The Arab Spring

The so-called revolution called the "Arab Spring" began on December 18, 2010 when Moumad Bouazizi immolated himself in a central square in the country of Tunisia. The people were so shocked by this event that they demanded change from their government and, through persistence and anger, eventually were able to make significant changes. The people from other nearby Arab countries were inspired by their actions and took it upon themselves to begin their own revolutions. Some were more successful than others and the conflict in Syria reflects the ongoing consequences of these attempts at regime changes.

What was so impressive to me was that the act of one single person helped spark changes greater than even he could imagine. We often feel so helpless in the face of large corporations and massive government bureaucracies but, sometimes, the actions of a single person can inspire action from others. Note that is often actions and not words that are the greatest motivation.

The corps of Pa'Kevutu are even more menacing and manipulative in the lives of the people of the planet since rapid and unbridled growth has been allowed and encouraged as it has in Book 2. The act of one brave individual may change all of it and a struggle between the people of the planet versus the controlling business structures ensues.

First Signs

I really enjoyed my book signing event last night sponsored by the Serendipity Cafe in Mayanard, Mass. About 25 people showed up. I talked about the book and then read from sections of the first eight chapters. After that I took questions and then signed books. It was a good time.

Waiting for the gods

In the 16th century the Spanish headed to South America in the hopes of finding gold and new lands. When they arrived the natives thought they might be gods because they were light skinned and came from the sea. They, at first, submitted to the invaders' wishes but when they saw that these supposed gods ate, and drank, and fornicated, they decided that maybe they weren't gods after all but evil men. By then, of course, the damage had been done. The Spaniards brought with them horses and swords as well as the previously un-encountered disease of small pox. The natives not killed by disease stood standing in shock as strange devices like cannons and guns were fired at them.

The idea that an entire culture of people could be waiting for gods from beyond their shores became the inspiration for the people of Pa'Chot. For some as yet unexplained reason they are waiting for someone and their entire culture is focused on it.

4 Vesta

The new planet in Book 2 will be called Pa'Chot (by the Kevutians anyway). It is an underground society that surrounds a crater with a central mountain. The outer surface and some of its features are taken from the characteristics of the asteroid 4 Vesta. However, I added an ice core and some other unusual enhancements. Some of these include a rising and falling atmosphere that goes from about 1 foot to about 5 feet in height. The rise comes from the heat of the sun and acts as a kind of ocean wave of air. The heat of the sun added with these atmospheric gases greatly heat the surface of the planet and a layer of ice underneath. This creates a flow of heated water that travels with the motion of the sun. One effect this creates is a series of traveling steam geysers on the surface.

The Amish

I remember as a child growing up in Pennsylvania when we would drive out to the country. Sometimes we would see the Amish in their buggies as we passed by them in our noisy car. I wondered how the horses put up with our constant intrusions, much less the inhabitants of the buggy. Like a living museum piece they have to put up with our gawking and staring, or worse. All they want to do is live in peace they way they think they should. We cry about how our world of the almighty dollar is so void of spiritual connection yet we mock those that quietly go about their lives in accordance with their beliefs and in ways that do not require the earth to be ransacked in the process. How can this possibly be a focus for ridicule?

In Book Two, a new planet will be introduced with people that lead their lives similar to the Amish. I hope that in doing so I will honor their dedication and commitment and not mock them. They will provide a stark contrast to the Kevutians who are becoming increasingly chaotic in nature.

Continuity

Most book series focus on a single character throughout. That character is the connecting thread to the series itself. I also wanted to write a series but I am using a different tactic. Instead of a single character I have chosen to use place as the unifying thread. I have had several readers of Book 1 tell me they liked the characters and had hoped to see some of them return in another book but that is not what happens. Book 2 begins at a much later time from Book 1. All the characters of 1 have passed away and, in the meantime, the world of Pa'Kevutu has greatly changed. The connecting thread, of course, is Pa'Kevutu itself and its capital city, Yakrutich. My hope is that when you encounter the planet again in 2 that it will seem as familiar to you as any old favorite character.

Napoleon

In my second book there will be a coup over the government structure on the planet of Pa'Kevutu. I am still in the process of designing that structure but already knew there would be a major takeover of it. Although not strictly democratic, the government will have some democratic principles applied. It got me thinking about how people might be convinced to allow someone to take over a somewhat democratic governing structure. I thought of Napoleon and wondered how it was conceivably possible for people to overthrow their harsh ruling monarchs (1789), proclaim a revolutionary government, then allow someone to name himself emperor of the French empire (1804) within the span of less than 20 years! His actions became part of my inspiration.