Wednesday, December 19, 2012

6 word stories

Ariadne - I exist encased in ice walls. I was asleep, now I’m awakened. They exstinguish things that shine brightly.
Gran Thea - My regrets take my breath away. A dying star winks in darkness.
Hope (there could be a name change) - Broken innocence enters a new life.
Cain - I’m everything that is right here. Bold future in my father’s steps.
Darius - I follow that which blinds me. I chance flight touching the sun.
Gwen - Perfect greyness can be a comfort. There is happiness in my surrender.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Waste Bin

I'm scrapping the first few pages of the novel. Not completely as I'll use the basis later in the novel. Ariadne was sleeping, but now she is awake.

I don't have a strong plot yet. In order to continue working on the novel and creative writing, I plan on doing character bios. I'm excited about it.

As I go any plot or setting revelations will be noted and developed.

I'm also considering making my own novel dust jacket cover. I think it will be motivational.

I caught the meteor shower the other night. It was phenomenal. One of the best showers I've ever seen.

Monday, December 10, 2012

First Page

“Did you know that little fairy godmothers were once believed to come along when a child was born and grant wishes?” Gran bent down and pinched her thumb and first finger close together, “They were tiny people this tall with wings and magic wands.”

The little girl with bright blue eyes and dark brown hair giggled in response.  Gran gave a big smile in return, “What would you wish for? What is it you really want?”

The little girl scrunched up her nose in thought. She was unsure how to answer. Several minutes of deep five year old contemplation passed and Gran raised her eyebrows opening her face in a teasing and friendly way.

“To know.” The little girl said as she smoothed out her coloring pages.

The older women leaned back in her chair, slightly surprised. After taking a moment of thought she asked, “To know what? Don’t you think learning at the Requirements will teach you?”

“Maybe.” Her small held tilts to the left side as she grabs her green coloring stick, “I want to know everything. Can I learn everything at the Requirements?” The last word is almost too big for such a small child to pronounce correctly.  “If I can, then I want to be strong, stronger than anyone. Just like super heroes.”

The little girl tilted her head to the right and reflected upon her coloring page. She had stayed perfectly in the lines and systematically shaded each area in the appropriate color. The grass was outlined in a dark green then filled in with a lighter green. The sun was outlined in orange and shaded with yellow. The bird had already been discussed. It was decided it would be a blue bird like the Jays that could be seen in the park. Everything met with her approval so far and she reached for the dark brown coloring stick which was for coloring the bunny.  “Can I be as strong as a boy?”

Gran was brought back into the moment by her great niece’s question, “Maybe we should have named you Eve instead of Ariadne.”

“Eve? Who’s Eve?” she asked while continuing to focus on the outline of the bunny. This was an important step in coloring. She had to get it right. It couldn’t be too far in the blank space or outside the lines.

“You want to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve did that.” The older woman’s glass blue eyes were staring off into the distance, but she was seeing a different time and place.

“What’s that story, Gran?” Aria eagerly asked. She always loved Gran’s stories because they were nothing like what she was heard while at Requirements.

Gran stood up, clapping her open palms on her thighs as she leaned down to Aria’s level, “That, my Aria, is a story for another day.  Now, I believe it is someone’s birthday and I may have a cake around here somewhere for the birthday girl.”

There was a happy squeal then a brunette flash jumping from the table and running to the food module.  A brown coloring stick rolled off the table and on to the floor, in a rare moment of forgotten haste.

365 isn't so bad


I have to say that I am thankful someone pointed out that a page a day is a 365 page book. If I think of it any other way, it is overwhelming.

First page (plus) done with dialogue!

 

I’ve read a bit on writing, came up with some character names, and the hardest part I actually typed the first page. Now to transition back to present time and get the current story started.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Quick Notes: Mara Dyer


Since I’m obviously not working on my own book, I thought I’d give kudos to a book I recently finished devouring. It was a tasty treat.

The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin is the sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.

It’s been a while since I finished the first book, so I don’t recall all the details. I can say I’ve been waiting with baited breath for the next installment and I was not disappointed.

I am wrapped in Mara’s character and growth. She starts as an unsure self-loathing character and I literally rose with the character.

She moved from unsure and weak, unable to control events, herself, and dependent on others to suddenly realizing she is strong (I was at the edge of my seat when she pushed Jude into the wall bringing everything down intentionally). I was cheering her on, encouraging her to crush and be strength and vengeance. I know, I know…don’t say anything. By the last page when Mara feels “something dormant kick to life” I was literally standing up screaming, “Yes!”

The whole book is so well written. From character development to word choice and musical descriptions. The last two pages leave the reader grasping on to the book.

The story takes twists that I never saw coming which is something I admire greatly in writing.

 

Wonderful story plot, enticing characters, inner struggles we can relate with, descriptions, sappy love…it is all perfect and well-rounded with just enough darkness.

The tiger is out of the cage and I cannot wait for Mara to bring them down like the asylum walls.

Start with Unbecoming  and prepare to be hooked. Then pick up Evolution and prepare to have a ride with a victorious splash down.

For when I need it

What am I thinking? This is too big. It will never get done.

That is what you're feeling right now. I know it, because I feel it too and nothing noteworthy has started yet.

Knowing you like I do, I've decided to place this note here for when you need it most.

You had a dream. It stays a dream until you do something about it. Ends don't weave themselves in. You've got to do it.

Jim Butcher knows better than me..
"YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD WHO CAN KILL YOUR DREAM. *NO ONE* can make you quit. *NO ONE* can take your dream away."

So, stop stressing and get some BIC time already. You started this, now work on finishing it.