Tag Archives: character flaws

Beware the Wrath of Abibarshim!

Posted on June 9, 2020 by jguenther5

Recently excavated clay tablets shed new light on the most famous engineering failure in antiquity. Although some of the words are conjectural, this translation contains a clear message for modern engineers. Do you know someone who might benefit from this … Continue reading →

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The Curious Case of Phineas Gage

Posted on February 24, 2020 by jguenther5

In 1848, Phineas Gage was a foreman, efficient, capable, and smart, employed to clear a railroad route through rocky terrain. He and his crew broke up rock formations by drilling holes down into them, filling the holes partway with gunpowder, … Continue reading →

Posted in history, science, the brain, the human condition | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Unforsaken reaches ScreenCraft Semifinals

Posted on October 10, 2019 by jguenther5

Unforsaken began as a 1500 word short story, Saguaro Flat — 1909, written for the Palos Verdes Library’s 2017 November Writing month. Audience reaction when it was read at the Library in early 2018 inspired me to adapt it for … Continue reading →

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A More Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy

Posted on March 15, 2019 by jguenther5

Yes, that’s our objective of the day: to turn your novel, novella, novelette or short into a hive of scum and villainy. Stories of any length thrive on villains. The more wretched, the better. For without him or her, there … Continue reading →

Posted in creativity, fiction, Lists, the human condition, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Character Arcs & Flaws

Posted on May 20, 2014 by jguenther5

In case you’ve not already been taught this, it’s considered mandatory that your hero have a flaw, something for him/her to overcome, something to provide an inner journey while shooting up the world with an AK-47 on the outer levels, … Continue reading →

Posted in creativity, fiction, the human condition, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments