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.

Coming back to the blogosphere

I have never been very good at blogging but I'm going to try and give it a try. Much has happened in the world I call The Milleran Cluster since I last wrote. The first book: Of Eternal Light has been revised and completed. I thank the many people who agreed to read the "beta"copy and offered suggestions. The local coffee shop in Maynard, MA, Serendipity, is sponsoring a book reading and signing for me on June 17 at 7:00 pm.

The Nevdak Corp Building

The Nevdak Building where Chapter One takes place.

Thanks to your comments I have revised the story and turned it into the Prologue. It is now on one page.

Keyevich

The island of Keyevich on the planet Pa'Kevutu