Want to Play?

[wyld_dandelyon]

Self-publishing isn't exactly paying my bills, and most of the publishing industry still pays more attention to stuff that's bought by editors. Therefore, I still want to be writing stuff that's intended tor traditional publication.

So, today I'm taking prompts for Eastern magical beings, eastern characters, magical women, and magical or science fiction toys.

You can also suggest paying markets, if you wish, and suggest a prompt for them.

If I use your prompt, I'll share the story I write with you privately--you'll get to see it even before the editors!

Oh--and just 'cause, here's a picture of Mamacat with her babies under the radiator.  This morning, she'd moved them so I put the food down and checked them out while she ate.  There are definitely five.  A black or nearly black one, one that's most likely going to be orange, but right now is beige, and three browns-and-white.  Aren't the babies cute when they're asleep?

Comments

[dianavilliers.livejournal.com]

How about something to do with Maneki Neko, in honour of your new arrivals.

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

Ooh, thanks. I'm intrigued by the mention of a black cat at the end, but the wiki link doesn't go anywhere...

[tigertoy.livejournal.com]

Cool! I know almost nothing about Japanese mythology -- I've picked up a little about kitsune but that's about all. I find that I'm curious, but not really ready to do research (that's perilously close to work). The image of the maneki neko was slightly familiar but I didn't know its name or significance. And now I do!

Ooo...

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

Kitsune
Bakeneko
Kappa

... with a zap gun.

Re: Zap Gun

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

lol

Do you have a good link for Kappa? I mean, I assume you meant something more fun than the greek letter, or a fraternity!

Re: Zap Gun

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

Oops! I didn't realize you wouldn't recognize that one. Here are some links:
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/kappa.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kappa_(folklore)
They are mischievous water spirits with a shallow depression atop the head, filled with water that gives them their power. To escape one, you bow deeply; the kappa will bow back, spilling the water and becoming helpless.

But now I'm utterly fascinated with this:
"One of the most curious Suijin in Japan manifests itself as the water-cleansing bacteria in sewage water (details here)."
http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/suijin.html#curious

Re: Zap Gun

[xjenavivex.livejournal.com]

There is a river in India that has a high oxygen count, unexplained. People go to the river for healing even though it is a very polluted river. Your entry about that made me think of that.

Re: Zap Gun

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

That sounds like the Ganges. It has many unusual properties!

Re: Zap Gun

[xjenavivex.livejournal.com]

I think that's it.

[red-trillium.livejournal.com]

Sorry I can't help with anything about the book market.

And yay for the mama kitty. I'm starting to catch up on entries so haven't read the entry about the baby kitties yet!

How's the temp job going?

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

You aren't required to be a writer to make prompts!!! I don't expect everyone to track writing markets. But though I do try to track them, I don't have time to read them all and write, so if someone thinks my writing is a good match for a market, that would be very welcome information.

Also, you aren't required to make prompts. I just find it fun to get them. It makes me feel more connected to my readers too, which I think is a good thing.

The temp job is going well, and may last a while. Hard to predict.

Thanks for asking, and for saying "hi"! :-D

[kelkyag]

Animate origami creations, whose actions are directed by the calligraphy on the paper they were folded from.
Mechanical insects that build a treehouse.
Augmented kites.