Whitechapel - HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/ Lussumo Vanilla & Feed Publisher HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=312791#Comment_312791 2011-10-18T08:12:03-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 Horrible Warning Si http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1223 Part of my job here is to tear away the flimsy skirts of ignorance and expose the skintight Bucks-Fizz leotards of Awesome. In that spirit I bring you gentleman, scholar, all-round excellent person, ... HERE.

Budgie's got a track record in the world of comics and comickery going back decades, but right now he's heavy with the milky wisdom of Short Story Writing. I know a bunch of you folks are keen prosers, and Budgie's a shining example of how to get off your arse and make amazing things happen all on your own. A couple of years ago he issued the following challenge:

Reply with a title (maximum of four words) about which you’d like me to write a fast fiction of exactly 200 words, together with a single word you want me to include in the text of the tale.

Note the "exactly 200 words". That's important.

500 stories later, he's released via Lulu.com two volumes of the creepiest, funniest, most thoughtful little storynuggets out -- check 'em out HERE, you won't be disappointed -- and today he blogged his first new tale, a more freeform affair, in a long while.

It's called TUESDAY, and it's good solid funcreepy joy.

Anyway. You could learn a lot from this human. Hopefully he'll honour us with his presence in these parts, so any questions, comments or advicesuckling should spill from here.

As it happens I have some plans for Budgie which might make for some wider-Whitechapel-fun, but - for now - go read Good Things.]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=312810#Comment_312810 2011-10-18T09:18:54-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 Beamish http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=8236 cheap iPhone sim free. Sorry, I had to?


Sorry, I had to?]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=312826#Comment_312826 2011-10-18T11:43:37-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 budgie http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141 Thanks, Si - much appreciated! Hello everyone, those who know me, and the overwhelming majority who don't. HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=312834#Comment_312834 2011-10-18T13:14:40-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 Internaut http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=7307 Good to see you here! TUESDAY sounds very interesting indeed. HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=312857#Comment_312857 2011-10-18T16:08:01-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 budgie http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141 @Internaut - thanks; Tuesday is, as Si says in the first post in this thread, a short tale, complete in and of itself. Most of my writings over the past couple of years has been short fiction, ...
Most of my writings over the past couple of years has been short fiction, although there have been longer form pieces.

I've dropped by here every so often, and Si and I have plans to possibly make my attendance substantially more regular.]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=312866#Comment_312866 2011-10-18T17:06:08-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 Alan Tyson http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1299 Well, Mr. Barnett, Tuesday has gone and made my dinner a much more interesting experience that it would have otherwise been. Welcome to Whitechapel. I think we're going to like you.
Welcome to Whitechapel. I think we're going to like you.]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=312872#Comment_312872 2011-10-18T18:09:21-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 budgie http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141 Thanks @Alan. Interesting is always good around this place, I've learned. And thanks for the welcome.
And thanks for the welcome.]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=312937#Comment_312937 2011-10-19T09:47:34-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 budgie http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141 And after yesterday's creepy tale, described by Si as "good solid funcreepy joy", here's something a little sillier: Nathaniel Spong... Nathaniel Spong...]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=313168#Comment_313168 2011-10-21T20:17:03-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 Luke http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=193 Welcome budgie, I celebrate your arrival with the purchase of your book. If only to support the idea of Mr Si's recommendations having weight, and certainly not because I read everything venturing ...
Damn glad to have a fast fiction proponent knocking about, no better way to disabuse people of the nonsense that you either write an entire masterpiece or not at all. You simply write or not at all and have enormous fun in the process.]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=313172#Comment_313172 2011-10-21T21:45:17-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 Rachæl Tyrell http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=552 I know you, AND I like you! So there. HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=313199#Comment_313199 2011-10-22T08:21:11-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 budgie http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141 @Luke - Thanks, and once again (ex-email) thanks to Si for enabling our email communications! And of course, much gratitude for buying the book... Hi Rachael... Nice to see you...
And of course, much gratitude for buying the book...



Hi Rachael... Nice to see you...]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=313287#Comment_313287 2011-10-23T11:04:42-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 RobSpalding http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=647 Every time I see Budgie's project mentioned I keep thinking "Damn, I should steal that and do it myself." Then I use the excuse that stealing is bad to not do it. I've read a few on ... Then I use the excuse that stealing is bad to not do it.

I've read a few on your site and I had a nice chat with you at a Con in Bristol where I bought your son's comic - which is about somewhere amongst the stack og graphic novels in my room.]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=313320#Comment_313320 2011-10-23T18:29:08-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 budgie http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141 Hey @Rob - nice to catch up with you. Let me state for the record that I certainly didn't come up with the idea of flash- or fast- fiction, far from it. I didn't even come up with the idea of a ...
Let me state for the record that I certainly didn't come up with the idea of flash- or fast- fiction, far from it.

I didn't even come up with the idea of a fast fiction challenge - as far as I know, anyway; someone must have.

What I did do was formalise it into the challenge Si listed at the start of this thread.

Others have asked on occasion if they can nick the idea, and while I've always appreciated the courtesy, I've never felt I have any ownership over the concept; to claim such would be arrogant.

However, I have recommended that they do something to make it their own. Vary the number of words, or the title format, or somesuch. A friend lifted the idea but stuck a twist on it so that all the stories over a year long project are stories about, or set in, Memphis.

That comic writer, by the way, will be sixteen in about ten days...]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=313611#Comment_313611 2011-10-26T08:28:15-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 RobSpalding http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=647 Well then, as Budgie doesn't mind other people doing it, I have decided to have a go. Please pop over and give me some titles. Please pop over and give me some titles.]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=313616#Comment_313616 2011-10-26T09:38:02-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 budgie http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141 Nice take on the concept, @Rob - best of fortune with it. HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=313617#Comment_313617 2011-10-26T09:50:29-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 Argos http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=7792 Oh dear God. I just read Tuesday. Okay, so, a few weeks back, I was walking home from the park, and this guy stops by me and asks, in spanish "Can you help me? Can you help me?" He had ...
Okay, so, a few weeks back, I was walking home from the park, and this guy stops by me and asks, in spanish "Can you help me? Can you help me?" He had nothing on him but his clothes, was walking slow and sluggish with poor posture, and just looked awful. I felt horrible, but was also creeped out, so I pretended that I couldn't understand spanish, shook my head, and walked away, and as I was leaving he goes "why?" I was really disturbed on the way home, because I felt guilty that I didn't help him, guilty enough that I almost went back. I just remember thinking "oh god, I understood him, and blew him off, and who knows what he needs, and no one else will understand him (even though we're in San Diego, of course someone else who speaks spanish will come along)" and so forth. Anyway, I got home, told me boyfriend about it, and he goes "that sounds like a murderer or rapist to me. Also there's a canyon nearby that park, so, yeah, you did the right thing."

Anyway, that's my story, about strangers on the street trying to get my sympathy.]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=313637#Comment_313637 2011-10-26T12:52:47-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 budgie http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141 @Argos - Oh dear God. I just read Tuesday. Well, yes, that's kind of the reaction I like getting. As for your own experiences, I know neither the area nor the residents, but your boyfriend ...
Oh dear God. I just read Tuesday.

Well, yes, that's kind of the reaction I like getting.

As for your own experiences, I know neither the area nor the residents, but your boyfriend obviously thinks he does...]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=313814#Comment_313814 2011-10-28T03:22:24-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 budgie http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141 Just to satisfy anyone's curiosity that they didn't know they possessed - some thoughts about writing. some thoughts about writing.]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=313846#Comment_313846 2011-10-28T12:52:51-07:00 2011-10-28T12:52:58-07:00 Alan Tyson http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=1299 I would like to hear more of this "writing is rewriting" idea. HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=314539#Comment_314539 2011-11-04T09:04:25-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 budgie http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141 While Si and I continue to ponder, plan and otherwise waste time proceed with the plot, here's another slice of fiction for you... Tomorrow waste time proceed with the plot, here's another slice of fiction for you...

Tomorrow]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=314540#Comment_314540 2011-11-04T09:10:56-07:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 budgie http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141 @Alan - thanks for the interest; I'm planning on a blog post shortly explaining more, but in short, "writing is rewriting" can be taken in two ways: (1) the obvious - once a draft is ...
(1) the obvious - once a draft is completed, the strength of a story (at least as far as I can see) is in the self-editing, paring it down, removing any 'padding', ensuring that every line, every phrase, at least as far as possible, rewards the reader in either advancing the plot or enhancing the reader's understanding of the character.

(2) the less obvious - ideas come from all around you. Whether or not you subscribe to Moore"s concept of "ideaspace", it's not as if (as Larson facetiously replied when asked) "you have a big box in the attic labelled IDEAS and whenever you need one, you just open it... Rewriting the wisp of a concept into a solid story, pulling in who knows what from who knows where to get the eventual gestalt involves rewriting in your head how you interpret the ideas and their synergy.

Anyway - that's what I want to play with..]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=320816#Comment_320816 2012-01-08T09:29:44-08:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 budgie http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=141 If anyone's interested, and was following this at the end of last year, you may want to take a trip and look at the new thing Si and I will be running from this week... The Art of Fast Fiction... The Art of Fast Fiction...]]> HERE BE GOOD PEOPLES: Lee "Budgie" Barnett (Wouldbe writers gather round). http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=10292&Focus=320822#Comment_320822 2012-01-08T11:00:41-08:00 2013-05-18T13:39:57-07:00 Paul Sizer http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/account.php?u=44 expose the skintight Bucks-Fizz leotards of Awesome I cannot believe you used that as a reference. Tell me you don't have a cassette of their music stashed behind a book in your home somewhere. ... expose the skintight Bucks-Fizz leotards of Awesome

I cannot believe you used that as a reference. Tell me you don't have a cassette of their music stashed behind a book in your home somewhere. C'mon, fess up, it doesn't make you less of a man!]]>