Daily Archives: June 20, 2013

Jun 20 2013

Thoughts on the serialized novel

I’ve put up sections yesterday and today that haven’t had any editing but checking for misspelled words, etc. From here on out, I’m going to be writing it in what time I have in between editing the one I’m submitting and rewriting the second. I’ll still be posting, but it won’t be a daily thing. It might be once a week or every other week for example because I want time to edit each section and give you a polished product instead of just throwing something up just to have it. I think you’ll thank me for it.

As for how it’s going to go, I never know how a story’s going to go once I start one. I let it grow biologically, so even I get surprised where it takes me sometimes. That means we’ll be learning where it’s going together.

Thanks for your readership!

Jun 20 2013

Syfy Network and their Stupid Movies

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First of I’d like to know who in the hell comes up with the so-called ideas they’re putting out. If this is the “best” of science fiction that they, or anyone else for that matter, can think of, then we’re in deep shit. Why do they keep churning out stupid shit like “Sharknado?” A tornado with sharks in it?? Come on!

Sometimes I think they’re trying to insult our intelligence, while at other times I think it’s to use the names of some of their larger TV actors and actresses to try to increase viewership. However, writing stupid shit like this doesn’t do that at all. In fact, it’ll drive more folks away then to them.

In many ways, other then a pair of TV shows (especially since Eureka was cancelled), I don’t have much to do with the channel. What does paranormal activities have to do with science fiction? If I want to see that, then I’ll go rent a video! Furthermore, what does “Saw IV” have to do with science fiction?? That’s horror guys!!

The only things that redeem the channel with me is “Continuum” and “Warehouse 13.” If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t watch the channel at all-and I’m a die hard science fiction fan.

I don’t know, maybe I’m overreacting and need to go back to listening to AC/DC while I work on another installment of the serialized novel. Either way, the ideas coming from that channel are enough to make me pull my hair out.

Stop with the shit Syfy.

 

Jun 20 2013

Professor couldn’t escape his past as an abusing priest – Richmond Times Dispatch: Petersburg

 

Professor couldn’t escape his past as an abusing priest – Richmond Times Dispatch: Petersburg.

I can’t say that I had the professor in question because my degree wasn’t in IT, but it does bring up several troubling questions. How did such a background pass VCU’s screening? As an alumni, this is the answer I’d like to receive from the school. Secondly, what steps can be taken to prevent this from happening again?

I hope VCU steps up to the plate and answers the questions.

Jun 20 2013

Thoughts on Writing

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I read a lot of posts on the writing forums about what to write, or how to write it, and it got me thinking. Is there truly a right way to write your book? And the answer has to be no! Here’s why:

Each person has their own style of writing (or what people like to call ‘voice’), which involves everything from sentence structure, complexity of vocabulary or thoughts. These are what separate lets’ say Stephen King from Clive Cussler or Hemingway from Faulkner.

I remember reading about Hemingway and Faulkner having their famous feud over various issues, with writing style being one of the biggest issues.

Faulkner made the comment:

He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.

Now I take umbrage with that because I don’t care to send a reader to the dictionary either. Why do so when there’s plenty of words to get your point across that are simpler? Plus, in this age of dumbing down of people, a lot of readers may or may not even understand what you’re saying in the first place. So, why do so? You know what I mean? I, like King, think that writing is about enriching another persons life, not trying to show how much knowledge of Mirriam-Webster you have.

If you as a writer think that creating a novel is all about you and stroking your ego, then you’ve got the entire process of art wrong. Art is not done for the attention but for creative release and the enjoyment of others. Once again, I have to agree with this King quote:

“Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.”

Getting yourself, and the reader happy, is the most important part of artistry-and that’s just how it is.

As for the Faulkner-Hemingway battle, I’m not through talking about that. Ernest had a shot to fire back over the comment about the dictionary:

Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words? He thinks I don’t know the ten-dollar words. I know them all right. But there are older and simpler and better words, and those are the ones I use.

I’m personally on the side of Hemingway in this battle. I write simply and to the point. Long, complex sentences allow me more opportunity to screw something up or have to do a major editing to carry out to get it correct. With that said, I chose to use the simple words and simple sentences.

Sometimes the KISS formula is the best one.

Happy writing!