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Come on, admit it… No? Well prove it!

You can test your manliness (women too) by seeing a film that starts lightheartedly, stays that way until the end and gives a wicked 15 minute punch to the gut at the end (played to the rythm of Tchaikovski’s Concerto, no less).

Like this one:

In case you are wondering I did not go see it to test my manliness, I knew full well it didn’t stand a chance

Creative Writing - Mood and Setting

I don’t like creative writing prompts too much.

They make good writing exercises, if your idea is to just practice. But if you have a story en route, you aren’t looking for ideas to get started on a brief three page writing exercise, but ways to expand and deepen your storyline.

I’ve explored this time and again, not because I am a prolific writer, but because I am not. As a matter of fact, the only noteable story I’ve ever finished is Peregrine’s Song. In the end it didn’t come out as a written work, but as a game.

The sad truth is that creative writing eludes me, and it’s starting to annoy me.

The Fiction Kit is the result of my preliminary work to stop being annoyed. I’m not saying I covered everything. But I think there is enough for me to break out a decent first draft. You might find it helpful as well.

For now, you’ll see my take on story structure, setting, character development (attributes and relationships) and exploring possible interactions between each of those story components.

After my dozen or so pages of theorizing, each of these elements are presented in templates that you can fill out, store, edit and review until all the ideas you need for better story architecture are available.

To better understand the difference between structure and architecture, try this article by Larry Brooks.

From that point on, your writing talent is up to bat.

If you are an expert on the subject, I’d really appreciate your comments to make it better. If needed, there will be an update.

This link opens the Fiction Kit on your browser, unless your browser is old or if you right-click – save target as.

You need Adobe reader for this. It is a PDF file.

Need a good camera

This is a brief retrospective post on 20 years of karate practice. The benefits, the experience, the fun, and… some of the pain

I started karate in the United States in September 1989. How time flies! In those first two years, I had the priviledge to train in the same dojo as Mike Chaturantabut (Mike Chat), who since went on to an actual career in action cinema and won several world titles. We were following Sensei John Sharkey’s expert teachings.

I continued training in France from 1991 to this day, and currently attend the SIK (Sporting International Karate) since 2003, run by Serge Chouraqi, 8th dan, former trainer of the French female kata team.  Many great competitors have trained here (Michael Millon, Gilles Cherdieu, David Felix, Myriam Szkudlarek and Marc Pyrée, just to name some of those that won world titles).

My personal competitive achievements are infinitely more modest: just a few regional level podiums before my weight problem kicked in (hence the weight loss section covering how I got over that).

The Benefits.

I was 14 when I started. When I sparred, I would turn away and duck each time an opponent would manifest the slightest intention of getting remotely close.  I couldn’t help that. I was programmed to flee, not fight.

I do not do that anymore. Karate teaches you to face a situation that could possibly hurt you, instead of turning your back on it (in which case it is 100% sure to hurt you one way or another.)

I’ve met and learned from countless great individuals. Not only from the great competitors, but from all of those that simply strived to get better each day, and rubbed off on me just a little bit in the process.

There were years during which I lost my grip (the weight gain was only one visible aspect of this). The motivation to set things straight definitely had something to do with both the training goals, and the people with whom I strove to accomplish them.

The Fun.

There’s nothing like getting better. Especially when it is a shared collective experience. I’ve been in teams, on a few podiums, and in thousands of training sessions, hoping to experience that flow that sometimes enabled me to… almost fly. At least it is the way it felt.

The Pain.

Well, there has to be some right? A broken foot, a broken tooth, several jammed fingers, and countless hours of gasping for air… But it was all worth it!

Conclusion.

Try a competitive sport. Find one you like and stick to it. You don’t need to be a world champion to get enormous benefits over time.

That applies even if you think you are too old, too heavy, too light, or don’t have enough time. Even if you are swamped, your training will call you until you finally decide to make time for it again. And when you decide, you find the time!

Obviously shotokan has been a big part of my personal development. It works in conjunction with other things, and writing this blog will help me streamline it, track my progress, stay focused, and share the experiments to help readers.

Keep in touch!

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Puppy prepared to play!

 Don’t underestimate the power of a playful break!

Just a stick will do for a few good laughs.

When one of those breaks ends, the following hours of work will be more creative, and more productive. It never fails!

Enjoyed this post? Please take a minute to browse the tools that make me better. They will work for you too, so buying one is a great win-win way to support this site!

If this is your first visit, have a good look around! Lots of fun, creativity, productivity… And subscribe for upcoming posts – there is a lot more coming!

The best places to see are not necessarily on the top of a tourist guide’s to-do list.

Castelnau de Montmirail is a place where you feel like you’ve gone back in time a few centuries. No cars and few tourists.  Fortifications, a town square, and a breathtaking view of the countryside.

Castelnau de Montmirail history.

Origins.

Originally named Castelnou de mon Mirailh, it litterally meant new castle on top of a great hill in Occitan language.

Raymond VII, Count of Toulouse, ordered its construction in 1220. This allowed to regroup the regions’s peasant population for better administrative, legislative and economic control. Castelnau’s inhabitants are granted priviledges so as to entice local populations to relocate there.

Four councils were chosen by the sovereign from a list of eight applicants presented to him by the former consuls. They were in charge of effectively administrating the village and castle.

Hundred Year War.

While the English, led by the Black Prince,  invaded the Albigeois region in 1345, they stopped before the Castelnau walls and did not dare attack.

Religion Wars.

Castelnau resisted the rising influence of Protestantism and gave refuge to the Catholics in Gaillac as they were persecuted and exiled by the protestant majority. In 1587, a protestant attack is repelled.

Practice your French!

Visit the Castelnau de Montmirail website.