PenTwist

Pictured below is an actual hand-carved effigy used in
Voodoo practice. Effigies are commonplace in various
forms of religion, however some are used as a means of
connecting to a soul for the sole purpose of revenge
and torture on an enemy.

In the series, “Between Life and Death” the Ames Family
are the unwitting recipients of such a curse wielded by an
evil Bokor, hell-bent on their destruction.

…..

October Poems are Coming.

Save the date: October 7 is #NationalDarkPoetryDay!
(also the day Edgar Allan Poe died)
HWA poets will be tweeting & sharing all kinds of info to make our dark, little hearts sing.

There's also a t-shirt! Logo designed by @CatMScully.
Available here: https://t.co/fIJ5dIUNNk pic.twitter.com/mrIdmY0DYv

— Horror Writers Assoc (@HorrorWriters) October 1, 2019

Your Readers don’t care how long it took you to write it!
They don’t even care about the hours it took to correct your errors.

Readers want to enjoy the story!

“Easy reading is damn hard #writing.”
—Maya #Angelou#Art Jim Kazanjian

— Novelicious (@noveliciouss) August 4, 2019

Black dog up and sniffed his plate a-steamin’ on the stove
Kids ain’t seen you home all day, you’re a gentleman born to roam
Black dog don’t believe in sin
Think of where the black dog’s been
Think of where he’s been today

Have you seen the black dog’s teeth, sharp like a knife?
Have you seen him tear apart a throat, to take a life?
Black dog don’t believe in sin
Think of where the black dog’s been
Think of where he’s been today

Have you seen the black dog’s eyes starin’ in the fire?
It would not occur to him to question your desire
Black dog don’t believe in sin
Think of where the black dog’s been
Think of where he’s been today

I’ve always had a fear of creatures cryin’ in the dark
And every form of evil seems to bear an evil mark
Black dog don’t believe in sin
Think of where the black dog’s been

Think of where he’s been today

My man lay beside me and my black dog’s at my feet
He keeps me from my wanderin’ life and he robs me of my sleep
Black dog don’t believe in sin
Think of where the black dog’s been
Think of where he’s been today

Now I don’t know the black dog’s name but when I call him he will come
How’d I ever get that black dog? Lord, he’s shown me what he wants
Black dog don’t believe in sin
Think of where the black dog’s been
Think of where he’s been today

Black dog don’t believe in sin
Think of where the black dog’s been
Think of where he’s been

Black dog don’t believe in sin
Think of where the black dog’s been
Think of where he’s been

—-Author Unknown

Mutating your characters personalities and “characteristics” during your story-line is one of the most rewarding aspects of the writing experience. A character that always stays “in character” actually defines their contribution to the story. After they are ingrained and embedded in their role, your reader will come to expect a certain consistent reaction from them when facing certain circumstances or confrontations. Stable characters are staple-food and demand a certain uniqueness as the story unfolds.

Then there are the mutating characters. These minions are the ones under the duress of the author’s heavy pen. After gleaning new information, their reactions may well change depending upon the volatility of the situation.
This is nothing new to seasoned writers.

Another concept, not so common is what I consider “gaslighting”. Characters, especially the rock-solid protagonist, is expected to remain in character, wearing their super-human cape and contributing super-human consistency.
But, what if?

What if your character is thrust into such dire circumstances by a manipulating force so subtle that they begin to doubt themselves and their moral judgments? What if as the Author, you crush their ideals, using the techniques of a skilled grifter.

Then you have graduated to beginning Gaslighting 101.

Please see the main page for examples in this writing technique.

Symptoms of Gaslighting

Please note: If you have experienced some of these symptoms from actual people embedded into your day to day existence, please seek help.

….

You’ve been working on that scene for two days.  The build-up, filling in every blank has been tedious.  Your characters are so vivid that even you are fooled into believing they live down the street.  The setting is as clear as a photograph.  Whether it’s a lovers nest, a chase scene, unexpected loss, even death, this segment is pivotal and sells the remainder of your script or novel.
After taking a short break to review, reread, check for missed clues, you’re ready to commit.
The final product is in sight and wham!  It’s finished.

Or is it?

Yes, this is a written composition, but it is also ART.
In creating a symphony, the conductor replays the performance in his mind a thousand times.  Conducting your manuscript is no less important in your pivotal scenes. In an orchestral/choral concert, there must be a perfect stream of communication between conductor and musicians through bodily actions.  Yours is no less important.
Does it make you dance?  Does it make you laugh like a child?  Do you shed real tears?

Never neglect the emotional value of your scene.
It will be fuel or failure.

…..

Attention Fellow Enthusiasts!

If you intend to pursue any level of a writing career and cannot afford, or do not intend to pursue any type of formal education, please consider reading/studying:

Solutions for Writers by Sol Stein

Over the course of the last year, I’ve read over fifty novels of various genres by new authors.  The one thing they had in common was confusing the writing styles of fiction and non-fiction novels.  If you fall into the starving artist category, which many of us do, this primer will spare you many rejections and harsh reviews.

David