I am finding my way back to lurid lit

With an article about writing itself. We as a community need to take this craft seriously. Check it out.

Inquiring Minds Want To Know......

No class this semester and I will only be offering my writing class for one more semester. I will discuss those reasons at that time.

Happy?

Spring Semester Writing Course

has hit the catalog for Milford (CT) Adult Education. If you are in the area give it a try.

Editors sure don't know everything

Especially writing.

Look I hate rejections and thank the Lord I am getting less and less every year. But when an editor turns down a piece not on its merits but solely on how warm and cuddly the feel is, is derelict in the duty required for the project.

It is ridiculous. And if that same editor won't expand intellect beyond the shallow and literal then that person should stick to hateful tweets.

As an editor myself I may personally hate something but see the artistry and creative voice within enough to accept the piece. I have opened dialogues with writers to be sure I am reading the piece correctly as opposed to simply berating the author with my own ignorance.

There is a big difference in all of our talents. Some of us write and some of us type.

I Have Nothing Against Self Publishing

But I do have something against the arrogance of many of these self-publishers who have an attitude that they are policeman, judge, jury and executioner.

I encourage people to get their work out there no matter what; and that includes self-publishing but the question of quality is certainly higher with a third party publisher.

Why do I have to do this?

All these longwinded writing genius creators spew and spew that you HAVE to write at least 1,000 words a day to be a great writer.

Enough.

There is a large difference between writing and typing. Writing is crafting and two hundred well crafted words are better than the stream of conscious turd in a punchbowl collection many of these self described authors could ever regurgitate.

Write comfortably. Write meaningfully. Write well.

Write and don't listen to these people.  

Editor's Notes: As I Return To Writing....

Amidst the Hell that is my life right now, I have found that Twitter is coming in quite useful as a tool. The brevity of space is forcing me to get the rhythm back, to get the flow open.

The riffs are word plays, some serious, some comedic, but all fun.

I am going through a bad time now. Illness in the family, my marriage and world gone. With my life in ruins many have decided to tee off on me, but Twitter is allowing me to find something that makes me happy.

It's a great tool to practice on.

Are We Becoming Obsolete In Our Time?

For the most part it seems that, as far as platforms are concerned, that websites were replaced by Facebook and blogs have been replaced by Twitter. Just recently I was invited to enter a contest where the story could only fit in a comment box.

While I am a great fan of brevity, my fear is that we have fallen out of love with the written word. That the emotions we seek to evoke will become as impersonal as a post it note.

While it is true that the art of writing lies in finding the right word, that simple word shouldn't shield the reader from the greater, broader experience.

If we continue in this trend a symbol will someday replace language. If you think I am crazy just look at signs on your local road.

Words shouldn't be spared but embraced; but embraced in a natural flow and rhythm that can only evoke emotion in the reader be it love, hate and/or comfort.

Editor's Notes: Creative Writing, we don't need no stinking creative writing

My class has been suspended because of lack of interest. Okay no problem, but a gentleman recently contacted me stating that he decided against my class in favor of self-publishing. This concerned me.

We all know I have nothing against self-publishing but please people let's not rely on self-assessment solely to determine our voice.

Sounds ridiculous right? But let's be fair, the vast majority of anything is generally bad. And rejection is a great teacher. Do we want to be better or prolific?

I want to be both and I want to be pushed and critiqued.

I want to know my work exists because others like it rather than knowing I can afford $50.00 for a cookie cutter cover.

Dare to dream. Dare to fail.  

Editor's notes: Simplicity

I am always  amazed at the simplicity of the human mind. Or should I say the simple minded. Why do we need labels to determine what is good or bad or best?

A recent writers' group discussion that sucked me in had to do specifically with this issue. The vast majority of writers took the stance that if a story or author appeared in a 'best of' anthology well they are considered the best and damn the rest.

We all know that many best of anthologies are a poor man's award and awards are the arbiter of talent.

Just ask Cary Grant and Jerry Lee Lewis. And look at all those book awards that Lovecraft won.

We all like to win awards. They are nice. But arbitrary and certainly not the only measure. After all Kanye West has 21 Grammys and Pink Floyd 1. Does that mean Kanye is a more influential and greater music talent than the Floyd?

Ah, the new math.....

Interlude: Mourning

He tried putting his best face forward, compartmentalizing his loss and dread. Robotically attending to his daily routine, overwriting and underthinking every simple task he was aware he wasn't alone. He saw the ghosts. He saw the reminders. He heard the fleeting thoughts surrounding her. Her voice. Her laugh. That lilting giggle.

All the time he kept reminding himself that she really didn't care. That it all was a show.

But his pride intervened and the ghosts multiplied overwhelming him, shaking his emotions.

It would be easier to die. It would be easier to die now without any more pain.

But then she would win.

Editor's Notes: The Muse

A romantic concept that many of us embrace and try to pigeon hole on a loved one. But understand as you study the history of literature that love is not what creates the best works, it is loneliness and despair.

True love is fleeting and life is fragile. Relationships are volatile and most of our choices are mistakes.

The only muse is within. It is the voice in your head and heart that drives you. It is not a woman or your dream lover--it is the spark within.

Never fool yourself or perhaps try it so that in the loneliness and despair that will follow when she walks out the door for that younger and sleeker model you'll find that great work deep down in your gut.

Editor's Notes: It's Amazing To Me...

How many writers are more concerned about how many words they have written in the course of a day, month or year rather than what they have sold or published. True, creating the product is important, but a story in a drawer or a manuscript on a shelf means little unless it is out there for consumption.

Many writing instructors stress the churning of verbage each day, as if we would forget how to type or hold a pencil, or howmto take the top off a pen if we skip a day.

Quality over quantity. Revise. Cut. Prune. And get it published.

The true measure of a writer is not some arbitrary counting of words, it is how those words are strung and what impact they have on a reader.

Editor's Notes: Life Experience And Writing

With almost everyone claiming the tags 'author' or 'writer' as their surname a lot of clarification needs to enter the equation as to who is truly authentic and who is a mere characterture.

I think this is necessary because the mere glut of words churned out each day and the 'writers' who pride themselves on writing so many words, so many things, most of which don't even see the light of day have choked us.

Our culture is largely based on garbage. Our art and entertainment are the equivalent of fast food with very little lasting value other than bloat.

As most of you are awere I write largely fiction. I look at what I wrote at age eighteen and in my twenties and hold it up against what I write about today and there is no comparison. The richness  of how I tell a story is shaped not only from my experience at writing but my experience at experience. My imagination has been shaped by my life experience and situations I have found myself in and people I have met all along this journey. When I teach writing I urge my students to draw upon their wells of people, places, and occurrences in their lives to drive their vision. You are what you write. Your signature is there in every piece and your personality and history is the life's blood to what you create.

Before you can conquer the world I think you need to see it.

Lasting literature only happens when their depth not self-serving and fanboy fanaticism over shallow and tired tropes. We all need to strive for more both in our lives and in our writing.

Time To Stock The Cupboard

I don't have much out there. My time has been spent with my business and my submissions have dwindled. But three have gone out today and we are planning now to plow ahead and finish the year, God willing, with a flurry.

Saugus Ghost Story Contest

We will be a judge again for the second year in a row for this prestigious and fun contest for writers of all ages. Check out www.saugus.net for details.

My Manifesto Going Forward And A Change Of Direction

I posted this on Facebook this morning to the two or three people who actually might care:

"Well it looks like anthology entrant has bit the dust. What looked like to be a break out year I have lost eight anthologies between November 2013 and now because either publishers have gone belly up or have just given up on the project because they been distracted by another shinier new penny. Since this was the last of my stories sitting and rotting for the better part of the year I have definitely learned my lesson. As I have told a number of good people I am changing the way I do things. I understand the problems publishers have in this present business climate; but I also understand that I am not chasing they way I did and will spend more time building up my catalogue again of available tales and will only do business with people I trust rather than what appears on its face via submission sites to be a good fit."

Good things have happened but great things have been stalled. So few anthologies and publishers thereof are trustworthy these days. Within the last year, as I have stated, we have seen the growing trend of 'a friends only anthology' as well as 'token' anthologies where characters beliefs, race, religion and sexual preference are mandated.

These have added to the erosion started by the unprofessional who for some money given them by the parents, grandparents or a doting aunt or uncle can set up publishing companies with no clue.

Writing should stand the test of time and that means beyond the shelf life of the next book and until publishers take that to heart they will continue to fly into the proverbial glue strip hanging under the naked light bulb of history to be forgotten.

Editor's Notes: Never Claim You Are Something When You Are Not OR Don't Use Writer Of Fictional Novels Or Some Other Idiot Title Next To Your Name

Long title but a short statement. I am amazed by writers who adopt 'special titles' next to their names wearing them like a graduate degree in order to impress. Please young writers don't do this as it makes you look foolish.

I was attacked today for making a statement on LinkedIn on a strand where people on the left and right were attacking each other on political grounds. I stated this is not the place for this discussion since we are in a writers' community. Most agree save for one idiot because he thought I was on the left.

Regardless, this was a writers' discussion group about the pitfalls in writing and publishing. LinkedIn is a bigger jerk for not deleting these posts as many requested.

As for the great author: First, 'novels' ARE predominantly fictional so I don't understand what you doing with the title. But then, second, I looked you up and you self published one book. Shouldn't your title read 'novel' rather than novels. Third, the radar goes up 'that doth protest too much' when you advertise yourself in this way. Ego is nice when you can back it up with credits otherwise you look foolish.

It looks amateurish.

Real writers use their names, real and pen, and do not need to advertise their specialty. Real writers can spread their wings and write in many forums thus being a 'writer'.

Did you hear that 'Mr. I am starting a new magazine and need columnists or is it short stories or is it whatever?'

But one self-published novel and hundreds of LinkedIn posts don't warrant the ego.

Be professional at all times as you never know who you are dissing. It could very well be someone that may be reviewing or editing your work some day.

More Horror Discrimination Among The Literati

Recently an editor/owner of a start up ezine cast the net for writers to write pieces for his new ezine. The pieces requested are non-fictional informational pieces although in the last few days he has expanded his catch to include short fictional pieces to bolster the articles.

I sent all the normal pleasantries including links to my site but warned him that I did write horror. I suggested he concentrate on my articles and my column at Lurid-lit.com.

The reply was surprising in this way -- and I paraphrase for space and time ---- your stories 'I fear the stories may be a little abrasive for our audience'...

Abrasive? First, the ezine does not have an audience -- it hasn't published yet. Second, I understand who you wish to target but wishing and hitting can be two different things. Third, I pointed him in the direction of the non-fiction and he reads the fiction to base his opinion.

What do you think happened? Again I hear from writers all over the country who tell me the shunning they receive because they write horror. The literati feel we can write nothing more.

Sad. Here in Milford I have been compared to a pornographer by individuals who haven't read a word of my writing and again I am judged by someone who wouldn't take the time to read my work.

Sad that this is the state of media today and with a start up --- tomorrow.

Milford Connecticut's 375th Birthday

No we are not among the list of local writers and authors included in the library bash to celebrate our talents as just local folks. The literary giants that walk among us see it fit not include a simple horror writer like me.

I guess my head isn't pointy enough for that tri-cornered hat.

According to several in the arts scene I am one step lower than a pornographer.

Recently I spoke with another gentlemen who relayed his parallel experiences as a horror and science fiction writer in his own town.

Mundane story telling's discrimination against horror, science fiction and fantasy writers is age old. I could tell about some of those writers who did all they could to demean the work of our forefathers  but frankly those frothing at the mouth bigots have all been forgotten.