Stephen Tremp's Escalation Blog Tour!

Today it's all about Stephen Tremp and the Escalation Blog Tour!

Stephen Tremp: is the author of the Breakthrough series. Together, Breakthrough, Opening, and Escalation follow the lives of the unlikely participants from innocence to a coming of age through sacrifice, betrayal, passion, lust, unconditional love, and hope. Escalation will appeal to fans of modern-day science fiction, action, horror, and even romance.

And now... Heeeeeere's Stephen with info on how to use humor in your writing.

Humor: It’s a great way to bring balance to a story, especially one with action and suspense. I use humor to give the reader a break from the action, or to help bridge down time between two main events. Often, the humor comes in the form of snarky dialogue rather than a physical scene, such as someone slipping on a banana peel. Which isn’t really funny as they could really get hurt.

Example: In Escalation there is a very tense scene where two main characters cross over to another Earth in a parallel dimension that is similar to but not identical to our Earth. Yes, through a wormhole.

A professor of physics who befriended them is their only hope to get back. But he has his reservations and has a large caliber hand cannon pointed at them. I needed to break the tension with humor relevant to my theme of science and science fiction:

          The door to the laboratory started to open with a slight creek. Van Koevering slid     the gun into the back of his belt. Bennie lowered his hands. Elisa entered with coffee and snacks on a tray.

          “Okay, everyone, she said with a motherly smile. “You’ll have to try some of my      homemade universal oatmeal and raisin cookies. They’re, ah … they’re out of this world.”

          “Oh … ha. Ha. That’s very funny, honey. But what you don’t understand. Our           guests really are from another dimension. I ... I believe them. These two young brave people,” he said, presenting them with delight, a tear dropping from his right eye, “they represent proof to all my hard work.”

Bad Gas Humor: Okay, I’m a guy. And guys think combining bad gas and inconveniencing other people pretty is pretty darn funny. Here is my attempt at such humor from my second book Opening after Chase Manhattan forced down two McDonalds Sausage McMuffins with Egg and a large Coke in a rush while waiting to board his plane:

          “Chase could feel his breakfast trying to make its way back up his esophagus. He let out an inadvertent silent belch. An elderly lady sitting next to him sniffed the air, wrinkled her nose, and moved to another section.”

Culture Clash: Then at the very end of Escalation there is culture clash, such as Susan Anderson introducing her new husband (spoiler alert!) Chase to her friends:

          Before Chase could rebut Susan’s claims, he heard a plethora of female screeches inside. About a dozen pair of feet charged toward the door.

          Chase braced himself for the worst. He thought of turning and making a break for it. The Marine Room Tavern was only six blocks away. It was all downhill, too. He could be there in two minutes.

          Too late. They were sucked into the living room by a giant tangle of arms and hands. A half dozen women embraced Susan. About the same number manhandled Chase and escorted him to the living room.

So this is how I use humor in my books. Other than that, I try not to get a laugh at someone getting hurt. Like slipping on a banana peel.

Stop by Stephen’sBlog for more information on the Breakthrough series and other really cool stuff, like the 2014 Celestial Event Calendar. You’ll be surprised at what you can see with an average telescope or a good set of binoculars.

Look for The Adventures of Chase Manhattan HERE  

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Wormhole Week Blogfest

2014 Second Annual National Wormhole Week Blogfest: 

Presented by Stephen Tremp and hosted by

Captain Ninja Alex Cavanaugh, and L. Diane Wolfe 

In this blogfest we are to name one thing where science advances mankind, and one where technology, with unforeseen consequences, will go too far and set mankind back. Example: De-Extinction, or bringing back extinction species through back breeding, genetic engineering, and cloning. Something where science takes a huge leap forward, but also backfires.  With all the breakthrough discoveries mankind is on the cusp of, are we playing God?

I think the work being done with DNA in discovering the causes and cures of genetic diseases is one of the greatest advancements in medicine that we are seeing happen in our lifetimes. It's a wonderful thing.

There are also things being done with genes that are quite interesting, like spider genes in goats. Their milk has a protein in it which, when processed, produces spider silk, the strongest fiber known to exist. If this kind of silk can be produced cheaply and plentifully its uses will be numerous.

However, I think there's a danger in taking genetic engineering too far, particularly in humans. Should we allow parents to pick and choose the genetic qualities they want in their children? How far should we let genetic manipulation go? The line between "good" and "dangerous" science seems hazy and gray to me. We could inadvertently create monsters if we aren't careful. 

This week just happens to coincide with the release of Stephen Tremp's new book and third in his series, ESCALATION.

Escalations Synopsis: "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." Albert Einstein I.

In Escalation, the final installment to Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Trilogy, a seemingly innocent discovery in Einstein-Rosen Bridges, or wormholes, becomes a Pandora’s Box—opening doors to other unexpected and unpredictable realities such as parallel universes, time/space travel, and an evil hitchhiker from another dimension.

Chase Manhattan has survived attempts on his life from numerous sources in his effort to destroy the technology. But he is far from safe. Now Chase and his comrades must not only break world renowned physicist Professor Nicholas Fischer out of prison a second time, but also smuggle him across hostile borders in Europe and the Middle East to prevent events threatening to spiral into World War III.

Congratulations, Stephen!

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all about the challenge!

As a member of M.J.'s AZTechs, I'm here to remind you about the A to Z Challenge.

We are just FOUR WEEKS away from April 1st. Have you got a theme? Do you have any of your posts scheduled? 

Come on people! JOIN THE FUN. Sign up and go insane with the rest of us.