Ann PinoFiction Writer

Three Word Wednesday Fun

2010-07-28T16:23:00.009-05:00

New flash fiction, this time about Jay and David met: Ira Quod Ruina

At this point I'm close to having a complete set of origin stories for those two, from their first meeting, to joining the Regents.

Fun stuff. Now get thee to Three Word Wednesday and join the fun or at least leave kind words for the participants.

Clarity of Night Finalist!

2010-07-25T10:44:00.003-05:00

Guess what, friends? One of my stories made the cut at Clarity of Night. You can check out my story here: Like Broken Glass. It's a Steal Tomorrow story, centered on Cuervo, the double-dealing informant who gets killed by the Pharms.

There's still time to enter the contest, so read the rules here, then go write something wonderful!

New Fiction

2010-07-22T00:10:00.004-05:00

New Steal Tomorrow flash: Coffee with Sugar

I've been a little under the weather this week - lots of congestion that has now migrated to my lungs. Because of my asthma, I'm used to not being able to breathe, but I'm anxious to be over this by the weekend so I can run. Our new cat has been keeping me company, though, and it's nice to wake up and find her next to me.

Quiz: Which Dystopian Future Is Right For You?

2010-07-16T09:57:00.002-05:00

As an author of (among other things) dystopian fiction, I couldn't resist this quiz: Which Dystopian Future Is Right For You?

I plead the Fifth regarding my own results, but take the quiz yourself and see how you do. The quiz results include recommended reading so you can immerse yourself in your favorite dystopia!

New Flash Fiction

2010-07-15T00:11:00.003-05:00

I have two new flash fiction stories for Three Word Wednesday.

One is a Steal Tomorrow Story that includes David and Galahad when they were with the Kevorks: Lucky Escape.

The other is a Maelstrom story: Eye of the Beholder.

Book Review: Theater Geek

2010-07-11T10:02:00.012-05:00

Let me get this confession out of the way up front: I'm a fiction writer who mostly reads non-fiction. Yes, yes, I know.

Let's be clear on another thing: This isn't so much a review of the book itself as a collection of insights I had while reading it. Writers and actors have more in common than I would've thought. How? Read on.

When I came across a review of Theater Geek by Mickey Rapkin, I knew I had to get it right away. I had never heard of Stagedoor Manor, but I was intrigued (and jealous) that there was a special theater camp for kids - one so highly regarded that agents regularly drop by, and yet the camp remains so egalitarian that there are no auditions to get in. In 208 pages (hardback), Rapkin follows three of the campers through the ups and downs of their final summer at Stagedoor, and he gives a fascinating look at the thirty-five year history of the camp, from its wild and woolly early years in the 1970s, to its more disciplined but no less energetic incarnation of today.

The book's initial appeal to me was two-fold. I was in a summer production of Alice in Wonderland when I was nine and I continued with theater in middle school, ending my involvement reluctantly in high school when band and family commitments made it no longer feasible. I am fascinated by sub-cultures, the more insular the better. For these reasons, an inside peek at Stagedoor Manor was right up my alley.

Once I got to reading it, though, I was struck by how similar actors and writers are with regard to their characters. Like us, actors create their characters, and the kids at Stagedoor are often required to come up with backstory, just like writers do. They are reminded that every time a character comes on stage, he or she wants something, and that want must be conveyed to the audience. (Sound familiar, writers?) And here's a quote that will resonate with writers, from Jeff Blumenkrantz, a former camper:

Here are the things you need to have considered before you get up and sing a song: Who are you singing to? What just happened? Why are you expressing this in this moment?

Yep, just like writing.

The best of these young actors learn to become their characters, crying real tears when the character is in pain and feeling real joy when the character is happy. How many of us haven't cried at our keyboard over a tragic scene we're writing, or experienced an oxytocin rush when our character falls in love?

Good writing is a form of method acting. And that's why you should read this book.

~~~~~~~~~
Update for Alice Audrey: Here's where we performed Alice in Wonderland: Sunken Garden Theater. The tunnel mentioned in the fact sheet was the bane of our director's existence. We kids loved it and the Griffin was particularly adept at sneaking off and getting making trouble down there. We gave three performances. I don't remember there being any empty seats, and it's a big theater.

New Flash Fiction

2010-07-07T23:52:00.002-05:00

New Steal Tomorrow fiction, this one about the twins: Noisy Neighbors.

2010-07-06T00:15:00.001-05:00

I've posted a new Steal Tomorrow flash: Figment of the Imagination.

I've also extended the drawing for Maelstrom blog, so go sign the guestbook!

Maelstrom Contest and New Steal Tomorrow Flash

2010-06-30T22:29:00.003-05:00

Hey, everyone, I've got a contest going on at my Maelstrom blog, so go sign the guestbook to win a book or t-shirt.

And if you came here to read a story, I've posted a new Steal Tomorrow flash: Practice Makes Perfect.

Happy week, all!

Announcements

2010-06-28T08:36:00.001-05:00

I've posted a new Steal Tomorrow story: Fairy Tales and I have a giveaway going on at Maelstrom, so check it out!

New Steal Tomorrow Flash

2010-06-23T12:16:00.002-05:00

New Steal Tomorrow flash: Double Dealing. This is a Three Word Wednesday post.

New Flash Fiction

2010-06-20T11:04:00.002-05:00

New Steal Tomorrow flash: Bethany's Luck. This is a Thursday Tales post.

New Maelstrom Fiction

2010-06-16T23:28:00.004-05:00

New Maelstrom flash: Nostalgia

Just so you know, I'm busy planning a giveaway, with several cool Maelstrom prizes available. I've just got to get caught up on a few things after my vacation, first. I'm exhausted, the work is piled up at the office, I've got jury duty next week, and I still have to close on this house!

Back From Vacation!

2010-06-13T00:14:00.004-05:00

Two weeks on the road can really make you appreciate the conveniences of home. We camped, hiked, and went horseback riding; we browsed high-end boutiques, antique stores and thrift shops; our accommodations ran the gamut from tents to elegant historic hotels, and everything in between.

I find it hard to write when I'm on vacation, but I came back with some ideas that might become viable future projects. In the meantime, I'm gearing up for a Maelstrom promotion and a Featured Author series for this summer.

In the meantime, here's a new Maelstrom flash for Sunday Scribblings and Weekend Writer's Retreat: Personal Superhero

On Vacation

2010-05-29T00:11:00.002-05:00

I'll be updating here every night I have internet access: Vacation Blog

Return comments may be a little light for the next two weeks, but I'll still be reading your blogs and thinking about all of you. When I get back, I'll be doing a fantabulous Maelstrom giveaway, so don't forget about me!

New Maelstrom Fiction

2010-05-26T22:25:00.001-05:00

I have a new Maelstrom story up for Three Word Wednesday: An Inconvenient Invitation. This is a Kalila story, so be sure to check it out and then visit the other Three Word Wednesday writers.

New Flash Fiction

2010-05-23T01:33:00.002-05:00

Short Steal Tomorrow piece for Thursday Tales: The Rehearsal, and another for Sunday Scribblings: Here Be Dragons

New Short Fiction and Announcement

2010-05-20T00:01:00.004-05:00

I have a new Maelstrom story up for Three Word Wednesday: Nothing But Trouble, and I have a new Steal Tomorrow story posted: Lucky Day.

Even better, Maelstrom is now available in print and Kindle versions from Amazon. I'll be doing a giveaway in June, so if you're short on cash, sit tight for now and maybe you'll win your own signed copy! Don't forget that if you prefer e-book format, you can get Maelstrom at Fictionwise!.

New Flash Fiction

2010-05-16T00:11:00.001-05:00

Another Steal Tomorrow flash, this one about Sandra, the Regents' head cook: A Special Meal. The story contains no spoilers about the novel and it has a few links to additional information.

Be sure to check out the other offerings this week at Sunday Scribblings. Leave feedback and encouragement for other writers - writing is fun, but it's hard work, too.

New Maelstrom Story

2010-05-12T22:10:00.003-05:00

I have a new Maelstrom story up, with a link for where to buy the book in e-format. I'll be sure to let everyone know when print is available, unless Ricky would prefer to make that announcement, since he's the one having to deal with Missing Books.

This is a Three Word Wednesday offering, so be sure to check out the new Three Word Wednesday's site for more stories, and some poetry, too.

Maelstrom Available!

2010-05-10T15:27:00.001-05:00

More later, because I'm still at the office, but Maelstrom is now available on Fictionwise! Buy Maelstrom!

New Steal Tomorrow Flash

2010-05-05T23:40:00.002-05:00

I have a new Steal Tomorrow story up, this time about May and her shop. It contains no spoilers: All That Glitters

This is a Three Word Wednesday offering, so be sure to check out the new Three Word Wednesday's site for more stories, and some poetry, too.

Weekend Events!

2010-05-01T21:28:00.003-05:00

This weekend's Sunday Scribblings prompt is "event," and since we got the prompt early, that means I've got two treats for you!

I have a Steal Tomorrow story, An Evening's Entertainment, with links to other stories and information, but no spoilers.

And in Maelstrom news, Ricky is trying to get the band scheduled for an event of a different sort than they're used to. Read all about the upcoming Maelstrom Book Release.

Enjoy your weekend, friends!

New Flash Fiction

2010-04-28T21:27:00.000-05:00

I have a new Steal Tomorrow story up, a story about the early days of the Regents. It contains no spoilers: Priorities

This is a Three Word Wednesday offering, so be sure to check out the new Three Word Wednesday's site for more stories, and some poetry, too.

New Flash Fiction

2010-04-25T00:38:00.003-05:00

Another Steal Tomorrow flash, this one about The Twins: Stealing Dinner. The story contains no spoilers about the novel and it has a few links to additional information, where appropriate. There are other stories about them in the sidebar of the Steal Tomorrow site.

As an aside, I'm open for requests for more stories about your favorite characters. If the stories and character sketches on the Steal Tomorrow site aren't enough, let me know.

Also, be sure to check out the other offerings this week at Sunday Scribblings. Leave feedback and encouragement for other writers - writing is fun, but it's hard work, too.