If you could choose the major virtues of society, what would they be?

Hi all.

I just read a book called Eve of Eridu. In it, a society is based on six virtues, which guide rules that have saved a portion of humanity after dark times caused by a Third World War. These rules include restrictions on feeling emotions. The book is the first in a series by Alanah Andrews and is a somewhat dark thought experiment considering the lengths people go to survive and how people can be conditioned into believing a particular way of existence. I’m a naturally emotional person and I found the book a challenge at times. I’m interested in the sequel that’s coming out this year.

Back to those virtues. I’m curious as to what six virtues you’d base your ideal society on. I found reducing the number to six quite challenging. I could only whittle mine down to nine and I’m not entirely satisfied.

• Authenticity [Edited to add]
• Compassion
• Assertiveness
• Self-determination (& self worth)
• Creativity
• Generosity
• Whole intelligence (EQ & IQ)
• Healthy individual spiritualism
• Equitable justice & care for all people

What are yours?

The Fox and Fool – my friend’s new book!

My friend is an author. She’s got a new book out. I beta-read it a while back…so I’ve got a quote on the back cover! It’s a fun little read. Go buy it! Details below. 

I’m happy for you, Lauren… great work! 

______________________________________

From Lauren: 

I’m delighted to present my latest book, The Fox and the Fool! 

From today, it’s available from Amazon UK, Amazon US, Barnes & Noble, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords and iBooks.

Official press release: 

This refreshing new novella from from Lauren K. Nixon celebrates love and friendship from the very edge of things. Sometimes in Illyria you find yourself in need of a friend, particularly among fools.

A gentle, strange romance between two people who spend their lives on the edge of things, set after the events of Twelfth Night. 

Things have settled quite amicably since the marriages of the two great houses of the town. But now there’s a new fool on the scene – and we are all fools in love.

“The Fox and the Fool is a delightfully romantic tale that sweeps you up in an instant and doesn’t let you down until you’ve savoured every last drop. Perfect for fans of Shakespeare, it will also appeal to anyone looking for an enchanting, uplifting read about love and life.” – Jessica Grace Coleman

“A light-hearted tale of fun, mischief and music – a story about the importance of friendship and brave vulnerability, all wrapped up in the setting of a Shakespearean town.” – Clare Keogh

Further information can be found on my website, http://www.laurenknixon.com/books

WT&TT: Scalzi’s Thoughts on Utopias

See this link. Last week, John Scalzi (sci-fi author) had his annual “Reader Request Week”, where people send in questions they’d like to hear him answer. He then answers these. 

I’m sharing this one because I find the idea of utopia interesting to explore…in part because it seems so challenging to do, given the amount of times that a supposed utopia turns out to be a dystopia instead. Obviously I need to get my hands on the series referenced here – “The Culture”, by Iain M. Banks. Hmm. 

WT&TT: The New Relevance of the Fantasy Novel (Reblog)

Excellent thoughts from author Betsy Dornbusch, coming to you via a guest post on Chuck Wendig’s blog.

http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2017/02/24/betsy-dornbusch-the-new-relevance-of-the-fantasy-novel/

“BETSY DORNBUSCH: THE NEW RELEVANCE OF THE FANTASY NOVEL

These are weird days for the country — hell, the world — and I think as writers it behooves us to look at our place and what our work means or can mean in the context of this changing landscape. Betsy had some thoughts in that direction, so here she is to talk about it:

* * *

A few years ago I wrote a book called The Silver Scar. I’ve been joking since it sold if He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named got elected, at least Alt-America would be awesome publicity for my future thriller featuring a pagan eco-terrorist and a Christian soldier trying to stop a crusade in a balkanized United States run by martial neo-Christian Churches. Alas, Scar doesn’t come out until 2018, so it’ll have to wait for its big promotional moment in the sun, which at the rate the EPA plans to roll back its regulations might be burning much hotter by then.

But I have another book out February 21, the conclusion to my Seven Eyes trilogy, called Enemy. It’s about this chronically depressed prince who suffers a coup by an upstart, spoiled lord and then has to find his missing queen, figure out how to live with magic that blinds him, and fight a foreign invasion. Cheerful stuff, right?”

Read mmore by clicking on the link above.

WT&TT: Five Things: When You Break Your Story

Interesting blog post linked below.

I’ll be frank with you all: I’m not working on my story at the moment. I just haven’t got the time or mental energy to do it. After all, I’m focusing on 3rd Year Masters at uni full-time, plus a few other extra-curricular projects. I fit in a social life around it and around my casual job. It’s a wonder I’m able to keep blogging! (Scheduling helps a lot with that.)

I still like doing WT&TT though. So I’ll keep doing it, as much as possible.

Source: Five Things: When You Break Your Story

WT&TT: Girl Hate in Fiction and Real Life

Some very good points made here.

https://strokingfire.wordpress.com/2017/02/16/dealing-with-girl-hate-in-literature-and-real-life/

WT&TT: Five Things: Music to Write By

WordWitch makes a good point here. I tend to use music as a buffer. I’ve started putting on my “soundtracks” playlist when I’m in a “get-stuff-done” mood, at least for uni things. Last year I used a miscellaneous playlist that included most of my music choices, but when you’ve got earphones in your ears (instead of listening via speakers) it’s a bit different.

These WT&TT posts will continue, but I have to admit I’m stalled at the moment, writing-wise. I just have too many other demands on my time.

Source: Five Things: Music to Write By

WT&TT: Why Have Female Action Stars Lost Their Muscles?

Very true.

 

Why is that whilst male action stars have only gotten bigger and stronger looking since the 1980s, the female ones seem to have gotten slimmer and weaker looking?

Source: Why Have Female Action Stars Lost Their Muscles?

Five Things: Illness, Injury, and Medicine

This is a very good point. I need to think about it for my futuristic world of Lily’s story.

Blessed be, all! Next week will be our final check-in for the month, but tonight’s topic comes from my favorite and most diligent research bug: my wife. She’s been up to her eyeballs in…

Source: Five Things: Illness, Injury, and Medicine

WT&TT: Writing Feminine Horror (reblogged)

Personally, I don’t “do” horror very well. But it’s still interesting to hear how feminine horror is a subgenre and how there’s a new game out that the writer of the piece has put a lot of effort into helping create….

http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2016/11/03/whitney-beltran-five-things-i-learned-about-feminine-horror/