New release!

My collection of short tales of terror, BEWITCHED BY FEAR, is now available and just in time for Halloween!!! You can pick up either an ebook copy or hard copy from Amazon.com  Here's the link to get you there: http://amzn.to/2bbQEjc  

 There's a little something for every horror, thriller lover–werewolves, vampires, demons, venus fly trap, creepy alien, and even a possessed clothes dryer. Guaranteed to raise a few goosebumps. Of course, reviews are always appreciated. Let me know what you think. Happy Halloween.

A Vexatious Word

Vexatious? Why did I choose such a big word? I just love the definition. It means annoying or frustrating. Perfect word to fit my most unfavorite word: should! Why do I find it annoying. I feel it’s such a negative, preachy, judgmental, critical word. Whether someone says it to you or you say it to yourself, it comes across so negative. It may seem harmless enough for the person using it, but for the one receiving it, the result is judgmental. For example, let’s say you have a car accident and you’re relating the incident to a friend. The friend responds by saying “You should have bought a Subaru. They are safer.” See what I mean … judgmental and critical.  Sheesh, you already feel bad enough. You don’t want to hear the words … “you should have.” They provide no support.  Instead the person receiving the “should” feels like a heavy, steaming pile of regret was dumped on them!

The word should is a niggling kind of word. It’s like a little kid taunting “nah, nah, na, nah, nah.”  It makes the person using it feel superior. “You know, you should use sun screen. You should do this or you should do that.”  Sure, I suppose the “should” individual might be thinking they are providing valuable advice. However, I believe the person comes across as being a know-it-all and uppity. (If that happens to me, in my head I’m thinking … mind your own frickin’ business.)

When you say it to yourself, it’s also being critical as well. I think the word is in cahoots with the whole negative baggage known as regret.

So, what’s a good alternative for should?  If one feels compelled to offer advice or butt in, how about expressions like … “may I suggest…?” That sounds much more caring with a dash of helpfulness. Or better yet if it’s a sad situation like the car accident, try saying something like “I’m so sorry.” Being empathetic is exceedingly more positive and feels much better. I also like when some might say, “Ya know, I use such and such and it works great for me.” I like that because it doesn’t put me on the defensive. It makes me have more of an open mind.

Words can be so powerful. And for me, the word should packs a wallop!  Just food for thought.

For more on should and it’s cousins would and could, check out this blog: https://cronesapprentice.com/blog/

Check out FRACKED

  

My new novel, FRACKED: Earth’s Warning!, was released last week. I’ve stepped out of my horror writing comfort zone into straight fiction. The genre is action, adventure with a bit of romance and heroism thrown in to round things out. The story emerged from my summer work at Yellowstone at the Old Faithful Lower General store. Little by little the characters came to life as I hiked the various areas of the Old Faithful basin.

As I was writing, I had a memory of Irwin Allen. Remember him? He became known as the “Master of Disaster.” I loved watching his films like The Towering Inferno and The Poseidon Adventure. Today his legacy can be seen in films like 2015’s summer blockbuster, San Andreas.

Though Fracked: Earth’s Warning! is a work of fiction, I’ve woven into the storyline facts and discoveries about fracking, and its possible harmful effects. Here are links to some of the articles I researched for the novel:

 “Fracking Firm Admits It Caused Earthquakes” by RP Siegel

www.triplepundit.com/2011/11/fracking-firm-admits-caused-earthquakes/

“Man-made Earthquakes | StateImpact Texas” This article was reported and researched by StateImpact Texas reporters, Kelly Connelly of KUT News, and David Barer and Yana Skorobogatov of StateImpact Texas and Reporting Texas.  

https://stateimpact.npr.org/texas/tag/earthquake/

“States With Fracking See Surge In Earthquake Activity” by Emily Schmall and Justin Juozapavicius

www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/14/fracking-earthquake_n_5585892.html

“The Seismic Link Between Fracking and Earthquakes | TIME” by Bryan Walsh

www.time.com/84225/fracking-and-earthquake-link/

“After statement linking earthquakes and fracking, oil tycoon tried to have scientists fired.” By Jenny Hayden

 www.dailykos.com/story/2015/05/19/1386023/-After-statement-linking-earthquakes-and-fracking-oil-tycoon-tried-to-have-scientists-fired?detail=facebook

* * * *

Is it too late to fix our broken planet? Some would say yes that we are past the tipping point. News reports almost daily depict unprecedented storms and weather related disasters. Global warming is no longer a theory. It is upon us and now the majority of the American public agrees with the scientists. As for some politicians in denial, it’s a slow arduous effort to convince them. We can only hope that the efforts to put the brakes on the warming of our planet will work or future generations will have to pay a hefty price. Could we possibly break our planet in our hunger for fossil fuels and the greed associated with it?

On a more positive note, Fracked really is about people coming together to help others without fear for their own life. Whatever the disaster is and no matter where it occurs, people rise to the occasion to be the good Samaritan, to be the selfless hero. I have always felt that the greatness of country is not reflected in its leadership or its wealth, but rather the caring, compassionate fabric of its people.

FRACKED: Earth’s warning!  is available from Amazon. Here are links to the ebook and print formats:

http://amzn.to/1PdO602

http://amzn.to/1UjRgiH

Hope you’ll give FRACKED a read. Let me know how you like it with a review on Amazon or send me an email (jhoch@winona.edu)