A TO Z CHALLENGE 2016 -- JEOSEUNG SAJA

Burning rubber and gasoline fumes fill your nostrils as you blink.  Your blurry vision fades in and out before clearing.  It's tough to see through the smoke.

The taste of blood comes.  Then pain.  An all-over pain that floods every nerve ending in your body.

You remember what happened.  A truck weaving in all over the road plowed into multiple cars.

Sirens grow louder.  Flashing bright lights are still far away dots.

Heat rises in the car.  It's on fire.  Frightened, your frantic gaze tries to find help.

A man slowly walks toward you.  His black robe flows like water over his legs.  His pale skin glows from the harsh streetlights and flickering headlights.  On his head, he wears a strange round hat.

Your heart flutters as his eyes meet yours.  He is not here to help you.  He has come to take your soul.


The Jeoseung Saja (저승사자) is the Korean version of the Grim Reaper.  He appears before those whose time is near.  It is a death omen to dream of them. They will appear in places heavy in death like hospitals, graveyards, and accidents.

They are dressed in dark robes and a Joseon-era gat, which is the distinctive black hat of that time.  They are said to be extremely pale and have sunken eyes.  They look very human to the eye.

Sent to collect souls and guide them to the afterlife down the Hwangcheon Road. They cannot be bribed and will pursue a spirit relentlessly.

They are under the command of King Yeomna [Yeomna (염라) and Great King Yeomna (염라대왕, Yŏmna Daewang)].  Also know as Yan, Enma-O, Yama, and other names in different places.

The Jeoseung Saja deliever to him those to be judged.  

gh

My other choices for today were the yokai Jubokko, which is a tree yokai that drinks the blood of their human victims.  They are created at places of great violence and death like battlefields.  The roots of a tree soak up enough of the blood and turn it into a blood craving monster.  Underneath the creature, the bones of it's victims can be found.

The second was a gouged out-eyed ghost from Korea called Jayuro Gwishin. She is part of an urban legend where she is found on a strip of highway in South Korea known for many accidents because of the deep fog there.  

A TO Z CHALLENGE -- AKA MANTO

So, you have to go to the bathroom.  You enter a stall and do your business.

A frigid draft floats over the stall wall.  Goosebumps rise on your arms.  Your heart skips a beat as the lights above flicker and die.

 An inhuman voice speaks. "Do you want a red cloak or blue cloak?"

Chills crawl all over your body at the disimbodied voice.  You have to make a choice.  Which one will you choose?



And that my friends is the basis of the urban legend from Japan called Aka Manto, which translates to Red Cloak.  It has many names Red Mantle, Red Cape, Red Paper Blue Paper, and more.  In Romanji they are: Aka Manto Ao Manto, Aka Hanten Ao Hanten, or Aka Kami Ao Kami.

And sitting alone and vulnerable, you contemplate them.  Only, either choice is dismal.

With red, you end up being beheaded and your blood runs down your body in a grotesque mock cape, your flesh is ripped from your back (and some versions have the ghost tying it around your neck), skinned alive, or slits your throat (again mocking a red cape).

With blue, your blood is entirely drained, or you are suffocated by choking. Either of which will leave you a sick shade of blue.

If you think choosing another color will get freed.  Sorry. Not happening.  Any other color gets you sucked into a vortex to some netherworld. . .
Well, that is if you can believe the last version of the story.
If you say yellow . . . yellow may let you live.

Yellow gets you a swirlie in your own filth.

Lastly, you might get away if you chose no color at all.

This modern day urban legend has its roots starting around 1935.  There are variations of who started it.  There was a rumor that a to-die-for handsome man wore a white mask to cover his face and he hung out in shoe lockers.  Another is a banker wanted to cause a panic. He didn't start hanging out in girl's bathrooms until the 1980s.

In any case, this urban legend may have even older roots.  The Kamishibai (kah-mee-she-bye, 'paper theater'), a traditional storytelling method, has mention of a gentlman in a red cape said to be magical.

A TO Z CHALLENGE ROUND THREE

Hi all.

This is me signing up for the A to Z again this year.

I have reservations about this one though. New job and less time.  We'll wing it though.

I have the first post written and waiting for scheduling.  so only 25 more to go.

I love my theme.  I had so much fun delving into it.  Can't wait for the Reveal.

HEH HEH HEH!  Yep, that post is ready too!

Let's just hope I'll deliver.

Kanpai!

G(Hint: That might be a clue as to some of the things I'm going to talk about.)

I HAVE NOT DISAPPEARED. . . THOUGH IT SEEMS THAT WAY

Hi all!

I know that I've been lax in my posting since -- Um, let me go check that -- August 11th, but much of that was from real world drama.  Not my own mostly but family stuff (both blood and those I consider blood).

My own drama comes with my new job as Children's Librarian at the public library.  I started at the end of August and have been playing learn and catch up on things since then.

  I'm doing a lot of the same things I did before but with more piled on top of the rest.  The best part is I get to be Goddess of Books!  Muhahahaha!!!!

In other words (that are not so obnoxiously demented), I buy all the Easy, Juvenile, and Young Adult books now.

 How is that for sick and twisted?  Book junkie with free reign despite the budget.

I just have to keep in mind the girly girl juvenile stuff as well as the ya romancy ones too.  Sigh.

Writing and blogging have been set aside pretty much until I can get my computer fixed.  I've basically been blogging from the library when I had desk hours as a volunteer.  Not anymore because there is more work now than time I have.

The iPad is great but not conducive to effective blogging.  Pages sometimes freeze at certain points.

So that's my update in a nutshell.

Hope to blog again soon.

AND FOR MY NEXT TRICK . . . I BRING YOU . . . THE REVEAL!

THE GREAT AND POWERFUL A TO Z THEME REVEAL BLOGFEST!

Let the Revelations begin!

Okay, my lovelies, it is time!  Yes!  With great antici --- say it! say it! -- pation!  (I be quoting something there!  Heh heh!) you have waited for this day, this minute, this second. Now, to fulfill your wish.

The theme to which I have decided on is:

Wiccan, Pagan, and Other Random Coolness!

You're dying of the excitement now, right?

Nah, I knew you wouldn't be, but I was fascinated to delve into this.  There is so many traditions that we have, expressions that we say, and much more that can be found by delving into pagan history.

There will be plenty of pictures and fascinating tidbits that I didn't even know.

The origins of many things will be come to light as we explore.

I hope to enlighten and sweep away some of the mystery with this year's A to Z.

A TO Z CHALLENGE -- GEARING UP BEFORE APRIL

It's that time again!  It's time to finish off my posts for the A to Z Challenge.  I have the first week scheduled to post already.

Since the opening of the linky list two or three days ago, there have been over 300 entries already signed up.  Impressive much.

I'm not going to reveal my theme yet. I will probably do the theme reveal (if I can find it).  If not, I will reveal closer to the start.

The Challenge is dedicated to Tina Downey.

Here is the calender for this year's event:

A TINY LITTLE UPDATE

So it is almost Christmas and the end of the year. Time flew for me.  It felt like a blink of an eye and the year was half over.

So what am I planning to do.

I'm working on my A to Z Challenge for April.  Waiting for announcements.  And working my regularly scheduled job.  Hmm.  Oh, yeah, I'm going to be baking and cooking my brains out in the next few days.  Sigh.  Lots of food though.  Pie.  Nom, Nom, Nom.

I'm reading again.  So, I may actually get to my Goodreads pile.  Crossing fingers and toes on that one.  I know I just have to pick up a book from it, but they are like decoration and I don't want to disturb the aesthetics of it. Hee hee.

As for next year, I have no idea what is going to happen.

Other than that, I'm girding my loins (heh heh) and gearing up for Christmas.

Cheers everyone.  Hope your holidays are fab!

NANO UPDATE 2014

And so the end of NaNo is near.  One more week of writing madness to go through.

For those of you who do not know what NaNo stands for; it's NaNoWriMo or in long version, National Novel Writing Month.  It is where writers strive and most succeed to write 50,000 words in one month.

That's the goal anyway.  I do not do that.  I would hurt myself badly if I tried.  My inner editor is an evil witch and will not shut up no matter what I do to her.  Chains.  Whips.  Torture.  Drowning.  You name it I've done it, and she laughs in the face and comes back with a vengance.

Ahem.

So, instead I strive for the lofty goal of 15k or there about, which is somewhere where four short stories for Reuts Publications.

I have already expounded on their theme of Mythology this year.

As to the update itself.

I did not finish the Egyptian short story on time.  It did not get sent to them.
Sent in the Celtic and the Asian one.
Waiting for the parameters for the Eastern European one
Did a flash fiction for a site.
And have been plucking away at my own Mythological creation.

So far that brings my word total to 13.7k plus some change.  

And that my friends puts me right on my personal target.

YAY!!!!

FAIRY TALE TO MUSIC

My lovely blogging buddy, writing pal, and all-around fabulous lady, Samantha Redstreake Geary is having another writing contest!!!

SQUEE!!!

Really Slow Motion has a new album coming out.  It's called Of Mist and Magic.  I've listened to one of the songs and it is beautiful.

The prompt is a piece from the album.  In 500 words or less, retell a classic fairy tale and post it to her blog.

It's due before December 1st, peeps.

Not only can you win a digital copy of the album, but there is a chance to be published in companion anthology!!!  That's right, peeps.  Published.  That lovely magic word any writer aspires to have in their bio.

So, go forth and write.

HERE IS THE YOUTUBE LINK TO THE SONG:  THE ETERNAL REST OF A RONIN

HALLOWEEN IS COMING! BLOG HOP ANTICIPATION!

So next month is October and the best holiday (IMO) is coming up!  HALLOWEEN!  WOOT!

As I cannot stop myself from just going all out, I have signed up for the Halloween Blog hop.  Sara Snider is hosting it.  Clicky on her name and join up.

Write a story, post an image, or do just about anything really as long it's Halloween related.

The rules for this blog hop are:

1. Add your blog using the link tool found on Sara's Page.
2. Grab the button to put on your blog to help spread the word (optional).
3. On Halloween (Oct. 31), post your short story, poem, artwork, or whatever on your blog.
4. Visit other people’s blogs to see what they’ve posted.
5. Have fun!

TREE OF LIFE -- CELEBRATING A LIFE

Tree of Life

In the celebration of a life that has touched the lives of so many bloggers from around the globe, Samantha Redstreake Geary is creating a tribute to the life of Tina Downey.

This ebook is the collaborated efforts of 26 authors Tina included.  Each individual work from Tree of Life: Branching Out is connected to one of the beautiful pieces music from Audiomachine's album Tree of Life.

The stunning cover was created by Ryo Ishido.

The ebooks's proceeds will go to an education fund for her two boys.

I will add links when the book is available.  Let's celebrate this wonderful life together.

NEW WRITING CONTEST!!

There is a new writing contest as well as a slew of other awesome contests on Sam'sblog.

There is a new contest on Sam's blog.  It has a piece of music to inspire you.

Not only that there are three other contests too!  The first is an audiomachine one where you design a t-shirt using the logos and tags.  The second is creating a book trailer for the book Colin Frake.  The third is cover art for an album for Really Slow Motion.

The writing one is blipping epic.  Steampunk Vikings!!!  I know.  Too cool, huh?  All ya have to do is write a 500 word flash fiction and post it to the page.

The due date is August 9th, peeps.  So get on the ball and let that imagination shine!

REFLECTING

This odyssey began last year when I found out about the challenge.  I declined that year.  This year I took up the challenge and entered in February and decided that I would do a story.  Crazy, huh?

How crazy was I?  Let me tell you: Pretty blipping crazy!

I thought I would do maybe a page for each entry, but the story took over.  Luckily I had up to M done by the end of March.  April was a scramble to keep up with my posts.  I started with a two week lead.  By the end of the month, I had only two days to finish Y.

On top of that, I got a head cold.  Woot!  10% alcohol chugged at 6 hr. intervals.  Let's just say I was a little high as a kite when writing Y.

Heck, Z was written and scheduled back when I was supposed to be writing S.  Heh heh heh.  In hindsight, that was a good thing.  Non-linear writing.  My forte.  Know what happens afterward and you can write what happens before that.

And then I chapter!  Insert Expletives and Curse Words here!  Oh my giddy goodness!  This chapter had me.  I could not figure out how to write it.  It was crap-tastic the three other times I tried.  I was ready to bang my head against a brick wall.  (I have access to one, and I would have done it too!)  Then Lo and Behold!  I HAD A DREAM!  No, I mean that literally.  I had a dream about it.  And there it was.  Completely change the p.o.v. and tense. Who the heck cares how random it is!  It worked. 

So thinking on it, I don't write A to Z.  What the hell was I doing when I signed up for a challenge that required it!

On to the mushy and heart-wrenching stuff.

As I look back on the last month, I have to grin.  I found some wonderful new blogs and learned so many new things that didn't know about mythology, monsters, fairy tales, morbidity, and grammar.

I have to thank the PTBs that make the annual Blogging from A to Z Challenge possible.  THANK YOU! 

I also want to thank the wonderful peeps that popped up on my blog every day and commented.  I felt the love!

First off, to the lovely lady that pointed out this awesome challenge to me, Sam.  Thank you for believing me so much. 

Sara, you were my first comment on the first day.  Not only that you were with me the entire way.  Yggdrasil will never be forgotten!  Your posts were fantastic.

Patricia, I have to say wow!  You kept me entertained with your fantastic flash fictions with those terrifying words!  Thanks for sticking with me!

Li, I had fun with all those neat posts about character development and all those links to the tests.  The results were kinda scary . . . 

Mina, those posts on monsters were fantastic.  I had a blast reliving some of them from childhood and reading about ones I never saw.  Btw, love the monster links for the social websites.  Where did you get those? 

S. L. Hennessy, those fairy tale posts were dark and loved every minute of the creepyness.  The pics of the zombies . . . LOVE THEM!  

Natasha,  I had an amazing journey with all those different vampires.  I didn't know that there were so many species of them.  Talk about terrifying.  


Marlene, those grammar lessons came in handy.  I realize I need to have remedial grammar lessons! =D

Then there are all those fantastic blogs I found that also had stories, recipes, ghosts, fictional characters.  I had a great time reading each day.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by during the challenge.

IT'S A BIRD! IT'S A PLANE! NO! IT'S A SUPERHERO!

Audiomachine’s PHENOMENA: Epic Heroes Event

Did you ever want fly like Superman? Kick butt like Batman? Or have one of the thousands of abilities that make up the superhero world?

Have you ever thought that I can create a superhero as cool as them?

Well, guess what?  NOW YOU CAN!

Right now on Writerlysam's blog  there is a short story event happening Right Now!

In 1200 words or less, create your own superhero story, and post that puppy in the comments.  Only it's for a limited time.  So hop on the wagon fast. 

And not only that!  This is a two for one deal, folks!  They also have a contest for ARTISTS!  Get out those supplies and draw like mad.  All you have to do is place the link to the piece in the little box.  (Okay, I had to channel the Hat from Labyrinth.  It's apropos though since Brian Froud [awesome artist that he is] did the art design for the movie.)

Seriously, peeps, how can you miss out on this?

All you have to do is follow the link above or HERE and you can see for yourself how much fun you can have delving into the world of superheroes.

OMG! IT'S NEARLY HERE!!!

Okay, peeps!  This is the home stretch.  Less than one week and counting until the A to Z Challenge begins.

As you know, I've bitten off a huge task of trying to finish (or I MAY have finished . . . **shakes head to shatter fantasy** Um, not happening.  EVER!) a story before the days catch up to me.

This is the awesome calender that shows each letter's day.  So you and I both can anticipate the next letter.

Of course, I'll probably be frantic trying to finish.  I may go stark raving nuts before the end, but I want to conquer that danged Z.  I want it desperately.  I want to use that cool Z word I found on the list.  My fingers tremble at the thought of typing it.

And so I leave you to go tear my hair out as my pen either flies across the page, my fingers tap quickly across the keyboard, or I'm stare in utter despair at them both as my mind blanks out in writer's block!

I hope not.  I really hope I can finish this.  It will make me happy see if I can finish this challenge and this story. 

OH MY GOODNESS! ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL!

This is the cover that will have my first published piece.  It was created by a talented artist named Jennifer Redstreake Geary. 

This book will have all the stories from Composers of Relief collaboration in one volume.  All the proceeds go to these charities:  Gawad Kalinga (“give care”) and GVSP (Gualandi Volunteer Service Program).

Ebook Available at Amazon, UK, Smashwords, B&N  *soon* from iTunes, Kobo, Sony, & Diesel .

The album is available at iTunes, Amazon, CDbaby, and Spotify. 

TOTALLY FREAKING EPIC! REUTS FINALIST!

I did the Reuts Publications Nanowrimo's four story challenge.  I had fun rewriting fairy tales.

This morning I found out I am a finalist!  Out of all those amazing stories they received, They chose me!  They announced the finalists on their blog. 

  I'm so stoked it doesn't even matter if I actually get published.  I'm just ecstatic they liked at least one of my stories.

SQUEE!!

Oh, and just for the awesomeness of it all, Sam made it too!  Yeppers!  Yay!  So happy! (as you can tell by the extensive usage of exclamation points)  =D

CONGRATULATIONS SAM!!!

A WORTHY CHARITY, MUSIC, AND STORIES. COME ON. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO . . .

http://writerlysam.wordpress.com/composers-for-relief-supporting-the-philippines/

A blog within a blog.  That is the question I know you are asking yourself.  Ah, this blog is special.  This blog has the ability to change lives.

I had the privilege to be invited to write a piece for a wonderful charity to help the Philippines. All proceeds go to Gawad Kalinga to support the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

Here is my piece.  Inspired by Requiem for a Queen - M² feat. Dina Fanai [M² consists of Michael A. Levine & Man Parrish]  Please go to the sidebar in the link above and listen to the gorgeous music as you read.

Check out the album Composers for Relief: Supporting the Philippines on both itunes and amazon. 

*****