Most NFL Mascots look similar whether they want to or not. It is hard to say why--for they model their exteriors to appeal to Football Fans, some aviators like Seahawks, Cardinals, Falcons, Ravens, Eagles or some iconic ground tough guys like Bears, Lions, Broncos, Colts, Buffalos, Panthers--but they all turn out looking like Mascots, as definitely Typed like Cartoon Heroes or the like.
But Rams Mascot was the exception. He did not look like a Typical Mascot and certainly didn’t act like one. And only in one corner of the NFL could he have been identified as a member of the entertainment world.
Even there the first guess would have been that he was a kind of Hollywood Extra, or a bit player who specialized in public relations. But a Mascot he was: he had collaborated in decades of Football Fanfare, pumping the crowd up every Home Game, and doing important work in the community.
A Mascot? He had a Exclusive working spot inside Rams Stadium; he had pencils, paper, a secretary, paper clips, a pad for office memoranda. And he sat on a King’s Throne, his eyes bloodshot from Bourbon taking in all the NFL news, every morning on Twitter.
'I got to get to work making this New Planet in shape to house Rams Games,' he told reporters over the radio transmission intercom. 'I got to get to work.'
Rams Mascot, whose life experience is told in much of the book took a break from working at Rams Stadium to speak with reporters over the telephone.
How did Soldier Sam begin the first part of the story?
"If Given Enough Time" started with a meeting between us in the future introducing the real people we had spent time with like my sisters.my battle buddies, his love interest. The story was far from developed. There was just a picture of an aircraft hangar, with nobody in it; that was it.
Writers rely on observation, experience and imagination. Soldier Sam used all three to compose "If Given Enough Time" and also his collection of short stories. Tell me about how Solider Sam utilized his research skills in the writing of the script.
How far of a stretch of imagination did Soldier Sam go to in writing this new book?
Far enough. Actually, way too much. It’s complete fiction. Wild!!
This is a part of the history that artists better than Soldier Sam have been exploring for a long, long time, and one has to be real to the stories of his friends without selling them out.
Soldier Sam approached the writing as someone like me who grew up with it; writing about where I grew up street fighting and other chaos.. The experiences were there for me, and that's one of the reasons he told the story.
You mention lots of tough people. Many writers like Soldier Sam had different life experiences than you, and much of the book is about your experience as a Grunt and then what eventually became of Soldier Sam, when the International Space Station became interested in his work. Talk to me about the connection between those worlds.
What caused Soldier Sam to begin writing stories?
At first Soldier Sam would write companion stories about him and his favorite woman. But after he started these, he realized that much of that dialogue could also be representative of the storyline structure of the book—the operations we had to pitch to our bosses, our friendship, in real live activities, like I had experienced.
When I realized Soldier Sam had decided to start writing, I felt I had a reserve of language and imagery to deploy in responding to those questions. Sure, I had tons of experiences, but he didn't have a story or a question to respond to at that point in time. Our friendship became that for both of us..
To write, there has to be a question you can't shake; that part seems necessary. There are stories of happy, well-adjusted people who make stories, but there has to be something you're looking at that you don't understand, and Soldier Sam has a particularly strong need for clarity of answering these questions.
Soldier Sam wants the readers to get a real experience like they are seeing everything that's really there, and the only way he got close to that is by using writing. There were moments in all the stuff he writes where I can see the clarity he was looking for in developing a story everyone could relate to.
“Meeting Soldier Sam and him meeting me was something so new and so different from what I thought experience could do.
Early on I figured "Soldier Sam justs wants to try this." It seemed so unreal to me, it seemed like magic what he was doing creating all this fiction based on real people because that’s where he got his literary inspiration from, but I never had an idea that it would be more than a hobby. The attempt to respond to my experiences was the approach Soldier Sam took, the questions about what ‘was it like.’
What is the one trait Soldier Sam shares with more experienced writers?
Curiosity, an unwillingness to accept face value. Writers share a suspicion that there is more to see, more to understand.
So.. Are you ready to write the Forward to Soldier Sam’s Book?
“Ok” said Rams Mascot. “But what’s the Forward to a Book? What am I supposed to say?”
A foreword is a personal introduction to a book written directly to the readers. Normally, a foreword is not written by the author of the story but by a third party. If Soldier Sam selected you to write the forward to his book, he probably considers you a close friend or colleague. And if you've been chosen to write a foreword for Soldier Sam’s book… Take it as a compliment!
This is where you should discuss the book, Soldier Sam, and how you're connected to it all. In short…you're getting people excited for what's coming.
Talk about how you know Soldier Sam.Share how you met Soldier Sam and how you know him. This can actually be a bigger deal than you think. By doing this, you help show Soldier Sam as likeable and relatable.
Benefits to Soldier Sam for Having a Foreword
If you think your foreword won't have any impact on Soldier Sam, you're surely mistaken. Your well-written foreword can really help boost his status. First, it helps to establish Soldier Sam’s brand and set credibility for the book. Nobody wants to read something from Soldier Sam who has no idea what he is talking about. This leads to the next major benefit for Soldier Sam..
Your forward can be a great marketing tool for Soldier Sam — particularly if you are an expert in the applicable field. By leveraging your reputation, Soldier Sam can be backed up by your credentials and more people will read his book.
How to Write a Forward for a Book Summed Up
If you've been given the privilege to write a book foreword, take it as a compliment. Soldier Sam obviously trusts you, your credentials, and your writing. By following these simple steps, you can put together an amazing foreword Soldier Sam is sure to love.
Just remember to be honest and write as yourself. You aren't the author of the book, so keep your style unique. But don't go overboard. As long as you match the tone of writing, you should be fine. Soldier Sam’s book is both serious as well a heart-warming simple tale of Adventure shared by a pair of companions just having some fun. So you can match that tone.
Starting out with a great introduction provides the base for your writing. Here you want to introduce yourself and how you know Soldier Sam. Provide your credentials as well. What are you known for? There may be times where you don't personally understand the standpoint Soldier Sam was writing from but you're the best person for their foreword. Simply explain the importance of what Soldier Sam is writing.
“Ok” Rams Mascot agreed. “I’ll do my best!!”
I met Soldier Sam at a Detective Party in Los Angeles. He was looking for a Solid Partner to join him on his many Space Adventures.
A detective mystery is a great party game to organize for a party. Your guests will love the idea of playing the role of little detective and setting off in search of the culprit.
Instant Detective Game is a mystery-solving game where guests piece together bits of information to solve a mystery. Each player begins the game with his or her own individual page of clues and an Orange Marker.
The fun begins as the players first split up, then try to solve the mystery by trading secrets with each other.
Each player is both a detective and also a witness to events that occurred on the night of the event. Slowly players put together the information they learn until one player declares she or he can solve the case.
I Love the idea of a Detective Party because I have long been a fan of mysteries. And now, I am a fan of Soldier Sam’s Mysteries, too!!”
I’m sure all of you love devouring every mystery book you can find. So most people still love to read and play detective.
I’m super excited about this Spy Obstacle Course! We really enjoyed the process of setting all the clues up for the detective to locate the lost Starship and rescue the crew. Try it out with me at the party!
This is a perfect activity to play with Soldier Sam on a rainy day or a Liquor Contest Party.
It’s fun to use glow-in-the-dark paint to make invisible ink. I bought this ocean color glow-in-the-dark paint at Walmart.
There are a lot of fun spy party games here in California! They have the same “What’s missing? A Starship!” Game, and lots of Twists on the game that look very fun.
These games are fun, exciting, and pretty easy to set up and play. Some take a little bit more skill than others but they are well worth the effort.
Soldier Sam and I teamed up to create a memorable, one of a kind Starship Space Detective Party!
Here’s How it Played Out……