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Having finished chapter 17 of what I plan to be a 22 chapter book, I'm feeling good. Only 5 more chapters to go! The closer to the end that I get, the more excited I become. This book has come along much faster than my first, which I am grateful for. And I can't wait to finish it. Having another book finished leaves only one more to go. While I plan on trying to leave it open to expand, afterward (other than editing) I will be moving on to something else. What that is yet, I have no idea. But for now, I am able to totally devote myself to my Elementi Series. Finishing the first book felt great, but somehow this is even bigger. Having two full novels under my belt just seems so much better! I think this time is different because not only was it a more continuous effort, but I'm getting closer to finishing a series (trilogy) instead of just one book.
If I haven't said this before, this second novel will not wrap up this storyline. Instead, it will lead to something even bigger. I should probably stop here, so in my excitement I don't give too much away. Sorry, but this post is going to jump around a bit since my brain is so scattered.
So, I can hope that in 5 more weeks, I will have another complete draft. As for the third book, the title is likely to change since the focus of that novel is going to switch a little. I will still include the storyline I was planning on before, but there will just be a whole new element that I hadn't thought of before.
And remember, if you want to stay up to date with what I'm doing and even get little snippets while I'm working on the chapters, keep an eye out on my twitter page and my facebook page. If you want to know as soon as a new chapter is up, subscribe to "The Dark Within (The Elementi Series: Book Two)" forum. Keep checking the website for new additions and changes. Just because I only post the cumulative updates on Friday, doesn't mean there isn't stuff going on throughout the week!
If I haven't said this before, this second novel will not wrap up this storyline. Instead, it will lead to something even bigger. I should probably stop here, so in my excitement I don't give too much away. Sorry, but this post is going to jump around a bit since my brain is so scattered.
So, I can hope that in 5 more weeks, I will have another complete draft. As for the third book, the title is likely to change since the focus of that novel is going to switch a little. I will still include the storyline I was planning on before, but there will just be a whole new element that I hadn't thought of before.
And remember, if you want to stay up to date with what I'm doing and even get little snippets while I'm working on the chapters, keep an eye out on my twitter page and my facebook page. If you want to know as soon as a new chapter is up, subscribe to "The Dark Within (The Elementi Series: Book Two)" forum. Keep checking the website for new additions and changes. Just because I only post the cumulative updates on Friday, doesn't mean there isn't stuff going on throughout the week!
While I am sick and mostly stuck in bed (which is why I am only getting to blog and update the site now), I am still really excited about the ideas that are coming to me. The remaining (7) chapters will contain more hints of things to come in this and the third book. The name of the second book will be even more closely tied to these later events (both in a figurative and literal sense) and is both a bit of a clue and a warning.
The third book will be changed in big ways from what I had originally thought. But that's okay. Of course, it means the title is most likely to change and I will have to agonize over that even more. In the end, I hope it is for the better. While things will change, a lot will still stay the same. The Legendary Race will still be part of it and a lot of events should be able to stay the same. The one large thing that will change though, is the dynamic between the current "good" guys and "bad" guys. Of course, I hope I do it well enough not to disappoint, but I guess only time will tell.
The third book will be changed in big ways from what I had originally thought. But that's okay. Of course, it means the title is most likely to change and I will have to agonize over that even more. In the end, I hope it is for the better. While things will change, a lot will still stay the same. The Legendary Race will still be part of it and a lot of events should be able to stay the same. The one large thing that will change though, is the dynamic between the current "good" guys and "bad" guys. Of course, I hope I do it well enough not to disappoint, but I guess only time will tell.
I have 3 more characters to add, so here they are:
In the first post (with the rest of the characters from Foreseen), I didn't have a Gethin, but after a bit of a search, I found this picture of Chow Yun Fat in Pirates of the Caribbean and he seems to be a close match to what I envision he would look like. Especially with the forked mustache.
Next up, we move on to the second book, The Dark Within. Here's a close match to what I imagine Onisepla might look like. This picture of Dominic Purcell shows a strong man. I always pictured Onisepla a bit paler and maybe with a tiny bit more hair, but it is close.
Lastly, I have to give a shout out to my favorite show, Supernatural. Granger was slightly modeled a bit after Dean, the character Jensen Ackles plays in that show, and he is a perfect fit for Granger. With his dark blonde hair, green eyes, and looks to attract the ladies, there could be no other.
I should hopefully have another one of these sometime in the future to cover other characters (like Dax, whom I can't seem to find a fit for). Again, I'd love it if readers shared their picks for the characters. So, if you have something, please let me know.
I should hopefully have another one of these sometime in the future to cover other characters (like Dax, whom I can't seem to find a fit for). Again, I'd love it if readers shared their picks for the characters. So, if you have something, please let me know.
I finished half of chapter 15 yesterday (with 2,228 words). So far, it consists of Ryker and Medwin's incident that poor Awena had a vision of in the last chapter. For the second scene (which will complete the chapter), I have no idea what I want to do. There are possibilities to do a scene for just about any character at the moment. Usually there is some clear cut POV (Point of View), but as of yet, I have nothing. For me, the middle of my stories seem to be the hardest. The beginning is new, fresh, and exciting. At the start, there is a clear vision of what I'm doing, how I'm going to start the story off. The ending is pretty much the same. I'm excited to be nearing the finish line and it's so close I can taste it. Plus, the ending always has something exciting waiting around the corner to end with and it seems to come easy enough. But to fill the middle with exciting plot points to get from A to B can leave one a little lost. I can tell you right now that I am terrible at trying to fill the pages with enough to get me to a complete novel. I tend to summarize instead of drawing things out, which makes it even harder. In the middle of a novel I think "How in the world am I going to find enough material to fill that many more chapters?" I'm not sure how I did it the first time and this time seems to be even worse. I feel like my plot is sagging and sometimes disappearing altogether. I don't think the "winging it" is working to well for me anymore. Planning scene to scene, chapter to chapter has left me leaving the big picture behind.
Moving off in another direction...Somehow between paragraphs, an idea just come to me, which I must write down. They seem to come at the oddest times and never when I have anything to write them down with! It's not something that I haven't thought of before, but it is something that I had forgotten about. I probably do have it written down somewhere, lost within my sloppy notes. Things like this do happen often. My ideas usually come from the most unlikely of places, which I don't think is too unusual for writers (or even any other person). So now I might have something to work off of and this post might not be a total waste after all!
A particular piece of this scene has been a bit of a touchy subject for me. A lot of times I tend to write myself into corners a bit, a part of my brain thinking further ahead than the others, leaving the rest to pick up the pieces and figure out how to fix the mistakes such haste creates. Awena has always been a wild card since I added her to the second story. I didn't plan on keeping here for long, but there she still is. Then of course there is her visions. Now, if I used her to stop any bad things from befalling them, that would be a bit boring and an easy way out. But I proved a few chapters back that I wasn't about to use her as an easy out. Deciding when to use her visions can be tough. If I use them too much it becomes trite. And of course by all this blabber you might have figured out that my idea stems from her visions. Which is why I have so far not used this particular idea just yet. But I think it is time to pull it out and dust it off. In turn, it will create a bit of a domino effect. Of course, I don't want to go too into detail, but this one vision (and their reaction) will continue on down through the rest of this book and into the next. So, as I think about it, I'm really excited and now have renewed motivation to keep me heading toward that finish line.
Just a quick note. If I continue as I am, I do see this book being complete within another two or maybe three months (I need to make sure to leave a little wiggle room!). Might not seem all that soon to some people, but for someone whose first book took years and not months, it is a vast improvement. And knowing how far I've come oppose to have far I have yet to go, is exhilarating. Maybe I can complete the third one even faster!
Moving off in another direction...Somehow between paragraphs, an idea just come to me, which I must write down. They seem to come at the oddest times and never when I have anything to write them down with! It's not something that I haven't thought of before, but it is something that I had forgotten about. I probably do have it written down somewhere, lost within my sloppy notes. Things like this do happen often. My ideas usually come from the most unlikely of places, which I don't think is too unusual for writers (or even any other person). So now I might have something to work off of and this post might not be a total waste after all!
A particular piece of this scene has been a bit of a touchy subject for me. A lot of times I tend to write myself into corners a bit, a part of my brain thinking further ahead than the others, leaving the rest to pick up the pieces and figure out how to fix the mistakes such haste creates. Awena has always been a wild card since I added her to the second story. I didn't plan on keeping here for long, but there she still is. Then of course there is her visions. Now, if I used her to stop any bad things from befalling them, that would be a bit boring and an easy way out. But I proved a few chapters back that I wasn't about to use her as an easy out. Deciding when to use her visions can be tough. If I use them too much it becomes trite. And of course by all this blabber you might have figured out that my idea stems from her visions. Which is why I have so far not used this particular idea just yet. But I think it is time to pull it out and dust it off. In turn, it will create a bit of a domino effect. Of course, I don't want to go too into detail, but this one vision (and their reaction) will continue on down through the rest of this book and into the next. So, as I think about it, I'm really excited and now have renewed motivation to keep me heading toward that finish line.
Just a quick note. If I continue as I am, I do see this book being complete within another two or maybe three months (I need to make sure to leave a little wiggle room!). Might not seem all that soon to some people, but for someone whose first book took years and not months, it is a vast improvement. And knowing how far I've come oppose to have far I have yet to go, is exhilarating. Maybe I can complete the third one even faster!
As you can probably tell, I'm a pretty bad blogger. My blog posts are usually pretty few and far between. The problem is, when there actually might be something to blog about, I tend to forget about it before I can get the chance. That and, I don't think anyone is really all that interested to hear about my everyday boring as hell life. And the things people might find a little juicer are a little bit too personal/private to put on here. So, I'm left with a very sad and emaciated blog. But still, here I am, trying my best. There is at least one good thing; I am becoming a bit of a better Facebooker. I usually try to post SOMETHING a few times a week. After seeing some of the other things people put up, I don't feel so bad telling everyone about my turkey burger that tasted like feet or even my one from this morning complaining about stupid people repeatedly calling me. Maybe if I try a little harder I can find something more interesting for the masses. But I make no promises. I’m pretty boring!
I do have a Myspace page, but don't go on there at all. It seems to have become a little chaotic, where Facebook is slightly sleeker. I do not have a twitter page and have not decided one way or the other on that subject. For now, I am a Facebooker, but who knows what tomorrow will bring. I am happier with my shorter ramblings, feeling that a line for a blog post is a bit too pathetic. If I'm going to blog about something, I'm sure going to try and write more than two words. But after usually writing 5,000 words during the week, plus whatever notes I might make in my notebook, my own words run from my head before I can even think them. But this week there is no new chapter, so I figured I should at least give a new blog post.
So, if it isn't obvious by now, check out my Facebook Page. Not much there, but some input wouldn't help to let me know what to do to spruce the place up a bit. And if you somehow missed the shameless groveling in my news post last week, register to my forum if you haven't done so already. It's quick and will give you access to a butt load of things. This includes a forum arcade with over 60 games at the moment, my novels, a personal photo gallery, posting abilities, a chat room, and a whole lot more. Just go to the forum and click the "register" link at the top. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask. You can use the contact link at the top of the forum, post in the technical help/suggestions forum, e-mail me, or however else you wish to. No question is too stupid, so don't be shy. Now, it’s time to go until I blog again the next time I have something to blabber about!
I do have a Myspace page, but don't go on there at all. It seems to have become a little chaotic, where Facebook is slightly sleeker. I do not have a twitter page and have not decided one way or the other on that subject. For now, I am a Facebooker, but who knows what tomorrow will bring. I am happier with my shorter ramblings, feeling that a line for a blog post is a bit too pathetic. If I'm going to blog about something, I'm sure going to try and write more than two words. But after usually writing 5,000 words during the week, plus whatever notes I might make in my notebook, my own words run from my head before I can even think them. But this week there is no new chapter, so I figured I should at least give a new blog post.
So, if it isn't obvious by now, check out my Facebook Page. Not much there, but some input wouldn't help to let me know what to do to spruce the place up a bit. And if you somehow missed the shameless groveling in my news post last week, register to my forum if you haven't done so already. It's quick and will give you access to a butt load of things. This includes a forum arcade with over 60 games at the moment, my novels, a personal photo gallery, posting abilities, a chat room, and a whole lot more. Just go to the forum and click the "register" link at the top. If you need any help, don't hesitate to ask. You can use the contact link at the top of the forum, post in the technical help/suggestions forum, e-mail me, or however else you wish to. No question is too stupid, so don't be shy. Now, it’s time to go until I blog again the next time I have something to blabber about!
Different people have different writing styles. Some have to plan out every detail and make sure the story they write sticks to the plan. On the other side of the spectrum, some will just wing it and see what happens. I think of myself as some where in between the two. I do a bit of planning before I begin writing, but not too far in depth. This includes most of the big things, like knowing some of the major plot points and at least having some idea what the ending is going to be like (the bad guy is killed by the good guy). As I write though, things tend to have a mind of their own. This means that something I might have planned will have to change. Usually, there are no major changes, but you never really know how far off the path I will veer from the original plan. Most of the time though, I make things up as I go along. Things just seem to connect and ideas pop into my head. And sometimes it's a bit like the lottery, trying to pick the right option when I get to a place where things can go in different directions. A lot of the time, I know whats going to happen just as much as any of my readers do (and am sometimes just as surprised).
When things change, sometimes they mean rethinking my plans and sometimes they can even make the path of my story come in clearer. Writing does keep me on my toes that way. Just the other day, a fight scene suddenly changed dramatically. At first I had it in my head that it would go just as the protagonists planned. But as I moved closer to writing that part of the scene and things fell into place, my mind chose to make a 180. The outcome went from a success to a devastating failure just like that. There was no conscious decision on my part. My brain seems to make these decisions without consulting with me and I blindly follow along. I guess it must have realized that success would have been too easy. But whatever the reason, I always listen. I guess we'll see how it turns out.
I already have the final scene for The Dark Within tucked away inside the folds of my brain. I even have an idea on how Legendary Race/the series will end. And I can't wait. It feels good to know what the ultimate goal is, even if it's a long time coming.
When things change, sometimes they mean rethinking my plans and sometimes they can even make the path of my story come in clearer. Writing does keep me on my toes that way. Just the other day, a fight scene suddenly changed dramatically. At first I had it in my head that it would go just as the protagonists planned. But as I moved closer to writing that part of the scene and things fell into place, my mind chose to make a 180. The outcome went from a success to a devastating failure just like that. There was no conscious decision on my part. My brain seems to make these decisions without consulting with me and I blindly follow along. I guess it must have realized that success would have been too easy. But whatever the reason, I always listen. I guess we'll see how it turns out.
I already have the final scene for The Dark Within tucked away inside the folds of my brain. I even have an idea on how Legendary Race/the series will end. And I can't wait. It feels good to know what the ultimate goal is, even if it's a long time coming.
Since I'm a bit bored at the moment, I'm going to post photos of the people that are the closest fit in my mind to what the characters in Foreseen look like. Of course you'll need to use your imagination a bit, since some of their eye color/hair color, etc aren't exact. I did this a while ago to use for the character profiles. I only have the more major characters and found it hard to find pictures of people that might fit the bill. So if you have your own suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them!
First off, we will start with Kari Elade. To me, this picture of Mandy Moore has always portrayed rather nicely Kari's innocence and beauty. After I found this photo, I knew this was the one. Only her eye color is off, otherwise she embodies everything Kari is.
Next is Ryker Thayt. For some reason, he has been the hardest one to pin down. I've gone through a few different candidates, but the current choice is Henry Cavill. Trying to find a man that can be a decent build, ruggedly handsome, and yet seemingly capable of having a sensitive side is a bit difficult.
Kari's mother, Sian Elade, was not in the story for very long, but I figured it would be nice to see the woman behind Kari's existence. so, I chose Robin Wright. It was a tough decision, but I'm happy with my choice.
Next is of course Kari's father, Cael Elade. For him, I chose Gerard Butler. He's a good looking fellow he seems like he might be able to be a loving father and everything Cael becomes.
Medwin Vennor, a wizard and important part of their ventures is next. I thought Ben Kinsley, with a some facial hair and a nice flowing wig, would play the part well. Even without some of the identifying physical features, I think it isn't too hard to imagine.
Of course, we can't forget the antagonists of the story. So here is Chris Pine, as the wicked and broken Manning Thynnor. With a few purple specks in his eyes, I think he could look like a villain.
Then there is his father, Edan Thynnor. Marton Csokas is who I chose to portray him. He can have a menacing quality to him.
And there is Sylvain, played by a lovely red winged blackbird! This way his bright colors clash just the right way with his silky black feathers!
As we move onto the royal family, King Owen Ethyron is first. Brendan Gleeson seems like he would make a nice jolly King! What do you think?
Next up is Queen Riona Ethyron. Edie Falco seems like she would make a nice regal, but caring mother and Queen.
Prince Damon Ethyron was a bit hard to choose. Eventually, I decided on Taylor Kitsch.
The last of the royal family is Princess Tiana Ethyron. I chose Sophia Myles for this role.
Lastly, I have Mina. She was hard to find, but ultimately, I chose Kristanna Loken. She has the red hair, a bit of fire in her eyes, and seems like she could kick some butt.
Sadly, I did not choose a Brant, since I did these before he was a bigger part of the story. But if anyone wants to suggest someone for him or any of the others, I would be happy to hear it!
Sadly, I did not choose a Brant, since I did these before he was a bigger part of the story. But if anyone wants to suggest someone for him or any of the others, I would be happy to hear it!
If I was a character in a cartoon or comic book "???" is what might be above my head at the moment. I seem to have fallen off the tracks at some point and am far from where I was hoping to be. Except for one scene, that doesn't really have anything to do with the main plot, my mind is drawing a total blank. I have ideas for events that will happen between now and the last few chapters, but they can't happen just yet. This is causing me to just about lose my mind. For the life of me, I cannot think of what to write for this chapter. Just about the only thing I do know, is that I am introducing a new character (though how big a part they will play after this chapter is a bit of a mystery). I will write the scene I have planned out, but where in the chapter it will be, I have no idea. Usually, I do not write like this. I have the chapter planned out and start from the beginning, since most of the time, at least some details change along the way. But with this chapter, I don't think anything will change the events, so I should be safe. As for the rest, I cannot say when it will come to me, but I hope it is soon.
With as far behind as I am, I don't think I will be making my deadline. There is still hope, but only if I can pump out 10,000 words a week. Right now, 5,000 seems impossible. But once I figure this chapter out and get back into the swing of things, maybe it will be possible. I can only cross my fingers and pray for a bit of luck. Maybe I need a muse. So if anyone has one I can borrow, please let me know!
I realized last night, as I stared at some of the books on the supermarket shelves, that I have not read in quite some time. Maybe a couple hours to read a good book and refresh my memory of what I am suppose to be doing will help get my mojo back. It's worth a try, if only to get in a bit of reading done. I'll have to pick the best one off of my shelf that I still have yet to read. Good or bad, hopefully it will get me back on track. (Good, it could inspire me and give me something to strive for. Bad, and I'll feel so much better about my writing that I'll have to work on it so my books can be on shelves instead of the drivel I forced myself to stare at.) Today is a nice day and hopefully it will lead to some nice writing. (Even though it is still winter in the book and not the sunny warmth it is here, which I sometimes forget.)
With as far behind as I am, I don't think I will be making my deadline. There is still hope, but only if I can pump out 10,000 words a week. Right now, 5,000 seems impossible. But once I figure this chapter out and get back into the swing of things, maybe it will be possible. I can only cross my fingers and pray for a bit of luck. Maybe I need a muse. So if anyone has one I can borrow, please let me know!
I realized last night, as I stared at some of the books on the supermarket shelves, that I have not read in quite some time. Maybe a couple hours to read a good book and refresh my memory of what I am suppose to be doing will help get my mojo back. It's worth a try, if only to get in a bit of reading done. I'll have to pick the best one off of my shelf that I still have yet to read. Good or bad, hopefully it will get me back on track. (Good, it could inspire me and give me something to strive for. Bad, and I'll feel so much better about my writing that I'll have to work on it so my books can be on shelves instead of the drivel I forced myself to stare at.) Today is a nice day and hopefully it will lead to some nice writing. (Even though it is still winter in the book and not the sunny warmth it is here, which I sometimes forget.)
I finally finished chapter 10 of The Dark Within earlier today. It felt good to get it out of the way since it has been in the back of my head for a while now. Been a bit busy with some other things and it has been hard trying to find the time and inspiration to write. Usually when I do write, I sit for hours working on it (or at least attempting to). I'm not really the kind of writer who can write a few minutes here and then another few minutes later on, whenever I get the chance. Getting started is always the hardest, but usually when I get going and have a nice rhythm, I can go pretty far. Even though I wrote around 3,000 words today, I am still way behind schedule and will have to pick up the pace. Which is funny now that things are going to be even busier in the coming weeks. Some people are stopping over on Wednesday to look at the house and figure out how they can widen some of the doorways, etc. (then of course there will be the construction they have to do). Then toward the beginning of next month, my sister and her family will be visiting for a while and I'm sure other things will pop up along the way. But I will find a way to keep things going. Even if I have to go out back in the woods with my cell phone and tap it out in word to send to myself. I'll figure something out! The Dark Within has also surpassed 50,000 words (Yipee!). After chapter 11, I should be halfway done (that's if its 110,000 words). So I'm in a good mood, which I usually am when I finish a chapter or a good scene.
I received my new SD card for my cell phone, which I already put all of my songs on. I need to find some new tunes though, since the ones I listen to are getting old. Now all I have to do is find my headphone adapter and it will be a good mp3 player replacement. I will probably have to buy another one though, so I'll probably go check that out as soon as I am done with this. Which means it is my cue to leave. So I'll see you next post!
I received my new SD card for my cell phone, which I already put all of my songs on. I need to find some new tunes though, since the ones I listen to are getting old. Now all I have to do is find my headphone adapter and it will be a good mp3 player replacement. I will probably have to buy another one though, so I'll probably go check that out as soon as I am done with this. Which means it is my cue to leave. So I'll see you next post!
