Goal Post: A Possible Return to Writing

Posted on May 28, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

The last time I wrote anything new was late August/early September.  I’m talking stories and not blog posts.  This school year has been really busy both as a TA and as a parent, so time and energy weren’t there.  Now, I’m hoping that can start changing and I can pull off writing two books before the next school year.  That’s the plan and I’m sure people have already rushed to the comments to say good luck.

The problem is that I’m still getting life thrown at me.  I factored in my son’s Lego Robotics competition today.  I didn’t expect to be getting new air conditioners installed today, which means I can’t work on the book before I meet him for the competition.  This also meant that my room had to get rearranged to a point where the energy is so off that I’m simply uncomfortable.  So, I couldn’t start last night and will have to start tonight once I put everything back.  This means I’ll come one section short of finishing 3 of 19 chapters before things get busy again.  Hopefully, nothing else comes up and brings that number down.

Then again, I might be writing slow because I’m not feeling very confident.  It’s been so long and my stress is still high.  Feels like people throw things at me every time I try to get close to writing too.  Guilt trips for not doing other stuff even though I haven’t touched my books in 9 months.  So, I’m mentally battered.  It doesn’t look like that’s going to change any year soon either.  After all, I’ve been pushing the whole ‘I can write when the chaos is done’ timeline for months and it keeps getting longer.  With my son’s extracurricular events and the AP proctoring done, I shouldn’t be crashing before nighttime.  That’s a good step towards the physical thing, but the mental and emotional state are going to be the hurdles.  It’s far too easy to shove me into a melancholy and there are too many people in my life who see that as a hobby.

So . . . what happened this week?  It’s a smattering of stuff.  I finished all of the October posts. Work was busy since we were heading for a 3-day weekend.  For obvious reasons, there was some tension.  My son had his chorus concert on Tuesday and we celebrated with Friendly’s ice cream afterwards.  The usual schoolwork was going on too.  Last weekend had my niece joining us for Saturday and part of Sunday.  My son cooked my mom’s chili recipe for both dinner and a Home & Careers final project.  Worked out well and then . . . we found out the refrigerator had died.  Yeah, that threw a chaotic monkey wrench into the whole week until we got a new one.  At least I have space in this one and the ice maker works.

Only other big thing is that my son is back to drawing and is now attempting to do stuff by eye.  No more step-by-step videos.  He’s going to take a picture and try to draw it on his own.  Here’s his first attempt:

Princess Peach

He plans on drawing Princess Peach multiple times and with different dresses.  This is how he’s going to practice and he wants to cover all of her Super Smash costumes.  At least he’s back to this and not just playing video games.

Can’t think of much else to talk about here.  I’m not feeling entirely on the ball, which has me nervous about attempting to write tonight.  The idea of trying to get back into it and failing miserably keeps running through my mind because I don’t have it in me to handle that scenario.  Waited so long to try again and I’m doing it after taking such an emotional beating.  I’ll just be honest.  There is no real support system for me doing this any more and that hurts.  People see it as a useless hobby that I need to put away because I tried and failed already.  Nobody wants to hear about my ideas or give me real time and space to write unless they have no use for me.  So, for the first time in my life, I really do feel like I’m walking this path in total isolation from this side of the computer.  It’s not sitting well with me and makes accessing the Darwin Slepsnor part of my brain more difficult.  At least I won’t get to writing him until tomorrow after lunch.

So, goals of the week:

  1. Start writing Darwin & the Halfling Hunt.  Hoping to get 3 chapters done before next weekend.
  2. Work as usual.
  3. Parenting as usual.
  4. Continue biking 3-4 times a week.
  5. Hydrate because I need it.
  6. Put my room back together after the new AC installed.
  7. Work on ‘Lego Globe’ a bit.  Can’t now because the work desk is covered in stuff moved away from AC area.
  8. Finish watching ‘Outlaw Star’ and start watching ‘The Pentaverate’.
  9. Continue making list of healthier foods to start eating over the summer.
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Questions 3: The Power Up for You!

Posted on May 27, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Blue Shell from Mario Kart

This might be more difficult than I assume.  Being someone who has played video games since childhood, I’m used to temporary Power Ups.  Others might not be so quick to think up anything.  So, take your time if you want to answer.  After all this is all in good fun and maybe you’ll think about something you really need.  We could all use some kind of power ups in our lives from time to time.  (I’m pretty sure that’s a slogan for coffee.)

  1. What type of Power Up could you really use?
  2. How would you take it?
  3. Would there be any side-effects after it worked?

Mine answers:

  1. Mental clarity to help with focus and time management.
  2. It would be a potion because I hate pills.
  3. Side-effect would be that coming down would result in an hour of being entirely useless.
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Anthologies

Posted on May 27, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Hey, SE Readers. Joan with you today. In my last post, I talked about the advantages of writing short stories and how they could be stand-alone works…

Anthologies
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Poetry Day: Bad Weather Bastards

Posted on May 26, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Yahoo Image Search

(Seriously, why do so many people lose their minds when the weather turns?  It’s the opposite of what one should do on the road.)

As rain falls in powerful sheets.

All the idiots with cars enter the streets.

Acting like nothing can get in their way.

And they see this weather as their time to play.

*

Slow movers crawl from home and from work.

Stifling cars that move with quick jerks.

Stopping at every light that they find.

Spiraling you out of your frustrated mind.

*

Speeders are out and they pose a great threat.

Skidding out of the fog that makes the road wet.

Stop signs and lights are ignored as they roar.

Some come very close to hitting your door.

*

Heart attacks near when some change with no lights.

Hiding in gloom that turns days into nights.

How lucky are you to see one of them weaving.

Hope your wife is ready to be left grieving.

*

One truck is enough for you on this trip.

On wheels that launch water that cracks like a whip.

Once the tractor is swerving you are in a bad place.

Only choice you now have is to say final grace.

*

Last stretch of the road is appearing ahead.

Looks like the sky is turning blood red.

Little change in the cars that you find yourself near.

Lunkheads and psychos that you have reason to fear.

*

Every storm brings out the worst of the pack.

Enjoying the weather as if on a closed track.

Easing into your driveway with all your nerves bent.

Exit your car and ignore that new dent.

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7 Tips to Using Power Ups in Fiction

Posted on May 25, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Super Mario

We do tend to think more about video games than books when it comes to temporary Power Ups.  Yet, they are around with much less fanfare.  You don’t have to hit a block with your head to get them out.  Just need enough gold or loot the right body after a battle.  Either way, they kind of pop up and get used down the road.  So, what are some ways to give them a real impact?

  1. Establish that such things exist early on in the story.  Don’t drop a potion or scroll into the mix then act like it’s normal.  Not every magical world has these things.  This doesn’t even have to be complicated.  Mentioning them in passing establishes that they are around and gives their use meaning.  Otherwise, they can turn into a Deus Ex Machina and throw readers off.
  2. Even if you don’t mention it in the stories, have an idea about how long an effect will last.  These are supposed to be temporary boosts or solutions.  This depends on what they do as well.  A healing potion would be immediate and no longer be active once the damage is undone.  A strength salve could work until it is sweated off or the person takes a bath.  You can fiddle with the times if you don’t declare specifics, but you need them to stop at some point.
  3. You can only get away with a character having the right Power Up out of nowhere so many times.  If they have just been introduced or were shown to have gotten supplies then it can work without much questioning.  An adventure that has been going on for a long time and given them no time to restock makes this less believable.  I’m not saying you can’t do it, but try to give even the slightest explanation.  After all, modern audiences seem to enjoy tearing stories down for inconsistencies and plot holes.  It’s like a drinking game for some.
  4. These items need to be used in the spur of the moment, but also can’t be something in constant use or on hand.  Exceptions are jewelry and other gear that is worn, but those are the gray area of ‘limited charge’ items.  Potions, scrolls, salves, and other temporary Power Ups typically need to be pull out and used.  Otherwise, they could be triggered by accident like other magic items.  Last thing you want is a hero to have an expensive healing cookie and it appears in his mouth due to a paper cut.
  5. Consider that the stronger the boost, the less time it lasts and/or the harsher the side-effects.  Small things like minor healing or small increase in speed doesn’t have to come with a downside.  If your hero suddenly has the power to lift a mountain and they have the power for days then there should be a downside.  That’s a massive upgrade that changes the dynamic of the story and character.
  6. Be careful of story damaging Power Ups.  If a hero takes a Power Up that gives them an ability that solves every problem then readers will wonder two things.  First, why they didn’t wait until they were at the final challenge to use it and secure victory?  Second, why don’t they have a bunch of the Power Ups?  In other words, be careful with what these things can do.
  7. Power Ups can’t be made easily even if their effect is simple.  You’re still dealing with magic, so a person who hasn’t been trained shouldn’t be able to craft their own Power Ups with ease.  Ingredients and brewing techniques are needed for items you ingest or put on your skin.  One that you activate by reading needs special language or phrases, which wouldn’t be known by your average citizen.  Consider which type of people would know or bother how to make these items.  Showing specialty stores or making them designed exclusively by one order can help here.
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16 Reasons to read your work aloud

Posted on May 25, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Most writers have learned the importance of reading their words aloud. It’s advice I heeded early on and am happy to pass along. Writing works on …

16 Reasons to read your work aloud
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Happy National Brothers Day! (Send Him a Book about Barbarians and Magic!)

Posted on May 24, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Give a gift of action adventure with Legends of Windemere: Tribe of the Snow Tiger!  It has barbarians who are kind of like He-Man, which your brother may have played with if . . . I’m feeling old.

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

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The Fun of Temporary Magic Items

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Asterik

When it comes to fantasy, people think a lot about magical items.  Rings, armor, swords, and all of these enchanted objects come to mind.  I hear them get mentioned more often than another category: Temporary Magic Items.  I also like to call these Power Ups because people who play video games suddenly know what I’m talking about.  What am I talking about?

A Power Up in this context is a magical item that has a one time use.  Potions and scrolls are the most common in fantasy.  You also have wands and rings that contain a spell that can only be used once.  That’s kind of a middle ground since they can be recharged, but only if the world allows.  The point is that once you use this item, it’s gone.  Characters either have to get a new one or hope that they won’t need it again.  This is like the rule in video games where you should save your strongest, hardest to get items for the final battel when you know they won’t be needed any more.

The effects also tend to be temporary.  It’s for a momentary burst to get through a trying situation.  For example, a healing potion repairs damage, but it doesn’t grant permanent regeneration.  Even a potion that casts regeneration will run out.  The concept with these specifically is that they will be digested and be processed out of the system in a similar fashion to alcohol.  Same thing goes for scrolls that bestow special abilities after being used.  This is another reason why authors need to make characters careful about using such things.

If you’re wondering why the effects are temporary then imagine what it would be like if they weren’t.  Power Ups tend to be fairly common, which means making them permanent would wreck the balance of the world.  Everyone would be trying to get potions and scrolls to enhance themselves, which means everyone is superhuman.  You can counter this issue by making them rare, but you will still have a great desire by most people to get their hands on one.  It’s not like with a ring or sword, which can be stolen.  Whoever gets these things will use them and they get the power forever.  Yes, there are ways around it, but they depend on world-building.  We’re talking general here for now.

Rarity is another piece of the puzzle.  Do you want Power Ups to be plentiful or hard to come by?  I’ve seen fantasy worlds where potions are sold on every corner and others where only a handful existed in the first place.  The first scenario minimizes the important and impact of them, but allows for constant use.  Readers know they’re common, so a character having Power Ups isn’t immersion breaking.  The second scenario makes them very special and, at times, essential to the plot.  Power Ups here are cause for suspense and a change in the plot path since they might appear only once or twice.

Personally, I like Power Ups and keep meaning to use them more often.  Funny thing is that I keep forgetting.  So, they’re common in Windemere, but my heroes typically don’t bother with them due to party abilities.  That might make them more of a mundane, average person item.  Makes some sense for a high magic world since potions, scrolls, and other usables would be sold to those who have a definite use.  Kind of like medicine in our world.  Probably should think about this more.

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Bringing Authors and Readers Together #shepherdforauthors #readinglists @storyempire @maeclair @bwb

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Hi, SEers! Welcome to a Mae Day in May! Today, I’d like to share a resource I recently discovered that is beneficial for both authors and readers. I …

Bringing Authors and Readers Together #shepherdforauthors #readinglists @storyempire @maeclair @bwb
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A New Batch of Finished Puzzles!

Posted on May 22, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

So, I just finished a puzzle and realized I hadn’t posted about them in a while.  I have 9 that I completed since the last time.  Looks like the last time I posted about puzzles was back in August.  That means all of these are what I’ve worked on throughout this school year.  At least, I made progress on some hobby since writing wasn’t in the cards.  Now, let’s see what we have.  First one will probably get a reaction.

Boris Vallejo- Fearless Rider

Yes, it’s a woman in a bikini on a dragon.  This is a puzzle with art from Boris Vallejo who is a legend in fantasy/science fiction art.  He is known for having scantily clad, muscular figures alongside monsters.  He’s done pictures of Tarzan, Conan, and a variety of other characters.  Many associate ‘chicks in chainmail’ tropes with him, but he has men in barely there loin clothes too.  Used to have some collectible card sets with his stuff, so I really had to give this puzzle a try.

Day and Night Fantasy Puzzle

A random fantasy one that I found on Amazon.  This wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be thanks to the night/day theme.  It helped to go for the dragons and town first.  In the moment, this felt like a headache, but later puzzles made this a breeze.

Red Dragon Puzzle

The picture came out poor since I was in a rush to clear the table.  This puzzle was fun, but had a moment of difficulty  Many of the shadowy parts looked the same even if they were part of the dragon.  I got slowed down a lot with having to do trial and error.

Nintendo Game Puzzle

Not fantasy because it was an impulse buy.  I loved how there were obscure games on this puzzle.  For example, down and to the left of ‘Batman’ is a game called ‘Blaster Master’ that I used to play with a friend in high school.  They even had ‘Bucky O’Hare’ right below that one.  I did see at least one game that doesn’t exist, which is ‘Smash Brothers’ next to ‘Bad Dudes’ on the left.  The first of that series was one the N64.  One of the ‘TMNT’ games got put in there twice too.  Still, fun to do.

Lego Ice Cream Puzzle

Lego Ice Cream was another impulse buy when I had a gift card.  Needed a break from the darker-colored puzzles.  This one got tricky when I noticed how many of the colors looked exactly the same when they were in pieces.  I had to go color by color here, which meant repeatedly sifting through the box.

Fantasy Puzzle (Forgot puzzle name)

Another big fantasy one that wasn’t too bad.  The issue I had was that I would talk long breaks and keep trying to put the same pieces in.  I wasn’t very focused during this one, so I dragged my feet.

The Witcher 3 Map Puzzle

This one was a lot of fun and I had to keep changing my strategies.  Finding tiny identifiers on each piece was a headache, but made the land section easier.  The water part was a lot of blue and white combos, which looked the same.  Probably took me a month to do this one . . . and then came:

The Witcher: Ciri Puzzle

Why did I buy you?  SO MUCH BROWN!  I think I ended up watching 3 Seasons of Merlin, 7 anime, and the latest season of Cobra Kai in the amount of time it took me to finish this headache.  I walked away for my own sanity a few times because I had nights where I spent hours with no luck figuring things out.  Glad this one is glued and in the pile.

Lord of the Rings Puzzle

I’ve had this one waiting for me to make it since 2020.  Of course, it ended up being slightly bigger than the table.  So, edge pieces fell off at times.  I made good progress with this because I was determined to get it done before the end of May.  I slowed to a crawl when I had to figure out the tree and rock areas.  The pieces weren’t all the standard shapes too.  So, I couldn’t always tell if it was a normal piece or one of the strange ones that went in a spot.  Several times I needed two small pieces in a place where I thought it was a single big one.

Well, these are all done and now I’ll move on to one of the big Lego sets I’ve had waiting in the corner.  Shouldn’t take me as long as the puzzles, but they should be fun.  No idea where I’m going to put them when done though.

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