Understanding magic

I'm studying up on blog copyrights, in order to maintain at least some claim to whatever original ideas I may post publicly. In the case of something I really want to hold on to, I will become a little more...generalized in my descriptions. This is one such case.

I have worked on an idea for a novel that concerns "the science of magic." The real question is whether magic can be subjected to the same academic scrutiny as science, and thus reveal particular immutable laws about itself that would allow someone to master its use. What's interesting is that this ongoing brainstorm has resulted in an unanticipated, additional storyline.

I think it is generally accepted by fans of fantasy and science fiction that magic is somewhat like "the Force." It cannot be entirely understood and there is a certain amount of faith involved. Thus, the above mentioned storyline has added to its development a faith-based component, so I now have three components to the story: science, magic, and religion. It's beginning to get interesting...

-Mark

[Another] twist on aliens

So I know the whole "aliens from another planet" thing has been done. Many times. Many, many times, and without a whole lot of variations. That's the point of an idea I've been tossing around.

See, aliens--like hobbits or ghosts or other forms of otherworldly creatures--give us an opportunity to hold up our own civilization in comparison with another. It's a great tool for modern morality tales or even satire, because with a benchmark comparison our own flaws are amplified. I think most modern writers have considered using alien beings at one point or another, for something.

My own recent idea was in keeping with my theory that by twisting a story element 180 degrees, we can derive a more interesting and less typical scenario. In the case of aliens, rather than having them be an advanced technological society from light years across the univers, why not have them be a not-so-advanced civilization from somewhere nearby? The point of such a story, I would imagine, would be that such a society can thrive without the bells and whistles of modern technology such as laptop computers, instant coffee, and self-cleaning ovens. The aliens themselves may represent an offshoot of humanity; a tribe, so to speak, who at one point in our evolution split off from the main line and left to do their own thing. And they've done great. What would we think of such creatures? How would we treat them, if they truly came in peace? WOULD they come in peace? Who knows?

-Mark

"No Sympathy Night"

So I've had it in my head to write a short story based on a brief, five-word comment made by Bill Hicks on his album Rant in E Minor.

Bill was notorious for belittling his audiences from the stage and for snapping back at what he felt were slack-jawed yokels who heckled him from the safety and anonymity of the darkened room. On one of these occasions, capture on "Rant," he plainly told one of these hecklers, "Welcome to 'No Sympathy Night.' Welcome to 'You're Wrong Night.'"

That phrase--"No Sympathy Night"--and the fact that I've always been interested in stand up comedians spurred on a short story about a standup comic who belittles his audiences. It works for a short time, but eventually it begins to drive the people away.

The story opens as the comic is being confronted by the comedy club manager, who gives the comic his last shot. The meat of the story is an exchange between the comic and a 9 year-old boy who is waiting for his sister to finish waiting tables for the night. Because the kid's sister is a particularly atractive waitress with whom the comic has some history, the comic bears the obvious annoyance of the kid's omnipresence. They discuss comedy, and the comic tries to bounce some material off the kid, who obviously doesn't understand the intellectual, politically fueled rantings of the professional comedian. Finally, the kid tells a simple, straightforward "Knock, knock" joke. The comic waves it off as uncultured rubbish and chastises the kid for his laziness. But when the lights go up on the next show, the comic opens with the kid's joke, which starts the crowd reeling.

Like most of my ideas, I like it. And I've gotten maybe 500 words into this short story, which should be maybe 4000 at the most. But as the Plotastic! novel kicks in, I'm going to have to shelve it.

-Mark

So, here's what I look like...

I don't know why, but I felt it necessary at this point in the project to post a photo of myself. I'm including it on my Blogger profile, too. So... yeah.

-Mark

Here lie my random ideas...

...will I ever revive them?

Who knows? Perhaps they'll just remain here while I finish the Plotastic! novel.

Or, they may just lie here, rotting, for all of eternity, the lid of their virtual coffin to never be pried from its rusty hinges.

Anywho!

Here is the "brain dump" I promised all of the Plotastic! readers. Here I will dump any new idea I have that may distract me from completing that project. So I will avoid distraction and finish my first ever novel manuscript.

Check back here to see what I'm giving up to finish my first novel. And feel free to comment.

-Mark

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