After a three-week vacation to South Carolina, we arrived back in Scotland this week. At first, it seems as if Scotland’s rainy weather following us across the Atlantic, but for the most part, the temperatures greatly exceeded those in Scotland. Today, it seems as if South Carolina’s sunny weather made the transition over, as we have plenty of sunshine and a temperature of 52F (11C). Long may it last!
The price of gasoline (petrol) remained the same as when we left at a £1.42 liter, while diesel held at £1.52. As a result, and with the current exchange rate between the pound and the dollar, an equivalent U.S. gallon of gasoline is now $6.77, a decrease of three cents, while diesel topped out at $7.26, climbing another penny, Meanwhile, when we filled the tank of our rental car, we paid $3.25 a gallon or sixty-eight cents.
“If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it isn’t expecting it.” – H.G. Wells. Compliments of https://press.barnesandnoble.com/bnpress-blog/inspirational-quotes-writing/.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on March 31st, the fourth and final Sunday of the month. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).
Rene Descartes, French philosopher (he thought, therefore he was); Andrew Marvell, English poet (To His Coy Mistress); Edward FitzGerald, British poet, writer, and translator (Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam); Nikolai Gogol [Nikolay], Ukrainian-born Russian novelist, humorist, and dramatist (Dead Souls, The Inspector-General); Léon Dierx, French poet (Aspirations; Les Amants); Andrew Lang, Scottish poet, novelist, literary critic, and anthropologist (Andrew Lang’s Fairy Books); Borisav “Bora” Stanković, Serbian writer; Ion Pillat, Romanian poet and senator (Umbra timpului); Vardis Fisher, American author (Darkness & Deep); Pieter “Piet” Jongeling, Dutch politician (GPV) and author of children’s books (Scout: The Secret of the Swamp); Robert Brasillach, French author and journalist (editor in chief of the fascist weekly Je Suis Partout); Octavio Paz, Mexican poet (Salamandra; Topoemas), writer and diplomat who won the 1990 Nobel Prize laureate; Marga Minco [Sara Menco], Dutch journalist and writer (Bitter Herb); John Fowles, British novelist (Collector, French Lieutenant’s Woman); John Jakes, American writer (Sir Scoundrel, Great Women Reporters); Nichita Stănescu, Romanian poet; Marge Piercy, author (Small Changes, Gone for Soldiers); Valerie Curtin, American actress, writer, and producer; and David Eisenhower, author and grandson of President Eisenhower (married Julie Nixon).
Any names familiar to you? There weren’t any for me this time. 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
As I previously mentioned, I penned chapters 22-30 of Mission: Yemen, Xavier Sear Thriller Book 2 during the Xmas market. I still have to finish a few paragraphs of chapter thirty before I’m ready to post it to the two online subscription writing sites I use.
Reviewers provided another fifteen critiques, bringing the total to 542. As always, they’ve provided plenty of recommendations for me to consider, and I’m always appreciative of the time and effort people put into reviewing my work.
Here’s another snippet:
Sear pursed his lips. “Do you find your opinions in the minority?”
“Yes, I do. However, this is something I believe in, and I shall do my best to assist my country in becoming a prosperous nation where people with differing opinions can still share viewpoints without killing one another.”
“I hope I don’t offend you, Bashari, but don’t you think you have a rather simplistic viewpoint of the world?”
Bashari glanced at his wife and laughed. “Yes, I support I do. However, living in Europe taught both of us it is better to live together with mutual respect rather than always fighting.”
Sear nodded. “I suppose you’re right. So where do you think those who kidnapped Shatara are holding her?”
“I have given this some thought, and I believe they will be found in the more remote areas. Of course, I could be mistaken.” He studied Sear’s face. “I hope you will do whatever you can to bring our daughter back to us. “He glanced at Yasmin. “Alive.”
Sear nodded. “I will do everything possible to bring her back to you.” But I’m not sure what I can do by myself, and Vincent said no foreign support given the current situation in-country. He rubbed his stubble. “I might need some assistance. Do you know where I can find some guys experienced with fighting?”
Bashari and Yasmin glanced at each other and smiled.
“My late husband’s family wants revenge for his death. He had four brothers, and they have some grown-up sons who will want to help.”
“Okay.” Would prefer qualified fighters, but I can’t be choosy. He glanced at Bashari. “How about you?”
“I have two older brothers. They both have two sons, and all are experienced fighters.” He put up a hand and counted fingers as he stared at the ceiling. “I can also count on eight cousins.”
“Where do they live?”
“They are all in the Aden area—they’re fishermen. But I know they will help.”
At least eighteen. Will it be enough? Sear studied Bashari and Yasmin’s faces. “Should it be necessary for you and your family to leave Yemen once I find Shatara, will you be able to do so?”
“Yes. I shall do whatever is necessary to keep my family together. I made many friends in Europe, and I am sure they will help us begin a new life.” Bashari sighed. “Compared to most Yemenis, we are considered wealthy. But wealth brings its own dangers. I also know a secret that might be useful as a bargaining chip.” He stared at Sear. “But it might be dangerous.”
“What is that?”
“There is a Saudi faction living in Yemen. They are trying to keep a damaging secret from the rest of Saudi Arabia and moderates in Yemen. If their secret is revealed, the truth will pit family against family, brother against brother, until the sands are colored with blood.”
More next time.
As I get back into my writing, I’ll continue with The Great Rebellion – Finn Harding Book One. It’s a romantic alternate history of the American Civil War. I’m tweaking chapter five, originally written by my co-author, and hope to send it to him over the next week for consideration.
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 2024 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
As I mentioned last time, I penned chapters 22-30 of Mission: Yemen, Xavier Sear Thriller Book 2 during the Xmas market. This week, I typed up and posted chapter twenty-two to the two online subscription writing sites I use. I also did about half of chapter twenty-three.