Phantom Black (workshoppin’ a story idea.)

May 15, 2023May 15, 2023 Joe Hallett2 Comments

I posted a part of this story idea before, but I tweaked it a little and thought Id share. This story is a slow burn in the back of my mind. I am compiling some of my short horror stories into a book called “30-minute shivers”.

Phantom Black.

Phantom Black

The scientists fiddled with the device with excited banter, enthusiastic about
their apparent success. The device looked like an over-engineered paint spray
gun. One of the scientists adjusted a setting on the machine, causing a
pleasant harmonic tone to emanate from it. The other scientist poured a black
viscous liquid into a small vat attached to the instrument with tubes, hoses,
and electrical connections. The first scientist starts speaking into a
recorder, taking verbal notes with a shaky, excited voice. “Four-thirty
two hertz to four forty hertz seems to be the correct resonant frequencies to
properly align the filaments. We have achieved approximately….” He looks
up at the other scientist and nods slightly, prompting the missing information.

“Ninety-nine point nine, nine percent.” The other scientist reads off
of a computer monitor in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Yes, right. Ninety-nine point nine, nine percent of photon
absorption.” He continued, “We have found with the increased
amplitude and voltage, the harmonic frequencies will correctly align the carbon
nanotubes vertically, giving us an additional twenty percent efficiency.”
He said, his voice still quivering with obvious exhilaration.

The scientist that poured the fluid into the contraption turned to a wall with a stark
white square painted across its surface, then began to spray. A five-foot blob
of black paint appeared on the wall. The scientist had to stop at that point as
vertigo overcame him, and he swayed on unstable feet. To look into the
blackness was to see a complete void that lied to his brain and made him dizzy
as if falling into a never-ending hole.

He set the sprayer down and stumbled to the other scientist, that was busy
monitoring the equipment. He laughed as he walked drunkenly back to the
monitors. “I can’t believe it! I felt like I was going to fall into it for
a minute!” he said, finally reaching the desk where he could grab hold and
steady his feat.

The beam of light pierced the veil.

Like an ugly knife wound tearing a rough, misshapen hole in the darkness.
The light touched the creature’s tentacle, a warm tingle drawing its attention.
Confused and curious, it extended its tentacles, reaching, feeling the jagged
edges of the opening. It wrapped its tentacles around it with more confusion
about the nature of this new thing in its world, then examined the edges,
feeling its solidity. Reaching in and gaining purchase on the inside surface,
it began to pull itself through, marveling at the warm tingly, yet slightly
stinging sensation on its skin.

Tentacles wavered through the opening, touching the air and feeling the strange
tingle of the light. As it pushed deeper into the new expanse, it could feel a
vibration of sound emanating from inside this new space. It waved a tentacle
sniffing the air, searching for the source of the vibrations. With so many new
sensations, the creature grew eager and more curious. It pulled itself through
the hole, sniffing and feeling.

With their backs turned away from the black painted surface, the scientists
quickly prepared their device for the new round of testing; the creature probed
a tentacle towards them. The probing tentacle extended toward the sound vibrations
and detected a unique sensation that triggered a biological response; Hunger.

The tentacle wrapped around one of
the scientists and pulled closer to the creature. Strange and delightful
sensations came from it. It was warm and squishy and made sound vibrations that
pleasantly tickled its senses. A warm gush of liquid poured out when it was
pulled apart, metallic and salty. The creature pulled the pieces into its
beak-like maw, enjoying the warm salty, and chewy sensations. It was intoxicating.
Its first taste of this new food unleashed an unapologetic yearning for more as
it felt the nutrients provided a near-explosive growth.

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Forgiveness

April 18, 2023 Joe Hallett2 Comments

One of the things that I enjoy about writing it is the personal growth I get out of it. Since I started writing, I learned there is much more research than expected. As an autodidact, it’s in my wheelhouse, so there is a natural fit. Anyway, I get swept into some interesting research areas as I think about the plot, how the characters fit, and their motivations. (My search history makes me look like a pacifist that is making bombs)

So Waxing philosophically, I am thinking about forgiveness. What it is to forgive, what it takes to be forgiving. Can forgiveness be a lie we tell ourselves? How does the act affect people? As it turns out, forgiveness (now that I am thinking about it) is more than just one thing. There are a lot of different ideas about different kinds of forgiveness, but I think it can be boiled down to two. Conditional and unconditional.

But what is the real meaning of forgiveness?

Psychologists generally define forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.

“Regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness.” Ok, let’s explore that for a sec.

To me, on the face of it, that is a selfless and altruistic act. Kinda nice. But with all things tied to true altruism (I am a fan of the subject for some reason), intention is a significant element. Of course, there are circumstances to consider, but without blah blah blahing about hundreds of scenarios. Do they deserve your forgiveness? To me, putting a condition on it, such as “To deserve it,” goes against the altruistic aspect. And makes your intentions personal. A quasi-condition? Forgive if they ask for it? That is still conditional.

The “generally” defined meaning of forgiveness stated before summarizes the true altruistic spirit of forgiveness. Anything else is not.

As I examine these ideas for my character’s benefit, I think about my feelings on the subject. I always felt I was a pretty forgiving person, but I will lean heavier on the Altruistic intention of it.

PSA, I am not writing a self-help book nor am I a psychologist. These are just random thoughts to organize my brain and get the damned story finished 😉

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Benchmarks.

April 12, 2023 Joe Hallett2 Comments

It occurred to me that I had overlooked a benchmark on my writing journey. My one-year Blogsaverary was on February 18^th. I can not boast of having a large following or mind-blowing analytics, but I have had a steadily increasing number. I have ninety-one subscribers, and that is a lot for me. I want to thank those of my ninety-one (was ninety-two yesterday); sorry if I bored you or said something offensive, Mr. Ninety-two.)) that is genuinely interested in what I have to say. You are the ones that keep me going. As to the rest of the follow me, follow you people, understand I don’t care about numbers, And I will not follow you because you followed me. Ridiculous. (I have a low opinion of such things) Anyway, Numbers don’t matter. You can have a thousand followers that don’t read the blog, but If the one that does read it finds meaning or insight or just entertainment from what I write, that is fulfilling to me.) But sincerely, thank you to those that have stuck with me. I have developed some great friendships through my blog, which makes it worth it.

I started this blog not really knowing about blogging, to be honest. After I finished my first book “Emergence collective,” it was suggested that I start a blog to promote it. So, I did. And here we are. I am not a blogger. I am a writer looking for an audience and engagement with that audience. Honestly, I am not a huge fan of being a blogger. I feel it creates an unnecessary responsibility to continuously create content to keep my blog alive, which was created to find an audience for my books and writing. Blogging is writing, I understand that, but I like to write fiction. Science fiction, horror, fantasy, the stuff that is not entangled with reality. However, I should recognize that despite frustrations, time restraints, and bouts of apathy, I have made it past the one-year Benchmark! *pats myself on the back*

Benchmarks are tools used for “ground truthing.” A benchmark is a survey marker used to verify or validate quantitative aerial observations (Maps). That is an apt metaphor for my blog and writing journey. I can see where I am and know where I want to go.

Another benchmark (a mental one) is closer to a feeling, but I feel that I am on the downward side of the hill regarding my second book, “Emergence Ascended.” It’s a feeling since I really do not know how long this book is going to be, but I feel I am past the halfway point. The same reason why I have yet to have a mid-life crisis, I don’t know when I am going to die, so I don’t know when it’s my mid-life (I feel I am missing out on something fun now).

Thanks again for taking your valuable time to read my blog and comment. Your engagement is priceless to me. I am looking forward to more benchmarks to come.

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Happy Ostara/Easter

April 7, 2023 Joe HallettLeave a comment

Its a Holiday weekend, I am hoping it I can still get some writing and recording done before the festivities commence. But as we all know, when I make a plan, it goes to hell, so here is hoping. After I actually Finished the dreaded chapter 30, Of Emergence Ascended (my current work in progress), I feel like the rest of the book is going to go fast, and that is exciting. Then I get to edit! yay. editing.. yeah.

So, those of you that are eager to hear the next episode on Spotify, That is my focus for the weekend. Happy holidays for those that celebrate them and have a good weekend for those that don’t. Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog!

Audible · Emergence Ascended · Emergence Collective · magic · narrators · readers · reading

Audible Update: Articulate and enunciated

March 29, 2023 Joe HallettLeave a comment

These are two of the things I could not do. As you can tell, I did not record the next thrilling chapter of Emergence Collective this weekend. What I had thought were allergies had ultimately become a full-blown head cold. (I still can not hear from my right ear, it’s still congested.) I rarely get sick enough to miss work, but I missed two days this week if that is any indication. I felt well enough; I just couldn’t actually speak clearly enough to make a decent recording. Well, I could make the most of my convalescence and get some writing on Emergence Ascended done. That too, fell flat, and I am disappointed that I lacked the gumption to do anything meaningful. I was, after all sick, but I wanted something to show for my time and writing is not physically demanding. I know one day I will get around to finishing this book.

The weekend is approaching, and of course, no promises, but I will make an attempt at getting Chapter 10 recorded. I am especially eager to get back to it. The story starts picking up speed from here on out, and even to me, it’s exciting.

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Go with the flow…

March 25, 2023March 25, 2023 Joe Hallett3 Comments

Another quick Saturday note(In the US, a quick nod to my “down under” audience}note. (I have noticed that when I post on weekends that there is less traffic overall, but eventually, someone will read it, right?) After having a bit of mild to moderate writer’s block, I managed to get back on track, and I am happy with the progress I am making. Chapter 28 and most of 29 of “Emergence Ascended” are down with a meager 38000 words. I estimate it’s just under half complete, but I am a discovery writer, so I don’t know where it will end, somewhere between Doctor Suese and Tolkien in length.

If you are one of those that are listening through my narration of “Emergence Collective” on Spotify, I expect to have chapters 10 and maybe 11 recorded tomorrow, so stay tuned for that! As always, thanks for stopping by. Give it a like or comment (I love comments!)

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Where ever you go, there you are.

March 23, 2023 Joe Hallett2 Comments

This blog is my space to write about my writing journey. So I try not to talk about the mundane life stuff like work or personal matters, since everyone already gets to have their own, I don’t need to give them more. But work-life does interfere with my writing, so that part of the crossover is what I am talking about. Hopefully, this will be one of the last times I type the word Covid. but yeah, that’s part of it. The Aerospace industry had also been impacted by Covid. The one-two punch for those of us that are Boeing Subcontractors, The 737 Max production getting shut down for almost 3 years has almost killed our shop and I have watched many (of our competitors muwahahahah) completely go out of business. Our workload has decreases and we had to let a lot of good people go. Most of my crew too.

That means that I have been busy doing the work of 3 other people that I used to lean on. Don’t get the idea that I am complaining, that is not my point. The point is that fatigue and time to actually write my stories and keep up with the blog have been influenced by world events. I am pretty sure I have made similar posts with promises that I will be more consistent in posting on the blog. I apologize that that hasn’t been the case.

That was then, this is now. Covid is seemingly under control, the FAA has allowed production again and our shop is getting much busier, and hiring! (If you work in Aerospace and need a job, I know a guy 😉 ) That being said I am building my crew back and that should give me some of my valuable time back to give to you. If you have stuck with me so far, I sincerely appreciate it. If you are new to my blog, expect more fun to happen. As always feel free to comment on this post or shoot me an email at hello@hand-printsofdarkness.com or simply give it a like! Thanks for reading.

art · Emergence Ascended · Emergence Collective · Horror · narrators · voice acting · writing

What do I get out of it?

March 6, 2023 Joe Hallett2 Comments

As a creative person, I am driven to make stuff. Most of the time, the stuff I create is just for me, something to scratch the itch. I am usually happy with my creations; most go unfinished, however. A lot of times, there are things I do to express an emotion or try out an idea, and once I have done that, I move on to the next thing (an expression of Attention deficit disorder). But it works for me. Creating things like writing, I need a little more, I need to share some things, and I want feedback on my ideas. Not that I am seeking attention, quite the opposite to be honest, I am very introverted (The pandemic was the best thing that ever happened to me, aside from all the death and dying stuff), and for the most part have to be poked and prodded to be social.

That’s where the paradox lies, where I am not looking for attention but want feedback on my creativity, but don’t want to have to be social about it. I am terrible about self-promotion. So, what do I get out of it? There is nothing better than hearing how a story I wrote made an impact on someone. If I frightened you, or made you think about a crazy idea I had, is a sense of fulfillment that is unequaled. When I write, I aspire to write something that will make the reader just think about my story a week or month later or even want to read it again.

I did get some very satisfying writing done this weekend. Wow, I am on Chapter 28 of Emergence Ascended, and I am really happy with it so far. As far as recording Emergence Collective, I had technical issues that prevented that from happening and that is disappointing. I am starting to feel confident, my narration skills are approaching “decent”, my editing is fair. Thanks for taking the time to read! Feel free to leave a like or comment, I enjoy the conversations! You can also email me at hello@hand-printsofdarkness.com

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Character snapshot,Visual edition: Barney Derrick

February 27, 2023 Joe Hallett3 Comments

I really enjoyed writing Barney’s Character. I wanted to make a character that you love to hate. I am sure everyone has met a person like Barney.

The sound of Barney’s boots echoed down the quiet hall with a hypnotic cadence. The overhead fluorescent lights seemed to flicker in time with his footfalls. He arrived at the lab and pushed through the door, causing it to bounce off the wall.   Drab faces looked up from computer screens at the abrupt entrance. A soldier rushed over with a handful of disheveled paperwork, trying to organize it into a manila folder before handing it off to his superior. Barney grabbed the folder out of his and studied the file briefly.  The soldier watched as he scrutinized the file, flipping pages, eyes scanning. Barney’s nose crinkled against his mustache, causing the soldier to wince.  He held the folder out for the soldier to take it, allowing the pages to slip out with a whoosh onto the floor.  

“What is this? Is this how I am going to get all of your reports? Is this how you show your respect to your country, to me?”  

“Sir! No Sir!” 

“This report is not even in order! Do you expect me to finish your work for you?” 

“I understand, Sir, no Sir, I apologize, Sir.”  

“Well–What are you waiting for?” 

“Umm …yes, sir,” the soldier said as he scrambled to collect all of the paperwork and organize it all at once. 

“Umm, yes, Sir? That’s how you address a superior officer? An umm? You Sure this is the right career for you, boy? How did you manage to crawl your sorry ass out of basic training?”  he scolded, then turned away so that he could smile without being seen. Ah that felt good, better than coffee, and I’ll never get a bad report from that kid again. He took a few steps before turning around to see the soldier standing at attention, holding the folder in his shaky hands.  

“Sir, your report is ready for your review Sir.” The Airman forced his words out. 

 Barney snatched it out of the soldier’s hands. Again, the soldier watched his eyes and fingers do their work.  “That’s better, Airman. You’re dismissed.” The young Airman made his way to his desk and sat down, all the while avoiding eye contact.  