I Love the Smell of Sharpies in the Morning

Shadows in the light. Lights twinkling in the darkness. A glow around a target making it easier to snipe at. A pedestal to sit a subject on to make it easier to scrutinise. What is said defined further by what is not said. Coloured patches on an otherwise white bird. Contrast is a strengthening, highlighting, agent in the business of writing.

Last time I said how I am not such a big fan of matching the atmospherics of a scene to the intended mood of the piece. Certainly it is a method that has its place, but I don't think that it's the end all be all, nor do I think it should be presented as such. It's almost as if the people who are selling books on how to write are trying to sabotage the competition by giving them good advice, but only about a quarter to a half of the good advice that they should be giving. Then once a standard is set on what you're supposed to tell the newbies, then it gets propagated by the next person looking to sell a book on writing, and the next, and then it hits the web--the world's number one info propagation tool--and it's ad naseum time.

Woo boy an oppressed by the man rant. It can't be helped though. Every time you consider that people are too good to do the things you're worried about them doing to you is the time that they are really doing it to you and you're letting them get away with it. Or maybe that's the paranoia talking. If the paranoia talks though, maybe it should be listened to because not just anything can just up and talk. Suddenly no one is needing the contrast of what is not said because I've certainly said more than enough. That is if all of this is to be believed. Then again, what purpose is there to looking like a nutjob to promote a wacky paranoid idea that people are out to keep other people down and somehow I am some kind of crusader against it. Unless of course this is just another way to provide contrast.

About face! Forward march! Topic change. Fire one...

I've been reminded that sooner than later it will be National Game Week again. This year it is the week of November 20th through the 26th. What is National Game Week? It is a week meant to highlight, showcase, and celebrate non-electronic games, in particular RPGs, CCGs, Strategy/Miniature games, and the things that fall in between. Last year was a load of fun, e-mailing back and forth like crazy, pushing a wild and at times frenetic scenario in my Rifts play by email. That same game is now slowly coming back to life after a mind numbing hiatus over the summer. I hope to clear up the current scene by time NGW rolls around. It might even be nice to squeeze in something else too.

Speaking of role-playing games, and scenes, and scenes leading to thoughts of books... I'm once again strongly considering going very non-traditional directions with some horror works. This immediately pushes whatever the work is in a more fantasy direction, even though not fantasy in the traditional sense, as in the very tight pigeonholed sword and sorcery, which seems to be all a lot of people can think of to do. I have some wild ideas, but it's a bit early to share. I know, such a tease.

Mood: Crazy
Music: Lightning Strikes Twice by Iron Maiden, Walk Though the Fire from Buffy The Vampire Slayer “Once More, With Feeling”