tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31876850019494071922024-03-05T20:45:54.688-06:00haiku fiction: small stories, big impactDo you want to be a writer, but you don't have time to write?<br><br>
I'm Donald Jacob Uitvlugt. I'm married and work a full-time job. I'm also a published author. My secret?<br><br>
Haiku Fiction. Small stories with big impact.<br><br>
If you've always wanted to be a writer but never seem to find the time... If you want to improve your writing through brevity and precision... If you just want to find out what I've been up to lately...<br><br>
Come on in! Join the conversation!Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-33133807069480129442020-04-14T12:57:00.000-05:002020-04-14T12:57:42.347-05:00The Burroughs Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjNgANONgYLNXJ4n2oY_R1SyJQ-4grsWB_OHTX2uFLaXlHKvL7NOb1Ta7gvSID2KOBV6BztrPhUvDrqA9fPJYpblsyxU7z2_C7s_wfmwB9_gyWgsE3zAjt2b9hpmyHNPRIz7Ik8DO3x8/s1600/8D1643D1-80B9-4075-9038-7EA8697681DE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="649" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjNgANONgYLNXJ4n2oY_R1SyJQ-4grsWB_OHTX2uFLaXlHKvL7NOb1Ta7gvSID2KOBV6BztrPhUvDrqA9fPJYpblsyxU7z2_C7s_wfmwB9_gyWgsE3zAjt2b9hpmyHNPRIz7Ik8DO3x8/s320/8D1643D1-80B9-4075-9038-7EA8697681DE.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-4f3d70d8-7fff-c48b-d571-e3973ae8533f" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, it’s obviously been a while since I’ve updated this blog. I need to do better. To help inspire myself to do so, I want to reflect on how I started writing seriously in the first place.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: start;" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve loved stories all my life, but it was only in the sixth grade that I really started creating them myself and committing them to paper. My teacher that year gave a creative writing assignment every week on Friday to be completed over the weekend. What I turned in on Monday was usually two or three times the minimum length. At least. These assignments led to my first ever effort at longer fiction—a sprawling spy epic starring myself and the rest of my class (all fourteen of us). I think the handwritten draft is still in a Trapper Keeper somewhere deep in my parents’ basement.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: start;" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Along the way, though, this creative urge got choked out by other kinds of writing. The essay and later the research paper took over my writing life. I may be one of the few to have ever done a non-assigned research paper for fun. I wrote maybe one short story in this period as a birthday present for a friend, but that was a rare exception.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: start;" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I still read voraciously, fiction and nonfiction. But it wasn’t until late in my academic career that the itch to write fiction struck again. I scratched this itch by playing online RPGs—of the free-form collaborative storytelling model, not stats-driven adventure gaming. One was set in the Star Trek universe, the other in a fantasy setting. Developing the fantasy character’s backstory led to what became my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07872MWW3?ref_=dbs_w_series&storeType=ebooks" target="_blank">Veldt series</a>—a series I have more plans for.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: start;" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But those stories might have remained unseen except for a defining moment in my writing path. I still remember when it happened. I was reading a book from the library by someone I consider a midlist fantasy author. I was fairly engaged in the story, but part of my brain was thinking, “I can write as well as this guy. If he can get published, why can’t I?”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: start;" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That led to me taking my writing seriously—by which I mean, trying to get someone to pay me for it. I’ve not grown rich by any stretch of the imagination, but writing has definitely augmented my book-buying budget. Although I don’t publish at a fantastic pace, I’ve had stories published <a href="http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?133765" target="_blank">every year since 2007</a>. The fact that I don’t have more credits is a reflection on my lack of discipline more than anything else.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: start;" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All from reading someone else’s work and thinking, “I can do that.”</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: start;" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m not the only one this has happened to. Edgar Rice Burroughs was a failure well into his thirties. One day, someone handed him a pulp magazine. He read it and thought, “This writing is crummy, and they get paid for it. I can write as crummy as that!” He wrote the story that became A Princess of Mars. Then he wrote the first Tarzan story, and American fiction was changed forever.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: start;" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I call the realization that I could write on a publishable level my “ Burroughs Moment.” I doubt there’ll ever be a city named after any of my creation, but who knows!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-align: start;" /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How about you? What was your Burroughs Moment? Or if you haven’t started writing yet, what’s stopping you?</span></div>
<br />Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-88379758763947275602018-01-23T22:25:00.000-06:002018-01-23T22:25:40.801-06:00An Experiment in Social MediaThanks to the opinions and advice of some writer-friends of mine, I now have an account on <a href="https://steemit.com/" target="_blank">Steemit</a>. I'm still exploring the potential of the site, but so far, it seems like a very unique way for creative types to get their content out there, especial poets, writers of fiction, and creative non-fiction.<br />
<br />
Although I have plans to post new content too, I've started by re-posting an older story of mine entitled "<a href="https://steemit.com/fiction/@haikufictiondju/command-performance-part-1" target="_blank">Command Performance</a>." The story is a weird western--a genre I really need to write more in--and originally appeared in 2007 in <i>Science Fiction Trails</i>, edited by David B. Riley. That makes it one of my earliest published stories. I've always envisioned Mr. Smith as being played by The Wild Wild West's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Dunn_(actor)" target="_blank">Michael Dunn</a>, and perhaps <a href="https://twitter.com/GroovyBruce" target="_blank">Bruce Campbell</a> as Buck Reynolds.<br />
<br />
I hope the fun I had in writing the story is clear, even though it's over a decade old. Let me know what you think. And look me up on Steemit! My handle is the same as I use on Twitter: <a href="https://steemit.com/@haikufictiondju" target="_blank">@haikufictiondju</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Postscript: Mr. Riley apparently did well enough with the first series of sci-fi westerns that he went on to edit a number of further volumes. I had thought that the series had died out in 2014, but I made the delightful discovery tonight that it has been revived and is now <a href="http://steampunktrails.blogspot.com/p/writers-guidelines.html" target="_blank">taking submissions</a>! I'm going to have to get something in. Mr. Riley is a great editor to work with, and I'd recommend any other writer submitting their best work to him as well.<br />
<br />
<br />Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-72976436370579472502018-01-01T12:31:00.000-06:002018-01-01T12:31:05.630-06:00Writing Goals for 2018Well, 2017 is in the past, and it's time to set up some new writing goals.<br />
<br />
If I get that time management thing licked, I think this is going to be a really good writing year for me. I have a lot of great ideas floating around in my head. I hope I get to share most of them with you before the year is over.<br />
<br />
I'm going to group my goals as follows:<br />
<br />
1) Novel(s?).<br />
This is the year I'm finally going to finish and submit a novel. I have a few ideas I'm really excited about, including one in the Eldritch Earth setting and a comedic space opera. And there's always the novel set in The Veldt.<br />
<br />
I just need to pick one and follow through on it.<br />
<br />
2) Stories.<br />
In years past, I've tried to use calls for submission as inspiration and wind up missing deadlines by a mile. This year I want to write more stories just for me and find a market for them later.<br />
<br />
Trying for twelve stories.<br />
<br />
3) Social Media.<br />
<br />
I want to continue the friendships I worked on in 2017 and grow more Twitter followers. I'm at just under 1400 followers today. Can I reach 2500 by the end of the year?<br />
<br />
I'm also toying with starting an e-mail list, if I can create enough content. Thoughts?<br />
<br />
4) Blogging.<br />
I'm going to get back into my blog. Shooting for one a week for now. More Trashling Tales, certainly. But I'm also planning on blogging more about what exactly haiku fiction is and how I practice it.<br />
<br />
<br />
There you go. Some goals in black and white. I need your help to keep me accountable.<br />
<br />
How about you? What are your writing goals for the new year?Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-27663648036988154022017-12-31T22:20:00.001-06:002017-12-31T22:20:43.830-06:00Looking Back On 2017The year almost past has been an interesting writing year for me. I didn't do so well on my writing resolutions. Again. I'm not sure I produced more than two new stories in 2017. Certainly no novel. And you can see by the timeline here how well blogging went.<br />
<br />
I could make excuses. Being a new father still makes budgeting time a challenge, even though Baby Uitvlugt is now a toddler. The ongoing hiatus of <a href="http://thewritersarena.com/" target="_blank">The Writer's Arena</a> took away a market that at the very least demanded I produce a new story each time I competed, lest I look like an idiot. And so on. But excuses are usually just exercises in rationalization. The past is the past, and I must live with the choices I've made.<br />
<br />
A much more productive use of my space here is to focus on the writing successes I did manage to have this last year. By my count, I had eight stories published by others in 2017, mostly reprints or stories written before this year that finally found a home. "Dole in Astolat" opened the year, appearing in the January 2017 issue of <a href="http://store.albanlake.com/product/outposts-of-beyond-january-2017/" target="_blank">Outposts of the Beyond</a>. I don't know how many people read this re-telling of an Arthurian story in a space opera setting, but I've always had a soft spot in my heart for this tale. The fine people at Alban Lake gave it a home. (If you don't know <a href="http://albanlake.com/" target="_blank">Alban Lake</a>, check them out. They are a small publisher with a strong stable of quality speculative fiction magazines...)<br />
<br />
Other older stories to find a home in 2017 were "The Canni-Ball," appearing in the cannibal anthology, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bon-Appetit-Stories-Recipes-Consumption-ebook/dp/B07699CF49" target="_blank">Bon Appetit</a>, and "Stannard Rock," a historical Lovecraftian tale set in my native Michigan and appearing in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fearful-Fathoms-Collected-Aquatic-Terror/dp/1974224287" target="_blank">Fearful Fathoms, Volume 2</a>. Although written in 2016, this year saw the first appearance of "Outlier," probably one of my personal favorites among my newer stories. It appeared among a host of other great stories in the furry sci-fi horror anthology, <a href="https://furplanet.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=899" target="_blank">Bleak Horizons</a>.<br />
<br />
I also had the privilege to have a number of stories "reprinted" in audio form. "Butterfly Dreams" appeared on the <a href="http://www.starshipsofa.com/blog/2017/04/12/starshipsofa-no-481-donald-jacob-uitvlugt-and-laura-pearlman/" target="_blank">StarShipSofa</a> podcast in April. And "The Hour of the Rat" appeared in <a href="http://farfetchedfables.com/far-fetched-fables-no-176-donald-jacob-uitvlugt/" target="_blank">Far-Fetched Fables</a> in September. (All I need to do now is get a story in Tales to Terrify, and I'll have committed the District of Wonders trifecta...) I had a great deal of fun hearing my story "Space Opera" on the <a href="http://insani-x.com/2017/06/07/s2-10-space-opera/" target="_blank">600 Second Saga</a> podcast. 600 Second Saga is the amuse-bouche of speculative fiction podcasts. All three were wonderful to work with.<br />
<br />
One of the other big highlights of the year was my story "Project Uncia" being chosen as the cover story for Issue 2 of <a href="http://planetscumm.space/" target="_blank">Planet Scumm</a>. They also have an <a href="https://planetscumm.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">audio version</a> of the story and have been a real treat to work with. In fact, all of my experiences with small press publishers this year have been absolutely outstanding. I also received notice just today that the first story I was ever paid for to publish is excepted for an audio reprint. More on this soon.<br />
<br />
I also released more stories on Amazon this year, including my first-ever anthology. "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Butterfly-Path-Assassin-Book-ebook/dp/B075FX94PR" target="_blank">The Butterfly Path</a>" is a story of mine that I absolutely love that never found a home with another publisher, so I decided to publish it myself. "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Irulas-Apprentice-Tales-Veldt-Book-ebook/dp/B075FH4W29" target="_blank">Irula's Apprentice</a>" is one of the first furry stories I ever wrote and continues the tales set in the world of anthropomorphic lions I call The Veldt. I fell in love with the cover for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Danza-Muerte-Seven-Stories-ebook/dp/B07611NH1V" target="_blank">La Danza de la Muerte</a>, and knew I had to create a project to fit it. I decided on an anthology of seven dark tales, and got my friend Joseph Devon to write the foreword.<br />
<br />
None of these have had stellar sales, but I plan on moving forward on my various Amazon projects. I'm encouraged by the people who took advantage of the giveaway days, and the reviews are generally very positive.<br />
<br />
So, some very good things to report on from 2017. But I think my greatest success has come in connecting with more of my fellow readers and writers. Two circles are increasingly important: the members of the <a href="https://furrywritersguild.com/" target="_blank">Furry Writers' Guild</a> and the circle of people I've come to know through <a href="https://cirsova.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Cirsova Magazine</a>. No matter how down I've felt about myself or my writing, all it took to cheer me up was a few interactions on Twitter with these fine people.<br />
<br />
So I want to close out 2017 with a big Thank You!<br />
<br />
Thank you to all the editors and publishers who took a chance on an emerging author. Thank you to all the readers who picked up a free story, and especially to all those who bought one. Thank you to everyone who's enjoyed a snarky comment on Twitter or an update on Baby Uitvlugt. And an especial thank you to all the other writers in my life. We're all in this together: I couldn't have made it through this year without you.<br />
<br />
I have lots of big things planned for 2018. Stay tuned for more!<br />
<br />
<br />Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-30142703350445382872017-10-01T11:16:00.000-05:002017-10-01T11:16:04.204-05:00Is the Term “Light Novel” Helpful in the American Context?
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3uHBSBNMSn5Cg3ICVODr5FA0nib2IWpeDNGA8iyYIbj7OplOMeDTI2uJituBjioJRNXIkMtzWl_qBhqvR0EvX4poTFbZeMCVaTAOqCx-xG4doTjVXq6XktnM-ZDeqj-uFYWaxrkBqBY/s1600/Great+Wave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="454" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3uHBSBNMSn5Cg3ICVODr5FA0nib2IWpeDNGA8iyYIbj7OplOMeDTI2uJituBjioJRNXIkMtzWl_qBhqvR0EvX4poTFbZeMCVaTAOqCx-xG4doTjVXq6XktnM-ZDeqj-uFYWaxrkBqBY/s320/Great+Wave.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wave of anime and manga coming from Japan to America
(now a set of phenomena decades old) has brought with it a concomitant interest in and market for other
aspects of Japanese pop culture. Iron Chef. Gas station sushi. The light novel.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_novel" target="_blank">light novels</a>? Light novels are books written
to be read simply for the sake of enjoyment. While many of the people publishing light novels in this country also publish manga, the light novel is a primarily written medium rather than a comic. They are often illustrated with
manga-style illustrations, but they are written stories not comics—though the most
popular quickly find themselves adapted into manga and anime. Though the
individual volumes may shorter than “serious” novels, they are often serial
stories running to a dozen or more volumes. They have the same targeted focus
that manga do: “boys,” “girls,” “young men,” etc. Yet there is the same sort of
cross-over readership.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In other words, “light novels” are the modern Japanese
equivalent of traditional “pulp fiction.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So far as I understand it, then, literature in Japan exists
in two streams. The “serious” (or “literary,” “socially relevant,” “heavy,” “fill-in-your-adjective-here”)
novel and the light novel. You can read your Kawabata and Murakami, and you can
read your Heroic Legend of Arslan and Vampire Hunter D. Each stream of
literature has its own set of expectations, its own awards, and its own
readership.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Should American speculative fiction be heading in a similar
direction? I think it’s perfectly fine for science fiction novels to strive for
“social relevance,” but does every novel to be of that sort? Why can’t The
Handmaid’s Tale exist alongside A Princess of Mars? To call both simply “science
fiction” I think does a disservice to both works.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps a way to ensure that everyone can play in the
speculative fiction sandbox is to make separate sandboxes. It seems to work for
the Japanese. Is it helpful to start thinking that way in the American context?</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-42004857606950608222017-03-30T06:00:00.000-05:002017-03-30T06:00:18.155-05:00Old Udek (A Trashling Tale) [re-post]<div class="MsoNormal">
The first snowfall is always a festal night in Fill. Great
drifts blanket the mountains a pure white.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every year,
when the first flake is sighted, Old Udek dons his winter robes. He makes his
way to the top of the tallest mountain, ignoring aching bones and his frostbit
nose.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once there,
he opens the flask around his neck. He catches a single snowflake within it,
stoppers the flask, and makes his laborious climb back home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the
revelers ask why he does this, knowing the flake will melt, he always replies,
"I'm storing up hope, against the dry season."<o:p></o:p></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-29648986687556101412017-03-23T06:00:00.000-05:002017-03-23T06:00:06.069-05:00Kiara's Quest, Part I (A Trashling Tale) [re-post]<div class="MsoNormal">
Deklan the healer shakes his head. Kiara's pet bird is sick
and there's nothing more that he can do.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mistress
Verta says the Makers will the beginning and end of all things. Master Ember
says that such is the way of all flesh, to be calcinated and perish.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Cogger
53211 promises her a clockwork bird that will sing and never tire. Barilla the
Tinker promises a hand-carved grave maker in bronze that never tarnishes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her
parents—cruelest of all—tell her it's just a bird.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After they
leave, she takes her pack and sets out to find a cure.<o:p></o:p></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-23898408330828885152017-03-16T06:00:00.000-05:002017-03-16T06:00:16.690-05:00A Dialogue Between Mistress Verta and Master Ember (A Trashling Tale) [re-post]<div class="MsoNormal">
"I cannot let you preach what you preach."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"We
are the physicians of Fill. We must tell the truth when no one else will."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You
want to set the world on fire."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Yet
you destroy what you don't understand."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"I
could never understand your view of life."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You
are naïve children. Your name reveals everything."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You
are prophets of gloom and destruction in a world hungering for hope."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"You
forget the point of it all. The meaning of existence."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"We
must build. We must bring order from chaos. That's why we're here."<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Everything
must end in fire, even the Makers."<o:p></o:p></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-91728086008881014752017-03-09T06:00:00.000-06:002017-03-09T06:00:01.876-06:00Burge, the Mouse-Herder's Son (A Trashling Tale) [re-post]<div class="MsoNormal">
The songs of Giatolo called out to him in the tavern. Sick
to death of mice, he wanted adventure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He kissed
his mother and left before his father came home from the pens. Brigands took
his bread and cheese before the end of the first day, outlaws his staff and
pack before the end of the next.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He grew
stronger. He learned to fight with the sword and the pike, with the axe and the
mace. He defeated fierce monsters and saved many maidens fair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But to the
end of his days, his fingernails still smelled to him like mouse-dung.<o:p></o:p></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-67888813939020659182017-03-02T14:25:00.000-06:002017-03-02T14:25:04.038-06:00Lord of the Bugs (A Trashling Tale) [re-post]<div class="MsoNormal">
Nobody talks about us much. The troubadours sing about
Mouse-herders, but Mouse-herders buy their ale. The Children preach the virtues
of the Farmers' life, but Farmers make up most of their flock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We purvey
protein to the most desperate. Grubs, worms, beetles, flies. Did you know the
flavor of cockroach steaks depends on the beast's fodder?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trashlings
of every tribe have eaten in my shop. Penurious Tinkers, traveling Coggers,
absent-minded Scribes and mendicant Children of the Makers. Farmers returning
from a poor night at the market, and yes, even Mouse-herders.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those-Who-Burn
eat here often. They say turnabout is only fair.<o:p></o:p></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-24447998060673190012017-02-23T06:00:00.000-06:002017-02-23T06:00:38.135-06:00Paroxetine, Eater of the Orange Lotus (A Trashling Tale) [re-post]<div class="MsoNormal">
Deep in the
lairs, they told stories of gifts of the gods to make one immortal and wise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paroxetine
didn't want the Orange Lotus at first. He trained himself to sleep at night, to
endure the light of day. He dared to walk under the gaze of the sun.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He wanted
to see a Maker.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After that
day, he sought out the Eaters in their lairs. He dared to open the orange
flowers and partake of the fruit within. Pale imitations of ambrosia and soma.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
None of his
companions ever asked him whether he ate to remember or to forget.<o:p></o:p></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-31427915409274883162017-02-16T06:00:00.000-06:002017-02-16T06:00:30.496-06:0053211 the Cogger (A Trashling Tale) [re-post]<div class="MsoNormal">
He levered the back panel off the artifact on his workbench
and peered at its inner workings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"A
Chipper would see what I'm doing as sacrilege. An effort to pry into secrets
the Makers never meant us to know."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He withdrew
several gears and wrote down their sizes and number of teeth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"But
why would They give us all these things, unless They wanted us to use
them?"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He polished
the gears and fastened them onto his latest invention. He wound the mainspring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"We do
the Makers' work when we create."<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His
creation smiled and nodded her head in agreement.<o:p></o:p></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-15396134299464102782017-02-09T06:00:00.000-06:002017-02-09T06:00:07.801-06:00Tu-va-illa (A Trashling Tale) [re-post]<div class="MsoNormal">
She is
ancient, even for a Trashling. She saw the Great Avalanche. She witnessed the
crusades of the Makers' Children against Those-Who-Burn-Forever. Some whisper
she is older than Fill itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They come
bearing bones from mice and birds and strange beasts only the Makers know. They
bring their hopes and fears, their hates and loves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Return
on such-and-such day."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She sings
as she shapes the bones into charms. Every customer is satisfied, though
perhaps not in the way they expect.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No one
knows why she keeps certain bones for herself. No one knows the language of the
songs she sings.<o:p></o:p></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-21119107820826818912017-02-02T06:00:00.000-06:002017-02-02T06:00:16.651-06:00Ariela the Cloud-Dancer (A Trashling Tale) [re-post]<div class="MsoNormal">
She stands atop <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mount</st1:placetype>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Washdry</st1:placename></st1:place> and gazes at the
shrouded moon. Dark bands trap its silver light.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She undoes
her hair and sways skyclad to the song that sounds within her soul. Wrists and ankles
move, knees and elbows. She closes her eyes as the dance overtakes her
completely.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Limbs
whirl. Wordlessly, she keens her song. Slow, fast, loud, soft. Her dance flows
gracefully and without effort as the wind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When she is
finished, she opens her eyes. The moon shines pure blessings on all Fill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Does she
know whether or not her dance moves the clouds? Does she care?<o:p></o:p></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-73168137176496103032017-01-26T06:00:00.000-06:002017-01-26T06:00:12.760-06:00Quicknib the Scribe (A Trashling Tale) [re-post]<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was young, a distant glimpse of the Makers set me on
my path.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To find the
Scribes is sufficient call to our way of life. I spent years as an apprentice
Paper-Reclaimer, slowly working my way up to Ink-Confector, then Pensmith.
Invested at last in my sacred robes as Scribe, I labored a month on my first
composition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Master
Truehand led me to the very top of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mount</st1:placetype>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Cheforiac</st1:placename></st1:place> and took my
work from me. I wept as he let the paper go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We cast our
tales to the winds, O Makers, hoping that you will notice us.<o:p></o:p></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-55123004593851993482017-01-19T06:00:00.000-06:002017-01-19T06:00:03.037-06:00Giatolo the Sell-Sword (A Trashling Tale) [re-post]<div class="MsoNormal">
Cardboard crunched. Giatolo drew his twin blades and kissed
bone charms made by Tu-va-illa herself.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Green eyes
glowed in the shadows—the beast killing the Mouse-Herders' flock. A grey tomcat
launched itself at Giatolo. Teeth snapped so close that he felt its hot breath.
His blades flashed. The cat snarled and batted him to the dust.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
grinning beast grabbed him by his mouseskin vest and tossed him into the air.
The sell-sword laughed, somersaulting and landing on the cat's back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His blades
sang until the tomcat ran off howling. Giatolo chuckled and gathered severed
whiskers to re-string his lute.<o:p></o:p></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-36274922426479980232017-01-18T20:20:00.002-06:002017-01-18T20:20:38.324-06:00The Butterfly Path: Cover Reveal!Well, I'm running a little behind on my story series at Amazon, but things *are* moving forward with them. The next one to be released will be "The Butterfly Path." I'm hoping to have the final formatting done in time to release by the end of January.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm *very* proud of this story; I consider it one of my personal favorites of all the things I've written. Hopefully you will agree. While you're waiting on the story, though, here's a sneak peek of the cover:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkUhBpznPXO2DnP3741ssR0wFH9j8jkqpjBrRYKHAIVs9f2V-_SE62g4HlOuvS-TpZ3rfhYA_S-e97Ysom1EkX3H_MVNEUbCumEEuboJLiR0oVeV21qk3nfMokjytoNv6M5p9KiV5Gss/s1600/Butterfly+Path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkUhBpznPXO2DnP3741ssR0wFH9j8jkqpjBrRYKHAIVs9f2V-_SE62g4HlOuvS-TpZ3rfhYA_S-e97Ysom1EkX3H_MVNEUbCumEEuboJLiR0oVeV21qk3nfMokjytoNv6M5p9KiV5Gss/s320/Butterfly+Path.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The awesome <a href="http://safariheatbooktoursandauthorservices.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Carey Abbot</a> did that for me. If you're a writer releasing e-books, check out her pre-made covers--very reasonably priced, and she runs sales from time to time as well.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
More on "The Butterfly Path" when it hits Amazon. I'll have a couple of other announcements then too, regarding the next Tale from the Veldt and a few surprises.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until soon!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-76964428827935553302017-01-12T06:00:00.000-06:002017-01-12T06:00:00.245-06:00Kranok the Searcher (A Trashling Tale) [re-post]<div class="MsoNormal">
The
pathways of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Land</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Fill</st1:placename></st1:place> shift from night
to night, month to month, year to year. Only the Makers know why.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kranok
stands at a crossroad. He raises his Searcher's staff to divine his next step.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If he goes
left, he will reach the habitations of artists and artisans, Tinkers and
Coggers. If he goes right, the fields of Farmers and pens of Mouse-Herders.
Straight ahead lie the camps of the Makers' Children, next to the furnaces of
Those-Who-Burn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He opens
closed eyes and sets off over the refuse itself. He walks somewhere he has
never been before.<o:p></o:p></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-75947617035508134012017-01-07T14:37:00.001-06:002017-01-07T14:37:17.132-06:00How I Started Writing Seriously<span lang="EN"> I remember very clearly the day I decided I was going to write seriously. What do I mean by seriously? Getting paid for what I write.<br />
<br />
I was reading a recent fantasy novel by a well-known author. I won't say who, but you've probably seen their name on the bookstore shelves.<br />
<br />
I was enjoying the story. But I got to the point where a switch went off in my brain: I can write as well as they can. If they can be published, why not me?<br />
<br />
That thought was all it took. </span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN">Any success I've had as a writer found its start in that one "why not" moment.<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span lang="EN">Do you want to be a published author? If I can do it, why not you?</span>Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-61066467275185898392017-01-05T21:48:00.003-06:002017-01-05T21:48:36.424-06:00An Experiment in Haiku Fiction: The Trashlings (re-post)<div class="tr_bq">
Two of the most influential works in defining my concept of haiku fiction are <i><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=paagEgKP7-UC&printsec=frontcover&dq=winesburg+ohio&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ohfYU-nTBe7O8QHLjoDQAQ&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=winesburg%20ohio&f=false" target="_blank">Winesburg, Ohio</a></i> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherwood_Anderson" target="_blank">Sherwood Anderson</a> and <i><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=xxNbAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=spoon+river+anthology&hl=en&sa=X&ei=dBjYU92KG6HK8AGi0IG4AQ&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=spoon%20river%20anthology&f=false" target="_blank">The Spoon River Anthology</a></i> by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Lee_Masters" target="_blank">Edgar Lee Masters</a>. <i>Winesburg, Ohio</i> is one of the first examples of the "novel-in-story" genre, a lengthy narration told through a series of interconnected short stories. The stories work as individual pieces, telling the histories of an interesting cast of characters. Yet they all interrelate to recount the main character's coming of age.</div>
<br />
The Spoon River Anthology is a collection of poems, and it does not have the "through line" of a novel. But Masters paints the picture of a single small town by presenting us the epitaphs of its citizens. The life stories told in the poems often give different perspectives on the same event. One can only figure out what happened by reading between the lines of two or more versions of the same event -- if there is a "true version" at all.<br />
<br />
Inspired by these two works, I'm going to try a writing experiment. I am in the process of writing a series of interconnected one hundred word drabbles. I hope to create a consistent world and hopefully an interconnected narrative. Why drabbles? Because I find that the limitation of the hundred word form focuses my creativity. And they're a heck of a lot of fun.<br />
<br />
You get to be my test subjects. I hope to post one drabble a week here at my blog. Come explore the Land of Fill with me. And let me know what you think of the Trashlings:<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote style="text-align: center;">
How It Began</blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: left;">
<i>My wife and I recently brought a couch to the local landfill. As we lowered it off the truck, a scrap of paper blew into my face. I cursed, snatched it off, and shoved it into my pocket.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: left;">
<i>I forgot about it until I reached for my keys to drive home. The paper bore words in a black-brown ink. I didn't understand the story at first. Not until we found more scraps of paper.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: left;">
<i>Together, they speak of a race of creatures living in the landfill. I don't know whether or not the tales are true.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote style="text-align: left;">
<i>They call themselves Trashlings...</i></blockquote>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-58220165063028018822017-01-03T22:58:00.002-06:002017-01-03T22:58:32.720-06:00Review of Cirsova 4<a href="https://twitter.com/FletcherWasp" target="_blank">Fletcher Vredenburgh</a> has a review of Cirsova 4 up at <a href="https://www.blackgate.com/" target="_blank">Black Gate</a> Magazine. He is very complimentary toward my story, "The Sands of Rubal-Khali":<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Jam-packed with slavers, a wily bounty hunter, and a cosmic mystery, I liked this a bunch.</blockquote>
<br />
Read the full review <a href="https://www.blackgate.com/2017/01/03/december-short-story-roundup-4/" target="_blank">here</a>.Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-74862738436228132042017-01-01T20:45:00.000-06:002017-01-01T20:45:04.524-06:00Looking Back/Looking ForwardI almost started this blog exactly as I started last year's January 1st blog, by talking about Janus, the Roman god of thresholds.<br />
<br />
Which shows how often I re-read my blog. That post was my only post for 2016. Something needs to change there!<br />
<br />
Needless to say, that means I didn't post any new Trashlings stories. Nor did I finish my novel. I have some good directions in which to go; I just have to make time to go there.<br />
<br />
I didn't quite average a short story a month, but I did finish seven new stories, five of which also saw publication, and I sold a reprint or two and found homes for stories I had previously written.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chaosium.com/mark-of-the-beast/" target="_blank">Chaosium's werewolf anthology</a> with my story "Arcadia" finally appeared in 2016. I made another appearance in one of Flametree Publishing's beautiful Gothic Fantasy anthologies, this time in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Mayhem-Stories-Gothic-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B01MXIYQQB/" target="_blank">Murder Mayhem</a> with a reprint of "Mr. Ted." Flametree has qualified as an SFWA professional-level market, so in 2017 I will be looking into joining SFWA and/or HWA at their entry level.<br />
<br />
I had another enjoyable year with the fine folks at <a href="http://thewritersarena.com/" target="_blank">The Writer's Arena</a>. In addition to judging for half the year, four of my published stories this year appeared in Arena competitions. "<a href="http://thewritersarena.com/short-story-wasashe-springs-by-donald-uitvlugt" target="_blank">The Lights of Wasashe Springs</a>" won, as did my first two entrants in the annual Arena Tournament, "<a href="http://thewritersarena.com/short-story-good-neighbors-donald-jacob-uitvlugt" target="_blank">Good Neighbors</a>" and "<a href="http://thewritersarena.com/short-story-my-mother-the-superhero-by-donald-uitvlugt" target="_blank">My Mother, The Superhero</a>" (narrowly, by the popular vote).<br />
<br />
I made it to the final round of the Tournament again this year, competing once again against my friend David Webb. Dave's story won out against "<a href="http://thewritersarena.com/cloudcuckooland-donald-jacob-uitvlugt" target="_blank">Cloudcuckooland</a>," crowning him as 2016's champ. (I still owe him the celebratory beer...) Shortly after the Tournament, the guys in charge of the Arena announced a <a href="http://thewritersarena.com/an-announcement-from-the-arena" target="_blank">hiatus</a> for the Arena. I have great faith that "that is not dead which can eternal lie," but it will be missed in 2017, not only as a venue for my work, but also as a place to meet other awesome writers.<br />
<br />
I've ventured into the realm of self-publishing through Amazon's Kindle Direct service. "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Days-Witch-Queens-Tales-Veldt-Book-ebook/dp/B01LXSUVRY" target="_blank">In the Days of the Witch-Queens</a>" and "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Serpents-Heart-Cale-Corwin-Book-ebook/dp/B01M5GG3SY" target="_blank">Serpent's Heart</a>" haven't had many sales yet, but when I offered them for free a lot of people did pick up copies. "Witch-Queens" is gathering some good reviews. I plan on releasing further KDP books in the near future, and perhaps having a larger library available will help sales. More on this soon.<br />
<br />
Two of my proudest writing accomplishments for 2016 are my appearances in Cirsova Magazine. "The Hour of the Rat" ran in the very <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cirsova-Fantasy-Science-Fiction-Magazine-ebook/dp/B01CKSRT1M/" target="_blank">first issue</a>--something I'm quite proud of. Cirsova was a perfect home for my tale of sword and sorcery told from the point of view of one who might normally be considered a minor character.<br />
<br />
"The Sands of Rubal-Khali" is a spiritual sequel to "The Hour of the Rat," and appeared in Cirsova's double <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cirsova-Fantasy-Science-Fiction-Magazine/dp/1535406089" target="_blank">fourth issue</a>. I'm even happier with this story, especially in its solid grounding in the planetary romance tradition. One of the most enjoyable parts of being a Cirsova author, however, has been getting to know the circle of writers and fans that have quickly grown up around this magazine. Think no one still writes adventure yarns in the tradition of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, Abraham Merritt, or Jack Vance? Get to know Cirsova!<br />
<br />
My biggest blessing in 2016, however, has nothing to do with writing. In August, after years of trying to get pregnant, my wife gave birth to our first child. Baby Uitvlugt has changed our lives in so many ways, but there's one thing that he reminds me of each and every day:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Time is precious.</div>
<br />
I can remember holding Baby Uitvlugt by my forearm alone with room to spare. Now I have a hard time managing him in his car carrier for extended periods of time. I remember wakign up to feed him every two hours. Now he sleeps through the night--once we can get him to fall asleep. Every moment with Baby Uitvlugt is precious in a different way, and no moment will ever come again.<br />
<br />
I have less time to write than before he was born, so I have to make the time I do have count. We have formula and diapers to buy, and every little bit of extra cash helps, so I have even more motivation to write well. I need to become a better writer because Baby Uitvlugt is counting on me. I want him to be proud of his Daddy.<br />
<br />
With that in mind, here are my goals/resolutions for 2017. I've broken them down into four headings.<br />
<br />
1) Short Stories.<br />
I will write at least twelve short stories this year, averaging one a month. I will publish at least half of these. At least two will be in professional venues.<br />
<br />
2) Platform.<br />
I will blog at least weekly. I will revitalize the Trashlings series. I will obtain at least 2500 Twitter followers.<br />
<br />
3) Self-Publishing.<br />
I will publish at least one new Kindle Direct story a month. At the end of this year, if self-publishing is still not profitable, I will re-assess it as a strategy.<br />
<br />
4) Novels.<br />
I will finish my fantasy novel. I will get it beta read. I will begin to market it. I will plan a second novel.<br />
<br />
There you have them. Written down for all to see. Will I fulfill them? Stay tuned.<br />
<br />
What are <i>your</i> goals for 2017, and what will motivate you to succeed?Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-54627961566130483012016-01-01T14:29:00.001-06:002016-01-01T14:29:23.469-06:00Thoughts on January FirstJanuary takes its name from the Roman god Janus, usually depicted as having two faces: one looking forward and one looking back. Having crossed the threshold of the new year, I want to take a little time to do both.<br />
<br />
Last year was a good year for my writing. I had over a dozen stories published or republished. Highlights include "The Tale of the <i>White Tiger</i>" appearing in <a href="http://www.castofwonders.org/2015/07/episode-168-the-tale-of-the-white-tiger-by-donald-jacob-uitvlugt/" target="_blank">Cast of Wonders</a> and "Butterfly Dreams" running in Flame Tree publishing's beautiful <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Science-Fiction-Stories-Gothic-Fantasy/dp/1783616504/" target="_blank">science fiction anthology</a>.<br />
<br />
Perhaps the greatest personal satisfaction I received was winning the first-ever tournament at <a href="http://thewritersarena.com/twa-tournament-championship-butter-judgement" target="_blank">The Writer's Arena</a>. Everyone involved at that site makes writing so much fun. My thanks once again to you all. And more thanks to all the editors who liked my stories and all the readers who keep me writing!<br />
<br />
I have lots of big things planned for 2016, and I'd like your help in keeping on track:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>I want to finish and be marketing a novel by the end of the year.</li>
<li>I want to write at least one new short story every month.</li>
<li>I want to pick up the <a href="http://haikufiction.blogspot.com/2014/07/an-experiment-in-haiku-fiction.html" target="_blank">Trashling Tales</a> again.</li>
</ol>
<br />I have a few other ideas too, but more on those as they develop.<br />
<br />
How about you? What are your plans/dreams/goals for the year ahead?<br />
<br />
I wish you and yours a happy and blessed New Year!Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-39798727315896799182015-12-20T22:12:00.002-06:002015-12-20T22:12:42.254-06:00Victory Tastes Like Butter<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s
been a quiet few months here at the blog. Most of my writing efforts since the
end of August have focused on <a href="http://thewritersarena.com/twa-tournament-championship-the-butter-battle" target="_blank">the first-ever championship tournament</a> at <a href="http://thewritersarena.com/" target="_blank">TheWriter’s Arena</a>. For those of you who don’t know, The Writer’s Arena is a weekly
one-on-one writing competition in the spirit, say, of Iron Chef.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m
usually involved in the Arena as a judge, though I have competed twice before.
In <a href="http://thewritersarena.com/twa-3-battle-thread" target="_blank">round 3</a>, I lost to Arena regular <a href="https://twitter.com/Albert_Berg" target="_blank">Albert Berg</a>. In <a href="http://thewritersarena.com/twa-34-hungry-hungry-hydrangeas-battle-thread" target="_blank">round 34</a>, I lost to <a href="https://twitter.com/josephdevon" target="_blank">JosephDevon</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
I was extremely flattered when I was asked to compete in the championship
tournament, one of four outside writers against the four Arena regulars. I
accepted without hesitation, thinking that, win or lose, it would be a fun
time. But, in the back of my head at any rate, I did go into the competition
with a great deal of writerly insecurity. I serve as an Arena judge, but I’m
not a famous author. I don’t have a novel to my name. I hadn’t even won a round
against one of the Arena writers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What
right did I have to sit in judgment on other storytellers?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
<a href="http://thewritersarena.com/twa-tournament-round-2-death" target="_blank">second week</a> of the championship again paired me against Albert Berg. Not only had
I lost to Al before, I also consider Al to be probably the best all-around
writer in the Arena. It’s a delight to see how he rises to every challenge,
varying his writing style to suit the story. He’s good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
<a href="http://thewritersarena.com/twa-55-death-judgement" target="_blank">the judges voted for my story over his</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
<a href="http://thewritersarena.com/twa-tournament-round-5-a-picture-is-worth" target="_blank">semifinals</a> paired me against Joseph Devon. Joseph is, to my best knowledge,
the most published of the Arena regulars. His comments on my second-round story
floored me. I knew I was taking a risk with “Snapshots,” but I had to submit
that story. It split the judges, and I <a href="http://thewritersarena.com/twa-tournament-roud-5-a-picture-is-worth-judgement" target="_blank">narrowly won</a> thanks to the audience
vote.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Snapshots”
put me in the final round of the tournament, pairing me against <a href="https://dococcupant.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">David Webb</a>.
Dave and I have gotten to know each other over the last year thanks to The
Writer’s Arena, the <a href="http://humanechoes.com/" target="_blank">Human Echoes Podcast</a>, and several insane Twitter
conversations. A very weird experience finding myself matched against a friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s
not a lot one can do to prepare for the Arena, so I just tried to keep myself
as open as possible for anything. But no matter how open my mind was, there was
no expecting the diabolical specificity of the final prompt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://thewritersarena.com/flashfictioncontest" target="_blank">Butter</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
think I spent the first couple of days in a fugue. How does one write a story
about butter? How does one make butter the star? “Snapshots” had been praised
as a story about the prompt using the prompt itself as a narrative technique.
But I figured that there was no way on earth I could write a “buttery” story.
(More on this later...)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To
use a culinary metaphor, I soon decided to write a story I categorized in my
mind as “Butter Three Ways.” The idea of a horror story involving butter as a
survival food in arctic conditions came first. Knowing of the importance of
ghee (clarified butter) in Hindu rituals, my next thought was to have a fantasy
section set in India. The third strain was to have been a science fiction story
with a female lead, and perhaps cooking a buttery treat such as butter tarts or
chocolate croissants. I even had the idea of giving Dussala two children, with
the protagonists of the other two narrative strains being reincarnations of
these children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
more involved my research became, the more I realized that I had way too many
balls in the air. (Or dishes on the stove, I suppose.) The science-fictional
thread was the most nebulous in my mind, so I dropped it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
set up a narrative strategy that, as David Webb so perceptively saw, is very
yin and yang. There is a depiction of male versus female energies. The two
storylines contrast a rationalistic view of the universe with a faith-based
worldview. The Antarctic part of the tale might be considered a descent into
Lovecraftian despair. (I had less <i>The
Thing</i> in mind than Lovecraft’s <i>At the
Mountains of Madness</i>.) I mean Dussala’s story to be a magic-realist
depiction of the birth of hope. The title of the story is meant to evoke this
dichotomy: the mystery story of what happened to the butter versus the
invocation of Krishna, one of whose tradition titles is The Butter Thief.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While
I wanted the connections between the two stories to have been subtle, I wanted
them to be there—like the drop of black or white in the opposite color in the
traditional yin-yang symbol. Sometimes, to paraphrase my wife, I’m too
ass-oteric for my own good. Maybe if I had had another week, I would have been
able to draw out the connections better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Knowing
myself as I do, I probably would have just procrastinated for that extra week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Anyway,
here are the points of connection between the two storylines as I see them: I
deliberately chose names that began with D for both protagonists. I envision
the world of Dussala’s story to be the direct result of the events that
happened in Drake’s world—thus Dussala’s story is set in Drake’s future. The
biggest point of connection was meant to be Drake’s dream. I meant for the
dream to suggest how Dussala’s world came to be. The soldier that chases him is
meant to be the same guard that Dussala kills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
think that the fun I had writing the story does come through, but yeah. “<a href="http://thewritersarena.com/the-butter-thief-by-donald-jacob-uitvlugt" target="_blank">TheButter Thief</a>” is ass-oteric. When I read <a href="http://thewritersarena.com/dairy-of-a-madman-by-david-webb" target="_blank">Dave’s story</a>, I knew I was in trouble.
I was completely drawn into the taught mystery that he wrote. I admire the
aplomb with which he pulled it off. While I liked my story slightly better (an
opinion I shared with only two other readers), I understand why twenty-one
people voted for his over mine. I spent most of the week after the stories went
live steeling myself to be gracious in defeat. If I had to lose, how awesome to
lose to a friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Except
my story edged out Dave’s in <a href="http://thewritersarena.com/twa-tournament-championship-butter-judgement" target="_blank">the opinions of the two judges</a>. I won.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m
still in shock over the verdict. I did not expect things to turn out that way
at all. Thank you again, not only to the judges, <a href="https://twitter.com/richalix" target="_blank">Rich Alix</a> and <a href="http://improbableauthor.com/" target="_blank">Thomas Mays</a>, but
also to Dave for being such a great competitor. A big thank you to everyone who
read all of the stories throughout the tournament (all fourteen of them!), and
especially to everyone who took the time to comment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
especially want to single out Arena creators and regulars Albert Berg, <a href="https://twitter.com/DannyBrophy" target="_blank">DannyBrophy</a>, Joseph Devon, and <a href="https://twitter.com/tsouthcotte" target="_blank">Tony Southcotte</a>. I’ve had the privilege and pleasure
to be part of this experiment celebrating the short story since almost the
beginning. It’s
been a crazy ride, and I’ve loved every moment—even on days when I’ve gotten my
judgment in late.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank
you all. Here’s to many more years celebrating creativity under pressure!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh,
and the night I turned in my story, the following thought occurred to me.
Without consciously intending it. I had in fact written my butter story in a
buttery way. Butter is an emulsion, and one might consider Drake and Dussala’s
stories to be similarly united without being compounded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Weird...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3187685001949407192.post-2735210858000971952015-09-12T15:35:00.002-05:002015-09-12T15:35:54.698-05:00A Social Media ExperimentI've been blessed to encounter a lot of really cool people on the Internet. People who are different and crazy creative. People who think outside the box. People who actually <strong>think</strong> -- <em>rarae aves </em>in these dark latter days.<br />
<br /><br />
So I want to conduct an experiment. I'm going to Tweet a book I just finished reading with the hashtag #WhatToReadNext and see what sort of responses I get.<br />
<br /><br />
More on the results of my experiment soon...<br />
<br /><br />
<br />Donald Jacob Uitvlugthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159094608895332507noreply@blogger.com0