Z is for Zany

zany |ˈzānē|
adjective ( -nier , -niest )
amusingly unconventional and idiosyncratic : zany humor.
noun
an erratic or eccentric person.

This picture was a prompt back in June, 2010 for a little writing challenge I took part in. And actually, the scene I wrote has a character who is rather zany. Enjoy.

It wasn't easy.

Well, the spell was easy comparatively speaking but that's only the first part of the experiment, and the single aspect that I had any control over. The rest was up to my magical creation and the idea that there might be enough sustainable, aka not polluted air, for the birds to survive. It was a long shot but I decided to go for it. No one believed it would work in this industrial waste of an empire and I was going to prove them wrong.

I have one ray of hope. Sometimes when the wind moves the sky a certain way, I have detected a hint of blue. The bright bird egg color in the old animal encyclopedia books that showed brilliant colors of all animals that once ruled the land, sky and sea.

Despite every warning from my old mentor and the gossip of the city dwellers, all called me insane in my idea creation, I went to the perch I'd chosen especially for the spell. It was the best launch point for the birds to fly up into the sky on. After much watching of weather, I determined the perfect day for the experiment. It wasn't long and no matter how much I prepared there was this small bit of doubt that I can't shake. If I was wrong, then all hope of a healthy environment past the clouds of steamed industrial residue would become lost. I can't stand the thought of living in that world, of no true nature. The truth is... this was my last shot.

It's not easy doing a spell with that doubt, but I shoved it down to a dark recess of my mind and pulled out the two special cubes I'd created in the lab. With a tense moment of concentration, I breathed life on them, willing the change and it happened. The cubes morphed into two perfectly white birds that began to fly up into the sky at one.

They don't die right away and that is encouraging. I have to find them again to make sure they survived. It's not going to be easy but I'm up for the challenge.

Y is for Young Adult

Honestly, when I first started writing with the idea of writing novels, I never thought I would ever write anything young adult (and certainly not one that leans towards middle grade in book 1). I really didn't. That was not the plan. I thought I would be an adult fantasy writer and that is all.

Then came the mutant series. Yep, the first idea was for a young adult one, though it's actually the sequel to the one I have written (Tattle Tell). The adult mutant idea came after. And from there I have several young adult ideas that include Lighting the Wall and Ottohahn in E Minor, among others.

So, here I am writing young adult and guess what...

I enjoy it.


Do you write young adult stories?

X is for Xebec

Xebec (also spelled zebec) is a small Mediterranean sailing vessel that had three masts, a lanteen and sometimes square sails commonly used for trading.

(image link)

I am looking for ships to use and need a couple different kinds because in the world I'm building there are going to be water ships and air ships. Though for sure the air ship will have to involve a bigger base since there are many people that will fit on the ship. But there might be ones like this that are water ships. Very interesting, and it works for X. Yay.

What X word do you like?
Know of any more ships?

W is for Worldbuilding

Even though I have posts on here where I talk about worldbuilding but I'm still terrible at actually doing it before writing. But why worldbuild?

For one, I tried to write a scene from the novel that I'm kinda sorta worldbuilding through these posts and not having figured out the world stalled me for over 30 minutes. What caused the stall? I had no idea what to call the "store" that sold the fake starlight that had been ransacked. Just calling it a "store" didn't feel right for the world. So, because I hadn't figured out the world, the writing stalled.

I have a new idea that I've been working on for a character sketch challenge. However, since this is a science fiction story, I think I will have to worldbuild for that one too.

Guess I'd better get worldbuilding.


Links:
http://www.web-writer.net/fantasy/
http://hiddenway.tripod.com/world/
http://www.sfwa.org/2009/08/fantasy-worldbuilding-questions/
http://yamuses.blogspot.com/2011/12/world-building-checklist.html



Do you worldbuild?
Why or why not?

V is for Violence

I'm not very good at writing it. So far my stories have way more dialogue in them and less on the action, especially on the violent actions. I have done a few one on one fight scenes over the years but not very many. I've never been much of a fighter myself, so that might be why some of my characters are against violence.

On the other hand, the times when the non-violent characters resort to violence can be almost more interesting than say someone who is prone to violence, at least to me.

Noah, the mutant main character from the adult novels, he is against violence. Since he tries to hide his abilities (or at least to make sure no one knows exactly how powerful he really is) in order to not become a weapon for anyone, he is not a violent character in general. Sure, he will stand up for himself or someone else when the moment calls for it but he tries to go the nonviolent route first.

Some of my characters aren't necessarily against violence, they just aren't very good at it. Feynethom, the elf, is terrible, for example. He can kind of use a bow, though not the greatest at it, but any other weapon and it's best to keep away from him cause there is no telling if he will hurt someone else or just himself.

While many of my novels don't venture into violent scenes, I'm going to have to learn how to write them because there are some stories that require those scenes to be shown.

Do your characters handle violence?
How do you write a violent scene?

U is for Utah

Yep, the place I used to live at and where I got my bachelor's degree, but no worries, this post isn't about me.

(image link)

The urban fantasy story I have in mind that includes a female main character is set in Salt Lake City Utah.  I almost wrote the story for NaNoWriMo 2011. Even went to SLC in September when I was in Utah visiting family. My awesome friend Ariana showed me around some places while I was there that might help me with my story.

I got the idea from an urban fantasy chat held on twitter to set an urban fantasy story in Utah, so it's also one of the few ideas that didn't come from a dream. In the chat, someone said that where they were from would be too boring for UF, and when they said they were in Utah I thought that SLC would actually be a good place for such a story. Not sure when I will write the story but hope to one day.

I guess U could have also stood for Urban Fantasy...

T is for Tell

Tell you something.... I'm not very good at show don't tell. Honestly.

I don't know what it is either but it's almost like I can't wrap my mind around the concept. I've done research on the topic, taken part in blogfests related to it, once held a contest around the idea, and still I struggle to write a story that is shown instead of told. Other people have even given me advice on it.

But still...

I try to look at first drafts as write and fix later. But fixing later isn't always easy because it's like how I used to try and fix passive voice on essays, the computer would still say the new way was passive too. Only there isn't a squiggly red line that shows when something is Tell instead of Show. There should be though.


Do you struggle with Tell?

S is for Stress

I am feeling a bit stressed lately. Think I over-stretched myself this month. It started out fine but then I added another challenge on the 15th that requires daily writing. Add the stress of working more (one co-worker quit recently) along with figuring out this transfer process (possible T topic, hmmm) and it's all starting to be a bit much.

Sometimes when I'm stressed I find it easier to write, under the deadline in particular. However, other times when I have too much going on, then I have a harder time getting anything done.

Today is a day off from work and yet I have so much writing to do and stuff to figure out, it doesn't feel like a very restful day. I could use a nap.


What do you do when stressed?
Does stress affect your writing?

R is for Romance

While I do write a lot of stories where the romance includes erotica, I think that it's important to remember that there is more to a m/m relationship besides the physical side. And that is something I think some people fail to realize when they think about gay relationships. Even in court there sometimes is a focus on what the two would physically do but there is no mention of the romance or relationship in general.

On writing.com there is a romance newsletter every week, and I keep hoping they would do one that discussed gay romance because there are ways to approach the topic that wouldn't be over the rating system they have in place.

I'd like to be able to find more books in the store that have the romance (and some that don't show the erotic parts at all) because those books I would like to read.


Here is the end of a scene from the fae story I'm worldbuilding. I wrote a short story for it based on a prompt from writing.com and now am expanding since I didn't have the word count allowed to put in all I want. Throughout the story each character has his own moment where he realizes he has feelings for the other. I think before this bit will be when Talon comes to the conclusion. Though they won't actually say anything to each other about it till the end of the book.


From the short story, Selling Starlight:


"We won't for long, but I wanted to show you something. Look up at the stars." Ashpine reached up, pushing to his toes as his hand moved up beyond the soft glow of the small light they had available.

He didn't get the point but reached up anyways but there was nothing to grab. Even at such a high point the stars looked small and out of reach. "Okay. So no one can reach the stars. If you're trying to prove it to me, don't. I get it."

"Lie down." Ashpine also did as he instructed Talon to do, sinking down to have his back against the stone platform that made up the roof. "Just because you can't catch and bottle the light, that doesn't mean you should stop reaching for the stars."

Even though Talon understood what the suggestion implied, he couldn't find the hope his small vial of pretend starlight once embodied. "If always out of our grasp, then what is the point?"

The expected quick response instead came in the form of silence. He turned his head, the cold surface smooth and calming against his cheek, to look at the fae yearning for some type of answer. He needed something, anything more than empty reaches. And a gentle smile certainly wouldn't satisfy his need.

Ashpine reached over, grabbing Talon's wrist and pulled it up away from the surface they both rested upon. His fingers slid between Talon's and combined they reached towards the stars, together. "The point is... this."

Q is for Quest

The quest is a common plot in many different genres. While it is commonly linked to fantasy, almost any genre can involve a quest plot line.

(image link)

I have a few quest stories, for example.

Epic Fantasy - The obvious one. Yes, the epic fantasy involves a quest of some type. The group is on a quest to fight back against a ruler who is trying to overtake every group one at a time. They also end up with different quests over the years as they battle on to reach the end goal. But they aren't questing after a magic object or anything like that, though Feyn does go on his own quest to save the other elf.

Romance - Romance stories can have quests though they may not be physical quests of traveling long distances (though yeah, some have to travel long distances and through time at times). Most of the romance stories I'm writing (whether it's Thomas/Kyle, the rancher with the city boy, the truck driver and femme boy, or anything else) there is a personal quest.

Young Adult - The young adult quest so far is also personal. Ottohahn is on a quest to fit in the place he calls home. Sage is trying to find a place to call home where he can stay. Ephram's quest is to not be a tattle anymore.

I have another one that involves travel quest but it's a sekrit.


Do you use the quest?
What's your favorite quest story?

P is for Painting

Sometimes I paint. Well, not recently because living at my mom and stepdad house involves limited space so I don't have the room to paint because don't want to worry about making a mess or keeping the cats away.

(I can't do faces)

(work in progress, no faces, also biggest one I've done. It's canvas material pinned to a wall)

(work in progress)

Do you like painting?
Ever buy a painting from a store or anywhere? 

OD ST

A connection to BIC HOK. Why the OD ST? Well, today has to start with O and it works. ;-)

BIC HOK - is the affectionate (okay maybe not affectionate) abbreviation for the term Butt In Chair, Hands on Keys. It's a term that has been heard on a variety of places but one in particular is the Podcast Writing Excuses on an episode about fighting writer's block.

To add to this, I did OD ST: Open Document, Start Typing. Because let's face it, I can be sitting in front of my computer in a chair for hours with my hands on the keys typing but that doesn't mean I'm actually writing. I could be doing a blog post, like I am right now. I could be in a chat room on a writing web site, which I am almost every day. Or I could be posting in a forum.

So, to finish the novels I have waiting I need to BIC HOK, OD ST.


Do you have a writing schedule?
Do you struggle to get writing done?

N is for Names

Yeah, not surprising but I found a really cool site for names and thought that I'd share with the few that find this blog. I was trying to find a some what bionic or metallic related name for a brand new character and came across this web site. Now I'd heard of 20000 names before but did not know they have a special page with links to special categories for names.

http://www.20000-names.com/special_categories.htm


The categories vary but include: anagram names, dream names, evil names, blood names, light names, character trait names, and much more.

Names can be a challenge, especially when writing so many different novels, but with a few sites and some luck, it isn't too difficult to find the right one.


Which site do you use for names?
Do you struggle finding names for certain characters?

M is for Magic

Yep, magic. I did a worldbuilding post on magic before (blog link) but here is another one with a slightly different focus. There are many ways to use magic within a story, in particular in speculative fiction. However, there have to be limits because if magic can do anything, if the main character can do anything then it becomes boring.

Me and a friend had a disagreeance on this topic. He does a lot of RPG stuff online and would tell me about some of his characters. Bascially they were all powerful and could always get what they wanted but for me that was boring. I'd rather see a character who has high powers in magic be someone who struggles, not someone who barely has to make an effort to get anything done. There needs to a be a challenge, the character needs to struggle for the reader to really feel and empathize with them.

Also, it helps to have some sort of complication to the magic. In many fantasy stories, the use of magic draws off the character's energy so they become tired after use. But stories try to vary the consequences of magic. In Stardust by Neil Gaiman (I believe, haven't read but saw the movie) when the women use magic it ages them. In Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan for the women the use of magic wears of them but for men it eventually drives them insane. In some worlds the use of magic is forbidden with harsh consequences if discovered.

I have a few characters in my many novels who are very powerful in their worlds. Noah is the most powerful mutant with his controlling energy in ways that could come out in like atomic bomb level proportions. Daemahrath is an elf in the epic fantasy story who not only has magic abilities that most don't do anymore in the world but also is a skilled fighter.

Noah might be powerful but he hates it. He doesn't want to be a mutant and struggles through the series with his abilities and the fear of being used as a weapon. His hard time with the nature of his strength helps because it causes him to struggle. His emotions affect his abilities though.

Daemahrath on the other hand, has to hide his abilities and struggles in a different way. In part, he is balanced by the other elf main character, Feynethom who not only does not know how to use any type of magic but also is a terrible fighter. But also, he's well aware of his strength and has to work hard to keep himself under control. Using it does wear on the character's energy requiring rest after so much but I'm also thinking of having the magic connected to carnal urges that he has to struggle to contain as well.


What magic does your character use?
Are there consequences?
Do you find the all powerful character boring?

L is for Lighting the Wall

I started writing this novel a little over a year ago and I haven't made it very far since then but it's one of the YA stories I have going right now that I really enjoy. Back before I started writing the novel I posted my struggles on this blog. I had a hard time picking names and wasn't what to call one of the two main characters. I couldn't think of a title for the story and it was thanks to comments here that I picked Lighting the Wall as the title. And I shared a tiny scene between the two in a part of the story I haven't gotten to yet for a blogfest. This is one of a few stories where there are two interchanging POVs though right now I'm just writing bit by bit trying to pick which one is the best view point for the moment in the story, so not sure how often the POV will change in the end.

So for today's post, here are 2 small bits, one from each character.

Wyck

After a few more steps, the car came into view. It was old and looked near its own death, if cars had that. They hadn’t used a motor vehicle in the village during Wyck’s life because they weren’t needed but he’d seen plenty of pictures during history lessons. This one was kind of boxy shaped. It might have been blue but the dust and mud covering every inch made it difficult to tell for sure.

His father stopped for a brief second, holding his hand up to indicate Wyck should stop. Despite wanting to get a little closer, he obeyed, staying behind as his father approached where Dwayne stood. He was close enough to see everything at least, though it was hard to tell many details of those inside the car.

A man stood near Dwayne, one of the strangers. He was tall, several inches taller than Dwayne with dark features. His hair was the strangest part of his lanky appearance as it had an odd upward appearance, or it did from that distance. It seemed very solid like. Despite his height and different clothes, the man didn’t seem threatening. He just looked tired.


Sage

To Sage’s relief, the patrol agreed to bring them into their small village. They just couldn’t take in the car because the doors weren’t large enough and to have something that could go through the border would be too startling for the villagers. So, pulling out his bag and a couple sacs of supplies they had left over, Sage followed the leader and his son, Wyck. Nothing else was said from him, as Sage occasionally glanced at the teen as they walked.

He almost wanted to speak. With only breathing as noise, it made Sage uncomfortable. Even June was more silent than usual as she hustled to keep up with the group. Her small bag filled with clothes had a teddy bear tied to the side and it was dragging her down. Pausing, Sage reached over to her and took the bag, adding it to his load.

She smiled at him before skipping a few steps to reach up to hold her mother’s hand as they walked through the small border portal and through the village.

K is for Kanwal

Kanwal is part of the name of a female character that I'm working to develop. The post for G has pictures and music from her novel. I am still working on the rest of her name because it doesn't sound very feminine to me but it's not a name I see often. But I liked the meaning of the name: Water Lily.

(image link)

The real reason I'm bringing up Kanwal is to discuss a character challenge I signed up for on Writing.com that starts on the 15th. She is one of two characters I will be using. The Character Sketch Challenge is the title and it's going to involve daily prompts for 20 days to work on character development. The round I joined is also a special round because the prompts will all involve music.

Character 1 = Kanwal. She is a teen, thinking 16-17 ish. I haven't decided so should figure that out soon. She has lived in the US, her parents are either from the Middle East or their parents moved to US from there.

Character 2 = Octave. Male adult. His story is a sci-fi one, there is a metal/robotic thing on one of his arms (hard to describe what I saw in the dream so need to work on that). He was created but doesn't find out till part way in the story.

It should be interesting, spending days using different prompts to help develop compelling characters. I look forward to the challenge.


How do you create your characters?

J is for Jewelry

Yep, I am going with jewelry for today's topic and not just the shiny baubles that many relate to the topic because the truth is, jewelry can be used for many different purposes in a story. Jewelry can be anything from a diamond ring, to a plain metal wristband, to even a collar to signal ownership. I use many different bits of jewelry in my stories.

(image link)

Bands/Bracelets
In the mutant stories, the metal band worn on the wrist is used for ID purposes but it's way more than that. There is something about the band (I haven't figured out quite yet) that blocks the lower forms of mutations, keeping them from being of use to the person. It doesn't work on someone of Noah's abilities, but it does work for Dominic (an unregistered one) and in the YA one, Ephram has one. They aren't intricate or anything, with only a couple of markings so the agency can tell if they have been taken off. And they do come off. There was a bit question over why the government would require mutants to wear something that could be removed and I think I figured out an answer for why young people who are still growing would get ones that can come off. ;-)

Collars/Necklaces
The slave collar is one that is iconic for the Master/slave relationship and I have a couple M/s stories that I've done for contest and such, but there is also a novel that is going to involve the slave collar. The main character is a magic wielder (considered closer to a demon in some way and hunted by non-magic people) and the only way for him to survive and not be hunted is to be owned. I have only done one scene for this story so far but am looking forward to it. May also look for some other ownership jewelry to use besides the collar some day.

Rings
This type of jewelry can also have many different uses. There are family rings, engagement rings, promise rings and so many more. There is one story in particular that uses rings (and it's for male characters, hehe). In this one that I call Sekrit novel (yes this is one of the first times I've share any details really) the main character has a few rings and if he gives them to people it is a sign of their connection and of devotion. And if he wears one of their rings, it has a special bond meaning as well. I am still working on that one, or kind of sort of umm I haven't written in months in it but will soon I hope.


Do you use jewelry in any stories?
How do you use jewelry?

I is for Inspiration

(image link)

Ottohahn skimmed the ivory keys of the piano with his finger tips, not pressing down hard enough for them to create any sound but his hands didn't stop moving. He struggled to hide his discomfort from the girl watching his every move. Emily Clemence sat on top of his mom's piano. No one was supposed to be on top of the wood surface, but then again he wasn't supposed to play so often either. However, since it seemed to impress a girl, his father allowed it.

Emily stared at the ceiling. "Hey, piano man, I have been wondering. Could you make up a song for me?"

That made his fingers stop. The only songs he was allowed to play were the classical pieces he'd already let her hear. Sure, he'd made up a number of them in the past but alone with no one to hear. So, he stalled trying not to give in. "Oh, I don't know. Music is just a side thing I do and I don't think I can make up something."

"Oh come on. I can be your inspiration." With a lilt in her laughter, she pulled her shirt up exposing her stomach. Across one side of stomach somehow she had managed to draw piano keys. "Does this help?"

......


Just a flash piece from my young adult novel, Ottohahn in E Minor. I am only 25k in but I'm hoping to have the inspiration to finish it some time this year.

Hope you enjoyed it.

H is for Highlights

Last month I posted on my other blog about my editing process, or at least the one I'm trying out. I have never really done a full edit on a novel before so figured I'd give this method a try. Here is the post:
http://dawnembers.blogspot.com/2012/03/editing.html


These are a couple of screen shots. The words aren't really legible from the screen shot but the highlights are visible. And all of the chapter pretty much look like this with some spots less colorful than others. Some of the highlights come from the editminion site but a good portion are things I found and want to fix.

And...

Here is one where there is a yellowish tag that means there is a note that is attached. I can make a note on something that I want to change or develop further. See... This one has less highlights, hehe.

How do you edit?
Are you a fan of highlighting?

G is for Girly Inspiration

This one is going to be fun. I like to use weheartit.com to find images for inspiration and music, but sometimes it's hard because most of my main characters are male. It's much easier to find girly images on weheartit and there are some songs/musicians that it's hard to add to a playlist as inspiration because they just don't sound right. And while most of my male main characters are gay, they aren't girly. But I have a couple ideas with female main characters and the one I'm doing research for... she is girly and I've already started finding images and songs for inspiration.

The novel doesn't have a title and neither does the main character. It's a very different one than any I've ever written before and I can't wait even though it means lots of research. Here are some things I've found so far for inspiration.

~*~

(image link)

~*~

~*~

(image link)

~*~

(image link)

What about you?

Have any girly inspirations for stories?

Want to know more about my girly story? hehe

F is for Foreign

Okay, not really foreign as in from a different country or world per say. That works too but I'm talking about the use of a character in a story who is new to the one location and they don't know the ways so it's okay for someone to tell them what is going on. It's a device sometimes used to tell without telling because it's dialogue but it would sound weird of two people from the same place rambled to each other explaining things that they should already know. The new guy is a good option, that or a little child who asks lots of questions.


In YA and Middle Grade, the new kid to school is common. I've read submissions with them, unpublished stories and published books all with new characters either as a main or secondary one. This can be a new character to the city, the country, the world or even the universe. Also, when it involves a new world or systems that need explaining, that can be used to the writer's advantage.


On the other side of the coin, it can also be for someone who is not "new" to the place but is so different than the others that they seem foreign. Their differences can be anything but it makes them stand out and if they are the main character sometimes is part of what becomes the conflict.


My novels
I have to admit, I have a few YA books that I'm writing right now that have the foreign character. In fact, all three that I have going have that to some degree. Two of them are the new kid (one a pov character and the other a secondary character) and the other one is both the non-new pov character with a new non-pov one.

Tattle Tell - In this one the main character isn't new but the boy who befriends him part way through the story is new to the town.

Lighting the Wall - New boy to the village is one of the pov characters out of two. The other one is from the village and can help the new one figure out how things work.

Ottohahn in E Minor - Ottohahn isn't new to his city but he doesn't fit in well. He tries and is intelligent but he's also artistic along with a skilled musician which no one there understands because they see it as something for leisure only. There is a new boy that he meets who sneaks into the village.

An adult story example - In the urban fantasy one located in Salt Lake City, the main character definitely feels foreign to the location. She gets the help of someone from the location to get used to it, but at first she is pissed when she finds out that SLC is her destination and not just a lay over.


Any new kids/people in your stories?
How about those that seem or feel foreign?

E is for Economics

Another worldbuilding post. This time it's the oh so exciting topic of economics. The only time I've ever tried to study economics was back when I competed in Academic Decathlon (cause I was a cool teen like that). We didn't really learn economics at my small town school, so I got a book that explained micro and macro economics. My eyes almost glazed over trying to read it. The topic went way over my head. But I hope it will be different when worldbuilding.

(Image link)

Definition of Economics:
1. The branch of knowledge concerned with the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth.
2. The condition of a region or group as regards material prosperity.


A few questions to consider when worldbuilding:

1. How do characters make a living?
2. How is the economy reflected in different locations?
3. What resources are available?
4. Are there any exports/imports?
5. What are the class rankings?
6. What objects have value and why?


In my novel:

1. Well, I don't have every character figured out yet but I know the two main characters with one needed more defining. The fey works on board of a flying ship keeping the vessel in good condition since he can manipulate wood. The human is in a mix between detective agency and military. I need to iron out the details for his career.

2. That I need to figure out, along with the climate and other details. First need to decide on the other locations.

3. Depends on the location. Some will vary obviously based on the landscape, climate, etc.

4. Yes. There will be for each location.

5. hmmmm That is a tough one and I will have to figure that out in particular.

6. This one too, since what is considered of value will depends on the region. Value will affect the export and import topic for sure.


What are your thoughts on economics?
Have any of the recommended questions figured out in particular?

D is for Dreams

(Note: Insecure Writer's Support Group post is right below this one)

I know I've talked about dreams on this blog before but they are an important part of the inspiration that has created most of my novel ideas. But don't worry, I won't ramble too much about how great dreaming is and that I use them to develop the stories. Instead, I'm going to post a small segment of 2 different dreams I've had (embellished of course cause I do claim to be a writer) and then say which story they inspired. (Sorry if the post is long. I really struggle with brevity and that's why I write novels instead of flash fiction.)

 (Image link)

Dream 1:
"Target in sight," I whisper into the headset. Adjusting the blonde wig, my head aches. It is too tight but we can't have them falling off. I look back at my target. One of the Suits has the gem in his hand. "How should I take it?"

Ephram's voice comes to my ear. "How about a little dance, a song and a jump?"

I've gotta hand it to the boy, he still has a sense of humor. "No way. I'm not singing again."

"Come on," he adds a little whine, "it'll be fun."

Leanne interrupts. "Isaac, just go. We'll sing through the intercom and distract them."

There is a pause in waiting for them to act. Then the crackle happens, the system turning on, and out pours the refrain of the Suits song(dubbed by us), but not sung well. All heads turn up to the ceiling and it is my cue.

Now is not the time to reconsider. With a quick intake of air, I get off to a running start, grabbing the gem as I run by the group of Suits. One jumps in my way but I run straight through him not concerned at the awed reactions. That move always freaks people out.

I stop for a second at the edge of the cliff.

"Kid. You have no where to go." One Suit says, edging closer. His fear of me is obvious, the mutations scare everyone who doesn't have them. "Give us the stone back and..."

With a laugh I jump over the edge. To them it looks like I'm flying. The truth is, I can't fly. What I do is a graceful and very extended fall.

Novel = Tattle Tell (or well, the sequel to Tattle Tell because the idea for the sequel came first)



Dream 2:
I couldn't believe it. There laying in the middle of this room surrounded by regular offices and a tanked up security system for what the humans claim is hazardous material, lies the woman I have dedicated my life to finding: the prophet. And she is nothing like the stories in those books I read as a child.

At first, I don't move, almost wondering if I had imagined the whole journey up the seven different flights to the one room, managing to do it without being caught. But after blinking a few more times I knew I had succeeded. Only then did I truly notice her.

Curled up on the ground on top of a human sized pet pillow, her features were hard to distinguish. Gray and white hair hides her face, flowing down past her hips almost like a blanket. I had expected female. I had expected power. And I had expected beauty. I hadn't expected age. Even asleep she looked old but in a graceful type of beauty that I've noticed human women with their shorter life spans desire. Then she stirs awake.

I have pulled the blade out, prepared to follow through with the plan but the sight before me stops any idea of action. In a fluid display of agility, the prophet rose and in a light glow of her aura washed down, her appearance changed. As if my presence, the nearness of the powers once harnessed, had brought her youth back to life. Gray hair turns brown, the color of dry soil but more appealing, and her skin smooths to perfect complexion. And yet, in her eyes I read despair and longing. She knew my purpose and longed for it. She was ready to escape the chains and faced death with open arms.

Novel = Blood Prophesy (better title coming later)



Have you had a dream inspire a story?
Share a dream with the rest of the bloggers that pass by? (if you want)

IWSG

Been a long time, but today gets two posts because it's also Insecure Writer's Support Group day, which happens once a month. The last time I posted one of these was October 2011.

This month's topic is....

Feeling lost on the writing journey

I get this feeling often and so thought it would be a good one to share with the group on my first blog back since I didn't do very good keeping up with the monthly posting in the past. Even right now I am having that lost feeling. I think part of it is that when you first looking at the idea of writing a novel there is to some degree that thought of "how hard can this be" and "how long can it really take". When I was at the second writing conference, hearing people talk about how many years it took them to get published and the average number of years being over 10 years, it was almost troubling. But the longer I go, the more I get it. But also the more lost I start to feel.

Don't get me wrong. I love writing and I don't do it just for the dream of publication. I want to write my novels and if I don't then I'll just keep getting more ideas and more characters yammering in my head and at some point that may lead to insanity (lol). But at the same time, I currently don't have a handle on where I stand on this writing path.

It's almost like that feeling of treading water and wondering how much longer I have to tread before I can move forward. I am starting to edit, so that's a good move forward but it's going to be a long process and involve more treading water. But I still hope one day I'll have a finished product  I am truly proud to say I wrote.


Anyone else feel lost?
How are you feeling this month?

C is for Climate

I know that it's a little early for a worldbuilding post since I usually do those on Wednesday but I think that this is a good time to talk about Climate.

(image link)

What is Climate?
According to Dictionary.com, climate is "the composite or generally prevailing weather conditions of a region, as temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, cloudiness, and winds, throughout the year, averaged over a series of years."


Why is Climate important?
While we don't want our characters incessantly talking about the weather, climate is important to the world they live in. The climate will have affects on many different aspects from fashion to transportation, from architecture to temperaments, and from animals to landscape. Because climate encompasses so many things (temperature, wind, precipitation, etc) and over a long period of time that not only can it be necessary but also a bit time consuming so one has to draw the line how much detail they put into the climates for the world of their story.


Web sites:
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/climate.htm
http://www.worldclimate.com/
http://www.geography4kids.com/files/climate_intro.html
http://dialogue.hubpages.com/hub/Different-types-of-Climate
http://know.climateofconcern.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=article&id=122


In My World
Oh goodness glaciers! Just thinking about the idea of figuring out the climates of the worlds in the story is a bit daunting. This is going to be a substantial undertaking because the story involves a lot of traveling and the way the different places are connected or not connected will have an impact for sure (which means I've got to deal with physic's issues as well, among other things).

The "countries" or "places" (I haven't decided what to call them exactly) are kind of like worlds. Some have expanses of space between them with a way for an air ship to travel to them. Others have land connections, water and/or land travel and such. So the layouts of the lands in the story will correlate with their climates. Once I know the main ones, I'll be able to write out the features of them including climate but I haven't gotten that far. It's something I am definitely going to think about and will have this post to look back on for a few links to use.


Do you figure out the climate of your world when worldbuilding?
Does the climate come up when writing the story?
What do you think?

B is for Belonging

This was a hard one for me. Bromance for my other blog came easily but I had to really think to get a topic for today but I think this one will work really well. A sense of belonging is something that many people can relate with and something that a number of my characters face.

The Desire to Belong
While there is definitely a lot to be said about being an individual, there is still always that desire to belong somewhere. Whether it's to belong to a certain group, to belong to that place we might be able to call home, or even to belong to what we view we should be like, that need exists for many. Which is what makes it a potential want for a character as well.

In many of my novels, there are main characters who have this desire and it affects their story. This is common in young adult in particular but I also have a few adult characters that I can name. Here are some as examples.


Adult Novels


epic fantasy - One of the elf characters in particular struggles with this desire to belong. Growing up, he was raised by a healer after his mother left him near her home in a different city, and he didn't look like any of the other elves in the area. He stood out and that made others avoid him. Out in the world, traveling, isn't much better for him. Through the story he has to figure out himself and a way to be happy with the fact that he may not fit in exactly but his view of how others see him isn't exactly correct either.
mutant series - Noah is a little different in that he technically fit in with those around him growing up. He went to a school full of mutants, his family is too, and yet he doesn't like it. He doesn't want to be the way he is and instead dreams of being what he calls "normal."

Young Adult Novels:
lighting the wall - Both characters struggle with this. Sage is a stranger to the village and thus at once doesn't feel like he belongs and because of having to move around so much, has never really had a home. He has come to expect that he will have to leave at any given time. Wyck grew up in the village but after his mom's death, he has a sense that he can't quite understand. He struggles with figuring out how to overcome his issues with his father and with the village.
ottohahn in e minor - This is a character who is skilled with music and art but living in a science focused society. He is intelligent but doesn't feel he is smart enough. He has a difficult time trying to live up to his father and the society's expectations.



What about you?
Any of your characters struggle with belonging?

A is for Angel

Last year, I did the A to Z challenge on my general writing blog instead of here because it made sense to talk about different writing aspects on there and I wasn't sure what I'd do on this blog, but this year, I'm going to be crazy and do both. So, with the letter A, I naturally went to a novel of mine that I'm in first draft writing that I call Angel/Demon because I don't have a good enough title for it yet and the novel is about an angel and demon falling in love.

Angel, aka Elijah

Although he's not the pov character in the beginning of the novel, he is one of my favorites. While the demon is pretty fun guy (and nice which is part of what makes him different), Elijah is even greater because he is supposed to be this pure being in his afterlife, but his past still follows him and he sure wasn't innocent back then. His teen years he not only came out as being gay early on but at first figured he was screwed Hell wise so just did whatever he wanted (and whoever). After getting caught up with a group that forced him to prostitution and such, which lead to him being diagnosed with AIDS. So, probably not a typical angel for a paranormal romance. And even as an angel he is gay.

In the story he is a mentor for those who struggle with some of the issues he did when he was alive and helps them through it all. He also works part time at a coffee shop. But things don't change a lot for his afterlife and he starts to feel apathetic, which isn't good either. That is what leads him to the club and where he meets Lucas.

He has a small group of friends, mostly angels and the humans he watches over. He also has darker features. I wish I could find better pictures to use for inspiration but it's hard. I did find one picture I really like related to this story. The one in the coat who looks like he's really cold, that is the Lucas (his hell is cold since they live in Detroit). Elijah is the one who despite the snow has no problem, he is strong and comforting to the other.