Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Prompting Prompts...

I've been spending lots of my time over at Writing Dot Com (WDC) these days. They have a daily contest over there called the Writer's Cramp. They give you a prompt and you have one day to hammer out 1,000 words, polish it up and submit it. Cramp is not exactly what I would call it. More like "How the hell do you expect me to write only 1,000 words on a subject and in one day no less?!?" but I suppose that is a bit too long.

I have to admit it has helped me a lot. It forces me to be less wordy and pay more attention to detail without dragging on and on. I've entered a couple of them, I've posted the stories up here when I've won. Now, I'm using the prompts more for my own writing enjoyment rather than the contests.

However, that has been pushed to the side as well. I'm focusing more on "Adversarius" these days and everything that goes with it. I'm working on new character drawings. Cleaner, more detailed and a little more sophisticated than what I have previously drawn. Sort of like my writing. I'm hoping to get the artwork done soon for each one and then I am going to make bookmarks with the artwork on the front and a little about the character or a favorite character quote on the back. I thought of holding a contest after the book comes out. A "Favorite Quotes" contest. Give the winner something and also have the winning quote on the bookmark. We'll see.

The other reason for the artwork is for my friends who I have patterned a character after. I plan on framing a copy of the book cover, signed by me and including the character artwork as well. I'm very grateful to my friends who have let me throw their characters into my books.

So that's been taking up lots of my time, but what hasn't these days? I'm just happy to have my financial crisis over for the most part. Gotta do what you gotta do these days. Have a great rest of the week everyone!

3 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's a really nice thing to do, Mel!

Unknown said...

Wow, that Writer's Cramp challenge sounds insane! More power to you for being able to do it.

Mel Chesley said...

Thanks Alex. And yeah, Jamie, it is a bit insane, but there are times I really don't get zapped by inspiration from the prompt, so I just wait til the next day.
Hey, and thanks to both of you and anyone else who still reads if not comments, for always sticking with me on this blog! You're the best.