By Blevins, on April 8th, 2012
By Lazarus, on April 1st, 2012 Yes, creative insomnia is interfering with my life. Again. So I thought I’d write here rather than waste the juice…
Over at the Office of Letters and Light, the 2012 version of Script Frenzy is under way. I wish them all well; scripts are something I simply don’t understand yet. Maybe someday, but for now I’m concentrating on getting novel construction done well. The last month, when I was absent from here quite a bit, I was building several plots that I think have good potential.
This month (and next) I plan to get some prose down on (electronic) paper and see what happens. I’ve also been learning more about Storybook (the software) too. If only the editor portion was nice and full-featured! Instead, I’ve decided that Storybook’s really only a tracking software, with a few other quirks. I suppose I’ll have to look elsewhere to find that great marriage of tools that will become my standard novel development suite.
NaNoWriMo’s only seven months away now. If you’re a planner, it’s time to get going on that stuff! Oh, you may thing it’s too far away yet. However, I bring to your attention that it’s already been four full months since the last fiction marathon ended (successfully for you, I hope); the months can get away from you in a hurry!
Frenzy to the Left of Us, Madness to the Right…
By Blevins, on March 13th, 2012
By Blevins, on February 28th, 2012
By Lazarus, on February 27th, 2012 Absolutely nothing happened. Relating to writers, I mean. Can’t find a thing.
What did happen? Well, 168 years ago the Dominican Republic gained independence from Haiti. Seems the father of that split has fallen on hard times, compared to the child. Maybe Haiti should have gone along for the ride?
The Reichstag building was destroyed by fire on this day in 1933. It’s possible the fire was started by the Nazis as a deception that would allow them to remove the Communists from Parliament. With them pesky Reds gone, the Nazis would be a majority party, and this turned into a pivotal moment in German history. Proof of Nazi complicity is purely circumstantial, though, and this is still debated by historians.
The 22nd Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified on this day in 1951. Limiting the President to two terms in office, it’s only mistake was in not going far enough; but I digress…
Kuwait was liberated in 1991.
Oh, and the literature statement I made earlier? Wrong-o. Today is the 110th birthday of John Steinbeck. Yeah; THAT Steinbeck. Also Irwin Shaw (Rich Man, Poor Man), Michael Burstein (science fiction short stories) and Chelsea Clinton. I don’t know what she’s written, but I’m sure she’s going to write in the future.
Sadly, this is the death date of Mr. Rogers, now nine years ago. He’s got a sweater in the Smithsonian, which is more than most of us will ever have there. Today’s kids, though; they’ve not been exposed to the Neighborhood, and that’s sad…
Time Rolls On…
By Lazarus, on February 13th, 2012 There’s a special kind of young adult book category out there: the SAT Novel. Ever hear of them? Better yet, are you writing one?
I have lots of questions. Where’s the best source of words found on the SAT tests? How do you get your hands on the list? Are there standards for language level, story length, and such? Which publishers are interested? What’s the pricing strategy if you “go it alone” ?
If you’re working on one of these intriguing books that teach, drop a note here; I want to pick your brain…
Write to Teach…
By Blevins, on February 12th, 2012
By Lazarus, on February 7th, 2012 Today is Charles Dickens’ birthday; 200 years ago he came into this world, and just over 140 ago he left it. His writings have tortured and engaged schoolchildren around the world ever since, and not a few of his novels have made the motion pictures. (I’m not sure if that’s a rousing endorsement or a stirring condemnation.)
From Oliver Twist to Nicholas Nickleby, the Old Curiosity Shop to Our Mutual Friend, his characters (some 989 of them) and plots are with us still. His books have the dubious distinction of having never gone out of print.
If only our writings could prove so durable…
Hard Times for These Times…
By Lazarus, on February 6th, 2012 Things will get spotty around here for a bit. I’ve got an idea for a novel, and I’m trying to bring up some new technology in addition to the Plot Lab. In other words, I’ll be busy. So if you don’t hear from me for a bit, don’t get too concerned.
Of course, if I’m not back in a month or two, send a posse…
(PS Happy Birthday, Jessica! You too, Kai!)
So Much Work, So Little Time…
By Lazarus, on February 5th, 2012 Why are cats, especially black ones, the typical companions of witches? Why not a nice, shiny dragon?
Cats are especially good entropy engines. I know, I’ve lived with (at least) one for over 50 years of my life. They knock things over and don’t put them back; they are messy eaters, and terrible at cleaning up their dining area; they scatter litter about, even if you work hard to prevent that. They’re noted for getting on a table or counter and pushing all the small items off to the floor. Newton didn’t really watch an apple fall, he owned a cat. (That’s my story, anyway.)
Dragons wouldn’t do that. Well, okay; maybe miniature ones would. But a witch can’t ride a miniature dragon very easily, unless she’s a shapeshifter and can shrink accordingly. No, most witches would want a full-sized, cantankerous, napalm-fueled wyrm, I believe. Easier to ride, much more useful for keeping the local populace in line. And such a dragon can easily find gold and jewels, so the witch doesn’t have to sell services anymore.
Cats, they’re notoriously bad at paying the rent.
So I think that, whoever put cats with witches in the first place didn’t really understand cats. Or witches. Or dragons…
Changing Folklore, One Animal at a Time…
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Today’s Literary Quote The purpose of writing is to make your mother and father drop dead with shame. - J P Donleavy
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