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The Whelk (4)

The Fantasy Novelist's Exam: "Ever since J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis created the worlds of Middle Earth and Narnia, it seems like every windbag off the street thinks he can write great, original fantasy, too. The problem is that most of this "great, original fantasy" is actually poor, derivative fantasy. Frankly, we're sick of it, so we've compiled a list of rip-off tip-offs in the form of an exam. We think anybody considering writing a fantasy novel should be required to take this exam first. Answering "yes" to any one question results in failure and means that the prospective novel should be abandoned at once."
posted by Fizz on Jan 10, 2012 - 306 comments

EVERYTHING IS A REMIX tackles the truly numerous amount of references, call-backs, remixes, quotations, scene mimics, and inspiration parallels found in The Matrix (via) [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Oct 6, 2011 - 65 comments

Plot Device - A man obtains a device that makes life more like the movies (SLVP)
posted by The Whelk on Jul 12, 2011 - 18 comments

This Old Poem Those familiar with the long-running PBS TV series This Old House may be able to discern where I am going with this series of essays. Basically, I seek to rehabilitate (by rewriting) well-known poems.... [more inside]
posted by kid ichorous on Dec 4, 2010 - 43 comments

Every Anime Opening Ever Made (an admittedly exaggerated title) is a SLYT romp through the repeating themes in 93 different opening sequences, compiled by Derek Lieu (via Neatorama) [more inside]
posted by oneswellfoop on Nov 29, 2010 - 34 comments

"You Look Like Shit" The Megacut.
posted by The Whelk on Nov 14, 2010 - 19 comments

Rosecrans Baldwin considers the literary place of the distant barking dog.
posted by Iridic on Jun 17, 2010 - 32 comments

Pure by Jacob Bricca. A meditation on genre, a commentary on visual cliches, and a celebration of the visceral pleasures of cinema. Music by The Jesus Lizard. Please play full screen at top volume!
posted by lazaruslong on Jun 4, 2010 - 15 comments

Superhero Tragedy Porn Is Bad For Comics
posted by Artw on Mar 12, 2010 - 80 comments

On Writing Gay Characters : Megan Rose Gedris.at Squidoo talks about common mistakes and preceptions to avoid when writing LGBT characters.
posted by The Whelk on Jan 1, 2010 - 130 comments

"The Musical Cliché Figure Signifying The Far East", a.k.a. The Oriental Riff
posted by Joe Beese on Jun 7, 2009 - 39 comments

The Cliche-o-Matic: Never be at a loss for banal words again!
posted by Navelgazer on Dec 20, 2008 - 46 comments

So now we can all stop, right? A brief catalog of Bloglish clichés from Gawker.
posted by klangklangston on Jul 18, 2007 - 126 comments

Sounds that must die. Yes, the amen break is listed.
posted by bigmusic on Apr 19, 2006 - 40 comments

Can God make a rock so heavy that he could not lift it?
posted by brownpau on Jan 13, 2006 - 161 comments

How to write about Africa. Always use the word 'Africa' or 'Darkness' or 'Safari' in your title. Most travel books about Africa open with the author alone, carried along by some vehicle, looking down over some landscape and feeling anxious. Always end your book with Nelson Mandela saying something about rainbows or renaissances. Because you care.
posted by gottabefunky on Jan 6, 2006 - 17 comments

Sports clichés. Related: political clichés.
posted by me3dia on Apr 2, 2004 - 4 comments

Play one RPG, you've played them all. Or, "The Grand List Of Console Role Playing Game Clichés".
posted by jcterminal on Oct 14, 2001 - 7 comments