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Terms of Service

Terms of Service

Published by Andrew J. Savage on December 13, 2018
His son was gaming again when the agent arrived.
“Congratulations. Your boy just clocked a billion followers, so now he’s ours.”
Men with ear pieces pushed past. “You can’t do this.”
“Read the fine print.” The agent smiled. “His people will call you.”
“I should have insisted we play baseball.”
Continue readingTerms of Service
Andrew J. Savage

Andrew J. Savage was born in Australia where they trained him as a lawyer and put him to work. After escaping the sand and the sea, he now lives in Japan with his wife and two children. If you look at him silhouetted against a bright light, you might see the hole in his heart where he says his dog should be.

http://thinknzombie.com
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On the Origins of Halloween | 50 Word Story

On the Origins of Halloween | 50 Word Story

Published by Andrew J. Savage on October 10, 2018

The cult leader reached the fields where her people toiled. They bowed as she approached.
“Family, our sacred book will now be replaced by…” Mother Rhapsody held up a triangle and struck a pure note. “This.”
As one the followers tore the pumpkins from the vines and flattened their leader.

Continue readingOn the Origins of Halloween | 50 Word Story
Andrew J. Savage

Andrew J. Savage was born in Australia where they trained him as a lawyer and put him to work. After escaping the sand and the sea, he now lives in Japan with his wife and two children. If you look at him silhouetted against a bright light, you might see the hole in his heart where he says his dog should be.

http://thinknzombie.com
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A Proper Goodbye | 50 Word Story

A Proper Goodbye | 50 Word Story

Published by Andrew J. Savage on October 6, 2018

Grandpa’s eyes fluttered closed, face now still like a shrunken wax facsimile.
I touched Dad’s shoulder. “He’s gone. Let’s go.”
He smiled, lips tight with hidden grief. “I need a few moments.”
I swallowed. “I understand.”
I walked out into the autumn air, wishing I’d hugged him instead of speaking.

Continue readingA Proper Goodbye | 50 Word Story
Andrew J. Savage

Andrew J. Savage was born in Australia where they trained him as a lawyer and put him to work. After escaping the sand and the sea, he now lives in Japan with his wife and two children. If you look at him silhouetted against a bright light, you might see the hole in his heart where he says his dog should be.

http://thinknzombie.com
Leave a Comment
Hook, Line and Sinker — Story Openings (Part 2)

Hook, Line and Sinker — Story Openings (Part 2)

Published by Andrew J. Savage on October 6, 2018

In my last post on this topic ( Part1) we covered some of the basics of story openings or hooks.

Going back to my opening line from The Mask of White and Red:

Ilsa’s first memory was of fire.

Something is clearly wrong when someone’s first memory is of fire. There’s no nurture there, only trauma. We instinctively know that there must be a reason for that. There must be a story there. It intrigues us. It entices us and we read on to find out more about Ilsa and learn what happened to her (the What question) and then finally why this happened to her (the Why question) as well as what she’s going to do about it. And ultimately, will she prevail? Your first line needs to set all of this up. If it doesn’t, Discord is going to win.

Continue readingHook, Line and Sinker — Story Openings (Part 2)
Andrew J. Savage

Andrew J. Savage was born in Australia where they trained him as a lawyer and put him to work. After escaping the sand and the sea, he now lives in Japan with his wife and two children. If you look at him silhouetted against a bright light, you might see the hole in his heart where he says his dog should be.

http://thinknzombie.com
Leave a Comment
To Edit is Divine | 50 Word Story

To Edit is Divine | 50 Word Story

Published by Andrew J. Savage on August 18, 2018

“Did you even read this before you darkened my door with it?” The editor glared.

Continue readingTo Edit is Divine | 50 Word Story
Andrew J. Savage

Andrew J. Savage was born in Australia where they trained him as a lawyer and put him to work. After escaping the sand and the sea, he now lives in Japan with his wife and two children. If you look at him silhouetted against a bright light, you might see the hole in his heart where he says his dog should be.

http://thinknzombie.com
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Pop | 50 Word Story

Pop | 50 Word Story

Published by Andrew J. Savage on August 8, 2018

The coroner scribbled in her notebook. “Is that twenty-five feet? Thirty?”

Continue readingPop | 50 Word Story
Andrew J. Savage

Andrew J. Savage was born in Australia where they trained him as a lawyer and put him to work. After escaping the sand and the sea, he now lives in Japan with his wife and two children. If you look at him silhouetted against a bright light, you might see the hole in his heart where he says his dog should be.

http://thinknzombie.com
Leave a Comment
The Rise and Fall of Yellow Things | 50 Word Story

The Rise and Fall of Yellow Things | 50 Word Story

Published by Andrew J. Savage on August 3, 2018

Surrounded by guards, the parent-murdering despot gave a jolly smile.
So close, but too far to reach. Especially for a boy.
If he did hit him, he’d be captured. Jailed. Killed.
The boy looked for something to throw. He weighed a lemon in his hand.
It was worth the risk.

Continue readingThe Rise and Fall of Yellow Things | 50 Word Story
Andrew J. Savage

Andrew J. Savage was born in Australia where they trained him as a lawyer and put him to work. After escaping the sand and the sea, he now lives in Japan with his wife and two children. If you look at him silhouetted against a bright light, you might see the hole in his heart where he says his dog should be.

http://thinknzombie.com
Leave a Comment
The Priest and the Pirate | 50 Word Story

The Priest and the Pirate | 50 Word Story

Published by Andrew J. Savage on July 19, 2018

The shade slew the last sailor.
Only the captain and I remained. And I, no pirate, but a priest disguised.

Continue readingThe Priest and the Pirate | 50 Word Story
Andrew J. Savage

Andrew J. Savage was born in Australia where they trained him as a lawyer and put him to work. After escaping the sand and the sea, he now lives in Japan with his wife and two children. If you look at him silhouetted against a bright light, you might see the hole in his heart where he says his dog should be.

http://thinknzombie.com
2 Comments
Baby in the Blender: How I Learned to Love Critique

Baby in the Blender: How I Learned to Love Critique

Published by Andrew J. Savage on July 11, 2018

We all write for different reasons, but sometimes I think that deep down, I think part of the motivation for writing at all is that we want to be loved. Just a bit. Maybe that’s why we take it so hard when people point out the flaws in our writing. It feels like rejection, and it hurts.

Let me paint you a picture.

Continue readingBaby in the Blender: How I Learned to Love Critique
Andrew J. Savage

Andrew J. Savage was born in Australia where they trained him as a lawyer and put him to work. After escaping the sand and the sea, he now lives in Japan with his wife and two children. If you look at him silhouetted against a bright light, you might see the hole in his heart where he says his dog should be.

http://thinknzombie.com
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Hook, Line and Sinker — Story Openings (Part 1)

Hook, Line and Sinker — Story Openings (Part 1)

Published by Andrew J. Savage on July 11, 2018

The Hook

Distractions. The world is full of them. The modern world even more so. There are a thousand things a potential reader could be doing other than reading your story (or novel, or screenplay, etc.). Even a reader who is willing to cooperate–who has made the commitment to spend time in your story with you–still has thoughts going off in the back of their mind. The siren call of their phone, the expectation that their kids will come home soon, the ever-present question about whether they really did turn off the gas. There are any number of reasons why even the most willing reader will put your story down. Then there are editors.

Continue readingHook, Line and Sinker — Story Openings (Part 1)
Andrew J. Savage

Andrew J. Savage was born in Australia where they trained him as a lawyer and put him to work. After escaping the sand and the sea, he now lives in Japan with his wife and two children. If you look at him silhouetted against a bright light, you might see the hole in his heart where he says his dog should be.

http://thinknzombie.com
1 Comment