Virtuous Creature

CW's "Vortexx" Premiers!

2012-08-25T23:04:00.000-04:00

The CW's new kids programming black, "Vortexx," premiered this morning. I didn't get to watch all of it, but I wasn't that impressed by the network presentation and bumpers themselves. Hopefully they'll get some stuff in there to help liven up the line-up, as well as some fresh new shows.

Of course, Power Ranger Lost Galaxy was among the line-up (since Saban Brands, who reacquired the Power Rangers franchise from Disney a few years back, had bought the CW's Saturday morning programming slot), and, having not watched it in many years, I was a little surprised how long it took to get going, with no Ranger powers at all in the first episode! But they do have some cool powers, and it will be fun to relive this FOX Kids season.

—Charles M Warren

The Golden Bird Quest, 2nd Edition!

2012-07-25T20:22:00.000-04:00

I finally revised my ebook "The Golden Bird Quest," adding a new illustration, and the original Grimm's fairy tale (in case you would like to compare the two, or relive the original adventure). If you ever got the chance to read the first edition (and few people did), I cleaned up every typo I could find (how did those get there to begin with?), tweaked/enhanced certain parts, and rewrote some of the ending.
I think it turned out great, and I encourage you to at least check out the Amazon.com preview.

It's an eBook, but you don't need a portable eReader to view it. You can download the free Amazon Kindle Application for your desktop, or laptop computer, or even smartphone! Here's the link:
Free Reading App

And here's my book:
The Golden Bird Quest

I really hope you enjoy it, and let me know what you think!

—Charles

Snow White And The Huntsman

2012-07-07T17:30:00.000-04:00

Finally went and saw "Snow White And The Huntsman," and was rather disappointed.
It was a little dark and grungy for my taste, and was a little slow to start.

However, it certainly had the most interesting and unique set of Dwarves I've ever seen!
Some of their interpretations of the original elements of the story were interesting (such as the Queen being wrapped up in a bit of a spell of her own), but, overall, I just didn't care much for it.

And the ending left more to be desired.

—Charles

The Avengers... in 3D!

2012-05-14T17:57:00.000-04:00

Saw Marvel's The Avengers in 3D today (actually my second time to see it).

I really enjoyed the movie, they really went all out in using the heroes, incorporating fights with each other, and exploiting nearly all of their characters' potential!

Two negatives though: Hawkeye spent to much time as a bad guy, and I would've liked to have seen a new villain.

As for the 3D: It was good 3D, with nearly every scene having a sense of depth to it, but (for me at least, and I'm a fan of 3D) it wasn't pop-off-the-screen amazing. (of the 3D trailers, "Frankenweenie" actually had the best 3D depth I've seen in a while)

—Charles

John Carter: Man Of Mars (2012 movie)

2012-05-03T10:25:00.001-04:00

Months ago, when I watched the TV trailers for the Disney movie "John Carter," I was only mildly amused. Until I heard that it came from a story written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the distinguished creator of Tarzan. And the more I looked into the background of the story, the more intrigued I became, realizing how much I had come across other stories and art that were directly inspired by this series (such as a story line in the Marvel X-MEN comic "Excalibur," and tons of popular fantasy art).

So I just had to see this movie before it left theaters! But things kept getting in the way, until one week ago from today, when I finally got to see it with some family and friends, turning out to be the very last day it was in theaters! (at least in my area)

And I really enjoyed! Unsure of why it wasn't more successful. (During its 7 week run, it made about 75 million domestically, and 200 million internationally, totaling 275 million in ticket sales for a movie that I've heard cost closer to 300 million to make). The story, CG characters, and alien society weirdness were especially fantastic to me!

But it wasn't without its flaws. I thought, after a brief glimpse of what was going on among the martian people, they took too long to get John Carter there (I would have cut out much of his antics with those military officers). And once he did get there, his adjustment to the red planet's lighter gravity was... a bit awkward. Yet, perhaps the most damaging shortcoming, was how some of the sets – only early on in the movie, really – had a very cheap, B-movie look to them.

But overall, I really enjoyed the movie, and highly recommend it for Sci-Fi fans! The Video comes out June 5th.

–Charles M Warren

Eve's Dairy

2012-05-01T21:43:00.000-04:00

Thanks to a Who Wants To Be A Millionaire question, I heard about this lovely little Mark Twain short-story titled "Eve's Diary." And though every detail of the first woman may not be entirely accurate, it is a wonderful little story, filled with fantastic pen & ink illustrations!

You can download it as a free ebook from Google! Here's a link: Eve's Diary

Some time after Mark Twain wrote Eve's Diary, he wrote one for Adam too, mostly focusing on their first child. But I didn't enjoy it nearly as much. It tries too hard at being humorous, and just doesn't have the same charm.

But here's a link to the free ebook if you want to check it out anyway: Adam's Diary

I'm back!

2012-05-01T21:32:00.004-04:00

Sometimes, life just gets away from you...

To much more activity in 2012!

2011-12-31T23:51:00.002-05:00

I know I need to be on here more often, and hope to post things of interest regularly in 2012!

Yes, I'm Still Here

2011-08-31T20:54:00.000-04:00

I should probably post more here, but I'm still trying to get a good schedule down.

I'm getting ready to self publish a revised version of my Golden Bird Quest story, with a picture for every sub-chapter! So watch out for that.

–Charles

I've Finally Sent Off My Query Letter!!!

2011-07-31T19:12:00.000-04:00

Having (practically) finished my first Fantasy Novel (is it ever really complete?), I've finally got my first Query Letter out to get an Agent to get it Published.
Pretty exciting, so I'll let you know when I hear back!

–Charles

I Have A Blog?!?!

2011-07-31T19:09:00.000-04:00

Oh yeah... I have a blog... that no one really reads...
So, yeah, I haven't posted in a while. I hope no one was getting into that Sci-Fi story, because I just wasn't feeling it. It wasn't really going to turn out that great anyway. In case you may not have noticed, it was a take on Beauty & the Beast.
Anyway, I hope to post more often, and we'll see where this goes.

–Charles

Part 2 Of My New Sci-Fi Story:

2011-06-20T23:59:00.000-04:00

(Continued from last story post)

The merchant’s ship slowly drifted down the docking structure, until the whole ship was jolted by a bang, and the sound of rushing air rang out as the airlock was secured.

“Now let’s just hope these are friendly fellows.”

Opening the space hatch, Marcel got his first look at the interior of the station. Though the age of the technology showed in the halls of the station, they were obviously of the best money could buy.

The merchant stepped out into the dark hallway, and made his way toward the middle of the station, looking around for any sign of the crew, yet finding no one.

He turned to the right at the next hallway, then left, coming across an empty control room.

“Is this station on some sort of auto-pilot?” he wondered.

Continuing to make his way toward the vessel’s middle, he found a sort of conference room, with a holographic map of the nearest solar system rotating over a large table.

“What if they’re trapped in another section of the station?” he wondered, sitting himself down at a computer panel, and checking the space station’s schematics. “No sealed hatches within the station... Odd.”

He turned around to the solar hologram, watching as it slowly turned round and round, until he couldn’t help but fall asleep.

Some hours later, when he awoke, he found a tray of crackers and fresh fruit sitting on the table.

“What’s this?” he asked, glancing across the room to see if anyone was there. But he was still all by himself. “Robots, perhaps? And where could such fresh fruit have come from?”

Thankfully eating the food set before him, Marcel hoped to see his gracious host before he had finished, but no one ever appeared.

“Looks like the solar storm has passed. So better get going.” Then, looking up at the ceiling, he said “Thank you, kind people, whomever you might be.”

And he stepped out of the conference room, and made his way back to his ship.

But her took a wrong turn somewhere, and ended up in front of a round door that read “Botanical Sphere.”

“So this is where that fruit came from!”

He quickly pushed the button to open the door, watching as a jungle of exotic alien plants appeared before. Stepping into this garden, he couldn’t believe all the strange plants he was seeing. There were small trees with furry pods dangling from their branches, vines that ran up a metal wall, with purple-tipped leaves that seemed to sway on their own, and in the distance, and flower that produced it’s own reddish light.

Marcel quickly made his way for this last plant, reminded of his children, to whom he had hoped to be bring back extravagant gifts. But he still hadn’t been able to get word to them that his partners had taken it all for themselves.

Of his three daughters, the two oldest asked for expensive new suits and gadgets, but his youngest, who at first said that there was nothing that she needed, finally requested a star rose. At least he would be able to bring that back.

So he carefully reached out, and plucked one of the luminous flowers. But no sooner had he done so, that a great big animal came charging at him from another part of the garden!

Among its hairy body, the creature’s face was long like a horse, having a nose that hung down over its chin, with tusks that jutted from its mouth, horns that spiraled of its head, and large ridged ears standing straight back from its head.

Its long front arms touched the ground like a gorilla, ending in enormous curved claws that curled down under its fist. While its back legs were long and thin, followed by a grasping tail.

The creature ran up to the merchant, causing the man to fall to the ground. When the animal spoke:

“What is this you have done?! I try to show kindness to you by letting you into me space station, and giving you my food, and this is the thanks I get?!”

“I-I’m so sorry, kind sir.” replied Marcel. “I-I didn’t know.” he stammered, glancing at the flower in his hand. “It was for my daughter.”

“Daughter?” asked the creature. “Then what business brings you by my home?”

Marcel swallows hard, then explains “My family used to be quite wealthy, until I lost what I believed were all my trading ships, only to hear that one survived, and came in late. But by the time I got here, my partners had divided the profits amongst themselves, leaving nothing for me or my family. Please sir, I have three sons and three daughters, I only wish to be able to get back home to them.”

“And why was this flower to be a gift for your daughter?” the creature asked.

“She is my youngest, and instead of anything expensive, she merely wanted one of these star roses. But I do apologize, I was foolish in thinking you wouldn’t miss it.”

“Well I cannot just let you go. You must pay for that flower by working here on the station.”

“But kind sir–” Marcel pleaded.

“You were the one who stole it, and so you shall pay. But this daughter of yours, I should like to meet here. Go, say goodbye to your family, and if your youngest daughter is willing to come on her own, and only then, I want you to bring her to me. Instead of a worker, she shall be my honored guest.”

“But–”

“Those are my conditions!” snapped the creature. “You will take my star cruiser. It is programmed to return here in one month’s time. If you daughter will not come, return here alone, or I will come and fetch you myself!”

The merchant nervously nodded. “If that is what you will, sir.” scrambling to his feet, and heading for the door.

“Wait!” roared the creature.

Marcel turned around to see the star rose held out to him.

Giving the flower to the merchant, the creature said “You plucked it from its vine, the least you could do is give it to the one who requested it.”

–Charles M Warren

Monday is part of the weekend... right?

2011-06-19T23:41:00.000-04:00

Once again, my sincerest apologies. Not only was I busy with Father's Day (Happy Father's Day, Dad!), but I've come down with some minor virus. So, in order to provide you the best story possible, I'll be posting it Monday.

– Charles M Warren

New Posts Coming...

2011-06-16T11:47:00.000-04:00

   Just not today.

   Sorry, I know I'm overdue for an update, but things are hectic, and I'm trying to get my Query Letter for a Writing Agent out.

   Look for a double update by the weekend!

–Charles

The First Post Of My New Sci-Fi Story:

2011-06-07T23:54:00.001-04:00

Chapter One: The Forbidden Space Station

“Freighter Star-Reaper! Shipment 090071!” yelled a middle-aged, chubby man, across a dark, crowded room, to man at a table that seemed to be directing the people around him.

The chubby man pushed through the throng of people, and caught the eyes of the man at the table, repeating his information. “Freighter Star-Reaper. Shipment 090071.”

The man typed the data in a rectangle of illuminated glass that he held in his hand, and looked over to his left, pointing at a man sitting at the edge of the room.

“Thank you kindly.” replied the chubby man, before making his way toward the other man.

Walking up to him, the chubby man asked “Just where have you been?” and sat down across from him, “I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”

The man looked up, “Marcel?” he asked, sitting up to speak with him. “We thought you was dead!”

“I am indeed alive.” the chubby Marcel replied, “But where are the others? And what became of our shipment?”

At this the man lowered his eyes to the floor. “Oh, right. This isn’t good then.”

“What is it? It did come in, didn’t it? Don’t tell me the first report was correct after all!”

The man took a deep breath. “Oh, it came alright.” And he looked up at his chubby friend. “But, but we thought you was dead.”

Marcel lowered his brow. “What are you saying? Did the buyer pull through?”

“Yeah.” he replied. “But we already divided the payment.”

“Then where’s my share?” Marcel asked. “That was my last ship! My family was relying on this shipment going through!”

The other man just shook his head. “I’m sorry Marcel. Truly I am. I’ve already spent all of mine, and the others are all new jobs. There’s just nothing left.”

Marcel’s lips quivered, as his brow lowered in anger. “You bunch of good for nothings!” And he got up and stormed off.

He made his way down the metal corridors, until he reached the vehicle garage, and had to go down a long transparent tube to enter his vessel, with other starships coming and going.

It was an old model, Marcel’s starship, a clunky hauler in its own right. He took hold of the controls, and eased the ship forward, and out of the garage, merely shaking his head at the disappointment he had found, as the large space port stretched out in the background.

For the next several hours, he drove at a speed that seemed to cut through space like a beam of light, when a solar storm came blasting across his starship.

He fiddled with his control console, concerned that the storm was messing with his flight instruments, until he was knocked out of his hyper flight, slowing down to a snail’s pace in a desert of stars and asteroids.

“This is not good.” he noted, tapping on one of the gauges. “And it looks like it’s getting worst.”

He glanced up at the window, then back again, noticing a speck of light not too far away.

“What the heck?” he asked, turning to another monitor of the ship. “Why, that’s a space station! A small one, but it probably has sufficient shields and supplies for me to ride out this storm!”

So the chubby man was able to get the thrusters up enough to get over to the station, pressing a button on his console as he said “Unknown space station, this is Rose-Red 32, requesting permission to dock with you until the solar storm subsides.”

But there was no immediate answer, as what felt like minute after minute rolled past, until a row of lights on a branch sticking out the front of the station began to glow, directing the way in which to dock.

(Chapter One... To be continued)

–Charles M Warren

New Sci-Fi Blog Coming...

2011-06-06T23:00:00.001-04:00

Tuesday night, June 7th, I'll be posting the first chapter in a new fantasy blog, based after a familiar tale.

Check back Tuesday night! (6/7/11)

–Charles M Warren

New Sci-Fi Blog!

2011-05-13T15:57:00.002-04:00

Coming soon... my new Science Fiction blog!

–Charles M Warren

It's my Birthday!

2011-04-20T18:51:00.000-04:00

Just thought I'd post on my Birthday...

The Golden Bird Quest continues in my other Blog

2011-03-31T11:55:00.000-04:00

I've created a new Blog for "The Golden Bird Quest," so check it out here:

http://thegoldenbirdquest.blogspot.com/

I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter One, Part One:

2011-03-30T19:46:00.000-04:00

"The Golden Apple Thief"

I had a dream last night...

I found myself under the full moon of a cloudless, starry night, in the middle of a grand and elegant garden of a great king.

All around me were a collection of wonderfully extravagant plants: strange animal topiaries of beasts I had never seen, flowering bushes from distant lands, and fruit trees of every kind and color. All protected by a towering stone wall, encircling both the garden and the king’s castle itself.

Among these beautiful trees, there was one that bore apples as golden as the sun, with skins that even shimmered in the moonlight. And standing beside this tree, was a young man in expensive clothes, with a bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver across his shoulder.

Staring up at the golden fruit, he asked “Why does my father doubt me so? For the past two nights my older brothers had their watch, yet two more apples were stolen!” And he raised his bow to aim at the garden wall in the distance. “Well the spoils shall end with three.” and he let the arrow fly, watching it as it deflected off a stone of the wall. “I will sooner die in the struggle than succumb to sleep such as they!”

The prince, for that’s surely what he was, must have paced around the golden apple tree for hours, waiting for the thief to appear, but never heard as much as a dog barking in the distance.

Beginning to grow weary, he approached a low-hanging branch of the tree, and reached out to cradle one of the fruits in his hand.

“Who wouldn’t want you.” he noted. “It’s no wonder father goes as far as to have you counted everyday, with the magic properties you’re said to possess.”

And as the prince looked at the apple, studying the reflection of the moon through its skin, something rose up into the sky behind him.

Turning around, he saw a large golden bird, resembling a pheasant, but as large as an eagle, with a long trailing tail and a crest that curled off the back of its head. The prince, stunned with awe, watched as the bird silently flew over him, seemingly unaware of the boy’s presence, and gently landed in the branches of the tree.

The golden bird turned its head around, as the moonlight shimmered across its body, and preened several of the glittering feathers on its back. Then, looking at one of the apples hanging beside it, the creature carefully used its beak to pluck off one of the apples.

The Prince was still lost in wonderment as he stared up at the bird, watching as it stood up on the branch, and began to spread its wings, before he finally realized that it was about to get away with one of the apples.

Quickly, he drew an arrow from his quiver, and raised up his bow, steadying his aim as the bird lifted itself into the air. He let the arrow fly, and it shot up behind the fowl, missing its body, but striking one of its feathers, sending the golden shaft floating down toward the ground.

Catching the feather in the air, the prince didn’t bother to draw another arrow, but watched as the bird flew across the night sky to the north. “Father has to think more of me now. Not only have I seen the thief, but I have a token of his identity, and proof of the splendor that lies behind it.”

The Golden Bird Quest: The Taking Of The Golden Apples

2011-03-30T19:43:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my Fantasy Blog, where I'll be dreaming up my own versions of epic fairy tales!

"The Golden Bird Quest"

Chapter One: The Taking Of The Golden Apples