Signal Boost: Love Octopus Transformation CYOA novella for Kindle

Writing

One of my bestie writer friends, Linsey Duncan has published a 99-cent choose your own adventure-style novella for Kindle.

After a violent encounter with a hated octopusperson/alien, you are now doomed to become one!  Discover 12 different endings as you decide how to cope with your betentacled fate!

I found it to be a Kafka-esque experience crafted with moody-yet-accessible prose sure to please any urban sci-fi fan.  Fellow fans of Porpentine’s work or atmospheric games like STALKER will probably enjoy it immensely!  Rated PG-13 for mild cephalopodic sensuality.

Love Octopus Transformation

Thoughtful Links for Writers and Artists

Muse at 11

I’ve been accumulating some nice artsy links, so I thought I’d share them with ya.

First, a nice lady at Pixar posted some story “rules” that will get you thinkin’! (I really don’t like to think of proffered writing advice as RULES…because every piece requires something different, but that’s what the post’s titled.)

http://dimespin.tumblr.com/post/24841702614/pixar-story-rules

Second, if you’re not reading FILM CRIT HULK, you probably should be!  He not only offers some practical writing tips, but also analyses of various movies and such that are all focused around “Does the narrative work?” (Note: some cursing at times.)

http://filmcrithulk.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/the-complete-film-crit-hulk-archive/

Third: ever have those days where your work is just NOT GOOD ENOUGH?  There’s an encouraging post for that!  (This is one I’ll have to re-read myself from time to time.)

http://emmyc.tumblr.com/post/24779890783/not-good-enough

And finally, just for fun…PROMETHEUS in 15 Minutes. Wonderful send-up, you needn’t’ve even seen the film before (I hadn’t!).

http://m15m.livejournal.com/23209.html

Do you have any helpful artsy links you’ve run into recently?  Post ’em below!

Seth Godin on ‘Good Enough’

Recommended Reading, Writing

I’m wrapping up edits to my latest short-story.  It’s been a while since I’ve edited anything outside of a classroom environment and I’m coming to realize that I’m harder to please than any teacher.  I’m working on the fifth and final draft.

Before that I had:

  • the handwritten draft, the typed version of the written draft (known as the “first draft”)
  • the “aha, typoes-are-gone-let’s-send-it-off-to-my-Friendly-Readers” draft
  • the post-Friendly Reader draft

and the dreaded

  • “I read it all.  OUT LOUD.  To myself.” draft.

I’ve long heard that a project is never done, it is only abandoned (because hey, as long as you’re noodling on it, you don’t have to deliver anything)…so I was getting nervous.  Was I, in fear of releasing this weirdo story into the world, noodling on this?  Would I know the right time to call it finished?

Then Seth Godin posted How do you know when it’s done?, a useful post about this very topic!

It’s very useful if you’re a perfectionist (like me!).