F. P. Dorchak

Speculative Fiction Author

To Be Human

Crackers

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I always talk about my last dog, Mac, but one of the other dogs in my life was one of our family dogs, Crackers. Crackers was a mixed Dalmatian. We’d found her in a Yonkers area (I believe it was, since we’d been visiting our New York City area family at the time) animal shelter, when I was still a kid. I remember this clearly, but we’d walked into this shelter, looking for a new dog, and as we were talking to the person up front, one of us (me?) went into the back and saw this cute little puppy all happy and puppy-y, leashed up by another desk. The person up front said, sure, we could take a look at her, even take her; she was so new, she’d just been brought in and hadn’t even been in-processed.

We took her.

She was such an adorable puppy (what puppy isn’t?), and as we were beginning our long drive north, home, we were all trying to come up with a name for our new critter. I wish I could remember who it was, it might have actually been my dad, now that I think of it, but one of us said “crackers.” We all loved it, so “Crackers” it was!

Crackers actually plays a part in Psychic. I have  a couple scenes where she’s incorporated, but in her first scene, one of my characters, a remote viewer, named, Travis, is reminiscing as he laments about his current position as a government-trained remote viewer (basically, a psychic spy). He’s recently divorced (“I’m not really a loving husband, but I play one in real life“), and hates that his life has become devoted to “…poking his nose around in everyone else’s shithole business….” He goes on to remember that:

“…he [Travis] and Crackers  had gone for a walk on crusty snow in a field of theirs in upstate New York. Crackers had run up ahead and gotten caught in a section of snow where brush had poked up through the crusty surface. She’d fallen through and couldn’t pull her hind legs out. She looked up to him, helpless. Travis, his heart breaking, rushed to her, lifted her out of the hole she’d made for herself, and taken her away to where the snow wouldn’t break from her weight. He knew he wouldn’t see her that next year…and hadn’t. His dad had had to put her down. Her arthritis had been far too advanced, she’d had a loss of bowel control, and there had been all her whining and groaning at night in her sleep. It was too much even for his father, a tough upstate New York State Trooper. Crackers had had one last summer before she’d met her Maker.”

Except for the remote viewer and NYS Trooper part, that’s all real, pulled from my life. I can still see that helpless, pathetic look on our now-long-gone-girl’s face, as she’d gotten stuck in that encrusted snow. It was heartbreaking. It was also the last time I’d seen her (I had to have still been in college and must’ve been home on a Christmas break). She’d been hit several times by cars, over the course of her life, so arthritis had set in. My Dad had to listen to her whine in pain at night. He gave her one last summer, then did the only humane thing he could.

So, to Crackers, I thought, I wanted to somehow immortalize her. She was a good dog and I love her part in this novel, however small. It always puts a smile on my face reading her scenes.

The Unmaking of a Psychic….

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I am back at work hot and heavy in my next novel-for-release, and as I’ve previously alluded, it’s givin’ me a run for my money!

The novel is currently titled Psychic. It’s a follow on to Sleepwalkers (reviewed here, by Marc Schuster, a truly fabulous writer! Catch his novel, The Grievers, and his other work), and details the origins to The Man With No Name (or, “MWNN,” as I call him). It’s more action/adventure than Sleepwalkers, all conspiracy theory, and gritty. Yeah, there’s nasty stuff in it, but when you’re dealing with government conspiracies, it ain’t no ride in the park…unless someone gets offed…and many get offed in this book. I’m billing it as “the ultimate conspiracy,” and you’ll just have to read it to see why. Can such things happen? Stranger things have happened…like the creation of a real government group of psychics, called remote viewers. For real. Years ago, I became aware of the program through the book, Remote Viewers: The Secret History of America’s Psychic Spies. Anyway, more on all that, later.

But, wow, my writing has really improved since I began work on Psychic, back in 2000 (and if you really wanna go back in time, I actually began the groundwork for the novel in 1994…), and that is most likely why the reworking of it has become so time consuming…because I’ve gotten better over all these years, so, I’m naturally gonna find things I can improve, and improve, and, well, rework the hell out of.

But, it’s fun.

Yes, fun!

It’s a great story, a crazy one, and I love the characters. Can’t wait to bring it out into the public…but I seriously think I have at least a couple, maybe several months of work yet to do. Several have already read it, and a couple years ago, a friend of mine, Dave Lirette, even gave me an idea I simply had to incorporate. I did, and it simply caps the entire story—I know I’ve said this to you before, Dave, but thanks a billion for that idea!

Anyway, here are some comments from a couple of people who have already read it.

“Psychic…is a page turner…full of mind-numbing worry and questions….”

Madelon Rose Logue

Editor/Publisher The Black Sheep

F. P. Dorchak, author of Sleepwalkers, has upped the game. His new novel, Psychic, is a ground-breaking, reality bending, mind expanding metaphysical mystery and action thriller that had me hooked from the very beginning. There are passages in the work that describe the nature of existence as beautifully as those in the Seth material, but are uniquely his own. I loved Sleepwalkers…Psychic blew me away.

Joyce Combs

Creator of the Seth Deck

Save The Weather Channel?

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Okay, I admit it, I do watch The Weather Channel (TWC).

There, I said it.

I usually have it on in “the background,” unless I have Pandora on, or some cool science fiction or supernatural show or movie to “set atmosphere” when I’m writing. I love Wake Up With Al for the banter and amusing repertoire between Al Roker and Stephanie Abrams. They need their own show, if you want my opinion. Have great chemistry. I’ve always been interested in the weather, certain family members across the country and I always ask about it when we talk. Maybe it makes us all feel “more there” with each other, since everyone can identify with the weather, or maybe it’s from always having been outside and active, or all the many cool and varied weather patterns and weirdness that the weather can cause and exhibit as it envelops our planet. Maybe it’s all of these things. But just this weekend I learned that DirecTV is axing TWC tonight. The first thought in my head was, hmmm…I bet TWC is asking for too much money…or at least “too much money,” according to DirecTV.

This morning I did a quick search, and sure enough, that’s the issue.

So, whether (pardon the pun) or not DirecTV is being unreasonable or TWC is being greedy, I don’t know, and am not about to delve any deeper, but the claims I’ve been hearing from TWC all weekend (the Keeptheweatherchannel campaign) about them saving lives…?

Sigh.

Okay, I can see how a weather channel can save lives, but as one article put it, TWC, stop the hyperbole!

Forty percent (that 40%!) of TWC programming are reality shows! In addition to that, I discovered a long time ago that local forecasters are far better at predicting the weather for any location I’ve traipsed through than TWC. DirecTV has also started its own weather channel, channel 361 (TWC’s is 362), called Weather Nation (the link doesn’t even really work, yet!). This may not be a good sign, but my first stop on it this morning yielded a rather long commercial. And with the recent upgrade at TWC’s studios, I’m sure TWC feels justified in their asking price, to stay more engaged and “hip” with their audience. Apparently they are still on other providers, and that’s great.

But…saving lives? That’s their campaign?

I wish TWC all the best in their fight to stay on DirecTV, I do think they’re a great service, amusing, informative, but I do not turn to them when real, life-threatening concerns affect my living space. I find this media attack an affront to my intellect. If anything, I use the local stations. Sorry, TWC, I’m just being honest, but good luck!

The Way Forward

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Graham Chapman: I think all righthtinking people in this country are sick and tired of being told that ordinary, decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired.

All: Yes, yes…

Graham Chapman: I’m certainly not! And I’m sick and tired of being told that I am.

Not Sure?: Mrs. Havoc-Jones.

Mrs. Havoc-Jones: Well, I meet a lot of people and I’m convinced that the vast majority of wrongthinking people are right.

From Monty Python, “Right-Thinking People,” at  Monty Python.net

Apologies for the lack of posts, but, wow, 2013 had been a rough year!

For one thing I had several physical issues rear their wonderful heads, some corrected, some “the new normal,” and a couple “heady” issues also joined the party, not the least of which was parting ways with my agent of five years.

But, I’ve also had some really cool stuff happen!

Like going Indie with my work and releasing two novels, The Uninvited and ERO. I also had a couple radio spots, one Internet, one traditional/local, and was interviewed on a podcast. There was and is lots of work involved in not only bringing these two works out into the public, but also over the cumulative 12 years of working, reworking, reworking, and agenting them. There are so many opinions and points of view and you-name-it out there on what one should or shouldn’t do, it makes your head spin, your stomach turn. I realized going into this that all I can do is all I can do. There is no longer (if there ever really was) one way to publish anymore. But, even now with all the Indie options, there are still all the pundits and “right-thinking people” ranting and raving about the right way to this and that. Sure, there’s some really good information out there, but what it comes down to (IMHO) is you could staple your working manuscript pages together and pass it around (replete with whatever typos and grammar issues remain unchecked), and if it strikes a chord in everyone’s soul, hits the Big News of the Day, it will become an unimaginable hit. There just is no one, right way, anymore. But, the Internet and social media gives everyone’s voice an outlet (yeah, even mine). Many will never strike the gold vein, so the rest of us must do certain things to bring our work to the people. Make it the best possible read. And most appear to imply you must do ALL of them. NOW.

Exhausting.

Me? I feel you just need to do what you can with the resources you have. Yes, it costs money and time, and there are even those out there who chide that if you can’t afford going Indie, then don’t. Defining “afford” can be time or resources, so there is some element of truth there, but even a small circle of influence on your part might be all you’re looking for, so, if so, do it. Not everyone wants to be BIG.

I’m still working on my next release, Psychic, but it’s been like slogging through a swamp. It’s like I’m a totally different person each time I go through the thing: How the hell didn’t I see that before?! Yes, I’ve had a freelancer go through it before, but, still…I’m changing turns of phrase, word choices, you name it. I’ve also had to change the structure some, since it involves an alternate history with JFK (yes, the JFK) still walking the Earth, and he’d now be late into his 90s, so I had to back up the story a few years into the 1990s. It looks more like a second draft than a 12-years-later draft #356.7, but, it’s getting there.  It was tough creating the first draft, back in 2000, and it’s been a hard fight ever since. Some books are just like that, but it’s all about putting out the best product. Psychic is book two in a proposed three-book series that started with Sleepwalkers. I’m hoping to bring Psychic out sometime this year….

And…I still am looking into creating a newsletter, so, if interested, sign up at the “Newsletter” to the upper right on this page. Thanks!

So, here it is, 2014. Wishing everyone out there the very best in the coming year! Let’s all make the world a little better!

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Merry Christmas, From WestJet!

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Okay, I don’t care what your thoughts on commercialized Christmas or Xmas are, focusing on Santa or on any religious meaning, this was really cool, what the Canadian airline, WestJet, did for some of its passengers. What the people of the company did. Read the story here.

As the article says, it’s nice to know that with all the bad out there, there are still those who try to do some good.

Do I care that it “only” comes at Christmas time?

No.

I care that it happens at all.

We like to bemoan, “Why doesn’t this kind of stuff happen throughout the year,” but do we really believe that, or do we just like to complain? There are all kinds of people and companies who do this kind of thing throughout the year, at differing levels of activity. And, sure, you could complain that it’s a marketing ploy. You could.

Orrr…you could just enjoy the caring and giving spirit of the simple act in and of itself and allow yourself to be swept away by the emotion of people helping people at all. About people trying to make the world a little better at all. About people trying to brighten other people’s lives at all.

And if you still can’t find it within yourself to see the good in people or this wonderful act, then maybe you should look at your own self and outlook on life and how your actions and thoughts contribute to making the world a better place in any way.

Oh, and WestJet says that since they met and exceeded their goal of 200,000 view (they actually got over 27 million views in a week), they are also going to donate holiday flights to charity.

Merry Christmas, everybody!

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The Face Maker and Other Stories of Obsession, by Joe Ponepinto

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The Face Maker and Other Stories of Obsession (© Joe Ponepinto)
The Face Maker and Other Stories of Obsession (© Joe Ponepinto)

The cover of Joe Ponepinto’s collection of dark tales, The Face Maker and Other Stories of Obsession, not only grabbed me by the throat, but continues to throttle me every time I look to it.

Much like his stories.

The picture is a shot of a collection of WWI facial reconstruction casts and masks, created by sculptor, Anna Coleman Ladd. These masks were needed, because plastic surgery had yet come into its own. WWI relied heavily on trench warfare, so, with only the head and shoulders available as a target, it would seem to me, this was a great cause of concern for those who survived their many times traumatic injuries. Our face is our calling card, our identity. What we look at every day in the mirror, and what others look to. How we present ourselves to the world, and to have it so hideously mangled and destroyed can be more traumatic than the injury itself.  I always maintain that there is a person “built” for every type of work out there, and in this case, it causes me to well up with emotion that there were people out there who dedicated themselves to helping these damaged soldiers who returned from trench warfare in any way that they could (and still do, sadly, in today’s conflicts, as war continues to ravage our Humanity). What would you do to help someone in your circle of influence? How much would you give up for another? Our first story, “The Face Maker,” drives home this point.

But, all of Mr. Ponepinto’s stories similarly drive home their points, like shafts of steel beneath fingernails. He ventures into the darker circles of human behavior to visit upon his “Host of Unluckies” the logical conclusion to their actions. In all of them are varying degrees of obsession. Several of them might make you uncomfortable, uneasy, cause you to squirm (maybe hit a little too close to home?), but they are meant to do that. If he—or any of us—wrote about the mundane and the dull, where would be the fun in that? We need conflict…struggle. Good against Evil. No one wants to read about watching water boil…unless there’s a body in it…and that’s what these stories present. People writhing in the boiling water of their actions. There’s always plenty of time to turn off that pot before reaching 212 degrees. Plenty of time to ponder whether or not to plunge our—or another’s—hand into that water. Why is it some of us choose to do the unthinkable, the heinous? Who knows, but that many do, give Joe Ponepinto more than enough grist for his mill. I’m not going to go into each and every story…I leave that for you to discover on your own, but my favorite is definitely “The Face Maker” (though “Excerpts from the Diary of the Last Roman Emperor” was the most fascinating to me to read…). It hit me with the raw emotion of those in need…and one man’s journey to fill that need. Yes, I welled up reading it. I hate to see evil done to anyone…but to have another dedicate their life to helping those touched by evil, is truly a redemptive thing.

I also like Mr. Ponepinto’s end notes. They helped “cap” what I’d read; was a nice closure.

I love Mr. Ponepinto’s writing, the artful skill of it. I love his choice of words. How he wields them. These are not the darkest stories out there, but, like looking to roadkill, perhaps, I couldn’t look away because of the delivery of his writing. Powerful, meaty…this is what “keepin’ it real” is all about when you truck within the darker circles of human behavior. I pray none of you go there for real. You might very well end up in Mr. Ponepinto’s next tale….