Vardan’s Comments (group member since May 13, 2013)

Vardan’s comments from the Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy group.

Can I get some love for the classic quest Grim Fandango?

Michael wrote: "I'm editing 'The Church of Virtual Saints' - a cyber thriller. A blend of VR, AI and theology which has been a lot of fun to write."

Sounds awesome Michael!

sounds so intriguing!

So, to all my fellow aspiring (and occasionally dispirited indie authors) a question: what are you writing right now? Please give a short synopsis and what inspired you to start writing the particular book?

My own current undertaking is titled Charon Gone Fishing and it is a story of love, hate, corruption, intrigue and revolution in the most apocalyptic place of them all - Hell.

Your turn!

Just received this five star review from Julia:

"A well-written and engaging story, with strong characters, exciting plot turns, and excellent dialogue. The main character is unique, and that’s one of the reasons the story is so compelling. He’s socially antagonistic, smart, and sarcastic. The book is filled with dark-ish humor, irony, and sarcasm. A really good book!"

With over 440 ratings and 12 published works, still every review and every rating counts...thanks for making my day Julia :)

What if you were given a chance to leave behind your everyday routine? Your underpaid job cleaning up the nuclear wastelands from an assortment of merry mutants (including centipede pandas and cave dwelling members of conservative parties)... your shipwrecked personal life complete with two emotionally and financially debilitating divorces and an unbroken string of inspiringly ill-advised relationships... your cut-rate room in a cut-rate hotel with a cut-rate pillow under your (cut-rate) head... your Monday and your Wednesday and your Friday that looks and feels and tastes uncomfortably like your yesteryear’s Thursday...

What if you were given a chance to be the first human to reach for the stars? What if you were given a chance to find a brave new world for all mankind? What if it was a chance that you absolutely, resolutely, definitely, categorically did not want?

Join the reluctant space pioneer Adam Samsarian and his mildly insane (and only occasionally homicidal) on-board computer on a mind (and logic and ethics and traffic rules and rodent rights) bending trip through cosmos unexplored and the ever labyrinthine Armenian brain!

And so (whether you want it or not) your Odyssey of discovery, self-discovery and inter-galactic sex begins...

This is the synopsis of a book I kind of find hard to summarize... it is a comedy and it is a tragedy and it is a satire and it is farce. I have no idea how the readers will relate to the story or the main characters. It is also out of my hands - The Circle Of... belongs to the world now. I do hope people will like it. Check it out here:

http://www.amazon.com/Circle-Vardan-P...

Also, please let me know if you have any questions and I will be happy to answer :)

Greg wrote: "Hi,

In sci fi it's hands down Slipper Jim DeGrizz, the Stainless Steel Rat.

In humorous fantasy I think it might be Bink from the first two Xanthe novels - coolest power ever! But Rincewind from ..."

Jim DeGrizz for president!

Just received this review from Yzabel:

A short, entertaining and at the same time provoking read that I wished would've lasted me longer, because I really liked its atmosphere and setting. I admit I had a little trouble getting into it at first, due to the length of some paragraphs, but I also admit I was reading on a small Smartphone screen, and the effect it produced may have artificially lengthened those. Anyway, the author's prose soon made me forget that; it sometimes had an almost poetic quality, coupled with bits that bordered on stream of consciousness (yet never so much as to make it seem too heavy).

From the beginning, something felt slightly "off" (in an intriguing way, not a bad one), and once you get deeper into the story, you get to understand what it was, and the hints scattered here and there suddenly make more sense. I liked the twists and turns in this narrative fraught with a certain humourous quality. The "Provocateur" poem, too, left quite an impression on me, especially the way it was used later in the novel.

My advice to indie writers on using Goodreads to promote their works.

http://outofprintwriting.blogspot.com...

I think that if there was a single stand out science fiction film for me in 2013, that truly impressed me it was Gravity. No other film came close. I really want to like The Hobbit but the new series simply is not as significant as The Lord of the Rings... I did not think that Oblivion was a good film although it was interesting stylistically. The Iron Man was good enough but did not approach the pleasure levels of the first one. Hunger Games is a mystery for me... for too many reasons to list here.

My short story The White Wolf: The Hunts I is now free on Amazon! Get your copy here and enjoy the ride!

http://www.amazon.com/White-Wolf-Hunt...

Hi, my name is Vardan and I am from a (galaxy) country far far away called Armenia. In my writing, I am busy exploring the darker corners of my imagination in order to craft the most intense stories of futures gone awry. It is not all darkness though as I believe a healthy dose of humor is a necessary prescription in any doomsday scenario. I am also a firm believer in the power of one individual in pushing, fighting, living and dying for a change that is always necessary, that is always achievable - anyone who says otherwise has something to lose through that positive change.

Introducing the new synopsis for I, the Provocateur:

Welcome to planet Remania! You will have no choice but to enjoy your stay in our peaceful land for it is a world of a thousand delights. Take a stroll on the beach and be mesmerized by the perpetual eruptions of our volcano mines – number one suppliers of interstellar travel fuel in the colonized galaxy! Head to a government approved bar and enjoy our exclusive brand of alcohol that is strong like a real patriot should be. While there, you will listen to our national songs that you will memorize before your departure. The capital Nerayah is full of landmarks and attractions not to be missed by any respectful visitor. You will stay in the best hotel in town – The Imperial Star of Glorious Remania. You will go to the Central Media Tower, visit the Eternal Freedom Square to pay your unquestionably profound respect to the Supreme Council residing there. You will attend cultural performances and visit other landmarks required by the itinerary provided to you on your arrival. While in Remania, you will be watched on a permanent basis. You are not to deviate from your route or make any unauthorized contact with any citizen of our peace-loving land. You are to watch at least four hours of Truthovision every day of your stay on the planet. Your movements will be monitored by the Police, the Secret Police, the Elite Guard, as well as by our clerical staff. The patriotic citizens of Remania will also be watching you and reporting any unlawful behavior at their local honesty hub. Enjoy your stay in Remania – your experience will be unforgettable in more ways than you can imagine.

* This ad was approved by the Central Media Committee – resolution 75478.

I, the Provocateur is on a special 99c sale so grab your copy from the link below and join the ultimate badass revolutionary on ride through the deadly planet of Remania!

http://www.amazon.com/I-the-Provocate...

Got it! Thanks, Jordan!

The free promo has been extended for one more day :))) So, if you haven't here's your chance of getting your free copy of I, the Provocateur!

http://www.amazon.com/I-the-Provocate...

Hi fellow sci-fi lovers!

It is my pleasure to inform you that my novel I, the Provocateur will be free for one day only and that day is today! So hurry and get your copy here! Happy reading!

http://www.amazon.com/I-the-Provocate...

I agree, there is also some undertones of melancholy and bitter humor, which I feel is almost autobiographic in a sense but also very true of being in the army. I have served two years in the Armenian armed forces and at one point or the other that melancholy and the best way to deal with it - sarcasm and humor come through so it is indeed something that comes through the military no matter the country or the state of peace/war...military is military - hurry up and wait and wait and wait and be sent to a place that one can hardly find on the map and spend massive amounts of time getting there only to be told that there was a slight change of plans and you would be moved in a totally opposite direction. There is a novel written by a Czech novelist Yaroslav Gashek called the Adventures of brave soldier Schweik, which is the pinnacle of anti-war humor (and horror of it all). Parallel to Forever War, I would highly recommend it - it deals with the journey of a conscript for the Austro-Hungarian empire during the First World War. Unfortunately, the novel is unfinished...Gashek died while writing the second book of the trilogy but what he has managed to write is simply put pure genius.

Rose wrote: "I've been considering reading this and I was wondering if someone could tell me if the bulk of the story was actual war or if a lot of other stuff happens. I hate reading page after page of fighti..."

Other stuff does happen but the core theme of the novel is, indeed, war seen through the eyes of the protagonist who, as a "failed pacifist" is trying to craft a little piece of happiness in the ever shifting timeframes and hostile environments.

Spooky1947 wrote: "Bill the Galactic Hero by Harry Harrison...a true classic, writen as a reply to Starship Troopers....a lol-fest as well"

Excellent book! Also the last two parts of the Altered Carbon series Woken FuriesBroken Angels