ARTFUL THURSDAY: Graceful But Deadly- Centaurs

Since I have been deep into writing a series of scenes in my WIP "Caenus" involving a centaur, Kheiron (Chiron), to be exact... I figured this week's Artful Thursday should be devoted to the centaur (from Ancient Greek: Κένταυροι – Kéntauroi). These images range from the historical to the fantastical. Enjoy.

TUESDAY TIDBITS: How To Keep Pace In Nano Wrimo

Hey all you Nano Wrimoers out there, I'm with you in spirit this year. And in said capacity, I'd like to offer some tasty tidbits or advice that I found. When you're stuck or need inspiration or need to figure out how you will reach your daily goals, come back and look at this often. You'll glean more each time you view them.

I know! I know! You're saying... "But, if I look at your tips, then I'm not writing. And if I'm not writing, I can't make my 1,667 per day goal." And a daunting goal it is. I didn't think so at first when I began on the path last November. But, good googley-moogley, once you get inside the Nano Wrimo tunnel with a commitment to finish on time, the entire world will conspire against you. I promise.

Anyhoo, when you get a break or you hit writer's block or after you've hit your daily goal, come back and take a look. Enjoy.

Shout Out To All My Nano Wrimoers!!

As an author and a former Nano Wrimo Winner (50,026 words- 11/09) I'm sending out best wishes, strength, and perseverance to everyone who is participating this year. I'm not participating this year because I'm knee deep in revisions. But know this... my soul and spirit are with you Nano Wrimoers!!

Here's a little inspirational video for you:



Keep your nose to the grindstone and your foot on the pedal!! Good Luck!

Stay tuned for Tuesday's Tidbits post on 09/11/10 about "Nano Wrimo Tips and Strategies"

ARTFUL THURSDAYS: The Art of War

TheTHURSDAY AESTHETICS is officially being changed to ARTFUL THURSDAYS! *mark your calendars now* tee-hee

SO I've been doing heavy research into sword fighting for "Caenus," my current manuscript. There are several fights in his story and they increase in intensity and complexity. So I wanted to share The Art of War, beginning with representative artwork and ending with popular culture references. Enjoy.

 

And here is an example of art-imitating-art-imitating-life... presenting the hottest toy on everyone's Christmas list this year: The King Leonidas Action Figure

TUESDAY TIDBITS: Writing The Blockbuster Novel

I ran across these videos of Robin Rice talking about How To Write a Blockbuster Novel. And in this series of videos, she quotes from Al Zuckerman. Al Zuckerman's book is called Writing The Blockbuster Novel. The points made are pretty powerful.

The following videos emphasize 2-5. Here are the steps in their entirety.
1) Story must have High Stakes... for person, city, country, world
2) Characters must be larger than life... doing something extraordinary
3) There must be a dramatic question... an overreaching question that affects the entire world the characters inhabit
4) Must be high concept... characters do some really out of the ordinary things
5) Multiple points of view... must be able to experience the dilemma on multiple levels








So what do you think? What makes a blockbuster novel? Do you agree with the points above? Do you have anything to add?