StanleyWheeler

 Interview with Amanda Muratoff Author of The Pantracia Chronicles   Please tell me a little about your current work in progress. We are currently working on Book 12 in the Pantracia Chronicles! It is the second book in the final trilogy of the main series, setting us up for the finale in book 13. Things are definitely ramping up in these last two books, Where did you get the idea for this book or series? We get inspiration from everywhere! Though most of it for this series comes from our original tellings of these stories, which happened 10-15 years ago, depending on which character. They’ve existed for so long. We started Pantracia by doing text-based role playing when we were teens, and while the characters have evolved a TON over the years, their inspiration remains true to our original vision. Do you write in more than one genre? Published, no. But I also write YA second world fantasy and have one project on the go in that genre. Maybe one day I’ll hit the p...

     My, my, my, look at the time. It's that time of the week again. A blank blog whispers for attention. Time is slip sliding away, and slipping, slipping, slipping into the future. Who invented time? Was it a conspiracy by clock makers to sell their previously worthless wares? When did time start? Will it end? Could we have measured time in a different manner than seconds, minutes, hours, and days? Is it true that the first sun dial was actually a wrong number?  These may not burning questions. Although, that could be a unit of measurement--the time it takes for on object of a particular size, shape, and weight to burn could be 1 burn. That could be useful. It's visual. In fact, I believe candles have been used to mark the passage of time, which is useful at night when the power is out for the sun dial--but that still doesn't answer the question, "Does anyone really know what time it is?" Time flies--which may explain the delays at the airports. Time waits for n...

 Fun Fact:   Bohemond and his Norman troops scale the walls of Antioch,  in an engraving by Gustave Doré Gather round and hear the tale of the taking of Antioch in the spring of ten-ninety-eight. A fair Norman prince, Bohemond was--although of the generic sort as far as that title goes. During the first crusade, it was, that gathered princes stormed the gate. For many long months the knights and their armed kith had laid siege to their Turkish foes. Another Iliad it was, with the conquerors held long at bay. No Trojan horse did breach the wall, but an armorer willing to betray.  Fayruz succumbed to promises of gold made by Bohemond the bold. The host of Christendom feigned a retreat from impregnable Antioch. It was but a ploy to terminate the lengthy deadlock. Bohemond and his chosen returned to clandestine ropes lowered by Fayruz in the dark of night. The revenants climbed into the tower, keen to engage in the fight. They threw open the gates and broke the lock, i...

  Benjamin West's The Death of Wolfe  The Fun Fact today returns us to the French and Indian War and Wolfe's attempt to take Quebec. In September 1759, Wolfe was moving forces up river, but Montcalm believed that was a diversion and that the British attack on the French stronghold would once again be directed at Beauport. In fact, that was what Wolfe had wanted to do. His brigadiers, however, said, "Don't" to that plan--thus extending the conflict (drama) and creating tension, for those of you interested in story techniques. Therefore, Wolfe, like a true literary hero, pointed out the cliffs at Anse au Foulon west of Quebec to Monckton as the place were that general would lead his troops in an assault. Monckton reacted with "Suspicion" to the idea, not knowing the overall scheme of attack and what Murray and Townsend might be assigned. September 12, the brigadiers told Wolfe, "Don't Be Cruel" and demanded some details on his plan. Wolfe was...