Category: novels (Page 1 of 3)

Silent paperback is now available on Createspace and Amazon! 😀

Here’s a $2 off coupon code for Createspace, good for the next two weeks: S2XQ6E63

My cat is very excited.

Giveaway Winners

My apologies on being a day late on the announcement– had some car and cat troubles. I used a random number generator to select the winners out of the 47 entries.

Winner 1: Peaches

Winner 2: JohnRay

I really loved reading the comments you guys shared on all the posts. If I had infinite resources, I’d send you all paperbacks, but until that day, I’d like to offer anyone who participated a postcard from LA, if they’re interested. Just leave a comment here letting me know (using the same email address you used for the giveaway posts) and I’ll send you a private message. 🙂

Part 1: Watts, Los Angeles

Part 2: Mid City, Los Angeles

Part 3: Bel Air and West Los Angeles

Part 4: Huntington Park, Los Angeles 

Part 5: Venice Beach

Scenes from Silent

Santa Monica Beach

Last stop, at least for my photos. Santa Monica is only a few miles north of Venice–they share a border–but the feel is slightly more upscale. The Promenade is a pedestrian mall lined with the latest fashionable department stores, fancy boutiques, and mix of fast food and fine dining restaurants.  There are also street performers and occasionally (sadly) a nut job with a microphone who spews hate to a crowd that (thankfully) either ignores him or throws his stupidity in his face with counter-arguments. A few blocks west you’ll come to the beach, where families from all over can be found enjoying the sun and the sand–though few swim in the water unless they’re tourists, as it’s not known for its cleanliness.

The pier is the focal point of the beach, and houses an amusement park with the famous Santa Monica Ferris wheel. Street artists who create unique works of art by request also set up shop on the wooden planks. You could spend an entire day just out on that pier–eating a meal or two at various restaurants, maybe doing a little fishing off the far end, going on the rides at the park and playing a few games. There are also several shops and a trapeze school to occupy your time. Have your face sculpted in clay, or your name painted in bright colors. It’s an entertaining place where you’re sure to find love of all ages–from teenagers on their first dates to elderly couples out for a sunset stroll.

This is where Alex learns about love and sacrifice.

Well, that’s it! I’ve really enjoyed sharing these images of LA, and hope they were able to provide readers with a glimpse into Alex’s world. 🙂

Giveaway!

I’m giving away 2 prizes at the end of the month:

Winner 1: Paperback and a finger painting from the Santa Monica pier (as featured in Chapter 22).

Seemingly careless streaks transformed into fantastic scenery as the man worked, but I couldn’t give him my full attention. I had other concerns on my mind…like why I felt so nervous standing beside Seb. Was I too close? Or not close enough? Why did that matter all of a sudden?

Here’s a clip of one being made:

Depending on the wishes of the artist, I may even be able to record a video of your artwork being created. 🙂

Winner 2: Paperback and postcards of LA scenes, including some from Inner City Arts, a nonprofit organization providing arts education to students in low-income areas of Los Angeles.

Rules/Entry Info

~To enter, just leave a comment on any “Scenes from Silent” post (one comment per post is eligible as another entry).

~Entries will be accepted from now until midnight PST on December 1st.

~Winners will be selected by random drawing and announced on December 2nd.

~Must be 18 or over to enter.

Thanks for reading! 🙂

Part 1: Watts, Los Angeles

Part 2: Mid City, Los Angeles

Part 3: Bel Air and West Los Angeles

Part 4: Huntington Park, Los Angeles 

Scenes from Silent

Venice Beach

And now we’ve gone west again. Venice Beach is the people-watching capital of Southern California. You’ll see everything here—tourists from all over the world, locals from every part of LA (which by now you know is pretty diverse), artists, musicians, body builders, break dancers…you name it, Venice Beach probably has it. Street vendors line the boardwalk, selling everything from popcorn to life-size statues of movie characters.

I love the atmosphere here—the laid-back, anything-goes kind of feeling that I have walking the beach. You can dress up or dress down, you can purchase expensive works of art or just a few kitschy odds and ends. You can eat at a fancy café or grab a hot dog and some curly fries. Or you could just sit back and watch the vibrant scenery around you, both natural and man-made.

This is where Alex finds reason to hope again.

Part 6: Santa Monica Beach

Giveaway!

I’m giving away 2 prizes at the end of the month:

Winner 1: Paperback and a finger painting from the Santa Monica pier (as featured in Chapter 22).

Seemingly careless streaks transformed into fantastic scenery as the man worked, but I couldn’t give him my full attention. I had other concerns on my mind…like why I felt so nervous standing beside Seb. Was I too close? Or not close enough? Why did that matter all of a sudden?

Here’s a clip of one being made:

Depending on the wishes of the artist, I may even be able to record a video of your artwork being created. 🙂

Winner 2: Paperback and postcards of LA scenes, including some from Inner City Arts, a nonprofit organization providing arts education to students in low-income areas of Los Angeles.

Rules/Entry Info

~To enter, just leave a comment on any “Scenes from Silent” post (one comment per post is eligible as another entry).

~Entries will be accepted from now until midnight PST on December 1st (extended a day because I have one more post :P).

~Winners will be selected by random drawing and announced on December 2nd.

~Must be 18 or over to enter.

Thanks for reading! 🙂

Part 1: Watts, Los Angeles

Part 2: Mid City, Los Angeles

Part 3: Bel Air and West Los Angeles

Scenes from Silent

Huntington Park, Los Angeles

The previous two stops were progressively north and west, but this time we’re dipping southeast again. Huntington Park is similar to Watts in that it’s considered inner city and a low-income area. The population here is less mixed than in Watts, though, with around 97% of the residents identifying as Latino or Hispanic. Of course, within that majority there is still diversity, as some are recent immigrants—from various countries—and others have been citizens since birth.

Like Watts, it’s not the safest place in LA and not a place you’re likely to find a tourist. But also like in Watts, there are still members of close-knit families, wonderful displays of street art, and great cultural traditions. In my other profession I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of this community for years, and have many happy memories here that are no less meaningful just because they’re interspersed with more difficult ones.

This is where Alex makes one of the toughest decisions of his life.

Part 5: Venice Beach

Giveaway!

I’m giving away 2 prizes at the end of the month:

Winner 1: Paperback and a finger painting from the Santa Monica pier (as featured in Chapter 22).

Seemingly careless streaks transformed into fantastic scenery as the man worked, but I couldn’t give him my full attention. I had other concerns on my mind…like why I felt so nervous standing beside Seb. Was I too close? Or not close enough? Why did that matter all of a sudden?

Here’s a clip of one being made:

Depending on the wishes of the artist, I may even be able to record a video of your artwork being created. 🙂

Winner 2: Paperback and postcards of LA scenes, including some from Inner City Arts, a nonprofit organization providing arts education to students in low-income areas of Los Angeles.

Rules/Entry Info

~To enter, just leave a comment on any “Scenes from Silent” post (one comment per post is eligible as another entry).

~Entries will be accepted from now until midnight PST on December 1st.

~Winners will be selected by random drawing and announced on December 2nd.

~Must be 18 or over to enter.

Thanks for reading! 🙂

Part 5: Venice Beach

Part 1: Watts, Los Angeles

Part 2: Mid City, Los Angeles

Scenes from Silent

Bel Air and West Los Angeles

Another ten miles. Except this time, I’ve heard more than one person joke that you need a passport to travel the distance. On the West side, and particularly in areas like Bel Air and Brentwood, you’ll find large homes with perfectly-kept yards, trendy boutiques, and tons of restaurants, ranging from everyday burger joints to expensive (but delicious) organic health food. Billboards advertising the latest TV shows, movies, and designer clothes grace skyscrapers and heavily-trafficked roads.

Residents are a mix of races and ethnicities, but obviously there’s less diversity in their socio-economic statuses—you have to have a certain amount in the bank to be able to afford the cost of living. Behind the scenes, though, much of the service sector work at restaurants, office buildings, and homes is done by people who live in the near-and-yet-so-far places further east and south.

This is where Alex loses faith before finding a new purpose.

Part 4: Huntington Park, Los Angeles

Giveaway!

I’m giving away 2 prizes at the end of the month:

Winner 1: Paperback and a finger painting from the Santa Monica pier (as featured in Chapter 22).

Seemingly careless streaks transformed into fantastic scenery as the man worked, but I couldn’t give him my full attention. I had other concerns on my mind…like why I felt so nervous standing beside Seb. Was I too close? Or not close enough? Why did that matter all of a sudden?

Here’s a clip of one being made:

Depending on the wishes of the artist, I may even be able to record a video of your artwork being created. 🙂

Winner 2: Paperback and postcards of LA scenes, including some from Inner City Arts, a nonprofit organization providing arts education to students in low-income areas of Los Angeles.

Rules/Entry Info

~To enter, just leave a comment on any “Scenes from Silent” post (one comment per post is eligible as another entry).

~Entries will be accepted from now until midnight PST on November 30th.

~Winners will be selected by random drawing and announced on December 1st.

~Must be 18 or over to enter.

Thanks for reading! 🙂