Simple gadgets for writers: 'A Novel Idea'

Certainly there are a myriad of tools and devices to assist the writer, whether it be the old fashioned handheld recorder (or even the new fangled Pulse Pen), pocket notebook, notepad on your phone or any number of other devices or habits that get your thoughts down so you don’t soon forget them.

There are also a ton of applications (Apps) that can store ideas and much more. They can get quite complicated and pricey but there is one App, A Novel Idea (free at the writing of this post) that provides a simple foundation for your ideas and so much more. A Novel Idea is a simple tool that allows the writer to outline ideas and much more in one simple application.

Add Novel data such as title, setting, plot and more. Allows you to create scenes within the novel and develop characters. Further the App has the ability to store location descriptions and tie them altogether back to the novella or a scene. The data it collects is defined to a specific novel, scene, character or location but allows you to tie each piece to the other to derive a complete description. Further, it has an ideas section that is a wonderful brainstorming tool or ‘thought of the moment’ place to record and attach it to your novel, scene, character or even location.

A Novel Idea is from Svacha Software – iPhone based and of course comes with a purchase version that is more robust (and no ads) — try out the free variety and if you like it and want to invest … well, do it. Nice tool – with plenty of applicability for the writer who enjoys the freedom of storing his/her ideas at a moments notice. This easy to use App is a life and idea saver if you are like most and ideas seem to come along an the most inopportune times.

Recommend it for a try - it's free after all so there really isn't anything to lose. 

   

Roaming the Web and Social Media – A.H. Browne

As I wander about and take in more of the talent that the web and Social Media has to offer, I come across interesting, fun and talented people. From time to time, I would like to share my thoughts on their work with you.

Up first is, A.H. Browne – author of the Dark Illusions Series (which is currently lighting up my Kindle) and Dragon’s Dawn (on deck). A Seattle based author with a sprite personality and an eye on what most writer’s desire – success. Her words are tight, crisp and keep a steady flow of interest and intensity.

 

Thus far, I am quite enthralled in the world of character and mood she has weaved and expect great things as I turn each page. I recommend you head on over to her dark corner of the web and get to know the words and word of A.H. Browne.

Does music influence your writing?

Most days, when I do write, I like to accompany the clatter of the keyboard of the scratch of the pencil (yup, still do on occasion) with some tunes. I am certain that I am not alone with this ritual. I wonder though what others listen too. I don’t auto-assume it is your favorite bands. I wonder if others listen to genres, they normally don’t listen to for purposes of mood or angst to write their horrific tales.

For me, of late, such bands as Garbage, Dead Kennedy’s, Stiff Little Fingers, The Germs, Black Flag and The Cranberries (odd, I know) are making the rounds. In fact, to Garbage’s self-titled album I wrote an entire script and ghosted a novel too … both sold by the way. Makes one wonder why I don’t spin them constantly.

Anyways, just thought I would share that. I wish others would provide their comments and band list as well but alas …

Horror to Fantasy

Probably not, what you are thinking, I have delved back into fantasy once again. Frankly, this is the genre I got my script writing start in, based on a short I wrote. Like most things however, it never made it off the cutting room floor.  

I have always loved the fantasy genre. There is so much one can do in such a genre. The imagination can run wild as in a fantastical world where anything is possible. Sure, you can let your imagination go in other genres but you are restricted to reasonable and scientifically plausible. Fantasy however, there are no boundaries (at least in my opinion).

As I begin, like with my muse being finicky as she is, I do wonder where it will all end up.

~

Ache smiled his best toothy grin.  It was in fact a dismal crooked grin but a grin nonetheless.  He giggled mildly as he stared up at a restless Allure.  She towered over him, as he pressed himself as far down on the foliage as possible, without drowning in it. 

“Well, my Queen it’s like this…”

Allure puffed up; her rejection shot from her mouth sending Ache another inch or two into the foliage.  “Don’t you dare start with me Ache.”

She knew the words that were about to flow would be quibbling.  Ache always began his quibbling with “Well, my Queen it’s like this…” Allure was in no mood for a would be jester.

Ache drew a breath, “caught” he thought.  Now what do I do?  How is it that I always get myself in this position?  Ache argued with himself there within the foliage as Allure watched on in complete agitation, awaiting the elfin to respond.

Continuing his internal strife Ache convinced himself that it wasn’t his fault at all.  “My queen, it is not I you should be angry with, rather that useless necromancer of yours.”  He knelt up straight as he pushed his confident chest forward.

Allure delivered a swift kick into Ache’s proud chest.” You do not decide who I should blame, slave.”

“Yes, my queen.”  The agreement squeaked out painfully from Ache’s aching chest.

“Fetch me more.  I want more.”

“My queen, they only perish and to be open with you, when they die they smell very bad.  Worse then what they do living.”  Ache pinched his nose and made a sour face.

“More,” Allure raised her hand to Ache whom coward in the foliage.

“As you wish, to the Southern Crossing I go.  Yes, to the Southern Crossing.” Ache smiled his best toothy grin.

~

Like I said, I love the genre (never claimed to be good at it). The flow, the grandeur can be so epic. Just having fun with an idea and a few character developments in the above – hopefully it will become a tale, someday.

Storystarter

My muse has been somewhat unpredictable of late. She comes by with ideas and sparks and then as I progress, she seems to lose interest and wanders about. This has been the course of her inspiration for three started but yet completed tales of horror and mayhem.

Her latest jest, Mother of Gothic Angels, pits a nasty little angel against her well-to-do angel of a sister. Mind you they are both angels but even angels can be naughty from time to time. After all, it is angels that carry out the dark deeds of God, should there ever be a need for such activities. 

“Laments of the Wicked ascend as the silence remains tethered until the Rapture.”

So, with a tickle of my fancy and a road to travel, I ventured. I hit a few stop signs along the way of course. The first few were easily conquered. Nothing more than a simple refresh, drink of jaunt about the web tending to RTS duties. Then back to the keyboard, my muse and the story.

“Radiant leaned back against the marble pillar, she allowed her long and milky thigh to show as the slit in her gown fell over her. Desire smiled as she peered longingly at Radiant’s thigh. It wasn’t proper but at the moment in time, she really wasn’t concerned. After all, who was there to scold her, certainly not Mother.

The cries subsided if only for a moment. Radiant stood upright as if the silence surprised her. It shouldn’t, as it came every hour. That one moment in each hour, that someone wasn’t taking their own life. The sin of which is one that is not tolerable and bears an ugly fate but they lament for the Angels to soothe them. A soothing that would never come, this Radiant knew but she wondered if the damned were aware of this truth or not.

The cries, they returned and Radiant was no longer amused. The silence that brought a sparkle to her eye quickly went away as the moans flooded her ears once more. She leaned back against the marble pillar and allowed her thigh to partake in the warmth rising from a distant hell.”

Of course, I ventured deeper into the tale but not quite to the defining end of the short but hopefully (one-day) complete tale. I wonder often if others share similar moods from their muse and if there is any advice, please do share -

Writers and readers – your thoughts on flash fiction?

For me, honestly I am not much of a fan. I find flash fiction absent of those descriptors and back-stories that I love to write and read about. The little details and whatnot's that makes a story whole. Just my feeling and definitely not to say that flash section does not have its place or that it is not an art all unto itself.

In fact, recently I read a flash tale entitled The Professional Crier by author Paul D. Dial. The tale appears in his flash fiction compilation entitled Free Five – Flash Fiction Pieces. Now, this single piece hasn’t altered my feeling towards flash fiction but it has opened my eyes to how genuinely good it can be. When I completed the short tale, I was thirsty for more information on the primary character, Penny Circe, and I was equally enamored with her surroundings and wanted to sense more of what it was like to be in her world.

Alas, as it is with flash this was all something I would have to conjure myself. Was it what the author saw in her, I bet not and as such, it left me short with the tale? Entertained within the short thousand words but something less than satisfied.