Titles and a silly contest

A good title for a short story or novel is not always easy to come by. The writer wants them to sound just right.

Most of my better short stories begin with a title. I come up with an idea and title I like, then they lead me down the path of the story. I don't create the title in a dead zone, without any thought of the story, but the two seem to come together about the same time.

Sometimes, however, I have a story idea without a title. Then, once the story is complete, I try to come up with a title. This almost never works for me. I usually end up with weak titles this way.

To help with this, I keep a list a possible story titles. Often I'll snag a line from a song or poetry or Shakespeare, and retool it slightly for my own ends.

As an example, the title for my short story "Deep in the Land of the Ice and Snow" (coming out March 15 in the Flashing Swords anthology The Return of the Sword) in part came from a line in a song. Can you guess the song? And the band?

If you can guess those two things I'll ... hmm, what will I do? Okay, I've got it! If you are the first person to guess which song and band gave me the idea for the title of "Deep in the Land of the Ice and Snow" I will use your name as a character in my next John Dee story. Of course I can't guarantee your namesake will survive such a story.

And to go soft on you, I'll give one hint: Think classic rock.

Come on. This is an easy one.

Where I've been

Nowhere. I've been here all along, just busy. That's why I've not been posting much lately.

My small business has kept me busy with a big project, and I've spent a little time goofing with my RadioDarkbow project.

But what have I been doing with my writing? Well, I sent off about 20 packages to agents a week or so ago. Since then I've been researching other agents, and I've got a list of about another 30 I need to mail stuff to. Also, and more fun, I've been working on another John Dee story, "The Unconquered Man." I've also been working out what was wrong with the story, "Where the Baptized Drown," and I think I've got it worked out now so that I can straighten it out soon.

Ingrid Michaelson - The Way I Am

Ingrid is a young, new artist, and since I like to promote new writers, why not musicians too? This is a nice song and a cute video. Enjoy.

RadioDarkbow

Recently I've been working lots of late nights. It's been busy work that I don't have to focus my mind on a lot, but it doesn't allow me to do something productive, like write.
So, I've been putting together a little project just for fun. It's called RadioDarkbow.

It's another blog, of sorts, but all that it will have on it will be music and music videos. I'm putting up two videos a day, and I'm trying to pick lots of different music for variety. But, of course, I'm only putting up music I like. Which means there will likely be a good bit of hard rock, classic rock and some metal, but I promise there will be plenty of other tunes for folks who don't care for that stuff.

Check it out here. And remember, that's two new videos a day. Absolutely free. And no advertising.

No. 5 - Goodbye Mexico

by Phillip Jennings

Started: February 14
Finished: March 10

Notes: The author is a Vietnam vet and former CIA employee who was turned to writing novels, so this could be interesting. His specialty apparently is comical espionage thrillers set during and right after the Vietnam War.

Mini review: Definitely a fun read. Not a laugh riot every page, but has on ongoing jocularity that flows throughout. A story in which you can never guess what's going to happen next. So, I liked it.

David Gray -- Lead Me Upstairs

My favorite version of this David Gray song, a fav by him.

Aimee Mann - Jacob Marleys Chain

Aimee Mann is an artist I enjoy, and I'm posting this because I believe she's sadly unknown by many.