Saturday, November 28, 2009

BTAP #52: Brotherly Love by J.E. Seymour

It rocked him back, aside from the fact that his little brother hadn't ever called him, that he could remember, that his little brother would ask for his help, and the kind of help he couldn't talk about on the phone to boot. His mind went to the only logical conclusion, that his little brother was setting some sort of trap for him. Paully was a cop, Kevin remembered that much, even if he had to struggle to remember what the man looked like.
Is blood thicker than water? J.E. Seymour explores what one brother will do for another in "Brotherly Love."

Next week: Kieran Shea's "Charlie and Stevie Do a Repo"

Friday, November 27, 2009

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

A Special Day

d.MixThis person is the quiet force behind BEAT to a PULP. She came up with the web design, and she formats the stories each week for publication, making last minute checks for any mistakes Ms. Ash or I may have missed. She also comes up with the Education/Pulp Writer BTAP images to advertise the latest Punch.

While she prefers to stay behind the scenes, I decided I had to do something special for her since I’m still away for work and I can’t be there on her birthday.

She’s my charmer. And I miss her.

Happy Birthday d.

Te amo.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

BTAP #51: They Come From Above by Cormac Brown

Ok, so everyone except the editor/publisher seems to understand the BTAP guideline: New material only. This week, for the second time, we are publishing a story that has been previously released to the blogging world. Cormac Brown had me riveted with a flash piece he posted earlier in the year on Cormac Writes. I couldn’t get his finely-written Twilight Zone style tale out of my head so I asked Cormac if he would be interested in slightly expanding his story for BTAP. He graciously agreed making “They Come From Above” the first flash fiction piece at BEAT to a PULP. Maybe you remember reading it, but don’t let that stop you from checking out this freshened up version from a very talented writer. You won’t be disappointed.

Next week: "Brotherly Love" by J.E. Seymour

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Not Such A Mystery

Maybe it’s because I spend a fair amount of time around construction sites that articles like this jump out at me. Quite often, discoveries of ancient structures bring about the question, how did they do it? Which is usually met with the reply, it’s unbelievable or even impossible. According to the excavation director of the wall in Israel, "To build straight walls up 8 meters ... I don't know how to do it today without mechanical equipment … I don't think that any engineer today without electrical power [could] do it."

Which brings me to the mystery of Stonehenge. Every few years a documentary will spring up claiming it couldn’t have been done by humans with their limited technology. Aliens must have helped. Well, this guy demonstrates how it was probably constructed (hat tip to Francis Callahan for the link). End of mystery, right? I doubt it. The question will likely come up time and time again because it seems each generation has to learn it for themselves.

Now, here’s a mystery that really fascinates me, the 2,000 year old battery. Have its origins ever been figured out? And please tell me we didn't destroy it in the last couple wars.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

BTAP #50: Conjugal by Fred Snyder

Tabitha recognized the guard. He had escorted her through the prison for her previous visit. "You must have impressed him," he said.

"Mr. Boyle?"

"You're the only one who's been here twice."

"He's a nice guy," she said without thinking.

He frowned over his shoulder at her. "For fifteen minutes, maybe. Most nice guys don't spend decades at a time in prison."
Don't stop there. Fred Snyder delivers a knockout story with "Conjugal" this week at BTAP.

Next: "They Come From Above" by Cormac Brown

Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Man Who Collected Rocks

Rocks.

No, stones, he called them.

Semantics, I thought.

"Stones just sounds better," he said.

As I’ve traveled, I’ve collected artwork here and there. On my latest adventure, I’ve taken up a new collecting hobby. Rocks. Or, should I say stones as my colleague does? At first, I made fun of him for his collecting preference, one that never once crossed my noggin. But sure enough, ten minutes later, my boot kicked a rock, then I slide it sideways, turning it with my foot, and the strange formation and designs caught my eye.

Since then, it’s become an addictive hobby. Perfect circles tattoo some of them, red map-like veins interweave deep down in others. An assortment of rich greens, whites, and blacks make for a colorful collection. Maybe it seems simple or a cheap thing to collect, but heck, people collect shot glasses, hats, magnets and other little trinkets of a touristy nature when they travel. Why not an actual piece of the country? Here are a few of the rocks I’ve accumulated to take back--though this picture doesn't do them justice, I still have to wash and polish them.

So, while collecting rocks was never something I thought I'd be doing, I’m glad my partner introduced me to it. Anybody else have any interesting or strange collections in their possession?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Nik's Story

I hope everyone drops over to Nik Morton's superb blog and drop a comment on a wonderful short story he has posted. And Happy Veteran's Day!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

BTAP #49: Mortification by Sophie Littlefield

Sophie Littlefield's, A Bad Day for Sorry has elicited numerous favorable reviews. Oline Cogdill writing in the South Florida Sun Sentinel says, "Littlefield's exciting debut should be the start of an even more exciting series." Kirkus Reviews said, "First-timer Littlefield creates characters with just the right quirks who charm..." Haven’t read Bad Day yet? You can order it here. And while you are waiting for it to arrive, here is BTAP’s first procedural with Sophie’s brilliant "Mortification."

Next: "Conjugal" by Fred Snyder

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

I've Been Everywhere

I've been everywhere, man.
I've been everywhere, man.
Crossed the desert's bare, man.
I've breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I've had my share, man.
I've been everywhere.


Johnny is still the man. Whenever I’m traveling for work, I think of his music and back to my youth. I remember spending Thursday evenings with my dad listening to the Man in Black, playing checkers and eating an entire jar of hot peppers while waiting for mom to come back from a church function. Geez, twenty-five years just flashed by. Sorry, not much of a point here, just the ramblings of a man far from home yet again.