Malaria and Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

For our travels to Zambia and Botswana this summer, my family needed to take anti-malaria pills, along with a host of vaccinations.  Many of these deadly diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes.  Researchers have developed genetically-modified mosquitoes which lead to females who are unable to reproduce.

Here is an interesting article on some of the ethical and practical concerns regarding the release of these altered creatures into the wild:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=dengue-case-for-genetically-modified-mosquitoes&page=3

Logline

For the upcoming Backspace Conference, each author needs to include a logline at the top of the 1st two pages of the manuscript.  It is a line that tells what the book is all about.  Then when the 2 pages are read in front of the agents and the other authors, everyone has proper perspective.

The problem is finding a way to distill the story down to a single line - not so easy.  I have a week to work it out.

Mowing the lawn

I was able to mow the lawn this afternoon without the tractor sinking into the waterlogged swamp (formerly known as my backyard). I mention this because I find the hour spent riding on the mower - no email, phone, etc. - perfect for brainstorming or creative daydreaming. Everyone should have such a refuge.

Script Writer

I am a member of an improv troupe called The Improvables (www.theimprovables.com).  During our last show we tried out a new game called Script Writer, in which one player (it was me that time) starts telling a story as if they are writing a book, while the other players act out the scenes he is describing.  It worked out pretty well, and it was a wonderful exercise in instant, creative plot-creation.  Next time I have writer's block, I would love a chance to play that game again.

Saving Water

In my travels to South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana this summer, I noticed that the toilets typically had two buttons for flushing.  One with a half-circle and one with a complete circle.  The half-circle button is for flushing after you pee, so it uses very little water.  The full circle is only used when a full flush is advisable.

So simple, and yet so effective.  Why don't we do that here is the USA (and everywhere)?

Backspace Conference

In a week and a half I will be attending my 2nd Backspace Writers Conference in NYC. Last year I went with the expectations that I would land an agent for my first novel, TurmOil. The good news was that I spoke with several literary agents and was able to send them part of the manuscript after the conference. The bad news was that I learned my novel was bloated and not as ready for prime time as I had thought.

Since then I have completed my second novel, Crossing the Wilderness, which I will be bringing to the conference next week. Hopefully the lessons I have learned will be evident and I will have better luck this time.

And then I need to go back and rewrite TurmOil...

Getting Started

Welcome to Kritz Bits!  This is my first attempt at a blog, and I'm not really sure where it's headed.  I love to think about travel and world culture and nature and history and politics - and my hope is that these interests will serve me well in my quest to become a published author (I have completed three books in my life, two of which I am actively trying to market to agents/publishers).

I promise I will do my best to only share those experiences and musings that stand a chance of educating or entertaining the reader.  More to come...