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Delve into the mind of a Dark Knight. |
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** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** It's difficult to find someone who thinks like I do. Join me in exploring the dark side of life. Through torture and murder we can discover what makes us tick. Are you a Knight of Darkness? Do you seek pleasure through the misery of your characters? If so; then join me on a quest to answer a series of questions about the other realm, our inner psyche, destiny, and many other topics that may rise from the recesses of oblivion. |
It's good to have competition, especially when it comes to doing something you want so badly to succeed in, like creative writing. Today a writer, crepsley entered my contest and his flash piece is worth the read. He really stuck to the prompt in a terrifying way.  Can't wait to see what some of the other talented WDC writers have in store for me. Now, I know I promised to let you in on my latest flash piece. Well, although it won't compete well with the stories yet to come, and although it will score low ratings on this site, it's the second flash story I've written in as many months that has the potential to lead to an exciting book. I've already started mapping out the plot. I must admit, I can't recall the last time I was this excited about starting my summer vacation. I need to map out the plot plus interview my characters for "Invalid Item"  . This latest attempt, has me excited as well. The story is called, "The Master Race." Even though I used the word "master" in both titles, the stories have nothing to do with each other. One is a mixture of Science Fiction and Horror, while this latest attempt is Supernatural Horror and Suspense. Okay, now for my gripes with my latest attempt. The opening is acceptable, the middle is really good, but once again, the ending sucks. It's not really an ending, which will cause me to lose a shot at taking away Sir William's title. Oh well, there's always next month.If this contest can last the year, I'll award the winner of all winners a fantastic prize, just like they did in the old days. The Champion of all Knights was richly rewarded. So, donations are appreciated. I'm also pondering putting the best efforts in an anthology. So many great authors here, and I believe they should be rewarded. I won't be able to offer monetary compensation, but I will offer any royalties that come from sales to each writer. More information will follow in the upcoming months. If anyone has suggestions, feel free to email me. Anyway, today is Mother's Day so all you wonderful writers that are mothers, biological or otherwise, have a fantastic day. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| It's been an interesting week. While it's true I haven't written anything until today, at least my creative juices were flowing. I gave a conference to Junior High school students and it was entertaining, and a big success. I'm having fun with a flash piece for my contest. Just completed the first draft. I don't understand how in just 500 words, I do well on characterization, but when I extend these pieces, the characterization falters, overshadowed by plot. You'd think by now, this stuff would flow a little easier. I wish I could belt out a perfect story from the get go, but then again, the fun does come from rewriting. Also this week, Anne Rice paid me a flattering compliment. She called me a "gentle soul."  All this time I thought I was doing a good job as a dark writer.  I couldn't fool the Queen of Horror, who now writes for the Lord. I've only read one of her Christian books, but I must say, she's so good at putting the reader in the scene. Her subtle descriptions are so vivid, I swear I'm watching everything unfold in person. Thanks for wishing me well, Anne Rice, as I wish you all the best with your new genre. So far no entries for this month in the Joust of Horror Contest. I hope someone else besides me will challenge Sir William for the title. The Dark Knight is drooling to unhorse another victim. How hard can it be to write a horror flash that takes place in a tunnel of death? Come on people, let's see the entries. Mine is almost ready for prime time. Of course, if I get enough entries, I'll have to nullify my entry. Unless, I can get another guest judge. Next time I'll provide more details of the newest flash piece, tentatively titled, "The Master Race." ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| A couple of weeks ago I wrote a flash piece, "Invalid Item" that although the characterization was good for short work, the ending sucked, because it really wasn't an ending. This week, I finished the extended version and retitled it, "Invalid Item" . Ironically, this version needs much work on characterization and the ending, although open ended, is quite good. Along the way some WDC writers have made great suggestions for improvement. Based on what they've suggested, I have come to the conclusion that a) writing is not easy, and b) the writers at WDC care enough to provide excellent advice in the hope of making other writers better. I love this site. Time to give credit where credit is due. Comments for the flash piece: billwilcox  it reads more like a blurb than a story My comment: Can't fool the great Bill Wilcox The man would never let me get away with mediocrity. Prof Moriarty  A great example of spinning magic with words without using too many of them. My comment: My ego thanks you.  Onyx: a PURPLE MANIAC!  Flash Fiction is all about efficient expression and brevity. This story is brief, well-rounded, and overall on-point. With brevity being a constraint, what you decide to detail and how you do so are crucial decisions. My comment: Formula: Compliment, Correct, he attacked the format. I did not indent.  Then he went beyond the call of duty and demonstrated. He did it so well, I kept much of his rewritten segments. A normal guy may have been offended. I know the techniques but I tend to overlook them. So, I saw this as a much needed reminder. The longer piece: tanuiska This was a great story.... I have to say your strength is in plot development, coming up with unexpected twists and turns... This story offered just that and more.... it had that eerie lining which always made me think, something bad is going to happen at any moment, and I love it when stories do that. Great work here buddy.... loved it. My comment: After buttering me up a bit, she did a line by line and made great suggestions for improvement. Also, she enjoyed the ending. Kotaro I got the feeling you were in a rush writing this story. It wasn’t as good as your other stories.. After reading your story, I realized two things about writing a story of a magical item. The characters shouldn’t easily believe in it. The other thing was fear of the unknown. My comment: Kotaro doesn't believe in buttering up. He was dead on with the two elements that I overlooked. Thanks to these great reviewers, I feel I'm better equipped with tackling a much longer work, say a novelette or novel. I want to thank the writers whose reviewing technique I featured, without their permission. I figure, once you make it for one of my works, I own the rights. Not to worry, it was all good. I want other writers to learn from their peers' critiques. I just hope that I can provide you guys with valuable advice that you'll be able to use to make you a better writer and therefore, entertain us all. Nomar Knight |
I just had a wonderful review done by Prof Moriarty . Excellent honest criticism with an intriguing way to score. The overall result was a 4 out 5 but the review itself was a five star review.  On other news, I just finished the first round of rewrites for the extended version of "Invalid Item" which also happens to be the piece reviewed. I enjoyed the ride the character took me on and I was stunned by the sudden shocking ending. I never saw it coming. I see my friends are busy writing and creating new works. Can't wait to sink my teeth into their stories. Adriana Noir has graciously allowed me to view her secret stash of goodies. I can't wait. My friend Taniuska is kind enough to judge the showdown between myself and the great billwilcox. Nothing like a good competition to get the old juices flowing. Another benefit my contest has that I overlooked is the ability to push a deadline down my throat. I am a procrastinator by nature. This is where I would normally insert a few lines from the new story but I really don't want to tip my hat since the deadline is a couple of days away. I must allow the challenger more time, to sweat. For now, I wish you all a productive, dark night. Nomar Knight |
| Every now and again my pores release a toxin that causes me to be cruel. I love it when this occurs in daylight. Ha! Yesterday, a twelve-year-old lad showed me a blister he had on his thumb. Like a true vampire my eyes were blinded by the smell of fear. Instead of focusing on the boy's problem, my instincts jumped at the chance to torment the poor innocent soul. "I can fix that." Hope lit the child's eyes. He said the pain was getting to be unbearable. I had to fight off a smile. "Follow me." I said and lead him to my desk. I opened a locked drawer and watch his reaction to the contents. At first, the boy seemed as if his thoughts were in outer space, but when I lifted a pick axe, his red face began losing its color. I shook my head pretending to be dissatisfied with my selection. I picked up a box cutter and grinned. Our eyes met. His small eyes almost made his forehead disappear. I muttered, "Would you prefer I use the machete?" His mouth opened yet the only sound he made was a shivering silence. "Okay," I took out a sowing needle. "If I burn the tip you won't catch infection. All I have to do is poke a hole in your finger and then squeeze out the puss." I crumpled my face and made a hard squeezing motion with my fist. I'm not one hundred percent sure, but a foul odor seemed to escape the boy's trousers. "Kid, I must be getting mellow because in the old days, I used to use a scalpel." I grinned and added, "I'm kidding kid." I put away the torture tools and told him he could squeeze the puss out himself when his finger was ready for it. The boy walked away, scratching his head, drying the sweat off his brow with his sleeve. About thirty minutes later he came back and showed me that he stabbed the wound with a pin and was able to squeeze some of the puss out. Amazingly, he was grateful because in my own weird way I showed him that he shouldn't sweat the small stuff. Of course, he could have been grateful because I didn't use the machete. Nomar Knight |
| Sometimes to move forward you have to take a few steps back. Two years ago I posted a 400 word flash piece titled "Cursed" It was a fast paced flash story. It managed to win first place in a WDC contest. I decided to email it to Suspense Magazine and enter it in their flash fiction contest. I must admit, I'm pleased with the rewriting effort. Now I know the name of the character because in the original version he was nameless. I also care more about him and while I don't personally agree with his choice, I understand what led him to his fate. When I compared both versions, one thing was evident: my writing has gotten better. In the past I wasn't comfortable with editing and rewriting, but now I realize that's where the story really takes shape. It's also a joy as the characters take me on a horrific ride. Oh well, that's all for today. I leave you with a quote from "Cursed" The most profound moments of your life stay with you forever. And as the main character finds out, that's not necessarily a good thing. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
 NEWS FLASH "Invalid Item" won last weeks "Invalid Item" There prompt was inspiring. They have a new prompt up which I will not tackle, but it's another good one. Anyone interested should cook something up and go for it.MORE NEWS I just finished the first draft of a flash piece designed as a rebuttal of sorts for "Invalid Item" . Actually, this flash piece is not going head to head against anyone. I just wanted to clue the participants in on my version of the prompt. Of course, when I extend the piece, much changes will be made. So far, I'd say, it has potential, but as is, it will score low in the WDC world of reviewing. Also, I'm not thrilled with the ending, although when I extend it, it shouldn't be a problem. I'm not hot on the title for the shorter version either. It's more appropriate for the extended version. The tentative title is "Charmed by Time." It sounds so sweet. For readers that don't know me, they'll be in for quite a surprise, since the story takes on a dark tone. However, the flash piece is somewhat heartwarming. I hope I'm not losing my powers of darkness. NEWS UPDATE The characters from "The Changing" are screaming at me for saying the story is over. Ha. I guess this one's looking like a much longer piece. If I get enough scenes, I'll open a new book and open the first five chapters to the public. We'll see. I love the opening scene and I like how the last scene finished. It revealed something shocking about Dante Cruz. Which automatically peeked my interest about a bit character in the last scene. Now she looms large. Lot's of other characters will appear and some are very interesting. So much for finishing a short story. Would you guys consider this a good problem?Till next time ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| At last, the first draft of my new short story titled, "The Changing" is done. This story is Science Fiction and Horror. It's themes deal with change. Let's face it, people are afraid of change. There are numerous current events which point to that fact. Change is a bitter pill to swallow. There are two main characters in this tale. The first scene introduces the reader to the purple princess, later on we learn her name is Mistress Lila. She is like nothing anyone has ever seen before, although outwardly appearances would have you think she's human. However, her actions and how she relates to living creatures will quickly demonstrate that Mistress Lila is not like any woman you know. The other main character is Secret Service Agent Dante Cruz. He has special skills and a keen sense of awareness. He comes back from a hunting trip to find his world turned upside down. He could swear he was living in an alternate universe. Of course, he isn't. He's just one character resistant to change, yet he embodies change. The opening scene screams of horror but then the story takes on a Science Fiction feel to it. Events that unfold are bizarre and the realization that we humans are vulnerable to forces not recognized by most of society, hit home hard. There are changes that occur all around us but do we have the courage to face them? Do we have what it takes to insure the survival of our kind? For all the preparation and show of force our country exudes, we were vulnerable to an air attack. When I predicted an attack by air against New York City, 15 years before the World Trade Center was hit, I was thinking more along the lines of a dropped bomb or chemical weapons. So when I saw the second plane strike the other tower, I was stunned that anyone would bring about change in such a drastic manner, just to prove a point. Change sometimes can lead to good things, but in this story, it brings about the realization that we are not prepared for everything. There are some changes we will not welcome. If you don't believe me, ask Dante Cruz. Better yet, read "The Changing" and witness firsthand, the horror of change. Nomar Knight |
| Have you ever made a choice where the outcome was something mundane? Let's say you decided to walk to the convenient store to buy a container of milk. Since the store is about 5 minutes away on foot, you'd normally drive, but without giving it much thought you walk to the store. You arrive at your destination, pick up the milk container, pay for it, and go back home. Boring! But wait! In one alternate universe, the other you gets run over by a truck. In yet another alternate universe, the other you meets someone interesting and gets a date for the night. The fact that that version of you is married, didn't matter because that you has no morals. In another version, you love walking because it's easier to spot your next kill. Get the picture? I guess what I'm getting at is that it's a good idea to treat your characters the same way, always looking through the eyes of someone who sees alternate plains of existence. Let's face it, if we lived in other author's created worlds, getting milk would be quite an adventure. Imagine living in one of Laurel K. Hamilton's worlds. You go out for milk and pick up a hot babe, only to find out she's a werewolf, or vampire or whatever. Just because our lives may not be so exciting, doesn't mean our characters have to imitate us. Until next time. Look for me at a theater near you. I just may be the quiet psycho sitting next to you, scheming, drooling for the chance to get you alone. Oops, that's not me, that would be one of my alternates in another realm. Oh well, catch you later. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| I feel like one of my characters, stuck in an eternal abyss for which escape is impossible. So many things to write about, yet I'm losing the battle with procrastination. It's as if my body will not respond to my Muse's commands. To better understand what I'm experiencing, here's an excerpt from "Invalid Item" A thick blackness surrounds me. I rub my arms trying to keep warm. Goose pimples brush against my fingers. I let out a breath expecting to see white smoke but the air is so thick that I wonder if blindness has won. I pinch my chest. The feel of the erected nipple makes me wish my dream girl was here. Without making a sound, I stand still, listening to the dark void that engulfs me. In this abyss my thoughts control my movements. I glide forward at blazing speed expecting to see a change in my surroundings, but all I get is colder. As I contemplate stopping, wind begins to howl. No not wind--whispers. The darkness is alive. Screams fill the void. What I thought to be a howling wind is in fact, cries of terror. I shiver as chills attack my body like army ants biting down on soft skin. The constant shrills force me to cover my ears. Just when I think insanity will have its way, a familiar odor begins nauseating me. I know that scent but I can't identify it. I cover my nose and let the ice cold cut my skin. Madness. Tears roll down my cheeks and quickly ice up. Despair pounds my chest. Guilt slaps my face. I know I'm not alone, yet loneliness consumes me. I feel it pulling pieces out of my heart. The screams are everywhere; above, below, next to me, and somehow, inside me. "Please make it stop!" I shout, only to hear my words echoing back but not just in my voice. Women, children, and men, repeat my pleas. At first they mimic me one by one, then in unison. Liquid oozes out of my ears and hardens. My cry repeats over and over, creating a chaotic symphony. That smell is so much stronger now. It's everywhere. The noise suddenly stops. My stomach growls as if wolves battle in a murky pond. A thick liquid squirms past my throat and exits my mouth. Expecting vomit, my eyes bulge at the length of the rotted mass pouring from inside me. What the-? I reach to feel the liquid. I want to scream but I can't. Is it my tongue? God! It's cold and slippery and reeks of rotted meat. At last it comes to an end and I tremble as I hear it slither away. I do not want your sympathy. I want you to point me to your darkest, most disturbing efforts and help me shake the cobwebs of procrastination. Nomar Knight |
Just want to thank the two entrants to the new short story contest
Happy writing to all you potential Dark Knights. Nomar Knight |
I've been wanting to host a horror contest for quite awhile but I was afraid to make a commitment since things in my personal world are usually unstable. Nevertheless, here goes my first effort. I hope to run the contest for at least two months but only the authors here at WDC can determine if that will happen.
Another thing I like about the concept for the contest is that each participant gets the opportunity to make their flash fiction pieces grow into something more substantial and hopefully putting their creation in line as a work they can submit for publication. At the least, it's an opportunity to improve in various short story elements such as characterization, plot development, dialogue, mood and style. I hope you all help me spread the word and I look forward to reading your entries. Nomar Knight |
I was inspired by this week's prompt in the Weekly Flash Fiction Contest to pen a five hundred word snippet. I'm sure it needs some polishing so if anyone wants to comment, feel free.
Thanks my friends. Hope all is well. Nomar Knight |
| Good to see some of my favorite writers are writing in their blogs again. I can't believe it's been 12 days since I've written anything on here. Sorry for my absence but life tends to overload us when we least want it to. Oh well, today I want to know what goes through the mind of a WDC writer when Nomar Knight reviews one of your items. I've been told that people hold their breaths when they see the review is from me. Gee, am I that tough? First of all, every review I do, teaches me something about the craft and myself. Last month an author asked me to review the first 3 chapters of his novel because it's getting published soon. Hmm, since I had read something from him before and enjoyed it, I thought he was interested in honest feedback. To make a long story short, and yes my review was extremely extensive, I let him know what I thought. I guess he'll never communicate with me again except for when he may provide a tough review for me. What troubled me most was that he didn't acknowledge receiving my review. He didn't defend his writing and the only reason he would have to defend it at all is because I informed him that I failed to see little things, like theme and plot after reading 3 chapters. Now I understand that some of us are bare-bone writers, meaning we don't expand on the details until a later draft. Considering how many holes I found in what I had read, I assumed he was kidding about publishing the book as I read it. The devil is in the details and I believe the author had more deals to make with the devil himself before putting it out on the market. While I may be my toughest critic, and yes I am a bit of a perfectionist with my own stuff, I think that particular author has talent and with some more rewriting, the book can be a good read. So, that brings me to today's lesson. When writing novels, make sure all the pieces of the puzzle are presented in a manner that your reader won't be left talking to herself. Perhaps the above mentioned author's first three chapters are really located in his 16th chapter. I don't know. I was only presented with 3 chapters. Novels are so hard to write, because they require an unbelievable amount of patience and tender love and care. I wrote a 98 scene novel and after letting it sit for a year, I reread it and found that I only liked 5 scenes. After letting it sit another two years and in the process improved my writing thanks to the writers of this wonderful site, I reread the book and understand that I tried to rush 3 books into one and I didn't properly fleshed out the characters and plot line like I should. Now my problem is getting together with the characters and meeting some new ones because I definitely have to go back to do more research. Each book is set up in a different era of history, or possible history. My advice to anyone receiving one of my reviews: read it if you have the courage to see that my intentions are genuine, not malicious. Read it because it's possible that there might just be a little bit of wisdom that can improve your work or future works. Worst case scenario, read it for laughs at my expense...just don't forget to let me in on the fruits of my labor by dropping me a note, thanking me or cursing me out. Just let me know you're alive. Nomar Knight at your services Nomar Knight |
| I don't want to seem like I'm complaining but my muse is all over the place. On one side new characters were describing their adventure in a Science Fiction / Horror short story. All was going well until my favorite vampire character starting hogging up space and totally interfered, breaking my rhythm. Then my inner poet would take away valuable time and I managed to belt out a couple more poems. I'm having serious concentration problems. It must be my Attention Deficit Disorder running wild. Add real life getting in the way again and I'm afraid I'm just one click away from checking into a padded room. Crazy. Okay, so I'm ungrateful. It's just that I need to focus. Does anyone have any suggestions? Oh, oh, I have to run off now, my muse wants to start an inspirational nonfiction book. How can I get this under control? How can I organize my time without pissing people off. -- No Countess Lorraina, I can't write your story now. Sorry, vampires can be extremely persistent. You see what I mean. Help! Nomar Knight |
| I hate it when I get sick. I haven't been myself lately. Just a couple of nights ago I was working on a new short story. At least, I think it's a short story. It's a Sc-fi / Horror / Suspense story. No title for it yet but I was enjoying where the main character was leading me. I'm worried that the weekend's golden opportunity to write will slip away. Oh well, such is life. Just thought I'd write something in this blog before I go visit my doctor. In an hour I will consult with the doc and hopefully, what I have can be taken care of with a simple remedy. I'm anxious cause I checked the symptoms and one possibility is the beginning of Parkinson's Disease. Nah, can't be that drastic. Wish me luck. Nomar Knight |
| The weather has kept me inside tonight. No jogging for me but at least I was able to write a first draft for two poems. I even drank my coffee early tonight. What to do? I don't normally talk about my books but I opened up to two students today and they are eager for me to get back to my vampire novel. While talking with them I realized I was trying to choke two, maybe three possible novels in one. I'm looking forward to the vampire Lorraina's revisit so I can slow down and get her story from the beginning. What she is now, or what she aspires to be in the future must wait until I understand where she's coming from. So research I must. Lorraina and her sister came from the 1600's. They were accused of being witches in Salem. My first vampire novel must take place in that era and should span one hundred years to the Revolution. Yes, George Washington makes an important appearance. I love brainstorming with potential fans. Book two could bring them into the sexual revolution. 1960's, yes, a fun era. I've heard people used to get busy and afterwords, ask each other their names. Book three will include modern times and their current struggles, specifically, Lorraina's struggles to take over the world. Book four would detail her struggles with the food chain in a post apocalyptic Earth. Hmm, I guess I'll be rather busy for the next five or ten years. Cool. Hopefully, this weekend I can get back to my demon horror novel. The first 5 chapters aren't bad. I hope those characters can whisper more. Ah, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain. And to all my friends covered in snow. Drink a cup of nice steaming cocoa and write until your hearts content. Enjoy your weekend. Nomar Knight |
| Well, here I am again, writing to myself. Finished my evening jog and now I sit at the computer, sipping a steaming hot cup of coffee, writing about nothing. What to write about... let's see, I wrote a spontaneous poem, which really isn't meant for the general public but I'll leave it in the public domain for awhile. Not looking for reviews for that one. I don't know how I went from prose mode to poetry mode over the last few days. I can't seem to stop writing poems. Strange. What else is new? Ah, yes, my divorce. Finally got that done. My ex had a sudden change of heart and decided to get her freedom. I hope she finds happiness. God knows I'm in pursuit of happiness. It's tough for a writer to have a good relationship with a non-writer. It'd be nice to hook up with a reader, then perhaps my long moments of silence, my loner ways, and my dark humor wouldn't go unnoticed and maybe I wouldn't offend anyone. I wonder when I'm going to beat my procrastination. I'm supposed to send off some stories and poems, but I'm such a perfectionist. I don't feel that most of what I want to send, is ready. All I can hope for is improvement, maybe some peace, energy, and time to write and submit to publishers. I'm still debating over continuing my Master's again. There's a university nearby but it's not of the highest quality. I'd like to start a contest here but if I study, won't be able to do both. Oh well, hope all my friends here are doing well. Good night and happy writing. Nomar Knight |
| A couple of nights ago I broke out of my poetry slump. I've written 3 poems in the last two days, one of which I entered in a contest, just for fun of course. We all know I'm no poet. Anyway, it feels good to be contributing again. I hope I can split the time between reviews, blogging, writing stories, novels and poems. Keeping busy is a good thing since no matter what happens in life, someone always tries to sour things. Sometimes I feel like locking myself up in a cave and have as little contact with the humanoids that surround me. Perhaps I'll be a hermit in a few years. Enough ranting, here's a link to the poem I entered in Inspirations contest:
Have a good weekend my friends, Nomar Knight |
| At last, I broke through my creative block, some unforeseen plot to stop me from writing poetry. I know, I'm not a poet, but it's been two years since one squeezed out of me. This time, after reading a poem in a horror magazine, inspiration struck and in a matter of minutes, Misguided Coward, was born. At last, the darkness is back, its cold rays of despair shine on me, allowing creativity to shine. Okay, perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself, filled with jubilation, but the dry spell is broken, I hope. I know I shouldn't stop the flow, but when I'm done typing this, I will take a shower, get dressed again and go out for coffee. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll write another poem and just maybe I'll have a good writing streak going. I'm not sure where to post it yet. Perhaps I'll post here for all to see. Let me sleep on it and if it still reads as interesting, then maybe I will post it. Ah, darkness is so soothing. Peace. Nomar Knight |
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