So~
It's been about 4 months since I've lost my drive to write. T'was a few weeks ago, near the anniversary of Return of the Dragonslayer's inception, that I'd officially determined that I was done with writing for the moment.
Of course that just meant putting down the pen and taking up a keyboard, as I've somehow determined that re-learning how to program and making a game would be more lucrative. Who knows how that'll go.
So for all intents and purposes this isn't so much a writing blog anymore as it's a game/idea developpement blog. Not that a title makes a difference. But in the coming days I'll update parts of it and start posting about my progress with coding.
orz it's going to be tough.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
A lack of typelust
So it's been over a month since I've updated. I was actually making decent progress through most of June until a combination of being busy and being stuck ground my writing to a screeching halt a few weeks ago. I feel like I'd had a similar issue back when I forced myself to write and pushed out something I was unhappy with and unable to work from. I fixed that rather promptly by just deleting the bad stuff and starting anew.
This time though it's different. Everything was going nice and smoothly, everything was coming together well and then it just stopped. I felt like the direction I was going was utterly wrong, despite it being what I had originally planned and needed to happen to progress the story. If the scene were any less important I'd scrap it completely and be done with it, but alas it's like one of the first big plot points.
So I'm thinking I'll judt reset the scene and try it again. That's my last resort.
The other thing I was thinking of trying was making the story from the perspective of multiple characters and not just Deflorin. I don't know how well this works though... I haven't read too many stories done that way. A Song of Fire and Ice does it pretty well, and I remember Gotrek and Felix did it but I wasn't a fan of it. If I did it it'd still be like 65% 'Florin, 35% others, and only really when I feel a scene could be convened better from another perspective. Well that and it'd give you more insight into some characters/give important plot info without letting Deflorin know it. It feels like it would need to be done somewhat sparingly to not be all over the place, but if you don't do it a lot what's the point? Plus I'd need to go back and re-write a couple of scenes that I was kinda iffy about to make them from a different POV and improve them.
Anyone have oppinions/insight about this? I'm genuinely stumped.
This time though it's different. Everything was going nice and smoothly, everything was coming together well and then it just stopped. I felt like the direction I was going was utterly wrong, despite it being what I had originally planned and needed to happen to progress the story. If the scene were any less important I'd scrap it completely and be done with it, but alas it's like one of the first big plot points.
So I'm thinking I'll judt reset the scene and try it again. That's my last resort.
The other thing I was thinking of trying was making the story from the perspective of multiple characters and not just Deflorin. I don't know how well this works though... I haven't read too many stories done that way. A Song of Fire and Ice does it pretty well, and I remember Gotrek and Felix did it but I wasn't a fan of it. If I did it it'd still be like 65% 'Florin, 35% others, and only really when I feel a scene could be convened better from another perspective. Well that and it'd give you more insight into some characters/give important plot info without letting Deflorin know it. It feels like it would need to be done somewhat sparingly to not be all over the place, but if you don't do it a lot what's the point? Plus I'd need to go back and re-write a couple of scenes that I was kinda iffy about to make them from a different POV and improve them.
Anyone have oppinions/insight about this? I'm genuinely stumped.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Chapter 2 complete!
Ahhh~ After so long Chapter 2is finally complete. It feels so... liberating. I feel like I'm on a victory rush right now. Getting this laptop to dedicate to writing alone has been the single greatest thing I've done for this. Honestly. I've managed to put out almost 3000 words the past 3 days alone, and this is mostly while on the way to work/at work/on my way home. Like... I never knew I could be so productive.
I know before I said I would probably rework my story outline at this point, but I feel like I have enough direction for the next chapter or two that I shouldn't put off continuing when I feel my creative juices overflowing.
Lanouette, I can't thank you enough for this greatness you've bestowed upon me!
Chapter Count: 2/?
Word Count: 21558/120000
To celebrate here's an bit of conversation between Deflorin and her best friend, Setangha.
"Well, your whole plan is based on the sole fact that this Bartalomew guy is being honest with you. He could just be feeding us false information. He IS a bandit after all."
"I doubt it Seta, considering what I offered him for the info."
"What did you do now?" she sighed and took in a long drink of her stein.
"Well... we kind of need to stop by the stockades on our way out tonight..." I looked down and muttered as quickly and quietly as I could, "and break him out of there."
A spray of ale and coughing filled the air between us. I wiped the residue from my face with the bottom of my skirt.
"We have to what? Are you mad? Why would you even do that!" she yelled between gasps of air. Her face was a light hue of pink rage. She was one of those girls who was quite cute when she was angry, not that I liked making her that way.
"He seems like a decent enough guy, and I quite doubt that he's a legit bandit."
"Hello Deflorin! He's been hanging out with a bunch of brigands and harassing innocent villagers for the past month, doing nothing but causing us poor townsfolk nothing but trouble. Why could you possibly think he's any different?"
"He's quite well groomed and decent looking"
She rolled her eyes exaggeratedly and sat back, "So he's attractive? Great reasoning there."
"Yeah but most bandits aren't. They're vile, rank, ugly men who are usually creepy and have their clothing tatters. If Bart's an actual bandit then he's by far the best dressed and smelling bandit I've ever met. King of the bandits even! I honestly think he's just some kind of mercenary who was down on his luck and took an easy, incredibly well paying job that came his way."
Setangha rolled her eyes quite visibly at my argument, "Because that's much better than a bandit."
"I'm also pretty sure he's married. Ever met a married bandit before?" I pleaded with her, pushing aside my building annoyance.
"Married?" she sighed and shook her head, "Of course in a situation like interrogation you'd notice something like that."
"All I'm saying is the only jewelry he was wearing was a relatively simple looking wedding band on his ring finger. Plus when I hit on him he didn't seem interested."
Setangha just stared at me now like she couldn't believe what was coming out of my mouth. She took her time musing her next response, seemingly in deep thought until she finally answered me, "Just because someone isn't interested in you doesn't mean he's married."
She yelped suddenly when my leg kicked out under the table at her.
"Ok, ok I'm sorry! Jeez..." she lamented as she rubbed her wound. "Even you have to admit though, your arguments really aren't that persuasive."
I know before I said I would probably rework my story outline at this point, but I feel like I have enough direction for the next chapter or two that I shouldn't put off continuing when I feel my creative juices overflowing.
Lanouette, I can't thank you enough for this greatness you've bestowed upon me!
Chapter Count: 2/?
Word Count: 21558/120000
To celebrate here's an bit of conversation between Deflorin and her best friend, Setangha.
"Well, your whole plan is based on the sole fact that this Bartalomew guy is being honest with you. He could just be feeding us false information. He IS a bandit after all."
"I doubt it Seta, considering what I offered him for the info."
"What did you do now?" she sighed and took in a long drink of her stein.
"Well... we kind of need to stop by the stockades on our way out tonight..." I looked down and muttered as quickly and quietly as I could, "and break him out of there."
A spray of ale and coughing filled the air between us. I wiped the residue from my face with the bottom of my skirt.
"We have to what? Are you mad? Why would you even do that!" she yelled between gasps of air. Her face was a light hue of pink rage. She was one of those girls who was quite cute when she was angry, not that I liked making her that way.
"He seems like a decent enough guy, and I quite doubt that he's a legit bandit."
"Hello Deflorin! He's been hanging out with a bunch of brigands and harassing innocent villagers for the past month, doing nothing but causing us poor townsfolk nothing but trouble. Why could you possibly think he's any different?"
"He's quite well groomed and decent looking"
She rolled her eyes exaggeratedly and sat back, "So he's attractive? Great reasoning there."
"Yeah but most bandits aren't. They're vile, rank, ugly men who are usually creepy and have their clothing tatters. If Bart's an actual bandit then he's by far the best dressed and smelling bandit I've ever met. King of the bandits even! I honestly think he's just some kind of mercenary who was down on his luck and took an easy, incredibly well paying job that came his way."
Setangha rolled her eyes quite visibly at my argument, "Because that's much better than a bandit."
"I'm also pretty sure he's married. Ever met a married bandit before?" I pleaded with her, pushing aside my building annoyance.
"Married?" she sighed and shook her head, "Of course in a situation like interrogation you'd notice something like that."
"All I'm saying is the only jewelry he was wearing was a relatively simple looking wedding band on his ring finger. Plus when I hit on him he didn't seem interested."
Setangha just stared at me now like she couldn't believe what was coming out of my mouth. She took her time musing her next response, seemingly in deep thought until she finally answered me, "Just because someone isn't interested in you doesn't mean he's married."
She yelped suddenly when my leg kicked out under the table at her.
"Ok, ok I'm sorry! Jeez..." she lamented as she rubbed her wound. "Even you have to admit though, your arguments really aren't that persuasive."
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Interesting times & new directions
So the past few weeks have been an odd sort, ranging from productive to downright now that great. Had surgery on the 20th which wasn't so bad. Then there was visit to the ER because of problems related to said surgery which sucked. Much progress has been made since I last posted!
Chapter 2 is almost wrapped up and though I need to re-work the current conversation a bit it's coming along quite well. I'm excited because after this is an action scene and it's been quite a while since I've been able to do one (they're probably my best works). I also sort of fixed my own issue with having so much written out of my word goal total and feeling like I haven't made much progress on my overall story. I've decided in the interest of keeping the story simple to split up its current incarnation into two shorter novels with a shared overall plot, yet also having their own self-contained storylines. I feel that this way I'm able to convey the story without feeling either rushed because I had to cram everything into a small book or feel like I'm pushing the limits of possibly having it drawn out by having the story be so long. I think it's a happy compromise and feel like it's going to work really well and let me focus more.
I also yesterday received the laptop from my friend! I'm still so excited about it. I've pretty much gotten her set up at this point how I need it for writing. No Internet? Check. yWriter? Check. Automatic background changing program? Check! I still need to install a dictionary/thesaurus on it as well as grab copies of my Google doc works and put them on her, but the basics are there. I even got to take her out for a writing session today with the missus at Second Cup. I'll admit, I felt like a bit of a hipster being there writing while my wife read. It was so productive though, just as planned. Now for the big test tomorrow on the way to/at/on the way home from work. I'm thinking it's going to be awesome.
I am thinking once chapter 2 is officially done I'll re-work my story outline to better fit the new direction. But that's just me getting ahead of myself. Here's to a more productive, laptop writing future!
Now to just figure out what I'll name her...
Word count: 19586/120000 - 16.3%
Chapter 2 is almost wrapped up and though I need to re-work the current conversation a bit it's coming along quite well. I'm excited because after this is an action scene and it's been quite a while since I've been able to do one (they're probably my best works). I also sort of fixed my own issue with having so much written out of my word goal total and feeling like I haven't made much progress on my overall story. I've decided in the interest of keeping the story simple to split up its current incarnation into two shorter novels with a shared overall plot, yet also having their own self-contained storylines. I feel that this way I'm able to convey the story without feeling either rushed because I had to cram everything into a small book or feel like I'm pushing the limits of possibly having it drawn out by having the story be so long. I think it's a happy compromise and feel like it's going to work really well and let me focus more.
I also yesterday received the laptop from my friend! I'm still so excited about it. I've pretty much gotten her set up at this point how I need it for writing. No Internet? Check. yWriter? Check. Automatic background changing program? Check! I still need to install a dictionary/thesaurus on it as well as grab copies of my Google doc works and put them on her, but the basics are there. I even got to take her out for a writing session today with the missus at Second Cup. I'll admit, I felt like a bit of a hipster being there writing while my wife read. It was so productive though, just as planned. Now for the big test tomorrow on the way to/at/on the way home from work. I'm thinking it's going to be awesome.
I am thinking once chapter 2 is officially done I'll re-work my story outline to better fit the new direction. But that's just me getting ahead of myself. Here's to a more productive, laptop writing future!
Now to just figure out what I'll name her...
Word count: 19586/120000 - 16.3%
Sunday, May 15, 2011
... and scene!
17844/150000
Scene 2 of 3 1/2 for chapter 2 is complete, and it went incredibly well. Once I got the bandit character issue sorted out everything fell into place like a well played game of Tetris. It's sort of becoming intimidating though, because I'm pretty sure the last bits of this chapter are going to put me well above my chapter word goal of 10k per chapter. I'm not even really sure what that means, if anything. I know I've heard around that a lot of publishers tend to only look for 120-150kish words from a new writer, but I need to look into the whole thing more.
I think I'm probably just over thinking things and I'll be totally fine. Maybe rework my story outline? Best bet would probably be to get into some writing communities and find out whats what from them.
Definitely sounds like I've got a goal for the week!
Scene 2 of 3 1/2 for chapter 2 is complete, and it went incredibly well. Once I got the bandit character issue sorted out everything fell into place like a well played game of Tetris. It's sort of becoming intimidating though, because I'm pretty sure the last bits of this chapter are going to put me well above my chapter word goal of 10k per chapter. I'm not even really sure what that means, if anything. I know I've heard around that a lot of publishers tend to only look for 120-150kish words from a new writer, but I need to look into the whole thing more.
I think I'm probably just over thinking things and I'll be totally fine. Maybe rework my story outline? Best bet would probably be to get into some writing communities and find out whats what from them.
Definitely sounds like I've got a goal for the week!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Tally and things
17237/150000 as of waking this morning.
Not bad considering I only just started up again yesterday. Would be more if this scene wasn't such a pain. I'm pretty sure I'm on my third try at it and it still needs... something. I've got a decent enough framework but now need to reinforce it. I really don't know how within (or without) the bounds of my 'make a note and fix it up later' editing strategy. It's not like days after I'm thinking I need to go back and rewrite a whole scene. Just parts of what I'm writing at the moment, so I think I'm ok.
I'm still sorta baffled by how minor, nameless character has become a somewhat important named person who'll most likely be a recurring character later on, if not in RotDS then at least in another Demongate adventure. I think I have my wife to thank for that and not in a sarcastic way! She really gives me good ideas/advice/guidance for my writing sometimes.
Off to get more done now~
Not bad considering I only just started up again yesterday. Would be more if this scene wasn't such a pain. I'm pretty sure I'm on my third try at it and it still needs... something. I've got a decent enough framework but now need to reinforce it. I really don't know how within (or without) the bounds of my 'make a note and fix it up later' editing strategy. It's not like days after I'm thinking I need to go back and rewrite a whole scene. Just parts of what I'm writing at the moment, so I think I'm ok.
I'm still sorta baffled by how minor, nameless character has become a somewhat important named person who'll most likely be a recurring character later on, if not in RotDS then at least in another Demongate adventure. I think I have my wife to thank for that and not in a sarcastic way! She really gives me good ideas/advice/guidance for my writing sometimes.
Off to get more done now~
Friday, May 6, 2011
Return of the Dragonslayer - Character Profile 01: Deflorin
With the power of guts and courage I've managed to brave through all 57 episodes of GaoGaiGar and FINAL, and all I can say is holy crap. Hot blood and manly tears were shed!
And now we can finally move on. My good friend is giving me his old tablet next week and I can kick off the start of writing again with an effecient bang. In the mean time I have a fun little update today. See, half of the point of this blog is to post about the writing and documenting the process while the other half is to give out information and background about the story and world itself. It wont be limited to the current project either, mostly because I have ADD when it comes to working on something, and I figure it'll be far better to contribute to the overall works of Demongate than to go on an unrelated tangent. What better way to get you into the world than to bombard you with stuff about it I say!
So who better to begin this informative series with than one of the main protagonists from 'Return of the Dragonslayer'. The art is by my good friend Andy Kluthe (who's DeviantArt page is http://dejitarudavis.deviantart.com ). He's got an awesome variety of styles, and his current geek-pop culture comics are deliciously hilarious. Many thanks to him!
Name: Deflorin
Age: 44
Occupation: Proprietor and Head Wench of 'The Adventurer's End' Inn & Tavern
"While drying myself off I headed back to my room to complete my preparation for the day. After some arduous decisions in regards to my wardrobe for the day I made a decision: a cerulean pesant's skirt hemmed from full to knee length with a shortsleeved cotton blouse beneath a leather underbust corset. The last necessity to get on were my old, bulky adventurers boots. As per usual I needed to sit down on my bed to equip the thigh high monstrosities, but I'll be damned if they weren't the best pair of footwear I own. There's just something about the level of quality and comfort put into a boot that's meant for walking across the continent, back, and fighting hordes of enemies along the way that can't even be compared to something made for farming or just looking fashionable. I caught a glance of myself in my full length mirror with the towel still draped over my hair. The terry cloth barely covered the raven mane that trailed down to just beyond the curve of my bottom, which says a lot of its length considering I stand a few inches over six feet tall. Emerald eyes that easily rivaled the stone on my ornate golden neckpiece gazed back at me, showing more wisdom than I felt I had. I might not be as fit as I used to be but if the worst of what I have to show for it is some wrinkles, the occasional soreness, a few battle scars in plain sight (and an equal number hidden by clothing) and a squashed nose that's been broken a few too many times I can't be doing too bad."
10 years ago Deflorin settled down at a little crossroads settlement called Baraduke. After retiring from a youth of adventuring she now leads a normal, pleasant life living her dream of being ordinary serving girl at an incredibly popular drinking establishment. That's the impression she gives most of the travellers who come through her bar. Of course most people who've gotten to know her well don't believe it. Despite her age and carefree demenor she often gives the impression that she isn't someone to mess with, and for good reason. Deflorin's more than done her fair share of things to convince people she's trouble. Often times it's small things; stopping a cut-purse in the market, helping her bouncer throw out trouble starting mercs from her bar, things like that. And then there's the odd things that involve her that really make one wonder, like the stories of her heroic deeds during the defense of Baraduke during the Second Demon Invasion or the business trips she goes where she comes back with nothing more than a few goods and mending wounds. Despite the fact her warrior past never truely died, the secret of that past itself is
She's a very caring and protective person, especially when it comes to those who are close to her. Trust is the most important thing to her, almost more so than living her dream. She does everything in her power to make sure that those two things are maintained her her life.
And now we can finally move on. My good friend is giving me his old tablet next week and I can kick off the start of writing again with an effecient bang. In the mean time I have a fun little update today. See, half of the point of this blog is to post about the writing and documenting the process while the other half is to give out information and background about the story and world itself. It wont be limited to the current project either, mostly because I have ADD when it comes to working on something, and I figure it'll be far better to contribute to the overall works of Demongate than to go on an unrelated tangent. What better way to get you into the world than to bombard you with stuff about it I say!
So who better to begin this informative series with than one of the main protagonists from 'Return of the Dragonslayer'. The art is by my good friend Andy Kluthe (who's DeviantArt page is http://dejitarudavis.deviantart.com ). He's got an awesome variety of styles, and his current geek-pop culture comics are deliciously hilarious. Many thanks to him!
Name: Deflorin
Age: 44
Occupation: Proprietor and Head Wench of 'The Adventurer's End' Inn & Tavern
"While drying myself off I headed back to my room to complete my preparation for the day. After some arduous decisions in regards to my wardrobe for the day I made a decision: a cerulean pesant's skirt hemmed from full to knee length with a shortsleeved cotton blouse beneath a leather underbust corset. The last necessity to get on were my old, bulky adventurers boots. As per usual I needed to sit down on my bed to equip the thigh high monstrosities, but I'll be damned if they weren't the best pair of footwear I own. There's just something about the level of quality and comfort put into a boot that's meant for walking across the continent, back, and fighting hordes of enemies along the way that can't even be compared to something made for farming or just looking fashionable. I caught a glance of myself in my full length mirror with the towel still draped over my hair. The terry cloth barely covered the raven mane that trailed down to just beyond the curve of my bottom, which says a lot of its length considering I stand a few inches over six feet tall. Emerald eyes that easily rivaled the stone on my ornate golden neckpiece gazed back at me, showing more wisdom than I felt I had. I might not be as fit as I used to be but if the worst of what I have to show for it is some wrinkles, the occasional soreness, a few battle scars in plain sight (and an equal number hidden by clothing) and a squashed nose that's been broken a few too many times I can't be doing too bad."
10 years ago Deflorin settled down at a little crossroads settlement called Baraduke. After retiring from a youth of adventuring she now leads a normal, pleasant life living her dream of being ordinary serving girl at an incredibly popular drinking establishment. That's the impression she gives most of the travellers who come through her bar. Of course most people who've gotten to know her well don't believe it. Despite her age and carefree demenor she often gives the impression that she isn't someone to mess with, and for good reason. Deflorin's more than done her fair share of things to convince people she's trouble. Often times it's small things; stopping a cut-purse in the market, helping her bouncer throw out trouble starting mercs from her bar, things like that. And then there's the odd things that involve her that really make one wonder, like the stories of her heroic deeds during the defense of Baraduke during the Second Demon Invasion or the business trips she goes where she comes back with nothing more than a few goods and mending wounds. Despite the fact her warrior past never truely died, the secret of that past itself is
She's a very caring and protective person, especially when it comes to those who are close to her. Trust is the most important thing to her, almost more so than living her dream. She does everything in her power to make sure that those two things are maintained her her life.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Word count
16810/150000
This should definitely improve once I get this laptop issue resolved, which may be a lot sooner than I thought since one of my close friends offered me his old tablet. Also need to finish this GaoGaiGar marathon. 29/49 on that, so that wont take much longer I think. Yay progress!
This should definitely improve once I get this laptop issue resolved, which may be a lot sooner than I thought since one of my close friends offered me his old tablet. Also need to finish this GaoGaiGar marathon. 29/49 on that, so that wont take much longer I think. Yay progress!
Distractions
So I'm here in Montreal, helping some friends move this weekend. That's not the reason I've been not writing though. Marathonning GaoGaiGar is. On the plus side in the past few days I've made it to episode 24/49 so I'm burning through it, but it's at the cost of not being able to do my bus writing. Yeah I could balance it out, but then I feel like I'd be doing 2 things half assed which is something heroes never do!
Good news though! In a few weeks I'm going to my dad's place for the long weekend and he's going to help me get my old laptop working again! Which means hardcore writing can begin! Bwahaha. With the rebirth of Seraphrim as Sera Apocrypha I shall be unstoppable.
That's the theory at least. Time will tell. Word count update later when I get home.
Good news though! In a few weeks I'm going to my dad's place for the long weekend and he's going to help me get my old laptop working again! Which means hardcore writing can begin! Bwahaha. With the rebirth of Seraphrim as Sera Apocrypha I shall be unstoppable.
That's the theory at least. Time will tell. Word count update later when I get home.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Not enough time in a day
This is the main problem I've been having lately. Hell, I've always had this issue. Not that I really am but I always just try to be effecient with my time. This usually means things like reading, playing Ds or writing are usually reserved for my bus rides to and from work, as well as on break. It really isn't efficient to say the least. This wasn't so bad when I was heavily focused on my writing like I was back in Nov/Dec. It's not to say that I'm not motivated but sometimes I just don't have the drive to put thoughts on paper. Notepad. Whatever. At least I'm actually writing right now, whatever it is.
It only really bothers me because I know a huge deterrant for me lately is my phones internet access. Hell, throw in having to primarily type on a phone as a main issue too. It's SUCH a pain, but it works. Stupid Internet addiction. I've been a bit better lately (wrote a fair bit yesterday, writing this right now), but who knows how long that'll last.
There's also the issue of non-story related ideas cropping up, but that's become less of an issue as it was in the past. I used to be quite 'flavor of the month' with what I worked on. At least now if I get an 'OMG greatest idea everrrs' idea I'm realistic about it. That awesome groundbreaking game idea I have wont come to fruition, nor will my new take on mecha anime idea come to fruition. This novel IS possible, so it takes precidence. That's what I keep telling myself anyways.
I think I just need to get a crappy old laptop with no Internet connection and set aside 45m a day period on top on my bus/break writing to write. That would solve like... All my problems. I need to look into this.
Word count: 15000some. Haven't updated my yWriter file in a bit. I'll find out later
"You know, who's to say there's even going to be an attack?"
"Could just be another trick."
"I'd rather be ready for an attack and have a quiet night then be caught unawares!"
"Yeah!"
Frustration showed blatantly on Arnval's face as he rubbed his temples. With a raised voice he spoke above the conversation, "Thank the Fae that we can trust lady Deflorin not to spread this rumor and incite panic."
Everyone else was suddenly silent in embarassment.
"It's ok captain. Most here just think of me as one of the guys because I can keep up with any of them in the bar or battlefield. Not their fault that their manlyness pales to my own," I said with a provoking grin and a sip of my ale. "In all seriousness though, is the rumor true?"
It only really bothers me because I know a huge deterrant for me lately is my phones internet access. Hell, throw in having to primarily type on a phone as a main issue too. It's SUCH a pain, but it works. Stupid Internet addiction. I've been a bit better lately (wrote a fair bit yesterday, writing this right now), but who knows how long that'll last.
There's also the issue of non-story related ideas cropping up, but that's become less of an issue as it was in the past. I used to be quite 'flavor of the month' with what I worked on. At least now if I get an 'OMG greatest idea everrrs' idea I'm realistic about it. That awesome groundbreaking game idea I have wont come to fruition, nor will my new take on mecha anime idea come to fruition. This novel IS possible, so it takes precidence. That's what I keep telling myself anyways.
I think I just need to get a crappy old laptop with no Internet connection and set aside 45m a day period on top on my bus/break writing to write. That would solve like... All my problems. I need to look into this.
Word count: 15000some. Haven't updated my yWriter file in a bit. I'll find out later
"You know, who's to say there's even going to be an attack?"
"Could just be another trick."
"I'd rather be ready for an attack and have a quiet night then be caught unawares!"
"Yeah!"
Frustration showed blatantly on Arnval's face as he rubbed his temples. With a raised voice he spoke above the conversation, "Thank the Fae that we can trust lady Deflorin not to spread this rumor and incite panic."
Everyone else was suddenly silent in embarassment.
"It's ok captain. Most here just think of me as one of the guys because I can keep up with any of them in the bar or battlefield. Not their fault that their manlyness pales to my own," I said with a provoking grin and a sip of my ale. "In all seriousness though, is the rumor true?"
Friday, April 1, 2011
Where to begin?
I've always found first posts to be awkward and weird to write. I'm assuming that this one is going to end up like that so let's just get it out of the way so we can move on~
As long as I can remember I've wanted to write for a living. I've wanted to making something that people yearned to know and read more about. I've spent over a decade forming this world/universe/setting that I've come to refer to as 'Demongate'. It's had many incarnations, branches, changes and retcons over the years until it's become what it is now. Seriously. It's been everything from a little world for my own 'character of the month' characters I've made up over the years to a crappy little game, to a full on RPG adventure, to short stories, to a board game, to attempts at a novel. Though some have been long abandoned, some put on hold and some just stashed away to harvest ideas from later they've all shaped Demongate into what it is today, which is a high-fantasy, demonic apocalyptic war. Sure, there's still lots more work that can be done to it, but it's stable enough that I can comfortably work from it and expand as needed as I write.
So why am I here? Because I feel like it's finally time to do something with the worlds I've crafted. I've written before but it was always a sort of casual "Oh man I sooo am gonna write a novel in my spare time for fun" way. It rarely went well. Actually, that's not totally true. "The Falling Shadows", my first solid attempt at a novel, actually lasted for quite a while. I had around 10 chapters written. It was great, everyone who read it said it was the bomb. I was king of the world.
Then I let my girlfriend at the time (who I'm now married to) have a go at editing it. That was the single most devastating and helpful thing I'd ever done for my writing. She was absolutely blunt, brutal, tore it apart, but every part of it was constructive. It helped me learn a lot about myself as a writer, and pushed me to better myself. So I had the great idea of going back and power-rewriting everything I had done for the story already to make it better. Then I burned out and haven't touched it in years. I have looked back at it and sort of looked at it just to kind of see how I'd progressed and good lord what a train wreck TFS was. Seriously. I mean... not that I'm claiming to be an awesome pro writer now, but I was really not that great. I had a lot of decent ideas but it was executed worse than a heretic with a dull axe. Time passes and I write, plot, plan and get better at writing.
That brings us to where I am now: attempting to write my first real I'm being super serious this time guys novel 'Demongate: Return of the Dragonslayer'.
So why am I here? Because I not only want to get better at writing, but I also want to meet other writers who're in the same boat as I. I figured starting a writing blog would be a good way to do so. Not that I actually know anything about writing blogs, what they're for, or what goes in them. I figure at the very least it'll be a way to drum up some interest in the story so if I ever do finish it there'll be some people who'll want to buy it. I guess in the end it doesn't matter what a proper writing blog is, what matters is what doing this does for me. I want this blog to be a place where I can gush about the story, post exerts, talk about things I'm trying, things I'm learning, information about the Demongate universe, characters, etc and get feedback.
So we'll see how it goes.
I feel like I've rambled enough, so I guess I'll leave you with a little bit from the opening scene in RotDS. If anything it'll probably be confusing since you have no idea at all anything about the story or world, but you have to start somewhere. Plus it's nice and actiony, so that's a plus.
'I sailed as best I could through the sea of on looking patrons. Among them was my young co-worker Juel staring like a demon caught in Holy light. It was an almost comedic tableau seeing her gape helplessly mid serving, and it was so very her. With little hesitation I took advantage of her frozen panic, grabbing her serving tray and pitcher with an avoiding twirl around her. A less experienced server would have spilled ale with such a bold move, but I've been doing this sort of thing since before some of my younger clients had even been born. Time was slipping away while I closed the gap and the crowd became more hectic towards the nexus. The mercenaries were poised to attack the defenseless farmhand as he tried his best to scramble away. I had to act now. My teeth ground together in determination and with a blink my concentration and focus swelled. I felt like a literal haze of rage was bleeding into my vision but I could now see everything in absolute detail. My grip tightened around the pitcher's handle and let it fly.
Now let me tell you, maybe I'm just morbid but the sound of Dwarven ceramics crunching bone is incredibly satisfying.'
Until the next time~
As long as I can remember I've wanted to write for a living. I've wanted to making something that people yearned to know and read more about. I've spent over a decade forming this world/universe/setting that I've come to refer to as 'Demongate'. It's had many incarnations, branches, changes and retcons over the years until it's become what it is now. Seriously. It's been everything from a little world for my own 'character of the month' characters I've made up over the years to a crappy little game, to a full on RPG adventure, to short stories, to a board game, to attempts at a novel. Though some have been long abandoned, some put on hold and some just stashed away to harvest ideas from later they've all shaped Demongate into what it is today, which is a high-fantasy, demonic apocalyptic war. Sure, there's still lots more work that can be done to it, but it's stable enough that I can comfortably work from it and expand as needed as I write.
So why am I here? Because I feel like it's finally time to do something with the worlds I've crafted. I've written before but it was always a sort of casual "Oh man I sooo am gonna write a novel in my spare time for fun" way. It rarely went well. Actually, that's not totally true. "The Falling Shadows", my first solid attempt at a novel, actually lasted for quite a while. I had around 10 chapters written. It was great, everyone who read it said it was the bomb. I was king of the world.
Then I let my girlfriend at the time (who I'm now married to) have a go at editing it. That was the single most devastating and helpful thing I'd ever done for my writing. She was absolutely blunt, brutal, tore it apart, but every part of it was constructive. It helped me learn a lot about myself as a writer, and pushed me to better myself. So I had the great idea of going back and power-rewriting everything I had done for the story already to make it better. Then I burned out and haven't touched it in years. I have looked back at it and sort of looked at it just to kind of see how I'd progressed and good lord what a train wreck TFS was. Seriously. I mean... not that I'm claiming to be an awesome pro writer now, but I was really not that great. I had a lot of decent ideas but it was executed worse than a heretic with a dull axe. Time passes and I write, plot, plan and get better at writing.
That brings us to where I am now: attempting to write my first real I'm being super serious this time guys novel 'Demongate: Return of the Dragonslayer'.
So why am I here? Because I not only want to get better at writing, but I also want to meet other writers who're in the same boat as I. I figured starting a writing blog would be a good way to do so. Not that I actually know anything about writing blogs, what they're for, or what goes in them. I figure at the very least it'll be a way to drum up some interest in the story so if I ever do finish it there'll be some people who'll want to buy it. I guess in the end it doesn't matter what a proper writing blog is, what matters is what doing this does for me. I want this blog to be a place where I can gush about the story, post exerts, talk about things I'm trying, things I'm learning, information about the Demongate universe, characters, etc and get feedback.
So we'll see how it goes.
I feel like I've rambled enough, so I guess I'll leave you with a little bit from the opening scene in RotDS. If anything it'll probably be confusing since you have no idea at all anything about the story or world, but you have to start somewhere. Plus it's nice and actiony, so that's a plus.
'I sailed as best I could through the sea of on looking patrons. Among them was my young co-worker Juel staring like a demon caught in Holy light. It was an almost comedic tableau seeing her gape helplessly mid serving, and it was so very her. With little hesitation I took advantage of her frozen panic, grabbing her serving tray and pitcher with an avoiding twirl around her. A less experienced server would have spilled ale with such a bold move, but I've been doing this sort of thing since before some of my younger clients had even been born. Time was slipping away while I closed the gap and the crowd became more hectic towards the nexus. The mercenaries were poised to attack the defenseless farmhand as he tried his best to scramble away. I had to act now. My teeth ground together in determination and with a blink my concentration and focus swelled. I felt like a literal haze of rage was bleeding into my vision but I could now see everything in absolute detail. My grip tightened around the pitcher's handle and let it fly.
Now let me tell you, maybe I'm just morbid but the sound of Dwarven ceramics crunching bone is incredibly satisfying.'
Until the next time~
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