The 500 Word Snatch

By Grease Coakes

I was upset that the micro writing event at Book Island was gone when Jackson Arthur left Second Life. I always wrote things about my characters or made random nonsense in 100 words or so. However I lucked out as I found another writing event. In Second Life you can find a writing event here or there. Looking at my notices one day, I happened to see a writing event. I warped in and found out about a writing area at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Milk%20Wood/77/64/22

The event I found on Saturday afternoon happened to be helping authors with their writing and plot and story. I remember helping a lady with her story about a woman who committed suicide and the police who were looking to solve her murder. I offered a suggestion that a janitor good be the POV or point of view she needed.

But what the host told me was that the 500 word snatch was held Monday through Friday 6am and 6pm SLT hosted by different hosts and hostesses throughout the week. In 15 minutes or so you have to write 500 words or so with a word in mind. I cheated and didn’t use peel for the time I stopped by but the other writers such as Artemis Danube enjoyed my short story nonetheless. I explained it was a backstory for one my characters and why he did nefarious things. Here’s part of Ranger’s backstory.

“You deserve it! But somehow deep in my heart I know there’s a way to get the money and to give you a second chance. I saw an email from my friend that maybe be able to save you. That is if the casino agrees.”

The Casino boss a black wolf in an Italian suit nodded. “We’d much rather have the money back instead of ending his life. Much better business that way. Tell you what Ranger right?” Ranger nodded yes. “We’ll spare Jimmy’s life and instead you owe us the money. You’re right no way Jimmy will get $100,000. But be warned if you don’t get the money now your life is in jeopardy. Since you’re putting the life on the line for your brother I’ll give you extra time. If today is August 22nd you have until October 22nd.”

Gwen’s story was fantasy in a woodland setting where the character Abigail strolled through a forest every night.

His strides were easily half again as long as her own; Reynardine had no trouble catching up with Abigail. He took her arm. “My lovely Abigail,” he said. “I’ve brought you a gift.”

“Oh?” Abigail stopped in one of the many small clearings ahead of the meadow. “What kind of gift?” 
 

The Hunter reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a red apple. “Shall I peel it for you?”

Abigail shook her head. “No— and why on earth did you bring me an apple?"

Another story by Deva was about a pirate close to death.

The Surgeon placed his hands on the edge of the table, exhausted. The Captain was a very unhealthy colour and he had no idea if he would survive. Blood seemed to be everywhere, the table, the floor and even himself. He let his eyes wander to the severed leg on the floor and he managed to find his voice to order one of the men “Throw that overboard! He will not want to see it.”

For readers who use twitter you can follow the writing events at @virtualwriters and learn more about the various events that happen at the small writing area by visiting this website

http://virtualwritersworld.virtualwritersinc.com/

Even if you’re not a writer and just want to hang out and read other stories feel free to stop by. Perhaps it may inspire your inner writer for you to create characters and to write short stories or the like. Stop by the 500 word snatch and give it a shot. It couldn’t hurt and it’s doubtful you’ll run into a bad situation like Ranger, The Pirate Captain or Abigail. The writers I hung out with were pretty nice but they were pretty malicious towards their characters.

Grease Coakes

"Promptly Erotic" at Book Island

By Grease Coakes

Promptly Erotic Is a new event at Book Island hosted by Freda Frostbite. When I happened to see the notice at Book Island I was surprised that a place like Book Island would showcase such an event. Book Island is well known for people talking about books and their stories. Having interest in erotic writing I couldn't resist. I played a game beforehand and then logged onto Second Life. Freda Frostbite told me over voice that this would be a weekly event at book island at 3pm SLT every Wednesday at this landmark:  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Book%20Island/191/197/36 .

Freda logged on and announced that she was in a meeting in real life before she logged on. Everyone wanted the meeting to end so Freda in real life ended the meeting by announcing she wanted to jump in Second Life to hold a workshop about writing erotica. The meeting ended very quickly.

Selina Greene the owner of Book Island also attended. I asked Freda what her event was about and she said in voice, “It's a workshop for people to share and improve their erotic writing.” She also was saying that erotica could be an art form like a tasteful nude picture. I could agree with that writing itself is an art form. Erotic writing is merely another facet of that art.

She chose this week's theme as “Behind the Curtain.” Like the scene from The Wizard Of Oz “Ignore the man behind the curtain.” She showed pictures to inspire us writers to write steamy prose. She showed us pictures of Gypsy Rose behind a curtain with various other pictures. She said the only rule was you had to start your story with “Behind The Curtain,”as the first three words. Freda set a timer for fifteen minutes for everyone to write whatever came to mind.

After fifteen minutes or so she announced time was up. I copied and pasted my writing sample to a SL notecard quick enough that Freda read me first. She gave everyone the chance to read their erotic writing out loud over voice. I wasn't brave so I asked Freda to read out loud for me. To tease the reader of this SL Newser article I can say my story involved handcuffs and woman's underwear. Freda said my story flowed very well. Here's a small sample of what I had written.

Behind the curtain Narcosis wagged her finger slowly at her boyfriend. Nathan, as a short sky blue griffin couldn't believe that after being picked on and slammed into lockers that finally he would lose his virginity. The tall slender unicorn black woman was a godsend to him.

The other stories were also well written as Freda read everyone's story except for Selina Greene's erotic adventure which involved a BDSM club behind a curtain. I told Selina over voice that she was very brave to read her story over voice. She responded and said, “But I felt so embarrassed when I read it.” I told her she didn't sound embarrassed when she spoke over voice with her smoky British accent.

After Freda left Second Life to do things in real life, Selina and I hung out at Book Island until she had to go to bed. She mentioned that every Sunday was a new writing event like Olivia's micro fiction event. She explained at 12 noon SLT Every Sunday is a writing dash event and an open mic at 1pm. I said I'd do my best to reach one of those events. It involves writing 500 words or so in a half hour. I said that sounds doable if I wrote 322 words in fifteen minutes.

Selina logged off as it was close to 1 AM her time in the United Kingdom. Book Island is a great place for writers and readers to hangout and share common interests. I said I missed Jackson Arthur's Writer's Chat and Olivia's Micro Fiction.

However Selina is keeping Book Island going strong with Freda Frostbite's new event called Promptly Erotic. It's certainly a bold and brave new step for Book Island and I'm excited to see it as an event as a fun way to practice writing and to socialize. I invite you readers of the SL Newser to come to this event or any other Book Island event for kicks. Here's Freda's email and website if you would like to contact her.

StephanieMesler@gmail.com

www.APoetsProgress.com

Grease Coakes

Amehana’s Writing Party

By Grease Coakes

Amehana Ishtari a good friend of mine wanted to hold a writing social party for her friends to chat about writing and reading. She asked me to DJ for the event I said sure. She has does readings for me many times and given me support and hints to publish my children’s story.

It started at 6pm SLT but I showed up early at the party at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nemmers/85/54/30 to pick out songs and give Amehana the stream. Me and her chit chatted about writing and how art teachers can nitpick their elementary school students for drawing violent images like killer robots or have a student draw a teacher they may not like face a horrible death. We both agreed that it’s better for a child to draw about their fantasy of doom for an adult he or she may not like then acting it out.

Amehana’s friends showed up like Ally and Oscelot to hang and chat too. Raimi showed up too as she’s a good friend of mine and a fan of my music. I asked Amehana about the audio book I won through her drawing called “Call of the kami.” She had this to say about it, "yes it is, and mythology and folklore. That book happened as a result of researching Japanese spiritual views for Dragon Shaman (and my own growth)."

Amehana called herself a crazy lady by asking people what they about the folklore. I told her "nahh" she’s not a crazy lady. But her boyfriend Vadise Reikaz had this to say, "Yes, crazy lady." (grin)

I also play MLP/fallout with Vadise so I asked him about the mutant we fought last night. He seemed upset that my character Dusty did so much damage with my battle rifle as he wanted to try out Xinka’s gun. I told Vadise next time I’m going to melee attack with Dusty and not shoot.

One of the projects Amehana was working on was the Dragon Beads anthology as a contest for anyone to submit a story about dragons. I asked what it was about and Amehana said, "Dragons (laughter)."

The best entry that Amehana has seen so far was a story about the daughter of a dragonrider who thwarts an invasion of raiders. The first prize is $20 I said that’s still a good prize so she shouldn’t feel bad about that. I also ordered Amehana’s first book called “Dragon Shaman Book One Taming the Blowing Wind.” I’m almost finished and it’s a good read. It’s a good mix of romance and fantasy where blowing wind wanders into the spiritual realm and finds an adventure and a spirit who loves her who she resists. One part was funny, but I won’t say what as. It was also creepy.

There’s a sequel to "Taming the Blowing Wind," is named book two of Dragon Shaman is "The Smoky Mirror." Amehana hopes to write 8 in all but she also has another writing project called the selkie skins which she gives the credit for the inspiration to Vadise her boyfriend. Vadise asked for a character idea through a Harry Potter, so Amehana created Christy as a selkie from then on she has her own series with a -.- face. She’s been writing the series about shape shifters who change from human to the animal form of a seal. Amehana gave me a writing sample and it looked like good writing just like her blowing wind book.

For a while Vadise, Amehana, Vera and I goofed around as I asked questions about her book series. Writing is an excellent way to express yourself for any kind of genre or fantasy universe that comes to your mind. Or the flip side is true that you could read about an adventure from your fave author. Amehana aka Teresa Garcia is certainly a good author, or perhaps you already have a fave book or fave book series. Ethier way ,have fun by reading or writing or perhaps both. After all you are reading when you read this article about a party about reading and writing.

Grease Coakes

Arton Tripsa’s Party at Book Island

 By Grease Coakes

Arton Tripsa stepped down as manager at Book Island after 4 years. There was a party in her honor at 4pm SLT at Book Island on Saturday June 15. I left my avatar at the beach of Dance Island while I went to grab some food beforehand. Selina Greene was there herself at the owner of Book Island. Brokail the blue alien showed up along with Perri Prinz the author of Spectral Shadows who is also the owner of the Green Meadows land club. Danger Dave and Jackson Arthur showed up a little later.

 Arton Tripsa wants to leave Second Life to start work on her second book. Hence Selina Greene set up a party in her honor. Izzy Upsilion came after a while and started djing for the crowd. He played a lot of pop and popular music. Arton Tripsa who is Jane Watson in real life is the author of Hindustan Contessa as she lives in Austrailla.

Lots of avatars were dancing and having a good time being silly. Barabara Blackcinder accused Brokali of being sick due to his skin being blue. In defense I said Brokali is a blue alien who will take over the earth and paint everyone blue. For a short time Selina Green spoke on voice and announced that the winners of the laureate awards were Arton Tripsa and Alexander M Zoltai as Alex is the events manager.

 I asked Arton about her book and here’s what she had to say, " It is a novel about a couple who travel to India to see the guy’s grandmother and get kidnapped." She adds this sentence as well, "not exactly, more analysis of dual cultures and cultural differences."

Grease Coakes, "Sounds interesting, like 'Dances With Wolves,' how the American solider gets integrated into Native American culture?"

Arton Tripsa, "Yeah something like that. The girl is Anglo-Australian, the guy is Indian-Australian: - ie born in India living in Australia (grin)."

The story idea was inspired a rare photo she had in real life.Well it was a metaphor, the photo showed an Indian child seated on a dining chair balancing on a giant Amazonian lily. It was about balance.

Grease Coakes, "About balancing different cultures together?"

Arton Tripsa, "You got it!"

Arton says her second book is about literary theft. I said that would be horrible if someone plagiarized my Children’s book. She said in real life someone took the idea of her first book. And the second book is about revenge for that. Her second book does not have a title yet.

Brokali, "The door prize winner will receive Cookie Monster Avi, Zebra Avi, Lighthouse, Vases, and garden lamps!"

Grease Coakes, "You mean the prize isn't a door?" (Giggles)

Arton Tripsa, "Lawl Grease!" the guest of honor laughed at my dumb joke.

Barbara Blackcinder won the door prize and no it wasn’t a door. The next question I thought of at random.

Grease Coakes, "If you could be a furry what animal would you choose?"

Arton Tripsa, "I have a tiny avi who is a calico kitten. (Laughter)"

Before tonight I didn’t know Arton Tripsa from Eyll Tripsa. Her friends at Book Island will greatly miss her. As she leaves Second Life to write her second book but Perri Prinz had this to say, "She'll be back, Grease. They always come back."

Perri could be right there’s always the allure of Second Life. But if Perri was wrong at least Arton got a hell of a farewell party in her honor for her pixel avatar.

For more information, check out the following links:

http://www.janewatson.com.au

http://www.janewatson.com.au/Site/Welcome.htm

Grease Coakes

Book Island Discussion

By Grease Coakes

 

At 10am SL Jackson Arthur at book Island he hosts his own event Office hours every Saturday. When I got back from real things he mentioned he was practicing micro fiction. Micro fiction is a whole story into 100 or 500 words. I said that’s easy to do as 500 words is a mere page. Then he said next week is supposed to be 100 words!

 

“What!" I said in voice chat “How the hell am I supposed to do that?” Jackson laughed at my response and he said he wondered the same thing.

 

 As Jackson was talking in voice chat other Book Islanders showed up like Danger Dave as a pink bunny Nicole and Olivia along with Silver and Relish. Wearing green I reminded everyone that St Patrick’s Day was tomorrow. Jackson Arthur said “Oh no! I don’t have anything green!” I saved his ham and I sent him a green shirt I made.

 

Jackson said today’s topic would be flash fiction. Relish was saying Micro 500 or less and flash is 1,000 or less. 100 or drabble fiction even Steven. Nano fiction is 55 exactly! Everyone agreed that writing so little would be a major challenge.

 

Jackson Arthur pointed out that only 5% of your time is writing and correcting your book as the rest is promoting your book which is very much the case. Tome wise it didn’t take long to type out my book but getting it published and continuing to promote that’s a pain in the butt and it takes a lot of time.

 

Cale came in saying she was late, but I said she was fashionably late.

 

Jackson Arthur asked “Is it better to promote your first book or write a second book?” I said I’d rather promote my first book then worry about a second book. Cale was talking about writing salons and live reading. I said myself I was looking to look for real life book stores to read my story at. Jackson and I both agree Facebook isn’t a good tool to sell my book.

 

Every was suggesting websites to promote their written works. I suggested promoting yourself around your local area is a big key too. Networking is the key everyone agreed to that to promote your writing.  Cale brought up how you could use photography in second life to create book covers. I said it wouldn’t work for my children’s book as a realistic virtual design wouldn’t really work. However for other books it may be just the ticket. She also said how she ran into someone who had a horrible cover picture for his book cover. Cale said she is a visual person as she is also an artist in real life. She told this rude person that his cover design was not going to work but he didn’t seem to listen. 

 

I walked over to the next event hosted by Relish the librarian who was a tiny tiger. He made me think of Hobbes from Calvin and Hobbes he was saying he collected dictionaries. For kicks I said I have some drum and bass records. And I asked everyone who wrote Mulder’s Theme? Nobody guessed so I told everyone Mulder. He asked did anyone want to get into a character’s head. I answered yes when I get purchased at a tail sale I want to get into my buyer’s head and make sure I get the character right for my buyer. Relish said I got it exactly right. I remember asking Dragon Heart what he wanted in his story and I’m not telling in this article.

 

Book Island seems like a great place to hang out and talk with aspiring or accomplished writers. The discussion seems laid back and laughs are always welcome along with gongs If you have any wish to see how other writers operate and you have a story you’re thinking about Book Island is the right place to go. I myself might try a micro fiction for kicks. It’s only 500 words anyway.

 

Grease Coakes