Showing posts with label Young Adult Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Young Adult Fiction. Show all posts

Sunday, 9 August 2015

Warheads and the Looming Zombie Apocalypse

The zombies Are Coming!
The zombies are coming!
The zombies are coming!
AWESOME!
On This week’s episode of Reel Time I get zombie-fried.
It wasn’t what I was expecting.  My hands went bloodied and hung loosely out in front of the screen.  Interestingly I lost all interest in ‘seek and destroy’.  Perhaps because this game was about killing off zombies until you became one yourself – which happened in a nanosecond to my player (dumb player).
Up until a recent visit to the local hardware, I had thought Zombie Mania was age-related.  Boy was I proved wrong.
I entered the store with my son.  He went his way, I went mine.  ‘Hey, where are you going?’ I had the audacity to ask him.  Meanwhile a young male shop assistant was approaching.
I was deciding how best to explain to the assistant why I was there, without embarrassing either him or myself, when my son shouted from across the isles. ‘Where’s the zombie stuff?’
Without batting an eyelid, the assistant responded.  ‘Come with me.’
I stepped in his way.  After all, I was a ‘real’ shopper.  ‘Hey, hang on, he was just joking,’ I explained.
Passing by, the assistant smiled at me. He winked as he replied. ‘I’ll be quick.  I know where all the best zombie weapons are kept.  It’s why I work here.’
When he came back, I no longer had any problems explaining to this guy my requirements. ‘I want to make a giant pencil to go with my superhero outfit that I am having made.  I am my own superhero,’ I explained to his ensuing inquiry.  ‘I am the Writer of the Star Ways, no, really truly, I am, really.’
KEEPING WATCHING…







Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.

Wednesday, 22 July 2015

The Science Behind the Fiction!

The Science Behind the Fiction! 




Knowledge and knowhow expressed in scientific terms has always provided oodles of inspiration for my writing romps.  Of course I am not the only writer to have been caught by the geek bug.  The science behind the scenes is the topic of this week’s Reel Time.

Whether it’s whirling naughty children down chocolate-milk vacuums, crashing once frozen artic wastelands over tall-tale heroes, whizzing time travellers from one multi-dimensional task to another, utilizing patterns and counter patterns to plot subterfuges and counter subterfuges or reflect your body image from concave to convex at light speed, no, let’s make that warp speed, why hold back, after all a writer can go where a scientist’s control variables won’t let them.
‘To be or not to be’ is more than a question.  It is a challenge.  To discover what is yet to be, what is being and what has been, is a lifetime quest for all. ‘Scientist’ may be their official title, but these professional questers are more than that.  Scientists explore the possibilities. They write enthusiastic about their findings, their ponderings.  Entertain and awe-inspire us minions with their hard-won knowledge.  They are teachers.  They are oracles.  In the past, they were the magi.  Have you watched any Bill Nye lately?



Or what about reading some ‘elementary’ science articles?  Guaranteed to inspire and engage even the most sophisticated grownups.  Science will have you laughing and sounding smarter in no time.

Scientific theories abound at Brisbane’s fun packed Science Centre where this episode takes place.  Plate tectonics, statistical mechanics, Special Relativity, General Relativity, Quantum Theory Evolution, Heliocentrism – wow – years, decades, even, of concentrated mind power, all there for the taking. 


Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.

Wednesday, 8 July 2015

A Great Yarn
              



In this week’s Write Essential episode of Reel Time, the crash test dummies spin a great yarn.  Here's another one:
The Significance of the Apple
Jasmine eats a lot of apples.  They have significance.
The apple is a purpose-filled literary device.  It imparts information about Jasmine’s physical dimension.  The first time she eats an apple, it’s in the pocket of her school uniform.  The second time, it is not mentioned how she happens to have it in her hand, but she and Cassie are sitting outside the local shops across from their school.  It can be inferred that she has bought it at the shop, choosing it over the other kind of ‘food choices’ that her friend, Cassie, makes.
This in itself provides social / emotional dimension to the character, Jasmine.  Her choice is clear and simple.  An apple – an afternoon practise, maybe? Every afternoon she seems to be eating one.
The apple therefore, has metaphorical meaning.  Why an apple?  Why doesn’t she pull a banana from her pocket?  Why isn’t she peeling an orange as she sits and talks to Cassie, sucking up and splashing its juices around?
The apples establish relationships.  The contrast between the two friends can’t get sharper then the crunch of an apple verse an avalanche of ‘anything-chocolate’.  The relationship between Jasmine and her mum is established over an apple. The humorous tone of the tale begins with an apple.  A bulge, left forgotten, quietly and unnoticed, is much like Jasmine’s spirem dimension.  The way she eats her apples, spitting out its seeds, throwing its core into the river with a few choice words or chewing it over as she attempts to describe what being a spirem is like, are all descriptive metaphors that give her character substance.
Meet any significant apples lately?
A stone from the hand of a friend is an apple (Moroccan proverb)
There's small choice in rotten apples (Shakespeare)
Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why (Baruch)
Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.
Acknowledgment:


Monday, 15 June 2015

LARP IT UP!





LARP IT UP!!
Live Action Role Play
‘You’ll love it,’ exclaimed Rosalie Pixie.  Her engaging smile was infectious.
‘I already do,’ I replied.
With Rosalie’s help (alias Joe – fun-star of ‘& Co’ fame), the Reel Time team found itself on an open, floodlit field.  Before us was an amazing sight.  A story of epic proportions was unfolding.  Baying cries of valour swept a battlefield where opposing sides had banded for an onslaught.  Beyond the flames of chivalry, personal creeds and communion, stood a solitary figure.  A magus with her white garbs almost lost in the mists of time; as were the details upon which her character had been built.  Her staff was held high.  The eyes of the game masters watched for its fall.  Let the games begin.
It was an honour to be part of the local LARP community for this week’s episode of Reel Time. 
Stylized characters are developed when participants physically act out their characters' actions while pursuing goals in a fictional setting. Game masters facilitate the play, penalize rule breaking and determine outcomes. Established in the 1970’s and now a universal pheromone LARP events are as varied as the people who play them.
‘They come from all walks of life,’ explained Wind Whisperer, a descendent of the Sioux tribe (a real one).  His staff of peace held firm in his hand. ‘All that welcome are welcomed.’
And now that I know where all the intelligent, good-looking, young-people-of-all-ages go on a Wednesday night, I can go there too. So can you.  Follow the link to find out more:
Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.

Keep up to date with AJ Escapades by following her on FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE

Tuesday, 9 June 2015

Desperately Seeking Cassie

Desperately Seeking Cassie

‘A movie role is up for grabs!’


This was my booming message given in general commune over the text waves.  ‘Mumble, mumble,’ was The Co’s response.
‘It comes with chocolate,’ I announced.  Suddenly it was on for young and old.  Even the ants got in on the picnic action. By the way, those ant bites are real.  However, several Cassie wannabes did not make the short list – but thanks for volunteering, Mum.
It was a beautiful, sun shiny day down at the Gold Coast spit where this episode was filmed.  The bright day had just as much to do with the atmosphere as it did with the climate, thanks to The Co.  Every five weeks we get to enjoy the company of well, whoever turns up. 
The Co is a hoot in this week’s Reel Time. I love a good laugh like the next person, but side-splitting, breath-stopping convulsions are the limit.
Jasmine’s bestie, the incorrigible, in-your-face Cassie bounces into Reel Time fame in the flimsy guise of a movie audition.  Four wonder-luscious fun-stars are up for the part.  Channelling this character entails some serious chocolate eating, make up wearing, tell it as it is, opinionated self-expression. And when the movie moguls come sniffing for the next Cosmo's Buster Movie, their little wet noses will be right on the money when I tell them – look no further for Cassie.  That role is already under wraps.

Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.

Tuesday, 2 June 2015

CROSSED PURPOSES

CROSSED PUPORSES – TAKE 1, AND ACTION

Introducing: The ‘LOM’



I ‘reel-ly’ was determined to make a significant contribution to the art of writing with this episode.  I had a purpose.  I always do.  But soon after feeding the cats, things begin to blur.

I procured crash test dummies for this week’s Reel Time – the Write Essentials.  Not everyone can relate to this experience.  And after viewing this snippet into my writing practices, you probably won’t ever want too.

I have no idea how the dummies ended up in my virtual shopping cart.  But after paying for them, with my virtual money, I had to have a useful purpose for them.  So, as is my way, I made one up.  However, two purposes don’t always make a ‘Write Essential’.  Cross purposes however, are very essential for an exciting plot.

The purpose of the crash test dummies, procured for your viewing pleasure, was to help illustrate the necessity for a purposeful plot.  Hence, I created a script in which my charming robotic (hmm) assistants could demonstrate the purpose of all characters, which is to keep the plot moving more-or-less in a purposeful direction.  Have I just stumbled on a metaphor for life, or what?

The brief to my (hmm) technical assistants (yes – you can talk to these dummies – in binary blimps), was for them to demonstrate this purpose.

Easier said then done.

It’s even harder with crash test dummies.  All of which brings me to: The LOM.

Please accept my gift to the universe.

LAUGHING OVER ME

Even better – do it with: A LOL!

Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.


Monday, 25 May 2015

The BIG Died

The Big Died

I have been looking up some Motocross Terminology
Panic REV





Meaning:
The typical reaction when a frightened rider sees that her front end is low in the air [and we aren’t talking about the bike here].  If you hear this at the track, look quick cause you’ll probably see a crash!! [The exclamations marks are mine!!!!!!!]
For more MX terms visit:
‘The Big Died’ is my own contribution to the MX repertoire.  I don’t think it needs any explanation.  It is not that I have never ridden during my ‘glory days’.  I recall many sunny afternoons, okay, one – or maybe something about that particular ‘one’ makes it stand out from the rest.
It could have been a scene from the musical ‘Grease’.  I turned up with my girls (sister and the dog).  The local track was filled with dust, petrol fumes and blow flies.  Then there was this cute rider with a brand new 750.  He made the fatal mistake.  He let me ride it.  The front wheel was never found and I still have the burn marks. 
Bleed the Breaks, Block the Pass, Kill the Bike, Dead Sailor, Idle the Screw, Run Choppy, Wash Out, hey, call me a Squid (inconsistent or dangerous driver), call me a Spode (a rider that has no skill, but does not realize it and never improves).  I must admit though, my little sortie in MXF was a blast.  I will be playing this one again – probably on my own.  After all, no one does The Big Died like me.

Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.

Find out more: AJ McMarson

Tuesday, 19 May 2015


Snaky Charmer
What do fish, snakes, cats, lions, ridgebacks, bull elephants and pelicans have in common?  They are all animals in my book.



Superpowers of the cosmos have animalistic tendencies in Jasmine Neutron STAR.  Jasmine has them too.  She is definitely a ‘fishy’ character and one to keep under your biophotonic ‘gaze’ in sequels to come.  Spirems have the unique atomic composition to transform from human form to animal in a micro-second.  It does have a draw back though.
One of these characters - Larzac - a full blooded spirem with a snake anamalic - is the topic under scrutiny in this week's episode of Reel Time.  I feel I need to warn you however.  There is nudity on offer.  NO, NOT MINE - GOOD HEAVENS!!!
No, the role of Larzac, when in his human form, goes to a dishy young buck - who incidentally, did not believe the rumor that he would have to wear his auntie’s billowing bloomers - thank you very much, Jyle, for making sure your brother Cohen wore something over his 'sensitive' regions!
To play the part of Larzac, when in his snake form, we have the slithering sensation - Nessie.  Thank you to Nessie and her dotting owner, Leo.  They all did a great job with minimal rehearsal time.  Actually, there was no rehearsal time.  There was a script.  I think Nessie ate it.   I heard she also ate the billowing bloomers.  After that, well, the best laid plans...
Enjoy, and don't forget to laugh out loudest.




Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.


Monday, 11 May 2015

Storm Chaser


STORM CHASER!!


‘Real’ Time Storm Chaser
What is most exhilarating about this week’s Reel Time?


Is it:

A)           This amazing image captured by Tony Porter for the Brisbane Times.  Check out those electric wires, fighting tong and nail with that lightning bolt!  Heaven watches from behind the safety of trees, smiling (or is that smirking) benevolently (or is that malignantly) over the proceedings.



Or does the exhilaration come from:

B)            Watching in horror, as a Twister grows before our very eyes.  Stunned into immobility, the storm-chasers witness this invisible menace close up and personal, as it draws substance from the rush of existence daring to fight it back into oblivion – is anyone else getting ideas for a book here?

Or:

C)            Laughable me doing a horizontal pole dance; 

or,

D)          The technologies that make it possible to keep tabs on these brutes, so lives can be protected.

E)            All the above?

As exhilarating as all that was, meeting a real time storm chaser, Justin, was for me, the big event.  To learn that there are networks of people out there spiralling into cyber space these incredible events of nature is pure adrenaline pumping exhilaration.

To share the huge aliveness of nature, its constant impacting, revolutionary energy, a living supernatural force that can blow you from here to Kingdom Come in a lightning flash, is a pure surge of revelation.  Thanks, Justin.

 Jasmine goes there too – because spirems can.

Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.











Monday, 4 May 2015

The Magi Circle

In this week’s episode of Reel Time I have company, again.  In a cycle of every five weeks, the company, known hereafter as ‘& Co’, will be the star-lings of the show.













And as their namesake suggests, this week’s ‘& Co’ – youths (of all ages), and a generous bunch of fun-stars they are too, will fun-test all things magi-cal.



Magi are beyond doubt one of the most compelling intrigues to make their way out of ancient mysticism.  The meaning of the word magi, as with its Latin twin, magis, has a multi-talented purpose, as indicated in the reference below. 


Words are a storyteller’s tools of trade.  A novelist painstakingly chisels away to create and transfer a vision they hold.  For those in the know, that would be a –

Transvision

 For those who have yet to read the book, and therefore aren’t down on magi lingo – that would be a ‘shared vision’.

Magi come with their own set of characteristic pinpoints.  Like stars on a constellation, if you join the dots you will always get self-sacrificing, enlightened, empowered and inspiring old people.  Now that is something worth a-spiralling too!

Of course magi characters have been around for a long time.  Forever and anon, whatever the culture, past, present and, why not, even into the future, magi have inspired.  Writers, artists, musicians and creators of all kind study them, understand and reinvent them and in doing so, emanate them.  Why not, after all magi usually come with stars.


Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.



Tuesday, 28 April 2015

TARGET YOUR AUDIENCE

TARGET YOUR AUDIENCE

This week’s episode of Reel Time began as a vague notion that as a writer I should know my potential reader.   ‘Target your audience’ as a catch phrase, has its roots in economic reasoning.  Not one of my strong points.





I was vaguely pondering how I was supposed to know the whims of millions, possibly even billions of potential readers, when I found myself over thinking the highly stimulating verb –

At the time, and for no apparent reason (that I am willing to share), I had been poking around my dress-ups.
Then before I knew what was up and what was floppy, I was brandishing a phallic symbol whilst strutting bow-legged and sideways through the scrub, wearing my over-the-knee boots and channelling ‘Annie, Go Get Your Gun’.


Midway through my little romp I had swapped my utensil for a compound bow and uploaded visions (ie. transvisioning – there’s that word again– remember it now) from a completely different setting.  Suzanne Collin’s Hunger Games came to mind, as did Tolkien’s dishy elves. 
That’s when it hit me…



Readers set their own targets.

·         Mystery



·         relevant fantasy

·         honest romance

·         dramatic flashes in stark contrast to epic wonderment 

·         glimpses of potential horrors if goodness does not prevail


·         authentic characters that carry our collective torch for truth, justice and the StarWays
Because the eternal story will always have an audience.



Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.


https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9885728.A_J_McMarson

Monday, 20 April 2015

I’VE LOST MY HALO!

I’ve Lost My Halo!

As if it wasn't enough to master (chief) the console - hit the right buttons, fight giant rats carrying guns, lose my way from one dead end into another, bump into random coffee machines - not to mention that left brain/ right brain manoeuvrability – or lack thereof – and what's with that stale socks smell!   How was I to know there is a whole set of ‘in house’ rules that go with the gaming ethos?

Don’t:
-              Watch the other ‘master chief’s screen and think it’s yours;
-              Make fun of master chief’s name UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!;
-              Get excited;
-              Ask if Master Chief likes cooking;
-              Make fun of master chief’s name UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!;
-              Be so unco that you’re an embarrassment not only to your own son but to every son born to    the human race!!!;


I broke every rule - every single one.
I haven’t had that much fun since my school days.  But I am paying for it now.
I have lost my Halo badge.

And if I want to continue with my byte lights crusades at all, then I have to tone down the mega wattage and behave.  If I want to be allowed back in the gaming room I had to agree and come quietly.  I will be allowed to play something, simple.  My only request was that the new game was not a car race.  My request was met with a lowered brow and an eye glint.  I am worried – very worried.



Did you know that Halo 5 is being released soon? Totally - right!

Apparently – it appears as if – Master Chief gets ‘done over’ in the next Halo makeover!  What – but he’s the main character – you can’t take him away from us – WE HAVE BONDED!

Who do these writers think they are – manipulating characters and plots as if they have a right? 
Umm. I better give that question a bit more thought …


Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.

Keep up-to-date with AJ's madcap adventures by subscribing to her YouTube channel.

Her website can be found at www.ajmcmarson.com

AJ McMarson is a Goodreads Author.

Monday, 13 April 2015

Star Trails & Heavenly Glory



Blazing Trails of Glory

In Reel Time with A J McMarson this week, I explore some amazing photographic artwork, with Steve, who gets in on the fun – showing off some of his techniques…



When researching ‘super – natural phenomena’ for the Star Ways chronicles, I become increasingly aware of how nature is never static.  It is in constant motion.  As they say, life happens.  And life is cyclic.  There is a lot of spiralling going on out there – oh – and in here…  The spiralling motion of life happens in a lightning flash in Jasmine’s world of Quanta – well, it is the sphere of light after all.
 
It was a feat, capturing these super – natural phenomena in words.   In itself, it was a phenomenal experience – how do I describe the cycles of life, energy, the coming together of matter and its breaking down into other matter, how do I link it with Jasmine’s worlds? – it was like running a galactic race through time, matter and space – maybe some of that super-naturalness is rubbing of on me – maybe I am transforming … Just like Jasmine … And oddly enough, I must say, it feels like dancing.

Check out the grass dance captured in transvision by James Knott.



From grass dancing to star dancing.  Check this out, by Chia Hsien.


And this image by Robert Young, he calls it Hawaii Star Trails.




This image was captured by Australian photographer Lincoln Harrison, in the Outback.

Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a Spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.


Keep up-to-date with all of AJ's madcap adventures by visiting her webpage:

Monday, 6 April 2015

For Your Ears Only

It is another guest episode on  ReelTime with A J McMarson this week, and the airwaves are the topic under investigation.  Or, to be more precise, what is carried on them.  Smells for one, but no, I am not talking ‘toilet humour’.

Although I sometimes wonder why the word ‘flatulence’ is a dead ringer for the word ‘affluence’?  Is there a relationship, a correlating root word perhaps?  I mean, who would want to get the two words mixed up!

Mine is a flatulent society.

Words – you have to love them.





Airwaves do more then carry – the good, the bad and the ugly – of smells.  They carry sounds.  Now tell you something you did not know.  When we can no longer hear the music, does that mean it has stopped?  I mean, where did the waves go?  Have they just bumped into another sound, and reordered into another spiralling formation?

When researching the background ‘technicalities’ for my spirem characters, the earth’s waves whether water, air or energy of another description, provided a unique and simple means for a spirem's unique super-cosmic  powers to be unleashed.  Earth's waves are a natural energy process and super – because that is what airwaves are, and whether spirem or not, our ability to commune with the Earth's energy waves is – SUPER-natural!

Thank you Naomi, for being our guest and sharing your passion for music with us.  And thanks too, for sending out into the airwaves, beautiful sounds that are a joy to perceive.

Bookings for Naomi can be made @ http://www.naomiterashima.com.au/


Jasmine Neutron Star is the first book of the Star Ways Chronicles.  It is a novel most suitable for young adult and teenager readers of speculative, fantasy / science fiction, urban fantasy.  It is a humorous account of Jasmine’s first adventure into the world of light – Quanta.  She is a spirem – a new kind of superhero – and perfect for the sphere of Terra.

Keep up-to-date with all the fun at: www.ajmcmarson.com