Writing Update and Sneak Peek

So, since it has been a long while, I thought I would do this a bit differently. I have started writing again, and have finally found the appropriate plot line for the sequel to The Alien Mind- which may turn into a trilogy or more (no promises). However, I have three kiddo's, I've just graduated (Magna Cum Laude- yay me!), and hope to start working full time here soon. Which ultimately means getting this book written will not happen quickly.

So. My idea was to update you on my word count with a sneak peek. I'd like to declare once a week, but depending on the week I may not get anything written so for now... I'll just leave it at that. If you subscribe to my blog or social media channels you will get the notification when I've posted a new update/peek here.

So here goes:

Today I wrote 2,078 words in the sequel to The Alien Mind (which does not have its own name yet)

I started Friday, and had a wedding yesterday so my total word count is 3,891 so far.

I may write a tiny bit more to finish off this scene before I head to bed but that's where I stand at 11pm today.

(update... 2,451 written before heading to bed... with a final word count of 4,658)

As for the sneak peek... Here is one of my favorite pieces (unedited):

*****

A thousand options ran through his head. Ellery needed an experienced mind healer. He could ask the humans if he could take her back to Aun to be looked at, but if the humans refused things could get bad. If his Aunantet friends helped him get the children out of here it could look like an Aunantet attack on a human colony. That wasn’t what Aun stood for. But he also couldn’t just leave her here like this…

Daniel moved toward the door.

“Commander Mandel, this girl needs more help than I can give her. She needs an experienced mind healer.”

“She won’t be allowed to leave this facility!” Commander Mandel replied.

Daniel stepped back through the atoms of the door. “Could you repeat that?”
Commander Mandel stiffened as he repeated his statement. “She is under the care and protection of Earth and its government now.”

“I wonder, does Earth or its governments know what you all are doing to these children all the way out here?” Daniel growled, narrowing his eyes at the commander.

“You have no proof son,” The Commander smiled threateningly. “So unless you have any further business here, I’d suggest you leave.

Daniel eyed the Commander before stalking off back down the hallway towards his friends. 

*****

There were a few pieces from today that I am just aching to share with you, but this one was my favorite. Daniel has grown a bit since the first book and I am really enjoying allowing him to come into his own a bit more! 

So... that's it for now. Would you care to share any projects that YOU have been working on? Doesn't have to be writing related- I love hearing what everyone has been up to!

I need your help! Name that program!

I need a name for a program that checks the chemical and elemental composition of an object in space. something that would check to see if there were any lifeforms or potential for life forms... any ideas? If your idea is chosen I will be sure to add your name to the acknowledgement section of the book when it is published!

Visionary From The Stars, sneak peak excerpt for reference: (Bare in mind that this is a non edited excerpt)

Jean realized in awe that a comet was coming slowly into her view. She spared a few seconds to peel her eyes away from the viewscreen to make sure her instruments were recording the comet’s majestic passing. Sure enough, they were all doing what they were supposed to do. Crediting the [previous to this passage] strange signal to her bored imagination, Jean welcomed the chance to observe the passing comet. 

Jean crossed over to another window to get a better view and realized the “comet” didn’t look quite right. It was round, but instead of the usual comma tail, five spire-like objects extruded from its sides bending backward to meet and produce a fiery tail. Uneasiness filled her stomach. Jean jumped as the (Insert Name Of Program) sent out an alarm. She ran around the center circle and rounded on the culprit computer console. Jean frowned as she realized what the huge load of information scrolling down the blue glowing screen was trying to tell her. Horrified and mystified, she turned to the viewscreen across the room. 

What is this thing? 

Slowly the comet’s pace slowed until it matched her own ship’s relative speed. The comet turned slowly towards her ship, beginning its approach. Confused, Jean looked back and forth between the nearest computer terminals. One of them began screaming a proximity alarm. Six others sent out computerized voice messages meant to alert Jean to the comet’s possible time to impact, probable future course, and various choices of evasive actions to choose from.

 “Impossible!” She exclaimed, aloud, to the viewscreen. 

Comets just don’t change direction like that!

##End Excerpt##

photo credit: Comet C/2011 L4 Through Telescope via photopin (license)
Photo is not intended for the book.

####

Find The Alien Mind on Amazon!
And wherever else books are sold!

Did you like this post? If so you might enjoy my first book (while you are waiting for Visionary From The Stars to be released)!

For adults and teens alike, it is truly a science fiction adventure for the whole family!

If you'd prefer an autographed copy straight from the author you can buy one here as well!
Autographed Copy:$13.00 + Shipping

 

And remember! If you liked this excerpt or any of the other flash fiction pieces on my blog... you can sign up to get them straight in your e-mail box by plugging in your e-mail in the box on the right hand side!

The Whisker Brings The Rain- Flash Fiction

Henry craned his neck to stare out the window as Fred landed their ship on Unaris, the 2nd planet in orbit around a set of binary stars. Gloria had been here once before so instead of peering out the window with her crewmates she sat going over the scans of the ruins below.

 Henry threw off his harness and patted Gloria’s shoulder he passed her on his way to the airlock. 

“Well, if we are going to get this planet ready in time then we better get moving,” Henry said with a shrug.

Gloria sighed. ‘I am not looking forward to this.’ 

Due to the lighter gravity the three of them hopped lightly over the dry grassy field towards the ruins. Unaris had oxygen so they didn’t need their suits, but the air was dry and stale. Fred stopped a moment to take a drink from his water bottle.

 “You might want to conserve as much of that as you can,” Gloria said, pausing to watch him take in another big gulp of water. “The rain system could be on the other side of the planet, by the looks of things it hasn’t rained here in a while.”

 “Isn’t that your job, Whisker? To get the rain to come back?” Fred said with a chuckle.

 Gloria narrowed her eyes at him and sighed. “It’s not that simple,”

“What does the machine feel like when it turns on Gloria?” Henry asked curiously as they walked up the dusty metallic steps into a giant metal tower.

 Whoever had lived here had long since moved on. Buildings farther down from the tower were either caved in or over grown by thick dead plants.

 Gloria gulped, she really didn’t want to think about how it felt.

 “It’s a little creepy, the machine transmits impressions from the designers. It helps you feel what the planet needs and where it needs it.” Gloria answered. 

“Man that is creepy.” Henry said shuddering.

 At the top of the tower a giant machine stood in a roofless room. The machine held huge metal prongs pointed high into the sky above them. Taking a deep breath Gloria climbed into the odd control chair. At her touch the machine lit up, recognizing a living being’s electrical impulses again after so many years. A metal band lowered around her forehead and after one last thumbs up to Henry and Fred she closed her eyes.

 In her mind images of the world around her invaded her mind. Memories of the world as it once was, as well as its current state. She could see the rain system, stalled out over the western ocean. She could see the air currents, barely moving due to the lack of convection from the suns. Something inside her felt the designer’s intentions.

 ‘Bring life back.’ 

 Gloria waved her mental hand over her spot on the globe floating in her mind. Vibrations shook the machine gently as the metal prongs came to life, stirring the air into motion.



**Photo Credit: via photopin (license)


This post was part of the 52 week flash fiction challenge on facebook (somehow I never hit publish here on my blog so it is a bit late.)
Week 9 word prompt: Whisker
Word Limit: 20- 500
This one tops out right at 500 words.

Readers: Would you like to have the whisker's job of keeping the planet's weather system going? Do you think it would be stressful or peaceful? What do you think would be your favorite weather system to control?

So Apparently Its My Fault

Hearts Over Mind – It’s Virginia’s Fault!
By: Karina Fabian

I have a lot to thank Virginia for, and not just for hosting me today on the Mind Over All tour. It’s her fault that this trilogy actually ends with a fourth book, a novella called Hearts Over Mind, which is available free with the purchase of the Mind Over trilogy.

The Mind Over Trilogy follows Deryl Stephens, a human psychic whose powers drive him insane. With the help of an intern, Joshua, he learns to control his abilities. Eventually, he recognizes the alien minds that are trying to manipulate him and breaks free of their influence. He travels to their world, falls in love with one, heals and befriends the other, and eventually saves both their worlds. Through it all, Joshua is there to guide him, advise him, and slap some sense into him as needed. They become great friends.

Joshua has his own strong storyline as he falls in love with a nurse at the asylum where he helped Deryl. He and Sachiko have a rocky relationship because of their careers and the secret she kept hidden from him for too long. In Mind Over All, Deryl is horrified to return to Earth to find them in the middle of a fight that might end their relationship. He’s had a premonition that they must be together and help him save his new homeworld or else he will fail. He recruits Joshua, hijacks Sachiko, and on Kanaan, the two are able to heal their relationship. They finally set a date for the wedding – just in time to save the world.

Virginia is not only a good friend, but also likes my books and proofs them for me. When I gave her Mind Over All, she wrote back how disappointed she was that she didn’t get to see the wedding. In truth, I had too many loose ends to wrap up that I could not fit in a wedding scene. I had long had a great idea for a disastrous bachelor party for poor Joshua, but had been content to just imagine it and giggle now and again.

Thanks to her encouragement, I decided to write a short story about the days leading up to the wedding and the wedding itself. It would start with an argument, include the failed bachelor party where Josh falls off a boat, and end with a happily-ever-after wedding and a kiss to rival Princess Bride. However, when it would not work from Joshua’s POV, another friend suggested I try it from the POV of the bride. After all, it was her big day, too. Soon that led to a deeper exploration of the issues they’d faced, her own insecurities, and a whole lot of fun as she deals with everything from a half-drowned fiancé to a wedding kimono that’s psych-ward pink. The short story became a novella, and my publisher was only too happy to produce it.

So thanks, Virginia, for making me do more than daydream about a funny scene.

My response: To let you all in on a bit of the background to this article... I signed up to help Karina with her book tour and asked her for a guest post. I had no idea that I would open this in my e-mail box when she sent her files. I was surprised! Ha-Ha! You are more than welcome Karina, I am thrilled and honored to have inspired you to continue with the story! I can't wait to read it!

Karina is right- I have read her books. I have been entertained by and loved every single one of them! I encourage every one of you to go out and get a copy of all of them! They are fun, family friendly, and an over all sci-fi roaring good time! You WON'T regret it!

Want to find out more? http://karinafabian.com/mind-over-all/ 

Come buy yours here! http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Over-All-Novels-Book-ebook/dp/B011LSN6BE

Karina Fabian

By day, Karina is a mild-mannered reviewer of business software and services for TopTenReviews.com. After hours, she’s a psychic intent on saving the world; a snarky dragon who thinks he saves the world all-too regularly, a zombie exterminator who just wants her world clear of undead vermin, and nuns whose callings have taken them off our world. Needless to say, her imagination is vast, her stories legion, and her brain crowded. When she’s not converting her wild tales to stories, she’s enjoying time with her husband, Rob, their four kids, and their two dogs.    

Find Karina at:

Website: http://fabianspace.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karina.fabian

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/KarinaFabian

Google +:  https://plus.google.com/103660024891826015212

Different Worlds, Different Minds- The Alien Mind VBT post

I get to do all sorts of interesting things with my characters! Last year, for The Alien Mind's e-book release book tour I was asked if it would be ok for an alien to interview my character Rivi. What an interesting request! Turns out, the alien was actually a character in Clay Gilbert's 'Annah' 

Anyhow... Stop by and see how the two girls got along!
https://portalsandpathways.wordpress.com/2014/11/26/different-worlds-different-minds/

And please don't forget- The Alien Mind (paperback) is available for pre-order! Those who order in time to get their copy for the release party July 10th and post a picture to www.facebook.com/vljennings of them holding the book (or e-book) will be entered into a drawing for a special prize!

Pre-order your copy of The Alien Mind today! 

 

The Alien Mind Paperback Release Party!

Yay! The books are finally here!

If you can't tell, I'm super psyched! In honor of the book's release I have decided to host a facebook party!

Where? Right on my facebook page wall for a change!

When? July 10th - all day

I will be hosting games on my facebook page. Feel free to check in through the day to enter into the games! (Entry in the games will be as simple as commenting with your answer onto the party post threads- all of which will be marked with a *****)

 In the evening, the winners of the prizes will be selected at random and announced on the facebook wall! (Winners will also be messaged privately to arrange for prize delivery)

Bring and POST a picture- to my page wall- of you holding an e-book copy (show the picture on your screen) or the paperback copy (pre- order The Alien Mind paperback before the 4th to get yours in time!) to be entered into a special prize drawing!



 For all of those who would like to make donations for game prizes you can use the contact me form on the About The Author page or you can pm me on facebook. I will be promoting all the donators here and in the party! (I may also tweet about it from time to time ;)

So- come on in and join the fun!
www.facebook.com/vljennings

  Donators/Prizes:

-Aaron Demott is donating a bookmark and bookcover magnet to the games!

The Psygen Chronicles, Book 1: A New Threat 

"A simple diplomatic mission becomes a life and death struggle that could plunge the entire galaxy into a war...

When an alien ship lands unexpectedly in the middle of her clan's territory, Bast is sent to investigate as part of her scout trial. After an accident, she meets these new visitors. She and her senior scout Rrrark are invited to return with the aliens to their home planet to open diplomatic relations. What started out as a simple mission becomes complicated when they discover a pirate scheme that might be more than it seems. Are Bast, Rrrark, and two of the aliens called Psygens capable of stopping the pirates?"

www.aarondemott.com
Also... PLEASE (for me) like Aaron's facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAaronDemott

THANK YOU Aaron!

-Two beach sets donated by Greta King!

(unofficial bio)-> Greta is PDMI Publishing's Marketing Director and author of two children's books entitled Waiting For Santa and The Adventures of Fred and Ted. Go check out her facebook page here:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Greta-J-King/231748616840766?fref=ts

About Waiting For Santa:
Trying hard to stay awake, on Christmas Eve, a little girl begins to wonder what Santa might bring her--- and just how he gets all around the world to deliver all of those present in one night? Maybe it's not always reindeer. Wouldn't it be cool if he used a rocket, an airplane, or even skis sometimes? Or maybe he gets there different ways each year? While she's waiting to see what Santa puts under the tree for Christmas morning, she starts to dream of how he will cross the miles.....

About The Adventures Of Fred and Ted:
"Hi! My name is Ted. Fred and I are two young turtles trying hard to get to the ocean. To get there, though, we will need the help of our friends. 

Come join us as we learn about the ocean’s tide with Sam the Seagull, and explore the wonders of the ocean with Max the Whale."




-Jo Linsdell is donating an e-book copy of How To Be Twittertastic!

Are you ready to be Twittertastic?

Twitter is the most immediate of all social media and allows you to connect with readers and others from the literary industry from all over the world. The fastest growing network with a 44% growth from 2012-2013 Twitter now boosts 255 million monthly active users. How to be Twittertastic teaches you what Twitter is and how to use it to build your author brand, connect with readers, and sell more books. This easy-to-use guide will teach you strategies and tips that will help you leverage your Twitter presence and get the most out of your tweets.

(Jo has also published numerous books including; 'The Box','Fairy May', 'Out and About at the Zoo', 'Italian for tourists' and 'A Guide to Weddings in Italy', 'Virtual Book Tours: Effective Online Book Promotion From the Comfort of Your Own Home' Run and check out Jo's page here: https://www.facebook.com/JoLinsdell?fref=ts

You can also find Jo's other social media links on her website atwww.jolinsdell.com !)

- Cindy Koepp - Author is donating three books to the event! Mindstorm and Remnant are available in e-book or paperback (winner's choice!)
1 copy of Mindstorm: Parley at Ologo
1 copy of Remnant In The Stars
1 copy of Lines of Succession (e-book)

Check out her Facebook page!: https://www.facebook.com/KoeppC
Twitter: @CCKoepp

About Mindstorm: 
Psionic healing. Psionic combat. Inside the mind, there's a landscape of glass.
Thomas McCrady, a telepathic negotiator from Haidar Station in Earth orbit, is faced with his biggest challenge yet when he is sent to broker peace with only a rookie partner to help him. Worse, she's the doctor he blames for the death of his last partner.
Calla Geisman's telepathy is not the same as a standard Haidarian's. Some people think she's a waste of space. Some people want her dead. But she's assigned to go with Thomas to Ologo anyway, and must gain his respect before she can play her part in the war's end.

About Remnant In The Stars:
Two hundred years ago, the Aolanian home world exploded and a remnant of survivors escaped. As their convoy combed the galaxy looking for a new world to colonize, they discovered Earth and were given permission to establish a temporary base while they continued their search for a new home world. When an Aolanian exploration vessel goes missing after transmitting a garbled distress call, the uneasy alliance between the humans and the Aolanians is put to the test as two anti-Aolanian groups jockey to use this opportunity to press their own agendas by foiling the rescue mission.

Because his daughter was onboard the Kesha when it vanished, Calonti Sora reluctantly signs on as an astrogator with the Gyrfalcon, one of the ships in the search party. There he meets up with an old human friend, Kirsten Abbott. Together, they work to overcome prejudice and political plots as they race toward an enemy no one could expect.

About Lines Of Succession:
When Princess Elaina refuses an arranged marriage, she flees the court --and her father's fury--for school. Normally, she enjoys practicing rapier combat and training Tiercel, her chatty griffin, but troubling dreams keep her on edge.

After a warning by a prophet, she returns to court only to find her twin taken captive and her father dying. Challenging the assassin leaves her blinded. As the sightless regent of Corby, she must protect her brother’s throne as he completes his studies.

Threats thicken all around her. Her ambitious uncle, mad for the throne, pressures her to abdicate to him. Elaina must find a way to see her path when all is dark. Failure would bring death to many.

Find them all on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cindy-Koepp/e/B008QXR2QI

-Nicole Quinn- has offered to donate both of her books, The Gold Stone Girl and It's A Nightmare- both are available in audio, e-book, and paperback! Winner's choice!"



The Gold Stone Girl Series, written and narrated by Nicole Quinn, is an epic, feminist, fantasy, hero's journey, by, for, and about humans, set in the distant future.

It's a Nightmare, book 1, has been nominated for a 2015 Tiptree Award. It's a Finalist in the National Indie Excellence Award, and Science Fiction - Honorable Mention, New York Book Festival. http://itsanightmare.blogspot.com/

Find them both on amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/…/B00LHF3C7U/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

- Author's Jack Gannon and Cyndi Barnier (also fellow PDMI Authors) have offered to donate an e-book copy of their book Murder In Two's And Threes!

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, a collection of domestic crimes provoked the Joint Chiefs of Staff to implement an elite task force to eliminate any future threats. And just in time. When a once-innocent child turned adult psychopath takes his righteous revenge for nearly two decades of abuse on the citizens of Richmond, Virginia, the Task Force is sent to neutralize the threat by any means necessary. Mark Jason of Jason Enterprises is recruited for his specialized military training in an effort to challenge the emotional complexity of the killer that haunts Richmond's streets. His four-man team comes equipped with uncanny, bizarre, and ingenious specialties of their own. As the hunters become the hunted, even the most lethal men in the nation are in danger of becoming victims. This suspenseful thriller will leave the reader griping the pages, as the war of intellect over delusion wages on in a deadly time trap.

Jack and Cyndi are co-authors of six other books. You can find information about all their books on their website: http://www.jandcwordsmiths.com/

Be sure to stop by and check out their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jandcwordsmiths?fref=ts

They are also the founders of 'The Arts and Literary Festival' (formerly Annual "novel" Wine Tasting, Arts, and Literary Festival) promoting arts and literacy in the SC Lowcountry! Check out the festival's facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/artsandliteraryfestival



*****I also have a limited edition, custom prize planned for those who post pictures in the party of them with a copy of my book! (more details on this prize coming soon!)*****

W: Everyone Needs Water- Flash Fiction

“You are weak and worse yet, you do not even realize you are weak!” The Aruk named 12 hissed at a group of children as he marched them along a grueling sandy terrain.

 Back inside the station the Aruk leader, called 1, glared through the window as he watched the children’s progress. 

“Why haven’t they given up by now?” 1 asked his 2nd in command beside him.

 “They’ve only been here for just a short time sir, but we do need to figure out how to break the human species’ spirit soon if we are going to have a chance at winning the war in the future.” 2 replied, his body flickering and never gaining solid form.

 1 huffed. 1 knew, being a temporal histographer, 2 could see how much longer they had if they had any hopes of changing their future.

 “This species gaining our powers is NOT in our best interest. If they fight this hard now to keep going, they would have been an unstoppable foe if they had been allowed to develop to their full potential on their home planet.” 1 said, his voice dark and brooding.

 Outside, the children were growing tired and thirsty. The sun high in the sky burned on their exposed skin. Still the Aruk guards shoved them on.

 A young boy by the name of Nathan stumbled a little in the sand. His guard shoved him and ordered him to keep up. His mind felt like jello, his stomach churned in the heat, his muscled weak from dehydration and yet he continued on.

 I won’t be the one to cause my friends pain because I failed the test, Nathan thought about the rest of his friends still back in the cells.

 If only I had some water!

 Spreading his arms out beside him, being careful not to disturb his fellow runners, he wished for a breeze to take away the heat.

 Or maybe even some rain! 

There was no rain or even the slightest breeze on this desolate planet the Aruk lived on though. Nathan’s eye was suddenly drawn to the forehead of the Aruk guard running beside them where sweat beaded on his purple skin. The guard wiped his three fingered hand across the red and black tattoo’s and flicked the sweat to the ground.

 Water! Nathan’s mind reeled.

He stopped running and held his hands out toward the guard in desperation.

 1 leaned closer to the window and watched in horror as the purple skin of one of his guards faded with almost instant dehydration. The guard stumbled back horrified. 1 waved his hand over the window to open it and called out to his guards.

 “Dispose of him quickly!” He ordered, The children mustn't be allowed to develop those powers!

The guards circled around the children and two guards pulled the kicking and screaming boy from their midst.

 “How, in the midst of all this, did he manage to develop the ability of a healer?” 1 demanded of 2 after he closed the window once more.

 2 didn’t answer. His form flickered even more feverishly now as he scanned the timeline.

 “Don’t dispose of him just yet,” 2 told the guards as they dragged the terrified boy past them. “Sir, the timeline has changed. If we can develop these humans’ abilities we can use them to fight FOR us in the coming war!”

This flash fiction piece takes place before the events of The Alien Mind. Just something I am working on to help me analyze my antagonists motivations and frame of mind. Bear in mind that none of this is edited or finalized- just me doing some free range writing ;)



photo credit: When nothing will do via photopin (license)

Today's post was also inspired by the letter W. W is for:   as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.


For Readers: I leave you with this quote: The best weapon is your mind. Without it you are defenseless. Without it you are weak and worse yet you do not even realize you are weak.

Tell us about a time that some fast thinking got you out of trouble...

V: The Vision Of A Futurity Histographer- Flash Fiction

It starts with a vision. A youngling thrashes in his bed. A nightmare encroaching on his sleep. His nightmares usually involved getting lost, falling down a hole, or being stuck in a burning building. Things every normal youngling would be afraid of. This nightmare is different.

 A species he didn’t recognize, Two legs, two arms, and pale skin, stood with other members of his kind. They had defaced their head tattoo’s, committing sacrilege, to mark themselves as outcasts. Here they stood with this pale faced boy encouraging him to burn their world. The pale faced boy raises his hands and the air around the youngling tingles. Death spreads out from the pale faced boy like a plague. Trees and plants all wither and crumble. Friends fall and turn to dust. The youngling runs. The pale one advances towards him.

 The youngling trips and falls, cringing as he knows that this faulty step may have just cost him his life. A pale skinned hand reaches down to help him up. He looks up at the young girl and is shocked to find her dressed just like his sister would. Her brown hair flutters in the breeze and her eyes glisten with sadness as she grabs his hand. She thrusts him behind her skirt and holds up her hands to push back the death the young boy is spreading.

 She’s winning! He’s backing off! She’s winning!

 In his excitement, the youngling jolted himself awake. It was all just a dream.

 Young Ankh got up from his bead and headed toward his family’s common room. He found his family sitting in chairs around a small fire floating in the center of the room.

 “Good morning my youngling,” Ruet said with a warm smile. “Sleep well?”

 Ankh shook his head no and Ruet put down the screen she was holding and opened her arms to welcome him into her lap. Ankh headed over to her and curled up in her lap, finding comfort in her embrace. Drolin peered at him over the floating fire.

 “Little one, did you have another dream?” Drolin watched his youngling carefully.

 “Yes sir, it was awful.” Ankh answered. “There were beings in it that I didn’t know. The Aruk were telling them to destroy our world.” 

“Can you tell me more about these beings you saw?” Drolin prodded.

 Young Ankh recounted the dream to his family. He described the pale skinned strangers to them, including the one dressed like his sister.

 Ruet looked up at Drolin. Drolin nodded.

 “Youngling, go get your shoes. It’s high time we take you to start your training.” Drolin said.

 “What? But I don’t haven’t taken the test yet.” Ankh argued.

 “Only a futurity histographer could dream about people they’ve never met little one,” Ruet said, pushing him from her lap and giving him a quick hug. “Now run along and do as Drolin asks. The elder futurity histographers will want to meet you right away!”

(This flash fiction is actually a precursor to The Alien Mind- me exploring some of the characters' back stories as I plan for the second book. Enjoy!)   photo credit: Brown Fern via photopin (license)

Today's post was also inspired by the letter V. V is for: Vision   as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.



For Readers: Have you ever had a dream that seemed real? Have you ever had a dream that came true (I have these all the time! It's really rather freaky)

Tell us about your most disturbing dream.

***

Find The Alien Mind on Amazon!

Did you like this post? If so you might enjoy my book!

For adults and teens alike, it is truly a science fiction adventure for the whole family!

If you'd prefer an autographed copy straight from the author you can buy one here as well!
Autographed Copy:$13.00 + Shipping

 

E: Eggs, Hard Boiled or Alive?- Flash Fiction

photo credit: Dragon Egg via photopin (license)

“When are your cousins coming over for the Easter egg hunt?” Jimmy asked.

 “They should be here in an hour or so.” Henry answered.

“Do you have the eggs?”

 “Sure do!” Jimmy patted his backpack.

The two teens entered the cargo bay through a set of sliding doors. Henry looked at all the metal cargo containers and shelves of supplies strewn throughout the room.

 “The captain said that this would be the best place to set up the egg hunt,” Henry explained.

 “He was right, this is a perfect spot!” Jimmy said, setting his backpack on one of the containers and pulling out two paper bags full of eggs.

 “Hand me one of those bags of eggs.” Jimmy tossed one of the paper bags to Henry.

 “Whoa man! Watch out! You’ll break them!” Henry shouted.

“Relax! They are hard boiled.”

Henry opened his bag and pulled out one of the eggs.

“Did you have these dyed?” Henry asked.

“Um no... was I supposed to?” Jimmy asked, preoccupied with hiding his own set of eggs on the other side of the cargo bay.

 “I guess they’re ok. Where did you get these from?” Henry pondered the third speckled egg before he placed it behind a cargo container.

 Jimmy eyed the white hard boiled egg in his hand, “Um... the galley, where else?”

 “Hmm, ok, I’m done? How about you?” Henry asked.

 “Yup me too!” Jimmy said jumping up from behind the farthest container and followed Henry out of the cargo bay.


 The two teens returned an hour later with three of Henry’s youngest cousins, multi colored baskets swinging in their hands.

“Ok guys! Go find the eggs!” Henry announced gleefully as the doors swished open.

 The three kids rushed into the cargo bay and ran off in all directions. Little shouts of joy and excitement could be heard as one by one the kids found the eggs. When they could find no more they ran back to Henry and Jason to have them counted.

 “Looks like there are still more out there guys,” Henry said eyeballing the baskets and their all white eggs.

 The three kids looked at each other in excitement before running off to find the eggs again.

 After a few minutes the excitement turned into confusion.

“There isn’t any more, we looked!” The older of the three kids insisted.

 Determined to show the kids that they weren't looking hard enough, Henry walked over to a spot he knew he had hid one of his speckled eggs in.

“See look! There’s one right...”Henry froze.

 The egg was gone.

 “OOOh! Eggie!” The youngest of his cousins squealed.

 “Did you find one?” Jason asked.

 “Um, no. It rolled that way.” The older of the three kids pointed.

Confused, Henry headed in the direction that the egg had rolled, hoping to find it.

What he found instead where a dozen creatures clawing through their speckled shells! He ducked as the creatures spat acid at him and narrowly missed him.

 “Run!” Henry yelled!

(This post is inspired by my three year old who, after we dyed the Easter Eggs, decided to ask me where the babies were. -pointing to the Easter Eggs- I was struck with the sudden realization that he knows that some babies come from eggs, and we were about to eat these eggs tomorrow! Oh the HORROR!)

-petrichor
Posted by Doctor Who Real Hard Core Fans on Sunday, April 5, 2015

Today's post was inspired by the letter E. E is for: Eggs  as part of the Blogging from A to Z April 2015 challenge! Click on the letter to join on in the fun!

Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.

For Readers: Do you like eating Easter eggs? Do you eat both the white and yellow part?

As always... if you have something that starts with the letter F that you would like me to try to incorporate into tomorrow's short story, I'm always open to suggestions!

Do Aliens Exist?- Flash Fiction

photo credit: PhoTones Works #2996 via photopin (license)

“How can you be a Christian and not believe that aliens could exist!”

Crystal remembered rolling her eyes at her brother’s sermon. He was a man of great faith, the leader of the Jupiter station congregation. She, well she just knew that she believed that God existed and didn’t really want to think very much further about it all.

She stepped closer to the inhuman drawings carved into, and covering the entire length of the cave wall, every step sending tiny billows of lunar dust rippling away from her.

“How come?” She remembered demanding in defiance. “The bible doesn’t say anything about aliens!”

“The bible doesn’t say anything about airplanes either, or space ships, now does it!” Jacob had argued back.

He knew she would just see that as him deflecting from her comment.

“You know what I mean Jacob! Be serious. If God created aliens why have we not seen them?”

“Crystal, we aren’t supposed to know why God does what he does. Perhaps the aliens are so far out there that they can’t reach us. Perhaps God wants them to develop without us influencing them. Perhaps he doesn’t think we are ready yet.”

“Huh! That’s a lot of perhaps’ Jacob! More fact and less speculation! Our scientists have been hunting for signs of intelligent life out here for eons and still nothing!”

Her triumphant yet combative tone from that comment rung in her memory and left a bitter taste in her mouth now. Crystal reached out and touched a portion of the cave image that seemed to be carved in a much harsher method than the rest.

Suddenly the walls lit up around her, and the dust blew away to reveal a perfectly smooth glassy black floor. The hair on her arms tingled as though she was covered by static electricity. Terror coursed through her as she realized that she couldn’t move.

The last words from her brother’s sermon echoed in her mind, “If God created us, who are we to say that he didn’t create other beings on some other far away planet?”

Footsteps echoing from somewhere deeper in the cave sent Crystal’s mind whirling and her heart pounding.

What do I say?
What could I say!
There’s no possible way they could know earth standard! You just HAD to go exploring on your own didn't you Crystal!

Crystal gasped for air.

Come on Crystal! Get a grip! You know your space suit still has oxygen. Breathe! 

The approaching footsteps suddenly sounded so close and they changed from dull thuds to clinks from the newcomer’s feet touching the now smooth floor. Crystal’s lungs finally gave up when the newcomer placed a blue four fingered hand on the shoulder of her suit. She static field released her before she was ready. She crumpled to the ground...

Perhaps Jacob was right, we aren’t ready yet. Was Crystal’s last thought before she fell unconscious.




This post is part of the 52 week flash fiction challenge on facebook
Week 2 word prompt: Sermon
Word Limit: 20- 500
This one tops out right at 487 words.

Readers: How do you think you would react if you were suddenly faced with real life aliens? Would you be shocked? Scared? Would you panic? How would you communicate with them?