rebecca
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Registered: 11/24/05
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caryn_bruer
Registered: 11/25/05
Posts: 1,681
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Reply with quote | #42 |
Review: WOW Anthology- 2008 Edition, by Wizards of Words
This long awaited book was worth the wait. Almost every genre is included, with something for everyone. Although not everyone can be expected to appreciate every story offered, this is a potpourri of fun to read. While a few of the stories lacked depth, and lost my attention after the first paragraph or two, many of them held me enthralled until the last word.
Being a true southerner, I enjoyed Phil Whitley's Good Ole Boys - Catfishin'. It is a delicious tale reminiscent of many I've heard repeated by the menfolk in my own family, as they lolled in the shade after Sunday dinner at Grandma's, and retold their own hunting and fishing fables. Edd Voss also evoked moments of nostalgia with The Ghost of High Jolly. Very good.
Larry Evans and Woodrow Walker conjure up television shows of the 50's. Okay, okay... so you don't remember the 50's because you were still only a twinkle in your father's eye at the time. But, I remember the Sam Spade, Dragnet and Gangbusters radio shows. As I read these two good stories, The List by Larry L. Evans and Odd Job by Woodrow W. Walker, I was transported back to a time when the family gathered around the radio and listened.
Desert Stranger by Barbara Leachman is an excellent piece of work. I will look forward to more from her. Kevin Lucia offers a very well-written perspective in his story, Breathe. Several other stories, such as David S. Rosenbergs' wonderful piece, Coonskin Czardas, are memoirs. I enjoyed all of them.
E. Robert Orn is a wordsmith. Through the first nine pages of his story, To Sleep Perchance To Dream, his mastery of descriptive phrases held me. I was transported, and felt like I was just on the edge of every scene. I could almost hear the gunshots, smell the scent of gunpowder and blood, hear the scream of tires on pavement and the clash and grind of metal on metal in the car chase. Wow, what a ride! Then... well, what happened? When the author became a biologist, or better described as an evolutionist, perhaps,... he lost me. The drama dissipated, replaced by a yawn. Oh, E. Robert Orn. I love your work. I appreciate your brilliance at painting word pictures. I'm overwhelmed by your vivid imagination. Hmmmm? Maybe the story ended better than I thought it did. Maybe it's just me. I'll try not to be so disappointed with your ending.
There is an enormous wealth of talent in the pages of this book. Every story is worth the time you will spend to read it. Don't expect every story to appeal to you. Some may not. However, this anthology will open the window to a variety of genres and writing styles. I know that you will be impressed at the imaginative way each author spins his/her story.
I will look forward to future WOW anthologies. While I did spot a few typos and grammatical errors (even my own), the book is nicely edited and arranged. I commend Rebecca Buckley on a job well done.
Congratulations to all the Wizards of Words who contributed.
Caryn A. Bruer
__________________
Caryn Bruer is a nom de plume for writer Karen Brewer.
I am also published under the pseudonym of Anne Elwick.
Visit my website at
http://www.anne-elwick.com/
"We Don't Say Goodbye"- ISBN: 1-4137-9484-X
"Elvis, Upstaged"- short story, has earned two awards
"The Stalker"- earned a Byline Magazine Flash Fiction award
Jonquils In January- (chapbook) available on my website
"Bawdy Old Broads"- (soon to be released)
"Journey On Dead Horse Trail" (in the works)
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain. " - unknown |
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lebrecht
Registered: 11/25/05
Posts: 1,204
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Reply with quote | #43 |
Well said Caryn:
I agree.
Anne
__________________
"Memories of a Forgotten Past"
"Discoveries of a Hidden Past"
"The Daughters of Nora Crawford"
"Simply Poetry"
"Tales From The Heart"
"Confession From A Stranger"
http://www.annelebrecht.com |
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Grannyg
Registered: 11/16/06
Posts: 117
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Reply with quote | #44 |
I have a question before I prepare to enter anything to the next Anthology Book for 2009. Is it preferred that only adult-type stories are added or are children's stories okay? I didn't notice many children's stories in the Anthology Book for 2008 except for mine.
Thanks for any comments.
Cecelia
Heaven's Mission
Heaven's Mission for a New Generation
Love Turns Lethal: Heaven Prevails.
__________________
Cecelia Davis
I know the plans I have you, says the Lord. Plans to help you not to harm you...to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
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Brew
Registered: 12/03/05
Posts: 63
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Reply with quote | #45 |
I am so sorry that I just tonight found this thread. I read the Anthology as soon as it arrived - except for my own short (which I have memorized - LOL). After reading, I was struck (horrified is more like it) that Good Ol' Boys was the only specific humor genre' included. I was afraid that it looked like one of those big nose warts...
Thanks to Woodrow, Becca and Caryn for the nice words - they made me feel better. All the other stories were superb. I feel honored to be in their company.
As soon as the decision for the next anthology is made, whether it is to be theme-based or not, I have the sequel ready for the Good Ol' Boys adventures. I am saving it just fofr that purpose. This one involves a rattlesnake roundup, an accidental bull ride by Brother Hollis, and a Wild Game Dinner. Most of these adventures actually happened, and the Good Ol' Boys are based on very real characters from my childhood. They were my role models...
Brew
http://www.philwhitley.com
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rebecca
Moderator
Registered: 11/24/05
Posts: 4,476
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Reply with quote | #46 |
Send it in, we're not theme-based. I think I'm going to keep this project as my own baby, especially since I'm publishing it. Sorry, guys, but on this I'll stand firm. No theme.
The guidelines are already posted on this messageboard, so start sending ... others have, and there's an ongoing list of those who have been accepted. So, don't waste any time.
__________________
Luv, Becca b.
"Midnight at Trafalgar Square" - 2005
"Love Has A Price Tag" - 2006
"Midnight at the Eiffel" - 2007
"Bits & Pieces of Me" - 2008
"Midnight in Brussels" - Coming in 2009
"Write it Right: Book One" - Coming in 2009
My Web Site: http://www.rebeccabuckley.com
Published Articles: http://rebeccabuckley98.vox.com
Excerpts of Writing: http://rebeccabuckley99.vox.com
My Publishing House: http://www.rjbuckleypublishing.com |
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Drosenberg
Registered: 11/26/05
Posts: 787
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Reply with quote | #47 |
I'm working on a short story myself. It will be too long for the anthology. So far the story is 10000 words and I'm about 1/2 done. I may publish it here in serial form 1000 words (+/-) per day. Charles Dickens did this in London newspapers.
All the best,
David
__________________
Author of:
No Shortage of Evil
Infusion of Evil
Extension of Evil
Position Twelve
The Hungry Dragon
The Obvious Answer
The Compact Guide for the Creative Writer
http://www.drosenbergsbooks.com
http://blog.myspace.com/drosenbergsbooks |
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caryn_bruer
Registered: 11/25/05
Posts: 1,681
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Reply with quote | #48 |
Great idea, David. Will look forward to it.
__________________
Caryn Bruer is a nom de plume for writer Karen Brewer.
I am also published under the pseudonym of Anne Elwick.
Visit my website at
http://www.anne-elwick.com/
"We Don't Say Goodbye"- ISBN: 1-4137-9484-X
"Elvis, Upstaged"- short story, has earned two awards
"The Stalker"- earned a Byline Magazine Flash Fiction award
Jonquils In January- (chapbook) available on my website
"Bawdy Old Broads"- (soon to be released)
"Journey On Dead Horse Trail" (in the works)
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain. " - unknown |
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rebecca
Moderator
Registered: 11/24/05
Posts: 4,476
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Reply with quote | #49 |
Short story - A fictional prose narrative shorter and more focused than a novella - usually deals with a single episode and often a single character. Length is generally between 2,000 and 10,000 words. (OUR GUIDELINES FOR THE ANTHOLOGY IS 2500 - 7000 words.)
Novella - A fictional prose narrative often set in a brief period of time, such as a day, week, or month. A novella often concentrates on character study. Length usually around 17,501 to 40,000 words (APPEARS AS IF YOU'RE WRITING A NOVELLA, DAVID.)
Novel - A fictional prose narrative of considerable length, usually having a plot that unfolds by actions, dialogue and thoughts of the varied characters. Length 40,001+ words (MOST OF MY NOVELS ARE ON AN AVERAGE 90,000 WORDS.)
__________________
Luv, Becca b.
"Midnight at Trafalgar Square" - 2005
"Love Has A Price Tag" - 2006
"Midnight at the Eiffel" - 2007
"Bits & Pieces of Me" - 2008
"Midnight in Brussels" - Coming in 2009
"Write it Right: Book One" - Coming in 2009
My Web Site: http://www.rebeccabuckley.com
Published Articles: http://rebeccabuckley98.vox.com
Excerpts of Writing: http://rebeccabuckley99.vox.com
My Publishing House: http://www.rjbuckleypublishing.com |
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ASHLEE111
Registered: 06/03/08
Posts: 93
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rebecca
Moderator
Registered: 11/24/05
Posts: 4,476
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