James U. Rizzi
Bio
I cant wait to see what I can create here.
Stories (35/0)
The Yellow Lotus Clan
1857 October 8th Me and the last of the Yellow Lotus clan stood perched at the ready atop the village guard wall. I unsheathed my sacred steel, crouched in my fighting stance and waited for the inevitable confrontation and bloodshed to follow. Battles should be glorious: an opportunity to live in everlasting preeminence, a right of passage, a sign of a true warrior. But my elation was nowhere to be seen. Ever since the Emperor collected the clan's samurai from his and other neighboring factions, a sense of ache resided in my body, the hurt now resounded as the horses clamored their way towards my position. Pain in the physical sense I know, the slice of a sword, the bruises from blunt stricken armor. But this sting I knew, as I watched from the trees my brother leading the charge, was one of sadness, trembling through my bleeding heart.
By James U. Rizziabout a year ago in Fiction
Tales Of The Father
"There weren't always dragons in the Valley," my father shouted. "The world is changing, hastily it would seem, drastic transformations conspire yearly. And now we don't even have to wait till seasons end." Father adjusted his seat with a hefty grunt. "Dragons don't belong in the valleys, so why do they roam the grassy flats? Whispers would suggested there homes were destroyed by war and the incessant behavior of tyrannical men. Others would say the odd patterns of weather brought them their. Either way son I've never seen anything like it in my time!"
By James U. Rizziabout a year ago in Fiction
Writing Contest
The sea churned. Her black frothy waters crashed against the rickety wooden hull. Jarring me and my mates two and fro, from port to starboard and back again. Like drunkards, we grasped for whatever wasn’t moving lest we be thrown overboard and swallowed whole by her vastness. The storm raged on.
By James U. Rizziabout a year ago in Fiction
Writing tips, tricks, and talks with a beginner : The Little Things
So those of you who have been following this series. Writing tips, tricks, and talks with a beginner, you may have noticed I've been silently chipping away at the process of writing sequentially. At first, I started with inspiration or jotting down some exemplary fleeting ideas before they widdle down to a fragment of your genius, or go away completely. Second I scrutinized writer's block, and the devices we need to circumnavigate it. Next came the all too familiar pre-skeleton. Limbs of branched out ideas and laid out plans, better known as an outline. All that being said I contemplated when and where I would fit this piece in. it doesn't really follow a sequence in terms of the writing practice. So decidedly two things helped me land here today. One is the fact that as a writer one important thing to recognize is now is a good time as any. It's truly an allegory for anything you do. If you wait for the perfect moment it'll never come. Taking destiny into my own hands and following this issue theme I wanted to talk about and celebrate the little things.
By James U. Rizziabout a year ago in Journal
Detective Dawg and the Missing Apple
The best and most apt way to describe “Bryan Ridenours” children's book “ Detective Dawg and the Missing Apple.” is undeniably sweet. I sustained a pleasantly heart-filled grin during my entire read-through. Happiness was abundant as I swiped through this e-book. Excellent imagery, cute delightfully unique characters brought the book to life in its only short, very detailed, easy to read eleven pages. I was delightfully surprised when I was able to pick this book up from Amazon for right to my tablet or e-reader. Being that it is digitally available is an absolute plus: especially for parents looking to pick up a quality read for their young ones.
By James U. Rizziabout a year ago in Families
Tips, Tricks, And Talks With a Beginner: Outlines
“Ugh! ok fine I'll do the one about outlines!” I'll be honest right out the gate. I've been dreading to write this one for a while. If you know me or you've read any of my work you'd know that in my illustrious 6-month career I have yet to use any sort of outline before I write. I can't tell you why exactly. Perhaps I'm just too spontaneous (procrastinator). or I just go for the stream of consciousness approach (disorganized). Or maybe it's because I follow my long-time writing mentor and liaison of exemplary horror novels, Stephen King. I closely follow his teachings, especially when he said, “I don't like to use outlines. I believe the story will write itself.”(excuse).
By James U. Rizziabout a year ago in Journal
Tips, Tricks, And Talks With a Beginner: Writing Horror
It is officially spooky season, and probably one of my favorite times of the year. The weather cools to brisk but comfortable. I'm not running to the AC or hosing myself down to keep me from burning up in the hot summer sun, but I'm also not layering up like I took an expedition to the arctic. Here in New England we just conveniently call it hoodie weather. One mildly heavy garment of clothing that you can wear over and over again without arousing suspicion. The beautifully calming prelude to winter marks with it one of my favorite holidays culminating at the end of October, Halloween. Granted for a lengthy period of time the commercial Christmas season has tried to extinguish its jack o lantern glow by invading its space, to no avail. I, like many other people, enjoy the holiday and the month surrounding it for one simple reason, it’s easy. Unless you're dressing up there isn't much planning. As an adult of course what you get is friends, family, an eerily calm atmosphere perfect for a bonfire and a reason to watch something scary. Probably the number one reason I love this time of year is it invites me to exercise writing in one of my favorite genres, the genre of horror. That's why for this particular column I decided to do a special writing horror edition.
By James U. Rizziabout a year ago in Journal
Tips, Tricks, And Talks With a Beginner: Writing Tools - Part 2 Writer Block
Part 2 - Writers Block A common problem amongst most writers is the dreaded writer's block… Nope, too formal. I wanted to start this article by saying this… Eh, Nope, try again. Yep, you guessed it, I've hit the wall: that dreaded writer's block….How would they have guessed it? As a writer, you know it all too well…
By James U. Rizziabout a year ago in Journal
Why I'm a Metallica Fan
I've meant to write this particular piece for some time now, but two significant reasons have kept me from doing so. The first is that I needed the timing to feel right to showcase my endless adulation for my favorite musicians. The second is that I wanted to find a good headspace to write about them so I could do them justice. Metallica is approaching its 40th anniversary. In addition, they have recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of their critically acclaimed album self entitled the Metallica Album, better known as the Black Album, so I feel the time has come to write this long-awaited love letter. And as far as finding a good headspace for writing, I have learned that there is no time like the present. So, here is why I became a Metallica fan.
By James U. Rizziabout a year ago in Beat
Tips, Tricks, And Talks With a Beginner: Writing Tools - Part 1 Notebook
Part 1 Notebook: Being that this is my inaugural piece for Vocal Creators Chronicle, I want to state a few things right off the top. This may come as a shock to you all, but I am by no means an expert. In fact, I am a re-emerging writer of old, attempting to reclaim his craft once again. I consider myself back to where I started. So, in other words, I am, as the header states: a beginner. Don’t think of this as a masterclass or an expert exposé, but rather a fellow writer who is beginning a journey into self-discovery and determination to become the best he can be. This voyage should be taken hand in hand as I share with you what I learn along the way such as some tips, a few tricks here and there, and general discussion.
By James U. Rizzi2 years ago in Journal
