Styles in Craft: Maximum or minimum?

Over at Heim Binas Fiction CKHB posted about minimalism and maximalism in writing styles, this is based off a seminar she went to where it was suggested you try to write in each style to learn the most you can from each way to do a scene, either a richer view of description for a particular piece or perhaps a more targeted approach on narrowing down the true point of the piece. I'll throw down an example of a work in progress now though I sure I am a maximalist at heart.

Madoc’s eyes opened in briny deep and suffocation came with awareness of the depth. The lighted surface above shimmered like sword blades dancing. He kicked up and strained for that ceiling. A great dark hulk of a thing came with a rolling swell behind him. Turning he latched on, holding with the same indomitable grip of the moon upon the sea.

He held to the shattered mainmast as it cascaded down the waves and back up again. Time and again spitting out the salt water that threatened to fill his lungs. The arc of lightning and roll of thunder was primordial and malevolent. He couldn't help but wonder at the sudden storm and its cataclysmic genesis. Did strange foreign gods dice with his fate as the chief of the Choctaw’s had warned before he set sail?
And now my minimalist take.

He was drowning. Tossed under the waves along with the broken sloop. Straining for both the surface and breath, he fought to rise. Bursting forth, he took hold of the broken mainmast. He clung like a barnacle despite the showering waves and cascading rain. The storm was sudden and terrible. Madoc wondered at the warnings he had been given.

UGHH! Just wrote that it's my minimalist take-I can't help but feel like I need to keep adding to that. WHY? because that is my style. The first came quickly and flowed and with the minimalist I had to think about how to keep it short-it wasn't truly my natural flowing voice.

What do you do?

Frazetta Cover's and Legacy

Frank Frazetta is probably my favorite artist. He has done all kinds of pieces from comics to movie posters, but my favorites (along with most of his fans) are his fantasy and sci-fi book covers.

I found a copy of Red Moon and Black Mountain, by Joy Chant, in hardback with a Frazetta cover so I had to buy it. I already owned a paperback copy with an Ian Millar cover but to have a Frazetta hardback is a treat to me. There aren't enough of those available. It was interesting to me that liner notes call the book a Sword and Sorcery tale, I've only read the first chapter or so but it seems more like a 70's marketing ploy than an accurate genre specific label. But I digress.

Frazetta's work has a disheartening controversy of late. Just a few days ago Frank Jr. was arrested for attempting to break into the Frazetta art museum with a back-hoe! The doors are very strong, so the backhoe was to break them down rather than dig in. He has been charged with attempted robbery worth 20 Million dollars.

That's actually a paltry sum considering that only last month one of Frazetta's original Conan covers-a favorite of mine for Conan the Conqueror (Hour of the Dragon) was sold at auction for a cool million by itself! All of this is odd for those that know Frank has always held onto his work for the museum and has never sold his originals. Rumors abound now that Jr. was trying to save the works from greedy siblings they argue the opposite-either way it's a sad statement for Frank's legacy. I really hope this gets figured out in such a way that benfits the Master's WORK.

Writing Vs. Blogging

I know quite a few of my readers are writers so I want to pose the question to you that you have perhaps heard quite often before. Do you find that writing your novels, short stories, novella's etc; get's in the way of your more important and monumental work of blogging? I know it does for me I couldn't think of a better post at 12:30 a.m. Saturday night.

Faux Interview and Questionaire Tag

I was tagged with these questions by a fellow writer Voidwalker and I'm supposed to tag 2 more people with this and I'll go ahead and up that to 3 Karen, Tamara, and Mary.

1. What's the last thing you wrote? What's the first thing you wrote that you still have?
Last thing I wrote and finished-The Hand of Fate, a fantasy short story-10,900 words for a hopeful inclusion in a action-oriented fantasy anthology. First thing I wrote that I still have? Probably some rough fantasy stories from when I was 9 or 10.

2. Write poetry?
Yep, see earlier posts. But I have written them for years upon years.

3. Angsty poetry?
Yeah, if I'm upset. I may post RUST for the next poetry Saturday.

4. Favorite genre of writing?
Anything I can reasonably have people using swords in.

5. Most annoying character you've ever created?
Gotta think on this for awhile. Ezra, the reformed Gadianton Robber in Heroes of the Fallen might be, but he does work toward redeeming himself.

6. Best Plot you've ever created?
Thus far, probably what begins in Heroes of the Fallen but is fulfilled in Blood of Our Fathers.

7. Coolest Plot twist you've ever created?
Probably events in Blood of Our Fathers, that will just have to wait for 2011.

8. How often do you get writer's block?
I don't really get writers block-too many stories pouring out of my head to even get them all done-BUT-I do get into bouts of laziness and not feeling motivation to write what is there.

9. Write fan fiction?
I did when I was a kid, a lot of G.I.Joe and Transformers stories

10. Do you type or write by hand?
Always wrote by hand as a kid-my typewriter and then computer were too slow-and even then lots of unpublishable stuff by hand in coffee shops. Heroes and Blood were both almost entirely written by hand and then transferred to the PC. Bless the Child was also first written by hand, but I began Dance the Ghost with Me on the PC. All new scenes and rewrites for Heroes were not handwritten.

11. Do you save everything you write?
Everything, more times than I need too.

12. Do you ever go back to an idea after you've abandoned it?
All the time. I keep a notebook full of ideas to save for later-things work later all the time.

13. What's your favorite thing you've ever written?
Scenes that flow naturally are my favorites in the moment-don't know what one scene I could even say.

14. What's everyone else's favorite story that you've written?
Dance the Ghost with Me is what I am still having requests to hurry up and finish/publish.

15. Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?
No.

16. What's your favorite setting for your characters?
Anywhere they can swing a sword.

17. How many writing projects are you working on right now?
1. Bless the Child-novel 2. rewrites Blood of Our Fathers 3. Name of the Game-short story 4 and 5 more short stories.

18. Have you ever won an award for your writing?
First Prize-general fiction category at the LDStorymakers first chapter writing contest for Dance the Ghost with Me
First place in elementary school for Howl and Hunt.

19. What are your five favorite words?
Judging by what had to be edited for excessive use in Heroes of the Fallen Great, Dark, Black, Savage, and Serpentine

20. What character have you created that is most like yourself?
I use aspects or pieces of myself for various characters-usually taking into consideration age and environment and such blending it with life experience, and imagination.

21. Where do you get ideas for your characters?
Its a mix, imagination, people I have known or would like to know. Things I overhear and people I know I overheard incorrectly but still sounds interesting.

22. Do you ever write based on your dreams?
A little. I do keep a journal of my dreams/nightmares for possible stories in the future.

23. Do you favor happy endings?
No. It just has to be real-even if its fantasy.

24. Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
I am decent with spelling but my proper grammar has always been a struggle.

25. Does music help you write?
Yes, I love having music that acts as an augmentation for the mood of what I am doing.

26. Quote something you've written. Whatever pops into your head.
Here is a snippet from Dance the Ghost with Me a weird western.

He rode down into a steep rock strewn vale, looking for an overhang to shelter under. The pale horse stopped. It did not want to go any farther into the gloom. It was getting dark but Port could still see and smell well enough. There was no bear or cat here. Nothing but the thin aspens and limp pines and a few burnt stumps. Nowhere for anything to hide, yet he could not shake the feeling of being watched. He knew what it felt like to have living eyes stare; these were not those. These glared full of hate, jealousy and avarice. They were there all right, spirits thick as honey.

His skin crawled like spiders swarming over raw flesh. Port felt as if he was about to be engulfed by an invisible ocean, drowned in abysmal malice. He instinctively caressed the Bowie that Brigham had blessed. The tide was at bay just beyond reach, foaming its invisible silent jaws.

This is not the Lilith Fair

In my interweb wanderings I came across something known as the Bechdel Test wherein you judge whether a book or movie passes. It is basically this.
1. It has to have at least two women in it
2. Who talk to each other
3. About something besides a man

I wondered, not worried if I passed the test. Mostly for the sake of having a well rounded book-YES it is action-adventure/swords and sandals type fare but I still want resonance and balance for ANY reader. I admit in comparison to men, my novel is rather light on women characters. Bethia, the Governor's daughter and Miriam, Bethia's mother. Lilith/Zoreah the villianess. Sayame, a Lamanite princess. Haza, wife of Anathoth-Tultec/Ishmaelite general. Keturah, a merchant in a caravan.

There are more but off the top of my head I don't think they really have hardly any lines. Between them there is an age range of 15-45. I easily pass 1. and 2. but I had to double check about 3. and I think I pass barely. Bethia and Keturah discuss spirits and pagan gods and not men-though a feminist might still cry foul over them referring to Shagreel, the Sun God, as a he and "LORD". Points for who knows where I got Shagreel from-off the top of their head's. Mary no googling.

The pic above is a sneak-peek at my book trailer. Lilith as presented by my talented sister-in-law Erin. Isn't that a face you would trust? According to my brother Sean-he would-silly Curelom follower.

This subject was also somewhat tackled by my favorite writing pod casters at the latest Writing Excuses.

Poem Lost in the Edits: Poetry Saturday

As a warrior poet I remembered what had been forgotten.
AMARON'S LAMENT
The fallen people, how the dream turned round.
And the song ran hard and into the ground.
This saga of those mighty lost souls.
They whose Empire is dust, cold have gone the coals.
Trodden under the foot of revenge and justice. Mercy where art thou?

Sword in hand, darkness sings, on Cumorah’s land.
Black hearts and the Hand of God, kills the King that would stop his work, sing!
Faith trumps doubt but it doesn’t mean truth won’t bring the pain.
Run cold and hold that inside, words of honor are sound.
Remember, when the torches fade and cannot be found.
Within the hearts that are true, the Lights remain.

Some of my faves from Twitter

These are mine and just thought I would post them here to clear the palette.

Who is Tyler Lautner? And why do people keep telling me I look just like him but with a better body?

Mink fur protesters in the local news have a sign that says GOD HATES FUR. IF thats true why did he give it to animals?

Free kindle e-book from Amazon for one of my favorite authors-Robert E. Howard-this is the Good Conan stuff http://bit.ly/7gH1R6-DOH its already expired.

Congrats @aquamarine76 You have to come and get your car for winning the #Nano white 93 Ford Tempo-needs 2 non-flat tires and new starter.

How is this really very different than head size phrenology the Nazi's did? http://www.profiler1.com/ Just asking.

I am offended that I can't find a place that serves a good penguin sandwich in this town.

I was the inspiration for Dan Brown's character Robert Langdon. Well except for his age, education, mullet etc etc...

I am to be honored by the Rhode Island Literary Society, because of my novels simplistic writing style and ease of understanding by the dim.

@NinevehDinha my book is historical action adventure-think Gladiator/Lord of the Rings-what I like to read-Editor had me add more romance 2.

My 4 year old just saw a pic of Chuck Norris and proclaimed that it was himself. Talk about self-image.

Favorite just discovered #writing mood music Shiva In Exile-Night Heat http://bit.ly/6q8Syk No I don't know what they're saying.

-124,500 words into #Nano and I don't see how I am ever gonna make it and I really want to win that car.

RT @kohlglass I'm small I know but wherever I go the grass grows greener still.> As opposed to where I go nothing grows.

Somewhat ashamed that the latest couple new songs I like are pseudo twlight/vampire inspired.

Just saw New Moon-I don't understand why it had a laugh track.

I am really looking forward to New Moon-what with the COREY's Feldman and Haim coming back to slay Edward-sweet!!!!

@NinevehDinha who would have thought decent food was in such demand in Draper-Can't anyone there cook?

Regarding the english expression "BLY ME" have you ever known anyone who was physically BLYED?

@IMAO_ Yeah because maybe "Amatuer Night at the Apollo is already taken"

Friday the 13th-Happy Templar Crucifiction Day

#amwriting and wondering IF my story is too cruel and hard on Custer-but doesn't everyone know sentient guns are evil?

I got after my 4 yr old son for calling a stranger stupid. We don't do that say you're sorry. "Dad, I'm sorry that guy is stupid."

The new Macy's add says they have been serving me for 150 years-jokes on them I'm only 36.

I am reminded of "Much Ado About Nothing" because @DaronFraley's last twit looked like he called me an ASS!

my son has so much pancake stuffed in his mouth-its all hanging out he looks like Cthulhu-speaking of which http://david-j-west.blogspot.com

Wondering why Mother-in-laws ringtone sounds like Velvetta Cheese theme. Not that I know what that sounds like I just imagine its the same

Wife complained about Victorias Secret Commercial said why are they emphasizing that? I was going to say 4 U but had to be honest its 4 Me

You've got me! Who's got you? . . . . my weak Margot Kidder impression

Idiots in Polls: Just saw on KSL 5% have had H1N1 95% have not-45% know someone who has had it-55% don't know someone who has had H1N1

I'm sure my kids think I am King George for how much I tax their candy without representation.

The Halloween episode of Charlie Brown inspired me to make sure and give at least one kid who comes to the door a rock.

Halloween for our house is just about over. The demons are appeased and the harvest is safe.

20 Years ago I was egging the school, fighting cowboys, stuffing potatoes up car exhaust pipes and evading the cops-Drama class was awesome

I was a highwayman, along the coach roads I did ride, Sword and pistol by my side . . .

Is Jessie still bitter that Rick Springfield stole his girl?

I paid for Abbie Hoffman's "Steal this Book"

I don't always drink beer but when I do, its ROOT...stay thirsty my friends


This was probably too much but there is no point in steering now-yes this is how I waste my time on twitter.