Authors Answer 150 – Creative Evolution

I sometimes wonder if I’ve changed in ways I’m not aware of too.

I Read Encyclopedias for Fun

Writing is a skill that changes over time. The more an author writes, the better they become at their craft. Reading our first stories remind us how far we’ve come. And quite often we cringe and hide that story so no one can see it. This time, we’re talking about how we’ve changed over the course of our writing careers.

Question 150 – How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

H. Anthe Davis

I think I’ve most evolved in my editing skill — my ability to detect bad material and fix it. I’ve also loosened up a bit in my textual diction and am slowly figuring out how to not torture the English language, as I was critiqued once. I used to use more complex constructions and more high-falutin’ words in places where they weren’t necessary, or were in fact counter-productive to the flow and tone of the narrative. I’m…

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Authors Answer 147 – Considering Economic Factors When Writing

I’m not sure I even understand the relationship between length and profitability well enough for thinking about it to accomplish anything anyway.

I Read Encyclopedias for Fun

Creativity is probably the leading reason authors write. They want to create stories that people enjoy. But how much does economics factor into writing books? There are several factors that may figure into how a person writes, including book length and more. This week’s question comes from Gregory S. Close.

Question 147 – Do you write purely creatively, or do you consider economic factors, such as how long the book will be, and how that would effect production/distribution costs?

C E Aylett

Purely creatively. If you approach it from the other direction you are boxing in your muse. And there’s nothing worse than a story that feels contrived to fit size (think of TV series Game of Thrones — wouldn’t we have liked a little more time to develop the Jon/ Dany relationship? Now it feels inauthentic because it wasn’t afforded the proper amount of time to develop, unlike him…

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Authors Answer 121 – The Parting of New Shores

Something of a range for this one.

I Read Encyclopedias for Fun

The Parting of New Shores. What in the world could that mean? I thought this would be an interesting title, and I was very interested in seeing how it would be interpreted. And now you’ll see!

So what happened with last week’s stories? Check out Dodecahedron to read the stories. The winner is… a tie? C E Aylett and Paul B. Spence share the win this time!

On to this week’s story!

Question 121 – The Parting of New Shores

Elizabeth Rhodes

The Parting of New Shores, a fantasy story set on a tropical island.

A survey crew shipwrecks on an island not marked on any known maps and populated by a yet unknown race of people. They quickly find that these people wanted to remain unnoticed, and why – their island is a wellspring of magical power that civilized nations could only dream of, and can harness this power…

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Authors Answer 120 – Dodecahedron

This week’s title is the platonic solid with the most fun-to-say name.

I Read Encyclopedias for Fun

A geometric shape as a title? This could be anything. And it’s a shape people most likely don’t even know. It’s a twelve-sided polygon, and if you play role playing games, such as Dungeons and Dragons, you most likely have used one.

Before we get to the stories, let’s find out who won last week’s story. It was called Fender Slander, and the winner is Gregory S. Close again!

So now on to this week’s story.

Question 120 – Dodecahedron

Jean Davis

Dodecahedron is science fiction. The Council of Twelve acts in the shadows, pulling the strings of planetary governments, crime lords, and the galaxy’s financial markets. Matthews, a scientist who’s funding has suddenly vanished, hunts down the council, slowly exposing its supporting structures until the Council must reveal its faces and answer for all it has done.

Cyrus Keith

Genre: Science Fiction

Setting: Near-Earth space

Summary

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Authors Answer 119 – Fender Slander

Not to be confused with auto-libel.

I Read Encyclopedias for Fun

Another interesting title. To be honest, this one seems a bit difficult, doesn’t it? What exactly is Fender Slander? Check out our ideas for stories, and you can then vote for your favourite.

But first, last week’s winner. The best story, as voted by you, the readers, is by Gregory S. Close! Check out the entries for Bonbon Journey.

And now, this week’s story!

Question 119 – Fender Slander

Elizabeth Rhodes

Fender Slander, a thriller set in modern-day Seattle.

Carl Gallagher just made his big break. The video he put on Youtube playing his song went viral, and record companies are knocking at his door. He attracted near-instant fame… and attention from a supposed superstar on the other side of the world who now accuses him of theft. The man lays claim to Carl’s signature song, look, and even the custom Fender passed down from his father. Now…

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Authors Answer 118 – Bonbon Journey

This could give you cavities.

I Read Encyclopedias for Fun

It’s back! This month, we’ll be doing some more fun book summaries where we get to test our authors’ creativity. We take a title, then give it a genre and setting, and write a summary of the book. It’s a lot of fun.

And this is interactive. You get to vote on your favourite! So, please read the summaries and choose the one you’d love to read.

Question 118 – Bonbon Journey

Jean Davis

Follow chocolate lover, Charlene Taylor, on her world tour of confectionary bliss in this food travel guide. Bonbon Journey is sure to make your mouth water with the stunning photography and vivid descriptions of the words greatest bonbons and other rich chocolate treats.

Cyrus Keith

Genre: Romantic comedy

Setting: The Rhine River, 1890’s

Summary: A young, eligible (but determinedly single) heiress to a once-great chocolate empire embarks on a river tour of Switzerland…

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Authors Answer 95 – The Personality Dealer

Sounds creepy to me.

I Read Encyclopedias for Fun

It’s the final story of the month. Can our authors bring us a compelling story to read? Would you buy it? This time, we’re dealing in personalities!

Check out last week’s winner for “Lessons of a Jolly Hermit“, Tracey Lynn Tobin!

So, let’s check out today’s story and then you decide whose is best in the poll at the end.

Question 95 – The Personality Dealer

Gregory S. Close

Science Fiction

Rory wanted something more from life.  Something exciting.  Something different.  But he couldn’t afford an upgrade from BASIC, not even an A4 Quirk or a back catalogue Recessive Trait, so he’d given up hope of moving up in the social hierarchy and out of his dead end job as a doctor.  Celebrity wasn’t meant for everyone.

Then Magnus Cain shows up on the clinic doorstep, bloody, paranoid and on the run from the law, and he brings…

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Authors Answer 94 – Lessons of a Jolly Hermit

I could probably learn a thing or two from a jolly hermit myself.

I Read Encyclopedias for Fun

How can a hermit be jolly? Ever heard of a jolly hermit? Find out what our ideas are in today’s Authors Answer. You get to choose which story is the best in a poll at the end of the post.

But first, the winner of last week’s contest, The Practicality Engine, is… me! Congratulations, me!

So, let’s look at today’s story!

Question 94 – Lessons of a Jolly Hermit

Paul B. Spence

Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-help

Setting: 21st Century America

Summary: There has never been a better time to be a hermit that the 21st century. Nowadays you can sit at home and never leave, even to work or buy food! But this isn’t without a downside. Not everyone will be happy without any human contact. With our handy guide you too can learn to turn that socially-awkward frown upside-down and be JOLLY!

Tracey Lynn Tobin

Genre: Coming-of-Age/Young Adult

Setting:…

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Authors Answer 93 – The Practicality Engine

I can’t say I’m surprised that there’s a stronger common theme this time than last week.

I Read Encyclopedias for Fun

You may be wondering what a Practicality Engine is. Well, you’re going to find out what our authors think it is. As with last week, we’re taking a title and turning it into a possible story. You, the reader, get to choose your favourite at the end with a poll.

But first, last week’s winner of Lemons and Steel is Gregory S. Close with his entry. Congratulations!

So, let’s take a look at this week’s story!

Question 93 – The Practicality Engine

Gregory S. Close

THE PRACTICALITY ENGINE
“It takes what you want and makes what you need.”

Horror/Thriller

Veronica didn’t have much.  No family.  No money.  No future.  Maybe her looks, if the lighting was just right, but certainly not her pride.  When Caleb and Ron Ron dragged her out in back of the Kitty Kat Klub, she knew she was losing what little she had left.  They had…

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Authors Answer 92 – Lemons and Steel

Now I kind of want some lemonade.

I Read Encyclopedias for Fun

Lemons and Steel? What does that mean? You’re going to find out! This month, we have a special Authors Answer where we take a title, decide what genre it is and where it takes place, then write a brief summary about the book. You get to see our creativity.

And this is an interactive Authors Answer! At the end of the post, you’ll find a poll. You can vote for your favourite idea. We’ll be doing this every week this month, so expect some interesting stories.

Also, there are several members who are absent this week due to various reasons: a couple are in the process of publishing books, while another is busy preparing for school. It’s a busy month!

Question 92 – Lemons and Steel

Paul B. Spence

Genre: Non-Fiction

Setting: Asia

Summary: A comparative analysis of European Colonialism in Asia, focusing on the role of industrialism and modernization…

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