Thanks to a suggestion from an admin of a writer’s group I follow, I may start publishing some short stories for purchase.
Unfortunately, that means I need covers for them.
Oh, wait, that means I get to draw! I’ve been short on inspiration for drawing lately, but now I have given myself a good excuse to design and draw a couple of covers. 🙂
It’s here again, #writinginspirationwednesday (let’s make this hashtag a “thing”!). Enjoy
Here it is, the final serial killer short that I wrote almost a decade ago. My #writing has improved exponentially since then, so I’m excited to finish my #novel first draft and get to the revision stage. (Again, I apologize for the formatting. I find it easier to copy and paste than to jump back and forth between screens to retype the whole thing)
Serial Killer: Endgame
I stand as the jury comes out
Finished deliberating
Verdict pending
I am confident in my testimony
And its explanation
Of why I must kill
The foreman stands
And speaks:
“Guilty on all counts”
My heart sinks in my chest
How could this be?
Can they not see
That my actions were justified?
I am in such a daze
That I almost do not hear
The unbelievable sentence recommendation
Death
I am to be put to death
For doing what comes so naturally
The months fly by
Wasted on appeals
Empty efforts
Simply going through the motions
They do not give me the last meal I requested
Human flesh is not served
On death row
I settle for steak
Extra rare
But it pales in comparison
Minutes tick by
No reprieve from the Governor
Will come on this night
I am led in my shackles
To the last room
In which I shall draw breath
It is so cold, so methodical
Strapping me down
Inserting the i.v.
This is no way to kill a person
I told them the proper way
But to be killed as I wish to be killed
Is considered “cruel and unusual”
So I am left to this
Defeated
I do not have the heart to fight
My reign is over
I watch the injection
Pushed ever so slowly
A heaviness fills me
My eyes slide closed
And the she-killer is no more
Since it appears that the readers of this blog prefer personal updates on my #novel or #art, I shall deliver 🙂
Today I wrote almost 1.5k words on my WIP in just a couple of hours. That may seem slow for most writers, but it’s quite fast for me. I’m trying not to obsess over current chapter length and instead focus on getting the main story down.
At this rate, it will still take me several more months to finish my first draft, but considering I had given myself until the end of the year to finish the draft I’m actually making good progress. I may even change my goal to get my rear in gear.
I definitely need more description, dialogue, and character development, but I keep telling myself to just get the story on the page and let those things develop organically.
Well, yesterday’s post was a flop. 🙁
I’m still new to blogging and trying to engage my readers, but even with this blog simultaneously posting to three social media sites in addition to WordPress no one suggested anything they’d like to see me try to draw.
Never fear, though, for I am stubborn. Once again, I ask for those who see this post to please give me suggestions for something you’d like to see me draw.
It’s pretty much open season as far as subject matter goes. I can’t give any guarantees on how well it will turn out, but I will do my best. The only caveat is that I don’t want anyone asking me to draw nudes or any subject matter that’s inappropriate for posting on social media. After all, how else am I going to show what I can do?
#drawing #begandplead #needinspiration
I’ve decided that I’ve let my drawing skills become too rusty, and I need to expand on what I can draw.
I’m going to start asking for ideas from my blog readers (whether you follow on WordPress, Facebook, Twitter, or G+) for ideas on things for me to draw.
I haven’t decided how frequently I’ll be doing this. It probably won’t be on a regular schedule like the memes and motivational posts. After I’ve attempted the drawings I’ll post pictures here. 🙂
Today will be the first day. So bring it on, readers! What do you want to see me draw?
Here’s the next installment!
Don’t fear rejection; fear never having tried.
Today’s post is about a different aspect of writing: character development.
I have become obsessed with “profiling” people by following their Pinterest profiles. I read what they’ve pinned for the day, and try to determine what kind of mood they’re in or what kind of day they’re having.
Creepy? Absolutely. But in a way, it might help my writing in the long run. By making up imaginary scenarios, I can easier create character profiles for my imaginary characters.
You might want to give it a try (though I recommend knowing the people you follow at first, even if they’re acquaintances; otherwise it’s even creepier). 😉
Here’s the next installment of the serial killer shorts. Again I apologize for the formatting. It’s 4:30-something in the morning and I can’t figure out why my tablet is doing this.
Serial Killer: Lethal Testimony
I sit once again at my desk
It is almost time
My lawyer advised against it
But I insisted
My story must be told
That is the only way
For the jury to understand me
They must know
My innermost feelings
My most clever of thoughts
I clutch my notebook
As I wait for the judge to call my name
Finally it comes
I stride to the stand
Confidently swear to be true
My attorney asks questions
That really are irrelevant
Who cares about my childhood?
Who cares if my mother
Stabbed my father to death
Over a disagreement
About which channel to watch?
It certainly didn’t affect me
I turned out perfectly normal
I am still waiting
For my chance to read
But instead the prosecution comes
Asks more questions
I get annoyed
Finally I tell the judge
“Let me read my story
Or I will add you to the list”
I begin to read
Slowly, calmly
The reaction is odd
The jury turns an even paler shade of white
One I had not thought possible
In the living
When I am finished I sit back down
Mine was the last testimony
The lawyers make their closing remarks
And I once again must wait
While the jury deliberates
