In my effort to cultivate some interest for my first novel, I am running this excerpt from the book by running it three consecutive days. I hope that you check out some of my blogs, as I have been writing them for over two years.
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I’ve been lolly-gagging and dilly-dallying now for two years since I said I would write my next book, my first novel. I have titled it If Only…, and if you were following my blog way back then, here’s what I said:
About the Book
If Only… represents my first full-length novel.
The book is based on the simple premise: If Only in the History of Humanity, a single, seminal event had occurred. What if the VERY FIRST TIME a man raised his fist to his female mate, she blocked his fist, and knocked him out cold?
What would today’s planet look like?
This book takes you through the lens of woman being the dominant gender on Earth. It looks at a restructured planet and delves into politics, sports, family, education, crime, and medicine. Along the way, as we examine some amazing differences in our planet, you may also be surprised at the similarities you uncover.
You will meet Abraham Highsmith, the first male nominated for the presidency (wait until you see who the President is.) You will follow along with Kate Ramsay, Nation’s Chief Surgeon, and Terry O’Brien, National Sports Commissioner and others as they navigate their respective occupations.
Their stories will help illustrate that, with women in charge, it is indeed a whole new world.
I hope you enjoy it.
Mark
If Only… by Mark Diaz
The Earth was still an embryo.
Ah awoke in the morning mist which had begun to creep into the cave. She looked at her little one, still asleep and dreaming in the warmth of his nest of animal skins and furs. The fire had gone out well before morning light.
She smiled.
Satisfied her baby was safe, as only a mother knows, Ah rubbed her eyes vigorously and peered out of the cave entrance. Unable to see more than two feet in front of her, she stumbled on either a rock or a slow-moving animal of some kind. She made her way down the narrow path to the pool of clear water, growing larger daily from the waterfall feeding it from above the mist.
The Earth was alive.
All along the rocky path, the ground whispered with multi-colored vapors and smoke. It belched pools of life-producing waters. Cracks and fissures steamed and hissed at her. An emission of hot steam licked at her ankles, and she yipped and hopped as it burnt her. The sounds of life assaulted her ears from every direction: the slithering of snakes through the reeds, the clicking and buzzing of small swarms of insects, and many different sounds from above and beyond, indicating other forms of life.
Ah surveyed the patch of brown soil that Oh had decided was the best and only spot to plant crops.
She wanted to plant further up the path, at the base of a large field of grass. The soil there was dark and rich.
Oh had returned to the cave and was holding his son when Ah approached.
Oh was huge. His muscles bulged from everywhere. He was covered in sweat.
Ah could tell by his face that Oh was furious with her. He placed the infant gently on top of the fur skins and turned to Ah.
His eyes filled with malicious intent and hers with confusion which she had never before experienced.
Oh crossed the floor of the cave, shouted something unintelligible, and raised his right fist high in the air over Ah’s head.
Ah stood calm and unfazed.
As Oh’s powerful fist descended, Ah deftly used her left forearm to block his attempt at injury. As she deflected his blow, she instinctively used her right fist to hit upward at her attacking mate. Her fist struck Oh directly on his nose. As he fell to the floor of the cave in a thud, Ah tried vainly to catch the huge man so he would not hurt himself falling.
Oh lay semi-conscious on the floor, tears streaming down his dirty face. The blood was still gushing out of both nostrils. He turned his broken nose to see his son, propped up on his fat little arms. He was staring at his father with wide-open eyes and a great big smile on his little round face.
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Hope it piques your interest.
Stay well.
