The Borderlands Trilogy, Book Three: 'Coyote-meeter's Abyss'

The final novel in the 'Borderlands Trilogy,' 'Coyote-meeter's Abyss,' finds Danny Rivas and pal, Diego 'Digs' Ramirez, lost at the bottom of an abandoned silver mine, trapped in a maze of tunnels crawling with rattlesnakes and scorpions! While grandfather, Joseph, and reservation police search desperately for the missing boys, an illegal immigrant girl courageously comes to their rescue. Placing herself in grave danger, young Lupita del Campo defies a ruthless coyote boss, secrets in precious food and water, and braves the dark and cold passages to lead them to safety. It's an emotional story of honor and sacrifice on the dangerous road of hope for a new beginning. Coming soon!

 

Johnny Depp and the Wounded Knee Land Sale



Is the star of 'The Lone Ranger' really planning to buy the property (and return it to tribal ownership) where 300 Native American men, women, and children were killed by the 7th U.S. Cavalry in the 1890 massacre? Or is it all little more than a rumor? Here are some details that we know to be true:

 



• To a recent interview question posed by the London Daily Mail newspaper about the purchase of reservation land, Depp responded, 'I am doing my best to make that happen.' Yes, he did say this, but its exact meaning is still being discussed. 
• Landowner James Czywczynski, who has owned the two 40-acre parcels since 1968 (and is now trying to sell them), has publicly stated that his only goal is to 'get the land back to the tribe.' 
• The two parcels of land have been assessed at $14,000.00.
• Mr. Czywczynski's asking price is $4.9 million.
• Tribal leadership feels strongly that Mr. Czywczynski is trying to profit from their ancestor's killings.
• Besides its proximity to the Indian burial grounds, the land includes the site of a previous trading post burned during the 1973 Wounded Knee uprising, where hundreds of American Indian Movement protestors occupied the town built on the massacre location.
• That 71-day Wounded Knee standoff left two tribal members dead and a federal agent seriously wounded.

Joseph Brings Plenty, a spokesman for the Cheyenne River Sioux Nation, and who had several ancestors killed in the 1890 massacre, says: 'Honestly, I don't think it would be a bad thing if Johnny Depp would purchase the land with the cooperation of the various tribes. What is most important is that the land is preserved and an accurate account of what happened is shared with the public through a monument, a memorial.'

 

 

Time will be the determiner, as to whether or not Mr. Depp is serious about resolving this dilemma for the Sioux Nation. My feeling, which would be of little surprise to most, is that James Czywczynski is indeed greedy - greedy beyond all sense of reason and reality. If he truly cared about the people, history, and land, he would reconsider his outlandish price, drastically reduce it, and work with the Sioux Nation to transfer ownership in a dispatchful manner. Shame on you, Mr. Czywczynski, for not allowing this to happen. A day will come when you will reap reward for your action.

 

As for how Johnny Depp decides to spend his money: There are many world causes he could contribute to, and this cause is a noble one. It really is all about the time you are given to live on this earth, and what you choose to do with that time. Giving thanks for gifts received includes the act of sharing those gifts. Giving back is what really matters, not taking. God bless you, Johnny Depp, if this is the choice you make.

 

 

Source information: The Arizona Daily Star, Saturday, July 13, 2013.

 

 

     

Zero Tolerance drug testing/profanity/verbal threats/violence in schools

Here is a reasonable comparison:

Frank Schleck, Luxembourg pro cyclist, will not have his contract renewed by RadioShack-Leopard following his one-year suspension from the sport for doping (his illegal use of a restricted diuretic). Simply put: The International Cycling Federation, along with the athletes themselves, MUST do this if they want the sport to survive. How can the accomplishments/legitimate title of any team or individual cyclist in any competition be upheld without the sure knowledge that cheating did not occur? It can't. And so, zero tolerance. Zero tolerance for cheating.
 

As a professional educator, I understand zero tolerance for profanity, verbal threats or any act of violence, and I accept it unconditionally. In public schools zero tolerance means an unwillingness on the part of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and boards to accept, condone, or tolerate bullying and/or intimidation on the part of a student(s) toward another student(s). Schools MUST do this if they want legitimate learning to take place, and to ensure that every child experiences maximum success socially and academically. How can a student be expected to perform at maximum efficiency if they feel unsafe or inferior? They can't. And so, zero tolerance for the actions mentioned above. Zero tolerance for anyone who, through their actions or words, prevents another from succeeding. Why must public schools do this? Because by law, public schools will accept ALL students, inclusively. None will be turned away for any reason. And, as professionals, we are charged with maximizing student academic performance. The American public, rightfully, wants and expects academic results.
 

This comparison between the actions of/consequences for athletes who cheat and students who bully or intimidate serves us well, I feel. When the public is witness to such rules being implemented and enforced, though they may not be familiar with current public school, classroom social/academic practice, they nevertheless develop an understanding of why the rules are in place.

 



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Have You Committed an Offense(s) Against the Laws of Writing?

If your story is good enough (I don't necessarily mean the writing, I mean the STORY), then it will eventually find a home in the heart of an agent and/or publisher. And that is because it is ALWAYS about story. Simple: Good stories sell. But your proposal (ms.) is also about the writing. You must exhibit enough writing talent and skill to convince those same agents and editors that you are capable of both constructing a novel and revising, the latter a very likely requirement.

I've heard so much in workshops and author presentations about the "do's and don'ts" of writing for publication, that it's often hard to focus on the most serious 'red flags' in a body of work. Let's take a look at five (5) examples of writing offenses/violations that are sure to relegate your project to the dust bin. They aren't in any order of importance. If you have a penchant for one, you might as well commit them all.

I have such a cheery manner, don't I? Hey, it was born in the pile of rejection letters and slips I received for my writing, particularly in the early stages of submitting to agents. That's right, to agents. I was determined to follow the time-honored path: Get an agent, then let that individual (agency) find me a publisher. Well, that's another story...So, back to the big (worst) five, based on my experience. Oh, and I'd love your comments and other feedback. Keep it clean!

1. Telling, not showing. Here's an example: Shawn walked around the park a few times and decided to sit on the bench to rest.
It sounds fine? Might I suggest this as stronger writing: Shawn paced about the park's magnolia-lined pathways. He spotted a bench in the shade of an elm, back in the quiet. It looked so comfortable after all the walking. A few more trudges and he was there.

2. Shifting POV without signaling. This is sometimes called head hopping. Incorporating multiple POV can be unsettling to the reader. There are two things to consider: Transition and intimacy. Transition; referring to hints or proper setup, i.e. warning the reader that a major shift in POV is about to occur. Without handling this deftly, the writer forces the reader to re-read paragraphs for clarification. This is very distracting, if not downright jarring! Intimacy; referring to a reader's need to know and empathize with characters, and a writer's mistake in spending just brief periods of time with several different characters, rather than long periods of time with one character. Result: Readers knowing several characters slightly, rather than one character intimately.

3. Overuse of adverbs, adjectives. Use just enough to let readers get a picture of your scene. Too many, and you insult their intelligence, as well as, rob them of the imagination factor that adds necessary freedom and satisfaction to the act of reading. Read some Hemingway or Twain for sparseness of both. Read P. G. Wodehouse for adjectives used masterfully.

4. Starting a novel/chapter/scene with anything other than action. That's action, action, action. Begin the above in the middle of the action. Don't tell the reader what's about to happen, surprise them! Immerse them in it! Make them feel like they're in the scene with the character(s). An example: Whuuump. The hay bale struck Tom squarely on the head. His neck snapped and he collapsed under the weight of it, face down onto the concrete floor. Blood spurted crimson red, awash with fragments of tooth and bits of chewing tobacco. A deep-throated cackle came from the shadowy loft above.
See what I mean? :-)

5. Disregarding your protagonist's journey in structuring your plot. You cannot lose sight of the underlying reasons for what drives your character. Fears, joys, resentments, jealousies, needs, flaws, etc. It is important to come back to these within the context of your story scenes, as reminders (I call them justifiers). Like everything else in writing though, don't overdo it. More in the beginning, fewer as the story progresses. Your novel's main character requires arc--Take him/her to the depths, before bringing them back. Build empathy in this way, remembering to maintain consistency. Keep the journey real!

Okay, there you have five that really matter. Tell me about others that are critical to writing success. Bring examples, too. I like to be able to visualize what you see as important. And above all else, never stop writing. Not for a second. Well, um, that's probably not feasible...So, how about an hour a day? Thanks for stopping by!

A Boy Like Danny Rivas

Main character, Danny Rivas, a Tohono O'odham boy from the Desert Southwest near Tucson, Arizona, is the central player in a 3-part saga, 'The Borderlands Trilogy.' The novels; 'Gift of the Desert Dog,' 'Secrets of the Medicine Pouch,' and 'Coyote-meeter's Abyss,' feature his adventurous exploits, supported by grandfather, Joseph, and school chum, Diego 'Digs' Ramirez. Danny is both typical and atypical of today's adolescents on American Indian reservations. He possesses many of the rebellious traits of youth as revealed in these coming-of-age stories, longing to discover what the big-city life of nearby Tucson and Phoenix is all about, while still strongly tied to his Native community and similarly dependent upon his grandfather, Joseph, for support in dealing with a detached and negligent father. He has a lot on his plate, but still manages to grow and mature against the backdrop of a border region where illegal immigration and drug-trafficking combine to create a most dangerous environment.

In the opening novel, Danny is a petulant twelve year-old, at war with himself and his parents, particularly father, Tony, who is away for long periods of time working for a landscaping company in the city. Even when Tony isn't working, his tendancy to drive the back roads with drinking buddies leaves Danny feeling unwanted and abandoned, questioning whether his life has any meaning at all. Not surprisingly then, he handles everyday crises by running away--to a remote desert kih (ceremonial hut) fashioned in the traditional method by his grandfather (with Danny's help). In this place, he feels at peace for reasons he doesn't fully understand, but will slowly come to appreciate in the person of old Joseph. Their decision to seek out the spirits of their ancestors propels them on a desperate journey to the summit of legendary Baboquivari Peak, where a lone coyote teaches Danny the values of loyalty and commitment.

In the sequel, 'Secrets of the Medicine Pouch,' Danny, Joseph, and 'Digs' Ramirez, join forces to uncover the lost portions of an ancient manuscript that reveal the secrets of a desert people. It is one year later and Danny, now a teenager, continues to grow and mature, gaining support and encouragement from Joseph and 'Digs.'

The final novel, 'Coyote-meeter's Abyss,' is a culmination for fourteen year-old Danny, as he discovers many of the unique characteristics that define him as a young man. When an illegal Mexican girl named Lupita rescues Danny and Digs from the bottom of an abandoned mine shaft, they all learn the importance of universal acceptance and respect. These revelations bring him closer to his family and friends.

Through all the adventure and mystery, Danny Rivas emerges as a viable force for positive change and self-fulfillment among the people of his O'odham reservation community. He has arrived as a leader for the future, and the reader senses that nothing can hold him back--no barrier is too strong, no mountain is too high to climb.

 In learning about a boy named Danny Rivas, I hope young readers find in themselves many of the same strengths, appreciating their own unique abilities and talents--That they develop a greater love of family and community--That they come to realize what makes them truly special as Americans.    

       

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

I was tagged by my friend, Margaret Larsen, of the Words and Works blog for the Next Big Thing blog hop. I agreed to answer questions about my latest middle grade/YA novel in 'The Borderlands Trilogy.' 'Secrets of the Medicine Pouch' is a mystery/adventure for all ages, but written particularly for young readers.

Q: What is the title of your current work?
A: Secrets of the Medicine Pouch, Book Two in The Borderlands Trilogy

Q: Where did the idea come from for the book (series)?
A: This series was born out of my love for indigenous culture, particularly Tohono O'odham tradition of the SW, resulting from years of middle school classroom teaching

Q: What genre does your book fall under?
A: Middle grade/YA fiction, mystery/adventure

Q: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
A: 'Danny Rivas' - Layne Alten (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Cold Case), 'Diego 'Digs' Ramirez' - Arsalan Ghassemi (Iranian child actor), 'Old Joseph' - Graham Greene (Dances With Wolves)

Q: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
A: Wise old Joseph; a Tohono O'odham healer, his grandson, Danny Rivas, and Danny's pal, Diego 'Digs' Ramirez, risk their lives to unravel the secrets of Chief Jonathan Gray Horse's sacred medicine pouch and save their people from destruction

Q: Is your book self-published or represented by an agency?
A: Represented by an agency - Andrew J. Whelchel III, GTR, Inc., Elizabeth, CO

Q: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
A: The first draft took four months

Q: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
A: 'Touching Spirit Bear,' Ben Mikaelsen   'Hatchet,' Gary Paulsen   'Crossing the Wire,' Will Hobbs

Q: Who or what inspired you to write this series?
A: My inspiration comes from the struggles of O'odham reservation families to provide a better life for their children

Q: What else about your series might pique the reader's interest?
A: The three books in the series: 'Gift of the Desert Dog,' 'Secrets of the Medicine Pouch,' and 'Coyote-meeter's Abyss (coming in 2013), are adventure/mystery stories which take place in the dangerous desert/mountain borderlands area of southern Arizona

Q: Where can readers purchase your books?
A: All titles can be purchased at B&N, B&N.com, Amazon.com, and all independent booksellers (greater Tucson - Mostly Books, Bookman's, Green Valley Book Shop)

Q: How can readers contact you?
A: Visit me at my website: www.robertlhunton.com  Follow me at my blog: www.desertdogblog.blogspot.com   Follow me on Twitter: @DesertDogWriter

Writing That Inspires!

I think the reasons why Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings received her 1939 Pulitzer Prize for writing 'The Yearling' are many--not the least of which is the incredible emotion packed into every single word. I offer the following:

Ma Forrester sat by the side of the bed. She held her apron over her head and rocked herself back and forth. She flung down the apron. She said, 'I've lost my boy. My pore crookedy boy.' She covered herself again and swayed from side to side. She moaned, 'The Lord's hard. Oh, the Lord's hard.'
 Jody wanted to run away. The bony face on the pillow terrified him. It was Fodder-wing and it was not Fodder-wing. Buck drew him to the edge of the bed. 'He'll not hear, but speak to him.' Jody's throat worked. No words came. Fodder-wing seemed made of tallow, like a candle. Suddenly he was familiar. Jody whispered, 'Hey.' The paralysis broke, having spoken. His throat tightened as though a rope choked it. Fodder-wing's silence was intolerable. Now he understood. This was death.

To my way of thinking, Rawlings (although she wrote about the common man in humble surroundings) ranks among the very elite of the world's fiction writers. She absolutely captured in the pages of her work the essence of the American experience, ca 1850. Great writers do that in their own time, for their fellow citizens, and for a universal audience, as well.
I think you have a copy of 'The Yearling.' If you don't, you must obtain one. Re-read this amazing story. And then, if you're like me, take a few days to decompress. :) My post-read experience has never changed--not in the several times that I've read this book. Thank you, Ms. Rawlings. :)