This will be a blog for my writing, maybe with (too much) personal thrown in. I am hoping it will be a little more interactive, with me answering questions, helping out and whatnot. If it falls this year (2024), then I may stop the whole blogging thing, but that's all a "wait and see" scenario.
It does indeed answer the question - thank you. Lots to ponder on, including things that I've done in the past and allowed to fall away. Must really get into the habit of writing down ideas when they come and not trusting my memory.
I remain impressed with your sheer production. For instance, your recent series of stories using Beatle song titles was outrageously productive, a seemingly endless stream of creativity and invention. And here am I, tortured by my inability to think up one measly story per week.
So my question concerns this only: how does one open the faucet of ideas so that they become a steady source of new and interesting stories?
Good advice, I thought the whole "Garry Cooper with breasts and a pretty face" bit was hilarious. Though even in the South West, the US had gender roles in the mid to late 19th century that made the idea of a female caucasian protagonist unrealistic. I guess it's what readers expect though.
Also it boggles my brain that trains aren't allowed as transportation. They were—and still are in my childhood hometown—a big part of the West. Yes they were steam instead of diesel but they were very much a part of the West. The Jessie James Gang, notorious outlaws, robbed trains exclusively. Not to mention that trains were used to transport loads of things back and forth from the region.
Also, historically, most of the "Cowboys" either called themselves vaqueros and were in Mexico, were black or indigenous. Also at least a few individuals migrated from the Antebellum South to start over after the Civil War. There were also a good number of German immigrants.
Anyways, I've been rambling. I just am flabbergasted by what readers expect of their Westerns.
My pet peeve is one that is becoming ubiquitous in the UK:
"Me and my wife went on holiday to Greece."
"Me and Joe went to the football."
It sets my teeth on edge, and it's bloody everywhere. It seems to be on its way to becoming accepted usage.
There's another one that grates. When I was still working, there was an annual conference by a software vendor I used to attend.The main presenter there used to drive me nuts, as she seemed to have it in her head that it sounded sophisticated to use "myself" at every turn.
"Myself and my colleagues will be available after the presentation to answer any questions."
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask James or myself."
I'd be sitting there with white-knuckles, desperately trying to resist the urge to scream.
I've always loved graphic novels as an artistic medium (and the medium of comics by and large). Like filmmaking, it's a chance to marry words with visuals in a unique and compelling way.
Imma gonna finish my vampire stories... and I never do. I let people down because I'm not disciplined... like an Irish setter. Being an idol to some stresses me out. But, I suffer from low self-esteem and a hug is more than nice. I'm definitely serious but realized that perfection, the enemy of the good, was killing me. My writing started as a sort of dam-burst and became a bad habit as I never threw out a thought (which is hyperbole) and writing morphed into therapy and part of that meant sharing as I'd kept too much in for too long. In some ways I'm an introvert who can't shut up. I tend to ignore a lot of criticism or take it as mortal attack. Balance and remaining calm are challenges and aspirations, just not my reality. All this said...
Kåre เลียม Enga - I grew up in L.A. There it was DWO. Driving while Oriental. I imagine that "jargon" has been used to call out any number of groups.
S 🤦 - You reminded me of term from my youth. HONEY BUCKET. When I lived in Japan, the locals would collect their waste and use it as fertilizer for the rice fields. "The Honey Bucket"
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