Why is everyone so MAD?

I'm writing this post from America and as most people know we are in the middle of a presidential impeachment trial right now. While it is not the only thing of importance happening in the world, social media is littered, sometimes as trashed as a California freeway, with comments, opinions, slanders, and other forms of reaction to what is happening politically in the US. Let me be clear, this post is not about politics. This post is about people.

So, I mention our US political strife because it is symptomatic of an emotional plague that is sweeping, not just the US, but it would appear other parts of the world as well. What name can we give this plague. There are many, but I call it the Angry Plague. In short, people, for whatever reason have drawn a line in the sand, picked a team, chosen a stance, and most of all love to pissed off at anyone who feels differently.

It strikes me as odd really, that in an era where uniqueness and diversity is supposedly celebrated, we have decided that while outwardly we'll be cordial, but then behind the anonymous cloak of the computer screen we turn into frothing, criticism hate monsters. Worst of all, this draw-your-sword-and-get-ready-for-battle philosophy has moved outside the confines of our online lives to our dinner tables, and has seeped into holidays and social events, further alienating us from our own species, not to mention our friends and family.

After watching this phenomenon for a while, I had to ask, why? Why are so many so darn angry and looking for a fight. So I did a little experiment. I started lurking around Quora and Reddit watching the patterns, noticing what set people off. I talked to family and friends about why they were so quick to back their particular tribe whether it be politics, or ideologies. Here are a few things I noticed.

1. Most online threads that started with civil discourse, quickly(usually within five comments) degraded to name calling and cruel attacks. Once everyone stated their point, and took their corners, no real conversation or exchange of ideas followed.

2. In most online debates/arguments, rational thought goes out the windows. Everyone has a point to prove, but very few people if any are asking legitimate questions to learn more. In other words, there is far more talking than listening. Once, I ask someone to tell me why they felt so passionate about a particular topic in a Quora thread. They ignored my question and went on bashing others views on forum. 

3. When someone disagrees with a given point, it quickly spirals into belittling behaviors or name calling.  Then tempers flare, and it gets really mean.

4. Finally, I noticed that the general philosophy out there is that if you don't agree with the person who makes a comment or attacks, that you must be stupid, or a lesser individual.

So why are we so mad? I don't know. There is lots injustice in the world, people are hurting, but I don't think that is it. I think that for alot  reasons is easier to be mad, and because we don't see the repercussions right away, we don't feel the consequences of our thoughtless and cruel banter online and even in person. Imagine if we spoke to our spouses or friends the way we talk to faceless strangers on Social Media. Our marriages and friendships would fail, sooner than later and our misery would mushroom and grow.

But the thing is, when we show no respect to others, when critique and belittle, we are hurting each other. People have been disgruntled and angry forever, but in days gone by we were taught to show general respect for one another. Here's a fun idea, go on line, and try to build up someone, not because they agree with you, but because all this anger is poison, and we in many places including on social media and drinking it up in gulps.  Here's another idea, next time you feel compelled to verbally punch someone on line, imagine punching them in the face. It is the same.  All this rage. All this division. Like a poison, I really believe it will kill us, at least the love we share on this big beautiful blue planet. And no one, no politician, no ideological leader, no small group of people can fix it. We, a the human race must decide that we can disagree, but still work together respectfully. Anyone else think this would be a good idea? Anyone else have suggestions, disagreements, or can add to these thoughts. I genuinely would love to hear!

Traxx is Here and You Can Win It!

Traxx is officially available to purchase and to celebrate the release of not just a new book, but a new Dystopian, Sci-fi series I'm giving away five digital copies of Traxx book 1 to five lucky winners! this book is unlike any Dystopian book you've ever read. Yep, no oppressive regime, no suffering districts, only people living in homes that move...every eight weeks to be exact. Not to worry though, there is plenty of conflict, drama and a love story that you'll <3 Here's the blurb you will find on Amazon or the back of the book.

Jetta Banks could never have imagined that her safe reality was contrived from a horrific lie. 

Like everyone else, she’s relocated to a new community in her family’s Homeshield every eight weeks since birth. By design, life in Aritrea is predictably inconsistent and always governed by the Back to Basic philosophy instituted following the world-wide pandemic.

Still, Jetta feels like something is missing.

When she meets Montana Tanner, the blue-eyed boy from the oddly painted Homeshield, she begins to understand why. Not only is she instantly smitten, but he also reveals to her a secret about Aritrea’s new leadership, leaving her questioning everything she’s ever been taught. Knowing this damming information, Jetta faces an impossible choice; will she live a lie and remain on the Traxx with her family, or will she embrace the truth and choose an uncertain and dangerous future with the boy she loves?

If you don't want to take your  chances on winning, you can download Traxx on Amazon right now for less than a cup of coffee:) Grab Traxx here!  Well, because this book is unlike any Dystopian book you've ever read. Yep, no oppressive regime, no suffering districts, only people living in homes that move...every eight weeks to be exact. Not to worry though, there is plenty of conflict, drama and a love story that you'll <3

To enter to win your copy of Traxx, click here  Win a copy of Traxx, book 1

Can't wait to hear what you all think of Traxx, and yep I'm already well into writing book 2! Thanks for stopping by.

The big Cover Reveal for Traxx!

It's here, cover reveal day and I am so excited! Creating the Traxx cover was unlike any cover I've designed or commissioned before. Traxx is not a story that fits nicely in a box and I wanted to be brave and let the cover show the uniqueness, the societal changes and the sense of movement, but I also wanted to keep it minimalist. Since the Traxx way of life is also dominated by a concept called Back to Basics, and their propaganda produced by the government smacks of nostalgia, and going back to a simpler time, I wanted that idea to be reflected in the cover. I spent hours coming over book covers and posters from the 1950's and took the simple color palette from that era and style. It's all very Mad Men you know:) Also, pay attention to that symbol in the middle. It's important and will reappear often in the series. 

Traxx book 1 will be available to read in Kindle, Nook, Itunes, and Kobo on December 1st, so grab your copy and check out this truly unique Dystopian story. And, now that I've told you the why behind the design, here it is...

   I hope you all like it, and don't forget to stop back soon. I'll be giving away books and holding a contest very soon!

-Angela

Can a setting be a character?

Hi all! December is barrelling toward us too fast! And in December I will releasing Traxx, book 1. Today, I want to tell you a little about the setting for Traxx because it is truly unique!

The Traxx society blossomed in what was the United States following a world-wide pandemic. There are lots of post-pandemic books out there, but I wanted to do something different, to avoid the typical repressive regime that we often see in Dystopian novels. The result, families and individuals living in homes hooked to track, relocating every eight weeks to a new place.

In short, a society with no foundation, literally.

 
The other big thing about the Traxx society that is unique is Back to Basics. It's a philosophy they live by. This means no phones, no internet, and no social media of any kind.

Crazy huh? Now here are some of the upsides; crime is rare. Racism is disappearing because every eight weeks, you relocate to new community and start over. Education is available to everyone, Medical help is always close by and won't bankrupt you.

And how did all these earth shattering changes come about after the Pandemic? The new Government of course, The Benevolent Eleven, led by the visionary Jonathon Flint. But more on him later.



So the answer to the question can a setting be a character is absolutely, yes, and in the case of Traxx, I think it is.


If this story is interesting to you, let me know. I'm giving away five copies in the month of November before it is available to buy on Amazon! Thanks for dropping by. Come back soon, because the next post should be the big cover reveal! Bye for now.

 

Meet the mastermind

The next few months on my blog is going to be mostly about my upcoming book and the start of the Traxx series. I'm super excited to introduce you the characters of this far-reaching tale. Traxx is a totally different take on a post-pandemic society, one that I hope will leave you thinking about what the country of Aritrea gained with a new way of life, but also what its people lost when they gave up their foundations and freedom.

Let's get started. Today I want to introduce you to Jonathon Flint, the mastermind and initial architect of the Back to Basics concept and the Traxx lifestyle. In the book Traxx, the setting is as much as character as the people, but we'll save more on that for later. The first thing you need to know about Jonathon Flint is that his father is a brilliant virologist and immunologist and even at the age of sixteen years old, Jonathon was in college following in his father's footsteps. His mother is a socialite, practically married more to her social media than to Jonathon's father. His mother and father have a profound affect on Jonathon's thought processes and he soon develops a hatred of social media and is drawn to the power of science.

When the story of Traxx begins, Jonathon is in his early eighties and one of Eleven leaders who rule Aritrea, along with his lifelong friend Levi Cantrell. Don't be fooled by his age, Jonathon is a character carved by tragedy, and a warped view of the world and those who should lead. He's a powerful man who values the same self-control that he expects of his people. And, he has a lover, a fellow leader that he has nurtured along for generations.

What do you say about Jonathon Flint? He's the guy that changes the world, but is it for the better? He thinks of himself as a savior. Meet him officially on December 1st when Traxx, book 1 launches and see what you think for yourself.

The Date is Set!

It's been a long time coming. What am I talking about? A new series I've been working on for years. Literally. The name of the series, Traxx, and I'd like to introduce you to the world of Traxx amd tell you that Book 1 in the series will be published in Early December! I'm so excited to share this phenomenal story with you. You might find Traxx to be a cautionary tale of what happens when desperation leads us take whatever leadership is presented to us. You might find that you love the way the citizen live on the Traxx system and you wish we could live like them.




In the next few weeks, I'll be introducing the characters, and stories that will bring into the world of Traxx, and give you a peek into the lives of Jetta Banks and Montana Tanner, two people brought together that will change the course of the history in the country of Aritrea. For now, here is a symbol that represents a major change in the way people lived in Aritrea. Try and guess what you think it means.

Stay tuned....so much more is coming. Until then, I hope you all are doing well. I love my readers!

An occasional book review

Hi all! Every once in awhile if I read a book that impresses me, I'll post a book review. The author community is full of the nicest people and we love to help each other out. But I only write a review if I feel like the work is professional and can be enjoyed by other people. And your are up for a little sweet romance, I have a book you might like.

So on to that book review. If you are a fan of Regency Romance I'd like to tell you about. Sally Britton. Her book was called Discovering Grace. 

 Such a pretty cover! This is a story of twin sisters who are quite different from one another. One is brash and prefers adventure and drama while is the other is content with a quiet life and prefers to work in the back ground. Through a series of events, the sister who loves nothing more than being home in her comfortable surroundings is commanded by her father to go on a year long voyage overseas with some family friends. While the one who yearns for adventure is forced to stay home in their sleepy but close-knit community. In defiance, the girls decide to trick their father and switch places. Once the adventurous twin is gone, the setting is perfect for Grace(the quiet one) to discover many things about herself while acting like her sister. And most importantly, the timing is right for a love that never could've happened while her sister Hope was living at home. The pacing on this story felt just right, and the romance had gentle build up until each character saw things as they should be. This was my first time reading Ms. Britton's work and I was impressed with the professionalism of her writing and her ability to paint  a picture with words. If you enjoy a good romance, you might enjoy Discovering Grace. Apparently, there is also a second book in the series about her sisters adventures overseas. I'll have to get my hands on that one:) 

As for me...back to writing. I'm working hard on the second book in my Kiss Series. Book 1, Five Days Five Kisses has been doing really well. 

Now that Nikola's story is published. It's time to tell the world about Liberty and her accidental brush with love. Book 2, Five Kisses One Problem, coming right up. Well as soon as I can anyway. 

I hope you all have a great week. Tell someone they are love today. They might need it<3

-Angela
Spinner of Tales