can't help telling stories
Is fantasy or science fiction your genre? Do you think it might be? Then you may be looking for a creature or a race to populate your world. Here are a few oldies you might want to adapt. A friend of mine, E.R. Barr, melded the Piasa legend with Celtic mythology in his award-winning debut novel, Roan: The Tales of Conor Archer.
Ten Mythological Creatures in Ancient Folklore | Ancient Origins
http://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/ten-mythological-creatures-ancient-folklore-001805
That back cover blurb is crucial to the sale. And even though these tips are far longer than the blurb should be, they’re worth reading.
6 Things to Consider When Writing Promotional Copy for Your Book by Karl Bunker — The Book Designer
http://m.thebookdesigner.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thebookdesigner.com%2F2014%2F06%2Fkarl-bunker%2F
People die. Or they don’t. This article from Harvard Business Review is about succession planning for businesses, but I find Zara’s story intriguing as a plot line. She’s reacting to a perceived “deadline,” in the most literal sense. With some tweaks, her story could lend itself to a variety of interpretations or genres — mystery, thriller, magical realism, main stream fiction. And imagine the points of view — Zora’s, her husband’s, her children’s, her father’s, the list goes on.
Try it for 1,000 words and see where it takes you.
Executives Must Face Their Own Mortality – Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries – Harvard Business Review
http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/03/executives-must-face-their-own-mortality/
Really.
I can’t take credit for finding these puctures. Mystery writer Dana Stabenow posted this link on her Facebook page with a comment about the first shot.
But as soon as I saw them, I realized the photos are a trove of writing prompts. More than two dozen.
What a great antibiotic for writer’s block. Take one today. Write 1,000 words. Repeat.
2014 National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest, Part II – In Focus – The Atlantic
This study has some interesting information for writers of YA books and for others who have young characters in their fiction. It maps interesting character arcs with room for variation.
Cool at 13, Adrift at 23 – NYTimes.com
sharon p. lynn 