I’m still working, vacationing, and writing on the new books (finishing the next Shorts and a novel series) in Hawaii. As I explained to HogsbreathSS, the busman’s holidays I take are work combined with fun, meaning it’s all about who pays for the trip.
So what’s up with Hawaii? Sticker shock at food prices is significant. Everything at Safeway costs about double (100%) more than I pay in Arizona for an identical item. Bread is $10 a loaf, a pound of butter is $10, and a six-pack of Diet Dr. Pepper is $12.00. They’re essentially European prices. You can still get food, including lunch, at Costco at more reasonable prices. Restaurant prices, while high, aren’t that much higher than the extortionary prices on the mainland.
I know my way around the Islands, having spent time in the military and vacationing here. I often come for surfing competitions later in the year. There’s no surf or surfing of any significance in October.
While I’m at it, I’ll shamelessly promote the last book of short stories, The Shorts. Thanks to those who bought, read, and reviewed it positively. The next volume of short stories will be slightly different, possibly focusing more on science fiction writing. I try to develop fascinating blends of fiction and non-fiction based on a true story in these productions. It isn’t easy to know what you, the reading and consuming audience prefer. You’re a fickle bunch of readers, and you know it. (cover art by Jules Smith – thanks, Jules)
I was approached by a different friend who wants to produce cover art for the next volume of shorts. So, let’s see what TrentC comes up with. He says that if it sucks, I don’t have to use his work. Hmmm. Ok.
Historical novels are much more challenging to produce/write than the basic mainstream fiction/science-fiction I’ve done recently. They require meticulous research so that people don’t throw them down in disgust (I do that with other people’s historical fiction work that doesn’t measure up) and say that it’s not worth the price of a hamburger – which is about what you’ll have paid for the book in the first place.
I spent a lot of time researching the work of the then-newly minted British Secret Service in the American South in the years leading up to the commencement of the American War of Northern Aggression/War Between the States/War of the Rebellion/American Civil War—pick your poison. That was done in the 1990s in preparation for a novel titled Scarlet and Gray- A Novel of the British Secret Service in the American Civil War. That book wasn’t published, so don’t bother looking. Back in the days before the current publishing style, it was more difficult to get something into print. I picked up the research and have repackaged it. A series of historical novels will be released once I’m ready and begin on that premise. The first Military Intelligence Unit in the American Federal Army – separate from the Pinkerton Detective Agency was developed by General Joseph Hooker (a failure as a general, but he was up against Lee, Stuart, and Jackson) through the use of his Provost Marshal to develop systematic battlefield intelligence. The Pinkertons were a failure, as was Hooker, but the concept was developed and carried forward. The Confederate Army had a different and more effective approach – La Belle Rebel, honeypots, etc. They also had far more effective cavalry, which watched the Yankee Volunteer Army (as the Union Army grew) and its fumbling movements.
Then there were the British, who intrigued on their own. I don’t want to ruin it for you. Let it be a surprise when it’s released. Suffice it to say that it carries through from pre-Civil War to at least 1885-1890 as the US National Army is involved with the suppression of the Indian Nations as a matter of American policy. Will it be interesting or boring? Do you like historical novels that are founded on research and sound reasoning – but are made fun by fictional characters who wind themselves through that framework? The study on the first two tomes is done, but I’m thinking of four or five books. It’s a big project for me, more extensive than anything I’ve ever undertaken. And there is the risk that they’ll be poorly received – it will flop. Authors always run those risks. I need to have one of two in the bag before I release the first.
My continued thanks go out to those who read Virtual Mirage and put up with the drek that comes from my pen. As many of you say, and I agree, the more interesting part of this blog is the comments.
This Blog is never boring, and the company stimulating!
As always I look forward to reading your new books. Please be sure to continue to use the mix of humor such as prostitution in a church owned building and intrigue such as serving special green tea in a quiet meeting in SE Asia. The gallows humor is always appreciated.
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Don’t forget to visit the punch bowl even if just a drive by. It’s a good attitude adjuster.
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Jules does great art work, blogs, and novels.
I think that you’ll find enough humor in the genuine historical (which White Powder is as well). The early life of George Armstrong Custer provides ample comic relief and it’s present in the novel I’m working on.
You are a man of many talents and damned good at all I’ve seen. Your blog is on first read every morning.
X2
Drek? Hardly…but I get the self-effacing mode, for results oriented folks with humility it’s not about patting oneself on the back, it’s about doing ones best and letting the chips fall where they may. Not about being liked but living life to the full….and as far as I can tell, or anyone here for that matter, you somehow managed to fit 3 lifetimes of varied expertise into one…so major h/t. Have fun on Hawaii.
Enjoy the working holiday! I’m getting the house ready for Halloween, with help from the grand kids!
I may visit kids/grandkids for Halloween since I need to be in town anyway. There are no trick-or-treaters who dare visit the White Wolf Mine…
Too scary..
It’s like a living spook alley.
Sir.
With regards to “ Will it be interesting or boring? Do you like historical novels that are founded on research and sound reasoning – but are made fun by fictional characters who wind themselves through that framework? The study on the first two tomes is done, but I’m thinking of four or five books. It’s a big project for me, more extensive than anything I’ve ever undertaken. And there is the risk that they’ll be poorly received – it will flop. Authors always run those risks. I need to have one of two in the bag before I release the first.”,
As an unreconstructed Southerner, I am excited beyond reason to read this.
Please, let me know when and how I may avail and help you achieve your desires on a long term analysis. At my agem I need such material to sustain my optimism for dealing with all of satan’s minions/intrusions.
You have my email address kind sir.
Regards,
Juan
I’m sure that some will consider my novels to be pro-Southern but to be fair, the primary character (not historical) is a Yankee. I try to accurately portray the conditions and attitudes of the day. The South was politically weaker than the the North and the North imposed tariffs and other penalties on the South that raised tensions. The British were interested in doing business with the South if it was an independent country because it needed the cotton (closer than importing from India or Egypt and sold on favorable terms). This is explored in the story. There are literary devices that I use to explore some of these issues but I rely heavily on history well beyond “Books on the Civil War” to gain that information. The War of the Rebellion volumes were helpful. There is information on British government and military intelligence activity before the war. The British Political Department had its officers scattered about primarily in India but the military only had a recognized intelligence service since the Crimean War, so it was very new in the late 1850s and the first years of the War of Northern Aggression. They had military attaches in Washington DC who explored the situation as did peers that the Crown trusted. Prince Albert favored the Confederacy. PM Palmerston did not. When Prince Albert died, Queen Victoria went into mourning and was not consolable for a long time. This had an impact on British intentions. Slavery was an issue to the common man in Britain whereas the Royal Peers didn’t consider it much different than the tenant farmers they used for the same purpose. Culture, opinions of the day, etc. are interesting as opposed to revisionist history. I enjoy reading the late great Shelby Foote and some of his takes on things, but my research goes to his source material as often as to his own opinion (based on his reading and studies).
“As an unreconstructed Southerner”
Have you read Harry Turtledove’s SF “The Guns of the South”? I’d be very interested in your opinion on that. I read it decades ago when I was a different person. Need to read it again, but it’s not been high on the list.
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Asking because I used to really like Turtledove. Still admire his work ethic and craft, but one short story in particular got my hackles up. And now it looks like SM Stirling has gone the same way (latest Roman time travel novel). I could be over-sensitive, but sad if true, because I really like Stirling. Guess I’ll see with the next one in the series.
I’ll buy it, read it and let you know. I looked it up: January 1864–General Robert E. Lee faces defeat. The Army of Northern Virginia is ragged and ill-equpped. Gettysburg has broken the back of the Confederacy and decimated its manpower.
Then, Andries Rhoodie, a strange man with an unplaceable accent, approaches Lee with an extraordinary offer. Rhoodie demonstrates an amazing rifle: Its rate of fire is incredible, its lethal efficiency breathtaking–and Rhoodie guarantees unlimited quantitites to the Confederates.
The name of the weapon is the AK-47.
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I usually don’t go for that sort of sci-fi historical fiction but I’ll give it a go because of your recommendation.
Harry Turtledove does not understand operational friction.
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– Kle.
I was fortunate to see Hawaii as a young lad. My maternal grandmother took the entire family (8 of us total) on vacation there in the spring of ’64. We stayed on Oahu.
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My uncle did a hitch in the Navy. He shipped out as an 18 year old cook aboard the heavy cruiser USS Chicago (CA-136) in January of 1946. During our vacation, we boarded a tour boat that sailed out along the coast and then into Pearl Harbor. We got to stand on the deck of the USS Arizona Memorial and see the oil coming to the surface. I was 11.
I first went to Hawaii when in the US Navy. Later I brought my four girls to Hawaii on vacation because of swimming including taking them swimming with spinner dolphins, which I still do when the mood takes me when I’m here. Go to the Power plant on the east coast (dry side) of Oahu – a couple miles past the H-1 but well before you get to Makaha. The powerplant is dominating. There’s a little inlet and a small park. Leave your car there, enter the ocean at the cut and swim out a quarter mile to a spot where the heated water (exhaust) from the power plant is expelled. It’s 40+ degrees warmer than ambient. There’s a lot of food that congregates there for dolphins and several pods rotate through it every day. The exhaust vents are obvious and huge. Maybe 90′ under the surface at that point. In addition to dolphins there is a lot of undersea life to enjoy. Because of the ubiquitous presence of dolphins, I’ve never seen a shark. They will kill sharks that threaten the pods. Maybe 100 dolphins to a pod. They’re smaller dolphins, curious, and will come right up to you. Great for kids who can swim and enjoy an adventure.
The new novel series sounds great to me!
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– Kle.
It’s a departure for me. I’m not sure how it will turn out. I have quite a bit written and “I like it” but as the writer, I would.
To Mike C-
I am unaware of the gentleman, but have done a search and review results later. I appreciate your time and input.
To Mr L-
Your response and perspective align well with my wishes. I prefer the plain, unvarnished facts, wherein possible. Warts and all as some used to say. I prefer the realm of real human reactions, responses. If that makes sense.
Sorry for so much of your time.
I appreciate all here.
Will there be a dead tree version of “The Shorts”? Contrary American that I am, I don’t Kindle, so paper would be great. I promise not to use it to light the cookfire at the gulag.
-JLM