H. Danielle Crabtree's Blog, page 8
March 31, 2012
Writing Exercises: Notes on a City Street
Days that weren't wet and rainy were few and far between; no rain was a nice day, and that always brought people out. I sat down near the MAX stop, on the side that got the most passersby, but not so close that I would obstruct the flow of foot traffic. [image error]I opened my guitar case and pulled out my acoustic. I left the case open, propping a sign up in the top: Spare change for food always appreciated. I wasn't above singing for my supper, because when you're starving, things you never thought...
March 30, 2012
Writing Exercises: Keep Moving
I huddled in the doorway, pulling my legs to my chest and my hoodie down over them. I shivered from the cold and the damp from the rain pouring from the sky. It never stopped raining; it made it hard to stay dry and even harder to sleep. My breath froze into crystals as it escaped my mouth. I should have gone to the shelter, but they always asked too many questions; they always wanted to know the details of your life, and I didn't feel like opening up to complete strangers and then attending ...
March 28, 2012
Poetry: War Games
War Games
War games begin with a single spark
The mental battle between mind and heart
Nudge to flame by just a word
Until the forest burns with all you've heard
Callous caresses keep it going
In pretense that we're all knowing
Lost in flame until we're drowned
In imagined hell we burn to a shell
Blisters blacken beneath the flame
Like moths we seek it without shame
Forever dancing in a mindless state
The end all to be all in our fiery grave
Heart beats to remember our place
Pulsing out whispers t...
Poetry: Death and Bone
This is a new one. I wrote it in January. However, I'm still not sure I'm entirely happy with it. I may play with it again tomorrow, but for now, I'm posting it. Yes, I know I write some dark stuff, but hey, at least it keeps the rest of me sunshiny and happy.
Death and Bone
In this place of death and bone
A bleeding heart learns to scorn
No compassion left for a torn soul
Future's path set in stone
Fight he must with fire and blade
Fostering hate in an elemental's rage
Degradation of faith...
Poetry: Forgotten Dreams
An ode to writers By H.Danielle Crabtree
What are these forgotten dreams?
Compelled are we to share these realms
What are these forgotten dreams?
The paths of the morrow and the future of our language
Crafted...
Poetry: Watching Darkness
Watching Darkness
What comes from watching darkness?
The empty shadows of night;
But hollow dreams of nothingness;
That drowns away by light.
Why cling to empty illusions?
When the darkness could take form;
Into tangible gifts with meaning;
The heart and soul of love.
Why drift away in madness?
The addled state of mind;
Lost in vain without comfort;
In the shadows where you hide.
What comes from watching darkness?
The empty shadows of night;
But hollow dreams of nothingness;
That drowns away by...
Poetry: Dancer in the Dark
I actually wrote this for a fic, but it's one of my favorites – hands down, no arguments. — Dani
~*~*~
Dancer in the Dark
We two are dancers in the dark,
Under the leaves so green.
The white-washed moon in the cool of spring,
Bathing the earth in languid blue.
The sounds of creatures high in the trees,
Of creatures nestled below.
To sit in the dark,
And drink in the stars,
And watch the world spin slow.
We two are dancers in the dark,
Lost in a world so cold.
By H. Danielle Crabtree
Poetry: Lady Watcher
Explanation for this one: I love Scifi/Fantasy. I don't remember exactly when I wrote this without going into my master file with the date tag, but I'm going to say about eight years ago … and that it's early stuff.
Lady WatcherWhen the night is quiet and stillThe Lady Watcher then appears
She travels the world
On a breath of wind
Protecting the children that lay within
In the place between dream and wake
March 17, 2012
What's on the Bookshelf: Chapter length
I've never been a fan of long chapters, but I am a fan of chapters having their own arc and accomplishing something specific in the storytelling. So, I've always tried to focus on the storytelling rather than the chapter length when I write. That approach has always worked for me in the past. However, I seem to be stuck right now on where to break up the first few chapters of the novel I'm working on.
My first chapter is six double-spaced, typed pages. It is 1,200 words, give or take. I guess ...
March 7, 2012
What's on the Bookshelf: 'How to Date an Alien'
Alien life does exist, or at least that's what Alex discovers when she travels to Arizona to intern for the summer at Circe. Part "Men In Black," part high school romance, "How to Date an Alien" by Magan Vernon is a quirky young adult comedy. It was an enjoyable read, but I have my pros and cons.
Here's the breakdown.
PROS:
—Ace/Alex interactions: What do you say to an alien that just saved your life, especially when you just found out alien life exists? I can tell Vernon had a lot of fun...
