Speculative Fiction: Fiction that, uh, speculates.

Any thoughts on this? The term sort of supercedes 'fantasy' and 'science fiction' as respective genres these days, though it remains primarily a term that covers the ground science fiction used to. I like it, I do, but at the same time, it feels a bit... hm. Unnecessary.

This is definitely one of those nights where trying just doesn't seem worth the effort. Not worth it at all.

The new roleplay at Hasu Vale is set to start tomorrow (Thursday, April 27th). Anyone who is interested needs to speak with [Mister Saint] or [La Divina] and check out the game stage at Hasu Vale. 

This is a free-form RPG, no numbers involved, set in a fantasy-esque world. Any kind of well-developed character should be allowed (if you aren't sure, ask!) and this will be a partially plot-driven game. Hope to hear from you!

In my dreams, I saw a man walk calmly into the bookstore. He browsed around for a moment, and then when the line at the counter dwindled, he stepped calmly up.

"Hi, did you find what you were looking for?" The buxom young brunette in the serving wench's outfit (this was MY dream after all) inquired of him, looking away from her gold-framed picture of me just long enough to wipe up her drool from the counter.

"Yes, can you help me fix my refrigerator? It's broken, and I need it fixed. Help me out." 

The vivacious vixen tilted her head, to the sound of empty cans rattling about in her head. "This is a bookstore, sir, maybe you should try the appliance center across the way."

The man smiled and nodded. He walked away, but came back a moment later.

"Look, I need that refrigerator fixed now, it's killing me! Please fix it for me!"

The poor half-naked clerk had no idea how to deal with this problem. 

"Sir, we don't fix refrigerators..."

"I WANT HELP HELP ME MY REFRIGERATOR IS BROKEN AND I CAN'T FIX IT I DON'T KNOW HOW AND I CAN'T JUST GET A NEW ONE!"

Eyes wide in fear of what this dingaling might have planned, the suddenly-bikini clad clerk glanced at her twin sister and gave a nod. She pushed the huge red button marked 'Security' and in a moments a broad man in black (Me! Whoo!) came charging out from the stacks. With a furious sneer I whapped this raving monkey upside the head with about ten pounds of folding chair, and dragged him out of the store where a crack team of psychiatrists were waiting with lots, and lots, of thorazine.

Okay, so maybe I didn't actually dream that. But it feels kind of right, doesn't it?

Attenton, roleplayer types. [La Divina] and [Mister Saint] are organizing what we hope to be a fairly large-scale game here on WritersCo, and we invite anyone who is interested to attend. The primary setting goes something like this.

When the genie Etinifni Infinite built the Redwood Light Tavern, a certain book of fairy tales was accidentally lost in the magical field surrounding this particular hall. The five gates in this hall were supposed to link to existing worlds via a complex set of spells, but instead, several pages from the fairy tale book were pulled into each gate. The worlds that were born from the pages very closely, but not perfectly, mimic the tales told in the book, and on occasion, produce their share of trouble for those in the Redwood Light.

We have five worlds for your adventuring pleasure, based on classic fairy tales, each twisted and slapped around a little bit to suit. Characters will explore in search of the ominous force that is stealing all of the original pages - and therefore, stealing the life from each of these worlds - or just hang around with the colorful cast and crew of the Redwood Light, singing songs, getting sloshed, and avoiding whatever cataclysm decides to show its at the time.

The game requires dedicated, medium - advanced level players, and while previous roleplay experience is preferable, it is not a requirement. If you are interested, please contact [La Divina] or [Mister Saint] with a link to your chosen character's sheet if you have one. We hope to see you soon!

So I dropped by the bookstore today to find something new. Iz (my brother) and I searched the racks there for a solid half hour to find something good, and I honestly have to say that I was a bit jaded by the experience. Not to be denied, we diligently searched for something to catch the fancy, reading the blurbs, (always partly covered by price tags), and discussing them. I think I saw the words 'slay', 'death', and 'prophecy/omen' about a billion times each. I picked up one book, not a horror book, and saw the word 'eviscerated' in the first sentence and just put it down. Are unoriginal plotlines what hit print? Apparently.

The next thing, is that I don't think I saw more than a few standalone books. Everything these days is 'book two of the soandso chronicles' ... and that, to me, is a gigantic stumbling block. I don't really want to go through a whole book, and enjoy it, only to find that I have to make it through four more books to get the ending (at which point, usually I don't care anymore anyway). What happened to stories that were just told, and done with?

The second worst aspect of this trip was that I honestly don't think I found more than one debut book. Everything was 'the new york times bestseller'... shelves full of Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey, Tolkien, Robert Jordan, and that sort of author. The kind that has fifty books and dominates the shelfspace. I'd much prefer to purchase the work of an unknown... you know, that kind of thing is what makes it so damn tough for new authors. They just can't get exposure while Anne McCaffrey's nine thousand carbon-copy dragon books take up the whole shelf. ^^

But at least I got a book. Part one of the soandso chronicles, with a tragic ending... son of a whore.

Day one of spending-less-time-in-front-of-computer complete. It was fun, but note to self: wear pants next time.

This weekend, the fifteenth and sixteenth o' April, I'm going to be away from WC for a bit. I'm going to allow myself some sorting-out time. If you really really need me, um... ask someone else. ^_^ Have lovely weekend, guppies.

You know what's so much better than being waxed and used as a surfboard? Kittens. 

Well, I have an officially empty blocked list now. I figure that everyone deserves a second chance (eventually, and with the exception of the mastermind behind the Prince of Persia: the Two Thrones plotline). So yeah. feeling pretty good about that.

Ugh! Maybe I should consider getting into writing plots for video games instead of books. I don't know if it's just a looong streak of bad choices on my part, but I have seen such a huge surge of really idiotic video game plots in the last several months that I can't help but think it's something in the industry. Whoever said that 'video games are an art form' should step back and realize that nobody plays a painting. This is one thing that the pornography industry actually has over video games... it doesn't waste time with plots! 

It wasn't until a while ago that I discovered that Elftown has a view all diaries command that essentially is the same as the latest blog entries dingy here. Sometimes I clicky said command, in the hopes of finding a new joke or funny story.

Lately, all I seem to find there is a looooooooooooot of melodrama. Lots of people who really seem to hate their lives. Or at least, that's what they'll tell you. It's such a depressing little spot.

In other news we have lots of new members, some of whom I've met, others who have not yet had the privelege ^_^. I still encourage everyone to get involved, don't hesitate to ask questions, and don't be afraid that you'll mess something up. Just get involved. 

Yup. Having to go to the next county again. I'll be back at some point tonight, I suppose. At least it'll give me something to do, and I'll get to play cards again. And play with the cats. It's a pity that these people are so indescribably dull, though.

Rock! Coincidence that Elftown takes a dive for a day and some change, and WritersCo gets a several dozen new members? Who cares! New members are great. And to all of you, on behalf of myself, I say welcome, and don't be afraid to get involved! I'm one of only about ten people here who might bite, and that's usually only for money. ^^ Check out the Contest Section, Flipside, Technical Details, WCBB 1, and all the other funness we've got going on!

I watched the movie DOOM tonight. I can in with fairly low expectations, knowing how video game based movies usually turn out, and it didn't disappoint.  Or... it did. Something. The acting was surprisingly good for a Predator/Aliens wannabe movie, that actually had little to do with the game. Far too much blood, gore, and profanity took away from what little merit the plot actually had. And believe me, it was a very little. Secret experiments turning people into monsters is definitely in the top five of most overdone movie plotlines. 

In the last half hour of the movie, the promised 'action' started to kick in, and the movie picked up to where I could conceivably watch it again. Only without the first hour and some change. The Rock did a respectable job believe it or not. But yeah. Strong stomach and high tolerance for plot BS required. 

Well, today is a red letter day. The first part of an excellent RP game sealed up without a hitch today. The Flipside Birthday Blanks seems to be a pretty good success. And, I finished up a piece of writing that has been tormenting me for weeks! Hell no you can't see it. *grins* Just suffice to say that I'll have some weight off my shoulder, and maybe, just flippin' maybe, I'll be able to finish my Event piece before Wrestlemania. Yup! Moorn likes pro wrestling. I'm not particularly interested if you think it's stupid or fake, so don't bother telling me. ^^ 

In other news, happy birthday writersco! As the member who was probably involved in the most headaches in this place's recent memory, I'm pretty proud of how things are going. I played both sides of the administration, being crew at one point and being the crew's antithesis, and I think I've been at odds with pretty much everyone I've interacted with at one time or another. In the end, I have lots of great friends at Flipside, I share a (hopefully mutual) sense of respect for the crew, have only person blocked and am on less than five blocked lists! I think. I've learned a lot about how to deal with people, have become quite a bit better at it too. I don't know if my writing skills have improved all that much, but I know that I've gotten to work out some of the ones that had gotten rusty and shake the dust off 'em. All in all, it's been a pretty good time for me here.

So my resolutions for the new WC year are as follows:

1) Come up with new fun things for Flipside
2) Improve my writing (duh)
3) Include more weasel references
4) End up on fewer than ten total blocked lists!
5) Have no more than two people on my own blocked list.
6) Stop writing resolutions.
7) ... dammit.

In further news, get your butts over to the birthday celebration! There are fun things to do there, a useful thing or two, a fun contest, and a serious contest, so there's plenty to keep your little hands slinging pens. Go, monkies!

Note to everyone: Flea Markets are kind of like a monkey stuff fight. Sure, it's kind of fun to watch, but the smell is unbelievable, and it's nothing more than bipeds tossing crap back and forth and yelling at each other.

There are some really good things going here nowadays. The new novel writing workshop thing should be a kick, the contest section is more vibrant than ever, and my baby Flipside is practically swollen with members. Good mood day!

During the day I have quite a bit of trouble logging in to WritersCo lately. If you need me for something don't hesitate to ask, but know that I might not get your message until around midnight Eastern Standard Time.

I'm in a much better mood today, thanks largely to a few very kind people, and no thanks to a few people who just can't seem to act their age. ^^ Thankfully I'm immune to stupidity, so I can laugh at how much people seem to want to get under my skin.

There are a few new polls at Flipside, both concerning prospective members to an extent. It's important that all members vote, and that non-members at least look around to see what's up. ^^ Thanks everyone!

A little warning for everyone's benefit. Moorn is in a nasty mood, so choose your words carefully if you're going to message him with something unfriendly. If you decide to say something impolite to him, he's liable to tell you off, and not cease telling you off in any kind of brief timeframe. Point is, don't come to Moorn acting impolite or unfriendly. If you have a legitimate problem with him, fine. If you're just being snippish, then you don't matter and he will treat you as such, so it's best to keep it to yourself. Now. If you're nice, that's great and Moorn will like you better for it.