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We Storymaniacs Should Be The Best
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TITLE (EDIT)
We Storymaniacs Should Be The Best |
DESCRIPTION
An essay dealing with why I believe many of us Internet writers will one day be a cut above the rest, and what it will take to get there.
[1,101 words] |
TITLE KEYWORD
Motivational |
AUTHOR
Michael Harris |
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
African American male. Accepted Christ as savior as I have been born again since August 1st of 2002. I have been writing on and off for about 10 years though I'm pretty determined to keep at it this time.
[August 2012] |
AUTHOR'S E-MAIL ADDRESS
thanksbetochrist@aol.com |
AUTHOR'S OTHER TITLES (24)
Alone With My Sin (A Collection) (Poetry) This is a collection of poems wherein I express the stinging loneliness that sin has caused in my life as a Christian and the fallout of those transgressions. There is also a long poem expressing what... [2,477 words] [Spiritual]
Attack From The Beyond (Short Stories) A guardian race recruits human beings in the defense of the Earth in the face of the Aelkighted. The fourth tale in what I'm calling "The Adrian and Lucalan Saga." The first story is called "The Riv... [11,647 words] [Science Fiction]
Chronicles Of Zefaria: The Plight Of The Free Peoples (Novels) These are dark times for the people of Zefaria. Lord Osmadaan's provinces are causing havoc throughout the land. Tonomoli Foster embarks on a quest to attract help from some of the bigger countries ... [33,846 words] [Fantasy]
Chronicles Of Zefaria: The Realm Of The Ancients (Novels) Here follows the first four chapters of the continuation of my Chronicles of Zefaria series with a bit of chapter five thrown in for good measure. This installment of the series follows the exploits ... [8,455 words] [Fantasy]
Evil's Fingers (Short Stories) After a young boy by the name of Timmy Hutchinson falls into a pit and is rescued, circumstances arise in Blackberry Village that none are prepared for. Read and you will not be disappointed. [7,440 words] [Fantasy]
Here And Thereafter (Novels) A young, dirt poor African American couple struggle to make ends meet. The husband places all of his beliefs in his unfinished fantasy novel, while the wife struggles with the everyday realities of t... [12,076 words] [Drama]
Journey To The Planet Merridion (Short Stories) This is my third tale in what I'm calling "The Adrian and Lucalan Saga," unless someone can come up with something better. It follows the short stories "The Rivals" and its sequel, "The Arrivals." ... [8,445 words] [Science Fiction]
Octavia's Obsession (Short Stories) This story is about... Octavia's obsession... [2,237 words] [Drama]
Star Saga (Screenplays) The year is 2120 and colonization of space is well underway. Thanks to the unlocking of the human genome during the 21st Century, humanity is experiencing a time like no other. No intelligent life h... [11,766 words] [Science Fiction]
Star Saga: A Clash Of Empires (Screenplays) Sequel to my sci fi scipt "Star Saga: Swarm of the Bulgata," which came after the script "Star Saga." Two months have passed since the conflict on the colony of Dorridion ended, and now the Earth Emp... [22,716 words] [Science Fiction]
Star Saga: Swarm Of The Bulgata (Screenplays) Sequel to my sci fi script "Star Saga." The Bulgata have been beaten back on the alien planet of Unisee, and the Earth Empire watches over the people. However, a new conflict soon surfaces on the co... [17,954 words] [Science Fiction]
Tales Of The Horror Inducing Kind (Short Stories) Three short stories documented by a horror enthusiast whose attempting to collect supposedly true stories, and told from the perspective of those who saw them. "The Centipedes" - A story about a man'... [12,838 words] [Horror]
The Arrivals (Short Stories) **********WARNING*********** Do not read further without first reading my short story, The Rivals, unless you want to be spoiled**************Adrian Belfast is suffering through events that took place... [10,381 words] [Science Fiction]
The Caged Introvert (Short Stories) A shy, unattached man's journey for love... [3,644 words] [Drama]
The Deluded Youth (Short Stories) A boy and his dreams... [3,699 words] [Drama]
The Exploits Of Tal'on Kepp (Short Stories) This is a short story set in my Chronicles of Zefaria series. I hope that all enjoy. [2,542 words] [Fantasy]
The House That Bernard Wellingsworth Built (Short Stories) Eli Wellingsworth travels from upstate New York to Manchester, England, to take control of the estate of his deceased and demented uncle, but he could hardly be expected to be prepared for what he is ... [5,645 words] [Horror]
The Man Who Walked Unseen (Short Stories) An account in the exploits of the life of the unseen... [1,457 words] [Horror]
The Menace Of That Most Demented Order (Short Stories) Eli Wellingsworth finally comes face to face with the horror perpetrated by his demented Uncle Bernard. The third tale in a series that I am calling "The Perils of Eli Wellingsworth." The first one ... [12,529 words] [Horror]
The Path That Eli Wellingsworth Took (Short Stories) Sequel to my short story, "The House That Bernard Wellingsworth Built." Eli Wellingsworth travels from Manchester, England, to New York after resigning defeat in garnering the attention of anyone who... [9,402 words] [Horror]
The Rivals (Short Stories) Adrian Belfast, a young and aspiring author, chances upon the works of one Lucas Slaughter, a person whom he considers his rival. Sequel forthcoming. [5,415 words] [Humor]
The Struggle Within: Sestina Number One (Poetry) A sestina is a poem where you interchange six words at the end of each line in six stanzas. This is my first. [258 words] [Horror]
The Suffering Christian (A Collection) (Poetry) These are my very first Blank Verse poems, Heroic Couplets, and a Stanza in Heterometric form. The Blank Verse poem possesses some rhyme, and is about being Christian and a selfish sufferer (wanting C... [528 words] [Spiritual]
War Of The Writers (Short Stories) This is my first fantasy themed short story. I welcome any and all comments. Thanks in advance! [1,955 words] [Fantasy]
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We Storymaniacs Should Be The Best
Michael Harris
Storymania is my writing home. I don't know about any of you, but the sheer volume of improvement offered here won me over. Still, I feel many of us don't see just how important of a role Storymania, and in particular, writing-based websites, can have on the quality of our work. But before I rant on about what can be done to improve such quality, let me first outline a few scenarios.
Consider the following statements: nothing lasts forever, days come and go, the sun sets and rises. I say all that to say this: there may very well come a time when the solicitors of Storymania begin regulating the work available on the site, or in the very least begin dividing those pieces that stand out from the rest. It's not all that uncommon, as I've come across many a site with such restrictions. Those of us who may feel a bit insecure in contemplating such a scenario need not, as all of us here are very much at an advantage, but not many of us are acting upon it.
Let's say, for example, we were to conduct an experiment, and in this experiment we were to observe, within an unregulated span of time, the progress of two equally talented but unpublished writers, one of which who placed his or her work on a site, such as this, and the other who didn't. I think we'd find that the one who placed their work on the site would not only get published first, but would begin pulling away from his or her counterpart, in terms of ability. So then, in theory, those writers whom have gathered themselves to be published and critiqued on these various websites should, when the time comes, be so much more polished than their brethren. In fact, I don't think it would be saying too much in asserting that this generation of Internet writers has the potential to overshadow the former greats. I do doubt that Poe or Shakespeare garnered this much exposure with their early works. That's why it's so important for us as a writing community to band together and begin critiquing with the good of our fellow writers in mind, something that I myself am guilty and ashamed of.
But let us keep in mind that when I speak of those who can overshadow the greats, I'm speaking of those who are talented specifically. There is, as I'm sure you know, a difference between someone whose gifted at doing something, and another who likes to do that something. I don't think there's any secret that the Poes and Shakespeares of the past were gifted at writing, therefore, to overshadow the greats, as it were, it would take another similarly gifted individual, not someone whose just gotten good at it with practice.
I personally consider myself a late bloomer. While I've always been exceptional in anything related to English, I didn't start writing creatively until the latter part of my junior year in high school, and even now I've only recently stepped up my efforts to write and read voraciously, as most of what I'd digest would be articles or columns and such. The pieces I have presented on the site are some of my first, but I do believe I have the gift, as if I didn't I'd be working at something altogether different entirely. Still, I can't help but to wonder where I'd be now if I'd only been a bit wiser five years ago, or if my parents would have taken an active part in searching out my gifts and planting seeds that would help to cultivate my talents. But these things happen, and we shouldn't allow that to foil or hinder us. We may not can change the past, but the future is ripe for our picking, and I believe Storymania will play a pivitol role in establishing all of our futures (those of us who are serious anyway).
A lot of the longer pieces on this site don't even get looks from some, which is really a shame. I think one of the reasons for this is that many are put off by the idea of staring at the computer screen for any extended period of time. Well, for those of us who fit that catagory, I have the solution: download the title. Many of the different novels and screenplays offer the option of downloading and reading it at your leisure. And for those that don't, well, I suggest you first read a short story of the authors. If you've taken a liking to it, follow up with reading his or her novel or screenplay. That is, of course, assuming that they've written any short stories. But even in such instances we can't let that be our only excuse.
If I was intimidated by the length of Bradely Stoke's Omega, I would have missed out on what is, without a doubt, the single most informative and well done piece Storymania has had to offer thus far. Quite simply, it should be in print. If you disagree, then by all means, point me in the direction of the piece which should, or comes close to holding that honor. The simple fact is, this site is filled to the brim with so much untapped potential and so many talented writers just asking for feedback, but not getting it.
So how do we go about the path to improvement? Well, if we're serious, we read a lot, both the classics and those offered here, and, of course, we write a lot, but these are obvious. Well then, what about comparing your work with others who've written similiar pieces? If you've authored a horror piece, then search out those pieces which are of its origin, and as you read the author's title, pull up your piece and compare the difference in style, characterization, etc. It's very simple really, and helps to drive you to want to do better. Try thinking of Storymania as a book store. Get a competitive mentality going, but not one insomuch that you wouldn't acknowledge a superior or well done piece when you've come across it. Never that. Experiment a little.
Like I mentioned earlier, Storymania is my writing home, and that means that all of you are my brothers and sisters. Therefore, as siblings, we have a responsibility to look out for the common good of one another. I hope that I've made some lasting impression on anyone who may have been having some trouble with the craft, otherwise, all would have been for naught.
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"Interesting thoughts Michael. " -- Steven.
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COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© 2001 Michael Harris |
STORYMANIA PUBLICATION DATE
April 2006 |
NUMBER OF TIMES TITLE VIEWED
3069
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