The fictional rem-particle affects creative thought, which is controlled by the neocortex. The more primitive limbic system is unaffected, which is why the Professor and Sarina are able to use memory and smell as useful tools in the race to halt the rem-loss!
Since the neocortex is also responsible for ‘motor control’ (the physical control of our body’s parts and its movement), the fictitious rem-particle spikes can also cause a temporary loss of control over the body’s movements in highly creative people. This is why The Hedge, Ivanya Vereskov, ‘Alf’, and Sarina all experience difficulties in physical control of their body movement in the book, and in Sarina’s case, the temporary loss of consciousness (‘blackouts’).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neocortex
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbic_system
Robert Scott (‘Scott of the Antarctic’) and Lawrence Oates
Lawrence Oates was a member of Robert Scott’s doomed expedition to the South Pole in 1912. Though the two were not friends, it is Scott who recorded in his diary Oates’ (now famous) last words: “I am just going outside and may be some time.”
The group were on their return journey, having set out to ‘claim’ discovery of the South Pole, but were beaten to it 35 days prior, by a Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen.
Oates suffered from frostbite and scurvy and became quite ill, causing the party to fall behind schedule and move slowly.
It is suggested Oates was aware that he had caused the group to risk death by moving too slowly and by failing to return the team to get supplies and help. It is believed that one morning, perhaps aware he was dying anyway, Oates left the tent, uttering the famous words above. He didn’t even bother to put on his boots.
Sadly, the remaining three men, including Scott, all of them also weak and malnourished, perished a further 30 kilometres onwards, only 18 kilometres from food and help.
Lawrence Oates’ body was never found.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Oates
Occam’s Razor
Occam’s Razor is a fascinating scientific philosophy—and something I encourage you to explore! The most simple explanation is this:
If two or more explanations exist to explain a phenomenon (or an event), then the simplest explanation, containing the least assumptions, is most likely to be the correct one.
To be a little more lyrical: Nature is elegant and artful in the way it evolves simple solutions to quite complex problems; yet human beings seem to continue to insist on fantastically complex explanations requiring the suspension of belief and long strings of assumptions for almost anything.
If you are willing to sniff out the most simple and direct explanation, then you are likely to be on the right track!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam's_razor
Wormhole Theory
Yes, there is such a hypothetical phenomenon! A wormhole is a cute name for a connection between two parts of space, possibly allowing travel through it between otherwise distant points in our universe. But not for humans unfortunately, as they would likely come out the other end rather mangled. The existence of such a thing was hypothesised by Albert Einstein and Nathan Rosen in 1935, and is also known as an ‘Einstein-Rosen Bridge’. Rosen also postulated that a wormhole would have a ‘resonance’. Remember that Nathan Rosen is portrayed as the character Nathan’s great-great-grandfather in the book!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wormhole
Quantum Physics
Quantum Physics (or Quantum Mechanics) was developed to help scientists explain phenomena in our universe. It brought a new awareness that things we previously thought of as ‘waves’ could also be made up of ‘particles’. Light for example was always considered to be a ‘wave’. With quantum physics, particles of light called photons can now actually be measured.
The world of Quantum Physics is a deep and confusing rabbit warren of abstract ideas and scientific arguments that are hard to apply to our very ‘real’ and tangible world. However this confounding science may well have astounding implications in the development of the future of the human race. In order to simplify it right down for you, I offer you this easy definition: The word quantum in Latin means ‘amount’, and in the case of modern physics, ‘quantum’ means “the smallest ‘amount’ that makes up the matter in question”. In other words, scientists are trying to determine the very smallest building blocks of our universe!
All I can say with respect to Quantum Physics is: “Watch this space!”
http://physics.about.com/od/quantumphysics/p/quantumphysics.htm
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn9930-introduction-quantum-world.html?full=true#.UsOPmPQW0lo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introduction_to_quantum_mechanics
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THE DREAMER CHRONICLES III
The third book in the Dreamer Chronicles is called 'Moon Zero'! Here is the blurb from the back cover:
Episode III of the Dreamer Chronicles finds our two young heroes hurled into a terrifying race against time!
Sarina, now 13, has a big problem, and it’s way bigger than the one she thinks she has. She’ll have to save the world. Again.
Sarina is one of Professor Harrison’s most powerful Dreamer Kids: highly creative children who can communicate in their dreams with people in other universes ... and in Sarina’s case, actually travel between them.
The Consortium wants to get its hands on the Professor’s secret invention—a REM-collider that multiplies creative dream power—and they want to turn it into a powerful weapon, for sale to the highest bidder.
Despite her young age, Sarina is focused on teaching kids to paint. But the art program’s benefactor, Sir John Drysdale, has made it clear that her art lacks emotion and something inside her is missing.
Strange, seemingly unconnected occurrences provoke unrest across two worlds: severe weather patterns threaten to destroy a township; her old enemy, Makthryg, is making plans to escape his prison; in Australia, a prominent observatory has reported an unusual and worrying aberration in the Moon’s orbit.
And Sarina is kidnapped.
When her friend, Nathan, discovers a frightening message on Professor Harrison’s computer, these events conspire to trigger a destructive domino effect. One that will catapult the young adventurers on a wild journey to do battle with the cosmos itself.
But for them to be successful, Sarina must fix whatever is missing inside her and confront her arch-enemy once again.
You can pick up your copy of Moon Zero by following the link below!
Click here to read Moon Zero
THE DREAMER CHRONICLES NEWSLETTER
Would you like advance notice when the next instalment in Sarina’s journey is released?
If you’d like to follow Sarina and Nathan on their next adventure, and you would like advance notice when the next instalment in The Dreamer Chronicles is released, then all you need to do is join Robert’s Dreamer Chronicles Newsletter! Some lucky readers will even receive a Free Book, and Advance Copies of New Releases.
Follow the link below and enter your email address (if you don’t have your own email address, then ask an adult to use theirs on your behalf. I promise not to send them loads of rubbish!).
www.RobertScanlon.com/DreamerChronicles
THE DREAMER CHRONICLES I
Haven't Read 'Sarina's Nightmare' yet?
The first adventure in the Dreamer Chronicles is called 'Sarina's Nightmare'. If you haven't read it yet, then just follow the link below!
Click here to read Sarina's Nightmare
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for finishing the book, I hope you enjoyed it! Writing a
book is both fun and hard work—and you never know which of those you will encounter in the process. You do need the help of people around you. Those who understand the crazy world you lock yourself up in, and why you disappear so quickly after meals, claiming some need to ‘get on with it’!
Some of those people also willingly read the early versions, plough their way through all the typos (What? You’ve found some too? Please tell me!), and provide helpful feedback from a reader’s experience.
Since they deserve acknowledgement of their hard work (which I hope had at least some fun stirred in), I shall do that here.
The first thank you must go to my loving wife, Gabrielle and my inspiring daughter, Isabelle, who have been excited to find out what the next adventure entailed, and have willingly read many versions and given very helpful and specific feedback, as well as provided edits and recommendations. Your encouragement has kept me motivated to spend the many hours typing away!
Thanks again go to Karen Law, whose professional and insightful feedback is always a delight to receive!
Further thanks for reading early versions, and for her suggestions about balance, must go to Raymonde, my wonderful mother-in-law, who laughed at all the right things. Thanks also to my hard-working sister, Alison, who still manages to say yes whenever I ask if she will read something! And to my mother, who kept asking when she could read the next book in the series. She deserves a special ray of sunshine. Finally, thanks to a long list of people who encourage, cajole and support anyone who attempts to write a book!
ABOUT ROBERT SCANLON
Born in Australia, Robert was whisked back to England where he spent his childhood. After many years complaining about the weather, he did the only sensible thing, and moved back to Australia. Queensland actually. Where he enjoys walks along the beach with his wonderful family.
(Pssst. He still complains about the
weather if it gets too cold!)
www.RobertScanlon.com
Here’s a bit more about him ...
Robert is an Author and Entrepreneur – but he wasn’t always.
He’s studied chemistry; worked in the music industry; sold handbags; taught yoga; raced motorcycles; and trained thousands of people in Presentations Skills, Train-the-Trainer, Negotiation Skills ... and more.
Mostly though he loves to read.
And read and read. His father was a science-fiction fan, so Robert grew up on a voracious diet of all the top-notch sci-fi writers (there’s a list below!), eventually discovering he had read the entire science-fiction section of his local library. But nowadays he writes books and runs websites. Which is fun, and nothing like work at all.
Here are some questions he’s often asked (well he made them up actually, but he’d LOVE you to ask them anyway!):
What was your first job?
It was mowing the lawn for my Dad. The pay was terrible, but it was fun because I liked engines, so I revved it a lot and it sounded like I was racing around the grass.
I also used to be a golf caddy, which was funny because I don’t enjoy golf.
And I sold handbags from a market stall, which is also funny because ... well handbags are not really a boy-thing. But it did teach me how to sell something you don’t use yourself.
Where do you live?
Right now I live in Queensland, Australia which is beautiful. The first half of my life I lived in England, which is rainy. I lived in the South of France for a little while too – that was rather nice and I’d like to do it again!
Do you play an instrument?
Ha!
I love music and used to sing and play guitar in a band. Now I don’t have a guitar or a bass, but I could play one badly if asked. I’m learning to play piano (it’s hard!) since I didn’t do that at an early age. I think everyone should learn an instrument of some description, it’s a lovely creative activity.
What do you like to read?
My dad loved Sci-Fi, so that was a big influence. I loved John Wyndham, Philip K Dick, Robert Heinlein and I have a soft spot for Isaac Asimov (who had great non-fiction books about space that I loved). So I still love Sci-Fi, but also like Fantasy; Thrillers and some Action. I also enjoy Young Adult books hugely. I mean, who doesn’t like Harry Potter? (If you don’t, I feel for you, I really do haha!)
What is an Entrepreneur anyway?
Hmm. Good question. I wish you hadn’t asked it. (What’s that you say, these are questions I wrote down to ask? Oh. Alright then, better answer it.).
Ahem. An entrepreneur is someone who looks for opportunities to help people by providing a service or a product that is not available; or could be made much better. I think having a creative or an entrepreneurial spirit is a wonderful thing, and with more of it, we could change the world for the better. (And not always with money as the reason!)
Can I get in touch with you to ask more questions?
Yes, as long as they are easy ones!
Just use the “Contact” link on my website at RobertScanlon.com/contact-robert/ and send me a message!
One last thing before you go ...
When you turn this page (and swipe past the Table of Contents) you’ll be greeted with a request from Amazon to rate and review this book and post your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter. Now I realise you might not have a Facebook or Twitter account, and that’s OK by me (but if you are a Mum or Dad reading this, then feel free to share away!)
You’ll be able to let other people know that you enjoyed the book, and I will be forever in your debt!
Thank you,
Robert
Contents
1. Madness
2. The Collider
3. Spikes
4. Missing
5. Codes
6. Harrowbrush
7. Stolen
8. Rats
9. Lost
10. Disturbance
11. Translation
12. Missing Persons
13. Guitar Solos
14. Smoke Signals
15. Dumb And Dumber
16. Bait
17. Thugs
18. Questions
19. Conspiracy Meltdown
20. Socks
21. Terrorist Alert
22. The Spider
23. The Tip-Off
24. Escape
25. Gone
26. Reunited
27. Broken
28. The Last Portal
29. A New Home
Fact or Fiction? Author's Notes
Dreamer Chronicles III
Acknowledgments
About the Author
MOON ZERO
(The Dreamer Chronicles Book III)
Dear Reader, thank you for joining Sarina on her journey in the third instalment of The Dreamer Chronicles. I hope you enjoy it. May I share a word or two about spelling? Thank you! I consider myself to be ‘half-Australian’ and ‘half-British’. Which means I’ve chosen to use British English spelling conventions throughout. So for example, when you see an ‘s’ that you think should be a ‘z’, that’s me using my native spelling.
But knowing you, Dear Reader, that won’t bother you one bit!
Please, start reading!
For all the wonderful Readers in the world: you make it a better place.
~ 1 ~
Rejection
Sarina bit her lip. The sour-faced man who sat at the end of the assessment panel worried her. All he’d done so far was scrutinise her artwork without saying one word. She shifted on her stool and tried to bring her attention back to the woman smiling at her from the other end of the imposing table.
“Sarina, for someone of your tender age, your work is remarkable. So distinct and precise; so colourful and strong. I have no doubt your talent will be warmly welcomed in the stream you are applying for. As far as I am concerned, you have my seal of approval.” The woman—her name tag said ‘Mrs Sharon English - Director of Creative Expression’— smiled again and nodded at Sarina, and leaned back in her chair.
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The Dreamer Chronicles Trilogy Boxed Set Vol I - III: A Sci-Fi Parallel Universe Adventure (The Dreamer Chronicles - Science Fiction For Kids And Adults) Page 66
