Literary Line Up

Superman, Hulk, Spiderman, Wonder woman, Captain America, Wolverine, Batman... The list goes on and on. The list of unique characters that dominate the comic book scene. Some are good, some are evil, but all of them are unique and impressive in some way or another. The above picture is a climactic point of interest for pretty much all comic junkies, because it draws on speculative fiction and fan fiction and slams them into a series of action packed throw downs that every comic fan wanted to see.


As literary junkies, I wonder what kind of epic tale would YOU weave, if you were to take some of the most amazing or unique literary MC's and pool them together with a bit of plot. What mix of MC's would you like to see breaking their way through one grand novel of an adventure/story?


I.E. Huck Finn and Bilbo Baggins go on a journey which brings them to meet Bella & Edward. I'm not saying Bella or Edward are amazing MC's, nor am I saying they aren't.... Remember everyone has their own opinion. The point it, if you want to bring a cast of various literary MC's together, who would you want in your story?

Order of Events

So, you are driving along and suddenly you spot a dead penguin on the side of the road and it hits you

SHABAM!



The idea for an amazing novel comes bubbling into your brain like a cheap champagne. It seems like the strangest or smallest things excite ideas, to us literary folk, that get our creative juices churning. I'm curious though, when something strikes you as a good idea for a novel, what order of events do you begin playing out in your mind. Do you take the idea and try to form a solid opening with it, or do you jump right to how it should end? Maybe you're a plot, middle of the road, planner? So, tell me, what's the order of events for you when it comes time to plan a brand new story out?

Former Novel

Here's a snippet from a former novel I was working on about 6 years ago or so. Forgive the grammar please, it's my arch enemy, right next to spelling.



“I’m sorry ma’am; you just can’t get in alone. Couples only! Not only that, but you don’t exactly look like your at the right place honey…” The doorman exclaimed in a tone of annoyance. He motioned to the next couple in line to come forward and asked for their ID’s. Normally, Kristen wouldn’t even think about going into such a sleazy club, but somehow her search had led her here. She needed to get in, was desperate to do so and willing to do anything.

“I’ll help you,” spoke the feminine voice from behind her left side.

Kristen turned in question to see who was offering and noticed a beautiful black haired woman dressed in a manner the pope himself couldn’t look away from. Her slender figure filled out the skin tight dress. The dress itself was jet black, matching her hair and pierced with holes up and down the side revealing just enough skin to drive any straight man insane. Her dark colored lips revealed that this woman had more of a exotic persona than could be ignored.

“Excuse me,” spoke Kristen in a confused tone. “Do I know you?”

“You don’t have to, but if you want any chance at getting in this club, you are going to need my help. It just so happens to be your lucky night, because my date turned out to be all talk in the end and so here I am…” The dark haired woman spoke in a slightly seductive tone and at several points in the conversation looked Kristen up and down as if sizing her up for something.

Kristen thought on it for a second before quipping “…and your name is?”

“Falicia,” spoke the woman as she extended her hand in a gesture of good greeting. Kristen didn’t feel right about something, but dismissed her concerns as she considered her other options. She returned the greeting and they shook.

“I’m Kristen.” Their eyes locked in a mutual embrace as they exchanged pleasantries. “I’m kinda new to the scene, so I hope you can forgive my attire,” said Kristen as she displayed her less-than-formal wear.

“Not at all, Kristen. In fact, most of the people here are more concerned with being comfortable, not that you don’t look ravishingly beautiful in your t-shirt and jeans.” As she spoke with a hint of sarcasm a very strong woman walked past them towards the entrance. She donned a black leather outfit worthy of Halloween and carried a leash in her hand that led to a young man. The man wore a matching black leather outfit and had a collar on his neck. She walked him in past the bouncer and doorman.

Kristen blushed enough to cause her to look away. She was somewhat flattered and yet somewhat embarrassed at the truth of the statement, noticing everyone else around her. She was entirely underdressed for any club, even the kind without dress codes. She had heard rumors of what went on in this place, but couldn’t pretend to be something she was not, so she opted to avoid the gothic gear and instead went for just being clothed.

“Let’s not concern ourselves with all of that now though. Come with me.” Falicia held onto Kristen’s hand and led her to the front door. She looked at the doorman and as they exchanged glances, he didn’t ask any questions, but instead stepped aside letting both girls in.

Upon entering the club Kristen had to let her eyes adjust between the darkness and flashing lights. The light show was mid-session and it played tricks on her mind as she saw people around her move as if they were in slow motion. The glimpses she caught of everyone around her revealed more leather clad couples, some of which were taking part in acts she couldn’t quite bare to watch. She had heard of blood raves as a teenager and even considered going with her “bad boy” boyfriend in college, but Kristen was just too… well, Kristen.

Falicia continued to lead her by the hand past the dirty tables, blood stained cups and dark paraphernalia. Kristen held her fear and concern at bay and tried to stay strong for her sister, after all if a place like this couldn’t shed some light on how to track down a twisted kill with blood fetishes, no place would.

As they approached a darker corner somewhat hidden from the barrage of lights and music, the two eventually took their seats. Falicia offered her a drink, not caring what Kristen would prefer. In fact, the drink was someone else’s, gained from a former patron at a nearby table. Kristen tried not to show her dissatisfaction with being given someone’s drink, not knowing what foul substance could be in it. She took it with a look of gratitude and set it on the table in front of her.

“So what brings you to the underbelly of social normalcy?” Falicia looked at her with hidden emotion as if bluffing a foul hand at a poker match. “Usually when people want to ‘try new things’ they tend to carry themselves a little differently than you are right now. Somehow I think you’ve wandered off the beaten path for more than just a good time…”

The corner of Kristen’s lips curved up revealing a slightly embarrassed yet obvious facial expression that screamed ‘you’re right.’ “It’s true, I haven’t been anywhere like this before, but I’m not here for me. I’m here to find a friend of a friend.”

“And does this person know you are looking for them, or are you simply a stalker with an open book policy?” Falicia played with the black pearls that hung gently off her neck just above her breasts. She never took her eyes of Kristen, peering at her with intent.

“Truth be told, I have a message to give this woman, but I’m having a hard time tracking her down. She doesn’t know me, nor does she know I’m looking for her, but I have nothing to hide. Well, except for a little embarrassment given my current circumstances.” Kristen lifted her eyes up and around surveying the room she sat in.

“An attractive innocent woman with a mystery message… I can’t say I’m not intrigued, but you are a terrible liar. I can see you have something to hide and it’s your prerogative either way, so I won’t pry.” The women’s eyes locked in a battle of wits as Falicia tried to draw out some form of emotion from Kristen. “I’ll tell you what, there’s a phrase that has withstood the test of time and its more than suitable for this very occasion.”

“What phrase is that?” asked Kristen. Her brows rose up in curiosity,

“You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. It just so happens I know where to find the person you are looking for.”

Kristen shot forward out of her chair, but soon realized how quickly she was reacting. She caught control of herself and asked, “How can you know where to find her, you don’t even know who I’m looking for?”

“You obviously don’t have any clue who you are sitting with here. You need only know that a girl has her wiles and in the end if I want to help you, you’ll get what you are looking for. So, make me want to help you.”

Kristen returned Falicia’s gaze and began to contemplate her options. She knew she had no reason to trust this woman, but also knew she had no other leads and felt shy on ally’s these days. “What did you have in mind?” Kristen regretted the words, even as she spoke them.

Are You Up For the Challenge?

I'd like to propose a challenge to my fellow writers. We all have words that we've come across which roll off the tongue about as well as a mudslide rolls off a mountain. Ugly words. Words which, if it were up to us would be removed from the language.

So, here's the challenge. Peruse your dictionary, find such a word and see if you can work it into your novel or work in progress'. The challenge though is not to just use the word, but to use it in such a way as to make it sound so good that the reader would desire to use that word in their own writing (if they write).

I'm interested to know what words you all would like to try to use and maybe if you work it in, you'd be willing to share how it was woven into your masterpieces! :)

Happy Writing.

P.S. Thanks everyone for the warm wishes on getting better. I'm still a little under the weather, but I see little rays of light in the near future.

Where Do You Draw the Line?

As I consider the requirements of writing a believable novel, I find the best descriptions come from those, not of the imagination, but of the experienced. Afterall, the word author does have its roots in the word authority. So, how can one write about something with which one has no knowledge?

If you ask me, this presents a problem. Does every thing that can be written need to be experienced by an author before it can be written about? No. Of course not. That would be absurd, however I believe there are some things which need to be experienced to write effectively or authoritatively about. So, where do you draw the line? I have a novel that I'm soon to pickup writing again called "In Eyes of Jade." The characters in this novel spend the majority of their time within the halls of a mental institute.

There's the problem.

Despite what some people may say, I'm not crazy and have no experience within such a place. I'd love to really deliver an honest, blunt, realistic and authoritative description of this institute, which demands that I spend some time within one (If I want to get the full effect) I am not suggesting that I hop in the padded cell, slip on the straight jacket and just see how it goes, but rather set up an interview or two with institute workers and or a tour.

Did any of you writers have to go through a dangerous or unique situation to acquire the research for your material? Where do you draw the line?

Any thoughts?