I am currently working on my second novel and it is called ‘The Fates’. It is a look at the ever elusive search for immortality. The exploration of what each of us would sacrifice if it meant that we could live forever. The change of what each of us value and the role of children in our lives will influence our quest for the determination of a society that continues to value the individual and the mortals in today’s society rather than the inner and spiritual self creates conflict in a society that devalues the basic human characteristics that make each of us unique.

Each day we are faced with decisions of what each of us value and what each of us will fight for. The youth of today are influenced by an increasingly uncontrolled and self-centered ideas about how they should live. The path is being set in our world where through media we are changing culture. ‘The Fates’ at one time may have seemed like science fiction, however with our knowledge of genetics increasing and our belief that immortality can only being obtained through science rather than spiritually or though the legacies we create in making our world a better place for our children. Pierre Elliot Trudeau once said ‘Absolute Power corrupts absolutely’ one can only imagine the results of a society and it’s already declining moral values if we all knew we were living forever and would not have to face the consequences of a life not lived well. Below is an excerpt from my upcoming novel….

Lucina had always enjoyed coming to this island as a young girl with her family. Every summer with her parents they would make the two-hour drive north from Winnipeg to the wondrous natural gifts of Hecla Provincial Park. They would spend two weeks camping and enjoying the miracles of nature. The sandy beaches, the abundant wildlife; from the majestic moose to the magnificent pelican whose extensive wing span awed her as she watched the birds and the Icelandic fisherman in their enormous boats search for the bountiful whitefish, pickerel and jackfish that filled the chilly waters of Lake Winnipeg. She was sure the pelicans always caught more fish than the fishermen in their boats did but it was not a competition. The two great fishermen of the region lived together in harmony helping each other take advantage of Mother Nature’s bounty. Michelle (Lucina’s mortal name) and her parents would walk out to the lighthouse that guarded the rocky shores from wayward sailors during a storm. From the lighthouse at the edge of the town of Hecla they could just make out the outline of Black Island against the horizon. Her father told her of the soft beaches filled with Silica Sand and of the spiritual gifts Black Island possessed. Every year the Anishinaabe would return to Black Island to celebrate their life and thank the spirits for each of their gifts. The Anishinaabe believed this island was a gateway to the spirit world. Black Island was the place where they could seek guidance for their people.

Michelle had begged her father to take her to Black Island. Finally in the summer before she went to University he did. An Icelandic fisherman named Thor Johnassen took them to the island in an imposing wooden York boat. The boat was similar to the ones the Selkirk settlers used when they made their journey from Hudson Bay down the Nelson River to what they thought must have been another ocean upon reaching the mouth of Lake Winnipeg. The shallowness and changeable nature of Lake Winnipeg made its waters very treacherous and unforgiving to the untrained seaman. Her father told her of the many dead sailors who had not respected the power of the water. As they made their way to Black Island the weather as it often did in this waterside community took an unexpected turn. The wind that had remained silent found her voice. The once quiet wind now shouted at the three souls in what once appeared to Michelle to be a huge ship—but now seemed no more than a row-boat as the waves rocked them relentlessly. Michelle overheard Thor tell her father it was too late to turn back and they would need to spend the night on Black Island–if they were lucky enough to reach it. The waves continued to slam against the sides of the boat spraying the three mortals who were squeezing onto the wooden sides of the boat. Michelle remembers feeling powerless as Thor and her father fought hard to keep the boat upright. Tears streamed down her face as for the first time in her life she realized humans die. The thought of no longing being alive terrified her. For when she stared death in the face, she only saw darkness.