Monday, February 18, 2008

I'm the Evil One

Allow me to echo the sentiments of my fellow bloggers in expressing my great delight at being part of this blog. This is the beginning, and beginnings are often the most momentous of occasions.

I'll begin by letting you know that I'm the evil one. But don't worry; I won't bite.

I'll leave that up to my characters.

Each of us here brings something different and equally interesting to the table. I hope my partners don't take offense at my attempts to encapsulate them, but I'd like to offer a word or two about them.

Aaron is a sweet and wonderful man, with a rich, lyrical and fun writing style that's earned him quite the loyal following - including me. Some of his descriptive passages have left me breathless. Here's a warning: don't read any of his Gus LeGarde mysteries on an empty stomach. His renderings of sumptuous dinners will have you drooling, and you'll smear the ink.

Marta is an amazingly organized and enthusiastic powerhouse, with a gritty noir writing style that blends empathy and detail for page-turning reads. Go ahead and try not to fall in love with Sam - but if you do, you're not alone.

Kim is a hard-working lady with boundless energy, with a writing style that combines suspense and fun. Her realism and solid characters leap to life - if you don't believe me, check out the page for her novel on her website, and see all the places they've been.

Me? I already told you. I'm the evil one. And I look forward to meeting you.

-S

19 comments:

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

Awww, that was lovely, SW! Thank you, and I agree with your assessment of the others and you. So evil... I still can hardly sleep when I think of Jenner, your most intricate and horribly delicious character.

pat said...

Hi Aaron...I have followed the trail of bread crumbs to this site...never blogged so this should be interesting...slow typer too! Have had pleasure of emails with Marta as well...you are my new hero and heroine, as I have said!

Marta Stephens said...

Pat, so great to have you join us! Thanks you so much for your kind words of encouragement. Hope you'll stop by often.

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

Welcome, Pat! It's so lovely to have you stop by for a visit. ;o) You know Marta and I just love your writing, too - so warm and heartfelt!

pat said...

I am honored that you two will even read it ! I have been so encouraged by you both, I can't say how thankful I am for your ears and your support! I will follow!

Kim Smith said...

Thanks SW-you are very kind! And so great to see Pat here, too.

pat said...

Hey...is it just me and you three? Wow...lend me thine ears! I have joined a site called Glimmertrain which has a writers' Q&A and a newsletter of sorts-haven't rec'd any yet. Don't know where to go with my writing so I am tuned into you all and reading and writing. Also in a writers' group. I feel lately like I don't want to do anything else but write...it really feels like a wabi sabi passion!

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

Pat - I think you have a big fat novel in your near future. I can feel those vibes of passion every time I read your short pieces. My advice? Pick a subject (mom, son, life in general) and a genre (if you can) and just go for it. Start with chapter one (maybe one of your existing pieces?) and go from there. Let it take you to places you never imagined, or your own living room... whatever makes you happy!

s.w. vaughn said...

*The Evil One wonders why there seems to be so much warmth and good cheer in this comment trail*

Thank you, Aaron, Marta, and Kim. And welcome, Pat - we're glad you stopped by.

Please excuse me, I have people to torture . . . that is, work to do.

Carry on. ;-)

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

What kind of poor victims do you have hanging from the rafters, Evil One??? LOL.

pat said...

I am honored by your faith in me...I just bought Steven Kings book on writing and have a Brenda Ueland too...I am waiting for the inspiration...a novel? A novel?

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

Stephen King's On Writing is one of my faves. Great stuff. And yes, Pat... a novel. Doncha feel it inside you, waiting to break out? ;o)

pat said...

I do,I do...But I have never written anything beyond an essay. As I write, I am coming to the realization that each paragraph could be a chapter, flesh out the characters....but the whole plot thing eludes me! An essay is just a remembrane , easier somehow...

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

Pat - I've mentored a number of emerging novelists, and I wanted to tell you about one who loved to write but couldn't imagine writing a whole book. I told her to write anything - fifteen minutes a day - the first day she wrote a "remembrance" like you do, then added another chapter to it the next day, then started to think of a cool plot, and it spiraled and snowballed, and in a year she had a very nicely turned out novel. It didn't sell - but that whole part of the game is the next level and takes concerted effort. A different kind of effort, to be sure: drive, committment, luck, networking - you name it. But the first step is to let yourself have the freedom of connecting up those essays, or expanding them, as you say. And what the heck - there are no deadlines, it's just a great way to channel all those creative juices. Who knows? It might be the next best seller!

pat said...

Aaron...I'm in...I will do this that you say...and let you in on the process as much as you care to be for I know you are a busy man! I can't say how nice it is to have someone out there who really believes that I have it in me...I work in an environment where I get little praise...even though I do a damn good job every single day. It's a world-as yours-far flung from the creative world-I can't wait to come home to these black and white tiles and see what comes through my fingertips. You are the first author ever-and then the lovely Marta-who have given me that nudge. I am in this -and I absolutely love the way it feels when I am!

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

Way to go, Pat! We're rooting for you. And feel free to send your chaps to me when you're ready. One at a time -it's the only way I can squeeze it into my crazy day!

pat said...

Hi Aaron
I am writing a story about my sister who passed away...maybe a compilation of 'In Memoriam'...? No...I'll get the plot thing going...what to do...OH!!! Just checked the mail! My UPSTAGED is here! THANK YOU! Can't wait to read that!

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

Hey, Pat. Wow - I want to read that story about your sister. I'm so sorry for your loss...

And Yay! Glad Upstaged arrived safely. For those who don't know, Pat won this in a writing contest I inspired about winter. Check out her piece on aaronlazar.blogspot.com if you have time. It's worth the read!

pat said...

Hi Aaron...and you wonder why you are my newest hero? Thank you for the kind words...I am "off" for school vacation this week so I plan to read your fabulous novel, Upstaged, and get into the writing! I will send you a draft of my current piece very soon, Aaron.