Randall's Ramblings, April 7, 2023

Randall Krzak

May 7

Yesterday, we recorded the historic coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. An interesting day filled with plenty of pageantry and tradition. While we only watched the coronation itself, we'll be checking out the rest of the recordings.

It's been another week of sun, rain, and wind with cooler temperatures. At least there was a dry spell where I was able to cut the grass, which was starting to get long. We also managed a bit of pruning. Things are definitely taking shape.

"Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on." - Louis L'Amour. Compliments of https://getfreewrite.com/blogs/writing-success/55-motivational-writing-quotes.

So who was born on this date in history? Let's find out who in the writing world was born on 7 May, the first Sunday of the month. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/):

David Hume, Scottish philosopher and historian (A Treatise of Human Nature); Olympe de Gouges, French playwright and revolutionary (Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen); Robert Browning, English poet (Pied Piper); Rabindranath Tagore, Indian philosopher, poet, writer (Nobel Prize for Literature 1913); Willem Elsschot [Alfons Josephus de Ridder], Flemish writer (Mend); Henri Pourrat, French writer (Gaspard of the Montagnes); Archibald MacLeish, American poet (Conquistador) and playwright (J.B.); Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, German-American novelist and screenwriter; Horst Bienek, German writer and director (The First Polka); Gene Wolfe, American sci-fi author (Soldier of Arete); Isobel Warren, Canadian author and journalist; Volker Braun, German writer (Provocation for me); Angela Carter, English novelist (Magic Toyshop) and journalist; Peter Carey, Australian author (True History of the Kelly Gang); Mustapha Zerqti, Moroccan Dutch writer (Ihtidaar hub fi el-mahd); Thomas Piketty, French economist and author ("Capital in the Twenty-First Century"); and Brian Clevinger, American author (Atomic Robo).

Any names familiar to you? There were two for me: David Hume and Robert Browning. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today's your special day I hope you have a great one!

My Publications

Revenge - Winner I was thrilled to see the results of the 2022 Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs) this week. For the fifth consecutive year, one of my novels was selected as a first place, best in category winner for global thrillers, joining six others receiving this accolade. While Revenge wasn't picked as the genre grand prize winner, it's still a huge honor.

Since I first submitted The Kurdish Connection and Dangerous Alliance for the 2018 CIBAs, my novels have achieved the following:

2018 semi-finalist - The Kurdish Connection
2018 first place, best in category - Dangerous Alliance
2019 first place, best in category- Carnage in Singapore
2020 first place, best in category - Colombian Betrayal
2021 first place, best in category - Mission Angola
2022 first place, best in category - Revenge

What will the future bring? Ultimate Escalation will be completing for 2023, but the results won't be known until April 2024, so stay tuned.

My Work in Progress

This week, I completed chapters thirty-five and thirty-six of Frozen Conquest and posted them to the two online subscription writing sites I use.

Twenty-three reviews came in this week, bringing the total to 625. As always, there are plenty of good suggestions to improve my story and I'm greatly appreciative of the support.

Here's another snippet:

CC leaned back in the chair, his hands laced together behind his head and legs crossed and propped on the edge of the desk. He studied the map of Antarctica on the screen and nodded. Perfect.

Dropping his feet to the floor, he leaned forward and captured a screenshot of the display, sending it to a nearby printer. After reviewing the printout, CC picked up the phone and dialed two digits. "Is the admiral still here, or did he return to the Pentagon? I need a few minutes of his time."

"Yes, CC. He has a phonecon scheduled with the NSA in twenty minutes, so if you hurry, I can fit you in before he departs."

"Aye. Thanks, Janice. On my way." CC replaced the phone in the receiver, picked up the printout, and headed to the office the admiral used when he was at Bedlam Headquarters.

Minutes later, Janice, who served as the admiral's secretary while he was in the building, ushered him inside.

CC smiled. "Thanks again, Janice."

She nodded and closed the door.

"Admiral, I've made a decision on the places I could visit in Antarctica, which would give a plausible explanation for my participation with the SPA." CC placed the printout in front of the admiral.

Highlighted in bold red were multiple locations. Two others were marked in green. "The red ones are the Soviet expeditionary cemetery, the Inexpressible Island Ice Cave, Shackleton's Hut, the Terra Nova Hut, and Wilson's Stone Igloo I mentioned to you before. The green ones are new—Scott's Discovery Hut and the González Pacheco Shelter."

"Will you survey all of them?"

"No. Only as many as needed to support my presence." CC grinned. If we find what we're looking for, I might not need to visit all of them to cover my movements. Of course, my interest in archaeology suggests I should stop at all of them."

"Work together with Georgia and plot your itinerary. I'll let Bertelot know you're on the way. They should arrive in two to three days, so you'll need a plan to get you from Ushuaia to their location in Antarctica. I'll ask Bertelot for the coordinates, so we drop you at the right place."

"Aye, Admiral. A question though. When you say drop, should I assume the plane will land somewhere, or will I use a chute?"

Both men laughed.

"CC, if you want to use a parachute, I'm sure something can be arranged. However, I was thinking of a more traditional arrival. It'll also allow us to send some equipment and supplies with you."

"Whew!" CC wiped the mock perspiration from his forehead. "Aye. I agree with the traditional arrival—been a long time since I jumped out of a plane. I think my parachuting days are long behind me—I hope."

"We'll make sure the Aquavit is docked somewhere before you begin the final leg of your journey." The admiral waved a hand in dismissal.

More next time.

Promotions

The Kurdish Connection, Dangerous Alliance, Colombian Betrayal, and Revenge are participating in Revenge promotion, running until the end of May for Action & Adventure, Romance, and Sci-Fi & Fantasy / Urban Fantasy. There are currently sixty-six novels participating. Why not check it out?

https://books.bookfunnel.com/revengetales/idh13vx4rm

All of my novels are participating in May's MAYHEM & MOTIVES: Mystery, Thriller, & Suspense Reads. There are 234 novels to choose from. Please stop in when you have a chance. You could find your next best author!

https://books.bookfunnel.com/mysthrillsus-may/34otud00o2

This brings us to an end for another week. I hope you found something of interest. If you have any suggestions for a topic you'd like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.