A New Hobby - Painting

Wow, ten months have simply vanished since I last blogged and this place here is dusty! (And I'm sneezing--for real!) Alas, I've not been idle all this while. Overtime and I have been inseparable, but I've managed to do a wee bit of writing and plotting. However, my writing desk is no longer dedicated exclusively to writing.

I desperately needed a creative outlet that I could actually do after draining my brain at work, so my writing desk now doubles as a painting desk! Yup, I decided to try my hand at another form of art. It's a fantastic diversion and I'm really enjoying it. And I might actually be improving.

I chose acrylics as my medium and am using canvas panels for the most part. (I see little sense in wasting good money on mediocre canvases to hold beginner art.) I did, however, finally acquire some "quality" paints after much persuasion. I started using them just recently (beginning with the black and white "depth & contrast study" painting below).

There are some wonderful beginner-level tutorials on YouTube produced by folks who really try to teach. I must tip my hat to Ryan O'Rourke at Ten Minute Painting Tutorials. The first four paintings below were derived from his videos. There are, of course, many others out there who do a fantastic job as well.

Who knows? Maybe one day I'll improve enough to do my own book covers! (I'm allowed to dream; I do, after all, write fantasy.)

The paintings below are listed in chronological order based on date completed, but they were all completed this month. (Just finished Road Runner today!)

8"x10"

8"x10"

5"x7"

11"x14"

5"x7" Black & White paint only (Depth/Contrast study)

16"x20" ("Team Mascot" at Work)

The Vacation Route to Completing a Novel

The Vacation Route to Completing a Novel

by Terry W. Ervin II

Just about every writer, and a good number of readers, know one way to categorize writers is Pantsters vs. Plotters. A ‘pantster’ just sits down and writes their novel, not knowing what happens next, until they reach the end of the story. A ‘plotter’ outlines or plans their book and uses that as a guide while writing the novel, from beginning to the end of the story. Of course, the division isn’t as black and white as that. For example, the degree to which an author plans or outlines their novels varies greatly.

After Relic Tech comes this!

In any case, this article isn’t intended to discuss which method is superior, or should be used, because, in truth, there isn’t any single ‘right way’ to write a novel. What works for one author may or may not be efficient or effective for another. Anyone who believes there is only one ‘right way’ is, well, wrong. Otherwise, every successful author would use the exact same writing process—which they don’t.

What I am going to share is what works for me, and has worked for a number of writers that have struggled in the past…either ‘pantstering’ and writing themselves into a corner, or leaving a jumbled, rambling storyline with plot holes and tangents galore—something unmanageable to work with. Or the writers that can’t get beyond the outlining stage. And, if the outlining authors do, they can’t transition that outline into a compelling story.

Places to visit

I think of the way I outline and plan a novel before writing it as similar to planning a road trip for a vacation. For a vacation, you plan out a route to your ultimate destination. You plan where you intend to stop and visit along the way. How long the stop will be and what sights will be seen. As with any vacation, there will be detours and unexpected sights to see. Some anticipated stops will be shortened or bypassed all together. Some stretches of road will take longer than anticipated, with construction or crowded bottlenecks. Other sections will breeze by faster than anticipated. Still, along the way, even on the road, there are things to see and experience.

Just as with the vacation road trip, I plan out my novel, from the starting point to the final destination—how it will end. I identify major plot points or events along the way (major places to stop and visit). While I have an idea how long it will take to write certain scenes containing the various plot events, sometimes it takes more words (stay there longer). Sometimes I write something unanticipated (stop at an unanticipated destination along the way) and sometimes I eliminate something from the plot (bypassing a planned stop along the way).

The thing is, an outline isn’t written in stone, just as vacation plans shouldn’t be. The flexibility allows the story to grow and become more interesting along the way. Me? I plan in a spiral notebook, taking up about fifteen pages. I jot down relevant events, bits of interesting dialogue or places or characters to be introduced, things like that. With two novels, I transferred the handwritten version to a Word document. This makes it easier to add or delete information, as opposed to adding new ideas in a different color pen or crossing things out. See, that outline is dynamic, and as ideas strike me over the course of writing, I have an organized place to jot (or type) them as they come to me.

You are here

Another hidden benefit is that I don’t get writer’s block. Why not? I know exactly which mile marker (event within the plot outline) I am at, and what mile marker (plot destination) I am traveling (writing) towards. At least that is how writing has worked out for me.

So, if you’re a writer that struggles to start, or efficiently finish, a novel, whether you’re a pantster or a plotter, consider giving my method a try. Modify it to your needs and writing style (some authors use index cards or spread sheets). If you’re an avid reader who thinks you might have a good novel inside of you…consider starting out with this method to organize that novel (or novella or short story) so that it can be written.



About Terry:
Terry W. Ervin II is an English and science teacher who enjoys writing fantasy and science fiction. His First Civilization’s Legacy Series (fantasy) includes Flank Hawk, Blood Sword, and Soul Forge.

The Crax War Chronicles, his science fiction series, includes Relic Tech and Relic Hunted (his most recent release from Gryphonwood Press).

In addition to writing novels, Terry’s short stories have appeared in over a dozen anthologies, magazines and ezines. Genre Shotgun is a collection containing all of his previously published short stories.

To contact Terry or learn more about his writing endeavors, visit his website at www.ervin-author.com and his blog, Up Around the Corner at uparoundthecorner.blogspot.com

Check here for all of Terry's books!

Ten Thousand Times

Today.  Feels like it took a century to get here, but its ominous gray has loomed on the horizon for only a year. And I've made it through every single day that it took to get here.

I'm proud. I'm surprised--shocked really. There were times I didn't think I'd make it this long. Truthfully, there were times I didn't want to make it this long. But I promised her. I said I'd live and love for the both of us.

And I have.

My year of firsts has come to an end and I'm still here. I'm still living. I'm still loving our children and grandchildren for us both. I've survived the birthdays, the holidays, the anniversaries. I've faced the quiet house, the empty bed, the missing lunchtime phone calls and the absence of her I Love My Husband messages on my Facebook wall. From the "see me off to work" kiss to the night's last embrace, I've persevered without it all.

I'm doing my best to do my best, if you follow my logic. That includes my writing. I've had two short stories published since Myra died. The Orchid, the first one I wrote after July 17, 2013, was by far the most difficult story I've ever written. Every single sentence came about as easily as a wisdom tooth yanked out of my jaw. But I kept my word.

I wonder sometimes if I'd have been able to keep that promise were it not for family and friends. Your prayers, your words of encouragement, your patience and understanding, they made the difference--literally--between life and death. I am forever in your debt.

In the eyes of society, the state and God, I'm a widower. In my heart, I'm a husband and will remain so until death reunites us. The poem below, I wrote for my wife.

Ten Thousand Times.

10,000 times I've kissed your rings

10,000 times I've whispered your name

Knowing not what tomorrow brings

Wondering why that woeful day came

10,000 times I've shed a tear

10,000 times I've asked God why

All those times in just one year

Seldom a day do my eyes stay dry

10,000 times I've pictured your face

10,000 times I've struggled to smile

Knowing that you're in a better place

And I'll join you there after my last mile

10,000 words I've penned in letters

10,000 times I've prayed for grace

To endure this grief that fetters

And find true peace as I run this race

10,000 days were we on Earth wed

10,000 times has my shattered heart beat

10,000 ways will my soul have bled

When comes that day it's again complete

The first of 10,571 days "on Earth wed"

Sunday Surfing

Foreign Rights Agents: Everything You Need To Know (& Why You May Want One!)

7 Ways Authors Waste Time "Building Platform" on Social Media

Creating Your Own Mythology  and Tools for Creating Your Own Mythology

Fun With Formatting: Making Ebooks Pretty

Using a Critique Checklist, or, How Not to Look Like a Twit

It's Okay to Freak Out Once in a While



Sir Jeff has been busy this week (surprise, surprise!) trying to complete a short story. I admittedly made no progress on it Saturday. My brother and I had a Game of Thrones season 3 marathon Saturday. Excellent show!

And my short story, The Watcher, appearing in Seers: Ten Tales of Clairvoyance is now available! I'll draft a decent post during the coming week, but if you'd like to read about the ten contributors, check out Carole Ann Moleti's post.

My Muse Tried to Kill Me Today (Repost)

Seeing as how I am up to my eyebrows in edits on The Bonding in order to satisfy a vow I made, I've been unable to craft a nice mid-week post. Drafting one from scratch wasn't even an option and my four dozen or so half-written posts refused to be hurried by the blogger who had let them sit unfinished all this time.

Therefore, I dug back into my greatest-posts-ever-told vault and grabbed a light one to publish again. (This is known as the Bloggy version of a Reprint. Yay!) Maybe five-to-ten percent of the awesome GFC folks over there on the right were over there on the right when this originally published.

Please enjoy My Muse Tried to Kill Me Today. This is based on a true story.

"Not in the car!" I told her.  "We've talked about this!  I'm driving.  Fast!"

"Just jot it down, Jeff.  You got that new gadget, didn't you?  Use it."

"I can't type on virtual keyboards driving 65 miles per hour," I growled.

"Well, doesn't it have one of those thingies built into it?  You know, one of those recorder things?"

"Probably.  I don't know.  I ain't got it all figured out yet.  It's still new."

"Come on, Jeff.  You work with computers!  What's taking you so long?"

"I'm old," I quipped.  Old people like me get cranky sometimes--especially on highways doing 65mph while dodging other drivers equally distracted by muses of their own.  "Can't you just hold that thought until I get into town?  We'll hit a bunch of red lights.  I promise."

"Well what about one of those little thingies that you talk to and it plays it back for ya?  You wouldn't have to type or write anything then, just run your mouth like you usually do."

If I could have found her eyes I'd have given her a real meaningful stare about then.  But she had been spouting some mighty good stuff the whole way into work.  I needed to stay on her good side.  But still... "Where were you before I left the house this morning?  Or over the weekend for that matter?  I'd could have written everything down then."

"Oh, Jeff.  You think I ain't got nothing better to do than to memorize your schedule?  I'm a free spirit.  I'm not just a 9-to-5 girl, you know."

No, I thought to myself.  You're a pop-in-while-Jeff's-driving kind of girl.  "Well, I waited on you last night.  You stood me up.  Again."

"You know, you might try coming up with some of this stuff yourself sometime.  It's not that hard."

"Woah!  Hang on!  Some dude behind me's a sniffin' my tailpipe!"  I find twelve feet of empty space between two cars on my right and swerve into it like the crazy old coot that I am.  "You're gonna get me killed!"

"Wow, who taught you how to drive?"

My back stiffened and I quietly told her, "I'm a safe driver, thank-you, when people aren't distracting me."

"If you say so.  Are you gonna write any of this down or not?  I ain't got all day to spend with you.  One of my other clients is writing this juicy love scene in a romantic novella."  She grinned.  "He's cute too."

"Well, go check on him then.  I'll see if I can find one of those little recorder thingies after work.  Okay?"

"Okay.  I'll pop in later, Jeff.  Drive safe now!"


Alrighty folks, I'm curious.  Any of your muses ever put your well-being in jeopardy?  Care to tell us how?

Sunday Surfing

The Importance of Strategic Goals and How To Reassess Your Personal Goals

Gini Koch: Why I Like Traditional Publishing (Use the "Find Posts By" dropdown to filter by contributor or interest.)

Book Contract Overview (a little dated, but a nice overview regarding what is in a typical contract. Good comments too.)

5 Things You Need to Do Before You Quit the Day Job

Rites of Submission: Cover Letters and Query Letters

Self Publishing, The Poor Way

Need a little therapeutic bubble wrap popping?

And here's a little LOTR Infographic to help you brush up on your Tolkien.

Enjoy the links! And as always, write wisely!

Sunday Surfing and I Survived Vegas

I survived Las Vegas

With my trip to Vegas consuming most of my week, I found little time to rummage through the nooks and crannies of the web looking for nuggets of priceless wisdom and guffaw-inducing entertainment.

However, I did find a few that I wanted to highlight for your ever-progressing self-enrichment.

I came across some great "How-To" articles on self-publishing here and here and this one with still more links.

And after last week's fun-poking at felines, here's a link to a canine post for your enjoyment. Writers and their canine doppelgangers.

Also from The Kill Zone is the Hunting Down The Muse post.

Scott Lukas Williams wrote a touching tribute: RIP Ray Harryhausen.

Here is part 1 and part 2 of Carissa Taylor's Write On Con Recap.

Mooderino was busy last week providing some welcome Synopsis Support. And along those lines, you may also want to check out Your Book In One Sentence part 1 and part 2.

You survived April's A-to-Z Challenge. Did you visit all the other participating blogs? No? Well then climb on board for the 2013 Post A-to-Z Road Trip.

And about that Vegas trip I took last week...

They say "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," but sometimes what happens is just too good or funny not to share.

I had my first chuckle within 90 seconds of paying for my hotel room. There I was, laptop bag in one hand, suitcase in the other. Before me stood a lovely, towering fountain.

No, he didn't fall into this

Upon this fancy fountain sat a fellow more than a little inebriated. I doubt I'd have noticed him at all had it not been for the splash.

A southern baptist preacher couldn't have dunked him any better.

Now, the brain requires a few brief moments to process such things before it thinks about rendering aid. In this, my brain was no exception. I stood there gawking just like everyone else. By the time the thought occurred to me, he'd already arisen from his self-administered baptism.

I stayed at the MGM Grand

With eyes as round as any I'd ever seen, he took in his surroundings while climbing back out of the fountain. He never spoke, but I'm fairly certain he realized he was drenched. I'm just not sure he understood how he came to be that way.

I would so love to know which questions were sloshing through his mind. His expression suggested so many possibilities.

The downside to the incident was the fact that the fountain was off and empty for the remainder of my stay. Perhaps it was due maintenance after the mishap or it needed a good cleaning. I somehow doubt it was the first baptism that fountain had seen.

But the trip was both productive and fun. The flights were at full capacity, but were all on time. I managed to get You Are My Sunshine stuck in my head during the return trip thanks to a spontaneous mother and daughter in-flight duet. (I have to admit though, the girl had a nice voice for being three or four years old.)

The weather was great the entire time I was there. I snapped some nice pictures. I posted some here and more on Facebook.

I ate at Gordon Ramsay's BurGR restaurant. (And that burger was way better than I expected!) I also had steak at Chef Emeril Lagasse's Cajun seafood restaurant. (I don't do fish.) Of course, everyone except me knew who these chefs were.

There really is something in Vegas for just about everyone--except for beaches, but they do have some nice pools. This last photo is from a pool area at MGM Grand.

Enjoy the links. And as always, write wisely.

Sunday Surfing and Waving From Vegas

What I Learned From Having a Literary Agent

5 Ways to Deal with Word Repetition

Self-Publishers: Do You Need Nurturing?

I found this one quite illuminating: LOL isn't funny anymore

Getting Everything Right Is Wrong

Pirates & Trolls But No White Knight by Beth Fred (on the pirating of eBooks)

Notes on Writing Fight Scenes

"Illegal" Magic Systems

And this is just a "little" thing for you science fans: A Boy And His Atom. Guinness-certified world's smallest movie, created by stop-motion photography of actual atoms arranged by IBM researchers. Magnification factor? 100 million times.

This North Carolina boy is heading to Las Vegas, Nevada to attend a LOMA/ACORD conference for work. While I love flying, I despise airports and all the hassles that come with them.  However, the upside to this trip is that I get to see Dr. Michio Kaku in person! He'll be wrapping up the conference!

Dr. Michio Kaku

Dr. Kaku's website is a great place to visit.

Wish me safe and hassle-free journeying. Time and wi-fi willing, I'll pop in and do a bit of visiting. Until then, write wisely!

A Conspiracy? (A-to-Z Reflections)

I entertained the idea of participating in the A-to-Z Challenge this year. But I knew April would be a demanding month at work, so I logically decided against participating.

I was at peace.

Until a certain dragon delivered mail asking if I'd do it. I again debated the pros and cons, weighing them until the balance tipped. I replied, relaying my sincere apologies.

Now I said my A B Cs...

I was again at peace--mostly.

Until a certain ninja (or a clone of one) emailed me. He pounced with his mystical power of persuasion. I heard music in the email. A guitar, I think. This masked master of omnipresence tempted me.

Was there a conspiracy afoot? Were other tempters and temptresses out there lying in wait? It quickly became obvious that resistance was futile. I caved.

And I was no longer at peace.

I fretted over theme. I fretted over time. I fretted over Xs and Zs and Qs. I garnered curious expressions from my wife as she watched me roam aimlessly throughout the house muttering my alphabet.

I chose my theme. I chose my entries. I wrote and posted, visited and commented. I found new friends, discovered great blogs, and learned a few things in the process. I do not regret participating.

I am at peace.

Go Ahead, Aim For the Stars

During last month's A-to-Z Challenge, I highlighted a number of authors that have inspired me over the years. Many of these authors broke new ground, tried new things and were often met with lukewarm receptions.

Edgar Rice Burroughs began writing about John Carter traveling to Mars in 1912. He described large flying ships, planetary atmospheric processing plants and Tharks, the six-limbed and not so little green Martians. When was he inducted into the EMP Museum's Science Fiction Hall of Fame? 2003. Talk about patience!

Click here to join this supportive community

And let us not forget the great Jules Gabriel Verne. In the 1860s & 1870s he was taking readers 20,000 leagues under the sea, around the world in eighty days, to the moon and even to the earth's very center. Verne had to wait until 1999 for his induction to the Hall of Fame. He was often perceived as a children's or (gasp!) genre author.

Isaac Asimov's robots with positronic brains showed up in his short stories as early as 1939. (Who knew Lt. Commander Data was so dated?) They appeared in his novels by the 1950s. Keep in mind that we didn't even have pocket calculators until the 1970s.

In the 1930s and 1940s we had C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and the rest of the Inklings discussing literature and creating hobbits, ringwraiths and vistas like Narnia, among so much more.

These writers were visionaries. They were in many ways ahead of their time. Much of what they accomplished wasn't always appreciated until years later. And they were but a few who dared to write what none had written before.

The take-away? Possibilities are limitless. Let yourself dream and break new ground.

Go ahead, aim for the stars!

Sunday Surfing

Next Time, I’ll Self-publish (The comments are worth reading.)

One of the funniest A-to-Z posts I've read yet: R is for- Rumpology

Author Etiquette 101: Do’s and Don’ts for Writers Using Social Media

S is for Sequels

Writing an Op-ed Article

Under Things and Unmentionables

5 Bone-Chilling Writing Tips from Alfred Hitchcock

Pro Writing Aid

As Plain As the Nose on Your Face by Julie Daines for Utah Children's Writers 30 Days 30 Stories series. Julie took clichés to the next level.

Sunday Surfing

Measuring Success by Susan Kaye Quinn

Tips for the authors: understanding Amazon e-book best seller ranks

Are you a writer or a storyteller?

The Single Most Effective Book Marketing Strategy An Author Can Use

The Most Incredible Fantasy Maps You've Ever Seen

Doesn't everyone know this? It's true: Men can't read women's emotions, study confirms (This doesn't apply to Daaron from my first book though.)

Sunday Surfing

Flogging the Quill

Why Do We Keep Making Ebooks Like Paper Books?

Feeling Rejected? Join the {Prestigious} Crowd

Style, Fear and the Bias Against Creativity

Horatio Nelson Fiction Prize at Black Balloon Publishing

The Other Face of Rejection

The 9 Ingredients of Character Development

LTUE: First person POV

How can story writers and book authors hook their readers?

Very fascinating and a little spooky: Where No Search Engine Has Gone Before

Progress on my Magic Muse writing workbench application is coming along rather nicely thus far.  I'm still dealing primarily with interface design, trying to determine what features to implement and how they best function.

I'm sure the appearance will change as development continues, but here is a screenshot of how some of the windows look now.

Click image for larger size display

Sunday Surfing

How Many Spaces After a Period? Ending the Debate

A wonderfully balanced post on the Pros & Cons of Self-Publishing

How to Make a Blog Button

Creating Emotional Frustration in Your Characters

The Funnily Enough

Nice long list of articles at Linda Rohrbough

Answers to 14 questions you're too afraid to ask literary agents

Sunday Surfing

Blog Blitz: A cool idea that DL Hammons over at Cruising Altitude had.

Amazon.com to Acquire Goodreads

Is it Really Time for Authors to Stop Blogging?

Dontcha Know How Ter Write Dialects, Y'all?

7 Reasons Agents Stop Reading Your First Chapter

Being Enneagrammatically Correct Part 1 and Part 2

Don't forget the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. It begins on April 1 (tomorrow!)  My theme will be "I Love Sci-Fi/Fantasy Because..." I look forward to reading your posts!

And finally, check out this monster wave off the coast of Portugal. It was estimated to be 100 feet high! And someone is surfing it!

If you encounter a post or article that you believe would be of benefit or interest to other writers, let me know.  Leave a comment. Send me an email. Catch me on Facebook or tweet the link to me on Twitter including the hashtag #SundaySurfing and I'll check it out.  As most of you know, my schedule is always a crap shoot and I undoubtedly miss some great links.  I'd hate for others to miss out too!

Sunday Surfing (And a Status Update)

Probably everyone but the cave-dwelling hermit living in the canyon over yonder knows this, but the Blogging from A to Z Challenge is drawing nigh.  Many are participating this year.  Be sure to sign up if you're interested.  You will be welcomed.

One Simple Trick That Makes Editing Less Painful

Juggling Genres...Brilliance or Pure Folly?

So You Want to Use Song Lyrics in Your Novel? 5 Steps to Getting Rights to Lyrics

Honorary Geekdom membership requires that you view the new Star Trek Into Darkness trailer. (Platinum-level membership requires you to view it at least twice.)

And although I haven't written much prose lately, I have been writing a good deal of code.  Below is a screenshot of Magic Muse's current state of development.  I have much more to do before I can switch to it as my primary writing workbench, but I am making progress.

The DotNet version of Magic Muse

I'm still working on interface issues rather than the actual text editing and formatting functionality.  After all, the structure must be constructed before running the wiring and plumbing.

I'm hoping to have it ready for some initial testing within a few months, should anyone be interested in test driving it.

So, what have you been doing lately?

Sunday Surfing

ASK PZM: March 2013 - Pricing

Clarity In Writing & The Curse of Reader Assumption

The Unnecessary Shame Writers Feel When Getting Feedback

Daisy Carter is running a nice series called Writing 101

On Dystopians and First Lines

Kelley Lynn wrote a nice post on Accepting Critique

For grins and persuasion:
Here's what happens to your body during a good giggle


And of course, the moment I get comfortable with a "new" technology, it's either outdated or obsolete.  Such appears to be the case with the discontinuation of Google Reader come July 1. (And I'm still lamenting the loss of Google Calendar Sync for Outlook.)

After a bit of research, I found alternatives discussed (and linked) within the following articles:
Google Reader alternatives (ExtremeTech)
Google Reader is dying, but we have five worthy alternatives (c|net)

Sunday Surfing

21 Rhetorical Devices, and their tricky names

Author Crit Partner Connection

5 Tax Tips for Authors

Somehow, I kinda suspected most of this: Procrastination Nation

One example of what makes this community great.  And another.  And Elizabeth summed it up nicely here.

What being published has taught me

Maybe one day I can put this advice to good use: Book Signings That WOW

Sara linked to Pixar's 22 Rules of Phenomenal Storytelling on Friday. I've seen it debated in places, but it's definitely worth the read.

Seek to Critique - March IWSG

I'm a big fan of critiques.  I like receiving them.  And I like giving them.

The benefits of receiving them are obvious.  The benefits of giving them, however, are varied and not always immediately evident.

I gave my first critique less than two years ago.  A dozen different insecurities flooded my mind as I did so.

• Who am I to recommend that this be changed?
• What if my suggestion ends up being the worst suggestion in the history of critiquing?
• How can I make sure my feedback will be received in the spirit intended?
• Did I word this comment so that its meaning won't be misinterpreted?
• Am I sure the writer's intent didn't just fly over my head?
• Maybe that section really is perfect and I'm just too dense to recognize it??

And on and on the doubts came and set up residence in my mind.  But had I never sent the critique, that residency would have become permanent.

As with anything we do in life, we improve with practice.  We grow more confident and strengthen our skills, both in analyzing another's words and in conveying ours.

But I've found that I'm the one who benefits most from the critiques I give.  I learn or reinforce grammar lessons.  I see the importance of word choice, sentence and story structure.  I discover new terms, new techniques, and get a feel for what works and what doesn't.  I find myself flagging a writer for something that I still do myself, and promptly make a note to change it in my own manuscript.

Critiquing enables a writer to view his own writing from different perspectives, making possible a more objective assessment of his own skills and tendencies.

Providing a good critique takes a fair bit of time if done well.  And when handled properly, the results will encourage as well as enlighten the writer who wrote the words under your microscope.

Almost two-thirds of my time reading over the past year has been for critiques.  And I do not regret it one bit.  I can only hope those who have received critiques from me have benefited from them as much as I did.

While receiving a critique benefits the receiver, giving a critique benefits everyone. So do everyone a favor. Seek to critique and learn from the experience.

(My apologies if this publishes as new again. I somehow managed to "unpublish" it.)

Won Fowl Knight

Once upon a time their lived a knight. Won day he stood alone, fraught with despair. The battle had lasted for daze. His comrades fought wail, but the enema had keeled awe his friends.  Despair enveloped hymn on that fowl night.

Then, from fir above, descended a maiden most fare.  Her words where song and blew was her hare.  "What troubles ewe, most valiant night?" she asked. "Your countenance is lo and worries are grate."

"My friends are know more," he cried. "How can I carry own?"

"I'll whisper a spell if you swear never too tale.  You're friends wheel live own and you'll weep four them never a gain."

She sad her words and his sorrows fled.  He saw them then, atop the heel. And marry his heart be came.

The End.

A smile of contentment spread across Jeff's face.

A job well done took him to his happy place.

His prose was tight and his words so slick,

He'd soon be rivaling that Rowling chick. 

And that night dreams most grand did abound,

For within his tale, nary a misspelling was found.

May all your spill checks be perfect!