monday writing prompt!!

okay, here's what you do:

1. go to your bookshelf/bookbox/bookpile/bookheap, etc and choose a novel at random. must be a novel.

2. open the book at random, and choose a sentence at random. read it.

3. use it.

here's mine: "Viking peered through the vast cloud of smoke and the heady perfume of spilled beer and various liquors." (p. 98, Writ in Blood #0515139688)

www.bookrix.com

bookrix.com is an international site designed for writers, aspiring and otherwise, to connect and share their work. i've been a member (memberships are free!) for a few months, and while the site is still new and working to inspire more activity in the forums, i am optimistic.

if you're interested in recent press: http://bookrix.com/pressreview.html?lang=en

i've also just found out the site blog is beginning to feature authors who post their work. i've been selected to share some of my story and writing philosophy, and i'd love for everyone to visit and check it out: http://blog.bookrix.com/
i've been told my time in the bookrix sun is slated for tomorrow, may 26th.
woohoo!!
(edit--here's the direct link: http://blog.bookrix.com/2009/05/26/featured-bookrix-author-laurie-paulsen/)

even if reading about me blathering on does nothing for you, i do invite you to check out the site--it's a good idea, and could only benefit from more writers joining up and sharing.

the new, most fabulous edition of Ruthless Peoples Magazine!

Download

download it now, won't you?? even better, subscribe to receive notices for subsequent issues--free, and great reading. you can't miss.

have you guys ever heard of

www.textbroker.com?

i've registered (free), but have yet to contribute. a free-lance warehouse for writers renting themselves out to write non-fiction articles, it looks like. one aspect i like right off: the site admins request a writing sample to judge which level assignments each writer's skilled enough to accept. the higher the skill level, the more $$ per word writers can earn.

if you're looking to make a few extra bucks, maybe give it a looksee.

monday's prompt but on a tuesday. it is tuesday, right?

you know, when you don't have a job it's harder to remember which day it is. it's not monday, is it? *sigh*

here's this week's official prompt:

http://ted.org/index.php/talks/keith_barry_does_brain_magic.html

while entertaining, this video also asks some intriguing questions about our brains and how they work--whether we use these ideas for the science or the potential magical applications, i can just feel the stories teeming under the surface. bring me one!!

everything and the universe, too.

i read roger ebert's blog. everyone knows him as the film reviewer, and he has made an incredible career from his insights into making and analyzing films of all genres and production values. i've always thought of him as a thinker. and more than that, a thinker that can communicate complicated ideas with depth and nuance--to a level beyond my understanding, i'm not ashamed to admit. this man has a big, veiny brain.

along with his brain, though, is his compassion and understanding of people and what motivates them. because really, isn't that what he's been examining all these years? the expression of our humanity through celluloid?

he is one of my few heroes because of his integrity and articulate, searching soul. you gotta read this:

http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/05/go_gently_into_that_good_night.html#more

the man can think. and even better, he can write. and don't neglect to read the posted comments after his entry--he attracts the most thoughtful commentors i've seen anywhere.

it's that hippity hoppity time again!

no, not spring. it's this week's writing prompt, silly!

official monday prompt (posted on tuesday):

when you stand at the edge of the chasm, when your toes hang out over nothingness deeper than the starkness of your soul, when air dank with despair slides over your face in a moist caress, when you walk away from a job that--but i digress.

what do you see when you face the abyss? look closely and then tell me your secrets.

aaaaand, go!