Walter Wisdom

One strike, one kill. Anything else is wasting time. —The Tenets of Walter Corman

Later

Hesitation

Never hesitate. Hesitation is the greatest threat you will face. Hesitation will kill you faster than any creature on the street. Always remember this. —The Tenets of Walter Corman

Der Tag is tomorrow...

Plans just prior to Nov 2022

CRYSTAL November 2022

Prediction

physicist Niels Bohr famously said, "prediction is difficult — especially about the future."

Cute quote

"Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer. It makes stabbing them easier."
—The Tenets of Walter Corman

Oct 2022

Test

Name of the book:
          Author:
    Type of book:

Test

Test

Testing 1. 2. 3
3. 2. 1. Test complete. Test complete.

Oct again

mWB_2005.docx

https://booksandstories.blogspot.com/2015/11/mwb2005docx_16.html

Oct 2022

27 October 2022 raw draft...

On Intrigue

the first principle of intrigue is never to be seen doing anything unusual, no matter how harmless it may seem. You wouldn't believe how small a deviation from pattern looks significant to a trained analyst.

"If This Goes On"
Robert A. Heinlein

father history 436 pm 23 Oct 2022

Name of the book:
          Author:
    Type of book:

Here is what I remember  of my Father’s history.

Born on 25 August 1925, some place in northern Illinois (I think). He was raised at:

1015 Irving, Royal Oak, Michigan

He was drafted into the Army Air Corp in 1943. I have no idea where he went to  basic training or where he went to technical training. 

He was sent to  Okinawa while the Army and Marines were still fighting. He was an oxygen machine operator. This was a cryogenic system which provided LOX  for air crews conducting high altitude air raids over Japan. His base was probably shelled but he never said if he was in danger.

His main stories were about boredom and Soldiers making home brew. This brew was made in drums filled with left over sweets, raisans and sugar then screened and left in the jungle to ferment. They left this mess there for a week and drank this awful sounding stuff. 

I suppose it was better than being sobor.

Soldiers got a six pack of cheap beer a week and officers and senior NCOs got whiskey. He did see those who got whiskey sold it to trustworthy soldiers.

After the Army Air Corp, he went to Wayne State. He got his degree in Economics (I think) and  was in ROTC.  I emailed the Dean at Wayne State and asked him to confirm this information.

I do not recall where your Grandmother went to College.

I had this early complete when the bloody computer ate my most recent text!

Could someone please tell me why WInDoze 11 is supposed to be the miracle machine???

I'm pissed off enuf to start screaming but Aunt Kathie is taking a nap (we took a mini-vacation in Wichita Kansas and she drove back in winds gusting to the 50s mph and occasionall dust with visibility under a quarter of a mile. She likes driving much more than I do!)

I am typing this the hard way on my Kindle. At least I know it will not eat my text!

Your Grandfather was probably commissioned in the USAF out of college and went to basic flight school at avance Air base in Enid Oklahoma in late 1949. He was then transferred to an Air Base ib San Antonio Texas.

Your grandparents were married on 28 August 1950.

He was sent to Vance AFB Enid Oklahoma in late 1950 for TDY (temporary duty). Said TDY lasted long enough for me to be born 14 August 1951 and your Father to be born on 7 May 1953. (In the Navy, we called this "PCS" - Permanent Change of Station.

He was a flight instructor in basic flight school.

Around 1955, he was sent by Pan Am Clipper to Kadena Air Force Base Okinawa.

(I just uploaded this text to Aunt Kathie's lap top computer. The real reason we went to Wichita was to buy a replacement for my desktop, which had "gracefully" died on me.)

This meant my Mom had to get me and Jim from Bay City Michigan to San Freancisco in order for us to board the USNS GENERAL M M PATRICK. The PATRICK was a retired troop carrier which was retrofitted to take military families from point A to point B. The PATRICK did not have stablizers and rolled in heavy, long period, North Pacific wind swells. I am sure there were occasioal cold fronts adding to the "fun"...

An amusing aside: my mother was trying to move several overpacked suitcases, your Father and I from a taxi to the ship. I held her hand, she had your Father on a leash and was paying a porter to actually haul the luggage. I vaguely recall that sailors near the ship put the luggage onto the ship and moved it into our cabin.

Your Father and I had your Grandmother's delicate stomacks and the three of us vomited a lot. Jim and I both outgrew this...

We were meet at the Pier by my Father who had borrowed an Air Force truck. For the remainder of his tour, our wheels were a motoscooter he had bought from a fellow officer and later sold to another pilot.

I went to Kindergarden and the first half of First Grade on Okinaewa. 

In Kindergardenm, I vaguly recall my philosophy was "what is mine is mine, what is yours is mine".

There was at least one typhoon which clobbered the island. The roof leaked. My Mother had to move us to one end of the house until the winds shifted and rain started coming in at that end and she moved us to the other end of the house. This was unfun.

My Father, as an SA-16 Command Pilot, had flown his flying boat and crew to Kong where he and his "shelered" in British military housing and drank very cheap Brit gin or beer. My Mother was not synpatetic whe she learned of the hangovers my Father had suffered through...

Lawn work was easy!  Litttle Okinawan "Mommasans" sat on the lawns, measured the heights of grass and neatly trimmed it. The cut off grass went into wicker baskets. This was necessary as the local economy was still trashed from the war. Paying for "haircuts" for the lawn was trivial for USAF officers and NCO but provided the major source of income for the families of the Okinaean "Mommasans". The economy later picked up. 

We got around on my Father's motorscooter. My Father driving, me in front of him, Mom behind him holding your Father was not an uncommon sight. It was something that gives me the creeps thinking of it today...

Ah, the bloody Air Farce. What can I say? Me Father earned his flight pay (which is really a form of hazarous duty pay!).







family riding on the scooter
bakina atole
Red China visits

Ghosts

Some ghosts never leave. No matter how hard you try, they cling to you, like blood that can never be washed off.

Re do

I am typing this the hard way on MT Kundle. At least I know it will not eat my text!@
Your Grandfather was probably commissioned in the USAF out of college and went to basic flight school at avance Air base in Enid Oklahoma in late 1949. He was then transferred to an Air Base ib San Antonio Texas.@
Your grandparents were married on 28 August 1950. @
He was sent to Vance AFB Enid Oklahoma in late 1950 for TDY (temporary duty). Said TDY lasted long enough for me to be born 14 August 1951 and your Father to be born on 7 May 1953. (In the Navy, we called this "PCS" - Permanent Change of Station.@
He was a flight instructor in basic flight school.@
Around 1955, he was sent by Pan Am Clipper to Kadena Air Force Base Okinawa.@

I am typing this the hard way on MT Kundle. At least I know it will not eat my text!
Your Grandfather was probably commissioned in the USAF out of college and went to basic flight school at avance Air base in Enid Oklahoma in late 1949. He was then transferred to an Air Base ib San Antonio Texas.
Your grandparents were married on 28 August 1950.
He was sent to Vance AFB Enid Oklahoma in late 1950 for TDY (temporary duty). Said TDY lasted long enough for me to be born 14 August 1951 and your Father to be born on 7 May 1953. (In the Navy, we called this "PCS" - Permanent Change of Station.
He was a flight instructor in basic flight school.
Around 1955, he was sent by Pan Am Clipper to Kadena Air Force Base Okinawa.

typing this the hard way on MT Kundle. At least I know it will not eat my text!
Your Grandfather was probably commissioned in the USAF out of college and went to basic flight school at avance Air base in Enid Oklahoma in late 1949. He was then transferred to an Air Base ib San Antonio Texas.
Your grandparents were married on 28 August 1950.
He was sent to Vance AFB Enid Oklahoma in late 1950 for TDY (temporary duty). Said TDY lasted long enough for me to be born 14 August 1951 and your Father to be born on 7 May 1953. (In the Navy, we called this "PCS" - Permanent Change of Station.
He was a flight instructor in basic flight school.
Around 1955, he was sent by Pan Am Clipper to Kadena Air Force Base Okinawa.

about King

quote his daughter;

"He is the most even-tempered person in the United States Navy. He is always in a rage."

3 useful quotes

symbols of our glorious past—relics to be paraded when it suited

"There's no statute of limitation on revenge." 

 Noh Fan Yat

"Your life is not yours any longer. You never understood that—even with Jade."

Fwd: Are you an Outliner or a Pantser?

There are two basic types of novelists, Michael.

Outliners and Pantsers.

If you're like me, you don't like to outline. You have your story in mind, a general direction, and you simply want to get writing and find out what happens.

We Pantsers write by the seat of our pants.

Outliners outline first.

Neither is right or wrong. You must do what works best for you and your story.

Plan your book this way:

1. Distill your idea into an Elevator Pitch

You've just met a publishing professional on an elevator, and you have only until they get off to pitch your novel.

Every word must count.

Like I said last week, my elevator pitch for Margo:

"A judge tries a man for a murder the judge committed."

Remember, you're distilling your idea—not your whole plot. It will either grab attention or it won't.

2. Establish your story structure

I'm a fan of novelist Dean Koontz's Classic Story Structure:

1. Plunge your main character into terrible trouble as soon as possible.
2. Everything your character does to try to get out of that trouble makes it only worse.
3. Eventually things reach a point of apparent hopelessness.
4. Finally, everything your character has learned through all that struggle and failure gives him what he needs to win the day—or fail.

3. Get to know your main character

How do you get to know someone who doesn't really exist?

The same you would a real person.

We Pantsers let characters reveal themselves to us as we write.

Outliners make thorough notes on their characters.

Some actually conduct faux interviews with them, asking them questions about themselves. What are their likes and dislikes? Their motivations? Their backstory?

4. Flesh out your plot

The most commonly used:

• Adventure: a person goes to new places, experiences new things, and faces myriad obstacles.
• Change: a character undergoes a dramatic transformation.
• Romance: jealousy and misunderstandings threaten lovers' happiness.
• Mistake: an innocent person caught in a situation he doesn't understand must overcome opposition and danger.
• Lure: a person faces giving in to temptation, revenge, rage, or some other passion and grows from discovering things about himself.
• Chase: characters pursue wealth or fame but must overcome others to succeed, while learning valuable lessons about themselves.
• Gift: an ordinary person sacrifices for someone else. The lead may not be aware of his own heroism until he rises to the occasion.

5. Decide on your setting

Setting isn't just location, time, and era (although those are important)—it's also how things look, smell, taste, sound, and feel.

One of the biggest rookie mistakes I see in authors is telling about the setting rather than showing it.

Instead of simply describing your setting at the beginning (in many ways the very definition of boring throat clearing), layer it in throughout. Moving your characters and action through the setting will seamlessly show it and add atmosphere.

6. Synopsize your chapters

Writing in the third person present tense, summarize the events of each chapter.

Jason learns his daughter has been kidnapped.

At the grocery store, Sally is riveted by the best-looking man she's ever seen.

Jack discovers his fiancee is cheating on him and confronts her.

Remember, your readers won't see these, but your potential agent or editor will, and the synopses will also keep you on track during the writing.

Join me for a Manuscript Repair & Rewrite session on October 24 at noon and 7pm Central. I will edit the first pages of both a fiction and nonfiction manuscript LIVE and explain the editing techniques I have used for more than 200 of my own books.

​Click here to register.​

Jerry

Unsubscribe | Update your profile | 41 Peabody Street, Nashville, TN 37210

Crystal

Crystal "Heroes may not be braver than anyone else. They're just braver 5 minutes longer."―Ronald Reagan "As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary."―Ernest Hemingway "I like my coffee black, my beer from Germany, wine from Burgundy, the darker, the better. I like my heroes complicated and brooding, James Dean in oiled leather, leaning on a motorcycle. You know the color. (" Ode to Chocolate")"―Barbara Crooker Crystal In the Year 44 of the Death and Resurrection of the Nazarene and the 177 Year of the Birth of the Devine Gaius Julian Caesar, to the Orc Wife Emerald and her husband Plait of the Fifth Mine was born their first child: Crystal. The Midwife/ Medical Doctor, a Half Elven named Ayah Ghanem gave the child a quick physical and said "he is a perfectly formed boy child but I am going to give him a more in depth examination."Eventually, she completed her exam, made some notes on a sheet of populous (Egyptian paper) and smiled at the young couple. "You have a very healthy child. I could hear nothing wrong with his heart or lungs. He is a well-formed child and I think I can safely say he is healthy baby." "That is very good, " his Mother said. "That is very good " his Father agreed, "and also very bad. I don't want my son to go into the mines. We both agree our child should be physically fit but should be a warrior of the mind. We would like him to be the most deadly of mind warriors: a lawyer!" Their Clan Leader, Thunder on the Crags and his wife, Snow on the Peaks, nodded to each other and Thunder said "I think he can have his way.""The nearest Monastery with teachings in Law is the Temple of the New Way. I will write Brother Stegg about arranging tutors for Crystal's Legal Training should it come to that,"Snow on the Peaks replied. This lead to an exchange of letters which lasted decades. "The nearest Monastery with teachings in Law is the Temple of the New Way. I will write Brother Stegg about arranging tutors for Crystal's Legal Training should it come to that,"Snow on the Peaks replied. Crystal was a fine baby who delighted his family until he fell ill. Crystal and his kinfolk lived in a hidden village that inexplicitly existed in what was known to any as part of the northern edge of the great desert. Sometimes what is believed is not what is real. This village was an oasis with Half Orcs who worked in the mines or fields and Half Elves who were clerics, intellectuals and did light industry. In the north was the House of the Fish. This was a major harbour complex supporting fishing operations, a Naval Base in the season of military operations, illicit trade with the barbarians to the North and the people to their east in City Five (also known as the "City of Last Refuge".) In the deeps of the mines were odd creatures who had been human once and varied from organic to "ghost"in part or whole. Their "master"ruled from the deepest pits of the mines. They were the soldier of the "External Guard"and were far different that the people of the village realized. These three variations of humans shared many customs in spite of being of three different "Breeds of Man". One thing they shared was their deep love of their kith and kin…Among the Half-Orc, if a baby lived to six months, the entire clan celebrated. The clan celebrated and invited their families. When Crystal reached the age of 1 year, their extended family of Half-Orcs, Half-Elves and the Denisovan "far to the north"in the Town of the Fish (20 miles actually) turned up to celebrate. (Of course, since Half-Orc babies routinely reached the age of 1 year, these festivals were frequent but still deeply felt. Others had their own celebrations. Crystal was a fine baby who delighted his family until he fell ill. Then he was a fine baby whose illness brought fear to his extended family. Soon after reaching the fine age of 1 year, 5 months and 16 days, Pratt of the Fifth Mine arrived home. He had washed and put on house clothing in the dressing rooms of the mine administration building (a safe distance from the actual mine). Some of the residual dust in his hair drifted across the room as he embraced his wife. Some think Crystal breathed in this air. Others think what happened was something that came on it's own. Crystal began coughing and then gasping for air. His face began to take a most unnatural hue. Emerald began to gently pat her son's back. Crystal's Father left their little house in a dead run. He knew what afflicted his son and went to the Village's Medical Centre. "My son has the Greek disease! Help him!"The entire medical staff came out. Dr. Ghanem spoke firmly: "Pratt, calm down and talk to us!""My son began to cough and then gasp and his face turned an unnatural colour!"Dr. Ghanem turned to her people and told one "get both the Greek medications and the new drug the Central Hospital sent us."She pointed to two sturdy male nurses "Please bring the air tanks!"It took several minutes for everyone to gather what was need and Pratt of the Fifth Mine lead the way to his house. His wife's face had the odd hue the only a Half-Orc deeply shocked could display. The visitors saw that Crystal was breathing almost normally and his face had a more natural hue and they knew the baby was considering a crying binge. In front of him was an old Palestinian who was holding what had to be a breathing mask connected to a tank. They could see through the Palestinian's body. The Palestinian was a ghost, a specter. He was also believed to be a demon from the deepest pits of the mine. Everyone noticed he was singing a lullaby to Crystal and was switching the breathing mask to a different tank. The mask went onto Crystal's face. "Your son will recover from this episode; you'll only have to let hm breath from the second tank. Now, after I leave, you must realize the first tank, which contains"he used words that meant oxygen and helium although those words were not in the Orc or Common Languages"and the second tank contains pure"and he used the foreign word that meant oxygen. "The first tank is used when the next attack happens and the second when the victim's breathing has settled down. I will stay until this happens and will teach you what you need to know."Dr. Ghanem handed the Greek medications to the ghost. He read the instructions and commented: "The instructions seem simple enough. Will you need you help further?""No.""Then ensure this little one receives the medication as required. I can return as required. But now, I must return to the Hell of the deepest pits of the mines."The Palestinian cackled and this caused Crystal to seriously consider loud crying. The Palestinian began to sing a lullaby and the baby's Mother joined in. The ghost faded from sight as the family began to comfort the baby. Later that evening, Thunder on the Crags and Snow on the Peaks arrived to ask about the baby. They also spoke with Crystal's parents and the medical personnel. Finally, everyone went home and the little household settled down. It took somewhat longer for this disturbance to die down in the village than it did in the little household. News of this event made it to the House of the Fish and from there to the Central Hospital in City Five. There a very important person learned of this single event of the Greek disease, which he also knew as "asthma". The in depth investigation suggested the boy's Father had brough asthma triggers into his home. But, the cleanliness standards for those who worked the mines seemed adequate to protect the baby. Then three other young children experienced asthma and more in depth investigations of the causality were needed. This old Medical Doctor had one of his investigators draft up a survey form for those who had suffered from asthma. This Medial Doctor knew those suffering were probably in the hidden village about which legions had came and went to centuries. This MD knew too many "secrets"to be interested in other's secrets. He would be shaken from his compliancy all too soon! Crystal's Second Birthday was celebrated after he and three other very young children were taken to the House of the Fish. There, a strange Medical Doctor awaited them. Her first patient was to be Crystal and his parents. The Patriarch of the Home of the Fish –Forest Martin - was the first person they saw. "Emerald, Plait, how are you today? How is your little Angel?"Forrest Martin picked up and held Crystal. The toddler realized who was holding him and began to look at Forrest's large ears. The boy started playing with Forrest's right ear…"All three of us are fine, Elder Martin", Emerald replied. "I see he remembered one of his favourite toys."Forrest Martin simply rolled eyes. "Crystal had an 'episode'two months ago and we found out about this several hours after the event. It seems two ghosts were watching him and had Crystal breathing the 'light gas'and the 'gas of life'before he really was beginning to cough. They also held him."Behind them, Sanctuary's MD Ayah Ghanem and a stranger stood in the doorway to one of the Medical Clinic's examining rooms. "'light gas'and 'gas of life'the strange Medical Doctor whispered to Ayah Ghanem. "What you all 'Helium'and 'Oxygen'", was the reply. "What did they look like,"Forrest asked? "One looks like the pictures of a people called 'Palestinians'", Emerald replied. "And there was something else."Plaitt of the Fifth Mine could recognize a verbal invination when he heard it. "The old Palestinian told me 'I will not permit this little one to enter my mines. We are debating if you should be allowed back, Plaitt of the Fifth Mine. So far, the consensus is you may return.'""Your Father and her Grandfather are excellent farmers. Maybe you should spend more time with them?"Emerald nodded in agreement to Elder Martin; Crystal took advantage of the distracted adults in rammed his right index and middle fingers into Forest Martin's nostrils. Martin's own children had done this to him, his wife and his Aunt and simply chuckled. "He is encouraging the baby to play with his nose and ears?"The strange MD was surprised. "Fathers will be Fathers,"Ayah Ghanem replied. Ayah Ghanem looked at the foreign MD and turned to the small group in the outer room. "You may come in now."Plaitt, Emerald, Forrest Martin, his wife and eldest child (a very concerned young teenaged girl) all walked in. This simply did not happen at her hospital. Ayah Ghanem would have been horrified if it had not happened! "Good morning, this is a Emma Marie Foulston. She is a visiting specialist from the Central Hospital in City Five."Then Dr. Ghanem introduced the baby, his parents, Forrest Martin, his wife and daughter and his Aunt. "I am delighted Dr. Ghanem invited me here today. I have read Crystal's medical history and discussed him with my Grandfather, the original Dr. Foulston. I think we might have a future Medical Doctor –an eye, ear and nose specialist."This got some relieved laughs. "Shall we begin?"Crystal - 3 NOV 2020 AT took Crystal from Forrest, carried him to the examining table and laid him on it. Then she pulled up his dress and

2015/2022

In early Egypt near fall of Old Kingdom, draught lead to wars between different regional govueners {sp}.I

Weapons can be anything that harms or kills targets. Paraphrase of Intro to a novel by author of the Cultures Society (Iain M Bas)

Fanalytics | Genshin Impact

Yard Patrol Craft on the Delaware River in 2006

Yard Patrol craft are used by the United States Navy for training and for research purposes. They are designated as YP in the Hull classification symbol system.

Contents

1World War II

2Modern usage

3Boat Classes

3.1General Characteristics, YP 654 class (YP 663)

3.2General Characteristics, YP 676 and YP 696 classes

3.3General Characteristics, YP 703 class (under construction)

4References

5External links

World War II

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor the United States Navy leased California based tuna boats for the duration of the war or "until victory".^[1] On February 16, 1942, San Diego Port Director Commander W.J. Morcott called a meeting of tuna skippers and crews at the Naval Armory Reserve telling the men “The Navy needs men to man the [clippers] — experienced men, like yourselves. Needless to say, duty in the war zones will be hazardous.” Six hundred tuna boat men volunteered to join their boats in the navy.^[2] The boats were painted navy grey and had their names replaced with numerical designations. The ships patrolled the coasts of the United States, the Panama Canal and served in several battles of the South Pacific, particularly the Battle of Guadalcanal.

AD

Luchamos para que recibas lo que mereces

By Los Defensores

APREND...

Modern usage

The YPs are used to teach familiarization with water craft, Basic Damage Control and underway instruction of Basic to Advanced Seamanship and Navigation. Yard Patrol craft provide realistic, at-sea training in navigation and seamanship for midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and candidates at Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island. These craft can cruise for 1,400 nautical miles (2,600 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h) for five days without refueling.^[3]

YPs are used at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division in Keyport, Washington, to measure mobile underwater target and torpedo radiated noise plus ambient water noise conditions; serve as a platform for deployment of suspended, stationary, in-water acoustic targets during on-range torpedo proof and test operations; deployment of countermeasure emulator during torpedo operations; and deployment of oceanographic measurement instrumentation to determine seawater conductivity and temperature at the depth(s) of interest.

The new Training Patrol Craft (YP) are designated the YP 703 class. The general craft characteristics of the YP 703 class emphasize habitability, training areas, hull structure, integrated bridge, maneuverability, propulsion plant configuration, and, for training purposes only, simulated Underway Replenishment.^[4] The main and auxiliary systems and electronics are state-of-the art, Commercial-Off-The-Shelf equipment. Design, construction, and selection of systems, sub-systems, and equipment along with associated software are consistent with reduced Total Ownership Cost and shall facilitate system maintenance and periodic upgrades.

The primary mission of the Training Patrol Craft (YP) is to provide the midshipmen professional training course with practical training afloat on a robust platform to conduct professional development in a safe shipboard environment equipped with systems essential to modern seamanship and navigation. Such training is designed to develop within midshipmen the abilities of an Officer-of the Deck, a proficiency in navigation, and a working knowledge of afloat operations.

Boat Classes

General Characteristics, YP 654 class (YP 663)

Primary Function: Training.

Builder: Stephens Bros., Inc. (YP 665: Elizabeth City Systems).

Propulsion: four 6-71N Detroit diesel engines 165 shaft horsepower each @ 1800 rpm, 2 propellers.

Length: Overall: 81 ft, 24 meters; Waterline Length: 77 ft, 23.47 meters.

Beam: 18 ft, 5.5 meters.

Displacement: 66 tons full load, 67 metric tons; Dead Weight: 11 tons, 11.5 metric tons.

Draft: 6 ft, 1.8 meters.

Speed: 12 knots (22 km/h), 19.6 km/h.

Range: 1800 nm, 3300 km.

Hull Material: Wood hull, aluminum superstructure.

Crew: Officers: 2 Enlisted: 8; Safe capacity: 50 people.

General Characteristics, YP 676 and YP 696 classes

Re: Conquering the blank page of doom

Writer's Block doesn't have to be scary, Michael.

I didn't always feel that way.

I used to be as susceptible to Writer's Block as the next guy.

Until I realized it wasn't real.

That's right, Writer's Block is a myth.

Oh, the feelings behind it are very real—and I know full well the feeling of wanting to do anything but write. But Writer's Block can be defeated if you address the 4 root causes.

Cause #1: Fear

Are you afraid you're not good enough? That you don't know enough? Do you fear the competition? Editors? Writing itself?

You have big dreams and good intentions, but fear paralyzes you.

Let's be honest: Writing a book is hard. The competition is vast, and the odds are long.

The solution?

Embrace that fear!

Rather than let it overwhelm and keep you from writing, acknowledge that your fear is legitimate. Just don't let it stop you. Rather, let it humble you.

Legitimate fear humbles me. That humility motivates me to my very best work every time. And it's that hard work that leads to success.

Fear can be a great motivator.

Cause #2 Procrastination

Everywhere I teach, budding writers admit Procrastination is killing their dream.

When I tell them they're talking to the king of procrastinators, their looks alone call me a liar.

But it's true. So how have I managed to be a procrastinator and write over 200 books?

The solution?

I came to view Procrastination as an asset.

Because it arises every time, it's inevitable. And I find that when I do get back to my keyboard after procrastinating, my subconscious has been working on my project. I'm often surprised at what I'm then able to produce.

Since Procrastination is both inevitable and an asset, accept it and even schedule it.

That's right. When I'm scoping out my writing calendar for a new book, I decide on the number of pages I must finish each writing day to make my deadline. Then I actually schedule Procrastination days.

By accommodating Procrastination, I can both indulge in it and make my deadlines.

Cause #3 Perfectionism

Many writers struggle with Perfectionism, and while it can be a crippling time thief, it's also a good trait during certain stages of the process.

Not wrestled into its proper place, however, Perfectionism can prove frustrating enough to make us want to quit altogether.

Yes, I'm a perfectionist too. I'm constantly tempted to revise my work until I'm happy with every word.

The solution?

Separate your editing from your writing.

While writing your first draft, take off your Perfectionist cap and turn off your internal editor.

Revising while writing can slow production to a crawl.

You'll find yourself retooling, editing, and rearranging the same phrases and passages until you've lost the momentum you need to get your ideas down.

When it's time to revise your work, put your Perfectionist cap back on and have it.

Force yourself to keep these tasks separate and watch your daily production soar.

Cause #4 Distractions

It's like clockwork.

Every time you sit down to write, something intrudes on your concentration.

Whether it's a person, social media, or even a game on your phone, distractions lure you from writing.

How serious are you about your writing dream? If it remains your priority, take a stand.

The solution?

Establish these two ground rules to safeguard your work time:

1. Set a strict writing schedule

2. Turn off all other media.

When we feel stuck, our inclination is to break away from the work and find something fun to occupy our minds.

Before you know it, your time has evaporated, and you've accomplished nothing.

The key is identifying what causes your Writer's Block and eliminating it.

Be on the lookout for more writing tips soon.

Jerry

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A Pitch for National Write A Novel In A Month

Every November is "Write A Novel In A Month" (NANOWRIMO.ORG). This is run by an organization in "The City" (San Francisco).

Their purpose is to encourage writers to create a novel with at least 50,001 words during the month of November. When a writer thinks they have this minimum number, they upload their text to the nanowrimo computer which either tells them they are short or that they are winners! It was a pleasant experience.

This isn't about writing the next "Great American Novel"; it is about people getting out stories living in their heads. This is an enriching and worthy activity! I finished novels in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2015 and 2016. Some years a story did not come to me but this year a story is waking me up in the middle of the night! "Tell me" the story is screaming!

I think the Library should sponsor several evening writing events. I can not be the only one who would like to sit with other writers while poking away on my keyboard.

Please make this happen!

Michael W. Bell

Fwd: Can you really write a novel in a month?

Have you heard of NaNoWriMo, Michael?

It stands for National Novel Writing Month, a creative writing challenge where participants attempt to write a 50,000-word novel during November.

And I have mixed feelings about it.

On the one hand, I applaud encouraging you to embrace writer's fear and start writing.

Because that fear is real.

What if you're not good enough? What if you've tried to write a novel before and gotten stuck? What if you don't have what it takes to follow through with your dream of writing a novel?

A challenge like NaNoWriMo could help set you on the path to writing the first draft.

However, and I say this as someone who has written multiple books per year for nearly half a century, 50,000 words in 30 days is a tall order.

It certainly requires discipline — a good thing, but at best it will result in a very rough first draft.

But even that isn't all bad. Get that first draft down by any means necessary.

As long as you know that that's when the real work begins.

NaNoWriMo is a sprint; writing a novel is a marathon.

So how do you write like the pros do?

Establish a writing routine you won't want to break.

A regular writing habit holds you accountable and keeps you on track.

You're not going to feel inspired every time you sit down to write.

Establishing a solid, consistent routine will help you write, even when you're not feeling motivated.

So how do you establish such a routine?

1. Firmly schedule your writing time

Make it a priority so that other things must work around your writing time, not vice versa. This way you'll get into the habit of writing even when you don't feel like it.

Schedule a realistic amount of time that you know you can devote to it more than once a week.

2. Consider this writing time sacred

Whether it's two or three evenings from 8 to 10 or three mornings a week starting at 7, don't let anything get in the way of your writing.

This means time for writing or revising only. No emails, laundry, or social media.

3. Quantify your progress

Set yourself a word count goal per day and stick to it. Make sure its manageable so you don't fall behind and become discouraged.

If you want a first draft done in six months, work out what this translates to in words per month, week, and day. Just be sure to schedule in some inevitable down time.

4. Publicize it

Tell friends and loved ones you're writing a book and the specific time you have set aside for it. This can help keep you accountable.

Keep an eye out for another email tomorrow on how to handle staring at a blank page when you should be writing.

Until then,

Jerry

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Bard, into on #1

Intelligence 13Charisma 15Prime Requisite:Dexterity, CharismaRaces Allowed:Human, Half-elf

The bard is an optional character class that can be used if your DM allows. He makes his way in life by his charm, talent, and wit. A good bard should be glib of tongue, light of heart, and fleet of foot (when all else fails).

In precise historical terms, the title "bard" applies only to certain groups of Celtic poets who sang the history of their tribes in long, recitative poems. These bards, found mainly in Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, filled many important roles in their society. They were storehouses of tribal history, reporters of news, messengers, and even ambassadors to other tribes. However, in the AD&D game, the bard is a more generalized character. Historical and legendary examples of the type include Alan-a-Dale, Will Scarlet, Amergin, and even Homer. Indeed, every culture has its storyteller or poet, whether he is called bard, skald, fili, jongleur, or something else.

To become a bard, a character must have a Dexterity of 12 or more, an Intelligence of 13 or more, and a Charisma of 15 or more. The prime requisites are Dexterity and Charisma. A bard can be lawful, neutral or chaotic, good or evil, but must always be partially neutral. Only by retaining some amount of detachment can he successfully fulfill his role as a bard.

A bard, by his nature, tends to learn many different skills. He is a jack-of-all-trades but master of none. Although he fights as a rogue, he can use any weapon. He can wear any armor up to, and including, chain mail, but he cannot use a shield.

All bards are proficient singers, chanters, or vocalists and can play a musical instrument of the player's choice (preferably one that is portable). Additional instruments can be learned if the optional proficiency rules are used—the bard can learn two instruments for every proficiency slot spent.

In his travels, a bard also manages to learn a few wizard spells. Like a wizard, a bard's Intelligence determines the number of spells he can know and the chance to know any given spell. These he keeps in his spell book, abiding by all the restrictions on memorization and spell use that bind a wizard, especially in the prohibition of armor. Hence, a bard will tend to use his spells more to entertain and impress than to fight. Table 32 lists the number of spells a bard can cast at each level.

Since bards are dabblers rather than full-time wizards, their spells tend to be gained by serendipity and happenstance. In no case can a bard choose to specialize in a school of magic. Beginning bards do not have a selection of spells. A 2nd-level bard begins with one to four spells, chosen either randomly or by the DM. (An Intelligence check must still be made to see if the bard can learn a given spell.) The bard is not guaranteed to know read magic, as this is not needed to read the writings in a spell book. The bard can add new spells to his spell book as he finds them, but he does not automatically gain additional spells as he advances in level. All spells beyond those he starts with must be found during the course of adventuring. The bard's casting level is equal to his current level.

Combat and spells, however, are not the main strength of the bard. His expertise is in dealing and communicating with others. To this end, the bard has a number of special powers. The base percentage for each power is listed on Table 33. This base percentage must be adjusted for the race and Dexterity of the bard as given in the Thief description. After all adjustments are made, the player must distribute (however he chooses) 20 additional percentage points to the various special abilities. Thereafter, each time the character advances a level, he receives an additional 15 points to distribute.

Bard abilities are subject to modifiers for situation and armor as per the thief.

Climb Walls enables the bard to climb near sheer surfaces without the aid of tools, just like the thief.

Detect Noise improves the bard's chances of hearing and interpreting sounds. He may be able to overhear parts of a conversation on the other side of a door or pick up the sound of something stalking the party. To use the ability, the bard must stand unhelmeted and concentrate for one round (one minute). During this time, all other party members must remain silent. The DM secretly makes the check and informs the player of the result.

Pick Pockets enables the bard not only to filch small purses, wallets, keys, and the like, but also to perform small feats of sleight-of-hand (useful for entertaining a crowd). Complete details on pickpocketing (and your character's chances of getting caught) can be found in the Thief description.

Read Languages is an important ability, since words are the meat and drink of bards. They have some ability to read documents written in languages they do not know, relying on words and phrases they have picked up in their studies and travels. The Read Languages column in Table 33 gives the base percentage chance to puzzle out a foreign tongue. It also represents the degree of comprehension the bard has if he is successful. The DM can rule that a language is too rare or unfamiliar, especially if it has never been previously encountered by the bard, effectively foiling his attempts to translate it. At the other extreme, the bard need not make the dice roll for any language he is proficient in. Success is assumed to be automatic in such cases.

The bard can also influence reactions of groups of NPCs. When performing before a group that is not attacking (and not intending to attack in just seconds), the bard can try to alter the mood of the listeners. He can try to soften their mood or make it uglier. The method can be whatever is most suitable to the situation at the moment—a fiery speech, collection of jokes, a sad tale, a fine tune played on a fiddle, a haunting lute melody, or a heroic song from the old homeland. Everyone in the group listening must roll a saving throw vs. paralyzation (if the crowd is large, make saving throws for groups of people using average hit dice). The die roll is modified by -1 for every three experience levels of the bard (round fractions down). If the saving throw fails, the group's reaction can be shifted one level (see the Reactions section in the DMG), toward either the friendly or hostile end of the scale, at the player's option. Those who make a successful saving throw have their reaction shifted one level toward the opposite end of the scale.

Cwell the Fine has been captured by a group of bandits and hauled into their camp. Although they are not planning to kill him on the spot, any fool can plainly see that his future may be depressingly short. In desperation, Cwell begins spinning a comic tale about Duke Dunderhead and his blundering knights. It has always been a hit with the peasants, and he figures it's worth a try here. Most of the bandits have 1 Hit Die, but the few higher level leaders raise the average level to 3. Cwell is only 2nd level so he gains no modifier. A saving throw is rolled and the group fails (Cwell succeeds!). The ruffians find his tale amusing. The player shifts their reaction from hostile to neutral. The bandits decide not to kill Cwell but to keep him around, under guard, to entertain them. If the bandits' saving throw had succeeded, the bandits would have been offended by the story (perhaps some of them served under Duke Dunderhead!), and their reaction would have shifted from hostile to violent. They probably would have roasted Cwell immediately.

This ability cannot affect people in the midst of battle; it is effective only when the audience has time to listen. If Cwell tried telling his tale while the bandits were attacking his group, the bandits would have quickly decided that Cwell was a fool and carried on with their business. Furthermore, the form of entertainment used must be appropriate to the audience. Cwell might be able to calm (or enrage) a bear with music, but he won't have much luck telling jokes to orcs unless he speaks their language.

The music, poetry, and stories of the bard can also be inspirational, rallying friends and allies. If the exact nature of an impending threat is known, the bard can heroically inspire his companions (immortalizing them in word and song), granting a +1 bonus to attack rolls, or a +1 bonus to saving throws, or a +2 bonus to morale (particularly useful in large battles) to those involved in melee. The bard must spend at least three full rounds singing or reciting before the battle begins. This affects those within a range of 10 feet per experience level of the bard.

The effect lasts one round per level. Once the effect wears off, it can't be renewed if the recipients are still in battle. However, troops who have withdrawn from combat can be reinspired by the bard's words. A troop of soldiers, inspired by Cwell, could charge into battle. After fighting a fierce fight, they retreat and the enemy does not pursue. Cwell, seeing them crestfallen and dispirited, once again rouses their will to fight. Reinvigorated, they charge back into battle with renewed spirit.

Bards are also able to counter the effects of songs and poetry used as magical attacks. Characters within 30 feet of the bard are immune to the attack as long as the bard sings a counter song (or recites a poem, etc.). While doing this, the bard can perform no other action except a slow walk. Furthermore, if he is struck or fails a saving throw, his effort is ruined. Success is checked by having the bard make a saving throw vs. spell. Success blocks the attack, failure means the attack has its normal effect (everyone affected rolls saving throws, normal damage is inflicted, etc.). The bard can use this ability once per encounter or battle. This power does not affect verbal spell components or command words; it is effective against spells that involve explanations, commands, or suggestions.

Finally, bards learn a little bit of everything in their studies and travels. Thus, all bards can read and write their native tongue (if a written language exists) and all know local history (without cost if the optional proficiency rules are used). Furthermore, bards have a 5% chance per experience level to identify the general purpose and function of any magical item. The bard need not handle the item but must examine it closely. Even if successful, the exact function of the item is not revealed, only its general nature.

Since Cwell the Fine is 2nd level, he has a 10% chance to know something about a magical sword +1. If he succeeds, he knows whether the sword is cursed and whether it has an alignment ("This sword was used by the evil warrior Lurdas. I wouldn't touch it if I were you!"). This ability does not enable him to identify the sword's exact properties, only its history and background. He has no idea of its bonuses or penalties or any special magical powers, except as can be inferred from the histories.

Being something of a warrior, a bard can build a stronghold and attract followers upon reaching 9th level. The bard attracts 10d6 0th-level soldiers into his service. They arrive over a period of time, but they are not automatically replaced if lost in battle. Of course, a bard can build a stronghold any time, but no followers arrive until he reaches 9th level.

Upon reaching 10th level, a bard can attempt to use magical devices of written nature—scrolls, books, etc. However, his understanding of magic is imperfect (although better than that of a thief), so there is a 15% chance that any written item he uses is read incorrectly. When this happens, the magical power works the opposite of what is intended, generally to the detriment of the bard or his friends. The DM will tell you what happens to your character, based on the situation and particular magical item. The result may be unpleasant, deadly, or embarrassing. (Deciding these things is part of the DM's fun!)

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v • d • e

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition WikiPlayer's Handbook · Dungeon Master Guide · Monstrous Manual

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Player's HandbookChapters

Ch 1: Player Character Ability Scores · Ch 2: Player Character Races · Ch 3: Player Character Classes · Ch 4: Alignment · Ch 5: Proficiencies · Ch 6: Money and Equipment · Ch 7: Magic · Ch 8: Experience · Ch 9: Combat · Ch 10: Treasure · Ch 11: Encounters · Ch 12: NPCs · Ch 13: Vision and Light · Ch 14: Time and Movement

Appendix

Appendix 1: Spell Lists · Appendix 2: Notes on Spells · Appendix 3: Wizard Spells · Appendix 4: Priest Spells · Appendix 5: Wizard Spells by School · Appendix 6: Priest Spells by Sphere · Appendix 7: Spell Index

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