Archive for the ‘Elizabeth Short’ Category

Creative Writing 101

March 25, 2007

Well, I got some (very little) feedback on my two pieces of creative writing–one short story beginning and one partial book chapter. They have some potential (though maybe I should say I have some potential–I can write fiction people may want to read.)

I’m going to ask for more reviews over at WhoreChurch, since I get far more traffic there. Maybe I’ll get more input and discover what will make my writing better before I get too much further.

I’m not sure if I want to finish each of these, though I will likely finish “Resurrection” since it’s 1/3 done and is just a short story.

I also think Dahlia has potential, though it needs MUCH work. I learned a lot doing it and putting it up for review, and I got a ton of helpful feedback. It helped me see the difference between writing things that ryhme and poetry. Big difference.

Right now I wonder if I want to write fiction. Is it fun? Beats me. When it’s easy, it’s fun. But if I want to write well enough to get it published that sounds like work. I’m not sure I want the work.

At some point I start asking “what’s in it for me”–will I enjoy it? Will the payoff equal the effort? Will it support my family? I’m very practical minded: Will it sell? Does it give me an immediate pay off? Blogging is fun because within minutes someone laughs. Writing fiction is less so–will there ever be a pay off?

Another thought it why write fiction when I make a good living writing non-fiction?

Just some rambling thoughts on writing non-fiction.

Dahlia

January 22, 2007

Dahlia
Your eyes, your lips, your skin, your hair; I knew I must preserve you
Settled when the white-hot electric shock coursed down my spine
You would be my masterpiece

Lust is for school boy crushes and back seat romance
This was epic, more than mortal, more than power, eternal
You must be my masterpiece

Beauty fades, but yours will never; years, decades, eons unchanged
Enshrined in stark reality, achieving your fame dearly bought by infamy
You will be my masterpiece

As I lay you on the grass, placing you just as I had pictured it before
Beautiful butchery sealing your memory, no one but you and I understand
Forever, you are my masterpiece

(Originally written January 15 - the 60th anniversary of the discovery of Elizabeth Short’s body)