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Monthly Archives: July 2011
My Origin Story Part 3: Fits and Starts
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 melodrama, origin story
5 Comments
Shark Week is Almost Here…
“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
Posted in TV
Tagged Craig Ferguson, Dirty Jobs, Discovery Channel, Jaws, Jaws Special, Mythbusters, Quint, Shark Week
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My Origin Story Part 2: Reading Charlotte’s Web
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
Posted in My Origin Story, Reviews, Writing Craft
Tagged Charlotte's Web, E.B. White, Fern, origin story, Templeton, The Witches' Bridge, Wilbur
4 Comments
Good and Bad Movie Taglines
A great movie tagline can be as memorable as the film itself. So can a bad one. Here are some of both.
Confessions of a Contest Judge
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 agents, contest judging, editors, haters, judges, writing contests
15 Comments
My Origin Story Part 1: White Wing the Dove
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 doves, superheroes, That Girl
8 Comments
The Cult of Archimedes’ Death Ray
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
Posted in Commentary, Pop Culture, TV
Tagged Archimedes, death ray, heat ray, legends, Mythbusters, myths, parabola, Roman ships, siege of Syracuse
2 Comments
Why District 9 is Better Than Avatar
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 Avatar, CGI, District 9, James Cameron, Na'vi, Neill Blomkamp, prawns
4 Comments
What Writers Can Learn From Eminem
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.)