Alexander Corby 🇵🇷 / is on Nostr

Writer, teacher, circus artist, and parent.
Cisgender Male (He/him)

Last Notes

2024-05-27 13:34:44

#WritersCoffeeClub 5/27 Ideal Story Length
Listen, I could drag a story out to 200K words if I wanted, and maybe that's what some stories need. But I've been trying to apply the idea of "less is more" to my writing.
Could I shorten this 120K draft to 110K? 100? I feel I tend to overwrite when left to my own devices, so aiming to cut down the word count usually helps me streamline and tidy up the story.

2023-12-13 20:24:12

#WordWeavers 12/13 Share a review/compliment you're proud of.
I don't have a ton of reviews but all so far have been sparkling, such as the lovely review left by @npub16uc…k62q on Goodreads (Thank you!!)
My most satisfying 'victory' was getting a rating by a random person on Goodreads. When I checked their profile, I saw that this was one heavy-reader and had rated hundreds of books ranging from 2-4 stars with only a select few earning 5. My book was one of those select few 😎

2023-12-07 19:43:46

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@npub16uc…k62q Thank you so very much for the review! So glad you enjoyed it! I'm working hard to get the sequel out ASAP

2023-10-31 15:16:37

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@npub15wt…7rek I don't suppose you're living in Australia? The green ants they have there are a true horror

2023-10-31 14:55:47

#WritersCoffeeClub 10/31: Horror
There are horror elements in Taliesin and I wrote a few horror shorts that never got picked up. In one, a swarm of ants attack a train after everyone takes of their K95's prematurely.
In another, a group of islanders are lured to a sandbar filled with delicious sea eggs and are 'caught' by underwater fishers.
Here's a link to my one 'horror' story that got published, though it's more post-apacolytpic than real horror
https://corbystories.wordpress.com/dispersal-by-sea/

2023-10-27 15:37:17

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@npub16uc…k62q Thank you so very much! I'm so glad you enjoyed! I didn't even realize that Amazon only allows consistent customers to leave reviews, but I'm certainly not surprised. I believe the book should be on Goodreads. Really appreciate it!

2023-10-27 15:13:57

#WordWeavers 10/27: reading or writing in your stories?
In Taliesin, we're still in the dark ages. Most people were illiterate and stories kept orally. Some characters learn to read/write Latin from the monks. Tali knows how to read/write, but still prefers the oral tradition.
In my SciFi circus story, reading is obsolete thanks to Stream rings that interpret QR codes for their wearer, except for Behrvon's circus troupe. He won't let anyone onstage to perform until they learn to read.

2023-09-30 13:52:36

#WritersCoffeeClub 9/30 : Dumb things people say when they hear you're a writer?
This is more from people who read my book or attempted to. The chief complaint is "I liked it, but I couldn't get past all those crazy names!"
I know, I know, some people have difficulty with names, but c'mon people! These are 6th century Welsh characters! Did you want me to call the book "Tom, boss of songs, against King Kyle of Wales-ville?"
I GAVE you all a pronunciation guide!!

2023-08-31 17:44:44

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@npub16uc…k62q I'm using the Mabinogion as a basis for the story, but I add a lot of my own elements and other British legends for something I hope is original

2023-08-31 17:43:09

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@npub16uc…k62q My family is Welsh and I became fascinated with the psuedo-historical figure of Taliesin. My first book, Taliesin, Chief of Bards, tells about Taliesin's origin based off the last bit of the Mabinogion. I wanted to write a sequel so I tried tho think what other things Taliesin does in his life that would make a great book. Turns out he's a named character in the second part of the Mabinogion filled with war, magic, and betrayal, so that's what I'm doing for book 2!

2023-08-31 17:32:45

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@npub16uc…k62q I'm writing my version of her, but ultimately that's not my character creation. Most of the characters I'm using for this book come straight out of the Mabinogion.

2023-08-31 17:21:24

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@npub1k74…dmux It certainly was an understatement!😆

2023-08-31 17:15:34

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@npub1k74…dmux Don't blame yourself. Dude should have tried therapy before jumping into a marriage.

2023-08-31 17:01:11

#WritingWonders 8/31: Has the MC ever approved of what the antagonist does and vice versa?
Taliesin and Matholwch actually have a great deal of respect for each other. Taliesin, initially, sees Matholwch as a benevolent, neighborly king, and he is until things go sour with Branwen.
Matholwch both respects and fears Taliesin. When somebody can see every one of your past deeds and deepest nightmares, you'd probably treat them with fearful respect too!
#Mythology

2023-08-09 18:52:55

Yeesh! It looks like I pissed off a den of nazis lurking around here. Getting a small bombardment of some seriously messed up shit. I'm tempted to return the vitriol in kind, by why argue with intellectual toddlers? Now, I'm just wishing them luck in dealing with their insecurity issues, conveying my hopes that they find their way out of hate and blocking them and their instances one-by-one.

2023-08-09 16:51:42

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@npub1e8v…s7yy @npub1edk…7seg People of color are not your fucking livestock, there is no such thing as an innocent Nazi, Jews are my friends and family, and you need to grow up and get your head out of your racist, ignorant ass.
Stay well away from me and mine.