Kimmydonn

I really need some help. This one is going to edits now and I still don't have a title I like. If you go to the tab, you'll see a full list of possible titles, but really, I'm open to any suggestions. There seems to be a lot of support for Zombie Time Loop. Part of me thinks that should be a subtitle. Like:
Zombies, Death...Whatever - A Zombie Time Loop

Or, you know, something else. Never Say Die - Zombie Time Loop. No, I really can't use Never Say Die. I mean, it fits, Cassie never gives up which is why she keeps jumping back in time, but that's just NOT a good title.

Tonight, I shed any reservations I may have about writing, go up on stage, and read for up to 5 minutes. Story Slam is held once a month in a bar very near my house. I went last month and scored moderately well (middle of the pack). I blame my style and voice. I didn't fit the tone of the other performers. I can't help that. I don't write contemporary, or noir, or really trippy comedy. I AM taking the introduction to Zombie Time Loop, or Never Say Die, or whatever we call it this week. (Please help me name this story.

I walked along the trendy shopping avenue. It was almost uncanny how easily I could weave through the other shoppers. It made it easier to admire window displays, listen to buskers, look at art on the street.

Right now, it feels like someone is jabbing a needing into my mouth and through my tooth. I've never had a toothache before, but on my pain scale, it's right near the top. I have an emergency appointment with the dentist tomorrow morning, but until then I'm taking rolling doses of Ibuprofen to avoid the pain returning. This might be some of the worst pain I've experienced. I'm used to pain that ebbs. Sharp now, then a little less, then sharp again. That moment lets me catch my breath and refocus. This isn't like that. This shoots and doesn't stop until my painkillers have kicked in.

“Daniel, would you please come here?”

He spun the lily one more time, making Marla’s skirt twirl, then dropped the flower back in it’s vase. “Coming.”

“Honestly, what have you been doing?” she asked as she hung the clean clothes. “We need to go in a few minutes and you aren’t even dressed.

Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with a group of young writers. We talked about insecurity, getting approval, and how authors have and need those things as much as anyone else. I hope, more than anything, that they realize I'm not that different from them. They can do what I did.

I also started writing Cargon again! I have written a scene from the saggy middle that has stalled me out in the last couple of weeks. The prospective title is Cargon: Country and Sovereignty. (I might change it to Nation & Sovereignty, but it will be something like that.)

It was a familiar story, like the others on the shelf. She had read this particular book a hundred times. It had a twist. Like Mulan, the heroine wasn’t a princess, she was the warrior that saved those in distress. In this case, the Princess.

Mom and Joey had been quick to give it to me. I still didn't know who the author was, but I loved her. She seemed to know exactly what it was like to have two moms, to be both females in the story. She didn’t make me feel weird for wanting to rescue the girl.

We are all guilty of sticking with what we know. Whether it be at a restaurant, book genres, or the makeup we put on; we're sticklers for familiarity. I want to challenge you all to add some spice to your lives this next week and take the Read Something New challenge! Read a new genre, a new author, whatever—just read something new. To help, here is a list of genres. We've featured an author and one of their books or series for each genre. Hope you find something you like!

Her pencil flew across the paper. Rushing to get her idea down, the result was a sloppy, smudged mess. Justin could make out the scarecrow, the scythe and that was about it.

“What is it?” he asked.

“You’ll see,” she promised. “Did you want to go?” she asked, closing her sketchbook.

“I’m not in a hurry,” he said, taking her hand. He chuckled at the graphite smears on the side of it.

I've been suffering a lot of self-doubt lately. The current bout is revolving around my reading as it pertains to my writing. I've been reading Donald Maass' Writing the 21st Century Novel which includes examples from relatively current publications (circa 1990 onward) and I've read none of them. Some, like the Song of Fire and Ice series or the Harry Dresden series, I've thought about reading.