Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
CONTENTS
CONTENTS PAGE 1
FREEDOM OF THE WRITTEN WORD 2
MONTHLY CONTEST WINNERS (APRIL & MAY) 3
BOOK REVIEW: PRACTICALLY INVISIBLE 9
MISUSED, MISPLACED, AND MISSPELLED | PART II 10
DO GAMES STIMULATE WRITERS 13
CRITICS’ CHOICE 14
WRITER’S BEAT FEATURED WRITERS 15
10 QUICK TIPS FOR WINNING A WRITING CONTEST 19
JUST FOR FUN! 21
EDITORIAL STAFF
22
The Writer’s Beat discussion boards have reached ten thousand threads—a remarkable milestone in the
website’s journey whose life period extends to less than two years. In addition, we, gods at the summit of
Mount Olympus, are brewing plenty of fresh ideas for our dear members. We are not going to let something
slip—like we always did—but expect an announcement some time in August. And you may have also read what
our chief shaman announced—he beseeched the spirits for our community’s benefit and crafted a complete
new layout. We’re uploading it sooner than you think.
As for now, please enjoy the summer issue of Writer’s Club. Don’t think you’re too clever; we made the
crossword puzzle easy this time. It’s for your sake.
Should writers be able to write what they feel is right? Should there be
some sort of censorship or should discriminative notions roam free?
Should someone control what needs to be read or should public respect
go with the wind?
Members of the Writer’s Beat community expressed their opinion, and
here is what some had to say.
“I believe in limiting free expression in cases of
clear and present danger and I also think that
people should have the right to sue for liable and We must be free
slander. However, I think that the accusations not because we
people make about being slandered by a fictional claim freedom, but
character are a stretch. because we
practice it.
I guess prior restraint has its uses, too, but I'm
always afraid of someone taking advantage of it. ~William Faulkner
There a number of things I'd personally like to
censor, but law shouldn't be based on individual
likes and dislikes. Frankly, the more we silence
people we dislike and don't agree with, the more
power we give them because they become Register at
martyrs. And censorship is something easily
abused.” ‐ Pen
WRITER’S BEAT
“Censorship is necessary. I don't see much else that and take part
would spur people into furious writing
motivation.” ‐Dyin Isis
in the lively
“Not much censorship, no. But it is impossible for discussions!
man to comprehend the honest actions of 6 billion
others.” ‐ronoxQ
Artwork by www.thameraltassan.com
F R E E D O M O F T H E W R I T T E N W O R D
3 Writer’s Beat
A P R I L C O N T E S T W I N N E R S
F I C T I O N C A T E G O R Y
O P E N I N G L I N E S
ERNIE by GARY WAGNER
A P R I L C O N T E S T W I N N E R S
4 Writer’s Beat
girl who likes being rescued by the here and take your neighbor’s take it and go. You’ll never see me
bouncer after those creeps unzip advice and make it a head shot.” again.”
my dress, gives me a gun, and tells Frank took his hands off She turned, let herself
me to come find you and blow your the top of his head, where they had out, and walked down the sidewalk
junk off? Is that the type of girl you remained since his last sissy to the street. She assumed that the
thought I was, Frank?” scream, and tiptoed across the beat‐up Oldsmobile, bumper a foot
“You know, Ernie, I can floor to roll top desk in the corner over his neighbor’s property line,
explain all of that. This was all an of the dining room. He pulled the was Frank’s. She fired the rest of
innocent misunderstanding.” middle drawer open, took her the bullets into the radiator, hood,
“Oh, shut your lying wallet out with two fingers – as if it and windshield. At least old man
mouth, you stupid dipwad. Get me was going to bite him, and tiptoed Caruthers wouldn’t be completely
my wallet, and believe me, there’d back over to her. disappointed in the morning.
better not be one dollar or one “It’s all there, I swear it is.
credit card missing or I’ll come back I’m really, really sorry. Please, just
N O N ‐ F I C T I O N C A T E G O R Y
E M B A R E S S M E N T
FIRST FRESHMAN GYM CLASS by GARY WAGNER
I had only minutes before I had to day I have a clear image of her high school” which was seventh
be naked among my peers and was trying to convince me that she and eighth grade. We took showers
feeling physically sick by the needed to take my little fruit‐of‐ after gym class in elementary
thought. We were running a lap on the‐looms off when I knew that school. I had gotten used to the
the cinder covered track and I they were working on my throat – public nudity and it didn’t seem to
seriously considered falling and not anything to do with items be that big of a deal. A room‐full of
ripping my knee open on those beneath my underwear. It wasn’t naked eight‐year‐olds don’t even
sharp shards of power‐plant coal until I was an adult that my mother realize they are naked after a few
residue just so I wouldn’t have to told me that she pulled the nurse minutes. We took showers in junior
encounter my first high‐school aside and made arrangements to high also, and those boys who
mandatory public shower. leave my underwear on until they experienced puberty first were the
put me under the anesthesia and oddballs (excuse the pun – I
I was raised in an then make sure they put them back couldn’t help myself). I can’t
extremely prudish and strict on before I woke up. remember a single word ever said
evangelical household. Our church about the obvious difference in
still regarded swimming with the some of those boys, but I did see a
opposite sex as a sin of massive lot of looks that were quickly
immorality. I blame some of my By the eighth grade, averted if the hairy boys caught
nudity fear on the church; some of more and more of my someone staring at their crotch.
it was simply the natural reaction
classmates were
of a thirteen‐year‐old boy. By the eighth grade,
becoming men and we more and more of my classmates
I know that my aversion remaining boys were were becoming men and we
to exposing myself to strangers remaining boys were soon to
soon to become the
went back as far as when I was become the minority. I had to
three years old in the hospital for a minority. assume that the scales had tipped
tonsillectomy. I remember lying on during the final semester of eighth
a stainless steel table with a firm grade, because I became sick with
grip on both sides of my underwear Back in those days, high infectious mononucleosis, missed
and refusing to allow the nurse to school began with ninth grade –
seven weeks of school, and was
remove them. Nurses still wore the not tenth as most schools today.
excused from gym class for the rest
little starched white nurse hats and We also didn’t have anything called
of the year because I was too weak
white uniforms back then. To this middle school then, we had “junior to endure it.
A P R I L C O N T E S T W I N N E R S
5 Writer’s Beat
I was convinced that moment. It doesn’t matter if she Class was over and I just
since I had last been naked in a was referring to the fact that I was clenched my jaw and stripped
room full of my peers that I alone less than five feet tall and weighed down like those around me. I didn’t
had remained puberty‐deprived about seventy pounds, buying an want to look down at anyone, but
and that I would be the laughing‐ extra small jock strap is a scarring there is no way to avoid it in a
stock hairless wonder among a event. Why do they even make an group naked situation. I knew not
group of fur covered, bearded, extra small? Couldn’t they label to stare, because glances might be
deep voiced men. I thought of them something like, regular, big, natural but open stares would get
almost nothing else since arriving extra large, and way to go, dude? your butt kicked. In trying to keep
at school that morning, carrying my my eyes up and yet darting around
gym bag containing my official No, the jock strap wasn’t sizing up the competition, I was
maroon shorts with Mishawaka in there because I already put it on relieved to find out that I was not
Caveman stenciled in white, and at home under my briefs. I wasn’t the lone boy alongside the fully
my equally official tee shirt with completely sure how the thing bloomed men. There were a
the picture of our school mascot, a went on and wasn’t about to be handful of us who hadn’t caught
fighting caveman, brandishing a fumbling with in for the first time in the puberty train yet. By either a
club. the locker room. I wouldn’t even fluke or subconscious compulsion,
have had one if it wasn’t on the list we all ended up together in a
My newly acquired jock of required gym class clothing. clump. The hairiest boy in the
strap was not in that canvas duffle. There seemed to be too many crowd pointed at us, said, “Looky
My mother actually took it out of straps and it took me a few at the little boy weenies”, and the
the box and held it up to me in the minutes to understand it. I was post‐pubescent joined in at
store before declaring, “No, we’d glad that I already had it on, laughing at us. That was the end of
better get the extra small – this because several of the boys in this, it though. A quick little chuckle and
one is way too big for you.” If it our first gym class of high school, it was never mentioned again. Sure
was physically possible to turn to struggled with theirs and they were we were embarrassed but it wasn’t
liquid and secretly flow beneath the butt end of jokes about it (I just nearly as bad as I, and probably all
the door and run away when can’t help myself with the puns). the other late‐bloomer feared it
outside I would have done it at that would be.
P O E T R Y C A T E G O R Y
E P I T A H P H Participate in the Writer’s Beat
official contests. Each month,
we present a theme for you in
FITTING REQUEST three writing genres: Fiction,
by GARY WAGNER Non‐Fiction, and Poetry. If you
win, your piece will be
published in Writer’s Club,
Here lies the drunk that killed my son Writer’s Beat official e‐zine. It’s
I shot him dead with a loaded gun this easy; no scams and no
hidden fees!
To honor my boy, whom I dearly miss
Please stand at this grave and take a piss Go to our contests page. Copy and
paste the link below.
http://www.writersbeat.com/view_contests.htm
A P R I L C O N T E S T W I N N E R S
6 Writer’s Beat
M A Y C O N T E S T W I N N E R S
F I C T I O N C A T E G O R Y
W I S H E S
SEEING RED by KRAVORKIAN
Jake watched as the flames danced the wheelchair and carting himself did buy him a cake, though. He’d
up the walls. What started as a out. celebrate without her.
small fire was soon out of control, Though he was, in a Portions of the ceiling
and he could do nothing to stop it. sense, lucky enough to have been were now falling to the floor, and
Exactly three years earlier low to the floor and offering the temperature in the room was
to the day, on his sixth birthday, he himself that much more time near excruciating. He couldn’t tell if
had been riding his bicycle in the before the smoke inhalation it was the burn in his eyes, or the
yard. Knowing full well that his rendered him unconscious, he hurt in his heart, that caused the
mother would punish him for didn’t think it would buy him quite uncontrollable stream of tears.
venturing into the road, he did so enough time. His shrill screams for Trying to blink them away, he
anyway. There was an odd sense of his mother beckoned no one. After glimpsed down at his half eaten
satisfaction in disobeying his a while, he propped himself up into piece of cake. The frosting melted
mother at times, especially when the corner and sobbed quietly to and rolled over the edges, puddling
he has been explicitly told not to himself. This probably wasn’t on the plate just beside Spider
do whatever fed the craving. His normal behavior for a nine year old Man’s left eye. The plastic fork
lack of riding skill at the time ended child to display in this situation, but looked soft and limp.
in a hit‐and‐run that left him he couldn’t see the advantages to “The window,” he
paralyzed from the waste down. yelling to his drunken, passed out thought. Overcoming such an
His inability to walk now prevented mother would do. obstacle would be impossible for
him from extinguishing – or him, though. He couldn’t open it. It
escaping from – the flames that was locked just above the bottom
filled his bedroom doorway. This probably wasn’t normal pane, and he couldn’t stand up.
The crackling and He could feel his skin
behavior for a nine year old
popping that echoed through his blistering as though he were placed
head sounded like nothing he’d
child to display in this into a sauna with an ever rising
ever experienced before. The situation, but he couldn’t temperature. His quiet sobs now
wallpaper seemed to fold into itself see the advantages to turned into a deafening cry. Shock
and rise in the form of smoke to a yelling to his drunken, would soon be setting in. He let out
black, billowing cloud that now passed out mother. a scream ‐ one last attempt to call
concealed the ceiling. He’d always for his mother.
been taught to stay low to the floor Beside the plate on the
in case of fires so he could breathe, He tried to wake her up floor were pictures, half burned.
or to stop, drop and roll if he shortly before coming to his room, The faces of his mother and father
himself were to catch fire. When but to no avail. Her mouth gaped stared back at him from days since
the fire started, he was already open, drool streaming from the lost. The good days, when life was
sitting on the floor in the corner of corner and down her cheek, right. Days when she didn’t treat
his room. Some days he just breaths audible enough to hear in him like an inconvenience, but like
wanted to get out of the the next room over – there was no a son. He thought back to the one
wheelchair and enjoy freedom waking her up. He dealt with this moment in time he most wished he
from the steel and wheels. day in and day out, but he really could reverse.
Unfortunately the fire spread so thought she would give him just He inhaled with all he
quickly that he couldn’t have one day. He hoped and prayed she had, prepared to blow out the 9
crawled out of the room, dragging would spend more time with him candles he’d so carefully placed
himself along the floor, before the today than she would with the inside the cake and lit with matches
fire consumed the threshold. This bottle she’d found such company found in his mother’s nightstand
eliminated even the slightest with since divorcing his father. She drawer next to the pictures he
chance of him getting back up into planned to burn. “I wish the world
around me would just disappear.”
M A Y C O N T E S T W I N N E R S
7 Writer’s Beat
N O N F I C T I O N C A T E G O R Y
T H E P A R A N O R M A L
MY PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE by JOSIE HENLEY
I’d like to say that my astral the sort that I’d never had before, suddenly break through and jolt
projection experience was exciting where everything was exactly as it upright, my limbs jerking
and adventurous. Perhaps it was in reality: I was asleep in my involuntarily. But I wasn’t truly
involved sexual exploration with bed, it was daylight and the clock awake and would fall asleep again
other astral projectors, or travel to displayed the correct time. Yet only to repeat the process a few
distant lands on the wings of an there was another presence in the minutes or a few seconds later. To
alternate plane. However, as this is house – sometimes walking up the an observer it must have seemed
a non‐fiction piece, I’ll stick to the stairs to my room, sometimes that I was having some sort of
truth. My story may be seen as sitting on the bed next to me. seizure.
mundane, but in its own way it is Although this person never Commonly, I would wake
groundbreaking. Until this point I’d identified themselves, or did several times in the space of an
been a sceptical semi‐believer. I anything worrying, I had an hour, each time returning to the
was prepared to consider that overwhelming sense of menace same point in a nightmare. Now I
paranormal experiences seem real and fear. Occasionally I felt found that I was waking so much
to the person undergoing them, someone pressing down on my that when I eventually rose, I felt
but that there must be a perfectly chest while I slept. that I’d not slept at all but been
rational biological explanation for I had other experiences – involved in a fight or danced all
the phenomena. lucid dreams where I would find night. The culmination of this
From childhood, I had myself aware that I was dreaming episode of my life, and the event
always wanted to believe that and able to control events. These that drove me to visit the doctor,
some things exist outside of our were some of the best times in my was a true out‐of‐body experience
everyday world, but my scientific life, where I flew, breathed that I cannot explain in any other
brain demanded proof. In the underwater, was a rock star and way than that I astral projected.
spring of 1995, at the age of performed magic. I read up on lucid I hadn’t been able to
twenty‐four and sleeping erratically sleep in my bed, and had come
while working night shifts, I was to downstairs with the duvet as was
be given the proof I needed. my habit. I’d switched on the gas
I had been enduring These were some of the fire, got myself a milky drink and
some interesting sleep patterns. curled up on the sofa. Eventually I
best times in my life,
The shifts I worked were 9pm to fell asleep, warm and snug in just
3am, physical work in a warehouse. where I flew, breathed my knickers, with the fire on low
I’d get to bed at around 3.30 and underwater, was a rock and the duvet wrapped around me.
sleep till 7, when my lover would star and performed I don’t remember whether I
rise to begin her day. Then I’d drift dreamed, but I began to notice that
off again till about 11 and drag magic. I was floating above the sofa. The
myself out of bed to pursue my duvet was still over me, but it was
daytime work of writing, editing dangling, the edge brushing the
and proofreading. The phone might dreaming and other sleep floor. This was disconcerting, and
wake me, or the postman. phenomena as I was fascinated by more so as I drifted towards the
Sometimes I wouldn’t be able to what was happening to me. I began fire.
get back to sleep, the sun on my to enjoy my mystical mornings, but I woke and landed on the
window. I’d go downstairs and was never able to predict whether sofa with a thud, hunched up my
snooze on the sofa. My cats would they would be ecstatic or terrifying. shoulders and fell back to sleep.
help out here, arranging Gradually, the frightening dreams This repeated several times, each
themselves into the various occurred more often than the time I glided closer to the fire. I got
pockets in the duvet and purring pleasant ones. the feeling that I was being drawn
me to sleep. A few months into this to the chimney and would be
Overnight I slept like a job, I experienced sleep paralysis. I sucked up and out of the house. I
dead dog, but during these would wake abruptly and find began to panic, thinking that the
mornings I had several disturbing myself unable to move. Straining duvet would catch against the fire
experiences. Bizarre nightmares of against an unknown force, I would and be set alight. I tried to pull it up
M A Y C O N T E S T W I N N E R S
8 Writer’s Beat
and tried to turn away from the dream, however, the feeling of to normal, the frequency of these
fire, but I seemed to have no being sucked out of my body was phenomena waned until I was
control over the inevitable drift very real and it has remained with finally free of them. The experience
away from where I should be. me. The next time I experienced has left me, though, with the
It didn’t occur to me to sleep paralysis, I noticed this same lasting belief that there is
look down, to see if my body was feeling – a disassociation between something other than pure
still there. Nor did I wonder at the ‘my body’ and ‘myself’ which physicality in the human
time how the duvet had come with would return with a jolt to the experience, some sort of soul or
me. I simply accepted that this was correct alignment. spirit, however it is expressed,
happening. Afterwards I tried to I was not epileptic, and which can separate itself from the
dismiss it as another strange once my sleeping pattern returned body under certain conditions.
P O E T R Y C A T E G O R Y
M O T H E R S “You know
you've read a
SOLITARY MEMORIES by GARY WAGNER good book
when you turn
the last page
Framed by a shock Maybe she’ll see us as children, and feel a little
of pure white hair, revisit family vacations,
hazel eyes have begun to stare, or sit again through our weddings, as if you have
as she goes away for a few moments,
she still comes back…
bounce her grandbabies
on her mind’s knee,
lost a friend.”
for now,
but no one knows how much longer
go hand in hand
on walks with Dad,
until she leaves her mind behind relive every happy moment. Paul Sweeney
and sees the present no more.
The solid steel cell door on reality
What will she see is creaking closed, the lock will turn
in her Alzheimer’s daze and her remaining time on earth
when she stares at us in solitary confinement will soon begin.
but only sees her memories?
I pray, I beg, I plead
Perhaps she’ll see with God, with fate, with karma
her parent’s farmhouse that the memory of me
with its big wide porch that gets locked inside her cell
and the faded white is a rambunctious little boy
Adirondack chairs who made her laugh,
her grandfather made, gave her hugs and kisses,
the John Deere tractor fell asleep cradled in her arms
plowing tobacco fields, and that the troubled youth
her little brother, Charlie, that caused her pain and heartache
denim overalls, is left outside forever.
no shirt, bare feet,
chased and terrorized
by the mean white goose,
yelling, “Help me, sissy,
he’s going to bite my butt.”
M A Y C O N T E S T W I N N E R S
9 Writer’s Beat
involvement, all the equations their and business strategist. He spent a
survival change by the addition of term as an elected member of the
an old friend and an older and National Center for Missing
deadlier enemy, the law. Children’s California Advisory
Although the story is good, the Board. This tenure was what woke
KEVIN MCDONALD’S protagonists themselves fall flat. him up to the plight of missing
Christian, the boy who binds the children all over the USA and
PRACTICALY novel together seems too mature
for his fourteen years. His
instilled a desire in him to
communicate this to others. He
INVISIBLE nervousness in front of the girls is
well‐portrayed, but in other
wrote Practically Invisible, the first
in the China Doll Trilogy over the
By Mridula C
aspects, he fails to deliver. His course of several years.
motivations seem false and at The novel completely
times his blind trust creates a sense reverses all conceptions anyone
of disbelief. might have about runaways and
Books were always a constant in my life. I had a very chaotic childhood and my favorite
books were predictable—I knew what was going to happen in them because I'd read
them so many times. I would pull a book out and the characters would always be there
for me, ready to share their adventures. It was comforting.
piperdawn, from Why Do You Want to be a Writer
The Inkster Incorporated Forum
B O O K R E V I E W
10 Writer’s Beat
Most would probably still Misspelled and Misplaced, Part I
M ISUSED,
say this use of text‐message
shorthand is no big deal. After all,
was the recurring problem of what
could be called Homonym
it’s only a form of shorthand, right? Confusion Syndrome, or in Net‐
M ISPLACED, People don’t actually look at each
other and say "L‐O‐L" instead of
speak, ‘HCS.’
AND laughing out loud, are they? HCS is a curious disorder,
Besides, who wants to type full‐ preventing people from being able
M ISSPELLED length sentences with punctuation
into the tiny keyboard of a hand‐
to tell the difference between
‘There’ and ‘Their,’ ‘Its’ and ‘It’s,’
WRITING MECHANICS held device like a Blackberry? We and the long‐standing trifecta of
don't like to compose long ‘Too,’ ‘Two’ and ‘To.’ One can spot
Jillian C, Mridula C, Hakeem D sentences in forums and chat an HCS sufferer when a sentence
rooms, either. Hence, we have the like the following shows up within a
L ast issue, we presented rapidly spreading phenomena of work of writing posted on the
Misused, Misplaced and Net‐speak. internet:
Misspelled: a series of ‘Hank wanted too go to the store
articles on writing issues we have over their and he wanted Frankie
noticed over months of critiquing. to go with him to.’
This time around, we will be
Fact: Some schools in When read out loud, the
continuing with the theme of America have been sentence is understandable, if a bit
Writing Techniques with excellent in the news as of clunky. The HCS individual knows
inputs on e‐speech and the use of what they wanted to write, but
foreign phrases in English writing.
late, with their others stumble over the word
teaching staff openly misuse while reading. Though a
Oh, the Horror! The Detrimental admitting that little fun is being had here, the
Side of Language: Compaction and syndrome is a real one. Fact: Based
Net‐Speak.
they’ve allowed on recent numbers from test
students to turn in scores brought about by the 'No
Net‐Speak. E‐speech. Text Lingo. written assignments Child Left Behind' Act, there is a
growing number of young people
Call it whatever you
that include text‐ engaging in Net‐speak (from the
want, but these words describe a messaging and age of ten and up) who have
growing problem. Net‐speak is internet shorthand, problems differentiating between
undermining the literacy of our Homonyms and lack the ability to
youth.
also known as Net‐ spell as well as the inability to write
Under our very noses the Speak. a proper sentence.
English language is gradually being Some might say, "Who
processed, compacted and pressed carez ALA it gets the mssg across?"
into a nearly unreadable form of (Translation in proper English:
When people are online,
communication. Kids seem to be "Who cares as long as it gets the
they spend a lot of time writing and
able to write in it fluently, while message across?")
they want to do so as fast as
their parents stand back and A sentence like the one
possible. This is understandable.
scratch their heads in confusion. above calls to mind George
But while we're chatting away, our
While all this head‐scratching is Orwell’s 1984, where the reader is
young people are doing the same
going on, our kids are really introduced to "Newspeak" and
thing and taking to Net‐Speak like
learning to forsake articulated "Doublethink," tools the Big
tadpoles to water. Unfortunately,
thought in favor of efficiency. Brother regime uses to quell radical
this form of communication is
You're probably thinking, "Yeah, thought amongst the population. In
turning up in more ‘formal’ school‐
right." Chapter Four, the protagonist
related writing projects where it
Fact: Some schools in Winston is busily rewriting books
simply doesn’t belong. There are
America have been in the news as and newspaper articles, changing
signs of it everywhere nowadays.
of late, with their teaching staff history by translating Oldspeak into
This writer can’t help but wonder if
openly admitting that they’ve Newspeak while at his job within
Net‐speak will, in the long term,
allowed students to turn in written the Ministry of Truth:
affect the overall literacy of young
assignments that include text‐ Winston was good at this
people.
messaging and internet shorthand, kind of thing. On occasion he had
One of the main gripes in
also known as Net‐Speak. even been entrusted with the
the first installment of Misused,
M I S U S E D , M I S P L A C E D , A N D M I S P E L L E D | P A R T I I
11 Writer’s Beat
rectification of The Times leading a secretary. Shorthand was
articles, which were written necessary before the Dictaphone,
entirely in Newspeak. He unrolled as it was the only way for a
the message that he had set aside secretary to keep up with the The Beat Goes
earlier. It ran: supervisor’s spoken words.
If a university student On…
times 3.12.83 reporting bb learned shorthand and used it to
dayorder doubleplusungood refs take notes during a college lecture, On who is the most
unpersons rewrite fullwise upsub this was both acceptable and memorable fiction
antefiling advantageous. But would it have character, ronoxQ
been acceptable for this same
In Oldspeak (or standard English) student to turn in a term paper
says:
this might be rendered: written completely in shorthand?
“Count Olaf from A
No, it was not. Apparently, in the
The reporting of Big Brother's Order interest of trying to ease students Series of Unfortunate
for the Day in The Times of through English and other standard Events. Not the best
December 3rd 1983 is extremely classes, some teachers are now character, not the
unsatisfactory and makes allowing Net‐speak within term
mostrealized. But
references to non‐existent persons. papers rather than taking the
Rewrite it in full and submit your initiative and forcing these same things about that
draft to higher authority before students to learn how to write a caricature of a villain
filing. proper sentence. These teachers struck true for me. He
Notice how the are not teaching, they are letting also introduced me to
Newspeak message given to children down by not instructing
Winston very much resembles them on how to write clearly and
This Be The Verse, a
common text‐message language, or effectively. When we begin to poem I now cherish.”
Net‐Speak. The resemblance, in allow such a change in school
this writer’s view, should be curriculum, we are growing lazy as … and writing Kim
downright scary. The message a society. Our children are not says:
Orwell is trying to get across here is learning how to write.
that when writing is compacted too It’s not a crime if you “Topaz from I Capture
much in the pursuit of more don’t know how to spell when you the Castle by Dodie
efficient communication, the venture into writing your first short Smith. There's
thoughts behind the writing are story, essay, article or novel. It’s
eventually rendered confusing and not a crime if you don’t have a firm something quite
meaningless. grasp on grammar. It’s not even a fabulous about a
So, do you still think Net‐ crime if you use text‐messaging artist's model, who is
Speak simply an innocuous form of shorthand on occasion. It is a crime so beautiful she could
shorthand? if you don’t make the effort to
marry anyone, yet
You’re probably right, but crack the books and learn a little
still, let’s take another look at it. grammar along the way. Who is she's married to a
Shorthand originally affected by this "crime?" You—and man who barely even
came about due to a need for the reader who's giving up on what knows she's there.”
those working in the secretarial you've written because they don't
fields to take quick notes during understand it. If you are a good
dictation. It was used widely speller and know how to string
between 1870 and the 1950's‐ together a proper sentence, and TAKE PART IN THE
1960's, prior to the advent of the yet choose not to, you have a bad ACTIVE DISCUSSIONS
Dictaphone, which was basically a habit and need to break it.
recording device. After that, Think about this: In many
AND JOIN WRITER’S
shorthand began to go by the non‐English‐speaking countries, BEAT NOW!
wayside as tape and digital students are often taught English
recording became more available. as a second language as a part of www.writersbeat.com
These days, most people their regular curriculum. In most
either compose letters themselves cases, these same students have
or else they simply record what mastered English at a relatively
they want written into a digital early age and by the time they’re
recorder and have it transcribed by adults they can communicate in
M I S U S E D , M I S P L A C E D , A N D M I S P E L L E D | P A R T I I
12 Writer’s Beat
our language far better than we across?" And, the very next time rule on how to use it; British
can. They tend to avoid Net‐speak you catch a young person writing English dictates that a comma
and take the time to write clearly. something like, "I lv U v/m & hp 2 C should be used after the
Why? Because it’s important to U sn. BB, TTFN," give them a big abbreviation while American
them that they and their ideas are hug, hand them a fifteen‐pound English does not.
understood. If your native language textbook on English composition It should also be noted
is English, this should be both a and urge them to learn to write that “e.g.” is entirely different than
sobering and humbling thought. about how they really feel. “i.e.”—the latter is an abbreviation
Are we gradually for id est, which means “in other
forgetting how to properly speak Besides E‐speech, the words.” It is completely erroneous
our own language simply because usage of foreign words in English to use it in place of “e.g.”
we have too little time to spend on poses a problem to many up‐and‐ The acronym “R.I.P” does
it? Are we shoving aside the ‘big coming writers. Familiarize yourself mean Rest In Peace in English, but
words’ because they’re too with foreign roots in this short the original is requiescat in pace, a
inconvenient and hard to type into piece: Latin phrase which means “may he
a Blackberry? Maybe the ability to rest in peace.” There are no
articulate one’s thoughts in written How Do We Do That? The Usage of common mistakes with this one,
form is a dying art. Foreign Phrases in English. but we thought we should let you
As a writer, it’s your job know.
to make your point in written form. All family languages are Quod erat
Make sure you have the tools to do rife with words that have foreign demonstrandum (“Q.E.D”), Nota
so. Most computers have spelling roots. You will be surprised to bene (“N.B”), Et alii (“et. al.”),
and grammar‐check programs. know that quite a lot of English Versus (“vs), etc. are all used
Even though these programs are words are the final form of extensively in the English language,
not perfect and often can suggest unfamiliar phrases which have but the trick is when and how to
several different choices for one evolved through time. Yes, most of use them. It may not matter to you
word, it’s a way to catch most of those words have Germanic origin, as it’s only a simple abbreviation,
these kinds of errors. If you’re new but many are impacted by Latin but knowing the origins of words
to writing and want to do it for fun suffixes. It’s nothing but likely that will expand your knowledge of
and profit, it behooves you to learn actual Latin phrases and words slip foreign phrases and will also
more about the form, function and into our writing. sharpen your skill as a writer.
structure of your native language. We’re not telling you to Always consult a person
It also behooves you to avoid the translate the novel you’re writing who is knowledgeable of the
use of Net‐speak. Sure, to Latin; we’re merely protecting language in question before
abbreviations and contractions you from the misuse of Latin borrowing from it. Adding to that,
create a sense of ease in getting a phrases. The case may appear it would also be wise to warn you
message across, but in doing so, unproblematic, but believe us, it’s that the overuse of Latin and
are you in fact eroding your ability quite tricky. foreign phrases in your writing is a
to articulate in written “etc.” is probably one of sign of an incompetent writer. So
communication? Orwell tried to the most used Latin abbreviations before you jump to other
warn us about this very thing back in English. It’s derived from the languages, practice English first!
in 1948. phrase et cetera, which means That’s all we have for
Abbreviated “and so on” or “to the rest”. A now. Don’t forget to check out the
communication leads to common mistake is to combine et next issue for more about writing
abbreviated thought. cetera with ellipses points: ‘Books, issues.
There is far more to the pens, pencils, … etc.’ However, the
art of writing than getting the nuts ellipsis can replace an et cetera:
and bolts of spelling/grammar ‘Books, pens, pencils….’
right. Communication can be Some publishing houses
defined as the literal act of taking do not require a period after et
What do you think of
that which exists in our minds and cetera or a comma before it. But
Writer’s Club? We would
getting it out into the world in it’s better to stick with the
love to read your feedback.
spoken or written form for others conventional use unless told
to experience. Next time you get otherwise. Send to
online and find yourself slipping Another popular example hakeemd@writersbeat.com
into Net‐Speak, stop yourself and is exempli gratia, which in fact
or use the contact us forum
ask this question: "Is this really the means “for example”. The
located at the bottom of the
best way to get my message abbreviation is “e.g.” There is no
forum’s main page.
M I S U S E D , M I S P L A C E D , A N D M I S P E L L E D | P A R T I I
13 Writer’s Beat
M I C H E L L E B A C I O C C O W R I T E S :
DO GAMES STIMULATE WRITERS?
This is the true question. Do games stimulate writers? In a recent
survey at Writers Beat, ten voters selected among four choices as
follows:
A: Yes, they do; B: No, they don't; C: Maybe, sometimes; D: I
don't know.
Six out of ten people chose "Yes, they do" as their answer. Two
picked "No, they don't." Two picked "Maybe, sometimes" as
their choice. No one picked that they didn't know.
Some things that have been noticed are that, yes, they do Some games featured on Writers Beat
stimulate writers. When members of Writers Beat log on, they such as “Count to Million” and “What
check their own recently published works then go to check out are you listening to” don't really help
the games. Why is that? Some members just like to use the any writers but they do help the
games to help them get over some writer’s block, or give them a members have fun. Most of the games
new idea for another story or even some more details in their on Writers Beat, however, are writing‐
current work. related or help writers, such as,
“Coupling Words,” “Book Titles,” and
How do games help writers? Well, that can be both a simple and “Word Association." Those are just a
a hard question. They can help writers to become more focused few of the many games on Writers Beat.
in their work. They can also offer a “break time” for some writers
to just let go and have some fun. Most online forums have games Even though only ten people voted, it is
to break ice or lighten the moods. It also helps boost vocabulary. apparent that games still have an impact
Writing games can also help writers think more, to think outside on members of Writers Beat.
the box.
AND IF GAMES CANNOT HELP YOU
try writing about one of the following prompts:
¾ Is there an afterlife? What if you could travel there and come back? What would you
see?
¾ Open a book, close your eyes and pick a page at random, then open your eyes. Read one
paragraph, close the book. Use that paragraph as the start of three paragraphs of your
own.
¾ Pick three characters that have nothing in common. Place them together in an unlikely
setting and describe what they talk about as well as what happens.
¾ Think ahead in time. If you lived to be 100, describe a typical day in your life as a journal
entry.
D O G A M E S S T I M U L A T E W R I T E R S ?
14 Writer’s Beat
Critics’ Choice "A chilling and an intense read.
I'm left speechless.”
WHAT DID THEY CHOOSE?
The Worst Thing That Could Happen to a Marriage
by piperdawn
C R I T I C S ’ C H O I C E
15 Writer’s Beat
W R I T E R ’ S B E A T
FEATURED WRITERS
A P R I L
Click Clack Clock by Josie Henley
W R I T E R ’ S B E A T F E A T U R E D W R I T E R S
16 Writer’s Beat
M A Y
In The Torrid Zone by Starrwriter
W R I T E R ’ S B E A T F E A T U R E D W R I T E R S
17 Writer’s Beat
But I can't return to the The natives are right. Words don't she is also a rabid tomboy with
cold country. Living here so long really matter in the tropics. They distinctly unfeminine traits. She
has thinned my blood and I would are superfluous sounds and speaks too loudly and often curses
die with chattering teeth. I am symbols compared to the like a sailor. In spite of her hula
condemned to live in the torrid immediate realities of island lessons she is clumsy and moves
zone until this terrible heat finally existence. Yet I can't help myself. without a hint of gracefulness.
consumes my body like a Out of habit I waste precious time When she drinks too much, Kini
smouldering flame. reading and writing when I could tells filthy jokes that embarrass
be surfing or spear fishing or pig even me and she sleeps around too
My intellectual dreams hunting in the mountains. Or much. I think of her as a gorgeous
are dead. When I was a young man, making love to a bright‐eyed mess and this contradiction has a
I wanted to become a famous coconut girl like Kini Hoopai. troubling effect on me. In some
writer. I foolishly thought I could respects she scares the hell out of
find adventures to write about in me. She is too intense and direct
the tropics, not realizing this was for me to feel comfortable when
the exception among writers rather When I was a young we are together because I never
than the rule. For every Joseph know what she might do or say.
Conrad there are a thousand man, I wanted to
would‐be authors who venture into become a famous Kini would rather go
jungles and exotic islands but never barefoot than go to heaven. She is
write a single worthwhile line. The writer. I foolishly more competitive than an all‐pro
tropical regions of the world thought I could find linebacker and I mean physically.
represent a vast intellectual void Although all women have a small
adventures to write
painted in bright colors. Real amount of testosterone, I think she
literature is native to temperate about in the tropics, has more of this male hormone
climates and doesn't feel at home not realizing this was than any three average men. She
under a palm tree. To write about likes to ridicule me for reading
the human condition from a the exception among books and she makes fun of my
hammock is a sham. Why write writers rather than writing if I show it to her. She
about anything when frangipani doesn't respect me at all, thinks I'm
the rule.
blossoms fill the air with soporific a haole wimp. But in her quiet
perfume? moments, when she is relaxed with
Kini is the Hawaiian a far‐off gaze, she reminds me of
The majority of island an angel. I can't get over her
equivalent of Cindy, but she hates
Kanakas know this truth and have exquisite beauty, even if it only
that haole name, even if it is on her
absolutely no interest in books. goes skin deep. I could sit for hours
birth certificate. Kini is hapa‐haole,
They are semi‐literate on purpose, and just stare at her as long as she
part white on her mother's side of
even speaking a sort of baby talk didn't talk. I wish I was a painter
the family and somewhat
called pidgin with stubborn pride. like Gaugin or at least a
embarrassed by this lineage. Along
Like bronzed gods, they thrive on photographer so I could capture
with countless other young locals,
emotions, not words. They are her still form for posterity.
she has gotten swept up in the
violently impulsive, as quick to take
sovereignty movement in Hawaii
offense as to love. They are On my night prowls I
which teaches a return to local
perfectly adapted to the strange sometimes go visit Kini at her
language and culture and hopes
subtleties of life in the tropics. I apartment in Kalihi. If I have to
(unrealistically) for the American
envy them, but I also fear them awaken her, she grouses at me.
government to relinquish
because they are suspicious of
ownership of the islands.
people like me who live largely “Don't you frickin' haoles
inside our minds. Locals give me ever sleep?”
Kini is an enigma to me,
"stink eye" when they notice me as many island girls are. On the one
reading a book at the beach or on a “Only in the day time.
hand she has a stunningly beautiful
bus, as if they had caught me We're all vampires, you know.”
physique: perfect face with dark
masturbating in public. To them almond‐shaped eyes and a
reading is little more than mental “Shit,” she mumbles,
gleaming smile, long black hair reaching for a cigarette.
masturbation. down to her waist, a voluptuous
figure and small feet. She looks like “Do you have any beer?
I never wrote the great
the quintessential Hawaiian beauty It's past take‐out time.”
novel I imagined, but what is
worthy of any magazine cover. But
worse, I saw through my dream.
W R I T E R ’ S B E A T F E A T U R E D W R I T E R S
18 Writer’s Beat
“Look in the “Next time bring your Kini had worked as a
refrigerator.” own beer,” she snaps. waitress in the restaurant of a
Waikiki hotel. Since I met her, she
From the kitchen I ask “You're in a good mood had also been an office receptionist
her if she wants one. No answer, tonight.” in the business district, a sales clerk
but she shakes her head in disgust at a jewelry store and a groom for a
when I return to the living room “I got fired today.” dog trainer. She changes jobs once
with only one can of beer. or twice a year and new employers
“Why?” keep hiring her because of her
“You didn't say you looks.
wanted one.” “What's the difference? I
Read more:
have to find another job now.”
(http://www.writersbeat.com/t
orrid‐zone‐t5519.html?t=5519)
JUST FOR FUN!
FAMOUS WORD SCRAMBLE
Are you good at reading quotes?
Then try to decipher this one:
ilve eilk oyu liwl eid owrotmo,
laenr eilk oyu liwl evil feveror.
W R I T E R ’ S B E A T F E A T U R E D W R I T E R S
19 Writer’s Beat
Writer’s Beat Advice
Writing contests can be found needed information about the be as clear as they should be) and
brimming everywhere — it has story, and B., to reveal something double‐check that the underlying
never been easier to find one, no about their own personality or that theme of your story is something
matter what type of prose you’re of another character. Keep it readers can understand and relate
good at. In this issue, it’s 10 Quick snappy and to‐the‐point. to. Your story may be about a
Tips For Winning a Writing Martian whose only goal in life is to
Contest by Jillian C.
4. Make your story as unique as meet an Earth woman, but be sure
possible. Take a couple of unusual that the theme is something that
characters, people who wouldn’t the everyday reader can
normally associate in everyday life understand and glean from the
Thinking about entering a Writing and throw them into a situation story once they’ve finished reading.
Contest? Here's a few tips to help where they’re forced to deal with
you along the way. each other. Make their 7. When selecting a theme for your
circumstances unique as well. story (in other words, what your
1. Have an opening line or first Think of the strangest situation you story is REALLY ABOUT), you can
paragraph that reaches out and can and write about it. Be sure to draw ideas from recent headlines
grabs the reader’s attention. include setting information using or events and put your own twist
Remember, in a contest, judges will all five senses to put your reader on it. What lessons do your
typically only glance at the first few deep into the scene. characters learn by the end of your
paragraphs. If the story is boring, story? Who changes? Who remains
they’ll set your entry aside and 5. Mood, tone and setting are the same? Why? If you say that
move on to the next. Experiment important to help the reader get your story is about Justice, then
with opening lines, and keep in into a story. Make yours unique but give us your full take on that
mind that the crazier and more also make sure it adds to your subject. Don’t hold back. Anything
fascinating they are, the better story. For instance, if you're writing that makes your story stand up and
your chances are that the judges a horror story, maybe choosing a above the rest will keep the judges
will keep on reading your story. setting that's not normally found in reading. Make sure your point is
a horror piece would give it a new clear.
2. Make sure your first few twist. Rather than having your
pararaphs force the reader to ask characters explore a haunted 8. Make sure your submission has
questions about your story right house, have them look for a ghost an ending that an everyday person
away. In other words, make sure in a well‐lit shopping mall busy with can understand. It need not
they’re asking, "Wow! What shoppers. Most stories contain a necessarily be a "happy" ending
happens next?" Inject as much Key Object that is important to the but it should make a concrete
tension, conflict and/or suspense main character(s) for a reason that point.
into it as you can. This is called a adds to the theme of the story.
‘hook.’ Make sure it’s nice and Make sure any object that your 9. Pay heed to the contest’s word
sharp. character notices, owns, covets or limits. Don’t necessarily trust your
otherwise needs is factored into word processor’s word counter, as
3. Make sure your characters are your theme and not there simply they tend to underestimate true
as close to living and breathing for 'window dressing.' If you give a word count. For instance, if you
people as you can make them. Give character a knife or if he just walks have Word 2000 and your story’s
them mannerisms, unique around carrying a bottle of air word count comes to 2,000 words,
personality quirks, an interesting freshener, make sure it adds cut it down by at least 250. Most
relative or spouse. Make sure your something to the story—whatever reputable contests demand
dialogue reveals much more than that might be. standard submission format of 25
just simple conversation. lines per page, 250 words per page,
Remember in stories, people only 6. When writing your story, check double‐spaced. Check the contest’s
speak to reveal two things: A., it multiple times for any story submission guidelines and follow
ambiguities (things that might not them to the letter.
W R I T E R ’ S B E A T A D V I C E
20 Writer’s Beat
10. Last, but certainly not least, you’ve written it. Sometimes you to avoid. Most contests will charge
check your work for typos, can catch problems after you take a small fee for entry, but the fee
grammar errors and any loose ends a break from it for a little while. should only be around $5.00 to
left hanging in your story. Check $25.00 (US Dollars) or that
The Eleventh Rule is really only equivalent in your country’s
also for clichés popping up in your
Common Sense. Before you send currency. Never pay more than
narrative. If you find any, try
anything off to a contest, always be that.
twisting them into something new
sure to check out the company
and fresh. If you’re not sure what’s
that’s holding the competition and Contests are a good way to get
cliché and what isn’t, have a friend
make sure they’re reputable. Most your work out there and get
look through it. A fresh set of eyes
well‐known writers’ magazines publishing credits. If you don’t win
on your story can sometimes help
hold contests and also have links to the first time, keep trying. Sooner
point out things you might not
other reputable contests on their or later you will win. Persistence
ordinarily catch for yourself. Let
websites. An Editors and Preditors and creativity always pays off in the
the story ‘cool’ for a few days after
site will also have a list of ones best end.
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE
A WRITER?
FG
“Put it before them
briefly so they will read
S ARCAZMO ANSWERS : it, clearly so they will
appreciate it,
“I write because I need to tell a story. I don't do picturesquely so they
it for fame or fortune and I don't imagine doing
book tours, I'm reticent, really. In person, I'm
will remember it, and
shy, I let others have the floor. above all, accurately so
On many levels, writing is difficult for me. I have they will be guided by
to go in and face the same character's who've its light.”
hurt me. I cry a lot when I write, I exhaust
myself. Joseph Pulitzer
So, when I write, I feel like I'm working very hard
because I'm being so damn truthful and I know
down deep, if I lie ‐‐ well, I can't, so I'm truthful
ED
when I'm writing and it's so, so painful
sometimes.
So writing isn't easy for me. Because it calls for
reaching down, going deep and sometimes I'm
scared.”
W R I T E R ’ S B E A T A D V I C E
21 Writer’s Beat
JUST FOR FUN!
P ICTURE P R OMPT
Would you be able to
write a story about the
picture on the left?
Imagine that the person
is your friend; what
would he be thinking?
C ROSSWORD P UZZLE
All the words you have to guess are
novel names. They are all classic
novels except for one. Below are the
clues you have to follow in order to
guess the words and eventually solve
the crossword puzzle. Each clue has
the number of its corresponding bar
in the figure. Go ahead; prove to us
that you are well‐read!
Down: Across:
1 Author: May
6 Author: Austen
2 Author: Ernest 10 Novel: 1984
3 Character: Heathcliff 11 Character: Watson
4 Animal: Whale
5 Author: Leo
7 Author: Dickens
8 Characteristic: Half‐Blood
9 Author: Charlotte
J U S T F O R F U N : P I C T U R E P R O M P T & C R O S S W O R D P U Z Z L E
22 Writer’s Beat
COLUMNISTS & CONTRIBUTORS
Practically
HAKEEM D JILLIAN C
Invisible
MICHELLE B MRIDULA C available for
TINA C purchase
from
COVER DESIGN Amazon.com
MRIDULA C JILLIAN C
PAGE EDITING & LAYOUT
HAKEEM D MRIDULA C
If you’d like to see your artwork on the
cover of the next issue of Writer’s Club,
MANAGING EDITOR submit it to us by either using the “Contact
Us” form located on the bottom of the
JILLIAN C Writer’s Beat Forum main page, or contact
tinac@writersbeat.com for more details.
VIP MEMBERSHIP! JOIN
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Quote answer: "Live like you will die tomorrow, learn like you will live forever." Mahatma Gandhi
Crossword answers:
1‐ Little Women 2‐ Old Man and the Sea 3‐ Wuthering Heights 4‐ Moby Dick 5‐ Anna Karenina 6‐ Northanger
Abbey 7‐ A Tale of Two Cities 8‐ Harry Potter 9‐ Jane Eyre 10‐ Animal Farm 11‐ Sherlock Holmes
All writing works and photos contained within are either property of Writer’s Beat or used with
!
permission by the authors/artists noted. NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE COPIED, PRINTED,
REPRODUCED OR OTHERWISE CIRCULATED WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHORS.
For questions, suggestions, or comments, send to hakeemd@writersbeat.com