May 22, 2007:
“Small” bit of writer’s block?
Remember how I said I was suffering from a “small” bit of writer’s block? Let’s upgrade that to a red-alert, because it seems I’m staring at my computer screen. This is what happens when I begin to doubt myself or my characters. In fear, because I can’t restart it (I just can’t because I like where I’ve been going so far), I started writing a short story with Morgan in it in hopes of rediscovering her character. This didn’t help much either, because truth be told, I suck at short stories. I think short stories are much harder to write than novels. It’s very difficult for me to take one thought and make a 10,000 word-or-so complete story from it, especially in genre fiction where I tend to bubble up with ideas (even if I have difficulty getting from start to finish with those ideas).
Well, I tentatively opened a new word document for a new story, something I haven’t done in about 5 months, and decided to try and write a short story. Yipes, talk about going from the fire into the frying pan! Already I wonder how I’m supposed to fit all of this in only a [few?] dozen pages. But, it was the only idea I had that could fit as a short story. It’s also meant to be less serious and it goes back to the fantasy genre instead of sci-fi. The magic system is what I particularly like in it, because instead of the caster shouting out spells, the spell does it for them! Anyway, here’s a little tidbit:
I concentrated and in only a few seconds, the familiar warmth grew in my fingertips and infused my whole body. It was deliciously relaxing, but I didn’t let myself get distracted. I’d done this a few times. I imagined a symbol in my mind and then yelled, in a voice that steeped power and authority, “Talisman, in the name of Odar, reveal thyself!”
A deep, inhuman voice yelled back at me, coming from the piece of paper in my hand, “I AM CALIERGO, THE TALISMAN OF FIRE.”
A curvy, fancy rune appeared on the parchment and the voice continued, “TREMBLE BEFORE MY MIGHTY FLAMES!”
This was the only warning the stunned, fearful bandits had. Flames erupted from the talisman like water, flowing over the bandits, engulfing them and then immediately pulling back. The flames went back into the talisman as if someone was tugging on a rope, until not even a spark remained, and then the talisman turned into ashes and fell away. I brushed the soot from my hands and looked up. Where the bandits on horses had been, there was now nothing, not even a single hair or saddlebag. I felt a little guilty at not being able to get the loot back, but it was momentary.
A few bandits who had been ransacking nearby houses had stopped and watched the whole thing. They trembled with fear and I heard someone shout, “It’s a talisman witch! Grab what you can and run!”
I’m not quite sure I like how cheesy the talisman sounds. But then again, I’m not exactly sure I dislike it. Though, I may need to work on the Flame Talisman’s catch phrase. Oh boy. 
Wynderlon.com RSS feed.
Subscribe to the Writing feed. Every time there's an update to the fiction section or a blog post pertaining to writing, you'll know!
