Category Archives: Blog

Playing Around

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Did you know I compile playlists for my novels? At the bottom of each Blaine Colton Trilogy page you’ll find a playlist. Never noticed? Just go to each page and scroll on down to find them at the bottom. But so you can keep reading for now, I’ll also add the link to each playlist here:
Integrate
Replicate
Activate

The songs I select for these lists are aimed to reflect elements of the story, especially the hero’s journey of change as they face the forces coming against them.

Currently I’ve signed up for NaNoWriMo to keep me on track for completing the draft of a novella-length story. This story is based on one of your favourite characters from the Blaine Colton Trilogy and for fun (or maybe procrastination …) I decided to put together a short playlist for this story.

Link to this WIP playlist.

Now here’s the really fun part.

If you can guess which character this story is about, comment below with the name of that character and why you think it’s them for a chance to win a copy of one of my novels. (You can also add which novel you’d like to read in the comment too.) If I get more than one correct answer, I’ll do a random selection, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.

So the deal is: you’ve got one week to comment with the name of the character and why you think it’s them, along with which of my novels you’d like to get your hands on. (BTW you can also gift the prize to a friend, if you’ve already got all my books.)

I’m editing this post to add a little hint here (well, kind of a HUUUGE hint). The character in question has their name on the blurb of one of my books. 😀

If you are the lucky recipient of this prize, you’ll receive either one paperback copy of the requested novel if you live in Australia, or if you’re internationally based, I’ll send a Kindle version to your reader. Don’t forget, if you already own the set, you can gift your prize to someone you think would love to get their hands on a copy for themselves.

Ready? Go!

Some Kind of Human

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PLEASE NOTE: This blog contains details that may distress some readers.

They say reality is stranger than fiction, and recent reports based on information acquired through ‘Freedom of Information Act’ suits revealed that is consistently true.

As you may know, my young adult novels are near science fiction. This means these stories are based around science that feels like it could happen, but in reality pushes out the boundaries of what is actually possible. That is, unless science catches up. Unfortunately, when you write stories exposing the underbelly of bioethics, that’s not always a good thing.

Replicate is the second novel in the ‘Blaine Colton Trilogy’ and it broaches the issue of embryonic cloning (hence the title). This sees Blaine accidentally uncover an international crime syndicate that appears to be selling off embryonic body parts—amongst other things. Fiction, right?

Actually, this idea was sparked by genuine reports of foetal-organ-trafficking. As I delved into it, there was clear evidence that this was occurring. Around the time of Replicate’s release, a report detailed the NIH had received funding to purchase human brains and organs from aborted babies to “spare mice pain and suffering”. This is despite the fact unborn babies feel pain and are not offered pain relief as they are dismembered during abortion procedures. The same article explained how there was an organ-processing service that would collect the bodies of aborted babies from clinics, dissect out their organs for individual packaging, then send those tissues to labs for research. Some even sent whole heads to “preserve fragile neural tissue”.

This practice of organ harvesting for profit was again reported in April 2017 with admissions of price haggling over “specimens” from unborn babies as old as 24 weeks in utero. Fast track some years …

In June 2020, The Federalist reported that witnesses made statements under oath revealing “women’s healthcare” providers had dissected organs out of babies born alive. (Apparently some babies ‘“just fall out” of some women in the operating room’. Like, what?!) More recently, information acquired under FOIA included a price list for—you guessed it—body parts of aborted babies.

Photo Credit: Stillborn, Nicci Coertze Kruger from Pixabay

Cuts a little close to the bone, true? But it gets even more bizarre …

April this year Judicial Watch released an article detailing FDA purchases in recent years of fresh “foetal organs” to create “humanised mice” for the testing of biological drugs. (Yep, you read that correctly.) Advanced Bioscience Resources (ABR) based in California was contracted to supply human foetal tissue “with a gestational age of 16 to 24 weeks”. In March 2019 a lawsuit ordered HHS to release records about harvested tissue from aborted babies, with ‘… [t]he court [finding] “there is reason to question” whether the transactions violate federal law barring the sale of fetal organs.’

And yet … (Do we EVER learn???)

In April 2021 the Biden administration reversed President Trump’s policy that protected ‘… preborn Americans from the callous dehumanization of organ harvesting and further desecration of their bodies in research disguised as “science.”’ In June 2021 The Federalist report revealed boards overseeing human foetal tissue research, with the power to block research proposals for ethical reasons, were shut down. Also, the Centre for Medical Progress revealed shocking reports of NIAID at NIH funding studies that involved stitching the scalp of 5-month-old aborted babies onto rats for experimentation, along with killing infants delivered alive for harvesting of livers. And it gets even weirder, with other reports of guidelines for research surrounding the creation of human-animal (otherwise known as ‘chimeras’), and more.

Photo Credit: Animal, Tibor Janosi Mozes from Pixabay

Even in light of my latest work in progress, where aborted children are being misused for a hellish, high-tech ploy, these above examples make my science fiction seem tame. I will not destroy the plot twists for you in the event this story gets published, but these organ-trafficking reports deliver alarming parallels to a number of elements in this new story. This unthinkable commoditising of the most vulnerable humans in our world makes me wonder when we’re going to stop and allow the horror of what this truly means to seep in. Large numbers of these are children who would have had an excellent chance of survival outside the womb. And yet, they are reduced to just another ‘cut of meat’ for the butcher to serve to their clients.

As always, the truth is much stranger, and significantly more horrifying, than fiction.

Kind Of

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Could offense be up there with the worst of transgressions in our modern culture?

To be clear, I’m not talking about systematic bullying, but simply sharing differing opinions and values in a public (or even private) space. Once upon a time if someone had a differing perspective or worldview, there might have been robust discussion, development of resilience, perhaps acknowledging conflicting views, whilst recognising not everyone has the same opinion or values as each other. And let’s face it, some of us have no filter, whether that be for a moment or a lifetime!

Photo Credit: Girl-Francine Sreca from Pixabay

Nowadays, offending someone can see a person cancelled, de-platformed from social media, discredited to the point of harassment (aka cyber—or even in person—bullying), or even their career ended. If it’s a sporting career, that cancellation can apparently extend a lifetime. It doesn’t matter whether these opinions are evidence-based, faith-based or anything else based, if those opinions go against popularised (or politicised) ideologies and narratives, one can land themselves in a steam bath—skip the boiling one!

You’d think with offense being such a duplicitous act, we’d all have equal right to victimhood, but increasingly in the court of public opinion, only certain groups of people have the right to be victims, and thus the right to justice. All those in the ‘wrong’ category are termed offensive oppressors and must apologise for their existence. It’s a case of judge by what you see, not the content of one’s character. (Aka critical race theory.) For example:

  • Having the ‘wrong’ skin colour is apparently offensive and oppressive. (Hello racism.) Never mind what traumas and oppression a person may have experienced in their own life, irrespective of their skin pigmentation.
  • Being the wrong gender supposedly requires one to perpetually apologise for that gender because they are automatically oppressing others.
  • Having faith of the wrong sort can be another vice.
  • And don’t even start on the wrong name—get it changed. NOW. After you apologise for being so offensive.

Now brace yourself, I’m about to be offensive and share a not-so-popular opinion.

My opinion is that any person can be a victim of misuse, abuse, control. These crimes are non-selective and no one has the right to assume such facts about other people’s history based on their external appearance. Likewise, any person can be successful, even against overwhelming odds. This concept of judging and categorising by certain physical and cultural characteristics is horribly divisive and, if history has taught us anything, such division only weakens us as a society and sets humankind against humankind, building barriers that prevent understanding and commonalities drawn from the fact we are all one human race—equally valuable.


Photo Credit: Superhero, John Hain from Pixabay

But what about those who haven’t had enough life experience to know this truth? Yes, I mean our awesome young people. This “right to victimhood” and “oppressor” system is what students in some of our AUSTRALIAN schools are being taught. I don’t know about you, but this makes me cranky.

Recently I met with a friend I’ve always found to be wise and clear headed. They made a passing observation about the epidemic of offense in our culture, and it was the most sensible advice I’d heard in a very long time.

  • Be kind. Translation: treat others as you would like to be treated.
  • Translating that further, if a person could not comfortably say something (or in the case of a social media, post something) to their mother, don’t.
  • Be aware that everyone has a lot going on. Try putting yourself in another’s shoes before getting on the offensive.

Revolutionary, right? Actually, it’s how many people used to think before we got so hypersensitive.

Photo Credit: Kindness, reneebigelow from Pixabay

This logic was a breath of fresh air and I know they live this reality. They are loyal, believe the best of others, and they see character, not appearance. They are kind, careful with their words, but firm about doing the right thing.

I think we could learn a lot from my friend.

Words Out West

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On the 13th March I had the delight of attending the second Words Out West event in Dalby, Queensland. Dalby is only a three hour highway drive from Brisbane and festival events this year occurred over the 11–14 March 2021, including formal speaker sessions, a writing retreat at Jimbour House, in school author visits and other community events throughout the region, catering for both readers and writers. There was also a bookstore set up in the library so you could purchase a copy of your favourite author’s work, and even have it signed.

Words-Out-West-2021-collage ©2020 Western Downs Regional Council

Country town engagement is something I’d highly advocate experiencing and Western-Downs pre-Easter weather is pretty much perfect year-to-year. (I could be slightly biased, but hey, it’s true. 😉) From crime to culture, serious conversations to side-splitting humour, the guest authors were engaging, PG-level family friendly (with the exception of a certain book cover, Mr Earls …😱😳🙈) and professional.

I enjoyed each session I attended but a personal highlight was hearing Francis Whiting in person. Francis came onto my radar when I was a university undergraduate (longer ago than I care to admit!!). One of my student peers name-dropped Francis one morning outside Parliament House on the way to a lecture, saying her writing was great and we should check her out. Being the diligent cohort we were, Francis was duly investigated. What a great tip that turned out to be! Since hearing Francis speak, I now know that soon after her weekly column was established and ever since, I’ve anticipated her down-to-earth, entertaining insights on life. And over the years Francis has continued to expand her writing prowess, penning opinion and human-interest features and even novels (check out Francis Whiting’s Goodreads profile).

What I found so refreshing about Words Out West was the positive, even uplifting atmosphere that pervaded the festival. It was great seeing enthusiastic and welcoming engagement from local councillors, library staff, community volunteers and more. Though many speakers broached confronting questions and at times delved into grave topics, the sessions I attended left me hopeful and more aware of the change-worthy power of personal conviction and healthy community values. My family and I have now attended two years running and here’s a hint—it’s an awesome annual event you should seriously put on your calendar.

MP Ashman Author

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After a craaaaazy year, I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s watched a little more Netflix than usual. Eating in has become the new dining out and I’ll bet online movie services are booming. (Not even going start on Zoom!)

As one who rarely watches television, an enforced “keeping up with the Joneses” (well, the state of COVID restrictions) increased my television hours significantly. During our viewings, we stumbled across a Netflix documentary called Flint. To quote:

“A documentary based on five years of research into a Michigan auto town where tens of thousands were drinking water into which poisonous lead had leached, and how officials failed to respond.”

This reminded me of a novel by Sci-Fi YA author, M.P. (Matthew) Ashman. Matthew’s books are a completely different angle with a completely different target audience, but the background has a similar tone, in that the governing authorities in Flint established a new water source then deliberately failed to disclose testing results demonstrating the water was carrying toxic levels of heavy metals. Government corruption. New (dodgy) water source. Non-disclosure. Nice (not).

The premise Matthew applies overlaps this idea (different, but uniquely done), so I thought it would be interesting to get his take on this and learn a bit more about his writing and him as an author.

But this is going to be a Q&A with a difference. We get to hear Matthew’s responses directly from him (just for something cool). So after the questions I’ve asked him (below), click play to see what he has to say. (Thanks, Matthew.) Here goes!

Q1) Matthew, are you familiar with the Flint Netflix documentary?

Q2) Can you describe the underpinning theme of this story?

Q3) At what point did you feel you’d like to see your stories in print?

Q4) What has been the main lesson you’ve learned in your pursuit of publication? Is there anything you would have done differently along the way?

Q5) Tell us your favourite part of the Time Twins water tower story. (Without spoilers, of course 😉)

Q6) Do you have a date for your next release? If so, details please! 😊

Thank you Matthew for lending your voice. It’s been great having you.

To find out more about Matthew’s writing, click here.

For more about Matthew’s novel Time Twins – Water Tower, click here.

Bio:

 M.P. Ashman was born in Maryborough, Queensland in 1985 but the family soon moved to Toowoomba, where Ashman has spent the majority of his life. Discovering a love of writing at eight years old, it was perhaps due to books such as The Neverending Story that his initial interest was in fantasy fiction. Many years later however, he began to carve out his niche in Science Fiction with the initially self-published offering Time’s Child in 2014. However, this and other self-published titles were withdrawn from the market in 2016, with a view to seeking traditional publication. The main characters of the Time Twins series were initially conceived in 2003 whilst Ashman was still at school, but it would not be until many years later that they would find their voice and their story. Ashman continues to live in Toowoomba with his family including his cat, Prue.