The Gist of the Story

So I was looking over some of my old short stories and came across one I had nearly forgotten. A complete story, for if I had not completed it it would still be bouncing around in my head from time to time.

Shall I declare myself psychic, or rather a soothsayer, to be more precise?

Spoiler alert: one of my best short stories is about to be explained, played out in rough outline, the gist of the story revealed. You can skip the highlighted area if you don't want the story to be... spoiled.

The gist of the story is a law enforcement officer comes across a domestic disturbance and the initial responding officers are standing down... but it just doesn't feel right to him.

So something happens in the house. He hears screams, and the younger officers reluctantly follow him up to the door. He busts in the door and enters... alone.

The long and the short of it, he takes on severally heavily armed gang members, later to be discovered to be with terrorist intent, not to mention that the building was a known drug house.

He saves the damsel in distress and finds himself on death row for his actions.

Written six years ago you would have thought the story ridiculous.

How about now?

The title: "Beyond the Pale". As the officers actions are described by a judge; along with other phases of expressed horror and condemnation.

You can actually find the opening to that story in my June 15th, 2016 Blog post; of the same title linked above.

I hope I haven't ruined it for you.

I humbly must admit, most of my stories have a potential prophetic element to them. But do not call me George; as in George Orwell. I am fairly certain I have never been called George.

At one time, long ago I was searching various author oriented websites of a social media or self publishing, self help nature. One such site had a collection of short stories that people had written and posted. I found that many of them read more like detailed outlines than actually stories, let alone literature. More of a gist than a well spun yarn.

The sites I settled on, and I really need to start getting back to them, were Goodreads and Reedsy.

The question to be answered is: Are people as inspired by my writing as I am?

That may be the key to success. I have tried writing in several different voices, though I do not understand the concept completely. I think I may integrate more than one voice in some of my novels and I am not talking about the one in my head.

Reading these blog posts, it sounds to me that the definition of 'voice' has changed since I was in school. Young people....

But I think I did an impressive job with "Beyond the Pale" and though I still believe in "The Dauntless Recruits" and getting that out, I may put out a new book of short stories, integrating my first book of short stories and keeping the title "Struggles".

I have one work that is more of a novella; neither a short story, nor a novel. Shall I include that in the collection? Perhaps throw a poem in for good measure.

The least bit of feedback would be greatly appreciated, and just may drive me into a writing frenzy. Without such catalyst of creative crunch time I may not have anything out in the near future.

I have no potential dates of publication for any writings at the moment.

That said, thank you very much for reading.

Seriously, you are appreciated.

Understand?

'I don't understand why you don't understand', something I have been saying to my wife quite a bit these days.

I am sure if Abraham Lincoln didn't say the same to some of his early generals in the Civil War, he certainly thought it.

Over the last two years many on both sides of an issue must be saying the same thing about each other.

But I am not referring to people from different perspectives, looking at different information based on their biases. I am referring to an intensity, around people of apparently same mind, taking in the same information, seemingly agreeing with the information, but then one acts contrary to what would appear a logical conclusion; to be in one's best interest.

Enough said. Certainly you can get a sense of the tension one can create. Certainly you can draw from your life experiences.

The general who knows better under a military despot who should know better. Funny how evil always loses and we look back and say, if they had done.... And we don't understand why they didn't understand but for greater powers at work.

Diet, the food industry, pharmaceutical industry and institutions of various standing have all muddied the waters making understanding an impossibility. Yet if a pair should ferret out a common understanding from the quagmire, each may see a completely different path to take. One may comply while the other choses to oppose.

And there may be the crux of it all: comply or oppose. lay down or stand up.

Then there are those who look like they are in opposition but subsist on the status quo. No wonder civilizations fall; even before radio.

Where are "The Dauntless Recruits"?

It will take some greater powers help to get my next book, any book, published in a timely manner, as we scramble day in and day out not even able to keep pace.

But thank you for reading. Just a short blurb to let you know I am still here and making attempts.

Thank you for your prayers, you know who you are and so does God.

Good writing to those interested in writing.

Alternatives

Hardware and software problems have my writing on the ropes. Not much advancement this last month.

A quick last minute post for the month.

Once into the flow of farmer’s market season, I hope a set schedule will provide openings, particularly with some optimizing.

We have our own hardware and software issues regarding our health.

Prayer and devotions have been offered by many and we are grateful. Spiritual healing has been sought with success to some degree. After Easter weekend healing sessions my wife started eating fairly freely; three times a day.

Time has been invested into alternative medicines, due to the generous sharing of others. Very fascinating what has been scrubbed from the Internet searches yet still accessible via those aware of the direct links.

Is the Internet still free?

I would share but fear this post may be removed if I did.

Here is a bit. Plenty of intrigue over healthcare as we have all come to realize. Portrayals in fiction may be more action provoking than works of fact.

The generosity of so many is highly appreciated. Various supplements can easily run $1,000 a month. My wife is greatly loved by those who know her.

Friends and family from around the world have given us prayers, aid and advice.

We are very grateful.

Thank you for reading though it is not of my usual attempts at wit and word craft in attempts to educate.

The Dauntless Recruits

The book I have chosen to be published next is “The Dauntless Recruits”, as it is to make good on all our potential income streams has become of paramount importance.

The next in the Chuck Hammer saga is nowhere near a complete draft, though it is of the stories most dear to me.

Some short stories I will also be working to refine and publish.

Any level of success will push me to continue on “The Dauntless Recruits” storyline.

I have another dystopian novel in draft form but do not know if I will publish such a tragic and dismal view of a very real potential future.

I was watching an historic drama out of Russia. It was the typical kind of adventure one found in novels, generally for male youths, before the age of television and even radio. In pursuit of a specific goal, a noble quest, many an auxiliary adventure occur.

There is and A&E series of movies “Horatio Hornblower” that is of similar genre.

“The Dauntless Recruits” will also include a similar element, more so for a certain aspect of the tale than the down to earth storyline. It is a contemporary drama, sort of, as it deals with a potential near future.

I also intend to keep several of my blogs relevant with new content and updating of the pages; the links. I had intended a couple posts elsewhere this March but taking care of my wife has kept me busy and my mind distracted. We are adapting and getting back to a more productive system on all fronts.

Writing conferences are completely off the table. If God would bless us with any literary success, writing and farming will become our mainstay; and the farm will be a design practice for me. The writing, outside of novels will be on design and planning based on my own God given genius applied to God’s Principles.

For the glory of God; our Heavenly Parent.

Thank you for reading. Any prayers are greatly appreciated.

Speaking of dystopian….

Family Emergencies

My extended family has had their share of unexpected events and stresses over the years and this month We had to go to the emergency room ourselves.

There have been unplanned demands on my time. Adaptation will be the theme for this year as the scope of our challenges play out.

Looking at my completed work I find that the beginning of the Chuck Hammer saga, the first book being more of an introduction, is the least developed and will require immense focus to complete.

Despite the added demands on my time I am getting more blog posts out. I will have a short commentary on Ukraine on “No Sanction” in the near future.

If I had gotten my works out a few years ago they would be considered prophetic right now.

Self publishing, finding editors, I will have to look into some of the writing site accounts I had created to see what they have to offer; how they have improved. Do I go through a more traditional publisher?

I will also be putting a lot of effort into my “Global Imprint” blog. It consumes most of my mental energy (my chosen discipline), the proper relationships between man and his built environment embedded in the natural world in a symbiotic relationship. Our present world with its flawed intents and planning is on a fast path to destruction, and it is not simply about climate.

I guess we all need to adapt to the world to come, some professions much more than others, if we take a step back and make an objective observation of what has been playing out before us these last few years.

Truth is stranger than fiction as they say.

Sorry I do not have more to share right now.

Thanks for reading.

Always thank you.