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The Muse has selected these fine titles for you.
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Recent News
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Fiction:
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Author: S. Gaia Chapin
Title: Amateur
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Category: Fiction, Genre(s): Thriller/Suspense,
Short Story
Brief Synopsis: A man with a secret life underestimates his girlfriend and pays for his mistake.
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Last 3 Review(s)
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Jennie Marie Lein : I had great fun reading this story. Your use of language is wonderful: great play of words and good imagery. It gave me chills to realize that this guy was a serial killer and that Alisha would have been his next victim. After the first thrill of reading, I do have a few questions: Was he intending to kill Alisha all along, regardless of whether she had been pregnant? Did the woman at the train station in Barcelona actually accused him of murder to Alisha, or did she just clue Alisha in to the fact that she had seen him with many other women? What does Alisha get out of killing him? Initially I thought she did it to save her own life, but if she suspected him of planning to kill her, why didn't she just break away from him? Wss robbing him part of her plan, too?
One tiny bit of editing: Should be "They rode to the second floor," not "They road to the second floor" (on page 3).
I hope you've continued to work on this story and that you've submitted it for publication. (10-May-08)
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Tara Nicholas : Spoilers (We need a spoiler alert tag for reviews.)
If Peter Falk were a bastard this is how he would be. The language is so Columbo and dark and gritty. It is quick and precise. It has that essence of gumshoe but for the other side of the law.
"Spring had taken winter by its toes and hurled it into the past." This type of phrase is pure dark detective fiction to me. Say it with a Peter Falk accent and you'll know what I mean. Then read the rest of that "page" like that. Along with the descriptive text and imagery it really adds to the picture in the mind. Is that good? Did you intend to pull from such an iconic source?
I wasn't sure exactly what was going on and only truly understood the abortion angle near the end. The clue with the man and the knife - considering what I read before - may have been some weird sex game he pays for and she provides. I'm kinda dense sometimes. (Going back I missed the window scene were she put his hand on her belly. I need to read slower.)
"her pink tongue tip protruded between her lips like a ripe nipple." Imagery like this really sold the story. And reall stands out in contrast to future behavior. She is so innocent when we meet her and then it all turns.
I do have one question: Where did she get the gun? Was she carrying a purse?
You put together such details to leave this one area unknown begs some questions.
I liked the story very much and it was an enjoyable read.
Thank you for sharing. (25-Nov-07)
Author Reply: "Thanks for your review. Although I admit I still watch Columbo reruns and get a kick out of his sly intelligence, I never thought of my writing in this story as evoking his character at all. But what the reader gets and what the writer intends are often different. As it should be. As far as the man with the knife, I saw that as her view of some sinister person who would perform the abortion. I suppose she did bring the gun to the hotel room in her purse. Okay, I guess I did leave out that detail. I'm glad you liked the story. Thanks for reading." (26-Nov-07)
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Lady Lulay : I really enjoy your attention to details. I thought the dialogue was great and flowed nicely. The tension was very well done between the characters. The ending came as a complete surprise. Would love to read more from you. (21-Nov-07)
Author Reply: "Thank you. I'm glad you liked it. I am trying to get more out there." (22-Nov-07)
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Non-Fiction:
Author: Malcolm Sterling
Title: Five Minutes (or less) with the Bard - E9
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Category: Non-Fiction, Genre(s): Podcast
Brief Synopsis: November 2007 - NaNoWriMo Wrap-Up - My reflections and challenges of this year's NaNoWriMo challenge.
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Last 3 Review(s)
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Lady Lulay : Your journey through so many words in such a short time was very interesting. I tried one time to do the NaNoWriMo. I realized, for me, that November is not a good month to be "alone" and involved in such an intense task. I'd like to see one in June sans holiday cooking, holiday company.
It worked for you and that is amazing. Amazing and wonderful that by the end of the month you have renewed faith in yourself as a writer. Perhaps I will try it again when I am no longer caretaker of a large group of elderly relatives!
I would enjoy reading what you have written. Please share with us as you like. (20-Dec-07)
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Author: Malcolm Sterling
Title: The Betrayer
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Category: Non-Fiction, Genre(s): Essay
Brief Synopsis: This is an essay I wrote as a response to the precepts of writing in an English course.
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Last 3 Review(s)
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Lady Lulay : Your essay says what every writing teacher tries to teach hopeful students- writing is a craft and a craft must be practiced, practiced, practiced! I learned this the hard way when I stopped writing for over three years to cook and care for 3 elderly relatives. At first I did not realize I was not writing- that I was too exhausted to focus on creative thought. Then I felt like I had fallen down a well with no escape (death of my charges was the escape). In this time two of my friends published novels after working hard learning and writing every day. Writing is a craft we must practice like playing the panio, guitar, singing or ballet. Just like people can steal your time and thoughts, procrastination is an even more devious thief. (07-Jul-07)
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scrapsoflife : Okay, how did you manage to make p.3 blank and p.4 talk about the blank page? If it was intentional, bravo for the visual clues; if not, then the computer might have a curious mind of its own! I do sort of feel like I've been smacked across the knuckles with a yard-stick, though--very good admonishment for us procrastinators. (23-Mar-07)
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A.C. Millicent : I appreciated your comparison of honing the craft of writing to that of practicing music. As a singer, I know that I am at my best when I've rehearsed so much that I know every word and every note. It's then when I can open up and express the emotion and depth of the music. Otherwise, it seems forced or vacant. (13-Mar-07)
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Poetry:
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Author: Uptownfive
Title: A million
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Category: Poetry, Genre(s): Free Form
Brief Synopsis:
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Last 3 Review(s)
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Lady Lulay : I enjoyed this very much. You did capture the complex emotions of a couple trying to break up but where one or the other are not there yet. This does have a good flow. I'd love to read more of your poetry! (11-Jul-07)
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thelliott : Very well written, though I think you should end it at "longer than it should." That's a very powerful part, and it breaks from the 4 line form of the start of the poem. Maybe work the last two stanzas above it? (15-Feb-07)
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Mercy Manic : Dittoing Malcolm here: Very nice flow and the clarity of the complex emotion is spot on. I think a lot of people will relate to this. (25-Nov-06)
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 Pics from the Bard: Ramsey Cascade Writing Retreat
Ok so it's not officially a writing retreat but it sure felt like it. I was only able to spend a day at the foothills of the stream but it was a great day. Here for your enjoyment are some pictures of the view I had while working on my story.   [im... | Write Comment
Notes from the Bard: Ah the joys of unplugging.
Hello Fellow Bards,
I just got back from a week long trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and it was fantastic. Did a lot of hiking, camping, whitewater rafting, some more hiking and yes even a bit of writing thrown in.
I've been attempting to edit my story (the one I wrote in November for NaNoWriMo) and have been having some minor set backs. It's just that editing on the computer is not the same as writing on t...
0 comments | Write Comment
 Site News: Site Statistics (Detailed View)
In an effort to show people how the site is being used by readers and writers, and to get an overview of the titles published in the Library, I have created this Site Statistics page for your perusal and enjoyment. http://www.newbardspress.com/site_stats.htmlThis is phase one of a two part phase for this feature. (But first I have some spam issues to take care of regarding email. :'() In the future I will add links that wil... | Write Comment
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It's a variation on the random "Let the Muse Decide" display on the left hand side of the front page.