A Blessing that is Often Overlooked – Books
Envisioning a better future, reliving a glorious past, encouraging us to dream big, or bring happiness – these are all reasons to find importance in reading books. They allow you to escape into a world you may never know and can even help lower stress levels. Reading draws us into a whole range of human emotions that provide wisdom and value and give us a positive distraction that potentially brings so much good into our lives.
Reading books improves confidence and self-esteem, which provides a platform to pursue goals and make decisions in life. Improving our education in almost any area can only enrich our lives beyond measure. There are so many positives about books that it’s hard to imagine a world without them.
“Reading forces you to be quiet in a world that no longer makes place for that.” – John Green
“There is no friend as loyal as a book” – Ernest Hemingway
“I am a part of everything I have read.” – Theodore Roosevelt
“We read to know we’re not alone.” – William Nicholson
“The more you read, the more you know. The more things that you learn, the more places you will go” – Dr. Seuss
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R. R. Martin
“Books aren’t made of pages and words. They are made of hopes, dreams, and possibilities.” – Unknown
“Reading is like breathing in, and writing is like breathing out.” Pam Allyn
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King
“Let us remember: one book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” – Malala Yousafzei
“I feel the need of reading. It is a loss to a man not to have grown up among books.” – Abraham Lincoln
“Books make great gifts because they have whole worlds inside of them.” – Neil Gaiman
“Books shouldn’t be daunting, they should be funny, exciting, and wonderful; and learning to be a reader gives us a terrific advantage.” – Roald Dahl
“Books break the shackles of time, proof that humans can work magic.” – Carl Sagan
Happy reading!
Solitaire
Artwork in the Digital Age
Digital art refers to any artistic work or practice that uses digital technology as part of the creative or presentation process. It can also refer to computational art that uses and engages with digital media. Since the 1960s, various names have been used to describe digital art, including computer art, electronic art, multimedia art and new media art.
Subcategories for the art include digital painting, where artists use software to emulate techniques using in physical painting, digital illustration, which involves creating rendered images for other media, and 3D modeling, where artists craft three-dimensional objects and scenes.
Sources for digital art include pieces stored on physical media, galleries on display on websites, and collections for download for free or purchase.
History – to understand the history of digital art, read here.
According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:
“In order to be a true digital artist, you must learn the same types of skills to perform digital artwork that you would for traditional artwork”. Digital art requires serious creative skill, though it might not involve physical materials.
Solitaire utilizes digital technology to enhance his work, express himself and create beautiful artwork by stretching the limits of his imagination. Whether it’s abstract, science fiction, fantasy or scenic art, it can be used for video games, websites, book covers, attire or displayed on the wall in a home or office. It is a dynamic and captivating medium that holds the power to inspire us all. You can view Solitaire’s artwork here –
https://www.redbubble.com/people/ChaosX33/explore?asc=u&page=1&sortOrder=recent3/shop
For a copy of his Art Book go to –
Veterans Day: Celebrating Patriotism and Sacrifice
Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day and started as an opportunity to remember the heroism of those who died in the service of our country. On November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the truce that ended World War I, we reflect on those who fought and died for our freedom.
The occasion was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day in 1954 to recognize veterans of all wars. We honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, their willingness to sacrifice and serve for the good of all, and for their love of country.
Many parades and ceremonies are held across the United States and various events are live-streamed, allowing people to participate from wherever they are.
National Ceremonies
In addition to the wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery, several other prominent national Veterans Day ceremonies take place across the United States, including:
- National World War II Memorial: Located in Washington, D.C., this memorial hosts an annual ceremony featuring speeches by dignitaries and veterans, as well as a wreath-laying event to honor those who served during World War II.
- Veterans Day National Ceremony: Also held at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., this event includes the traditional reading of the names of veterans who have passed away in the last year, along with musical tributes and speeches.
- California’s Veterans Day Ceremony: Held at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, this ceremony features a program that includes musical performances, speeches from state officials, and a wreath-laying ceremony to honor California veterans.
- The Vietnam Veterans Memorial: This memorial in Washington, D.C., hosts special ceremonies that often include the reading of names of fallen soldiers and other tributes to Vietnam veterans, emphasizing remembrance and reflection.
On November 11, we hold great respect and gratitude for our veterans who selflessly gave their lives for all of us.
Solitaire
Exploring the Beauty of Autumn with the Poetry of John Keats and Robert Louis Stevenson
Autumn is a great time to settle down in a comfortable chair and read some of your favorite poetry. Below are some classics you might enjoy. You might also want to check out Tapestry by Solitaire, which has been compared to the style of Edgar Allen Poe, having a classic medieval tone.
TO AUTUMN
John Keats (1795-1821)
SEASON of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells.
Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap’d furrow sound asleep,
Drows’d with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.
Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,—
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.Autumn Fires
Robert Louis Stevenson
In the other gardens
And all up in the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over,
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!
Solitaire
Overcoming Stumbling Blocks for Aspiring Authors
The decision to write a novel is not as easy as it sounds and may have taken you a long time to realize creating a story was something to consider. According to me, and many, many other sources, it is normal to have doubts about whether we’re capable of performing at such a daunting level. As it turns out, we are our worst enemies, and if not kept in check, will also become the single judge and jury toward our path to success or failure. The most common stumbling blocks to our writing have been listed below, along with potential methods or solutions to bypass their fatalistic results.
Fear of ridicule from the people around you – 
When writing my first novel, it was difficult for me to tell anyone about the project, mainly because of an innate fear the book would never get finished. I anticipated the potential ridicule due to my failure if the project faltered before completion. Several drafts later and nine months of sweat…I finished. There was considerably less ridicule from acquaintances, so the takeaway here is you need to finish the book no matter how long it takes. The quicker you develop thick skin the better and remember, even the greats of literature had to start somewhere, and you may be the next great author. Bear in mind, not even the greats of literature will receive five-star reviews from everyone.
Motivational Issues –
The previous issues have a habit of seeping into our own values of procrastination and one thing leads to another until the project is placed onto a back burner with mild promises to pick it up again later. Some days simply don’t feel inspired and if you have too many in a row, it’s easier to put the project off than to continue. Creating a schedule, one that can be adhered to daily, is prime so be careful and don’t make it so rigid that it begins to feel like punishment. Life can and will get in the way of even the most well thought out plans, so during these times, we must learn to be flexible. During these times I either re-read the entire manuscript to rekindle fresh new ideas or go back over my outline to get myself back on track. It does not matter if you type the next section, the point is not to allow yourself to lose the inspiration.
Lack of confidence in your project –
This last stumbling block is another three-fold issue because sensing a lack of confidence in your project is, more than likely, a combination of the fear of ridicule, a lack of motivation, and not enough prep work as you geared up to start writing. The less you can visualize the nuts and bolts of your story, the more likely you are to lose interest in writing and then the lack of confidence creeps in around the edges. If you begin your project with abbreviated notes/outline, then it will be reflected in the lack of background for the remainder of the book. Good solid prep work with everything laid out like a road map will be a constant source of inspiration and depth to the story. The result of this is a sense of completeness that translates to confidence in what needs to be written next and gives you the feeling that the project can and will be finished. Lastly, see if you can pre-visualize between chapters or scenes and it will tell you what’s missing. Fill those gaps and watch the story come alive.
(If you are a new author or writer and need some helpful hints on writing a book and more, I have something that may benefit your efforts. Check it out HERE.)
Solitaire
Mutineers’ Moon – Book One in the Dahak Series by David Weber
Author David Weber says the genesis for this book began with a question. “Assume that earth doesn’t actually have a moon, but rather a giant starship disguised as our moon which has been there for at least fifty or sixty thousand years. Where did it come from, why did it come here, and why hasn’t it left?”
Weber says the answer to those questions built the foundation for this book and its sequels.
Imagine that an alien race came to earth fifty thousand years ago, had a civil war between two factions of their government and was beaten by their advanced AI ship, Dahak. This ship is also the celestial entity we call the moon and during their last battle for supremacy they find themselves stranded on earth with no way to regain access to Dahak.
The two factions of the crew keep themselves young by using cryo-sleep to maintain their lives. Fifty thousand years later they have influenced the earth to gain space flight to re-enter Dahak, although the human population has no knowledge of the moon’s real purpose.
During one of the first flights to the moon, a human is kidnapped by Dahak and convinced to help get the moon back in readiness for a journey to the alien’s home world.
Dahak also wants information about the original crew and whether all of them were part of the mutiny that caused their present dilemma. Another alien race has been spotted closing in on earth’s solar system and only Dahak’s original crew can stop them.
Dahak’s communications system is unable to contact their home world and that means no help is forthcoming to help save the earth.
The lead characters, Colin MacIntyre, Dahak, and what is left of the original crew will have to find a way to co-exist long enough to defeat an alien fleet with nothing more than a ship the size of a moon, and a handful of humans to supplement the crew.
I quite literally could not put this book down, and was excited to know there were two more installments beyond Mutineers’ Moon. If you’re looking for classic science fiction, Mutineers’ Moon is a great choice for your next read.
Solitaire
Unveiling Endless Possibilities: The Essence of Science Fiction
The dictionary defines Science Fiction as follows –
Fiction based on imagined future scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes, frequently representing space or time travel and life on other planets.
You generally find things like parallel universes, spaceships, clones, aliens, self-aware AIs, virtual reality, time travel, mind control, interplanetary warfare and humans interacting with scientific methods or technologies.
Some say it should have its foundations in actual science to qualify and the actual technologies should be a plausible progression of the current education and abilities that we have.
There is usually some type of scientific discovery involved.
Future technology is a common theme with the cost of progress a recurrent theme.
Usually set in realities that are plausible but involve survival.
Worlds are often cynical and dystopian but utopian societies can also exist.
These discoveries and technologies are oftentimes analyzed as to whether it is progress that is worth the price or whether the well-intentioned new breakthroughs are either corrupting mankind or furthering its progress. Entire story lines are built around this premise.
Science Fiction has been around for as long as people have had a curiosity about our world and its physical laws. How far can the boundaries be pushed?
Add human characteristics and emotions into this scientific phenomenon, build a plot that weaves in and out of the scenario, and you can create a world of endless possibilities while developing characters that are relatable to your readers.
Bring science into your conflict but be careful not to “dump” key scientific information on the reader too quickly. Give out scientific explanations and background sparingly so as not to overwhelm them so they stop reading. Remember that dialogue, action and flashbacks are all ways to creatively dispense key information.
Some examples of Science Fiction –
Jurassic Park – by Michael Crichton
The Hunger Games – by Suzanne Collins
Journey to the Center of the Earth – by Jules Verne
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea – by Jules Verne
The Time Machine – by H. G. Wells
The First Men in the Moon – by H. G. Wells
Dune – by Frank Herbert
1984 – by George Orwell
I have always been a huge fan of science fiction. It’s not only what I read most often, but a genre in which I write as well. You can find my books at my website and other varied locations.
Solitaire
Become a Traveler in the Larger World
A Review
“I have read many books dealing with Astral Travel and the Astral Planes. I found this book (Beyond the Astral Planes) to be the most complete and detailed book on the subject. I would list it in a highly recommended reading category.”
– Jan Ross
“The Altar Shields the renderings” is the companion to the Larger World Books – “Beyond the Astral Planes”, “Threshold of Perception.”, and “Patterns of Existence”. It illustrates the visual renderings of the thirteen Altars within the Larger World. Each one is a full color, digital rendering in the form of a shield, with its individual symbols, colors, and polarities.
For an in depth look into these uniquely different forces that coexist in our universe, check out the information in the above mentioned books to explore and discover which one of these shields represents you!
All the books are up on my website, available in different formats and places for you to grab a copy.
Solitaire
Unraveling the Chilling Mystery of the Dream Assassin
What triggers your most evil nightmares? What if someone wants you dead, but you have no idea who or why? If you love horror books or movies, this one will make you think twice about falling asleep – particularly if you are alone.
In my horror/thriller, Vengeance of the Wolf, you are drawn into the world of dreams. It’s the story of a shocking assassin who works through dreams using a technique that seems physically impossible, to end the lives of those deemed responsible for an untimely death. Detectives are completely baffled, and just as they appear to get closer to determining the person’s identity, they are completely thrown off and their efforts take them nowhere. Extremely shaken at the horrific scenes to which they are led, the question remains – why is this happening and where is it leading? Only the assassin has the answers to their questions – answers that are too unsettling to be revealed.
You can find the answers to these unnerving questions in my book Vengeance of the Wolf available at my website, where you can read the first chapter. This book will have you sleeping with the lights on!
Review – “You will be on the edge of your seat the entire time you are enveloped by the author’s mind. It is brilliantly written and is a pleasure to read.I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great suspense filled story. It is truly a great book; one, in which, I shall enjoy re-reading.”
Review – “I enjoyed this story very much. I received the book as a gift but will eagerly await his next one. This story caught me up right away and carried me along with the detectives in it. The plot was well thought out, the action was intense, and the ending was very satisfying.”
Solitaire is presently working on the sequel book to the Dorian Saga – A Distant Howling. Does the nightmare finally end or will it start all over again?
Meet Author Solitaire Parke at Half Price Books, Mesa, Arizona
I would like to invite you to a book signing event on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024, from 11:00 to 4:00 pm, at Half Price Books in Mesa, Arizona. Here is the address:
Superstition Springs Center
6339 East Southern Avenue
Mesa, Arizona 85206
I would love to meet you and introduce you to my Science Fiction/Fantasy books – Between Two Worlds (a time travel adventure), The Dragomeir Series (for those who love adventure and dragons), Tinker Smith and the Conspiracy of OZ ( a contemporary twist on the Wizard of OZ), and an action/psychological thriller – Vengeance of the Wolf.
My book, The Atrium – a journey of self-reflection where the protagonist is forced to confront the traumas and decisions that have shaped his existence while inside an atrium that transcends the boundaries of time and space will also be available.
For those who are interested in “out-of-body” – The Larger World Series may be of help in your journey of knowledge. And there is something for all those who love poetry as well – Tapestry – a glimpse inside the mind of a poet, with a slightly medieval tone depicting a world of inspirations, hopes, fears, loves, and successes to ponder in the wee hours of any long and lonely night.
For those writing their first novel or are in need of some information about writing, check out my book called The Triple Threat – How to write a novel and stay sane in the process.
I’ll be at HALF PRICE BOOKS on Saturday, August 3rd, and I am looking forward to meeting you, giving some insight about my books and signing copies for Readers. Come visit me!
Happy Reading!
Solitaire
Solitaire Parke - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books 