MacGreg

I watched the film on TV, which prompted me to find this video. It had been years since I'd seen the movie.

I just listened to/watched this same video last week. Not kidding. you must be in my head, boy. This is a great version, by the way. Shows what a brilliant composer Ennio Moriccone is.

Hey, that's a good idea. Swim upstream.

Hmm. Food for thought. I'm not a plan-it-all-out-ahead-of-time kind of writer, either. I've never been one, so foreshadowing would be very challenging for me. However, I can see the benefits of it if the story is a mystery or a thriller. Leaving the reader a few calculated clues along the way helps build intrigue and might also act as a dangled carrot to keep readers interested. However, I don't feel that this is true for all stories. If there is no mystery to be solved or no great reveal presented at the end to surprise readers, then I don't think leaving strategically-placed breadcrumbs along the way is necessary. As a result of my theory on this, there are undoubtedly loose ends all through my writing that aren't ever tied back together. Perhaps that frustrates my readers, I don't know. But since life isn't perfect, and my characters and story plots reflect that imperfection, I think I can live with it.

A great blog, molly, and a really important one. Sometimes, we need to reiterate the potency of words by using words, spoken or written, and you've shared the message here in a very constructive way. I've found some points to consider within your blog, which I'm mulling over.

Aw, thanks so much, Val. You've been a positive supporter from the very beginning. Hey, good news! The next chapter of Dissonance is written! It's just not ready, lol...

Carlos, thanks for the inclusion in this great blog series. I like reading about what inspires other writers, and it's cool to be a part of the discussion. Thanks also to the readers who ask the questions!

you've described a very special moment, tim... a sculptor, shaping his clay; an artist, connecting with his muse... nicely done, boy.

Normal is as fluid as the people who use the word to define themselves. I feel pretty "normal" most days. I get up, go for a run, have coffee, shower, get ready for work. Each day is similar to the last and similar to the next. But most people would not consider my Life to be normal ("you do what with your partner...?!") Therefore, NORMAL is a relative term, used in whatever context the user of the word chooses. If normal means being a part of the everyday majority, then I'll happily go off on the abnormal path. That's where my pack lives. Great blog, molly.

you're right, thunderstorm is a great word. And I love superfluous (a funny word that doesn't sound like a real word, yet is.)

Sweet vengeance... that's a good one.

Asparagus!

Other languages fascinate me, too, and there are some beautiful foreign words to be explored. Sadly, I cant speak any of them, only a little bit of high school French. By the way, I think 'absolution' is a brilliant example.

Silhouette - yes! Oh, all of these are good.

Gossamer is an absolute. So are resplendent and asparagus. So many good ones.

In phonaesthetics, the English compound noun cellar door has been cited as an example of a word or phrase which is beautiful purely in terms of its sound, without regard for its meaning. It has been variously presented either as merely one beautiful instance of many, or as the most beautiful in the English language.[1] In a 1955 lecture, J.R.R. Tolkien stated that “Most English-speaking people ... will admit that cellar door is 'beautiful', especially if dissociated from its sense (and from its spelling). More beautiful than, say, sky, and far more beautiful than beautiful.” It’s been suggested that Edgar Allen Poe chose the word ‘Nevermore’ for the refrain of The Raven because of its similarity to the euphony of 'cellar door.' I recall that even Drew Barrymore’s character in the film Donnie Darko makes reference to it when asked why she's written it on the chalkboard: “This famous linguist once said that of all the phrases in the English language, of all the endless combinations of words in all of history, that cellar door is the most beautiful.” As early as 1903 - and possibly its point of origin - a Shakespeare scholar, Cyrus Lauron Hooper, wrote in his novel Gee-Boy: "He was laughed at by a friend, but logic was his as well as sentiment; an Italian savant maintained that the most beautiful combination of English sounds was cellar-door..." I’m not a linguist, but language fascinates me, and certain words energize me purely for how they sound when spoken: · Fuselage · Metamorphosis · Sanguine . Disposition · Asphyxiation · Paprika (the list could go on) Cellar door belongs on the list. I understand its resonance. As a writer, I never just write a sequence of events to move the plot forward. I intentionally choose to arrange words that create flow, even if that means stepping outside of some standard grammar rules (a reason I enjoy writing poetry, too) and even if it's just to please my own ears. Are there certain words that do this for you? Roll off the tongue nicely; cause an emotional response simply for how they sound when spoken? I'm curious to “hear” yours. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellar_door

It's funny, I saw the kiss as it happened, and it didn't hit me as anything surprising or shocking or newsworthy because it was perfectly natural and ordinary to me. However, in retrospect, I appreciate the impact (hopefully positive) it likely had on the viewing world.

The question was never how we met But at what point our souls conjoined, Colliding together with the intensity Of an exploding star Nebulae comprising a hundred galaxies Cannot compare to the brilliance That was formed from the shockwave Of our sudden supernova Distance between us quickly became dust, Glittering particles mapping a course To the myriad abstract planes Of our intimate journey Let us not mourn the los

A sci-fi writer you are, tim. This short piece had all the makings of a true science fiction story - how the world demises, how the human race inappropriately handles new technologies, how people still persevere to not only survive but remain true to themselves. You've created a realistic view of the future, which is a little harrowing. But you've also provided some hope. Great job with the prompt.

As jp said, sex is a natural part of life and most relationships and therefore should be written about when it fits the story. I'm a very sexual person and a firm believer that if it feels good, do it. I like to read it, and I like to write it. Sometimes, there are stigmas or emotional barriers where my characters are concerned, but that doesn't deter me from writing the sex; it just alters the play-out of the scene.

If we continue to put the word out, maybe compassion won't be such an endangered emotion. Thanks for the comments, Def. I appreciate it.

Thank you, molly... There's a lot more to say on this topic, and we'd all do well to discuss it repeatedly. Compassion is a limited resource right now. Thanks for your continued support on this project.

Thanks, tim. you know firsthand how the Exquisite Corpse poems work. Freerider and I enjoyed putting this one together. It is a message for everyone, isn't it?

So true, deville. We chose this topic around Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, but it's relevant every day, in my opinion. Thanks for your comment. Cheers

Glad you're enjoying it, jp. I am, too. It's been interesting and fun, and I plan to do more ahead.