The latest project looms

After a few weeks spent working on non-fiction articles, finishing editing a short story, submitting the short story and doing research on my next fiction project ... I've begun the fiction project.

The title, so far, is "Bayne's Climb." Right now I'm expecting it to be novella length, about 45,000 words. You can check out my progress at the very bottom of this blog. There's a little bar there noting my progress. Not much, yet, but the progress will come.

I had about a dozen different ideas for my next project, but eventually I worked my way around to one.

What is "Bayne's Climb" about? I won't say too much for now, but it's fantasy. On an online forum a while back I saw some postings about Sword and Sorcery stories, and if there was such a thing as a literary Sword and Sorcery tale. The general response seemed to be "no," Sword and Sorcery being just action fiction with no higher asperations. I disagree with that. I've always felt Sword and Sorcery has a lot to say about the human condition, often about such topics as the male ego, patriotism, honor, death. And, of course, there's the expected action and adventure, which can be fun. But heck, I find high meaning in "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly."

So, can Sword and Sorcery be a literary tale? I aim to try. After a lot of thought on a plot, and a good bit of just sitting down with a notebook to do some plotting, and some research, I'm trying to write a literary Sword and Sorcery tale. It will be "Bayne's Climb."

Maybe I'll succeed. Maybe not. But at the least, it should be fun.

No. 8 - The Narcissism Epidemic

by Jean M. Twenge, Ph.D., and W. Keith Campbell, Ph.D.

Started: February 6
Finished:

Notes: I first saw this non-fiction book mentioned in an online forum, at the idea of it instantly drew my attention. It's a book about the cultural spread of narcissm throughout American society, so I knew I couldn't pass this one up. It's a subject I find relevant every day.

Mini review:

SLICE: Seven Tales of Horror

My latest collection of horror short stories, "SLICE: Seven Tales of Horror," is now available for the Amazon Kindle and online at Smashwords.

Enjoy!

No. 7 - The Book of Five Rings

by Miyamoto Musashi

Translated by Thomas Cleary

Started: February 1
Finished: February 5

Notes: I am reading this particular translation of this book while at the same time reading another version. I was drawn to this translation in part because the book also includes "The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War" by Yagyu Munenori.

Mini review: This translation was generally easier to understand than the other I read, but it was interesting to compare the two and to take note of different wording used in some places. Generally, this particular translation was more explanatory of certain words or phrases that could seem confusing when translated into English from Japanese. However, it wasn't because of the translation (I think), but I didn't care much for the additional text, "The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War." It seemed, in some places, to counter some of what was written in "The Book of Five Rings," and seemed overly ethereal in some places. "The Book of Five Rings" is actually pretty down-to-earth and straight forward, while also retaining flexibility. One thing I did like from " The Book of Family Traditions on the Art of War" was talk of having "no mind" while performing certain tasks, sort of like having a clear mind while driving a car or shooting a gun or attacking with a sword; basically, for example if you are driving a car, your mind doesn't directly focus so much on driving the car because it will cause you difficulties in driving the car. Make sense? Kind of odd, I know, but it made sense to me. Another example would be shooting a bow. If you focus too much on shooting the bow, you will not be as accurate as you would if your mind was more free, not thinking directly so much about shooting the bow. What this means is, through physical practice and mental training, you become so familiar with doing a certain thing that you are good at it by not thinking about it.

No. 6 - The Book of Five Rings

by Miyamoto Musashi

Translated by Ashikaga Yoshiharu and Rosemary Brant

Started: February 1
Finished: February 4

Notes: This great treatise on Japanese swordsmanship, and somewhat on philosophy in general was written by its famed samurai author nearly four hundred years ago. I've been meaning to read it for some time. I came across two different translations, each which seemed quite a bit different from the other, so I decided to read both at the same time. One of the draws to this particular version of the book is that it actually has a Japanese translator. This book has been quite popular among the American business world over the last few decades.

Mini review: This particular translation is a solid example of why I decided to read two versions of this Japanese classic. This version is almost too literal in its translation, making for awkward reading in English. Still, the basics are there, and it's interesting stuff. I'm glad I read it, because it goes well with the other, more developed, translation I'm reading., allowing me to see two slightly different angles on this book that's mainly about the mindset of sword fighting. And not ritualized sword fighting as a sport, but sword fighting for survival, in war and duels.

No. 5 - Anthem

by Ayn Rand

Started: February 1
Finished: February 1

Notes: This short novel comes from one of my favorite authors, but one of my least favorite philosophers. If that's even possible. The plot concerns a slightly futuristic world where the very idea of the individual has been destroyed, except for one man.

Mini review: Quite the interesting novel, a future where the word "I" doesn't exist and humans only think of themselves as a collective "we." Ironically, I read most of this novel while on a city bus (which is provided by the "we") and in a public library (also provided by the "we"). Definitely gives one food for thought. My problems with Rand's objectivist philosophy is that I think it's too extreme, though I believe it has kernels of truth to it about individualism. The "we" shouldn't overpower the "I," but there wouldn't be an "I" if not for the "we." Make sense? Does to me. And most hardcore objectivists would shoot it down. I'd say grow up, stop living in a fantasy world and use that "reason" Rand talks so much about. Logic doesn't dictate the individual giving up all for society, but the reverse is also true. Ah, well. Another great read from Rand, and a different style than her other books.

The Impulse to Punish

My science fiction short story "The Impulse to Punish" is now available for free online at Abandoned Towers.

If you like slightly futuristic stories that are sort of reminiscent of 1950s and '60s soft sci-fi and not too hard on the technology aspects, this should be just right for you.

Enjoy!