The WWC Writer’s At The Improv “Story”

Please note that the persons responsible for this literary travesty were Ed Willett (in a team by himself), Kevin Weir and Katie Harse, and Steve Swanson and David Worsick. Congratulations, everyone.

THE VELOCIRAPTURE

The velociraptor raptly watched the velocipede rapidly wobbling down the vellum-covered roadway, licking its lips in anticipation of the veloci-repast it would enjoy when the velocipede crashed.

Puce!” the velociraptor swore (for velociraptors swear using colorful words like that) when the velocipede’s velocity suddenly increased; his victim had seen him!

Just then the mysterious liquid in the lake at the end of the vellum-covered roadway began to effervesce.

Martin! EEEEE!” screamed the boy on the velocipede, and from the bubbling lake rose a giant bearded head. (martini)

The velocipede hit the lake, the boy was catapulted into the beard of Martin’s giant head, and the velociraptor’s dream of turning the scene into a slaughterhouse died with a muttered, “Magenta!”

Things had not, however, ended happily ever after as a yawning cerulean vortex appeared in the effervescent lake, and Martin and the boy were pulled under the chartreuse waters with a hideous sucking sound.

Martin and his new companion found themselves in an upside-down world, colorless and so, as is well known, humorless.

“You petty, coat-dragging excuse of a theropodic meat-grinder,” shouted Martin, his maple leaf colored face displaying his rage, “I’ll blacken your gullet with bile for this!” (petticoat)

The object of his rage was a very small man in a gray suit, who blinked mildly at Martin and said, “I warned you when I asked you to co-sign the velociraptor’s deal with Satan that if you thwarted his appetite I would drag you into the underworld and harvest your soul.” (cosine)

At which point the boy leaped out of Martin’s beard and shouted, “Get thee behind me, Satan’s banker!”

And so pure was his soul that all concerned were transported to heaven on the spot.

THE END

Book Publishers Association of Alberta works with PLSB to build ebook collection for Alberta libraries

IFWITS hit library shelves! The Book Publishers Association of Alberta (BPAA) is working to create a collection of Alberta ebooks for public libraries.  Approximately 1200

Cantook Station LogoThe Book Publishers Association of Alberta (BPAA) is working to create a collection of Alberta ebooks for public libraries.  Approximately 1200 ebooks will soon be available to Alberta public library patrons for borrowing. Some of our members have works that are now part of this collection. Congratulations to those included in the collection. The books are available at all public library through the website cantookstation.com. Visit your local library for more information.

Public Library Services Branch (PLSB) provided funding which made it possible to licence the ebooks for public use and PLSB has also acquired an online platform to host the collection.  Publishers, the BPAA and PLSB worked together to develop innovative licensing terms that, among other things, will allow simultaneous use of books.  Ebooks in the new collection will always be available for immediate use by library patrons.

The new ebook collection should be available for public use by the end of 2016.

Skills: Map Making

At the last IFWA Meeting, we had the pleasure of having Swati Chavda share some knowledge about map making for Fantasy and Science Fiction. Using the book How to Draw Fantasy Art and RPG Maps: Step by Step Cartography for Gamers and Fans by Jared Blando, Swati gave the group several tips for creating their own maps.

Maps can add a layer of reality to your story. Readers may like to refer to the map to add some extra immersion. However, maps shouldn’t be used as a crutch. Your writing should stand on its own. The map should be an extra. 

Maps can be used during your writing process to help you orient to your own story. You can do one after your outline to give you more ideas. You can use it as a world-building exercise, or you can find plot holes and issues by identifying distances and obstacles your characters might encounter. 

Map making is very complex. It should be treated like writing from scratch. Start with basic shapes, build on them on feature and line at a time. Don’t worry about making it perfect at the beginning. Map making, like writing, is a process.

The best starting point is the coastline. Draw a basic shape then add inlets, jagged coastlines, smooth beaches and rivers. After your basic shape is drawn, add mountain ranges, hills, and larger features. Think about your world’s formation. Were mountains formed by tectonic plates, or is there one volcano?

Digital map making can enhance your experience because you can easily make changes as you write your story. There are several free apps, ArtStudio for example, that can be used to create your map. Digital programs will also help you create in layers, which will make deleting elements easier later on. 

For more information, check out How to Draw Fantasy Art and RPG Maps: Step by Step Cartography for Gamers and Fans by Jared Blando.

Enigma Front

Enigma Front Titles

Enigma Front TitlesThe annual short anthology of IFWA members published by Analemma Books has just closed its third call for submissions. This year’s theme, The Monster Within, celebrates and recognizes the upcoming 100 year anniversary of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. With over 45 stories submitted, the selection team has their work cut out for them as many talented authors contribute their stories with their personal style, genre, and interpretation of the theme.

The anthology will be published over the next several months and launched at the annual When Words Collide Reader Festival. The previous titles, Enigma Front and Enigma Front Burnt, can be found on Amazon or at local booksellers around Calgary and central Alberta. Be sure to check out the previously published talent before the new release!

Canada Reads 2017

 

Alien Abduct CBCWouldn’t it be great if the entire country read and discussed some of Canada’s top Science Fiction! It’s your opportunity to vote for the theme of the next Canada Reads Debates on CBC. What’s even cooler, there’s a good chance that someone you know may be selected for the shortlist!

Canada Reads is an annual “battle of the books” competition organized and broadcast by Canada’s public broadcaster, the CBC. The program has aired annually in two distinct editions, the English-language Canada Reads on CBC Radio One, and the French-language Le Combat des livres on Première Chaîne.

During Canada Reads, five personalities champion five different books, each champion extolling the merits of one of the titles. The debate is broadcast over a series of five programs. At the end of each episode, the panellists vote one title out of the competition until only one book remains. This book is then billed as the book that all of Canada should read.

How do you vote? Go to http://www.cbc.ca/books/2016/10/canada-reads-theme-survey.html and select your favourite theme!