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Wendy E Gamble
a rough-cut book bubble about
Shoot for Earth: MedSci Missions 3
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Author Insight
Science While Stoned
Historically, there have been people creating under the influence of drugs. Beatles songs, work by novelist William Burroughs, art by Van Gogh The Beatles reportedly kept themselves on stage with uppers, so they could do their job in the early days. That would naturally lead to further experimentation, leading to songs such as “Lucy in the Sky.” Van Gogh was using medicine, which in his day was the likes of digitalis from Foxglove flowers, and absinthe, which could be considered an alcohol tincture with medicinal properties. But did people do their best work with body-chemistry-altering substances in them? Van Gogh famously said, “Besides, it is a certain fact that I have done better work than before since I stopped drinking, and that is so much gained.” I suspect that could be a general truism. I hope it is. I’m a clean machine myself. Downing a small glass of my second-brewed fruity Kombucha with dinner, and chocolate to power writing is about the extent of it. Maybe too much sugar or coffee at times. As well as high-fat poutine, of course, seeing as I’m Canadian. I seem to manage to get work done. Thus, I figure Ramone had to clear his head to do a sober second look at his work. Enjoy this tiny excerpt from the trilogy finale that opens a universe of further adventures. (Click “View Profile” or my website to see my science fiction books available now.)
Book Excerpt
Shoot for Earth: MedSci Missions 3
Ramone leapt a little, stretching an arm up in a victory punch. It was sixteen earth days after his brush with death atop the alien volcano. Now he’d had success in his well-equipped Fabarian lab.
When he landed, his legs walked themselves over to his closet. He deserved to celebrate. Sliding the door revealed two precious pot plants he was hiding from Scott; just in case his shipmate felt the need to tell on him. The baris didn’t care. If they saw them in occasional building inspections, he told them it was a medicinal herb from Earth, which was true. He didn’t know how it would affect baris yet, so they shouldn’t try it, which was true. After his joint calmed him in the pod, he’d been having the occasional dose. Once or twice a day. Maybe three. He supposed he should keep track.
With that, Scott let out a big sigh, stopping his hand still and staring at what he was doing. Was he totally off the wagon? Slapping himself mentally, he shut the closet quickly. Resolutely, he went to a drawer and rummaged. He pushed aside cough drops, gum, chocolate, tea bags, a guitar pic, his Pocod, dried daka dropping snacks, socks that could expand into shoes, a comb that oozed all-natural styling gel, and – ah, there they were. Pills from Dr. Green. He took one.
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