Category: Blog Series Page 93 of 220

Literary Locals logo
Devri Walls is (as far as I know) the first author I featured on this blog from around here. She’s participated in two previous Q&A’s with me over the years (this and this), and is a great person to work with (and, as far as I know, all around good person). She was the first author I thought of talking to for this series and am so glad to kick things off with this chat from her. Be sure to click the link to her page and check out her books. (hopefully, after you read the rest of this).

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
My name is Devri Walls and I write all things fantasy! I love writing large worlds that are easy to follow, character driven and well paced. If you’d like to connect you can find links to all my work and social media on devriwalls.com. And if you’re looking for help with where to start, my suggestion would be book one of the Venators series, Magic Unleashed.
(far be it from me to contradict our guest here, but you shouldn’t overlook The Wizard’s Heir, either)

Are you a native Idahoan? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I am native, yes. I was born and raised in the middle of nowhere between Kuna and Melba (Editor’s Note: for those of you from out of the state, that’s the middle of nowhere now. It was even more so when she was raised there. And even more nowhere-y when I grew up near there), graduated from Kuna High and swore I would never live here. HA! The irony. I have actually grown to love this state as I’ve aged and while I’m not sure if I’ll retire here, it’s a beautiful area with a lovely atmosphere. The more I travel to do signings the more I appreciate this state I call home.

Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
I always dread this question. I am not tied to the local author groups or culture. Why not? Well…I am a put my head down and do the work kinda gal. I don’t actually enjoy sitting around talking about it. That being said, I do have many author friends that are scattered across the U.S and are very near and dear to me. Friends I can absolutely call during those dreaded author breakdown moments that plague us all. Being an author is a bizarre “island life” and it’s so important to make sure you find “your people” in this world.

That’s a lot of dread in one answer 🙂 Have you tried and found that local groups aren’t for you, or did you just not have a need to seek one out?
I’ve never felt the need to participate in writer’s groups, but for those of you who are looking for the comradely of a writers group I would offer a couple pieces of advice.

Writers groups are the most beneficial when it motivates you to get that next chapter done. It’s like a gym partner except with a bunch of people who think sitting around and talking about people and places that don’t exist is super cool.

While it’s imperative that you learn to listen to critique, pulling in seven different “opinions” on your rough draft is not the greatest environment to learn how to do that. While I realize that this may not be feasible for everyone I highly, highly recommend that you look into hiring either a professional writing coach or editor. One experienced editor and/or coach on your side will do more for your writing than two years of a creative writing program.

What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
I haven’t found events locally that I have that “I can’t miss this” feeling around. If I’m going to spend the money and take the time to attend events, I want it to deliver on what it promises. If it’s to sell or promote myself I need it to have enough attendance to do so. If it’s educational I need true industry professionals teaching. For me, Comic Cons have been great for reaching large masses of people. For education I’ve been most impressed with LTUE in Utah. They have such an incredible range of classes and teachers.

That makes a lot of sense, and points to something I wondered about—do local events bring in the sales? Have you spent much time thinking about that and ways that could be improved, or with your wider audience-base, is that something you haven’t found a need to do?
This is such a hard question. There are several problems at work here. One is just local culture, some places are literally “cheaper” than others. This area can be a little cheap. I teach voice lessons as well and my prices would be considered obscenely low in other areas but it’s what this area will support. A woman did try to start a conference here (for several years) and couldn’t get people to pay for the tickets! She had to give most of them away.

The conferences that do really well have at least one “big name” they’ve pulled in to justify the ticket price and to encourage people to travel into the area to attend. That of course becomes the “what comes first” scenario because you need the money to pay for the bigger name but you need the bigger name to get the money.
I hear you—most people here would consider that “cheapness” a feature of this Valley, not a bug. I can only imagine how difficult it would be to build something like that.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
I would say my audience is spread out due to the number of events and signings I’ve done around the country. That being said, my books have had a really good run in local libraries and have had such beautiful support from Rediscovered Books in Boise that I do think it’s created a localized pocket of fans.

Do you bring Idaho (or some sort of Idaho-sensibility, assuming one exists) to your work? Whether or not anyone else sees it, can you look at some aspect of your writing and think “That’s Idaho” or “I would do ____ differently if I was a Kentuckian or from Illinois?”
I think the author’s heart and soul comes through in whatever they’re writing so my upbringing certainly colors everything—whether I intend to or not. Now, do I think someone will read my fantasy and think, that girl’s from Idaho! Probably not. That being said, you can very much see repeating landscapes in my work that is very much Boise and its surrounding forest.

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
My problem is when I read fiction I want to ESCAPE. And reading anything that is “local” to me does not feel like an escape. It feels like life. Which I have quite a lot of, thank you very much. That being said, I have read one book that is set locally. The How and The Why by Cynthia Hand. It’s told between the two storylines of a mother giving her daughter up for adoption and that same daughter growing up and asking questions about her adoption. It’s a great book and a perfectly accurate representation of the Boise area.

Thanks for your time and participation (and patience)! Hope you enjoyed it!

Literary Locals logo

Book Blogger Hop: Favorite Reading Nook

By HCNewton

On December 12, 2022

In Book Blogger Hop, Books, News/Misc.

This prompt was submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer:

Do you have a favorite reading nook?

I can—and do—read anywhere: in a house, with a mouse, in a (or on a) box, with a fox, in a car, in a (or under a) tree, on a train (theoretically, never been), in the dark, in the rain (assuming I have some sort of cover—can’t let the pages get wet), with a goat, but definitely not in a boat (I get seasick quicker than Toby Daye gets new clothes blood-stained.

But lately, I tend to do most of my reading in my recliner—where you have to sit juuuust right, so the broken spring doesn’t dig into your back. If you do that, it’s about the most comfortable chair around. That can be dangerous when I’m a bit drowsy, but that spring can serve a useful purpose.

This question, made me think of a post from a few years ago, and since I’m too sick to come up with more than 2.5 paragraphs today, I figured I’d copy and paste it here. It seems sort of appropriate.

Where the Magic Happens…or something

Three years ago when I switched to a day job, my reading habits had to change—among other things. It took almost no time at all to realize that reading in the break room just wasn’t going to work—it was too loud, there were too many things going on, you couldn’t sit by yourself, really. And then there were all these nice people wanting to talk.

Actually, people, in general, being around was something to get used to, but that’s another story.

Then I realized that there were perfectly good stairs a lot closer to my workspace than the break room was. So I started hanging out there and reading—sometimes, sitting on the stairs, other times leaning against the railing—it’s at a decent height for that. Nowadays, that’s where 40-60% of my weekday reading happens while on break.

It’s not perfectly quiet, but it’s close enough. Except when the flautist practices every couple of months. There are people who pass through—and some of them talk to me, but the conversations are short—because they’re on their way to somewhere else. Sometimes it’s just a “hi,” and occasionally I workshop ideas for posts here when someone asks about what I’m reading. I’ve even been given a couple of good recommendations.

Now, the keen-eyed among you might have noticed a couple of post-its on the wall (circled below).

So, for a couple of years, people would joke about putting up a sign where I read with my name on it or something (more than one person has suggested getting me a chair). But last December, I moved to a different floor, and within a month, someone had put up the larger post-it reading “[H. C.]’s Reading Spot.” This would be in the larger circle.

A couple of weeks later, that person asked if I liked my sign. I had to confess that I had no clue what she was talking about and apologized profusely. Who pays attention to the walls along the stairs? Especially when you’re not climbing the stairs, but are focused on the book/eReader in your hand. So when I went out for my next break, I went looking for it—and she’d added another post-it (the smaller one), “<– This is the sign.”

Very helpful.

So, yeah, that’s where I read and recharge from all the interaction with people so I have enough energy to get back to work and interact with more people.

Sure, it’s not as snazzy as some of the reading nooks you see on Instagram, Bookstr, etc. It could be more comfortable, that’s for sure. But I’ve gotta say, when the book is halfway decent, I don’t notice. That’s where the magic happens.

What about you—do you have a particular space that’s best to read in?

Saturday Miscellany—12/10/2022

By HCNewton

On December 10, 2022

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

It’s that magical time of the year…the Goodreads Choice Award Winners have been named and everyone is griping about it. Haven’t read any of the winners, but this year’s crop looks better than the last few, IMHO.

Running late today, so that’s all the introduction you get (I can hear the cheers now). On with the links!
Odds ‘n ends about books and reading that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
bullet ‘I want to savour every word’: the joy of reading slowly—Sounds great. I honestly don’t think I’m physically capable of it.
bullet I’m sure most of you saw this tweet where a disappointed author vented about the small showing at a reading and then got all sorts of encouragement from all sorts of authors—it’s a great thread and then it got picked up a whole lot of news outlets (like NPR).
bullet Now You Too Can Bake Like Emily Dickinson This Holiday Season—I’m not sure why anyone would want to, but…
bullet The gift that actually does keep on giving.
bullet How Edgar Allan Poe Reinvented American Literature – and Science Writing
bullet Don’t Kill the Dog—an author reflects on that cardinal rule
bullet 10 of the Best Gifts for Book Enthusiasts (That Aren’t Books)
bullet #R3COMM3ND3D2022 The After Show Party #BookBlogger—a quick recap and look back at this great series
bullet It’s December, which means it’s time for Best Of lists…where people tell you about all the books that you heard great things about but didn’t get around to:
bullet Tor.com Reviewers’ Choice: The Best Books of 2022
bullet The Best Crime Novels of the Year: 2022 from CrimeReads
bullet My Top 10 Reads of 2022! from Out of This World SFF
bullet Everything Counts As Reading
bullet I Like Big Books and I Cannot Lie: Six Alternative Uses for Shelf Bending Novels—Paul Goat Allen has some great tips
bullet Here’s how I view negative reviews
bullet Quotables: Words that Stuck with Me in 2022—Witty & Sarcastic Book Blogs shares great lines from this year’s reading

A Book-ish Related Podcast episode (or two) you might want to give a listen to:
bullet Blood Brothers Podcast Episode 114 with Andrew Child—this great conversation makes me wish I liked his contributions to the Reacher canon more.

This Week’s New Releases that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon (and one from last week I thoughtlessly overlooked):
bullet The Hero Interviews by Andi Ewington—a comic collection of interviews with various Fantasy heroes that looks like a lot of fun. Check out this here review for a better (and informed) take on it.
bullet Bodacious Creed and the San Francisco Syndicate by Jonathan Fesmire—the third installment in this Steampunk/Western/Zombie Adventure series is out and looks like a good ‘un
bullet My Darkest Prayer by S.A. Cosby—Cosby’s first book has been reissued and I’m kicking myself for not hunting it down after Blacktop Wasteland.
bullet Gone edited by Stephen J. Golds—30 pieces of short crime fiction from a great-looking lineup of writers
bullet The Perception Of Dolls: The Fantoccini Street Reports by Anthony Croix, edited by Russell Day—I’m not even going to try to summarize this. Just click the link. It’s Russell Day and Fahrenheit Press, ’nuff said.
bullet Grit, Black, Blood by Ashley Erwin—another one I don’t think I can summarize in a sentence or two (without reading, anyway).

The Friday 56 for 12/9/22: Radio Radio by Ian Shane

By HCNewton

On December 9, 2022

In Currently Reading, News/Misc., Quotations, The Friday 56

This is a weekly bloghop hosted by Freda’s Voice.

RULES:
The Friday 56 Grab a book, any book.
Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay.
Find a snippet, short and sweet.
Post it.

from Page 56 of:
Radio Radio

Radio Radio by Ian Shane

He picks up the box to indicate that his ten years at this company could barely fill a cardboard box. “My last bit of advice that you’re going to ignore is to not give these bastards a reason.”

This is the best bit of advice he’s given me. It doesn’t sound so stupid when it comes from someone who’s not in an authoritative position. “Yeah,” I say softly. “Thanks.”

Tony makes his move to the door. “Hey, Tony,” I say, stopping him at the threshold.

“Yeah.”

“I’m gonna miss you, man.” Tony chuckles a bit. “No, you won’t.” He smiles at my seemingly transparent attempt at comfort. “But thanks for saying so.”

I walk to the doorframe to watch him walk away from the station for the last time. I felt a subtle sense of loss as I saw him turn the corner. It’s the sort of loss an FBI agent might feel after putting away a mob boss that was the subject of a three-year probe. He was a worthy adversary. We were like Eliot Ness and Al Capone, Dr. Richard Kimble and the one-armed man, Batman and The Joker.

LITERARY LOCALS: Introducing a New Series of Posts About Writing in Idaho and Books Created Here

By HCNewton

On December 8, 2022

In Literary Locals, News/Misc.

Literary Locals
Idaho is not known for being home to many authors—we’ve produced Carol Ryrie Brink and Marilynne Summers Robinson (although both moved away), and Anthony Doerr resides here. But really, our greatest claim to literary fame is that Hemingway shot himself here.

This is a shame in many ways.

Now, I do know that Idaho has a good number of independent authors toiling away—either self-publishing or putting out their work through independent presses. And it occurred to me this summer, that I’ve done a lousy job of promoting them. I’ve blogged about the books of Devri Walls, J.C. Jackson, and Jeremy Billups, but that’s pretty much it. But I knew there are others out there.

Sure, my talking about their works isn’t going to turn them into best sellers or anything, but every little bit helps, right?

So, I started working on a little project that I’ve decided to call Literary Locals. I’ll be reading and posting about works from local authors I spot (and the works that I think I’ll like), I’ll be spotlighting some titles, and doing some Q&As with these authors—both about their own works and being a writer in Idaho. I’ve got a few authors who’ve graciously agreed to take part in this, and I think it’ll be fun.

Before I realized that I should attach a label to this project, I started with Danielle Higley, the author of The Stories Behind the Stories: The Remarkable True Tales Behind Your Favorite Kid’s Books, posting about her book and the first of the two Q&As I hope to do with her.

Then I did something that really shows I didn’t think much before proceeding, and sent Q&As to a bunch of independent authors less than a week before November. Also known to many as NaNoWriMo. “Hey, would you interrupt the big time-consuming event that you’ve been gearing up for to spend some time on my project?” is really not a great move. Thankfully, I’ve gotten some responses and I’m going to be able to really get things underway next week.

So stay tuned and get to know some of the people in my neighborhood.

I should add that if any Idaho writer stumbles across this post and wants to get in on the action, let me know! The more, the merrier!

My Brain Trust (wife and kids) put some work into this series, too, and I’d like to thank them. But really, we could’ve saved our effort and turned to my friends. After we’d struck out at a logo, I asked Micah Burke if he would help us brainstorm some ideas—instead, he produced a handful of images that led to the above logo. I’m telling you, every blogger needs a friend like him—or better, should hire him. And then Jodie from Witty and Sarcastic Book Club spent 10 minutes thinking before coming up with a much better series title than we had after three months of bouncing ideas off of each other. The day before a hurricane made landfall in her home state—again, my gift of bad timing shines forth.

Book Blogger Hop: Rereading Before Reading a Sequel

By HCNewton

On December 7, 2022

In Book Blogger Hop, Books, News/Misc.

Book Blogger Hop

This prompt was submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer:

Do you go back and reread the previous book before starting the sequel?

In my pre-book blogger days, yes. Almost 100% of the time—or if it was part of a multi-book ARC, I’d read everything leading up to it. Sure, that led to some imbalance—I’d know the beginning of a trilogy really well, the middle part so-so, and then the third would just get one reading (unless I got the hankering to read the whole thing in one bite).

It really helped to get some minor details refreshed, remember the character names (especially in bigger fantasy tomes), and just “prime” my mind in general for what was coming. Also, I clearly enjoyed the previous book—that’s why I was coming back for the next, and it worked as an excuse to revisit the series/author.

But that really went away once I really got into blogging, and I’d have a hard time letting myself enjoy the luxury of a re-read. That’s a whole ‘nother story, though, and not something anyone but my therapist should pretend to care about.

Over the last couple of years, however—this is largely thanks to my local library really beefing up their collections—I’ve taken to listening to a book a week or two before the sequel/next in the series releases. I get all the benefits, and since I don’t make a point of writing about every audiobook I listen to, there’s no guilt or internal pressure. I probably do this for 50% or so of the books in a series that I read, time (and availability) permitting right now.

What about you? Do you go into a sequel cold or do you need a refresher?

WWW Wednesday, December 7, 2022

By HCNewton

On December 7, 2022

In Books, Currently Reading, News/Misc., WWW Wednesday

It’s time for this week’s WWW Wednesday!

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Easy enough, right?

What are you currently reading?

I just started Radio Radio by Ian Shane and am listening to Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry on audiobook.

Blank Space

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished Mary Robinette Kowal’s The Spare Man, and have already started recommending it to everyone. I also finished the satisfying Stone Cold by C. J. Box, David Chandler (Narrator) on audio.

Blank Space

What do you think you’ll read next?

My next book should be Her Name Is Knight by Yasmin Angoe (and yeah, I said this last week, but other library deadlines reared their head) and my next audiobook should be the trilogy ending Junkyard War by Faith Hunter, Khristine Hvam (Narrator).

Blank Space

What about you?

A Few Quick Questions with…Sheryl Bass

By HCNewton

On December 6, 2022

In A Few Quick Questions With...

A little bit ago, I shared my thoughts about Baby Dragon’s Big Sneeze, which is really something you need in your library (if you have people around in the right age range, anyway). Now, here are a few Answers to my Questions from Sheryl Bass, the author. I enjoyed these answers—and really appreciate how she didn’t say anything about my embarrassing typos that I finally noticed when I formatted this post.

Can you talk a little about the genesis of this particular book? What about this idea (among the large number of others you may have had) that made you devote the time to it?
This book started with a big sneeze of my own. I had the ridiculous thought that it was a good thing I wasn’t a dragon or it could have done a lot of damage. This was approximately 13 years ago. The book has been edited and revised since then.

The illustrations are fantastic—how did you team up with Ramesh Ram? What was the process of working with him to combine story and pictures?
This is a self-published book, but the term “self-publishing” is a bit of a misnomer as there are many people who can help every step of the way. I found my mentor, April Cox of Self-Publishing Made Simple while I was watching a free online video she produced about her services. She has approximately 12 illustrators who she regularly works with and knows that they are willing to do work for hire such that the author can retain rights to the illustrations after their work is complete and they are competent and responsive. She had me review the websites of all 12 illustrators and pick my favorite 3 or 4. Then, I asked the three or four of them to draw the exact same scene from my book in black and white. I paid each of them $50 do do this sketch. I then whittled it down to my top two illustrators and had my friends and family be a focus group and vote on their favorite illustrator. Remesh Ram of Prayan Animation won the votes. He is fantastic and I plan to use him for my future children’s picture books.

I can only imagine that coming up with a story in rhyme brings particular challenges—did you find yourself having to abandon ideas, or backtrack a bit when you couldn’t find a decent rhyme and rework a sentence or two?
Yes! I definitely found writing in rhyme to be a challenge. However, I believe it is well worth it. Many publishing houses don’t like rhyme right now. Various types of children’s books go in and out of style and perhaps rhyme is not as in fashion as it once was. However, I am a big proponent of rhyme as there is research supporting it for children in language acquisition, vocabulary expansion, giving a children a sense of rhythm and encouraging reluctant readers. This is part of why nursery rhymes are so useful and enjoyable for children.

You chose to publish this yourself, rather than going through a small press, or a larger “traditional” press—any regrets about that? Any advice for others considering this path?
I have no regrets about self-publishing this book and doing so in the future with additional children’s books. The advantages to self-publishing are more creative control (I chose my own illustrator and told him exactly how I wanted the dragon to look, what I wanted my townspeople to be wearing, etc.), the royalties are higher (40-50% versus 10-12 percent with traditional publishing) and a faster turn around time to publish (months versus years for traditional publishing).

Before this book, you had a couple of personal essays about dogs published—writing about dogs is a big interest around these parts—can you tell us a little about those essays and the books they were in? Any plans to combine your children’s books and your interest in dogs?
These were two slightly different versions of the same story about being a stage mom to my now deceased dog, Lyric. She starred as Toto in the Boulder Dinner Theatre’s production of The Wizard of Oz. She was the only cast member without an understudy and got paid in prime rib every night (since it was dinner theater). Her mom got paid $40 per show. She did 7 shows per week for five months. This story can be found in Lost Souls: Found! Inspiring Stories About Chihuahuas (Kyla Duffy and Lowrey Mumford) and Second-Chance Dogs: True Stories of the Dogs We Rescue and the Dogs Who Rescue Us (ed. Callie Smith Grant).

Related to that—what’s next for Sheryl Bass, author?
I have two additional children’s picture book stories in drafts and others not yet put to paper that I plan to self-publish. You can find my current book and eventually, my others at http://www.be-kindpublishing.com.

Thanks for your time—and thanks for this great little book—I hope it finds its audience!

Saturday Miscellany—12/3/22

By HCNewton

On December 3, 2022

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

I really don’t have much in the way of introduction today (or content, really). I’ve spent the last couple of days pondering something that maybe you have insight into/experience with: With less than a month left, and certain goals left unfinished–why do I keep going to the Library, and reading things that aren’t going to help me get to those goals? (Sure, I’ve been on the list for some of these books for weeks/months, but…)

You may note the absence of any New Releases this week–as usual, I assume that just means I missed seeing something. Clue me in.

Odds ‘n ends about books and reading that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
bullet What Is “I Have No Idea,” Ken? I owe my recent “Jeopardy!” appearance — and spectacular flame-out — to books.—If I’m just going to talk about all the benefits and joys of reading here, I’m going to have to talk about the downsides here, too. I enjoyed this former contestant’s appearance—even if she underperformed. This little essay was just as fun.
bullet How to Succeed in Publishing by Really, Really Trying and Getting Lucky—this is primarily advice for writers, but A. Lee Martinez also gives a pretty good perspective on a career from years in the trenches (which is more of my thing to share)
bullet As a Sequel to a Recent Post: One Kay for The Flood Circle—a quick update from Harry Connolly (and hey, if I share an earlier post, I should share the sequel)
bullet Where to start reading grimdark, no matter the genre you prefer—A handy “listicle of listicles” to guide a reader into Grimdark.
bullet Purposely Reading Bad Books—It’s a fun video, but mostly I’m sharing this in solidarity with the thinking behind her recent reads. If I prepped my year-end lists this early, I’d be compelled to pick the same kind of reads myself.
bullet FFA’S Most Anticipated Titles of 2023
bullet As with all good things, Damppebbles’s annual recommendation-fest, #R3COMM3ND3D has come to an end for this year. These last few are just as enticing as those that have come before.
bullet …with #BookBlogger Patricia B.
bullet …with #BookBlogger Sue Bavey
bullet …with #BookBlogger David
bullet …with #BookBlogger Emma—our host closes out the month.
bullet Can Any Book Truly Be Timeless?
bullet Two Sided Coins and Seeing Story Weaknesses As Strengths—Peat’s focus is on the writing side, but thinking along these lines can be a real help when we’re thinking/talking/writing about what we read.

The Friday 56 for 12/2/22: Aether Powered by James T. Lambert

By HCNewton

On December 2, 2022

In Currently Reading, News/Misc., Quotations, The Friday 56

This is a weekly bloghop hosted by Freda’s Voice.

RULES:
The Friday 56 Grab a book, any book.
Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your ereader. If you have to improvise, that is okay.
Find a snippet, short and sweet.
Post it.

from Page 56 of:
Aether Powered

Aether Powered by James T. Lambert

…if I figured it out myself, I could make even more. Build flying cars. Hell, sell conversion kits to make regular cars fly! Airplanes without wings, no airports, and a lot less fuel. Replace Boeing. Why think small? Replace NASA and build ships that go to the moon without fuel. Mars in days instead of months. And no weight limits.

Carol must have seen my eyes glaze over. “Snap out of it! You aren’t Henry Ford. Hell, you’re not Ford Fairlane! You know nothing about manufacturing, venture capital, entrepreneurship, or even patent law. Yeah, someone could turn this into a multi-billion-dollar industry, but you are not that guy. Take the money and run.”