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Forbidden Blog

Fear, focus, and the future. Here, C.M. Humphries writes about whatever. ​

10/29/2012

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Writing Drunk II: Binge Writing

 
Awhile back I wrote about the benefits of Writing Drunk. If you're too busy or too lazy to review the post, it is about the inability to focus under the influence of alcohol, which prohibits individuals from comprehending the complexity of brain teasers; therefore resulting in some very creative answers. 


While under the influence of alcohol, people (especially writers) are more inclined to be creative and think outside of the box. In fact, studies show subjects who volunteered for an analytical analysis scored higher when they hovered around the legal limit. 

As far as writing is concerned, a little rum n' coke alongside the keyboard (be careful, you might spill your drink) could potentially lead to more creative, inside-out writing. However, how does writing drunk affect you in the long run? You probably just finished sploshing bourbon in a slutty Halloween costume, so maybe this is a topic  worth a glance.

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10/26/2012

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Letting the Cat Out of the Bag: One Secret of Publishing

 
There's a good chance this post will piss a lot of people off. See, this one is all about publishing - what it is and it isn't. It's no secret that No-Injury Policy is self-published, but trust me, there's a great deal of trepidation as I type this sentence. See, self-published works often procure the curious eye and the furrowed brow. Self-publishing is said to be for the impatient, the lazy, and the worst of writers. But ever wonder who says such things? Consider this: I, like many authors, have a dream of one day being part of either Random House or Penguin Group. That means you made it, right? If you guessed "yes", the you really need to keep on reading.

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10/24/2012

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Wanna Know What No-Injury Policy is About?

 
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When expectations are high, money is tight, love is tainted and stress is ubiquitous, the citizens of Chase County will do anything to make sure they survive. From the deconstruction of a town to frivolous intercourse with strangers, No-Injury Policy explores the dark depths of human nature when social pressures peak. 


No sooner than the meek taste retribution, however, they encounter the demons that have aided authority figures to the top - demons that refuse to lose control no matter what it takes.

No-Injury Policy is the 1st short story collection by C.M. Humphries, showcasing seven of the eeriest tales from every town in Chase County: Raven's Crook, Lovington, Lakeside, and Long Brooke.



Following along as I provide a snippet of each story in the collection. If there's a picture to the left of the premise, that means I blogged on a topic from the story. Be sure to check them all out.


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10/17/2012

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Just Don't Do It: The Importance of Thinking Before Acting

 
Let's face it, we're part of an interesting historical period. Or several. There almost seems to be an ideological Civil War taking place within the United States, one that might determine what is right, what is acceptable, and what is illegal. No matter what your stance is on an issue, you probably realize it's important to stand up for what you believe. However, let me suggest that you spend a little more thinking than acting.

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10/12/2012

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Cliches Aren't Always Evil

 
Back when I was still a freshman at Ball State University, I greeted a girlfriend at her place of work with a bouquet of red roses. It was the end of her shift, and it was Valentine's Day. I walked up to her desk, with all her co-workers gawking at us, and said, "Here, I got you a cliche." I rolled in laughter with the dust bunnies along the catacombs of my mind. Surely someone could appreciate both the flowers and the joke. But I was wrong. Apparently, she took one look at the flowers and surrendered to bliss, whereas after my one-liner, the sensation evaded her. (Guys, never ruin a woman's moment of joy. Just a tip.) 

See, it wasn't the cliche that sabotaged the story here, but a severe reaction to it. Such a life lesson carried on, even into my writing. Today, I will show you the right way to treat a cliche, a method which may prove handy in everyday life.

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10/9/2012

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Want to be an Evil Genius?

 
The first step towards becoming an evil genius is not always about having an ominous genesis. Contrary to popular belief, being the best at being the worst requires significant dedication and ambition.

You have to be intelligent to the point the word "intelligent" sounds like a disgusting understatement. A recent study theorizing about the increasing intellectual growth in birds suggests a few trappings that correlate with intellectually evolved human beings. And I happen to know the most underhanded method of becoming a genius - not that I consider myself one by any means.


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10/7/2012

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Yes, I'm Guilty. Are You?

 
Whenever someone is trying to pursue a creative endeavor, one of the first topics that comes to mind is discipline. See, you have to actually do something. Now for most writers, the ideal of a novel is alluring. In fact, many writers can probably complete the first hundred pages or so of a book in  record time. However, it's all about following through and then forcing yourself to write eight more drafts, all before preparing to do a lot of leg work no matter who your publisher is. You want to know my recommendation? Of course you do. Guilt. Feel as guilty as a dog with irritable bowels. 

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10/5/2012

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Hooray! We Can Still Visit Poe's House.

 
Where a person creates their art is often interesting to many. Some feel the tight grip of a celebrity appeal, while others need to see what influences might've derived from an artist's residence. In recent new, the Baltimore home of Edgar Allan Poe came close to dying until a new plan called for revitalizing of the attraction. Join me as I ponder what a home means to an artist. 

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10/2/2012

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You Are What You Read

 
Today I came across an interesting article from the Huffington Post that discusses how books shaped the life of Ray Bradbury. During a brief argument with a librarian, Bradbury said, "That’s what books do. They are the building blocks, the DNA, if you will, of you." 


I think this is a brilliant notion. What we read, how we read, and if we read all plays in to who we are. Join me as I explore the benefits of books that many of us know and some should consider.

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10/2/2012

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Bad Guys

 
I don't know about you, but there are a lot of evil men in literature these days. Whether a neglectful husband or a hopeless romantic werewolf, men aren't just antagonists, they're straight-up evil. To be fair, all this might be a rebuttal for early Disney's lack of motherly figures in the animated flicks. But why are all the male characters evil these days? Join me in a quest to find an answer that might not exist.

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10/1/2012

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Benefits of Irrational Thought

 
Aside from romance novels, most fiction today begs for rational thought. That is, most books are written with characters who have a mythical sense of foresight, which by large, is akin to the author's all-knowing perspective of the fictional world they've created. While it's important for characters to have realistic thought (since this will greatly impact the direction of the plot), I personally believe it's unrealistic. Without irrational thought, characters might lack a certain kind of hope or motivation that will drive them to success or at least an interesting life. Also, experiencing irrational thought through the eyes of fictional characters can be beneficial under real-life circumstances.

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