All posts by Adele

Some Kind of Human

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PLEASE NOTE: This blog contains details that may distress some readers.

They say reality is stranger than fiction, and recent reports based on information acquired through ‘Freedom of Information Act’ suits revealed that is consistently true.

As you may know, my young adult novels are near science fiction. This means these stories are based around science that feels like it could happen, but in reality pushes out the boundaries of what is actually possible. That is, unless science catches up. Unfortunately, when you write stories exposing the underbelly of bioethics, that’s not always a good thing.

Replicate is the second novel in the ‘Blaine Colton Trilogy’ and it broaches the issue of embryonic cloning (hence the title). This sees Blaine accidentally uncover an international crime syndicate that appears to be selling off embryonic body parts—amongst other things. Fiction, right?

Actually, this idea was sparked by genuine reports of foetal-organ-trafficking. As I delved into it, there was clear evidence that this was occurring. Around the time of Replicate’s release, a report detailed the NIH had received funding to purchase human brains and organs from aborted babies to “spare mice pain and suffering”. This is despite the fact unborn babies feel pain and are not offered pain relief as they are dismembered during abortion procedures. The same article explained how there was an organ-processing service that would collect the bodies of aborted babies from clinics, dissect out their organs for individual packaging, then send those tissues to labs for research. Some even sent whole heads to “preserve fragile neural tissue”.

This practice of organ harvesting for profit was again reported in April 2017 with admissions of price haggling over “specimens” from unborn babies as old as 24 weeks in utero. Fast track some years …

In June 2020, The Federalist reported that witnesses made statements under oath revealing “women’s healthcare” providers had dissected organs out of babies born alive. (Apparently some babies ‘“just fall out” of some women in the operating room’. Like, what?!) More recently, information acquired under FOIA included a price list for—you guessed it—body parts of aborted babies.

Photo Credit: Stillborn, Nicci Coertze Kruger from Pixabay

Cuts a little close to the bone, true? But it gets even more bizarre …

April this year Judicial Watch released an article detailing FDA purchases in recent years of fresh “foetal organs” to create “humanised mice” for the testing of biological drugs. (Yep, you read that correctly.) Advanced Bioscience Resources (ABR) based in California was contracted to supply human foetal tissue “with a gestational age of 16 to 24 weeks”. In March 2019 a lawsuit ordered HHS to release records about harvested tissue from aborted babies, with ‘… [t]he court [finding] “there is reason to question” whether the transactions violate federal law barring the sale of fetal organs.’

And yet … (Do we EVER learn???)

In April 2021 the Biden administration reversed President Trump’s policy that protected ‘… preborn Americans from the callous dehumanization of organ harvesting and further desecration of their bodies in research disguised as “science.”’ In June 2021 The Federalist report revealed boards overseeing human foetal tissue research, with the power to block research proposals for ethical reasons, were shut down. Also, the Centre for Medical Progress revealed shocking reports of NIAID at NIH funding studies that involved stitching the scalp of 5-month-old aborted babies onto rats for experimentation, along with killing infants delivered alive for harvesting of livers. And it gets even weirder, with other reports of guidelines for research surrounding the creation of human-animal (otherwise known as ‘chimeras’), and more.

Photo Credit: Animal, Tibor Janosi Mozes from Pixabay

Even in light of my latest work in progress, where aborted children are being misused for a hellish, high-tech ploy, these above examples make my science fiction seem tame. I will not destroy the plot twists for you in the event this story gets published, but these organ-trafficking reports deliver alarming parallels to a number of elements in this new story. This unthinkable commoditising of the most vulnerable humans in our world makes me wonder when we’re going to stop and allow the horror of what this truly means to seep in. Large numbers of these are children who would have had an excellent chance of survival outside the womb. And yet, they are reduced to just another ‘cut of meat’ for the butcher to serve to their clients.

As always, the truth is much stranger, and significantly more horrifying, than fiction.

Kind Of

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Could offense be up there with the worst of transgressions in our modern culture?

To be clear, I’m not talking about systematic bullying, but simply sharing differing opinions and values in a public (or even private) space. Once upon a time if someone had a differing perspective or worldview, there might have been robust discussion, development of resilience, perhaps acknowledging conflicting views, whilst recognising not everyone has the same opinion or values as each other. And let’s face it, some of us have no filter, whether that be for a moment or a lifetime!

Photo Credit: Girl-Francine Sreca from Pixabay

Nowadays, offending someone can see a person cancelled, de-platformed from social media, discredited to the point of harassment (aka cyber—or even in person—bullying), or even their career ended. If it’s a sporting career, that cancellation can apparently extend a lifetime. It doesn’t matter whether these opinions are evidence-based, faith-based or anything else based, if those opinions go against popularised (or politicised) ideologies and narratives, one can land themselves in a steam bath—skip the boiling one!

You’d think with offense being such a duplicitous act, we’d all have equal right to victimhood, but increasingly in the court of public opinion, only certain groups of people have the right to be victims, and thus the right to justice. All those in the ‘wrong’ category are termed offensive oppressors and must apologise for their existence. It’s a case of judge by what you see, not the content of one’s character. (Aka critical race theory.) For example:

  • Having the ‘wrong’ skin colour is apparently offensive and oppressive. (Hello racism.) Never mind what traumas and oppression a person may have experienced in their own life, irrespective of their skin pigmentation.
  • Being the wrong gender supposedly requires one to perpetually apologise for that gender because they are automatically oppressing others.
  • Having faith of the wrong sort can be another vice.
  • And don’t even start on the wrong name—get it changed. NOW. After you apologise for being so offensive.

Now brace yourself, I’m about to be offensive and share a not-so-popular opinion.

My opinion is that any person can be a victim of misuse, abuse, control. These crimes are non-selective and no one has the right to assume such facts about other people’s history based on their external appearance. Likewise, any person can be successful, even against overwhelming odds. This concept of judging and categorising by certain physical and cultural characteristics is horribly divisive and, if history has taught us anything, such division only weakens us as a society and sets humankind against humankind, building barriers that prevent understanding and commonalities drawn from the fact we are all one human race—equally valuable.


Photo Credit: Superhero, John Hain from Pixabay

But what about those who haven’t had enough life experience to know this truth? Yes, I mean our awesome young people. This “right to victimhood” and “oppressor” system is what students in some of our AUSTRALIAN schools are being taught. I don’t know about you, but this makes me cranky.

Recently I met with a friend I’ve always found to be wise and clear headed. They made a passing observation about the epidemic of offense in our culture, and it was the most sensible advice I’d heard in a very long time.

  • Be kind. Translation: treat others as you would like to be treated.
  • Translating that further, if a person could not comfortably say something (or in the case of a social media, post something) to their mother, don’t.
  • Be aware that everyone has a lot going on. Try putting yourself in another’s shoes before getting on the offensive.

Revolutionary, right? Actually, it’s how many people used to think before we got so hypersensitive.

Photo Credit: Kindness, reneebigelow from Pixabay

This logic was a breath of fresh air and I know they live this reality. They are loyal, believe the best of others, and they see character, not appearance. They are kind, careful with their words, but firm about doing the right thing.

I think we could learn a lot from my friend.

Words Out West

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On the 13th March I had the delight of attending the second Words Out West event in Dalby, Queensland. Dalby is only a three hour highway drive from Brisbane and festival events this year occurred over the 11–14 March 2021, including formal speaker sessions, a writing retreat at Jimbour House, in school author visits and other community events throughout the region, catering for both readers and writers. There was also a bookstore set up in the library so you could purchase a copy of your favourite author’s work, and even have it signed.

Words-Out-West-2021-collage ©2020 Western Downs Regional Council

Country town engagement is something I’d highly advocate experiencing and Western-Downs pre-Easter weather is pretty much perfect year-to-year. (I could be slightly biased, but hey, it’s true. 😉) From crime to culture, serious conversations to side-splitting humour, the guest authors were engaging, PG-level family friendly (with the exception of a certain book cover, Mr Earls …😱😳🙈) and professional.

I enjoyed each session I attended but a personal highlight was hearing Francis Whiting in person. Francis came onto my radar when I was a university undergraduate (longer ago than I care to admit!!). One of my student peers name-dropped Francis one morning outside Parliament House on the way to a lecture, saying her writing was great and we should check her out. Being the diligent cohort we were, Francis was duly investigated. What a great tip that turned out to be! Since hearing Francis speak, I now know that soon after her weekly column was established and ever since, I’ve anticipated her down-to-earth, entertaining insights on life. And over the years Francis has continued to expand her writing prowess, penning opinion and human-interest features and even novels (check out Francis Whiting’s Goodreads profile).

What I found so refreshing about Words Out West was the positive, even uplifting atmosphere that pervaded the festival. It was great seeing enthusiastic and welcoming engagement from local councillors, library staff, community volunteers and more. Though many speakers broached confronting questions and at times delved into grave topics, the sessions I attended left me hopeful and more aware of the change-worthy power of personal conviction and healthy community values. My family and I have now attended two years running and here’s a hint—it’s an awesome annual event you should seriously put on your calendar.

MP Ashman Author

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After a craaaaazy year, I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s watched a little more Netflix than usual. Eating in has become the new dining out and I’ll bet online movie services are booming. (Not even going start on Zoom!)

As one who rarely watches television, an enforced “keeping up with the Joneses” (well, the state of COVID restrictions) increased my television hours significantly. During our viewings, we stumbled across a Netflix documentary called Flint. To quote:

“A documentary based on five years of research into a Michigan auto town where tens of thousands were drinking water into which poisonous lead had leached, and how officials failed to respond.”

This reminded me of a novel by Sci-Fi YA author, M.P. (Matthew) Ashman. Matthew’s books are a completely different angle with a completely different target audience, but the background has a similar tone, in that the governing authorities in Flint established a new water source then deliberately failed to disclose testing results demonstrating the water was carrying toxic levels of heavy metals. Government corruption. New (dodgy) water source. Non-disclosure. Nice (not).

The premise Matthew applies overlaps this idea (different, but uniquely done), so I thought it would be interesting to get his take on this and learn a bit more about his writing and him as an author.

But this is going to be a Q&A with a difference. We get to hear Matthew’s responses directly from him (just for something cool). So after the questions I’ve asked him (below), click play to see what he has to say. (Thanks, Matthew.) Here goes!

Q1) Matthew, are you familiar with the Flint Netflix documentary?

Q2) Can you describe the underpinning theme of this story?

Q3) At what point did you feel you’d like to see your stories in print?

Q4) What has been the main lesson you’ve learned in your pursuit of publication? Is there anything you would have done differently along the way?

Q5) Tell us your favourite part of the Time Twins water tower story. (Without spoilers, of course 😉)

Q6) Do you have a date for your next release? If so, details please! 😊

Thank you Matthew for lending your voice. It’s been great having you.

To find out more about Matthew’s writing, click here.

For more about Matthew’s novel Time Twins – Water Tower, click here.

Bio:

 M.P. Ashman was born in Maryborough, Queensland in 1985 but the family soon moved to Toowoomba, where Ashman has spent the majority of his life. Discovering a love of writing at eight years old, it was perhaps due to books such as The Neverending Story that his initial interest was in fantasy fiction. Many years later however, he began to carve out his niche in Science Fiction with the initially self-published offering Time’s Child in 2014. However, this and other self-published titles were withdrawn from the market in 2016, with a view to seeking traditional publication. The main characters of the Time Twins series were initially conceived in 2003 whilst Ashman was still at school, but it would not be until many years later that they would find their voice and their story. Ashman continues to live in Toowoomba with his family including his cat, Prue.

 

Hoped Up

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Those of you who’ve read my books may remember Blaine’s “ticks for hope”—a habit learned from his parents. Blaine doesn’t exactly think it’s cool, but often when he finds himself in a jam that’s where his mind goes.

This specific term was actually coined by my editor. She introduced it into a scene in Integrate when Blaine was in a pretty sucky situation, and it stuck. Given the state of things presently, I think we could all do with some ticks for hope. And specifically relating to recent COVID-19 events, we in Australia have had much to be grateful for lately.

So, what are ticks for hope? For the uninitiated, here is an example from the Blaine Colton trilogy, Book 3: Activate p. 178

    What have I got to hopeful for now?

    It seemed an impossible concept. He was doubly disabled. If he overcame one challenge, the other may be equally debilitating.

    ‘Whatever you can think of.’ Eddie’s voice interrupted Blaine’s inner monologue. ‘Maybe a person—or something—to give you hope. Grab it. Don’t let the dark thoughts in. Okay?’

Stop dark thoughts. Blaine started picking at the scabs from recent months, seeking a glimpse of … something … below each ugly wound. I can still hear and comprehend some things.

    One tick for hope.

    He acknowledged this tick reluctantly. Hope was not something he’d attached to his loss of responsiveness. Even more so now. There had to be something else.

Ticks for hope is the conscious act of picking out that one (or two, or three—or as many as you can) positive factor in a situation that’s swiftly going belly up, or has already flipped upside-down! It doesn’t have to be big. In fact, it might be something quite small, but by shifting focus from all the things going wrong and setting our sights on the thing (or things) that haven’t capsized, we can change what’s going on inside.

Copyright: Depositphotos.com https://depositphotos.com/96823288/stock-illustration-retro-cartoon-tick-symbol.html

Looking at the positives won’t necessarily change the challenges swirling around us, but it can bolster our courage and stem the storm of anxiety threatening to overwhelm us inside. It reminds us that even when all else has collapsed, we’re still alive and we’re still inherently valuable—even if it’s really hard to believe that.

So over to you. How do you get through difficult situations? Why not jump onto comments and let me know if you have a “ticks for hope” equivalent.