I don't know if I should be Honored or Terrified. I mean, how accurate can these things be? I'm talking about the site I Write Like, which analyzes your writing against published authors. The first thing I did was take my American Alternative 1870's Western and plug in my prologue into the analyzer That said I write like Ian Fleming.
The Name is Hart, Leah Hart. I freely admit to being a James Bond fan. What guy isn't? I've seen most, if not all of the movies, and have purchased a few of the books in paperback, but I never thought I would have ingested enough to write like him. It's encouraging. I decided to try again.
For my second trial I put in my entire first chapter. It wasn't written in Diary Style, like the prologue was. As expected, I got a different result. What was not even remotely expected was the Author. Stephenie Meyer.
Vampires. Twilight. Teen Angst. And Leah Hart doesn't even show up in the First Chapter. (She's a Sixteen Year Old Redhead Orphan). Like I said, how accurate can these things be.
I think I'll look on the bright side. Stephenie Meyer writes like me. I mean, James Bond was definitely around before me, but not Twilight. Even though I'm not published (YET), my Ideas were in development before hers, obviously, so I don't know what Vampire Trick she's using, but she should stop copying me and write like someone else.
Seriously though, I am who I am and I write the only way I know. If my work comes out like someone I never read in my life, that's only a happy coincidence if some publisher signs me to a contract like the Vampire Queen. I'm not going to try to copy anyone else. It just won't work. Besides, an analyzer should be fun, and for entertainment purposes only. After all, what if, like me, it says you write like someone, who at least from the movie trailers, since I have never read the book, and don't intend to, you think is horrible. It would be extremely discouraging. And I'm having too much fun.
Happy Writing.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
A "Republican" Primer
That should get some clicks. Now that I have decided to get this blog running and showcase some of my writing, I guess a brief introduction is in order.
Republican doesn't refer to the Republican Party, it refers to The Republic of Ansdale, a nation which encompasses pretty much everything west of the Mississippi River. The nation was proclaimed in 1875, which led to the War of the West, also known as the Second American Civil War. Not as deadly as the first, the second war also was more of a guerilla war, though it did feature automatic weapons (the gatling gun) and torpedo warfare. It lasted twelve years.
Didn't hear about anything about this in school? Didn't think so. What about the Dakota Expedition of 1855? That started everything off during the Pierce administration. Seems that the American Fur Company, of which John Jacob Astor was the head, had made the fort their HQ during the western expansion, but things played out in the trapping world as they do from time to time if you're not careful and so they sold the fort to the US Army, sight unseen, (one of many reasons why people see the term military intelligence as an oxymoron). President Pierce needed someone to lead a combined Military/Civilian expedition into the region and claim it for the United States, since the region was at that time a subject of international contention. Pierce chose John Lee Anderson, a retired Army veteran of the Mexican War. Fort Pierre was a wreck, and was never really used. It was the base around which the settlement was placed, and was replaced by Fort Ansdale three years later.
What's an Ansdale? Long story. Seems like most of my answers bring up more questions. The short answer is they (according to the U.S. Interior Department) are a sub branch of the Sioux or Dakota. The truth is much more interesting.
For a brief primer, I would encourage you to check out my History of The Ansdale Rebellion Page. It is a Chronology of the Story. It should pique your interest.
I welcome all my Triberr friends to this new blog as I try to showcase my writing interests as well as my music interests. My new tribe "Spinning a Tale" is in its infancy, and if you cover music or writing in your blogs, don't be surprised if an invite shows up. I hope you will accept.
An Empire Rises.
Republican doesn't refer to the Republican Party, it refers to The Republic of Ansdale, a nation which encompasses pretty much everything west of the Mississippi River. The nation was proclaimed in 1875, which led to the War of the West, also known as the Second American Civil War. Not as deadly as the first, the second war also was more of a guerilla war, though it did feature automatic weapons (the gatling gun) and torpedo warfare. It lasted twelve years.
Didn't hear about anything about this in school? Didn't think so. What about the Dakota Expedition of 1855? That started everything off during the Pierce administration. Seems that the American Fur Company, of which John Jacob Astor was the head, had made the fort their HQ during the western expansion, but things played out in the trapping world as they do from time to time if you're not careful and so they sold the fort to the US Army, sight unseen, (one of many reasons why people see the term military intelligence as an oxymoron). President Pierce needed someone to lead a combined Military/Civilian expedition into the region and claim it for the United States, since the region was at that time a subject of international contention. Pierce chose John Lee Anderson, a retired Army veteran of the Mexican War. Fort Pierre was a wreck, and was never really used. It was the base around which the settlement was placed, and was replaced by Fort Ansdale three years later.
What's an Ansdale? Long story. Seems like most of my answers bring up more questions. The short answer is they (according to the U.S. Interior Department) are a sub branch of the Sioux or Dakota. The truth is much more interesting.
For a brief primer, I would encourage you to check out my History of The Ansdale Rebellion Page. It is a Chronology of the Story. It should pique your interest.
I welcome all my Triberr friends to this new blog as I try to showcase my writing interests as well as my music interests. My new tribe "Spinning a Tale" is in its infancy, and if you cover music or writing in your blogs, don't be surprised if an invite shows up. I hope you will accept.
An Empire Rises.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Six Sentence Sunday: Inaugural Edition
I have decided to get into the Six Sentence Sunday game. I have been thinking about it for a while, but after learning works in progress were eligible, I decided to take the plunge. Since this is my first post, I thought it would be appropriate to start with a birthday.
It is the Twelfth birthday for our heroine, Leah Marie Clark, or at least that's what she thinks her name is. Twelve isn't exactly a memorable age such as sixteen, but when both your parents are dead every year is an adventure.This year a case is given to you, and inside are a deck of cards, a revolver, and a letter.
Now that's a heavy burden for anyone to be saddled with, but especially a twelve year old. The War has been over for almost a decade now, but it might be prudent to remain Leah Clark for just a while longer.
It is the Twelfth birthday for our heroine, Leah Marie Clark, or at least that's what she thinks her name is. Twelve isn't exactly a memorable age such as sixteen, but when both your parents are dead every year is an adventure.This year a case is given to you, and inside are a deck of cards, a revolver, and a letter.
Now that's a heavy burden for anyone to be saddled with, but especially a twelve year old. The War has been over for almost a decade now, but it might be prudent to remain Leah Clark for just a while longer.
My eyes went straight to the signature. It was a name I had been taught to hate, William Clark Quantrill. The handle of the gun was engraved with the monogram WCQ. The Person who wrote this letter owned this gun, and he claims to be my father. My Father is the Butcher of Lawrence. Happy Birthday indeed.
I hope you have enjoyed my first Six Sentence Sunday. I shall return to it from time to time.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Welcome To My World
Greetings to all. With this blog I will be attempting to share with you my creation, The Republic of Ansdale. The Republic has been in development for quite a while. It originally formed back during a boring English Class in high school, and continued to gain steam in college. During my college years I took the movie/miniseries route, and from then on tried to create a series of screenplays. Tried to isn't the right word. I did write two screenplays and was in the midst of starting a third when things took another U-Turn.
I also happen to be a Apple Convert (RIP Steve Jobs). When listening to the Macworld Podcast one day I learned about NANOWRIMO (for the acronymically challenged out there, that's National Novel Writing Month). The idea to turn the Republic into a novel was born. After all, Hollywood was a tough nut to crack. It's got to be easier to write an e-novel, right? Anyway, that is the plan. The story is bigger than one novel of course. It will be a continuing story.
Let me back up a little. History was my favorite subject in High School. On the World History stage I rarely got lower than a B. When it came to American History, I rarely got lower than an A. The Civil War was, and is still, my favorite area of American History. Those years have defined our country. Some similarities can be downright scary. Do you ever wonder why the Civil War and the Civil Rights era were almost exactly 100 years apart. And the Presidents during both were assassinated.
The Civil War led to the period known as "Reconstruction", where the "Radical" Republicans disregarded Lincoln's wishes to "Bind up the nation's wounds" and instead decided to make the South Pay for its crimes. It's probably one of the few times I will blame the Republicans for anything, but who else was there to blame. They controlled Congress, and the Confederacy was 100% Democrat. So there. Reconstruction created a festering hostility that gave birth to such things such as the Klan. I think the period is pretty well settled to be a mistake.
Around the same time as reconstruction we also had the western expansion. Alaska was bought from Russia in 1867 and promptly ignored and left in a state of anarchy. The time was ripe for another war, this time in the west, and thus The Republic of Ansdale was born.
I will be introducing you to the members of the Republic as the days go on, as well as giving you some insight as to how I go about it. Not to bog you down in 1870's America, I may also give insight into my other Work in Progress, and introduce you to Lioness.
Welcome To The Republic. Your Passport has been approved. Enjoy Your Stay.
I also happen to be a Apple Convert (RIP Steve Jobs). When listening to the Macworld Podcast one day I learned about NANOWRIMO (for the acronymically challenged out there, that's National Novel Writing Month). The idea to turn the Republic into a novel was born. After all, Hollywood was a tough nut to crack. It's got to be easier to write an e-novel, right? Anyway, that is the plan. The story is bigger than one novel of course. It will be a continuing story.
Let me back up a little. History was my favorite subject in High School. On the World History stage I rarely got lower than a B. When it came to American History, I rarely got lower than an A. The Civil War was, and is still, my favorite area of American History. Those years have defined our country. Some similarities can be downright scary. Do you ever wonder why the Civil War and the Civil Rights era were almost exactly 100 years apart. And the Presidents during both were assassinated.
The Civil War led to the period known as "Reconstruction", where the "Radical" Republicans disregarded Lincoln's wishes to "Bind up the nation's wounds" and instead decided to make the South Pay for its crimes. It's probably one of the few times I will blame the Republicans for anything, but who else was there to blame. They controlled Congress, and the Confederacy was 100% Democrat. So there. Reconstruction created a festering hostility that gave birth to such things such as the Klan. I think the period is pretty well settled to be a mistake.
Around the same time as reconstruction we also had the western expansion. Alaska was bought from Russia in 1867 and promptly ignored and left in a state of anarchy. The time was ripe for another war, this time in the west, and thus The Republic of Ansdale was born.
I will be introducing you to the members of the Republic as the days go on, as well as giving you some insight as to how I go about it. Not to bog you down in 1870's America, I may also give insight into my other Work in Progress, and introduce you to Lioness.
Welcome To The Republic. Your Passport has been approved. Enjoy Your Stay.
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