Welcome to "A Writer's Block."

By Murray M. Lee

I write as a hobby, and set up this site to put some of my stories up for viewing. The bulk of it is science fiction and "Twilight Zone" style stories, but there are others. Some friends of mine have also offered to put their stories up. Hopefully, you'll enjoy the selection.

Besides the stories, scroll down for the site's "Joke of the Day," updated daily, and a number of links.

Joke of the Day , "Artist's Block" Gallery , USS Freedom Trek sim

Thank you for over 30,000 hits!!!

My Stories:

A Double Life (Science Fiction/Modern Day - short novel/novella) A youth with a dual identity faces a terrible new crisis

Nuclear Hell (Science Fiction/Modern Day - short story) An ex-hippie, obsessed with nuclear war aftermath, goes through his worst nigtmare

For a Bad Time Call ... (College-Scene Drama - short story: PG ) After a breakup, a jerk uses a new twist on the old bathroom wall messages to ruin the new guy the girl's life

Proteus Virus (Science Fiction/Modern Day - short story) (some violence) A genetic engineering researcher, struck by tragedy, turns his miracle breakthrough into a nightmare weapon.

Planet America (Science Fiction/Future Age - short story)The story of a man who leaves a no longer free America in order to start a new life on Earth's first colony world.

Selectve Breeding (Science Fiction/Future Age - short story) The story of a boy as he grows into a man, "in a world when the concept of 'all men are created equal' is not only a mere historical footnote at best, but in many places not even remembered."

The Gambler and the Psi (Science Fiction/Space-Age - novel) The adventures of two felinoid women as they find themselves on the run from an interstellar mob.

In the Cards (Science Fiction/Space-Age - short story) A The Gambler and the Psi story. Karmlyn runs into an opponent whom just might be her match.

Ayrini's Shore (Science Fiction/Past Era - short novel/novella) A story that takes place centuries earlier in the "Gambler and Psi" universe. A luckless young mymar finds friendship in an unlikely form.

Artwork Gallery

Some pictures by myself and others.

Old ideas that didn't quite make it. A glance of what didn't make it here.

Stories by Other Writers:

This is the only place on this site you'll find certain genre.

An Elven Adventure by Sh Allowen (Medieval Fantasy)

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Latest News

2/1/2007 - More "Warcraft" and Ode to an Old Freind Still going at it with "World of Warcraft," with the character getting a little punch to him and able to make some fairly decent items. Looking for hints and locations, found a couple more helpful websites, Allakkhazam's Magical Realm and World of Warcraft Maps.

But this week has a touch of sadness to it. It was five years ago that I heard my online friend and fellow online writer Paul Gibbs passed away. Jennifer Anderson did a recent picture in tribute for him. Paul's site, the Sah'aaran Embassy remains up as a memorial to him. Futher comments can be found here.

Rest in peace, Paul

1/15/2007 - On the Warpath with Warcraft It was probably inevitable after getting broadband. Especialy since some of my friends play it, and double especialy after getting it for Christmas.

I finaly joined the multitudes scrapping in Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft. And the game does look great. The crisp graphics, the HUGE map that it can take days of gameplay to walk across, etc. It does get a bit "laggy" at times on this old computer, but not enough to stop me from playing.

And so I've been going at it with some old friends, and a few new ones, as a "Horde" Tauren character. My friends also play that side, and the Alliance has gotten something of a reputation of being dominated by powerleveling kids with little sense of fair play. My friends, almost all Tauren, have been a bit help in figuring things out, and paitent in putting up with my "lag" and all the bull jokes, "Moooooving right along," "Don't have a cow, man," "That cultist is wearing a red cape - CHARGE!". :-D

And for more hints, WoW Gameamp, which I found on a websearch (in the middle of several pages of nothing else but buying and selling WoW gold on eBay) has been some help.

I haven't spent all my free time on "World of Warcraft." I have been starting work on another story. Will have it up sooner or later.

12/23/2006 - MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Writer's Block.

Recently got a cable modem, so have been going about and enjoying what one can do with high-speed internet. Have been able to watch those film clips sent by friends and family without going off and doing something else for five to ten minutes. But it's been more than that. I've finally been able to get on the multiplayer functions of some games of mine, such as "Halo" and "Medal of Honor." Trouble is, someone like me well past college-age and working a living tends to end up getting the worst of it when up against teenagers spending practicaly all their free time here. Maybe I should start calling myself "Pawned" on these games for a player name (for those not in the know, to clobber someone in a shooting game).

More recently, have been taking a look at the place one of my Trek buddies was bragging about in the past, Second Life ( Wikipedia entry ). So far, it's been much like what this news reporter described. Even with my high-speed net, details take a while to load, and things have been a bit "laggy" (slow). But when things go right, the detail in this virtual world can be really great. What sets this place apart from most other places on the 'net is that most of the content is made by other players, and the makers, Linden Labs, recognize the intelectual property rights of the owners. It has gotten the attention of the news media, big business, musicians, and politicians.

I guess I'll stick around, especialy as the basic membership is free ;-). To own virtual land, one needs to pay several bucks a month, but I think I'll pass on being the proud owner of what some friends and family of mine would see as nothing but ones and zeros.

10/25/2006 - Update My friend Richard McCluney has been busy lately. He's started a novel-in-progress, Something Wonderful This Way Comes. He's also been doing some research for it, which gets stored on his blog, Richard's Research.

If I can't come up with anything new, I'll find those who can. ;-)

10/23/2006 - Just a note I'm still around, and I think I uploaded everything. But having trouble coming up with anything new. Seems I can stare at a blank screen or sheet of paper for over an hour, and come up with nothing. Had a few ideas, but inspiration left me after a page or two. And looking at the majority of these ideas, they seem a bit depressing. I did a sketch to cheer up an Internet friend after she mentioned she was depressed, that's all. Trying work on another bit of art, not satisfied with the results.

A case of "to be continued ..."

9/16/2006 - New Server/Solar System Shakeup The hosting service we used to do business with pulled the plug, then demanded triple the price to resume. Well, instead we went with another one, a little cheaper than the old price and hopefully more reliable too. Will spend the next few days rebuilding things.

But the old size limit is gone, so I can put up new links, such as the Pardus game a friend told me about, and discuss space news again, like the mess over the Solar System this summer.

First, it was revealed that the "Kupler Belt object" beyond Pulto's orbit nicknamed "Xena" was larger than Pluto. So, some were wondering if the official number of planets should be raised. But the 12 planet suggestion seemed a bit much for many, including some in this Freefall thread. So a group of astronomers met to decide the matter. They decided to strip Pluto of it's status as a planet, and come up with a new designation "dwarf planet." The response has been far from unaminous from experts and public alike. One museum hung a black cloth over the Pluto part of it's planetary exhibit as if in mourning. Clearly, the debate will go on for some time.

Recently "Xena," or "2003 UB313" as it was technicaly known, was given an official name. With all the fuss it caused, it was appropriate that it was named for a Greek goddess of discord: Eris. It's moon, nicknamed "Gabriel," was named for a Greek goddess of lawlessness, Dysnomia. With the actress playing Xena being "Lucy Lawless," the decsion must've been made either in humor, a nod to those who had grown attatched to the nickname, or perhaps both.

No word yet from either Mrs. Lawless, or from the Vatican, which must have smirked as it still gets flak from the hard line it took on Comprenicus and Galelio.

Click here for more news

Joke of the (indeterment time period):

In the news, research suggests the human brain is still evolving - news item.

The origins of one gene were traced to "about 37,000 years ago, about the time period when art, music and tool-making were emerging," and another to "about 5,800 years ago, roughly correlating with the development of written language, spread of agriculture and development of cities ..."

One can only wonder what mutations arise from being stuck in a cubicle 8 hours a day then going home to staring at the boob tube the rest of the evening.

.....

While trying to explain to our six-year-old daughter how much technology had changed, my husband pointed to our brand-new personal computer and told her that when he was in college, a computer with the same amount of power would have been the size of a house.

Wide-eyed, our daughter asked, "How big was the mouse?"

from topgreetings.com

Click Here for more jokes, ,

funny websites, and a selection of Bin-Laden jokes and internet games.

About the Writer - A little about myself and how the website got started.

TRIVIA QUESTION:

What is the frequency of UFO sightings around the world?

(*Think you know the answer? Think again! Then go to the banner and ad page for the correct answer*) click here

My Other Sites

To My AOL Site

To My "E-Zine"

To the USS Freedom Trek Sim site

"Writer's Block" Link-Exchange Partners' Banner Page

My Friends' and Family's Websites

Carolyn's Newsletter - My Mother's website, full of facts and web tidbits.

Our Special Site - My Mother's Christian website.

Richard's Index Richard McCluney's site, with gaming notes and things.

Virginia Baycar McCluney's Roleplaying Site

AMBER Diceless RPG to GURPS Conversion By Virginia & Richard McCluney

"Cool Regime Change" - Richard's webpage for the RPG based on his ideas for his later story, "What happens when an advanced alien civilization discovers the human race? Do they conquer us? Do they destroy us? Maybe they just ignore us. Whatever happens, human civilization will never be the same. ... "

*New* "Richard's Research - "Research for Something Wonderful This Way Comes and other projects."

Half-Pipe's Data Halfpipe's site.

Victory Mascots Tracy Garner, aka "Skylioness' " small costume business.

Dick Tracy RPG My friend Cindy, who likes "Dick Tracy," designed these rules for an RPG based on the classic comic (and gets fan mail from hardcore fans all the time).

cyberbuddha.com - My old friend Leonard's website (he did this despite being legally blind).

Science & Computer Sites

Among the following ...

spacedaily.com - "Your Portal to Space."

SETI@home Join the biggest search for extraterrestrial intelligence

The Planetary Society - "a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization, funded by dues and donations from individuals around the world. With more than 100,000 members from over 140 countries, we are the largest space interest group on Earth."

The Internet Archive - Using the "Wayback Machine," you can find old websites no longer updated by old owners and "surf the web as it was."

Mechanized Propulsion Systems . Can these guys actually build their own "Mecha?"

The Trench - The Space Exploration Site of former Flight Dynamics Officer Roger Balettie, "a tribute to the men and women of space exploration - Space is our Future! "

Hubble space telescope The site of the first telescope in space

Wikipedia - "The free encyclopedia ... Wikipedia is a multilingual project to create a complete and accurate free content encyclopedia. We started in January 2001 and are currently working on (over 170,000) articles in the English version. Visit the help page and experiment in the sandbox to learn how you can edit any article right now."

Encyclopedia Astronautica

Smithsonian Institution - "You can view this museum without spending a dime on gas." found by IBLaffing

Astronomy Picture of the Day - "Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer." found by the webmaster's Mom

Apollo Archive - "The Project Apollo Archive serves as an online reference source and repository of digital images pertaining to the historic manned lunar landing program." found by the webmaster's Mom

SpaceshipOne Images - "Check this site for some pretty interesting pictures of the latest aircraft to make it into space." from William J Lee

Current Sky information - What's in the night sky, from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics from the webmaster's Mother

Sci-Fi Related Sites

Among the following ...

Memory Alpha Star Trek Wikipedia - "Memory Alpha is a collaborative project to create the most definitive, accurate, and accessible encyclopedia and reference for everything related to Star Trek. The database is organized in a WikiWiki structure, which allows an incredible level of interconnectedness and expansion. We started in November 2003, and the database currently includes 9150 articles. If you're new to Memory Alpha, please join us! Visit the Help page and experiment with the Sandbox to learn how you can contribute to any article right now!"

Alqua Kalina's Doodles & Dreams The website of my online friend and all-around wise guy, who's responsible for a number of fanart pics and the only fanfic of this site. and calls himself the biggest "phanboy" of "Freighter's" Lt. Mizzkiti. No doubt he'll continue to be the source of much amusement on this site and others.

Saia Kferr's Game and Fiction page Another gamer who took his ideas and made stories around them, a race called the 'Meggin.'

"Something Wonderful This Way Comes - "Creative fiction" by Richard C. McCluney - "The existence of the aliens is no longer a secret, but The Company's Operatives are still the only ones standing between Earth and the rest of the Cosmos."

FF7 Aftermath, a pixel online comic from my friend "Sailor Poison" based on the characters from the "Final Fantasy 7" game (PG-13).

Scribal Tales by Daniel Olarnick - "A fantasy, science fiction, horror and hybrid e-zine featuring short stories, artwork and more."

My Story Page by Giles D. Hobbs - "Welcome to My Story Page ... No pop-ups, no commercial links, Just a place for me to share the stories I have written."

Starship Dimensions by Jeff Russell - "this site is intended to allow science fiction fans to get an impression of the true scale of their favorite science fiction spacecraft by being able to campare ships accross genres, as well as being able to compare them with contemporary objects with which they are probably familiar."

Alien Dice a sci-fi comic by Tiffany "Syke" Ross. "What is Alien Dice,...? The surest sign of intelligence is the eagerness of a creature to embark in games and how often they play, so what kind of games would highly advanced civilizations play? Card games just wouldn't cut it, sports? Not interactive enough. Wild game hunts, the animals are stupid. How about a game in which each world is a playground, without the inhabitants knowing about it? How about stealing their pets to use in these alien games, ... and what if you get caught? "

Freefall by Mark Stanley. A sci-fi comic about a goofy alien captian, his tinwit robot, and a cannine ship's engineer with more sense than the two combined. This site also boasts a large list of other online comics. This site has a link-exchange with us.

Zortic by Mark Mekkes. A sci-fi comic around a little green man, his girlfriend, their oddball mechanic, and their starship "The Entire Prize." This comic is forever poking fun at Star Trek and everything else from classic sci-fi.

Gaming Sites

Runescape - a great online game. Like "Everquest," except the basic version is free . Great graphics, great action and variety, and as something's always being added or updated, there's always something new.

Runescape Tip The site for general info, hints, and guides about the Runescape MORPG.

Rune HQ - the leading Runescape MORPG hint site.

Pardus - a Massive Multiplayer Online Browser Game "like a combination of 'Escape Velocity' and 'Trade Wars' " where the player is "in a futuristic universe where traders, pirates and other pilots of various races and factions strive to gain wealth and fame in space."

Second Life by Linden Labs. A huge virtual-reality landscape where in their avatars people can take on any apperance, explore, interact with one another, etc. What makes it different from similar places on the internet is almost all the content is designed by other users. Basic membership is free.

Second Life Universe - a Second-Life related website with a forum that provides some articles and answers to questions about the noted virtual environment.

World of Warcraft - one of the biggest Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games, in both membership and size of the playing field.

WoW Gameamp - A hint and strategy site with some clues, maps, and other helpful hints for the befuddled World of Warcraft player, as well as some jokes and amusing film clips.

*New* Allakkhazam's Magical Realm - a hint and strategy site for "World of Warcraft" players.

*New* World of Warcraft Maps - a map database where you can adjust the size of the picture and highlight various locations of goodies (great for finding herbs & ores).

News Sites

ABC News.com Breaking news

FOX News : "You've found the source for fair & balanced news! Now show the world! "

BBC News "News updated every minute, every day" from the famous worldwide media company.

Drudge Report Popular news site with numerous news and commentary links. A favorite site of my Dad's.

Other Sites

City of Virginia Beach Website - The website of my city council, and the only government website to win a late 2003 international competition

Vote.com Get involved in the issues of the day.

Urban Legends Reference Page - All those "facts" you get online and in emails? Here's someone who tries to find out if they're true.

The Straight Dope by Cecil Adams, who will answer just about any question no matter how strange or odd, usually with a bit of humor, "Fighting Ignorance since 1973. It's taking longer than we thought." link contributed by Richard McCluney .

Pembroke Manor U.C.C. This is the church I attend.

The crisis areas of the developing world need more than just food - infastructure such as roads, an absence of warfare & ethnic fighting, farms free of the threat of colectivization (USSR 1930s, Ethiopia 1980s), stable government (especially democratic republic), etc. But it's a start. The Hunger Site link suggested by Irene and Kathy

Charity Navigator "Your guide your inteligent giving" - Worried if that charity you sent your hard-earned money to will spend most of it on "overhead?" Here's a place you can find out.