First, the props…
Suite Magazine, the magazine for intelligent women, :razz: , has done a great review of INCUBUS for their December issue. They did a fab layout, I was thoroughly impressed, they have photos of a few very hot men–and for you writers out there–they’re looking for books to review! 
HOWL, the anthology featuring Jeigh Lyn, Jet Mykles, and yours truly, was just named a five-angel Recommended Read by Fallen Angel Reviews.
YAAYYY!! I am honored. :grin:
Today I caught a glimpse of the Dark Side of the Force—or, rather, of the writer’s imagination. Feeling really, really sick, I didn’t go to work, which gave me the chance to watch the news. :neutral:
The story was about the Tacoma Mall shooter, the sniper who injured six people. Apparently, he made calls to announce his intention beforehand to 911. When the dispatcher asked his location, the reply was:
“Follow the screams.”
I’m going to be brutally honest. My very first thought was, “Damn, that’s a great line!”
A second later, I was IMMEDIATELY horrified!! And yes, my thoughts shifted to sympathy for the victims, their families–even trying to understand the anger that would make a person do such a thing.
But I couldn’t forget that first thought. Probably because–honesty again–it’s not the first time I’ve done that (though it may be the worst). I’ve half-listened to people’s sad stories while my mind wandered off into possible plots and sub-plots. I’ve listened to romantic confessions while great ways to wrench such a perfect relationship apart danced like sugarplums in my head. :razz:
That little ‘what if’ voice in my mind that I’ve always depended on to come up with story ideas definitely has a Dark Side. There dwelleth vampires and werewolves and demons and psychopaths. And they’re not always just looking for a little fun, the Eternal Love they lost centuries before, or a romp in the hay, y’know? :twisted:
And I suppose it’s a necessary part of the creative process—but geez, it’s hard to accept sometimes! :shock:
Raine, I swear to god I was going to blog on this ‘dark side’ subject. Genna Low, actually posted on it a couple of weeks ago, how she was dealing with the death of a pet, and at the same time analyzing her reactions/emotions because she had a current character who had to deal with the death of a close one.
For what it’s worth, I would have had *the same* reaction as you to the shooting. And I find myself doing what you do as you ‘listen’ to other’s peoples’ stories. I also find myself ‘analyzing’ their personalities. and trying to pin-point what motivates them, how their characters were shaped. It interesting how past experiences are manifested in present day actions.
Good post.
oh, and : Yaaaaay, on the great review!!!. lol.
I can’t wait to pick up the anthology. I hadn’t heard about the mall shooting. (I don’t watch the news.) It is a good line, albeit a sick one. Congrats on the review.
Congrats on the great reviews.
I didn’t know how dark my mind was until I started writing. Fires burning the flesh from bodies, a raped teenager killing her rapist with a brick, babies swept away in floods. It all poured out and continues to do so. The dark side is our fears and I seem to have a lot.
Thank You,. Now I knwo I’m not the only one to feel/think that way when people are talking to me. Like Jordan I don’t watch the news if I can help it. That sucks, but yur reaction is ..uhmm…understandable to us writers. LOL
AN d YAY on the reviews!! Both of them!
I still think it’s funny but again, we all do it! :thumbsup:
Congrats on the great reviews, Raine! Woman, you are just having one hell of a super end to 2005! Way to go! :smile:
Jaq–great minds & all that, lol.
Thanks, all, for commenting. How interesting that we all seem to do this in one way or another! :shock:
And thanks for the congratulations. It’s been an interesting year.
Wonderful reviews!!
And yeah, I do the same thing you guys do – I think it comes from our ability to empathize more – be more sensitive, in a way, even though it comes out in a strange way, if that makes any sense. (And it totally might not…)