Endings

When planning a road trip you look at where you are, where you are going, and any stops you may want to visit along the way.  Writing a novel is generally done in the same way.  Figure out where the characters start and who they are.  Then, put them into situations that challenge them along their journey to the end of the story.  That is how it's supposed to work anyway.

Sometimes the characters refuse to cooperate and decide they want to take a different route than originally planned.  They would rather go and see The Alamo instead of taking the northern route by Mount Rushmore. I am having trouble finishing off my current novel, the sequel to Dangerous Stars.  One of the characters wanted to be playful, so I wrote in a prank for him to pull off.  Now my cast of crew mates doesn't want the story to end.

Until I manage to get them in line, here is a sample scene from the as yet untitled novel.

In the space outside, the CARRION CRUISER reaches a distance from the KRENNET that would barely be considered safe for maneuvering by nearly any pilot in space. The captain of the CARRION CRUISER transmits a signal directly to the KRENNET that Crystal relays to Traylor.

“This is Gierness Johnson, captain of the CARRION CRUISER. Delivery has been completed and accepted. The cargo is alive and well in your possession. We will depart this system once payment has been made and your AI sends ours the deposit authorization code.”

“Captain Johnson, this is Traylor. I am the pilot of the KRENNET. We were not authorized to make any kind of payment or credit transfer at this time. That wasn't a part of the instructions we agreed to. The previous carriers didn't require anything before their departures. It is our understanding that payment will be arranged by the officer that dispatched you with your orders.”

“No! I refuse to split any more payments with a little rat of a middle man that risks nothing more serious than a sore on his ass from sitting in his chair too long. We take the chances with the authorities, we risk our lives handling these and transporting these scum. We deserve more than just a pittance to live on. Now, either pay us or give us all the slaves you have. We'll deliver them ourselves and get the big payday.”

As Captain Johnson spoke, a series of alarming indicators activate on Traylor's panels. Crystal confirms what Traylor is seeing. “The other ship is activating their weapons systems and they are targeting us.”

Traylor thumbs a switch that will broadcast her voice through the entire ship. “Attention all personnel. Passengers secure yourselves to your bunks. Crew to stations. The CARRION CRUISER has taken an aggressive stance and we expect to be attacked at any minute. All airlocks are being automatically sealed. Passengers, be aware all hatches between cargo bay decks are automatically secured as well. In case of injury, please remain where you are until the threat has passed and help will be dispatched to you.”

While I try to get everyone in line, feel free to get yourself a copy of Dangerous Stars and Post Exodus to enjoy.  Once you've read them, leave a comment here or a review on your favorite site saying what you thought.

Beginnings

Every story has a beginning.  From "Once upon a time..." to "It was a dark and stormy night..." the start of a story is how the mood is set and characters are introduced.  Sometimes the details of a characters history, or that of the world itself, may be revealed as the story develops.  Other times these details are explained in the opening chapter.  Regardless of when the background is mentioned, it is the opening of a story that grabs the reader.

Here is an opening that has been running around my noggin for some time.  I don't know if there will ever be more of a story to go with it, but that is beside the point.

The sun is nestled in the mountains of the distant horizon.  The blue of the sky had been washed away by reds and oranges The light on the opposite hills had darkened with the departure of the day.  The peaks above the hills still glowed with the last of the waning light.

The strip of a black road stretches through the valley between the glowing heights and the shrinking orb.  Strolling beside the darkened strip is a lone figure.  He walks towards the setting sun, his back in shadow as he moves.

The air cools as the colors in the sky fade to black.  The shadows cast by the small brush on the valley floor disappear completely as the light of the sun vanishes.  The lone figure continues to walk in the dark.  The faint light of the full moon allowing him to maintain his path along the road.  His past lay behind him, distant but not forgotten.  The uncertainty of his future lay beyond the horizon before him.  Between the two was just the here and now.

We are all on a journey from the past into the future.  What happens on that journey may not always be planned or desired.  However, which path is taken and how fast it's traveled is entirely up to each and every one of us.