This article was posted to Tumblr and Posterous.
Greetings!
“Sun Days” began as a story when I saw a picture of this young woman in combat gear standing in the middle of a jungle scene, the rain around her broken up slightly by sunlight streaming down from on high. She looked feminine, sexy, strong and vulnerable all at once; like a woman. Something about the image was so moving that I began to wonder about her and why she stood amidst all this flora with such a peaceful expression on her face and such a big gun in her hand.
And Sgt. Claudia Wao was born on that day.
Also I must have been reading about ancient explorers too because I decided she came from a world where the Chinese didn’t abandon world exploration in the 15th century but continued on and eventually took over the world whereas Europe and by extension America became more isolated. Oh, and communism didn’t really take over like it did in our world. It’s fascinating to think about for me, really. As the story proceeded to pour forth I began to think of what her mission was, what the world she was on was like and before you knew it I had the tale of a very simple mission gone very wrong.
It’s somewhat of a work in progress but like many stories it seems compelled to come forth and be told and then spoken aloud. So I hope you like it, warts and all. I think it’s either the first chapter or the beginning of a new novel. Great, I need one of those like I need a hole in the head. :)
I also felt compelled to bring it out now in a sort of tribute to Ray Bradbury after his passing. Bradbury was a huge influence on me as a kid, especially the story “All Summer in a Day.” “Sun Days” is kind of the opposite of that as you will find out when you listen, which I hope you will.
As always, please feel free to donate something towards my “Maine Navel Lint Museum” fund.
