The Practical Artist

GAME THEORY Book 1 in the Arcadia Legend Refusing to allow Earth-Gov and its Industrial Giants to dictate their colony policies, the Arcadians created the first of the Outlawed Colonies. Excerpt from the book: A heavy scowl on his face, Alexandre watched as Ivette, Mathias and the children went up the staircase, trailed by Rika. “Really, love, voles are dangerous and unpredictable. Why didn’t…

The Syrene Caper is chunking right along; I pushed the finish date to May 31st as I want to give myself ample time to edit the finished book. I’m up to 27,530 words (hoping to hit at least 45,000) and I’m about 2/3 through the story. Dan, my male MC, is about to join an attempt to capture the gang cooking illegal drugs in the ruins. I expect that to take at least three more chapters. I also did…

What I’ve learned from my readers

I just got another of those e-mail things declaring “Take my class: I can help you organize your writing so you can write better”. And they’re going to give me a discount off the asking price. Of course, they neglected to mention the actual cost… It may sound nice, but my creative flow rebels against being organized. If I try to outline more than a chapter ahead, I find myself writing something…

2025 is finally ending—I can’t say I’m sorry to see it go. This hasn’t been a stellar year for me and my family—at least not in the health area. I spent part of February, most of March and part of April in an out of our local hospital. It’s the best one in the area and they try really hard, but hospital stays are NOT fun. After I came home for the last time, I spent the next few months in 15…

I interrupted our Christmas movie marathon to write this, but it bugged me so much I need to get it off my chest. I wanted to generate some alien characters, so I went to two of my AI generators (Yes, I use them for certain things. If you don’t like that—too bad. AI is here—get over it.) I wanted to do the mother and child on a book cover (working title: The Syrene Caper) and I discovered the…

Betrayal, power struggles, and a dangerous attraction – Lady Patrice O’Teague and Detective Craig Lansing are caught in the middle of a three-way fight for leadership in the Port Recovery Thieves Guild. As they navigate the treacherous world of thieves and Clans, they can’t ignore the sparks flying between them. But when Lansing’s boss warns him against getting too close to anyone from Clan…

HUNTING VARMITSA WHUFFLING snort in his ear woke Zach Tylor from a sound sleep. He turned his head to find a pig-like snout about an inch from his nose. The snout belonged to Lucy, his semi-guard pet. The scientific name for Lucy’s species was Lupinus Leo. Colonists referred to them as Banded Koodoo. Zach just called her Lucy. Lucy’s DNA said she had both feline and canine characteristics; she…

CLONED AMBITION DEATH SENTENCE TWELVE YEARS LATER, Scarlet was told she was going to be given a chance to exercise her nascent acting skills. A studio was re-making Spartacus, and she was to play the role of Varinia, the love interest for Spartacus.   “Does the director know I’m a clone?” she asked hesitantly.   “Yes,” Miss Simpson said. “All the actors will be clones. I understand Spartacus…

Sister, Sister IT WAS MIDNIGHT and Lucinda nursed a cup of Cafka as she waited for the time to report in for her first shift on Port Recovery’s Security forces. Agra, her Dactyl, snuggled with her littermate Saura in the fur-lined nest made especially for them. Dactyls were six-limbed flying mammals native to Vensoog. They came in all sizes, from creatures large enough to hunt the Water Dragons…

DEATH SENTENCE TWELVE YEARS LATER, Scarlet was told she was going to be given a chance to exercise her nascent acting skills. A studio was re-making Spartacus, and she was to play the role of Varinia, the love interest for Spartacus. “Does the director know I’m a clone?” she asked hesitantly. “Yes,” Miss Simpson said. “All the actors will be clones. I understand Spartacus and the others will…

The 2nd book set on Barsoom Colony FEEL THE RYTHEM AVA GARNEYS checked the display on her tablet against the survey marker she had just inserted into the ground to ensure it was securely placed. This was the last marker she needed to set today. Satisfied, she swung an armored-clad leg over the seat of her personal airsled and headed back to base camp. Ava was a mapmaker and explorer attached to…

A MAN AND a woman stood looking down at the young girl about fourteen who lay on the gurney. The child was of slight build, with long dark hair, and a honey toned complexion. Her dark green eyes were closed in sleep.    The woman was Dr. Jolene Marston. She was tall and angular, her graying hair pulled back in a messy bun. She felt a brief moment of regret that she wouldn’t be the one to teach…