T.R. Patrick's Blog

The back story behind Beyond the Veil isn't something easy to recall, nor is it a simple thing to explain. Platform 21 was born of something even I still struggle to comprehend. A lot of it started with frustration. I was angry, depressed, and in a place that wasn't exactly healthy. Every news report made me cringe. It's difficult to watch the world burn, and feel like there isn't anything you can do about it. The thing is, I felt obligated to do something, anything. Writing was a hobby, something I’ve done before but never with a heavy sense of purpose. One day, something clicked and all of that changed.

A good friend once told me my writing takes real moments of adversity, and collides it with a sense of human compassion we often neglect to notice in the world today. Whenever something bad happens, you see a few people responsible for it. But after them, you'll see a multitude running to the fire looking for any way to help. People desire good, positive change. They want to help. There is a natural selflessness in each of us - we just don't know where the fire is.

From this mindset, something just occurred to me. It wasn't an epiphany. There weren't trumpets or fanfare accompanied by a bright shiny light. It was just a concept. It was something that was always there, drowning in my mind. It took me quite a while to learn how to put it to words. From there the idea of a story grew.

So, I set out to write a story; but where to begin? It wasn't until Platform 21 that I broke from my traditional genre of high fantasy. But with this book, there was a natural ease of weaving together a tale wrought with danger, passion, and intrigue. The story was always there, I just needed to find it. Before I knew it, the concept of Platform 21 was born. What if every conspiracy theory was true? Who is pulling the strings? Who is really in charge? Finally - What is humanity willing to sacrifice for the truth? This is the world, Beyond the Veil - and Platform 21 is merely the beginning.

Writing from the perspective of a young adult was a natural choice for this story. Teens have a strange curiosity about the world. When they take a stand for a cause, it is with a passionate zeal lost to those who’ve aged past their primes. They see the world as something that can be changed, and molded into a better one. Not yet jaded by the gritty waters of defeat, young adults are more willing to take chances and challenge conventional wisdom. I find this attitude admirable, and intriguing. I wanted my main characters to adopt this world view as they set out into a world founded on real conspiracy.

The backstory of Platform 21 wouldn’t be complete without talking about East Liverpool, OH – the setting of the book. The city itself is the book’s most important character. This very real city, with very real history, is tucked away in an obscure corner of Ohio. It was once the pottery capitol of the world. After all of the pottery jobs were shipped overseas, the city became a reminder what the American Dream was supposed to look like. It’s a struggling mid-western town whose story is all too similar to many other towns across the country. Its places like this that capture a reader’s attention. All of the history covered in Platform 21 about this town is very real with very few creative liberties on my part. In a way, this book doubles as Historical Fiction. The historical references only served to rebuff the Dystopian Thriller genre of the book.

From all of this came Platform 21 – a story about a boy whose place in the world is as unknown as the forces who control it. Along the way, he finds allies. But he quickly learns that with every ally there is at least one enemy. Driven by the mystery of the homicide of his sister, Laura, Luke sets out to reveal the murderer. His determination to uncover the truth about Laura’s murder and his transformed world is making him a target—forced to flee for his life from a nameless shadow organization and a government seeking vengeance for an unthinkable act of terror—as he stands on the threshold of a dark conspiracy that threatens all humankind.

Photo by Kody Ray Meek

A Cold, Blank Page

It all begins with a cold, blank page. Imagine a cursor blinking back at you, awaiting your every command. What do you tell that cursor to do? Do you begin your story in the middle of the action? Or perhaps a subtle introduction to your vision is the appropriate method. What are you trying accomplish with your story? Are you trying to pull the heart strings of your audience, or is the intention to get the reader to think about life in a different way. We've all read stories that made us feel for a character, or re-think our world view. Putting down a good book sometimes leaves a reader feeling empty, and wanting more; wanting desperately to return to the world they just left behind. In the end, that's what every writer wants - but where does a writer begin?

After I wrote my first book, which I will never attempt to publish, I realized it was lacking something. My wife insisted it was worthy of publication, but I resisted the temptation. It just wasn't good enough. Immediately after writing the book, I went to work on another one. I called it, "The Elements of Writing." Though it was left unfinished, forgotten, and lost over time, I remember taking a step back in an attempt to piece together where I went wrong. How does one create life on a blank page? Where does one start?

Just Start Living!

The most common piece of advice for aspiring authors has been, "Just start writing!" The suggestion is certainly well intention-ed,  and points many people in the right direction. I can't help but think there is more to stories than writing. There has to be more to it than simply putting words to paper. It wasn't until I started looking at the world around me when I discovered what was wrong. Don't just start writing. Instead, I urge the aspiring writer to "Just start living!"

You'll never know when inspiration will strike you, and sometimes it can come from a rather unexpected place. The photo at the top of this article was taken by Kody Ray Meek - a fan who has faith in my writing before he even had the chance to read my first book. Inspired by my upcoming debut release, "Platform 21" Kody went with a few friends to take pictures of East Liverpool. What resulted was a photo that literally spoke to me. I already knew East Liverpool was gem left buried and forgotten by hard economic times. What surprised me, was its strange ability to capture the imagination of others. There is just something alive about the place. Something I can't even begin to comprehend.

On a whim and a desire to find that little extra something for my writing, I visited East Liverpool just about a year ago. All I knew were the stories of an old Navy friend. He spoke fondly of his home town - and now I see why.  What I found was a bit of myself, all accompanied by a piece of the American Spirit I once thought forgotten. It's hard to explain it and difficult to feel on your visit, but the city itself speaks to you. It wants you to feel at home there.

Do Something Adventurous!

I would not have the book I wrote today if it weren't for going out into the world and experiencing things myself.  For a guy who has never enjoyed the paranormal, or ghost stories as a medium for entertainment, I found myself looking at a story that challenged my intuition. Personally, I'm scared of what goes bump in the night and the creepy shadows cast by the moonlight filtering through the trees. Despite this, I needed to experience the history of East Liverpool first hand. Where did I go? I sought out the local Paranormal Investigative Society, Ghosting 12.

Fresh off their search for Big Foot, the group led me deep into the woods of Beaver Creek. We set off at midnight. The moon was nowhere to be found. We were going to Gretchen's Lock, a place that is widely known to be haunted by a little girl who died to malaria in the early 1800s.  We were going to attempt contacting her - Was I out of my mind?! Absolutely, but what I got out of the experience was priceless. The experience not only inspired one of my favorite chapters of the book, but also gave me a mental image to describe for my readers.

Darkness, something as calming as it can be unnerving. Broken by the chilled beam of a flashlight, its round silhouette revealed the scene. The light found gray trees, earth, and brush as a running creek could be heard bubbling nearby. A figure stirred from under my arm, Angela was pressed tightly against me. Adjusting my gaze to the world below, my flashlight exposed tall columns of stone. Like a buried treasure, these stones were ancient, almost mythical. For what purpose they were built, I didn’t know. The structure towered high over the ground, forming a makeshift tunnel. And there we were, Angela and I, perched atop what could have been the remnants of an ancient civilization. 

A shadow rushed through the beam of my flashlight. Startled, I directed the light where the shadow flew. Still waters reflected back into my vision. The wind was notably absent, the trees were eerily silent. The light of the moon was concealed by the cloudy night. Not even the faint image of its crescent managed to show through the thickness of the mists above. From the distance, the beam found a large boulder which overlooked the creek below. Darkness blanketed the area behind it. Where the reassuring rays of my flashlight should have exposed the secrets concealed by the darkness, it found nothing. I stopped. Allowing the light to burn into the area, my grip on Angela tightened, as my heart came to an icy halt. In the blink of an eye, two orbs of light reflected back into my vision. Gray, silvery eyes blinked twice more as the shadow took form.                  --Platform 21

Do Something Out of Character!

I've heard of authors talk about going out and people watch. They visit public places, or take public transportation for no reason other than to observe the people around them. By observing others, authors can create characters that seem and feel real. The question I'm left with is, "Are we authentically real out in public?" I'm sure I'm like most people when I'm in the public eye. I watch my behavior, and guard my tongue. Doing my best not to catch the attention of a bystander, I mind my manners and refrain from discussing anything of my personal life. In today's society, we are creatures who worry about what everyone thinks. We hide our true selves, and keep the scars of our personalities from rising to the surface. People watching, in effect, is useless. At least - that is my opinion.

So where does one go to develop real, thinking characters? Admittedly, I'd say the characters reveal themselves to you - as an author you are constantly in the mind of the characters. In effect, you are Role Playing. Luckily for me, no one wants to watch a writer act out scenes in a dark room lit only by a computer monitor - but as an author I have to get into character, much like an actor, and feel out their emotions, goals, and what drives them. I refuse to story board, or stick to a rigid plan when writing for a few reason, but chief among those is that sometimes the characters surprise me, and do something I wasn't expecting. A good writer knows when to let the characters dictate the direction of the story.

Like any other skill, Role Playing and Character Development needs to be practiced in order to be effective. If people watching isn't good enough, where are we to turn? A common criticism is that people on the internet don't have a filter. It's because they hide behind a monitor. When there are little consequences for your actions on the internet, people tend to reveal more of themselves than they'd normally be comfortable with. What's the best place to observe this without reading the comments on Facebook or YouTube (There is nothing to be gained from trying to understand the pure, unadulterated ugliness that floats through the internet)?

 

Image by CCP Games

Yes, I admit it. I'm a complete nerd . . . I can't help it. EVE Online has been one of the longest running MMOGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Game) of all time. Having opened its doors ten years ago, no other game has been mentioned in the news more than EVE. How can a ten year old game with flashy spreadsheets help your writing career? Well, let me tell you a story.

The object of the game is . . . well . . . it's whatever you want it to be. You as a player are literally dumped into the world with very little direction. The game is completely player driven. Do you want to be a Space Pirate? What about a business tycoon? You can even make your way through the game picking away at space rocks if you want to. But from all the freedom is born a living, breathing society entangled by its own politics, drama, and stories. It is all player created content - People, real people and personalities are driving the universe.

When I started playing the game, I wanted to be a respectable business man. The goal was to haul goods through the galaxy, and run trade routes to make money. Unfortunately, a space pirate (A real life player) with a mind for our money changed all of that. He held a group of my friends hostage, and ransomed them for their freedom.  Helpless, and unable to fight back, we were forced to pay a ransom.

My mind went into my character's head. When I play these games, I make it a point to try to role play, even if I'm not sharing the experience with others. In response to the incident, I made the decision to take up combat training, and provide security over my operations myself. In the process, I formed a Corporation with another combat minded pilot, Black Aivo. 

Black was a seasoned veteran, and had seen heavy combat. He had dreams and aspirations of Wormhole Exploration. These were aspirations my business savvy character shared, as there was plenty of money to be made deep space exploration. So, we began preparations to move into wormhole space, but Black was far too eager. He began taking out loans to purchase a Mobile Station. Though I warned him that the corporation wasn't ready yet, he pushed forward with his plans.

Meanwhile, one of Black Aivo's old contacts had hatched a plan of revenge against him. He intended to infiltrate our corporation and steal all the assets we purchased for deep space exploration. When we discovered his intentions, we immediately removed him from the corporation - but this wasn't enough to save us from his scheming. The would-be infiltrator hired a Mercenary Group to declare war on us. We were easily out gunned, and a war would shut down all of our operations. So - we made the hasty decision to retreat to Wormhole space. With little resources, and a green fleet, we tucked tail and entered the wormhole. 

Though we were safe from the mercenaries, we found ourselves in deep space. The hole leading back to home was closed. Separated from the rest of civilization, we were trapped in the far reaches of space. It was there we met the sharks of the universe. Old pirates long lost to civilization scour the belts looking for easy targets. We lost ship after ship to those who would prey on our situation. Our corporation was losing assets, and our members began losing faith. Throughout it all, Black Aivo remained unconcerned of our predicament, and did little to protect his corp mates. Showing no intentions of paying back his debts, the crew became anxious.

"We'll follow wherever you lead," said one corp mate of mine. Little did he know that others had already begun whispering notes of mutiny in my ear. There I was, facing a situation that would turn me, a respectable business man, into an unsavory pirate. Our assets measured into the billions of ISK (EVE online's currency). My corp mates worked too hard, and lost too many ships to remain stranded in deep space forever, something Black forced down our throats. Suddenly, I felt compelled to act against the morals of my character. Though on a personal level, I would've found other ways to resolve the conflict, the character I played was somebody else entirely. Channeling the character's personality, I let him make the decision.

All we needed was the right moment to strike . . . 

One day, a wormhole back to civilization opened up. Our explorers reported that the wormhole dropped us in the solar system Rens, which was home to one of the biggest trade hubs in the universe. Had the Gods of EVE spoken? The situation made it all too easy for us. While Black was away on other business, the team emptied the corporate hanger of all of its assets, and delivered the goods to willing trade partners. Having access to the corporate wallet, I stole every single red cent from it. In the end, we made billions. But we weren't finished yet . . . 

You see - In EVE, if you turn your back on your allies, they tend to want to get revenge. Simply leaving the corporation would have been enough to incite Black's wrath. So, we had to cripple him. Not only did we steal every penny he borrowed, we also stole all of his personal assets he left at our station. Then, after everything was cleaned out, we took the station's fuel, and powered down the shields. Once we were safe in High Security space, we alerted every space pirate we could find that there was an undefended Station in deep space, just waiting for them to loot, pillage, and destroy. What scavenger of the deep would ignore such an opportunity?

By the time Black discovered what happened, everything was either stolen, or destroyed. The deed was done, and I had become a pirate. Though he hasn't attempted revenge yet - My allies and I are waiting patiently for the day he comes to find us. 

But what was the point of all this? What did I gain from this? Well, I was people watching. I got see the effect my corporation's politics had on others. I got to see just what line needed to be crossed to turn a respectable business man into an unsavory pirate. Though it was role playing, I felt what it was like to execute the plan. I felt what it was like to betray an ally. This is just one such story in EVE, and there are so many others out there waiting to be told. It has endless potential, and for me, has been the best method for sharpening my character development and role playing skills.

In Conclusion

You can't expect to bring life to a cold, blank page unless you know what it is to live. How can you expect to tug at the heart strings of your audience if yours haven't been pulled for ages? Writing by itself is an exercise in precision, like math. In order to turn those words into art, you have to reflect on your own personal experience. So get out there - see the world and experience all it has to offer. As for me, I explored a forgotten city, went ghost hunting, and became a space pirate. That has made all the difference. 

Would you like to join me in EVE and make some stories of your own? Follow this link for a free 15-day trail of EVE, and find out for yourself what you would do in such a situation.  This isn't a sponsorship - it's an invitation. Feel free to look me up. My name on EVE is Jesseria DeSayge. 

 

A message broadcast from a stranger who appeared across the nation in silhouette on January 11th, 2053 . . . 

2052 was the year the nation was divided by an event focused around two individuals. Their story touched the world, but frightened an already terrified nation. Driven to the brink of energy starvation, most of the country has retreated to energy centers where communities have established self-sustaining energy grids and nuclear power. The world came together to solve its energy crisis, but that's when the first terrorist attack rocked the nation, and destroyed humanity's best hope of recovering. Then, the terrorist threatened the city of East Liverpool in Ohio. Despite the nation's best efforts, the terrorists had their way. 

The last words of the 53rd President, Lawrence Boughman, didn't make it to the streams until just now. These words were hidden from us, but why? These words were a warning. A warning we failed to listen to. A warning we ignored. 

Never Forget #Platform21

You've seen it just about everywhere on the internet. Posted on YouTube videos, in forums, or on news sites the tag #Platform21 has been shared by different people from all walks of life. If you've come here, it's because you're probably asking yourself, "What is #Platform21?" Well, let me tell you. You've come to the right place . . . 

We'll never forget what happened that cold day in November. That day we witnessed the fall of our freedom, and the beginning of fear. It may not have been the bloodiest day in 2052, a year rocked by the most deadly events mankind had ever witnessed. Over 121,000 innocent men, women, and children had perished from senseless acts of terror. Despite what the news may be telling you, the perpetrators have yet to be caught. They are still on the move, waiting behind the veil provided to them from the media.

#Platform21 is many things. It's an idea, a vision, a plan. We've all seen the news lately. Every station has it's own twist on what happened that day. One stream will tell you the day was the true fulfillment of Justice for all the lives lost. Others will confuse the issues and refocus on their own scheming. They sensationalize Celebrity Culture, and rarely cover what's really happening out there. Stirring up controversy wherever they can, all three of the major news networks will twist the headlines to fit their own agenda. We know the Media is owned. We know the Media is working for its shareholders, not the viewers. They stir up hate and vitriol with inflammatory, needless rhetoric designed to do one thing: Divide us. But why?

#Platform21 is the idea that we will no longer rely on conventional news sources to tell us what's going on in the world. We've learned our lesson, and remained silent for far too long. We shall become our own journalists. We will seek out the truth, we will ask the tough follow-up questions. #Platform21 is the idea that political opinion isn't balanced. There is only one thing which is balanced, and that is the truth. Whether you are with the Federal Advancement Party or with the New Patriots, Right leaning or Left leaning - it is easy for us all to agree that Washington isn't working for us. The question is, "How do we bring the people back to the center of the national discussion?"

#Platform21 - The Vision

#Platform21 is the vision of a world where we don't hate one another because of political differences. It is the vision of a world where we celebrate our differences, exercise our freedom of speech, and encourage our fellow citizen to live out their lives in search of the fundamental values which founded this country: Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. These values, these truths, regardless of how self-evident they may be, are no longer the center of our political debate. They are no longer under consideration when the Middle Class is thrown under the bus, over and over again. #Platform21 is a vision of a country where personal freedoms and liberties are cherished above all things. #Platform21 is a vision of a government which remembers it's primary function: Of the People, By the People, For the People. #Platform21 is a vision where the government will never repeat the crimes they committed that day in November.

#Platform21 - The Plan

#Platform21 is a plan to usher the winds of real change through the halls of the Capitol. It is the plan to bring the people back to the Halls of Congress. It is the plan to use our advanced technology to bring the voices of the people to the front of the debate. They have used these same tools against us.  They have used these tools to push us out. Why? Because they fear #Platform21. They fear Unity. They fear Freedom. 

#Platform21 is a plan of action which uses words, not weapons, to advance it's agenda. United by the bonds of our freedom given to us by a rich heritage of critical thinkers who asked one question over and over again, "Why?" We are the rule breakers, the believers, and doers. We pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, and offer a helping hand to our neighbor. We understand that what happens to our neighbor also happens to us, but ultimately we make our own way. Ultimately, our freedom puts the responsibility of our well-being into our own hands. We will shed the chains which bind us, and salute our flag, the flag of freedom. All of us are Patriots.

#Platform21 is All of Us

 #Platfrom21 is you, your neighbor, your brothers and sisters, and your friends. #Platform21 is all of us who feel the squeeze of a government which has forgotten its purpose. #Platform21 is all of us who are struggling paycheck to paycheck all while working multiple jobs and putting our children through school. #Platform21 is all of us who have been silenced by the 24-Hour News Cycle.

Do you want to join the cause, and help bring light to those who hide in the shadows? Do you want to exercise your freedom of speech? Do you want your voice to be heard in Washington? All it takes is a single Hashtag - #Platform21. Post it everywhere this message needs to be heard. Post it in the comment sections of News Sites, YouTube Videos, and Forums. Let your voice be heard with a single Hashtag - #Platform21. They fear a united people. They fear the concept of a United States of America. Show them what they are afraid of and never forget #Platform21.

Platform 21 is a Novel

Platform 21 is a Young Adult, Genre-Defying Thriller set in the year 2052. It follows the story of a young man in search of the truth in the midst of a world where everything is a lie. In search of the people who murdered his sister, the deeper he digs the more he begins to realize his sister's murder is connected to the global conspiracy that has consumed the world. 

Novels for Young Adults have grown in popularity over the past twenty years with the introduction of books like Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and Twilight. Each of these series have sparked the imaginations of young adults everywhere. With Platform 21, I wanted to write a book which was both entertaining, and relevant. I wanted this to be a book where Young Adults can really relate to the two main characters, Luke and Angela, all while discussing issues which are important in current events.

The book does not seek to influence public opinion, or change anyone's political viewpoints. The challenge with writing a book relevant to the times is the introduction of sensitive topics which may offend some people. Please understand, the purpose of introducing these topics is to inspire Critical Thought and to help people draw their own conclusions. The wonderful thing about writing is that the Author can explore scenarios we hope never happen in real life. Platform 21 is one such novel. 

Another goal of the book was to introduce readers to just how amazing the real world is. Platform 21 is defined as, "Genre-Defying" because it contains elements of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, and Conspiracy Thriller intermingled into one book.  

The challenge in writing this novel is maintaining both a realistic setting, while introducing the characters to as many Modern Conspiracy Theories as I could. Modern Conspiracy Theories range from something most people would believe, "Our news organizations tell news only to benefit their Shareholders," to the sensational like the Flat-Earth Theory. Naturally, not all of these conspiracy theories make sense if combined into a single environment so don't expect to see all of your "Favorites" in the series.

With Conspiracy comes the element of Government interference in our lives. Conspiracy of the Government is becoming more and more a relevant topic everyday. Let me be clear, I do not subscribe to these conspiracies. However, I see value in people asking questions, especially the question, "Why?" I believe that Conspiracy Theorists serve a purpose, and that is to hold the government accountable.

Thank you for reading this blog post all the way through. Every Author writes for a purpose. As a Fiction writer, my first purpose is to entertain, and tell a captivating story. However, I admit to having the purpose of wanting to stimulate critical thinking, and putting people into perspectives they never considered before. As an Author, I have the unique opportunity to open readers up to a world viewpoint they may have never considered before. This is an educational journey, as well as an entertaining journey.

Thanks for joining me on this little ride! Let's Create Worlds Together! 

Obtained from www.Fanpop.com

By: H3rmonieg

You know, every artist keeps talking abut this thing called Inspiration. Movies depict artists admiring a sunset painted with many colors, or getting an epiphany from some mundane thing, like a Merry Go Round or a Broom Closet. Though I'd like to say the movies were right, I've found that in my experience this isn't even close to the truth. From talking with fellow writers and artists, it seems we all turn to one place to find inspiration for our trade. Art.

Yes, Art! I'm not just talking about paintings you'd find against the marbled walls of fancy museums. I'm mainly referring to the creative works of others. All work is inspired by another's creativity, which is incredibly astounding when you think about it. I'm not special, nor am I any different from any other artist. I depend on the creative works of others to fabricate the worlds imagined from my dreams. However, I'd be lying if I told you that was all it required to write a book, create a sculpture, or compose music. 

Music - Orchestrating Life on a Blank Page

A writer's best friend, and worst nightmare is a blank page. Whenever I start a new chapter, it can't just be as though I continued writing from the previous one. To me, every chapter needs to have it's own mood, set of rules, and goals to accomplish which is different from the chapters surrounding it. Some chapters may be like others, but for the most part, I strive to make each chapter shine as though it were the most important chapter of the book. Before setting off on any writing endeavor, I immerse myself in music which fits the mood I'm trying to embellish. Luckily for me, I've a world full of emotions and stories, all of which have been captured by established and aspiring musicians alike.

In the case of my current project, Platform 21, the concept of the book was inspired by a song from an incredibly unlikely source. Rise Against's 'Satellite' was a song which really spoke to me when I was at a place in my life where writing wasn't the focus. Instead, I was working a stable IT job, enjoying the American Dream. When I heard Satellite, it was as though a story I'd been harboring in my subconscious demanded to come out. So - I listened to those urges and explored the concept. What I found, was incredible, and I can't wait to share it with you. 

But this was just the beginning. The lyrics and emotion behind the song really speaks to the core concept of Platform 21, but it fits the mood of the second book in the Beyond the Veil series, not the first. Even still, writing a book to an uptempo, protest song is very difficult, especially when you are also trying to summon feelings of melancholy, love, and sometimes incredible sadness. One of the great myths about being a hero is that you'll never feel pain, and that everything works out for the best in the end because you did the right thing. The exact opposite is far more true. In thinking about this, I stumbled upon a song which became the most influential inspiration for Platform 21. This Bitter Earth / On the Nature of Daylight by Dinah Washington and Max Richter is an incredibly powerful song which I've used to influence the mood of the book. The lyrics really speak to the challenges the characters are facing, all while the music embodies the message.

In the end, there isn't a single song a person can fathom through several hours of writing, much less several months of writing. I've purchased over eight hours of music which I listen to while sculpting the story behind Platform 21. However, there are those moments, or those chapters, which require a certain kind of help only a specific song can provide. Time and time again, I find myself drawn to a particular artist whose work is monumentally critical to my own. It would be impossible for me to take full credit for the book when I've spent so many hours drawing inspiration from Karliene. She, like me, is a new artist who is working independently to distribute her music. Releasing song after song, each work is superior to the last. This, to me, is a mark of a dedicated and extremely talented artist.

The Setting - East Liverpool, OH

I've already written at length about the great privilege it is for me to set Platform 21 in East Liverpool Ohio. The best piece of advice in writing I've ever received was to get out and see the world. You'd be surprised how many untold stories there are out there. East Liverpool hides a treasure trove of inspiration left untapped. Its story must be shared, and I count it as an extreme privilege to be permitted and encouraged to do so. 

Understanding Emotion

There are many sources and influences which helps me understand and capture the emotion bled out onto the pages of my book. It isn't good enough to say that a character is happy, sad, or frustrated. As an author, you have to envision it and then show the reader the character's emotion. This is harder than it sounds. You can write at length about emotions, but writing too much loses the audience, and writing too little cheats them of the experience. Finding this balance is incredibly difficult. As a writer, you should feel all of these things. I've become lost to the world, sheltered and put away from experiencing the emotions of my characters. This experience is demanding on an artist, and I'm beginning to understand why some writers struggle with writing about the grim realities of our world. It's been difficult on me, but I feel purpose driven to continue.

This purpose brought me to an interesting character on YouTube who has left me incredibly impressed by his ability to convey emotion through his reading of short stories. Cryaotic is a very personal individual who hasn't revealed his identity on his website, however his talents have been noticed by many. His voice sounds an awful lot like the main character of Platform 21, which left me a bit awed. My infatuation with him doesn't end there, as in his reading he attempts to capture the emotion portrayed by the characters. He finds that extra bit of something to put into his work, which is something of a rare talent. 

That Little Something Else

It's difficult for me to explain the extra ingredient which brings it all together. Yes, external inspiration is needed to produce any work of art, but there is something to be said about the artist's own imagination. As much as I'd like to take credit for all the plot twists, and the suspenseful nature of Platform 21, I have to agree with something Stephen King once said about writing. This story I'm working on isn't the result of a storyboard effort, or something I just thought up one day. The story already existed, and it chose me to tell it. This is a responsibility I take seriously.

These characters have a life of their own, and the greatest pleasure of revealing this story through writing has been learning and understanding them. When I get something wrong, they let me know it. When I lose sight of the story, I experience a wicked case of writer's block which doesn't leave me until I get it right. However, I've taken this a step further. Every character I introduce in Platform 21 has their own agenda, purpose, and story. Just like in real life, everyone thinks of themselves as the main character. The same is true in books. The potential for subplots is there if every character and their voice is respected, and explored by the writer.

So, there you have it. Contrary to the title of the blog post, it seems inspiration isn't something you only need a little of if you want to create art. Whether it be music, or dramatic readings of campfire stories, there is always something to take with you when you indulge in any kind of creative work. Please, do me a favor and check out these other artists. Every single one of them is incredibly gifted, and are well deserving of your time and attention.

 

Now gather 'round and hear a tale ole' poppy's been meaning to tell ya. Don't get too close to the fire, wouldn't want to burn your eyebrows off, now would ya. Let's see, where was I . . . right!

A long time ago before the first potter even started scrapping away in the valley, an engineer named Gill came to town. He traveled here from his country in Europe which was . . . which was . . . well now some say he came from Ireland, or Holland. But I reckon he came from Germany 'cause his daughter's name was Gretchen. That's a German name if I ever heard one, but none of that's important and I'm boring yunz with the ramblings of an old goat.

Gill left his home bringing his daughter and his lovely wife. But on the way, his wife died to a horrible illness at sea. They buried that poor soul in the ocean. If you'd ask me, the ocean is a restless and ever changing pit we hardly understand. She'd probably never find rest at the bottom of those cold Atlantic waters. Sailor's stories aren't all exciting fer nothin', and between yunz and me I'd say ole' Davy Jones has a locker full of lost souls and misery.

Gill and his daughter Gretchen settled here in the valley. Finding work as the head engineer of Lock 41. In fact, the ruins of that ole' lock is just in the woods behind us. He was a good hard working fellow. He worked so hard he probably could have been Irish. He found himself a good couple of years work out here in this very forest. In fact, his house is just through those woods over there. It was a good living, and hard work helps you forget the past which haunts us. Oh, poor Gill struggled day to day with his wife gone. Love can get the best of us, especially when we don't have it no more.

Eventually, things took a bad turn for Gill and his little girl Gretchen. She was just about your age when she caught Malaria. Girl got so sick, she was bed ridden for the last few weeks of her twelve years of life. She died at the tail end of summer on this very night all those years ago. It's a time when pups like yunz should be full of laughter, hollerin', and mischief. Let me tell ya, those were the days. Treasure 'em.

Stricken with grief, our friend Gill decided he would cross the Atlantic and return home. He wanted to bury his dead little girl in his native land, something he wasn't able to do for his wife. He was of the honorable sort and stayed here until his job was done. So, what did he do with the body of his daughter? Why, he locked her up in the lock. Hah - that one never gets old.

Finally, Gill finished his work and was ready to return home. He freed his daughter's body from the lock and set sail to Europe. Remember what I was saying 'bout those restless spirits in the ocean?  You can't find rest at sea, I promise you that. Just as they passed over the lick of water where they buried Gretchen's mother, the ship was caught in a terrible storm. Davy Jones always has room for another soul or two in his locker, and what better souls than the two others he needed to collect for his set. Good ole' Gill, Gretchen, and the entire crew of that ship sank to the bottom of the ocean, never to be heard from again. That is, of course, except for Gretchen.

They say ghosts like to linger in places which make them happy. Of all the places in the world for lil' Gretchen to return to, she chose Lock 41. Some say you can still hear her cries, and at times, even see the little girl strolling around these woods. Others say they've seen her at the grist mill or the bridge, but I reckon they're seeing Esther Hale, the poor bride whose groom never showed up at their wedding. But that's a different story, and this ole' goat does like to ramble.

If you want my opinion, ole' Gill never actually removed the body of his daughter from the lock. It was either impossible for him to reopen her tomb without damaging the lock, or something else happened to the little girl. Ghosts don't haunt a place for no reason, and if it were me, I'd be with my family in the ocean. No, I think something terrible happened to that little girl all of those years ago, and this little tale might be covering up the truth.

 

On a tiny corner of Ohio, there's this little town called East Liverpool. Wedged in a valley of clay, this humble city hides a little known story which, in a way, touched every single one of us. It's quaint appearance conceals the bustling center of business it once was. Some would call it a typical mid-western town, but those who would say that have only just noticed the city from a glance. Allow me the opportunity to tell its story.

What was once the pottery capitol of the world, East Liverpool had its humble beginnings  as an 1100 acre plot of land called Fawcettstown (Fawcett Land Deed). It was an unassuming town which didn't attract too many patrons until 1839 when James Bennett, East Liverpool's first potter started his business (The Pottery Industry). You see, this place wasn't called the Valley of Clay without reason. The value of the natural resources were a hidden treasure for potters, as James Bennett had never seen such a wealth of high quality clay.

From this spark of entrepreneurship, the largest pottery operation the world had ever seen was birthed. The culture which came with it was familiar, yet intriguingly different. Should you ever take the time to walk those streets and meet some of the locals, you would immediately feel at home (Taylor, 2012). The potter's pride is unlike any other, and they love to tell their story. Just ask Luke Gibson.

A spring breeze
playfully rustled the newly sprouted leaves of the maple and buckeye trees from
above. A hint of the approaching summer heat could be felt rushing across my
cheeks as sharp rays of light cut through the sky. It was one of those perfect
evenings. The temperature was neither cold nor hot, while the humidity was
neither dry nor moist. People gathered from around town to join their friends
in East Liverpool on perhaps the most comfortable night of the year. 

It was just
like it was back in the 1960s. My great grandparents would fondly reminisce
about Thursday nights. Back then, people would put on their best clothes to
visit downtown East Liverpool. The stores would stay open late, allowing
everyone to gather and shop as a community. I never got to experience those memories
for myself, as the city I knew growing up was nothing but empty alleys, and
rotting old buildings. For the first time, I got to see what the town was
really supposed to be; it was beautiful.

Pioneer Pottery, like many of the other
potteries in town, let their employees go home early on Thursdays. It was never
something people had to ask for, it was just always assumed. With the parking
lots empty, and the kilns cooled down for the night, many locals who drove in
found convenient parking there. People were never asked to pay a penny for the
spaces either.    -- Luke Gibson, Platform 21

Every Thursday night the potteries would cool down early and everyone would go to town in their best clothes, and enjoyed the night life. The town had a personality as even the local shoe repair shop had a character of its own. A real human skull was clearly displayed for anyone who passed by. The people who lived in this little town made it their own, adding their own flare of personality (Taylor, 2012). Luke and his friends continue their Thursday night experience as they visit Orlando's, the best pizza parlor in town:

Orlando’s was a
relatively modest store, with only enough room for customers to pick up their
favorite slice of pizza, pay for it, and step outside. Though there was a
single table which sat next to the door, it was occupied, as a man read his
newspaper in silence while sipping a soda. The place was known for its artisan
crafted dough, which was being prepared by a tall, brawny baker with a thick
black mustache. The baker had a natural talent as he effortlessly tossed the dough
in the air while tipping his beret towards Angela and Jessica as we entered.
The girls blushed, waving to greet him.

As a family
entered shortly after us, the baker tossed a small ball of dough over our heads
to a little boy who giggled as he caught it, “Welcome to Orlando’s!” After
winking to the boy he flipped another round of dough into the air, a cloud of
white dust flew around him. A revolver was left on the counter where he worked.
Caked over with flour and fragments of dough, it was easy to wager that if he
ever needed to use it, the gun wouldn't fire. -- Luke Gibson, Platform 21

As though East Liverpool didn't set itself apart from any other place in the world enough, they built a High School which would have made Harry Potter green with envy. Built on the basin of the Ohio River, it's old Victorian Turrets towered over 4th street. The school's Clock Tower was the centerpiece of this already majestic city. East Liverpool High School was the largest school in the Country, and today still maintains the largest High School Alumni association (Taylor, 2012).

Built directly across from the High School stands Carnegie Library. This, by no stretch of the imagination, is any ordinary library. This library has served as a museum, convention center for pottery exhibitions and housed the local Genealogical Society. It was also used as a bomb shelter and served an important purpose during World War I for producing bandages. But why should I continue my description, as Luke does a fantastic job painting a lovely portrait of this beautiful city (History).

We turned to step out of the library. The door was perched open to catch the cool
evening air. The setting sun greeted us as a light breeze swept through the
courtyard. It was one of those memorable evenings as the sky was painted with
heavy strokes of gold and crimson. A flock of birds traveling in formation flew
over the river below, as the clock tower from the High School chimed away the
seventh hour of the evening. The hills of West Virginia completed the setting
with a lush green landscape. -- Luke Gibson, Platform 21

Unfortunately, every good thing comes to an end, and East Liverpool is no exception to this rule. In the late 1960's pottery work was lost to cheaply made imported products from China and India. As a result, most every single pottery job slowly disappeared, shipped off to distant places. This once booming manufacturing town was left without its industry. Forcing a tradition of potters to search elsewhere for work. However, there is hope on the horizon for what potters remain (Taylor, 2012).

Despite the economic strife facing this beautiful city, the spirit of the people still live on. With Thompson Park and the neighboring Beaver Creek State Park still fully operating, there is yet another treasure in East Liverpool. Due to the recent rise of the Shale Fracking industry, these places are threatened. To this day the potters have continued to support their parks, and fund their operation off of donations (Taylor, 2012).

East Liverpool's history is long, and the depth of its stories could never be fully explored in a single blog post. The Valley of Clay has seen many great years, and in its prime the town was one of the nation's greatest pearls. The town seems to be in its darkest hour, but if there is any one word to describe a potter, I'd say its Resilient. It's this resilience which leaves me optimistically hopeful this little town called East Liverpool will spring back to life.

Fawcett land deed. In East Liverpool Historical Society. Retrieved from http://www.eastliverpoolhistoricalsoc...

History. In Carnegie Public Library. Retrieved from http://www.carnegie.lib.oh.us/hist

Taylor, D. (2012, October 11). Interview by T.R. Patrick. Interview with an East Liverpool native, Don Taylor.

The pottery industry. In East Liverpool Historical Society. Retrieved from http://www.eastliverpoolhistoricalsoc...

Naturally, after writing a blog post about my fondness of beer, I couldn't help but think of this as an opportunity to experiment a bit with my writing. Describing flavors is never as easy as it sounds, especially if you don't understand what goes into making the taste you are trying to depict. This sort of thing takes practice, and what better place to practice than out in the open for everyone to see. As my Band teacher always told me "Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect." So - lets taste some beer!

For my first edition of Brewer's Delight, I've selected a Heavy Seas Seasonal called Riptide. This is a White IPA, which I assume got its name from the Belgian Yeast used in the brewing process. This delightful hybrid brew is incredibly smooth and lacks the bitter bite most IPAs are associated with. Instead, Riptide indulges your senses with a light citrus note mixed with spices. Perfectly blending the heavy citrus nose of a Belgian White with the floral accents of an IPA, Riptide provides a hybrid taste which left me surprised. There is a slight taste of clove just after the brew leaves your pallet. This leaves a bit of a sweet after taste which makes you thirsty for more.

The Heavy Seas brand of beer is brewed by Clipper City Brewery in Baltimore, Maryland. They describe their hybrid as follows:

Riptide white IPA is a beer brewed with a malt body similar to a Belgian style Wit with loads of torrified wheat.  It’s hopped like an IPA, but we use a unique blend of Czech Saaz, French Strisselspalt, Calypso, Centennial and Cascade hops to create a big citrus nose and flavor with floral accents.  To complete the feel of the wit style, we push the beer through our hopback which is loaded with Spanish sweet orange peel, Curaçao bitter orange peel, coriander, and a generous helping of hops.  It’s fermented with a classic Belgian Wit yeast which provides all of the fruity and spicy notes you’d expect.  We then blast the tank with our hop cannon which is loaded with Calypso, Strisselspalt, and Citra hops and more orange peel.  The beer is then lightly filtered to retain all of the exceptional yeast character.

This is an easy drinking IPA which is perfect for Summer. Suggested pairings include fresh fruits and fish, but I'd suggest trying it with any of your favorite grilled meats. This evening, I paired Riptide with a Montreal seasoned chicken breast. The tangy marinade did much to compliment this beer. Eventually, I'd really like to take a six pack of these out on the boat. I'd imagine it to be the perfect companion for a relaxing fishing trip. 

I judge beers on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being watered down chemical water and 10 being the greatest of artisan craft brewing. Artisan beers which stick with one traditional style and get it right are relatively common among craft brewers. These would rate at 8/10. A few of these brewers do more than just get it right as their special touch adds a certain enjoyable element to an already amazing brew. Riptide manages to combine two traditional styles into an incredibly pleasing hybrid which is unlike any other. As such, it has earned a 10/10 on my scale for being both original, but also thoroughly creative while pleasantly combining two of my favorite styles of beer. 

Interestingly enough, this was exactly the question running through my mind as I built this webpage. While writing about my wife on the, "About the Author" section I began to realize how every little interaction, even the seemingly obscure relationship my dogs share with the neighborhood squirrels, affects my mood and eventually my writing. So much of a writer is blended into what is supposed to be fictional work, which is often written in a completely different person's point of view. There are so many stories I can recall which have directly influenced my writing.

Back in the fall, a good friend of mine suggested I try an India Pale Ale at the local Ale House. At first, I dismissed the suggestion, "Nah, I don't like IPAs. Too bitter." But my friend was persistent and assured me I'd like the brew. Without too much effort on his behalf, I gave into the peer pressure and tried a Troeg's Nugget Nectar. Authors are famous for hyperbole, but I assure you I'm not exaggerating when I say that beer changed my life. Immediately afterwards, I made frequent visits to the Ale House trying a variety of beers. Always searching for something different, my regular visits became a bit of a passion - each beer tasted more complex than the last as my taste buds learned to search for the delicate hints of spices, hops, and roast levels.

My frequent trips for the newest brew on tap eventually infiltrated my writing. Introduced to a real craft beer for the first time, the main character in my novel, Platform 21, describes the experience:

Taking
the frosted tankard from off the bar, I judged the toffee colored brew. Its
smoky aroma caught my senses by surprise. This beer wasn't like the ones I've
tried before. Beer tasting could hardly be considered a hobby of mine, and truthfully
the substance never impressed me much. But after sipping through the frothy
crown of that full bodied beer, my opinions quickly changed. The layered
flavors of coffee and vanilla triggered a relaxed sensation which eased the
tightness in my chest. As the molasses-like flavor washed to the back of my
throat, its texture and taste changed ever so slightly. A light earthy flavor
elegantly surfaced, revealing the subtle, yet aromatic taste of cloves. A fresh
floral flavor lingered in my mouth after swallowing.

This simple exchange between two friends at a bar heavily influenced the way I write. It created an entirely new experience for my characters, and this was simply the beginning. Picking up on the peculiar tastes and scents around me, I developed a desire to describe them. Everything from the stink of a Cuban cigar to the luscious mouth feel of a sweet Moscato wine.

Writing isn't just a hobby, it's a passion. Everything I experience has the potential to create change in my words, my style, and my characters; which brings me back to my original question. Why start a blog? The answer is simple. These modest interactions and life experiences become a part of who I am, and what I write. This alone is worth sharing, because maybe the person who reads this blog could be affected the same way. This is, after all, why I write. I write so others may see the world through a different perspective.