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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/5849-Small-Things-Creepy-Things.html
Action/Adventure: August 21, 2013 Issue [#5849]

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Action/Adventure


 This week: Small Things, Creepy Things
  Edited by: Leger~ Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

The purpose of this newsletter is to help the Writing.com author hone their craft and improve their skills. Along with that I would like to inform, advocate, and create new, fresh ideas for the author. Write to me if you have an idea you would like presented.

This week's Action / Adventure Editor
Leger~ Author Icon


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Letter from the editor

Small Things, Creepy Things


Last month, my action / adventure issue I wrote about insects and their possible role in your story. I'd like to continue with this theme and talk about small things. Things with a possible role in your story or a point of view. Rats and mice are probably the first things that come to mind and a lot of people don't care for the sight or sound of them. This could add a good creepy factor to a story. The scurrying and clawing in the walls or under your bed would send of lot of readers off screaming.

And then there are diseases, the icky stuff that can spread from feces and bites. While your character is dashing around the back streets in some country like West Africa and contract Lassa disease from a rat. Symptoms would include things like fever, pain, vomiting, facial swelling and nosebleeds. Not many people die of this disease, but the main complication is deafness.

There are some cute, fluffy and cuddly versions of rodents. Things like squirrels and chipmunks, that could perhaps turn ugly and cause a twist in your plot and a change of thinking in your reader's mind. Or they could spread a disease like plague. This can be spread by infected fleas, direct contact or even uncooked foods. When infected, plagues enter the lymph system and cause havoc with the human body. Think what an bio-genetically altered bacterial epidemic could do for a story!

So, not only can insects and tiny things have a role in your stories, so can the small creatures. Write on!

This month's question: Have you featured rodents in your stories? Send a link!


Editor's Picks

 Red Sox Rats Open in new Window. (E)
Wait until next year!
#737092 by JonBBell Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: What is the allure with Fenway Park, the place Red Sox fans adore?

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1404307 by Not Available.

Excerpt: A small pop drew her eyes to a tiny hole in the corner. A plump, little mouse burst like a champaign cork. Wheezing from exertion the mouse puffed, "Ash . . . Ash . . . Ashley." He pulled at his shirt and tried to cover his exposed white belly. "They're . . . here!"

 The Robber Mice Open in new Window. (E)
A band of robber mice steal pumpkins from two young girls who must battle to recover them.
#1488179 by Paul Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: A round the sign, all over the still moist soil of the mound, were hundreds of tiny paw prints. But on one side, near the hedgerow that wound down the road, they gathered and set off in a line towards the sea.

 One Heck of An Exterminator Open in new Window. (13+)
Greed is the real exterminator...
#393116 by Joy Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: The unbelievable glared at him when he made his way to the bottom of the stairs. He gasped, utterly bewildered as blood rushed to his temples. The stone walls were lined with rats that had retreated when the light came on. Each was the size of a dog; not a tiny poodle but a big German shepherd.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1812891 by Not Available.

Excerpt: Bill pushed the kitchen door and it opened with a loud creak, as if the house itself were groaning in misery. The linoleum was sticky beneath his feet. The halogen light bulb flickered constantly casting strange shadows about the room. As Bill looked around for the rat he realised he had no weapon. He would just stamp on it, he supposed.


 
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Ask & Answer


This month's question: Have you featured rodents in your stories? Send a link!

Last month's question: Have you used insects in your stories? Which kind?

Red Author Icon responded: The only time I can think of is when I had my characters fight a warlock that controlled bugs. One was attacked by giant wasp, another saved a girl from bees, and one freaked out when a spider touched him.

JDMac Author Icon replied: I've used insects primarily for the relationship they have with death in my current fiction novel. The villain, who is actually dead for the majority of the plot, communicates with his minions through the clicks and buzzing created by swarms of nocturnal insects flying about. This power is disturbing and frightening, which serves to ensure loyalty among those who do his bidding in the realm of the living. It also generates an interesting visual for the reader.

Raine Author Icon answered: When I was writing Hades( http://bit.ly/S11436 ) I actually took a poll to find out what exactly people found creepy about spiders. That poll led to an intense scene (and vaguely humorous scene) on a forest world with its indigenous inhabitants.

BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author Icon admits: I don't deal in bugs, but I've seen plenty of bug horror movies, like Starship Troopers.

Barbinar Author Icon sends this:

Because of the Wonder

A jar of caterpillars on the desk,
frogs in the kitchen sink;
we are entering into the 'nature phase'
with our six-year-old, I think.
He has no fear; he picks them up,
whether they walk, crawl, or fly,
and wants to know all about them;
the how, and what, and why.
Now, I'm not ready for this,
though I've had six years to prepare;
I could never become familiar
with eight-legged things with fuzzy hair.
Nevertheless, I'm his mother;
the one he runs to with each new prize,
so I'll smile and say, 'how pretty!'
because of the wonder in his eyes.

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