Category Archives: Reader Friday

Reader Friday-Worst Advice Ever

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You said to do what?? (Image courtesy of Pixabay)

By Deb Gorman

We’ve discussed in these halls the best/worst advice ever given to us, particularly in the realm of writing.

Today, let’s flip that around.

What’s the worst advice or counsel you’ve ever given to someone else–come on, we’re all friends here–‘fess up!

I’ll start: Decades ago at my (first) wedding, I advised my Mom to not go looking for my little brother, age 10, who was the junior groomsman. She wanted to make sure he was properly kitted up in his miniature tux. I told her he knew how to dress himself, and to please stay with me.

Boy howdy, was I wrong!

He was given black socks to wear with his tux and spit-polished black dress shoes, but instead, he chose to wear his bright orange fuzzy tube socks. (Remember those?) They shone like a beacon under his too-short by two inches slacks.

I didn’t notice, being a very nervous bride, and family and guests were given strict instructions not to tell me. The professional photos were a sight to behold.

Not exactly a tuxedo, but the socks are orange! (Image courtesy of Pixabay)

 

 

Okay, your turn . . . worst advice you’ve ever dished out to someone else. We’re all ears–

 

 

 

Reader Friday: Looney Tunes

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I thought this would be a fun discussion, since we writers are a bit . . . shall we say, quirky?

Drawings have been around since our great-great-greats a thousand generations ago. It was the preferred method of messaging, probably even predated language. Now we have cell phones, texting, emails, satellite communications, even watches–and who could forget Get Smart and his shoe phone?

But back in the day, if Mom and Pop cave dweller needed to communicate, maybe it looked something like this:

Translation: Honey, I’ve invited the Johnsons over for dinner Saturday night . . . is that okay? (Image courtesy of Pixabay.)

Hmm . . . I see conflict and chaos in the short story above. Maybe a body buried out back of the cave?

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From the dictionary:  First recorded in 1665-75; from Italian cartone “pasteboard, stout paper, a drawing on such paper,” equivalent to cart(a) “paper” . . .

And this from Wikipedia: The concept originated in the Middle Ages, and first described a preparatory drawing for a piece of art, such as a painting, fresco, tapestry, or stained glass window. In the 19th century, beginning in Punch magazine in 1843, cartoon came to refer – ironically at first – to humorous artworks in magazines and newspapers. Then it also was used for political cartoons and comic strips. When the medium developed, in the early 20th century, it began to refer to animated films that resembled print cartoons.[2]  

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Modern cartoons are illustrated short, short stories. Inside of five to ten minutes, the story has tension, conflict, cliffhangers, MC in danger, rescue, and resolution–all of the story structure that we use in our stories and novels.

Don’t I know you from someplace? (Image courtesy of Pixabay.)

And they made us laugh. I still hear my dad’s guffaw at Wile E. trying yet again to catch that dang Roadrunner with the shadow of the A.C.M.E. crate hanging over his head.

All we ever needed to know about life was learned on Saturday mornings, sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the TV with a bowl of Cheerios in the lap.

That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.

My favorite, of course, was Roadrunner. Just watching my Dad laugh was a treat.

My new fave, watched a few years back with my Texas grandkids, is Zootopia.

Flash, the Sloth (Image courtesy of Pixabay)

I hadn’t laughed so hard in ages, and the youngest little guy had to watch it at least twice a day during the week I stayed with them.

~~~

Okay, TKZers, over to you. What was (or is) your favorite cartoon?

(And, as usual for me on Fridays, I’ll be in and out, but will respond to comments.)

 

~~~

 

Will there be a tomorrow for Annie Lee?

Follow her as she navigates what she is convinced is her last day on earth. As she takes her kids to school, visits her neighbor, plays in the park with her youngest.

Trying not to believe that her tomorrows are over.

 

 

 

Reader Friday: More Cowbell

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“I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell!” –  Christopher Walken (as Bruce Dickinson on SNL)

 

 

“The act of writing is, for me, like a fever — something I must do. And it seems I always have some new fever developing, some new love to follow and bring to life.” — Ray Bradbury.

 

 

Is writing for you a fever, a pastime, a hobby, a vocation, an obsession … or something else?

What are you doing to add more cowbell to your writing?

Reader Friday: Public Domain

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The Mouse formerly known as Mortimer.

Steamboat Willie, the first Disney synchronized-sound cartoon, is now in the public domain. The 1928 short features Mickey Mouse (whom Walt was going to call Mortimer, until his wife voted thumbs down). Anyone can now use this version of Mickey…but not the later one where he’s put on a little weight and sports white gloves. You also can’t imply that your use is sanctioned by Disney corporate. The rules are spelled out here. A list of some of the prominent works now open to all is here.

Here’s something to look forward to: Seventy years after your death, your works will enter the public domain. So let’s go to a day in the future when a browser with a virtual reality headset happens across one of your books and decides to look up who you were. What would you like your short bio to say? Put it in the form of “[Your Name] was a writer known for ____” and go from there!