A Writer's House

June Blogchain: Description

Lyra — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 02:38:39 +0000

This month’s blogchain is about Description. Write a location description, and make us feel as if we are there. No dialogue, no introductory comments, just a location. We’re the tourists, you’re the guide. The people participating are listed below. I’ll keep updating the list until everyone has posted.

Here is my entry:

“Don’t do anything stupid like take your helmet off. It will only end the VR program and it’s a bitch to start back up again.” Qeb heard the real estate agent through his helmet mike.

It was a very good program. It even had the gravity correct. He bounced lightly on in heated boots. Chryse Planitia, the plains of Gold, here on Mars. It didn’t look very golden. It was rather a dull rust red with streaks of orange and tan but it was very flat and he wondered where the Viking I lander would be out here if any of it was still around that is. He looked across the flat terrain and saw nothing.

“We don’t have updated maps yet but there are a few dome towns being built inside a few of the craters here in Chryse.” He heard the real estate agent again. “But the museum won’t be located in any of those. Turn around.”

Qeb turned around and it took his breath away. They were just far enough away from the Southern Highlands and an outflow channel to not crane the neck and still see the top. The real estate agent came up beside and tapped his arm. He barely felt it through the thick insulation against negative 112 degrees Fahrenheit temprature. She pointed at a curve in the outflow channel.

“The Martian Museum will take up part of the cliff facing Chryse and will go around the bend and face into the outflow channel itself. There will be a bridge crossing the outflow channel and the museum will continue down the side of the outflow channel onto the floor of the canyon. There are other sites to see if you are interested, of course.”

“Perhaps, I will be interested after seeing the actual plans of the museum. What will it be like inside?”

“The interior will be pressurized and temperature controlled. The bridge, to save on building costs, will be open air. There are air locks, one for each entrance, and numerous safe rooms in case of depressurization. That can still happen from time to time but not a big worry especially where it will be built. Shall we head back now and look over the building plans?”

“Yes, that will be great. Let’s do that.”

——————————————————————

If you enjoyed reading the other participants’ blogs in the chain and want to return to them but forgot to bookmark. All them will be listed in my Writer’s Blogs links on the right hand side near the bottom.

AW Blogchain June 2010- Attitude

Lyra — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 02:25:23 +0000

I’m participating in this month’s Absolutewrite blog chain where we are supposed to post a scene portraying our MC’s attitude. Thanks to everyone in the chain for letting me participate even though I missed the first deadline. This is the opening scene of my still untitled SF novel about an extrasolar colonization effort with a multigenerational ship.

Unlike everyone else I was not eager to leave. I stood across the street as the crowd gathered waiting for the command ship to arrive. I watched them with their name badges like necklaces draped around their necks and their luggage waiting at their feet. Two hundred of us were leaving on the government colony ship that day but more than two hundred were on the green right now. Family and friends of the selected were saying their goodbyes. As the time drew closer the crowd grew thinner as those not chosen left before the command ship arrived.

As the crowd became thinner I picked up my bags and walked across the street. I hated goodbyes and had no one to wish me goodbye. My sister went on a private charter after winning the government lottery. Now I am going as her. I didn’t want to leave Earth at all but I wanted to be alone on the world less. Knowing we’d end up on the same planet in the end I agreed to take her place on the government ship if she could find passage on a private one. Stupid wormholes why do people have to tinker. Earth was better now. We cleaned up the mess, got our act together, and lucky for us global warming never happened. Then it was the invention of the wormhole. They weren’t large and didn’t last long but they were large enough and lasted long enough to start a new space race. Instead of landing on the moon it was colonizing planets outside our solar system. My sister was so excited it was hard not to share her enthusiasm.

“Helen, you home.” I shut the door behind me and walked into the den wher the TV was on. “Helen, you in here?”

“Emma, did you hear? It’s so exciting. Their going to colonize outer space.”

“Yeah, how long have they been going on about that for about three hundred years. What’s so new now?”

“Wormholes. Man made wormholes are making it possible. They just announced it on the TV. Sit, sit, they’ve been having news breaks every half hour or so. I’m surprised you didn’t hear anything at work.”

“I wish you’d find work.” She shushed me and pulled me down on the couch and turned up the volume as another announcement came on. The news reporter was standing next to a man in a white coat.

“Now, Doctor Severson, what exactly does this machine do and why is it important to NASA and the continuation of space travel?”

“This machine is able to produce miniature wormholes and it is these wormholes that will enable us to accomplish extrasolar and deep space flight.”

“But Doctor Severson, doesn’t the invention of medical nanobots, what everyone now calls, amaranthines, make space exploration beyond our solar system possible?”

“Only in part, Samantha. While the amaranthines, do keep our astronauts healthy and long-lived enough it is only part of the solution. The other half is communications. These mini-wormholes are the solution to that problem.”

“Long lived enough, you that Helen, why don’t they just say immortal. I mean I remember when the amaranthines were first used.”

“Shush, Emma, I’m trying to hear.”

“Come on, Helen, you remember that guy is still doing missions.”

“Yes, I remember now be quiet they are going to start the demonstration.”

“Alright, fine, fine. Listen to your news I’m going to get something to eat. I’m hungry.”

“You’re not going to watch the demonstration?”

“No, it’s not like I’ll ever go into space or even want to for that matter. Why do I care what newfangled invention comes along?”

Don’t forget to read everyone else’s characters. If you do your missing out.

A short story – Barbie Pill

Lyra — Fri, 21 May 2010 22:27:10 +0000

I wrote Barbie Pill and published it in 2005. I made a whopping $5.oo. I found a copy of it while looking for paper to write a new story. After looking it over I can now see why I had such a hard time publishing it. I received over 20 rejections before it was published. But I love this story and so I thought I would put it up here so other people could read it. The story came from watching diet pill infomercials and my love of show, “The Twilight Zone.” Here it is.

“Breaking new in the toy industry,” the anchorman said, “Barbie, the popular fashion doll for girls of all ages, is unable to keep up with demand. It has Barbie’s makers worried. But first this commercial break.”

Peg was sitting on the couch stuffing her pudgy face with the one hand and holding the remote with the other. She hoisted herself off the couch and waddled into the kitchen for a soda. She grabbed a two liter and another bag of chips and lumbered back to the living room. She sat on the couch and it groaned underneath her expansive weight.

Peg changed the channel. As much as she liked Barbies she didn’t want to miss her favorite cooking show, How to Boil Water. It was the salmon loaf episode, not her favorite. She changed the channel. An infomercial was on. She left it to see what they were selling. If it was something she wanted then she wouldn’t have to go out and buy it.

“Barbie, she has the clothes, the cars, and the men. Who wouldn’t want to be her? Well, now you can with B.A.R.B.I.E. pills. You can lose weight, firm your stomach, and tone your muscles. It does all this with a minimum of exercise and there’s no need to change your diet. Just follow our three step program and in three months you’ll look and feel just like Barbie. Our pills are made from 100% natural ingredients so there are no harmful side effects. Plus if you act now we’ll give you this beautiful terrycloth robe as our gift to you.”

Peg lurched for the phone, dialed the number that flashed on the screen, and ordered the first installment. She got them to rush deliver it so she would be ready for prom.

~~~

A plain brown box was on her doorstep when Peg arrived home from school. She picked it up and went inside. She flopped down on the couch and opened it. Inside was a single bottle of pink pills and a terrycloth robe. Peg picked up the robe and unfolded it. It was six sizes too small. “So much for the one size fits all,” she thought. Peg looked in the box again and saw a single sheet of paper. It read:

1 March 2010

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for purchasing our product, B.A.R.B.I.E. pills. This is the first bottle in our three step process. Please follow all instructions carefully. Take one pill every night before bed. At the end of the month you will receive the second bottle of pills.

If you have any questions regarding the product, its use, or the results please write to:

Customer Service

285 Lake Haven Road

Minneapolis, Minnesota

58319

7 March 2010

Dear Customer Service,

I have been using B.A.R.B.I.E. pills for a week. The results so far are fantastic. I have never had such a wonderful tan. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to finish your product.

Sincerely,

Peg Mimosa

14 March 2010

Dear Peg,

We would like to thank you again for choosing our product. The first step is the tanning process. The pills cause a chemical reaction which makes your skin think it is being exposed to UV rays and activates the melanin in your body. Thus, creating the perfect tan without spending hours in the sun or paying hundreds of dollars a year at a tanning salon.

If you have anymore questions or comments feel free to contact:

Susan Brown

Customer Service Department

285 Lake Haven Road

Minneapolis, Minnesota

58319

21 March 2010

Dear Ms. Brown,

Exactly how tan am I supposed to get? I’m a redhead and burn easily. When I don’t burn I freckle. So far neither of these things has happened. Should I quit taking the pills if I don’t want to be any darker?

Sincerely,

Peg Mimosa

28 March 2010

Dear Peg,

Please call me Susan. I am here to answer all of your questions. I hope you did not quit taking the pills. You must take all of them in order for it to work.

Just like traditional tan that you would get in a salon or on the beach it will fade. if you finish all the pills your tan will fade to an appropriate tone and not disappear completely like a traditional tan would.

In the box with this letter is your second bottle of pills. These pills will tone and strengthen your muscles. Just go about your daily routine and diet. No changes in your personal habits are needed in order for it to work. Just take one pill every night before bed. It is important that you finish the whole bottle. if you have any questions or comments please do not hesitate to write me.

Sincerely,

Susan

4 April 2010

Dear Susan,

I have completed all the tanning pills and started on the muscle toning ones. So far everything is great. You were right about the tanning pills.

My classmates have asked me which salon I go to since none of them have seen me at the beach. I told them all about B.A.R.B.I.E. pills. I will faithfully continue taking the pills waiting to see the results.

Sincerely,

Peg

11 April 2010

Dear Peg,

Thank you for recommending our product to your classmates. I am glad they like your tan. Just think of their reaction when you become more toned and begin to lose weight. You’ll be the envy of school.

Sincerely,

Susan

18 April 2010

Dear Susan,

I have been taking your pills for a little over two weeks now. I’ve noticed twinges, aches, and pain that I normally don’t have. I’m also a bit more tired than usual. Is it because of the pills? Should I stop taking them?

I want to lose weight but I don’t want to endanger my health anymore than necessary. If this is normal please let me know. I am a bit worried about this. It’s affecting my school work.

Sincerely,

Peg

25 April 2010

Dear Peg,

By all means finish the pills. You must complete them in order for it to work. Muscle pain does occur in some users. If you are still experiencing muscle pain it is okay to take pain medication like aspirin or another over the counter medication.

The toning pills chemically induce exercise in the muscles forgoing the need to change your exercise regimen. This could be why you are experiencing some muscle pain. The less exercise your muscles are used to the more it will hurt. Don’t start an exercise regimen now thinking that by exercising your muscles you will reduce the pain. If you do start exercising now that will only overwork your muscles and you could injure yourself.

Enclosed, in this package with this letter you will find your third and final bottle of pills. Start taking them as soon as you finish the second bottle. These pills will remove the weight you want to lose.

Sincerely,

Susan

2 May 2010

Dear Susan,

You were so right about the last set of pills. I started taking a regimen of aspirin for the muscle aches and the pain disappeared.

I’ve been on the weight loss pills for two days now. I haven’t noticed anything different yet but, I’m sure they will work. The others have.

Sincerely,

Peg

9 May 2010

Dear Peg,

Congratulations! You are almost finished with our program. At the end of the month you will feel and look just like Barbie. This last set of pills helps you drop your fat so that the muscles you toned can shine through.

This last part of the program will create the most noticeable effects. In order for the weight to stay off and the effects permanent, like your tan and muscle toning, it is important for you to finish all the pills.

When you finished the program you will be the envy of all your classmates at school.

Sincerely,

Susan

16 May 2010

Dear Susan,

I have lost so much weight. I’ve already had to buy new clothes. I’ve dropped two dress sizes already. It is wonderful. All my classmates have noticed as well and have been wondering what my secret is. I have told them about your pills and some have said that they might order some as well.

I do have a question though. It appears that I’m getting shorter. When I buy clothes the sleeves and legs of pants I buy are longer than my arms and legs. I know that I would buying smaller sizes but it appears that I am shrinking. Is this normal?

Sincerely,

Peg

23 May 2010

Dear Peg,

Congratulations on losing two dress sizes so far. The pills were designed to work quickly, efficiently and safely. Did I not tell you that you would be the envy of your classmates?

The appearance of your arms and legs getting shorter is an optical illusion. You are not shrinking. What is happening is your true body shape is coming out. You are so used to seeing yourself in your old form. Now that the new you is coming to the surface it appears smaller than it actually is.

The sleeves and legs of your clothing seem to be longer because they are. Not because you are shrinking but because it takes less material to cover yourself. Now that you are smaller that extra material is sagging around your wrists and ankles. Continue with the pills. You are nearly done.

Sincerely,

Susan

30 May 3010

Dear Susan,

I’ve been faithfully using your pills as prescribed. Now I know I am shrinking and there is something else going on. It’s getting harder for me to move.

My skin has gotten increasingly tighter and it’s getting a shiny, rubbery feel to it. I thought that the muscle toning was finished and this step was just to remove the fat. What do I do now? I can barely move?

Peg

Memo

6 June 2010

To: Mike in Delivery

From: Susan in Distribution

The package is ready for shipping. Pick up from Chicago and deliver it to the packing plant.

~~~

“Mommy, mommy, can I have a Barbie for my birthday?” the little girl asked as they were in the toy store.

“Sure, Sweet pea, let’s go pick one out.”

They went down the Barbie aisle together. “Which one do you want Sweet Pea?”

“I want the one with red hair. I don’t have one like that yet.”

The mother picked up the box with the red haired Barbie and headed for the checkout line with her little girl. As they were leaving the store the woman saw a flier taped to the door. It had a picture of a girl it read:

17 year old Peggy Mimosa is missing. She was last seen at home on the evening of May 22, 2010. She has red hair, green eyes, weighs 120 pounds and is 5 feet and 2 inches tall. If you have any information regarding this person please call 1-800-MISSING.

The mother sighed and thought it was a shame that so many children were running away from home these days. She was glad her little girl wasn’t like that.