Cody

I'm not the sharing type, when it comes to my writing, personally, but one thing I've often enjoyed are little things like this, where writers can share without really sharing. There can be more elegance or at least more art/power in a line or two then in entire paragraphs, when it comes from the right writer.

So, if you want to, what's the first line of your book/story?

BQ1: What's the last line you wrote?

BQ2: What's your own personal favorite first line you've written?

BQ3: What are some of your favorite first lines of books from literature?

Cheers!

Here's the thing. I once wrote this amazing story called "Twilight of the Wizards and Vampires" and it was set in a dystopian future where all of these beautiful looking teenagers who were all auspiciously the same age and very good at everything--but with fatal flaws like being too nice, too caring, and too badass--who were all invited to this school of wizardry and vampirism, which was a haven compared to their dystopian world ruled by a government that separated them into districts based on the pitch of their voices and their emotions. Anyway, it was so good, and my parents said it was amazing, and basically the main character finds out she's not only a vampire already--which is why the school contacted her to be one of their students--but the strange boy who's new in school too who she falls in love with just so happens to be a zombie, and there's fighting, and this love triangle.

Anyway, for some reason everyone hates it and all of these so-called "writers" keep telling me it's really bad, I'll never get published, I shouldn't quit my day-job, will the real Slim Shady please stand up, and they complain whenever I ask if they could come up with some character names for my characters, a better title for the story, and if they could write the whole story for me and maybe also come up with some new story ideas, even the whole plot. What's with these so-called "writer" to sa such things? My parents say I'm the next Stephenie Meyer. Why are people such bullies?

:) Cheers!

Hello everyone! So like, gosh, I had this great book idea, and I think it might be the best book idea that anyone's ever come up with. I'm having a little trouble getting started, and was wondering if someone would be interested in writing my book for me? The whole book. From start to finish, the middle and everything. You'll get credited when it's published and becomes a bestseller, and I'll even proofread it and make any necessary changes, but probably won't have to. Oh, and while you're considering it, could you also make sure that it isn't too much like The Hunger Games, Divergent, Fifty Shades of Grey, Harry Potter, a Nicholas Sparks cancer story, or Twilight? I just thought I'd make sure, since it's about a vampire who falls in love with a wizard from a different district but the wizard has cancer and isn't allowed to fall in love because of the rules of her district and stuff. You know, it's similar but also completely original.

So anyone up for it? (cynical laughter)

Cheers!

What sort of relationship do you have with your main character (or any characters in your story who is, on some level, important)? It's hard to phrase, so I'll put it this way: Do you love your main character? Do you hate them sometimes? Do they frustrate you? Is it a love/hate type of thing? Feel free to describe your own take of your main character(s).

BQ1: Imagine, by "relationship," I mean you know your character as a real person. They don't know that you are the writer. How is your relationship with them?

BQ2: How would it affect your relationship with your character(s) if they knew you were the writer?

Cheers!

Sorry to provide you all with a misleading title... I actually have two questions!! And this is directed towards those who write as more than a hobby. In a way, I ask this to the writers for whom writing is a part of their soul.

In the movie Barton Fink (one of the Coen Brothers' greats), which is a movie about a writer named Barton Fink, an elder writer says "Isn't writing peace?" Or maybe he said "Isn't writing joy?" And Barton Fink replied (and this is a paraphrase as I don't remember it verbatim): "No, sir, I disagree. I think that writing is from a deep, inner pain." He goes onto explain that writing is this pain, this need to express yourself.

I've also heard it put that writing is your soul, it is your identity, if that's the kind of writer you are: a real, true writer. So here are my questions, officially:

-For you, is writing peace or is it pain? And if so, what kind of peace or pain, and to what depth? Feel free to elaborate and ramble on.

-This is more of a recreational bonus question. When you write a book, do you take the time to read it from beginning to end as a reader and not as an editor? And if so, what did you think of your own book(s)?

Cheers!

Recently my father claims to have seen a type of dragonfly that had two wings at its thorax like usual, but then its hindwings were four inches down, at its abdomen. After doing some research I didn't find any dragonfly species like that (unless its some sort of mutation), and was wondering if any of you knew what it was, if it's a dragonfly at all? Thanks!

I like to collect quotes (as well as poetry and books and such, plus I'm a writer), and was looking for certain types of quotes I can't seem to find:

If any of you have any deep quotes about feelings of affection or love or something, that would be great! But particularly, ones that deal with not being afraid of showing feelings, or about feeling ignored or wanting something (modestly), or things like that. Optimistic or pessimistic, it doesn't really matter. I hope that makes sense! Quotes that provide clarity about loneliness in the perspective of love, of not letting someone feel alone or just things like that!

Oh, and especially, quotes that deal with prioritizing the things or the people you love. Sorry about how specific these are, I was just wondering if any of you had any good quotes along these lines! Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

I like to collect quotes (as well as poetry and books and such, plus I'm a writer), and was looking for certain types of quotes I can't seem to find:

If any of you have any deep quotes about feelings of affection or love or something, that would be great! But particularly, ones that deal with not being afraid of showing feelings, or about feeling ignored or wanting something (modestly), or things like that. Optimistic or pessimistic, it doesn't really matter. I hope that makes sense! Quotes that provide clarity about loneliness in the perspective of love, of not letting someone feel alone or just things like that! Sorry about how specific these are, I was just wondering if any of you had any good quotes along these lines! Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

I'm looking for some good quotes simply about friendship. That, and any of them that have to do with a closeness, or affection, for a person as well, in addition to simple friendship. Thanks in advance!!

Cheers!

For some reason I'm the type of person who collects all kinds of quotes, often times simply to see my own thoughts and feelings materialized in front of me in words other than my own (I'm a writer.) And I was wondering if any of you have some good quotes dealing with a person who means a lot to you, whether as a friend, or more than that.

Here's an example: "Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light."-Albert Schweitzer

Just...something like that? Or anything along those lines! Thanks in advance! And sorry about this being in the wrong section, technically, but I thought I'd try in this section as well!

Cheers!

For some reason I'm the type of person who collects all kinds of quotes, often times simply to see my own thoughts and feelings materialized in front of me in words other than my own (I'm a writer.) And I was wondering if any of you have some good quotes dealing with a person who means a lot to you, whether as a friend, or more than that.

Here's an example: "Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light."-Albert Schweitzer

Just...something like that? Or anything along those lines! Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

Have you ever put a book down after finishing it, and been overwhelmed not only with some sort of strong emotional reaction, but also a feeling that you have just read a story that, just the way it is, is perfect? Absolutely nothing could have been changed or taken away to make it more perfect?

For me, it would be these:

The Diary of a Young Girl, by Anne Frank (few books have affected me the way this one did. I felt like Anne Frank was my best friend, that I knew so much about her and somehow she knew so much about me, and that I was with her through that whole thing, able to relate so much to her even though I'm a guy, and her writing was so great, so insightful...I say that she was a better writer than I will ever be. And I set the book down with tears in my eyes and a feeling of anger, sadness, and emptiness)

The Road, by Cormac McCarthy (this dark apocalyptic story has very little to it, yet it's so...well, perfect. The writing was fluid brilliance, the story so dark, so disturbing yet carried some underlying beauty to it, and upon finishing it, I had that empty feeling once again, and I felt like I was carrying around some sort of deep sorrow, or maybe it was "the fire". It's one of those few books out there I consider to be perfect just as it is)

IT, by Stephen King (though an odd choice, this book I found to be extremely personal, very meaningful, and with a love of horror I found it terrifying as well. It's not only the scariest book I've ever read, but potentially my favorite as well. It was huge, and though I do know that it may have its flaws, I personally consider it a perfect book, an amazing, expansive horror story that stretches far beyond the reaches of horror and into the cells of life, of childhood and growing up)

These are more, and these are, of course my opinions, and I was wondering what yours were, and why! Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

I am an aspiring novelist, of fiction, horror fiction primarily, and was wondering if anyone could provide me with at least the names of publishers who accept unsolicited manuscript submissions or proposals? The only one I know of is TOR, as I really haven't done a great deal of research on it yet. I don't want to pursue self-publishing or vanity press publishing, but rather a traditional publisher who will accept manuscripts or manuscript proposals without need for a literary agent or having to be invited. It would be a great help, so thank you in advance!

Cheers!

By that I mean: what authors or writers have had the biggest impact on the person you are today as a writer, and the sorts of things you write?

For me there are three: Richard Matheson, Peter Straub, and Stephen King.

Matheson because of how his mind works, and the pure genius and authenticity of his stories. His short stories especially are products of a mind unlike any other, and his stories are blatant horror, but take such blatancy to very extreme and psychological levels.

Straub because of his ability to, as I often say, bend the horror genre to his will. The horror he writes is unlike any a person would otherwise come across, and it clashes with so many other elements and his stories are so genius, his writing so fluid and great.

King because of how personal his stories are. I mean, it's the same for the others, but with King, with the best of his books (such as "IT," "The Stand," "The Body," etc) I feel he put all of himself into, and I was able to connect so incredibly well...so deeply.

So what about you guys?

Cheers!

This is more of a question of curiosity to see how different or similar some of you other writers (primarily of serious fiction, but feel free to answer this anyway of you simply qualify as a writer by any means) to me, as a person more so than anything, so bear with me, this is something of an odd, broad question, but I'll try to simplify it.

Whether as a writer or as a result of being a writer (or maybe just as who you are), do you ever feel like you "see" more than other people? As in, in everyday life, you feel like you have a very deep--deeper than what it seems the average person does--sense of happenings, of places, maybe an understanding or you just do a lot more thinking about it. In my case, I can take a walk and can get depressed thinking about rocks, and how long they've been there, longer than me, what sorts of things they've seen (not talking personification here, just the fact that they've been there), especially in places I've been to in my childhood where I know not much has changed. That sensation really sets in when I write, or do deep thinking about the future, or things such as the stars, the universe, death, etc etc. I attribute this to a very severe, unending nostalgia I feel in my life, but hopefully you get the point. Or maybe I just think too much.

I was wondering if any of you out there sometimes feel like that, one way or another. Maybe, because you have your writing to cover your emotional and mental depth, you don't open up very often and your writing is our therapy. Maybe you see life through the lens of a story, or just interpret things in life differently than the boundaries of normal. Maybe it's some sort of clairvoyance, in a sense. I know that this question is a strange one, because everyone is unique, but I'm simply curious. Feel free to ramble on and elaborate, because obviously I am right now. Sorry about that, by the way!

And to any of you who maybe are like this, or just want to talk about pretty much anything, particularly on this subject, please e-mail me, because I enjoy meeting new people, writers more than anyone else, and talking about things like this. Or if you just want to answer this question more personally, feel free to email me: codesofoats@gmail.com. Obviously you don't have to because that's a strange thing for me to say, but I thought I'd give it a shot.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

You can name a few, if you'd like, and also, what are your favorite poems, either by your favorite poets or just random poems? Why are these poets and these poems your favorite? What do they mean to you?

My favorite poets are William Butler Yeats, and Lewis Carroll.

My favorite poems are:

-In School Days, by John Greenleaf Whittier

-Mad as the Mist and Snow, by William Butler Yeats

-Solitude, by Lewis Carroll

-Where the Blue Begins, by George Bradley

-The Raven, by E.A. Poe (of course)

-All in the Golden Afternoon, by Lewis Carroll

-The Second Coming, by William Butler Yeats

Cheers!

For some reason, I'm a very, very nostalgic person, and I'm only 17. I don't know where this comes from, and my only explanation could have something to do with being a writer and that whole subconscious imagination thing (though I don't write fantasy anymore). But I was wondering if any of you guys out there, writers in particular or just constant readers, really miss your childhood, when you really think about it?

The book (and movie) Bridge to Terabithia got me thinking about it all over again, about the magic of childhood and that whole living in a fantasy world completely of imagination, and it reminds me so much of certain times in my life that were just like that...and I really, really miss it. It's a very euphoric but also melancholic feeling, since it's not that I missed out on any of my childhood, I just miss it.

I'm only asking out of curiosity. And also, why do you or do you not miss it/feel nostalgic about your childhood?

Thanks in advance! As usual, I'll do my best to pick a best answer.

Cheers!

There are certain movies I watch that, whether they're considered to be good movies or not, have really severe, personal...effects on me, you could call it--emotionally, for the most part. And this might seem obvious, but...well it's hard to explain, so here are some of the movies that have affected me:

-Bridge to Terabithia (I'm EXTREMELY nostalgic, and at some point in first grade, had a friend who was very similar to Leslie in this movie, in looks and somewhat in attitude. The idea of an imaginative childhood friend, and playing games of pure imagination and fantasy, really brought me back to those days, and to those who have seen the movie, it's hard NOT to be affected by this movie, from beginning to end, especially the end)

-Let Me In (this was similar for me to how "Bridge to Terabithia" affected me, for some reason, even though they're such different movies. But the story of the two characters, how dark and tragic their lives are, and in contrast how happy they were together just...I don't know. It pulled my heartstrings, as they say, and I love horror, so this movie was an amazing mixture of horror and an amazing but dark love story)

-Sucker Punch (i know, an odd choice, but I was shocked by how deep of a story this one had, especially since I was expecting something way more out there after watching the trailers. But the whole sacrifice aspect, not to mention how you grow to love the characters, and sympathize, and get pissed off or disgusted or anything...plus it's an awesome, badass movie. This one stayed with me for awhile. Not as long as the two above, but it certainly did for a long time)

-The Butterfly Effect (ignoring the sequels, this movie should have stood alone. It was such a twisted, dark tale, but deep and meaningful at the heart, and the end--the director's cut end, not the prettied up theatrical end--was so...gah, so inconceivable but so true and tragic and just amazing)

-Hearts in Atlantis (very similar to Bridge to Terabithia in the nostalgic sense, but this one was EXTREME on those levels)

So what I'm asking is: What movies have affected any of you in any personal, emotional ways, the way these movies have affected me? It could be falling in love with a character from a movie, or just really feeling SOMETHING, maybe indescribable, about a movie. Hopefully I'm not the only one, and hopefully this actually makes sense, haha!

Thanks in advance! I'll do my best to pick a best answer!

Cheers!

I was curious if anyone out there would have an idea how much a book of mine is worth.

It's called "Complete Mother Goose Rhymes," it's in surprisingly good condition, published by the Saalfield Publishing company if that helps, and it has only one copyright: 1915.

It has just over 300 pages of rhymes and funny illustrations. I was just curious as to how much any of you think it might be, considering all that, especially the age. And if anyone knows for sure, let me know! Thanks in advance!

Cheers!

I've always found these types of "quizzes" very fun, so hopefully any of you writers out there enjoy this! Feel free to ramble on as much as you want!

1. When reading a book, is it a particularly intriguing storyline that you prefer, or relatable, very strong and believable characters? Hypothetically, pretend you can only have one of these, so which one would you want more than the other? And why?

2. Have you ever read a book that awed you in almost every way, so much that it was difficult to read anything else afterward or even to write anything else? What book or books did this to you?

3. Who are your top 5 favorite authors, and why?

4. What types of stories intrigue you the most for reading? What about for writing?

5. When working on a book or story, how often do you write, and when do you do the most/best writing? Do you set aside a schedule, or write whenever? Explain, if you want:

6. Is writing simply a fun hobby or pass-time for you? Or is it something you want to do as a career? Or is it even your life?

7. As a writer, are there any special traits you feel you have? Even if it's something as simple as being especially observant, nostalgic, reclusive, etc?

8. As a writer, do you find that you are a strongly opinionated person? By that I don't mean stubborn and close-minded, but do you develop and back up the opinions you have on things (politics, religion, music, books, authors, etc) more than it seems like others do?

Hope you have fun with these! Thanks for taking the time to answer in advance, and I'll do my best to pick a best answer, haha!

Cheers!