Also, I’m not sure if it’s because I have been so busy that my brain has been coming up with more ideas, but I have had some nice ideas for stories lately. I’m writing them all down, but I really would like to actually sit down for a few hours and just try to get a short story out of my head.
Really looking forward to school being done in June. I have so many plans for that month off.
Announcing the Horatio Nelson Fiction Prize: $5,000 and No Entry Fee
No entry fee is pretty awesome. Good luck to those participating!
Arthur Depins
What you might think is not good or moving enough, there’s always others out there who will be greatly moved by your work.
The TYRANT: the bullying despot, he wants power at any price. He ruthlessly conquers all he surveys, crushing his enemies beneath his feet. People are but pawns to him, and he holds all the power pieces. Hesitate before getting in this man’s way – he’ll think nothing of destroying you.
The BASTARD: the dispossessed son, he burns with resentment. He can’t have what he wants, so he lashes out to hurt those around him. His deeds are often for effect – he wants to provoke action in others. He proudly announces his rebellious dealings. Don’t be fooled by his boyish demeanor – he’s a bundle of hate.
The DEVIL: the charming fiend, he gives people what he thinks they deserve. Charisma allows him to lure his victims to their own destruction. His ability to discover the moral weaknesses in others serves him well. Close your ears to his cajolery – he’ll tempt you to disaster.
The TRAITOR: the double agent, he betrays those who trust him most. No one suspects the evil that lurks in his heart. Despite supportive smiles and sympathetic ears, he plots the destruction of his friends. Never turn your back on him — he means you harm.
The OUTCAST: the lonely outsider, he wants desperately to belong. Tortured and unforgiving, he has been set off from others, and usually for good cause. He craves redemption, but is willing to gain it by sacrificing others. Waste no sympathy on him - he’ll have none for you.
The EVIL GENIUS: the malevolent mastermind, he loves to show off his superior intelligence. Intellectual inferiors are contemptible to him and that includes just about everyone. Elaborate puzzles and experiments are his trademark. Don’t let him pull your strings – the game is always rigged in his favor.
The SADIST: the savage predator, he enjoys cruelty for its own sake. Violence and psychological brutality are games to this man; and he plays those games with daring and skill. Run, don’t walk, away from this man – he’ll tear out your heart, and laugh while doing it.
The TERRORIST: the dark knight, he serves a warped code of honor. Self-righteous, he believes in his own virtue, and judges all around him by a strict set of laws. The end will always justify his nefarious means, and no conventional morality will give him pause. Don’t try to appeal to his sense of justice – his does not resemble yours.
The BITCH: the abusive autocrat, she lies, cheats, and steals her way to the top. Her climb to success has left many a heel mark on the backs of others. She doesn’t care about the peons around her – only the achievement of her dreams matters. Forget expecting a helping hand from her – she doesn’t help anyone but herself.
The BLACK WIDOW: the beguiling siren, she lures victims into her web. She goes after anyone who has something she wants, and she wants a lot. But she does her best to make the victim want to be deceived. An expert at seduction of every variety, she uses her charms to get her way. Don’t be fooled by her claims of love – it’s all a lie.
The BACKSTABBER: the two-faced friend, she delights in duping the unsuspecting. Her sympathetic smiles enable her to learn her victims’ secrets, which she then uses to feather her nest. Her seemingly helpful advice is just the thing to hinder. Put no faith in her – she’ll betray you every time.
The LUNATIC: the unbalanced madwoman, she draws others into her crazy environment. The drum to which she marches misses many a beat, but to her, it is the rest of the world that is out of step. Don’t even try to understand her logic – she is unfathomable.
The PARASITE: the poisonous vine, she collaborates for her own comfort. She goes along with any atrocity, so long as her own security is assured. She sees herself as a victim who had no choice, and blames others for her crimes. Expect no mercy from her – she won’t lift a finger to save anyone but herself.
The SCHEMER: the lethal plotter, she devises the ruin of others. Like a cat with a mouse, she plays with lives. Elaborate plans, intricate schemes; nothing pleases her more than to trap the unwary. Watch out for her complex designs – she means you no good.
The FANATIC: the uncompromising extremist, she does wrong in the name of good. She justifies hers action by her intent, and merely shrugs her shoulders at collateral damage. Anyone not an ally is an enemy, and therefore, fair game. Give up any hope of showing her the error of her ways – she firmly believes you are wrong, wrong, wrong.
The MATRIARCH: the motherly oppressor, she smothers her loved ones. She knows what’s best and will do all in her power to controls the lives of those who surround her – all for their own good. A classic enabler, she sees no fault with her darlings, unless they don’t follow her dictates. Don’t be lured into her family nest – you’ll never get out alive.
This is a great list of things to do to help you carve out more time and focus on your writing.
I’m working on #7 this weekend to make room for both my school work and personal writing.
All of you obviously know that my area was pretty badly effected by Hurricane Sandy, and—surprise, surprise—so was the majority of the publishing industry.
Today I stumbled upon a brand new effort called Publishing Gives Back, which is in the midst of setting up an auction for Hurricane Sandy relief.
Here’s how it works:
If you’re a publishing official, you can donate your skills (a manuscript critique, copyediting, a 20 minute phone conference, or whatever you can think of) to the auction.
If you’re an author who would like the guidance of an editor or agent, you can bid on the items available (once they’re posted on November 26) and win their services.
And, of course, all proceeds go the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Relief.
Visit the website for more information and please reblog if the cause interests you.
Thanks, and much love.
It’s mid October and that means it’s time to start thinking about National Novel Writing Month, if you’re one of the brave souls who is going to participate this year. The goal is to write a 50,000 word first draft of a novel from November 1st to 30th. You can learn more (and sign up) here. While the official site has many resources and tips, here’s a list of some tumblr writing blogs that will help get you ready to write.
- http://yeahwriters.tumblr.com
- http://writeworld.tumblr.com
- http://writesimply.tumblr.com
- http://awritingcommunity.tumblr.com
- http://writerleopardadvice.tumblr.com
- http://livewritedream.com
- http://beatwritersbane.tumblr.com
- http://theroadpavedwithwords.tumblr.com
- http://shannahmcgill.tumblr.com
- http://amandaonwriting.tumblr.comThis post by RuthlessCalculus is beyond excellent. Maureeen Johnson did an excellent Q&A for NaNoWriMo last year, which you can look through here. Happy writing!
It’s the 11th already and I haven’t been seriously thinking about what I’m doing for Nano. I’ve been tossing around the idea of doing a short story collection about the people whose partner’s have left them.
It’s one of my pet peeves that in a lot of romantic comedies when a protagonist is already in a relationship the partner is super understanding that they have found their true love. I’m curious about how that person who is left behind actually feels about it, and what happens in their life afterwards.
We’ll see how it goes. This month is already just flying by.
About The Book Munkie
