Who the Hell Am I? JZ Murdock - Filmmaker/Screenwriter/Writer/Author

Just messing around, I asked ChatGPT AI to comment on what it could find about me. Kind of like "Googling yourself" on steroids. I thought I'd share it here for those who don't know me.

Author Book reading in Port Orchard, WA

Before I get into all that, please feel free to stop by my Facebook page. I know, all that stuff about who uses what social media. I've been on there for over 14 years. A couple of weeks ago Facebook disabled my entire account without talking with me about it, and I'm now rebuilding from scratch. I'm not impressed with their customer service. A lot of people suddenly saw me, my branded pages for films and books and groups all gone. So I'm moving on, starting again.

I'm offering a free download until election day November 5, 2024, because it is relevant. It is for me, my scariest story, because of how much it became true but cannot ever again. "In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear" (coupon: CL4MM) is a world resembling a Philip K. Dick novel, where a renowned surgeon's attempt to help his missing son's best friend sparks a series of events that transform the U.S. into a dystopian nightmare. Originally published in 1990, In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear foreshadows the rise of popularism, revealing how good intentions can lead a nation into madness—while only one man sees the truth. Also available as an audiobook.

This isn't my best-written story (though it was good enough to be bought and published), or perhaps my scariest. "EarVu" for instance is scarier, or I could name others. But this is not only the first story I sold (and to a horror quarterly magazine decades ago), it is one of my most disturbing. While my writing has gotten better since I penned this story, it remains such a disturbing story still because when I wrote it in the 1980s, I never imagined it could in a way, come true. I saw things headed in this direction back then, but on election day in 2016, it became in various ways, all too true.

One more thing.

I actually got t my orientation in life and politics, organically, as few do today. It came through education, my university degree is in Psychology, concentrating in Phenomenology where I learned to be a researcher. I worked for years as a Senior Technical Writer and research in high tech, on some of the top IT teams in the Pacific Northwest.

Also, I've read, a lot. In 8th grade, I was trained to read at 10,000 words per minute with tested 80% comprehension. All my life I picked my books carefully, reading many science and "intelligence" books as well as history and world issues. Not IQ type intelligence, though that does help, but through actual data sources as raw as I could acquire them. 

Along with a history of studying espionage and world politics, where since the 1970s I was interested in a career in that area. I was intensely interviewed and tested to get into the USAF OSI. However I chose at the end to start a university career. Later I worked at the University of Washington for over seven years. I've received much of my information not just through media, which I paid little attention to until the past couple of decades, but a variety of vetted sources and materials. 

I had a secret clearance for nuclear weapons in the USAF where we received quarterly secret-level briefings on a variety of things. Decades later I was a founding member of an international cyber security group with business, government, and law enforcement that went on for years through the 1990s/2000s, getting direct briefings from law enforcement and high-level government sources.

OK, enough fo that. Here's what ChatGPT AI had to say about me, with a few additions of links and titles I added for reader orientation:

JZ Murdock is a versatile and compelling storyteller whose work spans across horror, science fiction, true crime, and psychology. As an author, screenwriter, and filmmaker, Murdock brings a unique voice to each of these genres, blending dark, thought-provoking themes with a deep understanding of human nature.

Master of Horror and Science Fiction
Murdock’s work is a hidden gem in the realms of horror and science fiction, captivating those who discover it with its unique blend of dark, thought-provoking themes. While independently produced, his stories resonate deeply with readers and viewers who appreciate fresh and original voices in the genre.

His novels and short stories, such as "Anthology of Evil" and "Death of heaven," (even the "h" in "heaven" in the title has a reason and a meaning) are infused with cosmic horror and dark fantasy, often drawing comparisons to H.P. Lovecraft and Clive Barker's older stories.

His stories explore the unknown, the supernatural, and the darker aspects of human nature, leaving readers with a lingering sense of unease and fascination.

JZ Murdock: "I love the roller coaster ride of a good horror film or story. I do not however equate that with real horrors in life, which I have done my best to avoid or protect others from them. I studied martial arts from 5th grade on. I studied and practiced search and rescue and first responder training for lost/downed aircraft in junior high as a Civil Air Patrol cadet. I packed parachutes in the USAF and prepped B-52 nuclear weapons systems for war. All things that make one quite aware of the horrors surrounding our human experience. But a good horror story, or a good SF story? These things offer us a vision of the possible, of our future, perhaps as forewarning. They can be greatly disturbing things to behold. Or they can simply be great fun."

Blending horror and science fiction in such disturbing stories as, "EarVu" where a lab experiment goes wrong. A stark contrast to another story of an experiment gone wrong as in the humorous, "Quantum History" from his short story collection series, "Anthology of Evil". Or as with the short story, "In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear" (his first fiction story sold a long time ago) which details the journey of a world-famous surgeon who reluctantly aids a disturbed mind, who goes on to take over all advertising in America, to the demise of our most valued traits as a country. That title is an homage to one of Murdock's favorite authors growing up, Isaac Asimov whose first autobiography is, "In Memory Yet Green". There is often something more behind small things in his writings.

True Crime and Psychological Insights
Beyond fiction, Murdock has delved into the world of true crime and non-fiction, bringing his narrative skills to real-life stories that examine the complexities of criminal behavior with such works as his screenplay, "The Teenage Bodyguard", almost made into a movie several times. Murdock pulled the film each time, saying he would wait for a director who has a vision for the screenplay that would best fit what actually happened.

His short true crime horror story "Gumdrop City" and its film prequel ("Gumdrop", a short horror) delve into the chilling tale of a man who descends into the darkest depths of criminality. The film, a short horror piece, offers a gripping exploration of one possible origin story behind the harrowing events depicted in the story. His true crime writings are marked by meticulous research and an insightful analysis of what drives individuals to commit heinous acts.

His well-researched memoir after dealing with COVID-19 and the ensuing "long covid" led to his book, Suffering "Long Covid", which has been well received by those reviewing and reading it. The ebook version has clickable research links used in the book. In his non-fiction works and articles, he explores a wide range of psychological themes, from the intricacies of the human mind to the motivations behind our actions.

Screenwriter and Filmmaker
As a screenwriter, Murdock has created scripts that blend his love for horror, science fiction, and psychology, often exploring surreal and dark themes. As in his award-winning, "Gray and Lover The Hearth Tales Incident", about two demon-hunting women. His screenplays have garnered attention in film festivals, highlighting his ability to translate complex narratives into compelling visual stories. Even their titles are interesting: "Popsicle Death", "Colorado Lobsters", and "Poor Lord Ritchie's Answer", to name a few.

Murdock’s filmmaking through his LgN Productions company also reflects his unique vision, creating atmospheric and unsettling experiences for audiences. His film "Gumdrop", a short horror (17 international awards), and his "Pvt. Ravel's Bolero" (63 international awards), a non-fiction/filmic poem and historical documentary on WWI, composer Maurice Ravel, and his infamous composition "Bolero", are unique visions in filmmaking.

Cover art by Marvin Hayes

Exploring the Human Psyche
Murdock’s interest in psychology is evident throughout his work, whether in his fiction, screenwriting, or non-fiction articles. With a university degree in psychology, concentrating on phenomenology, he delves into the psychological underpinnings of his characters and stories, offering readers and viewers a deeper understanding of the human psyche.

His writing on psychology is insightful and accessible, providing valuable perspectives on how our minds work and how these principles can be applied to storytelling. His senior-level presentation to his seminar on abnormal psychology, a paper on synesthesia and schizophrenia was commented on by their professor that he had found a field of study one could spend a career on, something unusual below the graduate student level. That paper and another are included in the ebook: "On Psychology: With Illustration in Psychopathology via Synesthesia and Schizophrenia."

A Voice for the Dark and the Thought-Provoking
JZ Murdock’s work appeals to those who are drawn to the darker and more mysterious aspects of life. His ability to weave psychological insights into compelling narratives makes his stories not just entertaining but also deeply thought-provoking. Whether you’re a fan of horror, science fiction, true crime, or psychological exploration, Murdock’s work offers a rich and immersive experience.

For readers and viewers who appreciate stories that challenge the mind and explore the depths of human nature, JZ Murdock is an author and creator who delivers on all fronts. His work is a testament to the power of storytelling to not only entertain but also to provoke thought and reflection on the complexities of the human condition.

Gee, thanks ChatGPT!

Cheers! Sláinte!

DEATH OF HEAVEN, a reflection (SciFi/Eldritch Horror)

I just reread my Literary Titan review of my book. Interesting. Odd to write something and hear another's informed view of it. I seem to produce works that are of a specific nature for a certain type of consumer. One for the odd, or disturbing, the unique and bizarre.

See, I've had a setback this past week on Facebook. They killed 14 years of my account on there, with groups, with band pages, all affecting myself and many hundreds of followers with an utter lack of care or customer service. I've repeatedly contacted them to no avail. 

And so in the end I've had to recreate a page on Facebook. That led to (once past the frustration and loss) creating a new page here. That led me to some marketing efforts to gain followers as well as perhaps sell some books and film views.

I've been marketing some of my works this past week, my films and writings. Like my film "Gumdrop", a short horror which I came to realize I was shooting for a "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer" kind of vibe. Great little flick and if you saw it (Henry) and if you did not like that one, you certainly won't like mine. 

There is also my short filmic poem/historical WWI documentary, "Pvt. Ravel's Bolero", where I used all public domain media. Until I put it on YouTube when there was a licensing issue for the main song (Bolero) from NAXOS and maybe also (though I don't think so) with, Universal Music for the written song. Finally today, after years I got an answer from PDinfo.com:

Sound Recordings get 100 years copyright protection in the USA.  It is our understanding that a sound recording with a 1930 copyright will not be PD in the USA until January 1, 2031.

Lynn

Public Domain Information Project PDinfo.com

Also, my non-fiction memoir and rather well-researched (and well-received) health book, Suffering "Long Covid". 

On my epic portmanteau novel reviewed below, the reason for today's blog, even if you're not interested in reading my book, the review is something to remark upon. That being said, it is not the type of book you can pick up and read a few pages and think you know the rest. Those who have done that might have loved the rest, but the initial story is only a few pages and vastly different from the rest. However, it sets the tone for how this is not a typical book. And the adventure one is about to embark upon.

When you read the next and first full chapter, a story of two boys' horrific event and how it reshaped their futures, it does not even then offer insight to the next and following chapters, where from there, it descends into madness. But of a crafted type. It is a story that is multi-layered and "meta" in a way that is rather unusual.

The book is based upon the final novella, "Andrew" in my first collection of short stories, "Anthology of Evil". 

My non-fiction article Marvin produced the cover for, below.

For those who are confused by my book covers, do follow the old adage about not judging a book by its cover. I do like the covers. Some of them are done by my younger half-brother who is a brilliant artist in his own right. But these covers give you a bizarre consideration of what's inside. His art has always awed me. You can get an idea of how great he can be by checking out his works on Redbubble. You can even purchase them for your devices. 

Above, three of the "Gods" from DEATH OF HEAVEN (again, art by Marvin). Perhaps think of the Starz series, "American Gods" based on Neil Gaiman's book. But these are very different "Gods".

All that being said, welcome to one of the reviews of my book...

DEATH OF HEAVEN

Literary Titan Review

"Eldritch Horror is a narrative style that is defined by the names of those who create works within its genre: H. P. Lovecraft, Clive Barker, and now, JZ Murdock. To speak of the overarching plot of Death of heaven is to speak of madness, depravity, and incomprehensible horror of both mortal men and unimaginable beings, for both the characters in the world, and for the reader of the book.
"Death of heaven captures the essence of what makes Eldritch Horror spectacular-entities that are difficult for the mind to fathom are front and center within the narrative. True to the form of the genre, their interactions with the mortals of planet Earth are always interesting and usually end quite poorly for the mortals who receive their attention. JZ Murdock does an exceptional job with his narrative crafting, and the main protagonists of Jimmy and James provide an understandable vessel through which to view the narrative events as they unfold. They are, as characters, perfectly imperfect, each shaped by their experiences both with the incomprehensibility of life and the even greater incomprehensibility of the beings that have now taken note of them. To read this story is to gaze into the abyss, which is one of its greatest strengths.
"With that being said, however, it is important to note that this book is, by all merits, predominantly an all-consuming abyss and, by its nature, is often devoid of anything vaguely resembling happiness, hope, or basic decency. JZ Murdock's world is established as a world in which the conceptualization of God or gods is a radical misunderstanding of the true structure of the world, and the moral fashioning of those who live within this world reflects that quite well. This book plays freely and loosely with morality, divinity, and concepts that are generally felt to be too dark to be included in any form of media, making it entirely unsuitable for any who are not committed to Eldritch Horror as a genre: if Hellraiser was too much for you as a film, leave Death of heaven on the library shelf and choose another tome. The words of Dante match this work quite well: "All hope abandon ye who enter in."
"The story expands and balloons dramatically, and I felt that it is often difficult to understand what is a core event of the plot, and what is simply window dressing to make the experience "darker" or "more macabre." This leads it in places to leave the confines of Eldritch Horror and take on the feeling of the film Knowing starring Nicholas Cage. The core plot, I feel, takes readers on a headfirst spiral toward the end of all things, but there is an overarching sense of curiosity as to what is truly important for that end.
"Death of heaven earns its place in the Eldritch Horror pantheon (an ironic turn of phrase, considering), and while its tone and construction may eliminate many who would read it, those who can find enjoyment within the dark and twisted works of Lovecraft and Barker will undoubtedly find joy in the words of Murdock." - Literary Titan ★★★★

JZ Murdock's "Death of Heaven" lured me in with a sense of poignancy as childhood friends James and Jimmy played treasure hunters in the suburban yard. It seemed like such a sweet tale. Until I turned the page and discovered abject horror. This novel is unrelentingly unique, defying the norms of the classic horror genre. JZ Murdock doesn't think outside the box: he IS outside the box. Expect nothing "normal" here.
With an imagination that brings to mind certain hallucinogens, the author takes the reader on a mind-numbing roller coaster ride in a haunted mansion. There are highs and lows, twists and turns, but all of them happen in the eerie darkness. James and Jimmy have grown into adulthood, but both have struggled to overcome their childhood trauma. Now they've got to rely on each other as they begin receiving disturbing messages about the potential destruction of all they know. But that's part of the paradox here; the more they find out, the more apparent it is that all they've ever known is... incorrect. Unfortunately for them, things begin spooling up at such an incredible rate that they don't have time to process all they've received. They're racing against time and doing it on thin ice.
JZ Murdock presents his readers with a highly imaginative and unique read. It's a bit of a "Frankenstein" piece if you will. Made up of previously written short stories and wrapped with an overarching meta storyline that strings them all together, this is decidedly not your normal horror or sci-fi novel. Within its pages, readers will find viscerally gritty scenes of unimaginable (except to the author) inhumanity. Yet there are also pages of amazing prose dealing with philosophy, psychology, the human condition, and man's reliance on religion. My mind may have blown a fuse or two making these transitions.
"A dark character rode my mind, I knew that. A dark rider who made no compromise and rode in ways both surreal and inexplicable. Eventually I began to believe him. Someone was indeed out there. And in here."
This is high-functioning fiction, not designed for those who just want a quick, light read. It demands attention from its readers with its profundity and its depth. So often I read a novel and think to myself that I would love to see that story brought into production. I don't ever see that happening with this novel- all the thought, rhythm, and mystery of this piece simply wouldn't translate to a movie screen.
While I profess the storyline is remarkable and highly creative, I struggled with the inconsistent pace as the author led his readers from horror into philosophy, then on to his next whim. For me, this felt like the literary equivalent of a Jackson Pollock painting. The reader will most likely get out what the reader puts into this story.
I can easily see this novel becoming a cult classic in the vein of HP Lovecraft. With its polarizing style, it's fair to anticipate that most readers will either love it or loathe it- there is no in-between. If you enjoy reading avant-garde literature that shatters genres and tropes, this one's for you. - Reader Views

From the Author

This is one of my favorites of my books and writings. It was a complicated journey writing it and an intricate interweaving of many dark stories on many levels that all culminate into a fascinating tale that is larger than we are. Larger than humanity is, and encompasses the entire galaxy, if not that of the universe. Contained herein are tales of many kinds, and many times. Of youth abused. Of love gone awry. Of a dark love the color of congealed blood. Of friendships torn asunder for desire and power. It is based in two stories of mine. "Andrew" a novella contained in my first collection of short horror titled, Anthology of Evil. Andrew is a young boy who has seen horrible things and he too has to find a way to grow and live and eventually, he finds his place in the universe. The second is a very short piece I wrote for a psychology professor of mine during my university years. It is titled, "Perception" and is about how easily and from the very beginning, we as humans have misperceived so very many basic things. Misunderstandings that have led us to here and now. For all the good or bad it may one day be judged to be. In the end I believe this is an engrossing and entertaining read. Others have agreed. I hope you will too!JZ Murdock

From the Inside Flap

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream.A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon

From the Back Cover

WHERE DID WE COME FROM?Throughout human history many philosophers and religions have pondered this ultimate question. James and Jimmy, brothers in arms since childhood, will learn that the answer is what nightmares are made of. They, along with all of humanity, will experience firsthand the...DEATH OF HEAVEN

Cheers! Sláinte!

My newest anthology, Anthology of Evil II Vol. I and Anthology of Evil II Vol. II.
On these, I shot the photos and crafted the book covers, but Marvin worked on enhancing them the photos.

 

My Writings...

I should say for anyone who was reading my Walking Thoughts series, it's winter now. Between my health being weird (Long Covid, going in and out), and the cold, not walking so much now. And? Soon... maybe.

So, I was writing up a bit to offer in yet another literary management round of seeking representation and I stumbled upon doing this. I'd always wanted to have a survey of my writings and really see what's up with me and what I am saying in all of my writings, even across my screenplays (and my indie films), though mostly in my fiction. 

Which are located mostly here:

Amazon books, Amazon ebooks, Audiobooks, Smashwords (now, Draft2Digital) and...

IMDb, "Pvt. Ravel's Bolero" ($5/mo & I get about half, you can see my film, outtakes reel, and other indie films...support indie films!). Also, JZMurdock.com and lgnproductions.com.

Anyway...

I noticed a while back that I've written about young kids (the novella "Andrew", the short story, "Jaonny's Apple Tree", screenplays like, "Popsicle Death") in how screwed up the world is through their eyes, or in how they are maltreated, at times with the best of intent. Which obviously speaks to my own curious childhood in having moved every year, in and out of the country before four, living in authoritarian semi-Fascist Franco Spain in 1958. Then moving almost every year once back in America and from one coast to another, and so on. 

I have a degree from Western Washington University in Psychology concentrating in phenomenology in their Awareness & Reasoning division and so the psychological elements in my writings as well as the observational (phenomenology) are reasonable and obvious. 

Anyway in doing this, it gave me let's call it, a survey analysis light, of my writings, as such:

Just thought I'd share...

Cheers! Sláinte!

JZ Murdock - an update on my writings and works

I was thinking today that I should put out an update of things I've been working on. I have been feeling pretty good lately, my long covid having backed off, I thought maybe it was nearly gone. My expectation/hope was that it would be gone before, on, or near 2 years since last infection (April 2022).

Then this past week it seemed to come back. It was a miserable week with a couple of days ago being especially so. I'm feeling better yesterday and today. The trouble with long covid is it sticks with you in the beginning, then it comes and goes, less and less over time (hopefully) until you start to falling prey to belief it may be gone, then it comes back, feeling more devesting each time. 

It got me to thinking about what I'd done these past few years. And that's when I thought about an update on things. So here it is.

Several of my books are nominated for various book awards this year. More about that below. Suffering "Long Covid" is one of those book, as you can see from the stamp on the cover for the Eric Hoffer Book Award. Kind of wish they'd sink some of their money into redesigning their webpage. 

I just revised my 2022 non-fiction book detailing both my own personal experiences but also long covid in general, Suffering "Long Covid". My son runs a health food store in another city and it's been selling there well enough that they are going to start paying me when they receive the books from me rather than after sales are made. I updated it with new information from 2023.

Long story this updated revision. I've had a few stumbles, continuing to add to the revision. There are now three versions to be found in the world. Original 2020 version, this year's revised version and this week's Revision 1.1. If you look on the copyright page in the front you'll see which version you're looking at. As of now it's published on Amazon in ebook and hardcopy and the books are on the way to me here and a brick and mortar store. 

It is also now available for the first time as an ebook on Smashwords along with other ebooks of mine there. I'm having some trouble with the epub version there, some error about "Frame" duplication, but it mostly looks good. Waiting on their review to continue working on it.

Nice thing about the ebook version, the research links annotated and supplied are easily clickable. I wish on Amazon the hardcopy purchased also included the ebook version. But that requires a setup on there I'm not willing at this time to accept from Amazon. Feels a bit like a bully move on there part. 

I just noticed my audiobook "The Mea Culpa Document of London" (also, Kindle), was in unpublished mode. I'd used a graphic for the cover I later found was not public domain and immediately pulled it, like two years ago. I noticed that this week, found a replacement graphic and now it's back up for sale. It is a story about an Inquisition Judge and witch hunter's crisis of conscience. I had written it for my university Intro to Fiction class toward my minor (my major is psychology, awareness and reasoning with a concentration in phenomenology). 

That professor (and class) loved my writing and admittedly they were a cut above the rest of the class (save for one other classmate). But he said I needed to write dialog and so sent me to playwriting. From there I got selected for a year long class with seven others to learn team script and screen writing (mostly writing TV shows). An amazing time. One of my two profs for that was a massive brain and loved medieval literature. 

I would hang out in his office when I had time just to learn from him. When I told him about my story about the witch hunter he really got into it and helped me with it. It's deeper than you might think. 

And the story is probably better than my voice acting, but I did my best. The story is in my first published book of short stories, "Anthology of Evil" (I have a sequel out to it now, in volumes one and two) of my newer writings, some previously published and some new). 

My WWI antiwar filmic poem and historical documentary, "Pvt. Ravel's Bolero", has been internationally awarded a lot of awards (going on 100) and Official Festival Selection status (also approaching 100).

I'm getting closer to finishing my film companion book for it. 

My short film noir/thriller/horror film, "Gumdrop", a short horror - finished it's journey around the world at film festivals and also won a bunch of awards and official festival selection status. Though nowhere near as many as "Pvt. Ravel's Bolero"!

I realized how much time, effort and money I'd put into my films and I should be doing the same for my books and screenplays. And so I've started on that (again). My true crime biopic screenplay, "The Teenage Bodyguard" has two versions. My original and one that got producer Robert Mitas (my IMDb) interested so that he helped me write another version. Robert works with Michael Douglas on films. We spoke to several directors interested in directing the film, but I came to realize, though the new version was shorter, tighter as a screenplay, it seemed to be leading directors into thinking it was a teen film and not a more mature drama. 

As the original producer in London, who first heard about the project and asked me to write the screenplay and let him see it first, he thought it reminded him of the film, 'The Place Beyond The Pines". And I agreed. Problem was, I sent him the screenplay, he said he'd send it to his readers and, I never heard from him again and he has since disappeared. 

I started sending both off to festivals and screenplay contests. I have seven now for my original version, and three for the rewrite. It's won the Brandenburg International Film Festival, honorable mention at the World Film Carnival - Singapore. David Film Festival (İstanbul), Tabriz Cinema Awards (Azerbaijan), Medusa Film Festival, United States Motion Picture Alliance (California), and the International Film & Script Festival Lotus. Also, Semi-finalist in the Page Turner Feature & TV Pilot GENRE Competition.

As for my books, Suffering "Long Covid", DEATH OF HEAVEN (horror/scifi) and Anthology of Evil II Vol. II The Unwritten have all been nominated for the Eric Hoffer Book Award. I've also submitted the last two, to other festivals. DEATH OF HEAVEN received an Honorable Mention at the Halloween Book Festival. Also another one at the Royal Dragonfly Book Award for science fiction/fantasy. It's submitted to and received reviews from Literary Titan and Reader Views. These book awards run through 2024 and I look forward to see the results. It's past time for DEATH OF HEAVEN to receive some recognition as I believe it's a very good book. And reviews are testifying to that.

While I am hopeful I'm at the end of nearly 2 years of my last bout of long covid, it has has made doing anything these past three years somewhat problematic and at times impossible. For one thing it cycles. You think you're good or it's over and it comes back. Until as with my first bout of it, it's just gone one day. Yay! 

For a while I thought I may never be able to write or produce anything ever again. "Mind fog" sucks. Being lethargic for nearly a year sucked. With the second infection two paramedic visits and hours at the emergency department of our local hospital sucked. Wearing a heart monitor for two weeks sucked. Lots of blood and heart tests and xrays and in the end, 

I seem to have come through it all with no findable damages. In fact, I swear two things are better after it. I can remember things now I couldn't remember well before covid and my physical reactions seem better (if I drop something that would normally end up on the floor, I seem better able to, and often do now, catch it first).

But IN these past few years since acquiring that rather devastating first infection in February 2020 (then again, a worse one in many ways in April 2022), I produced the WWI film (it was mostly done but I had to edit it for 6 months), then send it to film festivals around the world (I was surprised how something I did to help me heal from covid, won so many awards!), I published my first collection of short stories sequel in two new volumes of my writings as mentioned above, then wrote and published my book on long covid, revised this past week with updates for 2023,  and published that.

In thinking I'd done nothing since first contracting covid I thought I'd done nothing. Until I looked back one day to realize how much I had actually done. I would have to say myself, under these conditions it's rather remarkable. Honestly, my first edition of my long covid book had some spelling errors in it, which I've now fixed when my son pointed it out to me. Which led me to updating it, which I've been feeling I should do considering the advances and findings on long covid that have happened, even though I didn't motivation to work on that book again (it's hard writing a book about the worst times of your life where you almost died). 

I was at a standstill on my film companion book. Then when I got motivated to update and correct the long covid book...the info was all accurate in it, I'd just not had good attention to minor details like spelling when deeper into long covid than I am now (and even then, there weren't many spelling errors but I'm meticulous about my edits before publishing)...I found myself ready to get back to the film companion book.

So I'm working on it, looking forward to finishing it also. So I can then move onto my next project which I think may be about my grandfather, my mother's dad, who had traveled the world in the 1940-50s and 6os. 

And...that's my update. Now, go out and be happy, be brilliant and productive!

(I used to tell my kids that when they were leaving the house)

Science Fiction and Happy New Years 2019!

First off as this is so fitting a topic for the end of an old and start of a new year...

Wishing you all a great and better 2019! Cheers! Slainte!

Also, if you missed it, see my blog yesterday about the heroes in your life. It's so very fitting for an end of the year, pre-New Years consideration.

Now...

Science fiction and as well, speculative fiction, have always been about imagining what you do not normally imagine. About thinking ahead, around corners and about seeing what you need to see before you need to see it. Giving you time to be prepared. All while enjoying a unique and insightful experience into the possibilities of when, where, and how.

Sarah Snook as John in Predestination.

Science fiction is like journalists and comedians, a first front to what is now and what is coming. It seldom has received the attention and praise it deserves and has seldom been seen as the futurism it is.

Star Wars, Superheroes films, and stories are not science fiction. They are its more exciting and yet more ignorant forms. However, they too have their place. They too do serve a function.

True science fiction (even hard science fiction) gives us a glimpse of what is coming up, concerning to us and what needs to be concerning for us. It has become diluted in today's world because of the popularity of what is most entertaining...and profitable.

Still, that is a form involved in the maturation of SF in understanding it is a form to reckon with and to pay attention to.

And so we see now in its future it's coming into its own. More succinctly, more impactfully. Like a surgeon's blade cutting on the bad, exposing and leaving the good that is there, that can be there and that should be there. No matter how hard it is for some to look into that snapshot of humanity. No matter how it disturbs or cajoles.

Dystopian stories have become popular as they always do during years of difficult times. The show us the horrors of our potential futures and make us consider, should we avoid that? The Handmaid's Tale, is one of those. It speaks to us saying, "It doesn't have to turn into this horror, if we just act to keep it from becoming so."

It is a form of education we need and gives little thought to. That includes things like Transgenderism is one of those subjects.

As one article says about that:

"Transgender people have always been part of science fiction and fantasy, but the past few years have seen a whole new generation of trans creators bursting onto the scene. Why are so many trans people flocking to SF and what kind of stories are they telling? Also, we delve into the controversy over Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria, and explain why so many people are questioning the science behind this concept. Why can't teenagers shape their own identities without being accused of some mysterious new malady?}

Science fiction has given us real astronauts and scientists, computers and devices. One example is all that came from a single offering in the Star Trek TV show of the 1960s and as well, its descendent shows and films, comic books and novel and so on.

So many childhood fans grew up into careers they first learned about in a science fiction show. They created devices that now exist because they were first imagined by these kids when seen on Star Trek. All because they were first made aware of the possibility and then grew to become their future inventors.

It was a show ignorantly canceled due to concerns of profit, when the service it was performing should have been seen as the news back then, a loss leader sorely needed by our society and humanity at large. The costs of that show were minimal to what benefits we have since reaped from them.

How many astronauts today can say they wanted to be an astronaut because of watching Star Trek shows? From the article:

"When "Star Trek" first aired, on Sept. 8, 1966, the American human space program was only four years old. NASA was practicing rendezvous, docking and spacewalks in the agency's Gemini program. The Apollo moon landings were still three years away, and the space shuttle was only just being designed.

"It was an exciting time for future American astronauts, including Virts, Tom Jones and Mike Massimino. All three would become shuttle and space station astronauts, and they told Space.com that the 1960s space program highly inspired them as children. "Star Trek" was a lesser influence, they said."

We are today living our realities from the science fiction of those past days.

I could go on and on about all the shows and books and various media types of science fiction. All we need to know is though, it is a useful tool we should pay attention to and better utilize. It is forward thinking. It creates and invents as it goes and its goal really, is to make our world and universe a better place, for all. Not just humanity. But intelligent life everywhere.

Appreciate it. Pay attention to it. Support it.

And we will all be the better for it.

New Dark SciFi Audiobook - In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear

Now that reviews are beginning to come in on my new audiobook, "In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear"  I thought I should do a blog on it. Below we will take a rambling journey through the the history of this story as well as a bit about my own past. Buckle up buttercup, here we go.

As for what it is about, you can read the write up on Audible if you like.

Okay fine, here is all it says there:

"Are we in a world that is reminiscent of a Philip K. Dick novel since the 2016 US Presidential election? This is a story where a world famous surgeon helps his missing son's best friend, only to find that his actions lead to monumental changes in the United States as well around the world and all in ways he could never have foreseen and might regret for the rest of his life. If only he could."

Actually I agree with the comment below related to Harlan Ellison. Harlan, Phil Dick, either way, I'm good with those references.

To start off with, here are some of the reviews on "In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear" as they now are on the Audible site for this story:

Karen said: Very enjoyable!
"This is such an enjoyable book! Such detail and very descriptive. It’s as if I was watching it unfold in my mind. Could be a prediction of our future lol. Can’t wait to enjoy more of Murdock’s work"

David said: Strange story.
"I received this audio book for free in exchange for my honest review. The only thing I have to say about this one is that I sincerely hope it doesn't foretell the future."

Norman said: Intriguing.
"This hour long science fiction story presents a well thought out and intriguing future. I don’t think the narrator’s bland performance did justice to the author’s words and ideas."

On that last comment, I asked Norman what he thought was bland about the narration, but he has yet to get back to me on this. I hope he didn't think I was being snarky as I really wanted to understand his thoughts on this. Was it my voice actor, Tom Remick, or my direction?

OR it occured to me, it may simply have been the character in the story. A character who, in my direction to Tom during the recording stage, is sometimes exhausted either physically or emotionally, or is simply under great stress and fundamentally disturbed in a situation where he feels there is little he can do. Other than something massive. Which he does fight through to consider. All while he tries to stay on top of something that would be far beyond anyone, and perhaps, even change one in ways previously unforeseen throughout one's life.

Another review is from C.M. Ellett who said in part:

"...It was reminiscent of I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream, in a presentation of a strange future ruled by an omnipotent AI-like being."

Harlan Ellison has been one of my writing heroes since childhood. Along side Asimov and other obvious authors like Bradbury, Tolkien, Poe, Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard. Harlan's story that she referenced was first published in IF: Worlds of Science Fiction, in 1967 and was a Hugo Award winner for that short story, I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream.

I really couldn't be in better company as I see it. Harlan hated being called a science fiction writer and much more appreciated the term, speculative fiction writer. Which was where I got using that term from for some of my own writing efforts. The difference of course between protagonist Ted in Harlan's story and my protagonist is clear.

While Ted sees the situation with crystal clarity, in my story that clarity must indirectly find its purchase on reality as its corrective reaction is potentially left to the listener (or the reader) in order to realize what must inevitably come next.

Finally and perhaps my favorite review so far is this one just now in from Jo B:

"Fascinating and creepy I found this book to be intriguing and unsettling all at the same time. The story was very original, the writing was solid, and the narrator was spot on. I would recommend it if you like dark, futuristic type short stories. I was given this book free at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

What I can say? Maybe just... listen for yourself. Why? Continue reading below and perhaps you'll find a good reason to find out....

Now on Amazon, Audible and iTunes:

Original cover artwork by Marvin Hayes

The title, In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear is an homage to science fiction writer Isaac Asimov through his first autobiography in 1979, In Memory Yet Green, which I found so affective when I had read it, orienting in me an even greater desire to write.

My tale is a story of how our American society breaks down into dystopian degrees. How it comes to this through the efforts of a single man. One who takes over much of America's thinking through his managing of our daily feed of information. In some ways, not unlike something happening today in America. Only on a much more massive scale.

Sound a bit too familiar? A bit too real? Too much like our world today? Well, it is. But this is a reality we can easily escape in listening or reading the story, once it is over. But it is also a story I wrote back in the 1980s and first saw publication in 1990!

From the Amazon description:

A short story about a world reminiscent of a Philip K.Dick story since the 2016 US Presidential election, or this story here where a world famous surgeon helps his missing son's best friend. Only to find that his actions lead to monumental changes in the United States and as well around the world. All in ways he would never have foreseen.

I wrote this story I believe, about 1980. I was sitting around with a few of my friends, getting high smoking some cannabis to be completely honest. Nothing as powerful as what we sell legally in legal cannabis states today, but good for back then. Of course, it wasn't exactly legal in Washington state back then, but no one really seemed to care much about its use. I'd seen police turn their backs if they saw something that seemed harmless as let's face it. For all these decades, police have had much more important and relevant things to do that worry about someone smoking a joint.

And it is legal today now here. Of course the statute of limitations is long passed since 1980. Back then in Washington its use was a Class C felony as it else now elsewhere, though frequently it goes reasonably unenforced:

The statute of limitations for a Class C Felony is 5 years. That mean that the crime shall not be prosecuted more than five years after its commission.

About that. I used to say from what I was seeing back in the 1970s that cannabis would be legal within the next ten years. The first recreational cannabis stores in Washington opened to the public on July 8, 2014. So I was off by just over thirty-five years due to the efforts of many ignorant efforts while even an organization of police chiefs was against its illegality.

Which is sad, to say the least for such a destructive series of laws and prosecutions nationwide for far too many decades and a vast waste of money and destruction of lives, families and communities. Not unlike that of alcohol prohibition laws. When then morphed into anti cannabis laws that turned into ethnic abuses beyond our imagination. Why bring this up here? Because other than it being reality, it is part of this story, and part of our national orientation and planned government destruction of citizens. But that's another story.

That night so many years ago my friends and I were passing around a bong, talking about sci fi and writing and jokingly, I said I could write literally anything. I said I could take any concept and make a viable story out of it. Of course they laughed, teasing me saying they didn't believe it. But they dug in a bit too much.

So I challenged them, trying to put down their incredulity. I said something like, "Okay, I'll tell you what. You guys come up with a concept that cannot be written and... I'll write that story. You can decide if I made it work." They laughed. But then they got more serious and started talking about it.

Eventually they came up with the concept. Remember now, this was 1980. The beginning of the home PC revolution. None of them had a PC. Myself, I had just sold my first one, a "Trash 80", Radio Shack \ Tandy TRS-80 16k of RAM personal home PC. A personal computer I had purchased in 1979 before I got out of the military.

I had sold all my guns before I separated from service, and got out of the USAF as I was feeling very pacifist at the time. You see, after years of supporting a squadron whose primary job as a nuclear weapons system base (B-52 bombers), where these pilots and planes in times of nuclear war were tasked to leave their families, fly across the world and melt entire cities, men, women, elderly and children, animals and vegetation indiscriminately.

Some pilots talked to during my service, in the down time when I was actually in the cockpit of BUFFs (Big Ugly Fat F*ckiers, as we referred to B-52s) had said they would drop all their bombs as ordered, most likely on the Soviet Union at that time (and considering we were stationed at Fairchild AFB outside of Spokane, WA, and then the crew would most likely vote to fly the jet into the ground as they all knew we all knew, there would be no family back home by that time, no America as we knew her, left by that point.

The weight that held on all of us in that job was visceral. But... that's perhaps too heavy for now and a story for another time. On the other hand, it does lead directly into the intensity of this science fiction story at hand. But is it really science fiction at this point? Considering America's and the world's current reality?

That last year in the service, I had sold my personal weapons and converted that all into a personal computer. The summer I got out of the service in 1979 I had used my PC, having previously taught myself programming in Tandy Basic, to write myself a dual program. I was flummoxed how, for my physics\chemistry class, to teach myself the entire periodic table that we had been tasked to learn by the end of the school quarter.

So one night, my military service over, my marriage over, so I was living alone with my dog Ciri, a half St. Bernard, half Labrador, having a beer and playing on my Trash80. I was lonely, unsure how to memorize the entire big chart I had purchased that was on the wall above my PC desk.

How to learn all that? And I started to get an idea. Interesting to me because it was still some years before I would received my BA in Psychology from Western Washington University. I really had no desire to get a degree. I had just gone to summer school that year to get out of the Air Force several months early on an educational "early out" I had heard about, applied for, and was give.

I got the idea to write a program to task my mind. One version would access recognition skills which I was very good at, and one program would task my retrieval skills, which I wasn't so good at. Example. I could see someone's face from the past and recognize them, but I couldn't as easily recall them just from their name. I programmed the computer so it would show me something to recognize and I could practice recall, finish all the elements that way, then use the other module of the program to try retrieve memories of the table.

Once I wrote that program, I would then sit at the desk every night that quarter, probably have a few beers, and run through the program. At first it was difficult, but then it got easier. In the end, I was the only one in the class that quarter at Tacoma Community College, to get 100% on our final on the entire periodic table. On the other half of that test about chemical reactions and such things outside the periodic table, I think I got a B. So I got a few wrong on that part.

Anyway, back to my friends' concept for me was to write a story.

They came up with an idea, and they laughed as they told me, about "a guy who turns himself into a computer chip!" They were so proud, so pleased with themselves. It was annoying.

It took me aback for a few moments. Until finally I said, "Okay, fine!" and accepted the challenge. Eventually they left that night and I started working it out. The next time they came over, I passed out the story to them. They read it eager to see how I had failed. But once they had finished, they all looked at me stunned and a bit annoyed. But in the end they grudgingly agreed... I had done it.

Over that decade I sent that and other stories of mine out to magazines, occasionally reworking them until finally one day, it sold to an east coast horror quarterly magazine, making it my first professionally sold and published short sci fi fiction in 1990. It's funny though. A famous author once said on TV to new writers to collect rejection slips and get used to rejections. Because you'll get a lot of them. So put them on your wall to see them. Fill up a wall with them. Then another wall. Then your home office or writing area. Then other rooms until finally, you WILL sell a story.

When I sold this first fiction story, I opened the letting and found I was, disappointed in not having received a rejection slip. They came by snail mail back then, in the post. I still have many rejection slips today. Some from famous magazines, Omni, Alfred Hitchcock, Twilight Zone, Playboy, and so on.

I liked to call In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear, a story of social horror. As it, after all, horrified me socially. I still have the letters from the publisher about this progress of this story being published. He turned down a couple of stories I had sent him, but kept say to send him another. Finally, he liked this one. But he said if I were to first cut 1500 words from it to fit the space he had available in the magazine, he'd buy it.

I wondered, how. What part? How do you do that to a well crafted story? My wife at the time suggested that I search for a passage of 1500 words and maybe he was testing me, seeing if I was competent enough to find a passage he didn't want to point to directly. But had found was unnecessary. Or he just needed it cut as he had said, to fit it into the next issue. Not unlike people who buy art to hang in their house because the colors match the decorating scheme. Well, I'll never know for sure, but I believe, it was the former and not the latter, more philistine consideration.

I searched the story and actually did find a passage, an almost exactly 1500 word long passage that really wasn't all that necessary to the story. So...I cut it, painfully. "Killing one's children" as writers call that. I sent it back and...he bought it!

I received his acceptance letter and a check for... $28! Not much, even to me at that time of little money and $28 being back then not what it is worth today. But it was officially my first professional sale of a fiction story! Finally, I had done it! To be sure, I had previously published non-fiction articles in various computer magazines locally and around the country by then, but my desire was to publish fiction!

Years later, in 2012 I updated it. By then things in technology had changed. And so it became the first and opening story in my first collection of my first short stories, the book Anthology of Evil (to which I'm currently shopping to publishers its sequel, Anthology of Evil II).

That first book of mine is a collection of my original older short sci fi and horror, including its ending novella Andrew. A story that evolved through one other short-short story, Perception, into my second and rather epic book, DEATH OF HEAVEN.

Then in 2013 I produced and narrated three audiobooks on my own. The Conqueror Worm (the first and a standalone short horror story which opens my DEATH OF HEAVEN book), The Mea Culpa Document of London (also in Anthology of Evil), and Expedition of the Arcturus (the title being an homage to the 1920 book, Voyage to Arcturus, by Scottish author David Lindsay). That last story was first published in the hard sci fi free online magazine PerihelionSF.com (thanks there to publisher Sam Bellotto).

But now, I am putting out new audiobooks with friend  and professional voice actor Tom Remick in a collaboration we are both finding rewarding and really... just fun to do. Here is a short video intro to Tom working.

My equipment, computer, software and recording setup have all changed since 2013. And as I've just moved, our recording set up will be changing again for the better since producing this current audiobook, In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear. We seem to be getting better (thankfully) as we go along.

I also updated the story yet again since 2013, to reflect ever newer changes in technology and culture since my first update to the original 1990 publication. This story seems to  have staying power. This latest update required changes and additions for such things as cell phones and tablets, and the types of high end computer hardware we just didn't have in 1980, 1990 or even as recent as 2013.

And that, mostly...is the story behind "In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear."

Next up? First, I have narrated my most popular non-fiction piece, a science fact article I've renamed, On Psychology. It details the history of psychology, proposes new research on synesthesia and schizophrenia and offers some perspective on today\s related political environment. I proposed this concept back in 1983 or 84. It is still relevant today.

We have now laid down audio tracks for our latest story, Mr. Pakool's Spice, a short story about a single father trying to get his two young kids to safety through the back winter woods of Oregon during a zombie apocalypse. With no food, barely surviving, and with of all people an international terrorist hot on their tail. It's a well drawn and heart wrenching tale. It is also one I'm trying to go with non-exclusive rights for Audible so I can release it elsewhere around the market to see how that works out.

Included with that story in the ebook and now the audiobook is the short-short story, The Regent's Daughter, a medieval tale which won Best Tension, in a short-short story competition among a group of writers.

After that we will be recording the engrossing and tense sci fi horror story, EarVu about a new, fascinating (and not thoroughly unreasonable) and frightening technology. It seems like a fun technology... at first. Then, for the several scientists who developed it, start to find strange and disturbing things happening around their top secret lab.

Tom and I are having a great time doing this work. Producing audiobooks is not easy and takes a lot of work and time. Which we hope genre fans and others will appreciate. It's especially rewarding for me as some of these stories I wrote a very long ago. My older ones even going back to my university days in the early 1980s. Seeing new life breathed into them is both fascinating and greatly rewarding.

Having read and re read them so many times during the crafting process, then over the years and now to hear a talented voice actor read them, to bring the alive in new ways, brings another level entirely to these stories. Some of which I have now updated to be more relevant to today's sensibilities making some, like In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear, even more disturbing. In some cases as with this current audiobook, our present national political reality has merely enhanced the intensity of the story bringing more dark considerations and more gravity to the situation.

So many authors have said their stories are in a way, like children to them.

This experience has been like having my stories go from high school to college and now, who knows. Perhaps one day they will achieve professional status to become produced on film. Part of the reason I retired in 2016, in buying film production equipment and in restarting up my old LGN Productions (AKA Last good Nerve Productions, I had started in 1993).

A company initially for a documentary on the 25th anniversary of the old 60s TV show, Lost in Space. Now revitalized to produce my fiction (and non-fiction) writings in ever new formats. But until that happens these stories are available as print, ebook and now audiobooks as we produce more and more of my stories.

So please take a look, and a listen. I think you'll be very pleased with the result we have culled out of them in literally breathing new life into them as audiobooks. If you do like what you hear or read in my stories, please do share with friends and feel free to post your reviews. I look forward to seeing what you think! So far the reviews are good!

I moved into my new house here the end of July 2018, this past summer. I'm now in a new house with a basement where I can and plan to build a sound studio in. It is our hope that our audio productions will continue to be even better. My last house had us in my home office, actually the dining room, with all its sounds and nuances that caused us from time to time to have to pause and wait for the garbage trucks to drive on, or for the sounds of birds, or children or people walking down the street or, whathaveyou.

Now, I have a basement with concrete walls with dirt on the other side of them to block sounds. I'm also on a dead end street, with a pleasant view of the local waters. What that means is less clean up in post production audio engineering. Less work in post, cleaner sound, faster productions. Better products as we move on and more quickly once we build the new studio.

I look forward to getting the remodeling done and back up to speed for my creative endeavors. I'm also now judging films in a local film festival which has been interesting. Always stretching out to learn more, to enhance what meager understanding I have of the world around me and increase whatever skills I have.

So, that's about it. Please do consider giving In Memory, Yet Crystal Clear a listen (or a read).

All the best to you for now and... keep reading and listening!

From the ever magical Pacific Northwest here in beautiful Washington state in the albeit of late, the rather confused country of America....

Slainte!
JZ Murdock


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First Lines From Famous Author's Short Stories

I'm overwhelmed and sad at our current political situation with the travesty that is the Trump administration. So, I thought side stepping into something light and interesting in the realm of writing might be handy.

I recently had to go through my old papers and found a wealth of story ideas, notes (many written on bar napkins from the 1980s, and odds and ends of things I'd written going back decades. One was two hand written pages where I had gone through a book of short stories and copied their first opening sentence of nineteen of the stories in the anthology.

There's others out there to be sure. But this is mine for myself from many years ago. Like, 50 Best First Sentences in Fiction. But I was focusing on science fiction. Another is, The 7 Types of Short Story Opening, and How to Decide Which is Right for Your Story.

My thought at the time was to study the opening lines from great authors and attempt to gain some insight for my own stories.  This is that list.

I got these from 100 Great Science Fiction Short Stories, when I wrote these down sometime after it came out in 1985.

A  Loint of Paw, by Isaac Asimov
There was no question that Montie Stein has, through clever fraud, stolen better than a hundred thousand dollars.

The Advent of Channel Twelve, by C.M. Kornbluth
It came to pass in the third quarter of the fiscal year that the federal reserve Board did raise the rediscount rate and money was tight in the land.

Plaything by, Larry Niven
The children were playing six-point Overlord, hopping from point to point over a hexagonal diagram drawn in the sand, when the probe broke atmosphere over their heads.

The Misfortune Cookie, by Charles E. Fritch
With an ease born of long practice, Harry Folger cracked open the Chinese cookie and pulled the slip of paper free.

I Wish I May, I Wish I Might, by Bill Pronzine
He sat on a driftwood throne near the great gray rocks by the sea, watching the angry foaming waves hurl themselves again and again upon the cold and empty whiteness of the beach.

Science Fiction for Telepaths, by E. Michael Blake
Aw, you know what I mean.

FTA, by George R.R. Martin
Kinery entered in a rush, a thick file bulging under his arm.

Trace, by Jerome Bixby
I tried for a short cut.

The Ingenious Patriot, by Ambrose Bierce
Having obtained an audience of the King an Ingenious Patriot pulled a paper from his pocket, saying: "May it please your Majesty, I have here a formula for constructing armour-plating which no gun can pierce...."

200, by Edward D. Hoch
The children were always good during the month of August, especially when it began to get near the twenty-third.

The Destiny of Milton Gomrath, by Alexi Panshin
Milton Gomrath spent his days in dreams of a better life.

The Devil and the Trombone, by Martin Gardner
The university's chapel was dark when I walked by it, but I could hear faintly the sound of an organ playing inside.

Upstart, by Steven Utley
"You must obey the edict of the Sreen," the intermediaries have told us repeatedly, "there is no appeal, "but the captain won't hear of it, not for a moment.

How It All Went, by Gregory Benford
At first they designed MKCT to oversee radar signals from the Canadian net and the Soviet Siberian net, to check that one did not trigger the alarm system of the other.

Harry Protagonist, Brain Drainer, by Richard Wilson
Harry Protagonist, space-age entrepreneur, had been planning the project since the Gus Grissom shot.

Peeping Tommy, by Robert F. Young
Tommy Taylor? Oh, he's coming along fine.

Starting From Scratch, by Robert Sheckley
Last night I had a very strange dream.

Corrida, by Roger Zelazny
He awoke to an ultrasonice wailing.

Shall The Dust Praise Thee?, by Damon Knight
The Day of Wrath arrived.

That's it. I don't know what that might tell us, but there it is.

According to a Wikihow article on first short story sentences:

How to start a short story introduction?
Part 2 Choosing Your Type of Beginning

1. Start in scene. Many short story writers will try to start their stories in a scene, usually a scene that feels important and engaging. ... 
2. Establish the setting. ... 
3. Introduce your narrator or main character. ... 
4. Open with a line of strong dialogue. ... 
5. Present a minor conflict or mystery.

So, for what it's worth, even if the above tells you nothing (and it should), the first sentence is important. But don't let it seem so important that you never get to the second sentence, or the last.