Choosing the Bad Guy

Yes, it's a mystery. Who exactly is the bad guy?

I’ve had my head buried in my work-in-progress for so long that it’s hard to see outside the fictional world I’ve been living in.

I have several different ideas about “whodunit.” And I don’t want to make the obvious choice. But I’m having trouble figuring out who that is. So I appeal to you.

Is it more enticing when the bad guy turns out to be someone the protagonist trusts?

Or is that the obvious choice?

Have you ever watched a movie or read a book in which you felt let down by the revelation of who the bad guy was?

Thank you for any help!


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Other Blogs to Follow:

• A very enjoyable blog on the writing process, Sarah Nego Writes.
• If you don't follow Robert Lee Brewer's My Name is Not Bob, you should. 
• Find a beautiful mix of writing, art, and photography on Veronica Roth's blog. 

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Cooking Up Some Poetry

How are cooking and writing alike? Well, I’ll tell you what I think in just a minute. When my thoughts have finished marinating.

My family and I have become quite hooked on watching the TV show, “Chopped.” Although I am a vegetarian and there are some disturbing ingredients I’ve had to leave the room during the preparation of, the creation of new and interesting dishes has my brain working overtime.

I made this recipe the other night:

First, I made a crust out of smashed tater tots and soy cheese. Then I put a layer of chopped veggie burgers, a vegetarian-style Cuban bean dish, cilantro, and a mixture of fresh tomatoes and bell peppers straight from my garden. I suppose it wasn’t that new and interesting, but it sure did taste delicious.

So it got me thinking about writing. I’ve always enjoyed those prompts with a few select words that the writer is supposed to create a poem or story out of.

How far from “the norm” can you go?

I’m still training my brain to think outside the oven . . . er, box.

Can you create a poem using these words?

• Puka Shells
• Sniffled
• Alabama
• Polyester

Maybe I’ll come back later and enter something of my own in the comments. All this talk of food has made me hungry ...

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• Visit Khara House's blog, Our Lost Jungle, for more rockin' poetry prompts by a wonderful lady.
• Visit my online literary magazine, Mouse Tales Press, for a pleasing selection of short stories and poetry.
• Fan me on Facebook.

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Wi-Fi Vacation

I am back from my stay in the sticks where Wi-Fi was limited. To be honest, I sort of liked the break from my little electronic friend. I wrote a lot of poetry . . . with a pen . . . in a paper journal!

Some of the wonderful things I came home to (fresh from my garden).

Now it’s back to reality. 

Which is even better. With garden-fresh salad.