Category Archives: Writing

A THOUSAND WORDS

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POST CARDS FROM THE MUSE

A Thousand Words

In the back of one of my closets is a green plastic tub full of the images of memories. There are pictures of my wedding, the births of my children and grandchildren. There are family photos, Christmas photos and birthday photos. I look in the tub and see reminders of children sleeping, playing, fighting, performing and posing. I also find reminders of places where we took those children, and when they left my house. And sometimes I find a face I don’t remember in my green tub.

One really fascinating place to find inspiration for writing is pictures, paintings, photos and mementos. Each little scrap of paper, ticket stub, greeting card or lock of hair brings up the memory of an incident.

Have you ever seen an old photo that brings memories and feelings to your mind and the story behind them begs to be told?  Did you ever come across a scrap of paper with what appears to be a coded message that you know you wrote but will never remember why or what it means? And who is the nameless person smiling at you in the photo begging for your attention?

Congratulations! You have just received a post card from the muse.

Nandy Ekle

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!

Freedom

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Outtakes 199

Freedom

 

I can’t believe it. After nearly a year of heavy overtime, we are finally caught up at work. My first thought was I get my life back. Maybe now I can write again. Or better yet, write something that makes sense. I’ve been very disappointed in my writing lately. Sometime I feel as if I’ve lost my creativity and my voice. After a bit of rest, I hope to finish a couple of projects that are stacked on top of my computer.

Sometimes the words come easily. And then there are the bad times when nothing works. I pray I’m coming out of the tunnel of bad times.

 

Which social media platforms should a writer use?

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Which social media platforms should I as a writer, have a presence on?

By Rory C. Keel

As we discussed on my blog post last week called Basic Social Media for Writers, that Social media for business has become the norm. For a writer it is no different, you are a business and your customers are your readers.

With literally hundreds of options to choose from such as Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, LinkedIn, Google+, and YouTube, it could drive a person mad. Before deciding on which social media venue to have a presence, you need to do your research.

RESEARCH

First, you need to develop a platform of readership. Choose a B2C social media platform. B2C simply means a business–to-customer platform that will allow you as a business, to focus on your genre and connect with your readers, the customers.

Second, understand what the venue is and how it works.

A Blog is a place to publish thoughts, tips, ideas. Regular blogs provide keyword-rich content for search engines and can help create you as an expert in your field.

Facebook, Google +, Myspace and other similar platforms, are used to connect and interact with your audience with personal and/or business pages

Twitter allows you to follow and connect with a target audience.

Tweeting about your writing with excerpts, answering questions, and offering helpful insights can help to build loyal readership.

YouTube is the top site for user generated video content. It’s a place to share your business by how-to videos, video readings, discussions, or simply a video introducing YOU.

Other social media sites use the medium of photos to share ideas and communication, such as Instagram and Pintrest.

Another type of social media platform is a B2B platform. B2B simply refers to a Business-to-Business platform. In another words a wholesaler to you as a business.

As a writer, you need access to editors, publishers, or agents. You might even need connections with an ink cartridge and paper supply company. You as a business can connect with others who offer services you need.

LinkedIN is an example of this type of platform and has a business focus.

Having the proper research and information, you can begin to formulate an idea of which social media platform to focus your attention.

With that in mind, next week we will discuss how to best manage your social media so that you will still have time to write.

 

GREEN WITH ENVY

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GREEN WITH ENVY

By Natalie Bright

Early Greeks believed if you were ill or jealous, your skin would look green and pale. Shakespeare and Chaucer wrote of characters “green with envy.” Shakespeare is also credited with being the first to use the catch phrase “the green-eyed monster.”

O! Beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” — Othello

Greens = 

Celery, mint, apple green, lime moss, pea Kelly emerald, olive, pistachio, chartreuse, hunter

Spring time is a great reminder as to how many different shades of green there are. Dig deeper into your characters and your descriptive phrases to paint an even more vivid picture for your readers.

 

 

Wedge of Writing

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The Cast

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POST CARDS FROM THE MUSE

The Cast

By Nandy Ekle

 

Auditions are now open for your story. You need a cast of characters to carry this tale and it’s time to find them.

First we need a main character who normally is the protagonist. This is the person through whose view point we see the world. This person tells us thoughts and actions, intentions, and feelings. We want him/her to be the good guy and win in the end.

Next we need an antagonist, traditionally the bad guy. This character tries to stop the main character from reaching their goal, whether on purpose with diabolical evil or strictly by accident. This character can be someone who starts out one way then changes in midstream, or can be a person who never changes or wavers an inch while the protagonist grows and matures. The antagonist doesn’t even have to be a person at all but nature or even the protagonist against himself.

The fun begins when we mix it all up. Maybe our main character is not a good guy. Maybe our protagonist is really the bad guy and we use him to show the world the other side of the coin. And then the antagonist can be the one trying to thwart the bad guy.

I have heard some famous actors say that playing the bad guy in a play or movie is the most fun acting.

Open your imagination to the “what ifs” of the darker side of the world and have some fun.

Congratulations. You have just received a post card from the muse.

 

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!

Television Opportunities

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Outtakes 198

Television Opportunities

By Cait Collins

 

I am enjoying the History Channel’s presentation of Texas Rising. I truly appreciate the advancement of original programming on the cable networks. The major networks have positioned themselves to become real leaders in the entertainment industry. Major performers used to shy away from the “small screen” as they appeared to think accepting a television contract would destroy careers. Not so any more.

Last season Kevin Costner brought The Hatfields and McCoys to the History Channel. The production quality rivaled that of the major movie studios. An all-star cast, spectacular cinematography, top-notch writing, excellent marketing, and an attention to historic detail created hours of entertainment. Game of Thrones is one of the most popular series on TV. TNT has hits with Major Crimes, Rizzoli and Isles, Under the Dome, and Cold Justice. Suits will soon begin a new season on USA. Higher budget shows have resulted in more quality programming. The trend toward short seasons calls for more original shows. The new series have brought more viewers to the Cable channels and created a higher demand for good writers.

Actors may be talented, costumers and set designers creative, directors motivating, and producers quick to come up with cash, but without inventive writers, there is no program. The writer creates the characters and keeps them alive and vibrant by giving them new challenges and a stream of secondary characters to play off of. The settings are developed by the writer and have led to memorable locales. Cabot Cove, Maine; M*A*S*H’s O R’s and the Swamp, South Fork Ranch, and Walton’s’ Mountain can be found in the television atlas.

Screen and television scripts require special training and an understanding of basic production, but they are fun to write. They are also a great plotting tool for books and short stories which can be a second sales opportunity. And you don’t have to move to New York or California to get the necessary education. Check the catalogue for your local college or university to see what they offer in screenwriting and production techniques.

With this in mind, what is your idea for a new television series? Will you write a sitcom or a drama? What occupations will the characters have? What is the setting? Will they be wealthy or middle class? What are their flaws and what are their strengths? Happy writing.

SOOTHING BLUE

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SOOTHING BLUE

By Natalie Bright

 

Calm, serene, cool, the color of the sky and sea. Blue is my favorite color. I guess that’s why I love the Texas sky so much. We enjoy so many shades of an endless sky blue stretching as far as the eye can see.

Blue has such a positive vibe, creating a mental soothing, as opposed to red which creates a physical reaction. Blue is mentally calming. Consider the products that use blue such as vodka, water purification systems, airlines, mineral water. High tech gadgets use blue to put forward precision. Blue is associated to males, and is considered to be the preferred color for corporate America.

Light blue: health, soft and fluffy clouds, healing, tranquil seas, understanding.

Dark blue: power suit, seriousness of a mortician, knowledge, integrity.

Blue can have create negative mental images as well: lack of emotion, cold, aloof, unfriendly.

Blue:

Sky, sapphire, azure, delft turquoise, aqua, aquamarine, violet, peacock, teal, cobalt, royal, navy, steel, powder

 Nataliebright.com