C.B. Ash's Blog: Scribbled Notes, page 6

Some fantasy Fan Fiction

When exercising, like bodybuilding, its said that its healthy to take an 'active rest day'. So, in regards to writing, once I finish a major pass over a manuscript ( like say Deadly Dispatch ), I'll do something similar. 

My version of 'active rest day' is writing fan fiction. Now from my point of view, fan fiction is like playing in someone else's back yard with their toys. Which means you should be [a] respectful and [b] careful. But because the worldbuilding is in general done, it allows me...

A little bit of short fantasy fiction in the world of Golarion

A few weeks ago in the Greengold Militia Training Hall…

The rapier speared the padded leather armor. It was a masterwork weapon, so the armor split like an overripe banana. Under any other circumstance, January Vargas would have relaxed at surviving a duel. This time was different. It was not his sword that had done the spearing and he was the one wearing the padded leather armor.

January felt the point of the rapier tickle the skin of his right collarbone. It was not enough to make him bleed b...

Passing on a good writing tip for today ...

Today, I'm passing along a good writing tip that any writer should keep in mind. When writing dialogue between characters, it is tempting to use the word "said". Some well known writers swear by it. But ... you don't have to be limited by that.

Using alternative words as dialogue tags can communicate that the character said something and convey emotion or an action or both!

So enough of my babble. Here is the video by YouTuber "Books-Are-Proof":

Another creative writing entry from the Time Guard ...

The simple plastic of the cafeteria tray felt reassuring. Scents from the food enhanced the effect. Killian sighed. So much had happened in so short a time. He ran through the list in his head.

His team had left for a mission to 1812, only to return *early*. He was relieved that “early” had not been arrived back at base before they left for 1812. Having it mean “back before you were scheduled to be” was bad enough. Then there was Albert Beauchamp. Somehow the time traveler, who came from their...

And now more Adventures of Red Claw

“Y’know, Bill, a cat that size? Make a powerful death scream unless you get’em right in the skull.”

“Yeah. But you’re paying double to get the skull rebuilt once stuffed. Might be worth it since this one’s running around on his hind quarters. He might even give you a good tussel a’fore you dropped him.”

David’s stroll lost momentum until he came to a full stop. He took a long, deep breath and let the scents of the Rattlesnake Rodeo fairgrounds play over his mouth and nose. He sorted through sce...

Some morning writing with the Adventures of Red Claw

David looked out the window of the RV at highway traffic. Tires thumped over asphalt joints with a soft, dependable rhythm. To David’s hearing, it was like a slow, heavy heartbeat. A feeling like one gets when they murder a friend. His tail curled protectively around his left leg and he suppressed a shudder.

It was twelve years ago in a small section of Yugoslavia. Infinity Incorporated, the company that created David through genetic tinkering, had rented him and his team out to one Radenko Vu...

A little creative writing with the Time Guard ...

Patricia wondered if there was a duct system, something that would let them escape.

Killian looked at the ceiling, followed by the walls.

“A duct system sized for a mouse,” he told Patricia and pointed out the hand-sized air vents. “But if you find one larger, I’m all in for knowing where it goes.”

He turned his attention back to the problem in front of him. The one that he felt had Albert Beauchamp at the center. Killian watched Bertie for a moment. Despite the trip and the medical technology h...

Creative Writing with Red Claw

“From a medical point of view, you were dead,” Dr. Herron told him.

David considered it a moment. “Yep. It didn’t take. So, I got better.”

Dr. Herron’s only comment was a sour look. “Physically. Mentally, you’ve been through enough trauma to shatter anyone else to pieces. So in my estimate, you’re unfit to be in the field. I’m putting you on medical leave for some rest. After that? Therapy and re-evaluation.”

David took a sip of his coffee, then leaned back in the tree. He decided that out of th...

One moment he was in 1812. Then, with a nauseating swirl of light, it was not.

Killian remembered the singular satisfaction of imparting his fist to another time traveler’s jaw. Then there was a dart in his chest, a whirlpool of light, his breakfast on his boots and 1812 was gone. The medical staff said nothing and neither did the armed escort that took him and his team to the infirmary. After hundreds of tests, the medical staff left leaving the team alone…

On his third attempt, Killian managed to sit up in bed. The fourth time he stayed upright because the room had sto...

A little creative writing with the Time Guard ...

It had been some time since Killian had practiced throwing knives. Now seemed like a good time to start.

He balanced the open pocket knife in one hand, then let it fly. The blade speared the gunman’s rib cage, jerking the man’s attention away from Bertie and towards the oncoming Killian.

The gunman, dressed nothing like the average person from this century, spun on his heel and snapped a quick shot at Killian. Energy splashed off a pew, reducing a chunk of the wooden bench to burnt splinters. K...