Build Your Own Superhero, Part One

Posted on June 30, 2012 by Eric Storch

Yesterday, fellow blogger and fantasy writer David, from the Scholarly Scribe, wrote about online writing prompts and how they can help a writer fight back against the dreaded writer’s block. He then challenged his readers to answer the questions in the above picture, essentially asking us to create a superhero.

Regular readers of Sinistral Scribblings will know that there was no way I was going to pass up this opportunity. What fan of comic books and superheroes wouldn’t jump at this chance?

There are a number of things to consider when creating a superhero that will engage readers. There’s much more to it than giving him or her “cool” powers and having them fight bad guys. That’s going to get boring pretty fast. Here’s what I think will make a good superhero. We’ll explore these points and in part two of this series, we’ll use these points to make our own superhero. Remember, these are my rules for creating a superhero – you may disagree, and that’s fine.

1. Powers need to be believable

To me, how a superhero gets their powers is very important. If it can be based in science and fact, then it becomes believable. The X-men are mutants (most of them); their basic DNA structure has changed as part of natural evolution, giving them super human abilities. Superman is an alien, and has a different physiology than a human. Batman, while technically not super, has an unlimited supply of money, allowing him to create and build any type of gadget he can imagine. (The same goes for Iron Man, no superpowers, but I think that at some point in the future, someone will be able to build a functioning suit of armor like his.)

The Uncanny X-Men

In recent years, there have been a few movies that have given superpowers to people in a believable manner. “Unbreakable” by M Night Shyamalan, explained that comic books were actually about real people, though the stories enhanced the truth. “Hancock” by Peter Berg, is about a superhero who discovers he’s actually an angel (or what religious myth calls an angel). “Chronicle” by Josh Trank is about three teenage boys that encounter something in the ground that bestows telekinetic powers on them.

Heroes like the Hulk, who came about when Bruce Banner was subjected to lethal amounts of gamma radiation and Spiderman who gained his powers by being bitten by a radioactive spider, did not gain their powers in a believable way. In reality, they both should have died from radiation poisoning. But, before you start laying down the hate, Hulk and Spiderman are still good superheroes because…

2. The hero needs to resonate with the reader

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman!

What’s this mean? You, as the reader, need to connect with the hero in some way. Superman is not a hero people can connect with. He’s an alien and he can do almost anything. He is the stereotype of superhero and kind of the benchmark as far as powers go. But he’s not relateable. Readers can’t connect with him – as is. So, the writers of the early Superman comics made him all about “Truth, Justice and the American Way.” The 1950′s was a time when American patriotism was running high and making Superman all about America made him the most popular superhero around. (As an aside, earlier this year, Superman renounced his American citizenship, which fits nicely with the large lack of patriotism today.) Superman’s patriotism was something that was added to his mythos many years after he was created in an attempt to garner more readers.

What about heroes that connect right away? I think we can agree that Spiderman immediately comes to mind.

Before Peter Parker gains the powers of Spiderman, he is a high school nerd who is bullied by the jocks in his school. Who do think was the largest demographic reading comics in the early 1960′s? It wasn’t the jocks.

So, here we have young Peter Parker, a science nerd, bullied and picked on, who suddenly finds himself able to do almost anything a spider can do. He’s super strong, fast, agile, can climb walls and stick to ceilings – he just can’t make webs. Well, he’s a science nerd, remember? He’s able to design a substance that resembles spider silk and makes shooters to dispense it.

Peter Parker was able to connect to comic book readers because he was them and once he had his powers he used them to do good while being a wise-ass.

There’s more to Spiderman’s story though that makes him a good superhero. His motivation.

3. The hero needs a good back story to justify his/her actions

This is starting to border on nature vs nurture, I think, but it’s important. Where did the hero come from? Who were his parents? How was he raised? Does he have a moral/ethical code? The questions could go on and on, but this back story idea is the largest factor in determining whether your person with superpowers is going to become a superhero or a super villain.

Looking at Peter Parker, his parents are dead and he’s being raised by his aunt and uncle. They’re good people and teach Peter to be a good person. This “good morality” is so ingrained in him, that when he gets into a fight with Flash Thompson after he gains the Spiderman abilities, he doesn’t abuse those powers to beat up Flash. He humiliates Flash, yes, but he doesn’t abuse the powers.

Magneto, the Master of Magnetism

Let’s now look at Erik Lehnsherr from the X-Men movies. (I’m using the movies rather then the comics since the story is a bit simpler but between the two, the basics are the same.) Erik was a Jew raised in Poland during the second world war. He witnessed first hand what tyranny and oppression are. Erik was also a mutant with the ability to manipulate magnetic fields. After he survived the war and found that there were other mutants by befriending Charles Xavier, I think he began to feel a sense of belonging. But in the following years, it became clear that humans were afraid of mutants and when there were rumors of laws being passed to “register” mutants, Erik had a falling out with Charles. While Erik and Charles both believed that mutants were the next phase of human evolution, Charles wished to integrate mutants into society and Erik wanted to avoid anything that resembled the Nazi “bagging and tagging” of Jews during WWII. Erik found like-minded mutants and split with Charles. He took the name Magneto and became Charles’ and the X-men’s greatest nemesis.

In a 2008 interview, Stan Lee, the creator of Magneto and so many other famous Marvel heroes, said that he “did not think of Magneto as a bad guy. He just wanted to strike back at the people who were so bigoted and racist… he was trying to defend the mutants, and because society was not treating them fairly he was going to teach society a lesson. He was a danger of course… but I never thought of him as a villain.”

4. Above all else, the hero needs to be human

This sort of fits with a number of other things I have already mentioned, but I believe deep down, that the hero needs to be human (or at the very least, have human-like qualities). The hero needs to be able to feel emotion – love, hate, remorse, anger, regret – all of these things. Without them, the hero would be wooden and boring.

The hero needs a life outside of crime fighting (or whatever it is the hero does while wearing a costume). They should have a family, love interest and friends. Maybe even a day job. Spiderman is a newspaper photographer, Daredevil is a lawyer, Superman is a newspaper reporter, Iron Man is the CEO of a weapons development company … the list goes on.

It’s knowing that these heroes have a life outside of being a hero that allows the writer to create compelling stories. Loved ones can be captured and held for ransom by the bad guys, for instance. (Which is, of course, the main reason many superheroes have “secret identities.”)

Understanding that your hero is human allows you to tell human stories that will allow your readers to connect with the hero. It also allows you to tell more about the hero than just their next fight with the “bad guy.”

Conclusion

So, I think that’s it. Four rather broad categories for making a good superhero. What do you think makes a good superhero?

Within the next few days, I’ll follow these rules to create an original superhero. I’m not sure how it’s going to go, but perhaps it’ll be the spark I need to write a superhero novel!

Of Blood and Paint

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Eric Storch

The old farmhouse where he grew up still stood, the yard overgrown and thigh high, the front porch gray and sagging. The storm door hung on one hinge and scraped on the porch floor when he opened it. Inside, the paint was peeling and a musty, dead smell assaulted his nose.

When he walked into the kitchen, the memories of that night long ago came back like a punch to the gut. He was five when his father killed his mother in a drunken rage. The brown cloud of dried blood was still on the wall.

It’s another double prompt post. First, for this week’s 100 Word Song, which is “Cloud Blood” by Ani DeFranco. Second, is “Peeling Paint” from Studio30 Plus.

The Linden Tree – Session VII

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Eric Storch

It’s finally here! Episode seven of the Linden Tree was just finished this morning. What’s with the scary skull?

In this part, the Healer is brought before the village elder and accused of attacking the village. Find out what happens and look for more episodes of The Linden Tree soon!

By the by, The Linden Tree is now over 5,500 words and will continue to grow. If it ever ends, I will go back and begin edits to create a cohesive whole. That may be happening in months or years from now. I don’t know.

If you need to get caught up on past offerings of The Linden Tree, check out the Portal Page.

5 Ways I Will Survive the Zombie Apocalypse In Pictures

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Eric Storch

One of the writing prompts over at Studio30 Plus this week is “Kool Aid.” I can’t stand the stuff, but during the zombie apocalypse I suppose that being able to make a quick fruity drink would be a welcome treat.

Here are some other “cool aids” I have lying around the house that will ensure I would survive the zombie apocalypse.

1. Non-electric cooking.

Gas stove

This gas stove will last a long time. We just had the tank filled and it’s good for at least a year or more.

But what about baking? Well …

That’s one of three functioning fireplaces. This one is the only one with an oven installed next to it. Yes, it works.

What happens when the gas fails? Well, then this is going to have to come out of retirement:

Buried in the garage is this cast iron Franklin Stove. It was originally installed in the house, but was removed for reasons no one remembers. It’s good for heat, baking and stove top cooking. Speaking of …

2. Heat

This is the wood burning furnace. Even without power for the fan, it’ll still keep the first floor of the house toasty.

Ready to burn

Need to cut and chop

Of course, we have plenty of fuel for the furnace, fireplaces and Franklin Stove.

3. Food

We need food to survive.

Fresh veggies

Pear and apple trees

Peach trees

Wild turkeys

From a few years ago – white tailed deer by the pond

We’ll be eating good for years.

4. Water

This is our spring-fed fresh water pond. It’s a little murky, but we have the means to clean it.

5. Zombie Killing Stuff

This is the barn. The barn is where you can find all kinds of great weapons for fight off the zombie hordes. Axes, mauls, sledgehammers, chainsaws, re-bar, hedge trimmers, hammers, acetylene torch – you need it, you’ll find it in there. (I was instructed to NOT show the inside of the barn. I was also instructed NOT to show the inside of the “secret closet,” but rest assured, the secret closet contains the standard zombie fighting equipment that makes a big bang sound.)

One other thing:

This tractor is great for zombie clean up, either picking up the corpses or bulldozing them into a burn pile. The tractor could also be equipped with weapons or the bucket could have spikes installed on it.

So, what do you think? Am I ready for the Zombie Apocalypse?

Are you?

This is my response to the Studio30 Plus writing prompt “Kool Aid.” Yeah, I went WAY out on a limb for this one.

Summarizing Scribbles

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Eric Storch

A day late and many dollars short, but a weekly review is here!

So, I have a new TV love. It’s about an alien invasion, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone why I like Falling Skies.

I finished the first book of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series, The Eye of World, and wrote about it a bit. It was a slow day.

The third story of Courage, Woe and Truth, The Wench’s Tale, was published.

I finally acknowledged a bunch of awards and accolades I have been gathering and put badges in the left sidebar.

I was the Featured Writer at Studio30 Plus with an article about how epic it is to be writing fantasy fiction.

Speaking of fantasy fiction, here’s a progress update on the novel(s): Total word count is 4,200. Last week’s update listed total word count at 2,900, so I produced only 1,300 words. I just wasn’t feeling it much last week. Here’s a sample of some of the new stuff:

The sun was setting in the west amid a purpling sky. Hinhiel quickly made his way along the courtyard of Ost-halion, narrowly avoiding those gathered there. He was going to be late for watch outside the Lord’s private chambers and if he didn’t hurry he would be late for the third time this week. It was an honor to be one of the Tiraran, the King’s Guard, the highest position anyone in his family had ever held and he was in danger of losing it.

He wasn’t sure how the barrel suddenly appeared before him; he was sure his way was clear, but he hit it full on and fell to the ground. Cursing, he stood up while those around him merely glanced in his direction: it was forbidden to talk to one of the Tiraran. As Hinhiel stood, he looked to the setting sun, gauging how much time he had before his watch started. It seemed to him that a giant bird, much like Soron of legend, was gliding out of the setting sun. He glimpsed it for just an instant and then it was gone. Thinking he had perhaps bumped his head on his fall, he gathered his things and ran for the fortress proper.

Through the vestibule, along the length of the great hall and through the hidden door behind the dais he ran. He took the stairs behind that door two, sometimes three at a time and reached his lord’s private chambers in no time at all. Cuthalion, whose watch Hinhiel was to relieve, gave a grateful and yet reproachful look.

“You’re on time today, Hinhiel,” Cuthalion uttered disdainfully.

Hinhiel smiled weakly. “Yes, though a barrel in the yard nearly made me late.”

“Blaming barrels now?” Cuthalion sniffed. “What next? I suppose Teknologists will be falling from the sky?” He laughed.

“Teknologists? That’s a good one, Cuthalion.”

“Well,” Cuthalion harrumphed. “See that you stay alert. Our Lord is in quite a temper today.”

“Yes. Yes, of course.”

Cuthalion nodded, did a sharp turn and strode down the hall, leaving Hinhiel to take his post.

Hours passed, the sky darkening with the coming of night. All was quiet in the hall and no noise came from the king’s chamber and yet Hinhiel felt uneasy. He felt as if there was an itch on the inside of his skull and as the night came on, it got worse. Hinhiel sighed and, as he often did during the long, boring hours of night watch, attempted to practice a few basic spells he learned in childhood in order to pass the time.

The moment he started the complicated gestures of producing a ball of light, the itch in his head became searing pain. Breathing heavily, he fell to his knees and clutched his head. What is going on? he thought. The only thing that could cause such a spell failure was the presence of …

“No, it couldn’t be…” Hinhiel was unable to finish his thought as something stung his neck and his world went black.

I’m going to expand this scene with much more detail on the city and it’s people, including some history as well as a basic back story for Hinhiel. One other change I made was to Thorgrim. His new name is Bhen.

That’s it! Look for a new novel update this Sunday!

I Found A Shoebox With Some Awards In It

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Eric Storch

This morning I awoke to a pleasant surprise. Lisa Taylor of Writer’s Block Party, a blogger I have never heard of, gave me an award called “The Inspiring Blog Award” for my post titled “Mother Nature’s Son.” Skeptical (and expecting spam), I visited Writer’s Block Party and found a blog that is dedicated to writing and authors. It’s full of book reviews, author interviews and guest posts. A very good blog and one that I am now happy to have found and will read daily.

So, it got me thinking. This isn’t the first blogging award handed out by fellow bloggers that I have gotten. In the past, I ignored such things, because they required that you hand out the award to other bloggers. Given time, all bloggers would have all the awards – it’s just math. But that’s not really what’s going on here, is it? No, I got these awards because somebody liked what I did and wanted to recognize me for it.

Back in early January, Shannon Pruitt of My New Favorite Day awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award. At the time, she enjoyed my blog, but since then, my blog focus has changed and Shannon no longer visits. Oh well, we all move on.

Then, there was this: Tag! I’m it. A lot. Three bloggers tagged me in the same week, challenging me to answer 11 questions and then ask 11 of my own questions of 11 other bloggers. As you can see, I answered all 33 questions but then put my 11 questions to all of the participants of Yeah Write for that week. I don’t think any of them answered my questions.

Speaking of Yeah Write, I did win the Lurker’s Favorite once. It was Yeah Write #41, and Q choose “That’s What Dreams Are Made Of” as his favorite – which was really cool because he usually chose posts about food.

Insert Lurker’s Favorite Badge that I lost here.

Let’s see. What else?

Oh! Cameron Garriepy’s Story Circle! I was chosen by Jessie the Jester Queen to follow up her beginning to a story called Dumpster Diving. Two other writers followed up with parts 3 and 4 and what we got in the end is one heck of a good story!

I have also been asked to guest post for a few people. Kelly of Naked Girl in a Dress, and also my partner in crime at Studio30 Plus, asked me to guest post for her back at the beginning of January. My post, “But I Love Him Anyway,” got a lot of responses and we had some good discussion from it.

Nicole Rivera from Rivera Runs Through It, asked me if I would like to be interviewed about my first book love. Without hesitation, I agreed and we had a nice chat about The Hobbit.

At this time, I’m in the negotiation phase with David Wiley from Scholarly Scribe to either guest post or collaborate on a story (maybe both!)

I know this post seems like I’m just patting myself on the back (and I kind of am), but it’s also a shout out to all the people who gave me these awards and recognize my work as something they enjoy. As a writer, I crave acceptance of my work and these wonderful people have provided that validation.

The Eye of the World – Wheel of Time Book One

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Eric Storch

You may remember my announcement that I am going to read the entire Wheel of Time series before the release of book #14 this coming January. Well, I just finished book one, “The Eye of the World” fifteen minutes ago and in my announcement post I had figured I would need to read on average 40 pages a day in order to finish all 13 books in time. It took me 19 days to read 670 pages – which is an average of just over 35 pages a day. Not too bad, but I could do better.

What I find interesting about this first book is that everything about the main characters is laid out. We know who Rand, Perrin and Mat are all destined to be. Egwene is told she has to capacity to be one of the most powerful Aes Sedai ever. The relationship between Nynaeve and Lan is set forth as the tragic thing that it is. It’s all there.

Robert Jordan has created a world with a history and cultures that almost seem like we should know them personally. He has taken myths and legends we are familiar with and turned them around, twisted them a bit and made them something new while still being recognizable to us. The story of “Artur Hawkwing Paendrag” is similar enough to the King Arthur that we can say, “Oh yeah. I get it.” The book is even riddled with one liners that a discerning eye can find, if you pay attention. On page 43, Egwene asks the gleeman to tell the story of “Lenn, and how he flew to the moon in the belly of an eagle made of fire.” Could that be a reference to John Glenn and the Eagle spacecraft that landed on the moon? I know John Glenn never went to the moon, but that’s how Jordan does it – taking bits and pieces and re-forging them into something new.

Attack at the Al’thor farm.

As in all fantasy stories and epic myths from our past, the hero (we find out at the end it is Rand Al’thor) undertakes a quest against all odds. Strangely, we don’t even know what the quest is until close to the end of the book. When the backwater village of Emond’s Field is attacked by Trollocs, Rand and his cohorts go on the run and are running for most of the book, unaware why the forces of evil want them. The one character who might have a clue, Moraine Sedai, frequently says, “The Dark One wants you. I work against the Dark One.” She even admits at one point that she isn’t even sure what is going on.

The group is separated into three smaller groups and it is at this time that things start to take shape and secrets are kept. Rand wields the One Power for the first time, dangerous for men to do because the Dark One tainted the male half of the true source and continued use guarantees that Rand will eventually go insane. Mat becomes ever more bound to the dagger of Shadar Logoth, an evil almost as vile as the Dark One and he also begins to show a stronger ability to channel the knowledge of the long lost kingdom of Manetheren. Perrin becomes a Wolfbrother, able to talk to wolves and begins to question whether he should live a life of violence or a life of peace. These personal conflicts stays with them throughout the entire series and it is many books later that these conflicts come out in the open.

Among the ruins of Shadar Logoth

The book is 670 pages but it goes fast. Jordan has a conversational style that allows fast reading. The pacing is fast as well, moving seemingly from one action scene to the next, but that’s not quite the case. When the group is split, Jordan writes a few chapters for one group, leaves a cliffhanger and then moves to another group. This device gives the illusion of action and fast pacing when in reality, he’s just making us anxious for more – and it works.

“The Wheel of Time” series is far from the best I have ever read. I can name others of better writing and greater substance, “Neveryön” by Samuel R Delany, “Urth of the New Sun” by Gene Wolfe and “The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant” by Stephen R Donaldson, for example. But what keeps me coming back to it is that it’s candy compared to Delany’s, Wolfe’s and Donaldson’s sushi. Who wouldn’t choose Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups over raw fish? Candy is everyday, while sushi is for special occasions.

“The Wheel of Time” is a fun and enjoyable read and I’m going to enjoy my candy while it lasts.

Then, perhaps, I’ll have some sushi.

It’s Hot and I Don’t Feel Like Working

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Eric Storch

It is going to be near 100 degrees here in New Hampshire today and tomorrow and I’m not too happy about it. Heat makes me lazy.

So, lazy that today’s post is going to just throw some links at you.

First, the third story of Courage, Woe and Truth is published today. “The Wench’s Tale” is a touching love story with a tragic end.

Second, I’m proud to be the Featured Writer at Studio30 Plus today. Zip on over and check out my article on writing fantasy. You might learn something.

Now, leave me alone – it’s already 80-something and friggin’ humid. I’m grumpy.

The Sky Is Falling and I Like It!

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Eric Storch

On Sunday I was given a rare Father’s Day gift – the TV remote.

You heard me right, fellas – sans man-cave, I have been at the mercy of my wife’s TV watching habits. It’s been good for me during prime-time since we generally like the same stuff, but day-time and weekend TV has been a drag. Hours of cooking shows and pseudo-paranormal ghost hunters grace my flat screen on a daily basis.

But Sunday, I was given the gift of TV and I did not waste an hour. I grabbed my AK-47, a hand full of grenades, started up the dirt bike and prepared to meet the alien invasion head-on.

Ad for the new second season

I watched the entire first season of Falling Skies.

This was a show that had my interest when I first heard about it, but when I also found out that it starred Noah Wyle, I balked. How could the good-guy doctor from E.R. be any good in a post-apocalyptic alien invasion show? He couldn’t, I thought.

When I found out that my geek/gaming hero Wil Wheaton was going to be hosting an after show called “2nd Watch” (akin to The Walking Dead’s ”Talking Dead”) because he such a fan of Falling Skies, I thought maybe I should check it out. Wil has never steered me wrong in the past, after all.

I was crunched for time though. Sunday was the last day my cable provider was going to have available the entire first season On Demand. The first episode of season two was to air that night.

I fired up the cable box, dialed in to the first episode and put my skepticism aside. Within five minutes of the start of the show, I knew I’d be happily glued to the couch for the day.

The opening sequence put me smack in the middle of the 2nd Massachusetts resistance fighters with an incredible action sequence on the war-torn streets of Boston. Yes, you heard me. Falling Skies skipped the whole invasion thing – billions already dead and only pockets of human resistance.

L to R – Ben, Matt, Tom and Hal

Noah Wyle actually does a great job playing Tom Mason, an ex-history teacher and father of three boys, whose wife died soon after the invasion. Tom is the second in command of the 2nd Mass militia. Oldest son Hal (Drew Roy) is a fighter in the 2nd Mass, middle son Ben (Connor Jessup) has been captured by the aliens and “harnessed,” while youngest son Matt (Maxim Knight) feels he is too old to be a kid any longer, but is still too young to fight.

This family dynamic between Tom and his boys is the corner-stone of the show and it’s believable. This a family that’s been torn apart and is trying to piece things back together all while trying to survive in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile.

This show is about relationships with the aliens serving as a back-drop. In addition to the Mason family serving to explore this, Tom has a budding love interest in Dr Alice Glass (Moon Bloodgood), Hal has a best-buddy-but-she’s-a-tough-as-nails-hottie-ohmygod-I-think-I’m-in-love, in Maggie (Sarah Sanguin Carter), the girl with a troubled past.

L to R – Maggie, Hal, Tom, Pope the ex-con “bad boy” and Capt Weaver the leader of the 2nd Mass.

The character I like the most is John Pope (Colin Cunningham). Pope is a bit of mystery. Pope is a bad-ass ex-con who leads a group of tough guys. Pope knows a lot about a lot of things. He can steal vehicles, build bombs, construct armor piercing bullets from downed “mechs,” lead men in battle situations – and he’s a gourmet chef, constantly grumbling about how poorly the food is being prepared (“Do I smell asparagus? If I can smell it, that means you’re boiling it and it’s ruined.”) When the 2nd Mass defeats Pope’s gang, Pope is the only one of the gang left. They capture him, but his bravado won’t let him go quietly. “I’ll take a rest for a little while. Being the leader of a post-apocalyptic gang of outlaws has been exhausting,” he says in an effort to make his capture seem like his idea.

Pope becomes an asset to the 2nd Mass and come season two, Pope is the leader of The Berserkers, a small unit within the 2nd Mass that undertakes the dangerous missions of recon and setting up traps for the “skitters” and “mechs.” He’s still a wise-ass, and his comments tend to sow the seeds of doubt among the other fighters.

Falling Skies has been a rare treat. One of the sci-fi shows that I like that didn’t get cancelled after the first season. Since TNT is now airing the “2nd Watch” web show, I think it’ll be around for a few more years and that means good TV for me (and you! Check it out!)

Before I go, what kind of write up of an alien invasion show would this be with out aliens?

Skitters and Overlords

Summarizing Scribbles

Posted on June 17, 2012 by Eric Storch

One of my notebooks.

This past week was fun for me. I had some popular blog posts and I hosted a Live Chat over at Studio30 Plus about how to make your prose better through awesome dialogue.

Regular readers will know that I participate in two writing prompts each week – The S30P prompt and the 100 Word Song. I’ve Just Awoken is one of those rare time I force myself into poetry in order to jumpstart myself out of a writing depression (and depression in general). It seems to have worked, because Pain Lies on the Riverside is one of my better short pieces, I think.

This past Wednesday morning, I sat on the couch, laptop in hand, intending to write the next episode of The Linden Tree. Instead, I kept looking out the window, watching the gentle rain. Mother Nature’s Son is what came out of my fingers that day.

I borrowed an idea from a blogger I read regularly, and put my foot down. No more excuses on not writing a book. I set myself a deadline, which pops in my face every time I open my internet browser. Since last Thursday, I’ve produced 2,900 words. That’s not a lot, I know, but it’s a start.

I do not have a title yet, nor a clear conflict. Here’s a sample:

It had rained last night. The streets of the frontier town were inches deep in mud, and wagons, horses and men struggled to make their way. Everyone and everything was dirty; mud and dust clung to all surfaces. The town smelled of horse dung, wet earth and wood smoke. Nearer the water hole, coal smoke hung in the air as the steam engine chugged day and night running the pump that let the water flow to two spigots on either end of the town and one that blasted water down into the malachite mine. Even though the sun had just risen, a line had formed at each spigot: early risers gathering clean water so that they could break their fast.

Thorgrim trudged on his stubby legs through the muck to get water from the eastern spigot. The mud sucked at his feet, and he lamented having to clean his boots before he opened for today’s business. His long beard was un-forked and tucked into his belt as it was every morning before he was fully dressed for the day. His empty bucket slapped against his hip with every step.

He struggled through the mud past the Hole, the only solid wooden structure in town. The Hole had opened for business just last month, and Valduil, the half-aelfin who owned the place, had become the most popular person in town. Valduil sold wines from the aelfin city of Osthalion and whiskey from Centropolis at high cost (some said he watered his drinks), though no one complained too much. In general, it was the only way you could get alcohol in Black Fork.

Valduil also sold women’s company at a very high price. Thorgrim never used this service of Val’s, but he had heard that Val kept a wide range of women upstairs: from humans of all colors to half-aelfs, full-blooded aelfs, one dwarv and even a half-ork for those with a nose for roughness. No one spoke of this side business, but many of the miners spent all of their earnings on payday for this particular service. The rest of the week, they ran a tab with Val. He never directly attempted to collect, but the constant presence of Rab the half-ogre just inside the front door keep the miners honest.

The rest of Black Fork was a jumble of dirty tents and crude shacks. The wasn’t much order to the town, Jordan the smith was next to the baker Abel’s and good wife Amerest’s herb shop was next to the sheriff’s tent. Thorgrim’s own tent was between a barrel maker and a butcher. If you wanted to live in Black Fork, you claimed whatever empty space you could find.

Up ahead, Thorgrim spotted Jordan pushing a handcart loaded down with crates of horseshoes and small wooden containers of nails. A week of work for the smith and it looked as if Jordan had become mired. The smith was laboring mightily, huffing and blowing great breaths pushing on his cart but it wasn’t moving. The smith spied Thorgrim.

“Ah! Thorgrim! Can you spare a moment? I need to get this shipment on the next coach and I’m stuck in this god’s forsaken mud. The strength of dwarvs is legendary and I could use a bit of that right now.”

Thorgrim smiled. Jordan was one of the few in town who liked him despite his trade.

“Aye, well, I dunno about legendary, but I believe I can be of some help.” Thorgrim tossed his bucket on top of the cart and grabbed the cart handle next to the smith.

“Right,” Jordan smiled. “On three.”

The smith counted off, and both man and darv heaved on the cart. Muscles bulging, they pushed and slowly the cart began to move. They pushed harder and suddenly, the cart came loose with a loud, wet sucking sound.

Thorgrim’s short legs wouldn’t allow him a big enough step to keep pace with the sudden movement and he fell face down in the muck.

“Woop!” Jordan yelled as he turned to share a celebratory hand shake with the dwarv. Surprise touched his face when he saw Thorgrim. He bent down to help Thorgrim up as passers by paused to point and laugh at him.

“I didn’t know dwarvs bathed in the mud,” jeered Abel the baker. “Now I know why they stink so bad. Har!” Others joined in the laughter. Thorgrim scowled at Abel.

“Pay them no mind,” Jordan said as he hauled Thorgrim to his feet. “Thank you for the help.”

“Always happy to help you, friend Jordan,” the dwarv said as tried to wipe the mud from his beard. “Though it seems now that I’ll have to make many trips to the spigot to wash this shite off afore I open today.”

“Seems so,” Jordan smiled but there was no malice, only understanding. “Thorgrim, I’ll ask again. Why don’t you quit that business of yours? I can use a strong arm like yours at the forge and I can pay probably close to what you make now. Not to mention you might earn a bit more respect with the others in town.”

“A tempting offer but I’ve given you my reasons for refusing.” Thorgrim retrieved his bucket.

“You have, yes,” said the smith. “Just know that the offer is an open one.”