The Cliffs of Insanitweets

( random mutterings of the mentally unstable )

911 Emergency Call

Stay tuned for The Joker Blogs: Part II starting this Saturday!

And who knew that Joker had a home? He's always being portrayed as having a hideout, but never a home. paisleydaze, what's your spin on this?

Thoughts on LJ Idol

And so we come to a new season of LJ Idol, a wee dream concocted in the Swiss cheese mind of our dear clauderainsrm quite a few years ago now. I can’t believe it’s actually been years since that first crazy season. That first season was a kind of a pilot for the actual show. None of us really knew what we were doing and clauderainsrm was finding his footing in something he had no idea would grow to be such a sensation (funny, I’m currently working with a fellow who is having quite a similar experience with his own gig). Now there’s a book dedicated to LJ Idol coming out soon. Who’da thunk, eh? When someone is passionate enough to want to commit to print the highlights of a contest you’ve created, you’ve hit pay dirt in my not-so-humble opinion. That’s a testament not only to all the wonderful contestants over the past few seasons, but also to our ringleader and master of ceremonies because, without him, none of this would be.

Since I’ve waxed sentimental about the contest and clauderainsrm, I want to give a word of advice as we go into season six of therealljidol. I was there from the beginning and I know that seasons 1 and 2 focused almost entirely upon the quality of writing. LJ Idol is supposed to be about the writing and nothing else. Subsequent seasons had issues with the contest threatening to be a popularity contest but thankfully in the end, the best writer won out. And that is how it should be. If you come into the contest as a competitor, reader, voter, or judge, come into it objectively. Come into it with a passion and a love for writing, friendships be damned. Let your friends know that’s just how it has to be. If they understand, then you’ll know you’ve chosen your friends wisely. If they don’t, then perhaps you’ve chosen the wrong contest or the wrong friends. That’s up to you to decide. Just keep one thing in mind as you take on the epic journey that is [Bad username or site: ”therealljidol" @ livejournal.com]: it’s all about the writing and may the best writer win!

As far as I’m concerned, you’re all already extraordinary for wanting to be a part of this. Does my opinion count? I’m not really sure. clauderainsrm asked me to write something about LJ Idol, so it must count for something. Then again…we all know about him. In all seriousness, if you dare take up the quill, albeit a virtual one, you’re a special soul. Writers are a quirky bunch, but we’re a continuation of an ancient human tradition that carries along the very soul of humanity. Contests like LJ Idol allow us to spread our wings and attempt to better ourselves at our craft. Even if you don’t win the day at the end of season 6, you’ll most certainly walk away from LJ Idol a better writer, a few friends richer, and absolutely a better person. In my book (pun intended), you’re already a winner.

Peace,
Tracy Angelina (Tin Tin)
tinhuviel

The Endgame

Over the course of the past couple of months, I've been honoured to be the sounding board for a story that paisleydaze has been writing. As she would meticulously finish each chapter, she'd send it off to me to read and give her feedback. I have to say that this is the absolute best Joker fic I've ever read, and I haven't even read the entire story yet. I've read chapter 9 over a dozen times so far and need to tell her what I think about that one, but I'm too gobsmacked to form words at the moment. So yeah... You need to read this story.

She has FINALLY started to post the story for public consumption and consume you must, because it shall be like manna on your literary tongue and shall sate your hunger for good storytelling. I mean it. I'm being serious here. Go here...now.

The Endgame - Chapter One - Deja Vu

The Endgame - Chapter Two - Say My Name

Happy reading!