I wrote myself into a bit of a dead end on House of Cards last week, and I’m struggling to find my way out.
It’s way too hot here to take the long walks I usually take when this happens, and I feel that compulsion to write something, anything creative, so I fired up Ficlets and re-read one of Will Hindmarch’s stories that I really liked a few months ago:
It isn’t like peeling an orange. It isn’t like popping a walnut. Skulls are harder than I’d imagined.
How long do I have, now? I’m still here, enough to know this is wrong, but I love my wife and I love my kids and I want to hold onto those memories and for that I need a brain.
I was instantly inspired to add to Will’s creation, so I wrote one of my own:
It isn’t like hunting deer. They’re smarter than deer. It isn’t like hunting fox or rabbits. They’re slower and more unpredictable. Hunting and killing the undead is harder than I imagined.
But I love my wife and kids, and I know that I’m all that’s standing between them and this monster.
It’s not World War Z or anything, and I still haven’t found my way out of this dead end, but it’s a great way to just keep writing, and it’s fun, too.
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Funny, when I’m feeling less creative (I have to write a lot each week), I read your blog.
Isn’t it, don’t ya think?
*I hate that she incorrectly uses the word ‘irony’ in that song!*
IRONIC oops, that’s what I get for trying to remember lyrics to old 90s songs by angry women…
As the slug entered my brain I became aware of the millions before me who had succumbed to the invasion.
Parents.
Children.
Lovers.
Friends.
I now knew them all more intimately than I had even known myself moments ago.
It was that moment that I stopped fighting and was overwhelmed by a single driving thought:
MORE!
I absolutely LOVE Ficlets! I’ve been addicted since you last posted about it, “An Unremarkable Factory.”
Best.
Prequel.
Ever.
Oh dear sweet baby satan, you’ve introduced me to something else to distract me from my daily work. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. I am, after all it seems, part crow and I like shiny things. Ficlets is my new shiny thing.
Um, you may want to see what iTunes has this week for 99ç:
http://99rental.com/
Something else to distract yourself with.
It isn’t like hunting deer. They’re smarter than deer. It isn’t like hunting fox or rabbits. They’re slower and more unpredictable. Hunting and killing the undead is harder than I imagined.
But I love my wife and kids, and I know that they are all that is standing between me and that door to freedom.
Okay. I’m sick and twisted.
I find that writing myself into a corner is a great way to really find out about a character. I either find myself delving into their past (in order to see how it reflects on the present dead end they inhabit) or you can find out how much they want to get OUT (over, through) the walls standing in their way. It’s also a great way for you to find out ho much you want to get out of the dead end.
Just in case you have not properly studied your Zombie Survival Guide remember the guide recommends the M1 Carbine and a machete, since you don’t need to reload edged weapons. Happy hunting and good luck.
I read once that when Agatha Christie had writer’s block, she’d take a long relaxing bath and eat apples (I presume in the bath…)
While we’re on the topic of the undead… I just picked up the first volume of a comic book called The Walking Dead (Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore from Image). It was ten bucks at Borders. It blew me away. I was very impressed. Favorably. I recommend it to anyone who likes thoughtful zombie fiction (as the aforementioned Wold War Z is).
Great story, all three parts fit together so well.
The Walking Dead is awesome, I’ve been following the series for a while now.
Heh, I kinda ‘squeeed’ when you mentioned WWZ Wil. I received that book a gift, and figured it would be another tongue-in-cheek zombie survival guide. It is so much more, and I devoured it (sorry, couldn’t resist) in a single sitting. Now I buy people copies as a gift, and pass along glowing reviews. Recently, a friend of a friend (of a friend) asked me if I’d ever heard of WWZ. Apparently the contagion is spreading rapidly. *grin*
What format do I enter my typekey profile for Ficlets to accept it as an ‘openid’?
I’ve tried a couple of variations but ficlets keeps telling me it can’t ‘determine which identity provider to send you to’.
Some really good entries in this story series.
Ah! World War Z! What a legendary book! Now read the Afterblight Chronicles.
Oh and Ben: The Walking Dead is amazing!
Ok I finally checked out Ficlets, and it’s awesome! I may have to play around on there today (if I find myself with extra time…oh wait I’m using my extra time to write this post.) Anywho, my best friend and I used to do this sort of thing in high school while bored in French class together. We’d call them “add on stories” where one of us would write a few sentences and then pass the note off to the other who would write some more, lather, rinse, repeat. I think I have a couple saved. Methinks I have some inspiration in my near future…thanks! 🙂