One Pulse
an Anthology from Dreamspinner Press
Benefiting the Orlando Pulse victims fund
Stories drive life. Sometimes life is good; sometimes life is bad. But it’s the nature of our community that in the aftermath of an act of hatred, we respond with love. Because darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. Cruelty cannot stand against compassion. Negativity will never overcome hope.
To show our support for those affected by the Orlando shooting, our authors, editors, artists, and staff have volunteered their talents to create this anthology. All proceeds will be donated to LGBT organizations in central Florida. Join us as we celebrate the triumph of love over every obstacle.
Inspiration behind Magicicada
By Elizabeth Noble
Thank you for having me on your blog today.
When Dreamspinner Press put out the submissions call to
their authors for short stories to compile a charity anthology I knew I wanted
to contribute.
Many years ago I read a story that followed a young girl’s
life in increments of seventeen years. The story showed how her life had
changed each time the cicadas made an appearance. I’d always wanted to write
something similar, the story of someone’s life told in conjunction with some
reoccurring event.
In the hours and days following the shooting in the Pulse
Nightclub there was a story on my local news station about the last minutes of
the victims. One recounting in particular struck a very deep chord with me. A woman
received text messages from her son shortly before he was shot and killed.
I felt so badly for all the people wounded or killed as well
as that man’s mother. Through it all I couldn’t help the thought, ‘my God that
could have been one of my children. It could have been me.’
I have three children, the youngest turned thirty this
year—the age of that young man who sent his mother those final texts. My son
and his older sister are single and frequent clubs. My oldest son has two small
boys and spends most of his free time with them.
From these events the basics of a story took shape. Some
stories are laborious to write and others insist on being told at such a fast
rate I can barely get the words typed out fast enough. Magicicada fell into the latter category.
I knew I wanted to write a story taking us through a man’s
life, event from event and I used the hatching of cicada broods as guideposts.
It was also important to me to show the lengths family will go for each other.
This story shows a child, Russell growing up and his relationship with his
father. Later that relationship extends to include Russell’s husband, Ian.
Russell and his father, Mike share a fascination with
magicicadas. In fact, Russell’s earliest memories are of his father with the
insects. Later Ian shares their fascination with the cicadas. Through the ups
and downs of Russell’s life he has the constant of his father. A father who
loves him unconditionally, the way a parent should.
Not all parents are like Mike and that is something Russell and
Ian learn and contend with as well. Mike becomes parent to them both. They’re a
family and a very tight knit one.
It was important to me to show how some parents will do
anything for their child as well as the commitment of two people in a marriage.
No matter how dire the circumstances the three of them support and love one
another. Their feelings are genuine and unconditional.
From the little I heard of that mother and her son on the
news they loved each other very much, unconditionally, the way it should be.
I’m terribly sorry that woman didn’t have more time with her child and I’m
sorry that young man’s life was ended so horrifically. Mostly I’m thankful for
every day my own children and friends are safe.
Blurb
Russ and his dad, Mike, have always shared a fascination
with cicadas. While coming out as gay isn’t easy, Russ knows Ian is the one
when they discover a shared love for the cyclical broods. Through good times
and bad, the singing of the cicadas provides the soundtrack of Russ’s life.
Excerpt
Brood eight
was in full force, singing and swarming, when Russell met Ian. They were both
taking extra classes that summer. Like Russ’s father, Ian spent as much time
outside as possible.
“Do you hear
them?” Ian’s brown eyes lit up, and his face split into a brilliant smile. They
were at a picnic table on campus, studying. Ian was a business major, and Russ
was studying computer programming and art. They spent every evening together
with their books spread across a table. Often they’d share a dinner of burgers
and fries as well.
“Brood
eight.” Russell swiped a few fries through a puddle of ketchup and popped them
in his mouth.
“You know the
brood? No one knows the brood, not right off the top of their heads. I’m in
love.”
Russell
laughed. “When I was nine, I broke my arm and drew the magicicada all over it
with the different years they hatch.”
“I’m
definitely in love.” Ian grinned. He closed the book in front of him, reached
across the table, and squeezed Russell’s hand. “I’m done for the night. How
about we go meet your dad for some beers, then catch a movie or something?”
The cicadas
were particularly active that year. Their song filled the air. Ian and Russell
would hunt for them during study breaks. Russell was convinced more than ever
the cicadas were magical wizards. When they walked across his wrist, they still
tickled his skin. Ian leaning close and blowing warm breath in Russ’s ear made
him shiver. Then they’d both laugh when shiny wings fluttered and the bug took
flight.
Buy links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | ARe
Cat gives this short story 5 Meows...
Russ was born with a fascination for cicadas. His dad has a photo album with pictures of them both as he grows up with each brood. It's as if they sing for him when he is happy and get quieter as he is sad. As he gets older he draws them as little wizards with magic wands and when he gets older makes the game he always dreamnt of. But life isn't always easy and perfect.
Magicicada is a beautiful story of life as a young boy grows to be a man. It shows the ups and downs of life. I absolutely loved the writing style, the characters, and the story.
Mystery, action, chills and thrills spiced with romance and desire. Elizabeth Noble started telling stories before she actually knew how to write, and her family was very happy when she learned to put words on a page. Those words turned into books and fanfiction that turned into a genuine love of M/M romance fiction. Being able to share her works with Dreamspinner is really a dream come true. She has a real love for a good mystery complete with murder and twisty plots as well as all things sci-fi, futuristic, and supernatural and a bit of an unnatural interest in a super-volcano in Wyoming. Elizabeth has three grown children and is now happily owned by an adorable mixed breed canine princess and her sidekick, tabby cat. She lives in her native northeast Ohio, the perfect place for gardening and winter and summer sports (go Tribe and Cavs!) and stargazing all year long. When she’s not writing she’s working as a veterinary nurse, so don’t be surprised to see her men with a pet or three who are a very big part of their lives. Three of Elizabeth’s books have received Honorable Mentions in the Rainbow Awards. Jewel Cave is a runner up in the Gay Mystery/Thriller category in the 2015 Rainbow Awards.
Author Links: Website || Circles website || Vampire Guard website
Amazon backlist || DSP backlist || Facebook || Twitter
TWO opportunities to win something here today!
From the Author "I'll offer a give away of one of any of my books in eBook format with the exception of the Sentries bundle to one reader"
From the blog: Be sure to leave a comment to be entered into the TTC Books and more monthly comment giveaway. EVERY comment that is relevant to the specific post will be entered. Prizes include various gift cards and swag donated by Publishers, Authors and blog Owner. REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR CONTACT INFO! How else will I notify you if you win?
Thank you for the review of one of stories in the anthology. I meant to purchase it when it came out; I am going to do that now.
ReplyDeleteJczlapin@gmail.com
Thank you for the lovely post and review. I enjoyed learning about the inspiration behind the story, even though it was sad.
ReplyDeleteMagicicada sounds like a wonderful story. And the One Pulse Anthology is inspiring
jen(dot)f(at)mac(dot)com
Thank you for the review. It's always interesting learning how the stories came to be.
ReplyDeletehumhumbum AT yahoo DOT com