Up A Tree (A Book Review)

Yes, it's true. Another book review!

Imagine waking up to your best friend trying to eat you and that overnight almost the whole world has turned into Zombies. Now, imagine having to take care of your little sister who then gets taken by Aliens; which are the cause for the Zombies. This is the story of Kendall Roberts and their adventures through a zombie apocalypse, space travel, and a new world.

At an estimated 51 pages long, Up a Tree is not a novel. But it's just a tad too long for a short story. I would, personally, classify it as a novella. But novella carries a connotation that a novella can't be good. After all, if it were good, why isn't it a novel.

Ah. But I digress. Up a Tree is written by Sara D whose blog you can find following that link. It is the first in a series, though I don't know how long that series will be as she has not disclosed that information anywhere I have been able to find. (EDIT: I was wrong, it says on the Amazon page that U[ a Tree is the first of three.) I assume they will be all roughly the same length, and am personally waiting for the next one.

Now, onto my thoughts about the book.

It's written in a style that is very easy to finish, and could be described as... childish in ways. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, though, as the first person narrator is only a teenager herself. However, what cannot be contributed to the age of the narrator, are the errors I found while reading. They were little things. "Isle" instead of "Aisle", "he's" instead of "his". Things like that that wouldn't be caught by a spell checker. Obviously it needed a more thorough editing.

The story started out brilliantly. A small glimpse into "now", and then a recap of how the protagonist (Kendall) came to be in the situation. (She provides a sneak peak of the first couple pages on her blog, and you can also read the snippet on Amazon.com as well.) It's done quite well and serves to make the reader curious.

While the action happens quickly, we're given a buffer of an almost normal day before we get to the zombies. That first day, we're shown Kendall's best friend, her ex-best friend-turned-enemy, her younger sister, and a glimpse into her home life as well. It makes one care about the character and what happens to her.

Now, a little less detail to avoid spoilers. The middle was well done. The action was tight, and the pacing phenomenal. One more character was introduced, Eric, who seems a tad stereotypical when it comes to zombie-anything. He's the gun-toting hard-ass. But he cooks. Who would have guessed? He's a nice guy for the most part, and he may be more well rounded than he appears on paper, but we're not told enough about him to make that distinction.

It ends with such a huge, but brilliantly done, cliff hanger. I want to know more, especially about these aliens.

Overall I give it *** stars.

Characters on Couches 4

Well, Alys showed up right after my conversation with Seryn, so here is that interaction for you all to laugh at. In which I find out more things I didn't know. 

SPOILER ALERT! (Continued spoiler from CoC 3 part 2) Read at your own risk.

Alys: The Psychic

A voice speaks up behind me. "Interesting man." 

"Sweet Mary, mother of Jesus! Do you guys have to do that?" 

I turned when she first spoke and now I'm hard pressed to find her in the dark. With just a thought, the shadows lessen and reveal the shriveled, stooped figure of Alys.  

"Who's Mary and why do we care about her son?" Though she's old, her voice is as strong as ever.  

"Nevermind that, what are you doing here?" 

I think she shrugs, but it's hard to tell under the loose, baggy clothing. "I was curious." 

"You were curious. About a man even I didn't know existed." 

"Dear, I've known about him and his kind since before his last incarnation." Her laugh is the only thing that shows the beautiful woman she once was. 

My eyebrows climb again. They're getting a good workout today. "You mean the one before this?" 

"Precisely." She shuffles around the desk and takes the seat Seryn had been in. It's much too big for her.  

"And how did you know?" I sigh. I'm tired of my characters hiding things from me. 

"Followed a sixth sense to a hidden place in the mountains four hundred years ago. Apparently no matter what life he was in he kept immaculate diaries. Some are in languages even I don't recognize."  

"A sixth sense? You mean other than you being a Psychic?" 

"Naturally."  

"So he keeps journals. What else did you find?" 

She shifts slightly as if uncomfortable. But that can't be true. Vampires can't get uncomfortable. 

"There is a ten year gap between his death and rebirth. Unless killed by blade or plague he will live three hundred years or greater."  

"I think you're the most cooperative so far. Why?" 

She shrugs. "You need the facts to tell our story the way it happens." 

Huh. She's the first to understand that. "One more question, then you can go."  

She nods. "Ask away."  

"Why the Soul Mate lie?" 

"When I first awoke (as a vampire, that is) I just knew I had to get them to believe it. Until recently I was unsure as to the reason why."  

"So..."  

"If Damon hadn't believed it, he would have ignored his feelings for the girl and our goals would never be accomplished."   

"When you say that you sound so altruistic. But you're not. You just wish to be young forever."  

She shrugs again. "You wrote me that way." 

I roll my eyes as she stands to leave. "You wouldn't do this for any other reason, Nareya."  

The door shut before she heard me. Not that she'd remember her True Name in the novel. Yet.

And to think, Alys literally came out of nowhere when I was writing Mortality. To think she's this important.

Characters on Couches 3 pt 3

The final part of the trilogy! I hope.

"Damn." 

Mental note: Bring in her next. Straightening from picking up my clipboard and pen my heart leaps to my throat. He's standing literally inches away.  

"Good god in heaven! Don't you men have any respect for personal space?"  

His eyes narrow and though I know he's trying to intimidate me, I can't help but notice, again, how hot he is. His skin is pale, as though he spends all of his time under the dark of night than the light of the sun. I noticed before that he's thin, but he's not. Not really. His muscles are thick, though I think my hands would manage to wrap around his biceps. I'm tempted to try, but the glare makes even me hesitate. He's only a head taller than I am, so he's probably around 5'8" or 5'10".  

"There is no 'good god'," he informs me. The way he says it, that deep quiet voice, it's as if he's trying to seduce me. I have to admit, I'm tempted. He tempts me even more than Damon. Devin may be in trouble if she ever runs afoul of him.  

"May I leave now?" Never would have thought he was the kind to ask permission.  

"Hell no." I shake myself free of his gaze and put the desk between us. Taking a seat in the over-stuffed chair there, I pull out a new pen from a drawer. I will be taking notes. 

"You've told me what you are, but what are your kind called?"  

He crosses his arms again and remains standing inches in front of my desk. "The original name for our kind was Xai'xyn."  

"Shy Zen? Spell it." My eyebrows climb higher as he proceeds to do so. Hm.  

'Xai'xyn: Offspring of fallen angel and mortal.' 

Silence falls between us even though I know I still have questions for him. If only I could remember them. Tapping my pen on the clipboard I wrack my brain. I look at him and I can tell he's about to say something. The tapping stops. I'm so stupid. 

"I apologize. I don't even know your name."  

He tilts his head slightly, I assume in acknowledgement of my apology. "My name is Seryn."  

It's my turn to narrow my eyes. "Is that they name you bore your first life or the name you were given in this one?" 

He smirks slightly, though truthfully his expression isn't malicious. "I didn't think that would get past you. It is the name I was given in this life. I would rather not reveal my True Name at this time."  

"Why not? It's not as if anyone else will know."  

His right eyebrow raises just slightly. "Oh? What about anyone who reads your transcript of this?" 

I wave that away. "That's the real world, no one from your own will know it. Hell, I don't think any of them even know your kind exist."  

"True enough. But be that as it may, I'd rather not say. Are we done here?" 

I sigh. "Fine, we can be done for now. But I have more questions later."  

"Naturally," I hear him mutter as he walks out the door.

I like him.  He frustrates me. And intrigues me. And he adds another level, and perhaps novel, to the story.

Six Sentences Sunday Six

Wow! That's a lot of S's.

Anyway, I'm kind of stuck on a scene right now. Seriously thinking about rewriting it, so here's the last six sentences of it. It may change dramatically through rewrites. But this is it for now. Enjoy?

The worry that washed over Damon put his own to shame. “I mean- We think she was kidnapped.” 

“You think?” 

“Alucard. Calm down. You are over reacting.” 

“Over- You- Of all the-.” 

Damon worried for a moment when the connection disappeared. When he could sense Alucard again, the man seemed calm. Too calm. 

“Why, for the love of all that is holy, are you not over reacting?”

The reason I'm stuck is... well... why *isn't* Damon reacting in the way that Alucard is?

Bah! I'll figure something out. Happy Saturday Sunday, you guys!

Emulate. Don't imitate.

So I was planning on finishing up the Characters on Couches session with the still unnamed Immortal (yes there's a part three, remember, we don't know his name yet.), but I finished reading The Hobbit (again) at work the other day and came upon a thought.

There a quite a few well-known authors, right? J.R.R Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games, I know, she's more recent), Stephanie Meyer (don't get me started, I don't like her either), Stephen King, and many many others.

Most people who call themselves writers, read a lot. It's something like a prerequisite. I've read all of the aforementioned authors books. Some of them, I haven't read all of Stephen Kings, but I've read some, and I never could finish The Silmarillion, but I digress. I respect each and every one of them. Yes, even Stephanie Meyer.

Not only do we know the well-known, but we all have our personal favorites. Mine has been, for the longest time, R.A. Salvatore. I *love* the Legend of Drizzt books. I want to own them all someday. My father has almost all of them, and I think I started reading them around grade school age. I also have more recent favorites as well, such as S.M Boyce, whose books I have reviewed here, and Leanna Renee Hieber whose books I plan to reread and review here as well.

Anyway, what do these have to do with the title of this post you ask? Well, for new writers especially, some often start out trying to imitate their favorites. Or the classics. I thought about this while reading The Hobbit. Don't get me wrong, it's some brilliant story telling, but you know what? That sort of telling wouldn't sell at all in this day and age. All through the book, the narrative seems intent on keeping a distance between the reader and the events happening on the page. We were given a little insight into a few of the characters, but nothing that really would make someone emotionally attached. Even the three dwarves that died (even though they are my favorite dwarves in the movie), I felt like I didn't care. (Though I just know I'll bawl my eyes out in the movie).

But that's not my point. Imitating may be good practice, but it will, obviously, never sell. If someone can look at your work and say "S/he was just copying so-and-so", it won't be viewed as good as or any better than, the original.

However, emulating, is another thing entirely. The definition of emulate I am using is as follows. "to try to equal or excell; imitate with effort to equal or surpass" Emphasis on surpassing. So my advice, if I may be allowed to give it, would be to not try to write like your favorite authors, but write to surpass them. Don't look to be their equals, look to be their betters. However, you will not get it on your first try, you may never reach that point. But, how can you know if you don't try? 

In trying your hardest, for whatever reason, you will find your true self, and you will develop your own style and means of writing, so give it your all, and don't hold back. 

Characters on Couches 3 pt 2

Yes it is finally here! I'm sorry for the wait you guys! I totally meant to have it up yesterday, I swear.

SPOILERS! (I know this is a couple days late, but it just occurred to me) Read at your own risk.

The Immortal pt 2

"Okay, now that that's out of the way. What are you?"

He sghes, running a hand through his hair. When it catches the light right it almost looks like fire. Cool.  

"We were never mortal. Nor were we celestial. We are the children of the fallen Nephilim." 

His arms are folded once again and he stalks to take a seat in the chair I used during the talk with Sarah-Juliet and Jonathon. The skulls really suit him. Finally, what he said hits me.  

"Fallen Nephilim? Doesn't Nephilim refer to the children of God?"  

"Foolish mortal -." 

"Hah!" I failed completely to suppress my laughter.  

"What?"  

"Do me a favor. Don't say that, ever, in the novel. I will never live it down." I'm still chuckling, though it's mostly under my breath.  

"Fine. Yes. Nephilim does refer to the children of the gods. What you would call angels. My kind are the offspring of the fallen ones and mortals." 

"The Fallen Ones?"  

"Yes. That war you were talking about? Those Nephilim that chose the wrong side of that war were cast down to live as mortals. They lost their immortality but any children they had inherited it. We are not Nephilim, nor are we mortal. We live forever, living and dying only to be reborn again endlessly. It is a curse." He really sounds bitter as he examines the fingernails on one hand.  

"A curse? But what about the Soul Mates? The one person who, in each reincarnation, is the one whom you will be most happy with?"  

With an inaudible crack, the cap of the pen I'm chewing on breaks in two.  

He utters a sound somewhere between a laugh and a derisive snort. "Complete bullshit." 

I can feel my jaw fall open and the pieces of the cap drop in my lap, clanking softly against the clipboard before falling onto the floor. I... don't know what to say. His look says he's not lying but... this is what Damon and Devin's whole relationship is based on. It's the reason for Damon and Nicholai's animosity. To say it doesn't exist unravels everything.  

"Wh- What do you mean?" 

"I mean there's no such thing." He meets my gaze, he bright green eyes daring me to argue. "Love at first sight? Sure, it happens. But only one person that someone can be happy with? Sheer fantasy." 

"Then where did it begin?" 

"Think about it." He sounds almost friendly now. For once. "Who has held all the cards, but only delved out bits of the truth at a time? Who knows more than anyone thinks?" 

The pen and my clipboard join the broken cap on the floor. "Son of a bitch."  

He smiles, but the motion holds no mirth. "So you know who I'm talking about."  

"That conniving little witch."  

"She's not a witch. She's a psychic. And she's had over seven hundred years to perfect her manipulative ways."

Think that's all? Nope. We don't even know this guys name yet. I like him already. Even though he irritates the hell out of me.

Characters on Couches 3

At least, I think it's the third one. 

Today I'll be coaxing out a character even I didn't know existed until I asked the right questions. S/He is a sneaky bastard.

Technically contains Spoilers. I think. (That part of the plot is fuzzy. Read at your own risk.)

The Immortal

I'm not really sure what to expect this time. I'm in formal business wear perched on the edge of the desk, ankles crossed. I'm not sitting on the desk really, just leaning, clipboard and pen in hand. Staring at the door, it scares the everliving piss out of me when someone puts a hand on my shoulder. Whirling around, and nearly falling on my face, I lower the clipboard (it's stupid for an Author to be afraid of her characters, but after Damon's little attack, I have to be prepared).  

The figure is.... Androgynous to say the least. It's nearly featureless as well. Simple slits for eyes, a nose reminiscent of reborn Voldemort, and a hairless head. Even as I watch, though, red hair shoots out of it's head until it hangs just below the individual's shoulder blades. Shoulders widen and the jawline sharpens. So it's male. Great. Just what the story needs, another man in a position of power.

"Wipe that smirk off your face." 

Oh, but his voice gives me goosebumps. It's very deep, with a rumbling to it that makes me think of a rock slide or a grizzly bear yet also has a lilting quality that reminds me of an elf.  

"I said-" 

"Oh I heard what you said. And quit giving me that look, this is my world. Your mesmer won't work here." 

Even in the midst of anger he's handsome. Why on Earth is every male in Devin's life hot? Oh, wait, they're all elves, vampire or Immortals. In fact, much of Red-Head's physical being reminds me of an elf; arrogance and all. His face is quite angular and his physique is generally thing, though he's wider in the chest. I wonder if all Immortals are like that? Bearing aspects of multiple race. 

"That reminds me! What are you?" 

He gifts me a glare that would put Damon to shame, but I roll my eyes. I won't be put off, but he is nonforthcoming. I'm not even sure if that's a word.  

"Are you mortals blessed for participating in the right side of a celestial war?" 

"Who are you to demand answers?" His arms are crossed and his scowl deepens.  

I can't help it, I roll my eyes again. "Seriously? I know Nicholai is a bit slow, but Damon understood straight away. I'm your Author."  

"You- You dare compare me to those- those filthy, blood-sucking creatures?" He's really angry now. His hands are clenched into fists by his sides. 

"I do. I expected an Immortal to be smarter, honestly. Knowledge of past lives and all that, you know?" 

Oh he doesn't like that flippancy at all. I'd fear for my life if I didn't know he couldn't hurt me. Within that knowledge, thought, his buttons are fun to push.

Alright. That's all for now. I'll post the rest tomorrow!

Sorry for the wait today!

And thanks once again to Murphy for the Characters on Couches!

Six Sentences Sunday 5

Okay, sorry for the lack of updating you guys, I promise I will be more active, hopefully daily, but really... All I can promise is that I will try.

Anyway!

It's Sunday again, the excerpt this time is again from Mortality, as it is what I have been working on (mostly backstory) lately.

“Where is she?”
‘What do you mean “where is she?”’ Blade whined, pawing at the ground.
“I mean she is gone. She is not here. Where. IS. She?” Damon was dangerously close to the Ahrin, he could feel it, like a sickness coming upon him. Grinding his teeth together, he fought it down. It would do no good to lose his cool. 

I don't know if that's six sentences. It's close enough for me and is one of the most recent excerpts from what I've written. (And I completely just botched that sentence structure but I don't care.)

Anyway!

Devin is gone, and her ever-worried protectors have no clue where she is!

Just to keep you wanting more.

Have a great day guys! Probably a Characters on Couches-esque thing tomorrow!

Scrivener

Okay, for those of you who were awake between 2 and 3 am CST and follow me on twitter, you may have noticed some #amplotting tweets.

I was in that mood. I think the caffeine may have had something to do with it, but I digress.

I take my netbook to work with me. It's safe in the break room, as no one would dare mess with anything that is somebody else's. Except to move it to another table in the morning for no reason whatsoever, but here I go digressing again.

Before NaNoWriMo '12 I dowloaded the free trial of Scrivener, and I used it all through November. Now, however, I have recently bought the full thing. At half-price, I may add, because I won NaNoWriMo.

It you want to check it out, or see what it is, the website is Literature and Latte.

I cannot recommend it enough.

Now, last night, as I was planning, (and Scrivener makes this SO easy) I was coming up with questions, mostly backstory that I needed to answer. Instead of opening to a new page in my notebook and having thoughts all over the place, not to mention killing my already carpal tunnel pained wrists, I created a new file under the research folder. And I began figuring things out.

Now, this will make no sense to you, but here's an excerpt.

Original beings were the Psychic Vampires (that I REALLY need to rename).
Their existence was not a curse, rather a blessing.
They were the few that stood by (insert deity here) during the war.
What war? Creation? Equivalent of angels? Humans made next best thing?

Psychic Vampires given the Chalice (need to name?) to create the Noble Undead (rename?)
Noble Undead purpose to protect the well-being of the Psychic Vampires through young life and before their reincarnation’s.

How do the Noble Undead know where/in what body they will reincarnate?

If the Helyn are the offspring of the Psychic Vampires, and it is the blood of the Helyn that is used to create the Noble Dead. Who was used for the original Noble Dead?

That is how my mind works, if you'd like to know.

I created three new files, I think, and Scrivener makes it so I will NEVER lose them. EVER! Seriously, Scrivener saves your work if you pause for more than two seconds. It's amazing.

And, best part is, I can use it without an internet connection, so no distractions if I don't want them!

It's great because at work we don't have internet so I can't use google docs (now drive) there.

I suggest Scrivener to anyone whether you think you need/want it or not. I believe... yeah, it's $40 for the full version, but they have a 30 day free trial that you can try before buying, but also, they have a deal with OLL that any winners of NaNoWriMo can get it for HALF OFF. If you won NaNoWriMo this year I recommend going to the goodies page and getting that code. DO IT.

However, if you did not win or did not participate in NaNoWriMo this year, you can buy it full price, or use the trial for NaNoWriMo '13 and buy it AFTER for half price. That's up to you.

I highly recommend this. No matter what you write. Novels. Short Stories. Poems. Screen plays. Anything.

Yes, this is a post with no real substance, because I had nothing else to say today. Have a good one!

Getting Unstuck

So I promised you guys I would give you more explanation on my past few busy days and onto my being stuck in Mortality. (That was a poorly worded sentence, but I can't seem to think of a better way to say it. Meh.)

SO!

I think I'll forgo the busy days explanation and get right to the stuck.

As writers, we all get stuck. Whether you're a pantser or a plotter, a newbie or an old pro, it happens. Maybe not for every book, sometimes for every scene. When you get stuck can often tell you why you get stuck.

So if you find you get stuck often, try to look at where you are, what you are doing, whether writing related or not, and see if there are any similarities.

One reason that I often get stuck is because I don't know what's going to happen next. I assume that this is the same for most pantser's out there. I know where I'm at and I know the end, but what happens in the interim?

• To solve this, try sitting down and writing out how the characters may react, what choices they have, and how others would react to those choices. Often listing that out, I've found, will tell me what happens next. 
• Other times, if you really don't know how they would react, you have to go back and maybe pick a different action/reaction. This can cause major rewrites, but for the moment, move what you change to a new file and continue on as if it never happened. You never know what may come in handy later.
• If you are REALLY stuck, you may want to rethink your story from the beginning. Do the events happening in the beginning naturally lead to the end? If not, you either need to change those events, or the ending. 

Another time that I get stuck, is when I start realizing just how BAD my writing is. And there are those times. It's a first draft after all. I assume that these times happen for newbies as well as old pro's as well. This is what has happened here for me most recently. My writing sucks. So I began reading books on writing. (You know those free books for the kindle in that post a couple months back? Yeah, I finally got around to reading them. Most of them are really good.) That was a poor decision. 

• My one tip, DON'T go reading books on how to Write, or how to plan, or how to anything. The only thing I got from those books that would help me, would be to start over. I can't start over. My mother would kill me. She's been waiting for me to finish this since I made the mistake of letting her read some of it. 
• Also, DON'T go back and edit. No matter how much you may want to, the most important thing at this point (if it's a first draft, if it's not, this doesn't apply to you) is to FINISH. Work through it and just get to the end. Once you have a whole novel you can then hack it to pieces and fix what's broken.
• HOWEVER, I would take the time and sit down and talk to your characters. (See my Characters on Couches blog posts. Another one may be coming soon). See if they have any input on the plot, or the way things are going. Sometimes, you get a big shock. (Again, see my Characters on Couches blog posts)

Sometimes, life gets in the way. I've been depressed. I've been over worked. I've been tired. I've been sick. These are the times that are often both the easiest and the hardest to break through. 

• When you're sick, sometimes the only thing you can do is take it easy and get better. Depending on the type of sick, sometimes I can write during it, sometimes I sleep all day and all night just trying to get better. 
• When you're tired, sometimes the only thing you can do is rest. However, there have been many time's I have put off going to bed to get something written. For me, it doesn't matter how little or how much I get written. 
• Overworked can go in the same category as tired. But when I'm overworked, there is always SOME time somewhere that you can get some writing done in. It may not be the best, but for a first draft, very little is going to be the best. 
• Depressed... That one's a little harder. I've fought depression, and always needed help dragging myself out of the muck. That's what friends are for, good friends. Basically, you have to solve the depression before you can get writing again. At least for me. I wrote a lot of your typical teenager poetry during that time. I think I've since burned them. 

Anyway, I hope this helps you get unstuck! 

If you have anything else, either reasons you get stuck or ways to get unstuck, discuss in the comments! 

Thanks, as always, for reading, and have a great day!

Six Sentences Sunday 4

Blah. Busy days. More explanation later.

Six Sentences Sunday from Mortality, this time.

Devin laughed weakly. “Besides the fact that I'm slowly dying, am surrounded by beings I've been trained my entire life to kill, and have just relived the murder of my entire family?” She closed her eyes and nuzzled into his hand. “Surprisingly good.”

“I am sorry,” his thumb rubbed her cheek lightly as he frowned. “I should not have pressed you to go through with that.”

Those two are adorable.

I can't help but "aww" a little inside each time.

2k to 10k Book Review

Before I get into the review, I would like to apologize for the lack of post yesterday. For the past couple days I have been nose deep in two different books on writing. This is because I'm stuck. I may go into detail tomorrow.

Now onto the review!

First, I love Rachel Aaron's voice. I haven't read any of her other books (note to self: Add Eli Monpress novels to TBR list. P.S: Make TBR list.), but when reading this book, it's as if she's sitting there talking to you. At least, I assume that's the way she meant it.

Second, this book makes me rethink everything I've ever written. But in a good way! Looking back at my process while writing Mortality, it makes me want to scrap it and start over. In all honesty, it would save me hours and hours and possibly days of editing. However, I think my mother would probably kill me.

Third, I'm so going to try what she has to say when writing the last half of my book. Considering I have very little planned, this is a good thing. Hopefully I can knock out the last half of the book in a shorter time than the first half. Bear in mind it's taken me... eight years to get the first half done?

Also, it's .99c on Amazon. You have no reason not to.

I rate it ***** stars.

Follow Rachel Aaron on Twitter @Rachel_Aaron
Or go to her website www.rachelaaron.net

Dialogue

Hey. Late post today. Apologies.

So, as writers, there's GOT to be that one thing we struggle with.

Whether it's finding time to write, actually getting words out of your head on paper, editing, character creations, world creation, not procrastinating, etc. The possibilities are endless.

What's mine?

Dialogue.

I dislike writing dialogue. But I love how my characters interact. I don't know that the two are connected, but that seems a bit of a discrepancy to me.

I found out the other day, that when I don't have anything planned next... my characters talk about what they're going to do.

That just... it ends...

Well, here. I'll give you an example.

What I was writing yesterday. (It's from Mortality, if you are not familiar with the characters)

The vampire smirked slightly, looking out the window to where the sun was sinking below the horizon. “Would you believe it if I were to tell you I am older than the Elder’s of the school you protect? I had a deal with the previous Elder’s, actually. But that did not carry over, apart from my own promise that our kind, that is, those that I speak for, would not go near the school grounds.” 

Blade’s eyes narrowed. ‘But to find Devin-.’ 

“I broke that promise. I know. It was necessary. Without the girl, we cannot regain what we have lost.” 

‘How is she supposed to help? Why must it be she?’ 

Alucard shook his head. “I do now know that. But I know it must be her.” 

Blade huffed quietly. ‘Who are the Helyn?’ 

It was Alucard’s turn to be taken aback. “The Helyn? I… do not believe I have heard that name before. But it has the sound of a word from a long dead language. It used to be spoken by a peoples in the Kwiktilk Mountains. However, I cannot tell you without more context what it means.” 

“They are a group of people,” Damon explained from the door way. “Devin’s asleep,” he said by way of answering the questioning looks. 

Also, dialogue tags. When it's two men (okay, a wolf and a vampire, but both male) speaking, I can't use just 'he' and 'she', but if I use their names too often, it reads awkwardly. To me. I may be insane. That's a distinct possibility.

I showed a bit of that to a friend of mine, she says there is too much action to detract from the dialogue. But I think the action is fine, it gives the reader a clearer view of what is happening.

I can't point to what I don't like about my dialogue, but it feels awkward and clunky to me.

What're your thoughts?

Sidenote: I'm considering moving to Wordpress. Thoughts?

If You Let Them, They Will Come

Also titled, let your ideas come from where they may.

As writers; well, for those of us who announce the fact that we are writers, we often get asked: "Where do you get your ideas?"

Often, if asked this question, many of us mutter something indistinct as the audience or individual wait expectantly for some brilliant never before heard, oh so inspirational, mind-blowing secret. But really, there isn't one. We know that. The blood, sweat and tears that have poured over the years, or even weeks, we have been writing prove that.

However, that doesn't mean that ideas just come to us out of the ether. We have to work at them. Sometimes, there is some inspiration. When that moment comes, savor it, write it down, and relive it over and over again. It may never happen again.

I have one example that I recall. I will share it here.

I hate Christmas music with a fiery, burning, passion, right? You cannot believe how much I hate Christmas music. I had to listen to it for... oh... six weeks? From the first week into November until after Christmas. Living. Hell.

However, I went with the flow. Whatever, right? If you can't change it, don't gripe. Well, I did gripe, but I learned to deal with it. What was more amusing were the people who would rave about the music day after day and never learned to deal, but I digress.

What does this have to do with inspirational ideas? Well, the song 'Do You Hear What I Hear?' got me thinking one day.

I actually stopped and typed out a note in my phone. At work. It was that... Well not necessarily big, but I didn't want to forget it.

This is what that message in my phone reads- "Xmas inspired story - 'shepard boy' dreams become real. Dreamy something about kings illegit son. Thrown out after that. King hires ppl to kill the prophet/godson the boy tells him of. Psychic"

That's it. Now. I transferred this to my Ideas Notebook and expounded upon it.

In my book, it's simply titled "Book Idea"

The entry goes as follows.

Based on Inspired by song Do you hear what I hear? 

In the song, the Shepard Boy speaks to the King about Jesus and the King takes him at his word. 

But would he (the King) really take the boy's words as truth?
The way I see it, he wouldn't. 

What would happen if Jesus, or another equivalent prophet/son of god, didn't get that help and grew up not knowing? Perhaps with people of the king after him? 

SB (here meaning Shepard Boy) psychic. "What I dream comes true."
SB starts saying something about Kings son. (illegitimate son)

Now, I really like this idea, and think I might use it at some point.

Will it have any resemblance to the song when I'm finished? No. Not at all.
Does that matter? Nope. In fact, it's better if the finish project doesn't look like what inspired it.

Let your ideas come naturally. You don't have to use them, and some will be horrible. Some, you may not realize are horrible until you begin writing/using them. Don't let this discourage you.

With an open heart and an open mind.

Take Care!

~Cheyenne

Plotting

Hey guys!

So, I know I've said I'm a pantser, and I promise, I really am.

But after reading K.M. Weiland's Outlining Your Novel that I have already reviewed on this blog, I began planning my Untitled NaNoWriMo Novel. (I really need to change that Untitled to a real title.)

Planning is not a bad thing!

This may shock some of you tried and true pantser's out their. But really, it's not.

Half the time I don't follow my plot. Some points have gone straight out the window as I wrote, but you know what? One of those points came back to be used at another time, but changed to reflect the change in my charrie.

Some things have different impact at different times and illicit different responses from characters at different times in their growth. Confused? You haven't written enough. Get back to it.

Alright, so this post is mainly to post an example of my plotting.

Mostly, it's talking to myself. Don't take any of it seriously, and if you can't understand it, don't worry. I don't half the time either.

He has a month before Ilyrana catches up (not that he knows that) and they get captured by Slavers.
He could...
      - Seek out Orsam
      - Visit more Elven cities searching for knowledge on the Old Ones
      - Visit major cities of other races for knowledge of Either Old Ones or the Ancient humans
          (What the hell did I call them?)
Or he could do all three.
Obstacles finding Orsam
      - no clue how
            ~Orsam found him last time
      - can't find place where he met the man            ~but Talliel would      Not much of an obstacle
So he they return to the burned sentinel.
      - Ent-like being with a grudge?
      - dryad? (also w/ anger)

That is a page out of my notebook copied over as closely as I can online.

It actually helps. Now I need to get writing so I can catch up to what I have planned.

Happy Writing!

Six Sentences Sunday 3

At first, I was freaking out because I didn't have a post planned for today.

Then I checked my email (procrastinating) and saw a notification from another blog with a triple S post, and I was like, OH YEAH!

So here's Six more Sentences from my (still) untitled NaNoWriMo restart.

Hrothsam looked at Aoduain closely. "There's really only one thing we can do." 

"What?" asked Ilyrana. 

Aoduain closed his eyes, as if knowing what was coming.  

"We have to amputate it." 

I am evil to my characters. Yes, they really do amputate his arm. But that's okay, he's not much of a fighter anyway.

Muahahahah!

 

Merry Everything and Happy Always

Hey guys.

I apologize for my absence and begin with saying I have no real reason - no good reason, anyway - for my being gone.

I will, however, attempt to explain.

Hate me if you will, but that's what this post is.

First- December has always bee, and always will be, a lazy busy month for me.
      1.2- My new job at Wally World.
        During the Holidays, I began working 40+ hours a week. Doing my job, this is hell. Hell on my back, hell on my wrists, and hell on my personal well being and mental state.

        This started around Thanksgiving and only recently ended.

Second - Video Games. In this case, the Mass Effect trilogy. I started playing 1 in early December.

I finished with three less than an hour ago. I cried. Again. This was my second play through.

Side Note: If you are any kind of gamer; fantasy, shooter, plot-based, etc. you should check out these games.

The backstory, characterization, and gameplay are superb. The best I've seen, easily.

Also, I may or may not write an ME fanfic or two.

Third - Life. Seriously.

With work, the holidays, family and trying to find time to sleep, I barely had time to think, let alone sit and write. (Look at all the commas!)

I understand now why my parents never had time to do what they wanted when I was growing up. (Hell, they still don'e, what with my four younger siblings and nephew.) And I don't have kids. (And I won't for awhile, stop panicking, mother. I know you read this.)


So this is me officially reentering the real world. And by real, I mean the internet world. The writing world. And... nope, that's it.

My new years resolution? Less games, more writing. Also, eating better and maybe exercising some? I have weight I'd like to lose.

Typical resolutions, I know. And my boyfriend isn't helping. He's trying to introduce me to three or four new games...

*le sigh*

As my mother's Christmas card said, Merry Everything and Happy Always!
Since I missed the holidays.

How have you guys been?