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Eli Liszt Posts

Proper Insults

Whether you’re writing a critical scene or just thinking of an unescapable reply to a condemnatory remark, we sometimes struggle to find a proper insult that will halt the evildoer’s actions. So, what is an insult? Let’s take a deeper look at this infected yet targeted word.

Microsoft Bing and Google define “insult” as: speaking to, treating with disrespect or scornful abuse, a scornfully abusive remark or action. Wikipedia defines “insult” as: An insult is an expression, statement, or behavior that is often deliberately disrespectful, offensive, scornful, or derogatory towards an individual or a group.

Now we need to dissect the why of it all. Why do humans tend to exhibit disrespectful and sometimes scornful behavior towards others? Well, according to Learning Mind, disrespectful and scornful actions often occur because:

  • It’s a form of control.
  • Sense of entitlement.
  • Bully.
  • Lacks respect for their victim.
  • This is the only attitude they know.
  • They are afraid and go on attack.
  • Might take pleasure in causing pain or suffering in others.
  • One might be angry or in shock (as in being challenged).

We can either make the conscious decision to deal with these individuals the morally correct way by examining the circumstances or meet them with a “proper insult” (which is what this post is all about). Let’s dig into an era before the English language was compressed into a four-letter word as I share some of my favorite all time insults written by public figures. I’d like to note that most of these insults are directed towards men however these pronouns are replaceable.

  • “You speak and infinite deal of nothing.” – William Shakespeare
  • “There is nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won’t cure.” – Jack E. Leonard
  • “His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.” – Mae West
  • “He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up.” – Paul Keating
  • “They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge.” – Thomas Brackett Reed
  • “He had delusions of adequacy.” – Walter Kerr
  • “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.” – Oscar Wilde
  • “He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.” – Billy Wilder
  • “I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” – Mark Twain
  • “He is a self-made man and worships his creator.” – John Bright
  • “He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.” – Winston Churchill
  • “More of your conversation would affect my brain.” – William Shakespeare
  • “He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know.” – Jack E. Leonard
  • “I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening but I’m afraid this wasn’t it.” – Groucho Marx
  • “He has no enemies but is intensely disliked by his friends.” – Oscar Wilde
  • “He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others.” – Samuel Johnson
  • “I have never killed man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.” – Clarence Darrow

The insults below are a compilation from movies, books, lyrics, television series and/or articles that are just too brilliant not to share.

  • “You are the least grateful offspring.”
  • “Those are hungry words from coming from viper.”
  • “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”
  • “It’s impossible to underestimate you.”
  • “Titled is what you are.”
  • “Your words are as authentic as your mother.”
  • “What you have in intuition, you lack in intelligence.”
  • “You’re the reason God created the middle finger.”
  • “Oh, I would not associate you with humane.”
  • “Are your legs not as quick as your tongue?”
  • “You fight with words when fist are lacking.”
  • “Ah, I see that your evening has been colorful.”
  • “A scumbag is always a scumbag.”
  • “Someday you’ll go far. And I really hope you stay there.”

References:

Learning-mind.com/disrespectful-behavior-causes

Google.com

MicrosoftBing.com

Wikipedia.com

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Figurative Language & Imagery

What is Figurative Language and why is it important? Figurative Language is the usage of words that go beyond their literal (actual) meaning and makes readers “figure” out what is being said rather than making it obvious. Figurative Language is important because it adds depth, color and makes any literary work a far more interesting read. It also provides a human element to storytelling while helping us understand ideas that are more abstract and complex.

What is Imagery and why is it important? Imagery is the language that creates pictures by invoking a mental image. It is considered to be of great significance because it brings a lifelike quality to literature through sensory language thereby boosting a reader’s experience. Sensory language improves a description by adding words to express how something felt, smelled, tasted, or heard.

Let’s look at some examples of Figurative Language:

  1. Hyperbole – exaggeration for effect.
    • Example: I love you to the moon and back.
  2. Idiom – phrases that mean something different than what they say.
    • Example: It is raining cats and dogs.
  3. Metaphor – comparison of two things which are not alike but have some traits in common.
    • Example: Life is a highway.
  4. Onomatopoeia – a word that sounds like the sound of an object or action is describes.
    • Example: The rustling leaves danced around in a circle.
  5. Personification – suggesting that human traits apply to inanimate (lifeless) objects.
    • Example: The wind whispered softly.
  6. Simile – comparisons of two things using like or as to create meaning.
    • Example: Cool as a cucumber.

Below is a selective list of sensory language relating to sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.

SightSoundTouchTasteSmell
blearybellowbalmyappetizingacrid
blurredblarebitingbitterambrosial
brilliantbuzzbristlyblandaroma
colorlesscacklebumpycreamyaromatic
dazzlingcheerchillydelectablefetid
dimclamorcoarsedeliciousfoul-smelling
dingyclangcoldflavorfulfragrant
fadedcracklecoolflavorlessmalodorous
faintcreakcrawlygingerymephitic
flashygrumblecreepylusciousmoldy
gaudygurglecuddlynauseatingmusty
glancehissdustypalatableodor
gleaminghowlfeatherlypepperyodorless
glimpsehushfeverishpiquantperfumed
glisteningjabberfluffyrefreshingpungent
glitteringmumblefurryripeputrid
gloomymurmurfuzzyrottenrancid
glossyrantgreasysavoryredolent
grimyravehotscrumptiousrank
hazyroaricysourreek
indistinctrumblelumpyspicyrich
mistyscreechmoistspoiledscent
peershriekoilystalesmell
radiantsizzlepricklysugaryspicy
shadowysnarlshiverysweetstench
shimmeringsquawksilkytangystinky
shinysquealslimytastelesssweet
smudgeswishslipperytastysmoky
sparklingthudsquashyunappetizingsickly
streakedthumpstickyunripesour
stripedwhimpersweatyyummywhiff
tarnishedyelpvelvetyzestywoody
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Books to Prisoners

Books To Prisoners is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster a love of reading behind bars, encourage the pursuit of knowledge, self-empowerment, and break the cycle of recidivism. Founded in the early 1970s, Books To Prisoners is headquartered in Seattle with three associate organizations. As one of the largest and oldest prison book projects in the country, Books to Prisoners works in partnership with other groups that support prisoner literacy and promote social justice. This organization relies on books donated by community members to answer these requests, so please consider making a donation (monetary or donate books) to help a few of the thousands of individuals who request books each year.

Did you know that more than 2 million people in the United States are incarcerated. Most of those 2 million have extremely limited access to something most of us can’t imagine living without: books! For prisoners, whether in your local jail or in state or federal prison, a book may be the only thing that keeps them sane. The ability to learn a new language, about history, or just to travel to other worlds, can help engage a mind and prevent it from spiraling into depression and despair. As a self-published author this is a great opportunity to get my book into the hands of yearning readers who do not have easy access to a bookstore, library, or the internet. I would recommend all authors, regardless of how their literary work has been published, to donate a few copies to this organization. At the end of the day, an author’s main goal is to have their written work read and appreciated by like-minded readers.

Although Books to Prisoners only accepts books from their priority list, I strongly suggest visiting their website to get more information before donating. Their donating books web page provides clear and concise instructions on how to donate books which includes their commonly requested list. I am donating 7 autographed copies of my book PNĔUMÄ – The Celestial Beings Trilogy in hopes that a reader’s mind gets lost in the pages of a parallel universe rooted in supernatural forces.

IN THE MEDIA:

In March 2019, the Washington State Department of Corrections (WA DOC) prohibited state prisons from accepting used books mailed to individuals, alleging that they could be used to smuggle drugs. Books to Prisoners successfully challenged this decision. Support from local media was invaluable in rallying public opinion behind incarcerated people’s right to read.

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Potential Literary Contests

Whether you’re thinking of self-publishing your literary work or going the traditional route, every writer should consider submitting their polished manuscript into a literary contest (or as many as they are able to) prior to publishing. This additional step not only provides credential enhancements to the author’s name, but also increases their exposure to agents and editors along with free criticism, monetary prizes and not to mention unsolicited publicity!!

I have provided a list of popular literary contest that every author should submit their work to. There are many benefits in doing so but the timing and genre has to be right. Lucky for you I’ve done all the research, just be sure to read the entry rules and confirm whether your literary work qualifies prior to any submissions.

Benefits:

  • Get your unpublished literary work in front of potential agents and editors
  • Credential enhancement for marketing
  • Unsolicited publicity
  • Free criticism
  • Monetary prizes

List of Annual Literary Contests:

Acacia Fiction Prize

www.kallistogaiapress.org

Alice James Award

www.alicejamesbooks.org/submit

Annual Blue Lynx Prize

www.lynxhousepress.submittable.com

Bellingham Contest

www.bhreview.org

Briar Cliff Contest

www.bcreview.org

Cider Press Review Book Award

www.ciderpressreview.com

Charlotte Center for Literary Arts Awards

www.charlottelit.org/press/awards

Choeofpleirn Book Contest

www.choeofpleirnpress.com

Crosswinds Poetry Journal’s Annual Poetry Contest

www.crosswindspoetry.com

Courage to Write Grants

www.degrootfoundation.org

Country Chapbook Contest

www.opencountrypress.com

Creative Writing Contest by Onwards

www.onwords.io/contests

Dzanc Books Contest

www.dzancbooks.org

Event Magazine’s Nonfiction Contest

www.eventmagazine.ca/contest-nf

First Page Prize

www.firstpagesprize.com

Gifted Fiction Writers – Lilith Magazine

www.lilith.org/contest/writing-for-lilith

Grayson Books – Chapbook Contest

www.graysonbooks.com

Holden Vaughn Spangler Award

www.rcc.edu/muse

Inlandia Institute’s Eliud Martinez Prize

www.inlandiainstitute.org/books/the-eliud-martinez-prize

Mayday Creative Nonfiction Prize

www.maydaymagazine.com/contests

Miller Williams Poetry Prize

www.uapress.com

New Millennium Writing Awards

www.newmillenniumwritings.org

Novel Slices Contest

www.novelslices.com/contest

Orison Prizes in Poetry & Fiction

www.orisonbooks.com/submissions

Pangyrus Fiction Contest

info@pangyrus.com

Permafrost Book Prize

www.Permafrostmag.com

Rhino Founder’s Prize Contest

www.rhinopoetry.com

River Teeth Literary Nonfiction Book Prize

www.riverteethjournal.com

Slab’s 2023 Boggs Fiction Prize

www.slablitmag.org

Soul-Making Keats Literary Competition

www.soulmakingcontest.us

Tomaz Salamun Prize

www.verse.submittable.com

Vern Rutsala Book Prize

www.cloudbankbooks.com

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Creativity

When I think about what this single, yet powerful word means to me, many cogitations come to mind: Motivation, Artistic Ability, Imagination, and of course Innovation. I believe that every human being possesses the valuable gift of creativity however, we all use the concept for very different purposes. And whether we believe it or not, our own individuality is what establishes how we explore and wield creativity in our daily lives.

According to Microsoft Bing, creativity is defined as “the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.”

Britannica describes creativity as “the ability to make or otherwise bring into existence something new, whether a new solution to a problem, a new method or device, or a new artistic object or form.”

Miriam Webster cites creativity as “the ability to create,” and “the quality of being creative.”

All sources above have one phrase in common – the use of imagination. That use can lead to either an intangible or tangible artistry. Let’s explore each category listed below:

Intangible Creativity

Intangible creativity simply means that an idea (could be any type of idea), scientific theory or musical composition is formed. An idea just means that you have a thought or concept about something. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you will place that thought or concept into action. For example, landscaping – when designing your landscape with flowers and shrubs, the design part is categorized as using your creativity. You are being creative by deciding what type of flowers, colors, and design you would like to have, thereby using your own imagination. With that being said, we all have brilliant ideas or viewpoints, it just takes a different meaning once you have decided to act on those ideas and bring them into production.

Examples:

  • Idea: Isaac Newton – Laid out the principals of motion, gravity and calculus known as Newton’s Physics.
  • Scientific Theory: Santiago Ramón y Cajal – pioneered research on the human brain.
  • Musical Composition: Franz Liszt – composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher of the romantic era.

Tangible Creativity

Tangible creativity comes into play when an idea or concept generates a product or solution into existence. Some examples include but are not limited to an invention, literary work, or painting. All of these products or solutions were once an idea that someone brought into existence which took a lot of dedication and patience. However, if one is passionate about their creative artistry then the end result will always be a success. We all have the ability to be creative but not all of our creativity will be considered of worth or value to everyone. That is not to say that we shouldn’t explore our own creativity. I believe that if every human being decided to explore and bring their ideas into existence then we would all benefit greatly from one another.

Examples:

  • Invention: Samuel Morse – invented Morse code
  • Literary Work: The Bronte Sisters – poets and novelist
  • Painting: Leonardo De Vinci – greatest painter in the history of art

Additional Resources:

www. insights.som.yale.edu/insights/what-is-creativity

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