"M": Chapter 12 Challenge

In chapter 12 of my new science fiction/fantasy book "M", I've had a challenge that I've never confronted before. Two very important characters and the events surrounding them will be introduced at the beginning of the chapter, and what happens to them comes at a very crucial moment within the plot. The characters will need to be found credible by the reader, and they and their predicament must be something that the reader can relate to and empathize with in a significant way. The real challenge is that they will never come up in the book again, and I need to do all this inside two short pieces at the beginning of the chapter. I need to say enough without saying too much or too little, and do it in such a way that the reader "gets" why I've done it and is drawn in by it.

I've finished the writing for the first character and have started the second. I'm having fun with this and really enjoying figuring out how to do it.

I think I'm still about a year away from completing the book but am, even now, looking forward to the reader's responses to what I've done. I love this book!

New Quote from Chapter 11 of "M"

Below, I have included a recent quote from chapter 11 of my latest fantasy/science fiction novel, "M".

Enjoy!

   Well before sunrise, people had already begun to gather round the lake at the base of Tor Glastonbury. It was one of those mornings when the air was still and cold, the sky clear, and all but the very top of the tor was enshrouded in thick, heavy fog. A half-moon rested at its apex just above Michael’s Tower, lending a silky glow and a feeling of enchantment to the already otherworldly setting.

   For as far back as anyone could remember, the faithful and the curious had gathered at the tor in the dark to watch the sun come up on the day of the winter solstice, but this year the size of the crowd was much larger. The obvious reason was the dramatic return of the lake. After over a thousand years, the tor was once again circumscribed by water, and many saw it as the return of Avalon - the return of The Isle of Glass.  And as they stood together cloaked in the inky blackness of early morning, the hushed sound of lapping at the shore seemed to carry the thought that was on everyone’s mind, ‘This can’t be a coincidence?’

   Then the crowd's attention was drawn towards the center of the lake. It seemed that there were lights flickering and dancing within the dense fog that hung above the water. The lights became even more agitated in their movements and started to rise. They ascended rapidly and then burst into the open air around Michael’s Tower. This happened just as the sun’s light was touching the horizon, and the birth of a new winter was about to dawn. Once the lights had escaped the fog, the crowd could clearly see eight green and lavender spheres of glittering light, swirling around the base of the tower. A collective gasp could be heard from the gathering, and then someone yelled, “Fata Morgana – the lights of Avalon!” But the vision only lasted a few more moments and was rapidly overtaken by a sunrise unbelievably dramatic and vibrant. Silence reasserted itself, leaving the onlookers staring in awe, wondering, and confused.   

New Quote from M: Dream Sequence

Below, I have included a quote from my latest fantasy/science fiction novel, "M".

This quote is a dream sequence for one of the characters near the end of chapter 10.

Enjoy!

     The opaque, black clouds covered the sun, and lightning bolts were erupting from the rise overlooking the battlefield. The dead on both sides lay strewn about like decaying leaves on dark, bloodstained soil after a great and violent storm. I saw myself lying there amongst my comrades - a sword wound leaking blood from my side, and a young warrior crumpled over a spear nearby. One end of the spear was penetrating his chest, and the other, I was holding in my right hand. I knew I had killed him, and he…he had dealt with me with his sword. I, too, would soon die. Then a voice called to me. I glanced up and saw a saint kneeling over me. His hand was on my shoulder. His white hair and beard created a halo around his face. I could feel his power and thought for a moment that I knew him. He then said my name again and again and shook me as if to call me back from the dead…

"M": A New Quote From The Beginning Of Chapter 10

Below, I have included a quote from Chapter 10 in my latest fantasy/science fiction novel, "M".

This quote is from the first two paragraphs in the chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 10

Convergence

November 15, 2022

Shuffling down an alley, the homeless man had stopped looking at people’s faces several days ago. A few during his ramblings on the streets of Glastonbury had offered him coins or small bits of food, and on rare occasions a bottle of water, but most avoided his gaze and simply walked by. He knew he looked haggard – maybe even a bit frightening to some. He stopped for a moment and stared at himself in a shop window. His eyes were bloodshot; his hair and beard were long and unkempt and filled with bits of food and grass. He wiped those away, but it didn’t help much. The clothes he’d been given at the shelter were now soiled and beginning to stiffen and fray. His shoes and the bottom of his pants were caked in mud.

    He still had no idea who he was or how he’d gotten himself into such a mess, but his predicament was quickly becoming his reality. He’d sleep by day, usually in a Abbey Park where he wouldn’t be bothered by anyone, and walk most nights to stay warm. He could get one or two hot meals every few days at one of the shelters in the city or through someone’s generosity, but it really never seemed to dampen his constant hunger. He’d lost weight and muscle mass from an already weakened frame, and he’d often wondered, ‘Maybe I should have listened to Gwawr and stayed at the shelter?’ But for him, it just didn’t work. He had to get out of there. It felt like a prison, and at the time, he was convinced that if he just went out on his own, it wouldn’t be long before he’d meet someone who recognized him. He’d convinced himself with the thought that, ‘Someone has to know me!’

"M": A New Quote From The Beginning Of Chapter 9

Below, I have included a quote from Chapter 9 in my latest fantasy/science fiction novel, "M".

This quote is from the first five paragraphs in the chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 9 Quote

Every member of the Russian agencies that had met in Tomsk was blurry-eyed and downing coffee like water. They’d eaten little since yesterday and had been up all night with their teams trying to find a way forward. The return call from President Zima was only about an hour away when Andrej Orlov called them back together.

They all shuffled in. Some remained standing. Others sat in the dark oak chairs around the massive table in the meeting room of the old house. It seemed no one wanted to begin the conversation, as an uncomfortable, heavy silence sprawled out across the room.

Andrej had been the one to initiate their long night of discussions, so he took it upon himself to begin the meeting. He pushed against the arms of his chair, came to his feet, and hesitated one last moment as he finished off his cup of strong, bitter coffee. His colleagues glanced in his direction, waiting.

“We don’t have much time. The president will be contacting us soon. We all know that we have a decision to make. So, let’s go around the room, one team at a time.”
    He waited for someone to volunteer. No one did, but just as he was about to call on someone, Vadik, the head of the GRU military specialists, came to his feet.

Back And Writing Again!

I've been visiting family, traveling, and taking some time off from writing. This was actually my first real break since May of 2013, and I feel rejuvenated and excited to write again.

Yesterday, I decided to begin re-reading my new science fiction/fantasy book, M, correcting any mistakes I might find and simply reacquainting myself with the story. After I finish the re-read, I'll move on to completing chapter 8 and moving on from there. Soon I'll have some new quotes and info from the book to put into the blog to share with you.

While I've been gone, the number of people reading my blog and following it from different countries around the world has continued to grow. Thank you for your interest in my work and for following my accounts here on my blog. It brings a smile to my face, knowing you're with me!

As of today, my blog is being read in 68 countries!

I want to say hello to everyone around the world who is reading my blog! Ecuador just joined us and is the 68th country on the list! Welcome! 

Here's a complete list of the countries.

• United States
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• Ecuador