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Monday, April 30, 2012

Z.E.R.O.

In the book SLIPSTREAM, the story takes place in two universes separated by a membrane that one crosses by either going through a portal or taking a trip through a mirror. The power to create these doorways comes from one of two sources. The first is Jordan, and I explain where his powers come from in the last chapter of the book. The second is this entity I call Z.E.R.O. The acronym stands for Zion Electronic Ruling Operator...a machine that emerged from a tower that exploded on a mirror planet to Earth.

Z.E.R.O. is an omnipotent machine. His only purpose is to act as a failsafe in the event that for some unforeseeable reason, there was a failure in the containment system of the boxes I spoke of in THIS POST.  Z.E.R.O. saves humanity from extinction. But before he can complete his programming, Z.E.R.O. goes insane.

One of the pitches I used for SLIPSTREAM to get my idea across was a question: What would happen if god had a nightmare? The answer to this is at the core of what Slipstream is about.

During my blog tour coming up in May, I will be posting snippets of a short story that I wrote that describe the Insanity of Z.E.R.O. (probably a paragraph a day).

Thanks to Arlee Bird, Alex, Matthew, Damyanti, and any other organizers I missed for running the A to Z Challenge. It was fun.
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46 comments:

  1. A Daft Scots LassApril 30, 2012 at 12:23 AM

    It was great to be a part of something so awesome. I'm now following a bunch of new brilliant bloggers. See you soon!

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  2. mooderinoApril 30, 2012 at 12:55 AM

    Well done, Michael. It's been a tough April, I'll be going back to my usual, lazy twice a week posting schedule.

    Hope the book is doing well.

    mood
    Moody Writing
    @mooderino
    The Funnily Enough

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  3. UnknownApril 30, 2012 at 2:02 AM

    Yes it was fun but quite exhausting! Well done for completing and I think the organisers did a wonderful job too!

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  4. Francene StanleyApril 30, 2012 at 3:14 AM

    Hi Michael, Congratulations on your book release at such a young age. Our book Wind Over Trobled Waters has just been released by Double Dragon too--so we're buddies.


    http://francene-wordstitcher.blogspot.com/

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  5. BrindaApril 30, 2012 at 4:21 AM

    What an awesome pitch line! I look forward to reading the shorts.

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  6. Alex J. CavanaughApril 30, 2012 at 4:38 AM

    So ZERO isn't a hero?
    Last day of the Challenge! Ready for next year?

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  7. TonjaApril 30, 2012 at 5:46 AM

    Great premise for a story.

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  8. Leigh CaronApril 30, 2012 at 5:47 AM

    I'll be looking forward to your snippets.

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  9. TrishaApril 30, 2012 at 6:44 AM

    YAY, another A-Z winner! Congrats Michael and good job!

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  10. CindyApril 30, 2012 at 6:53 AM

    I'm glad you hear you enjoyed A to Z..perhaps next year I will give it a try.

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  11. PT DillowayApril 30, 2012 at 7:04 AM

    Reading your book made me wonder if you'd ever read "The Reality Dysfunction" by Peter F. Hamilton. The whole thing I guess is over 3000 pages but it seems like something you might enjoy, though I never got past the first third of it.

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  12. Luanne G. SmithApril 30, 2012 at 7:51 AM

    I don't think I like the sound of this Z.E.R.O. going insane. Sounds like it might interrupt my lunch plans. :P

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  13. SlamdunkApril 30, 2012 at 8:12 AM

    Sounds like we readers will have it good enjoying your upcoming snippets.

    Congrats on finishing the challenge Michael.

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  14. BrianeApril 30, 2012 at 9:49 AM

    I just bought and started "Slipstream." I only got a few pages into it over the weekend but your writing is very good.

    Now I find out about "Z.E.R.O."? That's even more intriguing.

    Question: Having just read about Tesla and his electric curtain, was that something you drew on to come up with Jordan's powers? Or is that a coincidence?

    Or... is there a bigger conspiracy out there and you and I have just stumbled onto... Hey, who are you guys? What are you doing barging into my office like this? Are THOSE GUNS? HELP! I'M BEING ABDUCTED BY GUYS AND I'M NOT EVEN ABLE TO GO ON TYPING! IN RETROSPECT I SHOULD HAVE SIMPLY CALLED OUT INSTEAD OF LEAVING THIS COMMENT!

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  15. MorganApril 30, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    Cooool... I love your concept, Michael. So clever. And I hope things are going well with your mom and whatnot... still thinking about that! :(

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  16. Alyson BurdetteApril 30, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    That is an interesting question!

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  17. Alyson BurdetteApril 30, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    That is an interesting question!

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  18. Matthew MacNishApril 30, 2012 at 10:35 AM

    Whoa. That sounds awesome, Mike. Can't wait to have you on for your tour.

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  19. stephen HayesApril 30, 2012 at 10:49 AM

    I'm looking forward to more details on Slipstream. Briane P. is sending me a copy of your novel along with one of his for being a comment winner on his blog and I'm looking forward to reading both novels in their entirety. Take care.

    CC

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  20. J.L. CampbellApril 30, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    Intriguing concept to pitch your book. ZERO saves humanity, but malfunctions. Leaves a lot of questions that need answers as to what happens next.

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  21. UnknownApril 30, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Congrats on A-Z! And thanks for stopping by to comment on my blog. Now, I need a long nap!

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  22. Jay NoelApril 30, 2012 at 11:27 AM

    That's one helluva pitch.

    So glad the challenge is over. Congrats to you for finishing.

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  23. Liz A.April 30, 2012 at 1:04 PM

    Oooh, a what if question...

    Can a computer go insane? Well, it worked for 2001.

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  24. Cherie ReichApril 30, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    It was an awesome question, and I believe you answered it in SLIPSTREAM.

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  25. Andrew LeonApril 30, 2012 at 1:33 PM

    Ooh... god nightmares!

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  26. MunirGhiasuddinApril 30, 2012 at 1:36 PM

    Slipstream sounds like a very interesting book. Couple more days we should be able to order in the book form, hopefully.

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  27. T.D. McFrostApril 30, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    "What would happen if god had a nightmare?" Some pretty deep stuff. What WOULD god do?

    I can't wait to find out!

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  28. Elise FallsonApril 30, 2012 at 2:40 PM

    Can't wait for your blog tour! And I love your idea of ZERO going insane. Can't wait to get my hands on your book. (:

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  29. LibbyApril 30, 2012 at 2:58 PM

    What would happen if God had a nightmare? That's pretty compelling stuff.

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  30. Laura EnoApril 30, 2012 at 3:58 PM

    Great subject for the Z day! I just downloaded Slipstream and can't wait to read it!

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  31. Julie DainesApril 30, 2012 at 3:59 PM

    Sounds like Slipstream is a highly imaginative book. Lots of interesting world building. Congrats on the A to Z!

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  32. Patricia T.April 30, 2012 at 4:32 PM

    Downloaded your book to my Kobo -- didn't realize it was on Kobo. My husband has an iPad, which I rarely get my hands on, so I selected Kobo. Guess, who grabbed my Kobo and started reading your book -- my husband. He's just getting into it and said you are an excellent writer. I was amused. Looking forward to reading it. Hope you sell lots of books!

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  33. Michael Offutt, Phantom ReaderApril 30, 2012 at 4:46 PM

    @A Daft: Indeed.

    @Moody: I have no idea if it is doing well or not. I'm having fun with it.

    @C.M.: This has been an exhausting April *pant

    @Francene: Young age! I'm 40 but *hugs for the well wishes. I'll be by your blog soon.

    @Brinda: Thanks for the compliment on my pitch.

    @Tonja: Thank you dearie!

    @Trisha: A to Z wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. I blog almost every day anyway.

    @Cindy: Yeah stop being lazy.

    @P.T.: I have never read that book.

    @L.G.: It could very well put a kabosh on lunch.

    @Slamdunk: Oh I hope so :))

    @Briane: Thanks for the compliment. I'm growing as a writer. Hopefully I'll stop POV switching. I know that bugs people, but Norah Roberts does it and gets away with it! And no, I didn't draw upon Tesla and the electric curtain to come up with Jordan's powers. :)

    @Morgan: Thank you dearie!

    @Alyson: Thanks ghost mistress

    @Samurai Matt: I can't wait to share tea with you in your writing dojo

    @Stephen: I hope you like it :)

    @J.L. Yes it does

    @Clarissa: Your entries for A to Z were so morbid!

    @Jay: Thank you sir. I enjoyed traveling through steampunk land with you.

    @Liz: It kinda did, didn't it? Hmmmm

    @Cherie: Thank you.

    @Andrew: sly dog

    @Munir: Thank you. It's available in paperback now from the publisher. Soon Amazon will follow.

    @T.D.: It is kinda deep (existential) is it not?

    @Elise: I'm giving away crystal spiders. The paperback is already available through the publisher's website.

    @Libby: Thank you :)

    @Laura: Oh thank you. I hope you like it.

    @Julie: Thank you for the compliment.

    @Patricia: Thanks for giving it a try. IT's an adult book so I hope you enjoy it.

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  34. Golden EagleApril 30, 2012 at 5:02 PM

    Now there's a disturbing thought--god having a nightmare. Looking forward to reading the snippets!

    Congratulations on finishing the A-Z Challenge!

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  35. AnonymousApril 30, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    I love the question idea of Slipstream... I never thought about God having nightmares... very cool.

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  36. M PaxApril 30, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    I can't wait to read it, Michael.

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  37. farawayeyesApril 30, 2012 at 5:58 PM

    What would happen if God had a nightmare? YIKES.

    Take care Michael. Can't wait to get back to something resembling normal or at least my normal.

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  38. Rusty CarlApril 30, 2012 at 6:26 PM

    I haven't quite got to the last chapter yet... maybe tonight. Can't wait for the explanation of Jordan's gifts though.

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  39. Leigh CovingtonApril 30, 2012 at 6:35 PM

    Oh my goodness... it would be so cool to be in your mind! I love it Michael! Sounds fabulous!

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  40. E. ArroyoApril 30, 2012 at 7:29 PM

    Sounds awesome. Love the idea of the program going insane. Nice. =)

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  41. Brooke R. BusseApril 30, 2012 at 7:36 PM

    So normally, I would leave something pertaining to your post when I'm responding to something you said in the comments, but I've had the same headache since Friday. Brain wanting to do minimal work. So...

    OMG! Paperback versions! -runs off- -realizes too sickly to go to website, find money, and exchange it with mother for using her PayPal- Remind me later.

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  42. dolorahApril 30, 2012 at 9:38 PM

    Am I on your blog tour? I'm having nightmares of my own lately with all the things I keep forgetting.

    If I'm not on it and you need another slot filled let me know.

    ........dhole

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  43. HelenaApril 30, 2012 at 11:21 PM

    What an imagination you have! I'm looking forward to Slipstream and all your future books.

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  44. Theresa MilsteinMay 1, 2012 at 3:58 AM

    That's quite a question to ask. I've never thought of that question!

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  45. The Armchair SquidMay 1, 2012 at 12:33 PM

    Congrats on finishing!

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  46. CiaraMay 2, 2012 at 4:42 AM

    It was a great challenge this year. I have LOVED some of the creative themes. Congratulations on completing the challenge!

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