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Flash: The Emerald Dragon Flies

Erin Penn

Image from huangshunping on Unsplash

Swimming from the green misty woods to the blue morning sky, the emerald dragon’s scaly body slid back and forth against the air, like a snake swimming through water. Each polish scale reflected lights in flashes, silvery diamonds glittering when touched by the newly reborn sun. Clouds gathered and moved in curious circles like stone ripples in a Zen garden with each turn and swirl of the serpent’s long tail.

The monks held poses, waiting far beyond the normal time to shift stances, watching the impossible.

Dragons only flew above free states. The Emerald Valleys had knelt for generations at the Throne of Providence, their dragon sleeping deeply. What had happened?

(words 111; first published 2/25/2024; created 11/20/2023)

Other Cool Blogs: Media Chomp

Erin Penn


Photo by Manny Becerra on Unsplash

2023 saw many things, one of them being the writer’s strike and the actor’s strike fighting for the rights of creators against studios wanting to use “AI” to replace the costly background work. They wanted to scan an actor once, pay that actor, the make-up artist, and the costumer for one day, and then use the image in perpetuity. The studios also wanted to use AI to write the base for screenplays of movies and television shows, then use writers to tweak them better, playing them for the lesser work.

Sure it saves money, but at what cost? I’ve talked about how long it takes to become a good writer – about one million words. Same for acting, one million of other people’s words, spoken with your interpretation. Makeup artists and costumers also have to learn their craft. Using AI (and it isn’t really artificial intelligence, more like statistical amalgamation – artificial intelligence is about emulating decision-making) to replace the “background” mean actors won’t have a chance to learn their craft, unless they have the TIME and MONEY to spend practicing without pay. As it is now, actors knows that they’re most common line is “do you want fries with that?” But to decrease the opportunity to nothing will undo television and movies. The top 100 will be the only 100. And all those that support the industry – costumers and makeup artists – will likewise be unnecessary, since there will be no one to practice their craft with.

Writers … well, that statistical amalgamation of words … means we will have no truly bad movies, but nor will be have great ones. AI does the average. Like the actors, if AI is writing the “made-for-TV” movies, then the writers have nothing to learn on either.

Yes, the studios save money, but by gutting the entry level positions. The few ads for movies would be “Entry Level position for Named Main Character, three days to record script and scan body. Pay at Scale.” Just like the “entry level position, need master’s degree, part-time, temporary.”

The writers and actors, both separately and together, said “no way.” And used the only power available to them when the studios would budge, withholding work.

Have you ever wondered how long workers have been striking? A Cool Blog at Media Chomp published some memes about possible the first strike in (written) history, where the workers building the tomb of Rameses the III went on strike for better wages.

It really gets amusing, because first the management offered basically a pizza party to satisfy them. The workers responded with a picket line.

And workers have been striking ever since. Read to the end, because the cosmetics need indicates occupational safety needed to be addressed even in slave labor.

The cool blog is: https://mediachomp.com/ancient-egyptian-workers-strike/

 

Book Review (SERIES): Teshovar

Erin Penn

With the newest book of the Teshovar series by Jason Dorough out, I thought it time to share about this engrossing fantasy series. Each book jumps higher in word count. The small heist turns to a POV fantasy cityscape and morphs into an empire-spanning rebellion, from the frozen north to the southern swamps, and character-driven through all three volumes released so far. Yes, the series is ongoing, but each book of the series works well as a stand alone.

Teshovar Series by Jason Dorough (in order recommended by the author via a TikTok)

  1. The Gem of Tagath (Novella)
  2. Akithar’s Greatest Trick (Novel)
  3. Lizandra’s Deepest Fear (Novel)

Amazon Cover

BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for THE GEM OF TAGATH

15-year-old Pria is one of Barween Drach’s favorite enforcers, but she has designs on a bigger life. Pria’s just waiting for the chance to take over all of the city’s gangs herself. When an infamous gem falls into Klubridge’s underworld, Pria’s dreams of conquest might finally be within reach–if she can learn to trust the right allies and keep herself alive.

The Gem of Tagath is a fantasy heist novella set in the world of Teshovar, a realm where an ancient and mysterious despot has outlawed all magic. This book takes place a few months prior to the series’ first full novel, Akithar’s Greatest Trick. Here, you will meet some key characters in the sprawling city of Klubridge’s underworld, learn about the criminal gangs that operate out of view of the Empire’s authorities, and gain background and insights into the upcoming events of the novel.

MY REVIEW for THE GEM OF TAGATH

This Fantasy Heist novella follows a young gang member with the drive to be so much more, specifically the gang leader. But to do that, she needs an edge and she is constantly on the lookout for one in this world of magic that never percolates down to her level of existence.

Until one day it does, maybe. Anyway it is a Gem of an opportunity – and gems always have value, especially ones with names.

What can go wrong? Says every 15 year-old ever. (Not a YA, but can be read by those 13 and up.)

Great characters, standard street-level fantasy world until the heist begins. Since heists are character driven, the “standard” feel is fine because it lets the readers to concentrate on the magic of thievery.

 

Amazon Cover

BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for AKITHAR’S GREATEST TRICK

Demon, Scientist, Charlatan, or Sorcerer?

The Great Akithar is the most famous stage magician in a realm where real magic is outlawed. Over the past decade, Akithar and his troupe have built a reputation–and a home–in the dense coastal city of Klubridge. Every night, he thrills audiences with his controversial performances. Backstage, Akithar hides a secret more dangerous than any of his engineered illusions.

Far inland, an ancient and mysterious tyrant dispatches an elite band of mage hunters to crush magical insurrection. When their hunt brings them to Klubridge, they suspect that Akithar’s magic might be more than mere stage trickery. Akithar and his company will have to rely on a cunning heist, desperate improvisation, and the art of deception to save their theater and even their very lives.

MY REVIEW for AKITHAR’S GREATEST TRICK

First book of a series, self-published July 2021, fantasy story. The author provides lots of cool information through his TikTok so I thought I would read his book (paying him back for my enjoyment of his social media platform – always trying to throw money at creators I enjoy), even though I’m not really a fantasy fan and not the best with long works. The story is broken into four parts, which helped with the 500 pages.

The first part of the story is a typical introduction to a fantasy world through the eyes of a child thief. The second part introduces us to the entire cast, giving us lots of adult opinions and views of this complicated world, plus has a fun heist aspect. Then we hit the 50% mark and things REALLY pick up. Lots of action in a richly built world we are well-familiar with by the 50% mark.

Needless to say, the introduction is long, but, at the same time, something is always happening. You don’t even really realize it is an introduction until you hit the action. (Way better at introducing the world through immersion than most fantasy books I read.) The bad guys are typical bad guys, but not all are cookie-cutter, and the Big Bad is really intriguing from the hints playing out in the worldbuilding -the series story arc is promising.

It’s a good fantasy read.

 

Amazon Cover

BOOK BLURB ON AMAZON for LIZANDRA’S DEEPEST FEAR

Rebellion, Prophecy, and Betrayal

The survivors of Klubridge flee north to the rebels’ hidden sanctuary. Bards sing of Akithar, the hero who stood against the Empire, but he struggles to keep his own troupe intact in a rebellion divided by prophecy. One side presses for war, and the other deals in secrets and spies. They must find a way to work together when a mysterious new threat brings massive destruction to Teshovar.

Elsewhere, the Empire demands answers for what happened in Klubridge. Politics and pride set the Kites against the Herons in a race to bring the rebels to justice. From the shadows, a reluctant assassin swears vengeance on the order that created her, while a disgraced pirate captain faces his own treacherous past. Ancient secrets and new alliances pave the path to conflict, with both sides teetering between tragedy and victory.

With loyalties fraying, Akithar’s troupe stands on the brink of revelations that will change everything they know about Teshovar. Lizandra said losing Reykas was her greatest fear. What would she sacrifice to keep him safe? What wouldn’t she?

CONTENT WARNINGS AVAILABLE ON THE AUTHOR’S WEBSITE HERE 

MY REVIEW for LIZANDRA’S DEEPEST FEAR

Lizandra’s Deepest Fear is an epic fantasy with rolling landscapes, a large point-of-view cast, magic wonder, and political mayhem. Our heroes have found themselves subsumed into a rebellion against a magic empire; both our heroes and their opposites within the empire must decide what side of humanity they fall on. Love, honor, and possession are questions faced by all.

I have read three books by this author now, and while he has always been really good, this book has leveled up his descriptions of the landscape and people. It is by far his best manuscript, and I rated his previous works very high.

To those who want a more literary work, I noticed this book explores the theme of the Cost of Love. How much are you willing to pay for your love? Is your love about possession or release? Honor and Respect or Caregiving and Caretaking? Emotions or action? How much are you willing to give others for your love or their love for you? How much are you willing to have others provide to you? Does it matter if you care more for them than they do for you? How selfish are you allowed to be with your love as a parent, spouse, or child? Is truth and honesty important in a loving relationship? How long should love last when the other person can no longer be around? How important are the wants of yourself versus the wants of others?

Love has a weight, a mass to it, and the author explores this substance while creating a fictional world for a reader to enjoy. I enjoyed LDF at a surface level as an action-packed epic, but I can see a book club or critique buddies having a ball exploring the deeper themes of the story.

Flash: Always Alone

Erin Penn

Photo by Danny Lines on Unsplash

“Another world empty.” Tears streaked Greek’s cheeks. “How, why? We cannot be the only life in the universe.”

Lever, one of the Madal’s believers, adjusted its wide-brimmed eemy cap into a tilt so not to hit the other before hugging Greek with its two outer left arms, patting him with the middle one. “I know, I know. Considering how filled our world is with life, it hurts to know life has to be out there, more life, and not find it. But as we continue to search, we must start considering Briggs Anomaly Proposal.”

“No, I refuse. We cannot be the center of the universe, the only planet with intelligent life. God wouldn’t be so cruel.”

“We are scientists.” Lever squeezed Greek’s two emotion shoulders firmly. “Create a theory, test against evidence, adjust theory, retest. The evidence says we are alone.”

“Then we just don’t have the tools yet. We must see further, hear more, process data faster.” Greek dashed the bitter water from his face. “Life is out there.”

(words 170; first published 2/18/2024 – inspired by the thought many humans start from the thought we, personally, are the center of life and therefore the most important, and get distressed to discover the populations of other countries on our planet, let alone the number of worlds in the galaxy exist which could contain life. Imagine a species whose innate sense of self is the community of life on their planet, and their base assumption is there must be life everywhere, and they discover just how empty the universe it.)

Geeking Science: Do You Want Fries in Space

Erin Penn

Photo by Mitchell Luo on Unsplash

Food is essential. No only for survival but also for socialization. If you have hung out on my website for any amount of time, you know that meals are a mainstay in my flashes and that I will Geek the Science out of food – everything from the science of Fried Chicken to how Nori develops in nature.

Time to talk about food in space. Last month I touched on soda being a non-starter in an environment where you can’t burp with any grace. Next question on the table, is space exploration going to be sans fries too? I mean, the movie The Martin, Matt Damon raised potatoes – are we going to have potatoes and no fries?!?

It was a worry for a bit – again the action of microgravity and gas which takes out beer and Coke – might mean the bubbling cauldron of oil won’t work but fries do look like they can stay on the menu after some tests run in parabolic flights. (Lea) Hamburgers – with yeasty bread and greasy meat and cheese, all of which are high gas items – may not make it, but at least we get to keep our fries.

Seems strange to test out cooking techniques for space-worthiness, but food is a necessity on earth and food will be a necessity in space. In addition, like the invention of Tang (Cordell), all knowledge adds to Earth’s present benefit as well as our decedents braving the Black.

Bibliography

Cordell, Lyndsay. “Tang: The Orange Drink That Got Its Start From NASA.” Wide Open Country. 18 February 2021. (https://www.wideopencountry.com/tang-drink/ – last viewed 11/14/2023)

Lea, Robert. “Space food: Why Mars astronauts won’t have to hole the fries.” space.com. 12 June 2023. (https://www.space.com/space-food-frying-works-microgravity – last viewed 11/14/2023)