Christopher Stocking's Blog, page 30
February 16, 2012
The Aliterate Generation… Say it isn't so!
Wait a minute… You can read, but you just choose not to?
I'm taking Fundamentals of Media at my college, a class based on learning about how media works and changes. Recently, we learned about the concept of aliteracy, which is, essentially, being able to read but choosing not to. As a writer, this is bad news.
How can we as writers continue to progress if the generations are turning against reading? Furthermore, how can anyone not want to read? reading allows us to explore and delve into...
February 12, 2012
Author Interview: Margaret Weis
February 6, 2012
Steampunk Fiction!
I've recently discovered steampunk fiction, and I'm quite intrigued.
From Wikipedia: "Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s.[1] Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United States—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic a
February 4, 2012
What Makes you want Fiction?
As a Sci-Fi/Fantasy writer, I would love to know what makes you want to buy and read fiction? I read that publishers don't always like to take the risk of fiction because there will always be writers who write about guaranteed money makers such as celebrities.
I don't want to be that kind of writer. I love reading and writing fantasy, and I think that, if done correctly, fiction can generate just as much money as a book about what Lady Gaga wore to bed last night.
I'll be the first to admit t...
February 3, 2012
My First Attempt at a Haiku
I never thought I'd be adding a poetry section to my blog, yet here it is. In my creative writing class we had to write a haiku about any subject we wanted. So, me being the fantasy writer than I am, went for an archaic, fantasy style haiku. Now, I'm no poet, by any means, and I envy anyone with the skill to produce deep, meaningful poems that stun and awe readers. However, I think this is decent for my first try. I'll accept any and all input, and encourage it, of course.
Noble men on steeds
V...
February 2, 2012
Characters Control Me More Than I Control Them
It's amazing how when I plan out a character on my pre-planning Word document, I have them setup a certain way, with certain flaws, and a specific personality. They generally start out the way I have them planned, but they almost always inevitably end up changing wildly and going in some new direction that I had never planned. It generally works out when this does happen, but it always catches me by surprise.
Granted, the character never completely careens off course and ends up turning from p...
I've Been Published… Again!
I have very exciting news to share with all of you: My second novel, Bloodrest, has been published and is officially for sale at the Lulu Marketplace. This book isn't as lengthy as ESTRA Corp., (which is now available as an eBook), but I feel like the content and character development is much better. Plus, I got a friend of mine to draw up a cover for me. Her name is Ally Haraty, and she is studying art at Alfred University. Be sure to check out some of her work, (
January 30, 2012
1/4 of the way to 100%; Other Happenings
If any of you have been occasionally glancing at Luthor the potato, you may have noticed that I've reached 25,000 words on my next novel, Bloodcrest: The Ancients. This means that I'm 1/4 of the way to my goal of 100,00 words!
I'm also pretty excited that I'm only on chapter 10, which leads me to believe that I'll have no problem reaching my goal. I still have a lot of plot points and events to put into this book, and I'm really excited to finish it. I decided that I'm going to turn the...
January 17, 2012
Luthor the… Potato?
If anyone has scrolled down a little ways here, you may have noticed a little potato looking fellow diligently typing away at a computer. I've decided to name him Luthor, who is actually the main character in my next novel – Bloodcrest: The Ancients. As you can see from the counter, I'm aiming for 100,000 words for this book.
But, what is really cool about this little guy, is that he comes with eight different emotions, depending on how I'm feeling while writing (He's currently on #6 –...
January 12, 2012
They've Gone Comma Crazy!
I always appreciate the use of proper punctuation. However, some people do tend to take things a little too far. I don't have perfect punctuation, and I never claim to. However, I don't understand how some people can go so overboard with their punctuation.
Example: Sometimes; people need to, relax, think, and be sure to;, look up, how to use some kinds of punctuation, before: they go about thinking just how good at it, they; are,.
Of course, my example was an over exaggeration. But one...
