Anthology Submissions

Thanks to you all, my story is in top shape, and I submitted it for consideration to an anthology Saturday night.
It's in God's hands now! :)

[I have written a wraith, half-orc, and two-headed dwarfs in. So much fun!]

The choices for title came down to SUICIDE REDEEMED and LATITUDES OF HOPE.

I really liked Latitudes of Hope, but I felt 'Latitudes' was a measurement term bound to earth not space. So I'll save that for another day and the title becomes: SUICIDE REDEEMED.

Synopsis:
The short story tells of the redemption of a Vampire, Vin, who "committed vamp suicide" a century ago by jumping into outerspace and floating, alone.
Dr. Shed, an evil scientist and paranormal medicine man, is gathering species with all types of abilities and abnormalities to build himself a paranormal army. One of his prized possessions is, Vin the vampire, a creature Shed found floating in space.

The River, a place where paranormal creatures find Jesus and redemption, have sent a team of their elite to rescue the paranormal creatures Shed has kidnapped, and claim them from his evil control. The River and Vin have a connection. Her name is, Sardonyx, Vin's mentor in Christ and life-long love.

They all meet in a massive war to free the captive creatures, including an attempt to free Vin from his self-made, suicidal tendencies.

I am sincerely indebted to those of you who, last minute, edited my story! Happy Writing!

THE END OF BLOG DAYS OF SUMMER by KM Wilsher

Tomorrow, September 22, marks the first day of Fall 2010 or : the Autumnal Equinox. One of my favorite days of the year.

This year I am sad to see summer go. It seems it flashed by in the blink of an eye. I hate to say goodbye to BLOG DAYS OF SUMMER, but I know I must let go and turn my face toward the autumn winds.

I have had an emotional summer, with many successes and life changing moments, as well as deep disappointments and life lessons that will ache deep in my heart for months to come.

However, I think the best thing about this summer has been hiking. I really feel close to our Lord as I move through the dirt paths of South Mountain, Papago, and this past weekend Usary pass. Thank you for sharing each step with me!

I hope to share more insights later this fall from those inspiring hikes. More movie and book reviews. More fun games and stories. And a secret surprise I've been dying to share!!!

You will have to wait as I refresh my soul this month. I will share all of these in the upcoming HOLIDAY SERIES that starts October 31st. Stay tuned, see you Halloween!

LES EDGERTON ~ THELMA AND LOUISE

Phoenix College puts on a writer’s conference every year, called MICROBURST.
This year:

Les Edgerton demonstrated how analyzing film structure can enhance the fiction writer’s work. This event was designed to give you the tools to create riveting stories and scripts. Edgerton led participants step by step through an analysis of Callie Khouri’s award-winning screenplay as we watched Thelma & Louise. “Virtually every frame includes a valuable teaching moment for fiction writers.”

A few of my notes from Microburst

• Thelma was the protagonist.

• I missed the definition for: "inciting incident". ugh.

The inciting incident in THELMA AND LOUISE:
When Thelma attempts to get permission from hubby to go on weekend trip with Louise.

Thelma: Hon.

Hubby: What!?

(She doesn’t ask. She has already embarked upon her character journey.)

Thelma: Nothing. What do you want for dinner?

• There is almost no back story in THELMA AND LOUISE. When it does come, it is at almost to the halfway mark. And is peppered. Hinted. Never told.

• The readers should do some work. The readers want to do some work. They don’t want you to tell. Don’t have the character sit down over coffee and spill back story.

• When Louise shoots the man hurting Thelma, this is the point of no return - not the inciting incident.


• Get out of your character’s head.

• Water cooler moment = a scene that people will be discussing around the water cooler.

One in THELMA AND LOUISE is when they get pulled over by the cop, take him hostage, and:

Thelma tells Louise: Shoot the radio.

Louise shoots the AM/FM.

Thelma says: The police radio, Louise!

• You want at least 6 water cooler moments for a best seller/blockbuster.


• Protagonist has to make her own decision – for herself – no one can make it for her.

Thelma: what are you doing?

Louise: I’m not getting caught.

(later)
Thelma: Okay then, let’s not get caught.

Louise: What?

Thelma: Let’s keep going.

Louise: What do you mean?

Thelma: Go.

Louise: You sure?

Thelma: Yeah.

• An ending must have elements of loss and win.

Loss in THELMA AND LOUISE is obvious: All.

Win in THELMA AND LOUISE is: Freedom from men, on their own terms.

I know lots of you are at Desert Dreams and other writer’s conferences this weekend. What can you share?

HAPPY WEEKEND :0)

PROPHET, a review, BLOG DAYS OF SUMMER, by KM Wilsher

PROPHET
BY FRANK PERETTI
My synopsis of the story: A television news reporter finds himself caught up in a mystery of political deceit and human tragedy all the while re-establishing his relationship with his family and God.
Review
I felt drawn to PROPHET'S main character, John Barret, the moment the author introduced the strained relationship between John Barret and his young adult son. The snapshot Frank Peretti presented of the father’s emotions, regrets, and inadequacies astounded me. Then and there I signed up for this story and knew I’d be invested to the very end.
I’d never read anything like Peretti before. Until then, Christian fiction had been pretty disappointing -- detached and unreal, surfacy and preachy. Frank Peretti breaks all the molds I had encountered. He tells a real story about real human beings. Frank Peretti’s characters let you into their internal dialogue as they face problems that you and I face.
PROPHET includes a speculative aspect, but I think it can be enjoyed by those who adore speculative fiction and those who are not sure.
I liked this book with its relevant, modern day issues, and it real characters, however, it was too long. I did not enjoy the drawn out details of John Barret’s duties at the television station and other drawn out passages. They were distractions and threatened my desire to finish the book. However, I would still recommend it. I think the Christian aspect, the hot political issues, the speculative features, and most of all the characters are enough to say, “Pick up this book.”