This is a guest post by Dr. George H. Elder

I have a very eclectic work and personal history—from college teacher, custodian, upper-level scholar, drug addict, weight lifting coach, bouncer, and much more.  My lifestyle included hedonistic excesses and reckless physicality, the costs of which have come home to roost. My eating, drinking, and drug use were the stuff of local legend, and as a result I suffer from heart trouble, diabetes, high blood pressure, and arteriosclerosis. Heavy weight lifting and other extreme activities led to several collapsed discs, lots of torn up joints, broken bones, and advanced arthritis.

On top of all that, I developed Multisystem Atrophy (MSA), a primary degenerative neurological order that has no known treatment or cure. However, I doubt MSA will kill me.  Indeed, I was VERY lucky to have survived my last heart attack and am acutely aware that every day is precious. Hey, it’s all borrowed time from here on end. That’s why I’m writing like crazy, having completed six books in less than a year. There is no time like the present when one doesn’t have much of a future! Ho, ho, ho! Ah, life is a hoot! Indeed, I’ve never felt more alive than now, and my only regret is all the time I wasted getting high.

I was a successful writer and scholar before embarking on a retail sales venture that devoured eight years of my life in mind-numbing tedium–and very long work hours. I had published numerous articles, some in magazines with over a million readers. My previous writing addressed nonfiction health-related issues for the most part, and I wanted to embark on something more meaningful. Granted, it’s late in the game to take on a new career, but the challenge doesn’t worry me. I’m free of most concerns, and am highly motivated to do what I can while I can. How long I can be active is an open question!

Sci-Fi offers me the possibility to explore subjects I could never undertake before. Indeed, the adventures within Child of Destiny allowed me to subtly explore philosophical issues that I find compelling. For example, we all develop ideas about who and what we are, as in what defines us as an Italian or Scott, Christian or Jew, scholar or warrior, and so it goes. But what happens when nearly ALL our notions of who and what we are evaporates? What happens when we are reduced to a realization that nearly everything we once held as being true is shown to be a lie? How does one climb out of the valley that ensues? That is Kara’s essential conflict, for at its nadir her despair become nihilistic–as are the forces she is supposed to be fighting against.

Currently, I am completing a spirituality oriented text that reads like a Sci-Fi novel in many places. This is only natural because the book is about dreams, a few of which have found places in the Genesis series and the prequel Deep Thought. However, the dreams actually happened, and the messages they left me with should be shared while I can still write. The subject matter ranges from violence and greed to searching for God—and it places the experiences will certainly grab the reader’s interest. The writing is very difficult because it is 1st person active voice, a present tense flow that brings the reader into the text as an active participant. I will turn it over to the text editor in eight days or so, and then start on the next work.

I have managed to do a lot of writing in a short time because my personal situation demands it. We are only at life’s table for a short while, and I have spent all too much of my time engaged in self indulgent behaviors. Hell, I still eat too damn much. But the point is, time is best spent when it is shared with others. These books give a disabled man a means of sharing time, to go out-and-about as it were. I’ve picked up some insights along the way that may help a person or two find some meaning. Perhaps others will be entertained, and it is time for me to be generous of spirit. Spirit is nearly all I have left to give, but I’m more at peace now than ever. There is no fear, no worry, just the vexation of finding the right words and the joy of sharing dreams and stories with new friends. What could be better than that?

 

 

About Child of Destiny by Dr. George H. Elder

The universe is nearing its inevitable end, everything is being rapidly devoured. The last hope of a dying universe is to awaken the Seeker, a legendary metaphysical being known only through ancient tales. The Seeker has the capacity to link the entire universe; they alone may be able to spark the rebirth of the universe.

Many of those that remain desperately want existence to continue. As the remaining races struggle to survive and fight over saving existence, lofty ideals give way to brutal pragmatism. Missions are sent out in search of the Seeker. One such mission encounters Kara an outcast noblewoman of the Labateen, a Stone-Age warrior culture. Kara is well versed in the Seeker’s litany, beyond what would be considered coincidence –to Kara the litany is simply the ways of God. Will Kara be able to help locate the Seeker?

Those who wish the universe to end in disorder, with no more than a whimper are not willing to sit by as others race to alter the end universe. As these opposing forces mount their defenses, racing to see their goals are achieved one question stands out…

Is Kara the key?