so much for breathers

I got about half of Twelve drafted this morning, along with a small but important section of Thirteen.

I am so addicted to this thing. And it doesn't help when new chapters come along at the exact moment that I should be running out the door for work, and then leave me with cliffhangers... Heh.

I was talking to some friends about my new past-time at dinner last night, and regretting the timing; a year ago, I wasn't working, and I would have had so much more time to devote to writing. But SE disagreed; she said that it's probably better this way, that I can let my work be my work and my creative outlet be something completely separate. Upon consideration, I think she's right. I like my work (although not always my job -- there is a difference), but it's not my life, and shouldn't be.

bad prose winners

The 2005 Bulwer-Lytton results are up.

For the uninitiated, this is an annual contest to come up with the worst opening line to a novel. The results are often hilarious, and this year does not disappoint. My favorites include the Grand Panjandrum's Special Award and the Western winner.

A taste for ban puns is helpful but not required.

Later addition: Here's a companion contest that's new to me: the Lyttle Lytton, which is the same thing with entries limited to 25 words. I just read through the 2001 winners and laughed until I cried. Definitely worth a look.

amusement for a Friday

There is nothing so inspiring as good prose. On the other hand, it doesn't get much funnier than intentionally bad prose.

The 2005 Bulwer-Lytton results are up. For the uninitiated, this is an annual contest to come up with the worst opening line to a novel. A taste for bad puns is helpful but not required. Not as good as last year's crop, but there are some gems.

Here's a companion contest that's new to me: the Lyttle Lytton, which is the same thing with entries limited to 25 words. I just read through the 2001 winners and laughed until I cried. A taste for the absurd is definitely a plus.