Inspiration can come from the most interesting places

One of my favorite writers Richard Lee Byers (Forgotten Realms series) said that if you're going to be a writer in a specific genre, it's best to read outside of that genre. 

With the popularity of fantasy novels rising in young adult readers, most likely do to Harry Potter, Eragon, and the Lord of the Rings movies, authors who aspire to be great fantasy writers have a lot of material to draw on.  I do respect Tolkien, Rowling, and other fantasy writers, I do not hold their works above any other, nor do I see them as the absolute basis for fantasy writing.  Writing is a collective pool of ideas where everyone steals from everyone.

While reading fantasy novels have helped me in my fantasy stories, I have also drawn story ideas from reading classic authors like Alexandre Dumas and Homer, to more modern authors like Stephen King, James Patterson, and Agatha Christie.

By going to college, I have not only learned to fine tune my writing, but I've also used ideas I have studied for stories.  Learning about other cultures have helped me with ideas of how cities are structured and how hierarchies can be established within a society, while I have learned about current events that could easily be transcribed into a story.
Television and Movies have also provided me with inspiration. Like books, there are standards for epic fantasy, like the Lord of the Rings movies and Star Wars to a degree.  However I've drawn concepts from action and drama.  Watching cheesy marital arts movies, pro wrestling, and MMA that can helped me coreograph a fight scene by showing me that how the character's feet and body is moving is just as important as showing the reader how their weapon is moving. 

Buddy comedies and sitcoms have shown how companions can interact with one another as the best of friends, but still have conflict with one another, whether it is a grudge because one friend dated with his best friend's sister, or there was a dispute of beliefs within the group.

Many sports movies have that formula where a team that is last place goes through struggles and victories to make it to the top of their league and win the championship. 

The one scene where I want to include in a story is a scene from Major League II where Willie Mays Hayes (Omar Epps) gets a fight with Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn (Charlie Sheen). This quick brawl escalates in the whole Indians dugout fighting, with a drunk Harry Doyle (Bob Uecker) commentating on the scene.

Ideas for characters concepts have come from not just stuff I read or watch, but my friends, coworkers, and peers.  I've also cultivated story ideas from them, whether it's reflected on an old game of DND, or just talking in the news alley about the weird stuff we did as little kids.

Off the top of your head:

What has been the most unlikely place where inspiration came to you?

Links

 

The Major League 2 fight scene I referenced earlier 

 

Richard Lee Byers homepage

How College has helped make me a better writer

Near the end of my senior year of high school, my step father suggested I put together the short stories I had written and send them in for publication.  I said no, because the only writing I had actually done at that time were fantasy stories for my creative writing class and articles in the school newspaper, all of which were not the quality of writing that should be even allowed on near a publisher's desk. 

Even as a aspiring high school graduate, I knew that if I wanted to be an accomplished fantasy writer, I needed to go to college and improve my writing.  For many reasons, this would be the smartest decision I ever made.

The benefit of going to college, especially Spokane Falls Community College, is that many of the professors I have had for my classes have real world experience as writers. They have given me advice and constructive criticism on the writing I submit to them for a grade.  They have also have given me interesting stories and tips they learned in their experiences in their careers.

Another thing college has done for my writing is that it's helped me be more open to other people reading my work.  In all of my classes that required writing assignments, I had to let one or more of my classmates read my drafts and review them.  This made me nervous at first because I thought that my writing would simply be trashed by my classmates either because my writing was not of good quality, or that what I had written had no interest to them. 

However, I quickly learned that my peers were not as merciless when it came to looking at my writing.  They gave their constructive criticism, like my professors, and suggestions to help improve my writing.  Much to my surprise my classmates seem to enjoy reading my writing.  I have also learned to critique my classmates papers in the same manner, offering them advice and complimenting them on their work.

Some of my college classes have had me go outside my comfort zone by introducing me to reading material and writing techniques that was new to me. 

Although fantasy and mystery are the genres I want to base my novels around, my journalism and English classes have pushed me towards the way of writers like Hunter S. Thompson, C.S. Lewis, Henry Fielding, and Jonathan Swift.  From these authors, as well as material covered in my sociology, psychology and history classes, I've drawn various ideas and have used them in my own short stories. 

By writing argumentative essays, after-pieces, and articles for the college newspaper, I have learned to do in-depth research on subjects I really like and even subjects that I don't have a particular interest in.  I have also learned to write in ways that were difficult for me at first, but have become easier with experience.

My professors have also suggested to me other ways I can branch out as a writer with the use of the Internet and multimedia for my stories.  They also suggested that I have a career to fall back on like teaching or public relations.

Although college has given me tools that I can use for writing, I still have improvement that I need to make before seriously devoting my time to a writing career.

Off the top of your head:

How has college or technical schools helped you towards your goals?  Is there anyone in school (teachers or peers) who has influenced you?

From the Archive: Sightings from the Davenport

This was published in Issue 38.2 of the Communicator

This photo was taken by me. This is where Ellen McNarama fell to her death

The famous Davenport Hotel has been one of Spokane's landmarks for over 90 years. Guests from all over the world come and stay at the Davenport. More often than not, they will leave with the desire to return someday. In the past, there have been some guests who had passed away while staying at the hotel. There is no actual proof of the existence of ghosts inside of the Davenport, over the years, there have been many unexplained occurences in the hotel.

It is well known that Louis Davenport, the founder of the Davenport Hotel died in his apartment; which is now room 1105, on the 11^th floor of the hotel, in 1951. His wife Verus died in the same room in 1967. Many of the staff believe that the spirit of Louis Davenport still resides in the hotel.

About a year ago, a bellman was rolling a full baggage cart down the hallway. When it was struggling, the cart rolled itself down the hall and stopped at room 1105. The bellman figured that there was a dip in the floor. When he tried this experiment the next day, the cart did not move on its own.

Another occurrence happened on one New Year's eve, a couple from Alaska was staying at room 1105. After returning from the festivities downstairs, the couple went to their room, placed their noisemakers on the counter, and then went to bed. When they woke up the next morning, the noisemakers were on the floor. They placed the noisemakers back on the counter and left for breakfast, and when they returned from breakfast, they found the noisemakers on the floor again. After this happened a few more times, they went to the desk and told the clerk what happened. The staff replied that Mr. Davenport wanted to celebrate New Years.

It was said that Louis Davenport was a cigar smoker. Though the Davenport Hotel is a nonsmoking hotel, some guests have reported smelling the cigar smoke.

“If the founder was still here,” said Tom McArthur; Communications Director of the Davenport Hotel. “I would be honored. If he was here, helping the guests and holding doors open, then I say bring it on.”

One well-known legend that actually has a root to it, is the story of Ellen McNamara. According to an article published in the Spokesman Review on August 18, 1920, Mrs. Ellen McNamara; a widow of a prominent New York business man, was staying at the Davenport with her sister and her cousins. Feeling ill, she had told her companions that she would not be attending dinner.  

Feeling the need for some fresh air, Ellen went out onto the promenade on the third floor and went through a door, believing that she could cross the court, by way of the skylight. With the glass not having the strength to bear her weight, she crashed through, her shoulder hit the floor and her head hit the stone upon impact.

When physicians carried her to the second floor Mezzanine, her last words were,” Where did I go?” Since then, guests have been reporting a woman dressed in 1920's attire walking around in the Mezzanine and the lobby , stopping them and asking,” Where did I go?” On the anniversary of her death, McArthur laid a rose on the spot where she died. If one stands on the area, a scent of flowers just might hit their nostrils.

“The closest thing I have experienced to a ghost story was on Halloween of 2003,” said McArthur. “I went over to MAC (Museum of Art and Culture) to over the original blueprints. After looking over the drawings, I noticed the stamp on the blueprints was from Cutter and Malmgrem Architecture, dated October 31 1913, 3:20 p.m. When I looked at the clocks in the lobby, they read 3:20 p.m.”

There have been other occasions where people thought they had expeirenced an encounter with a ghost in different areas of the hotel.

A flower designer was setting flowers in the Marie Antoinette Ballroom (Verus Davenport's favorite room in the hotel) for a wedding, when they heard the sound of fabric rubbing against fabric. She called one of the housekeepers who said that the ghosts were dancing.

Down in the spa, on the B level, people have reported seeing a gentleman holding a towel, directing them to where the pool is. The gentleman may have been a butler, as it was common for guests to bring their butlers. They would bunk downstairs, waiting for their master's call.

A week ago, a woman who was staying in room 1103, said she felt her bed move, as if someone was sitting opposite of her. She also felt the sheets rustling. Despite the experience being more surprising than frightening, she asked if she could be moved to another room.

“People are just curious about this sort of thing,” said Susan Skeen, a concierge at the Davenport. “They ask if I have ever experienced anything. Unfortunately I haven't, but I would love to.”

Guests, who have been lucky enough to make contact on what they might think to be a spirit, will usually find their experience to be benevolent, helpful, or puzzling. Whether these occurences with the unexplained are actually ghosts or some other unexplained phemonenon, the Davenport is a structure filled with all sorts of human history. If someone listened closely, they might just hear voices in the walls, speaking about the hotel’s rich past.

“Though I can't officially say that we have ghosts at the Davenport Hotel, I can say that we might have ghosts at the Davenport Hotel,” said McArthur. “If there was an afterlife where we could choose where to stay for eternity, who would not choose the Davenport.”

From the Archieve: Sycronized Stilting

This was published in Issue 38.1 of the Communicator

this photo was taken by me

On Tuesday, October 3^rd, in front of the library, SFCC staff and students were treated to an amazing performance by the physical theater group known as the Carpetbag Brigade, from their show Mudfire. That evening, in the Music Auditorium, they also performed their show The Vanishing Point.

Known for the combining use of physical theater and poetic imagery, the Carpetbag Brigade was founded in Arizona in the year 1998 by Jay Ruby; co-director. According to their website, www.carpetbagbrigade.org the company is comprised of core performers including Kristen Greco; co-director, Anson Smith; demi-urge, Elizabeth Castenada, Melissa Castenada, Risa Dye, Calder McCutcheon, Breonna Noack, and Benjamin Turner.

“It’s kind of a mission, a lifestyle, and a calling,” said Jay Ruby, “which doesn’t mean I enjoy it all the time, but it’s important for people to experience theater together. Part of the reason I do it, is because of the web of relationships it creates.”

The company has also collaborated with local Arizona musicians, who have also participated in the shows. 

In 2001, the company learned stilt work from David Clarkson; the founder/director of Australia's Stalker Theater Company.

 “Enthralling, challenging, and inspiring,” said Kristen Greco.

]In 2002 Mudfire began as an early product of one of Clarkson's workshops. Mudfire is a dramatic portrayal of the relationship between men, gods, and other aspects of life, with the passionate element of fire. Through the interpretation of breathtaking stunts and elegant motions, the artists go through a variety of stages ranging from the beginning of time to the rebirth of a tree.

The Carpetbag Brigade’s other show, The Vanishing Point, is a performance using stilt work, poetic characterization, dance, and physical theater that tells the birth, the maturing, and the death of human nature.

In 2004, the Carpetbag Brigade launched its first tour of Mudfire, performing across the western coast of North America. In their 2005 tour, they gained some international exposure, as they brought Mudfire and The Vanishing Point shows to a couple of festivals in Colombia.

“Columbia is amazing,” said Ruby,” It has a vibrate theatrical culture.”

After it was over, fans applauded the company for their marvelous performance (on and off stage)

“It was exciting,” said Gus Morris, a student at SFCC,” I want to do it.”

“Best act on campus in a long time,” said Steve Navratil, media services.

With their 2006 summer tour finished, the Carpetbag Brigade will be taking the next few months off to polish up on their routine and skills. In 2007, they will premier Part II of the Vanishing Point entitled “The Horizon’s Lullaby.”

From the Archive "Marvel Ultimate Alliance"

 

my main team consisting of Spider-man, Wolverine, Daredevil, and Storm (McAvengers)

Ever wonder what it would be like to walk the Fantastic Four through the halls of Asgard? How about leading the Avengers against Galactus? Or uniting Spiderman, Ghost Rider, Blade, and Dr. Strange, against Doctor Doom?

This may sound like something that could only happen in the comic books, but Activision (the makers of X-Men Legends and X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse), has released Marvel: Ultimate Alliance for many home consoles, including PS2, X-Box, and X-Box 360. It is also available for handheld consoles like the PSP and Nintendeo DS, as well as the next generation consoles.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a Multiplayer Role Playing Game where players lead a team of four superheroes against the forces of the Masters of Evil led by Doctor Doom. Players can choose from twenty characters, each one with their own unique abilities.

Throughout the game, the heroes will travel to different areas while crossing paths with heroes who act as non-playable characters, giving valuable information throughout the game. Depending on the choices they make and the missions they complete, players can alter the course of the Marvel Universe by saving the world from Doom's forces, or perhaps adding to its destruction.

According to the Ultimate Alliance official website, players can use the universal upgrade system to customize their entire team or customize each member of their squadron to help them achieve the full potentianal of their powers. Players can even create a name and a logo for their customized team.

If gamers decide that they don’t want to create a team, they can go online and interact with other Ultimate Alliance players from around the world.

With its similar game play to X-Men Legends and X-Men Legends II, Ultimate Alliance features airborne and water based combat. Explosive environments, special items to enhance a hero’s powers, and comic book based missions for different heroes are also elements gamers will enjoy.

While the game play and special customization help the player get into the game, the voice overs and the detailed backgrounds elevates the atmosphere of Marvel's newest game. Voice actors like Steven Jay Blum (Samurai Champloo), Cam Clarke (Metal Gear Solid), and Phil LaMarr (Justice League Unlimited) have given their vocal talent to help bring to life many of Marvel Comics’ most famous heroes.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance is a game for Marvel and RPG fans alike. It allows players to create a dream team of their favorite heroes, explore the boundaries of Marvel Universe, and face off against its most powerful villains.

"That was for you baby!"

I am someone who tries to not to look back at high school that much. Not because I hated the experience, but because I don't think I have many interesting stories from high school.

Whether or not every high school graduate enjoyed their last four years of K-12 education, they still had a moment or two where they did something and everyone responded with a "Oh my god, I can not believe he did that."

For me that moment came in sophomore year on the last wrestling match of the regular season against North Central (NC).

With only one-year wrestling experience, I was put on the JV squad, which was being generous in my opinion.  My wrestling abilities were mediocre.  Wrestling at 119 (yes I used to be that skinny) at the JV level came at a disadvantage because many of the other schools didn't have many 119 guys at my level, so going into the last match, I had a season record of 1 win and 5 losses.

Despite these factors, I came into my match a little mentally prepared.  One thing our coach M. Miethe told us, was NC was notorious for a maneuver called the stall ride, which is where they would lay flat on their back, hoping their opponent up top would fumble and make a mistake, then counter on that mistake and get the pin, or at least escape from the ground.

I also came into this with a boost in confidence, because the JV cheer leading squad, had made signs for each of the wrestlers.  My sign came from my friend Kristine Leffler (now Leffler-Steele).

It was a cheap paper sign with "Good Luck Allen" written in purple and yellow markers, with hand-drawn stars along the edges.

My opponent going into the match was Shawn Wright and within the opening seconds of the match, I took him down and scored two points.  As I was keeping control of the top, Wright reverted to the Stall ride while I slid back and forth and keeping him on the mat. The second and third rounds consisted of me keeping Wright on the mat, with the exception of the closing seconds of the second round when his left elbow met my right eye, and in the third round, where he was able to escape for six seconds, only for me to take him down once again. Without thinking, I pointed to Leffler and shouted," That was for you baby!"

The reaction from both sides of the mat, including the audience was a mixture of astonishment and hilarity. Part of me hoped Leffler wasn't too embarrassed, but a part of me felt proud.

The next two weeks were filled jokes about "Stover having cheerleaders going in and out of his room" and "That was for you!" by my friends and teammates...

Off the top of your head:  What were some your moments where you threw caution to the wind? Was it in high school, or college?

SCC program prepares students for professional kitchens

photo by Britney Locati

The smell of fresh coffee hits the air, culinary arts students dressed in white coats and four-way aprons, run around the dimly lit Orlando's restaurant lobby, serving plates of beef ribs, seasoned with dark beer and spices.

The students working the restaurant lobby are just some of the students enrolled in the SCC Inland Northwest Culinary Academy's (INCA) two-year Culinary Arts degree program...

 

To read the rest of the story, visit the link below to the Communicator website.

SCC program prepares students for professional kitchens

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