Wednesday, May 8, 2019
#GetCaughtReading! May is Get Caught Reading Month. Artie is coming back to Jazz Age Wednesdays!
Artie, courtesy of Chris Graham
Get Caught Reading is a nationwide (USA) campaign to promote the fun of reading books for all ages. Chris Graham, the one and only Story Reading Ape, will be a story telling ape. We’re getting together again for a short story in support of this initiative. It will be here next Wednesday.
Now to Hidebound Hump Day
Be warned… I’m just dashing this off quickly. It is so hard to resist the prompts from Diana Wallace Peach. Then I read Rob Goldstein’s story (click here), and I simply had to join the fun.
Brigitte Werner, Pixaby
You’ve probably heard me bemoan my unfinished novel, the second book for the alchemist, Cornelis Drebbel. It includes one of my favorite “unfinished novel characters,” Jack. Since the steampunk story is so fitting for Diana’s gorgeous image prompt, Jack hopped into my head.
In my “Cornelis-verse,” the second novel happens in a parallel place where Cornelis crash-lands. There, Copper is not a little girl, but a quirky young woman. She grew up with Jack as her only companion. The vignette inspired by Dianna’s prompt takes place there.
The Guardian
Image by Teagan Geneviene
Jack didn’t understand why no one seemed to heed his warnings. He even created a probability chart when they would not listen. Being ignored when he presented data agitated him.
“The risk is far too great!” Jack insisted.
“I’m perfectly capable of handling any ack ruffians who try to bother me,” Copper told him in a tone that Jack thought meant disdain.
“We can’t stay here forever, old boy,” the Alchemist added.
“I understood what you both have said,” Jack replied. “However, a guardian is required. I propose that you at least hire a guard to protect you.”
The Alchemist chuckled. Miss Copper gave Jack the long-suffering look that meant she thought he was being what she called a mother hen.
“My grandfather was my guardian after my parents left. I’ve done just fine without a guardian since he disappeared.”
“Jack, my chuckaboo, we would still have to go into town to hire a guard,” the Alchemist reasoned.
Dreamscape.com
Jack admitted Cornelis Drebbel had a point, but it was no less dangerous. In frustration he hopped into one of the mine cars Miss Copper had automated several years before.
He went up to the surface, and out the hidden door of the mine. There he checked his weather instruments. He didn’t really know why, but whenever Jack felt uncertain or conflicted, he monitored the weather. Tracking the weather readings had been his very first job. When he worked with the data, an out of balance world seemed more comprehensible.
Jack paused. He detected a strong atmospheric gravity current in the area below his high observation point.
“A storm,” he muttered, instantly focused on his work.
The air pressure fluctuated. His aneroid barometer vibrated. Jack sat back on his haunches and then stretched to look at the device. It reminded him of the day the Alchemist appeared.
A stacked analogue recording barograph aneroid barometer
Jack’s first encounter with the Alchemist had altered him. He became more than a clockwork jackalope. He had fur and a bunny shape. His antennae took the appearance of antelope horns.
The gears in his head whirred as Jack remembered that day. Then they suddenly stopped, clicked into place.
Jack jumped back into the mine car, and went to the store room where Miss Copper kept her projects and inventions. She was becoming as skilled as the Inventor, her grandfather.
Miss Copper didn’t like Jack to catalogue her projects. However, she didn’t specifically forbid it, so he made an inventory when she was otherwise occupied.
“As long as she hasn’t moved anything, that one should be back here,” he muttered as he hopped to the back of the long storage room.
It was too big for Jack to move. Carefully he hopped from shelf to shelf so he could reach the switch at the back of the thing’s head.
Gears hummed. A tall clockwork man stiffly moved away from the wall. It took a few steps. However, with a screech of metal parts, it stopped.
Jack stopped too, when he heard Miss Copper behind him, clearing her throat.
Copper, Dreamstime
“Jackalope, what are you doing?” she asked in a too calm voice.
Jack’s horn shaped antennae twisted and tilted as he considered how to respond before turning.
“Oh, what have we here?” the Alchemist chortled. “Were you making yourself a friend, Copper? My, he’s a big one!”
Copper swatted Cornelis Drebbel, and the Alchemist popped away from her. An instant later he appeared across the room, beside Jack.
Jack held out a vial of glowing purple goo.
“Alchemist, you can finish this clockwork creature. I kept this sample from the pool that was created the night you gave me life,” Jack said. “Then he would be able to protect Miss Copper and you if you insist on leaving the mountain.”
Copper’s face relaxed. She looked at Jack in the soft way that made him feel balanced.
“Dear boy,” the Alchemist began then cleared his throat. “Your transformation… well, you see, it was a side-effect of uncontrollable events.”
“Do you mean I was an accident?” Jack asked, causing Cornelis to blush.
“Well accents happen no matter how careful a parent might be,” Cornelis murmured as if to himself and smirked. “Plus, there’s that mysterious device in your chest. Copper won’t let me take it apart so I can unravel how it works.”
Cogs and gears made soft sounds. Jack’s antennae twisted so that one pointed to Copper and the other to Cornelis.
“He means the heart my grandfather made,” Copper told him. “Before the things that happened that night, the heart already made you more than an ordinary clockwork creature. We don’t have another one.”
Pixaby
“Then you should remove the heart and use it in this one,” Jack declared, pointing to the huge clockwork man. “I’m not big enough to provide adequate protection.”
“No!” Copper exclaimed.
“I’m afraid it wouldn’t work out the same way,” the Alchemist told him. “I wouldn’t really dismantle you. Besides, Copper and I would have a huge collie shangle if I tried.”
Jack was assailed by an over-abundance of what he termed emotional data. He struggled to process so much at once. Mutely he again moved the vial of glowing goo toward the Alchemist.
“Well, I suppose we could try,” Cornelis Drebbel muttered.
The Alchemist found a bit of chalk and drew a circle around the clockwork man. He added various symbols. Jack only recognized a few of them. As he drew, Cornelis murmured in a language that Jack thought was a combination of Latin and an archaic West Germanic language.
The symbols and the Alchemist took on a green glow. Cornelis poured the purple contents of the vile along the circle.
Nothing happened.
The Alchemist looked crestfallen.
Abruptly, blinding light filled the storage room. When the light subsided, Jack saw the clockwork creature had changed.
“It wasn’t enough,” the Alchemist muttered.
When Jack was transformed, he was completely covered with flesh and fur and became sentient. However, the clockwork man had random patches of exposed metal and machinery. As Jack looked into his eyes, they seemed… unfinished.
“I don’t think he’s fully processed,” Jack commented. “Perhaps it will take some time.
The clockwork man turned to Copper. He dropped to one knee.
Brigitte Werner, Pixaby
“Haec protegimus,” he said in a rusty sounding voice.
“Blast it all, Cornelis Drebbel! Why did you have to use Latin in that spell,” Copper complained.
“It means this we guard,” the Alchemist explained in a voice that combined awe and self-satisfaction.
“The Guardian!” Jack exclaimed in delight.
The end.
This story was written for Diana Peach’s monthly write photo prompt. You can play along at her May Speculative Fiction #Writingprompt.
If you haven’t been part of my new serial, Brother Love here are links to the first two episodes. Chapter 3 will go live on Saturday at midnight Eastern. I’ll meet you at the crossroads!
T
***
Universal link to my Amazon Author Page
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USA: Murder at the Bijou — Three Ingredients I
USA: Atonement in Bloom
USA: The Glowing Pigs, Snort Stories of Atonement, Tennessee
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(E-book still on sale at 99¢ )
This is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2019 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
All images are either the property of the author or provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.
Came together wonderfully! That Jack was a lively little character – hope he makes it into your novel one day!
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I love how this one drew me right in! Fantastic!
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Welcome, Ethan! Thanks so much. I sort of plopped this one down in the middle of a novel in progress. I wasn’t sure it would make much sense with the very brief context I provided. I appreciate the feedback. Hugs!
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So perfect..the Clockwork man!
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Thank you kindly. He really looked like someone’s protector to me. Hugs!
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Definitely. Great job! Hugs 🤗
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Wow! It must be your red hair that fires up your imagination! Great job, Teagan!
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Hahaha! That’s too funny, Jill. Huge thanks. I’m delighted you enjoyed this. Hugs.
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Reblogged this on Myths of the Mirror and commented:
Have fun in the Teagan Geneviene universe with another whimsical tale. Happy Reading. 🙂
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Heartfelt thanks for sharing at your place, Diana. You have wonderful choice in prompts! 😀
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Thanks! It’s always fun to read and share the stories. 🙂
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Getting caught up, Teagan! Diana always finds such imaginative pics, and you crafted the perfect story to go along with it. Hugs!
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Teri, I couldn’t agree more about Diana’s choices in prompts. I’m glad you liked this little ditty. It was fun to visit Cornelis again. Hugs!
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Delightful stories, Teagan. There’s a lot of magical science going on there. ) — Suzanne
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You are so kind to catch up here, my friend. I hope to finish the novel this relates to, sooner rather than later. 😀 Hugs.
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You’re welcome and all the best on your work in progress. Hugs to you also. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Fabulous!!!
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Hi Jennie. Thank you — and thanks for visiting.
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My pleasure, Teagan!
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Inventive and touching Teagan.
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Oh, you are catching up! Thanks so much for spending part of your weekend here. I’m glad you liked this little ditty. I hesitated about even posting it. Have a beautiful evening.
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Well made, Teagan! Great response to the prompt too. Have a nice weekend! Michael
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It’s good to see you Michael. Thanks so much! A wonderful weekend to you as well. Hugs!
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Always a great pleasure to me, Teagan! :-)) Big hugs back!
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You made my day Teagan, I am reading this to calm my mind. I am in a Hospital with a friend. Your stories are special.
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Oh no, Gerlinde. I’m sorry someone you care about is in the hospital. I’m happy that I could do this small thing to brighten your day.
If you need more distraction, here is the link to the first chapter of my new serial. It started while you were on vacation. https://teagansbooks.com/2019/04/27/all-new-serial-brother-love-1/
Wishing wellness to your friend and to you too. Take good care of you. Hugs.
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How do you do this?! I’m always enthralled with where your imagination takes you!!
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Joanne, I’m just not wired right. The setup and characters (except for the clockwork man) were already in my head from the unfinished novel. I really worried this wouldn’t make sense, since I just plopped it into a story that many people wouldn’t recognize.
Heartfelt thanks for reading. I’m delighted you enjoy it. Hugs on the wing!
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The clock work is an ingenious idea – I skimmed – a bad habit left from my studies, where there were so many deadlines, an I still wanted to be somewhat of a mom. Am glad I saw your profile in Dan’s comment. because I wanted to find on what was going on last week on your blog.
As comfortable as I am with painting, I’m very new at writing – in the phase of changing a chapter ten times! I don’t know if I’ll ever finish, but they tell me, Create at Amazon is a good place to self-publish. Do you agree, or am I overlooking other possibilities?
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Welcome, June. (Is it June? Junie?)
The ongoing advice about self-publishing is to have a blog in support of yout book(s).
I didn’t want to just talk about my books all the time. So my blogging “shtick” is partly writing serial stories. Now my Saturday posts are the new serial I’m writing, with Dan illustrating with his photos, and giving me random “thing” prompts that I let drive the spontaneously written serial.
Yes, I use Amazon to self-publish. And yes, there are other places where you can self publish. However, my time was limited, and Amazon had the greatest reach, so that’s what I use. I didn’t do much investigating of the other places.
One word of advice, be very leery of any publisher who approaches you, if you have to pay them. Many outfits are simply thinly disguised “vanity press” operations.
Thanks for visiting. Hugs!
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Thanks for the advice and th warning, Teagan:) Actually it’s Jesh – to differentiate in the beginning, because I was on two blogs at the same time (pfff – too much work). Years ago I actually started blogging to record and talk about my paintings, but discovered this focus was too narrow. Not many are enough interested in arts, except for other artists.
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Jesh — thank you. 🙂
Writers feel the same way about only writers being interested in their blogs. Have a wonderful rest of the week.
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We have something in common then:):)
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I love reading The Skull of the Alchemist, Teagan, and the interaction of the characters. The unfinished man idea is great and leave so much further development. This story plays so well in response to Diana’s prompt.
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Miriam, heartfelt thanks for these encouraging words. The response to this has blown me away. I think I’ll have to keep the clockwork man. 🙂 Hugs on the wing.
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I saw the comments, Teagan. I’m so happy for the overwhelming responses. It’s a great indicator of strong and interesting characters you want to keep. Terrific job, look forward to Chapter 3. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Art by Rob Goldstein and commented:
A Hidebound Hump Day #WritingPrompt from Teagan’s Books
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Thank you for reblogging, my friend. ❤
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This is a fun read, Teagan. I like the evolution of Jack’s character. The haphazard birth of the Guardian is a good close. .
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P.S. Thanks for the mention. 🙂
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My pleasure, Rob. Your fantastic story inspired me to participate. So I had to share it. 🙂
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That’s music to my ears, Rob. I think you would like the part of the (unfinished) novel where Jack “comes to life.”
Now all the “Cornelis-verse” needs is a 1600’s Chinese pirate who’s rather like Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean. LOL.
Hugs on the wing!
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LOL! I imagine what might happen if the Cornelus-verse had a collision with the Lulu-verse.
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Oh the humanity!
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Complete madness.
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What a fantastic response to Diana’s prompt! I love that you are able to blend things from Cornelis and Copper into the prompt and make it all come alive!! Great work, Teagan!
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Dear Jan, thanks so much. I honestly didn’t think anyone would like this little ditty. I appreciate your encouragement. Hugs on the wing.
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Wow Teagan. You managed to combine so many elements and worlds, plus I love your take on Diana’s prompt. Maybe we’ll hear more from the Guardian? 🙂
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Hi Brad, it’s so nice to see you. Oh, I blush.
Thank you. And here, I really didn’t think anyone would even like it. I had not considered this kind of character (clockwork man OR a guard) for that unfinished novel. But that was what came to me when I sat looking at the prompt, demanding a “new” story from my brain. Maybe he needs to stick around after all. Hugs on the wing.
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I love your take on the prompt, Teagan. I’ve seen others and the idea of the incomplete process is genius. I’m also glad Jack wasn’t dismantled.Hugs
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Thank you John. That means a lot to me — particularly coming from you.
LOL, Jack is glad too. 😀 Hugs on the wing!
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Hugs, Teagan
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“Get Caught Reading” is a wonderful campaign to get people of all ages to read. As a retired librarian “thumbs up” and your books are always a “fun read”.
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Thank you kindly, Judi. I really do want people to have fun with my stories. I want to give them a safe and happy place to go.
Chris and I will be here next Wednesday with our Get Caught Reading story.
Hugs on the wing!
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This is lovely, Teagan. What a great story and so easy to jump in and get one’s bearings. I’m so used to cliff-hangers that this happy ending was a delightful change. I’m glad the goo worked! Thanks for playing along, my friend. I’m honored, and can’t wait to share. 🙂
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You are so kind, Diana. Heartfelt thanks.
Maybe it’s just a statement of the times, that so many imagine darker things.
The thing I don’t understand is why have I gone to a work in progress for every prompt? (Rather than making the prompt into its own story.) Maybe I’m low on creative juice. Or maybe (I’d rather think) part of my mind wants to stick to the things that are already started — and hopefully finish one! LOL.
Thank you again for doing these prompts. I realize it’s a huge amount of work for you.
Hugs on the wing.
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Not a huge amount of work and great fun. I completely understand why you stay in one of your universes, Teagan. It makes sense with the depth and breadth of your imagination. Can you imagine opening up another one? Yikes. Ha ha. Thanks again for taking up the prompt. A wonderful read. 🙂
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Clockwork Six Million dollar Brother Man looks like a young Mike Tyson. Let’s hope that he doesn’t have that squeaky high pitch Tyson voice.
Hopefully Clockwork Brother Man will sound like Paul Robeson.
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Wow, DeBorah. Now that you’ve put that magnificent voice in my head, I might have to keep the Guardian character when I finish “The Skull of the Alchemist.”
No pun intended, but the thought “fleshed out” the character in my mind. 🙂 Thanks for visiting. Hugs on the wing!
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👍😇❤🙌😀
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Paul Robeson brother was Pastor of Mother Zion AME Church in Harlem. My Dad was born and raised in Harlem and attended Mother Zion AME Church as a child.
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Another great voice was the late great actor Adolph Caesar whose voice was used for the UNCF campaign.
For years I remember his voice saying, A Mind is a terrible thing to Waste.
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I remember that campaign. Indeed a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
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Reblogged this on lampmagician and commented:
Alchemy fits 😊👍❤❤
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Thanks so much, Magician. It was something I thought a clockwork man might do. Thanks for reblogging. Hugs on the wing!
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I loved this, Teagan. The Guardian! Such a powerful, resonant ending.
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Thank you, Staci. That truly means a lot to me — especially coming from someone like you who really knows how to write a powerful scene. Hugs on the wing!
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Wow. I’m honored you think so. Thank you.
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I am so new to your writing Teagan, but I’m so happy to have become a follower. I didn’t know what I was missing! (Story of my life!!) I LOVE Jack….all these characters. Somehow you create imaginative characters that have human qualities….and it works!!
Happy Hump Day. This story made my day much brighter. Thank you.
🐾Ginger 🐾
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Ginger, it’s wonderful to see you. Honestly, you made my day. I wasn’t sure if I should post this with so little background on the Jack character or the over all story-line. When I was working on this novel, I did several posts about it, but that was too long ago for anyone to remember, let alone new readers. You have reassured and inspired me. Hugs on the wing!
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Excellent Teagan.. I have seen this image on the ‘Copper Clockwork Man ‘ on poetry prompts 🙂 a great story my friend.. ❤
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Hi Sue. It’s one of the many beautiful images offered for free on Pixabay. I’m happy you enjoyed this little ditty. Hugs on the wing.
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🤗💚🤗
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This is a wonderful story, Teagan. I love these particular characters, and it’s so cool to see them in another setting. Copper, all grown up, is a hoot. And that “long-suffering look” she gave Jack, yeah, I know that look.
Have a great Wednesday. Thanks for helping me over the hump.
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Thank you so much, Dan. That means a lot to me.
Ha! I imagine you do know that look quite well. 😀
Copper and Jack have a unique relationship. She created him, but he feels a rather parental responsibility to her. Have a great rest of the week. Hugs!
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I remember Jack! Great story, and thanks for pointing us toward Rob’s story. It is wonderful as well. Looking forward to the serial. Have a great day, Teagan!
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Hi Olga. I’m honored that you still remember Jack from the parts I shared years ago.
Thanks about the serial. Dan and I batted around some ideas via email yesterday. He is a generous sounding board for me.
My pleasure about Rob’s story — it blew me away. Hugs!
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A wonderful story, Teagan. Jack has captured my heart, you write beautiful creatures who come to life on the page. xxx
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Dear Adele, I think that is the loveliest thing anyone has said to me. Thank you so much. I believe you would love Jack even more if you could read about his creation in the (unfinished) book. Hugs on the wing!
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Fabulous story Teagan and you did the prompt absolute justice…hugsx
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You are so very kind, Sally. Thanks for sharing too. Have a beautiful rest of your week. Hugs on the wing.
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Wow, Teagan, this is an impressive story. I loved it.
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Did you really like it, Robbie? Thank you. I seem to be relating all of Diana’s prompts to my existing “worlds” rather that creating something new. I don’t really mean to… I guess I need more energy to do that. LOL. Thanks so much for visiting. Hugs on the wing.
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Makes sense how he ended up part human and part machine:) I’m glad he is a guardian for Cooper.
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Thanks, Denise. I wasn’t sure how understandable that would be for people who hadn’t seen the unfinished novel. I appreciate that feedback. Hugs on the wing!
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Hugs back.
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Reblogged this on ravenhawks' magazine and commented:
Very impressive Teagan, of course, more would be nice.
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Haha! You are so kind, Dyanna. If I can manage without having to get a 40 hour a week job, now that I’ve moved… still so much to do to the house and get settled in, even after a month. But I’m only one person. Anyhow, my hope was to finish one of my several unfinished novels. I still don’t know whether it will be The Guitar Mancer, or this one, The Skull of the Alchemist. Meanwhile the big bad “Shoulds” in my brain say that I should go for one I haven’t even started — the third book of the Atonement series. Sigh… so many stories to tell — so little time.
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