Category Archives: Writing

The writing process.

Kishotenketsu: Asian Story Structure & Anime (Garden of Words)

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Garden of Words is an excellent example of the Kishotenketsu story structure. If you haven’t seen that movie, I also look at Kiki’s Delivery Service here. Did you ever notice that things play out differently in some anime movies? They just don’t follow the familiar pattern of action that we’re used to in Western fare. For fans expecting something like a typical action movie, it’s a disappointment. The reason? It’s … Continue reading →

Kishotenketsu: Asian Story Structure & Anime (Kiki)

Paul Kemner.com Posted on by

Did you ever notice that things play out differently in some anime movies? They just don’t follow the familiar pattern of action that we’re used to in Western fare. For fans expecting something like a typical action movie, it’s a disappointment. The reason? It’s a different story structure than we usually see. Anime fans usually don’t talk about story structure, it’s more of a writer thing. And many writers are … Continue reading →

Safari – a Khempunk Adventure – Chapter 08

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(Chapter 1 is here) Chapter 08 – Sacrifices So, Mr. Fleur…” the high priestess began. AP had no idea how to fill the awkward silence, as she looked at him across the ornate desk with an expression of trepidation, with perhaps a touch of defiance. He was five hours late, but they were the ones who had given him an address eleven hundred years out of date. He accepted the … Continue reading →

Safari – a Khempunk Adventure – Chapter 07

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(Chapter 1 is here) Chapter 07 – The Opener of the Way Abiff threw the worn bundle of reeds over the side, grabbed a fresh handful, and resumed scrubbing the deck. It kept him busy, but unfortunately left his mind free to dwell on his problems. Traveling upstream should have been a wonderful adventure. He’d never been on a boat, never even been out of the city. But his entire … Continue reading →

Safari – a Khempunk Adventure – Chapter 06

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(Chapter 1 is here) Chapter 06 – A Message from the Gods AP wondered how Jo could enjoy sipping hot coffee in this weather. The woman appeared unconcerned by the heat, but she was probably used to it, having grown up in southern Alabama. She looked at the map she had bought from a street vendor. To AP’s amazement, she took out a red pen and began making corrections. She … Continue reading →

Safari – a Khempunk Adventure – Chapter 05

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(Chapter 1 is here) Chapter 05 – The House of the Fella 3700 BCE – Khonsu Shipping Office Naram risked a glance out the window of the small business office. It had been over three hours since the screaming had started outside, and things hadn’t gotten any better. The Badi invaders had broken down the door of the next building, dragging the bodies of the occupants out into the street. … Continue reading →

Safari – a Khempunk Adventure – Chapter 04

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(Chapter 1 is here) Chapter 04 – The House of the Priestess “Good morning, Jo!” Hearing the voice of her friend, Jo looked up from her breakfast in the courtyard of the house. A servant appeared around a screen of potted fig trees, followed by a rather sleepy-looking AP. “Were you up as late as I was? Boy, your cousin Saadi can certainly play the oud.” She laughed. “I knew … Continue reading →

Safari – a Khempunk Adventure – Chapter 03

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(Chapter 1 is here) Chapter 03 – Mr. Hammer’s Office In a better office, in a better part of the city, three men sat at a table. Pulleys creaked as a long belt turned a row of fans above their heads. Despite the slowly revolving blades, Mr. Hammer fanned himself with his derby. A servant entered bearing a teapot on a tray, steam wafting from the spout. Straightening his spectacles, … Continue reading →

Safari – a Khempunk Adventure – Chapter 02

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Back in 2011, my friend Josephine Boone & I wrote a weekly serial on a steampunk website. Set in an alternate late-1800’s Egypt, it featured ancient and future tech in a land where the ancient Gods are still active. Chapter 01 is here. Chapter 02 – Dr. Boone’s Office The travelers had arrived at the office of Josephine’s father, Dr. Eugene Wesley Boone. The door was opened by a grizzled … Continue reading →

Safari – a Khempunk Adventure – Chapter 01

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Back in 2011, my friend Josephine Boone & I wrote a weekly serial on a steampunk website. Set in an alternate late-1800’s Egypt, it featured ancient and future tech in a land where the ancient Gods are still active. Chapter 01 – The Taxi Ride by Josephine Boone & Paul Kemner AROOOOOGAAAAAAHHH!!!! SCRRRREEEEEEECH!!!!! Horns blared and tires squealed, punctuated by a raspy voice cursing and shouting in Arabic. Josephine and AP cowered … Continue reading →