by Hyram Voltage | May 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
My simple definition of what a story or book is; A story is about an interesting character, doing interesting things, for a reason. But to be an interesting story you need to start with a hook. Starting a story by showing the surroundings is not interesting. Even if... by Hyram Voltage | May 20, 2019 | Uncategorized
I’m out to save the world and everyone is against me. I must be right. Many scientist proclaim that there is global warming. They may be right. Like a character out of a steam punk novel I’m out to stop it or it’s effects. Effects, I am told, will... by Hyram Voltage | May 16, 2019 | Uncategorized
I’m talking about the writer not a character. From the 1930s through the 1970s there was serious concern that over population would destroy the world as we know it it a very few years. In 1966 Harry Harrison published a book Make Room Make Room about the over... by Hyram Voltage | May 6, 2019 | Uncategorized
Sorry for the last two Mondays. I missed posting and feel bad about that. I had family business to settle and a friends affairs to take care of. I needed time to morn. Time to bring closure to a family member and a friend. In the last two weeks I have driven 2500... by Hyram Voltage | Apr 16, 2019 | Uncategorized
I was on my way to lunch today when I got a call on the cell phone. Five minutes earlier a friend had passed away. Unexpected, well not totally unexpected. He was my high school English teacher. He had a few health problems and was recovering from a bout of pneumonia.... by Hyram Voltage | Apr 15, 2019 | Uncategorized
When you’re looking for ideas, value every idea that comes your way. Ideas may everywhere, but each is worth more than you can ever pay. You are constantly being bombarded by ideas. Admire each idea as the precious gem that it is. You remember the poem about... by Hyram Voltage | Apr 9, 2019 | Uncategorized
It’s an old tradition from the German side of my family. The envelope had a black border around it. That was a sign to the post office and anyone getting the letter that the letter was about someone dying. It’s much better than calling someone and telling... by Hyram Voltage | Apr 1, 2019 | Uncategorized
It’s been a hard year with several friends passing away. Now I lost a family member. I find writers fall into two clichés when they write about death. One is they have the main character work through the seven stages of grief. The other is the hero is consumed... by Hyram Voltage | Mar 18, 2019 | Uncategorized
I went to the Wild Wild West con (WWWC8) in Old Tucson last weekend. I attend steampunk events to keep tabs on the readers of steampunk. I’m a writer, I have to keep my finger on the pulse of the readers. I also visit with the authors that are selling their... by Hyram Voltage | Mar 11, 2019 | Uncategorized
Time, we think we control it, but we don’t. This morning I was in Tucson for the Wild Wild West Steampunk convention. At 6:30 I walked down to the lobby to get some breakfast. The breakfast nook was closed. I asked the check at the front desk when the breakfast...