C. Gockel's Blog, page 146
December 1, 2013
November 28, 2013
November 26, 2013
"And while we’re on the subject, I’d like to say a few words about escapism. I hear the term bandied..."
And while we’re on the subject, I’d like to say a few words about escapism. I hear the term bandied about as if it’s a bad thing. As if “escapist” fiction is a cheap opiate used by the muddled and the foolish and the deluded, and the only fiction that is worthy, for adults or for children, is mimetic fiction, mirroring the worst of the world the reader finds herself in.
If you were trapped in an impossible situation, in an unpleasant place, with people who meant you ill, and someone offered you a temporary escape, why wouldn’t you take it? And escapist fiction is just that: fiction that opens a door, shows the sunlight outside, gives you a place to go where you are in control, are with people you want to be with (and books are real places, make no mistake about that); and more importantly, during your escape, books can also give you knowledge about the world and your predicament, give you weapons, give you armour: real things you can take back into your prison. Skills and knowledge and tools you can use to escape for real.
As JRR Tolkien reminded us, the only people who inveigh against escape are jailers.
”- Neil Gaiman, from theguardian.com (via thensiur)
November 24, 2013
Excerpt from I Bring the Fire Part IV
From I Bring the Fire Part IV
“Is that your girlfriend?” Amy says staring down at the phone.
Bohdi’s brain sputters. “What—”
Amy holds up his phone revealing a picture of Bohdi on leave during MOS. He’s with Nat at a bar. They’re kissing. It’s on the lips, but their bodies are far apart.
Shaking his head, he smiles at the memory. “Oh, no. That’s my friend Nat. She’s a lesbian.” She was Bohdi’s best friend in MOS.
Amy’s eyebrow hikes up.
Laughing, Bohdi says, “There might have been alcohol involved.” Leaning close to Amy he whispers conspiratorially, “But she tells me, if I were a girl, she’d totally do me.” Giving Amy a wink, he says, “If I were a girl I’d totally do her too.”
November 23, 2013
ibringthefireodin:
In the Balance - An I Bring the Fire...
In the Balance - An I Bring the Fire Novella
NOW AVAILABLE ON ITUNES
Called into ADUO’s offices to identify a magical artifact, Amy is taken on a journey beyond the universe itself. She comes face to face with the good and the bad of the forces of order and chaos, and has to chose for herself which of many imperfect paths to take.
The fate of the Nine Realms is in the balance. This time, it’s in Amy’s hands.
An I Bring the Fire novella that takes place after Chaos.
(Also available at Smashwords & Amazon)
Now available at Barnes & Noble too!
November 20, 2013
November 18, 2013
Excerpt From Fates
Little excerpt from Fates, Part IV of I Bring the Fire.
…..
There is another deep reverberating chuckle, and the dragon rumbles. “And I would love to see your scapula, too.” Its accent is unmistakably Queens English, and for an odd moment Bohdi thinks the creature’s interest might be as clinical as Amy’s. And then the dragon licks its lips, pushes its snout closer, and its eyes shimmer.
Beside him, Bohdi hears Amy swallow. “I feel I should warn you,” she says, “that humans are very dirty disease-ridden animals and some carnivores develop chronic and sometimes fatal conditions after devouring our flesh.”
The dragon’s head whips back and it roars.
It takes Bohdi a moment to realize it’s laughing.
