Realization

So, I've think I figured out why I have been in a slump lately. The scene I was trying to write was not coming out. I did write something else to help my creativity flow, but still I was stuck I did some thinking on the scene I was trying to write and realized it was pointless to my story. Anything crucial in the scene could be added to the next one. So, sometimes my block is my intuition telling me something is wrong. Though I'll admit, sometimes it's just laziness and getting distracted by other things.

Gaming Humor

I may or may not have mentioned this before, but I am a HUGE role-player. I love the character development and stories. Hmm, yeah I think I remember mentioning this before. Anyway, I have found a funny list, with true points to my life on it, such as numbers five through eight. Seven and eight are reasons I fail on the Mary Sue Test.


Anyway, for any gamers here's the list. It's a little log, but funny.

This Planet Earth

So after reading Visions of Magic I've thought about world building. This is pretty important in story telling. Though background and world building may never be fully introduced into the story, it is good to work out how your fantasy elements fit in the world. Research is needed to see how the world works. For instance if the government is involved, then you would need to know how the government works.

World building has always come easy for me. I love to lay back and imagine the little things that happen in back story. I get excited when I figure out how vampires came into being. I love reading mythology and incorporating it in my reality's creation. This is one of my favorite part of writing.

What is your thoughts on world building. Do you love it or hate it?

Slump

I have hit my midway slump in my novel. Maybe because of this, or because of other things in my life I am feeling unimaginative, and just kind of bleh. I've been looking at things to pull myself through it, reading, inspirations, ect. I know I just need to sit down and do it.

I've heard meditation helps focus. So, starting Monday I'm going to sit down, meditate, and write. I still want to have this draft done by the end of summer.

Now in Japan

Uploaded by crystalliness

So I watched a couple of the episodes, it looks nice. However they have been using different episodes for different seasons. The fist episode is about the first shape shifter they run across while the second is an episode from season three. Let's just say the writers used a lot for creative licensing. I will watch some more and see how it is.

Inspiration

I've decided that I will update my blog every Thursday.

Now, on to more important topics. Inspiration. I was watching a fan made video for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. It is one of the best I've seen. I really reminded my how the two shows influenced my current story. Since A PRESCRIPTION FOR DELIRIUM is based around a group of supernatural hunters, these two shows helped shape it into what it is now. As did the first five seasons of Supernatural (The show ended after season five. I refuse to believe there is a season six) and of course Dracula. Anyway, I'm going to leave you with two great clips. The first is the Buffy/Angel clip and a fan made clip from Supernatural.

Made by carsmellborp

Made by July83rose 

I'm also leaving you with a question. What inspires you?

The Wizard Dresden

So, I'm currently reader the Dresden Files. I know, I'm behind the times and I'm taking a break from my reading challenge. (I've finished two on the Challenge list so far). However, I'm really liking Jim Butcher's series.

First, I love magic in modern times. So, reading about a kick-ass wizard in modern day is like candy for me, especially chocolate. I really connect with Harry, too. Yes he can be a self-righteous prick, but he tries to do what is best for the people he cares about, even if it may kill him. He is very human to me. Plus, I like stories about character with lots of power fighting high powered adversaries.

His monsters are monsters. Yes, they pretend to be human at times, but in the end they don't understand human emotions and some don't care to even try. Harry noted this about Mab, in Summer Knight. I have a problem with a majority of Urban Fantasy humanizing a lot of supernatural creatures as of late. It good to see some books don't follow that trend.

It reminds me a lot of the early Anita Blake books, which I loved in my teenage years. All in all, if you have not read them I highly suggest these books.

This is how some people think

A Pirate's Life For Me!

I've been a little lax on my blogging. Currently, because a character idea for a role playing game I'm in has been filling my head. She's also taken my writing time away, which is bad, but I will catch up. I'm going to play a pirate.

Role playing is a lot like writing, except it's a collaboration between players and the Game Master (or storyteller, depending on what you play). Characters who come off the paper are just as important in games as in books. If you care for your character enough, you laugh with them, feel their fear, and cry for them. I'd been struggling with my last character who refused to step off the paper. My struggle grew from dislike to hate and I couldn't stand her anymore. So, I made someone new. I look forward to my next game session when I get to join the adventure!

Writing Communities

I've joined Book Country.A writing community set up by the folks at Penguin. For those of you who are fellow writers this is a great place to be. You can read and critique others stories and have your own critiqued. Mine is no where near ready but I enjoy finding gems. The genre map is nifty. That's right, I said nifty. Once you take a look you'll see why.

Another site that helped me tremendous is Absolute Write. The writer boards have so much good information and helpful people. I even joined a critique group until I had to leave due to schedule conflicts.

These are just two of the great resources you can find on the web. Anyone have others they'd like to share?

Antagonistic Villainy

The villain. The main bad guy. Joker to Batman. Lex Luther to Superman. The Antagonist is every story. Or is he? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an antagonist as “one that contends with or opposes another; Adversary; Opponent.” A villain is defined as “a deliberate scoundrel or criminal; a character in a story or play who opposes the hero; one blamed for a particular evil or difficulty.” So while every villain is an antagonist not every antagonist is a villain.

For instance, an angry mob after the protagonist because they believe he committed crimes actually perpetrated by the villain would be an antagonist. The mob isn’t sided with the villain but still provides an obstacle the protagonist faces. 

The villain, on the other hand, is the main bad guy. We should see plenty of this character, or his machinations, throughout the book. This does not mean he should show up, laugh evilly, and swoop away before the protagonist can do anything. It can only be small instances that you hear about the villain or someone you thought normal in the beginning turns out to be the villain. Your story should have clues throughout  to point to that person as the villain.

Villain or not, the antagonist must present a challenge the protagonist overcome. There needs to be tension and the stakes must be high. If the reader doesn’t feel there is a chance the protagonist will fail then they will most likely grow bored. I have heard this lead to books being tossed across the room.

So in the interest of prevent novel abuse, make sure that you protagonist is hung from a tall tree and have plenty of rocks to throw at him.

In the Beginning

After years of improving my writing skill, I felt it’s time to start up my blog.  I will be posting my road to publication. It will include my experiences in writing, revising, seeking representation as well as other interesting things I learn. 

I write urban fantasy. The combination of the fantastical in the modern age appeals to my imagination. I fell in love with the genre when I turned sixteen. I have published a short story in a Paranormal Romance Anthology called “Paramourtal.” It can be found here: http://www.cliffhangerbooks.com/.

Alright, back to my revision and making my daily word count.