Writing | Karavansara

13 April 2015
by Davide Mana Leave a comment

What do they take home at the end?

I’ve been thinking about what a reader takes home, so to speak, from a story.
Now, while I do not put much stock into message-laden stories, stories that push agendas and so on, I know that when I write I have a few things I’d like my readers to get: the attitude of my characters to certain issues.

I was pretty surprised, for instance, when a review was posted, way back, of one of the Aculeo & Amunet stories, the reviewer commenting passingly, and enthusiastically, on the lead’s breasts¹.
The review was very positive, and it was pretty obvious the reader had enjoyed my story very much.
And I’m very happy and proud of this.
And yet I was surprised because I did not think I had placed that much attention, writing the story, on certain details of the lead’s anatomy, nor I ever described Amunet’s … ehm, physical assets as particularly impressive²: Amunet’s striking in many ways, and she’s certainly fascinating and attractive, but, well, her chest is not… ok, you catch my drift. Continue reading →

10 April 2015
by Davide Mana Leave a comment

Writing Prompt – La Comtesse

Countess Maxime de la Falaise, in Schiaparelli, Paris, 1950 // Photo by Gordon Parks

Here’s a nice character.
Write her story in the comments.

3 April 2015
by Davide Mana 3 Comments

Friday Prompt – Wreckage

I like this picture quite a lot – and I’m sure there’s a story in there!

27 March 2015
by Davide Mana 4 Comments

Writing Prompt – Ghost

As I think I mentioned already, I’ve been thinking about writing a supernatural mystery, maybe a ghost story, something involving an occult detective… a team of occult detectives, actually.
See why I haven’t started yet?
But the picture above should serve as a fine inspiration, don’t you think?

23 March 2015
by Davide Mana 1 Comment

Routining

I do collect books about writing – and I say I collect them meaning that I have a cartload of those, and I normally find something interesting and useful in each and every one of them.

On the other hand, my definition of book about writing is becoming quite flexible¹, and I have already mentioned in the past that Hugard & Braué’s The Royal Road to Card Magic is not just one of the best stage and card magic books out there, but it’s also a damn good writing book, if you can read it with the right attitude.

Consider the following: Continue reading →

21 March 2015
by Davide Mana 8 Comments

The Story of Whatsisname

OK, so I lost the race but I’m on my way to finishing my second novel.
There’s a catch – apart from a few bits that still grate a little, and that I’ll have to discuss with my editor and beta readers… there’s the matter of the title.

Because so far, I’ve worked on files codenamed Matter/Energy, but let’s admit it – as a title for a science fiction novel, Matter/Energy sucks.
And is sounds like some kind of slash fiction for horny trekkies, which might attract the wrong readers.

So, I’ll have to invent a title.
The publishing gurus talk about compelling titles – but a cool title would be enough.
Because a cool title is something that really sells the novel. Continue reading →

21 March 2015
by Davide Mana 3 Comments

The loneliness of the long distance runner

Just a quick post to inform all interested parties that the race is over – my friend Claire got to her target of 45.000 words yesterday evening, two full days ahead of schedule, while I was still struggling with my last 10.000 words.