I took that great shot at the Chicago Cultural Center, where I am currently sitting and grading papers.  So, as you my have noticed I haven't posted for a while.  Unfortunately, I have been busy NOT working on my novel.  I forgot how intense summer school can be, but my students are amazing.  I spend most of my time grading and writing grievances for my union members.

Still, I have been thinking about the ending of the current novel I am writing, The Harvest, and a sequel where the androids play a greater role, but one step at a time.  The glimmer of hope is what has me captivated.  There will be hope in my novel because the characters will grow in that direction. 

On a practical note, I think from now on, I am going to come to the Chicago Cultural Center to write because it's relatively quiet and close to work.  (Of course, as I finish this entry, someone is practicing her singing, and it is gorgeous.  I think singers come here for the acoustics.  How wonderful!)

Here is to finding quite places and spaces to write.  #Resist

I was watching the news the other day, and they announced the robot priest/pastor.  It can have the voice of a woman or man, and it can bless you with the light of its arms.  Think I'm joking?  Think again.  http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/robots/a26698/germany-robot-priest/

I told some friends about this news report on WGN, and they thought I was joking.  Food for thought, pastors and priests.  The robots are coming for your jobs, too.  Anyway, on that happy cyber-note, back to my writing. 

This morning, I finally spent a few hours working on my novel.  It had been a while since I woke up at 2a.m. to write, mostly because I was tired from teaching.  In fact, I thought the writing itch was dissipating, and it was.  Ergo, I read a lot of literature.  But, I started teaching the summer term yesterday, and I am back to waking up with the drive to write.  Of course the teenagers listening to loud assed movies at 2a.m. helped, and also, my brain is trying to solve union problems.  Nothing like a little problem solving to get the brain-engine going. 

Today, I developed the character of 147-Paul a little more.  He will play a larger role with Alan and his new mother, who I am not naming yet.  In fact, I may not until something happens in the plot, which I won't reveal until the end.  She needs to remain anonymous because she is going against the state.  Enough of her.

I have big plans for the androids in the revolutionary process.  In fact, my goal is the humanize the androids, while the women in this setting are losing their humanity with every mod and upgrade.  (And I can't wait to see the Blade Runner sequel!)

Here's a bit more of The Harvest:  A Novel.

Resist the robots if they don't serve us, the people!

I am rereading Wastelands:  Stories of the Apocalypse Vol 1. because I am teaching it this summer for the second time.  Shout out to The Fireman, which I am also teaching.  Yesterday, I read "When Sysadmins Ruled the World" or some such.  That short story was so well written, and the language was so playful and funny, but what really struck me were the stereotypes that were remastered and rehumanized  Like the size of the nerds' bellies to show how long they had been working for the company, but also how fucked up their jobs had been overworking them.  It reminded me of the OIT folks I work with.  They are always on call and running around fixing problems. 

This particular story was about these sysadmins who were battling computer viruses, meanwhile a shit storm of threats to humanity were unfolding all around them like bio-weapons, nukes, bombs.  It was an excellent story that ended with some serious hope. 

That sense of hope is what makes awesome dystopian literature, even just  a glimmer, and what I really hope to nurture in my novel The Harvest.  In fact, I have the ending mostly done.  At the same time, I like bitter-sweet endings, so that may alter where the novel goes.  It's not quite formed, but the outline is there.  

Anyway, my brain is in play mode, and I'm watching House of Cards.  I started Season 1 this week.  Which is all to say that this is the first time I've woken up early and haven't hit the novel first, so of course, I'm going to discipline the beast and write for an hour.  Of course.

Here's to deep ideas (none of which I've had yet) and serious writing discipline.  #Resist