Welcome to the June 2001 Twilight Dynasty Newsletter!

As I said last month, through this newsletter, I hope to introduce you to a stable of talented writers and interesting sites. You'll also receive a new, free short story every month for your enjoyment. So let the festivities begin... (or something like that :)

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

- "Laying Down the Law" (or "The Legal Brief" )
- Short Story of the Month - "The Seductive Stranger"
- "Robin's Rant" (The feminist's perspective) by Robin Light
- "Site of the Month"
- A Reviewer's "View" by Nancy Mehl
- "Mythos News"
- "Closing Remarks"

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"LAYING DOWN THE LAW" (or "The Legal Brief" )

Here's an interesting footnote to history:

After a hard day on the battlefield, a dishevelled General Ulysses S. Grant entered an inn one stormy winter's night. A number of lawyers were huddled around the fireplace. One of them commented to Grant: "Sir, you look like you've travelled through hell itself to get here."
"That's right," Grant replied.
"And how was it down there in hell?" one of the other lawyers chimed in smugly.
"Just like here," Grant answered. "All the lawyers closest to the fire."

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A grandmother was being questioned in court by the Crown prosecutor in the context of a jury selection:
"Mrs. Smith, do you know who I am?"
She responded, "Yes, and frankly, you're a big disappointment to me. You lie, and cheat on your wife all the time."
Stunned, the prosecutor asked if she was acquainted with the defense attorney.
"Yes, I know him. He's a lazy, bigoted drunk."
The judge immediately called the two lawyers to the bench, lowered his voice, and warned them, "If either of you asks her if she knows me, you'll be jailed for contempt."


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Definition of the term "lawyer":

"A person who writes a 10,000 word document and calls it a brief."

- Franz Kafka

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"SHORT STORY OF THE MONTH"

- My short story of the month, posted just for my newsletter subscribers is entitled "The Seductive Stranger". Now before Robin, our resident feminist, and her burgeoning following of loyal fans, make preparations for my summary execution for blatant sexism, I must explain that Robin actually had input into this story. It's got a somewhat different feel than my regular stories, but I just couldn't resist that flamboyant title. Check it out at: http://www.members.home.net/barry.smith/stranger.html
- Remember, I thrive on feedback (positive or negative), so feel free to email me any comments that you may have by clicking on the flashing email button at the bottom of the story page. Enjoy!
- If you're a new subscriber and missed last month's Short Story, "Eyes of the Serpent", you can still read it at: http://www.members.home.net/barry.smith/eyes.html
- I've also left my first newsletter offering, "A Siren's Cry" posted at: http://www.members.home.net/barry.smith/siren.html
- These stories have been posted exclusively for the enjoyment of my newsletter subscribers. From the Short Story sites, you can surf through the balance of my website; although, there is no link to these stories from the main site. So, once you've read or printed out the stories, feel free to explore the Twilight Dynasty website, which includes a virtual tour of Muskoka, Ontario, the setting for the Twilight Dynasty mythos.


"ROBIN'S RANT" (The feminist's perspective)

- Here's our resident feminist to share another slice of life with us.

"Anonymous"
By Robin Light.

I work full time for little money in a greeting card store. We sell funny cards, we sell sick cards, we sell cards for weddings, anniversaries, bereavements. We have a line of cards that artfully depicts famous and not-so-famous quotes from history. If ever you are looking for a greeting card with quotes by Anais Nin, Henry Miller, Nietzsche, and Roseanne Roseannadanna - you can find it on this one rack.
You can find another card on this rack. In small, black handwriting on plain, white card stock it says:
"For most of history, 'Anonymous' was a woman." - Virginia Woolf.
Most of my customers laugh, considering it as another one of the "aren't girls wonderful" line of cards that pepper our store. ("Princess - it's more than a word, it's an attitude." "Women are from Venus, Men are Wrong.") They skim over it and go on, giggling over the Martha Stewart cards.
One woman - she was in her early sixties. She had amber jewellery and red barrettes in her silver hair. She stopped in front of that card, picked it up and looked at it for a few moments. When I wandered over to her to ask if she needed any help, she looked at me and gestured to the card.
"Just think," she said, "Of what that means."

Dictionary definition:
Main Entry: anon.y.mous
Pronunciation: a-'nä-na-mas
Function: adjective
Etymology: Late Latin anonymous, from Greek anonymous, from a- + onyma name .
Date: 1631
1 : not named or identified
2 : of unknown authorship or origin
3 : lacking individuality, distinction, or recognizability

Due to a lack of recognizability.

What does it mean?

Throughout history, a lot of women who, in order to be heard, had to give up their name in order to use their voices. Some, like George Eliot, took on monikers of men. Others disguised themselves to hide their femaleness, such as S.E. Hinton.
My Art teacher, Ms. McKinnon, once put forth a theory that Leonardo DiVinci was female, and disguised herself in order to paint. The senior boys laughed and shouted her down, saying it was impossible. All the great painters were men, they said - until the 20th century there was no great women painters at all.
Ms. McKinnon looked at them and said, "Why is that?"

I leafed through a book of quotations not too long ago. I tried to count all ascribed to "Anonymous". There were a lot. A lot of Anonymous, a lot of men. Not too many women.

You do the math.

robin_light@yahoo.com


"SITE OF THE MONTH"

- If you want to read some top notch crime fiction, check out Blue Murder Magazine. It's free and features some of the best fiction on the net. Issue #18 is currently posted on "The Blue Murder" website at: http://www.bluemurder.com Enjoy!
- What do you mean "not everybody's into blood and sex"? Oh well, for the few of you who would prefer tamer subject matter, check out "The Copperfield Review", a journal of historical fiction at: http://www.copperfieldreview.com
Who says that I'm not open-minded? Well, who cares what Robin thinks anyway :)

(Only kiddin', Robin. Hey, put down that knife, girl... er– woman... ah, boss?...)


A REVIEWER'S "VIEW"

By Nancy Mehl

After writing my third novel, I was offered a chance to be a book reviewer. I wondered if I should take time from my own career to evaluate the work of others. In retrospect, it was one of the best decisions I've made in my writing career. Evaluating novels, especially those in the genre you write, is an incredible learning experience. I was fortunate to be a part of The Charlotte Austin Review. During my time on The Review I learned several things about what will or will not capture readers. I want to share just a few of them with you.

Grab your reader immediately and don't let go! The beginning of your novel is important. It's like buying a new car. If it doesn't look good, if you can't see yourself behind the wheel, you will never go so far as to check out the engine or take the time to get inside and drive it. Start with a punch. Your first sentence needs to reach out and capture your reader.

RUE! This means, Resist the Urge to Explain! Don't lean too heavily on exposition. In every novel, there are things that your reader needs to understand about your characters, their pasts, or their reactions. Unless you are writing nonfiction, or a purely literary work, use dialogue and action to "explain" your characters. Long passages of narration or exposition stall the action and put the brakes on your reader's personal involvement. Respect your readers. Let them use their own imaginations to become an active participant in your story.

Show – don't tell! "Telling" means that you, as the writer, intrude into your story to bring your readers up to speed on what your character is thinking or feeling. It is better to use action and dialogue to do this. Every time you insert yourself into your story, your reader will be aware of "you." This stops the action and gives your story an unreal feeling.

Use conflict! Conflict creates interest. Many writers have only one conflict that flows in line with their main plot. Use conflict throughout. In other words, if your protagonist is rushing to defuse a nuclear device that could destroy the earth – she could also be trying to take care of an ailing mother! Other conflicts: cars that won't start, weather, an emotional crisis, the death of a friend or family member. All of these things are events that your readers can relate to – and can build tension throughout your story.

Don't make your characters perfect! None of us are perfect. Your characters shouldn't cardboard cutouts – they need to be real. Real people have flaws. You have flaws. Make them real, and your readers will identify with them.

Finally…never let your book go to press with massive editing errors. This is a pet peeve of mine. Many novels sent for review have not been well edited. POD publishing, while having its advantages, is also notorious for poor editing. First of all, learn to edit. It is your responsibility as a writer to know how to edit correctly. If you are in the learning process – hire a reputable editor. Someone with credentials and references.

These suggestions are only the tip of the iceberg, but if you will follow these few points, your novel will be a cut above many of the works sent for review. No matter how good you think you are – or how important what you have to say is to life as we know it – learn the rules of writing! Give your book every possible advantage – and someday I'll be reviewing your book – and loving it!

Nancy Mehl is the author of SINNER'S SONG, a mystery novel set for release this year from St Kitts Press. Her second novel, GRAVEN IMAGES, will be published sometime next year by AmErica House. Her booklet, NUTRITION FOR THE GOLDEN YEARS, is now available through American Book Publishers. She reviews nonfiction books for MyShelf.com. Visit her website at:
http://www.nancymehl.com


"MYTHOS NEWS"

By the way, if you want to see an excerpt from Nancy Mehl's review of "Twilight Dynasty: Courting Evil" for the Charlotte Austin Review, check out the Review Page of my website.

I try to post all of the latest up-dates on my own writing career on the "Mythos News" page of my website, so feel free to check it out periodically at: http://www.members.home.net/barry.smith/mythos.htm or by following the links from http://www.twilight-dynasty.com

Oh, and please sign my website guestbook, even if you don't include your email address for security reasons.


"CLOSING REMARKS"

Well, people, that's it for the third instalment of the Twilight Dynasty Newsletter. By the way, the subscription list is growing by leaps and bounds. If you know anyone who you think would enjoy receiving The Twilight Dynasty Newsletter, send their name and email address to me at: newsletter@twilight-dynasty.com or have them sign up on the Author's Page of my website at: http://www.members.home.net/barry.smith/TheAuthor.htm If you've got any suggestions for other features that you'd like to see in this newsletter, send them along to me. I'm also still looking for contributors, so if you've got something to get off your chest, a story you'd like published, or newsworthy information, email them to me, and I'll include the best suggested contribution in my July newsletter. Nancy Mehl rose to the occasion last month, contributing the above article on book reviews.

Well, it's been fun to visit with you electronically. ‘Bye for now, people, and enjoy that great summer weather :)


Signed, your self-appointed (and therefore probably undeserving) editor, Barry