Local Places: County Fair 2011

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I have fond memories of going to the Ottawa County Fair as a kid.

I lived in Toledo, but our family was good friends with a family that lived in on a farm outside Elmore, Ohio, so we'd always spend a summer day there with them. The rides, food and animals--and the demolition derby--fun stuff as a kid. 

My wife and I now make a point of taking our daughters to the Champaign County Fair each year. They participate with their dojo in a karate demonstration and then we eat, check out the livestock and then make our way to the rides and a fair food snack. Always, the last thing before going home is picking up some cotton candy.

Below are a few pictures from this year.

Checking out the Horses

Outside one of the Cattle Barns

A few of the Games

The Rocket Ride

One of the 'Fair Food' Vendors

For writers that visit my blog, don't think for a moment that there aren't people and plot ideas waiting to be discovered at the local fair.
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Air Force Museum Virtual Tour: How Cool is That?

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I've posted a time or two about visiting the National Museum of the U. S. Air Force  in Dayton, Ohio. In my online wandering I learned that they have a virtual tour of the entire museum.

It's pretty neat. You can walk through by clicking on blue arrows across the floor, or pulling down the map and selecting a spot. You can alter your view by simple arrows to look left or right (complete circle), and up and down.

There's even available audio for the tour.

Go ahead and give it at try!

Link: U.S. Air Force Museum Virtual Tour 
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Harry Potter: How it Should have Ended (Humor)

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If you haven't stumbled across this yet...



...be sure to watch to the very end.
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John Wayne Quote from True Grit

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A famous line from one of John Wayne's best movies, kicking off the climax.

I know they remade the movie, but in my opinion nothing will ever top the original:



If, for some reason, you've never seen the original True Grit, you really should make a point to do so.
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Interesting Article: Spoilers 'do not ruin stories', study says

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I came across this article (link: Spoilers 'do not ruin stories', study says) on the BBC website.

Interesting premise that makes sense. I guess it depends on the reader and the story being told.

The article made me think about writing in First Person POV, which I often use. Some readers have commented to me that they don't care to read First Person POV because they believe it means that, no matter what, the POV character will always survive.

Maybe this is true for many novels and stories. However, in the third novel of a SF series I have planned, the POV character does meet his end. I even have his final bit of dialogue written. (For what it's worth, the first novel in the series is written and has successfully run the slush gauntlet. It's awaiting a decision by the managing editor--been there a while so not holding my breath.)

What do you think about spoilers and/or First Person POV?

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Fellow Gryphonwood author David Wood interviewed at The Creative Pen

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Fellow Gryphonwood author David Wood (who has consistently sold well enough for a year to eclipse his day job earnings--thus recently retiring to write full time) is interviewed at The Creative Pen.

Check out the video interview (or as a podcast) where David discussed writing Action/Thriller novels, among many other things.

Link: Writing Thrillers and Action Adventure with David Wood

Hampton Reviews review of Flank Hawk

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Click on over and see what Hampton Reviews had to say about Flank Hawk where it earned 4.5 Stars.

Link: Review of Flank Hawk at Hampton Reviews

Don't hesitate to leave a comment there if you're so inclined.
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Quote: C.S. Lewis

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"The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts." --C. S. Lewis

Makes a lot of sense.

And, if you're looking for an interesting and thought-provoking read, check out The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. Tag along on a bus ride with a curious inhabitant of The Grey Town as he journeys to the Foothills of Heaven. I might add that the audio version is an excellent choice for those seeking something to fill time on the road.

I also have a 13 week Lesson Guide for The Great Divorce.
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"Seconds to Eternity" Published in Loconeal's Anthology

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My SF short story

"Seconds to Eternity"

is now available through Loconeal Publishing's
Loco-Thology anthology.

If you're interested it's available through:
Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well as the publisher.
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