He’d do anything to make Stacey love him. Anything, even voodoo. But when that doesn’t work, he’ll have to resort to something a little more drastic.
Category: Writing
Writing Down the Nightmares
I’m pretty sure I’ve had a fever for the past few days, if my dreams have been any indication. I’ve dreamt of horrible, terrible things, things that honestly make even me feel a little uncomfortable.
I won’t be writing those stories.
But what I will take from them is the absolute, soul-shattering bleakness. I dreamt of terrors that threatened to follow me into waking, terrors from which there would be no escape. I think that’s the scariest idea of all: the idea of something that you can’t run away from, something that can follow you and find you no matter where you hide.
A number of new monsters were born of these last days’ nightmares, and once I’ve reigned them in I’ll invite you by for a tour of the freakshow. I’m sure I can manage to keep them chained in their cages.
For a while.
I’m sure you’ll be fine. Probably.
Writers: Protect Yourselves from Pirates
“…make you a fortune”? I had no idea it would be so simple; sign me up!
Via Wikipedia.
3 Of My Favourite Writing Books
Any writer worth anything should be in love with books. If you know me, you know that I have a bit of a book…obsession fixation…habit. I can’t imagine a life not surrounded by books.
So it should go without saying that I’ve amassed a number of how-to writing books, and thought I might share a few of my favourites. The ones I like best are the ones that go beyond the mechanics and add a little humor, or offer a peek into the lives of authors and writers.
The first I want to mention is one I’m reading now: How I Write: The Secret Lives of Authors. It’s a wonderful book, one of those that should be sitting as inspiration on your shelves. The editors asked authors to name what it is that inspires them, what keeps them writing. Some authors chose to share their spaces: the specifics of desk and chair and view. Others tell about the little totems they keep to bring them luck or appease their muse.
The second is Page Fright: Foibles and Fetishes of Famous Writers. Harry Bruce has unearthed all kinds of interesting little facts about some of the most well-known authors. No matter what bizarre little writing habits you’ve picked up, I guarantee this book will make you feel normal. (Or at least a part of a big, crazy tribe.)
And third, you must, and I can’t stress this enough, check out Chuck Wendig. Start with 250 Things You Should Know About Writing and go from there. Read his books, all of them, and never look at writing (or being a writer) the same way again. (All I’m going to say is that this is the man who once wrote a recipe calling for “a dick of carrots”. You’ll have fun with these.)
New Story, FEED, Now Available!
“He’s got that look in his eyes again, the one that only brings trouble. “Buddy,” I warn him, “cool it.”
I know he can hear me, at least on some level, but the part of him I can see is all glassy eyes and stiff body. He’s just like a hound, when he gets like this, and I get that feeling in my gut again. I know something’s going down, and soon.
My brother bobs his head absently to the music from the juke. It’s some of that C&W bullshit he’s always playing on the truck radio. I can’t stand it, myself, all heartbreak and such. Life has enough problems, believe you me, without adding more.
I know all about that.
Buddy’s leaning forward on his stool a little. His massive gut pushes up against the high table but he don’t seem to notice. The bar’s crowded tonight, men drinking off the week. Some came with their own woman. Some came with another man’s.
I get that feeling, and I know he’s seen her.”
Click on the cover to purchase, 99¢ on Amazon.
Get Ready To FEED
Less than 24 hours until my new story, FEED, is available!
Stay tuned, it’s a good one.
“Aspiring” Writers Take Note
…Chuck Wendig has a bone to pick with you.
Anything that comes out of the delightfully filthy Wendig mouth is worth listening to, whether you write for fun or money (or both, please God). His ebooks on writing make you want to pick up a pen and wield it like a sword. (If swords weren’t a little…you know. You know.)
Anyway, I catch up with Chuck’s blog, Terrible Minds, now and then when I need a good kick in the writerly ass.
And the other day, he delivered. Hoo boy, did he deliver.
“No More Aspiring, Dingbats
Here are the two states in which you may exist: person who writes, or person who does not. If you write: you are a writer. If you do not write: you are not. Aspiring is a meaningless null state that romanticizes Not Writing. It’s as ludicrous as saying, “I aspire to pick up that piece of paper that fell on the floor.” Either pick it up or don’t. I don’t want to hear about how your diaper’s full. Take it off or stop talking about it.”
So begins his list of 25 Things I Want to Say to So-Called “Aspiring” Writers.
Coddling, it’s not.
Motivating? Oh hell yeah.
Hire Me!
Hey you! I’m looking for a few good writing gigs.
Maybe you came up with a great story idea, but you’re lost on how to flesh it out. You have all the bits and bobs, but maybe your grammar isn’t the hottest. Maybe it needs a little twist or a fresh perspective. I can ghostwrite it for you. You keep all the rights, any future profits, and you get to tell everyone you wrote it yourself. I’m a good secret-keeper.
or
Maybe your ad copy needs a little flair. You want something that will have customers clamoring like ravenous zombies for your product. You need someone who can give you punchy, vivid copy that’s concise and accurate. Know who can do that? This girl. Let me take care of your copywriting, so you can focus on your next project.
I’m fast! I’m precise! I’m awesome! You need me in your life.
Contact me at stefnsnider at gmail for rates.
A Typewriter Named Oliver
Today I received a very special antique from my mother in law.
His name is Oliver, and he comes from my husband’s grandmother’s aunt’s mother.
He needs some love. But until I can find someone who can fix him up properly, he’s perfect just as he is. Either way, he’s going to be the crown jewel of my writing room, and will stay in our family.
Here’s hoping I can do him justice.
sniderwriter 