This past spring, I was a volunteer judge for the annual short story and poetry competition for the Florida Writers Association (I think volunteers are randomly selected from members; I don't have any English/Journalism degrees and I'm not a club officer or anything; that's the only thing that makes sense). I'm grateful for the new … Continue reading Writing Contest
Scenes written from the first round of November prompts are almost completed. (Yes, my self-given deadline was Friday; but I'll do my best to post the rest today or tomorrow.) Regardless, a whole slew of other prompts are waiting for me. 2nd List of Prompts (by PagesOfFiction): Write about the sky; what goes on up … Continue reading November Prompts, Round 2!
I've been gone from WordPress since February but, wow, it feels like it's been years. Shortly after 2018 began, despite the mayhem ensuing throughout this bizarre and demanding world, I realized I needed to be more proactive about my own life. Update Thankfully my situation is improved. I'm happy to report I've broken free from … Continue reading The End of A Story Void
Remember that phenomenon I nicknamed "The Man in the Attic"? Well, I like to think my immediate family also possesses a creative streak, and frequently uses it entertain others by recounting real life adventures in animated and imaginative ways. Or (in my father's case) sometimes they fabricate tall tales just to see who falls for … Continue reading Tales Told by Family
I know I've mentioned this before but real people are the main source of inspiration for my fictional troupe. People are amazing and unpredictable, and every experience among them teaches. Without further ado, an experience of mine. Adventures in Dentistry: Meeting Mr. Hoyle During my awkward first months as a dental assistant, the receptionist Claire … Continue reading A Simile Varnish
SUBJECT: The Man in the Attic We moved into a new house toward the conclusion of my high school career. One difference I noticed between our former 1-story home and new 2-story house -- the sounds. Only In Real Life... Let's get you oriented: If you sat on the main couch to … Continue reading Wild Story Idea from Life
Over the weekend I was nominated by Dronstad for the Real Neat Blog Award. Thank you, man!! (I've been so busy with and mentally drained by summer classes that I've written few posts this semester [You've probably noticed]. This week, a part of me wanted to whip up a short, no-brainer post. But a bossier, … Continue reading The Real Neat Blog Award
Thank you, Alexa, for nominating me! Check out her blog "The Novel I'll Never Write." (I particularly like her short fiction A Winter Scene.) The Rules: Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link to their blog. Add these rules to your post. Answer all the questions below. Display the award picture in your post. … Continue reading Entertainer Blogger Award
I think Curiosity is right up there with Creativity - it's challenging to relay, with no guaranteed result, and yet is vital to the artistic process. And honing it is weird. I think most stuff out there now is "how-to" with step-by-step methods of being creative, straight forward instruction of where to look for "ideas," … Continue reading Teaching Curiosity
A few weeks ago, when one of my professors was 30 minutes late for lecture, I doodled a random stretch of story. Here's What Happened I started with the idea of adult friends meeting up (do I want it to be "modern?"). Two guys walk to the Main Guy's new home which is one of five mansions on … Continue reading Short Story Improv: Bears Wear Pants
