I.E. Castellano's Blog, page 14
June 7, 2012
A June Honeymoon
June has been hiding.
I remember the beginning of June as a child. The bright blue sky and the summer-like breezes taunted us as we spent the last days of the school year stuck behind a desk. How we yearned to run barefoot through the grass. Or longed to play under the watchful gaze of the sun. Nighttime brought lightning bugs to the backyard. Short and t-shirts became our uniform.
This first week of June brought weather forgotten in months that have already passed. Cold rains, dreary dark days, and nights that need an extra blanket. In spite of the lack of warmth, lush green carpets all the eye can see. The middle of the night smells of summer. All that is left is for the sun to command the sky to stay blue so I can find my shorts for a journey through the grass.
I remember the beginning of June as a child. The bright blue sky and the summer-like breezes taunted us as we spent the last days of the school year stuck behind a desk. How we yearned to run barefoot through the grass. Or longed to play under the watchful gaze of the sun. Nighttime brought lightning bugs to the backyard. Short and t-shirts became our uniform.
This first week of June brought weather forgotten in months that have already passed. Cold rains, dreary dark days, and nights that need an extra blanket. In spite of the lack of warmth, lush green carpets all the eye can see. The middle of the night smells of summer. All that is left is for the sun to command the sky to stay blue so I can find my shorts for a journey through the grass.
May 29, 2012
Poetry Wednesday 30 May 12
After A Long Sleepless Night
After a long sleepless night...
I watch the sunrise through the trees,
The music of the early morning pounds in my head,
Windows illuminate like spotlights on stage.
The clock ticks away yet another minute...
I throb from head to toe and back again,
Knowing the drudge that lies ahead,
And that damn bug that buzzes in my ear.
Orange to yellow to white to blue...
Hunger growls inside me,
Searching the house for satisfaction,
Flashing of what was done before.
Sunrays peek around to spy...
Silent emptiness of this place,
Somewhere off in the distance a motor runs,
I wander aimlessly from my bed.
--IEC
After a long sleepless night...
I watch the sunrise through the trees,
The music of the early morning pounds in my head,
Windows illuminate like spotlights on stage.
The clock ticks away yet another minute...
I throb from head to toe and back again,
Knowing the drudge that lies ahead,
And that damn bug that buzzes in my ear.
Orange to yellow to white to blue...
Hunger growls inside me,
Searching the house for satisfaction,
Flashing of what was done before.
Sunrays peek around to spy...
Silent emptiness of this place,
Somewhere off in the distance a motor runs,
I wander aimlessly from my bed.
--IEC
May 22, 2012
Poetry Wednesday 23 May 12
New World Order
Walking along walking alone i roam
this world full of...
lonely hearts wandering spirits i join
The NEW WORLD ORDER
No one understands
The NEW WORLD ORDER
Takes us by the hand
Depressed comics violent pacifists they roam
my dreams at night...
When will it all be all right? they join
The NEW WORLD ORDER
No one understands
The NEW WORLD ORDER
Takes me by the hand
I wanna know...how i got here?
I wanna know...what now is fear?
I wanna know...can you show me?
I wanna know...why can't i see?
In this NEW WORLD ORDER
Where no one understands
This NEW WORLD ORDER
Takes the mighty man
-IEC
Walking along walking alone i roam
this world full of...
lonely hearts wandering spirits i join
The NEW WORLD ORDER
No one understands
The NEW WORLD ORDER
Takes us by the hand
Depressed comics violent pacifists they roam
my dreams at night...
When will it all be all right? they join
The NEW WORLD ORDER
No one understands
The NEW WORLD ORDER
Takes me by the hand
I wanna know...how i got here?
I wanna know...what now is fear?
I wanna know...can you show me?
I wanna know...why can't i see?
In this NEW WORLD ORDER
Where no one understands
This NEW WORLD ORDER
Takes the mighty man
-IEC
May 21, 2012
Writing Workshop – Finished Yet?
So, you’ve just written the last word of the last line of your newest novel. Now what? Do you send it out to agents and publishers? Do you go the indie route?
Neither. Writing the novel is only part of the work. Now, it is editing time. Sure, you can send your work to have it edited professionally. But, you should never send your novel anywhere until you have had the first edit.
Editing goes deeper than just reading for typos. Sure, cleaning up those typos is important. But just as important, if not more so, is checking your sentence structure, reading for flow, and making sure that you have been consistent from beginning to end.
Sentence structure sets the tone of your novel. Ideally, your sentences should be of varied length and syntax throughout a paragraph. I am not one to stick to rules. Playing with your sentences can help move the story along. You don’t want long sentences entangling the reader during a fast action scene. Short sentences and paragraphs will help the eye catch every word. I don’t know about you, but when I’m reading an exciting scene, my eyes move much more quickly down the page.
Length of sentences is closely related to syntax. Syntax is simply the order in which words are placed. More broadly, we can use clauses before, in the middle, or at the end of the main part of our sentences. Clauses usually begin with prepositions (making it a prepositional phrase) or chronological determiners such as when, before, after, then, once, and while. These too should be changed from sentence to sentence so the reader doesn’t get bored whilst reading no matter how intriguing the scene.
Reading for flow is almost self-explanatory. Sometimes when you were writing, part x made sense but, when it read it through, you realize that part x needs a little more or a little less. The reader shouldn’t wonder why something feels disconnected.
Consistency is both the easiest to want to fix and the hardest to do. I find myself having to write down character descriptions so I don’t unknowingly change the color of the hair or eyes. Before I do my first read through, I also write down what I want to have capitalized and what the spelling should be of words I create.
More than just mere words or descriptions, consistency pertains to a character’s character as well. So many times in books, tv shows or movies, a character will do something out of character. It seems that in order to progress a story, y must happen. The creator has one of the established characters do or say y. When the character shouldn’t be the one to do or say y, it comes off as odd. Easy plot fixes are very transparent. Perhaps y can happen a different way. To be consistent, either y or the character must change.
Once all of those have been addressed, then you can give it to someone else to do a second edit. That can be a professional editor, a proofreader or a beta reader. Often, we read what we want to be there instead of what is written on the page. The extra pair or pairs of eyes can help with typos and inconsistencies that you missed as well as address any areas that are confusing or need to be expounded.
After you feel that the manuscript has been polished, then you can consider publishing options. Editing is a close friend, not an enemy. Giving editing the time it deserves in your writing regimen, it can ascend your work to new heights of greatness.
Neither. Writing the novel is only part of the work. Now, it is editing time. Sure, you can send your work to have it edited professionally. But, you should never send your novel anywhere until you have had the first edit.
Editing goes deeper than just reading for typos. Sure, cleaning up those typos is important. But just as important, if not more so, is checking your sentence structure, reading for flow, and making sure that you have been consistent from beginning to end.
Sentence structure sets the tone of your novel. Ideally, your sentences should be of varied length and syntax throughout a paragraph. I am not one to stick to rules. Playing with your sentences can help move the story along. You don’t want long sentences entangling the reader during a fast action scene. Short sentences and paragraphs will help the eye catch every word. I don’t know about you, but when I’m reading an exciting scene, my eyes move much more quickly down the page.
Length of sentences is closely related to syntax. Syntax is simply the order in which words are placed. More broadly, we can use clauses before, in the middle, or at the end of the main part of our sentences. Clauses usually begin with prepositions (making it a prepositional phrase) or chronological determiners such as when, before, after, then, once, and while. These too should be changed from sentence to sentence so the reader doesn’t get bored whilst reading no matter how intriguing the scene.
Reading for flow is almost self-explanatory. Sometimes when you were writing, part x made sense but, when it read it through, you realize that part x needs a little more or a little less. The reader shouldn’t wonder why something feels disconnected.
Consistency is both the easiest to want to fix and the hardest to do. I find myself having to write down character descriptions so I don’t unknowingly change the color of the hair or eyes. Before I do my first read through, I also write down what I want to have capitalized and what the spelling should be of words I create.
More than just mere words or descriptions, consistency pertains to a character’s character as well. So many times in books, tv shows or movies, a character will do something out of character. It seems that in order to progress a story, y must happen. The creator has one of the established characters do or say y. When the character shouldn’t be the one to do or say y, it comes off as odd. Easy plot fixes are very transparent. Perhaps y can happen a different way. To be consistent, either y or the character must change.
Once all of those have been addressed, then you can give it to someone else to do a second edit. That can be a professional editor, a proofreader or a beta reader. Often, we read what we want to be there instead of what is written on the page. The extra pair or pairs of eyes can help with typos and inconsistencies that you missed as well as address any areas that are confusing or need to be expounded.
After you feel that the manuscript has been polished, then you can consider publishing options. Editing is a close friend, not an enemy. Giving editing the time it deserves in your writing regimen, it can ascend your work to new heights of greatness.
May 10, 2012
Discover the Dark Side of Utopia
War, famine and plague redraws borders. The United States starts anew, building eco-friendly Pod Cities that dot what remains. Twenty years into the New Era, Xavier Kelton lives in a carefree world. Carefree, until his father uncovers a problem in commonly used nanotechnology. Trying to escape an uncertain fate, Xavier discovers that his world was built on a foundation of mistruths, deceit and high level cover-ups.
Exclusively at Make Your Offer: Download a three chapter sample of my latest stand alone science fiction novel, Tricentennial. The full release will come out in June but you can make an offer and preorder Tricentennial before everyone else can buy it.
May 8, 2012
Poetry Wednesday 9 May 12
From The World In-between by IE Castellano
Pixie Priestess’ Prophecy
Empress watches over all
High in the Empire Tree
Finding the time ‘fore will fall
Watcher watches over thee
Find at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, Make Your Offer, and on Apple’s iBookstore
Also in paperback
May 1, 2012
Poetry Wednesday 2 May 12
From "Tapestry" by Solitaire Parke
available at Barnes & Noble
THE FACE OF LOVE by Solitaire Parke
She sits amid the cushioned chairs
And quietly reflects on life
Her heart still beats, her breast still clings
To thoughts of love and what it brings
But nightly as she waits it drifts
To darkened fields and blackened cliffs
And stains the love she feels with inner strife.
She glances at her hands still clasped
And sees the years within the lines
Her mind still yearns, her heart still feels
The memories that make her real
But like the empty bottles there
Her life is but a hollow stare
And cries to have her deepest love defined.
She reaches for the mirror's touch
But finds the glass has fingers cold
Her heart can reach through space and time
To touch the soul she wants to find
And feel the warmth she's grown to miss
The breath of life, a gentle kiss
And tears that fall from love she's often told.
Official Website: http://www.solitaireparke.com
Official Blog: http://solitaireparke.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/solitaireparke
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/solitaireparke
available at Barnes & Noble
THE FACE OF LOVE by Solitaire Parke
She sits amid the cushioned chairs
And quietly reflects on life
Her heart still beats, her breast still clings
To thoughts of love and what it brings
But nightly as she waits it drifts
To darkened fields and blackened cliffs
And stains the love she feels with inner strife.
She glances at her hands still clasped
And sees the years within the lines
Her mind still yearns, her heart still feels
The memories that make her real
But like the empty bottles there
Her life is but a hollow stare
And cries to have her deepest love defined.
She reaches for the mirror's touch
But finds the glass has fingers cold
Her heart can reach through space and time
To touch the soul she wants to find
And feel the warmth she's grown to miss
The breath of life, a gentle kiss
And tears that fall from love she's often told.
Official Website: http://www.solitaireparke.com
Official Blog: http://solitaireparke.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/solitaireparke
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/solitaireparke
April 30, 2012
A View from My Window on a Spring Afternoon
Through the clouds, sunlight dances on the mountains. Shadows camouflage the brown while the new green growth sparkles. Spring is proof that any dark doldrums can be overcome.
April 24, 2012
Poetry Wednesday 25 April 12
CONSPIRACY IN PINK
Plaster casts of Bigfoot tracks
Your excited laugh
Nevada State Route Three Seven Five
Gas tank’s down to half
Picnic on the grassy knoll
Sixth floor windowsill
Your wild eyes while you dispute
Oswald’s shooting skill
You pout and sulk
At Arizona’s hulk
But you’re angry too
Cause Roosevelt knew
From beyond
Orbs erratic
Half a word
From digital static
E.V.P
You and me
The ghosts you see
Exclusively
Chupacabras drinking goats
Flying saucers glide and spin
Warm food on abandoned boats
Soundstage moonlight on your skin
Licking lips
Space-time rips
Hands on hips
And radar blips
The world around us blurs and slips
Breathy murmured whispered trips
False flag operations scurry
Waging war for oil
Because of fluoridation worry
All our taps are spoiled
Men in black
Ancient sects
Big brother reads
Our e-mail text
I hold you as you watch the skies
Roswell dreams behind your eyes
Visions of that slate gray face
And taking cows to outer space
Charges topple building seven
Videos with varied views
While you’re watching nine eleven
All I want to watch is you
Relentless, we’ll be brave
We’ll find your proof
Obsessive, hidden graves
Clandestine truth
Running from the Mormon death squads
Chase Illuminati
Ignoring all the pagan sex gods
Worshipping your body
In the night we’ll root them out
Find their hidden base
In the light, we’ll point them out
Memorize their face
Brush the shadows off their backs
Expose them to the sun
Get to know them, make them crack
Until you’ve finally won
I’ll believe these things you think
No matter how insane
Ignoring every missing link
Inside your logic chain
So through every black bag nightmare night
And every feared abduction
Between sniper scopes that catch your sight
And attempted cult induction
I’ll cover Loch Ness with my cloak
So you might walk across
We’ll never go to Roanoke
And chance us getting lost
And the greatest chivalristic deed
When pressures truly mount
Are all the little things you need
The little things that count
I’ll check the house and lock up tight
When it’s time to go to bed
Your tin foil hat, on just right
Your thoughts cannot be read
Just rest your little worried mind
Get some peace your day denied you
Dream the truth you’ll never find
And I’ll be here right beside you
By Shane Koch
About the author: Shane Koch will never write for a living. He only writes for fun.
April 17, 2012
Poetry Wednesday 18 April 12
Willoughby
by Abhay Adil
In the journey of life
A man searching for light
In the coldness of the world
And emptiness of the heart
Is there any place with goodness and grace?
Where one can break free
A place where a man can be what he wants to be
A place high above in heaven
After the long journey of life
A man can slow down for a peaceful rest
Searching and searching all his life
Can’t find a simple spot for rest
Living in the chest of broken glass
And all the hope is lost
He finally found a place to rest
The salience he got at last
Away from the dreadful voices
From whom he wanted to depart
Love that he never got
Delight he never saw
Unappreciated and deceived
Is what he feels
The darkness filled his dreams
Crushing his heart and making him scream
He left this place and walked of the ledge
Towards the shinning place with happy face
To finally find his place
On a stop called Willoughby
Willoughby a poem by Abhay Adil Inspired from "The Twilight Zone” episode “A stop at Willoughby”
Author blog: realms-of-insanity.blogspot.com
Author ebooks links: www.smashwords.com/profile/view/abhay
by Abhay Adil
In the journey of life
A man searching for light
In the coldness of the world
And emptiness of the heart
Is there any place with goodness and grace?
Where one can break free
A place where a man can be what he wants to be
A place high above in heaven
After the long journey of life
A man can slow down for a peaceful rest
Searching and searching all his life
Can’t find a simple spot for rest
Living in the chest of broken glass
And all the hope is lost
He finally found a place to rest
The salience he got at last
Away from the dreadful voices
From whom he wanted to depart
Love that he never got
Delight he never saw
Unappreciated and deceived
Is what he feels
The darkness filled his dreams
Crushing his heart and making him scream
He left this place and walked of the ledge
Towards the shinning place with happy face
To finally find his place
On a stop called Willoughby
Willoughby a poem by Abhay Adil Inspired from "The Twilight Zone” episode “A stop at Willoughby”
Author blog: realms-of-insanity.blogspot.com
Author ebooks links: www.smashwords.com/profile/view/abhay
