Zachary Katz-Stein's Blog, page 9

Nanowrimo Day 3: Observation.

My fingers are already sore from typing. I feel like a boarder-line professional athlete who has allowed himself to get out of shape.

Embarrassing? Yes, but it just means I have to get back to the gym…aka the computer.

NanoWriMo Day 2

“Your going the wrong way,” the other girl, a pale and freckled redhead called after her.

Biker chick’s only response was to give us the finger over her shoulder.

“Well that wasn’t very nice,” the redhead sniffed.

“None of us is nice, girly, that’s why we’re here,” one of the guys, a big one with close cropped blonde hair and shoulders like a linebacker, sniggered.

“Go stuff yourself,” the girl responded.

“See what I mean?” the linebacker asked raising both hands, palms towards the sky. “No one here is going to be ‘nice.’”

NanoWriMo Favorite Line of Day 1

His smile broadened. “Oh,” he said casually, “It would really be a lot of paperwork if we kidnapped the wrong person.”

7 Hours Until Nanowrimo

Can you feel that? The slight hum in the air? the crackle of anticipation? the subtle feeling that you might throw up?

Yes. Nanowrimo is drawing near, just over seven hours now until our marathon begins.

I adopted my title from the nano forums: The Pessimistic Truth About All Things Hateful

I also have my short synopsis written:

Leon Ducheval’s life is not going well. Fifteen months ago his mother died of lung cancer. Seven months ago his brother committed suicide. His father, Bernie, is never home because he works seven days a week making minimum wage to pay off the medical bills incurred by the many surgeries and chemo-therapies Leon’s mother, Elanor, went through fighting her cancer. Unfortunately for Bernie, the behavior of his son is not making his life easier.

Instead of swallowing his grief and getting a job after school to help his father (as Bernie is constantly badgering him to do) Leon has turned to other outlets. He smokes, “in memorium” as he says. He does other drugs sometimes, stays out late, cuts class, doesn’t do his homework, and has pushed away all his real friends. Bernie decides it’s time for a change, only he doesn’t have the time, energy, or skill required to help his son. So, he turns to “The Little Bluff Company,” a brat camp that promises to “fix” Leon before returning him.

Will they succeed in bringing Leon back to the land of the socially acceptable or will he be condemned to angst forever?

Sound fun? I’m certainly looking forward to it!

Until next time my friends,

Zac

2013 Smashwords Survey Says $3.99 is the New $2.99

Good Morning Blogites,

Sorry for my absence from the airwaves recently. I’ve been in St. Louis helping my grandmother after surgery.

However, today’s article is too interesting not to post. It’s a survey Smashwords conducted about how Indie Authors can earn more money. It seems that books prices at $3.99 are outselling those priced at $2.99, who knew?

Anyway, I’d definitely recommend checking out the 2013 Smashwords Survey!

Enjoy my friends,

Zac

Longer Friday Post will be coming tomorrow

Hey Blogites!

I just wanted to let you know that I will be posting something more substantial tomorrow. Right now though my head really hurts and I think it’s time for me to go lie down.

Until tomorrow then, friends,

Zac

The Hidden Rules of Magic, via J.S. Morgan

Good Evening Blog Readers,

Today’s article is by fellow fantasy author, J.S. Morgan, and is about the hidden rules that govern magic.

In his insightful article, Morgan describes how magic can be broken up into two categories – whimsy and physics – and then explains the rules, benefits and draw backs of each system.

It’s a good read that should provide fantasy lovers some nice food for thought.

Enjoy my friends,

Zac

The Perfect Villain is 99.44% Good

Good Morning Blog Readers,

Today’s link is from The Archive of The Diogenes Club (a name that I, and probably every other Sherlock Holmes fan, love(s)!).

In his article, The Derailment, author Steve Poling discusses how the most compelling villains are actually admirable (or generally “good”) characters who have somehow taken on a little “twist,” that makes them bad.

Like the former mathematician he is, Poling puts forth a formula for compelling villains that (while slightly simplistic) is fairly persuasive and is certainly worth reading.

Enjoy,

Zac

A bit of shameless self-promotion

Just a quick post today with a bit of shameless self-promotion:

If you haven’t seen either my interview, or my short story that were published on Write Like a Wizard, you should definitely check them out!

The interview

The Story – Left in the Attic

Have a great day my friends!

Zac

Welcome Brothers and Sisters

I found this image floating around twitter and all I could think was: What is this and how do I get there?

If you know please feel free to let me know in the comments below, otherwise just bask in the warm glow of possibility.

Zac