Happy Easter to all who recognize today as a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. (compliments of Wikipedia)
Weather-wise, it’s been a mixed week, although mainly dry with lots of sunshine. We were able to get more done in the front flower beds and made a start in the back. Still plenty more to do before thing are ready.
“There’s no such thing as writer’s block. That was invented by people in California who couldn’t write.” – Terry Pratchett Compliments of https://getfreewrite.com/blogs/writing-success/55-motivational-writing-quotes.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on Easter Saturday, 8 April, compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/:
Phineas Fletcher, English poet; Johann Christian Gunther, German poet; Thaddäus Weigl, German-Austrian composer, publisher, and conductor; Dionysios Solomos, Greek poet of the Greek national anthem; Elizabeth Bacon Custer, American author, public speaker and wife of George Armstrong Custer; Margaret Ayer Barnes, American playwright and writer (Years of Grace); ohn R. Hicks, British economist (Value and Capital), (Nobel Memorial Prize for Economic Science 1972); Hans Scherfig, Danish artist and communist writer (Idealists, Stolen Spring); Helen Joseph, South African anti-apartheid activist and writer (Side by Side); John Fante, Italian-American author and screenwriter (Wait Until Spring, Bandini, Ask the Dust, Full of Life); Emil Mihai Cioran, Romanian born writer and aphorist; Glendon Swarthout, American novelist (Where The Boys Are; The Shootist); Frédéric Back, German-born Canadian short film director and screenwriter; Seymour Hersh, award-winning investigative reporter (NY Times); Eduard Visser, Dutch writer (Fyffes are now called Chiquita); James Herbert, English horror writer (The Rats); Christoph Hein, German writer and translator; Barbara Kingsolver, American novelist (The Poisonwood Bible); Jim Piddock, English actor, writer and producer (Best in Show); Craig Mazin, American scriptwriter and film director (Chernobyl, The Last of Us); and Nnedi Okorafor, Nigerian American writer (Binti books).
Any names familiar to you? There were two four me: Elizabeth Bacon Custer and James Herbert. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one!
My Work in Progress
I recently completed chapter twenty-eight of Frozen Conquest and posted it to the two online subscription writing sites I use.
Since my last update, fifteen reviews have been added, bringing the total to 528. As always, plenty of good suggestions to improve my story and I’m greatly appreciative of the support.
Here’s another snippet:
Carina stood at the stern of the ship, gazing out to sea. Nothing but darkness. She tugged her coat tighter around her to ward off the penetrating cold. She pulled her lined woolly hat down to cover the tops of her ears. I’m glad Rufus suggested this headgear.
She turned and worked her way along the aft side of the ship before returning inside. Joining her other team members, she scooted into an empty seat next to Bertelot. “Could I make my weekly satellite call now? Before we departed, my favorite cousin was hoping to land a new job, and I want to find out if he was successful.”
Bertelot sipped his Coke. “Okay. What job was he going for?”
“I’m not sure.” She tapped the side of her nose. “Something spooky, I think. He’s a former SEAL.”
Bertelot pulled the satellite phone from his backpack and handed it to her. “No more than fifteen minutes, or you’ll pay the extra.”
“C’mon, Bertelot.” Carina batted her eyes at him. “I’ll be as quick as possible.” She stood and headed toward the exit. “I’ll be right back.”
He laughed. “Sure you will.”
After zipping up her parks, which she had loosened when she joined the others, she donned her hat again and stepped back on deck.
Following the procedures Bertelot taught the team for using the phone, Carina located the appropriate satellite and punched a series of numbers. She smiled when the phone began ringing.
A male voice answered. “Hello?”
“Hi, Rufus. Carina here. How are you doing?”
“Hey, Cuz. Glad to hear from you. Where are you calling from? Are you on your way to Antarctica?”
“Yes, and your recommendation about the woolly hat is already paying dividends.” Carina chuckled. “Too bad you couldn’t come with me, you being a SEAL and all.”
“Hardy har har! This SEAL doesn’t want to play with the seals you’ll meet. But, I suppose you’ll find it quite an adventure.”
“If you change your mind, I’ll talk with Bertelot, our team leader. So did you get the job you were after?”
“Yes. An admiral made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. The pay isn’t as good, but the potential growth is much better than being a contractor.”
“Can you tell me about it?”
“I can’t reveal much, Carina, but I’m now working on an American base in Germany.”
“Are you I charge?”
“Of the base—no. Of my unit? Yes. The only other thing I can mention is we’re a quick reaction team, so we can get sent anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice.”
“Even to Antarctica if I run into trouble?”
Rufus laughed. “as long as my boss gives me the word to go ahead.”
“I’m onboard the research vessel RV Aquavit, and we’re in the Southern Ocean. I better give you the Scandinavian Protection Agency’s number.”
“Already have it. When you called, I recognized you were using a satellite phone—impressive. Your number is in my phone’s log.”
“It’s not my phone, Rufus. It belongs to the SPA, and our team leader allows each of us one call a week, but only for fifteen minutes due to the cost. The one we’re using costs two dollars a minute.”
“Ouch. Pricey. I feel honored you chose to call me.”
Carina chuckled. “You’re my only living relative, so who else would I call? I don’t have a boyfriend—at least right now.” She sighed. “I better go for now. Take care, Rufus. Speak to you next week.”
“Sure thing, Cuz. Watch out for those seals—and the penguins.”
More next time.
Promotions
The Kurdish Connection, Dangerous Alliance, Colombian Betrayal, and Revenge are participating in Revenge promotion, running through the end of April for Action & Adventure, Romance, and Sci-Fi & Fantasy / Urban Fantasy. There are currently sixty-seven novels participating. Why not check it out? You might find your next new author.
This brings us to an end for another week. I hope you found something of interest. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.
© Copyright 2023 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
