Monthly Archives: July 2011

My Origin Story Part 3: Fits and Starts

Posted on July 31, 2011 by chrisdevlin

Previously on My Origin Story: I read a lot and ultimately was unsatisfied. Time to write again. In the beginning of 4th grade, my mother and sisters and I moved from rural Minnesota to the big, dry city of Denver. … Continue reading →

Posted in Description, My Origin Story, Plot, Viewpoint, Writing Craft | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Shark Week is Almost Here…

Posted on July 29, 2011 by chrisdevlin

“Live every week like it’s shark week.” Tracy Jordan, 30 Rock. Every year, Discovery Channel comes up with new and increasingly high-tech ways to celebrate our favorite predator; the shark. (On their Facebook page: “Jawesome since 1988.”) This year, you … Continue reading →

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Best TV Show Seasons Ever

Posted on July 26, 2011 by chrisdevlin

Kung Fu S.1; Easily one of the weirdest concepts for a TV show ever–who pitched this thing? “So, there’s this half-Chinese, half-white Shaolin priest who wanders the Old West looking for his half-brother and kicking some thug cowboy tail. Oh, … Continue reading →

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My Origin Story Part 2: Reading Charlotte’s Web

Posted on July 23, 2011 by chrisdevlin

Previously on my origin story, I got frustrated with a picture book in first grade and wrote my own. The next phase of my writerly development concerned reading Charlotte’s Web–eight times. I read a lot in the 2nd and 3rd … Continue reading →

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Good and Bad Movie Taglines

Posted on July 21, 2011 by chrisdevlin

A great movie tagline can be as memorable as the film itself. So can a bad one. Here are some of both.  

Posted in Movies, Pop Culture | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Confessions of a Contest Judge

Posted on July 19, 2011 by chrisdevlin

Just finished another round of contest entries. As a judge in two different contests over the years, I have a confession to make. Or several:

Posted in Contests, Writing Craft | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

What Writers Can Learn From Eminem

Posted on July 15, 2011 by chrisdevlin

Taking off from the notion that good writing can be found in the unlikeliest of places, here are some lessons from the volatile rapper: (Potentially offensive material ahead–proceed with caution.)

Posted in Commentary, Marketing, Music, Self-Promotion, Writing Craft | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

My Origin Story Part 1: White Wing the Dove

Posted on July 10, 2011 by chrisdevlin

All superheroes have their origin story and since writing can be a heroic act, I thought I’d write mine down.  Of course, The Amazing Adventures of… The Novelist! would be about the most boring comic book ever.

Posted in Description, My Origin Story, Plot, Writing Craft | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

The Cult of Archimedes’ Death Ray

Posted on July 7, 2011 by chrisdevlin

You might know the legend: Archimedes the Smart was in Syracuse for a long siege by the Romans.  He used his smarts, and parabolas, to point polished shields and reflected sunlight onto the Roman ships, thereby setting them on fire. … Continue reading →

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Why District 9 is Better Than Avatar

Posted on July 5, 2011 by chrisdevlin

Two allegorical sci-fi films. Avatar, James Cameron’s metaphor for the oppression of the Native Americans. District 9, South African director Neill Blomkamp’s rendering of the horrors of apartheid. Both heralded by critics and fans alike. Both nominated for Best Film … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Movies, Reviews, Writing Craft | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments