Running Horses

Running Horses

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Conspiracy Theories, Petitions and a Bit of Justice

I found out today what a liar Amazon is.
I got an email, after an investigation I requested of a fake 1-star review, that said both the 1-star reviews would be removed in 3-5 days.  On the 5th day I replied through that email asking why they hadn’t yet been removed.  I not only got a response that said they wouldn’t be removed, but the email saying they would be disappeared from my email cache.
It’s not in Sent, or Trash and the one I kept in the In box is also missing.  Amazon actually deleted my email from them that they didn’t want seen.  Who would have thought they would do that?
To read the entire posting, go here.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

What Type of Writer are You?

 I first read this definition of writer types on Megan Cashman's reblog of Alexei Russell's posting.  After reading it I thought it was time to make it public about the type of writer I am…at least by Alexei's definition.

I have been saying, to family mostly, that I know I will never be recognized as an accomplished author until after I'm dead.  That may not be too many years away at my age, or I could feeble on for another decade or two.  I fear having everything about what I've written and/or is unfinished tossed in the trash as happened with Margaret Mitchell.  A Pulitzer didn't even endear her works to her family or estate managers, thus the one book - Gone with the Wind.  At any rate I've made it known that my granddaughter should inherit everything about my writings.  That makes sense since few in my family have taken the time to read any of my books, or finish them, if started.  But I think my granddaughter will be fascinated by who her Grammie really was.  You see, I hardly get to see her.

There's no excuse for it.  We both have FaceTime (like Skype), but I don't have long distance capability.  I have to wait for their initiative.  When it has happened it's been on a hand-held device that suggests (to  me) that real communication with me isn't important.  I've never had a visit, in the five years since she's been for, and only a few short, day visits in the thirteen years I've been here - none since they moved to Austin.  Well, once, when I fell and broke my ankle and it needed emergency surgery.  My daughter happened to be in Dallas on business and it was somewhat convenient.  The last time I was able to make a trip was just before my granddaughter turned two and many others gathered for that Thanksgiving, who saw her often, monopolized her time.  I think I got ten minutes in three days.  It broke my heart because I knew my situation could make it impossible for me to make another trip…ever.

Another issue is based on some of the reviews I've gotten.  I can tell some of my stories are too deep, or difficult for most to complete.  Yes, there are a few four and five star reviews on some of my books where I feel there was no real reading.  In a way, that's a book bashing in a different sense than those troll attacks where there is only 1-star and comments meant to demean the book and the author.

Of course, not all 1-star reviews are to be assumed to be by trolls, but most who can't finish a book probably won't take the trouble to put in a one-star review or make comments.  In fact, I recently asked an acquaintance who won a copy of one of my books, but couldn't finish it for personal reasons, to go ahead and add a 1-star with the same comments she told me.  It would be a constructive review for perspective readers, as even a 1-star should be.

I spend my days at the computer.  I am exhausted by social media connections to keep up with.  I'm an introvert (backed my all the psychological testing through my education) and I prefer interactions on a small scale, not large gatherings.  I've learned to deal with a lot going on around me, but it's exhausting.  I have the ability to sense each person and pick up their feelings and inclinations from the smallest gesture or expression.  Keeping up with a large building of co-workers could have driven me mad if I hadn't learned to close out those not in close approximation.

When at the computer I am housed in a loathsome and decrypted home with a low ceiling, and with several of the few windows stuffed with AC units.  I work with few lights, to save on costs.  I am basically in an above ground basement.  The only time I go outdoors is to walk the dog three - five times a day, attend an appointment or obtain what we both need to get by on…about two or three times a month.  Seldom is it more.  I think some of my old co-workers think I moved away.  Nobody calls, except one brother, once a week, but he has tired of having conversations.

All of this will give you conformation of my writer type.  It's all too clear to me.  For a more in-depth description of the types you should read Alexei Maxim Russell's blog on each. But here is a quick look.



If you knew me, even by what I've written above, you'd find me here right away.  I'm the Weird Recluse, trying not to become a bitter failure, practicing my ray of sunshine and greasy palm skills occasionally.

Enjoy finding yourself.  And look me up and my books after you read my obituary.  That will change everything about how popular we are.  Or, you could look them up now, read one, write a review, and contact me.  I'd love to hear from anyone who truly took the time to complete one of my novels, understood it and found it classic.  Thank you for your time.


Thursday, February 20, 2014

Color Your Fictional World

I read this months ago with the intention of sharing it.  I really liked this concept.  I hope you enjoy it as well.



Which element dominates the stories you write and read?
The Four Elements
Air (Mystery)
Earth (Setting)
Water (Character)
Fire (Happenings)
Your choice reflects your passion. Whichever element is strongest in your story is the one you should concentrate on writing. This does not mean you exclude the others. It simply helps you find your ‘voice’ and write to your strengths. All stories require a good plot. Identifying the type of story you like to write about is not the same as plotting. However, it will give you guidelines for choosing plots that suit your writing style.
 ~~~
Air - Mystery 
Air asks
If you plot a story around a question – uncovering information, looking for someone and searching for clues – mystery is the most important element. Your story begins with a question and ends with an answer. All mysteries follow the format of the chase, as do most adventure stories.
Examples: The Firm, The Da Vinci Code, Black & Blue, The Poet, The Star, Sherlock Holmes, The Hunt for Red October, The Colour of Magic, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Animal Farm, The Fugitive
The best way to tell this story? You want a character to find out who did it, how they did it and why they did it. Tell the story from the viewpoint of both the protagonist and the antagonist.
 ~~~  
Earth - Setting
Earth experiences
If you plot a story around the world you create, the setting is your most important element. Your character travels to a new ‘world’, changes and chooses to either stay in that world or come home. Your story begins when the character arrives in this setting and ends when he leaves. Some Science Fiction and Fantasy novels fit into this category. Historical, and pioneering, journeys also qualify for this story type.
Examples: Robinson Crusoe, Gulliver’s Travels, Shogun, The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, The Fountainhead, Treasure Island, Mort, The Magic Faraway Tree, On the Road, The Heart of Darkness, Spud
The best way to tell this story? You want a character to explore or discover your creation. Tell the story from that character’s viewpoint.
 ~~~
Water - Character
Water feels
If you plot a story around a character whose ‘character’ changes then this is your element. The protagonist’s role in society changes. Your book begins when the character is so unhappy that he begins to change. It ends when the character either accepts a new role or remains in the old role. The character could end up being happy or unhappy whichever way the story ends.
Examples: Room, To Kill A Mockingbird, Pride & Prejudice, The Prince of Tides, A Man in Full, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, White Oleander, The Pilot’s Wife, I Know This Much is True, Gone with the Wind, Emma, The Great Gatsby, The Old Man & The Sea
The best way to tell this story? You want to watch the character change. Tell the story mainly from that character’s viewpoint, using first or third person. Using other characters as viewpoint characters adds mystery, texture and perspective.
 ~~~
Fire - Happening
Fire acts
If you plot a story around ‘something’ that happens that makes the world a dangerous place, this is your element. Your book begins when a threat is perceived; it moves into a journey and builds up to a battle. The story ends when a new order takes over, an old order is restored or when anarchy descends. The plot here is the quest. All fantasy and science fiction uses this ‘happening’ for a story premise. The hero here has to find something or someone who can save the world. Sometimes, the hero is the saviour.
Examples: The Hunger Games, Star Wars, Dune, Macbeth, Lord of the Rings, Mad Max, Harry Potter, Twilight, The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, The Count of Monte Christo, The Stand, Artemis Fowl, The Godfather
The best way to tell this story? Do not make the mistake of using a narrator. The viewpoint character experiences the story. He guides us with what he knows and understands. We only care about this type of story when we care about him.
 ~~~
The Fifth Element? The Abyss – aka Reader’s Hell
This is for all of those books you should think of as worthy, but secretly you know they’re not. You just don’t know how to describe them.
Examples: The Lord of the Flies, Catcher in the Rye, July’s People, The God of Small Things, The Reader (Feel free to add your own to this list.)