The Wordsmith's Forge

So now capitalism is in crisis, and it's exactly the kind of crisis that people pointed out ages ago was bound to happen: too much wealth concentrated in too few hands, leaving not enough to get done the practical things that rich people don't give a flip about.  The people who predicted this -- the ones that are still alive -- are saying "I told you so."  Much like the capitalists did when communism collapsed under its own weight.

Now that we've belabored the obvious, can we please start putting together the parts of various systems that actually do work, and create a hybrid economy that might last longer?

meeks has a new crowdfunding project up on Kickstarter, "Lorelei Has a Dream."  I find Lorelei the hedgehog to be one of the more recognizable characters I've seen in art.

ailelie has created a website for the planned ezine Plunge.  (This is the project I'll be line-editing if it comes together.) The business plan is now on there.  More content will follow soon.

lit_handyman has posted a couple of writing exercises that deal with nonverbal communication.

See the tag-team event by ariestess, miintikwa, and shatterpath -- three of your favorite readers doing cards in shifts for Friday the 13th!  I think it's cool to see people working together.

my_starz has posted the next essay, "You're unique -- and so are your stars!"  It discusses the complexity of natal charts in terms of the luminaries in their positions and how many possibilities there are, even before factoring in the relationships of celestial bodies to each other.  Comment, subscribe, and/or linkback to encourage more from this crowdfunded astrology project.

This just came from Sandra Kasturi:

 aldersprig has opened the January Giraffe Call.  The theme is "In the City."  There are perks for donations, linkbacks, and other stuff.  Please drop by and join the fun!

This weekend happens to include a whole bunch of crowdfunding activities.


Events to Visit

January Giraffe Call about "In the City" by aldersprig

January Muse Fusion on Torn World

January Crowdfunding Creative Jam on LiveJournal crowdfunding</lj>or on Dreamwidth

Garden of Prose: Paths by clare_dragonfly


What I'm Writing

"Grapejelly" -- nonfiction about a Torn World sea critter, tiny relative of the jellyriggers
This will be my freebie for the January Muse Fusion, submitted to the Canon Board and eventually visible to the public.

"Unlicensed Dreams" -- a Torn World poem about when the Empire discovered dreamers' liquor.
30 lines, Buy It Now = $7.50

"Why Autistics Make Good Friends" -- a poem from the Crowdfunding Creative Jam about alternative expressions of friendship.  This is my CCJ freebie.

A Bouquet of Fragrance" -- a Monster House poem from the Crowdfunding Creative Jam, in which the daughter visits a scent garden.
23 lines, Buy It Now = $10

"Courtship Displays" -- a Torn World poem in which Karavai and Luulan are flirting.
23 lines, Buy It Now = $5 or 5 Torn World credits

"Getting the Goat" -- a Torn World poem about rangers hunting the rare mountain goats for their beautiful white fur.
22 lines, Buy It Now = $5 or 5 Torn World credits

"Pearls and Posies" -- a poem from the Crowdfunding Creative Jam about Fiorenza the wisewoman trying to help two girls enchanted by fairies so that they cannot speak, but only produce jewels or herbs.
128 lines, Buy It Now = $64

"Smoke in the Wind" -- a Torn World poem about Omorth's favorite color, smoke, which periodically comes into fashion in different shades.
30 lines, Buy It Now = $7.50 or 8 Torn World credits

"Doing the Work" -- a Torn World story in progress, about Karavai earning his furshirt.
[Edit 1/16/12] 4,040 words, Buy It Now = $40.40 or 40 Torn World credits


From My Prompts

These are some things that people have created based on my prompts.

"Unicorn Chase" by aldersprig comes from the Giraffe Call and belongs to the Unicorn/Factory setting.  A unicorn appears in the Factory and causes much consternation.

wyld_dandelyon is writing a story based on my prompt about fashion colors.

"On the Trail" is an excerpt about hunting evil unicorns by clare_dragonfly.  See also the previous story featuring Kaede, "Bigfoot Hunting," which is fully visible.  I'm always thrilled to see a genderflexy protagonist!

You can now read my latest vocabulary post over on torn_world featuring verbs that begin with "Q."