|
September - October 2004 Issue
Halloween Issue or "Feast of the Beast," which
is what we call Halloween on the planet Odessa. While Halloween
lasts but one day on Earth on Odessa it is celebrated for
three weeks. If you have anything to submit for publication
within that time, send it to me and the Web Goddess will post
it to the web site. If not, the next publication date is December
18, 2004.
Ah, Election Day. After having voted, at long last I am
sitting down to my computer (one of my few surviving ones
- I lost three of them in one week, thus I was unable to work
on the web site) and composing this newsletter.
New Rules! New Rules!
The shared world will now accept submissions limited to
1500 words maximum (100 words minimum). If you have a character
or story you wish to submit, please use the format page for
submission and/or write to me at Dolarnick@aol.com.
Family News and the like will appear in the last section
of the Scribe's Gazette. The first section will be devoted
to the featured stories on the web site.
So what are the featured stories that you will encounter
on this Halloween's issue of Scribal Tales?
1. In Horror Tales: RIP (originally titled
Ghost Story) by Daniel Olarnick. The long awaited - well,
I've waited a long time to write this tale (over 20 years).
I will probably rewrite it three or four times as I get
comments from my readers, but I felt it was in a form that
should prove to be an enjoyable read. This is a tale based
on a true story that occurred in 1965 while I was a shorthand
reporter working for the Homicide Investigation Squad. I
hope you will not only enjoy it, but also take the time
to comment on it. It is a change from my usual writing style.
It is rated "R" as there are some sexual scenes
in the story. I hope when you finish reading it, it will
stay in your mind. Questions and comments are welcome.
2. In Hybrid Tales: Pest Control by Dan
Mills. Another wonderful tale by Scribal Tales' favorite
illustrator - by the way, Dan and I are working on an illustration
for RIP. Any author who wishes to have their tales illustrated,
please contact Dan Mills. He will help bring your tales
to life. Dan has written a tale involving alien invasion.
After you read it, you'll see a wonderful illustration at
the end of the tale.
3. The Pretentious Twit by Michael Battaglia:
Michael writes his best column to date. He critiques Gabe
Morales' tale Torment and makes some rather interesting
points about writing fantasy and writing in general. I am
always fascinated by Michael's comments. He is a tireless
writer who takes his duties, as the official "critiquer"
to Scribal Tales quite seriously. I am honored that he is
a founding member of our writing team.
4. In Fantasy Tales: Dale of Ruins by
Gabriel Morales: Gabe's fourth chapter of his on-going fantasy
tale, Torment. Here is our best fantasy writer. I expect
to see Torment in print. It will certainly be featured in
our next project, "The Best of Scribal Tales."
Here is a sample of Michael's wonderful writing style. It
is a ballad, but it illustrates fantasy writing at its best:
"Up high on the cliffs, she stands like an icon,
A memory of greatness, of days that are long gone.
Years gone by, she looks nothing like before,
Look as you pass but don't enter her doors.
Tis' true she has wealth and riches galore,
But seek them out and ye shall live no more.
No longer a haven, now death lives within,
Take heed of this warning and pass it to your kin,
And if you just so happen to be foolish enough to try,
Give away all you own, as you surely will die.
Of all who have entered, none have ever come out,
No tales of glory and no riches to tout.
No jewels to wear and no coin to spend,
Just a rotting corpse that had met its end."
If you are looking for a bit of escapism here is the
tale you've been looking for.
Shared World Tales:
Features a writing collaboration between Jackson and Olarnick.
Here is the first collaboration that Janice and I have had
in a few years. It gives you a view into some of the celebrations
that take place on Volante in Talos Valley.
Feast of the Beast
By Janice Jackson
(In Collaboration with Daniel Olarnick)
*
Karl Strange stood stoically before his new guests,
observing each one, wondering what had brought them to Talos
Valley. Some, no doubt, would turn out to be seekers of fortunes,
treasure hunters and adventurers, searchers of legendary lost
talismans, such as The Relic, buried fortunes and ancient
quests; some came fleeing their past, others looking for their
future destinies. Of course, there were those who were merely
passing through, seeking their fame and fortune on their way
to other towns and villages, outside of the environs of Talos,
where the living was not so dangerous nor so rewarding.
*
Collaboration is a difficult piece of writing. You have
to combine two writing egos. Here is an example of how Janice
Jackson and I collaborate. Janice will write me a tale. She
has a very fertile imagination, but tends to spew out her
thoughts (usually about 8 pages long). I'll take her tales,
rewrite some of the paragraphs to give her my ideas or slants
on the story. I tend to leave the preparing and running of
the Black Dragon Inn to her, working on the quests and adventures
(that being my strength). Janice has some wonderful characters
and would surely enjoy having contributors to this growing
fantasy world. Why not join us? We look forward to seeing
your contributions.
*
Our Web Goddess, Rebecca Gallant, has an open letter
of instruction to all writers concerning writing style for
publication on Scribal Tales:
Becky here - the illustrious "Web Goddess"
of Scribal Tales.com.
DanO asked me to drop you a line and explain to you
what would be the best way to submit your work for the web
site.
The normal, traditional way you were taught in English
Class 101 to format a story isn't conducive for web publication.
So what happens is, I take your writing and spend hours putting
into the format you end up seeing on the web, thus incurring
DanO more of my hourly fee.
So, if it isn't too much of a bother, from now on,
could you format your stories and editorials in the following
manner:
Do not indent paragraphs. Meaning, don't bother using
the tab key. They all disappear when you paste them into a
web page. Instead, to break up paragraphs, use two (2) carriage
returns. In other words, just hit Enter twice.
Twice is very important. It's the different between:
Paragraph 1 Paragraph 1 Paragraph 1 Paragraph 1 Paragraph
1 Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 2 Paragraph
2 Paragraph 2
and
Paragraph 1 Paragraph 1 Paragraph 1 Paragraph 1 Paragraph
1 Paragraph 1
Paragraph 2 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 2 Paragraph
2 Paragraph 2
The first way is unclear if the paragraph has changed.
The second is unmistakable.
Let me know if this makes sense. Sorry to be pain.
This will really help DanO and I out immensely, though.
Thanks Becky
*
Speaking of the Web Goddess, she has written a wonderful
"rant" on Quantum
Muse. Rebecca writes of her visit to World Con where
she had some featured artistic work. While I cannot reproduce
the article on Scribal Tales - the Internet Censors will not
allow it - I strongly advise that you visit Quantum Muse.
Wow. Do not fool with the Web Goddess. That's all I can possibly
say.
Recently Read:
Stephen King's, "Wizard and Glass (The Dark Tower
IV)." Stephen King's opus continues. For those of us
who are following the series King does not disappoint his
readers. Speaking of writer's block, I read, somewhere, that
King took 20 years to get this book written. I should only
suffer from such writers block, considering the fact that
he published approximately 100 other books during this time
period, but 20 year is still a long time for an author to
come up with a fantasy love story, which was the feature of
Wizard and Glass. I'm sure that Michael Battaglia, in 20 years
time, will have written 20 full-length novels; Gabe will have
written his 10 novel on the continuing tale of Valdor and
Hadrian - and who knows, I might even have written Chapter
4 of "Tales of the Scribe - The True Story of Odan the
Scribe."
Scribal Tales goes to the United Kingdom: Welcome
to Brian Wright, a new writer (A Helping Hand), and reader
from the United Kingdom. Brian has submitted a tale, "A
Helping Hand," that is currently in its first rewrite.
I look forward to seeing it published in our Holiday Issue
or in our New Years issue.
Daniel Olarnick (Dan "O") gets published
in "Smackdown Magazine." In the October 2004 issue
of Smackdown, one of the premier wrestling magazines in the
world, the editors asked for the readers to write an article
on, "The Best of the Worst," about the 25 greatest
villains in WWE history. Two articles were mentioned, one
by a professor of journalism and mass media at Rutgers University
and the other by "yours truly." Here is what the
magazine said about the article I wrote:
"…Rogers (Nature Boy Buddy Rogers), in particular
was the subject of the following treatise:
"Can there be any real doubt? Flamboyant, formidable,
totally self-confident. I can see him now: the sequined ring
robes (costing thousands of dollars) surrounding a wonderfully
muscular body; the golden-tanned skin; the strikingly blond
hair; the ability to enrage men and entice women; a man who
relished the title of the most hated wrestler in the world.
Quite simply, Buddy Rogers was a stallion in the ring and
resorted to any tactic to win.
"So feared, despised and hated was Rogers, despite
being the greatest attraction in professional wrestling, he
was forced to wait 22 years to win the World Championship,
and bested a great champion in doing so: Pat O'Connor. Rogers
vs. O'Connor (June 30, 1961 - "Black Friday") sold
out Chicago's Comiskey Park The attendance, at that time,
was a world record, with 38,622 fans filling the park. A viewing
of the match shows that, at least, 95 percent of the fans
in attendance were rooting for O'Connor. Did Rogers care?
Not a bit. He loved the jeers. Never once did he desire to
be the hero, nor did he consider himself the heel. He was
what he was meant to be: The best of his time. His championship
interview said it all, and further infuriated the wrestling
world: "To a nicer buy, it couldn't happen!" Talk
about conceit and self-confidence. This man had it all.
"Wrestling today is afar different business than
it was during this Golden Age. However, it is still Shakespearean
in its foundations, and "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers
would still be its greatest villain."
I am quite proud of the "treatise" being published
in a magazine that has over five million fans that tune into
wrestling's televised shows each week, and hope to see the
entire article published sometime in the future. If anyone
wishes the entire article, please write me and I'll send you
a copy.
The Dragon (Stenomask) is Dead!
Dan "O" went to Chicago to speak at the National
Court Reporters Association (NCRA) convention. Those of you
who have followed the "battle" engaged in during
the past year know that the backers of the methodology of
stenomasking were attempting to become full-fledged members
of the NCRA. That movement was fought and spearheaded by me.
I am proud to say that Terry-Ann "Bear" Volberg,
standing right alongside me saw the Dragon go down in total
defeat, as the shorthand reporters rose up to meet the challenge
brought on by its board of directors who backed the stenomask
reporting technology. Enough said!
Newly Arrived: Miliana Marthi, a daughter of Csaba and
Jeannette Marthi, grand daughter of Nelson and Evie Carlo,
niece of Gabe and Nicole Morales. Congratulations!
Aunt "Tick" Reporting:
Here is a brief summary, one that will bring smiles of
events that have happened over the past few months, family-wise,
as reported by our favorite reader, Aunt Tick:
July 24: Wonderful celebration for Tom Volberg's 40th
Birthday (July 28), catered and hosted by Diane, featuring
the rock band, Mazarin, and a potent punch, developed by Peter
and Tom in their youth, which shall remain nameless. Dancing
by Karen "Tinkerbell" Hepensteil will live in the
minds of the male on-lookers forever!
Special lollipops for Chicago convention designed by Terry-Ann
(The Bear) Volberg: "Don't Be a Sucker - Vote No!"
Mad and John's 1st Anniversary, August 2nd.
August 8: Anna Paige's ice-skating recital (taking Third
Place).
Another wonderful party at Tom and Diane's, filet mignons
were, of course, the staple.
Angela's Volberg's birthday (no digits given).
August: Peter and Karen - The Streak Continues (and continues
and continues. As a matter of fact, Peter (Pan) and Karen
(Tinkerbell) have added to their amazing streak and extended
it way into November. May it never end!)
Dan and Terry cruise to Florida with Dan's dad, Murray,
and his companion, Careen. It will be known, forever, as The
Never-ending Cruise. One week was extended into 10 days, courtesy
of Hurricane Francis. The cruise line, desperate to fill in
the next week's voyage then offers an additional week at the
unheard of price of $300 per person. Naturally, the offer
was one that couldn't be refused, and another week was added
to an already wonderful vacation.
September 2, 2004: Terry-Ann's Birthday: Diamond earrings
and a mystical pendent.
Can it be: Julia Volberg starts pre-school!
October Birthdays:
Pilar, 1 year old, 10/25.
Anna Paige, 6 years old, 10/09.
Peter (The Streak) Volberg: 10/26 (Nobody is Counting)!
There is so much to be reported in the Olarnick/Volberg Blog
that Aunt Tick is demanding a raise!
That's all for now, writers and readers, friends and family.
If you have anything to contribute to this section of the
"blog," please send it directly to me at Dolarnick@aol.com.
Don't forget: Feed the Beast!
Dan "O"
<<
Previous Issue | Next
Issue >>
|
