Howlietzer Publishing

Author: Mr. Howlietzer

  • The Plot Whisperer: Prompt 3

    Affirmation Prompt: 

    Blind faith leads me to believe that words flow effortlessly every day. My part is simply to sit down and write.

    Today I write.

    Plot Prompt:

    A character pursuing her goal does not by herself create action that is dramatic. What creates drama is her encounter with obstacles that interfere with her movement toward that goal. That’s especially true when the character stands to lose something significant if she’s unable to reach her goal.

    The most exciting and dramatic relationships in stories are those that involve an antagonist. Antagonists interfere with the protagonist’s quest for her goal. They create obstacles, confusion, and diversions. Scenes between the protagonist and her antagonist(s) create tension, conflict, and curiosity. Readers turn the pages faster when reading scenes that involve a formidable antagonist or the possibility of one showing up. Plot such a scene on your plot planner.

    Writing Prompt:

    Your protagonist takes the next step toward her short-term goal. Write moment-by-moment action as someone or something stands in her way and interferes with her getting what she wants.

    Take time to introduce this new character. Show the character in such a way that the reader will remember and differentiate between this character, the protagonist, and all the other characters to come. Assign the character a foible, a quirk, special clothing, abilities, a physical trait, and/or a distinctive speaking style.

    Use dialogue

    It the protagonist has a special ability, show a hint of what it is now.

    I like this prompt and perhaps I will revisit it, but I have been having a hard time these past days for personal reasons. What I would like to do is write a little bit about one of my antagonists in the story I am writing right now.

    Theodore “Ted” Baxter (last name subject to change)

    Ted is a mischievous character who enjoys testing others and, specifically, watching them fall/fail.

    He is a character from a story called Loner, and he will be joining the Class 001 of the BMCR (all my stories take place in the same universe).

    The scene that I am thinking about right now, the scene I was trying to write, involves day 1 of their training.

    It takes place in a classroom, chairs around the room against the wall, no desks. Drill instructor walks in and tells the class to take seats. She goes over the training they are about to endure, and has the group go around in the circle and stand up and introduce themselves.

    The first meeting for Daryl and Ted happens here. They have been briefed on why they are at Fort Wichmann, and Daryl is introducing himself.

    He tells them that when he studied mothman and that he was a paranormal investigator. Ted interrupts him and begins to poke fun of him.

    That’s really as far as I have gotten with their interactions.

     

    The Plot Whisperer

    The Plot Whisperer Workbook

    Writing Deep Scenes

    The Plot Whisperer Writing Prompts

  • The Plot Whisperer: Prompt 2

    Affirmation Prompt:

    Today I take action. I sit where I most like to write. While I write, I hydrate my imagination by drinking water (or some other thirst-quenching drink). I tune out everything but the sound of words appearing on the page from out of nowhere.

    Today I write.

    Plot Prompt:

    A sense of place grounds a reader in the here and now of a story. The place or setting of a story becomes one half of the relationship between the protagonist and the world around her. Relationships of all kinds–in this case, with the setting–provide insight into the character beyond what the character may believe about herself through the interactions she has with others. Plot a scene showing how the story’s environment affects the protagonist’s feelings, actions, and behavior in order to help define her.

    He felt light up there, above everything, looking down on the city of Point Pleasant and its lights twinkling in the distance. It was freedom up above. His shadowy form rippled in the wind–light and full. He felt the joy and comfort from up here that he’d never felt anywhere.

    As a child, constantly ridiculed by his classmates, he had something only he could enjoy. He was not beneath them anymore, which was all the more that he had to keep his head on his billowy shoulders and not somewhere in the star on this clear lit night.

    The darkness enveloped his form, but the light from the moon and star shined gently on it. He was not corrupted by it, only luminescent, a twinkling of his own sparkling above, perhaps glowing like a UFO.

    Daryl wondered if from below, in the streets filled with visitors if anyone could see him up here… It didn’t matter. He was about to make his entrance.

    Writing Prompt:

    Incorporate into the action you wrote in the first prompt a sense of where the action takes place. For now, forget the details. Write a passage that gives a bird’s eye view of the place–a city, the country, outer space, the desert, a bright shopping district, a slum, a dark alley, in the middle of the ocean. Create an overview sense of the place for grounding, one that shows a broad connection between the protagonist and the setting.

    If you are writing a mystery, the bird’s-eye view can be an overview of the mystery itself more than the actual physical location of the story.

    Point Pleasant High School doors burst open. Students rushing out to the buses lined up to take them home. Daryl took his time. He walked to his locker, feeling good about what he’d said in class, ignoring the protests from Kinder as he strode.

    His smile widened when he saw his best friend Samantha leaning against his locker. She was the only one that knew his secret.

    She leered at him, dark lipstick and eye shadow would have made her look unapproachable if Daryl hadn’t know her since middle school.

    “Hi, Samantha,” said Daryl as he spun his lock. “Got any plans this weekend?”

    “You can’t be serious about going to Point Pleasant Community?” she said.

    “I am. I can’t just leave. I have responsibilities here.”

    “Like what?”

    “Sam, you’re not intimidating. Just back up a little please.”

    “… You know I hate it when you call me Sam,” she said as she slid under his arm while he grabbed his backpack out of the locket.”

    “I know,” he said, “Your name is Samantha and you’re not a lesbian… or something.”

    “Exactly, but seriously, I’ve seen the letters you get from Harvard and MIT and everywhere else. You could really get out of here and be something more.”

    “You could too. Why aren’t you leaving?”

    “I am leaving.”

    Daryl winced. “When did you decide that?”

    “I’ve always wanted to leave. I have nothing here to hold me back. You can’t expect me to believe that you want to live the rest of your live in Point Pleasant?”

    Daryl paused. “Yeah… That was my plan.”

  • The Plot Whisperer: Prompt 1

    Affirmation Prompt:

    I willingly expand and reach outward with my writing and, at the same time, contract and pull inward for answers and calm. The balance within me is perfect. (close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths.)

    Today I write.

    Plot Prompt:

    Your protagonist wants something. Her desires and needs create her long-term goal (something she either thinks she can have or that she cannot have). Your protagonist’s short- and long-term goals create scenes showing the steps she takes forward toward the completion of her goal or how she is pushed backward away from success.

    Often, the protagonist’s long-term goal is implied at the beginning of stories rather than fixed. Dramatic action causes the protagonist to react, which, in turn, forms her first stated or overt goal. Characters need definable action through which to express their emotions.

    Mark on a Plot Planner for your story a scene in which the protagonist establishes a short- and/or long-term goal.

    Writing Prompt:

    Write a scene that shows your main character taking action toward her goal. For instance, she looks through the want ads for a job or a partner, attempts to solve a mystery, tries to write a book, attempts to get from one place to another, or something else. Whatever you write should clearly illustrate your protagonist’s voice and her attitude. If she is the narrator, the writing should reveal her inner voice as well as her external one.

    Daryl looked at the clock. It was 2:30 pm; it was his senior year at Point Pleasant High School, and his home room teacher was droning on about the importance of going getting all your credentials ready for college entry.

    Daryl looked back at his notebook. It was filled with doodles, lyrics, notes… he was drawing his alter-ego, the mothman, giving it different weapons for hands.

    ‘Daryl,’ said Kinder, the left over of the dark entity that bestowed him the mothman legacy, ‘I really think you should listen to Mrs “”. You need to reconsider your future plans.’

    ‘Kinder,’ thought Daryl, ‘I have this all figured out. I’m going to Point Pleasant Community. I’m pursuing a degree in graphic design, and I’m going to work for The Mothman Chronicle, making article layouts. I’ll be able to stay here in Point Pleasant and take care of the community, just like I’ve always done.’

    ‘Daryl, you may think you’re some kind of superhero, like bat-millionaire or spider-neighbor, but Point Pleasant doesn’t need a superhero.’

    ‘Of course they do, Kinder. I’m the symbol of Point Pleasant. I’m not just a superhero, I bring jobs here. Think of how big the town has gotten since I started doing the Mothman Festival.’

    ‘That is another subject I’ve been meaning to bring up. We need to stop doing it. We are in danger of being discovered.’

    ‘Kinder, people already know we exist. All I’m doing is finding a way to pay for college.’

    ‘You’ve received scholarships from ivy-league schools…’

    ‘Kinder!’

    Daryl clenched his fist and broke the pencil in his hand. The snap of wood was very noticeable, and as the teacher had already spotted him doodling for the umpteenth time, she was rounding the corner to bring him back to the present.

    “Mr. Kerns! I know that you have one of the highest GPA’s in the school, but even you could learn about the importance of college entrance.”

    “I’ve already been accepted,” said Daryl,  picking pencil splinters out of his palm.

    “Oh…” she said, “Where?”

    “I’m just going to Point Pleasant Community,” he said, pushing his glasses up to the bridge of his nose.

    The class was quiet, and Mrs. “” mouth dropped like a dead fish.

    “Point Pleasant Community? There? You could go anywhere!”

    ‘See what I mean?’ said Kinder.

    “Why go anywhere, when everything I want is right here,” Daryl said.

    The class laughed as the bell rang. It was 3 pm.

     

    (the block quotes are taken from The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts)

     

  • Update

    Hey all,

    I haven’t been on here in a while, but I’m going to change that. My writing craft is about to get even better. I am working on another novel, while also learning how to craft novels with richer plots.

    IMG_0138.JPGThe Mothman Reborn comic that I have been working on for a year will be done this summer. I foresee at least 2 following issues.

    I am currently working on a follow-up series for The Mothman, featuring other cryptid creatures who together capture monsters to save the human race.

    My plans also include reworking Loner, The Psychic Society, and The Golems of Lodz for publication after I have learned what I need to learn from these books.

    I am also going to start posting on here regularly like a blog.

    You may have noticed the change for WolfSalad’s landing page. Spread the word about Ed; I’m not sure how many know about it, but once I finish my other works, they will be published here as well.

    I plan on going through my writing prompts book and posting here. I would love if you’d join me and even post your responses in the comments.

    Thanks for supporting me,

    -S

  • My First Comic Book!

    Hi all!

    It’s been a long time since I have posted here. Been going through some major stuff, but the most important is that I am nearly finished with a comic book version of my story The Mothman Reborn.

    Below is the link to my kickstarter. I am hoping to go to the Indianapolis Comic Con and sell hard copies and t-shirts and whatever else I can come up with. I just need a little help getting there. So if you can help or can pass my project around, I would greatly appreciate it.

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1034709170/the-mothman-reborn