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 |  Each snowflake, like each human being is unique. |
Research https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/science/murder-hornet-trapped-in-washi... {link:https://www.bing.com/search?q=zombie+cicadas&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=-1&ghc=1&pq=zombie+cicadas&sc=1-14&sk=&cvid=97890E9C9CE642A9921D015D0F7C2592} https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zombie-cicadas-infected-mind-controlling-fungus-wes... https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/florida/os-ne-5000-burmese-pythons-removed-... https://www.foxnews.com/us/florida-burmese-pythons-removed-everglades https://www.cbsnews.com/news/china-seeds-americans-mail-unsolicited/ Editor's Picks 1. The Road to Wolfrend 2. Revolution 3. CO-3 Dependent Society 4. The Land of All But Forgotten Things 5. A Man's Job 6. 7. 8. 9. Heading 1 Finding inspiration in the headlines Heading 2 Finding story inspiration in the news. Hook Do you look for story ideas in the news? About This Newsletter The news headlines are full of ideas for intriguing story plots. Letter From the Editor Twenty-twenty has been a frightening, stressful, interesting, weird, and--in some cases--inspiring year. Twenty-twenty is the year of the pandemic, the murder hornets, the zombie cicadas, seeds from China being sent to people across the county, and protests. In addition to these, Florida is still battling an invasion of Burmese pythons, 5,000 of which have been removed since 2017. As you can see there are numerous stories in the news that can inspire the muse of fantasy or science fiction authors, as well as conspiracy theorists. The mystery seeds have supposedly been identified, by the Agriculture Department, as various types of herbs. This brings up the question of why someone in China would be sending herbs to random people across the country, who did not order them. The simplest answer is that it could be an advertising gimmick, but why would a company send seeds all the way from China? There are, of course, other explanations for why the seeds were sent to random American households. How about writing a story about mystery seeds through the mail. Can you write a story about some of the news items mentioned in this letter? Is there any unusual news items in your area of the world that inspire your stories? Have you written a fantasy or science fiction story inspired by a news item? If you do an internet search for weird news, you can find several headlines. Some of these will make you laugh, and some will make you wonder about the human race. Either way, how about writing a story about one of them. Deadline for submitting a story to this newsletter is August 26, 2020. Content rating 18+. Word count between 500 and 2000 words. Editors Picks
Excerpt: The flicking, yellow tongues of fire were barely visible, but still bright enough to silhouette the two men walking away from it, and the distant flapping of huge, leathery wings still churned through the darkness from the burning ruin of Kastonner.
Excerpt: I was there when the Revolution began.
Excerpt: Doctor Carey Matthews burst through the double doors to the Research Lab two of the University Research Building on the north campus of Harvard University. If they could crash against the wall, they would have. Carey dropped his laptop on his desk with a satisfying bang. “Steven,” he called.
Excerpt: There was one day, now faded with time, So pure and perfect, it was utterly sublime. That day I found out Fairy Tales are really true, I’ll share my secret, if it is kept between us two …
Excerpt: I stand aside as her demons do their worst. Submitted by Readers
Activities, Groups, and Contests Feedback "Fantasy Newsletter (July 8, 2020)"  brom21  writes: As a member of the FSFS for many years, I can say it is one of the best groups out there. I recommend joining for sure! s writes: Interesting reading what you look for in fantasy. So you like the cliched post-Tolkien fantasy that is based almost wholly on D&D tropes. I read a lot of fantasy and nowadays it's either Tolkien pastiche or Harry Potter lite. What about pulp fantasy? I would be loathe to have you review my fantasy as I write to the Howardian ideal of character, not just monsters and quests. Sorry, but having such a narrow definition of a wide genre makes me not want to join the group.Sorry. Steve, try joining the group and seeing what other people in it are writing and reviewing. This genre covers a multitude of different views on science fiction and fantasy. Prosperous Snow celebrating  allen-richard writes: A group of teens who have decided to go their own way. On their way to the tavern they see a noble's coach that has been stopped. There is fog rolling in along with the thunder and lightning. It is on a night of a full moon.
Quick-Quill  writes: I have a question that may have already been answered. I'm not a true Sci-fi or Fantasy reader. I do love the paranormal. Those stories that are set in a real world with characters that have supernatural abilities. I can read a good sci-fi/paranormal story as long as I don't have to read in-depth settings of a ship or some government workings. That's why I loved HP and Fantastic Beasts. I read a woman's MS that looked like she written a story based on the background of Seraphina. I think I have it right, she is a wizard president. I would read that.Aural  writes: Hi Snow, I also write fantasy and enjoy sci-fi. I do more watching sci-fi than reading, though I've enjoyed reading Dune and Isaac Asimov.I am in the process of creating a 7 book series fantasy with lots of characters in a world, not our own. I am NOT into horror, so I don't get into vampires or werewolves or other beings that eat others, etc. Just totally into different worlds. Joy  writes: Thanks for the special template idea for sci-fi and fantasy and maybe other specific genres, too, since the template I generally use for general fiction comes up short for some of the genres. Good Newsletter, btw.  writes: writes: writes: |
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