It is interesting, although not surprising, that one of the most common professions of characters in stories is a writer. This is because writers often write about what they know, which is themselves and what they do. Beyond that, there are also many stories about writing itself, either about magical books or story itself (see…
In the Beginning of the Semester
In the Beginning of the Semester In the beginning of the semester, Tod created Cyberworld. Tod saw that Cyberworld was fine and could get him a B in his capstone course. Tod made a garden. In the middle he placed the Lending Library of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Then Tod created Mike and…
Muse on Monday – June 24, 2024
Do you like dreaming? I have had dreams that I was so sad to wake up from and others where I was so relieved to find it was a dream. A few times I have realized I’m in a dream, although not often. Dreams in stories usually start out normal and then as things start…
Movie Night in Kowloon
Movie Night in Kowloon “Looking forward to having you guys over.” “We’ll be there about 7:00. What’s the address?” “Well . . . first you go to Junction and Carpenter Road and go in the 8th entrance of the walled city, heading east. By the noodle shop.” “Noodle shop . . .” “Go in 120…
Muse on Monday – June 17, 2024
Have you ever read books like Black Beauty, Charlotte’s Web or Where the Red Fern Grows? Books about pets and animal friends are very popular and very powerful because animals tend to be very pure and love unconditionally. It’s much easier to have a relationship with an intelligent animal, of course, which is why there…
Sibyl Park
Sibyl Park Everyone knew you could find the know-chicks in Sibyl Park, usually after midnight. “What do you want?” a voice said from a bench. Hoodie, pink hair, pale face illuminated by her phone screen. “I need to know something.” She made a well, duh gesture but still didn’t look up. “What job would make…
Muse on Monday – June 10, 2024
One thing that you usually don’t want to put in your stories is daily tasks. If you write a page or two about someone’s morning routine, the reader will get impatient for you to get to the important part. The difference is if something is different, especially if there is some point of conflict. For…
Florera
Florera “Go, Florera!” The vase leaps off my arm and flies away. “How does it do that?” my friend asks. “I’ve trained Florera since she was a shot glass.” I shrug. I’m not about to explain the whole history of vasery now. “What if she breaks?” “Florera’s tempered. Sure, there are predatory florists out there,…
Muse on Monday – June 03, 2024
So it’s not officially summer yet but it is June, so we’re getting there (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, at least). Beaches are a great place to hang out in the summer. Even my little city of Erie, PA has 11 beaches, which are very popular in the summer. What do you think of…
Announcing My New Book, GASP!
Hello all, I am announcing today that my new book, GASP! A Night in International Admissions is officially on sale. It is the story of three stuffed animals that work in the admissions office of a school made for animals around the world that want to study in the US. Asama the boar and Zuboni…
The Green-Walled Treehouse 