The Projection Room: Two from the Cubist Mist (excerpt p.44-45).

Excerpt from “The Projection Room: Two from the Cubist Mist,” pages 44-45.

He pointed and then escorted her to the small demonstration
booth. “It’s actually quite small, so you’ll have to forgive the cramped quarters, but it should be enough to give you an idea of what this experience would be like.”

The prototype was the size of a walk-in shed. Bruce motioned
her to enter first. It was cramped, so they had to stand uncomfortably close together. Noelle was unaware that he was relishing the scent of her hair as he stood slightly behind her.

After an awkward silence that only Bruce was aware of, he spoke up. “While the demonstration is going, you will be tempted to walk around, because the tiles will create the illusion of vast space.  Don’t. You’ll smack into a wall and embarrass yourself.”

Noelle chuckled and turned to him. “Gee, thanks for the heads-up.”

Only when she looked back at Bruce as he was looking at her lips did she suspect he was attracted to her. Bruce caught himself, stepped back too far, and bumped the wall with his shoulder.

Quick to recover, Bruce continued nervously, “I was thinking you’ll like to see something from Monet. I downloaded one of his paintings of the Japanese footbridge.”

“Yeah, I think I’d like that.” She nodded.

“It’s getting a little claustrophobic in here. So I’ll set the system to let you view for about five minutes. Sound good?”

She smiled. “Sounds great.”

The room dimmed as Bruce closed the door behind him. She could no longer hear his movements after he closed the booth. She was glad she didn’t suffer from claustrophobia, but the small, dark space was a little unsettling for a brief moment.

Noelle waited in the darkened enclosure. The lights slowly ramped up into a wild kaleidoscope of color that finally jelled into the gardenscape with a drawbridge and lily pads. She felt as if she was there in that garden. She leaned forward to look at the foliage and actually saw the textured brushstrokes of the artist in minute detail. Noelle put her hand forward and touched the wall. That momentarily diminished the illusion, but as soon as she withdrew her hand, it was restored.

Bruce’s voice piped in a comic, robotic manner, “Do not touch the wall, young lady.”

She chuckled and thought, Yes, this definitely would work well at the museum.

Back in the present, Bruce smiled sadly as he thought about their first meetings. He walked up the stairs to the other projection room. Thinking about this just reminded him that he was a widower and lonely man. He hoped throwing himself into his work again would lessen his awareness of that reality, but he doubted it

Zombie Day Care Apocalypse - Screenplay Synopsis

While I’m a novelist, truth is I enjoy the challenge of writing screenplays too. And I say challenge because while a screenplay generally is between 100-120 pages, it’s actually more difficult and challenging to write a compelling script since most writers run towards verbose. It’s actually easier to build a character with more description, internal thoughts and emotions and dialogue without those constraints.

And while I like to write my paranormal/sci-fi/thrillers (my current series is “The Projection Room” books 1 and 2, which are available on Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble), I do love a good comedy, and perhaps it’s because of the chick in me, that I have a soft spot for romantic comedies too. For instance, I’m looking forward to “Fifty Shades of Grey,” because I know it’ll almost be as funny as “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls,” which was a hoot.

Anyway, I  currently have my own rom/com listed up on Talentville.com titled “Zombie Day Care Apocalypse.” And yes, it’s really a romantic comedy, that is only indirectly about zombies.

Here’s a synopsis:

Former zombie filmmaker, Victor Chesterfield, is heartbroken. His wife Olivia, a high school drama teacher, has had enough of his foul moods and flying off the handle. Even though she might still love him, she leaves. Olivia just can no longer tolerate his dramatic outbursts. She claims she prefers her drama on the stage.

When his best friend and employee of the quirky American Science and Surplus Store, Eddie tells him that Olivia misses the man he once was that was so much fun making his gawd-awful B-movie zombie flicks, they decided it’s time to brush off an unmade script titled “Zombie Day Care Apocalypse” and convince her to make once last zombie movie with them.

Olivia is reluctant to jump back into her zombie killing catsuit since her colleagues don‘t know about her B minus movie past, and she wants to keep it that way. That is, until two of her slacker students blackmail her in exchange for parts when they discover the script that Victor hands her. She had hoped her colleagues would never know of her less than stellar thespian forays into zombie-dom, but like Michael Corleone and the mob, these students want to drag her back into B-movies. She finally agrees to make Victor’s movie provided he cast her two students and have them do all their own stunt work.

After Victor mortgages their house to make the film, he enlists all the anxious employees at the store to help them make the film. Too late, Victor realizes why it’s never wise to make movies with small children, as it’s akin to herding kittens. The two slackers wish they had never agreed to do their own stunts. The store and neighborhood is in total chaos, and Olivia makes life for Victor bumpy at best. All the while everyone involved has the time of their lives making, “Zombie Day Care Apocalypse.”

The inspiration for Victor was a combination of Sam Raimi (Director of the Evil Dead and first Spider-Man franchises), Victor Fabian from a movie titled “Once More with Feeling,” about a temperamental symphony conductor with Yul Brynner as Victor, and Ari Gold of Entourage. I got the idea while reading Bruce Campbell’s book, “If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B-Movie Actor.”

Anyway, if you inclined to read movie scripts for the heck of it, and are in the vicinity ofhttp://www.talentville.com, feel free to give it a read. AND if you’re a movie producer and in the market for a romantic comedy – I can be reached via this blog, LinkedIn. Twitter or Facebook and yes, Talentville.com as well.

Copyright for this script is on film with the US Copyright Office.

The Blurred Lines Between the Supernatural/Metaphysical and Science

“I suspect that my theories may all depend upon a force for which philosophers have searched all of nature in vain.” -- Isaac Newton.

Little known fact--Isaac Newton actually wrote three times more on theology and the Bible then he did on science. It’s true. He even taught himself Hebrew to further his search. Newton came further in understanding the physics of time and space than any man in his age, which is why his mathematical and natural philosophical works are considered the foundations of scientific exploration today still.

That’s why I think the lines between science fiction, the metaphysical and the supernatural are often fuzzy at best. For instance, while Ray Bradbury is considered a science fiction author (Martian Chronicles), much of his work had a metaphysical bent to it. A perfect example is “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” which is definitely not science fiction. By the way, I highly recommend that book and especially the movie version.

Stephen King wrote “Tommyknockers,” which is about an alien infiltration/infestation, and therefore falls under the science fiction genre banner, and yet his body of work is far more supernatural than not. I find that King had to say on the matter interesting as well. He stated in a Rolling Stones interview that while he wasn’t crazy about organized religion, he chooses to believe in the existence of God. He states that his writing about the supernatural so often reflects that somewhat. I think that’s reflected strongly in “The Green Mile,” which is one of my favorite King books.

As I stated in a previous blog about a character I created, Dr. Casper Layton, I noticed that many of the scientists that were involved in this nation’s “Manhattan Project,” had a strong believe in the supernatural. While theirs was a perverse occult belief, it is nevertheless a strong belief in the supernatural. A realm outside the understandable and observable world in which we interact.

It would seem I’m not the only one, and far from the first too, that has noticed this connection. I recently put the following book on my wish list, “Modern Alchemy: Occultism and the Emergence of Atomic Theory,” by Mark Morrisson on Oxford Press. In addition, Dusty Skylar, author “Nazis and the Occult” seemed to also notice that our foes in were also intrigued with both science and the metaphysical connection as well.

Why am I mentioning this? Book 3 “The Projection Room: Our Brother’s Keeper” is with my publisher at the moment, and it is much closer than the previous two books to science fiction. However, I’m working on the final book of the series this very moment. In book four, Bruce Mallory discovers that Georges Bosque’s paintings still exist and where they’re hidden. He and Baker are in a race to find it before the villainous Casper Layton does, but Bruce also feels compelled to figure out why these two paintings are so different than any other paintings he projects and animates in the projection room. Why did the other paintings previously react, but no longer do when put in the room. To do that, he must delve, study and discern what Bosque did that was so different from any other of paintings, even though Bruce repulsed by what he has to study and find. Even though he risks his life and perhaps his soul to solve this puzzle.

I’ve been told that the Projection Room series has been difficult to categorize (see link- book 14 out 15 of the list) Is it science fiction? Is it paranormal thriller? Personally, I think it’s both and why not. The lines between science and the metaphysical have been blurred throughout history.

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/lists/best-indie-books-2013-we-found-difficult-categoriz/

The Projection Room -- Art Lives Here!

To those not familiar with Milwaukee, the art museum here is perhaps one of the most unusual and beautiful edifices in the art world. This is why I chose my home town art museum, The Milwaukee Art Museum, to be the first setting for “The Projection Room” series.

The second book takes place in Chicago, across from the Art Institute of Chicago, but the seminal event that starts the series, begins here, and this museum is always referenced either directly or indirectly in the subsequent books. I’ll discuss some of the paintings that are featured in book one from time to time, but for readers of the book that are unfamiliar with Milwaukee — this short video will be helpful when reading the book and trying to imagine the setting as well.  Enjoy!

And don’t forget that “The Projection Room: Two from the Cubist Mist” is available on Amazon.com

Gotta Love Real MEN

It’s been a very long time since I’ve blogged, but then I haven’t had that much to say that couldn’t be said on Twitter or Facebook. But of late, something has been stirring in my head. The issue is MEN. That‘s right - the male of the species.

When visiting with a friend in Florida, she mentioned she no longer had any use for men, and that she was more than happy with the battery operated stand-in. I actually found that sad, because frankly I like men. I like they way they sound, the five o’clock shadow thing, the broader shoulders and the fact they can lift things that I sometimes can’t. I like the way they look so profoundly happy when you put food in front of them. Yes, I like them. I like men.

But lately it has dawned on me that there is a huge difference between a boy, a guy and a man. Because it has dawned on me that there are a lot of guys out there, but men are becoming increasingly rare. Here is the conclusion I’ve reached: a real man is deeply passionate and takes care of what is his and what he loves. Let me explain further. In nature, most alpha males fight to protect and defend territory. A male lion will sometimes fight to the death to defend his pride simply because if another male takes over that pride he instinctively kills off the other male’s offspring. And it should come as no surprise that vast majority of child abusers in our day are more often than not the male living in the house that is NOT the father of the children there.

Now I also know that the idea of monogamy has come under fire in our culture as well. There are the socio-hipsters (or the relationship challenged) that decry marriage and/or monogamy as an obsolete and antiquated institution. Many of them also go on to state that our nearest living relations (bonobos and chimps) are extremely happy in their sexually promiscuous ways, and therefore doesn’t it make sense for us too? Here’s the problem with that logic; these creatures (chimps and bonobos) also engage in group rape, incest and sexual contact with sexually immature juveniles within their family groups too. You can’t then cherry pick the behaviors; these are also the natural behaviors of our supposed closest living relatives. So to use them as a way to justify the ‘hit it and quit it’ sexual trends doesn’t really make all that much sense. Keep in mind that male bonobos also rub their scrotums together after a conflict. Do we want to see male athletes do likewise after all major sporting events in lieu of high five-ing each other? I think not (and I sincerely hope not!!!)!!!!

What it means to be a man has been lost in our culture. Do I blame the feminist movement? - not entirely. Some of the blame can be placed at the feet of what we (men and women) ourselves have embraced as a culture as manly. We have an idiot that stays in his pajamas and sips Pepsi while surgically enhanced breasts frolic in the grotto all day. He blathers on that he’s truly a feminist, and he’s built an empire called “Playboy”. What is obvious is that MAN is nowhere to be found in that title, and for good reason. Why? Because his ‘hit it and quit it”, sometimes serial brand of monogamy is what women need protection from. Granted there are women that even now will sleep with him, but this is based purely on a perverted or distorted need to self-protect. Many of these women believe that he can and will help their careers, which in turn will be the means of self-support (self-protection) in the future. After all, they can’t really believe he’d care for them enough to protect them with his fidelity or emotionally support their progeny, and they probably know that going in.

Many women find themselves attracted to bad boys. I confess, I once did too. They so often display many of the characteristics of true men, but alas they aren’t; they fall short. They look, sound and smell like men. They seem very capable of protecting what they love and what is theirs, but too often they have a very small, small perception of that means. Too often, what is theirs only extends to their personal possessions and what lies in wait behind their zippers. Very, very small umm. . .thinking on their part (okay thatI was bad, but I couldn‘t resist). Again, there is a reason why ‘boy’ is predominant in that title as well. Here’s another characteristic of a real men - they are driven to build something of lasting value. A bad boy’s character and behavior is more inclined to pull things down than build. In other words, bad boys are short sighted when it comes to their decision and behaviors which are often self-destructive as well.

There is a cautionary tale in the Bible about such a bad boy. Believe it or not, his name was David. David liked the ladies and had a sizable number of wives and concubines. He had an adulterous affair with Bathsheba, and when she became pregnant from that affair, David had her husband Uriah killed (today he probably would have taken her to a clinic). The question was if he killed Uriah to protect himself or Bathsheba, but I suspect it was both. While David had a unique place in God’s heart, let’s face it - you wouldn’t want to live next door to him. Probably God saw that David would eventually understand that his bad boy behavior would produce a profoundly bitter fruit that was of his own making.

However, David most likely didn’t love or emotionally support or protect those wives or children; they were on their own. When his beautiful daughter Tamar was raped by her half brother Amnon, David did nothing to protect her or address the issue. When Amnon was murdered by Absalom (Tamar’s full brother), again David was strangely absent and/or silent. When Absalom rebelled against him, David was impotent to either fight him, or save Absalom from himself. When Absalom took ten of David’s remaining concubines to the roof and had sex with them as an act of disdain and rebellion, David could do nothing. David’s ability to effective shape or reach Absalom’s heart and conscience were too far gone for his father‘s feeble, unprotecting brand of love. When one of his subjects, Shimei, Son of Gera threw rocks at him and ridiculed him, David caused his soldier to stand down because he had to admit he deserved it. This was probably the first manly thing David did since he slew Goliath.

Now the reason that multiple partners is such a bad idea is this - it inhibits us from really protecting what we do love. When a man has a lot of women, if he loves any of them (which is unlikely), he is utterly incapable of protecting them. First, he’s incapable of protecting his sex partners from one another; just look at all the fist fights on the Jerry Springer Show if you need proof. Secondly, he’s spread too thin to care, protect and teach those children from those unions. Being a teacher, I’ve seen this first hand. Most of the children that lack direction, focus and have behavioral problems more often than not do NOT have a loving, protecting father present in the home.

A word about female infidelity should be added here. When a woman is unfaithful it diminishes a man that she might love too. Not only does he doubt himself and his ability to please her sexually, he is not able to adequately protect her - from the other man (men) or from her own worst impulses. This frustrates a real man’s impulse to protect what is his, and what he loves. In addition, there is no incentive to protect a child that might not genetically be his. I heard it said on “The Millionaire Matchmaker” by one of Patti’s consultants that a man might lust for a woman, but it is ultimately her character that he will (or will not) fall in love with. You can watch “Pretty Woman” till the cows come home, but most men have no intention of marrying a sexually promiscuous woman (adventurous yes - but only with him). Why? Because it’s just as difficult to protect that woman from her past as well.

Here’s a little factoid: The Kama Sutra (that’s right, the Kama Sutra) states that a woman that has had eight or more lovers is equal to a consort or prostitute. Maybe that’s part of that culture for the reasons stated above?

Now I’m going to say something that will make a feminist’s head explode. I’m going to let you guys in on a secret. When women say that men are simple, and women are just so much more evolved and emotionally complicated - that’s bullshit. That’s right!!! You heard me - bullshit. Every woman wants a protector and champion. She might not need a champion and protector, but she wants one anyway. And I’m not talking about those *sshole guys that say stuff like “submit woman!!, where are my slippers and pipe!” Those are self-involved bad boys that have given real men a bad rap. I could tell you stories about those guys, but that‘s another blog.

Okay, I swear I heard a few heads explode like overripe melons. But let’s be honest here about biology and hardwiring for a moment. When a woman has sex - she really is physically at her most vulnerable, often emotionally, but definitely physically. She needs to feel desired, protected and above all else, safe.

Now I’m sure a few guys heads are about to burst, and they’re about to say - nah Carol - nice guys finish last. The women I know seem to like the guys that abuse them and treat them like crap. Here’s the problem - nice guys tend to come across as pushovers, and therefore not wholly able to protect them. Bad boys might seem to be able to protect them, but don’t want to because they are after all boys in heart and mind. That’s the problem that most women need to address - being able to discern and see the real men from the bad boys and wimps.

Now as I see it, we have two choices in our culture. We can continue on this present path of serial monogamy, “hit it and quit it” sexuality and the friends of benefits crap and see what happens. I’m sure there are the self proclaimed sophisticated people that will say that my ideas while quaint, are backward and antiquated. But I have to ask this? Reverting to the behaviors of our supposed nearest living relatives like chimps isn’t backward thinking??????

And men - aren’t you tired of jokes like “A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.” Aren’t comments like “you’re not as good as a battery operated toy” and “are only walking and talking sperm dispensers” starting to bother you? They should. They should annoy any real man. They should really annoy a guy that’s considering becoming one too.

And why am I telling you this? Because I like men, and I want to see real men make a real comeback. Real women need you.