Sentenced to Writing

There are thousands of writing resources available, but one that I have found most helpful and inspirational is the Writing Excuses Podcast . The host are Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler. They are both hilarious and helpful, all at the same time. If you are looking for experts to follow, start with these guys. On their website, they tell all new listeners to start with Season 10's episodes. Listen to an episode, do the homework, get better. That is their call to action. So here we go! You can follow along with me as I go through all of these episodes. If you want to join in, drop a link to where you're posting your content, or just add your content in the comments. Let's get writing! Writing Excuses 10.1: Seriously, Where Do You Get Your Ideas? The Assignment Write down five different story ideas in 150 words or less. Generate these ideas from these five sources: From an interview or conversation you’ve had From research you’ve done (reading science news, mi...

Task:   Create 5 new aspects of a world. They can be a new race, trees, creatures, calendar and seasons, anything. But they have to be new and of your own design. Try to give a description, and what its purpose might be/how it fits into a world. (doesn’t have to be five but at least a few) How to get Power There is a large type of feline that generates a form of electricity. They are called the Grimeltrics. There are paddle brushes that are used to gather the electricity so it can be refined for general use. Their power output can be increased by feeding them electric eels. The eels can grow up to 30 meters long and only the most skilled fishermen can catch them and survive. Special equipment is needed to withstand the voltage the eels give off when they feel threatened. The eels only live in freshwater. The felines are as large as a house when full grown, with thick, fluffy coats that are jet-black and silky. There are eyes are large, round, and always ice blue. Their canines do n...

Create a unique human culture in with a few specific factors.  How do they eat? Food is encapsulated into 1 inch cubes. The cubes are complete nutritional meals. When you put them in your mouth they dissolve within two minutes and then can be swallowed. The cubes are designed in layers, so as they dissolve, the flavors of each portion of the meal come through. Grocery shopping involves going to the dispensary and picking out the meals you want. They come in dessert first/main dish last or main dish first/dessert last. There are exotic meals that are more expensive. Each cube can be tailored to a different diet requirement (vegan, vegetarian, carb free, etc.). What is romantic in this society? Direct eye contact with that coy head tilt. Direct eye contact without the tilt can be taken as a threat, which is very symbolic of a romantic relationship. It is a way they can argue without words as well.  What do they value most? Which career is the most respected? They val...