It’s October, and that means it’s NaNoPrep month over at NaNoPlotMo. Check out the first workshop of the month on pacing and character arc, written by yours truly, and co-organizer, Grace Sabella, AKA illuminara. HOW TO PACE SCENE PROGRESSION By C-A-Harland The pace of your novel will have a huge impact on how … More Are We There Yet – Pacing Your Narrative and Character Arc
Snowcap stood tall, its white petals gleaming in the morning light, as it examined its fiefdom. Lesser flowers toiled in the fields below, ploughing seedbeds, and tending to the nursery. Delivery flowers rode by on floral vespers, delivering new seeds, and collecting mulch for recycling. Snowcap enjoyed watching the peasants at work, from its high … More FFM16-31 The Wars of the Roses
He awoke to darkness. He remembered little: men, van, cages. Harvesting. Panic gripped him as he felt his body, searching anything that would indicate what they took. There was only darkness. His hands moved to his face, the edge of a bandage stretched across his eyes. He realised it was not darkness, and started screaming. … More FFM16-30 If the Man Had Seen the Sawdust
Tomorrow belongs to those who hear it coming. At least, that was how they’d sold it to me. A journey of self awareness. The reality of getting inside your own head, digging out your weaknesses. Becoming stronger. Smarter. Two days in and I was beginning to wish I had never taken that damned pill. This … More FFM16-29 Do Not Go Gentle
I remember the day I believed in magic. The street performer had a scuffed hat and holey coat. He made coins disappear and tossed fire sticks. I would have walked away, but then it happened. He tripped and the fire stick hit his clothing. That mouldy coat went up like Guy Fawkes night. I watched … More FFM16-28 Holy Fire
Sticks and stones may build a throne, but you’ll be up there all alone. And on the day your tower falls, there will be none to guard your walls. So lay your banner, your sword, and shield, down as one upon the field. Because when this dragon wakes, it will be your life he takes. … More FFM16-27 To Walk Alone Among The Shadows
It all started when the courts realised they could resurrect people to stand trial. Murder-suicide was no longer an option. They’d just bring you back and put you in jail anyway. Of course, they could have brought the victims back as well, but the justice system found that too confusing to bring to trial. With … More FFM16-26 Resurrection Blues
PAGE 1 You are the last person alive on earth, and you hear a knock at the door. You go into the hall and hear the knock again. To open the door go to Page 2 To slip out the back go to Page 5 PAGE 2 You pull the door open and a … More FFM16-25 On Your Own Head Be It
John crawled through icy mud, under a heavy net. The freezing gloop sucked his limbs down deeper, and drained all the warmth from his body. The Sergeant bellowed insults as them from the sidelines, and John cursed him under his breath. He had never been so cold, or so tired in his life. He thought … More FFM16-24 Choose Your Service
“Can anyone tell me the number one long-term hazard in the vigilante business?” the instructor asked the class. “Anyone?” “Gunshot wounds?” the Red Monkey suggested, half-raising a hand. “No,” the instructor said. “Half of you are bullet proof anyway. Come on, the biggest hazard. Who else?” “Broken bones?” Captain Crystal called out. “Lasers!” Gun Girl … More FFM16-23 Beware of SAD
C. A. Harland 