Passion and a riddle

 

I am blown away by Don’s passion for music, and I admire it – to have a passion so deep it becomes an integral part to the day. I was wondering if I had such a passion. I sampled various genres of music this week with the thought that since I do love having it in the background, maybe I was not paying attention to sleeping passion. I took a clue from Don’s “acres and acres of sci-fi inspired music…” I listened to Rush, they were passing fad for me years ago, sorry Don; I even did some techno this week. I realized that I listen to and use those different genres daily. But I’m not passionate about them. Music is part of my life’s tapestry, but it doesn’t provide my story – it is a life supplement – a vitamin.

I look around our house, my space, and realize there isn’t a room in the house that doesn’t have a book shelf in it. Not only are the shelves packed, but there is a second layer of books on top; obviously we ran out of room. On the dining room table, right where I can get to them, are my favorite magazines – Wired, Discover, National Geographic, and the Christian Science Monitor. I also have my latest book right there. When I travel, I travel with a book; I have a Kindle reader, two types of readers on my computer… I guess I could say words, the written word, are my passion. It is what brings a smile to my face. It is what I do – I am a writer, an editor; I am a publisher of works that are like Don’s music – raw, in your face – it is the adventure that catches me up and takes me away from “here”. This is my passion and I get to live it.

When I’m editing, I’m riding shotgun, I call out the “watch out”, and “why did you turn there?”  I get to enjoy the ride the author takes me on. Sci-fi can touch on topics that might otherwise be banned. Plot twists are mandatory and with sci-fi, you can get away with it as long as there is a thread through the story that the reader can follow. Characterization has no limit – we all give human characteristics to nonhuman entities. What is fascinating is when the nonhuman acts within the confines of their culture and how it clashes with humans and how it is resolved. Sci-fi can fill the imaginative mystery of how things fit together.

I love a good mystery, so the question is: why sci-fi over mystery? I think I’ll leave that open for next week. A new Capt. Jackson story was turned in today and I can’t wait to start reading.

Okay, Don. Here’s another riddle for ya

Clickity clack
Whir hum
Numbers letters
Metal
Wrapped around ribbon
Clickity clack
Whir hum



 

 

Carolyn