Hope to see you at the Northern Virginia Christmas Market on Saturday, November 10th. I’ll be there starting at 10:00 AM
Start your holiday shopping with a copy of STAR TOUCHED.
Dulles Expo Center
Chantilly, Virginia
Tag: Science Fiction
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WOLF NOTES: An Uncommon Interview – G J Stevens
Welcome to WOLF NOTES, where interview questions stray from the rest of the pack. It’s nice to know the usual stuff like where an author gets their inspiration and why they write, but sometimes we need a little fun in our lives.Give a big wolf welcome to GJ Stevens
GJ Stevens started writing fiction at the age of thirty. He describes his style of writing as popular fiction which usually has some sort of Sci-Fi or paranormal element, but he is on a journey and won’t pigeon hole himself into one genre. Even as a degree level engineer with a large family and a full-time career in a serious profession with plenty of adult responsibilities, he has always had an artistic and creative side. After years of self-suppression, the flood gates opened and his novel, In The End, is the culmination of many years of finding time from nowhere to learn the craft.Whilst working to self-publish his first novel, GJ, real name Gareth, chose to document his publishing journey in an open-book and honest fashion and through his blog he lays bare his journey, detailing his mistakes and the findings of his research as he treads his way into publishing.
As a lover of the outdoors, every year he spends weekends out in the desolate countryside of the UK hiking and camping with his long-time friends which he uses as inspiration for both his creative fiction works and the subject of many a blog post. GJ Stevens is on the beginning of his publishing journey and wants to share the highs and lows with anyone who will listen.
Wolf: Do you consider yourself a cat person, or a dog person?
Gareth: A dog person. I grew up with a dog in the family but as an adult I’m allergic to both cats and dogs. I get my dog fix vicariously through my best friend’s black lab.
Wolf: I’m a dog person too. (Shouldn’t be a surprise for a wolf.) While walking in the woods you come across…
Gareth: A sight I knew I would see eventually. I’d taken to the woods to get away. Walking between the trees because it felt safe, despite each step taken with care, a glance to where my feet might trip, might snap a branch or twig and turn their heads, might force me to run, to find some other place of safety
This is an adapted version of one of my favourite flash fiction pieces I have pinned on my twitter account.
Wolf: Cool. If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Gareth: Invisibility, until I really think about it. I’d like to be left alone to write, but I’d have to be able to turn the power on and off. I love my family and friends and wouldn’t want that to end just because they can’t see me! I’m an introvert when it comes to creativity but weirdly confident and somewhat more extrovert when it comes to normal life.
Wolf: That would be a great power. It seems like every time I sit down to write someone walks in the room or calls. Maybe I should try closing the door. Speaking of doors:
There is a door at the end of a dark, damp corridor. You hear rumbling. What do you do?
Gareth: Shout at the TV and tell myself not to take a single step forward. When I realize I’m not on the TV, I’ll look around for anything heavy to swing. If nothing is at hand then I’ll check my pockets for a pen and paper so I can immortalize the moment, ready for adding the scene to my next book.
Wolf: The world is about to end. What is the first thing you do?
Gareth: Find my wife and hold her in my arms. If I’ve got a little longer then gather together with my friends and family and empty the wine stocks from the house.
Wolf: I’ll drink to that. What five items would you want to have in a post-cataclysmic world?
Gareth: This is very fitting. My first novel to be published is set at the start of a world changing event and I blog about preparing for the worst by packing a bug out bag. With the bag you’re limited to what you can carry on your back, but if I could only take five items they would be a water filtration straw so you can drink water from almost any source, my micro-pick for defense. It’s lightweight and packs a great punch suitable for all types of post-cataclysmic scenarios. A roll of gaffer type, the swiss army knife of survival. The final items would be a sleeping bag and my multi-fuel compact camping stove.
gjstevens.com/2018/07/16/emergency-kit-bug-out-bag-v2-0/
Wolf: You are ready to go. Let’s hope you never need to used it. I think my character, Tatiana, would have loved your bag. What story are you working on now?
Gareth: I’m editing the follow up to my first novel In The End. It’s is as-of-yet unnamed, but follows the same timeline as the first novel but from another, completely different perspective.
Wolf: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Gareth: I work full time and have a wonderful family and group of close friends. When I get chance, I like to hike with my friends but I only get the chance to do that once or twice a year.
Wolf: Thanks for stopping by. You can connect with GJ Stevens through these links:
Social Media Links:
www.gjstevens.com
https://www.facebook.com/gjstevensauthor/
Twitter: @stevens_GJSTAR TOUCHED
CAN YOU BE WHO YOU ARE MEANT TO BE?
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The Day of Reckoning Has Arrived
View the Star Touched Book Trailer Here
For those of you who are really into the science in science fiction, here is what happened. If those kinds of details don’t interest you, just skip the rest of this paragraph. The meteor that hit earth in Star Touched was smaller than the nearly six-mile-wide meteor that scientist believe caused the dinosaur’s extinction, but not by much. Hitting in the Atlantic near the conjunction of three tectonic plates, this impact triggered massive earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Basically, it really shook things up in nearly the worst possible way. All those earthquakes caused numerous tsunamis, one of which smacked into the eastern America. Volcanic eruptions spewed tons of junk into the atmosphere.
The Day of Reckoning and the days following devastated earth’s population, changed the coastline, and altered the climate. Were it not for clear sky day, it is unlikely life would have continued as we know it. It also created the star-touched, people capable of accessing incredible power.
https://www.psi.edu/epo/ktimpact/ktimpact.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicxulub_crater
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39922998
STAR TOUCHED
Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.
Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble. Will Tatiana flee or stay and fight for the new life she has built? Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.
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Countdown to the Day of Reckoning – 2 Days – Survival of The Apocalypse
If the unimaginable were to happen, are you prepared?
It’s time to start packing.
What 5 items would you definitely want to have to survive a cataclysm?
If you want to bring a copy of STAR TOUCHED,
you can pack a 6th item!
Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her
star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.
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Countdown to the Day of Reckoning – 3 Days – An Interview of Tatiana from Star Touched
Here is an interview of Tatiana, the main character in Star Touched, that The Wolf did a while back.
Wolf: Welcome to Wolf Notes, Tatiana. If you could be any animal in the universe, what would it be and why?
Tatiana: Thank you, Wolf. I’d love to be a bird. That way I could fly anywhere I wanted, feel the wind in my feathers as I soared through the air. I’d be free, with no worries.
Wolf: That sounds nice. Any particular kind of bird?
Tatiana: Swallows are pretty and graceful. I love the way they glide.
Wolf: Sweet. Swallows are cool to watch. Would you consider yourself a cat person or a dog person?
Tatiana: I love all animals, but I suppose I’m partial to dogs right now. Fifi is very important to me.
Wolf: You mean that tiny poodle you’re bonded to?
Tatiana: I’d rather not talk about her. Please ask a different question.
Wolf: Sure. While walking through the woods you come upon…
Tatiana: Wild blueberries, a whole field of them. There are also wild carrots, dandelions, cat tails, and all sorts of other yummy foods.
Wolf: That sounds more like a grocery store. What is the strangest food you ever had?
Tatiana: Food is food these days. Although I did see someone else eat, well… something I really don’t want to talk about. I mean I’ll eat almost anything, but not…that. I’d rather starve. Not that I would. I’m pretty good at finding food in the wild.
Wolf: I’m not sure you really answered that one. Let’s try another. What do you do for fun?
Tatiana: Surviving is very time consuming, so I don’t have much free time, but when I do, I love to read. Doesn’t matter what. Fiction, history, science… I just love books. When I read I can be anyone and go anywhere. It’s a wonderful escape and I learn things.
Wolf: I agree. Books are pretty awesome. You’ve just been turned into a plant. Describe yourself.
Tatiana: That’s a tough one. I don’t like the idea of staying in one place. My roots would need to be movable. More like legs.
Wolf: A walking plant?
Tatiana: Yes. With a forest green stem and bright-green heart-shaped leaves with a splash of blue. They could be made into a tea that would cure any disease. I’d also grow clusters of tasty and nutritious berries. Each would be enough to fill your belly for a day.
Wolf: That sounds fantastic. Aren’t you worried people would hunt you down for those berries and leaves?
Tatiana: Oh. I didn’t think of that. Can I change my answer to a small inedible red flower with no useful purpose?
Wolf: Sorry. No take backs. There is a door at the end of a dark damp corridor. You hear rumbling. What do you do?
Tatiana: Open the door and try to fix whatever machine is malfunctioning.
Wolf: Are you a mechanic?
Tatiana: No, but I’ve read lots of books on fixing things.
Wolf: If you could choose any weapon, what would it be?
Tatiana: Knowledge. I don’t like weapons or fighting.
Wolf: If you could pick any super power, what would it be and why?
Tatiana: None!
Wolf: Really?
Tatiana: I don’t want ANY special powers. I just want to be a normal person. I need to go now.
Wolf: Wow, Tatiana ran out of here fast. If you want to know more about her, you’ll have to read Star Touched.
Don’t forget to get your copy of Star Touched so you can learn more about Tatiana an her friends.
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Countdown to the Day of Reckoning – 5 Days –Fault Lines
Our ever-changing earth is made up of several plates that bump, grind, rub, and twist in a tectonic dance. All that moving around has created some pretty cool geological features, like mountains. If you want to see a really good example of how rocks can bend over time, take a look at Sideling Hill in Maryland. When they build Interstate 86 they cut through Sideling Hill, uncovering some spectacular layers.
http://www.mgs.md.gov/geology/geology_tour/sideling_hill.html
Sometimes the plates move a bunch all at once. That’s when we feel earthquakes.
Keep an eye on this spot as we get closer to the Day of Reckoning.
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/faults/
https://www.exploratorium.edu/faultline/liveeye.html
Don’t forget to pick up a copy of STAR TOUCHED
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Countdown to the Day of Reckoning – 6 Days – Vegetable Oil Engine
When petroleum isn’t available, what do you use to fuel your engine? Why vegetable oil, of course. In the post cataclysmic world of Star Touched, there are no oil refineries and gasoline is hard to come by. That’s why Marty the Merchant has a custom bus that runs on a combination of old vegetable oil, rendered fat, and alcohol. The old fast food places may not be serving up food any longer, but they’re a great source of fuel for Marty. So, next time you smell French fries, take a look around for an old bus. It just might be Marty.
If you don’t think it’s possible, check out these links.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEX1YFXYTdI
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_svo.html
https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a20651/grease-car-vegetable-oil/
https://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-to-convert-your-diesel-to-run-on-vegetable-oil
Want to know what happens? Get your copy of Star Touched now.
STAR TOUCHED
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Countdown to the Day of Reckoning – 7 Days – Gareth’s House
I remember reading an early draft of chapter three. My critique group was confused and it was easy to see why. There were three floors and a bunch of stairs that made up a store, a tavern, and rooms. Once I sketched out exactly what Gareth’s house/store/tavern looked like, it was easier to describe the path Tatiana and Fifi took to the common room.
Get Star Touched Here.
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Countdown to the Day of Reckoning – 8 Days – Map of Atherton, Kentucky
A lot of planning went into creating the town of Atherton for my novel, STAR TOUCHED. I had to figure out how large of a population could be supported on the farmland available. The map also helped visualize several scenes.
Have you picked up your copy of STAR TOUCHED?
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Countdown to the Day of Reckoning – 9 Days – Supervolcano
Tour guide: Welcome to Yellowstone National Park. I hope you enjoy our visit. By the way, you are standing in the caldera of a geologically active supervolcano.Me: Wait. What? Shouldn’t they have mentioned that before entering the park?
At least 48 super-eruptions have been discovered by geologist, but what does that mean?
The volcanic explosivity index goes to 8 and that’s where a supervolcano hangs. They can spew 240 cubic miles of material. Pressure builds up in these volcanoes until they blow big time.
So, what would happen if Yellowstone supervolcano had another VEI 8 eruption? It would probably blanket much of the United States under a blanket of ash. A friend of mine lived in Seattle around the time Mt. St. Helen erupted. One of the biggest problems was the ash. Even a thin coat can make roads slick and clog up filters. You don’t want to be breathing that stuff.
It would also cool things down a bit for a few years. Think mini ice age.
No need to worry. There have been no signs that any of the world’s supervolcanoes will erupt anytime soon. The last time one went was 26,500 years ago in New Zealand.
For more information check these site:
https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-a-supervolcano?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products
https://www.vox.com/2014/9/5/6108169/yellowstone-supervolcano-eruption
Don’t forget to pickup a copy of STAR TOUCHED.
Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.