How About Writing More Short Realistic Fiction?

How's it going lurkers? Since I am an unpublished author, I thought I would give some input about writing stories. It is common for writers to always want to write novels. 

Personally, I feel more writers should invest their time in writing short stories.

Writing short stories is a great way and usually a gateway for writers to have their work discovered.

Imagine having your own short story added to an anthology with numerous authors. Most English teachers and professors require students to read anthologies of short stories. Then, teachers and professors want their students to analyze the author's work.

Authors with short stories in anthologies are the equivalents of mainstream and unknown talent that are being featured on TV and movie soundtracks.

Throughout my adolescence and early 20's, I loved frequenting local music stores to buy soundtracks. It was an excellent way to expose new, undiscovered, and unaired talent.

Whenever I found a certain musician(s), that I really loved on a soundtrack, I searched for more songs by him/her/them. Then, I would buy that particular musician(s)' albums.

Now, apply that same concept to short stories being published in anthologies.

It would be better if more writers tried taking baby steps by writing short stories rather than rushing into creating novels.

Even though I have never written any novels, I have written at least 6 short stories. About 3 are bound yet unpublished at Carthage College in It's Not All Bunnies And Sunshine (my chapbook).

It would be fantastic to not only have my work self-published, but also be featured in anthologies. 

Maybe I will submit at least 1 of my 6 Short Horror Stories to be featured in the next Horror-Punks anthology.

If you are asking yourselves, "Did she just name drop Horror-Punks.com?"

"Hai!" In case you're wondering, that means "Yes" in Japanese.

For some reason, most seem to overlook writing short stories and being published in anthologies. 

I can't help reiterating, that authors would highly benefit from having their short stories discovered in anthologies besides publishing a novel.

Schools require students to read short stories. At least I was required, during my youth.

Throughout 1st-12th grade and college, my teachers and professors required us to read short stories besides reading novels.

Considering my short stories' graphic content, they would probably be shared in College English courses. Adult readers between 18 to 57 years old are my target demographic.

Minors probably would not understand 1/2 my short stories and aren't guaranteed to grasp the big picture. On the other hand, my work alone would probably be banned from certain grade levels.

Most of my short stories can be considered Horror, Psychological Thriller, and Semi-Fiction. Sometimes I also write Realistic Fiction.

Here is a YouTube vlog created by PowToon. This animated vlog gives examples, which help to explain Realistic Fiction.

Realistic Fiction Genre

The Realistic Fiction video mostly shows novels as examples. If more writers want to learn about writing short stories, watch George Wier's vlog below. Wier goes into more depth about writing stories.

George Wier Explains How To Write Short Stories

When George Wier mentioned 30-50 pages for a short story's page length, it seemed more like he was talking about writing either a novelette, or a novella. 

 

Novellas and novelettes are usually between short stories and novels regarding page length.

While creating my own short stories, maintaining an even balance of narration and dialogue is usually the biggest challenge(s) I sometimes face, besides avoiding as many cliches as possible.

Some cliches can be used to a writer's advantage, whereas some are complete overkill.

In these last 2 vlogs, Ellen Brock gives strategies about showing rather than telling in stories, and the 5 mistakes made by amateur writers.

1) Ellen Brock Demonstrates Showing VS Telling Stories

2) Ellen Brock Lists 5 Biggest Mistakes Amateur Writers Make

What do you think about the preceding vlogs? 

 

Do you agree with my thoughts about writing short stories? 

Hopefully, these vlogs were beneficial to every writer! Let me know what you think!

What Are Anna H's Thoughts About Audiobooks & Soundtracks As An Author?

 

How's it going lurkers? I read an informative article on The Creative Penn about audiobooks being the future trend in self-publishing.

Audiobooks: Tips For Distribution With ACX And Marketing Ideas

The thought of this is a great idea! If someone happens to be a self-publishing author, this can be of some benefit. People don't always have the time and energy to sit down and read a physical book.

More should take into consideration, that not everyone enjoys reading. Therefore, an audiobook can possibly attract a bigger audience consisting of both book readers and non-book readers.

Don't get me wrong. Even though my current chapbook is bound yet unpublished, I plan on having it expanded, revised, and rebound for publishing.

At the risk of sounding cheesy, I keep my chapbook stashed on the side of my bed. It's there as a reminder of my past and future accomplishments.

Aside from my old Carthage College chapbook, I want the next version of my chapbook to be rebound in a smaller hardcover and converted into ebooks and audiobooks. That same chapbook would include a soundtrack. 

Think about it! Doesn't that sound like a cool idea? After all, some popular stories and movies have audiobooks. The same applies to Manga (Japanese comic books) in Japan.

Some of the most popular "Light Novels," Manga, Anime, video games, etc. in Japan have what they call, "Drama CD's."

Imagine being a reader or a really busy parent listening to an author's audiobook, while driving to work, picking up kids, and/or traveling. 

Having an audiobook is especially convenient for busy multi-taskers.

I reiterate, audiobooks can potentially increase an author's fandom with non-book readers. This is something to definitely keep into consideration.

You are probably wondering, "Anna," who would you want to voice/narrate your audiobooks?"

I have been thinking about Anime voice actors such as Crispin Freeman and Johnny Yong Bosch, to only name 2 examples. I've also considered actors and musicians such as Wes Borland from Black Light Burns/Limp Bizkit and Jared Leto. 

I definitely wouldn't mind having Jared voice Alan a.k.a. "Loose Lips" for "All Of Chastity's Men." In past interviews, Jared mentioned that he enjoys playing characters that die in movies. I haven't decided if I am going to kill "Loose Lips." However, he is getting tortured without a doubt. You'll have to forgive me for being such a sadist.

I don't know, which voice actresses I would want on my audiobook. That would be a tough decision to make. 

Since I already have years of experience doing PA announcements in Japanese and worked as a Radio DJ/Hostess, I would probably do the narration and voice acting for my female protagonists. 

More money for my wallet, right?

I do not want my short stories to be turned into movies. Hollywood filmmakers are skilled at turning movies based on books into Shit Sandwiches. Take Queen of the Damned, for example. Anytime Anne Rice said the movie was a "great disappointment," you know it's bad.

Anne Rice's Thoughts About Queen of the Damned

Queen of the Damned was a shitty movie. Jonathan Davis as the ticket scalper was the BEST part about it. God knows it wasn't Aaliyah and Stuart Townsend's horrendous acting. Just thinking about those 2 make me clinch my chest from pain.

No disrespect to the late Aaliyah because I did enjoy some of her songs during my youth, and I believe that had she been alive today, we wouldn't be forced to endure Beyonce ad nauseam. 

Despite her singing and dancing, Aaliyah could NEVER act. Ever try watching Romeo Must Die? I rest my case.

Luckily, the Queen of the Damned Soundtrack compensated for that trainwreck of a movie. Ugh!

Speaking of soundtracks, I don't know every soloist and group, that I would want on a soundtrack for my work if any of my work EVER had a soundtrack. However, Enigma's song, "I Love You... I'll Kill You" would be my ideal theme song for "All Of Chastity's Men." Listening to the song is quite fitting.

The more I think about it, my readers would probably enjoy "All Of Chastity's Men" more than "Across The Street."

"All Of Chastity's Men" is probably my longest short story compared to all the other short stories I've written within the last 3-8 years. I wasn't planning on turning that particular story into a novel but anything is possible.

Right now, I'm playing everything by ear. The biggest challenge with finishing it is how much of my past do I want to insert into this story.

It is a Semi-Fiction Woman Scorned type of Horror Story. When I say, "Semi," I mean not everything in it is true. It is still Fiction.

Before anyone asks, no I have never killed anyone, unless killing them on paper qualifies. No, I am not a misandrist ("man-hating feminazi").

Women without any self-respect and sleazebag men love to label me a "man-hater" because I reject them and/or refuse to be submissive. Otherwise, I am automatically considered a "threat" in almost every aspect.

Most of the time, my female co-workers viewed me as a threat to them. I never bought into the whole "sisterhood" bullshit.

Then again, I have no sisters (at least not to my knowledge). It's always about, "Who's the alpha female?" Anyway, this is all I have to say, for now. Let me know what you think!

Enigma "I Love You... I'll Kill You" The Cross of Changes (1993)

Cartoon Sunday: Tenjho Tenge

How's it going lurkers? Imagine if Ikki Tousen wasn't so painful to watch. We're talking LESS panty shots and a decent dialogue and plot without terrible voice acting.

Most Anime fans, who have survived streaming Ikki Tousen, have been scarred for life. Some wanted to jump off burning bridges after watching it. 

If you don't believe me, I DARE you to watch Ikki Tousen! Godspeed to you all! Only the masochists and those, who simply love having their intelligence insulted, enjoyed watching that dumpster fire.

Personally, I would rather be shanked by my gynecologist 10 times than be forced to watch Ikki Tousen EVER again. Even Anime News Network gave it a bad review. 

Listening to the voice acting is torturous. It sounds like those poor voice actors were forced to read their lines. It makes me wonder if they were waterboarded between voice acting scenes. Like I said, Ikki Tousen is horrendous!

Since Adult Swim wants to continue buying previously premiered Anime, it wouldn't hurt to buy Tenjho Tenge. A decade ago, when more cable/satellite networks competed against both Cartoon Network and Adult Swim for Anime ratings, Fuse TV premiered Tenjho Tenge.

Tenjho Tenge is a Seinen Supernatural Martial Arts Action Anime with romance. The 2 high school juvenile deliquents as freshmen, Souichiro Nagi and Bob Makihara are the main characters.

They arrive at Toudou Academy with the intent to dominate the high school with their strength. Little do Souichiro and Bob know that they encountered the Jyuukenbu. 

Jyuukenbu- Toudou Academy's Martial Arts Club. 

The Jyuukenbu consists of Masataka Takayanagi, Maya, and her sister, Aya Natsume.

Aya is a freshman, Masataka is a sophomore, and Maya is a junior. All 3 of them overpower Souichiro and Bob, which I always found hilarious. 

Well, I don't want to spoil the beginning for you. I'll simply let you watch Tenjho Tenge for this week's Cartoon Sunday.

Tenjho Tenge: Episode 1(2004)

Cartoon Sunday: Death Note's Pilot

How's it going lurkers? Last week, I talked to an old college guy friend about my previous Cartoon Sunday blog. 

We discussed Adult Swim's overly played shows, that should be retired. He is someone, who loves watching Cowboy Bebop. Someday, I MAY try watching Cowboy Bebop even though it's been re-aired on Adult Swim, since the network's launch in 2001. 

Some zealots cannot seem to grasp, that excessive hype about anything tends to repel new and potential fans. 

Whether it is animation, live action shows, movies, music, books, video games, etc. the constant hype is overkill. Maybe if I wasn't surrounded by so many Anime Otakus and Weeaboos years ago, while attending UW-Parkside and Carthage College, I may have enjoyed certain series. 

Not to sound like I am being a pompous, self-righteous Anime fan, but Anime Otakus and Weeaboos can be really obnoxious. Anime Otakus and Weeaboos usually make it difficult for other Anime fans or generally anyone, who is interested in Japanese culture and entertainment to appreciate Anime.

As soon as someone says he/she is an Anime fan or something revolving around Japanese interests, we have to be suspicious of each other. We are unsure if that person is heavily medicated for mental and behavioral disorders, has identity crises, and is contrived and/or pretentious about their fandom.

Some Anime fans are such zealots that they do NOT  know how to enjoy something without acting bat, shit crazy. I finished watching a YouTube vlogger's rant about Westaboos and Weeaboos. In his vlog, he made some valid points.

People need to be more well-rounded, when it comes to their interests. At the same time, they must try acting sane. Like I already said earlier, my college friend and I discussed Adult Swim's excessively shown Anime. He loves Cowboy Bebop and stated, that "Cowboy Bebop is kinda like an old worn out blanket. It's comfy and feels good."

My friend also believes, that Adult Swim is playing it "safe" with the programming. He makes a valid point about the network playing it safe. However, the Adult Swim Team is playing their programming TOO safe.

Adult Swim limits their viewers from being exposed to better and more interesting Anime. The network has overlooked many titles within the last 13 years. 

Within these last 6 years, the team loves premiering some of the worst acquisitions they can buy and force viewers into liking a series.

Adult Swim could've bought the entire Hell Girl franchise, while acquiring the rights to Death Note. Since Hell Girl is labeled as a Shojo Horror Anime, Adult Swim wouldn't even DARE to air it.

In a way, Hell Girl is somewhat similar to Death Note. It's just that Ai Enma is a dead girl, who sends people to hell, whereas Death Note is about a teenage boy (becomes a college student later), who uses a Shinigami's (meaning "Death God" in Japanese) notebook to kill corrupt people.

Death Note is a Shonen Supernatural Murder Mystery Anime. If the Death Note franchise would've had the "Shojo" branding rather than "Shonen," Adult Swim would've left it alone like Hell Girl.

Now, that I think about it, the Hell Girl franchise has 3 seasons compared to Death Note only having 2. 

When I watched the last few minutes of Hell Girl's finale, the ending felt more like a cliffhanger. Too bad Death Note didn't have a cliffhanger ending.

Some of us Death Note fans hated the series finale. It felt more like a Greek Tragedy. I could never choose between Light Yagami and "L." because I liked both characters equally.

Meanwhile, Hollywood is trying to remake the live action version of the Death Note movie and I'm cringing.

I watched Japan's live action versions of the Death Note movies and they sucked. Most of the actors couldn't act. The only actor I enjoyed watching was Kenichi Matsuyama. He played the role of "L" to a tee. This could explain why Japan created a spinoff movie revolving around "L."

L: Change The World was the best movie with "L" as the star spinoff character from the Death Note franchise. Honestly, I hated Death Note 1 and 2. 

Now that Hollywood filmmakers are trying to remake their own version of the Death Note franchise, we as real fans of the Death Note franchise are cringing.

Hollywood filmmakers have already been strategizing ways of rewriting Light as Kira for vengeance rather than justice. This includes wanting to remove ALL the shinigami.

The shinigami are important characters in Death Note. They are the main reason Light has access to their notebooks. If Hollywood filmmakers want to win over Death Note fans, they don't have a prayer by rewriting everything to pander to a larger American demographic.

I would swear some fan fiction writer in Hollywood is trying to ruin Death Note for every true fan, if I didn't know any better.

The Death Note franchise is about the high school senior, Light Yagami. The protagonist finds a notebook. He starts reading the Death Note's instructions, while being somewhat skeptical.

This is until, Light chooses to use it, in order to kill a criminal. After witnessing its true abilities, he is convinced and becomes addicted to using the notebook to the extent, that he develops a God Complex.

Death Note has been highly controversial internationally, over these last 8-9 years. Some delusional Death Note fans began quoting the Anime and made their own hit lists for classmates.

I have read at least several times on Anime News Network, over the years about American students in middle and high schools creating their very own "Death Notes." Basically, they are sociopaths, who want to kill their student bodies. As usual, some fans enjoy ruining entertainment for everybody.

I may be a misanthrope, but I'm NOT delusional enough to believe in a fictional cartoon's notebook, that kills people. I wouldn't use an Anime or Manga, as a scapegoat for committing murder either.

I believe the Death Note franchise became internationally successful because it's like a misanthrope's fantasy come to life. Well, that is if you count the dying and not being sent to Heaven or Hell. Since I have talked the most about Death Note, here's episode 1 of the Anime.

Death Note Season 1: Episode 1 "Re-birth" [English Dub] (2006)

Song Saturday: Black Light Burns

How's it going lurkers? Remember the '90s Rap-Metal band, Limp Bizkit? Guitarist Wes Borland quit the Rap-Metal band for a while by 2001 for his own side projects. 

Once Limp Bizkit gained popularity during the late '90s, Wes and his brother Scott Borland, formed a Country/New Wave/Thrash/Death Metal band called Big Dumb Face in 1998.

Big Dumb Face released its debut album, Duke Lion Fights The Terror!!! in March 2001.  

According to Wes Borland, Big Dumb Face's music was "really silly and idiotic and bizarre. ... It's nothing but stupid... just all these retarded songs."

The band has been on hiatus, since 2003. Borland also formed the band, Eat The Day with his brother, Scott Borland. However, Wes eventually abandoned the band because he was unable to find a vocalist. Therefore, Eat The Day disbanded.

The Alternative/Industrial Metal supergroup, The Damning Well was then formed after another failed "side project" in 2003. It was comprised of Wes Borland on guitars (obviously), Nine Inch Nails' Danny Lohner on bass, A Perfect Circle's Josh Freese on drums, and Filter's Richard Patrick as the vocalist. 

With Richard Patrick being in The Damning Well at the time, they only recorded 2 songs together. "Awakening" was featured on the Underworld Soundtrack in 2003 and "Power" was an unreleased track, which featured Amy Lee from Evanescence. 

"Power" never released because of Amy Lee's manager. Her manager was determined to be difficult, which led to The Damning Well discarding "Power." 

Shortly after, Richard Patrick left The Damning Well and the band evolved into Black Light Burns in 2005. 

Since Limp Bizkit still existed during 2003-2005, I don't know exactly everything that happened between that time frame. 

Although, what I do know is that before quitting, fights supposedly broke out on MySpace between Wes Borland and Fred Durst. This on and off feud caused Borland to make Black Light Burns top priority over Limp Bizkit.

Wes actually formed Black Light Burns by 2004 after rejoining Limp Bizkit. Even though Borland rejoined Limp Bizkit in '04, they went on hiatus after releasing Limp Bizkit's Greatest Hitz album.

Wes considered Limp Bizkit to be a "side project" and intended to go on tour with Black Light Burns in 2006. Unfortunately, this never happened simply because Black Light Burns had to search for another record label, since Borland left Geffen Records.

Well, at least Wes Borland DID already have a history of touring and performing with Nine Inch Nails, followed by him forming several side projects over the last decade.

During the early stages of Black Light Burns, the band was comprised of Wes Borland, Josh Freese, Danny Lohner, and Josh Eustis. On their debut album Cruel Melody, Borland was on vocals, guitars, bass, programming, percussion, synthesizers, piano, rhodes, violin, cello, and drums. 

Josh Freese helped with drums and live percussion. All the while, Josh Eustis was on additional synthesizers, sound design, and engineering. 

Last but not least, Danny Lohner was on additional guitars, bass, programming, and sound design, as well as being the band's producer.

Overall, I enjoyed Black Light Burns' debut album, Cruel Melody from 7 years ago. I used to watch their music videos on The International Music Feed Channel (IMF), too. Oh, how I miss that channel. 

For those, who didn't already know, IMF was the international version of MTV (when MTV used to air music videos 24/7). The network only lasted for 3 years (2005-2008).

Well, I digress. So far, the only song I disliked from Black Light Burns' debut album was "4 Walls." The song sounded really cheesy. Now, "Animal" should've had its own music video. 

So far, I have yet to listen to Black Light Burns' more recent albums, The Moment You Realize You're Going To Fail (2012) and Lotus Island (2013).

Since the time of being a teenager in the 1990's, I have known that most Limp Bizkit fans loved and respected Wes Borland compared to everyone else in the band. 

Even with the man's spooky-looking face paint and contact lenses, most Limp Bizkit fans loved Wes. He UPSTAGED Fred Durst and Wes wasn't the frontman of Limp Bizkit (That is probably why those 2 always fought with each other).

Wes Borland had the opportunity to not only work with Nine Inch Nails, but also work with Marilyn Manson. Everyone else in Limp Bizkit were and still are too much of wannabe hood rats, which was the main reason people didn't have any respect for most of the band. 

Reasons Why Most Hated Fred Durst & Had No Respect For Limp Bizkit:

* Fred Durst throwing toddler tantrums whenever rejected, especially whenever actresses and female singers rejected him

* His divisiveness by instigating unnecessary fights, then backpedalling and crying victim the moment he knew he was in deep shit

* Burning bridges both inside and outside of his own band, Limp Bizkit,

* His massively overblown ego (Need I say more?)

Anyway, here is a triple dose of 3 Black Light Burns for this Song Saturday.

1) Black Light Burns "Coward" [AKA The Damning Well's Unreleased Track "Power"] Cruel Melody (2003) (2007)

2) Black Light Burns "Mesopotamia" Cruel Melody (2007)

3) Black Light Burns "Lie" Cruel Melody (2007)