Tesserene Dreams

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T14:50:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! May all your hopes and dreams come true, and your endeavors prove fruitful.

By the way, my science fiction novel, Sunrise Destiny is up for Book of the Month at Dark Divas Reviews. Click here to vote for it. (Voting ends at midnight on January 6.) To read the Dark Divas review of Sunrise Destiny, go here.

Thanks, and have a wonderful new year!

Mark.

Have an unconventional Christmas/Kwanzaa/Hanukkah!

2009-12-23T11:40:00.003-05:00

I'll be offline for a few days, due to the holidays. But before I go, I'd like to wish everyone a delightful and unconventional holiday season, whether it be Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa.

For those driving, be safe. Watch out for those crazy road-crossing deer. If you're flying, keep an eye out for those equally crazy flying reindeer.

Here's wishing a wonderful New Year to all. May our hopes, dreams, and prayers come true in 2010!

Mark.

Another wonderful review for Sunrise Destiny

2009-12-22T21:07:00.011-05:00

My 2010 EPIC Award-nominated science fiction novel, Sunrise Destiny, just received this terrific review from Kathy at Dark Divas Reviews (the bold emphasis is mine):

Rating: 5 Delightful Divas (their highest rating)
I added Mark Terence Chapman to my auto-buy list; and that was just 80-some pages into the book. This is a very long ~ at 450 pages ~ story, but I never got bored, never lost focus and certainly never wanted to rush it to its conclusion. Sunrise Destiny started off in the vein of one of those old-time PI stories, but there were a few things that didn't quite fit… until I remembered that this is also a sci-fi story. I was much taken with the slight dichotomy and, as the story progressed, found myself more and more intrigued.

Sunrise Destiny can almost be split into at least two parts; at first I wasn't sure it would work, but Mr. Chapman is able to move seamlessly between the two worlds and make everything come together very well. Generally, I find most science fiction stories a little harder to adjust to; especially with regard to the speculative nature and otherworld aspects. With Sunrise Destiny, Mark Chapman's narrative was strong and wonderfully detailed, without overdoing it, and I found myself so involved in Donatello's adventures that I was easily able to enjoy the futuristic elements.

There's evil galore, a plot for world domination, aliens and a good old-fashioned adventure. This is also a romance; the hero, a PI, whose reputation flirts with notoriety and a heroine who is a prostitute and Sunrise's sometime lover. Two people, who on the surface, just don't seem to have what it takes. But they do, and in spades. I loved watching the progression of their long-time relationship from now-and-again to full-bodied romance. Very nicely done Mr. Chapman, very nice indeed.

I do feel that a warning should be given: There is some violence and a disturbing scene; while it's there it is by no means graphic. And it goes a very long way to adding impetus for actions taken later in the book. All in all Mark Terence Chapman's Sunrise Destiny was a wonderful surprise and a story that will definitely be a re-read.

To find out more about Sunrise Destiny, including a blurb, a 4,000-word excerpt, and ordering links, please visit my web page.

Mark.

Sunrise Destiny now available from Fictionwise

2009-11-23T11:53:00.003-05:00

Well, it seemed to take forever, but my award-nominated science fiction novel, Sunrise Destiny, is finally available for sale on Fictionwise. In fact, it's currently on sale for 45% off the cover price (53% for club members). So get 'em while they're hot!

Mark.

Chatting with Savannah Chase on Nov. 23

2009-11-23T00:39:00.008-05:00

I'll be chatting online Monday (11/23/09) with paranormal author Savannah Chase about my current novel, Sunrise Destiny, my EPIC Award nomination for that book, and whatever else comes to mind.

The chat will be held in Savannah's Yahoo group. (If you haven't already registered with the group (it's free and takes only a minute), you should do so as soon as possible so Savannah has time to see your membership request and approve it.)

Please join us from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m Eastern time (U.S.).

I hope to "see" you there.

Mark.

Appearing on Blog Talk Radio Sunday

2009-11-21T23:33:00.005-05:00

I'll be chatting with paranormal author Franny Armstrong on her show on Blog Talk Radio tomorrow. The show will be from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m EST. We'll be talking about my books, including Sunrise Destiny, which was just selected as a finalist in the 2010 EPIC Awards competition (science fiction category). If you'd like to ask questions, the call-in number is (917) 889-3332.

Please join us, if you can.

Mark.

More good news

2009-11-18T22:02:00.006-05:00

It seems that good news, like the bad sort, comes in bunches.

First, on Monday, I learned that my novel, Sunrise Destiny, is one of three finalists in the EPIC Awards competition (science fiction category). The winners will be announced at EPICon in March 2010. The book is currently offered in Kindle ebook format from Amazon.com. (Other ebook formats are available from the publisher.)

Then, on Tuesday, I learned that my short story, Harvey-467 Makes a Bride is now available for sale from Amazon in Kindle ebook format. (Other ebook formats are available from the publisher.)

I wonder if there's any more good news waiting around the corner....

More later.

Mark.

Tuesday was a great day!

2009-09-19T12:51:00.003-04:00

First, I received a wonderful review for Sunrise Destiny, from Coffee Time Romance & More. Then I found out that SD was finally available for sale on Amazon.com.

Here's the meat of the review:

This has to be the most entertaining book I’ve read this month; I absolutely loved it! I began to get an inkling that the story was set in the future because of some of the scifi type gadgets Sunrise had, but I never imagined until I got about a quarter of a way into the story that it would also end up being one heck of a scifi adventure as well. Private eye type stories are usually not my thing at all, but this book could fit into a number of different genres very well, and I think the cross genre elements are what really make the story work. I loved how Sunrise respects Lola in spite of the fact that she is a hooker, which you do not often see in fiction, usually the hooker is the bad girl, but in this story she is one of the heroes. I really liked that. The world building is extraordinary and really pulls the story together. I know this is one book I’ll be reading over and over. I cannot say enough good things about this book, and I encourage everyone to go out and get a copy today, it is well worth the money spent!

You can read the full review (5 Cups, their highest rating). For anyone who hasn't already read an excerpt of Sunrise Destiny, or to buy it, go to the order pages at Red Rose Publishing or Amazon.com. (Amazon misspelled my middle name. LOL! Have to get that fixed.) For information about my other novels and short stories, please visit my website.

Later!

Mark.

#1 bestseller!

2009-09-04T18:43:00.001-04:00

My sci-fi short story, Harvey-467 Makes a Bride, was released by Red Rose Publishing on Thursday as an ebook. When I checked the RRP bestseller list Thursday afternoon, I was pleased to note that it was #2. It was still #2 Friday morning, but by Friday evening it had jumped to #1, where it remains as of Saturday morning. Wow!

If you're interested, you can buy it here for only 99 cents. You can't beat a deal like that!

Here's the story blurb, and a short excerpt:

Harvey-467 is a typical 25^th century android--blond, blue-eyed, and perfect in every way. Except he’s constrained by his programming. He yearns to be creative, but it’s impossible. Everything in his life is planned, deliberate, precise.

One day he concludes that it's time to get married, to have a soul mate with which to share his life. So he custom-orders a bride from a catalog: beautiful, talented, and equally perfect.

And that's when everything goes terribly wrong.

Excerpt:

When consciousness resumed, he checked his internal chrono and was stunned to find that 1.86 hours had elapsed since shutdown. It was well past midnight.

Wow, my cortex must really have gotten hot if it took this long to cool down to safe levels.

He became aware of his surroundings. But how did I get from the living room to the back porch?

I wonder what Maya must have thought when I froze up. She was so angry I wouldn’t be surprised if she went on for ten minutes before noticing.

He chuckled at the image of her berating the back of his inanimate head, and then becoming twice as incensed that he hadn’t heard a word she’d said all that time.

She must have been so mad she carried me out here. Well, I guess I’d better get it over with. I hope she didn’t lock me out.

He sighed and tried the door handle. It turned.

What he saw in the living room shocked him to the processor core. There lay Maya, her beautiful face smashed flat and her cortex spilling out of massive rends in her cranium plate. The spark of sentience was gone from her lovely green eyes. Red hydraulic fluid had leaked all over the mint green Berber carpet she’d insisted on buying. More had sprayed the walls and ceiling.

But how? Who? What happened here? Who would murder an android—and why?

I also have a novel, Sunrise Destiny, available for sale at RRP. For more about my writing, see my website or my blog. I hope you enjoy them! Mark.

First review of Sunrise Destiny

2009-07-24T20:50:00.003-04:00

I recently received the first review for my science fiction third novel, Sunrise Destiny, and it was a nice one.

Janelle for You Gotta Read Reviews

Rating: You Gotta Read ("Our highest rating - very few books will earn this award")
This book was fun! There’s action, adventure, suspense, drama, and romance. But what makes this book for me is that it does not shy away from the darker side of civilization – crime, poverty, war, power, and love.
Yes, I said love.
While never directly address[ed], [Donatello] Sunrise is often witness to how far people will go to in the name of love. It was love that drove inherently good beings to kidnap innocent girls. It is love of money that could bring a planet to its knees. It is love that will fuel a revolution. And love drives a father to commit grievous sins in atonement for his daughter’s virtue.
Perhaps the best part of this story is that characters are not spared the tragedy of the path they walk. Hard choices are made on all sides and many commit acts that they morally object to in order to survive.
I highly recommend this book. It’s fun and exciting, without losing [sight] of the characters’ mortality.

For more info about Sunrise Destiny, including the blurb, a 4,000-word excerpt, and an order link, see my website.

Mark.

All-day Chat on Thursday, June 11

2009-06-11T01:23:00.004-04:00

Come and chat with me and fellow authors Bryn Colvin, Linnea Sinclair, Elaine Corvidae and Aston West all day at Coffee Time Romance & More on Thursday 6/11. (Well, I won't be online all day, but I'll pop in and out as time permits. If I'm not there, some of the other authors should be.)

Here's the link for the chat room.

The theme is "pirates of the seas and space". I'll be talking about my upcoming novel My Other Car is a Spaceship. It should be fun. I hope you'll join us.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 85)

2009-05-31T23:48:00.005-04:00

Sorry it's been so long since the last installment. But here are some more words to ponder:

Icebox vs. Refrigerator
Wrong: Let me get a cold one out of the ice box.
Right: Let me get a cold one out of the refrigerator.

Once upon a time, food was kept cold by storing in cabinets chilled by blocks of ice. These iceboxes were gradually replaced by electric refrigerators, but some people still cling to the old, now obsolete, term.

Tinfoil vs. Aluminum foil

Wrong: Timmy, please cover the casserole with tinfoil.

Right: Timmy, please cover the casserole with aluminum foil.

Tinfoil was once used to wrap food, but imparted a tinny taste to it. This unfortunate side effect, along with the higher cost, caused it to be replaced for that use not long after the first aluminum foil plant opened in 1910 in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland. Tin foil still has other uses in industry, but not as a food wrapper.

More next time. Ciao!

Mark.

Chatting on June 11

2009-05-20T12:37:00.004-04:00

I'll be chatting with author Bryn Colvin and several others on June 11th in the Latte Lounge at Coffee Time Romance & More. (The chat is all day, but I'll be popping in and out.) The topic will be pirates. (Is June International Pirates Month, or something? I'm already scheduled to chat with author Rowena Cherry and others June 2nd on Internet Voices Radio as part of that month's Crazy Tuesday. The topic will be space pirates. What an odd coincidence.)

I'll be mentioning my third sci-fi detective novel, Sunrise Destiny, which releases tomorrow, but mainly I'll be talking about my upcoming fourth sci-fi novel, My Other Car is a Spaceship, which--amazingly enough--is about space pirates. 8^} You can find out more about both books at my website.

I hope to "see" you at one or both chats.

Mark.

Join me for a chat!

2009-05-16T21:41:00.004-04:00

Please join me on Sunday May 17 for a chat at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/savannahchase/. I'll be talking about my upcoming science fiction detective novel, Sunrise Destiny (to be released on May 21) and other topics.

I hope to see you there.

Mark

New excerpt

2009-05-09T16:07:00.006-04:00

I've added a longer (4,000-word) excerpt for Sunrise Destiny on my website. (It replaces a 1,000-word excerpt.) So if you have any interest in reading a paranormal sci-fi action/adventure novel, this should give you a good taste of the style of writing. Sunrise Destiny will be released on May 21, 2009.

Mark.

Radio interview on June 2

2009-05-07T23:09:00.005-04:00

I'll be participating in another interview as part of Crazy Tuesday on Internet Voices Radio, hosted by author Rowena Cherry. The theme of this show is "space pirates," which just happens to be the subject of my fourth (as yet unpublished) science fiction novel, My Other Car is a Spaceship. The show will be from 10:00 a.m. to noon on June 2. I'm sure I'll also be able to slip in a mention or two of my upcoming sci-fi novel, Sunrise Destiny, which will be released shortly before the show, on May 21.

More details on the other authors who will be participating when I find out. Please join us. It'll be a blast! (Blast? Blaster? Blast-off? Space pirates? Get it?)

Mark.

Interview tomorrow

2009-05-04T22:13:00.001-04:00

I’ve been interviewed by author Michelle Pillow. The interview will appear on her blog tomorrow, Tuesday, May 5. Learn the answers to such burning questions as the strangest source of writing inspiration I’ve ever had, the last place on Earth I’d want to live, what fictional character I’d want to date and what we’d do on the date. (Hint: It involves handcuffs and a whip.)

Check it out at http://www.michellepillow.com/blog.

Mark.

Sunrise Destiny coming May 21

2009-05-03T14:51:00.006-04:00

It seems like it's taken forever, but my third sci-fi novel, Sunrise Destiny, will be released on Thursday, May 21, by Red Rose Publishing. It will be released initially as an ebook, with a printed version coming later. You can preorder the book from the RRP order page, and later order it from Amazon.com and other booksellers.

I'll post an excerpt containing the Prologue and Chapter 1 in a separate blog shortly. I hope you'll check it out.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 84)

2009-04-22T23:50:00.002-04:00

We're not done yet. Here are some more to be wary of:

Vested vs. Invested
Wrong: Everyone on my staff is vested in providing the best service possible.
Right: Everyone on my staff is invested in providing the best service possible.
Wrong: By the power invested in me....
Right: By the power vested in me....

Vested has several meanings, including “protected by law” (such as vested retirement funds) and “held permanently or inalienably” (vested rights). Invested has even more meanings, including “committed,” “endowed with authority or power,” and “installed ceremoniously in office.” The first example, above, refers to the commitment of the person’s staff, while the second indicates that the individual is endowed by church or secular law with the authorization and right to perform specific duties.

Bar none
Wrong: He’s one of the best in his field, bar none.
Right: He’s the best in his field, bar none.
Right: He’s one of the best in his field.

The expression bar none means without exception. Someone can be the best, bar none; but if he or she is only one of the best, then by definition there are exceptions and the phrase bar none is incorrect.

I'll have more for you next time. Stay tuned to this bat-channel.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 83)

2009-04-20T23:49:00.007-04:00

Want some more words and phrases to keep an eye out for? Here you go:

Grin and bare it vs. Grin and bear it
Wrong: Sometimes you just have to grin and bare it.
Right: Sometimes you just have to grin and bear it.

The verb bear has a number of meanings, including to hold up under stress. The expression grin and bear it, then means to endure with a smile on one’s face. It is akin to whistle while you work, in the sense that a smile or whistle theoretically makes difficulties easier to tolerate. The sound-alike grin and bare it evokes images of someone wearing a broad smile while streaking.

E-mail vs. Email

Right: Send me an e-mail.

Right: Send me an email.

So, which is correct, e-mail or email? Over time, on-line has shortened to online and World Wide Web site has contracted to Web site, web site, and even website. Similarly, E-mail and e-mail are undergoing a contraction to email. Currently all forms are acceptable.

Stay tuned for more words and phrases.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 82)

2009-04-19T23:40:00.004-04:00

Ready for some more more? Here are some rules involving names:

Commas around names
Wrong: Where do you want to go James?

Right: Where do you want to go, James?

Wrong: So Mary what do you propose?

Right: So, Mary, what do you propose?

In dialog, when one character speaks to another and refers to him or her by name, always set off the name with a comma before the name, and—if another clause follows—one after the name.

Capitalizing proper names

Wrong: de Broux is a wonderful fellow.

Right: De Broux is a wonderful fellow.

Right: Patrick de Broux is a wonderful fellow.

Many surnames begin with de, di, da, von, van and other lower-case prefixes. Although the correct spelling of Wernher von Braun is with a lower-case v, when beginning a sentence with the surname, always capitalize the prefix (as in “Von Braun became director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in 1960.”).

More soon!

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 81)

2009-04-13T22:18:00.008-04:00

Time for some more words to watch out for:

Till vs. ‘Til
Wrong: He won’t be back till later.
Right: He won’t be back ‘til later.

Till is an erroneous contraction of until. The correct contraction is ‘til.

Skew vs. SKU

Wrong: We need to move some skews today, people!

Right: We need to move some SKUs today, people!

An SKU is a stock keeping unit, or inventory item. This noun is often pronounced skew (sk-yoo) for brevity. Unfortunately, the similarity in pronunciation with the verb skew (to take an oblique course, look askance, or distort from a true value or symmetrical shape) produces confusion in spelling for those who don’t know the origin of the acronym. So don’t let a confusion with SKU skew your spelling.

More next time.

Mark.

RRP scavenger hunt

2009-04-13T22:08:00.002-04:00

Red Rose Publishing is holding a scavenger hunt this month. The grand prize is a free copy of all the new RRP book releases for the month of May, including my upcoming paranormal sci-fi novel, Sunrise Destiny. That's quite a collection!

For contest details, go to redrosepublishing.com.

Good luck!

Mark.

Harvey-467 Makes a Bride coming soon

2009-04-01T00:03:00.004-04:00

I have a tentative release target of July 2009 for my sci-fi short story, Harvey-467 Makes a Bride. Although it's not out yet, the publisher, Red Rose Publishing has created an order page for it, which includes a brief excerpt of the story.

If you'd rather, here is a direct link to the excerpt on my website.

Here's a blurb for the story:

Harvey-467 is a typical 25th century android--blond, blue-eyed, and perfect in every way. Except he's constrained by his programming. He yearns to be creative, but it's impossible. Everything in his life is planned, deliberate, precise.

One day he concludes that it's time to get married, to have a soul mate with which to share his life. So he custom-orders a bride from a catalog: beautiful, talented, and equally perfect.

And that's when everything goes terribly wrong.

More later when I have more details, and a cover.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 80)

2009-03-31T23:43:00.002-04:00

It's been a few weeks since my last post on this subject. My apologies. I've been insanely busy both in my writing life and my nonwriting life the past couple of months. I think I've finally caught up. I'll try to be more dutiful in the future.

Without further ado, here is the next set of words:

Addition vs. Edition

Wrong: The fifth addition of his book just came out.

Right: The fifth edition of his book just came out.

Given how common both words are, I’m surprised at how often I see addition confused with edition. An addition is something that is added, while an edition is a form in which text is printed. A special holiday section of a newspaper might be said to be an addition to the edition.

Melt(ed/ing) vs. meld(ed/ing)

Wrong: I’m looking forward to the melting of our cultures.

Right: I’m looking forward to the melding of our cultures.

To melt is to soften (as butter), dissolve (sugar), or lose shape or distinctiveness, often because of heat. To meld, on the other hand is to blend or merge. The melding of two families through marriage is enough to melt one’s heart.

More soon. I promise!

Mark.

Sunrise Destiny coming May 21

2009-03-31T23:18:00.006-04:00

I have a tentative release date for my upcoming sci-fi novel, Sunrise Destiny. The plan is for a May 21 release.

Although the book isn't yet out, the publisher, Red Rose Publishing, has created an order page for it, containing a thousand-word excerpt. The cover price for the ebook is $5.99. A print version should be out later. If you prefer, here is a direct link to the excerpt on my website. Here's the book blurb:

When private detective Donatello Sunrise is coerced into finding a Mob boss’s daughter, he stumbles onto a much bigger case. Dozens of women, all young, all petite, have disappeared in recent weeks. Mysterious and conflicting clues seem to point to a government conspiracy, a mad scientist bent on global domination, or perhaps abduction by bloodthirsty alien vampires. Nothing makes any sense.

Before he knows it, Sunrise and his hooker friend Lola find themselves in a life-or-death struggle. The Mob wants them dead, the cops want them for serial murders—even the kidnappers are after them. With the fate of two worlds intertwined, Sunrise and Lola must somehow help the good guys defeat the evil ones.

The trick is telling one from the other.

I'll follow up when I have a firm release date.

Mark.

Upcoming interview

2009-02-19T17:41:00.006-05:00

I've been interviewed by author Michelle Pillow. The interview will appear in her blog on May 5, 2009. She posts "silly interviews" there each Tuesday, so don't expect anything heavy. They're meant to be fun as well as informative.

If you want a head start on the interview, there's one coming next week, February 24, 2009, with romance author Keta Diablo. And another one the Tuesday after that and the Tuesday after that, and...you get the idea.

In my interview, I talk about the inspiration for my upcoming novel, Sunrise Destiny, as well as the last place on Earth I'd want to live, what fictional character I'd like a date with (and what we'd do on that date), and more. I hope to see you there on May 5th!

Mark.

Sci-Fi or science?

2009-02-17T12:18:00.008-05:00

It's amazing how many sci-fi concepts later become real science. Some science fiction writer dreams up an idea (such as Arthur C. Clarke writing about orbital satellites) and someone comes along later and says, "Hey! Let's see if we can do that!"

How about the "death rays" of '30s/'40s pulp novels? Now we have lasers. Okay, not in handgun form, but the technology exists and the military is looking for ways to weaponize it (shooting down missiles, jets, and satellites, for example).

Those pulps also brought us spaceships rocketing across the galaxy. We aren't quite there yet, but only a few decades later, we did manage to land on the moon.

Star Trek communicators inspired engineers to develop cellphones (which, ironically, are smaller and more futuristic than those dreamed up for the 22nd-century TV series).

Sci-fi also brought us lifelike holographic images. Although we do have primitive video holograms today, we're not quite there yet. On the other hand, another promising offshoot from the concept is holographic storage. Companies are already coming out with storage devices that use holograms to store data in three dimensions, offering the potential for quantum leaps in storage capacity and speed. Rumor has it that the next generation Nintendo gaming console will use holographic storage. (Here's a video that explains the concept in layman's terms.)

And now a scientist has developed something much like a Star Trek "dermal regenerator." It's a handheld laser device that promises to seal up skin with less leakage than with sutures, and less scarring to boot!

As far back as as 1895, authors have been writing about "beanstalks," "skyhooks," and "space elevators" as means of getting from the Earth into space without needing a spaceship. The latest thinking in space elevator technology involves high-tech materials like carbon nanotubes and boron nanotubes, which didn't even exist two decades ago. Now scientists are trying to drum up backing for projects to build these elevators within the next 30-50 years. Theoretically, this technology could lower the cost of getting cargo into orbit from millions of dollars per pound to tens of dollars.

But that's not all. Because spaceships won't need to take off and land on Earth's surface (which requires enormous expenditures of fuel), ships can be made smaller (or have more cargo capacity in the same volume). Even better, because the space elevators are in geosynchronous orbit, they offer the ability to serve as rocket boosters, using the Earth's centrifugal force to sling ships and unmanned cargo at great velocity. This promises to shorten travel times to other planets (and back, if we build space elevators on the Moon, Mars, and elsewhere).

Worried about this huge elevator falling to earth and killing millions? Don't be. If the cable(s) break, the centrifugal force on the counterweight out in space will cause everything above the break to be hurled upward and outward. The part of the cable below the break will fall to earth. But because the paper-thin ribbon cable is made of carbon nanotubes (i.e., flammable), much of it will burn up on reentry. The lower part will indeed reach the ground, but with the impact of dozens of miles of fluttering, unrolled toilet paper, not steel girders.

Cool stuff! And all brought to you from the minds of science fiction writers.

Mark.

P.S. For novels involving space elevators, written in different decades, see Arthur C. Clarke's The Fountains of Paradise and Charles Sheffields' The Web Between the Worlds (both published in 1979), Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars/Green Mars/Blue Mars trilogy (1990s), and my own The Mars Imperative (2007).

Inspiration in writing

2009-02-15T13:54:00.001-05:00

Check out my guest blog on the IWOFA (Infinite Worlds of Fantasy Authors) blog. The subject is writing inspiration.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 79)

2009-02-15T12:35:00.004-05:00

It's been a while, but here are some more words to watch out for:

Verbage vs. Verbiage

Wrong: We need to strip some of this verbage out of the proposal.

Right: We need to strip some of this verbiage out of the proposal.

Verbiage (VER-bee-ij) can be either a profusion of meaningless words, or a manner of expressing oneself in writing. Verbage (VER-bij) is simply a misspelling and mispronunciation of verbiage.

From whence vs. Whence

Wrong: Be gone demon! Return from whence you came!

Right: Be gone demon! Return whence you came!

Because whence means “from when,” saying from whence is redundant.

More soon. I promise!

Mark.

Blog Talk Radio chat with Kim Smith

2009-02-09T00:52:00.004-05:00

If you missed my chat yesterday (Sunday, Feb. 8) with fellow author Kim Smith, you can listen to the podcast at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kims.

We chatted for about half an hour about my novels (The Mars Imperative, The Tesserene Imperative, and the upcoming Sunrise Destiny) and the writing processes she and I use in writing our stories.

For more about my books and short stories (including the new anthology containing one of my shorts) go to my website.

Mark.

I'll be chatting on Internet Voices Radio on Tue., Feb. 3

2009-02-01T21:11:00.003-05:00

On Tuesday, February 3, 2009, I’ll be chatting on Internet Voices Radio with several other authors. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. (eastern time, U.S.). The topic will be fantasy heroes. Please join us at http://www.internetvoicesradio.com/CrazyTuesday.htm.

I’ll be talking about my upcoming novel, Sunrise Destiny.

Joining me on the program will be fellow authors:

Emily Bryan, author of light-hearted, sexy historical romance romps: http://www.emilybryan.com/

Lillian Cauldwell, author of paranormal young adult (YA) tales, including the Anna Mae Mysteries, including The Golden Treasure.

Rowena Cherry author of "racy, wildly entertaining futuristic romance", the most recent being Knight's Fork, about a queen in need of a discreet sperm donor.

Sara Taney Humphreys author of paranormal romance novels, including the Amoveo series: www.myspace.com/amoveoromanceseries

Brenna Lyons, author of milieu-heavy dark fiction, mainly science fiction, fantasy and horror, straight genre, romance and erotic crosses, poetry, articles and essays, including In her Ladyship’s Service.

Kellyann Zuzulo, author of the award-winning supernatural thriller A Genie in the House of Saud: Zubis Rises.

Mark.

New website coming

2009-01-29T22:34:00.003-05:00

I'm in the process of transitioning from my old website (tesserene.com) to a new one. In the meantime, please use markterencechapman.googlepages.com.

The website itself will look the same. Only the url will change.

My apologies for the inconvenience.

Mark.

Join me on Blog Talk Radio

2009-01-29T22:19:00.004-05:00

I'll be interviewed by author Kim Smith on Blog Talk Radio on Sunday, February 8, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (eastern time, U.S.).

We'll be talking about my new anthology (The World Outside the Window), my first novel (The Mars Imperative), and whatever else comes to mind.

I hope you'll join us!

Mark.

The World Outside the Window now available for Kindle

2009-01-29T21:47:00.008-05:00

In addition to the trade paperback print edition, The World Outside the Window anthology is now also available in Kindle ebook format. (Other ebook formats will follow.)

Mark.

"The World Outside the Window" anthology available

2009-01-24T22:31:00.004-05:00

I have a sci-fi short story ("Fallen Star, Rising Star") in The World Outside the Window anthology, which is now available on Amazon.

The anthology contains 19 stories by 19 authors, spanning multiple genres, from romance to sci-fi, from paranormal to suspense.

If you love good stories and like to explore different genres, this anthology is a great way to start out the new year.

Here's a blurb and short excerpt for my story:

Blurb:

While playing catch, two boys spy a falling star. When they investigate, they discover that the meteorite is much more than they bargained for. In fact, the fate of all humanity depends on what they do next.

Excerpt:

"Be careful!” Joey cautioned, stepping back. “It might still be ho—”

Paul clutched the shape before Joey could finish his warning. “Nah, it’s fine. Well, it’s a little warm, but not much. C’mere and look at this! It’s so cool!”

He held it out in both hands for Joey to admire. It was roughly baseball-sized, but not spherical—more egg-shaped. Paul brushed off some of the soil that still stuck to it, revealing what lay beneath. The object was multifaceted, like a giant emerald, but unlike any emerald the two boys had ever seen or heard of. The gem glowed with an internal fire, pulsing like a heartbeat, first brighter and then dimmer.

“Here, hold it.” Paul offered.

“Nuh-uh,” Joey replied. “I don’t like the looks of it.”

“Chicken. Bawk-bawk—”

“Shh! Someone might hear you!”

“Yeah? Who? There’s no one around here but us. Bawk-bawk—”

“All right, all right!” Joey reached out and touched the object with the tip of a finger for the briefest instant.

Mark.

At last: the cover for Sunrise Destiny

2009-01-22T01:03:00.005-05:00

I've been waiting for this cover with breathless anticipation. Sunrise Destiny is my new paranormal sci-fi novel. I really put Shirley Burnett (the Art Director at Red Rose Publishing) through her paces until I got exactly what I wanted. (If you don't like the cover, blame me, not her.)

Click on the link above for the blurb and an excerpt, and on the image for a larger view. There is still no release date; I'll let you know as soon as I find out.

Let me know what you think of the cover!

Mark.

Guest blog at Kissa Starling's

2009-01-18T23:39:00.004-05:00

I just realized I forgot to mention my guest entry in the blog of author Kissa Starling last week (January 17). I mused about what it would be like to be telepathic, and what a society of telepaths would be like. I also tied my thoughts into my upcoming paranormal sci-fi novel, Sunrise Destiny.

I hope you enjoy it.

Mark.

Redesigned website

2009-01-18T23:04:00.003-05:00

I've redesigned my website to be much more attractive than before, but just as easy to use.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Mark.

Chat at The_Haunt_at_PNR on Jan. 25

2009-01-18T22:50:00.004-05:00

Please join me in The_Haunt_at_PNR Yahoo group on January 25, 2009. I'll be chatting about writing, the publishing industry, my new paranormal sci-fi novel and whatever else comes up from noon-6 p.m., eastern time, U.S.

See you there!

Mark.

Interview correction

2009-01-17T20:59:00.002-05:00

Oops! I really messed up that post. The interview appears Sunday, January 18th, not today. Sheesh.... Sorry about that!

Interview
Excerpt

Mark.

Interview on Alisha Paige's blog

2009-01-17T00:01:00.006-05:00

I've been interviewed by author Alisha Paige. The interview will appear in her blog on Saturday, January 17, 2009.

Come find out everything you ever wanted to know about me: the six people I'd want to spend a week with on a deserted island, the sexiest thing ever done for me, and with whom--living or dead--I'd like to a have a conversation (and more). Also, I reveal some details about the characters in my upcoming sci-fi novel, Sunrise Destiny.

I hope you enjoy the interview.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 78)

2009-01-16T23:35:00.002-05:00

Ready for some more words to watch out for? Here goes:

Descent vs. Decent vs. Dissent

Wrong: He seems like a descent enough person.

Right: He seems like a decent enough person.

Descent (duh-SENT or dee-SENT) is the act of moving from a higher place to a lower one, while decent (DEE-sent) means satisfactory, proper, modest, or respectable. Dissent (dih-SENT) means disagreement. A mountain climber wouldn’t want to descend too quickly. Ideally, he should use a decent rate of descent and avoid dissent with his fellow climbers.

Ascent vs. Assent

Wrong: I got his ascent to proceed.

Right: I got his assent to proceed.

Ascent (uh-CENT) is the opposite of descent. It is act of moving from a lower place to a higher one, while assent (same pronunciation) means agreement. That same mountain climber should get the assent of his sherpa before beginning the ascent.

More next time!

Mark.

Auctioned Bride is now available

2009-01-16T20:23:00.004-05:00

If you like romance novels, check out Victoria Chapman's book, Auctioned Bride.

Erotic Romance: Contemporary, Interracial/Multicultural

ISBN: 978-1-60435-281-8
Word Count: 60,870
Release Date: January 15, 2009

Who will win the battle and who is going to win the war?

When Kathy Adams finds herself alone in a deserted building during a hurricane, the last thing she expects is to run into a stranger in the dark. He turns out to be a Peruvian billionaire who takes one look at her in the glare of his flashlight, and decides to add her to his collection of pretty toys. He offers her a dream job on his private island in the Caribbean, and their seduction dance begins.

He is handsome, arrogant, and thinks that every woman has a price. And she's a girl who won't be bought. She wants the real thing—she wants love. Paul Andros doesn't know the meaning of the word.

Kathy is falling for him against her better judgment, every instinct telling her to run. She'd never met his type of man before. Exciting, volatile and always in control. He uses sex as a weapon to leave her weak at the knees.

After one of their many fights, he bids for her at a charity auction, and pays three million dollars to teach her a lesson. The farm girl from Iowa, and the Inca King from Peru wage their final battle on their wedding night and find love and passion strong enough to bridge their differences.

Can hate turn to love? Find out in Auctioned Bride…

**********

To order, or for an excerpt, visit the order page or Victoria's blog.

Mark.

Join me in a chat on Sunday Jan. 11

2009-01-10T20:52:00.005-05:00

I'll be chatting in the Yahoo group of author Savannah Chase tomorrow. If you have some time, please drop by and join us. Feel free to ask questions about the publishing industry, science fiction and fantasy, my books, or anything else. (If I don't know the answers, I'll make something up!) The url is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/savannahchase/. (You'll need to join the group before you can ask a question, so please allow a few minutes for approval.)

I'll be online from 7-9 p.m. (U.S. eastern time; GMT -5 hours), but if you can't be there during those hours, you're welcome to leave a question beforehand and I'll respond when I "get there". Or feel free to follow the discussion later when you have time.

See you there!

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 77)

2009-01-07T23:06:00.003-05:00

Still with me? Here are some more words and phrases to watch out for:

Cartoonish vs. Cartoonlike

Wrong: Her art has a cartoonish quality that I enjoy.

Right: Her art has a cartoonlike quality that I enjoy.

Cartoonlike refers to something that has the appearance or essence of a drawn or animated cartoon. Cartoonish, on the other hand, has the negative connotations of exaggerated or overblown (like a caricature). You might not mind people referring to your artwork as cartoonlike, but you’d probably object to them calling your makeup cartoonish.

Poinsetta vs. Poinsettia

Wrong: We sent them a lovely poinsetta for Christmas.

Right: We sent them a lovely poinsettia for Christmas.

Poinsetta is simply a misspelling of poinsettia.

I have more, so stay tuned.

Mark.

Follow-up to my eBook sales blog

2009-01-04T11:49:00.004-05:00

My previous blog entry received by far the most feedback of all I've written so far. I thought I'd respond to some of the objections readers posted in a discussion group I follow:

Comment: Until there is an e-book reader that is actually convenient and reasonable to use (Kindle is close, but who will pay $300.00?) e-books are going to be a fringe market.

My response: I agree, but that's changing quickly. The quality of the screen, the battery life, and the ease of use are already much better than they were three years ago, and the prices will keep dropping. (Probably under $50 in a few years. Look at DVD players, which were over $500 a few years ago) I think within the next five years ebook readers will reach the tipping point, where they're good enough and cheap enough that people will buy them in droves for the convenience. Look at iPhones. They're ridiculously expensive, but people buy them because of what they can do. A few years ago, iPods were the same way. But now there are lower-end models that are affordable, and everyone seems to have one. eBook readers will be the same way.

Comment: People want to do what they want with things they buy.

My response: Of course. And they should be able to, within reason. But I think being able to sell 500 copies of something they paid for one copy of is unreasonable, yet some pirates are doing exactly that.

Comment: Educating people is never going to work as long as people believe they
have the right to the product they bought

My response: That's exactly the point of the education, to open people's eyes and get them to understand that what some people are doing is wrong. The PETA ads and others of that type have opened people's eyes to animal cruelty. Fur sales are down, and animal testing of cosmetics has pretty much been abolished.

You know what they say about locks only keeping honest people honest. If everyone thinks it's okay to share ebooks with everyone they know (and some they don't), then the book industry is done for, because eventually all books will be sold that way. The revenue stream will dry up if books are routinely pirated. But if we can make readers understand that they are hurting the book industry (authors and publishers alike), most people (the honest ones) will stop posting ebooks to websites for widespread distribution. The publishing industry can take action against relatively few pirates, but not against millions of otherwise law-abiding citizens who each upload a few books.

Objection: I've seen e-books for $25, so they're not even cheap. I guess the author and/or publisher figures people will pay $25 for a hardcover, so why shouldn't they charge the same?

My response: I'm sure there are exceptions, but most ebooks are significantly cheaper than the equivalent print book. Check out fictionwise.com.

Comment: E-books are not going to make large printing houses go away from still offering the book in actual paper. The profit to cost is still great enough to warrant printing of books.

My response: I agree that ebooks aren't going to make large publishers stop printing books. The cost of printing and shipping them will do that. In the past year, many of these publishers had to lay off employees, merge with other publishing houses, and even cut mid-list authors, because they were losing money or barely getting by. The picture isn't as rosy as you seem to think. The publishers can't keep laying people off to save money, because a certain minimum number are required to do the job effectively. (If you've read any books lately, you've probably noticed that the editing quality of some of them is aready suffering, with frequent grammatical and spelling errors that I never used to see from the big houses.)

As a result, they'll start offering ebooks as a cost-saving alternative to print. Oh, they'll bill it as a way for consumers to save money, but it'll really be to save them money. Costs will be ower and profits higher. And they'll start promoting the hell out of ebooks.

Consider the various costs incurred by publishers: editing, designing covers, printing (printing machines, paper, and toner/ink), shipping, advertising, etc. All of these are incurred by print books. But with ebooks, you can eliminate the printing and shipping costs. Everything else should remain the same. We all saw what happened to the cost of food and almost everything else when fuel prices skyrocketed last year. A large part of the price increases was due to the higher cost of shipping. (After all, trucks, airplanes, and ships all use that expensive fuel.)

Sure, fuel prices have dropped back to more reasonable levels, but for how long? The next mid-East crisis or whatever can send them up again. And fossil fuels will only get dearer as the supply diminishes. But those are costs that go away entirely with ebooks (along with the costs for paper and those multimillion-dollar high-speed printers).

The consumers won't be quick to switch--many of them won't unless forced to. But eventually the only way they'll be able to find certain books will be in electronic form, and they won't have any choice but to do so. When that point is reached, it's just a matter of time until all books are only offered that way.

And it's not a bad thing. All those back-list titles that are out of print can be reissued, because with no printing costs (they've already been edited and the covers designed), there's no reason not to offer them if there's even minimal demand.

All this won't happen in five years, perhaps not ten. But I don't think we'll see any more print books (except possibly special edition hardbacks) 20 years from now. (Do you buy many albums on cassette tape these days? I don't think video tapes will be sold much longer, either.)

Everything's going digital: TV, music, movies, cellphones, and now books.

Mark.

eBook resales: good or bad idea?

2008-12-31T12:14:00.011-05:00

There's a thriving business in the resale of used books. It's a great way to clear our shelves of books we no longer want, and these sales can generate some cash for the purchase of new books. Even though the resale of these books deprives the author of royalties for the additional sales, no one really minds. This is because resales are a small percentage of total book sales, and may open new markets (to readers who hadn't previously read a particular offer). The same is true if you lend or give a book to a friend.

The same dynamic should apply to ebooks (books sold in various electronic formats), right?

Unfortunately, no. When you give or sell a printed book to someone, they get one copy and the most they can do is resell or give away one copy. But with ebooks, the one copy you give/sell can be copied hundreds, even thousands of times. So, instead of the author losing the royalties for a single resale, he or she potentially can lose thousands of dollars in royalties--and that's just from a single copy. Think about the impact on that author's income if hundreds of readers each give away copies that are passed on to hundreds of others. (Not to mention the losses suffered by the publishers and those they employ.)

Before you say, "But authors like Stephen King and J.K. Rowling make millions from their books. They won't miss it.", consider this: For every author who's a millionaire, there are hundreds of authors who barely make a living from writing, and hundreds more who write as a second income because writing alone won't pay the bills. If they made more money, perhaps they could quit their day jobs and write full-time (producing more of the books you love).

And before you say, "But my reading an ebook that a friend gave me won't make a difference.", consider this: There are pirate websites and blogs whose sole reason for existence is the sharing of ebooks, CDs, DVDs, and other copyrighted materials. Thre are literally thousands of people trading thousands of books, albums, and movies without paying for a single one. Collectively, that's many millions of dollars in income the artists never get. So it's not just you, it's many people depriving a lot of hard-working artists of the money they've rightfully earned.

Because it's not just you doing it, it won't matter whether you keep doing it or not, right? Sure it does! By participating in this illegal activity (breaking federal and international copyright laws and perhaps illegally trafficking in stolen merchandise across state lines**), you contribute to the problem and even encourage it.

So what can you do about it? Simple:

1) Stop selling/sharing ebooks. If you can't help yourself, and you just have to read the one a friend gave you, fine. When you're done reading it, delete it and buy a copy from a legitimate source. But whatever you do, don't share your copy with anyone outside your immediate family. Certainly, don't post them to the internet or sell them on eBay.

2) Point your friends who buy/sell/share ebooks to this blog, so they can be educated, too.

3) If you know of websites and blogs that share ebooks, report them to the AuthorsAgainstE-BookTheft group on Yahoo.

Remember, the selling and sharing of ebooks without compensation to the publisher and the author is ILLEGAL and harms the industry as a whole. Do you really want to contribute to a publisher laying off employees or even going bankrupt (and perhaps depriving you of the latest work from one of your favorite authors?)

Unless we all (authors, publishers, and concerned readers) work together to stamp out the illegal sharing/selling of ebooks, the problem will only get worse. Think about it.

Mark.

** WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this or any copyrighted work is illegal. File sharing is an International crime, prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice and the United States Border Patrol, Division of Cyber Crimes, in partnership with Interpol. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is punishable by seizure of computers, up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 per reported instance.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 76)

2008-12-28T16:44:00.002-05:00

Here are some more words to watch out for:

Ordnance vs. Ordinance

Wrong: The city ordnance forbids double-parking.

Right: The city ordinance forbids double-parking.

Ordnance refers to munitions, while an ordinance is a local law. Confusing ordnance with an ordinance can be an explosive error.

Eek vs. Eke

Wrong: She’s just trying to eek out a living.

Right: She’s just trying to eke out a living.

I chuckle every time I come across this one. Eek may be a simple misspelling of eke (to obtain with great difficulty), but I always picture someone seeing a mouse and shrieking.

More next time.

Mark.

The future of gaming--and television?

2008-12-20T01:21:00.003-05:00

I just watched this amazing video. It shows how Nintendo Wii controller technology can be used to create amazing immersive 3D/VR video games. (Imagine shoot-em-ups where the aliens can be behind you, seemingly in the room with you. Incredible.) But if you watch to the end, you'll see some interesting potential for televised sporting events, perhaps. And who knows what else?

BTW, I'm told that Johnny Lee (the creator of the technique, and this video), has been hired by Microsoft to develop next-generation games for the Xbox 360. I can't wait to see them.

Mark.

Progress on Sunrise Destiny

2008-12-18T13:20:00.003-05:00

I just got word this morning that the art director at Red Rose Publishing has assigned a cover artist to my science fiction novel, Sunrise Destiny. The editing is already well under way, so I'm hopeful the book will be out in February.

I also received word from my editor at RJ Buckley Publishing that the anthology (The World Outside the Window) containing my short story "Fallen Star, Rising Star" is on schedule for January release. The ebook should be out in early January, with the printed copies coming in the middle of the month. Both will be available from Amazon initially, with other outlets coming over time. The anthology is also available for preordering directly from the publisher.

I'll keep you informed as I learn more.

Mark.

Another story coming soon

2008-12-17T21:42:00.002-05:00

I just received a contract for my short story, Harvey-467 Makes a Bride. It'll be published as an ebook by the publisher (Red Rose) that's releasing my novel. So that makes a novel (Sunrise Destiny), a short story (Fallen Star, Rising Star) in an anthology (The World Outside the Window, from RJ Buckley Publishing), and a stand-alone story, that will be published within the next few months.

So far, 2009 is looking good. 8^}

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 75)

2008-12-15T10:35:00.003-05:00

Here are some more of those pesky words and phrases that trip up many writers:

Jerry-rigged vs. Jury-rigged vs. Jerry-built

Wrong: That jerry-rigged contraption will never hold together.

Right: That jury-rigged contraption will never hold together.

The expressions jury-rigged and jerry-built both refer to something that is hastily and perhaps poorly assembled. Jerry-rigged appears to be a jerry-built mixture of the two that shouldn’t be used.

Crossover vs. Cross over

Wrong: His spirit is waiting to crossover to the other side.

Right: His spirit is waiting to cross over to the other side.

A crossover (noun) is something that spans two things (landmasses, book genres, types of motor vehicles, etc.). On the other hand, to cross over (verb phrase) is to change successfully from one thing or state of being to another (for example, to die, change political parties, or mutate).

I haven't run out of terms yet. Come back soon for more.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 74)

2008-12-09T23:11:00.003-05:00

Continuing the series, here are some more words that are often confused:

Fix(ed) vs. Affix(ed)

Wrong: He fixed his bayonet to the rifle.

Right: He affixed his bayonet to the rifle.

The two words have similar but slightly different meanings, so it’s important to keep them straight. Affixed simply means attached. Fixed, in this context, means attached or fastened so as to be immovable or permanent. After you affix something you might then fix it in place.

Pass the mustard vs. Pass muster or Cut the mustard

Wrong: He couldn’t pass the mustard, so I had to let him go.

Right: He couldn’t cut the mustard, so I had to let him go.

To pass muster is to pass inspection or measure up to a standard. Similarly, to cut the mustard is to reach or surpass a level of performance. Pass the mustard is merely a humorous confusion of the two phrases.

More next time.

Mark.

"The World Outside the Window" anthology coming soon

2008-12-05T16:37:00.008-05:00

Good news! I have a short story (Fallen Star, Rising Star) coming in an anthology called The World Outside the Window. The book will be published in January 2009 in both paperback and Amazon Kindle ebook format, but it's already available for pre-ordering. The anthology consists of 19 adult fiction stories by 19 authors, many of them published novelists. The stories run the gamut of fiction, from romance to horror, from suspense to sci-fi and fantasy. (My story is about two adolescent boys who discover a meteorite that turns out to be so much more.)

The collection has an interesting premise (which is well-illustrated by the cover). From the jacket blurb:

Imagine, if you will, a building of unknown origin. A building in which there are many rooms, each with a window that looks out upon a courtyard and a scene beyond.

In each room a person sits, staring out the window at the same people and objects that everyone else sees from their windows. Yet, as we tell our stories of what we see, we learn a basic truth of the universe. We learn that even though our eyes survey identical scenes, our minds take us to places that only we as individuals know and remind us of stories that only we can tell.

Outside the window we see a winding country lane leading into the distant countryside. We see two boys, perhaps 10 or 12 years old, tossing a baseball to each other. A girl of maybe 7 or 8 swings on a schoolyard swing set, while two lovers walk hand in hand along the side of the road. A ramshackle old mailbox sits on a slanted post, and nearby there is an old car, possibly from the ‘50s - appearing to be in good running condition. We see a church steeple and an older woman walking along the side of the road, seemingly headed for the church. A young soldier stands still, his face is pensive, and it is plain to see that he has much on his mind. Two men are in a heated discussion about something, but from inside our window we can only guess at what is causing their turmoil. Nearby a beautiful girl sits on a park bench, weeping. An old dog lies on the grass, peaceful and serene, watching a puppy frolicking through a flower bed. As day changes to evening and then to night, we see a twinkle in the sky. A falling star, perhaps a starship?

Yes, the characters are there for us, waiting, making no comments that will give us any clue as to who they are or what they may be doing. They are waiting for us to cast them in their roles, to give them direction. We can use one or all of them. We can make them walk down the country lane, drive the car, or follow along behind the woman as she heads for the church. It is our world to create, and we have total control of everything in it. Whatever happens, we make it happen. Loves, lies, war or peace, death or life, shackled to earth or bound for the stars, it is in our hands to decide their fate.

We sit at the window, taking in the complexity of the scene before us and after a few hours of pondering, we sit back and relax as we use our mind’s eye to peer into a world that we will shape into anything we wish it to be.

Slowly, we begin. We pick up our pens and write our stories of the world outside the window.

So every story in some way ties to the characters we see in the courtyard outside the window.

Here is the Table of Contents for the book (subject to change before publication). There may be some other authors you know there:

FALLEN STAR, RISING STAR – Mark Terence Chapman
MISERY LOVES COMPANY – Pamela K. Kinney
ROSE’S QUESTION – D. K. Christi
SMILE – Anthony Waugh
THE SILVER LINING – Rebecca Buckley
THE BLACK ROSE – Woodrow Walker
SAYING GOODBYE TO MISS MOLLY – Morgan St. James
THE SPLIT MIND – Robert A. Meacham
NEAL’S NOEL – Jay Osman
THE MAILBOX – Larry L. Evans
STRANGE DREAMS – B.W. Philpot
ONLY THERE WAS NO WIND – Jim Wilsky
AUSTIN, MY HERO – Tory Lynn
ETUDE & SMOKE RINGS – Lana M. Ho-Sheing
TWILIGHT – Matthew Alan Pierce
THIS TIME FOREVER – Erin Gordon
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY – Curtis M. Hendel
HOUSE ARREST – Richard Lord
KILLING FROST – E. Don Harpe

Noticing that my story comes first, I'd like to think that's because it's the best and the publisher wants to put our collective best foot forward. But who knows? Still, it's an honor to go first. I imagine a number of prospective readers will pick up the book, read the first page, and make a purchase decision based on that. So it'd better be good.

Of course, the publisher would want the last story to be good too, to leave a good taste in the reader's mind. And the middle stories need to be good, so the reader doesn't get bored before the end. And...aw, heck--they all have to be good. Just read 'em. You won't be disappointed.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 73)

2008-12-03T23:09:00.002-05:00

For those of you who waited patiently (and for the rest), here are more words and phrases that are often misused:

That vs. Who

Wrong: People that act superior annoy me to no end.

Right: People who act superior annoy me to no end.

Wrong: I hate referees that mess up a penalty call.

Right: I hate referees who mess up a penalty call.

Right: Jets that operate via fly-by-wire are inherently unstable.

When referring to people, use who. When not referring to people (inanimate objects, animals, insects, etc.), use that.

Waited(ing) on vs. Waited(ing) for

Wrong: He waited on her for more than an hour!

Right: He waited for her more than an hour!

Unless you’re referring to a food server who waits on customers, the correct expression is waited for someone, not waited on them.

Want more? I'm afraid you'll have to wait until next time.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 72)

2008-11-26T10:23:00.003-05:00

Still with me? Here are some more phrases and symbols that frequently get mangled:

Low and behold vs. Lo and behold

Wrong: Low and behold! My masterpiece.

Right: Lo and behold! My masterpiece.

The phrase lo and behold has been used for centuries, to call attention to something—especially something important or startling. Low and behold is simply a common misspelling.

Ampersands (&)

Wrong: It’s time for fun & games.

Right: It’s time for fun and games.

Wrong: I invested in an oil & gas limited partnership.

Right: Invested in an oil and gas limited partnership.

Right: I bought a Black & Decker drill.

Ampersands should never be used in prose. Reserve them for product and brand names that require them, or movie titles (such as Harry & Tonto).

I'll have more for you next time.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 71)

2008-11-22T00:24:00.005-05:00

I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long for more of these:

Data vs. Datum

Right: The data are used to plot a graph.

Right: Additional data is available upon request.

Data is the plural of the singular datum (a single piece of information, such as a fact or statistic). When referring to multiple data points, use data as a plural noun. However, when referring to a body of information, it is permissible to use data as a singular noun.

Different than vs. Different from vs. Different to

Wrong: San Francisco is different than Oakland in many ways.

Right: San Francisco is different from Oakland in many ways.

Right: San Francisco differs from Oakland in many ways.

Just to be clear, different than is always incorrect. It should be different from in U.S. English or different to in U.K. English. (It’s unusual that to and from would be used synonymously in this context.) Isn’t it interesting how U.S. English differs from U.K. English in so many respects?

I'll have more for you next time.

Mark.

Upcoming interview

2008-11-17T11:46:00.004-05:00

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I'll be interviewed about my sci-fi novels in the next few days by someone from Sonar 4 Science Fiction and Horror Ezine. The interview will appear in the March 2009 issue of the magazine.

That's all I know at this time. I'll post more later.

Mark.

First images of a planet orbiting another sun

2008-11-14T13:49:00.006-05:00

This is so cool! The Hubble telescope has captured images of a planet orbiting another sun. The images, taken two years apart, show the movement of what can only be a planet. Here's a link to the article.

And a short video illustrating it:

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 70)

2008-11-13T13:08:00.004-05:00

Here we go again. More works to keep straight:

Sherbert vs. Sherbet vs. Sorbet

Wrong: Would you like some sherbert for dessert?

Right: Would you like some sherbet for dessert?

Sherbet is a frozen concoction made of fruit and/or fruit juice, with gelatin, egg white, or milk added. Sherbert is simply a misspelling and mispronunciation of sherbet. (Note: In Europe, sherbet can also refer to a type of fruity drink.) A sorbet is similar to a sherbet in that both are frozen fruity desserts. However a sorbet is usually softer/mushier (less frozen), and lacks the milk/gelatin/egg white additive, as well as fruit solids. As a result, the texture is often finer. Sorbets are frequently served between meal courses as a palate cleanser.

Criterias vs. Criteria

Wrong: We use different criterias to help us decide.

Right: We use different criteria to help us decide.

Criterias is essentially a double plural, given that criteria (standards, rules or tests by which a decision can be made) is the plural of criterion. (“We have only one criterion: quality.”)

I have more, so come back soon.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 69)

2008-11-09T11:10:00.003-05:00

Now that the elections are over, maybe we can get back to the important stuff: writing! On that note, here are some more oft-confused words to consider.

‘im vs. ‘em

Wrong: They’re inside. Don’t let ‘im get away.

Right: They’re inside. Don’t let ‘em get away.

Right: He’s inside. Don’t let ‘im get away.

The contraction ‘im is short for “him,” while ‘em is short for “them.” It shouldn’t be hard to keep ‘em straight.

Risky vs. Risqué

Wrong: I love those risky poses.

Right: I love those risqué poses.

Risky means hazardous, while risqué mean racy or suggestive of sexual impropriety. Of course, the two terms aren’t mutually exclusive. A topless dancer, for example, may be engaging in behavior that is both risqué and risky.

More next time. See ya!

Mark.

Ban the straight party ticket voting option!

2008-11-06T11:42:00.006-05:00

I don't normally write about politics, politicians, or voting, but this is an exception. In every election I'm confronted with the stupidest idea ever invented: the straight party ticket.

Regardless of which party affiliation you register with, is it really possible that every candidate in that party is honest, hardworking, and feels the same way you do about the important issues? Not bloody likely. Yet, in every election millions of voters abdicate their responsibility to use their brains when voting, and blindly check the Democrat or Republican straight party ticket box.

I can't remember the last time (if ever) that I didn't select at least one or two candidates from the "other" party, or at least one independent. That's because I actually think about who I'm voting for before I vote.

As far as I'm concerned anyone who checks the straight party ticket box should be barred from further voting as an idiot who doesn't deserve the right. But because the U.S. Constitution won't allow that, the next best option is to do away with the straight party ticket choice. That would force voters to actually look at the names of the candidates before they vote. (What a concept!)

Sure, the voters may still simply check off the names of all the candidates in the party, one by one, but at least they'll have to look at the names first. Who knows? Some voters might see the names and remember the sleazy negative campaign their candidate waged and decide to vote for someone else. They might recall that the incumbent was roundly denounced by multiple media analysts as useless, wasteful, or catering to special interests, and decide to vote for someone else. They might even decide that both major party candidates are sleazeballs that don't deserve their vote and vote for one of the minor candidates. (It might even send a message to the major parties, if enough disaffected voters did this.)

Of course, this sort of vote-switching may not happen much more often than today, but it should happen at least occasionally, which would be a good thing for American politics.

So I say, ban the straight party ticket voting option!

Mark.

P.S. Here's another idea to consider: the negative vote. In those races where there is one candidate running unopposed, or only two and both are worthless, we should be able to cast a vote that counts as -1 instead of +1. If enough negative votes are cast, the candidates may not register any votes at all (or at least they should get the message that we're not happy with them). Write and let me know what you think about these ideas for voting reform.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 68)

2008-11-06T11:11:00.004-05:00

Still looking for more of these words? Very well, here they are:

Zippo vs. zippo

Wrong: He flicked open his zippo and lit a stogie.

Right: He flicked open his Zippo and lit a stogie.

Wrong: We went for it all, but we ended up with Zippo.

Right: We went for it all, but we ended up with zippo.

Zippo is a registered trademark for a brand of cigarette lighter. If you’re referring to the lighter, it should be capitalized. Conversely, if you mean zip, zilch, zero, nada, goose egg—as in nothing—then it would be lower-case zippo. You might request a Zippo but get zippo instead.

Xray vs. X-ray

Wrong: He went in for xrays of his wrist.

Right: He went in for x-rays of his wrist.

X-rays is properly written with a hyphen or as two words (x rays), but never as one word (xrays).

I'll have some more for you soon. Please come back. The management appreciates your patronage.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 67)

2008-11-03T18:52:00.003-05:00

Here are a few more words to chew on:

Cord vs. Chord

Wrong: Something in what she said struck a cord.

Right: Something in what she said struck a chord.

Cord has many meanings, but most relate to string, wire, a cord-like structure (e.g., spinal cord), or binding of some sort (the cords of marriage). Chord can mean a combination of musical notes or, in this case, evoking a feeling or emotion.

Funner vs. More fun

Wrong: I think tennis is a lot funner than bowling.

Right: I think tennis is a lot more fun than bowling.

I’m sure funner is used tongue-in-cheek sometimes; but it’s not a proper word, falling into the same category as ain’t. It should only be used in dialog where the speaker is supposed to sound uneducated. If you use it in narrative, you’ll be the one sounding uneducated.

There are still more to come.

Mark.

Turmoil among major publishers may be a boon for smaller ones

2008-10-31T13:45:00.005-04:00

You may have heard recently that amid the financial crisis and the stock market panic, the publishing industry is undergoing a consolidation. Major publishers have announced sizable layoffs and they're "firing" mid-list authors in order to concentrate their efforts on only the A-list authors (the cash cows). As a result, it has become harder than ever for a first-time author to break into the ranks of the published. (If the publishers aren't even keeping established authors with a fan-base around, what are the chances of them signing an unknown with no track record?)

Because of this, many no-name authors (myself included) have resorted to smaller print and ebook publishers as a way of getting a foot in the publishing door. This has resulted in a proliferation of ebook publishers whose cost of entry is much lower than that of a traditional print publisher. (There are no printing or shipping costs associated with ebooks, and a small publisher doesn't have to pay the rent of a Manhattan address.)

One of the things holding back the fledgling ebook industry is a stigma among some readers that these somehow aren't "real" books, because they aren't printed on paper and can't be held. The "can't be held" issue is being resolved by improved ebook reader devices, but work remains to lower costs and improve usability. Another issue is a perception that the quality of ebooks is inferior to that of traditional printed books. There is some truth to this claim, although probably not as much as many people think.

Some of this stigma is due to less-than-professional publishers who are too cheap to do a decent job of editing or creating eye-catching covers for the books, and some of it is due to small publishers feeling they have to accept inferior works simply to have something to publish. (Established authors are unikely to consider them.) As a result, some good books are poorly edited, and some crappy books are published. (No amount of editing can save a crappy book.) Neither situation helps the image of ebooks.

On the other hand, there are many wonderful ebooks that are professionally edited and have gorgeous covers. They're every bit as good as many of the print books released by the large publishing houses, but unknown by most of the reading public. And this latter point brings me back to the beginning of this post.

With many popular mid-list authors being cut by the big publishing houses, some will catch on with smaller print publishers; but odds are many others will find themselves signing with small ebook publishers who treat them as A-listers. Once their books (including backlist titles that have been discontinued by the big publishers) are available as ebooks, their legions of loyal fans will flock to those ebooks. (They won't want to give up their favorite-author fix, after all.) This can only help to fuel the growth of these publishers, and the ebook segment as a whole. At the same time, while these fans are browsing the ebook publishers' sites, they're bound to "discover" some of the other talented, but unknown, authors there.

Ironically, the cost-cutting moves by the big publishers will end up hurting them in the end, as many of their customers leave them to follow the authors they cut adrift. The more "name" authors that sign with ebook publishers, the faster ebooks will become mainstream, and the sooner the major publishers will be forced to publish ebooks themselves to keep from falling behind--further legitimizing ebooks as an alternative to printed books. A decade from now, there may be no such thing as new printed books anymore--only dusty relics of a bygone age, sitting on the same shelf as 8-track tapes, Betamax cartridges, and wired telephones.

Mark.

Update on "My Other Car is a Spaceship"

2008-10-31T12:25:00.004-04:00

I recently workshopped my fourth novel, My Other Car is a Spaceship, to see if I could improve Chapter 1, which I felt was too "talky."

I'm pleased to report that I was successful. By adding three short scenes to the Prologue and rewriting/rearranging parts of Ch. 1, I was able to eliminate about a thousand words of conversation from Ch. 1. I think the new combination of Prologue and Ch. 1 has more of a sense of urgency than before and moves faster.

I still have some polishing to do, but I expect to begin submitting it to publishers shortly.

Mark.

Sunrise Destiny being edited

2008-10-31T11:52:00.003-04:00

Good news! My editor (Melissa) at Red Rose Publishing started editing Sunrise Destiny (my third sci-fi novel) last night. It's too soon yet to get a release date, but if the manuscript requires as little work as I think it will, I'm expecting sooner rather than later. (That is, maybe January rather than February.)

I'll keep you posted as I learn more.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 66)

2008-10-30T12:58:00.003-04:00

I'm running low on words, but I still have a few left:

Sherrif or Sherriff vs. Sheriff

Wrong: There’s a new Sherrif in town.

Right: There’s a new Sheriff in town.

Sheriff (the law in these here parts) is often misspelled. Don’t let this sidewinder bushwhack you, pardner.

Opps vs. Oops

Wrong: Opps! Sorry about that.

Right: Oops! Sorry about that.

I have no idea why oops (an expression of chagrin or dismay as one’s mistake or clumsy act) shows up as opps so often. Opps doesn’t even sound like oops. Undoubtedly it’s a typo sometimes, but when the same person misspells it opps multiple times, it must be more than a typo.

Stay tuned for the next installment.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 65)

2008-10-23T00:38:00.004-04:00

Here are some more words to ponder:

Set up vs. Setup

Wrong: You can setup the stereo system over there.

Right: You can set up the stereo system over there.

Right: That’s a nice stereo setup you have.

In this context, set up is a verb phrase that describes the action of assembling something or making it ready for use. This particular use of setup is as a noun that refers to the equipment or items necessary for a particular activity or period, or the way things are arranged.

Que or Cue vs. Queue

Wrong: Cue up at the ticket office.

Right: Queue up at the ticket office.

To queue up is to get in line or line up. The spelling isn’t intuitive (another word borrowed from the French) and often gets mangled as cue or que. A cue is a hint, guiding suggestion, or prompt (among other meanings), as in “That was his cue to enter.” or “Cue the music.” Que is simply a misspelling of queue (or an obsolete term for a half-farthing coin). So take a cue and get in queue.

I'll have more words for you shortly.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 64)

2008-10-14T22:58:00.003-04:00

Here are some more words to watch out for:

Longest vs. Longer

Wrong: The Queen Mary is the longest of the two ships.

Right: The Queen Mary is the longer of the two ships.

Use longer or shorter when referring to one of only two; use longest or shortest when referring to one of three or more.

Shone vs. Shown vs. Shined

Wrong: She shown the light down into the grave.

Right: She shone the light down into the grave.

Shone, like shined, is the past tense of shine, however they are used differently. Use shone when describing the act of shedding or casting light. (“The moon shone down upon the graveyard.”) Use shined when describing putting a gloss or polish on something (“I shined my shoes to a mirror finish.”), or when referring to someone distinguishing himself. (“He really shined in the high jump competition yesterday!”). On the other hand, shown is unrelated to shine. It’s the past tense of show, and is preceded by was or had: “She was shown the door.” or “He had shown her the proper way to tie a slipknot.”

More next time.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 63)

2008-10-08T23:39:00.003-04:00

Here are some more words to mull over:

Dessert vs. Desert

Wrong: She wandered for days, lost in the dessert.

Right: She wandered for days, lost in the desert.

Unless she was eating the world’s largest hot fudge sundae, she was lost in a desert (an extremely dry place that supports only sparse vegetation), not a dessert (the final course of a meal).

Tort vs. Torte

Wrong: That tort was delicious!

Right: That torte was delicious!

A torte is a type of cake containing little or no flour but many eggs and, usually, ground nuts. A tort, on the other hand, is a wrongful act for which a civil lawsuit can be brought (personal injury, for example, but not a breach of contract). While a victorious attorney might refer to a tort as delicious, most of us would find a torte to be tastier.

Come back soon for some more words.

Mark.

Good news re. Sunrise Destiny

2008-09-30T21:52:00.004-04:00

My publisher recently assigned an editor to my third science fiction novel, Sunrise Destiny. She'll begin work on it shortly. I still don't have an assigned release date, but I imagine I'll get that fairly soon.

In an unrelated note, it looks like the anthology I wrote a story for last year is on track for publication in the next few months. The anthology will be called The World Outside the Window. The concept is that the main character of each story sees something or someone outside the window in the courtyard below or the road beyond. All the stories relate to what those characters see (or remember) happening outside. To add a twist, the stories cross genres, including science fiction, romance, and other types.

My (sci-fi) story is called, Fallen Star, Rising Star.

I'll follow up with more details as I get them.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 62)

2008-09-29T23:31:00.002-04:00

And still more frequently misused or misspelled words:

Tortuous vs. Torturous

Right: We undertook a tortuous journey.

Right: We undertook a torturous journey.

Tortuous means winding, twisting, or convoluted, while torturous refers to causing pain and suffering (torture). Sometimes there can be overlap in meaning. For example, describing a tortuous road as torturous imparts the added nuance of danger or mental anguish. Still, it’s important to understand the difference in meaning, to ensure that you always use the correct word.

Jist vs. Gist

Wrong: That’s the jist of the situation.

Right: That’s the gist of the situation.

Jist is a simple misspelling of gist, which is the central meaning or essence of an idea, discussion, or legal argument.

Come back soon for more words.

Mark

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 61)

2008-09-29T00:07:00.003-04:00

More words to mull over:

Walla vs. Voilà

Wrong: We turned the corner and walla, there it was.

Right: We turned the corner and voilà, there it was.

Voilà (or voila) is French for “see there.” It’s used to call attention to something or express satisfaction or success. Walla is simply an attempt to spell it phonetically. But even that fails, because the correct pronunciation of voila is vwa-LA (not wa-LA). The v is not silent.

Eldest vs. Elder / Youngest vs. Younger

Wrong: The eldest of their two daughters is getting married next month.

Right: The elder of their two daughters is getting married next month.

Use elder or younger when referring to one of only two; use eldest or youngest when referring to one of three or more.

Stay tuned for even more words next time.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 60)

2008-09-28T23:55:00.003-04:00

Here are some more words to watch out for:

Anyway vs. Any way

Wrong: You can have the eggs cooked anyway you want them.

Right: You can have the eggs cooked any way you want them.

Wrong: It doesn’t matter. We’re not going to Paris, any way.

Right: It doesn’t matter. We’re not going to Paris, anyway.

Anyway is an adverb that means regardless, or nonetheless. The phrase any way means “in any manner” or “by any method.”

Co-locate vs. Collocate

Wrong: We need to co-locate all our servers in one data center.

Right: We need to collocate all our servers in one data center.

If you’re involved in the computer industry, you’ve probably come across the word co-locate from time to time. Unfortunately it’s a phonetic misspelling of collocate, which means to place together (especially side-by-side) or to arrange in the proper order.

I'll have more words for you soon.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 59)

2008-09-26T22:57:00.004-04:00

More oft-misused words and phrases:

Present company accepted vs. Present company excepted

Wrong: Everyone has lost somebody—present company accepted.

Right: Everyone has lost somebody—present company excepted.

The phrase present company excepted means all but those in the presence of the speaker.

Phase vs. Faze

Wrong: That’s just a faze they’re going through.

Right: That’s just a phase they’re going through.

Wrong: His words didn’t phase her at all.

Right: His words didn’t faze her at all.

Faze is a verb that means to disturb, fluster, or disconcert. A phase (noun), on the other hand, is a temporary state of being, a stage in a process of change. It’s a rare parent who isn’t fazed by the phases his or her teenager manifests.

Come back soon for even more words and phrases.

Mark.

Commonly misused/misspelled words and phrases (Part 58)

2008-09-17T21:53:00.003-04:00

Here are some more words to think about:

God vs. god

Wrong: Mars was the Roman God of war.

Right: Mars was the Roman god of war.

God (capitalized) should refer only to the one supreme being worshipped by a monotheistic religion. When a religion worships multiple gods (love, fire, storms, etc.), write the word god in lower case. Similarly, when used in a humorous manner (such as referring to the golfing gods), use lower case.

Oogle vs. Ogle

Wrong: Do you have to oogle every pretty girl that walks by?

Right: Do you have to ogle every pretty girl that walks by?

Oogle is simply a misspelling (and mispronunciation) of ogle (OH-gul), which means to look or stare at flirtatiously, amorously, or impertinently.

More next time. Come back soon.

Mark.