More Adventure with John Victor!

Here’s a scene that’s a work in progress for the sequel to “The SEED”  . . .

Breebee Queen stepped further onto the sidewalk and turned questioning eyes toward the van that pulled up dangerously close. “John,” she muttered, “look at these clowns.” Her eyes opened wider when she saw the troubled look on his face, but before either of them had a chance to react, they were grabbed from behind and thrown into the back of the van.

Avery and Thomas scrambled in behind their two victims as Jack shoved the peddle to the floor. They zoomed up the street without a soul within sight to see the snatch. John’s head throbbed. He had been slammed into the side panel. It was all he could do to keep himself from falling over as the van careened back and forth as it sped away. Breebee rubbed her ankle and demanded, “What do you want? Why are you doing this?”

“Never you mind,” Thomas growled. “You just stay low and do what we say.”

“That’s a good girl, Breebee,” Averycrooned. A shiver of pleasure sped its way up his spine when he uttered her stage name. “Don’t be afraid, now. I ain’t gonna hurt you an’ I won’t let them either,” he whispered. “No way, little lady. I got good stuff planned for you.”

If you like the above scene, you’d like “The SEED”.  Check it out at www.annrichduncan.com!

If I Were A Pet & Coronado’s Cross

Hmm. If I were a pet, I wouldn’t have to do the laundry. And I wouldn’t have to figure out what to feed everybody each day.  I would worry that somone was going to steal my bone.  And I’d have to ask permission to go outside to go to the bathroom. Hmmm. Maybe I wouldn’t want to be a pet afterall, so I’ll just be content to be a writer.

Why’m I writing about being a pet? It was one of Twitter’s trends today. Hence this photo:

   So, as a writer, I thought I’d share this scene from my work in progress.  Right now, it’s entitled “Coronado’s Cross”.  Not sure I’ll keep the title. What do you think?  So, here’s a scene from the “sequel to The SEED” that can be found on my website:  www.annrichduncan.com.  And don’t forget to view the YouTube entitled Seed Baby . . . just scroll down the home page of my website. Can’t miss it!

Breebee Queen stepped further onto the sidewalk and turned questioning eyes toward the van that was pulling up dangerously close. “John,” she muttered. “Look at these clowns.” Her eyes opened wide when she saw the troubled look on his face, but before either of them had a chance to react, they were grabbed from behind and thrown into the back of the van.

Avery and Thomas scrambled in behind their two victims as Jacko shoved the peddle to the floor. Instantly they zoomed up the street without a soul to see the snatch.

John’s head throbbed. He had been slammed into the side panel. It was all he could do to keep himself from falling over as the van careened away. Breebee was tearfully rubbing her ankle. “What do you want? Why are you doing this?” she demanded.

So, I hope you let me know what you think.  In the meantime, I think I’ll check out a few passages from I Corinthians. Why that book? Not sure.

Frisbees and Fun

So when I signed up for the NYS BOCES Arts in Education Showcase 2011, I did not expect to meet the king of frisbees.  After all, I’m a published author! A writer! Expecting to show off the educational prowess of my books! But there he was, showing us how important it is to stay fit. That’s Gary Auerbach, World Freestyle Frisbee Champion (FrisbeeGuy.com).

Me with Gary Auerbach - (FrisbeeGuy.com)

 

Yes, I’m balancing a frisbee on one finger, and while you can’t tell from the photo, it is spinning.  Gary showed me how. After all, he offers interactive, motivational, dynamic workshops, assemblies, & clinics. “Perfect for all ages and abilities.” Hmmmm, I wonder if he’s ever quoted Alfred Lord Tennyson? “Let the great world spin forever, down the ringing grooves of change.”  Or Thomas Carlyle? “Imperfection clings to a person, and if they wait until they are brushed off entirely, they would spin forever on their axis . . . advancing nowhere.” Oops, I guess it’s the writer in me, spinning out of control.

 

Getting back to the Frisbee Guy, he’s a nice guy, too!  Actually, I met a lot of nice, informative, entertaining, etc. etc. etc., people there. Where? The BOCES Arts in Education Showcase 2011, hosted by Cohoes Middle & Elementary Schools on Thursday, May 19.  If you check out my last post, you can read about the map guy I met. And next time? Well, it might be a dynamic poet, a guy who makes saving money and learning economics a FUN thing, or a musician, or even . . . another author!  So, check in again. By the way, I welcome your comments, and I hope you’ll check out my website at:  www.annrichduncan.com.  And while you’re there, watch our spoof (Seed Baby).

A Fair Day for Educators

What do pigs, owls, authors, and various and sundry artists have in common? Well, yesterday, 76 of us jammed our promotional booths into the gymnasium at the Cohoes, NY Middle School at the New York State BOCES Arts in Education SHOWCASE 2011.  I kid you not. There was a live pig.  Daisy was her name. And there were two live owls watching the antics of unusual humans with their unusual musical instruments, informative books, theatrics, poetry, and dancing puppets.  Over the course of my next few posts, I’ll introduce you to some of them, starting with Jim Mancuso, pictured below. He calls himself Mr. Map-cuso, because he

Jim Mancuso, the map man!

entertains and teaches students with, well . . . maps!  Yup. He draws them, anywhere, anyplace, like 35-foot wide ones in a gym, or 60-foot wide ones on a parking lot or playground, or NORMAL sized ones in the classroom.  And he does it FREEHAND! Adding, as he draws, engaging stories about the creation, expansion and growth of our country. That’s Jim Mancuso.  Find him at:  www.makemapsmatter.com.  Go ahead! Get a “hands-and-feet-on experience.”

And, while you’re websurfing, don’t forget to check out my website:  www.annrichduncan.com — especially my You Tube video entitled Seed Baby.  It’s a hoot, but it’s also got an important message about genetically modified foods.  And it promotes my book, The SEED!

Connections

Got a letter from Mary Higgins Clark a few years ago after I let her know how much I enjoyed the fact that she had been recognized by First Lady Laura Bush. MHC commisserated with me–one author to another–about the fact that, “the closer we get to the end of our novel, the farther from the end we feel we are.”  I’ve exchanged a few emails recently with Earlene Fowler, the author of the famous Benni Harper mystery series, and received her commisserations as well.  Keeps me going, but, good grief. I’ve been chugging along with John Victor’s second adventure and am starting to feel that disconnect.  Guess I need a few hugs and comments! Hint . . . . !www.annrichduncan.com.  Oh! Don’t forget to scroll down (on the website)and view our You Tube video.  Entitled “Seed Baby,” it’s a hoot.

Me with Michelle Malkin. (what a namedropper!)

A Novel Idea

Seed Baby on You Tube. Check it out on my website.

Watched a documentary today. About Nostradamus, the French astrologer from the 1500’s. It said he wrote while in a trance. Got visions and wrote them down. Wish I could do that. I tend to do research. Like with my new novel–a follow up to The Seed. Sort of.

Maybe it’s my public relations and journalism experience. Thing is, I need facts. Just the facts, ma’am. I look things up and weave them into the story. Like how did Tucson, Arizona get its name? It’s in the book. And, what could lead people to a victim who has been buried alive? How about an endangered species that a witness might have seen? So I looked up endangered species in the Tucson area. Got a good one. Which led to statistics about construction, human population, yata, yata, yata.

Each fact woven into the story. Heck, I even learned about the burial of Cochise, the great Indian Chief. And, one of the biggest mines in the Tucson region. Bisbee Queen? Nichols Turk’s Head Cactus? Arizona Sonora Desert Museum? Habits of the Monarch butterfly?  The veins and Petiole and other parts of a leaf? And, cedar used for Alexander the Great’s ships? It’s all there. Woven into a thriller. John Victor’s second adventure. Hmmm. I’ve got lots of facts, maybe I should sit down and envision the way to use them.  By the way . . . have you seen our You Tube video, called:  Seed Baby? It’s a spoof on biotechnology. Log onto my website:  www.annrichduncan.com and scroll down to the You Tube button. Do it now for a good laugh!