"So this conversation we’re having is not about selling out your artistic vision to get a contract. Nor is it about watering down your artistic integrity in order to find readers. It’s about finding the largest, widest doorway into your story so that you can to draw in as many readers as possible, and then tell them exactly the core story you’re driven to tell."
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For all you flash fiction writers out there, mark your calendars for Flash Fiction Chronicles' String-of-10 SEVEN Flash Fiction Contest starting February 8th. Use the randomly selected string of words and write your best 250 words or fewer story. The contest runs for one week only so on your mark . . . get set . . . .
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For the artsy and crafty among us, check out DIY By The Book: Lighted Book Boxes. Speaking as someone who has trouble working a simple glue gun, I wish you good luck!
I joined early on and it's been so much fun surprising totally unsuspecting fellow bloggers with a day of focused support and encouragement. I've met some great bloggers through the Blitz, like Dana at The Daily Dose, whose Friday posts ALWAYS make me laugh.
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Some book and writing related posts for you:
Over at Writer Unboxed, Robin LaFevers does it again - she talks about how fear affects creativity in "The Uninvited Guest" and then how we have to watch out for ruts in our writing life in "When Nothing Goes Right, Go Left."
I am a big fan of Hugh Howey's The Silo Series - WOOL introduces the silo. SHIFT is the story of their beginnings, and DUST - out this month! - will chronicle their undoing. This post, "Two Years...," shows how much a great story, good writing and a lot of hard work can make dreams a reality.
Literary agent Janet Reid's post, "The Shoe Test," is a great reminder to take out all those unnecessary words in our writing. Check out the comments, too - they're a hoot!
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And this...well, I don't know whether to cry with delight or to scream in total fear.
(The video is short and shows a bit of what went on during the last TWD - Halloween Horror Nights. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go hide under the bed....)
"Fans of AMC’s The Walking Dead will have a chance to walk in the footsteps of human survivors when Universal Studios Hollywood andUniversal Orlando Resort debut all-new terrifying mazes inspired by Season 3 of the critically-acclaimed, award-winning television series at this year’s “Halloween Horror Nights” events beginning Fri., Sep. 20...
Universal Orlando is also dedicating its entire “Halloween Horror Nights” street experience to The Walking Dead – making this the first time ever that all of the scare zones throughout the park will be themed after a hit television series. Guests brave enough to walk the streets of Universal Studios Florida will encounter iconic scenes from all three seasons of the hit show — including the perilous city of Atlanta and Hershel’s dismal barn — and fleets of blood-thirsty walkers who are hungry for their next victim."
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Are you a member of The Blitz team or do you plan on joining? Are fear or ruts stalling your creativity? Are unnecessary words bogging down your writing? Are you a fan of The Silo Series? And does the idea of The Walking Dead coming "alive" freak you out as much as it does me?
"The New Era of Self-Publishing" by Allison Winn Scotch is a great post about how she, a traditionally published author, is considering self publishing her next novel. The discussion that follows in the comments of her post is civil and thoughtful.
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This actually has nothing to do with writing but since it's on author Joshilyn Jackson's blog, I'm counting it. Besides, it totally cracked me up - "The Third Piece of Unsolicited Advice Drops."
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Looking forward to any - or all - of those novels? Going to check out any of the links? Is there anything you've come across lately that you'd like to share in the comments?
