Boy Scouts

Pictured are some of the kids I spoke to, and the troop leaders Richard and Sharron Dorrans, plus a friend of the family, Selena.


Hello,


I spoke to a group of Boy Scouts yesterday at their weekly meeting. We talked about writing books and living the Boy Scout oath and law. I was invited by the Troop Leader, Rich Dorrans and his wife, Sharon—the Cub Scout Leader. They are great people and I am so happy to have met them. The kids were fabulous. I did a little presentation, then we mingled and had cookies—as well as milk from chocolate cows.

I love talking about writing and books, and when I had the chance to speak to the Scouts, I was very excited about it. You see, I always wanted to be a Boy Scout. I wasn’t able to join a troop when I was a kid, but read about their activities and skills in manuals and books. I was born camping and spent a ton of time out in the wild with my dad on camping trips. I would collect Boy Scout equipment and bring it camping. I always thought of myself as a Scout—though in truth—I wasn’t. (Sigh)

Anyway, as I was writing The Golden Cord, and the whole Iron Dragon Series, I always thought of the main character, Drake, as Boy Scout. Sure, he’s not perfect, but he’s a hero and lives the Boy Scout oath and law, which are all about honor and good morals. Drake is a hunter who has to use his skills to survive, but he’s the moral compass of the group. The core of his values are protecting his people and doing the right thing. He’s a guardian, and if the Scouts live their oath. So are they.

Happy Holidays,


Paul Genesse
Author of The Golden Cord
Book One of the Iron Dragon Series
www.paulgenesse.com

WIN FABULOUS PRIZES! SAVE LIVES!

My writer buddy, Patrick Rothfuss, author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Name of the Wind, is doing an amazing fundraiser for a great charity, Heifer International. They buy animals (usually milk-producing cows--heifers) for poor people in Africa. Then the people can have milk for their family, and sell extra milk for an income. Everyone wins. Many people’s lives will be forever changed for the better. Pat's going to match all funds raised. For every dollar contributed, you get a chance to win massive prizes—signed copies of books by lots of great writers.

Here’s the link to see the prizes and the one below has the info about the charity.

http://www.patrickrothfuss.com/blog/2008/11/still-even-more-prizes.html

http://www.patrickrothfuss.com/blog/2008/11/heifer-international-details.html


Best wishes,

Paul Genesse
Author of The Dragon Hunters
Book Two of the Iron Dragon Series
Releasing May 15, 2008

Sprucewood Elementary School

I had a great day today at Sprucewood Elementary School in Sandy, Utah. I spoke to the combined 5th and 6th grade classes, three of each, about 180 kids. They were a great group, a real tribute to their parents and teachers—especially Mrs. Simmons, Mr. Emmit and Ms. Blunt.

I spoke to them about writing for a while and answered questions. Then I spoke to the three classes of 5th graders and taught a mini-writing workshop. We created a very fun short story about Makayla, the tiniest dragon in the entire world, who couldn’t fly or breathe fire. No one liked her, not even her parents. She also had a problem with a tribe of goblins and nearly drowned in a muddy lake full of crocodiles. Then the goblins captured her and Makayla developed some pretty unique powers of her own. Good times.

We worked as a group and I taught them a quick method of planning and writing stories. I was so impressed with the kids’ ideas and the teachers were awesome too.

Then I spoke to three classes of sixth graders. We had so much fun in a very packed room. They came up with a bunch of amazing ideas and we created a story about Jose, a blond-haired, white-skinned orphan living in Mexico with a Latin family who had adopted him. He had a terrible burn scar on his neck from the fire his parents died in when he was a baby.

Jose also had a terrible power: he could see ghosts. In the story, Jose was chased into a traveling Haunted-Freakshow/Mirror House/Glass House/Fun House. Two boys had been lost in the Freakshow in the previous town and were never found. Bullies chased Jose into the house and he ends up using his power to see ghosts to save himself, and the bullies at the end. The ghosts of Jose’s parents help him escape, and Jose saves the bullies after being tormented by all sorts of evil ghosts—such as a werewolf ghost. You get the idea. The kids and I had a really killer story going. I enjoyed meeting them all and signed posters and books before I left. What a great bunch of kids.

Next, I hit the Southtown Mall Barnes and Noble (by the school) and signed ten copies of The Golden Cord per the Community Relations Manager’s direction. There should be signed copies at three local Barnes and Nobles now: Sugarhouse, Murray, and Southtown Mall.

Next I went to the hospital and visited one of my favorite patients. She’d been readmitted to the ICU and I had to see her. She’s hanging in there, but I’m quite worried. I liked seeing her and she liked seeing me. I had my black suit on with a cool tie. Everyone was impressed with my outfit—and I have to admit—I do like dressing up once in a while. My patient is such a cool lady. I end up connecting with some of my patients in a big way. Writing is great, but I’m never going to quit being a nurse. I love it too much.

Paul Genesse
Author of The Dragon Hunters
Book Two of the Iron Dragon Series
Releasing May 15, 2009

The Secret Empire--Book Three

Hello,


It's been a good week for me. I got to hang out with one of my oldest and best friends, Jordan Stephens, who was in town for the holiday. Work was also great at the hospital. I got to do a whole bunch of random acts of kindness, and help a lot of people. Then of course, Thanksgiving was quite tasty. Tam and I made some excellent food, and had a quiet, low-stress week. I'm really thankful for my health and all the good things in my life.

I'm extremely thankful that I figured out how to start the first chapter of The Secret Empire, Book Three of the Iron Dragon Series. I'm redoing the first part of the book entirely after writing it several years ago. The original manuscript was 143,000 words. I'm hoping to cut it down by at least 40,000 words. I've already cut 20,000, and that's just from the opening, which is changing completely. I'm probably going to rewrite the entire book, but I know there are chapters later on that work pretty well.

The news this week I wrote a new chapter one, which is just under 2,000 words. Remember, I've already written a manuscript for the whole book, but I'll be redoing practically the whole thing. The overall story won't change that much, but I'm going to execute it much differently.

I've been thinking about how to attack this book and was working on a rewrite plan for the past couple of weeks. I've read the old manuscript and cut big sections in the beginning that really didn't need to be there. More will go as I rework the book. I'm just waiting to cut certain sections later when I'm working on those particular parts. As I go on this writer journey I realize that one of biggest problems with my earlier writing was that I was writing out long journeys where nothing really happened to advance the plot. There was character development, but little else. Now I try hard to keep the book moving quickly while avoiding some of the "locomotive" writing of my past.

It was such a struggle to write the new first line. Mostly because I didn't have a good vision of the actual chapter. It took me a while to decide what was actually going to happen in the opening scenes, though I had a plan--it was just too vague for me with too many possibilities. I think I've got a good opening scene now, but I'm certain it'll change a over time. My goal is to get a draft of this book done in the next three months or so. Then I'm going to finish Medusa's Daughter, an almost completed manuscript I had to shelve while working the Iron Dragon books.

What I really need at this point is to get rolling on book three--and sell the entire series to a big publisher. Hopefully, DAW Books will pick me up and put the books out in paperback. Book two, The Dragon Hunters comes out in hardcover, in May of 2009 from Five Star Books. I'm really looking forward to that now. I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me along the way and I think the readers of The Golden Cord are really going to enjoy book two.

Best wishes,

Paul Genesse
Author of The Dragon Hunters
Book Two of the Iron Dragon Series
(the first two chapters of book two are available on my website)
www.paulgenesse.com

Hawthorne Elementary School

I had a great time yesterday visiting Hawthorne Elementary School in Salt Lake City. I spoke to an assembly of kids and then taught a mini-writing workshop to a class of 5th graders. They were so smart and their teacher, Mrs. Anzelmo, was excellent. They are lucky to have her. It was also very cool to hang out with a co-worker of mine's son, Lucas. He's a really good kid and so smart. The kids in Mrs. Anzelmo's class had to test in. They are the top 1% and I was extremely impressed with their creativity and intelligence. We brainstormed and created the beginnings of a short story about a girl named Delila. The kids' suggestions about where to take the story were so great.

I really enjoy meeting kids and speaking to them. Mrs. Anzelmo had already read the first three chapters of The Golden Cord to the kids in her class before I came and it was cool to chat with them.

Paul Genesse

Author of The Dragon Hunters
Book Two of the Iron Dragon Series
Releasing May of 2009
www.paulgenesse.com

A Beacon of Hope Once Again

I won't soon forget last night. Barack Obama winning the presidency was amazing. We need change in America after eight years of bungling. George Bush was not a great president, and if you think otherwise, you need to reexamine the situation today. I'm sorry, but please be realistic and get informed on the issues. McCain would have been better than Bush, but he would have kept many of the same bad policies going. We need something different now.

We need brilliant people in the White House, not C students like Bush. Sorry, but we do. Barack was number one in his law school class at Harvard University. That is amazing. He has a degree in international affairs. This guy was a professor. He is so smart and when difficult situations arise, he will understand what's going on. I know the power of good critical thinking skills. Making the right decisions saves lives. I see it at the hospital where I work. Dumb people often make dumb decisions, and people die.

Smart people save lives. Barack will save lives.

We all have a new beginning now. There is hope that America will become the beacon of hope it once was. I shed a tear last night when I saw it all happening.

John McCain made a great concession speech last night. I used to really like him. I wish he would have beat Bush back in 2000. He should have been the nominee then. I hope now, he can go back to the stands that he took in 2000. He was great then, and I hope he helps fix the country now. We need him to help in the Senate.

Now, we need to move forward. The country is in bad shape. We need to do whatever we can to help.

Peace

Paul Genesse

Yes we can!

Yes we can!