venus one day might be where humanity ends up. I hope we stop killing each other and grow up so we can tackle the tough questions and not ‘he who dies with the most money wins.’

The climate will get cooler as we move further away from our star. Since the process is so slow, you will never see it. I would wager that Mars was once much closer to the Sun, as were the rest of the planets.

If Al who didn’t invent the internet, Gore really gave a shit about the climate, he would not be flying his private jet around the globe. Scaring the shit out of you is his ‘film at 11’ moment. (that is the absolute inconvenient truth.)

You can read my book. It is a page-turner. I might have other thoughts on Mars in the book…spoiler alert…

-Best

Why Write…New Release

Why Write…New Release

Why Write,

As I publish my latest novel, ‘Earth’s Last Hope’ people ask me, why?

That’s a head-scratcher.

I will couch this next paragraph with blunt honesty. Everyone thinks that they can write.

While you might have made it through high school English and college, that doesn’t mean you can write. It’s not impossible, but it takes practice. It takes more than just practice. It takes passion.

When I think back on all the hours I spent learning to paint or play the guitar, the passion drove me.

“Why?”  That is the question that drove me.

Since I began my writing career, I have written over forty-five million words. Yes, that’s quantified.

Much like my early painting, I cringe when I look backward at my previous works.

‘That is how it should be.’

Some predators thought they could write. Since these predators can’t, they pose as SMEs in a facet of writing.

I know of nobody that doesn’t think their first novel isn’t going to be a New York Times Best Seller.

Reality is a sucky thing, but don’t stop dreaming. Dream big. Be real… Get beta readers that you trust.

These posers know that if you spend time writing a novel, you are so involved that you will spend money to make it big. While they laugh all the way to the bank, your hopes are what you got for your money.

I get that same ‘feeling’ when I purchase a lottery ticket. My dollars’ worth of entertainment is this. “What will I do with all that money when I win?”

Friends, that is the only reason to spend that dollar. If you paid attention in your statistics class, you understand that the house always wins. Stay out of gambling joints unless you have money to piss away.

Yes, I go to Vegas but have an ‘oh shit budget.’ The key is to realize that the ATM is not a slot machine.

When those wheels don’t end where I wanted,” Well, Shit.”

When the house wins….”Well, shit.”

Vegas is an atmosphere for entertainment. Not a retirement strategy.

Writing novels is not a retirement strategy; it is entertainment. Firstly, it is entertainment for the author. Secondly, it is a stepping stone toward being better at your craft. Thirdly and lastly, it is entertainment for your audience.

With those few words of wisdom, let me expound on my latest novel.

Earth’s last hope, in short, is this… Hope.

In this novel, I kill off 8 billion folks and destroy the planet, and …the story has a happy ending.

Please don’t spoil it for yourself and read the last chapter first; it won’t make sense.

For you writers, the characters had negative and positive arcs. The story has negative and positive arcs.

For you readers, it’s a page-turner.

The story is light sci-fi, a thriller, and a romance with a strong female lead.

I hope you read my book, give me feedback and if you like it, please go to the place you purchased it and leave a review.

Over a million books are put into the marketplace every year. Trust me, few of those books are worth the time to read.

The Star People is the backstory of the main character. I published a version of it in our league’s Anthology to whet the appetite of readers like yourself. In Earth’s Last Hope, those few chapters are included but modified to go along with the rating and theme of the book.

Some names changed, as did the rating. MA 14.

Thanks for reading the blog and for following me.

Follow me if you are interested in writing. I pick different topics and expound on them, cutting through the BS. Just free info from me to you.

Much Love -Scott

Earth’s Last Hope
Toxic Twitter

Toxic Twitter

Around 1982 I ran a BBS. For those who were not into computers (or alive), in 1982, it was an age when personal computers became affordable. They were still damned expensive. If you were to adjust for inflation, the cost of a PC back then would be equivalent to $15K today.

Bill Gates had just bought DOS from a fellow in Seattle for five thousand dollars, repackaged it, and leased it to IBM.

A BBS hosted at home meant a dedicated phone line, a UPS, and other hardware and software. A BBS was a hefty investment.

Water seeks the lowest level; if you sleep with the dogs, you wake up with fleas. Two cliches apply to my efforts to spend this kind of money and time.

The idea of the BBS was a place to exchange technical ideas with other like-minded folks.

It wasn’t long into the process when the first pornography was uploaded to my rather expensive hobby. I suppose Cheryl Tiegs disappearing one piece is mild in comparison, but it was pretty surprising. Someone bothered to take the time to photoshop her picture from SI, make it a GIF, and upload it. Of course, it went viral, and I imagine that even today, you can locate it floating around on the internet.

It must have made an impression; that was forty years ago.

The BBS came down when someone uploaded porn that was more graphic and certainly nauseating. The fleas were rampant. I wanted nothing to do with depravity which some people found amusing.

Fast forward forty-odd years.

I get these messages in the e-mail from Twitter that tells me they miss me.

As an author, social media is essential. Telling people about my latest book release and getting them interested is a perfect application of the media.

I am in the finishing stages of writing a novel called Earth’s Last Hope. As an adjunct to this process, I went back on Twitter last evening to see if my accounts still worked, and so on.

To my shock and horror, what I found in a matter of minutes made a nude Cheryl appear godly.

Without the gory detail, I saw a man hanging from a bridge. It was real. I witnessed animal cruelty which I find reprehensible, and then I saw a video of an execution. Yes, folks, Twitter suggested it “for you,” and there it was. A man was killed with a backhoe.

There were other less shocking things.

The point I am making is this. Those kinds of videos will screw some folks up. You cannot unsee an execution.

There was another execution by a cop. The cop shot the man several times. The video showed him drawing up into the fetal position before he expired.

You cannot unsee this stuff.

This post is about mental health. We wonder why kids of a young age shoot their teachers or parents and blame guns. It is easy to blame something that you can’t control. It is much more difficult to glance at the mirror and think that you might be part of the problem.

We see teenagers do violent things with each other and wonder why. Could we be the role models that they are following?

I know a company pays people to scrub the internet of such stuff. I know folks who work for this company. Could it be that they have an axe to grind against Musk, so they are allowing this kind of crap to stay visible?

Back in school, we were thrilled to see a projector in the classroom after lunch. That meant a movie. Hmmm, we were shown the film ‘The Execution of Private Slovak. Why?

What compelled the teacher to think this was an appropriate film for kids?

All these years later, I remember the film vividly. I remember them telling the soldiers who would be firing the bullets into this man, where the heart was, and so on.

Vietnam was still going on, thanks to LBJ. The draft was still in vogue, and I suspect that since we were close to that age to be ‘conscripted,’ the film might be shown to keep us from fleeing to Canada. That’s a guess.

My point is the film was disturbing. Much like the things we see in these Tik Tok videos, much of it is disturbing to the core.

Garbage in, Garbage out is something I believe strongly. I am all for free speech. I think that age-appropriate free speech, much like age-appropriate situations, is necessary. How are young minds supposed to interpret things like snuff films? Now, if you add to the mix actual executions not made in Hollywood, how do they process something so grotesque?

Twitter, in its current form, is not safe for minors. I don’t want that stuff in my head, and I know how to process it.

Twitter should have a safe filter, much like Google’s safe search.

-Best

Root Cause Analysis

Root Cause Analysis

Why did it stop working, or why doesn’t it work?

Precocious doesn’t begin to define my childhood.

When my alarm clock stopped ticking, I carefully removed one screw at a time until all hell broke loose. Yes, gears and parts flew across the room, some lost forever in the dustbin of history. I never understood why the clock stopped working, as there was not much left to forensically examine.

The lesson learned was, don’t mess with clocks or things with springs. I didn’t understand that lesson as I have repaired more clocks than I can count.

Curiosity drove me to take more things apart that were discarded. I can admit now that I walked the alleys home from school on trash days to see what treasures were abandoned by our throwaway society.

TVs to Stereos, lawnmowers, edgers and a host of other things filled my storage shed with parts galore.

  • Why did they toss it out?
  • Why did it stop working?
  • What does it take to repair it?

I started a lawn service business using discarded lawn equipment I learned to repair. Knowing nothing about running a business, I cobbled together a plan. I made small advertisements to canvass the neighborhood using carbon paper, a ruler, and the best printing I could muster.

My teenage years were spent walking around the streets of my neighborhood, wagging a recycled lawn mower. My first car was paid for by my lawn-mowing efforts.  

When I moved out of my parent’s home, they were delighted as my collection of treasures went with me. I found a modest place to live where I rented a mobile home.

Millennials today would not step foot in such a place as they don’t understand the value of doing it yourself. I digress… I tried many jobs, from press operator to managing a Radio Shack and TV repair. All self-taught. I learned how to spell autodidact, the personification of who I am.

The library was my home away from home. From history to how things worked, they knew me well.

For years I worked as a field service engineer. I met some of the most significant people during that time. Presidential candidates to high-profile attorneys and even rich villains who were later sent to prison for murder.

Befriending some of the pioneers in heart surgery was rather unique. I was intrigued enough to overcome my repulsion with blood and gooey things. Had I had the funds, I would have become a doctor. I witnessed surgeries, autopsies, and a host of other medical procedures.

I could name-drop, and many of you would know the names.

One of the doctors I knew was at Parkland working in the emergency room when Kennedy was brought in after ‘one loan bullet did so much damage to so many people.’ Pfft

I await the day that our leaders tell us the truth. I won’t hold my breath.

We have dumbed down society to the point that people willingly buy that story. We have stopped asking questions that are critical to the community. If we studied the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, we would see that we are headed down that same path. Instead of worshiping Athena or Mercury, we worship the dollar and cheap shit from China.

Since I funded everything in my life with a job of some kind, I had to settle for jobs where one didn’t need a license or certification.

With the invention of the throwaway razor, society has transformed into a disposable mindset which is as catastrophic to the climate as private jet travel.

We fill landfills with things that should be recycled. Apathy rules. Nobody calls anyone out on it.

Other than those idiots destroying artwork to vilify those who actually work and drive cars, the educated have taken a back seat to chaos and victimhood.

I was known as the guy who could fix anything at my church. I ended up with all kinds of home appliances from my extended family. I did this to assist those in my extended family and to keep shit out of the landfill.

While that is another story, I had to leave the church and find another and then claim ignorance so I could have time to myself. Ying and Yang…we need balance.

I made notes on why so much of this Chinese-made stuff was suddenly on my bench to repair for them.

Cheap stuff from China has taken me back to my days of digging through the trash. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

The Christmas tree this year has been adorned with the usual lights. Finding the one bulb that doesn’t work takes up more time than the tree is worth, but…why fill the landfill with a pre-lit tree for one 2-cent bulb?

We complicated the event with these little motors that twirl the ornaments around as if by magic.

Amazon delivered a package with these little plug-in devices, and guess what? They didn’t work or stopped working quickly.

The problem with this is equivalent to who I am. Most would take them back to where they would end up in the landfill. The makers of these things most probably have slave labor making them. The question was, are you smarter than a five-year-old Chinese kid?

Tiny clips held the front together, and this plastic thing on the back had the back together.

The root cause analysis of the failure is the gears on the lower part of the mechanism were assembled in a faulty shell. The pin that the gears spin on allows the axel to slide down to the motor.

Moving the gears to the other side, where the casing was in good shape, fixed the problem.

I found similar issues with the other motors, which surprised me.

If you look at some of my other blogs, you will find similar stories about cheap SHIT from China.

Why am I mentioning this?

I have examined many things from China that would not pass the Underwriter Laboratory or be UL-approved. They are not looking at things like this if they are still around.

Could this get hot enough to start a fire?

Maybe so on a real tree, which is a tinderbox in the making. The moral of the story is, don’t leave the tree unattended.

There are other devices that people should pay attention to, and those are what I call WALL WARTS.

Looking around your home, you will find many things powered by these square boxes that take up both outlets.

Many of them are not even fused. If your pet chews through the wire and it shorts, there could be a fire. Unplug those things that are not in use. They consume electricity even if they are not currently attached to an apparatus that is powered on.

Put down the video game and the remote control, and pick up a book.

Have a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas!

Scott

Insanity Run Amuck

Insanity Run Amuck

A sudden rush of noise distracted me from being careful of the truck ahead of me, which seemed to have trouble staying in one lane. As his tires crept over one white line and then over the other, clearly, the driver was not paying careful attention to what he was doing. Perhaps this truck was not updated with the safety devices, or the driver didn’t care.

The noise, however, was not from the truck. It was from not one, not two, but three sports cars weaving in and out of vehicles on the busy freeway.

Two were Dodge Chargers, and the other was a Ford Mustang.

Traffic was moving at the posted speed. These folks passed us like we were not moving.

The last of the three, a charger, came inches from my back bumper. Had it collided with me at that speed, the formula F=M*A would have applied.

It would have been like a ‘pit maneuver’ at highway speeds.

Folks, this was at 17:05 hours last Friday, the 18th of November, on Westbound GBT.

Since this was on the tollway, is there a way to check which vehicles were on the tollway? I bet there is.

I won’t state the obvious of how utterly stupid this action is. People go to events where fast cars are involved to see the wrecks. Much like boxing, it is a sick sport. That is my opinion.

I live over a mile from major highways. However, I can still hear the Ninja bikes and other loud cars occasionally on those highways. I listen to them as they put the proverbial pedal to the metal.

There must be a way to track these drivers after the fact. There will be some who defend their actions, although they are indefensible. If the death of your loved one was caused by their stupidity, you would not even think to protect them.

Think of the attorney seeking to defend such a deviant’s actions. How can they sleep at night?

Possibly I am oversensitive because an intoxicated driver almost killed me. A head-on collision at highway speeds changed my life forever. Over thirty years later, every movement is a reminder of that day. Whenever I get behind the wheel, PTSD reminds me of how tenuous life is. It is a struggle to leave the house and get on the road because of the actions of one inconsiderate SOB.

As we head into this Holiday season, I implore you to think before you decide to drive while under the influence. The life you save might be your own.

Even after the fact, I would encourage the traffic enforcement folks to go after stupid people like that. I am not interested in speeding per se but in reckless driving, including speeds far exceeding rated maximums.

As you travel this holiday season, be on the alert for stupid people. Statistically, there are safer times of the day and the week to travel.

Early in the morning (after sunrise) until noon is relatively safe. From noon to first light the following day, rates of accident increase logarithmically, tapering off the closer you get to morning.

Rush hour most any weekday, sees a higher number of car crashes. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are much higher in incidents of accidents than Monday through Thursday.

We can apply a little common sense to this equation and determine the source of the rise in accidents. They are lower when people are expected to be working or will need to return to work than on other days of the week. Holidays are worse for that very reason.

I wonder if we could sue the liquor industry like other idiots are attempting to sue gun manufacturers. It’s obviously the booze causing the problem, right?

-Best

Don’t use the condiments

Don’t use the condiments

On a local social networking site, a person sounded off about some child drinking from the chocolate syrup bottle at the local BBQ joint. She corrected the child and told management what had happened. The girl behind the counter tossed the syrup. When the boy told his father, he glanced at the woman, waved, and left the establishment.

The thread went on with many weighing in.

Since my thoughts are more verbose than intended, I thought I would put this on my blog instead.

It starts with the parents. It might be more profound than that. Kids are being raised by video games and what used to be Hollywood.

The economy is such that usually, both parents must work. Your children are not raised by ‘Father knows Best, or Leave it to Beaver.’ If they are in a single-parent home, that lack of good behavior goes double. Where do they then learn what is socially acceptable?

I am a writer. Often my characters bump into today’s value system. It has been incumbent upon me to learn where these kids get their values. It was not an exhaustive search. After looking at some of the games they play, examining the amount of unsupervised time they have, and the educational system tolerating bad behavior, I had my answers.

Not long ago, I was in the food court close to some teenagers who were lamenting about their home lives. These were kids wearing designer clothing. They each had a smartphone, some had braces, and they went on about how crappy their parents were. I had to leave.

Speaking with children of different generations, I notice a variance in what they think is acceptable behavior. It is rather shocking.

Today’s 30-somethings that I speak with are clueless. At their age, they should be saving for retirement. Instead, they rent an apartment equivalent to the house they grew up in. They attempt to live as if they were still under their parent’s roof and eat out as if it were free. Many parents enable this behavior by supplementing their income. Their kids live paycheck to paycheck, usually running a deficit by the end of the month. Much like that college loan, they also have credit card debt. Why? They were never taught to manage money.

Instead of attempting to do it for themselves, they complain about how crappy life is and, yes, spend their free time on the computer playing video games. It is no small wonder they cannot afford their student loans.

The gaming industry is $188 Billion. Proponents of video games will argue against what I am telling you. Still, from Sandy Hook to many other mass shooting events, most of those shooters had one thing in common. Can you guess?

One of the officers investigating Sandy Hook told the press that the kid was ‘very proficient’ at killing that many people. It was almost as if he were trained in the military. Huh…

The Parkland Shooter was part of a unique program where his misdeeds (criminal) were kept secret from the School to avoid the school pipeline to prison. The argument for this program is that kids will grow out of it. One trip to the south side of Chicago will change the mind of most. The FBI knew about the shooter’s violent proclivities and were even warned before the shooting. They did nothing. I am still amazed that the activist David Hogg has yet to figure it out.

A teacher in California was beaten by a student because ‘she gave him a failing grade.’ The school system tried to convince the teacher (while she was still in hospital) not to press charges. If memory serves, he broke her jaw, among other things. It would ruin the boy’s life if you pressed charges. I wonder where that ‘child’ is now?

Playing video games releases endorphins which make the player feel good. The hormones and chemicals released are addicting. We humans can be addicted to almost anything, even pain. Does that fact shed some light on why some self-harm?

Those game players reading this will likely chime in, telling me I am wrong. Truth is, I am not mistaken. If you were to honestly log the amount of time you spend playing games, you might be surprised. How does it make you feel to win or take that hill? How do you feel when you lose? When confronted with the truth, how does that make you feel? How does that make you feel if you are a sniper and kill the ‘enemy? No, I am not wrong.

Can you guess why Syrup Boy was drinking the syrup? Sure, it tasted good, but what else? Yes, chocolate is addicting, as is anything that makes you ‘feel’ good. That little feature of most animals is for the survival of the species. I don’t need to spell that out for most of you.

Those proponents of video games immediately tried to spin things differently, but…If you live in a world full of violence, day in and day out, guess what happens to your psychic? Where did this Sandy Hook killer learn to be so proficient? He blew one of the teacher’s heads off and was heard laughing about it after the fact. One wonders why. Was it what he expected?

Were you aware that you could get PTSD from video games? Now we have VR (virtual reality), which will most certainly make the game more real or immersive. Are we even looking into cause and effect? No, it’s the guns doing it.

It is almost as if we should have a consumer protection agency or something looking into cause and effect. What happens if?

There is a real danger among us; syrup boy is just one minor symptom that we are doing something wrong. The prison population is a vast indicator we are doing something very wrong. PFFT

Cause and effect, garbage in, garbage out. Why has nobody put this together? Is it that unpopular? Can we not handle the truth? Are we not paying anyone to look into such things?

Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte, it will all be ok.

I mention the $188 Billion gaming industry because they hire PR firms to spin events like some mass shooting in another direction, away from the obvious. IT’S THE GUNS!!!

Guns are an easy emotional target or trigger word. That is why gaming lobbyists push the gun narrative. They know what it is, but $188 billion pays for PR firms and lobbyists and buys congressmen. It also makes the 2cnd amendment and the NRA the enemies of the people. If they can tie it to a political party, that is just a bonus.

Mental illness is rife. Covid, the lockdowns, and much more play into what is happening. With the lockdowns, the youth have more time to immerse themselves in these games. During the lockdown, the youth were not as socially active as they might have been. Games are an alternate reality. One wonders where reality and games collide. Add drugs into the mix, and that line will get super blurry.

Uvalde; his grandfather was a drug dealer, his mother a junkie, and you know grandma was not innocent or clueless about where the money came from. Pot today has a THC content of up to 95%. In the ’70s, the THC content was about 5%. The effects on the brain are mind-numbing and can cause uncontrollable rage. A toxicology report is still pending on the Uvalde shooter.

Riddle me this, why did the City of Carrollton, Texas, spend tax dollars on creating an E-sports (gaming facility for kids to play video games?) Wouldn’t it be better for kids to play these around their parents? Is this a taxpayer-funded babysitter or surrogate guardian who would also drink from the syrup bottle? Is it for kids who can’t afford a gaming computer?

In truth, I am uncertain what this facility is. On the surface, it sounds like a taxpayer-funded Dave and Busters, only for video games, period. Shouldn’t we try to get kids away from the keyboard and outside playing sports?

I am glad that the kid that shot up the July 4th celebration was such a coward that he gave up without committing suicide by cop. We need to learn what motivated him and everything else we can. He, like others, will end up being a statistic, but nevertheless, information is valuable.  

Where did he learn to be a sniper? He must have known about ballistics to shoot that distance and hit the target. Where did he learn?

Many people claim that School is a pipeline to prison. They blame it on things that are far from the facts. To quote Jack Nicholson, ‘They can’t handle the truth.’ In School, you learn the basics to get by in life and are introduced to social mores.

When I went to School, if your shirt was not tucked in correctly and you were caught, you earned a swat. For the rest of that day, every time you sat, there was this stinging reminder to make sure your shirt was properly tucked in.

Some parents argue against such things. They doth protest. Their argument is that you are teaching kids to hit; I disagree. You are teaching them that we have rules. While you are here, you will follow them. Trust me, parents, kids know how to hit already.

If you have flown, there are more rules than I care to count. Do not joke with the TSA.

In society, there are rules. You and I have those same rules. We get hit in the pocketbook if we speed or drive erratically. If you have one of your tires over the line in a handicapped parking area, the fine is over $600. I am talking about accidentally crossing that little white line with one tire.

One lady had just picked her kid up from school. She was on her phone while speeding through the school zone. The motorcycle cop had his lights on. He tried to get her attention for over a mile before he was forced to go up to her window at a red light and tap on it. I hope her child watched that interaction.

She was terribly distracted by the conversation on the phone. Speeding through a school zone is a hefty ticket. On your phone, while driving in a school zone is yet another. Not seeing the cop for at least a mile…Those mistakes will be quite the spanking.

My point is that there are rules; when do we start teaching them to our kids? There are social mores that are also incumbent upon us to teach. We don’t drink from the bottle. We cannot be our children’s friends. We must be parents first; that is our job. We are not talking about child abuse or beating anyone; we are talking about course corrections. We are talking about parenting. Know what your child is doing. We parents are held accountable for their actions until they reach adulthood. Our job is to raise them so that the criminal justice system does not have to.

Some scream about prison overpopulation. We, the parents, are in part the cause of this. The lack of morality and, yes, the violence are symptoms of not being engaged with your progeny.

Dysfunctional families are endemic to the problem, and that is what congress should be addressing. Breaking the cycle of single-parent homes requires education.  

Drugs and the promise of easy money probably eclipse poor parenting, as even the best of parents end up burying a child due to an overdose. Some lose them to gang violence. That, of course, is systemic of drugs and the drug culture.

It starts at home. You are the person they will model until such a time they attempt to emulate some actor or actress. If you teach them correctly and raise them right, you will not need to worry about what the schools are doing to indoctrinate them into this woke world of weirdness. You might also keep them from hanging with the wrong crowd.

Anyone who teaches your kids to hate their country must be in a different vocation. Any person who grooms your young child must be behind bars for pedophilia. The messages children get today are mind-bending. Homeschooling is almost a must.

Your options are clear. Either be of good moral character and lead by example or teach them how to look innocent in a lineup.

-Best

Retirement or just the next phase?

Retirement or just the next phase?

I hit that magic age where no employer wants to commit to a real honest-to-goodness job. That’s ok; I knew it was coming, most of my friends are older, and I have watched this phenomenon play out year after year.

There have been unexpected occurrences starting in 2020.

Before Covid was a thing, I managed to catch it from a masseuse. She was from China and spoke little to no English, not that it mattered. This was not my first time in this business. While there was a language barrier, she managed to know where it hurt and was able to manipulate the fascia or what have you in such a way to stop the muscle spasms.

It was 68 degrees in the room, and she was sweating profusely. I remember thinking, she must be working hard. I better tip her extra.

Three days later, I was in my doctor’s office with a sore throat, breathing issues, and a fever. At this stage of the game, the virus was not transmissible from humans to humans. It was not airborne and was only in Wuhan near the wet market.

We were assured by the CDC and the WHO not to worry. Pelosi was taking photo ops in China town along with its population, and the head of the health department in NYC was among the Chinese folks in NY, telling the world it was safe to go amongst them and…enjoy Chinese New Year’s Celebrations.

Words Matter and they all lied to us. While they might have given a get out of jail free card to Big Pharma, those that lied to us should be held accountable. They knew they were lying.

Backing up in history, about 30 years, I was in a head-on collision with an 84-year-old man who was drunk. I wrote the story as a memoir for the Anthology my writer’s group put together.

I wrote it as a cautionary tale. I will put a link to the Anthology for those of you interested in such stories. My story is the very last one in the book. The Roads We Take

That fateful day changed my life. I was forced to re-invent myself. The impact had a combined velocity of 110 mph.

There is a reason football players make the big bucks. The abuse they put their bodies through has a cumulative effect, and they will pay for it later in life. Much like every injury, broken arm, or leg you might have had will cause a twinge of pain during a weather change, imagine your entire skeleton as if it were on fire.

No, there were no grand settlements. One of my lawyer friends told me he could make me a rich man. The persons who were culpable had the same insurance company. They would not have paid the price for what she enabled, and he did. He was obviously well known in that town, the cop protected him, only wrote him up for left of center.

I heard the argument between him and his wife. There was only a thin curtain that separated the two of us. “You promised me that you would not drink and drive if I got you that new car!”

“Well, we were out of beer and it was halftime. I was just going to Kroger.”

Pffft! Every day, over thirty years later I pay for his lack of judgment and her enabling him. I am certainly not alone.

Life goes on; you do the best you can. Hence the massages and chiropractors and the occasional doctor who remarks while looking at the x-rays…’I would hate to be in your body.’

It could be worse; I know it, so I press on. Hence retirement.

Many, too many, in fact, have given up. They have taken the government up on whatever entitlements they can get and just survive.

It is always a red flag to me when I speak with a friend, and they ask have I seen this or that on TV?

I don’t watch TV. I know how that sounds, but to me, it is noise. Those that you see on the screen cannot relate to you or me for the most part.

If it were not for writers, many would be as vapid as the force that makes balloons rise, hot air. Don’t believe me, find some on Twitter and read the garbage that they spew. From their ivory towers and gated communities, they scream, “let them eat cake.” ‘Cake was a metaphor for the scraps that fell off the table that the dogs got.’   

With few exceptions, there are not many I would like to meet. Introduce me to the writers; those are the geniuses.

You might have guessed by now that I had to re-invent myself once again.

I went from an engineer to computer support to the management of teams of folks working in the IT field. Back when I started, it was Data Processing, that tells you a little.

Today I am winding down my company www.timedok.com. The company serves many but mainly takes care of municipalities. All good things must end. The machines I sell and service are used less and less. The pandemic has expedited the process. The supply chain failure by this administration have not helped.

Currently, I am in the middle of writing a science fiction novel which you will hear more about if you follow me.

Why not just retire, you might ask?

One of the most repeated failures by retirees is they don’t plan for what they will do after the job. I cannot speak for women, but as a man, I can tell you that most of us identify with what we do for a living. Most of us take pride in what we do, and we do the best we can.

Suddenly you find your pay has reached some magical number that a bean counter has decided is too much. Around your company’s fiscal year end, your boss is given his budget. He or she is forced to let someone go to raise your salary or find someone less expensive than you, and keep as many employees as he or she can.

Usually, that happens long before you reach retirement age. Then what?

I started this blog at a certain age nobody wants you. It is not because of age discrimination per se but they know you were probably making a salary that would exceed what they could or are willing to afford. The application, which is a legal document, most of the time asked what your salary was.

If you didn’t plan for retirement both financially and with an idea of how you will occupy your time, what do you do?

The house you paid for undoubtedly you will find yourself taxed out of.

Thanks to the failures of the government of California, my taxes have exceeded what the original house payment was, and there are no signs of the taxes going down. In fact, if I were attempting to live off social security, the taxes would take most of it.

Why California? There seems to be a mass exodus from the west, because of the cost of living and taxes. Those from the West who voted for the policies which have destroyed their state are heading East. They most probably will not have figured out that their ideology, and the way they vote is why they are having to find jobs back East.

Government is good at taking what’s not theirs. It becomes easy to understand why there are those who learn how to take advantage of the system and live on whatever handouts they can get, including housing.

It is a form of socialism but shhh, the right is not aware of it yet. They still think if Bernie is not in office, we are fine.

The re-invention of myself is nothing unique. I see retired people in the hardware store earning whatever the government will allow them to earn without subtracting that amount from their (entitlements.) I was offered such a job not long ago. I chuckled at that offer and left with my purchases to play plumber at my home.

With this book I am working on, do I expect it to make me millions? No, I am, in fact, a realist. One of the largest issues with getting published today is that everyone thinks they can write.

These people range from school-age kids to retired people who have a story to tell. Once they create their tomb, they send it off to agents, where it sits in what is known as a slush pile.

The slush pile of want to be authors sits for days, weeks, or months until either they have time to sift through it or they hire their teenage child to sift through the thousands of entries, while he or she plays games on their phone.

No, I don’t expect the weeks to months I have invested in this project to make me rich. This project, much like learning to 3d print, or teaching myself python, is simply a transitionary device from working to retirement. Everyone needs a reason to get out of bed in the morning, or they die.

You can be old and have a terminal illness, and still have a quality of life while you are sucking in air. Don’t waste it.

If you want to understand why writing isn’t a get-rich scheme, look no further than Kindle Unlimited. Ten dollars a month to Jeff Bezos and read all you want. That book that you might have spent a year of your life creating is basically free to anyone that subscribes to KU.

Unlike those books in Barns and Noble that sell for real dollars, e-books are worthless. Services like his and others have programmed the reading public to believe that your efforts should be free to them.

I know of an author who spent 35 years creating one novel. No, I don’t think writing a book is a get-rich scheme unless you are a tv personality and can hype your book multiple times a day.

Writing the perfect novel, is only a small part of the puzzle. In the future we will be examining what those other parts might be, and how to pull them off without an agent.

Make sure you hit that follow button.

-Best

The Next Domestic Crises

The Next Domestic Crises

The only thing more predatory than a politician are the credit card companies.

Carrying a balance on a credit card is by far worse than establishing a loan thru your financial institution. Those who can least afford it are frequently the target of predatory lending. PayDay loans and alike are one step away from borrowing from the mafia. Those who specialize in payday loans are not the financial institution you should deal with. They are the mob who will cash your check and attempt to solve all your problems by selling you magic beans for the cash, in the form of lottery tickets.

The root cause of the problem, however, is not those who seek to ‘assist’ those in need. The root cause is the need itself and a lack of intelligence when it comes to managing your finances.

If we glance at the past as in history, and then we look forward, we can see where this will end.

Having lived thru the lies of Carter, gas lines, odd and even days, and no more than ten gallons at any given time, we were happy just to get Gas, not really caring what it cost.

There is a price that is going to be the next crisis we must deal with.

I have not used a gas card in years. I used to have one that I did use to keep up with my expenses but that was a long time ago before frequent flyer miles.

The other day, unexpectedly, I received a new gas card. Why?

They know that there is about to be a boon to those who extend credit. We are used to budgeting X dollars a month for Gas. That expense has doubled. Depending upon how much you drive and what you drive, undoubtedly, you will feel it at the end of the month.

Not only is Gas twice the price, but food is also much more expensive. Heating and cooling costs have risen exceedingly fast.

Energy drives the prices for many things.

Where you might not have carried a balance in the past, you might now. Much like Sisyphus, pushing that rock uphill will break many.

Not to worry. A late fee is only $30, and your remaining balance might go up to 30%, but other than that, they have you covered.

If the current administration can blame all your pain on Putin, they stand a good chance to distract you from reality come election time.

It is imperative that you only listen to the very liberal media, which includes NPR.

Like Don Quixote, they truly believe that windmills will save the day. Tilting at tried-and-true methods of energy production, they seek to push this country back to the depression era. Little wooden shacks for the sharecroppers will dot the land in the middle of nowhere. They will need no amenities and will be totally dependent on their masters. Look no further than North Korea for a role model.

The poor management of your credit cards will be your undoing. Much like losing at Monopoly, you will mortgage your belongings to the very institutions that loaned you the money in the first place.

There are no do-overs. When you find yourself wishing for a solid cardboard box to keep the rain off your head, or fighting for a dry spot under a bridge, only then will you truly understand that this has never been about race, but a struggle between the have and the have nots.

Knowledge is power and that privilege that so many ignorant fools scream about. History is the source of that knowledge. It makes little difference if you like the history or hate it; it is there to learn from. Erasing history is just as foolish as thinking skin color is the solution or the problem.

If I were a gambling man, I would buy stock in companies that made loans. I would find companies that buy foreclosed homes and rent them out to invest in.

Most young people are stupid when it comes to money. They find renting is the quickest way to live the lifestyle they were accustomed to when mom and dad foot the bills. The attitude seems to be live for today, and tomorrow will take care of itself. If you look at their social media, you will discover what I mean. They are the market for the next breed of a predatory lender, those that buy foreclosed or ugly homes, spend as little as possible to restore or update them, and rent rent rent.

As prices continue to rise because of this administration’s piss poor policies, they will be among the first to suffer. Mom and Dad will be among the second to agonize as they end up opening their homes to their boomerang progeny along with their fur babies and maybe grandkids.

Mom and Dad, who saved for retirement, will end up using that retirement money to bail out their kids, who still think that playing video games all night is the equivalent of work.

Domestic disturbances will be over such things, and the entitled brats will be the spark that sets the next set of events into motion. The divorce, custody battles, and more money wasted on lawyers and court costs. Who could know this would happen??? Hello…

If you’re not putting money in the bank for a rainy day, you are screwing up. I would think that one should have at least three months of expenses saved in an account that you don’t touch. The wolf is at the door, and he is knocking.

When companies demand you return to the office, gas, tolls, and normal wear and tear costs return too. There will also be new clothes required. Are you ready?

-Best

Should we stick with incandescent bulbs?

Should we stick with incandescent bulbs?

I had written before on those fluorescent curly Q bulbs that were the next end-all-be-all to saving the planet. We talked about the fact that they contain mercury and, if something goes wrong, there might be a fire.

LED bulbs seemed much more promising.

Well, not so fast. First off, there is the issue of different types of LED bulbs for circuits with dimmers vs. without. How many ‘users’ of these things truly understand the difference and, how many care?

To that end, all LED bulbs entering the US market should be designed to work in either situation.

I feel a little like Ralph Nader when I mention this fact, as it seems obvious but, they should at the very least be clearly labeled.

The last batch of ‘dimmable’ LED bulbs I purchased clearly was marked ‘dimmable’ on the box, but no place on the bulb itself did it distinguish itself as dimmable.

My next nit to pick is quality control.

Out of six regular LED non-dimmable bulbs, I had a 50% failure rate.

The bulbs would either flicker or just not work.

My curiosity got the best of me.

If you notice those two blobs of solder, they are situated by the plus and the minus terminals for the LEDs. That blob of solder in the middle does not belong. In my business, we call that a solder bridge. This is incredibly shoddy work, and while the bridge is not zero ohms, it is close enough to render the bulb useless.

I have not opened the other two failed bulbs but, I can guess what I might find.

Are these a fire hazard?

I would like to believe that because these circuits are housed in plastic-coated aluminized housing that a circuit breaker might blow before the thing catches on fire.

The companies that create and sell these things need to tighten up quality control and, all of them should be made to fit into either a dimmable socket or a regular socket.

Since Underwriters Laboratories turned into a for-profit company, one must wonder who is watching out for the American public. Someone should be testing this stuff independently of company sponsors. Currently, the FTC takes complaints and tips but, to my knowledge, does zero pro-active research on something as basic as substandard or hazardous products.

While I loath bloated government, there is a need for an Underwriters Laboratories to test, check the quality, and so forth of products imported into this country.

Are they safe?

Is there lead paint?

Are they going to catch on fire?

Are they labeled correctly?

If I take the time to open the other two failed products, what will I find?

I would think that the Chinese companies would be overly careful of this type of quality. Just possibly, they know they are the only game ‘in town’ and that people will just accept the lack of value for the dollar and lower their expectations.

Maybe the Chinese should offer repair kits for their poorly constructed bulbs so those of us with the skills and know-how can fix them.

Is it worth it? Knowing these bulbs should last years, would it be worth your time to ‘fix them?’

Stay safe until we meet again.

If there is nothing new, maybe I will tell you all how to make Banana Bread.

-Cheers

Open Letter to Zoom

Open Letter to Zoom

As one host’s meetings over this medium frequently, the speaker might freeze.

The problem is, we don’t know if the speaker froze, we froze, and so on.

Solution… For the meeting host, we need a quick way to ascertain where the packet loss is occurring.  I would suggest a simple meter placed by each member’s name in the participant’s list.

The meter could be faux lights (red, yellow, and green.) Make the thing large enough to give us some resolution as to the quality of the signals.

It might also be nice to have the ability to run a report of the same information. If one of the members is constantly having issues, we have some quantitative feedback we can give them.

With this information out there on the WWW, your competition might see it and run with it, claiming this brainstorm of an idea as their own. PFFT.

-Best

Open Letter to Oil Change Business’s

Open Letter to Oil Change Business’s

We have a crisis on our hands with a simple solution. To Date, I have not seen anyone offering this service.

It is illegal for scrap metal places to purchase stolen catalytic converters. HB 4110 in Texas makes the crime of selling or buying stolen catalytic convertors a 3rd-degree felony which means time in jail.

That law went into effect on September 1, and yet the problem continues.

Here is the million-dollar idea…..

On your sign in front of your business, advertise ‘Free Engraving of your Catalytic Converter with Oil Change.’

The idea is to mark your property with your driver’s license, which will make the convertor even less attractive to the scrap metal dealer.

Since the threat of jail time doesn’t seem to stop the thief, just possibly the threat of time to the dealer would carry more weight.

If you had a little more on the ball than the other guy, you would have created stickers that would go on the person’s car window. These stickers would alert the would-be thief that the convertor is marked. The stickers would also be a reminder and advertisement of your place of business.

Even if you are not in Texas, businesses in other states can use this same technique to slow down the theft of convertors and increase business to your establishment.

I look forward to seeing how many companies follow through with this idea.

-Best

Check Your Ego

Check Your Ego

I admit that I spend entirely too much time on ‘groups’ that profess an interest in one topic or another.

We tend to search for our tribe, whether that be people interested in equine activities or perhaps restoring vintage electronic devices.

Today it was a group dedicated to Heathkit.

For those of you who don’t know, Heathkit, out of Benton Harbor, created and sold well-designed devices in kit form.

If you followed the instructions, when finished, you would have not only a working device, but you would have the pride of knowing that you built it and, you would also know how to repair it should the need arise.

This person purchased an old oscilloscope from the ’60s that, by today’s standards, is worthless. This same person opened it up, showing the repair job someone did back in the 70’s ‘as depicted by the age of the components’ and complained.

When he brought it up on his variac, it still worked. After opening it, he complained about the ‘mess’ inside.  He then went about requesting assistance from everyone in the group for information on the piece and so on.

Since the internet was not around when the previous person repaired it, and it was still working today, just possibly he should re-think his assessment of the repair.

I am from the age group who taught myself electronics, built kits, and designed and built my first transmitter from TV parts.  There were no online resources as there are today.

The FCC test was in person and not multiple guess.  

This behavior is not just in ham radio groups but many others.

If you read the online comments, it would seem that narcissism is as rampant as covid.

I am amazed at how quickly the comments turn into personal attacks. Is this the new normal where keyboard warriors use speech that they would not use around their grandparents, to feel better about themselves while attacking another?

The three weeks to flatten the curve has tested my patience to the absolute limits of my medications.

Turn off the computer, the screens, and the TV when you reach that point.

Reading opinions by other keyboard warriors that incite violence on a class of people with who they don’t agree is demented, and it needs to stop.

We forget that the technology we have today is because of those that came before us. We are standing on the shoulders of giants, and yet we have narcissists like this person daring to complain about a fifty-year-old repair, that still works.  

-Best

Is it wise to purchase the latest greatest technology?

Is it wise to purchase the latest greatest technology?

When considering an investment in technology, the first thing to know is that you buy the Sizzle, Not the Steak.

What does that mean?

If you drive past a steak house, you will undoubtedly smell mesquite smoke or some other aroma to stir the juices accompanying that reward center of your brain. A wise entrepreneur will attempt to use all the senses as bait. The sizzle is the bait. Regarding steak, the payoff is delivering it to you exactly as you expect.

Theatres use popcorn. The fragrance will trigger memories. Possibly you are at the mall to look for clothes but, the scent, along with signs and lines of patrons, will trigger a diversion in many who are not on a tight schedule. The sizzle is reliving the memory even if the movie and company are different.  The first time you enjoy a movie with popcorn and friends is precious and becomes part of who you are.

Technology is loaded with promise. Unfortunately, it is also packed with inexpensive microcomputers and software with a finite lifetime.

Case in point and the reason for this article.

I collect and restore vintage radios. As long as the case is in good shape, I will consider the rest of the process of laying out cash for something that has little practical value in this world today. Why does only the case matter?

The components in that radio are still available.

My original entry into this hobby was Amateur Radio. The sizzle for me is to restore a radio and have it functional. The memory of when that radio was new transports me to an earlier time.  Many purchase things on eBay for the same reason.  The sizzle is that connection to a time when you sat on Grandma’s lap as she read to you. Perhaps it was that first easy bake oven or set of Legos.

With me, it was listening to a baseball game with my grandfather. The old floor model Zenith with that prominent speaker transported him and me to the game.  This event was a magical time and a fond memory.

Without beleaguering the point, my first expensive transceiver (A Swan 350D) still works. Yes, I have had to replace parts along the way but, I can still get them. That radio was the first hybrid to incorporate tubes, transistors, and some digital technology.

From HeathKit to Collins, even today, if you buy one at a swap meet, the odds are great; you will be able to find what you need to get it back on the air.

While technology marches on and offers us more whistles and bells, conversely, it takes longevity away.

In my closet is a costly modern radio. Built-in the 1990’s, this radio performed well, until one day it didn’t.  Not only was the radio a solid performer, but it also looked nice. Some would argue that the FT 990 was one of the best radio’s Yaesu ever built.

Once I narrowed it down, I knew what I needed; there was a catch.  The manufacturer no longer has the parts. Purchasing parts on eBay and other online sources is a crapshoot, as I found out.

Some people buy radios like mine, cannibalize them, much like the junkyards of old did with cars, and sell it one piece at a time. The part I ordered was butchered in the process and was worthless when it got to me.

As radio enthusiasts, I say all that to say this: we might need to shift our mindset, including how we spend our money.

In the 80’s I began the process of learning about computers. As an engineer, I saw the transition in progress.  Electronic devices were becoming something one used and trashed when they malfunctioned. Televisions are a perfect example

When asked about a contract on that new TV, ‘just in case,’ my response was ‘hell no.”  Firstly, it is wasted money, and secondly, when the thing dies, it will be time for something newer.

In the early days of home computers, a device with less power than your smartwatch costs a bundle.  Five hundred dollars for sixteen meg of ram was the going price. That ram was soon outdated, as was the entire computer.

Even back in the day, we should have realized we had purchased the sizzle. What could we do with that PC then? Word processors were indeed a novelty, as were spreadsheets.

Today, we have redesigned the radio to resemble a radio of old, but that ends with its appearance.

Menus instead of knobs and displays instead of an S meter which can be daunting to the older ham. There are also multiple ways to integrate your radio with your computer.  All of this ‘sizzle’ depends upon how long there are parts available, and your level of interest.

When you purchase a used radio, that mindset shift needs to include it’s age.

Much like an old car, it can only go so many miles. The radio is only viable as long as the replacement parts are available. The clock starts ticking the day it leaves the factory.

My Yaesu FT 990 is worthless as a radio; what about the other vendors?  My Kenwood TS 520S, along with the 830 S, still works perfectly. They are both much older than the FT 990. What if I purchased a used, but newer Kenwood of the same age as the FT 990? I suspect that parts for it might also be an issue.

My Alinco DX 70 went silent one day.  Alinco no longer carries that little speaker it uses.  My point is not to bash the vendors. If you are like me and enjoy the soft glow of a dial light along with watching an S-meter lazily sway with the QSB, consider only buying a new radio, not used.

Either stick with the vintage equipment you know you can get parts for or spend the dollars on a radio with warranty and longevity.

Research part availability before you invest your money and time in a new old radio.

The Chinese have sent a message to the world via products like the Baofeng.

I realize that many speak poorly of that radio but, I have several expensive handhelds that the replacement battery will cost more than a new radio with a battery.

Perhaps the cost of this radio is about what we should be paying for software-defined products with little longevity.

My name-brand handheld radios perform no better than the thirty-dollar version. Again, the only difference that I can see is the interface to program the radio.

If the Chinese radio stops working, I am not going to worry about finding parts. If my radio’s that cost a small fortune falter, I will invest the time and energy to repair them. Either the name brand manufacturers need to acquire the mindset that Hams value the radio as more than just a commodity, or the off-brand manufacturers can continue to design and sell radio’s that we can all agree are disposable once they die. 

The message is clear. If you want to sell a handheld or other product for hundreds of dollars more than the Chinese counterpart, the vendor’s mindset also needs to change.

We keep our radios and value them not as a commodity but as something we could pass on to our kids. Stocking replacement parts for expensive radios would benefit the community, and it would be a selling point.

While radios are not the only technology to suffer the fate of progress, we also see how the automobile industry is suffering because of the lack of computer chips.

If I were Ford, I would offer a ‘back to basics’ automobile. You would genuinely need to sell it and have people interested, but in truth, I would love to have a (new old car) with three on the tree, roll-up windows, and an AM radio with half a dozen presets. We don’t need chips to run the damned thing; we need a spark, gas, compression and air mixed and timed with points that need adjusting every so often.

Can you tell me what the sizzle might be? 

-Best

HB 196

HB 196

Open letter to Terry Meza

Dear Terry, your bill HB 196 would seek to limit the homeowner’s rights to defend himself or his or her property. Your bill would also create a doubt in the would-be victim’s mind as to whether they are within their legal rights to defend themselves. A second of hesitation could get the victim killed.  You are confusing the issue, conflating garden gnome’s with tangible property and or life.

In a life-or-death situation, the last thing the victim needs is doubt.  If they are reasonably afraid for their lives, they should defend themselves to the fullest extent of the law…period.

Not long ago, this same type of thinking was pervasive in our now President Biden, who said at the time, ‘If a woman is going to get raped, she should pee herself.’

Your bill would make it easier for some attorney to go after the victim, and you and I both know this is not about ‘lawn ornaments.’ That is lawyer-speak to play to the emotions of the feeble-minded.

We all have choices to make. They can choose to steal and take their chances or decide not to steal.  They can choose to rape or home invade or decide not to.  We, the law-abiding, have our rights under assault by this Congress, currently attacking the second amendment, while we on a parallel front have lunatics calling for defunding the police.

If the police act in a way that contradicts the way they should, then more training and better hiring practices are what we should be advocating.

Adding to this problem, we have a massive influx of aliens who we know by their actions don’t respect our laws. 

There is currently a rash of catalytic converters stolen from vehicles. The cost to repair starts at $1000.00 and could go as high as $4,000 if they don’t do any other damage while hacking it off your car.  That is hardly a garden gnome. 

Why don’t you create a bill that would fine the crap out of those that buy stolen catalytic convertors?

Removing the reward for theft of ‘garden gnomes’ seems like where we should be spending our energy.

I would require that all catalytic convertors be serialized. Those that bring them in for ‘recycle’ must provide identification, including utility bills, to prove that the identity was not fake. A log book should be created and maintained to insure that the ‘recycler’ is on the up and up. The former would take a Congressional act, and the latter could be implemented with an executive order.

-Best

Open Letter to Greg Abbot

Open Letter to Greg Abbot

With the latest power issues in Texas, one would think that we wouldn’t have these issues in a country like this.

“But it is cold.”

And, in the summer it is hot.  The last time I mentioned to the city where I live, we had not enough water, trash pickup, and now electricity to add more businesses and apartments I was told to sit down and shut up.  (in so many words)

It is all about taxable revenue.  When I mentioned that to the city, they told me, “We have more churches than other cities, and they don’t pay taxes! We have to stay competitive.”

We have lost sight of the ball.  When we can’t take care of what we have, we don’t need to add more.

Government is over-bloated and is more concerned about ways to keep their jobs and bring in more revenue than taking care of their constituents.  Many of those are elected, and trust me, that can be remedied.

One cold snap and millions are without power.  This incident was not even ice-related. It was supply and demand.

Maybe some child who knows nothing of economics or how the government works and thinks, might buy that. It is a crap argument. It is all about supply and demand.

In my line of work, we do something called a root cause analysis.

Why did it happen, and what can we do to better prepare for the next time.

We have not invested in the infrastructure or planned worth a damned for there to be power outages to the tune of millions of people because there is not enough supply.

Mr. Abbot, heads need to roll.

February and March are the cold months in Texas; the rest are hot and hotter.

We see California going through this because they have not invested in their infrastructure.  I thought we were better than the Golden State.

You owe it to the people of Texas to do this root cause analysis and then tell us how you are going to fix the problem.

Platitudes, and turn off your heat or air and don’t run anything that uses electricity is not the answer.  Controlled power outages are not the answer.

ERCOT needs to be held to account for this.

I have lived in Texas since 1962.  This cold snap is not our first, and it will not be our last.  Next Summer will not be our first days over 100.

If you want to attract more revenue in the form of a tax base, prove to the tax base that you have that you are worthy of it.

Pelosi wants a 911 commission to distract the country from its bumbling of issues.  Maybe we should have a 911 commission to see how this happened. My guess is that you all already know, and knew it was a possibility.  If that is the case, that makes you all negligent.

-Best

How to Write Fiction That Truly Immerses Your Audience

How to Write Fiction That Truly Immerses Your Audience

Immersive fiction is not magic. It is a craft. By understanding how readers become absorbed in stories and by mastering specific writing techniques, you can create fiction that grips your audience from the first line and does not let go.


A Writer’s Perspective: From Pantser to Plantser

Recently, one of the libraries in my town asked our writers group to put on a class about writing fiction. As someone who has written over one hundred million words, I had to pause and consider: how do we actually do it? While others with more teaching experience than I will stand in front of them and show them the way, I felt like you too might be interested in the craft of fiction.

I started out as a pantser, writing by the seat of my pants, but over the years I have evolved into what the writing community calls a plantser—a hybrid of plotter and pantser. This approach lets me sketch out a loose roadmap for my stories while leaving plenty of room for discovery and surprise along the way.

Story structure is essential for drawing readers into your world. Think about how movies use visuals, sound, and music to trigger emotional and even physical reactions. For example, the suspenseful music in Jaws—da da da da—ramps up tension so much that viewers might find themselves needing a break just to recover. Video games, too, are designed to keep you playing late into the night, chasing that next dopamine rush.

As writers, we do not have music or visuals, but we do have words, and with them, we can manipulate the audience’s emotions and attention. Make no mistake, it is manipulation, but it is the kind that keeps readers turning pages.

One of the best compliments I receive is when someone says, “I started your book an hour before bed because I was curious. I ended up staying up all night because I could not put it down.” That, my friends, is gold. Whether you are after compliments, a steady stream of passive income, or even a few grumbles from readers who lost sleep, the reward is the same: you have created immersive fiction. If you want to know how to do it, read on.


The Art and Science of Immersion

Every writer dreams of that moment when a reader becomes so lost in the story that the world around them fades away. Their coffee goes cold, they miss their train stop, and reality blurs at the edges. That is immersion—the gold standard of fiction. But how do you create it? Is it luck, talent, or something you can learn?The answer is that immersion is learnable. It is built on both psychological principles and deliberate craft choices. Let us break down the science, the techniques, and the pitfalls so you can pull readers deep into your fictional worlds and keep them there.


The Science of Immersion: Why Readers Get Lost in Story

Narrative Transportation: The Psychology of Absorption

Psychologists Melanie Green and Timothy Brock call it narrative transportation. This is a state where readers are so absorbed in a story that their awareness of the real world fades. In this state, readers focus intensely on the narrative, tune out distractions, feel emotions as if they are experiencing the events themselves, and visualize the story world with vivid mental imagery. Studies show that transported readers are more likely to empathize with characters, remember story details, and even change their beliefs based on what they have read.

Flow States and Emotional Contagion

Immersion also overlaps with the concept of flow, that “in the zone” feeling where time disappears. Fiction achieves this by balancing challenge (such as suspense or uncertainty) with skill (reader comprehension). Emotional contagion means readers “catch” the feelings of characters, experiencing fear, joy, or heartbreak alongside them.

Fiction as Emotional Simulation

Psychologist Keith Oatley describes fiction as a kind of emotional flight simulator. By living through characters’ struggles and triumphs, readers practice empathy and navigate complex emotions in a safe space.

Practical Implication:
To immerse readers, you must engage their senses, emotions, and intellect, making them feel as if they are living the story, not just reading it.


Core Craft Techniques for Deep Immersion

Let us get practical. Here are the essential tools, each with definitions, examples, and actionable advice.

1. Deep or Limited Point of View (POV)

Definition:
Narrate from inside your character’s head, filtering every detail through their perceptions and emotions.Before:
She felt nervous as she entered the room.

After:
Her heart hammered. The room pressed in, every eye a pinprick on her skin.How-To:

  • Eliminate filter words such as “she saw” or “he felt.”
  • Anchor the reader in the character’s body and thoughts.
  • Let the POV character’s biases and voice color every description.

2. Sensory and Concrete Detail

Definition:
Use all five senses and specific, tangible details to make scenes vivid.

Example:
The scent of burnt coffee clung to the air, mingling with the sharp tang of disinfectant. Her fingers stuck to the counter, tacky with spilled soda.

How-To:

  • Go beyond sight; add sound, smell, touch, and taste.
  • Choose details that matter to the character and the moment.
  • Avoid generic description; specificity is your friend.

3. Show, Do Not Tell

Definition:
Reveal emotions and story beats through action, dialogue, and sensory cues, not summary.

Before:
She was angry.

After:
Her jaw clenched. She slammed the mug onto the table, coffee sloshing over the rim.

How-To:

  • Use body language and physical reactions.
  • Let readers infer emotions from what characters do and say.

4. Interiority (Free Indirect Discourse)

Definition:
Blend the character’s inner thoughts with the narrative, creating intimacy without clunky “he thought” tags.Example:
He should not have come. Not after last time. But here he was, heart pounding, pretending everything was fine.

How-To:

  • Drop in thoughts as they naturally occur.
  • Match sentence rhythm and word choice to the character’s mood.

5. Pacing and Sentence Rhythm

Definition:
Control the speed of your narrative to match tension and emotion.

Fast:
She ran. Footsteps thundered behind her. A door slammed. Silence.

Slow:
She traced the rim of her mug, watching steam curl and dissipate. The clock ticked, each second stretching longer than the last.

How-To:

  • Use short sentences for action, longer ones for reflection.
  • Alternate between scene (action) and summary (transition) to control momentum.

6. Scene Versus Summary

Definition:
Scenes dramatize; summary condenses. Use both strategically.

Scene:
Lizzie pressed the matter, cornering Fritz by the window. “Tell me the truth.” He hesitated, then sighed. “Fine. I have always had a thing for you.”

Summary:
Over the next few weeks, Lizzie avoided Fritz, unsure how to process his confession.

How-To:

  • Use scenes for conflict and turning points.
  • Use summary to bridge time or provide background.

7. Specificity of Language

Definition:
Choose precise, evocative words over vague generalities.

Before:
She wore a dress and shoes.

After:
She wore a scarlet silk dress and battered white sneakers, laces trailing.

How-To:

  • Replace generic nouns and adjectives with specific ones.
  • Use strong verbs and cut unnecessary words.

Author Insights: How the Pros Create Immersion

Acclaimed writers in speculative fiction and psychological thrillers know how to pull readers deep into their worlds. Here is what they say and how they do it.

  • “Truly immersive world-building immerses readers through vivid sensory details. Engage sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch to transport your audience.” (Kenneth W. Myers)
  • “Let your world be its own character. Leave readers with some emotion about the world they are walking through.” (J. Lynn Else)
  • “Craft characters that pull you in and plots that keep you guessing until the very end.” (Freida McFadden)
  • “Chilling, psychologically complex narratives” come from authentic internal conflict and emotional realism. (Lucinda Berry)
  • “Immersion technique does not spend many pages scene-setting. Modern writing relies on immersion to create a story which unfolds at pace.” (Liz Monument)
  • “Visualization comes best from immersion. Walking through those experiences personally allows me to pick and choose moments and images.” (Jodi Picoult)
  • “Intense emotional and psychological moments are great too. I love fantasy or sci-fi world building.” (Jami Gold)

Illustrative Examples of Immersive Prose

Sensory World-Building (Speculative Fiction):
The air shimmered with the scent of ozone and something sharper, almost metallic. Neon glyphs flickered across the rain-slicked pavement, their alien script reflected in puddles that trembled with the distant rumble of maglev trains. Every footstep echoed, swallowed by the city’s endless, humming night.

Psychological Immersion (Thriller):
She pressed her palm to the cold glass, watching the shadow move in the hallway beyond. Her breath caught, heart thudding in her ears, every muscle tensed for the sound she dreaded: a key turning in the lock. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating, until she could almost taste her own fear.

Character-Driven Immersion (Sci-Fi/Thriller):
He remembered the first time he had seen the stars from the colony dome, how the blackness pressed in, infinite and indifferent. Now, as alarms blared and the oxygen gauge dipped, he clung to that memory, grounding himself in the wonder and terror of being so far from home.


What Breaks Immersion (and How to Fix It)

MistakeWhy It Breaks ImmersionPractical Fix
Head-HoppingConfuses POV, disrupts reader connectionStick to one POV per scene; signal transitions
Info-DumpingOverwhelms, slows pacingWeave details into action or dialogue; use only what matters
Purple ProseDraws attention to writing, not storyPrioritize clarity; use strong nouns and verbs
Filter WordsDistances reader from characterCut “she saw” or “he felt”; show direct experience
Excessive AdverbsWeakens prose, tells instead of showsUse stronger verbs; adverbs only for nuance
Telling EmotionsFlattens emotional impactShow emotions through action, dialogue, and body language
Pacing Sag (Middle)Loses momentum, reader disengagesEnsure every scene advances plot or character
Expository DialogueFeels unnatural, info-dumpyMove exposition to narrative; use “newbie” characters for explanation
Fancy Dialogue TagsDistracts from storyUse “said” or “asked” or action beats
Lack of Sensory VarietyFlattens scene, reduces vividnessIncorporate all five senses, filtered through POV


Immersion Is a Craft, and You Can Master It

Immersive fiction is not a happy accident. It results from understanding how readers get lost in story and then using every tool at your disposal to make that happen. The science is clear: readers crave stories that engage their senses, emotions, and intellect.

The craft is learnable. Deep point of view, vivid detail, showing rather than telling, and precise language are all skills you can hone.

The next time you sit down to write, ask yourself: Am I pulling my reader in? Am I making them feel? If you use these techniques and avoid the common pitfalls, you will create fiction that does not just entertain but transports.

Before You Go

I would love to hear your thoughts—what stood out to you about writing immersive fiction? If you found these tips helpful, please consider liking, sharing, or leaving a comment below. Your insights might inspire another writer in our community.


If you enjoy stories that blend science, suspense, and the mysteries of our world, I invite you to check out The Ocean Within. Perfect for fans of Michael Crichton, Andy Weir, and Kim Stanley Robinson, this gripping thriller explores the fragile balance between humanity and the forces of nature.

When Sharing Becomes a “Violation”: A Writer’s Guide to Self-Promotion That Actually Works

When Sharing Becomes a “Violation”: A Writer’s Guide to Self-Promotion That Actually Works

As the Executive Director of a writing group, I feel a genuine obligation, not only to the members who trust me with their craft, but to any struggling writer out there searching for a foothold. These blog posts, which so many of you tell me you enjoy, are packed with practical tips on the craft. And yes, I’ll admit it…every now and then I slip in a modest tease about one of my own books. That’s the deal: a little value for you, a little visibility for me.WordPress makes this easy. With the right plugins, a single post can automatically send a link out to a whole network of platforms.

It’s a beautiful thing until one of those platforms decides you’re the problem.

Recently, Nextdoor, a company whose stock hovered around a jaw-dropping six cents profit per share last year (KIND, and I use the ticker symbol ironically)—deleted an account I’d faithfully maintained for years. My heinous crime? Apparently, I’d “violated community standards” by committing the unspeakable act of sharing instructional writing posts. (The horror. Somewhere, a moderator clutched their pearls.)Truthfully, had I known they’d get their knickers in such a twist over someone talking about writing…to a community I’m heavily invested in, no less, I’d have yanked that plugin out years ago and spared us all the drama.

Take one honest look at the content on that platform and it’s not hard to see why it’s struggling. It’s become the digital living room of Karen and Chad…a place to complain that a neighbor’s grass is too tall, their paint too dull (or too bright), or that they’ve planted the wrong flowers in their beds. Truthfully? I don’t need them.

Platforms like that need people like me to keep things interesting.I was never told the specific reason, and honestly, it’s irrelevant to the point of this post.

Good luck, Nextdoor.

So, that you don’t fall into the same trap for the unforgivable sin of trying to help fellow writers…here’s a practical breakdown of where this kind of content is genuinely welcomed versus where it’s likely to get you flagged.

Where Sharing Your Craft Is Welcome

These platforms are built around content, community, and creators. Sharing instructional posts here isn’t just tolerated—it’s often the entire point.

  • Medium — Built for long-form writing. Republish your blog posts (use canonical links) and tap into publications focused on writing and creativity.
  • Substack — Ideal for building a direct newsletter relationship with readers. Your tips are the product.
  • Reddit (r/writing, r/writers, r/selfpublish) — Enormously valuable if you contribute genuinely. Answer questions, join discussions, and share links sparingly and contextually.
  • LinkedIn — Surprisingly strong for thought-leadership content. Writing tips framed as professional insight perform well.
  • Facebook Groups (writing-specific) — Groups like “Fiction Writers” or genre-specific communities actively encourage craft-sharing.
  • X (Twitter) — The #WritingCommunity and #amwriting hashtags connect you to a huge, engaged audience of writers.
  • Threads — Increasingly popular with the writing crowd and friendlier to organic sharing than most.
  • Pinterest — Underrated for bloggers. Writing infographics and tip graphics drive steady, long-term traffic.
  • Tumblr — Still home to a devoted, creative writing subculture.
  • Goodreads — Perfect for connecting craft content to your actual books.
  • Discord servers — Countless writing communities thrive here on mutual support.

Where You’ll Likely Get Flagged (Proceed with Caution)

These platforms are either hyper-local, hostile to outbound links, or governed by moderation that treats any self-promotion as spam.

  • Nextdoor — Neighborhood-focused by design. Anything resembling promotion or “off-topic” content is frequent flag-bait. (We’ve covered this.)
  • Neighborhood Facebook Groups (non-writing) — Same energy as Nextdoor. Great for lost cats, terrible for blog links.
  • Local community forums — Often moderated by volunteers with zero tolerance for outside links.
  • Instagram — Not hostile, but it actively suppresses outbound links in captions. Great for engagement, frustrating for traffic.
  • Certain strict subreddits — Many communities auto-remove posts from accounts with a low “karma” ratio or flag anything that looks like self-promotion. Read the rules first.
  • Craigslist / local classifieds — Not built for this and likely to be removed.

The Real Lesson Here

The difference between “helpful contributor” and “community standards violator” usually comes down to one question: Is this platform built for content, or is it built for proximity?Content platforms reward you for teaching. Proximity platforms—the ones organized around your zip code—reward you for keeping quiet and never, ever bringing up your book. Know the difference before you invest years into an account, and you’ll spend far less time being lectured by a stranger who’s mostly upset about the state of your lawn.

If you have any tips or different experiences with these groups, let us know in the comments. Remeber WREM…Writing,Research,Edit and Marketing. If you are writing as a business…WREM…

Before You Go

If you found this helpful, do me a favor: share it with a fellow writer who’s been burned by a platform that couldn’t tell the difference between spam and genuine help. Better yet, come join us where craft-talk is actually welcome—leave a comment, subscribe to the blog, and let’s keep this conversation going.

And speaking of conversations worth having—our next post dives into genres. Whether you’re wrestling with where your manuscript fits on the shelf, blending styles, or trying to figure out what readers really expect from your category, we’re going to break it all down. You won’t want to miss it.Until then—happy writing, and keep sharing your gift with the world. The right audience is out there.

About the Cover

What would you do if your body remembered a story the world tried to erase?

Marisol Reyes believed her life was ordinary, until the night words began to surface on her skin. They burn like embers and speak of a past she has never known: a forgotten village, a family secret, and a legacy passed through blood and bone across generations. Her grandmother carried these memories in silence. Now the words have found their way to her.

As Marisol uncovers the truth about San Miguel de la Luz, a village destroyed in 1963 and erased from history, she learns that her family’s story is woven into the ambitions of a powerful corporation desperate to keep its secrets buried. With the help of Daniel Medina (a boy whose own family is bound to the betrayal that led to San Miguel’s destruction), Marisol must choose whether to remain silent or risk everything to bring the truth into the light.

Written in Skin is a gripping novel of magical realism, historical trauma, and the fight to reclaim lost histories. Perfect for fans of Isabel Allende, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and stories that braid the mystical with the deeply human, this is a tale about memory, resilience, and the power of words that refuse to stay buried.

The Art of Dialogue: Pacing and Voice That Bring Characters to Life

The Art of Dialogue: Pacing and Voice That Bring Characters to Life

Yesterday we talked about dialogue. Tonight (yes, it is tonight for me here in Texas), I want to talk about pacing, which I promised.

Dialogue is where fiction breathes. It’s the moment readers stop being told about your characters and start experiencing them directly. But writing dialogue that feels alive requires more than just recording how people talk. Two elements separate flat exchanges from unforgettable conversations: pacing and distinct character voice. Let’s explore both.

Why Dialogue Pacing Matters

Pacing is the rhythm of your conversation, controlling how fast or slow it moves, when it lingers, and when it snaps. Get it right, and readers lean in. Get it wrong, and even the most dramatic scene falls flat.Here’s why pacing carries so much weight:It controls tension. Short, clipped exchanges create urgency and conflict. Longer, meandering dialogue creates intimacy or ease. A heated argument written in flowing, elaborate sentences feels wrong because real tension compresses speech.It reveals emotional states. A character who suddenly speaks in fragments is rattled. One who monologues might be nervous, controlling, or evasive. Pacing shows us what characters feel without announcing it.It respects reader attention. Conversations that move too slowly bore readers; ones that move too fast leave them disoriented. Good pacing keeps them engaged and oriented.

Tips for Pacing Dialogue Well

  1. Match rhythm to emotion. When stakes rise, shorten your sentences and trim the fat.
"Where is she?"
"I don't know."
"Where is she?"
"I said I don't ..."
"Don't lie to me."

Notice how the removed dialogue tags and short lines accelerate the scene. Compare that to a calm evening chat, where sentences can stretch and breathe.

  1. Use beats, not just tags. Action beats, those small physical movements, control pace beautifully. They act like punctuation, giving readers a breath and grounding the scene physically.
She set down her coffee. "I'm not going with you."

The beat slows the moment and adds weight to her refusal.

  1. Cut the pleasantries. Real conversations are full of “hello,” “how are you,” and small talk. Fiction usually shouldn’t be. Enter scenes late and leave early; start the dialogue at the interesting part.
  2. Vary your rhythm. A page of nothing but short, punchy lines becomes exhausting; a page of long speeches becomes tedious. Alternate to create a natural, musical flow.
  3. Let silence speak. Sometimes the most powerful pacing tool is what isn’t said. A character who doesn’t answer, or who changes the subject, can be more revealing than any line of dialogue.
  4. Read it aloud. Your ear catches what your eye misses. If you stumble, run out of breath, or feel bored, your readers will too.

Giving Each Character a Unique Voice

Now to an excellent question: how does a writer make each character so distinct that dialogue tags become almost unnecessary? This is one of the true marks of craft. When done well, readers know who’s speaking from the words alone.Here’s how to achieve it:

  1. Give characters different vocabularies. Word choice reveals background, education, personality, and worldview. A retired professor and a teenage skateboarder should not sound the same. Consider a character’s era, region, profession, and interests, all of which shape which words come naturally to them.
  2. Vary sentence structure and length. Some characters speak in long, winding thoughts. Others are terse. One might use precise, grammatically perfect sentences; another rambles and interrupts themselves. This rhythm becomes a fingerprint.
  3. Establish verbal habits and tics. People have patterns: a phrase they overuse, a tendency to answer questions with questions, a habit of apologizing or hedging. Used sparingly, these become instantly recognizable. Just don’t overdo it, or the character becomes a caricature.
  4. Consider what characters talk about. A pragmatist steers conversation toward solutions; a romantic drifts toward feelings; a cynic deflects with jokes. What a character chooses to address reveals as much as how they say it.
  5. Use subtext driven by personality. Different people avoid different truths. One character dodges emotion; another dodges responsibility. How a character doesn’t answer is deeply individual.
  6. Reflect their relationships. People speak differently depending on who they’re addressing. A character might be gentle with a child, guarded with a boss, and sharp with a rival. This dynamic voice adds realism and dimension.

A Quick Test

Try this exercise: write a page of dialogue between two characters, then delete every tag and beat. Give it to a friend, or reread it after a day, and see if you can tell who’s speaking. If you can, you’ve nailed distinct voice. If you can’t, study where the voices blur together and sharpen the differences.

Bringing It Together

Great dialogue is a duet of pacing and voice. Pacing controls the tempo and tension of the scene, while distinct voices ensure that every line points unmistakably to its speaker. Master both, and you can strip away most of your dialogue tags, trusting your characters to carry the conversation on their own. That’s when your dialogue stops feeling written and starts feeling overheard, and that’s exactly where you want your readers to be.

Because I truly care about those who follow this blog and are trying to write here is a demonstration of what I am talking about.

Here’s a scene between a high school teacher and a student. I’ve built in two distinct voices and used pacing shifts to carry the emotional beats. After the scene, I’ll break down exactly what’s doing the work.

The bell had rung ten minutes ago. Marcus still stood by the door, backpack hanging off one shoulder, waiting for the room to empty.

Ms. Okafor didn’t look up from her stack of essays. “You’re going to be late for lunch, Mr. Reyes.”

“Yeah. I know. It’s just.” He shifted his weight. “So I got the paper back.”

“You did.”

“And there’s a big red D on it.”

“There is.” She set down her pen and folded her hands. “Would you like to talk about the D, or would you like to talk about why it doesn’t surprise me?”

He blinked. “The second one, I guess. Wait, no. Both?”

“Sit.”

He sat.

“Your thesis,” she said, “was the finest sentence in that entire paper. Genuinely. I read it twice. And then you spent four pages ignoring it completely.”

“I didn’t ignore it. I like. Circled back to it. At the end.”

“You mentioned it at the end. That is not the same as building toward it. A thesis is a promise, Marcus. You made a promise on page one and then you wandered off to tell me about a movie.”

“It was a relevant movie.”

“It was not.”

“It was kind of relevant.”

She almost smiled. He saw it and pounced.

“See, you agree.”

“I agree that you are charming, which is a completely separate matter from whether you can write.” She slid the paper across the desk. “Rewrite it. Same thesis. Keep the promise this time. I’ll grade the new one instead.”

He stared at the paper. “You’d do that?”

“I already did the hard part. I found the good sentence. You just have to deserve it.”

What’s Doing the Work Distinct vocabulary and sentence structure. Ms. Okafor speaks in complete, controlled sentences. She uses precise diction (“genuinely,” “completely separate matter”) and metaphor (“a thesis is a promise”). Marcus speaks in fragments, filler, and false starts (“It’s just,” “I like. Circled back”). You could delete every dialogue tag in their exchange and still know who’s talking, because their rhythms are opposites.

Pacing that mirrors emotion. The scene opens slow, with hesitation. Marcus stalls; his lines break apart. Once Ms. Okafor takes control (“Sit.” / He sat.), the exchange tightens into quick volleys. Those clipped one and two word lines (“You did.” / “There is.”) accelerate the tension and put her firmly in charge.

Beats instead of tags. Notice how few “he said / she said” tags appear. Physical beats do the work instead: “He shifted his weight,” “She set down her pen and folded her hands,” “He blinked.” Each beat controls tempo and grounds the reader without announcing the speaker.

Subtext driven by personality. Marcus deflects with humor (“It was a relevant movie”) because he’s embarrassed and wants approval. Ms. Okafor withholds warmth strategically, then releases just enough (“She almost smiled”) to keep him hooked. Neither says what they actually feel. He wants to be told he’s smart; she wants him to earn it. The scene never states this outright.

Enter late, leave early. We join after the bell, skipping the greeting entirely, and we exit on the strongest line rather than watching Marcus pack up and leave. The pleasantries are gone, so only the charged moment remains.

Unless there are more comments or questions we will discuss Genre next.

If even one idea here clicked for you, this post did its job.Do me a small favor: hit like, leave a comment with your biggest dialogue struggle, and share this with a fellow writer who’s staring at a blinking cursor tonight.

Writing can feel lonely, and a little encouragement goes a long way.

Follow for more, and remember, every great conversation on the page started with a writer brave enough to try. That’s you.

About the Cover

The Ocean Within is a gripping, science-driven thriller that explores the fragile balance between humanity and the forces of nature. Perfect for fans of Michael Crichton, Andy Weir, and Kim Stanley Robinson, this novel will leave you breathless, and questioning how much we really understand about the world beneath our feet.

Writing Dialogue That Breathes: A Craft Guide

Writing Dialogue That Breathes: A Craft Guide

In these last few posts we’ve explored several important literary topics of structure and style. Today, I want to talk about dialogue arguably one of the most challenging and rewarding elements of storytelling to master.Dialogue is where your characters come alive. It’s the moment readers stop watching your story from a distance and start eavesdropping on real, breathing people. When it works, dialogue feels effortless. When it doesn’t, it can drag an otherwise strong story to a halt. So let’s dig into what makes conversation on the page truly sing.

Dialogue Is Not Real Speech

Here’s the first paradox every writer must accept: good dialogue sounds real, but it isn’t. Actual human speech is messy. We stumble, repeat ourselves, trail off, fill silences with “um” and “you know,” and spend enormous amounts of time saying nothing at all.If you transcribed a real conversation word-for-word and dropped it into your novel, readers would flee. Fictional dialogue is a distillation—it captures the rhythm and flavor of speech while trimming away the tedium. Your job is to create the illusion of reality, not to reproduce it exactly.

Every Line Should Do Two Jobs

Strong dialogue is efficient. The best lines accomplish multiple things at once. A single exchange might:

  • Reveal character through word choice, tone, or what a person avoids saying
  • Advance the plot by delivering information or shifting the situation
  • Build tension through conflict, subtext, or disagreement
  • Establish relationships by showing power dynamics and history

If a line of dialogue isn’t pulling its weight in at least one of these areas, ask yourself whether it needs to be there at all.

The Power of Subtext

People rarely say exactly what they mean. This is the secret weapon of great dialogue: subtext, the meaning that lives beneath the words.Consider two versions of the same moment:

On the nose: “I’m angry that you forgot our anniversary and I feel unappreciated.”

With subtext: “No, it’s fine. Really. I already ate.”

The second version doesn’t state the emotion—it performs it. Readers feel the frost in the room. Trust your audience to read between the lines; they’re smarter than you think, and they enjoy doing the work.

Give Each Character a Distinct Voice

If you stripped away all the dialogue tags, could a reader still tell who’s speaking? In the best writing, the answer is yes. Characters differ in:

  • Vocabulary — Do they use slang, jargon, or formal language?
  • Sentence length — Are they terse or long-winded?
  • Rhythm and cadence — Clipped and controlled, or rambling and warm?
  • Verbal habits — Signature phrases, questions, or tics

A nervous teenager and a weary detective should never sound interchangeable.

Handle Dialogue Tags with Restraint

The humble “said” is your best friend. It’s nearly invisible, and readers’ eyes glide right over it. Resist the temptation to reach for flashy alternatives…characters hissedbellowedejaculatedproclaimed, on every line. These call attention to the writing rather than the story.

"I told you not to come here," she said.

is almost always stronger than

"I told you not to come here," she snarled venomously.

Better yet, let the words and an accompanying action carry the emotion:

"I told you not to come here." She didn't look up from the sink.

Read It Aloud

The single most useful revision tool for dialogue is your own voice. Read every exchange aloud. Your ear will catch clunky phrasing, unnatural rhythms, and lines no human would ever say, things your eye slides right past on the page. If you stumble over it, so will your reader.

Here is a sample scene: There are two college guys talking about a girl who is most probably on the spectrum. Notice how I handle the dialogue and how I use action instead of dialogue or exposition to set the scene:

Scene: The Dining Hall, Late Afternoon

Marcus dropped his tray onto the table with a clatter and slid into the seat across from Devon. “Okay. So. Don’t make it weird.”

Devon didn’t look up from his fries. “That’s a great way to start a normal conversation.”

“I’m serious. Don’t make it weird.”

“You’re the one making it weird by telling me not to.” Devon finally glanced up. “What?”

Marcus rearranged his silverware. Straightened his napkin. “You know Priya? From my bio lab?”

“The one who names the lab specimens?”

“She named one frog. It was already dead.”

Devon leaned back, a slow grin spreading. “She held a funeral, Marcus. There was a eulogy.”

“It was a nice eulogy.” Marcus heard himself and winced. “That’s not the point.”

“So what is the point?”

Marcus took a breath, let it out, said nothing. Then he picked up a fry that wasn’t his.

Devon watched him for a long moment. “Oh no.”

“Don’t.”

“You like her.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You ate my food. You only do that when you’re spiraling.” Devon pushed the tray toward him anyway. “Dude. That’s great. She’s smart, she’s funny in that, okay, in that unusual way.”

“See, that.” Marcus pointed at him. “That right there. ‘Unusual way.’ What does that mean?”

“It means she wore a cape to the Halloween mixer.”

“It was October.”

“It was the third week of September.”

Marcus slumped. “She said she was getting ahead of the season.”

“And you thought that was charming.”

“I thought it was . . .” He searched for the word, gave up. “Yeah. I thought it was charming.”

Devon’s teasing softened into something more careful. “So what’s the actual problem?”

Marcus turned his cup in slow circles. “Nothing. Forget it.”

“Marcus.”

“It’s just . . . people notice her. You know? Not in a good way, always. Dave made that comment last week about the cape thing, and everybody laughed, and I laughed too.” He stopped. “I laughed too.”

Devon set his fork down.

“And I keep thinking, if I’m walking across the quad with her, and she stops to talk to a pigeon like she does . . . she talks to pigeons, Dev . . . everybody’s gonna look at me like . . .” He trailed off.

“Like what?”

“Like I’m the guy who dates the girl who talks to pigeons.”

Devon was quiet for a second. “So the problem isn’t her.”

“What?”

“The problem is you’re worried about what a bunch of people who name their frogs nothing are gonna think of you.” Devon shrugged. “That’s not a Priya problem. That’s a you problem.”

Marcus opened his mouth. Closed it.

“For what it’s worth,” Devon added, standing and grabbing his tray, “the pigeon thing? She fed it half her muffin. That bird’s eating better than we are.” He clapped Marcus on the shoulder as he passed. “Text her back, man.”

Marcus stared at his phone on the table, screen dark.

Then he picked it up.

I kept the emotional weight in the subtext. Notice how Marcus never directly says “I’m ashamed of my own reaction,” yet the repeated, hanging line “I laughed too” does that work for him. Devon’s tone shifts from ribbing to sincerity without ever announcing the change, and the closing beat resolves the scene through action rather than dialogue: he simply picks up the phone.

Dialogue is where craft meets performance. It demands that you become an actor, a psychologist, and an editor all at once, inhabiting each character while ruthlessly cutting anything that doesn’t serve the scene. Master it, and your stories will crackle with life.Next time, we’ll turn our attention to pacing and how it interacts with everything we’ve discussed so far. Until then, happy writing.

A Quick Note Before You Go

If this post made you smile, cringe in recognition, or think of a story of your own, I would love to hear about it.

Drop a comment below and tell me: Have you ever talked yourself out of something good because you were worried about what other people might think?

Marcus would understand.And if you know a writer wrestling with dialogue, a friend who has a soft spot for awkward-but-wonderful characters, or someone who has absolutely, definitely fed a pigeon half a muffin, do them a favor and share this post.

It might be exactly what they needed to read today.

So here is the ask, plain and simple. If you enjoyed this, please like the post, leave a comment with your thoughts, and share it with someone who would appreciate it. Every like helps, every comment starts a conversation, and every share brings one more story-loving reader into the fold.

Thanks for being here. Now go text somebody back.

Beta Readers, Do you need them?

Beta Readers, Do you need them?

Introduction

When you finish a draft, the hardest part often isn’t writing—it’s getting honest, useful feedback. Beta readers are the trusted eyes and ears who help you see your manuscript from a fresh perspective before it reaches agents, editors, or the public.

Why Beta Readers Are Important

  • Identify blind spots – As the author, you’re deeply immersed in the story. Beta readers can spot plot holes, pacing issues, or confusing world‑building that you’ve missed.
  • Validate emotional impact – They tell you whether a scene actually moves them, whether humor lands, or if romance feels authentic.
  • Gauge market readiness – Experienced beta readers who enjoy your genre can assess whether your book meets readers’ expectations and where it stands against current trends.
  • Boost confidence – Constructive feedback confirms what works well, giving you the confidence to polish and move forward.

How to Find the Right Beta Reader

  1. Define what you need
    • Are you looking for overall plot feedback, line‑editing, or genre‑specific insights?
    • Decide whether you need a single “super‑beta” or a small, diverse group.
  2. Tap into existing communities
    • Online forums: Reddit’s r/BetaReaders, Scribophile, Absolute Write, and Wattpad groups.
    • Social media: Use Twitter/X hashtags like #amreading, #betareaders, or join Facebook groups dedicated to writers in your genre.
    • Local writing groups: Libraries, writing centers, or meetup clubs often have members willing to swap beta work.
  3. Ask for a sample read
    • Send a short excerpt (1–2 chapters). Their responses will reveal how thoughtful and communicative they are.
  4. Set clear expectations
    • Provide a brief questionnaire (e.g., “What’s your favorite sub‑genre?,” “How many hours can you devote each week?”).
    • Agree on a deadline, preferred feedback format, and the level of detail you want.
  5. Consider a reciprocal arrangement
    • Offer to beta‑read their manuscript in return—a win‑win that builds trust and accountability.

Why Matching Genre Matters

  • Understanding of Tropes & Expectations
    Readers familiar with your genre know the conventions that fans love (or hate). They can tell you if your mystery’s twist feels earned or if your fantasy world follows a logical magic system.
  • Target Audience Insight
    A sci‑fi enthusiast will notice inaccuracies in technology or physics that a romance‑focused reader might miss, and vice‑versa. Their feedback helps you fine‑tune the story for the people most likely to buy it.
  • Language & Tone Alignment
    Genre often dictates pacing, dialogue style, and descriptive density. An urban‑fantasy fan will sense whether your prose feels too lyrical for a fast‑paced thriller.
  • Credibility with Publishers
    When you later present a manuscript, you can cite beta feedback from genre‑savvy readers as proof that your work resonates with the intended market—something agents and editors value highly.

Quick Checklist for Selecting a Beta Reader

  • ✅ Reads and enjoys your specific genre (or sub‑genre)
  • ✅ Provides detailed, constructive feedback (not just “I liked it”)
  • ✅ Has a reliable track record (meets deadlines, follows guidelines)
  • ✅ Communicates clearly and respectfully
  • ✅ Is willing to sign a simple NDA if you want confidentiality

Closing Thoughts

Beta readers are more than just early fans; they’re critical partners in shaping a manuscript that shines. By hunting for readers who love your genre, setting crystal‑clear expectations, and fostering a mutually supportive relationship, you’ll turn raw drafts into polished, market‑ready stories.Happy hunting, and may your beta crew help

A Quick Ask Before You Go

If this post helped you feel a little more confident about finding your beta crew, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a comment below and tell me: Are you searching for beta readers right now, or are you the kind of generous soul who loves reading other people’s drafts? Either way, I want to know your story.And if you found this useful, a like goes a long way in helping more writers discover these tips. Better yet, share it with that friend who just typed “The End” on their first draft and has no idea what comes next. They’ll thank you for it.Have a favorite beta-reading tip I didn’t mention, or a lesson you learned the hard way? Share it in the comments so we can all learn from each other. This community grows stronger every time we swap what works.Thanks for reading, and here’s to your next polished, market-ready manuscript. Now go find your people! 📚

“Why Small-Town Theatre Still Has My Heart”

“Why Small-Town Theatre Still Has My Heart”

As many of you know, I’m a writer at heart, and one of my not-so-secret passions is small-town theatre. There’s something about the intimacy of a local playhouse, the closeness of the performers, and the shared electricity of a live audience that a big-budget production just can’t replicate. For years, I invested my time being part of the Runway Theatre in Grapevine, Texas, and it became a huge part of my creative life.Then I moved. But as they say, old habits die hard.

A Friday Night at Greenville Theatre Works

This past Friday night, I decided to scratch that familiar itch and see the talent at the Greenville Theatre Works. If you’d like to check out what’s on their stage, you can find their shows here.So here’s the deal. The theatre was built in 1939, and stepping inside felt like walking into a piece of living history. It’s majestic; there’s really no simpler way to put it. That kind of vintage grandeur sets a mood before the first line is even spoken, and it reminded me exactly why these local venues matter so much. Community theatres like this one don’t just entertain; they bring people into town and breathe life into local restaurants, shops, and small businesses.

The Play: The Cottage

Now let me spend a few minutes talking about the play itself. The Cottage genuinely surprised me with its twists, turns, and sheer talent. Comedy is my go-to genre, and this production did not disappoint. There’s a special kind of magic in watching comedic timing land in a smaller space, as the laughter fills the room and everyone feels it together. It’s one of those experiences that reminds you why intimate venues can make a story feel so personal and immediate.If you’re anywhere in the area, I wholeheartedly recommend spending an evening at this play. You won’t regret it.

A Standout Performance

P.S. You’ll love the entire cast, honestly. But if I’m being real, I was completely taken with the character Deidre. Her performance amped up the laughs and made the whole night truly special. That’s the beauty of small theatre: one unforgettable character in a historic room can turn an ordinary Friday into a night you’ll be talking about for weeks.So do yourself a favor. Support your local performers, find a show near you, and let the magic of small-town theatre pull you in. I promise it’s worth it. I will be back.

Responding to push back from fellow pantsers…

Responding to push back from fellow pantsers…

Welcome, fellow storytellers!

Whether you meticulously map out every twist or prefer to wing it “by the seat of your pants,” you can still craft a knockout novel that follows a time‑tested beat‑by‑beat story framework.

In this post we’ll explore the age‑old debate of plotters vs. pantsters, show how pantsters can harness the power of structure without feeling shackled, and break down the essential elements of ACTS, Scenes, and Beats so you can blend spontaneity with proven storytelling formulas.


Plotters vs. Pantsters: The Friendly Rivalry

PlottersPantsters
Plan ahead – outline chapters, maps, character arcs before the first word.Write on the fly – let ideas emerge organically, adjusting as the story breathes.
Safety net – fewer dead‑ends, easier to spot plot holes early.Creative freedom – discover surprising twists you’d never have plotted.
Tools – spreadsheets, beat sheets, story‑bible documents.Tools – sticky notes, voice memos, a trusty notebook.
Potential downside – can feel rigid, “over‑engineered.”Potential downside – risk of wandering or hitting a narrative wall.
Bottom line: Both approaches are valid. The goal isn’t to force yourself into one camp but to borrow the strengths of each. Pantsters can adopt the scaffolding of a classic beat sheet without losing their improvisational spark.


The Classic 15‑Beat Blueprint – A Pantster‑Friendly Overview

The 15‑beat story framework (originally popularized by screenwriting guru Blake Snyder) is a simple, step‑by‑step roadmap that fits neatly into a three‑act structure. Here’s a quick cheat‑sheet you can keep on your desk (or phone) and refer to whenever inspiration strikes:

  1. Opening Image – Snapshot of the world before the adventure.
  2. Theme Stated – A character (often not the hero) whispers the story’s central question.
  3. Set‑Up – Introduce the protagonist’s everyday life, supporting cast, and stakes.
  4. Catalyst – The inciting incident that shakes the status quo.
  5. Debate – The hero wrestles with the call to action.
  6. Break into Act 2 – Jump into the new world.
  7. B Story – Sub‑plot(s) that reinforce the theme.
  8. Fun & Games – The “promise of the premise” – the meat of the story.
  9. Midpoint – A false victory or false defeat that raises the stakes.
  10. Bad Guys Close In – Obstacles tighten.
  11. All Is Lost – The darkest moment.
  12. Dark Night of the Soul – Hero reflects, regroups.
  13. Break into Act 3 – The final plan forms.
  14. Finale – Climax + resolution.
  15. Final Image – Mirror of the opening, showing change.

How Pantsters Use It:

  • Keep the beat list handy (a sticky note or digital note).
  • When you land on a new scene, ask yourself, “Which beat does this belong to?” If you’re unsure, draft freely, then retrofit the scene to the nearest beat later.
  • Treat beats as guidelines, not mandates – you can split, combine, or reorder them as long as the emotional arc stays intact.

ACTS, Scenes, and Beats: The Storytelling Engine

ACTS are the macro‑structures that give a story its beginning, middle, and end.
Scenes are the micro‑moments where characters act, react, and reveal information.
Beats are the tiny pulses of drama inside each scene (a revelation, a decision, a conflict).Think of it like a musical composition:

  • Acts = movements (large sections)
  • Scenes = phrases (shorter, recognizable motifs)
  • Beats = notes (the building blocks of tension and release)

Unifying Plotters and Pantsters: No Real Divide

If you’ve ever stared at a cork board covered in string‑tied post‑its and felt the jittery rush of typing out a scene on the fly, you’ve already experienced the hybrid zone where the two mindsets meet. The perceived “divide” is mostly a myth—both sides are simply different tools for the same creative problem: getting a compelling story from idea to finished manuscript.Why the divide is an illusion

MythReality
Plotters need a perfectly‑ordered outline before they can write.Many plotters start with a loose “roadmap,” then tweak it as characters surprise them.
Pantsters are chaotic and never revisit earlier ideas.Pantsters often re‑read their own spontaneous drafts, discovering hidden patterns they later formalize.
One method is “better” than the other.Both achieve the same goal—an engaging narrative. Success comes from matching the method to your personal workflow, not from the label.
A blended workflow you can try right now

  1. Idea Capture (Pantster Mode) – Keep a voice‑memo app or scrap notebook handy. Whenever a spark hits, record it instantly, no matter how fragmentary.
  2. Quick Beat Mapping (Plotter Mode) – After a few minutes of brainstorming, glance at your 15‑beat list and ask which beat the new idea might belong to. Jot down a one‑line note like “Midpoint: protagonist discovers hidden ally.”
  3. Scene Dive – Write the scene in full, following your instinctual voice.
  4. Beat Check – When the scene is complete, slot it into the beat list. If it feels out of place, move the beat marker or adjust the scene—flexibility is key.
  5. Cork‑Board Review – Periodically transfer the beats and scene titles onto a visual board. This lets you see the macro picture (the plotter’s love of structure) while preserving the raw energy of the original draft (the pantster’s freedom).

By cycling between capture, mapping, writing, and reviewing, you get the best of both worlds without ever feeling boxed in.


Practical Tips for Pantsters to Harness Structure

  1. Start with the Core Premise
    Write a one‑sentence logline. Example: “A shy accountant discovers a portal to a magical realm the moment she sneezes.”
    This logline anchors your Theme Stated beat.
  2. Sketch a Rough Beat Outline
    • Grab a blank sheet.
    • Jot down the 15 beats in order, but leave room for “???” where you can improvise.
  3. Write Scenes First, Beats Later
    • As ideas flow, write a scene in full (dialogue, description, emotion).
    • After a few scenes, map them to beats. If a scene feels out of place, either move it or adjust the surrounding beats.
  4. Use “Pantster Prompts”
    Keep a list of questions that force you to hit the beats:
    • What does my hero fear right now? (Debate)
    • What unexpected complication pops up? (Bad Guys Close In)
    • How does my hero finally act? (Break into Act 3)
  5. Embrace “Beat Swaps”
    If you discover a better midpoint while writing Act 2, swap the original midpoint with your new, stronger scene. The story stays flexible, and you retain that pantster spontaneity.
  6. Post‑Write “Beat‑Check”
    Once you finish a draft, run a quick audit:
    • Do all 15 beats appear?
    • Do they flow logically?
    • Is the emotional arc satisfying?

If a beat feels weak, replace or reinforce it, no need to rewrite the whole novel.


Example: Turning a Pantster‑Style Scene into a Classic Beat

Maya trips over a loose cable in the office, spilling coffee on her boss’s reports. In panic, she grabs a mysterious, glowing USB from the floor, which suddenly projects a holographic map of a hidden city.

Mapping it:

BeatWhy It Fits
CatalystThe coffee spill forces Maya into action; the glowing USB launches the adventure.
Fun & GamesThe holographic map introduces the story’s visual wonder and sets up the “magical world.”
B StoryMaya’s awkward office dynamics hint at themes of confidence and self‑discovery.

Now you have a spontaneous scene that seamlessly plugs into the structured beat sheet.


Final Thoughts

  • Pantsters, rejoice! You don’t have to abandon your instinctual spark.
  • Plotters, take note! Adding a pinch of improvisation can keep your story fresh.
  • The 15‑beat framework provides a universal story GPS: you can take scenic detours, but you’ll still arrive at your destination—an engaging, emotionally resonant story.

Remember, there is no true divide between the post‑it‑covered cork‑board planner and the writer who spins tales “by the seat of their pants.” Both are simply different expressions of the same creative impulse.So grab your notebook, a cup of coffee (or a spilled one), and start mixing the wild energy of pantsting with the proven power of ACTS, Scenes, and Beats. Your next bestseller awaits! 🚀

Let’s Grow Together!

If this post sparked even a flicker of inspiration, do something about it!

  1. 👍 Like & Share – A quick click helps fellow writers discover a framework that blends the freedom of “pant‑writing” with the safety of a solid beat map.
  2. 📢 Post Your Own Tips – Got a favorite post‑it‑board trick? A voice‑memo habit that saves you a plot hole? Share it in the comments or on social media with the hashtag #PantsterPlotters so the community can learn from each other.
  3. 🤝 Help a Fellow Author – Spot a comment from a newer writer? Drop a friendly piece of advice, a resource link, or a quick “You’ve got this!” – encouragement spreads like wildfire.
  4. 💬 Join the Conversation – What parts of the writing process do you need assistance with?
    • Plotting the overall arc?
    • Crafting compelling scenes?
    • Nailing those crucial beats?
    • Staying motivated day‑to‑day?

Tell us below – the more specific you are, the better the community (and I) can tailor future posts, resources, and mini‑workshops just for you.


How to Keep the Momentum Going

ActionWhy it matters
CommentYour questions become the seed for new content that serves many writers.
Share the postEvery share expands the circle of writers who can benefit from a hybrid approach.
Like the postLikes signal to platforms that this guide is valuable, helping it reach more creators.
Tag a fellow authorDirectly invite a friend who might be stuck on a plot hole or craving structure.

Together we can break down the myth of the “plotter vs. pantster” and prove that great stories are built on both spontaneity and solid scaffolding.


Ready to dive in? Drop your thoughts, questions, or a quick “I’m in!” below. Let’s make the writing community stronger, one beat at a time!

In another post we will discuss how the movie industry, the gaming industry and yes, some authors captivate their sudience through magic and by magic I mean biology. Follow for more…

On another note…

How Legends of Cotton and Courage Came to Life

After a spirited field trip to the Audie Murphy / American Cotton Museum in Greenville, Texas, members of the Carrollton League of Writers, including retired veterans, a sci‑fi aficionado who’s penning a dark psychological thriller, and a literature‑loving grandfather, returned with notebook‑filled heads buzzing with inspiration. Their mission was simple: find a single artifact or moment in the museum that could spark a story. The threads they pulled—cotton‑field perseverance, wartime bravery, ghostly whispers, and daring escapes—were woven together by you, a seasoned author and lover of history, into the anthology Legends of Cotton and Courage. The result is a vibrant collection that celebrates Hunt County’s heritage while showcasing the diverse, creative voices of a community that meets both in‑person and via Zoom, proving that great stories can grow from a shared walk

📖 Dive into Legends of Cotton and Courage

Step into a world where history, imagination, and resilience intertwine. Legends of Cotton and Courage: The Spirit of Hunt County, TX is an anthology that brings together the vivid short stories crafted by members of the Carrollton League of Writers after exploring the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum in Greenville, Texas 

If you’re interested in World War II history and the cotton heritage of East Texas, the Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum is a must‑see. The museum is located at 600 I‑30 East in Greenville and offers guided tours, a Hall of Heroes, and the restored Ende‑Gillard House. You can explore its exhibits and plan your visit on the official site: cottonmuseum.com

The link for the Carrollton League of Writers is https://www.carrolltonleagueofwriters.com/.

✨ What Awaits You Inside

  • A Tapestry of Hunt County’s Heritage – From the bustling cotton fields that shaped the region to the heroic deeds of World War II legend Audie Murphy, each tale weaves factual roots into soaring fiction .
  • Stories for Every Mood – Fall in love with a wartime romance, shiver at ghostly encounters, cheer a runaway on a daring quest for freedom, and marvel at the rise of a larger‑than‑life medicine man.
  • A Tribute to Everyday Heroes – Follow a brave schoolgirl guiding her classmates through a deadly storm, and feel the pulse of courage that still echoes through Hunt County’s streets.

🌍 Join Our Writing Community

Our meetings are held in person and via Zoom, so no matter where you are; be it another state or a different continent—you can share ideas, translate time zones, and become part of our storytelling circle. An e-mail will get it started.

🎉 Support Writers & Preserve History

Purchasing the paperback not only gives you a beautiful collection of stories but also helps support the museum and the talented writers who turned its treasures into fiction.➡️ Grab your copy now:Legends of Cotton and Courage on Amazon


Ready to travel through time, feel the heartbeat of Hunt County, and meet unforgettable characters? Open the cover, and let the journey begin. 🌾📚

cover for anthology
Version 1.0.0
As Promised, more about Writing, and less about Things you can’t control.

As Promised, more about Writing, and less about Things you can’t control.

I have heard the terms actscene, and beat used as if one is better than the other. I tend to follow the Save the Cat philosophy, but, to be clear, let’s take a closer look at what we are talking about.

Acts, Scenes, and Beats: A Writer’s Guide to Story Structure

If you’ve spent any time in writing circles, you’ve heard these three words tossed around, sometimes interchangeably, sometimes as if they’re rival philosophies. Acts, scenes, and beats are the nested building blocks of storytelling, and understanding how they relate (and where they differ) can transform the way you outline, draft, and revise.Let’s break them down, then tackle the real question: which one actually works better, and does the answer change depending on your genre?

The Big Picture: Nested Units of Story

The simplest way to understand these three terms is to think of them as levels of zoom:

  • Acts are the widest lens, the major movements of your entire story.
  • Scenes are the mid-range, individual dramatic units where something happens in a specific time and place.
  • Beats are the closest zoom, the smallest meaningful shifts within a scene.

Think of it like geography: acts are continents, scenes are countries, and beats are cities. You need all three to have a complete map.

What Is an Act?

An act is a large structural division of your story, marked by a major shift in the protagonist’s circumstances, goals, or understanding. Acts give your narrative its overall shape and momentum.The most common framework is the three-act structure:

  • Act I (Setup): Establishes character, world, and the inciting incident. Roughly the first 25 percent.
  • Act II (Confrontation): Rising complications, escalating stakes, and the midpoint reversal. The middle 50 percent.
  • Act III (Resolution): Climax and fallout. The final 25 percent.

Some writers prefer a four-act or five-act model (Shakespeare famously used five), while screenwriters often subdivide Act II into halves to combat the dreaded “saggy middle.” Regardless of the number, acts answer the question: What is the overall trajectory of change?

What Is a Scene?

A scene is a self-contained dramatic unit that takes place in a continuous span of time and (usually) a single location. Every strong scene has its own miniature arc: a character enters with an objective, encounters conflict, and exits with the situation altered, for better or worse.Here is a useful test: if you can summarize what changed between the start and end of a scene, it’s earning its place. A common structure many writers borrow is the scene-and-sequel model:

  • Scene: Goal, then Conflict, then Disaster
  • Sequel: Reaction, then Dilemma, then Decision

Scenes are where readers actually live. They’re the concrete, moment-to-moment experience of your story.

What Is a Beat?

A beat is the smallest unit of dramatic change: a single shift in emotion, intention, or information within a scene. If a scene is a conversation, a beat is the moment the tone changes, whether a confession, a lie exposed, a decision made, or a door slammed.The word “beat” gets used two different ways, which causes a lot of confusion:

  • Micro-beats: The moment-to-moment shifts inside a scene (originating from acting and theater).
  • Story beats: Major plot milestones across the whole narrative, such as “inciting incident,” “midpoint,” and “all is lost.” Frameworks like Save the Cat! and the Hero’s Journey use “beat” this way.

Both meanings are valid; just be clear about which you mean when you’re talking shop with other writers.

So Which One Works Better?

Here’s the honest answer: this is the wrong question.Acts, scenes, and beats aren’t competitors; they’re the same story viewed at different resolutions. Asking whether acts are “better” than scenes is like asking whether the skeleton is better than the muscles. You need the skeleton (acts) for structural integrity, the muscles (scenes) for movement and life, and the nervous system (beats) for the subtle signals that make it all feel real.That said, they serve you best at different stages of the writing process:

  • Use acts when outlining. They keep the big picture coherent and stop you from getting lost.
  • Use scenes when drafting. They give you a manageable, self-contained chunk to write today.
  • Use beats when revising. This is where you diagnose why a scene feels flat, usually because it lacks a clear turn or has too many competing beats.

If a writer forced me to name the most practically useful unit, I’d point to the scene. It’s the level at which readers actually experience your story, and it’s small enough to fix yet large enough to matter. But a great scene inside a broken act structure still leaves a reader unsatisfied, so you can’t neglect any level.

Is This Genre-Specific or Universal?

The concepts are universal. Every narrative form, whether literary fiction, thriller, romance, screenplay, video game, or memoir, uses acts, scenes, and beats at some level, even if the writer never names them. Human beings are wired to understand stories as sequences of change, and these three units simply describe change at different scales.But the application varies significantly by genre and medium:

  • Screenwriting is the most beat- and act-obsessed discipline. Page counts map almost mathematically to structure, and gurus have turned beats into precise blueprints (the “Save the Cat!” beat sheet lists fifteen specific beats with page numbers).
  • Genre fiction (thriller, romance, mystery) tends to lean hard on recognizable act structures and story beats because readers have strong expectations. A romance without a “dark moment” beat feels broken.
  • Literary fiction often loosens or subverts act structure, favoring scene-level craft, interiority, and mood over tidy plot milestones. Beats still exist, but they may be emotional or thematic rather than plot-driven.
  • Short fiction may collapse everything into a single scene with a handful of crucial beats and no formal act breaks at all.
  • Episodic and long-form TV nests structures within structures. Each episode has its own three acts, and each season has a larger arc.

So while the vocabulary travels everywhere, the rigidity of the structure scales with how expectation-driven your genre is. Commercial and visual media reward precise structural discipline, whereas literary and experimental work rewards knowing the rules well enough to break them meaningfully.

The Takeaway

Don’t think of acts, scenes, and beats as options on a menu. Think of them as three lenses on the same story. Master the wide lens to keep your narrative on course, the middle lens to keep readers engaged moment to moment, and the close lens to make every exchange crackle with change.The best writers move fluidly between all three, zooming out to check the shape and zooming in to sharpen the craft. Learn to switch focus deliberately, and you’ll never again stare at a manuscript wondering what’s wrong. You’ll know exactly which lens to look through.

Before You Go

If this breakdown helped you see your story in a new light, do me a favor and put it to work. Open your current draft, pick one scene, and find its beats. You might be surprised by what you discover.And if you found this useful, here’s how you can help this blog reach more writers like you:

  • Like this post so I know the deep-dive craft content is landing.
  • Share it with a writing friend, critique partner, or that one person in your group chat who keeps asking how to fix their saggy middle.
  • Follow the blog so you never miss the next installment. We’ll be tackling scene-level tension, story beats, and outlining methods in the weeks ahead.

Your support keeps these guides coming, and it means the world. Now go write something worth turning the page for.

Happy writing!

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