Can you believe it? I can’t. Somehow, I keep thinking, something will happen to sabotage This Mutant Life’s acceptance of my story. Somehow…
But in the meantime, I shall relish the glory! 
(I know, it’s a small thing, but for me, it’s huge.)
Check out This Mutant Life. While you’re there, buy an issue and remember to check back for my story in September (don’t worry, I’m remind you 
).
Now…back to writing my novel…almost got Andreas to Baga – where all the action begins! 
How many posts do I have called random post? I’d hate to think.
Well, my great idea of having regular scheduled features fizzled out in less than two weeks! Sheesh! I guess this will just be an occasional blog, with occasional scheduled features.
I’m waiting for my husband. He’s driving for the other side of the bay. He is still hours away, so I’ll spend the time writing something random here.
I have managed to write a little on my novel these past few weeks, but not nearly as much as I had hoped. I have also been wanting to write a 5000 word or less story for the SFFWorld.com short story contest as well as a flash fiction story, but inspiration is short and time even shorter. Guess that’s not gonna happen this month. I have been reading two wonderful stories, draft projects of fellow writers. I read slow and even slower when I’m trying to critique for folks, but I’m getting close to finishing both. Once that’s done, I plan to dedicate myself to MY story. I’ve gotten some excellent feedback on the parts I’ve written so far and I don’t want the reviewer’s efforts to go to waste by not finishing my novel!
Been getting bugged by a person named Prayson Daniel. Very nice guy, but it amazes me how some religious folks just don’t give up. Am I visiting other people’s blogs and trying to convince them that their worldview is wrong? Am I trying to get people to believe what I believe in? Hell no. You have the right to think as you wish! I may spout on topics that some may disagree with and they are more than welcomed to disagree. Despite what some may think, that is an option in a free country.
Well, better go do what I should be doing – working on my novel!
Later
One key to writing fiction: the ultimate struggle. No matter what the story, whether it be a love story, a mystery, an epic fantasy, the characters in your story gotta want something – something very hard to get. You, as an author, have to make it near impossible for your characters to get what they want. Readers want to see your characters struggle with their everyday and ultimate desires.
Here’s a passage on this subject from How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat.
A Scene Driver Named Desire
Our protagonist wants something. If he’s a detective, he wants to know whodunit. If she’s a suspense heroine, she wants to go back to the peaceful life she had before some wacko started sending her dead flowers. If he’s a spy, he wants to save the free world; if she’s in a legal thriller she wants to get the Pelican Brief to the right people before the wrong people whack her.
Well, they can’t get those things, can they? Not in Arc One, that’s for sure.
So for scene purposes, they need to want something else, something lesser but still connected to the big goal, something that, ideally, pushes them harder into the plot point that climaxes whichever arc they’re in.
This is vital. Every single scene in the book must start from a position of wanting.
“I want to have a good time at this party” – but it’s going to be hard now that the host is dead on the floor…
“I want to get the people who killed by girlfriend” – and in order to do that, I’ll volunteer as a spy so I can go after Mr. Big Bad Guy, but right this minute my want is to pass all the tests so the spies will take me on as a recruit.
The small scene-level wants are like acorns from which spring giant oaks. They are the tiny pieces of colored glass that will, when put together, shine forth from the stained glass window of your plot.
I hope you found that useful.
Dear, dear me. Just look at this place. I’ve had this blog for almost a year now and it is a bit messy around here, isn’t it? Disorganized posts, unrelated topics, and I’m not sure where I put my socks. 
I started this blog, for better or worse, to improve my writing. I figured, if I knew some anonymous person was out there reading my crap, then maybe I would be motivated to improve my crap. You know, polish that turd till it shines, baby!
Looking back, I see that I have improved. Not necessarily because of this blog, but maintaining this online journal has definitely helped. So, I’d like to go further by introducing some Scheduled Features.
“Oooooooh, Scheduled Features,” the audience coos.
Yes, oh sacred reader, Scheduled Features. I have already started one: the Random Word Flash. Once a week, I will pick a random word and write a 1,000 word (or less) story based on that random word. The story will go up on Sundays. I appreciate any feedback you can offer. I have added a star rating system so you can give feedback without actually having to write anything.
Check out last week’s post: Discombobulate – a love story for my first try.
I will also give regular updates on my current WIP – a historical fantasy fiction novel set in Spain. Let’s call this feature White’s Update. I’m already doing this, more or less, but not as regularly as I had hoped. From now on, every Tuesday, I will post how many words or scenes I’ve managed to write. I’ll also indicate just how things are going with the WIP in general.
In addition, I may give tidbits away on some of the things I’m reading. I’m reviewing two WIPs at the moment. My writing buddy’s, Dan Bieger‘s, WIP; a fantasy set in a world much as our own, but filled with Newborns, Elphs, and Duorphs. The story follows a prince and a clerk, their tales interweaving as the Newborns prepare for an epic battle. Cool stuff.
I’m also reviewing a draft WIP by Todd Newton. This is an epic fantasy involving a disgraced general and a determined terrorist in an occupied country. Check him out. If his published book, The Ninth Avatar, is anything like the unpublished WIP I’m reading, you don’t want to miss out. I plan on reading The Ninth Avatar soon.
The last Scheduled Feature will be a Writer’s Tips and Tricks post. No, this won’t be advice from me. Heck, no. I would just lead you all astray. I plan to pass on any advice that I find particularly helpful. I’ve taken several writing classes, participated on several writing forums, and have bought and read several books on writing. Most of the information I’ve gathered in the past year has not settled into appropriate compartments in my head, but they are in there. One of these days, maybe it will all coalesce into something meaningful. Maybe. In the meantime, I’ll bombard you with excerpts from the sages every Thursday.
And that’s it. No more rambling about religious nuts (oh! but they are so much fun to rambling about!), no more video posts, no more maps (for shame!), and no more random posts. I’m gonna be organized. You’ll see.
Of course, that doesn’t mean I can’t post interesting things in the sidebar…
Liza strutted down the catwalk. Her hips jerked from side to side. Heels snapped up and down behind her. Her face a mask of serenity. The spring fashion show meant neutral, as always, but with a hint of pleasantry. That’s how her manager put it: pleasantry. In the fall, it would be a hint of determination. In winter, fierceness. She liked winter.
As she made her way out into the crowd on an elevated stage, Liza couldn’t care less what her face exuded. Early that month, was she not voted top-model of the year?
She turned sharply at the end of the runway, making a ninety-degree turn onto one branch of the T-shaped stage. As she made the turn, her gaze caught the smooth, dark hair of that girl. Her next step faltered. Her elegant mask flickered for an instant.
The audience, even the ones right underneath her, probably didn’t notice, Liza thought. They were paying too much attention to her exposed legs. The short, black and white-striped skirt she wore billowed out at each swing of her hip. There was much to see from below.
Even so, an imperceptible unpleasantness crawled over Liza’s skin and settled on her face. Reaching the end, she turned and caught a glimpse of the girl again. Liza’s gaze lingered for a second longer than she would have liked. She inwardly groaned at the adoration that clearly marked the young girl’s round face.
Why did this young woman affect her this way? Liza had taken many partners during her short life. Sex, gender – didn’t matter. Only their position in the fashion echelon and how they might help Liza achieve her goals. Liza took on sexual partners as casually as putting on a pair of four inch heels. Did they make her look good? Fine – they would do…for now.
But this girl was different. Each night Liza walked, there she stood, staring at Liza like she were a goddess (rightly so). But many men and women did that. None had the power this girl had over Liza. The girl gawked from a spot mid-foreground in the audience. And the heat rose from Liza’s belly, discombobulating her stately poise.
How dare this woman do this to her!? Liza Brunk! The Liza Brunk!
Her steps quicken. Her breath rose. Lips parted. She clamped her mouth shut. It felt like the first time she had walked the stage.
Shoulders back! Steps in line. Lift your feet – you’re not an elephant! Lips closed. Pout!
Liza made it back to the T-intersection of the stage, placed her hands on her hips, and paused. One brief look into the audience, into that young girl’s face, and she turned.
Inelegantly, she jerked back. Horror threaten to etch Liza’s face, but her mask held. Pinwheeling her arms out for balance, she looked down at her foot. Her spike heel wedged firmly into a crack at the edge of the runway, she knew her mistake. She had miscalculated the distance.
The crowd held their collective breath as Liza Brucks’ long, slim body fell.
The air knocked out of her as she landed on something soft, but firm. She held her eyes shut against the pain that shot up her leg. A frown turned her lips and creased her smooth forehead as sounds of chaos erupted around her. Someone yelled, “Medic!” Another said, “Help her!” Others whispered things Liza knew were untrue. By her reckoning, her career had just started.
She cracked open her eyes and looked up into that young girl’s round face. The girl smiled and said, “Are you okay?” with a mid-western accent.
Those three simple words held all the love Liza had hoped they would.
617 word count
***
Author’s note:
You may be asking yourself, why on earth would I write about a fashion model? I’m not too sure myself. Nor am I too sure about the lesbian love thing. I have nothing against it, but it never occurred to me to write about it until I wrote this piece. Go figure.
I can tell you where the model thing came from. As some of you may know, Tyra Banks just put out a new book – a fantasy book no less. I know, she’s got tons of fierceness behind her and lots of money, but if she can do it…so can I!
Thank you Scorp for providing the random word to focus on for this piece.
To all three of my regular readers, I’m curious, on a scale of 1 to 5, where would you put this story? Be honest…it’s the only way I will improve.
EDIT: You can rate this post instead of commenting (click on the title so that the post opens up as its own page, rating at bottom of post). That way, if you think I suck, you don’t have to say it to my face.
I look forward to my next challenge. Until then, tmso.
So…I have this idea…it’s probably not a good one, but what the heck.
I’ve noticed that some writers use their blogs to practice their writing skills. And you say: duh, of course.
Yeah, but I’m talking about using a blog for a specific exercise.
They take a word, any word, a random word, and use that as a prompt to write a story. There is usually some sort of word limit on the writing exercise.
I just read about another person doing that, and I thought maybe I’ll give it a go. Why not? What could possibly go wrong?
So, once a week, maybe more if I have time, I’ll pick a random word (or might you suggest one?). I’ll write a flash fiction length (100 to 1,000 word) story based on that random word.
Now, I’m not making any promises. I don’t think I’ll get to it every week, and the ‘stories’ might not be stories at all, rather just random words strung together. But, I’ll try.
The goal is to improve my writing (of course), get some practice writing in, and, hopefully, learn to tell a story in less than 1,001 words.
Cheers!
tmso
With all the other stuff running around in my head, I completely forgot about updating you all on my Spanish history research. Let me make it up to you.
Spain is a unique country. Located at the southern edge of the European continent, jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, mere miles from North Africa, and cut off from the rest of Europe by the Pyrenees, the country has evolved a cultural and social mix like no other. A real-life clash of the the titans sort of place.
In order to understand the events that led to the infamous Spanish Inquisition of the 1400s and 1500s, one must look to the scarred past of the Iberian people. Once you understand the long history of conflicting ideas in the region, one can easily see why neighbor pitted against neighbor and why family members condemned family members.
Allow me to take you on a little Spanish history tour…
Humans have been on the Iberian Peninsula since about forever (well, forever for our puny life spans, since about 32,000 years ago) and wars have been fought over this strategic mountainous region since then. Prior to Roman conquest, the area supported a mix of Celts to the north, Iberians from the northeast to the southwest, Basques in the steep, eastern Pyrenees, and a hodgepodge of ethnic groups to the south.
The Roman Empire engulfed the peninsula in about 210BC to 205BC, renaming the region Hispania. Roman rule lasted for over 500 years and brought to the country Christianity, a system of roads and irrigation, and a governance system that would become the basis of much of Spain’s laws for a thousand years and more.
Things started to get interesting when in 409AD, the Vandals and Alans took over, eventually giving way to Visigothic rule. This time in Spanish history is filled with war and woe. One would think that not much else could be heaped upon the area until the Moors decided to show up during the expansion of the Umayyad Islamic Empire.
During this time, Christianity has remained the predominant religion (along with all the incorporated pagan rituals), however, it is interesting to note that Jewish settlement in the southern part of the peninsula occurred during this time as well. When the Islamic Moors conquered the region at the beginning of the 8th century, they did something unique. The Moor leaders allowed freedom of religion. It wasn’t without it’s costs, though. Christians and Jews were second class citizens under Moorish rule and converting was the most sensible way to make life a little easier.
The mix of race (and by implication religion) is best described by Crow (1985) in this passage:
The Celts left a strong physical imprint on the population of northern Spain. In the Cantabrian and Pyrenean areas there is still today a high percentage of light-colored eyes (blue and hazel) and fair skin and hair. Galicia and Asturias are noted for their blood types, and in the Basque provinces the proportion is nearly 40 per cent. In the territory of Aragon approximately 35 per cent of the population falls into the fair -skinned, light-eyed group. As one proceeds southward both the shading of the skin and coloration of the eyes darken. The typical Andalusian is a dark-skinned, dark-eyed type reflecting the strong Moorish admixture in this area, but blonds do exist today in Andalusia as they also do among the Arabic-speaking population of northern Africa.
It is precisely because of this mix (and forced conversions) that made Spain into a power house in the last millennium and became, ultimately, its downfall.
The fall of Muslim rule started around the 11th century with the Reconquesta (Reconquest). This effort was centuries long with Christians gaining power over a sub-region to lose it again and again to the Moors until finally winning out in the end. A seemingly endless tug of war was played out throughout the country as Moors battled for control of the rich lands of the Iberian peninsula. The final stronghold of Muslim rule in Granada usurped by the combined power of the Christian Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon through the marriage of Isabella I (Castile) and Ferdinand II (Aragon) in 1492 sent the Moors back to North Africa.
By this time, though a fervor of Christian rule gripped the country, there are significant populations of Jews and Muslims within the country that have been living in Spain for centuries. The Iberian peninsula has become their homeland. A perfect set up for religious and racial hatred.
With the massacre of the Jews during the 13th century and Jewish/Islamic to Christian forced conversions still in the collective memory, the renewed Spanish Inquisition of 1492 came along to finish a religious cleansing that would attempt to rid the country of both Jews and Muslims, cinching Christian rule.
Whew! This was supposed to be brief, but we are talking about the history of a nation here. Anyway, that’s it for now. More specifics on the events leading up to the 1492 expulsion order coming soon!
Specific references can be found in this wiki-article and I’ve flavored my post with excerpts from these books: Islamic Spain 1250 to 1500 by L.P. Harvey, Iberia by James A. Michener, Spain, the Root and the Flower by John A. Crow, Dogs of God by James Reston, Jr., and The Spanish Inquisition by Joseph Perez (all excellent books, my favorite being the Dogs of God).
I’ve been remiss with this blog for some time now. One reason is that I have been working out of town (and may be doing so again very soon), and the other is that I’ve been writing!
I entered both the flash fiction and short fiction contests over on SFFWorld.com last month. Two horrible stories but my flash fiction story garnered a few votes, and one lonely soul felt sorry enough for me to vote for my short story. Guess that means at least some folks think I am improving.
I’ve also been writing on my novel, my work in progress (WIP – I never knew what that meant either ). The writing is slow but it is progressing. I recently reviewed all the crap I’d written on it up till now, and there are so many inconsistencies that I will have a tough time getting all my facts straight later on. Oh well, guess that’s what the editing phase is all about. 
I’m trying to write for this month’s contests as well, simply because they are fun and I produce lots of crap, er, I mean, material.
Wish me luck!
Last night, I just started reading A Darkness Forged in Fire (Book One of the Iron Elves series) by Chris Evans. I’ve had it on my book shelf for a long time now and have been ignoring it for no particular reason. The other day, on this review site, I read someone poo-poo the book. That totally made me want to read it. I bought the book (admittedly second hand) so something about either the cover or back page blurb made me thought it was good. Why is that person saying it’s not so good? I’ll have to read.
So I started reading it. Yeah, the beginning is a little disjointed and funny. The author’s writing style is a little over the top, and he sentence structure is a little odd. And his characters act a little on the dramatic side. But I think it’s good, and intentionally funny. It’s a rambling yarn that I anticipate I will enjoy immensely. Heck, I laughed out loud while reading it. Anytime a book makes me laugh (on purpose), it is well worth reading. Based on the events in the first part of his book, it is evident that Chris Evans has a deep knowledge of military history. I suspect that he poured that passion into this series. I can’t wait to read the rest.
And what, pray tell, does this have to do with my own writing?
When I put the book down after a couple of chapters, I realized that I don’t have to be perfect in my own writing efforts. I realized that, yes, I should strive to be the best I can be. And, like Mr. Evans, should pour my passions into my work, but ultimately, I have to write a story that will simply entertain.
I guess as long as I entertain myself, then it’s all good.
What a relief. I don’t have to be perfect!
tmso
Hello all,
I don’t have much time to write these days, but I’d like to keep this blog active. I saw this in the Writer’s Digest newsletter and thought I’d pass it along.
Pronoun Problems: “He/She,” “He or She,” or Just Plain “He”?
I like their solution – alternating back and forth between the two – kind of like real life. I don’t often write with the non-specific gender reference, but in the future I’ll have to remember to alternate. Check out the other articles while you are there. The Writer’s Digest staff know what they are talking about.
Cheers,
tmso
