Over at Mur Lafferty’s blog I Should Be Writing (the blog version of her podcast of the same name), there is a section called News from Poughkeepsie where Jared Axelrod posts a writing prompt to help get writer’s started, well, writing. Usually they have a theme for the week, with a new prompt showing up almost every day. I love that the prompts are geeky and unique, and usually start my mind thinking about what else could happen. Or what I could write with that idea.

I finally got around to writing one based off this week’s theme of cybernetics. While I’m not sure that mine may technically fall into that category, I still am proud of myself for one, actually writing something for a change, and two, putting myself out there and posting what I wrote as a response for everyone to see. It may never progress farther than this prompt, but that’s fine. At least I’m writing. Now I just need to keep doing that.

“He’s waking up,” Wilhelm heard as he opened his eyes. He instinctively reached toward his head, and felt someone pull his hand away.

“Don’t touch it yet, Mr Ellis. We’ll be bringing you into the recovery room in just a moment where you’ll be shown how to work your new implant,” the young nurse smiled.

He certainly didn’t feel different, and didn’t feel any pain. This surgery was a much experience than having emergency appendix surgery when he was in college.

The door to his right opened and he heard the voice of his doctor call out.

“Send him in, we’re ready!”

Wilhelm stood and walked through the open door into the recovery room. His doctor was standing next to a chair, a long cable in her hand.

“Sit, Mr Ellis, and take this,” Dr Draper said, extending the cable towards him.

He looked at the connector at the end of the cable and felt his implant for the first time. His heart quickened as he began to realize just what he would have to do.

“Take it,” she said again, her voice growing impatient.

Wilhelm took the cable as he sat down and tried to connect the end to his implant. After a moment he felt the two click into place, and turned to look at his doctor.

“I’ll start the introduction program. It will teach you all you need to know,” she walked over to a computer and pressed a few buttons.

“Will I get to learn Kung Fu?” Wilhelm joked. “You know, like in The Matrix?”

She sighed. That same old joke never goes away. “Only if you survive.” She smiled as she pushed a button, sending the training program directly into his brain. His eyes widened with fear before they closed, a sight Dr Draper took amusement in seeing. Scaring new recruits never gets old.

There were days where the words flowed out easily, days where each word was a struggle, and then there were days where no words were typed at all. The last one happened way too much in the early part of November, but I ended up pushing through and coming back.

That’s right, I finished NaNo this year.

A lot of the time I didn’t have any idea on where the plot was going, but I was able to have a lot of fun with character development. The funny thing to me was finally experiencing what many writers have spoken about; their characters doing things that weren’t expected. I never understood that before. I mean, I created them. I am writing their background, their personality, what they say, and so on, so why would they do something that wasn’t what I wanted? How it happened to me was when I would be writing out a scene that I had planned in my head. Nothing too detailed, just a basic idea of what I wanted the characters to do. But the character didn’t end up doing that. She ended up doing something different as I was writing out her actions. Even though I was the one driving her personality, she ended up having control over what she would do or wouldn’t do. I have to admit, it was kind of cool and interesting to experience.

So I’ll bet you’re curious what my story was about. I started with an idea that I saw over at i09. They were listing some creatures that deserved a shot at big success, like what vampires and werewolves are currently having. This one stuck out with me, especially the part I bolded.

Lich

Where you’ve see it: Dungeons & Dragons, World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls, Final Fantasy.

What it is: Sort of like zombies with brains (and not the eating kind), liches are undead creatures who retain their intellect but whose bodies keep on rotting. They’ve generally chosen this way of non-life as a sort of perverse immortality.

Why it deserves a shot at the big time: Liches have been a staple of high fantasy, and it’s time to drag them into the modern era. Egomaniacal scholars, wizards, and business men could all seek to preserve their consciousness for future generations, with terrifying (and fairly gross) results. There’s a definite supervillainous quality to liches; they may not jump out and shout “boo,” but they’re likely to have a horde of horrifying minions. And when you finally see their faces, liches can be pretty frightening themselves.

I ended up with a hodge podge of Mass Effect, Event Horizon, Dead Space inspired space horror, where rich clients could preserve their mind as a Lich. It had a huge corporation behind the technology that made it possible, and the same corporation provided a planet in their privately owned system where the Lich could develop their powers, intellect, or whatever else they wanted. My heroine was a bad ass soldier who was infiltrating the elite security forces to investigate what was going on, since the corporation was hiding the Lich and their technology from the government.

My story had everything. Action! Conspiracies! Rotting, powerful, immortal creatures! Violence! Sex!

They only thing is that I didn’t finish the story. While I did hit the 50K mark, the plot didn’t find an ending. I wasn’t sure how to tie it all together, so I just kept dragging out the characters doing stuff to get the count. I’d be interested to see how I could get it all together and finish it. I still think it’s an interesting story. What do you guys think?

And speaking of dragging out the word count, I admit to cheats. Oh the cheats! Like unnecessary chapter titles, or not using contractions, or using an ellipse to count as a word, or very detailed sex scenes. The worst cheat it did was have someone singing the ‘bottles of beer on the wall’ song for about a page of text. Except it wasn’t just a bottle of beer, it was a bottle of an alien drink that had two words in its name. It’s not a cheat I’m proud of, but when it comes to NaNo, sometimes you need something, anything, to bump up your word count for the day. Of course, it’s the cheats that are the first to go when editing.

Anyone else do well? Not do well? Or the most important question of all… Are we going to do it again next year?

I’ve mentioned that I did National Novel Writing Month back in 2005, and every year about this time I think hard about doing it again. Well, this year I am committing to it, and even though I haven’t really got a plot (ACH!), I’m diving into NaNo to attempt another 50,000 words in November.

Yes, you read that right. I’m going to try writing a 50,000+ word novel in 30 days even though I don’t have a plot.

But see, that’s part of the fun of NaNo. It will force me to just write without over analyzing everything. One of my issues is that I’ll start researching and find out my story idea doesn’t fit in the way the world works, so I’ll toss it. Other times I have started thinking about writing, but my inner editor will say “That idea has been done, and done better.” Or, that’s just “famous-movie-plot”. The thing I have to remember is something I read in a Wil Wheaton interview from last year:

I was working really hard on this one idea. I had this idea that I thought was really cool and I spent several days breaking the story before I realized I was writing Quantum Leap. This was really disappointing to me — not because I don’t like Quantum Leap, because I do, but because I didn’t realize that I had put those things together.

So I started a new story and then realized I was writing Enemy Mine. I said to my friends, “I’m writing Enemy Mine, what do I do?” And they said, “Enemy Mine is just…” Well, I forget the piece of literature, but it’s just two men on an island.

And one of these guys said to me, “Just write your two men on an island story.” And I said, “But it’s Enemy Mine.” He said, “Really, is it these two exact guys doing exactly these things?” I told him no, it wasn’t, and he said, “Then it’s not Enemy Mine. It’s two men stuck on an island together.”

Actually, you know what? I don’t think it’s name-dropping; Ed Brubaker told me that. He tells people this all the time because he was given this advice when he was a neophyte writer. He was stressing out about there not being a lot of new stories to tell and someone else said to him there are only five story ideas.

The problem for us is that Alan Moore has done all five of them — and he’s done them better than anyone ever will. But Ed said, “Men on an island. Just write it. It’s okay.”

I really try to remember this. It’s really good advice when you think about it. How many different zombie movies do I really like or love, but are basically the same plot? Lots, really. So it’s very possible to have the same basic plot, but make a good, enjoyable, yet unique to the genre, story.

I’m not positive I’ll end up with a zombie story, but I did pick up a sourcebook for All Flesh Must Be Eaten called All Tomorrow’s Zombies. When I saw the cybernetic zombies IN SPACE, I couldn’t pass it up. I’m shooting for a sci-fi story this year, yet I can’t help including some kind of horror element. It’s what I know best.

And besides, futuristic zombies IN SPACE? Who could pass that up? If you’re planning on NaNo, add me as a writing buddy!

Seven men named John Michael Smith didn’t until after the assassination of the president by a four year old boy.

The plot to 7th Son: Descent caught my attention from the beginning. It’s an addicting story that’s smart, funny, and full of action. After hearing about the reboot and release coming up on October 27th, I had to add my voice to the people heaping praise on JC.

To prep myself for the book release, I’m currently listening to 7th Son: 7 Days, which is a free audio prequel. It’s providing another side to the clones that we didn’t see before. While it’s not a requirement to know the 7th Son universe, I did like knowing it before listening. Those new to JC will still enjoy the stories and get to know his writing and podcasts. One thing is for sure. You’ll want to hear more after listening to just one.

But that’s not all that JC is providing! In addition to the book being available for purchase (which you should do if you enjoy his work), he is releasing a serialized PDF at the same time as a serialized audio episodes. So there is no shortage of ways to enjoy 7th Son: Descent.

I’m looking forward to seeing the success of 7th Son: Descent, so we will see the next two books get picked up as well. Please, visit his site and discover the story of seven men, and what the government wants from them now that the president is dead.

Technorati tags: jc hutchins, 7th son

I don’t know of any of my geek friends, or many geeks for that matter, who don’t think steampunk is cool. I’m a huge fan of steampunk mods, like the keyboard mod or anything on The Steampunk Workshop really, even though I don’t have that much creativity or ability to create something like that.

But even though my hands can’t craft or draw how my mind pictures how it should look, I’ve often thought about writing in a steampunk world. Or a science fiction world, but with some steampunk elements, like a spaceship with brass gears and gas lighting. Since I’ve had just a bit more time at work the past month or so, my mind has begun to form different worlds and possible plots. Even pondering inserting some steampunk elements into my H.P. Lovecraft inspired horror story I wrote during the 2005 NaNoWriMo. Although that would make it pretty specific in genre and probably have only a small number of people who would enjoy something that focused, but I digress…

What brought me to post was about how common steampunk is starting to become, like the steampunk angel shirt (which I own!) from Think Geek. Even io9 ran an article not too long ago about how steampunk is becoming big in the young adult book world, with a new anthology due out soon. And a small blurb in an article about some clothing and interactive props coming to the Avatar Marketplace on Xbox said that “Microsoft is…working with real clothing labels to design avatar outfits that fit fashion trends, such as steampunk…” I can’t wait to be able to put my avatar into some goggles, or sport a clockwork laser gun!

But while I think it’s cool that more people are getting into steampunk, I wasn’t too serious with my title after all, I can’t help but be a bit leery of what will come of it. Mark my words…it will only be a matter of time before we see kids wearing steampunk clothing and jewelry. That they bought at Hot Topic. *shudder*

Technorati tags: steampunk

I’ve posted before about great podiobook novelists like Mur Lafferty and Scott Sigler, and in doing so I’ve mentioned J.C. before, but I realized this morning that I never gave J.C. his own post! He’ll fit in perfectly with Full of Fun Fridays! So for the people who read my blog and don’t know about J.C., you’re missing out. All two of you.

I first became a fan of his back when the 7th Son trilogy was just wrapping up. It’s a great story that caught my interest with the opening line “The President of the United States is dead. He was murdered in the morning sunlight by a four-year-old boy…” The plot combines science fiction, action, mystery…several different genres intertwined well to create a great character driven story; told through podcasts by J.C. himself.

7th Son chronicles the story of seven strangers who are assembled after the assassination of the U.S. president. They quickly discover they all appear to be the same man … with identical childhood memories.

Unwitting participants in a human cloning experiment, these “John Michael Smiths” have been gathered to catch the man who murdered the president. Their target? The man they were cloned from; the original John Michael Smith, code-named John Alpha.

The first book, Descent will be coming out in print later this year!

But before 7th Son comes out, there will be a very cool book released on June 9th.

Personal Effects: Dark Arts follows the extensive notes of art therapist Zach Taylor’s investigation into the life and madness of Martin Grace, an accused serial killer who claims to have foreseen, but not caused, his victims’ deaths.

Zach’s investigations start with interviews and art sessions, but then take him far from the hospital grounds — and often very far from the reality that we know. The items among Grace’s personal effects are the keys to understanding his haunted past, and finding the terrifying truth Grace hoped to keep buried…

* Call the phone numbers: You’ll get a character’s voicemail.
* Google the characters and institutions in the text: You’ll find real websites.
* Examine the art and other printed artifacts included inside the cover: If you pay attention, you’ll find more information than the characters themselves discover.

Personal Effects: Dark Art is the ultimate in voyeuristic storytelling, representing a revolutionary step forward in changing the way people interact with novels.

This will be very cool, and fits very well with J.C. He is very interactive with his fans; inviting them to submit fan art, stories, voicemail…which many people do! For PE, fans can become “patients” of the art therapist in the book by committing themselves to The Brink. He always comes up with some cool ways for fans to become involved.

What I like is that while the extra stuff you can do to enhance the story is very awesome, it’s not required to enjoy the book. Personally, I may not have time to spend looking online or calling a number to listen to a voicemail, so being able to read the book, but not miss any core story, is a plus for me. Although I probably will try to do the extras if I can!

Before the book launches, take a listen to the prequel, Personal Effects: Sword of Blood. I just finished the third podcast this morning, and I’m waiting to hear more. ORDER NOW!!!

There is much, much more to J.C. and his work, so please visit his site to find out more. Or listen to Elmocast 102 for an interview! Definitely follow him on Twitter, or any other social media like Facebook. He’s a cool guy, and a geek! You won’t be disappointed.

Technorati tags: full of fun fridays, jc hutchins, 7th son, personal effects

I’ve promised a few times that I’d be getting back into writing, both on this blog and fiction, but thanks to work and life…it hasn’t become a regular habit. Well, now that my large PC replacement project has come to a close (for this quarter anyway…more to come in Feb) I should be able to keep up a little more. Looking back, I really am ashamed at how little I blogged before the election. Usually I’m much more ranty. Ah well. Even though Obama will be in the White House, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be stuff to blog about. While he’s pretty damn good, he had already done things I didn’t agree with. Like vote for FISA, which included the retroactive immunity to the Telcos for their illegal wiretapping.

There’s also tons to blog about with the backlash against the California Prop 8 amendment. Like the protest happening here in OKC this Saturday at the OKC City Hall, 12:30pm!

I’ve also got some stuff lined up to do with girls, feminism, and science, so lots of stuff left to talk about for sure.

Thanks to all who have kept up with me, and for sure if you haven’t…add me to your RSS reader and/or follow me on Twitter!

Look for a Full of Fun Fridays! post tomorrow, too…

Unfortunately I received an email from J.C. Hutchins yesterday, telling all of the MINE contributors that the site will not be updating anymore. It’s a sad effect of the downward turning economy and being a new blog. While this news is most certainly disappointing, I was very happy to be a contributor and have benefited from both the exposure and more so from the encouraging and ego boosting words from J.C. himself. It has given me more confidence with my writing, and that maybe one day I really will finish something I want to share with everyone. I know when I do I will definitely be putting out for free, and maybe doing a podiobook/podcast.

The stories I submitted for MINE are still, well…mine, so I may be reposting some of them here for when I need a quick and dirty Full of Fun Fridays! post. It will be better than what happened last week, when there was no post anyway.

It was a great honor and blast working for J.C., and while a lowly little Z list blogger like myself probably won’t get a chance to…I’d sure love to work with him in some capacity again! At the very least, I’ll be there with all the other Beta Clones when it’s time to rush the Amazon charts for all of his projects. Like the soon to be released Personal Effects: Dark Arts and of course 7th Son Obsidian!

Time for another cool and smart girl crush of mine. My generation knows Danica McKellar for Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years, but it wasn’t her acting that made her one of my heroes. It was her excelling in mathematics and writing two books about girls and math that got her there.

She graduated from UCLA, summa cum laude, with her Bachelors of Science in Mathematics, but the awesome part is that she co-authored a math proof (PDF), which is very rare for an undergrad. I won’t even pretend I know what they’re talking about in the paper. Way over my head. But thanks to that, she has an Erdős–Bacon number of 6:

A person’s Erdős–Bacon number is the sum of one’s Erdős number—which measures the “collaborative distance” in authoring mathematical papers between that individual and Hungarian mathematician Paul Erdős—and one’s Bacon number—which represents the number of links, through roles in films, by which the individual is separated from American actor Kevin Bacon. The lower the number, the closer an individual is to Erdős and Bacon.

Wow, how geeky cool is that?

Her most recent mathematics involvement is her latest book, Kiss My Math. It was written for middle-school aged girls to help show them that math isn’t going to stop them from being anything they want to be. That math isn’t just for the stereotypical nerd, and that it’s important to learn, no matter what field they want to get into. She tackles pre-algebra, offering problems to work and help understanding how they can do it. It’s a follow up to her first book, Math Doesn’t Suck, which in an introduction to middle school math in general, and shows girls that they don’t have to hide their smarts; that they need to use them. An excerpt:

Let’s get a few things straight: Acne sucks. Mean people suck. Finding out that your boyfriend kissed another girl? That would totally suck. Too much homework, broken promises, detention, divorce, insecurities: suck, suck, suck, suck, suck.

But math is actually a good thing. Here are a few reasons why: Math builds confidence, keeps you from getting ripped off, makes you better at adjusting cookie recipes, understanding sports scores, budgeting and planning parties and vacations, interpreting how good a sale really is, and spending your allowance. It makes you feel smart when you walk in a room, prepares you for better-paying jobs, and helps you to think more logically.

Most of all, working on math sharpens your brain, actually making you smarter in all areas. Intelligence is real, it’s lasting, and no one can take it away from you. Ever.

And take it from me, nothing can take the place of the confidence that comes from developing your intelligence—not beauty, or fame, or anything else “superficial.”

That’s exactly what girls need to hear. When Baby Grrl gets old enough, I will definitely keep these books in mind. I want her to know that she doesn’t have to act dumb or dumb herself down for a boy or for anyone. I remember often doing that in class when I was young, because no one liked the smart kids. I wish I could go back in time and give myself a talking to, but I’ll have to live with trying to raise Baby Grrl, knowing what I would have liked to know back when I was a kid.

Anyway, for parents of girls to math geeks, there are plenty of people who are fans of Danica. I’ll be watching to see if she releases another math book!

Technorati tags: full of fun fridays, danica mckellar, math

It’s that time of year again! The last Monday in September begins the annual American Library Association’s Banned Books Week:

Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is observed during the last week of September each year. Observed since 1982, this annual ALA event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. This year, 2007, marks BBW’s 26th anniversary (September 29 through October 6).

BBW celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met.

We often hear about someone not being happy that their precious child might happen to see something that the parent doesn’t want them to see when they go to the library. PROTECT TEH CHILDREN!!! is very often the reason given for a book being challenged or taken off the shelves. (Sally Kern is noted for wanting to decide what we can and can’t read, for instance. Those evil gays…) Thankfully though, we have some kick ass librarians who don’t like being told what people can and can’t read.

So in honor of BBW, check out the list of 2006’s most challenged books, and read one you haven’t read yet. Or at least help spread the word, and if possible check out some of the BBW events! I do have to give a big SHAME ON YOU Oklahoma City Metro Libraries though. The only library listed as having any BBW Events is the Muskogee Public Library. (However, if any fellow Okies know of a OKC or other library that does have something going on, please correct me.)

Technorati tags: banned books week, censorship, american library association, freedom to read