Characters have weaknesses. We’ve discussed this before, but they do. Without weaknesses, characters are less interesting. They need challenges to overcome.
In a way, characters with vulnerability to certain things can be more interesting than perfectly written Mary Sue-eqsue characters. After all, we are drawn to characters that we can relate to.
Filed under Uncategorized
Okay, this is going to be about many things, but I will condense it so I don’t bore you all.
First of all, this post wasn’t going to exist until twelve hours ago. I am still low. I’m not depressed. I know what that feels like. And I know the reason why I am now. Only the debate of it is far more complicated than you might think.
You see, writing for myself makes me the happiest person in the world. When I write, it is hard to explain exactly what it does for me. I suppose — no — I know, that it makes me feel somewhat free in a restrained society. I have a voice!
In my Dreamers novella, my character Joe, writes as a form of therapy. You would be surprised how much I have in common with that character. And all three of them, the other two: Scott and Chris. I basically divided myself up in to three characters, revolving their dark secrets and burdens on things that I’ve felt and am feeling right now. I suppose you could say it is a fictionalised biography to some extent. But I am not going to point out what is and isn’t though.
The point in this rambling is that I am caught in limbo between writing to make ME happy and writing to make OTHERS happy e.g. publishing, blah, blah, blah. I have still not agreed on a decision yet. But either way, the writing will not stop.
I really regretted not writing about ‘change’ in the C week. So I am going to apply some of what I know about being an artist from what should of been told to all of you months ago.
Change is the primary factor that keeps stories alive. It happens from our voice. Now I don’t claim to know much about singing or music, but I was once told in secondary school by my music teacher, or words to this effect: That it is VERY easy to hold a note. Anybody can do it. But what (is hard and what) people are looking for is the change: The next note that syncs harmoniously next in line, and the next, and the next. Until you are changing the notes to weave a satisfactory outcome that will please the ears. Can it be — we now have a (novel) ‘song’. Look at that. Wait, hold it. We are talking about writing here, so exchange ‘song’ for the bracketed word.
I was talking to a friend yesterday about writers and formulas. I don’t have one. My writing isn’t formulaic like the James Bond films, and I say films because I haven’t read any of the books. Not really my thing.
In fact it would upset me to find I am using the same formula every time, and just changing some characters, objects and plot points. Like I said above though: Our voice is about harmonious change. But that doesn’t mean you can stick that in to a test tube, and make a formula out of it, does it?
My honest opinion is that I find formulaic writing very lazy, and very boring. But that might be just me.
You’ve been reading from Jon here. And I say goodnight and goodbye. Until next week. Thanks for reading.
Here is the link to part 4 of the Silver Cathedral:
http://writetohavewritten.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/silver-cathedral-continued/
Filed under Jon
Hiya folks!
First thing’s first – it’s my 23rd birthday. Hurrah! Or, not as the case may be. I feel old.
Anyhoo. Today I’m going to review the Pilot V Pen – a disposable fountain pen for you. But before I start, I have to say that I’m not being paid or anything to do this review, nor was I asked to do it. I got the pen with my own money and all views and opinions are my own.
Sorry for the crappy photo, hopefully you can read it, but just in case:
~ Simple design, visable ink level, apparently erasable (I haven’t tried this yet, but you have to use the Pilot eraser pens.)
~ Medium nib, but that’s all they come in.
~ Writes straight out of the packet.
~ Beautiful, bold colours. 8 different ones.
~ Great ink flow.
~ Can be a bit pricey.
~ Can be refilled, but that takes some time. (I do however have a link to a blog post that I found that shows how to do that. The VPen is called the Varsity in the States, so don’t fret over the name change.)
~ Great pen for those who want to try a fountain pen.
~ It’s light 
~ A fair amount of ink.
They write smoothly on lots of different papers too. In all honesty, the only quibble I have with them is the price – somewhere around the £3 – £4 for just one. Which I suppose in the long run isn’t too bad if you’re just starting out and want to try one, but, on the other hand, I have purchased fountain pens for the lower end of that price range, beginner’s fountain pens, that can be reused with cartridges. The VPen’s range of colours is good though! They come in black, blue, red, green, orange, violet, pink and peacock green, which is my favourite And, in addition to that, there really is a good amount of ink in the things.
I think your best bet, dear readers, is to find some around the “back to school” sale times, if you want to try one, and then resort to getting them online where they’re a bit cheaper and you can get them in boxes of one colour. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed though.
Um. I don’t know if I’ve missed anything – if you have any questions, let me known in the comments!
Until next time,
Danni x
Blog post word count: 406 words.
Filed under Danni
To quote the Oxford Dictionary:
Ultimatum: a final demand or statement of terms, the rejection of which will result in retaliation or a breakdown in relations.
As we’ve probably stated once or twice on this blog, conflict makes good writing. A character who can conquer any opposition, overcome any obstacle and instantly charm anyone they meet into doing anything for them regardless of personal friendship gets boring very quickly. A character who can’t do anything at all becomes dull and irrelevant to the plot if they can’t impact it in any way. That’s why both examples need to make choices.
Sometimes a character will err on the border of either extreme, and that’s when an ultimatum comes into play. A famous example of an ultimatum is Sophie’s Choice, wherein a mother has to decide which of her two children will live and which will die. Forcing a character to choose the lesser of two evils is what often drives a plot, stripping away most of the limits of their characterisation and forcing them to knuckle down and make a decision, normally with an unfair time limit. Of course, more often than not there will be a deus ex machina to save both the parties in question and prevent them from making the choice, but this often viewed as tacky and requires a certain setup to perform well.
Some authors long to see their characters suffer. Some get attached and have difficulty making them suffer. An ultimatum is almost beautiful in that it can work with both situations, not always placing the character in peril. Of course, an ultimatum doesn’t have to be a choice between two – it could be more, or even something like being forced to accept their own fate.
Next week: the letters get trickier.
Filed under Uncategorized
Hi folks!
I hope I find you well today. I’m not too bad, just feeling impatient. There’s a box of goodies in my wardrobe, mostly stationery, let’s be honest, and I’m not allowed any of it yet. The box is full of things for my birthday and I only know what’s in it because I was given money and I’ve been buying things and putting them aside. It’s not my birthday until next week so… A week until I can have my goodies. I was good at waiting but now… I’m just impatient.
In addition to that, it’s been really, really warm recently which I do not like at all – it makes me quite grumpy and irritable. Which doesn’t go down well with the boyfriend… So… We argue more in the summer. It sucks. It doesn’t help that there’s no breeze and our windows suck and can’t be opened too much. Bleh. I do so hate summer.
Anyway. Today I want to talk about understanding.
The other day, I think it was Saturday actually, I took all my fountain pens downstairs to use the kitchen table to take some photos (I only managed one before my battery died. Duh.) And to show Jane; Matt’s mum, because she’d expressed an interest in seeing all my pens. She seemed to like most of them actually too. From the conversation we had… I think she ‘gets’ it y’know? She even gets that it doesn’t take up much space. I’d almost go as far as saying that… Maybe she approves? I don’t know. Maybe. But I definitely think she gets it. Which is a very… Nice thought actually.
My mother doesn’t mind what I spend my money on – she never has. I don’t think she ‘gets’ it but that’s not really important. My father doesn’t get it, thinks I waste my money and in general, doesn’t really seem to care. Donna and Julie like stationery too (not quite as much as me but hey) so they ‘get’ it. My boyfriend, Matt… I don’t think he totally ‘gets’ it, but he knows that pens and junk make me happy so he doesn’t mind too much. He’ll either give me money to buy pens, for birthdays and stuff too, so that’s hardly a bad thing. I think my closest friends (who are also my co-authors here too) – I think they get it. I think they always have done too. Which, understandably, is something I deeply appreciate.
It’s nice to not feel judged for the things you like.
Until next time,
Danni x
Blog post word count: 427 words.
Filed under Danni
There aren’t words correct enough to describe how much I love reading and writing time travel fiction. The appeal I find in it comes from how dramatically it can affect a story: under normal circumstances a story contained a fixed timeline of events, character reactions and irreversible decisions. The sheer idea that a character could jump forwards or backwards along the timeline and change the supposed events of the story creates so many possibilities that my fingers tingle at the sheer realms of possibilities that open up.
In a way, writing a piece of fiction that utilises the concept of time travel is similar to writing one containing magic. As a writer, it’s your responsibility to decide how, within the fictional universe, the time travel will work. You need to decide if it can be controlled (tip – yes, to avoid incredibly cheesy deus ex machinas), how reliable the process is (Doctor Who’s a good example of how imperfect time travel can twist the story) and paradoxes. You guys are lucky that I was in Belgium during P week, as I wrote an entire project dossier on the subject of paradoxes in time travel and it would have been really boring.
Long story short, a paradox is a conflict of events: the traditional example is the Grandfather Paradox, where if theoretically you went back in time and killed your own grandfather before your father was conceived, you would have never been born and gone back in time to kill your grandfather, etc, etc. As the creator of your fictional universe and individual time travel rules, you need to decide what would happen if a paradox were allowed to run free. The traditional favourite is the complete destruction of the universe, which as far as character peril goes is up there with stepping on Lego bricks. There’s also the option of having paradoxes resolve themselves but that’s complicated and I’ll revisit the subject another time.
I suggest reading The Time Machine by H.G. Wells if you’re new to the concept. That or Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Filed under Craig
Hi folks!
So, a detour (aha, I’m so witty) from stationery today because… Well, today I went to Brighton. Well, I say “I” but I mean “we” as in, the whole household. Unfortunately, I missed a shop dedicated to Alice in Wonderland (apparently), and I missed Chockywockydoodah, but… Man, I was tired. I should’ve also purchased a few more things but… Meh. I got a chance to see quite a few of the things that I look at online that I’d buy anyway. It’s nicer to actually see the things I like the look of, it gives me a better idea of what I’m getting.
But I digress. I hate long car journeys. I think I much prefer the train. It took us an hour and a half, maybe a tad longer to get to Brighton. Definitely a little bit longer than that to get home (because we went the wrong way once and there was a touch of traffic). Five of us in that relatively warm car; and the back seat was a little cramped; three of us in a two seater back seat, with that small, almost half space in the middle for a person. Apparently. Not cool. At least I had some decent leg room though. It was also really warm, even with the window open slightly. It was a bit cooler on the way back because I remembered to take my hoodie off. I should’ve drunk more too, that might’ve helped a bit more. I know what didn’t help at times – the driving. Matt’s dad’s driving isn’t that great… It can be scary at points. And! I was mega tired. I’d been up since about ten to six ish, and had done loads of walking. Everything’s really far away from everything else in Brighton. And I don’t like that, or not knowing where things are. I suppose in that regard I prefer Southampton, although it was really nice to go to a proper brick and mortar pen shop. Very nice. Oh, and one last thing about travelling; I don’t like not listening to my own music. My own stuff makes the trip go faster.
If you’re going to go on a long trip, learn from my mistakes guys. It will make you much more comfortable, and, after your journey there, it means you’ll enjoy your trip much more.
Until next week guys!
Danni x
Blog post word count: 398 words.
Filed under Danni
Savour this, for this in the only time I will quote Tolkien on this blog.
This thing all things devours:
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountain down.
The answer, which you will know if you have read The Hobbit, is “time”.
I have time management issues. For example, before I tried writing this blog post I had to check every social networking site I go on, read some online comics and watch (in the background) both Pointless and Eggheads. These time management issues do not aid writing in any way whatsoever. I just clicked away from writing this to look for something on amazon and look at facebook.
Maybe I have a short attention span. Who knows?
I’m going to started editing my book (again!) so I shall let you know how that goes. I feel like I’ve abandoned it recently and I know that if I don’t force myself back to it, it will never get done and none of you will ever be able to buy it! (You know, after I score an agent, publisher and book deal…)
I also don’t feel like I have much time for reading at the moment either. (Explain to me why I’m trying to read 3 books at once!) There are far too many things I want to read all at once! I’m also entertaining the idea of culling some of my book collection, getting rid of some of the stuff I’ve read and am not going to read again. It’ll be hard but I will have more space for new books!
Lil
Currently reading: I Capture the Castle – Dodie Smith, Yes Man – Danny Wallace, The World of Downton Abbey.
Filed under Lil
I know people who cannot read a book without looking at the ending first. Their argument is that by being assured that the protagonist and their friends will be alright by the end, they can enjoy the rest of the story more easily. Honestly? While I understand, I don’t really see the appeal myself.
For the longest amount of time, the rules of literature have stated that Everything Will Be Okay. The villain will be conquered, the protagonist’s relationship with his toothbrush will be stronger than ever and the dog will get home. There are numerous examples of this not being true, but for me that’s the thrill of reading. As time has progressed, there has been less and less reassurance that Everything Will Be Okay. Even if protagonists still rarely bugger off this mortal coil, their love interest, best friend or toothbrush are very often under threat of being evicted from this plane of existence.
People love to discuss books and films. It’s in their nature – they enjoy participating in something and then sharing their opinions and experiences with other people. Most of the time, there will always be someone who has yet to engage in such materials and quite occasionally, people are so desperate to get their opinions across that they’ll just go ahead and ruin the entire thing. Spoilers are dangerous if you don’t wish to encounter them.
One common rebuttal to spoilers is to “stay off the internet”. In that regard, you might as well stay at home, switch off your phone, burn the television and never do anything ever again. People who don’t learn self-control with spoilers or have the decency to keep them away from eyes that don’t want to witness them yet disgust me. If you have found enjoyment or spent time reading or watching something, allow others to have the opportunity.
Special apologies to anyone who found this post while looking for car maintenance blogs. /rimshot
Filed under Craig
I’m sorry about not posting last week. I don’t wanna explain the full reason, but the internet wasn’t operational. Let’s leave it there. Here’s the post to make up for the last two weeks.
I wrote a short story, which actually tuned in to a novelette (just) by the time I edited it the fourth time. I will be editing it for the last time before Christmas — before it gets turned in to an actual paperback book. And then, of course, given to my mum for a Xmas present.
Sadly I will not be there to see her reaction as me and my partner have decided to take turns at our parents for Christmases from now on, and we are starting with his. Will be very weird.
Anyway, getting to the point. I wrote this short story which turned in to a novelette. And now I am going to be posting a novelette on here which was originally going to be a novella. Only the first one, as it is split in two. I mentioned this earlier on in the blog posts. They are called: The Silver Cathedral, and its sequel: The 177th Swan.
So get comfortable. Bearing in mind this is a first draft, so expect plot holes to creep through, characters to not be in character, not so precise or exact representations of certain things, and technical errors. Although I am quite exited and impressed by how good and easy the words have come out so far myself. But pleasing myself is a different story to pleasing others. I have not wrote a childrens story before, and I think that shows. A few more drafts should change that with some much more needed research. Here it is:
In the world of Astora; a place where the only land existed next to clouds in the sky. Its ground, only sea and water. This was the home to the two children that played a vital role in the war of the Neons on their home planet; a war which was called the ‘dark war’ here. Their names: Eleanor and Christian. Both, ten years old.
It started on a cold night. The clouds almost non-existent, much like the wind and sound around them.
“Did you hear about Everett town today?” said Eleanor.
“How could I of not,” replied Christian. “The whole week they haven’t shut about it.”
“I know, right,” replied Eleanor. She paused for a minute looking at the blue beautiful stars bright in the sky. “The Silver Cathedral; can you believe they are looking for new guards there. That is like my dream job.” She looked mesmorised in her thoughts. “Becoming a spell-caster, defending the king. Not to mention living in the most luxurious place to ever exist…”
“Hold on there, gal. I have a shot too.”
“Ha. I have seen you play sword fights with your sister. Talk about embarrassing. I think the stick might of actually went red for you. That’s how bad you are.”
“This is coming from Mrs. I want to get married to royalty. Get real. The best shot you have with Prince Etch is being next to him – for a second.” He went over to the well and looked down. Only it was so deep the bucket looked as if it wasn’t attached. All that could be seen was the incredibly long rope. The floor of sea looked more like a black road beneath them. “And what the hell kind of a name is Etch? The king and Queen where obviously on illegal silver dust picking that… pixie dust… fairy dust… whatever you want to call it.”
Keep calm, don’t slap him in the face again like last week, thought Eleanor. Although it was funny seeing his reaction… No, don’t do it.
“Come on. I don’t want to fight. It didn’t end well last time,” said Eleanor. Christian sighed, responding:
“That’s true. It didn’t. It would be the grown up thing to do really.” Eleanor nodded, agreeing. They both went quiet for four seconds, and looked at each other.
They both laughed, not being able to keep a straight face and be serious about such a thing. “As if that is going to happen,” said Christian before they both laughed even harder. After the two calmed down, they both went to bed.
***
I thought it would be wise to fill you in on these two children: Eleanor was a finder. That was her gift, her hobby. She loved finding the lost and placing it in its rightful place. Nothing gave her more pleasure in the world.
Now Christian wasn’t a finder. He was a puzzle solver. He loved everything and anything complex that needed to be solved.
However, these two minds when coming together have actually gotten in to more trouble than solving it; regardless of their real impressive talents. The reason for this was simple: The challenge – there wasn’t any – at all. At least not in the village they lived in called Ora.
They were most definitely bored with life whilst growing up.
But in the year 2013, the two still ten years of age, everything changed. Neons were seen. A great burden fell upon their world from the first sight of them, and onwards.
Now let’s get one thing straight: The Silver Cathedral is actually the palace for the king and Queen. And also the prince. In short, all royalty. Because of this it’s rendered invisible from star magic; the guards being the ones protecting it with this power.
It was on such a day, that was close to the first encounter of these cruel beings being spotted in the year 2013, that an attack was made on the childrens home. This event led both Eleanor and Christian fleeing Ora, together.
No flames signalled the monsters arrival; only screaming and corpses left on the paths did, so they ran. They both noticed their parents were on that pile of corpses. That was what led them to run.
They didn’t know where to go, but they had to go somewhere other than in to the hands of death.
They ran for nearly thirty minutes before slowing down. Nobody was around now.
“If we were in a children’s story, this wouldn’t be so grim. And full of death, and misery,” said Christian.
“Not all children’s stories are like living on silver dust,” replied Eleanor. They both walked along the floating lands that covered approximately sixty percent of the planet.
“We’ve been running and walking for hours now. I think it’s time to rest.”
“Can’t argue with that.” They both stopped and sat on a big rock. It was near the main path they had been taking. Eleanor looked as if she was in a huff. But she didn’t act like it when it came to talking and interacting with her friend. She put both hands on her face, covering it. Christian then noticed she shook, and made noises.
“Oh, Eleanor. Please don’t cry.”
“I have lost my family and my home. I never knew it could be taken away so viciously to good people like me and my family… and you.”
“The Edeolon gods and godesses sure have a funny sense of humour. More like a sick one.” Eleanor wiped away her tears and turned around to look at Christian a minute later.
“I think it would be wise to go to Athana. There are passers by there that are supposed to know where the Silver Cathedral is. Or so I’ve heard. We have to warn them of what is happening. Or at least try.”
“You’re right. And with you, I know we will find the place.”
“Then it is settled. We will continue to Athana.”
“Yes. Right after the feeling in my foot comes back. It’s got numb from me sitting on it for so long. Pins and needles here I come.” Christian chuckled after hearing this, seeing both of her legs that were crossed she sat on uncross and then touch the floor.
They set off when they were ready. The sky was a nice blue. Only a few clouds scattered around near; still, this created what the Astorians called a clog (which is a cloud fog) over the path where they were going.
“It should take us about another hour to get to Athana, even in these conditions. The inn there should have news of some sort of how to get to the Silver Cathedral.”
“By the gods, I hope so,” replied Christian.
That’s all folks.
JP
Currently reading:
The Gargoyle
Author: Andrew Davidson
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus comic Vol 1
Author: Joss Whedon , Eric Powell, Joe Bennett
