The Bionic Woman - A Strong Female Character

I've been sick for a couple of days, so I spent some of my downtime watching season 1 of The Bionic Woman. It was nice to have a female heroine who did NOT fit the traditional role model. Jamie, played by actress Lindsay Wagner, was a smart, intelligent woman, who had small breasts, not large ones as is popular today.  Rather thick legs, which are noticeable because she jumps up on buildings and over fences constantly. Dressed fashionably, taught school and went on dangerous missions where she was more than capable of protecting herself.

It was also fun to note that the taboo of male co-workers touching her, which is NOT allowed today, wasn't off limits then, and makes the interactions between the characters far more believable. It softened the men, made them easier to connect with, and showed how strong Jamie really was.

Granted, there are some not so good episodes. That's true of any series. But it also gives writers a chance to view a strong female character, who embraces her feminine side, an opportunity to discover how to create someone the audience will love.

The Bionic Woman was a wonderful character study well worth any writer's time. Her one character flaw was missing parts of her memory, which made her romance with Steve Austin, Lee Majors, the Six Million Dollar Man, an up and down business, where the watcher never was sure if they'd ever get together again.

Supported by Oscar Goldman, Richard Anderson and Dr. Rudy Wells, Martin E. Brooks, who appeared on both shows, the bionic pair went on many adventures together and separately. Had many love interests, and I won't spoil for you what ultimately happens with the two. 

Making Progress

Made good progress on a couple of novels. Completed chapter 6 for Thunks in the Attic. Had to go check the doll house it's based on for a few details. The story is beginning to shape up and should be easier to complete. Although I say that cautiously since the unexpected can always happen.

Also wrote chapter 2 for the sequel to God's Gift. One part is well plotted out while the other has some points to be covered with others left open. The story will take some surprise twists and not go where the reader expects it to. That's a good thing both for the writer and the reader.

MileHiCon is fast approaching. That's the local Science Fiction Literary convention. Myself, along with many local and out of town writers will be there. It's in October.

Upcoming releases

Upcoming releases at MileHiCon from WolfSinger Publications.

1. Tails from the Front Lines. Official release date is Veteran's day.

2. Different Dragons 2. Below listings are the contents and authors.

Introduction : These are the Tales – Dana Bell

The Dragon’s Keeper – David Lee Summers

The Stalker – Lynn Donovan

Such is the Jungle – Quincy Allen

Changling – Rebecca McFarland Kyle

Suntosun Shipping – G.L. Francis

Of the Generation – Therese Arkenberg

Dot’s Lunch – The Watchers along the Line  - Dave Withe

His Lucky Color is Gold – Rebecca Leo

Hargmir, Ghost of Dragons – David Turnbull

Space Wings – H.A. Titus

Asim’s Gift – Kathryn S. Renta

Mr. Long’s School for Girls – Rob S. Rice

Bessie Returns – Christine Hardy

Amélie’s Guardian – Bryan Thomas Schmidt 

3. God's Gift. My new novel. Back cover below.

“God told us you were coming, tell us about His son.”

Major Larry Henry had never expected to hear those words spoken by an alien race. Let alone one with sharp claws and fangs they used for hunting and could easily shred him, his youngest sister and her boyfriend to shreds! But when his other sister Susanna and their good friend Kal Devon disappeared from their colony, Larry and the rescue party made the astonishing discovery they weren’t alone on Galilahi.

Yet Kal had hinted there were secrets being kept from the colonists. Both his friend’s sister and Susanna’s husband had been killed in hover accidents. The civilian and military leaders made a show of agreeing in public while Larry knew about the conflicts between them. Susanna had made discoveries about the dark fates of earlier colonies. Not to mention a jump in technology which should have taken centuries of evolution not just a few decades.

Now stranded on Galilahi with no way to relocate or return to Earth, Larry found himself wondering if the human colonists could co-exist with the feline natives or if human history would repeat itself.

Or did the God Larry believed in and trusted, have another plan none of them knew about?

 

Slower week

Pace this week has been slower. Started the next chapter for Thunks in the Attic, using one of the scenes that popped into my head. Received the final cover art for Different Dragons 2. Really love it. Also got a copy of the cover art for Tails from the Front Lines. Showed it off at work. Am working with another artist on the cover art for Supernatural Colorado. That one seems to be more difficult to nail down. Have two final versions and am deciding which one I like better.

Now, this Whovian girl will also admit I sacrificed some writing time to watch Doctor number twelve. Would not have missed it for anything. Enjoyed the premiere very much and am excited to see what they do this season.

Exciting Things

Lots of exciting things happened last week.

First off, I found out Supernatural Colorado was rejected by WWC. Within twenty-four hours, it was picked up by WolfSinger Publications, contracts to the authors were sent about forty-eight hours later, and, a second small press offered to backup WSP, if needed.

To say the authors of the stories were thrilled, is an understatement. Many were already doing PR work on Facebook.

I still need to get the back cover copy to publisher. Unfortunately, my work schedule is such that I rarely getting any writing done except on my days off.

Second, I finished the first five chapters of my new book, Thunks in the Attic. I know Sky Warrior Books is thrilled.

Third, I talked with my collaborating author, J.A. Campbell, during Myths and Legends Con about our story. I will be working on it as well.

Fourth, I had so much writing related emails and matters to attend to, I got so overwhelmed, I actually ran away to a friends house. By the end of Saturday, I had them all taken care of, but wow! Everything does so seem to happen at once.

Fifth, I'm getting an opportunity to work with artists on several of my projects. It's experience I wanted, but sometimes it's a bit awkward. Like I'm the middle man, so to speak.

Sixth, I have a story coming out in Tails from the Frontlines. It's a good story and a spin off of my new novel God's Gift. 

Seventh, well, that's a surprise I'll share at a later date. 

Myths and Legends Con

With great anticipation I loaded up my car Friday afternoon and headed for the Myths and Legends Con on the northern end of town. After a white knuckled drive up I25, the one road I am terrified of, and sitting in traffic for an hour and half, I finally pulled into the parking lot of the hotel.

I arrived in time to meet Chris and walked with him inside. He pointed the way to registration and I got my badge, checked into my room, and took my luggage to the fifth floor.

I also discovered I had a table to sell my books. Lucky for me I brought them, along with dragons to give away. I didn't set up Friday night, but I spent the time catching up several other authors. I had two panels. One was on who our favorite Doctor was and who our favorite hero in Harry Potter was. Not many attendees which was nice since we included them in the discussion.

I retired to my room and edited the beginning of my next novel, Thunks in the Attic. I actually slept. I rarely do when I'm at a hotel. Awoke in time for breakfast, which was free and ate with two con goers who recognized my name as one of the authors.

Saturday began with one very early panel on Alien biology. Afterward I checked out of my room, partially repacked my car, and then set up my table. Visited with a new author friend Ashlyn, who I discovered lives not far from me. Am excited and plan to get together with her soon.

I sold two copies of my novel Winter Awakening and one of the anthology Of Fur and Fire. My stock is getting a bit low and so I need get a few more copies. I normally don't because my publisher and I attend the sames cons. I'm also thinking of getting a minion. More on that at a later date.

Talked with my collaborating author Julie, caught up with Peter, Chris, Quincy, Kathryn, Guy, Sam, and several others. A few members of my filk group were there as well. They came by and said hello.

Had to leave early because I worked on Sunday. I was scheduled for one panel that day but Ashlyn covered for me. I'll have to find out how the panel went. It sounded like a good one. Sex and Violence in YA novels.

All in all. A very successful con. Had several authors asking what my next editing project is. Told them they'd have to wait until MileHiCon to find out. I even had one author approach me and want to be included. I'm very stunned, thrilled, and happy at the weekend outcome.

Off ot the publisher

Well, God's Gift is edited and returned to my publisher WolfSinger Publications. I added a dedication and changed my bio. I'm also amazed at what a well written book it is. Then again, I haven't looked at it for over a year. I surprised even myself at how well I covered all the bases, while yet leaving an avenue open for a sequel.

Originally, the book was supposed to be stand alone. However, I got to the end of it and went, but what about...? And so, there will be second, which my publisher has already asked me about. Maybe more, depending on how long it takes me to write the entire story arc.

In the meantime, there are two short stories written in the same universe. Pack Rule which will appear in Tails from the Front line and Homefall Search in the anthology Different Dragons. The characters from the latter will be appearing in the series.

So, I'm taking a breather, a brief one, before I start my next novel.

And if you're at Myths and Legends Con, I will be there Friday evening and Saturday. I'm on a total of four panels, two on each day. Sunday, I have to work. Am looking forward to catching up with friends and making some new ones.