SPECULATIONS
for writers who want to be readAuthor Topics : John A. Karr
Yes, it's hard to write, but it's harder not to.
-- Carl Van Doren (1885 - 1950)
Dark Resurrection
Author's bio: Fiction writing each day helps keep the demons at bay. Novel-length fiction is the norm (general, thriller, horror, heroic fantasy), but am finding short stories help keep the cogs greased. October, 2001 saw the publication of my novel, Dark Resurrection (small press). Samhain Publishing is re-publishing D.R., slated for Spring of 2007. Demon Chaser, a serialized shortstory will appear in the summer and fall editions of ezine Worlds of Wonder. Raleigh, North Carolina, is home. It's also where I day-job as a programmer analyst and do my best to balance family life with my need to write. Other works are in the marketing queue, and the rough draft of a heroic fantasy -- about gods gone awry and a man who dares oppose them -- is now three quarters complete.
As if 50 million wasn't enough, here's my blog:
Random Writer
John A. Karr
- Message 495374 by John A. Karr on 2006-10-09 06:56:49. Feedback: 0
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Part 2 of my Demon Chaser is at Worlds of Wonder ezine this quarter. - Message 493903 by John A. Karr on 2006-09-29 16:38:52. Feedback: 0
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Thanks Michael. It does help. All writing and reading is subjective, but feedback is cool. I think I've come to realize that some passivity is good to change things up a bit. Good asthetics point.
What of the hook itself. Too far down? Not blatent enough? *coughs* - Message 493876 by Michael Greenhut on 2006-09-29 11:40:47. Feedback: 0
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John,
I'm supposed to be working now so I'll only have time to squeeze in a first paragraph critique.
"Warning chimes sabotaged the driver's intention for a smooth stop."
This feels very messy to me, mainly since I have to strain to picture warning chimes 'sabotaging' someone's intention to stop smoothly. That struck me as an extremely far out metaphor and made me go 'huh?' for a few seconds.
"With a muttered curse he threw the limousine into park and shouldered free of the seatbelt."
Try 'He muttered a curse, threw the limousine into park and[...]'. I may use passive tense myself on occasion when I feel it's more aesthetically proper than active, but in this case I think active *is* better.
"He was slender and quick for his age, but already the passenger-side mirror filled with an alabaster door and jet black window."
This also feels unnecessarily passive to me ('filled with') and maybe that's what made me drag over the sentence.
"Slacks of deep power blue cut a diagonal beneath the door and vanished an instant later as the boss's battering-ram heels cranked up."
At this point I want a character (or more of a character than you've given me so far), not this kind of dry description. That may be an especially subjective taste, though.
Hope this helps a bit,
-Michael - Message 493875 by John A. Karr on 2006-09-29 11:04:20. Feedback: 0
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Das Hook!
-- beware of rant --
Yours receives a rejection yesterday from an agent who didn't like the premise of my novel ... admitted straight away that he'd read such a work only as a comedy, not a serious read (it's about a guy with Alzheimer's and a crooked retirement center). Said it was intelligent but that I over-wrote (which may be true), and that it needed ... a HOOK.
Arrrgh!
I have a hook but it's a handful (too many, obvisously) ACTION paragraphs down the page.
So I sent a reply with a query for my heroic fantasy novel I'm touching up. It's definitely scaled down as far as the writing. No reply as yet. Guess I want to see if the same
criticism rears up.
The Hook,
typical of Hell.
The Hook,
regarded by rumor as the Ultima Thule of all their punishments...
(apologies to Edgar Poe)
If you care to sample the sample I sent, read on.
PROLOGUE
Warning chimes sabotaged the driver's intention for a smooth stop. With a muttered curse he threw the limousine into park and shouldered free of the seatbelt. He was slender and quick for his age, but already the passenger-side mirror filled with an alabaster door and jet black window. Slacks of deep power blue cut a diagonal beneath the door and vanished an instant later as the boss's battering-ram heels cranked up.
Of course, he didn't need the shoes to serve as Katherine
Gardner's mood barometer, but they proved reliable as ever when that first barrage of insults exploded inside the limo. It had been a struggle to maintain a neutral
expression in his eyes. These weren't Miz Gardner's normal, sniper-variety insults, directed at a one unfortunate soul at a time. No, these were rapid-fire, explosive, ordnance-variety insults, bent upon destruction en masse.
In just a few amazing statements everybody got taken out: the driver of course, since his job description kept him at ground zero; the executive of this retirement center Ms. Gardner was being "forced" to meet with; Elizabeth Gardner,
the elderly mother who rudely refused to "just die and get it over with!" like her three husbands had done; Miz Katherine Gardner's own damn self; her lawyer; her shrink; her plastic surgeon; and finally, the expletive "bone bags" who shuffled the walkways of this place and gawked like they'd never seen a limo in their whole ancient lives.
The driver swallowed nervously. He'd been in Gardner's employ all of three months now and was well acquainted with her tirades, but there was enough blasting powder on these insults to singe the stubble on the back of his head.
Why endure such abuse?
A pair of compelling reasons. One, Gardner was better after a few martinis - an almost daily event, commencing with lunch at the Ship's Helm or Vincent's or one of her other fifty favorite restaurants. Two, like his predecessors, the driver
needed a paycheck. So he scrambled out of the driver's seat, dug his gloved fingers in the crack between the hood and fender for the slingshot effect and managed to open the lobby door of the Oak Grove Retirement Center offices an instant before the boss stomped up. She didn't even pause to glare at him before she charged through. After her perfume released its choke hold on his windpipe, the driver breathed a
sigh of relief. He released the glass door, and when it closed he stared through the eyes of his reflection. Normally he'd have felt sorry for whomever the boss was figuratively (and possibly literally) going to kick in the balls with those shoes -
But he knew the rumors about Oak Grove Retirement Center and its director, Marlena Mobley.
Rumors of abuse, of altering wills, of cheating old folks out their money.
Rumors of murder.
- Message 493845 by John A. Karr on 2006-09-29 06:09:03. Feedback: 0
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The future of the future,
the past of the past.
-- Lyle Lovette
Randomly spinning in song in a quadrant of the mind this morning. - Message 493844 by John A. Karr on 2006-09-29 06:06:20. Feedback: 0
- This message has been hidden by its author's request.
- Message 493277 by John A. Karr on 2006-09-22 10:58:22. Feedback: 0
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Guess it would help to include my email:
jkarr (at) mindspring (dot) com
You'll land in the suspect folder but I'll fish you out - Message 493274 by John A. Karr on 2006-09-22 10:53:25. Feedback: 0
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Hi Amy,
thx for the congrats. And you on your sale to Strange Horizons.
I'd rather not post the publisher's name, as they did not ask to be webbed out. However, if you'd like to send an email to me, I'll send it after I get to the home computer as long as you agree not to post it. - Message 493270 by Amy Sisson on 2006-09-22 08:29:27. Feedback: 0
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John, first, congrats on upcoming re-publication of your horror novel.
I also wanted to ask if you would be willing to share the name of the publisher that you just heard from regarding your Painter's Dream. I was intrigued when you said they were looking for "fiction that uses integral typographic of visual elements". (I haven't written any such fiction but am curious to see what their guidelines are like.)
Thanks! - Message 492923 by John A. Karr on 2006-09-18 07:36:16. Feedback: 0
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Signed contract with Samhain Publishing to re-publish my horror novel, Dark Resurrection. Probable release date is Spring 2007. - Message 491780 by John A. Karr on 2006-09-05 14:12:44. Feedback: 0
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My horror novel, Dark Resurrection, was originally published by the now-defunct Barclay Books in 2001. All rights reverted to me some time ago. The time to resurrect the work has arrived. It is available for electronic or hardcopy through Lulu.com
Dark Resurrection - Message 490629 by John A. Karr on 2006-08-19 15:33:28. Feedback: 0
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Thanks for input, Justin.
I'm not overly keen on it, but it certainly works for
J.A.Konrath
I tend to use JAK a lot. Maybe I should go with it. Keep thinking of YAK though - Message 490573 by Justin Stanchfield on 2006-08-18 16:23:48. Feedback: 0
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J.A. Karr sounds rather impressive as a byline. Might be somethng to think about. - Message 490570 by John A. Karr on 2006-08-18 12:39:59. Feedback: 0
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Change my name? No. Too many memories.
Add to my name? Yes.
I'm using my middle name now. Or at least an A.
- Message 490567 by Mystery Guest on 2006-08-18 11:38:53. Feedback: 0
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Of all the things to happen to a writer, isn't it strange that you'll probably have to change your name now?
- Message 490441 by Mystery Guest on 2006-08-17 05:18:39. Feedback: 0
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高品質な女性を紹介いたします
Well, just for the record, that's Japanese for "We will introduce you to fine, high-class Japanese women." Sounds like a dating service, and unfortunately not at all obscene (well, maybe they save that for the bill). Living in Japan, I get all manner of Japanese spam.
Sorry, but I stumbled across your sight while looking for info about the child killer. An ironic way for a horror writer to get noticed. Maybe there's a story in it. - Message 490432 by Mystery Guest on 2006-08-16 22:16:25. Feedback: 0
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i am glad that you cleared that up Mr. Karr. I have been looking online for things about this "john mark karr" and haven't found much. - Message 490425 by John A. Karr on 2006-08-16 19:34:59. Feedback: 0
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I am John Andrew Karr. I live in North Carolina with my wife and kids. I am NOT the scum arrested in Thailand for the murder of that poor little girl JonBenet Ramsey. His name is
John Mark Karr. If he's guilty, he can't die soon enough. - Message 490394 by John A. Karr on 2006-08-16 06:07:44. Feedback: 0
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Not sure why, but I created a blog
Random Writer
- Message 490393 by John A. Karr on 2006-08-16 06:04:13. Feedback: 0
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Very nice rejection from Ty Drago at Allegory (formerly Peridot Books). Made the list for Honorable Mention, however - Message 490043 by John A. Karr on 2006-08-10 07:32:23. Feedback: 0
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高品質な女性を紹介いたします
Got this spam in my suspect bin today. Probably says something obscene or an ad for "vitamins" but who knows. Looks cool tho - Message 487965 by John A. Karr on 2006-07-06 11:39:06. Feedback: 0
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Hello Douglas,
That's quite an informative post -- thanks. It's difficult to post from the day job but I'll make just a few comments. It is evident you are a skilled writer, regardless of the standard "published" or "not published" label.
First, please do read the works of many of the fine writers at the site -- many of whom are superior when it comes to the short story format -- especially as it pertains to SF/F genres, (of which mine is mix). I'm sure you'll find an abundance of discoveries.
It is evident at first glance that you are comfortable with exploring the intellectual aspects of stories and how they relate to your own understanding of your life/surroundings/universe, which many readers do at some level though I doubt with your level of insight. As the author, I go more for the feel of the conflicts in the story whether they be empty space vs. matter, or the character interaction.
It was very interesting to read your take on the matters.
As for soccer (futbol), my son has enlightened me by his play int he upper-tier youth teams. The sport is a worthy one, however, but there are two major problems that bother many of us Americans: 1. Not enough scoring.
2. Fake fouls (including diving) or slight
fouls that do not warrant the agonized faces
Thanks for reading and posting, Douglas. The fall issue of Worlds of Wonder will have part II, barring any unforseen circumstance.
John
- Message 487960 by Year Ray on 2006-07-06 08:59:53. Feedback: 0
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All Good JK; I do write quite frequently but mostly theoretical musings. My critique would have been along the same lines from a literary imagination POV or more accurately from an Audience Studies POV. Who is more important, Readers or Writers?. I guess it is not fair to pretend I am not published or do not write professionally. Its just that I don't participate in the standard press, more by fault and default, than by choice. And of course sub-standard or non-stndard writing is not considered published o....
This message truncated due to length. Sign in to see the rest of it. - Message 487957 by John A. Karr on 2006-07-06 07:04:00. Feedback: 0
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Douglas,
Thanks for reading Demon Chaser, (part 1). It's nice to be read. It's kind of a side story I wrote while working on a novel. I kind of dabble in short stories, whereas novels are my main endeavor.
That said, I'm going to pass on your critique. As a writer, I get many, many rejections (and a few critiques) from literary agents and editors. While you are certainly entitled to your opinion, Speculations is a site for "Writers who want to be read" ... hence, I was under the impression most folks here were active writers, whether published or not, and I was looking to share a bit of the joy and pain of the process.
- Message 487955 by Year Ray on 2006-07-05 23:25:43. Feedback: 0
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I read your "demon chaser" hoping to determine something about you. As a novice reader of this stuff, I consider myself an important audience. Yours was perhaps my first extra-terrestial saga. I took copious notes as the critic I am. There was much that accompanied the reading experience which I made myself conscious of, while trying to simply read as the unexperienced SF person I am. Like the handicapper that I am, I atttach no positive or negative value to my observations. There are many ways to read (see....
This message truncated due to length. Sign in to see the rest of it. - Message 487913 by Mystery Guest on 2006-07-05 10:19:31. Feedback: 0
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John Karr saw his short story, Demon Chaser (pt. 1), in this quarter's issue of the Worlds of Wonder webzine.
Worlds of Wonder: A Webzine of Fantasy & SF
- Message 487780 by John A. Karr on 2006-07-03 08:03:55. Feedback: 0
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Polished this home page a bit - Message 475936 by John A. Karr on 2006-01-09 12:32:46. Feedback: 0
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http://home.mindspring.com/~jkarr/index.html