It's been a long time since I wrote anything on this blog. I have been writing. Finished about 16 chapters of my new novel, a sequel and what I believe will be the last of the Forsaken trilogy. I've got about a week left before I finish the initial manuscript.
  I've taken a different tack in this book. I'm putting my hero on a different planet light years away from Earth. He and his crew will discover all kinds of new plants and animals and will find evidence of other intelligent star wanderers.
 His adventures on this strange planet will coincide with another timeline where he will help solve all the conflicts that occur as Earth learns how to cope with, and cooperate on, dealing with first contact. There will be many cases of competing forces trying to gain the upper hand in this new relationship with our friendly aliens. The biggest problem, the way I see it, will be that Earth's many competing interests just don't want to cooperate. Each entity wants to get the upper hand as a favorable relationship with the aliens will mean first use of alien technology, gaining an advantage in space exploration and the extraction of resources from space.
  There is a lot at stake, and some will want to fight to the end. But fighting amongst one selves is different than fighting again the aliens, as some in my story are about to find out.
  Could you cope with force shields, anti gravitational travel and sonic death rays? I doubt it.
  Through all this chaos, Jarrod McKinley and his cohorts must find a way through so the benefits of first contact can be realized.
  In the meantime, Jarrod and his team are looking for a new home on another planet in a far corner of the galaxy. Can they learn to get along with the plants and animals already there? Can they change their way of thinking about planets? If they don't they will probably fail in their first exploration beyond our solar system.
  It's been fun writing this story and I hope to have it published by the end of the year. Spring is upon us and all the new growth and blossoming color creates a sense of renewal that I hope I can tap into. It also means this is the time of year of travel, biking, community events and activities that are likely to intrude on the writing effort. So much to do, so little time.
  Hope your spring is giving you a sense of renewal and that your goals are exciting and attainable.
  Until next time, peace be with you.