Aaron Polson's Blog, page 71
September 3, 2009
In Which I Share the Writer Love
Thanks Cate and BT for tipping me off to the post over at Nathan Bransford's blog about Writer Appreciation Week.
Man, where to start?
Okay, I wouldn't still be doing this writer thing if it wasn't for a number of talented, honest, and scrappy people. The blogosphere has gifted me with a new brand of internet-ready friendships that offer both encouragement and a kick in the seat of the pants when either is needed.
There's the aforementioned Cate Gardner with her ability to spin a surreal tale and a
Man, where to start?
Okay, I wouldn't still be doing this writer thing if it wasn't for a number of talented, honest, and scrappy people. The blogosphere has gifted me with a new brand of internet-ready friendships that offer both encouragement and a kick in the seat of the pants when either is needed.
There's the aforementioned Cate Gardner with her ability to spin a surreal tale and a
September 2, 2009
WIP Wednesday: Cold, Wet, Tired
My MC, that is. I'm about a week out from the end of the first draft of Loathsome at my current writing rate. At 56K, I've been able to ad 8K words in the last week. Huzzah! I'd love to knock this baby out, let it sit for the rest of September, and beef it up during October. October is a good month for adding a few thousand words to a horror project, right?
A tense minute passed. The woods filled with dark forms. I pressed against the tree as if I could become one with the bark, melt, and d
A tense minute passed. The woods filled with dark forms. I pressed against the tree as if I could become one with the bark, melt, and d
September 1, 2009
How Many 'O's in My Last Name?
Yeah, I like this meme. I enjoy looking at me books. Thanks, Cate.
The rules...
From the biggest bookcase you have, pick out one book whose author's last name starts with each letter of your last name. If you have no books by an author whose last name starts with a particular letter, go to the next letter. If you have two of the same letter in your last name, get two separate authors, not two books by the same author. Bonus: If you can, pick the first book you haven't read off your shelf, unles
The rules...
From the biggest bookcase you have, pick out one book whose author's last name starts with each letter of your last name. If you have no books by an author whose last name starts with a particular letter, go to the next letter. If you have two of the same letter in your last name, get two separate authors, not two books by the same author. Bonus: If you can, pick the first book you haven't read off your shelf, unles
August 31, 2009
When Bad Guys Win
My wife plays kickball on a highly-competitive summer league here in Lawrence. You read that right: kickball.
Her team made it to the final four this year (out of like 30 teams). They lost last night to the eventual champions. I'm okay with losing. Losing is part of life. So is winning, sometimes. On rare occasions, you even tie.
I'm not okay with #4. #4, a player for the winning squad, is an ass. Aimee's team, The Eastsiders (don't ask...we live on the west side of town), played the champ
Her team made it to the final four this year (out of like 30 teams). They lost last night to the eventual champions. I'm okay with losing. Losing is part of life. So is winning, sometimes. On rare occasions, you even tie.
I'm not okay with #4. #4, a player for the winning squad, is an ass. Aimee's team, The Eastsiders (don't ask...we live on the west side of town), played the champ
August 28, 2009
Painkillers
Billy looked up, blood leaking from the cut at the corner of his mouth, and smiled at the big man.
"What'er you smiling at now, ya freak?"
Chants of "Get 'em Tony" and "Kick his ass" and "Kill 'em" rose from the grim-faced chorus.
A steel-toed riding boot caught Billy's chin and rattled his molars together. His hands slipped on sweat and blood and urine, and his bare chest collided with the roadhouse floor. It was more pain that he imagined, really, even after the bottle of Vicodin he swallowed fif
"What'er you smiling at now, ya freak?"
Chants of "Get 'em Tony" and "Kick his ass" and "Kill 'em" rose from the grim-faced chorus.
A steel-toed riding boot caught Billy's chin and rattled his molars together. His hands slipped on sweat and blood and urine, and his bare chest collided with the roadhouse floor. It was more pain that he imagined, really, even after the bottle of Vicodin he swallowed fif
August 26, 2009
WIP Wednesday: District 9 was Awesome Edition
District 9
. Amazing. That's about as much as I can say without spoilers. I've waited for a movie like this for a long time. Smart, action-packed, equal parts empathy and revulsion for the main character...a film that doesn't talk down to the audience or assume I'm a simpering, popcorn-brained adolescent.
Amazing.
Anyway, back to my mediocre WIP. Le Sigh.
What happens when you are 48K into a book and think you need to change the POV? Do I continue with the new POV (3rd person limited) or finish in t
Amazing.
Anyway, back to my mediocre WIP. Le Sigh.
What happens when you are 48K into a book and think you need to change the POV? Do I continue with the new POV (3rd person limited) or finish in t
August 25, 2009
Sometimes, the Words Come Out Wrong
A student made a rather humorous mistake on a persuasive project today. His assignment was to convince people to move to his hometown (boost the tax base and all that). One line from his pamphlet:
"We open you with welcome arms!"
Where did my mind go...well, let's just say one of these was involved:
"We open you with welcome arms!"
Where did my mind go...well, let's just say one of these was involved:
August 24, 2009
100 (Big) Words
If anyone at school ever asks me what "Duotrope's Digest" is, I'm simply going to say a research tool. Not that I spend too much of my plan time or lunch surfing the web, but it's been known to happen.
Sometimes, the writing world collides favorably with what I am paid to do (at least more than writing).
See, my students are lazy about revision and rewriting. I even had one student tell me, rather matter-of-factly, that professional writers don't revise. So, after I'd replaced my dangling jaw
Sometimes, the writing world collides favorably with what I am paid to do (at least more than writing).
See, my students are lazy about revision and rewriting. I even had one student tell me, rather matter-of-factly, that professional writers don't revise. So, after I'd replaced my dangling jaw
August 23, 2009
Smiling? Who, Me?
Cate Gardner's wonderful school election story, "Nobody Smiling", is up at Fifty-Two Stitches today.
I saved this one for the start of school. Wear your gloves and aprons when you read, please.
August 21, 2009
The Date & One Lovely Blog Award
Anne turned to Ryan and studied his face in the grim light from the car's dash.
"In the glovebox?"
He nodded. "Yeah...do you mind?"
Anne pressed her thumb against the catch, and the glovebox door fell open with a click. She expected clutter, the usually fare: owner's manual, maybe some gum, old ketchup packets, napkins, even a condom. What she really expected was the condom.
"Latex gloves?" she asked as she handed them across the console.
Ryan smiled and pulled on the gloves. "I don't leave fingerpri
"In the glovebox?"
He nodded. "Yeah...do you mind?"
Anne pressed her thumb against the catch, and the glovebox door fell open with a click. She expected clutter, the usually fare: owner's manual, maybe some gum, old ketchup packets, napkins, even a condom. What she really expected was the condom.
"Latex gloves?" she asked as she handed them across the console.
Ryan smiled and pulled on the gloves. "I don't leave fingerpri
