Something new!

The image below is a link to my first screen capture writing video on my YouTube channel. Click on it to view the video, where I take you on a tour of the Blood Dawn manuscript and the process I use to write the story.

This video is the first of what I hope will be many videos where I record my writing session and highlight different aspects of the techniques I use to write epic fantasy. As you will no doubt see in watching this video, I intend it to be informal and unscripted. Imagine you are sitting with me in a coffee shop and I am telling you about my book -- that's exactly the sentiment I'd like to create with this video.

Please leave me comments, good or bad (if they're bad don't worry; I'm a writer, I have alligator skin). I will use comments to help me improve future videos, and to get ideas for things to include.

Enjoy! And if you want to see more, please subscribe to my channel so you can get notified when I release new ones.

Back to writing.

All, thank you for the support. I just posted chapter 5. It's a little light on the action but has some good character development. Give it a read and tell me what you think

Hello again, second update...Since this book is called The Brave New Planet Manifesto, I want to clear up a fundamental about manifestos. I did mention in my previous update the communist manifesto, as well as misunderstandings, so let me make myself clear. 

The communist manifesto in no way relates to this book. I do not agree with nor emulate any of those writings... I mentioned it in the previous update in referral to all the research I did about what a manifesto really represents. It is very simple, a philosophical approach to a person's methods of living, one's goals, and methodical steps that one can take to reach those goals are what makes up a manifesto. I personally believe that the only writings by a man or woman that should be followed faithfully are the words of Jesus, a man who brings light into dark places of living being's hurting and/or seeking hearts.

Also, my stance on individual liberty on how one lives out their lives to protect their home they worked so hard for with their souls and labor invested, is only that. My opinion. 

Just want to promote clarity, rather than misunderstandings!

Happy Halloween and Here's to Personal Peace!

Happy All Hallow's Eve!

I've been rather quiet lately...here's a scary, yet hilarious story...

My husband has been hearing about this book, The Brave New Planet Manifesto for about three months, but with two books on my near-death experience published this month, plus a spirit healing course, apparently he didn't connect the fact that I had started this sci-fi book with the stories I began to tell him of Genevra's adventures. (I admit, it is a stretch, and I never thought I was going to write this kind of book, and neither did he!)

Instead, he thought I was losing my mind! Even though I had discussed with him manifestos (personal credos of living), including the communist manifesto (which is the opposite in meaning than the countries who fly that flag, btw), and personal manifestos, he didn't link the stories I began sharing with him with the fact that I had begun writing it.

Because of the great writer here on Inkshares, Aitor of Oculus, (who bought my book first and took a personal interest in me), I was inspired to go ahead and crowdfund it.

Even though I told my husband a hundred times about this site and the book, he just didn't understand because he works so much, like 70 or more hours/week driving the local yellow cab. We hit on some hard times, like most folks.

So, after a prayer meeting the other day when we as a couple, and individually, received prayer from about 70 folks, we took the time after he got off work, to pray for them. During that time, I spoke of the support and good vibes that were being sent to my online business, my books, products, etc., for me to begin receiving the steady income I so need and want from all my hardwork, and determination that goes into what I am doing.

Of course they prayed that he too would get a great job that would put his twenty years of commercial real estate experience to work to help us prosper (2008 was the catalyst that took his career off the map, like millions of other innocent folks).

Anyway, as we were speaking of the projects going on and the hopes we nurture for a better quality of life, my husband finally heard me and understood that this book is being written, and that the stories I had been sharing with him were from this fictional story that I have been inspired to write.

Well, he was visibly relieved that I hadn't lost my mind, as he thought I was really talking to the good aliens (which I would if they showed up to begin a conversation)!

He practically did the jabberwocky dance, he was so glad that he wouldn't have to admit me to the crazy house in ten years, because he said at the rate I was mentally descending I would be a kookoo bird by then! 

Of course, I was shocked!

All that time I was sharing Genevra's latest adventures, he thought I was speaking in real time, and that I was reading someone elses blog, books, or whatever, and had even begun checking my computer, personal papers, and alternative new sites to find out where I was getting my information from! 

Then to top that off, he thought I was cosmically quantum leaping, and secretly speaking to the famous Atlantean, Thoth of the Emerald Tablets (a real person from 50,000 years ago), who I just found out about three months ago. He went as far as to question my faith (after I have been to a house of God during my NDE so my faith is obvious), question my belief in this reality where we are living, was looking at me like I was practically wearing a tin-foil hat!

Now, when we realized his faux pas, the laughter began, and lasted for a long time, because he was so happy that I wasn't mentally losing it!

As I began questioning him, I found out that he had even previously thought that if this nuttiness was the way I am now, where would I be mentally in ten years? (This revelation made me angry!)

So, the one good thing that came from this misunderstanding, besides his wonderful sweetness (I love him very much, he is human too, as he is trying to make up for not listening to me or asking me what I was talking about, which is what he should have done) is that I made him promise that he will NEVER place me in the hands of someone else, simply because he thinks I am losing my mind!

Personally, I think it is atrocious that the seniors who need their home the most when they start losing their minds are relocated and sent to places they know not. After a lifetime of fighting the good fight, collecting things that mean something to them, and working hard to keep their sacred roof over their heads, someone comes along and makes them leave it just because they may be really losing their mind, or ill, or whatever, because these things are not their fault! It is wrong to do this, for moving someone by force or cajoled acquiescence from their home is enough to make someone go crazy! Forget about it! Don't do it to your loved ones, nor yourself!

As I prosper, the promise I made my husband make to not to ever admit me somewhere I don't choose to go because of forced micro-management, will be written down and legalized, including the right to stay in my own home, which will be in my name, no matter what someone else thinks, or what 'age' they call me. For goodness sake, hire me a nurse, housekeeper, whatever, but I am going to stay in my house till the angels collect my spirit to Heaven! 

I strongly suggest the same for all who are seen as crazy by your family members, friends, and anyone else who gets close to seeing the creative process in your eyes...guess what, we are crazy! Please, Just don't tell my  husband! LOL!

Happy Halloween, and thanks for reading this scary, yet ridiculously funny story!

Hello Friends!

This picture was taking 15 years ago, in October of 2001. I had just arrived in the country, and I was full of hopes and dreams.

Unfortunately, soon I learned that my degree in journalism was looked at less because I had got it in a different country. I also learned that my broken English made me unqualified even for a retail job. So I started washing dishes, earning $7.5 an hour.

I am telling you this story because I want you to understand the impact that your support is having. Either if you pay $30, $9.99, $5 or if you bought the book with Inkshares credits, taking a chance on me has completely changed my life.

I am proud of myself, and I want to present to you a book that I will be proud to share. So I will be working hard with the Inkshares team to turn The Catcher’s Trap in the best version of itself.

The day The Doctor invites me for a ride in his Tardis, I will ask him to take me back to the day I took that picture, just so I can tell that kid, “hold on because it will be bumpy and hard, but it all will work out in the end.”

Love

Ricardo