Happy Halloween!

(Illustration by Elpiney.deviantart.com)

Happy Halloween!

I've always considered Halloween a fun prelude to the Holiday Season. (A time to be a little naughty, before you have to be nice).

Here's the history of Halloween according to Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

PNWA 2010 Conference: Drawn to Drawn Books

(Image:  Stinz Charger: The War Stories, by Donna Barr)

I was originally planning on attending a thriller/mystery panel hosted by several authors I’m acquainted with. However, the Eyes and Hands: An Introduction to Drawn Books workshop caught my eye.

Hmmm.

Since I’ve produced YouTube movies and posted my first graphic novel, The Bushwhackers of Kashyyyk, I thought this workshop would be right up my alley. So I walked into the assigned room and met Donna Barr, the speaker and her assistant, Hedwig Vinson.

Then two other guys walked in for the class.

That was it.

Uh-oh.

When so few people show up for something like this, it can either be very good—or very bad.

Fortunately, this turned out to be not just good, but a fantastic experience.

We pulled our chairs into a tight circle and discussed some of the aspects of what Donna calls “drawn books.” She coined this term because she’s observed that using the more traditional terms of; comic books, commix, or even graphic novels, was still dismissed as “just for kids.” In fact, it was this perception that led to comic-book publishers into accepting the maturity rating system. This in turn, led to a discussion about censorship within the comic book industry--which she vehemently opposes.

When discussing the books themselves, Donna defined drawn books as “…being the perfect balance between writing and art” (from the workshop handout). At this point I became concerned because, when I think of "art," I tend to think of hand-drawn pictures or painting. So I asked about my work with photographing miniatures, in which I spent several minutes showing her and the rest of the class The Bushwhackers of Kashyyyk.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that there’s an actual term for this form: It’s called Fumetti.  This is an Italian word meaning, literally, “little puffs of smoke,” referring to the speech balloons. In English this refers to what’s otherwise called photonovels or photographic comics:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumetti

Wow! Up until now I didn’t know there was an established art term for what I was tinkering around with. This was a revelation for me! I’ve spent the past several years trying to figure out what niche I fit into as a writer. Now I can say I'm a graphic novelist.

Donna Barr is best known for her two series: The Desert Peach and Stinz. The Desert Peach features the gay brother of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel; while Stinz is an historical fantasy about a centaur living in central Europe. Donna Barr’s website is:

http://www.donnabarr.blogspot.com/

Donna also suggested checking out the works of the following drawn book novelists:

Roberta Gregory:

http://robertagregory.com/

Colin Upton:

http://colinupton.com/

Carla Speed McNeil:

http://www.lightspeedpress.com/

Madison Clell:

http://madisonclell.net/

Kevin Bose and Stasio Kato (The Virgin Project):

http://www.artofkdboze.com/

Diana Sasse:

http://www.graphicsmash.com/comics/kt.php

Redshift Chronicles: Outtake #1--Bongolaan's National Treasures Stolen?

Stardate: 026-130 ABY/Fringe Info Network (FIN)--Tarsus Bureau

Subsector: Shannekam

Bongolaanian Security Camera Images Were Faked!

FIN has learnded from an anonymous source within the Tarsan Intelligence Service (TIS) that the images from Bongolaan's Pesidential Palace, transmitted 6 days ago, were tampered with.  According to the testimony given by the refugees; after securing the palace command post, they obtained additional weapons from the armory in order to fight their way past Bunda Akhtar's battle droids and rescue Ambassador Heraud.  They were not looting the planetary treasury as claimed by the Bongolaanian Ministry of Justice.

The above image clearly shows the refugees....wait a minute...that's not the right image!...We are...um...experiencing technical difficulties. 

Please stand by.

End transmission.....................................................

Notes on Miniatures:

Figures by Wizards of the Coast

Doorway by Paper Make It

Containers by Topo Solitario:  http://www.toposolitario.com/principal/index.html 

Redshift Chronicles: Intelligence Brief #1--Bongolaanian Bounties

Stardate: Thirday, 025-130 ABY/Tarsan Intelligence Service (TIS)

Subsector: Shannekam

Bounties Posted on Bongolaanian Refugees

Five days ago, the Peoples Democratic Republic of Bongolaan's Ministry of Justice issued a bounty on their former president-for-life:

Wanted Alive:  Zeveg Bharzi

Species: Human

Homeworld:  Bongolaan

Known Associates:  Callithea Lockridge, Cad So Billes, Sei'do Avari and Nance Windu

Bounty:  28,000 CR

Classification:  Planetary, Government

Application Conditions: Alive

Bonus:  (See bounties on known associates)

Detrerment: No serious injuries

Crimes:  Corruption, grand larceny, racketeering and smuggling

Originator:  Ministry of Justice of the Peoples Democratic Republic of Bongolaan

Receiver:  Any Ministry of Justice representative or law enforcement officer

Due to diplomatic immunity, no bounty has been posted on Ms. Lockridge.  However, Bongolaan's Ministry of Diplomatic Affairs revoked her diplomatic status.

Persona Non Grata:  Callithea Lockridge

Species: Human

Homeworld: Tarsus

Known Associates: Zeveg Bharzi, Cad So Billes, Sei'do Avari and Nance Windu

Bounty: None

Classification: Planetary; government

Application Conditions:  Alive

Bonus: (See bounties on known associates)
Detrerment: No injuries

Crimes:  Conduct unbecoming a diplomat and misuse of diplomatic rank and position

Originator: The Peoples Democratic Republic Ministry of Diplomatic Affairs

Receiver: Any Ministry of Diplomatic Affairs, Port Authority, or Customs Enforcement personnel

However, the individuals who aided Ms. Lockridge have been identified and now have bounties posted against them:

Wanted Alive:  Cad So Billes

Species:  Durosian

Homeworld:  Duros

Known Associates: Callithea Lockridge, Zeveg Bharzi, Sei'do Avari and Nance Windu

Bounty:  2,500 CR

Classification:  Planetary; government

Application Conditions:  Alive

Bonus:  (See bounties on known associates)
Detrerment: No serious injuries

Crimes:  Aiding and abetting a known fugitive

Originator:  Ministry of Justice of the Peoples Democratic Republic of Bongolaan

Receiver:  Any Ministry of Justice representative or law enforcement officer

Wanted Alive:  Sei'do Avari

Species: Human

Homeworld:  Unknown

Known Associates: Zeveg Bharzi, Callithea Lockridge, Cad So Billes and Nance Windu

Bounty:  2,500 CR

Classification:  Planetary; government

Application Conditions:  Alive

Bonus:  (See bounties on known associates)
Detrerment:  No serious injuries

Crimes:  Aiding and abetting a known fugitive

Originator:  Ministry of Justice of the Peoples Democratic Republic of Bongolaan

Receiver:  Any Ministry of Justice representative or law enforcement officer

Wanted Alive:  Nance Windu

Species:  Human (clone?)

Homeworld:  Unknown
Known Associates: Callithea Lockridge, Zeveg Bharzi, Cad So Billes and Sei'do Avari
Bounty:  2,500 CR
Classification: Planetary; government
Application Conditions:   Alive
Bonus:  (See bounties on known associates)
Detrerment:  No serious injuries
Crimes:  Aiding and abetting a known fugitive
Originator:  Ministry of Justice of the Peoples Democratic Republic of Bongolaan
Receiver:  Any Ministry of Justice representative or law enforcement officer

None of the other beings who debarked from the Aimless Drifter, which landed at Newland Down Starport 18 days ago, have bounties posted against them.  They are:

Shiri Blen, the holovid celebrity (Twi'lek female); Rensi Rabogo, the council-being for Ratankiri's 9th District (Caamasian male); and the remaining 6 Gamorreans of Bharzi's bodyguards--Gartogg, Jubnuk, Kradd, Thok, Ugmush and Warlug.

Ms. Blen's galaxy-wide is most likely preventing Bongolaan's Ministry of Justice from placing a bounty on her head.

Rensi Rabogo was known as one of the few honest politicians in the capital city of Ratankiri and a staunch advocate for the planet's gabaki pickers.  The Ministry of Justice may not want to antagonize the population by arresting a beloved public figure.

As for the 6 Gamorreans, the Ministry of Justice probably believe these "hired guns" are not worth the effort to apprehend.

No Imperial warrants or bounties have been issued against these beings.  This, however, could change once Emperor Roan Fel consolidates his gains over the former Galactic Alliance.  The low bounties posted are not likely to attract bounty hunters outside the Tarsus System.  As of now, the most likely danger to the targeted individuals lay with any bounty hunters currently operating on Tarsus.

PNWA 2010 Conference: Another Steamy Workshop

Well it's been a year since I attended the Writing Sex Scenes workshop and I still haven't done it yet.  By "it" I mean, actually write a sex scene, in case you're wondering. 

C.C. ("Chris") Humphreys gave a return performance for the Sex and Sensuality workshop, while his co star and leading lady for this show was Megan Chance.

http://www.cchumphreys.com/Site_2/Welcome.html

http://pages.prodigy.net/mchance/

Together, they provided a balanced "he said/she said" viewpoint to a subject most writers find difficult to wrap their arms around. 

Figuratively speaking, of course.

Here are some of their notes and comments:

Sex and sensuality are not necessarily one in the same.  Just because you have one, doesn't necessarily mean you have the other.

Sex can be:  Funny, routine; or even vengeful and violent.

Sex can be described in many ways:  Sensually, graphically, gynecologically or metaphorically.

The key question to ask is:  What is the purpose of a sex scene?  The answer should be to develop an understanding of a character and to move the plot forward.  Another point is, the focus should be on the characters' emotions and not the mechanics of the act--or in some books--acts.  Although some genres, like romance, require sex, or at least sensual scenes.

Megan commented that as a society we're often more comfortable with violence than sex. 

Romance writers are often plagued by a "what-will-my-mom-think?" inhibition when they try to write a sex scene.  But it is an author's job to entertain and one must accept the fact that not everyone will like your scenes--or your book, for that matter. 

One of the best ways to overcome such inhibition is to focus on the characters.  The best kind of sexy and sensual scenes should originate from the characters involved.  That is, ask yourself:  What would these characters do in this situation?  How do they feel about what's happening?  As opposed to asking yourself what you would do and how would you feel.

If you want to satisfy most of your readers, then it's best to build the sexual tension slowly in a step-by-step process.  Create an illusion for the reader and establish interesting characters that behave differently in different circumstances and make them relatable to the reader.

Or as Chris said:  Set up interesting characters and readers will be willing to follow them into battle and the boudoir.

An authentic narrative is a key ingredient in keeping your reader interested in your story.  Scenes should be viewed the way the character sees it and describe it in the language he or she would use.  But avoid cliches.  For example, don't use the term "soft as a baby's behind" if the guy has never raised children. 

Now comes the tough question:  How far do you go?  How much detail is too much?

Once again, go back and answer the question:  What is the purpose of this scene?

If a scene feels too graphic, try to write it out in it's entirety.  This doesn't mean it has to be included in the final version of your book.  It will come down to your personal choice and the purpose of the scene.  Consider though, who's POV (point of view) the story is being told from, which should be from the person with the most at stake. 

It may also help if you write a scene obliquely or vaguely.  By doing so, the reader will often go as far as his or her imagination will take them.

(And as Han Solo said in Star Wars:  I can imagine a lot!).

Writing good sex scenes requires you to conduct research as you would with any other topic.

(At least the subject won't be dull).

This can be done by:

Reading novels of the period you're writing about.  Keep in mind, for historical fiction what's more important than the truth is what's perceived to be true.

Ask a person of the opposite gender what they like.  Men and women view sex differently.  For a woman, sex has a more emotional connection.  Her first sexual experience is a transformative event, which sadly, is not always a positive one.

So even after reading all these helpful hints and you're still stumped on how to write a sex scene, you can follow Megan's last bit of advice:  Read or watch pornography.

(Well okay then, she doesn't have to tell me twice). 

However, I can imagine the likely outcome of a writer's wife walking in on him watching porn.  Somehow I don't think saying, "But honey, Megan said..." would help diffuse the situation.

In fact, later during this conference, another author entertained her audience with a story about such an incident with her husband.  But that's  a subject for another blogpost.

In the meantime, I have some research to...um...ah...watch, for next year's workshop.