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Calendar Event Discussion / Re: Coming to Canada
« on: June 07, 2010, 04:32:52 AM »
You can only come to Canada if you come to Calgary, some people do exist west of Toronto after all 
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Author Craft / Re: Request for Feedback
« on: March 17, 2009, 06:42:25 PM »
This seems like a great idea, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. It's a little rough in places, but I'm sure you will work it out. I can't wait to see where you go with this.
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Author Craft / Re: Poetry Feedback?
« on: March 10, 2009, 08:27:51 PM »
Poetry isn't really my cup of tea most of the time but "The Wolves" was interesting, I could see so many situations that it could be a metaphor for. I liked it.
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Author Craft / Re: Keeping track of characters...
« on: March 04, 2009, 01:17:07 AM »
This is a bit detailed for a minor character but I've found that this website has a good list of things you should know about your characters that could provide you with a place to start from.
http://www.miniworld.com/adnd/100ThingsAboutUrPCBackGround.html
http://www.miniworld.com/adnd/100ThingsAboutUrPCBackGround.html
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Author Craft / Re: Want To Get 100 Novels Sold And Published? Steal Them!
« on: April 19, 2008, 04:50:17 AM »
*snerk*
If you read the passages in question over at the blog/website that exposed it (http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php) it is painfully obvious that Cassie Edwards has "taken or lifted" passages and worked them into her stories, and not very well either.
Even if this isn't against the law (she changed some of the words around) it's morally dubious at best and rather pathetic for a published author to do so. And don't give me that crap about crediting sources, you've been taught better than that from Elementary School onwards. You don't have to do a full bibliography but come on, if you're relying on source material that much an author's note saying "Hey I read these books and they helped me get my details straight" wouldn't be too much to ask.
And if she wants to "tribute the beautiful first people of our land who have suffered so much injustice" there are a hell of a lot better ways to do so than by writing trashy bodice rippers and badly written ones at that, but that's just my two cents.
If you read the passages in question over at the blog/website that exposed it (http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php) it is painfully obvious that Cassie Edwards has "taken or lifted" passages and worked them into her stories, and not very well either.
Even if this isn't against the law (she changed some of the words around) it's morally dubious at best and rather pathetic for a published author to do so. And don't give me that crap about crediting sources, you've been taught better than that from Elementary School onwards. You don't have to do a full bibliography but come on, if you're relying on source material that much an author's note saying "Hey I read these books and they helped me get my details straight" wouldn't be too much to ask.
And if she wants to "tribute the beautiful first people of our land who have suffered so much injustice" there are a hell of a lot better ways to do so than by writing trashy bodice rippers and badly written ones at that, but that's just my two cents.
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Display Case / Re: Things Harry Dresden Is No Longer Allowed to Do
« on: April 15, 2008, 03:40:31 AM »
Not allowed to play “Pulp Fiction” with a suction-cup dart pistol and any member of the White Council.
a) Or a squirt gun
b) Or a nerf gun
c) Any weapon, toy or otherwise.
Not allowed to add “In accordance with the prophesy” to the end of answers I give to a question another warden asks me.
Not allowed to add pictures of wardens I don’t like to War Criminal posters.
a) Or of Merlin
Not allowed to train Mouse to “Sic Morgan!”
a) Or Merlin
b) Or anybody who disagrees with me
c) Except blampires, rampires or wampires
d) Make that anybody who tries to kill me.
Must get a haircut even if it tampers with my “Samson like powers”.
a) Or a squirt gun
b) Or a nerf gun
c) Any weapon, toy or otherwise.
Not allowed to add “In accordance with the prophesy” to the end of answers I give to a question another warden asks me.
Not allowed to add pictures of wardens I don’t like to War Criminal posters.
a) Or of Merlin
Not allowed to train Mouse to “Sic Morgan!”
a) Or Merlin
b) Or anybody who disagrees with me
c) Except blampires, rampires or wampires
d) Make that anybody who tries to kill me.
Must get a haircut even if it tampers with my “Samson like powers”.
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Display Case / Re: Things Harry Dresden Is No Longer Allowed to Do
« on: April 15, 2008, 03:15:06 AM »
I shall not ask anybody if they have seen my staff
a) Or my blasting rod
b) Especially when wearing shorts under my closed duster
a) Or my blasting rod
b) Especially when wearing shorts under my closed duster
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Author Craft / Re: Main Character race type and profession (Name the mythical creature with a j
« on: April 09, 2008, 03:53:30 AM »
CE Murphy has Joanne Walker (aka Siobhan Walkingstick) is a shaman and a detective (past professions include police mechanic and patrol officer)
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Author Craft / Re: Fanfic richer or poorer?
« on: March 19, 2008, 06:11:23 AM »
You forgot Harry Potter + Draco Malfoy
And there is a very good reason why ff.net is called 'The Pit of Voles'
And there is a very good reason why ff.net is called 'The Pit of Voles'
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Author Craft / Re: Fanfic richer or poorer?
« on: March 18, 2008, 02:01:20 AM »
Devil Advocate away, that's what this forum is here for
Yes, the problem is is that the good stuff is few and far between, you have to wade through alot of mediocre and worse to find those few authors who respect the original universe while taking it in a slightly different or new direction.
And you're right, that is not how I meant to come off when I said that in a few fandoms there are fic authors who write better than the original(s). What I meant to say is that there are a few fic authors whose versions of the story I prefer over the original. Don't get me wrong if I read fanfiction, chances are I loved the original material enough to see if there is anything else out there, but sometimes (and I can't help it) I prefer another person's interpretation over the original.
In the end, I probably should have phrased my original statement along the lines of "I do not mean any disrespect to anybody and while the original author is talented and creative in their own way, I prefer fic writer b's interpretations of the the characters. This does not mean that one is the better writer than the other, it's just a matter of personal opinion."
I know this isn't going to soothe any author's opinions, I'd be insulted as hell too if I was an author and somebody came up to me and said "So and so does a better job of writing your characters and universe than you"
Also, while I can't speak for everyone out there but most, if not all fanfiction writers have a folder of original stuff stashed away that they work when they have the chance and are trying to get published outside the internet.
Yes, the problem is is that the good stuff is few and far between, you have to wade through alot of mediocre and worse to find those few authors who respect the original universe while taking it in a slightly different or new direction.
And you're right, that is not how I meant to come off when I said that in a few fandoms there are fic authors who write better than the original(s). What I meant to say is that there are a few fic authors whose versions of the story I prefer over the original. Don't get me wrong if I read fanfiction, chances are I loved the original material enough to see if there is anything else out there, but sometimes (and I can't help it) I prefer another person's interpretation over the original.
In the end, I probably should have phrased my original statement along the lines of "I do not mean any disrespect to anybody and while the original author is talented and creative in their own way, I prefer fic writer b's interpretations of the the characters. This does not mean that one is the better writer than the other, it's just a matter of personal opinion."
I know this isn't going to soothe any author's opinions, I'd be insulted as hell too if I was an author and somebody came up to me and said "So and so does a better job of writing your characters and universe than you"
Also, while I can't speak for everyone out there but most, if not all fanfiction writers have a folder of original stuff stashed away that they work when they have the chance and are trying to get published outside the internet.
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Author Craft / Re: Fanfic richer or poorer?
« on: March 18, 2008, 12:25:21 AM »
If this is against the rules mods feel free to delete my post if I don't respond and I apologize for any trouble I might have caused.
A really well written fanfiction can add to the whole experience of reading a book, watching a movie or a tv show. They can offer insights into the character that you never thought of, explore "what if" situations, or even correct a "wrong" that you feel the original author(s) have committed***. On the flip side there are some truly horrible and ghastly stuff out there that can make you rip your eyes out and wonder if they had even read/watched the same stuff that you had before reaching for the brain bleach.
I don't blame some authors one bit for wanting to put a lid on their sandbox. A little disappointed sure, but I understand their feelings wholeheartedly. I can't claim to imagine what an author or an actor would feel like if they ever came across some of the schlop out there. They spend all this time and effort creating a story to tell to the masses and then some fans come around and mess around with your creations until they are mere shadows of your efforts.
Although as much as I hate to admit it, there are some fandoms where the fanfiction is even better than the original work, I won't implicate the author(s) (original and fan) involved because I don't want to stir up a whole can of worms.
At this time I would also like to point out that technically, fanfiction has been around as long as the first oral stories. One person would make up a story, a person who had overheard it would pass it on to others while adding a few embellishments of their own. It was expanded on throughout the ages until you reach the modern fandom of zines, internet and mailing lists. For more information you can go here: http://www.trickster.org/symposium/symp173.htm
Finally, I have no idea about the slash thing, I wish I did, but I don't.
***Not to say that anything that a creator imagines in their own universe is wrong, it is their story, their characters and their plots after all. It is sometimes though that you wish a creator hadn't done what they did in a book, movie or tv show.
Edit: After reading Noey's post I would also like to point out that I have no respect for people who profit off of unauthorized fanfiction. Like she said people should not make money off of what is their intellectual property. They put in all of the work creating these wonderful universes and they should receive all of the credit and profit for it.
A really well written fanfiction can add to the whole experience of reading a book, watching a movie or a tv show. They can offer insights into the character that you never thought of, explore "what if" situations, or even correct a "wrong" that you feel the original author(s) have committed***. On the flip side there are some truly horrible and ghastly stuff out there that can make you rip your eyes out and wonder if they had even read/watched the same stuff that you had before reaching for the brain bleach.
I don't blame some authors one bit for wanting to put a lid on their sandbox. A little disappointed sure, but I understand their feelings wholeheartedly. I can't claim to imagine what an author or an actor would feel like if they ever came across some of the schlop out there. They spend all this time and effort creating a story to tell to the masses and then some fans come around and mess around with your creations until they are mere shadows of your efforts.
Although as much as I hate to admit it, there are some fandoms where the fanfiction is even better than the original work, I won't implicate the author(s) (original and fan) involved because I don't want to stir up a whole can of worms.
At this time I would also like to point out that technically, fanfiction has been around as long as the first oral stories. One person would make up a story, a person who had overheard it would pass it on to others while adding a few embellishments of their own. It was expanded on throughout the ages until you reach the modern fandom of zines, internet and mailing lists. For more information you can go here: http://www.trickster.org/symposium/symp173.htm
Finally, I have no idea about the slash thing, I wish I did, but I don't.
***Not to say that anything that a creator imagines in their own universe is wrong, it is their story, their characters and their plots after all. It is sometimes though that you wish a creator hadn't done what they did in a book, movie or tv show.
Edit: After reading Noey's post I would also like to point out that I have no respect for people who profit off of unauthorized fanfiction. Like she said people should not make money off of what is their intellectual property. They put in all of the work creating these wonderful universes and they should receive all of the credit and profit for it.
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Display Case / Shall I Compare Thee To A Mooseburger aka The Bad Poetry Thread
« on: September 22, 2007, 11:37:47 PM »
Wish Granted!
Here's the bad poetry thread, whether you write it yourself or find it online, show us the worst of the worst.
Attempted Assassination of the Queen
William McGonagall (yes, an actual poet)
God prosper long our noble Queen,
And long may she reign!
Maclean he tried to shoot her,
But it was all in vain.
For God He turned the ball aside
Maclean aimed at her head;
And he felt very angry
Because he didn't shoot her dead.
There's a divinity that hedges a king,
And so it does seem,
And my opinion is, it has hedged
Our most gracious Queen.
Maclean must be a madman,
Which is obvious to be seen,
Or else he wouldn't have tried to shoot
Our most beloved Queen.
Victoria is a good Queen,
Which all her subjects know,
And for that God has protected her
From all her deadly foes.
She is noble and generous,
Her subjects must confess;
There hasn't been her equal
Since the days of good Queen Bess.
Long may she be spared to roam
Among the bonnie Highland floral,
And spend many a happy day
In the palace of Balmoral.
Because she is very kind
To the old women there,
And allows them bread, tea, and sugar,
And each one get a share.
And when they know of her coming,
Their hearts feel overjoy'd,
Because, in general, she finds work
For men that's unemploy'd.
And she also gives the gipsies money
While at Balmoral, I've been told,
And, mind ye, seldom silver,
But very often gold.
I hope God will protect her
By night and by day,
At home and abroad,
When she's far away.
May He be as a hedge around her,
As he's been all along,
And let her live and die in peace
Is the end of my song.
Here's the bad poetry thread, whether you write it yourself or find it online, show us the worst of the worst.
Attempted Assassination of the Queen
William McGonagall (yes, an actual poet)
God prosper long our noble Queen,
And long may she reign!
Maclean he tried to shoot her,
But it was all in vain.
For God He turned the ball aside
Maclean aimed at her head;
And he felt very angry
Because he didn't shoot her dead.
There's a divinity that hedges a king,
And so it does seem,
And my opinion is, it has hedged
Our most gracious Queen.
Maclean must be a madman,
Which is obvious to be seen,
Or else he wouldn't have tried to shoot
Our most beloved Queen.
Victoria is a good Queen,
Which all her subjects know,
And for that God has protected her
From all her deadly foes.
She is noble and generous,
Her subjects must confess;
There hasn't been her equal
Since the days of good Queen Bess.
Long may she be spared to roam
Among the bonnie Highland floral,
And spend many a happy day
In the palace of Balmoral.
Because she is very kind
To the old women there,
And allows them bread, tea, and sugar,
And each one get a share.
And when they know of her coming,
Their hearts feel overjoy'd,
Because, in general, she finds work
For men that's unemploy'd.
And she also gives the gipsies money
While at Balmoral, I've been told,
And, mind ye, seldom silver,
But very often gold.
I hope God will protect her
By night and by day,
At home and abroad,
When she's far away.
May He be as a hedge around her,
As he's been all along,
And let her live and die in peace
Is the end of my song.
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Author Craft / Writing on a Topic or Profession You Don't Know Much About
« on: May 05, 2007, 06:43:55 PM »
I've been toying with the idea of writing a fantasy where my main character is a member of the U.S. Coastguard (a rescue swimmer to be precise). The only problem is, the only knowledge of the USCG that I have is gleaned about them is from the Costner/Kutcher movie The Guardian, and a couple of pamphlets regarding uniform regulations that were posted on the web.
So, how would I go about finding more information? Contacting a member would be awkward, considering that this idea may not come to fruitation, and I am having problems finding books on the subject. Any ideas?
Thanks.
So, how would I go about finding more information? Contacting a member would be awkward, considering that this idea may not come to fruitation, and I am having problems finding books on the subject. Any ideas?
Thanks.
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DF Books / Re: Shirt Quotes: Buy Dresden Stuff!
« on: April 19, 2007, 04:48:51 AM »
I had a custom t-shirt made for myself and my brother as a Christmas present, they turned out rather well if I do say so myself. If I had a digital camera, I'd take a picture of myself in it, but I don't so I can't 
front:
If You Need A Cop...Call 9-11
If You Need A Miracle Call...
back:
Harry Dresden – Wizard
Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or
Other Entertainment.
front:
If You Need A Cop...Call 9-11
If You Need A Miracle Call...
back:
Harry Dresden – Wizard
Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or
Other Entertainment.
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