Friday, May 13, 2011

Author guest post! Lory Kaufman

The vast majority of fiction writings are set in contemporary or past times. I think it's safe to say, then, that its main job is to act as a mirror to our society, reflecting what is happening currently and what has happened in the past. Most science fiction and fantasy, on the other hand, takes place in the future. This gives the writer the unique opportunity to be part of a discussion on how a better world could look like. Yes, I realize there's lots of schlock out there, where the aim of the writers and publishers is to write something that looks like something else, but that stuff doesn't count in this discussion.

You see, I'm a guy who takes his futurism seriously. I believe that every generation is responsible for the world that comes after them, so we must learn from the past and do things during our time on this little, blue sphere to leave the place in a better state than when we found it. I write so I can be part of that discussion."But Lory," you might say, "I've seen the list of what type of futuristic writing you like. Most if it is dystopian. How's talking about the world all messed up make the world a better place?"

Yes, I can see how one could think that. But we must remember that most dystopian fiction is a response to the exploding of the atomic bombs at the end of World War Two. Books like

1984,

Brave New World and

Lord of the Flies, to name the earliest and best examples to come out after that event. You see, they're cautionary tales by visionary writers to warn the rest of humanity. But at the end of most of these stories, sometimes buried deep within, there is always a ray of hope for the future. And so many of our contemporary dystopian novels are direct descendants of these books, including Suzanne Collins wonderful recent trilogy,

The Hunger Games.

But I too was very confused about this when I was working on the last drafts of what would become

The Lens and the Looker. For years I was under the impression that I was writing a dystopian story. But during its final drafts I began to see how it didn't quite fit the current definition. You see, the characters in my new series are born in a future time when the world has already gone through its dystopian era and the population has finally created a civilization that can last for tens of thousands of years. The action in the story comes from the kids being sent back in time to the 14th century, where they were abandoned and having to adapt to the harsh medieval ways. The idea is the kids have to learn to appreciate all that humanity has gone through before they achieved their perfected civilization.

After much soul searching, I finally decided on a new definition to describe this new type of science fiction/fantasy. Since it's what happens after the world comes out of its dystopian period, I came up with the label "Post-dystopian". It seems to be catching on.


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Thursday, May 12, 2011

Book review: The lens and the looker.

I've been so happy with the books I've been asked to review. This book was no different. Its a great YA book.

I'm writing this from my phone and I'm planning to go back and add a few things tonight when J gets his laptop working for me.

This book is set in the future. Its about 3 kids who get sent to a "camp" where they've taken cities from the past and recreated them for the current time to learn more about what almost ruined everything. It was really neat to see them learn about things that they had no need for in the future(so they didn't know what they were). Then they are kidnapped and taken back in time where many twists and turns take place(and a boy from the future falls in love with a girl from the past!).

Its a great book and I'm really looking forward to getting the 2nd one in the series in the mail!

Go take a look if you want to read!
The lens and the looker by Lory S. Kaufman.

And keep a look out for a guest post by the author tomorrow!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Long time no post!(Ok, not too long)

Our computer is on the fritz, and it will be up to 10 days till we get it back! Eeekkk!

Our move went well. We are officially in the new house and checked out of the old one! It has been the longest week of my life and I NEVER want to move ourselves again! I've never been so tired in my life!

For right now, we are living in a sea of boxes and random household things. But, I'm in love. The house is amazing and I feel so much more at home here. Little loves his room and the paint and decorations came out even better then I ever could have imagined! Hundley(our dog) is in heaven with the fenced in yard. I don't think he understood the first time why he didn't have to be on his leash. Lol.

I'm going to try to get on here as much as I can, but with no computer, the packing I have to do AND our trip to Mexico in two weeks I think I might be a little busy for a bit. But I will try to post from my phone every few days just to keep something going!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Monday, May 2, 2011

Guest Post: Poekitten

When Kim asked for guest bloggers, I thought it would be fun to write for her blog, so here I am.  She asked for a post about a duty station you've lived at.  We're currently at Navel Base Kitsap in WA.  Here's what it's like:

The area is GORGEOUS.  If you enjoy hiking, camping, skiing, or just about anything outside, this is the place for you.  The naval base in located on Kitsap Peninsula.  We're surround by Puget Sound as well as the Olympic and Cascade Mountains.  You can also see Mt. Rainer from different areas.  It's breathtaking!  And yes, it rains here.  It's overcast more than rains and we do get sunshine.  The winters are pretty mild which I love.  We get snow too but it usually doesn't last long.  Summer are nice too.  There's often a week or two in August that's really hot but the rest of the time...perfect!

Naval Base Kitsap is made up of a few bases: Bangor, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) and Keyport (I think they include it!)  Bangor is the trident sub base.  The Shipyard is the home port to a couple of subs and aircraft carriers.  Other ships/boats come and go as needed in the shipyard.  Bangor and PSNS are about 15-20 minutes away from each other.  Both have a commissary, NEX, ITT, Gym with pool, bowling alley, etc. 

Housing is available on Bangor and in Jackson Park.  JP is by the Naval hospital and is not gated.  There is officer housing available on Keyport and I think there is limited officer housing on PSNS (I could be wrong).  People have different opinions on housing; we lived on Bangor for 9 months and enjoyed it.  We had a 2 bedroom town house in West housing and it was nice.  We moved because we bought a house but are willing to live on base again if we need to.

Base Housing

In Silverdale there is a mall and several shopping areas.  Lowe's, Costco, Best Buy, Old Navy, Target and JoAnn's are all in the area.  There are several chain restaurants; Applebee's, The Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Famous Dave's, Red Robin, Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Arby's are just a few that are present.  One of our favorite places to eat is Fujiyama, a Japanese Steak House.  There are many Mexican restaurants to chose from as well. 

In Silverdale there is a great walking trail called Clear Creek.  It's a great place walk/jog/run.  Some parts are paved and other parts of the trail are gravel or have raised wooden planks.  It reminds me of a boardwalk.  Our puppy, Miss Molly loves to go here.  Another place we enjoy going is Fort Worden in Port Townsend.  It's about an hour away but it's well worth the drive.  There is a nice beach, some fort ruins and a light house.  Camping is available as is lodging in former officer housing.  Molly loves going here too!

Fort Worden

We are an hour away from Seattle by ferry.  It's located next to PSNS in Bremerton.  You only have to pay when traveling from Seattle to Bremerton.  Rates as of April 2011 for a walk on is $7.10.  In Seattle you get off within walking distance of the aquarium, Pike's Place Market, Seattle Art Museum and the shopping district.  From the shopping district you can take a monorail to the Space Needle.  Harbor tours are also available. The ferry is also a great option if you'd like to take in a Mariners, Seahawks or Sounders game.

Seattle Sights

This post is getting long and I could go on and on!  One last thing...for all you Twilight Fans, Forks is about 2.5- 3 hours away.  If you do make it to Forks, I suggest visiting Ruby Beach which is just south.  The whole area is beautiful.

Rub Beach, WA

Thanks for letting me take over you blog for a day Kim!
Hope you all have a great day!

(It's Kim now!) I'm so glad she was up to writting about where she lives! I think it would be amazing to get a list of all the different bases around here. It would be so nice if a new spouse could see all the good places to eat and visit when they are nervous about moving to a new place! If you want to write a post about the base you are at, please e-mail me kkrowan(at)gmail(dot)com.

Go over and give her blog a visit! It's super cute and I love reading it!