Rise of the Monarch @riseofthemonarch - Tumblr Blog

Thank you students

Thanks to all of the Students of Timberline for their time and effort put into the after school book club. And a special thanks to Ms. Bashor for setting this all up.

#Timberline

Questions about the Sequel

Is the sequel going to pick up right after this book?

The second book is in early planning stages so things may change quite a bit. However, it currently picks up with Darrin working on a ranch along the Beaverhead River over the summer. He has been there about a month. He lives with a couple that manages the ranch. He started out in the bunk house with the other ranch hands but the couple took a shine to him and he now lives in the main house with them. They don’t have any other children.

Darrin is going by the name of Abe to hide his past. The couple believes that Darrin’s headset is a fancy gaming setup. They keep encouraging him to spend more time connecting with the environment around him and less time on his headset. They have no idea about the true nature of his abilities.

The couple is named Dusty and Inga. Dusty talks slowly and considers every word before speaking. He made some tough choices in his life but regrets very little of it. Inga has a bronze medal from the Winter Olympics and is always sharing her philosophy of life. She tries to teach Abe (Darrin) to be resilient, have a good work ethic and what it means to truly be successful. She is not your normal athlete. For her, it is not all about winning but about challenging yourself to do incredible things – things you never thought possible.

The ranch is being held for an unknown trustee who is away at a boarding school. Dusty and Inga’s biggest fear is that they will be out of a job if or when the trustee comes back to claim the trust. Dusty and Inga don’t have a lot of money. They really enjoy their life on the ranch and would prefer to stay. But that is not in their control and they must prepare for what they believe is inevitable.

There will be other minor characters that come into the picture as the story evolves but you can bet that Darrin eventually reconnects with Jack, Billy and Tommy. And, there is another mystery. This one involves a second plot being carried out by the Kingmaker(s). I won’t give too much away but it involves an F106 Delta Dart interceptor jet that went down in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the potential spread of a virus in the south west. For now, the book is titled Pandemonium.

If you are interested, you can look up the cornfield bomber. This is an F106 that landed by itself after the pilot ejected during an exercise out of Malmstrom Air Force base. The F106 is not a bomber and it landed in a wheat field -- near Big Sandy, Montana. Still, the name stuck. Anyway, look for the YouTube video by the National Museum of the United States Air Force or one of the many write ups. I grew up just north of Great Falls, Montana. As kids, we used to hear the sonic booms as the jets screamed overhead.

There is second historical reference to the F106. An F106 hit a grain elevator during a flyover of a parade in Dillon, Montana -- in the late seventies. I lived near Dillon during that time. That crash is the inspiration for the F106 in the story. And, it is why I chose Darrin’s grandfather's relocation from Poland to Montana. As you probably know by now, most things in the first book are not random. There is usually a reason and more will be revealed in the second book – assuming I find time to work on it.

When the sequel comes out are we going to get to read it?

Given my current schedule, it will be a very long time before I have much of a book to share. I am very busy right now in my day job as an engineer. I have but one chapter actually written. However, I have done lots of research and have many ideas captured. My current approach is to work on the characters and how they interact before I start writing. I have gone through many imaginary scenarios and situations with the characters and they are starting to take shape.

Perhaps, I will provide Ms. Bashor with a chapter to read for the book club.

#timberline

More Student Questions

What made you think about a flipped classroom?

I’m not sure exactly. It just seemed to fit. I wanted the school to be special. It needed to be different for the whole story to work. The kids at the school come from very troubled homes. They are very smart but feel isolated and different from other kids – especially when they first arrive at the school. I tried to create a world where everything is upside down. Nothing is as it seems.

My hope is that the students will bond together. The school has a darker side and they need to figure things out. Each of them is unique with special skills and talents. But, to be successful, they need to work as a team. And, because of their past, trust doesn’t come easy. So, they struggle. Darrin struggles with his past. The team struggles as well. Trust is hard to obtain and easy to lose.

Do you have any kids?

Yes. I have two daughters whom I love very much.

Why is the counselor broken?

The term ‘broken’ is used by Darrin to describe the emotional damage done by his abusive father. The counselor also has a troubled past. So, Darrin is trying to figure out if she is just like him. He is trying to figure out if she can be trusted – if they have enough in common – if she can help him sort things out.

The term ‘broken’ sounds so permanent – like an electronic toy that no longer works and needs to be thrown out. Eventually, Darrin begins to understand that everyone has problems at some point in their lives. With time and help, the damage doesn’t have to be permanent. There is hope.

My wife passed away five years ago and I was devastated. It will never be easy. It will always hurt. But that level of pain and loss is not permanent. Eventually, it gets better – a little at a time. And, we continue on with the help of our family and friends. It never goes away but it does get better. It is not permanent.

What did you major in in college?

This may explain a lot about the cone zone – which I recently re-wrote based on your feedback. I graduated from Montana State University from the College of Engineering. That was a long time ago. You couldn’t get a simple degree in computer science. It needed to have an application. Mine was engineering so I ended up taking a lot of math and electrical engineering classes. I was a few credits short of a minor in math.

To fill out my liberal arts credits, I took psychology and economics. I was headstrong and determined to only take science oriented classes. Even my general electives were in chemistry and biology. This was a mistake. If I had to do it again, I would be more balanced in my approach. I would’ve still majored in computer science. That was NOT a mistake. But I would’ve taken other classes as well.

I did take one art appreciation class and I use it more often than non-linear homogeneous differential equations. For some reason, equations just don’t come up in social settings :) Doh. But famous paintings by Monet or Picasso might. It was later that I fell in love with art and history. Who knew I would enjoy writing? Don’t let your education get in the way of your education. Keep your options open. Become well rounded.

#timberline

Student Comments

The following are more comments from the students of Timberline as they continue to examine the story as part of an after school book club.

'I like how the book allows you to make your own assumptions at first.'

The best part about books is that every reader adds to the content with their own imagination.

'The "Cone Zone" wasn't a problem for me. I got it.'

I continue work on this chapter in an effort to make sure it appeals to more people. The intent of the chapter is to introduce Darrin's friends while painting a background of his early childhood.

'What surprised me was when he connected with the butterfly during the presentation.'

I have to admit to being a bit jealous of Darrin when this happens.

'Jack is a conspiracy theorist because he doesn't really want to think about what is going on with him so he makes stuff up about other people.'

You are very insightful. I knew a few people who tended to make stuff up -- just to make life more interesting.

'I think the video games that they play are a way to show the instructors the way they think but they can also go beyond in secret.'

'I resonate with the games and things because my friend from Douglas has a virtual reality game and I really like it.'

'I like the games because whenever I annoy my parents I just go upstairs and play games.'

Video games have come a long way. It is fun to watch how the original video games have changed. Some are making a come back -- like Ms. Pacman. And, what is happening with vinyl records? Who knew?

'I resonate with the part about the onion cone because I used to stack my onion rings but upside-down. I used to cut my food into squares and then cut the angles off, and my mom would tell me, "Don't play with your food."'

Good for you. As a parent, it is hard to tell what goes on inside the head of a child who plays with their food. Maybe, they will grow up to be an architect. They could be exploring golden ratios. Or, maybe they are just stalling because they don't like the meatloaf.

'I think the story would be different if they didn't live at the school and their parents were involved because they would have a life outside of their headsets and the secret room.'

'Being secluded gives more of a story. It makes it seem like all they have is themselves. They can't just go down to Starbucks and call 911.'

Being isolated, they have to fend for themselves. Sometimes, that makes a person stronger. It probably helps them bond as a team. They work together simply because they have too. Still, it has to be tough.

'The school is kind of like ours because of the technology and Mr. Thesenga has a 3D printer.'

I wish we had a 3D printers when I was your age. You are growing up at a really interesting time in history.

'At that school everything they learn connects, but this school we learn a bunch of stuff but half of it will never apply to our lives.'

You never know. Once you get to college, you will have many more choices. You will be able decide on your field of study. But, even in college, you have some classes that are mandatory. The funny thing is, the classes I thought were unimportant turned out to be the most useful.

I look at it this way. We have our whole lives to close doors. Now is the time to open as many doors as possible. Try to learn as many things as you can. Give yourself the gift of choices. Sure, you will not use it all. But you never know what might come in handy as you continue down your own unique path in life.

#timberline

Happy Holidays

Just a short note to thank all of you for your insights. I have already made more than a dozen changes to the manuscript based on what I've learned from the students at Timberline. You are making a difference. Keep it coming.

Also, I would like to thank Christy Bashor for managing the book club. Without her efforts, none of this would have been possible.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday full of cheer.

#timeberline

This Week's Student Questions

Which character do you relate to the most?

All of the main characters are unique in their own way. I like the quirkiness of Jack – slightly paranoid and totally focused. Tommy is the youngest, full of energy and very creative. You can count on him to come up with a wild idea. Billy is the oldest and has impressive set of skills I admire. Finally, there is Darrin. He is always trying to find out what makes things tick – the strategy behind it all. The four are very curious about the world around them. They all have the drive and determination to figure things out.

However, my favorite character is introduced later on in the book – Darrin’s grandfather. He has a storied past, been through great hardship and suffered great loss. But he continues to see the world with balance, wisdom and optimism. My second favorite is Jorge. He too, is calm and collected. He has a quiet confidence that can’t be shaken – even by Ursula who treats him with disdain and bigotry.

I admire those who, when faced with the uglier side of humanity, shrug it off and march forward; confident in who they are. They know what they stand for. They will not be reduced or diminished by others’ attempts to belittle, frustrate and anger them. They continue to stand tall and project their own values in everything they do and say.

Why did you pick the monarch?

I have always been fascinated by the way a butterfly dances on the wind. Their wings are almost too large to be useful in flight. The slightest puff of air sends them in another direction. Yet they always seem to land right where they want to.

I am also fascinated by bees. Their wings are so tiny with respect to their bodies – the opposite of the butterfly. Both make for interesting case studies in nature.

While preparing to write the book, I spent a large portion of my time researching the monarch butterfly including migration patterns, habitat, and behaviors. As the book progresses, these things become important to the plot. But you will have to continue reading to find out why.

Once again, thank you for your comments and questions. I really enjoy hearing from you all.

#Timberline

More Student Questions

The students of Timberline posted a few more questions for the author.

Are you Darrin?

Not really. I did have a teacher that made us practice math problems on the board – over and over. In that same class, the teacher stood on his desk in front of the room and jumped off saying, “The earth pulls you down, that’s why the answer is negative, Marla.” I wonder if Marla Martin still remembers asking that simple question, “Why is the answer negative?” I will never forget it. As a writer you take experiences and store them away. You watch other people and try to understand what makes them tick. You collect material for your characters. I sometimes have whole conversations in my head between two imaginary people – just for fun.

I wrote the poem, “One Man’s War” when I was sixteen. So, maybe, there is a little of me in Darrin – not sure.

However, I never had a father like Darrin’s – quite the opposite. My father always encouraged me. When I was young, about five or six, I learned that hot air rises. I also noticed that when I exhaled, the air came out warm. So, I figured that if I exhaled just right, I could fill up a balloon with hot air and it might just fly. I called my dad at work and asked if he could bring home some balloons. I explained my experiment to him. He could have just laughed and told me I’m being an idiot. But instead, he brought home some balloons and let me try. When I failed, he showed my how to rub the balloons against our couch and stick them to the wall. I wish he was around when I experimented with jumping off the roof of our house using an umbrella. That did not go so well.

Is Darrin going to die? Don't answer that! It will ruin the book.

I’ll say this. He does get into a lot of trouble.

After about the first few chapters the book goes crazy. I didn't expect the book to go like it does, but it takes a totally different path.

I'm glad you are enjoying it. Have fun and keep the questions coming.

#Timberline

A student posed the question, "Is there really a necessary reason for the intense math? I mean I get it. They're advanced students. But most kids don't like math."

I have long been worried about that chapter, “The Cone Zone.” Thanks for your honest feedback. I will be looking at it again. All writing is a process of improvement. I will take everyone's feedback and look for ways to make it better.

However, I am glad you "zoned in" on the main point of the chapter – they are very advanced and, as you will soon find out, they need to be. But don’t worry. He doesn’t talk about his math class again. Some of the early chapters are used to set up the rest of the book.

#Timberline

Student Questions

The students of Timberline posted a few questions and comments for the author.

Are you a technophobe?

That depends upon who you ask. On one hand, I am an engineer who spends most of my work life building products based on cutting edge technologies.

On the other hand, I really do love the mountains where it is quiet. I turn off my cell phone and enjoy the sound of the wind as it blows through the trees. It is calm and peaceful.

Is this (story) real?

The story is pure fiction but the science is mostly real. Some of the concepts exist today. Others are still being developed.

Where did you get the inspiration for the book?

It started with a day dream – most things do. If we don’t take time to imagine what could be, it will never be.

Maybe the story was always inside waiting to get out. I’m not sure. However, somewhere along the line, while growing up, I convinced myself that I’m not very good at writing. And, to be honest, writing is very difficult for me. I have to work at it.

But I have learned that if you apply yourself, you can do anything. Take time to discover your passions. Follow your dreams. Imagine yourself in a world where you can make a difference – and you will. Life is about self-discovery. It might be writing. I might be science or art. In any case, give it a try. You never know.

I originally envisioned the book as a graphic novel – a series of comic strips. I was travelling back and forth to Boston on business. I had extra time on the plane. So, I started to imagine how the characters would behave in various situations. Eventually, I started to write down some conversations between the characters. I wanted to explore how they would interact with each other. These grew richer and more detailed -- eventually becoming pieces of the story.

Why did you write this book?

I never set out to write a novel and it almost didn't happen. If not for my best friend’s encouragement, it would have remained a day dream. Eventually, it would have been lost inside forever. So, to that friend, I say, ‘Thank you.’

I wonder if this is predicting our future and our children will someday go to a school like this.

Who knows? When I was your age going to school, we sat in a classroom watching the moon landings. Putting a man on the moon was amazing given the technology of the time. But for me, the most impressive part was everyone was able to watch it on their televisions. We watched that very first step being taken live. Think about it for a moment. It didn’t mater if you were in Loveland, London or Leningrad. Those images were beamed two hundred thousand miles back to Earth and distributed around the world. The communications revolution had begun. And, it is not about to stop. You were all born at an incredible time in human history.

What if one of the students was a technophobe?

That is very creative. I like that. May I use the idea in my next novel?

#Timberline

Timberline

As part of an after school book club, Rise of the Monarch is being read by several students at the Timberline school in Longmont, CO. The students received Kindle Fires with the book pre-installed. They provide feedback to the author based on their reading experience.

In addition, the students are given the opportunity to ask questions. Some of those questions and answers will be posted here.

A special thanks to Christy Bashor for all of the time she puts into leading this energetic group of young adults. As a STEM teacher with a masters in literacy, Christy brings unique skills to the project -- critical to its success. And thanks to all of the students for their comments and questions.

#Timberline

Summary

Arriving at a special school for troubled teens, Darrin finds safe haven from his abusive father. High in the mountains of Colorado and closed off from most everything, the school provides safety, support and a unique approach. It is spring in the nearby meadow and Darrin is undergoing an awakening of his own. He is making new friends, dealing with his past and beginning to trust again.

A gamer at heart, Darrin questions everything. He’s always looking for the backdoor, the shortcut to the next level, and the strategy behind it all. When Darrin discovers the ability to merge with a monarch butterfly through his gaming headset, his perception of the world expands dramatically. He begins to question his own sanity. Once again, he doesn’t know whom to trust. But Darrin soon realizes his newfound talent is no accident. The school has a darker side and he is determined to discover the truth. Whether it is spelunking down an old mineshaft or bugging a secret conference room, Darrin and his friends continue to chip away at the school’s façade. How far does the conspiracy go? Who is involved? In the end, they realize they only need to stop it and Darrin devises a plan.

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