Category Archives: Adam Huddleston

Flash Fiction

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Flash Fiction

by Adam Huddleston

 

Have you ever read a story so short you could finish it while standing in line at Wendy’s? Believe it or not, there is a format of story-telling so quick you could potentially read several of them in that period of time. Of all the existing designs of fiction writing, the one I have the most experience with is flash fiction.

What is flash fiction? In its simplest sense, it is an extremely short work that still contains character and plot. Word count can range from just a few words to around one-thousand (beyond that, you are walking in the land of the short story).

With such space restrictions, each word must be chosen carefully to maximize its impact in the story. There is little to no room for exposition so any backstory or explanations should be inferred or easily deduced by the reader.

The story should possess a discernible plot, even if it leans toward the simple or basic. A hallmark of flash fiction is the twist ending. Having a plot with a surprising climax makes up for the scarcity of words and lends itself to a more enjoyable experience for the reader.

I’ll conclude with a brief and shameless plug. Over the past several years, I have been a frequent contributor to a flash fiction website which I now moderate (www.site.flashfiction5.com). The site hosts a monthly contest where participants may submit a work of flash fiction, one hundred words or less, that must contain a specific list of words which are updated each month. It is completely free to enter and the two winning stories are posted the next month. I look forward to seeing your work!

Happy writing!

Poetry

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Poetry

by Adam Huddleston

Before I began earnestly attempting to hone my craft through flash fiction, short story, and novel creation, I wrote a fair amount of poetry. Most of it was the sticky, sappy stuff relegated to the realm of love poems to my significant other. A few were decent; not good, but decent. It was the writing of poetry that opened up the creative channels in my brain needed for creating more complex works and I highly recommend all writers trying their hand at it from time to time. Why?

First of all, writing poetry forces us to examine the depth of the world around us. Poems are full of the color, love, hate, and beauty that make up our lives. It is a generous heart, open to criticism and examination that lets the world in to see its feelings.

Another reason to place poetry in your portfolio is that it exercises some of the mental muscles we don’t often use (just try finding a good rhyme for “elbow”). The poet must constantly be working to make sure the flow of the words is lyrical, otherwise it is just prose.

Finally, the process of writing poetry is fun. You can make your poem serious, loving, scary (I’m looking at you, Poe), or funny. It gives a nice change of pace to those of us struggling to churn out a longer work.

Happy writing!

Nocturnal Descriptions

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Nocturnal Descriptions

by Adam Huddleston

 

During a recent bout of insomnia, I lay in bed thinking of ideas for my blog. It finally occurred to me: A lot of writing is focused on describing what the characters see in the world around them, but what if we focused on the other senses that we use at night?

Try this experiment: Lay flat on your back in bed, the later the better. Very few bedrooms are in total darkness. What light is available? Where does it come from? Does it produce any oddly-shaped shadows in the room? Do you feel anything other than the bed-sheets (overhead fan, air-conditioning vent, etc.)? What do you hear (dog barking outside, significant other breathing next to you, refrigerator compressor, etc.)? Any smells (garbage from nearby kitchen trash can, vented air freshener, etc.)?

When your sight is diminished, your other senses can pick-up on lots of things you may not think about. Hopefully these will help you in honing your craft.

Happy writing!

 

The Writing Space

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The Writing Space

by Adam Huddleston

 

Every writer who ever used pen and paper, a typewriter, or a computer, needed a space to write in. The locations are as varied as the individuals creating the work. This week, I would like to share with you my writing space and why it works for me.

The ideal locale to create in is one with little distraction. Generally speaking, the human mind can only concentrate sharply on one item at a time. I would like to say that my home is the quietest, most peaceful place in my life, but with four lovely, energetic children, it can be anything but. I mean, who can deny a beautiful one-year daughter when she crawls to you and stretches out her arms? Exactly.

So, I have found that the best space for me to write in is my computer station at work. As a pharmacist, I stand in front of a monitor all day. While there are ringing phones and medical questions to distract me (it is my job after all), I still find a few breaks in the action to get some writing work done. Maybe having my brain warmed-up helps with the creative process. I also find that interacting with the general public provides me with a plethora of character ideas.

My advice is to try writing in a few different places and see which locale works best for you.

Happy writing!

The Thrill

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The Thrill

by Adam Huddleston

 

“There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it.”

                                                        -Alfred Hitchcock

 

For works in the horror or thriller genres, the high point of the story comes with a bang; the killer is revealed, the hero is murdered by the antagonist, the kidnapped girl is finally discovered. Fans of these types of books and movies are usually drawn more to the build-up of tension rather than the climax. So, if someone were inclined to pen a horror/thriller short story or novel, what methods could they use to increase this anticipation?

  1. Give small bits of information as the story goes on. It stands to reason that the reader does not want the ending spoiled and feels more involved if they can try to answer the puzzle themselves.
  2. Make sure that the reader cares about the character that is in danger. The closer they feel to them, the more “terror” they will fell as the climax approaches.
  3. Set up the “thrill-causing” events of the story in order of increasing dread. By the time the bang arrives, the reader should be flying through the pages.

Hopefully, I’ve given enough advice to help you in crafting your suspenseful story. Happy writing!

Good Lyrical Writing

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Good Lyrical Writing

by Adam Huddleston

 

Very few of us smelly humans walking the face of the earth dislike songs of one type or another. The combination of music and poetry (the definitions get blurred at times) stirs something inside us. It can elicit a myriad of emotions and good lyrics play a major role in that.

Now, what makes a particular arrangement of lyrics good? The answer to that is as varied as the many forms of music. It’s all a matter of taste. To explain, let’s look at a few of my favorite examples:

  1. The Statler Brothers recorded a country music hit in 1965 entitled “Flowers on the Wall.” One of my favorite lines is in the chorus. “…playing Solitaire till dawn with a deck of fifty-one.” If you realize that a standard deck contains fifty-two cards and that all are needed to complete a game of Solitaire, you’ll see the level of futility the singer is attempting. It’s a simple line that implies quite a bit.
  2. REO Speedwagon had a number of hits over the 1970s and 80s. One of these was “Can’t Fight This Feeling”, a power-ballad from 1984. The line, “And even as I wander, I’m keeping you in sight. You’re a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter’s night” while errs on the side of cheesy, still contains sharp imagery and word flow.
  3. The last example is more of a movie line than a song. Near the beginning of “Mary Poppins”, Dick Van Dyke’s character Bert states, “Wind’s in the East, mist coming in, like somethin’ is brewin’, about to begin. Can’t put me finger, on what lies in store, but I feel what’s to happen all happened before.” It’s a quote with a slightly dark undertone and gives the remainder of the movie its sense of magic and wonder.

While most of these lines are lyrics from songs, we as writers should strive to inject the same emotional power in whatever medium we are working in.

Happy writing!

It’s the Little Things

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It’s the Little Things

by Adam Huddleston

 

It’s the little things that stick with you. My wife and I just returned from an anniversary trip to Omaha, Nebraska. We heard they had a wonderful zoo and children’s museum so we took the kids with us as well. While there are a ton of memories I will always cherish, there were many small events here and there that made the trip most memorable. Although these tidbits may not make an entire story on their own, they can be woven into my prose, making it much more meaningful.

Memories like: the feeling of cold, sticky orange juice running down my leg after my three-year old spilled his drink at the hotel’s free hot breakfast, my children’s laughter after seeing a primate’s hairless bottom, the rich, creamy texture of a slice of cheesecake for dessert one night, and the constant hum of the road under my tires as the white dashes seemed to come at me forever.

Observe the world around you during your daily activities. While many events might seem insignificant, they can make a big impact on your work.

Happy writing!

My Favorite Works of Fiction-Part 2

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My Favorite Works of Fiction-Part 2

by Adam Huddleston

I can hear the groans coming from the peanut gallery. Shouts of “Oh no, not another one!” pour from the rafters. Well guess what folks, one blog is not enough to cover the vast multitude of books that I’ve enjoyed reading throughout the years. That being said, I’ll try to keep this list to a minimum.

Dystopian fiction, in all of its dark and dreary goodness, can provide the backdrop for some excellent story-telling. One of the all-time greats in this genre is “1984” by George Orwell. The author does an outstanding job of infusing a thrilling story with a gloomy, futuristic backdrop. It is the quintessential cautionary tale of a federal government grown too large and powerful.

If you are looking for an excellent combination of horror, fantasy, western, and science fiction (this really exists), Stephen King’s magnum opus “The Dark Tower” fills that role. Be prepared to go on a massive journey through seven books with a large and dynamic cast of characters, a myriad of settings in both the real and make-believe worlds, and tons of connections to King’s other works.

The last entry this time around is an oldie, very old actually, but a goody; “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare. If you’ve never read Shakespeare, it can be somewhat cumbersome to find your way through the King’s English (or Queen’s English if you prefer) but the story is well worth it. On the chance that it becomes too much to bear, I’ll allow you to cheat and watch one of the numerous motion picture versions of this classic tale. In my opinion, Kenneth Branagh’s version is one of the best.

So, there it is. I can’t promise that there won’t be a third part to this thread at some point in the future, but hopefully you’ll give these stories a chance and enjoy them as much as I did.

Happy reading!

Food in Writing

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Food in Writing

by Adam Huddleston

 

While humans seem obsessed with dividing themselves along religious, political, or cultural lines, there are a few things which bind us together. One of the basic examples of these is food. We all need it and desire it. Looking at my waistline, some desire it more than others!

When it comes to writing about food, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  1. Don’t skimp on the adjectives. People love food and want to know what it looks, smells, and tastes like in your story.
  2. Although it may sound like it contradicts #1, don’t go overboard with the descriptions. As always, try to use clear, concise words. One or two strong adjectives are always better than three or more weak ones.
  3. Try to include foods in your story that are appropriate for the character, setting, etc. Good research and first-hand knowledge will tell you what types of food and drink people in a particular region enjoy.
  4. Do remember to make the food personal for the character. Tell us how they feel when eating or drinking. Relate the experience to something in their past. If you make it personal for the character, you will for the reader as well.

Happy writing!

My Favorite Works of Fiction

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My Favorite Works of Fiction

by Adam Huddleston

 

A couple of weeks ago I published a blog concerning my favorite non-fiction books for writers. This week, I would like to list a few of my favorite works of fiction (in no particular order). As you can imagine, me being a life-long reader of fantasy and horror, the list is full of selections from those genres.

Stephen King has always been a “fave” of mine. He has a plethora of thrillers and chillers. Some works seek to get you at the “gross-out” level. Others are more intimate examinations of the inner-self. My favorite novel of his belongs to the latter; “The Long Walk.” Reminiscent of Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery”, this story follows a young man as he participates in a horrific annual tradition. The book is eerie and very well written.

Shifting to fantasy, you can’t find many works better than those of J.R.R. Tolkien. In a world where new writers are shoveling their wares in both bookstores and electronically, this legendary author’s work stands the test of time and his “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy is, to me at least, at the top. It is the definition of an epic fantasy with a huge cast of characters, a sprawling world, and an entire language created by the author.

The late Michael Crichton penned a ton of great science-fiction stories, many of which were adapted into motion pictures. My favorite work of his is “Jurassic Park.” The movie, once it gets going, travels at a break-neck pace. Guess what? The novel does as well. The author even goes into great detail concerning how they manipulated the DNA to create the stories antagonists.

The last piece I’ll mention is one by Richard Adams. One of my earliest cinematic memories is watching “Watership Down” on a VHS player in my parent’s bedroom. When I was older, I discovered that it was based on a novel of the same name. The book does a great job of personifying the characters, mostly rabbits with a black-headed gull thrown in for good measure, and bringing their adventures to life. Like Tolkien, Richard Adams gives us a healthy dose of backstory, native language, and even a form of lupine religion.

Whatever your favorite genre might be, these novels are worth looking into. They will give insight into proper world building, plot, dialogue, and character development.

Happy writing; and reading!