Questions 3 and Looking Back at ‘Chasing Bedlam’

Posted on June 18, 2024 by Charles Yallowitz

Cover Art by Jon Hunsinger

Chasing Bedlam was a fun sequel that I started working on as soon as I finished Crossing Bedlam.  I wanted to up the action, sexiness (without adding sex scenes), and push the characters to new heights.  Still not sure how that went since most people didn’t bother with the series.

One thing I learned writing this book is that there is a big urge to make it bigger and louder than the previous one.  A series based around spectacle can’t go backwards for more than a chapter scene.  With Cassidy and Lloyd living in such a dangerous world, the idea that they would relax for very long never worked.  So, I had to come up with wilder antics for them to get into.  Disease-ridden beasts, crazy cultists, and many other dangers were crafted to make sure I kept things dialed up to max for 80% of the story.  Needless to say, it got rather exhausting, but in a good way.

This series was always a fun release for me.  With my other series, I was always holding back on the cursing and violence to get either a hard PG-13 or soft R feel.  This was a hard R rating with the only limitation being that I didn’t write any sex scenes or include graphic nudity.  These were implied or noted, but never described.  Regardless, I got a kick out of letting loose in Chasing Bedlam, especially since I no longer had an innocent survivor running with a crazy serial killer.

Cassidy and Lloyd definitely change from their initial adventure.  Lloyd was still violent and crazy, but he now had a sense of loyalty to a few characters.  After realizing that being a murderous psychopath in a world of murderous psychopaths doesn’t make him special, he toned himself down.  Still having fun and clearly an influence on Cassidy, who is colder and more ‘live in the moment’ than she was before.  I liked her evolution into a rough and cunning survivor.  It was like she shed her skin and finally came into her own, which I guess was part of her debut.  Getting out of her capable mother’s shadow and learning to survive on her own abilities definitely happened.

What is the story?  An old enemy reappears and steals Cassidy’s jeep, which she calls her baby.  This kicks off a destructive, rage-fueled chase from Texas to Miami.  Multiple obstacles turn up and they only help to make Cassidy angrier.  Lloyd is just along for the chase to kill people and because his gun-toting partner is one of two people he would consider family.  A third reason is that he would get bored and lonely without Cassidy to verbally spar with in a strange brother/sister vibe.  As you can tell, the story is fairly simple, which I think makes it easier to include big action scenes.  This way, you don’t have complicated plot getting overshadowed by the spectacle.  Chasing Bedlam is really all about escapism and action like its predecessor.

Can’t think of anything I would change since this book was all in good fun.  I mean, it was a joy to write since I got to cut loose.  So, the questions:

  1. What would you go on a rampage to get back if it was stolen?
  2. What is the funniest/strangest town name you have ever heard?
  3. If you had to survive in a post-apocalyptic world, what would be your weapon of choice?
Posted in Bedlam Series, Chasing Bedlam | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Predator and Prey Stories

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Charles Yallowitz

Predator

I was thinking about the movie ‘Predator’.  Not sure why.  Just came to me and I wondered if there was a post in there.  Well, here we are . . . Sorry if you expected a catchier intro, but it’s been a long school year.

The ‘Predator/Prey’ dynamic has existed for millennia.  Going back to cave paintings, we have seen the story play out time and again.  Predator is hunting and prey is struggling to survive.  The former is typically stronger than the latter, but there is always some advantage that can give them a chance.  No matter the genre, the story doesn’t really change much either.  ‘The Most Dangerous Game’, ‘Roadrunner/Wile E. Coyote’, ‘Hunger Games’, and millions (if not billions) of stories have used this conflict as a core concept.  It simply works.

Not hard to figure out why it works.

First, this is a story that all humans can connect to on some level.  It isn’t that we’ve all been hunted or gone hunting.  The connection is more of a primal understanding of both roles.  From the prey side, we can understand the struggle to survive even if we haven’t gone through such trauma.  Fear, determination, hope, despair, and all of the emotions that can be seen in the prey character are relatable.  From the predator side, we can get a sense of power, relentlessness, and another struggle to survive.  It is harder to do this one, which is why you typically see stories from the prey’s perspective.

That being said, we do see predators as main characters when a human is trying to survive after a disaster.  Being abandoned in the wilderness or wandering a post-apocalyptic landscape tends to turn protagonists into predators for survival.  The killing done by these characters are accepted due to a ‘kill or be killed’ world.  Many times, the ‘prey’ are equally aggressive and typically evil enemies, so we aren’t made to feel sorry for them.  Once a predator protagonist goes after the innocent, readers will start to recoil and lose sympathy for them.

Another reason the ‘predator/prey’ stories work is because it’s something we’ve all seen play out at some point.  Growing up, a person has either seen nature shows or witnessed such dynamics in person.  By late elementary school, nearly every child is aware that some animals eat and kill others to survive.  They’ve been introduced to this in various stories as well even if the predator fails.  I mean, even if the shows and movies didn’t depict the actual act of hunting, a kid will notice when characters are eating meat.  So, there’s an immediate understanding and acceptance of the ‘predator/prey’ dynamic.

Of course, this gets slightly skewed when the hunting isn’t being done for food.  Once you go beyond that, the conflict brings up ethical issues.  Take these ‘predator/prey’ reasons:

  • Revenge– Character is killing others because they were wronged.  ‘Kill Bill’ is a good example.  Yes, we can cheer for the vengeful predator, but this still makes one question how far a person should go.  Seems to always be fine in fiction.
  • Pride/Thrill– Finally getting to ‘Predator’ himself.  Being an alien who hunts for sport and the challenge, one would see these guys as villains.  Yet, it is a cultural thing and humans have had similar traditions.  Taking down a powerful, dangerous beast would be a coming-of-age rite.  The Predators do that as well.  So, is it evil for them to do it while humans have done the same?  What about when they don’t go for defenseless prey or reduce their weaponry to match their opponents?  Can a predator have honor?

Personally, I really love writing this conflict.  Even if it’s not for a full story, I like the tension it can create.  I’ve had chapters where a character is trying to evade others or find a hidden target.  You can’t have much talking because silence is important.  So, it’s a few pages of tense, almost there moments with the predator and prey almost dancing with each other until the finale.  There is a raw nature to it, which might be why I find it appealing.  Not sure I can pull off an entire book with this atmosphere because I enjoy writing high action and some humor.  That second thing really doesn’t work unless it’s a full on comedy.

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Words that pack a punch – part 5

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Charles Yallowitz

Hello, SE’ers. It’s Jan again with another common action word that can be enhanced by better choices. As many have pointed out in comments, these are…

Words that pack a punch – part 5
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Happy Father’s Day!

Posted on June 16, 2024 by Charles Yallowitz

Happy Father’s Day!  You know, the holiday where you have your father cook bbq, drive the family somewhere, or do something more than sleep in bed.  Throwing all that in because it’s really hard to find Father’s Day memes that don’t make fun of fathers.  I mean, it was mostly about not asking for directions, child support, or how mothers should get credit on this day too.  In other words, this post was a lot harder to make than I initially expected.

Sorry. As a Giants fan, I couldn’t resist this one.

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Goal Post: Got A Little Done, But Not Much

Posted on June 15, 2024 by Charles Yallowitz

(Combination of Foo Fighters, Queen (Brian May), and Pink Floyd . . . No wonder I keep skipping to this one in the car.)

This was a crazy week, which should really be my motto.  I’m also writing this after trying Apple Pie moonshine.  Really tasty. Not harsh.  Takes a wee bit of time to kick in and make me forget the chaos of the week.  Have to be careful that I don’t share the more sensitive chaos though.  *zips lips and keeps fingers typing*

Seriously though, this was the last week of classes for my son.  Last week of full days for my students too, but I’m still there until the end of the day until the 26th.  This meant that my son had tests such as the Living Environment (Biology with extra) Regents.  For those outside of New York, the Regents are subject specific standardized tests created by the state to check standards.  Passing them are required for high school graduation.  At least for the second best diploma.  It’s stressful for the students and parents while many teachers aren’t fans.  Still, he’s done and we’re confident that he did good.  He got 100 on his history final.  Not a Regents, but impressive.

For myself, it’s just been getting the students and myself ready for the full sprint to the finish line.  Things were rather rough on a few days too.  Last year, the kids who graduated were the ones who were 8th graders when I started.  That felt strange.  This year, a student I worked with a few years back and watched grow graduated.  He’s become such an awesome young man that I can’t be anything but proud of him.  Happy to see them grow up, but tough to see them go.  I already know which graduating student is going to make me cry next year.  Kids grow up too fast.

I didn’t get to Darwin & the Avenging Elf until last night, but I’m hoping to get 2-3 chapters done this weekend.  Can’t do anything tomorrow since it’s Father’s Day and I’ll have my son.  Maybe a bit before I pick him up and more after I drop him back off with his mom.  Editing isn’t my goal tomorrow, so I’ll get a bunch done today.  Balance that with some Pokemon Go and errands should work out.  I have Wednesday off for Juneteenth too, so I can get a chapter or 2 done then as well.  Maybe I’ll get Darwin & the Avenging Elf edited before July 4th.  That would be amazing and give me the whole summer to edit the final 2 finished volumes.  Given that next school year looks messy, I wouldn’t mind that.

All of the August posts were completed too.  Halfway through September to give myself more of a cushion when school starts up.  This means, I’m already thinking about the October theme, which tends to be monsters.  Last year, I took beasts from around the world using a poster from a puzzle.  I was leaning towards American cryptids this year, but I only have 13 days to use unless I stop the teasers and poems.  That still doesn’t give me a lot unless I figure out some categories to use multiple creatures.  Good thing I’ll have the summer to work on this since I always enjoy October being a challenge.

Outside of work, parenting, and writing, I haven’t done much else.  Working on a puzzle as usual, but I’ll be switching to all of the Lego sets once summer starts.  Got a ton of them I’ve been saving for the hot months.  Some of them are pretty big and going to be a fun challenge.  It’ll be a nice relaxation from work and staring at the white paper with words on it while editing.  Looking like summer will be really hot too.  I’ll need the Legos when trying to cool off then.

Wish I had more to share, but it’s survival mode until I reach the end of the school year.  I know it’s going to be a challenge.  Not only with work, but the home life is getting fairly crazy as my son gets older.  Teenagers are emotional even without autism making things tougher.  He’s getting through it, but I’m making sure to keep my own activities at a point where I can drop them whenever he needs to talk.  All of us are exhausted, which is why things are getting choppy.  I’m sure nearly every parent has gone through this, so it isn’t unique.  Growing pains for everyone.  Good thing ‘Inside Out 2’ is in theaters because that might help . . . Unless he wants to watch a comedy or action movie.  Got a few on the list that I think he’ll like.

Storm is coming in (writing this Friday night), so I guess I’ll jump to the list:

  1. Edit more of Darwin & the Avenging Elf
  2. Spend Father’s Day with my son.
  3. Pokemon Go to get fresh air and exercise.
  4. Puzzle time!
  5. Make it through the work days.
  6. September posts.
  7. Contemplate the existence of various things.
  8. Maybe play some Pirate Warriors 3 with my son too.
Posted in Goal Posts | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Questions 3: Yes, We’re Still on Dumplings

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Charles Yallowitz

I really hope people are enjoying this silly topic and possibly learning a bit.  Let’s just jump to the questions about dumplings.

  1. What is your favorite type of dumpling? (I LOVE fried pork dumplings from Chinatown.)
  2. What kind of dumpling (real or your own creation) would you love to make? (One that has a chocolate covered strawberry in the center.)
  3. Do you think it’s strange that dumplings are found throughout the world?
Posted in Questions 3 | Tagged , , , | 25 Comments

Writing Animals into your Story

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Charles Yallowitz

Greetings Storytellers. Diana here today to talk about animals in our stories. Many authors include animals in their stories, often as pets, …

Writing Animals into your Story
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Poetry Day: Ira

Posted on June 13, 2024 by Charles Yallowitz

Anger from Inside Out

(Ira is the Latin word for ‘Wrath’.  So, it worked for the title of a poem about anger.)

The pit of your heart is where I fester
I am all-consuming

 

Violence and hate are my bastard children
I am bloody

 

My power twists the human nature
I am corrosive

 

You despise me and make me stronger
I am forever

 

Mankind would be nothing without me
I AM ANGER

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Dumplings Across the Planet?

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Charles Yallowitz

I promise to connect this to writing during this post.  First, I’m going to talk about something I mentioned on Monday.  It appears that nearly every culture has some form of dumpling.  Here I thought multiple cultures coming up with dragons was strange, but now we have a food.  So, why is that?

Part of it could be the definition of dumpling.  The most basic one is a meal/snack composed of a ball of dough with or without filling.  Many people say that it needs to include fillings or it becomes a dessert.  Not sure why a dessert doesn’t fall under snack, but whatever.  The fillings can be meat, veggie, fruit, chocolate, nuts, cream, or whatever you manage to jam in there.  Frying or baking tend to be involved as well.  Finally, they aren’t always called a dumpling.  Look at ravioli, pierogi, empanada, knish, wonton, and the list keeps going.  Dumpling is a category.

The reason dumplings exist across the globe might not be as farfetched as one would think.  The concept is simple and consists of frying or baking dough, which is the same as making bread.  Bound to be someone that eventually considers jamming food within the bread.  With dumplings being small, they can be an easy meal to transport when one has to travel.  The right fillings give a person more nutrition than the bread, which can be helpful for many careers.  Cooking dumplings might not take as long as bigger meals, so they can be done when time is short.  Just a versatile category.

So, how does this relate to writing?

  1. If you’re writing a real-world story, it doesn’t hurt to know what kinds of dumplings are in your settings.  Characters eat and we use meals as backdrops for plenty of scenes.  A meal with dumplings can stand out since it isn’t done often.  Well, people seem to do it with Chinese or Italian food, but now you know there are other options.  This can give a little more flavor to your setting as well.  A reader who comes from the associated culture could be ecstatic that their dumplings are included.  Maybe that’s just me whenever I see a knish noted in a non-stereotypical way.
  2. If you’re writing fiction, you can create dumplings for your various cultures.  Every race, kingdom, society, etc. may have their own version of this dish.  This might be easier to explain since fictional races tend to interact, which can explain how the fried dough with filling concept spread.  With adventurers, you can have them carry dumplings along instead of trail rations.  Anyone who has played DnD knows that’s usually hard biscuits, jerky, nuts, and dried fruit.  Dumplings could be a nice change for the heroes even if it’s temporary.

People might laugh at this topic, but food is an essential part of cultures.  As authors, we need to be aware of this either to make real world stories correct or give more depth to fictional ones.  If dumplings are something that can be found throughout Earth then it’s easy to see them existing on other planets.  As long as you have bread and something to stuff into it, you can have a dumpling.  We put sandwiches, soups, and salads in our stories without a second thought.  Why not this category?

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What Writers Should Know! Part Six: Genres

Posted on June 12, 2024 by Charles Yallowitz

Hi SEers! Denise here to continue our discussion of What Writers Should Know.  Last month we dove into themes. Today we’ll discuss what type of story…

What Writers Should Know! Part Six: Genres
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