On Writing the Second Draft

 Today I want to talk a little bit about where my writing has been going recently. Since I finished writing The Prince's Quest, I've worked on other various projects including Up the Scarlet Staircase and some short stories... Before Dusk, Do You Remember When We Met?, and Butterfly. I've had lots of fun with these projects-- I'm especially proud of Before Dusk, which is an experimental piece for me-- but I miss my 'baby.' So at long last, I began the process of writing the second draft of The Prince's Quest. 

 I'm only about 5000 words in, and I'm using the original as a formula, and making changes where they are needed. I am re-writing, not just revising, so I'm not using a lot of the original wording, and changing minor details in some cases.

 Here's my decision on re-writing. I actual have found it enjoyable in a way. There isn't the same feeling of adventure that you have when you are writing a first draft, when you sometimes don't know everything about the characters, and some pieces of the plot haven't quite fit into place. But that's also a pro. Because I know where the story is headed, I have more freedom to expand on my earlier ideas. I know what I'm doing, in a sense. I also feel like I can delve deeper into the characters.

 Like I said, I'm only about 5000 words in, so I'm not expert. And I probably won't ever be. 10,000 words down the road I might despise re-writing. I already have all these short story urges that I sometimes entertain since I can write them faster than a novel. But I'm hoping I can enjoy this process even more than I am now. If I can dedicate a little time to it every day, Draft 2 could be here in a short time.

 What stage are you at in writing? Do you ever feel like you've hit a block? Or are just too busy to write?

 Thanks for reading!


~ a rambling author

Wednesday of Writing!

 Hey ya'll. Welcome to the first... Wednesday of Writing! This is the day of the week I talk about all things writing... whether mine, or someone else's. Today, I'm going to talk about the writing stuff that's been going on in my life.

 If you've been following this blog you know I participated in NaNo. I said I was going to update you guys on that, but totally failed. So see this as your extremely belated NaNo update.

I worked on my dystopian story, Up The Scarlet Staircase. (Which you can read part of here if you're so inclined... Not sure how much longer I'll have it up.) I did, in fact, win NaNo with a whopping 50,002 words. *Balloon deflates.* Yeah, it wasn't as big as some people's word counts, but it was something.

I was proud to get that much, considering it was show week for A Christmas Carol, and we had shows at the same time. I actually worked on the story during breaks, and took my laptop with me to a restaurant the cast went to hang out after the show on the LAST day of November. It was there, cheered on by the wonderful family that was the cast, I managed to whack out the last 2000 words or so. I don't know if I coud have done it if it wasn't for them. I finished it at about eleven or so, and we hurried to get internet so I could make it official. That night was crazy.

 The story still has a long way to go until it's complete, but I think I've given it a good foundation.

 As far as other things going on...

 I'm getting back to the editing of The Prince's Quest. I'd like to have that all ready in the next few

This graphic was made for me by Bryan McBride! :D

months. Here's hoping! I love this story. It was my first novel that was actually the length a novel should be. And though much of it was written before I knew the things I know about writing now, I really want this story to get out there. Even if I have to change every sentence. When author's talk about the one story that is special to them... this is mine. This is my baby. And I'm ready to make it happen.

 Remember The Pauper's Masquerade? That little story is currently submitted to a contest. I finished it, edited it, and sent it in. Now I'm just waiting to see what happens. But whether I win or not, I am content. Because if I don't win, I'll probably just develop it into a story.

 My most recent project is a short story inspired by a morbid thought. What would it be like to be the child of a serial killer? I mean, if you research, lots of murderers have been shown to have children. Imagine what kind of life that would be. So maybe it's my attempt to raise awareness, or just to give the subject some thought. It's titled Before Dusk and is almost completed.

Here's an excerpt: 

  Chills raced up my arms, and I peered ahead as a tall, broad shouldered man exited the vehicle.

 He approached, noticing me right away. I studied him as he did the same with me.

 My dad was… handsome. I mean, for an old guy. He must have been in his late thirties.

 His blond hair was parted to the side, and swept into a supermodel kind of look. Sunglasses rested on his nose, and his sculpted jaw opened in a smile. He was clothed in a suit and tie as if he’d just left a day at the office. I stared at his tan skin, thinking of my own pale complexion.

 He turned his flashy grin on me.

 Yep, definitely supermodel material.

 He lowered his glasses, his deep blue eyes looking at me over the rims. “Sophie.”

 My heart jumped at the sound of my own name, spoken in his mellow voice.

 Mrs. Simpson stepped up beside me. “Hello, Mr. Connors. As you can see, Sophie is all ready to leave.”

 I looked at my foster mom out of the corner of my eye. She was quick to get rid of me.

 He flashed her that perfect smile, and I was sure I saw his teeth twinkle in the sunlight. “Well, that sounds perfect.” He reached for my bag, but I instinctively pulled it closer to myself.

 Mrs. Simpson laughed and jerked it from my hold, handing it to my father.

 He pushed his sunglasses back over his eyes. “Well, then. You ready to go, kiddo?”

 ~~~

  By the way, Baby, It's Cold Outside is finished, but needing some massive revising. And Chasing Shadows is still on hiatus. Poor thing. 

   
But enough about me. What are you working on?

 Come back tomorrow for Book Thursday! Or whatever I decide to call it...

~ a rambling author

First Look at Death's Touch

You know how you're doing the dishes, thinking deep thoughts, and BLAM! it hits you? Well, several months ago I was doing just that, and I suddenly had a thought for a story. A story with a very deep meaning. Death. But not specifically death, not just death itself, but also what happens after death. And how death can happen to anyone, no matter your age. I felt like it was a story that was placed on my heart for a reason. So I wrote a little about it, and put it in my to-be-written stories. Recently, this story has come to my attention again. It will not be a novel, but more of a short story, or novella. It won't be my biggest project, and I'm not even sure if it would be a story I would sell, or if it would be one I published online, so that it might help others. Right now I don't know. But I thought you guys might like to hear a little bit about it, and I'm even going to share with you the first bit of the story.

 I've never done a story like this. And the style of writing is different as well. I hope you will enjoy it anyway. :)

 Enjoy.

For some death is a doorway. For some it comes to soon. But it must come, for all. For it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this, the judgement.

 

The clock strikes eleven. There is an empty silence felt. It is real- more real than anything felt. It is a heavy silence. A silence that can mean only one thing. Death has arrived.

  If you stood in the empty hall of this Victorian-era home, you would stare at the varnished grandfather clock standing like a sentry in the corner. You would note the time that Margaret Dale passed from this life, and you would remember.

 If you were Margaret’s daughter, Louisa, you would have walked into the second room on the left, and watched her departure. You would have gripped her hand, and begged her not to go, even if ninety-three was a nice long life.

 But you are not Louisa, and if you were, you would be brought to the understanding that all have a time appointed to them, and your mother’s time is up.

 She looks at the ceiling, her face glowing with a joy you may have never witnessed. Louisa holds her hand even tighter. She is not willing to let go. You want to go to her, but you are a spectator. You cannot be part of the scene. No one is aware of your presence. You are here to learn.

 “I see the angels,” Margaret breathes, the lines around her eyes- once so shrouded, now clear- turning into a smile. “They are singing.”

 Louisa strokes her mother’s white hair, once a deep shade of chestnut. “Mother, oh mother, I’m not ready.”

 If you looked around the room, you would notice something immediately. Not the large four-poster bed, or the colorful carpet of red and gold, or the antique bureau. No, you would feel, see, the complete emptiness of the room. There is no one at the bedside, or in the entire house, but Margaret and her loving daughter.

Ten Questions {Blog hop}

 My friend Emily Rachelle from Emily Rachelle Writes has tagged me in this Ten Questions blog hop! Thanks Emily!

In this blog hop, I answer ten questions about my current work in progress. This reminds me of The Next Big Thing blog hop  I participated in a couple months ago. For that blog hop, I answered ten questions about 'Baby, It's Cold Outside.' This time, I've decided to use the story I've been working on the longest- my favorite story: The Prince's Quest.

1: What is the working title of your book?

 The Prince's Quest. :)


2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

The initial idea for this book came when I joined wattpad.com . Many people use this website to post their books and stories. I wanted to post something, but I didn't want to share any of my writing projects because I was thinking of publication in the future. So, I came up with an idea. I only posted one scene of the story on Wattpad, and if you care to look, here's a link to it. http://www.wattpad.com/story/347751-prince-and-peasant

3: What genre does your book come under?

 Medieval fantasy. :D

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Humm... This one could be a little hard...

For Elric, my main character, I've had a tough time finding a good match, but I think Luke Benward fits him pretty well.
                                                         

Anya was also hard to find. (Go figure.) She's supposed to be a very innocent looking girl with blond hair and brown eyes. I decided Annasophia Robb is the closest I'm going to get.
                                                                   

Boy, it's hard to find all of these. :P For Winston... maybe Jonah Hill.

 For Rior who would be a better fit for this crazed carriage driver with a glass eye, then Jim Carrey? Teehee.

                                                            

And for Arran, the talented younger brother... I think a youngish William Moseley will suffice.

                                                      

































My last one... King Rath... and I'll use Hugh Laurie!
                                                                           


 



















5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? 

A prince goes on a quest to find a traitor to avoid his father's wrath, but finds more then he bargained for when he meets a sweet girl who stands in his way. (Not very good, but I just wrote it now. :P)


6: Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

 The Prince's Quest is nearing completion of it's first draft. I hope to find an agent and publisher to represent this book.


7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

 Still writing it, off and on. It's been to the side a couple of times, for other projects, but I keep coming back. I started it in November of 2011. It's almost done!!!

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? 

 This is a hard thing to decide. I'm not very good at comparing my stories to other writer's.

  Perhaps, Jill Williamson's Blood of King's, and Wayne Thomas Batson's The Dark Sea Annals.


9: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

 I had a scene in my head of a prince looking for a girl who he'd betrayed somehow. I wanted something to write for NaNoWriMo 2011. I wrote the above mentioned scene before then, but things changed when I wrote the actually story. Annalise became Anya, Tomas became Winston, and the story changed from first person to third. Not to mention many writing changes.

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

 This story has so much in it. From a bookish prince, secrets, adventure, fights with giant wolves, kidnappings, and a hint of romance, I hope lots of people will be able to enjoy it.

You can follow my pinterest board for it, where I post occasional pictures I find to fit into the story.

 I also post bits and pieces, and fun stuff on the book's Facebook page.


And that's all. I hope you enjoyed it! Now I've got to tag five people...

Heather at My Writing Desk'

Leah at Apassionata

Rosie at Writings of Rosie

Sky at Further Up and Further In

Rachelle at Inspiring Daring

Thanks for reading!

~ a rambling author

The Next Big Thing

Firstly, I apoligize for my lack of posts. It's been a busy couple of months. If I get a chance I'll cue you into all that was happening in a later post. For now, let's say a lot of writing has been going on, and Prince's Quest is almost done! Now onto the subject of my post...

 The Next Big Thing blog hop! Okay, so this is one of my first blog hops. My friend RJ tagged me. Well sorta. She tagged whomever wished to try it out, and since I'm so excited about my new project, I volunteered. This blog hop is about your newest project. So here we go!


Title: Baby, It's Cold Outside

Where did the idea come from?: It's interesting the places you can get ideas from. During the Christmas season, whenever I got up in the morning/went to bed, I'd turn my alarm clock radio on to play Christmas music while I dressed etc. One evening, I was writing some words in Prince's Quest, when the song 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' started playing. One line stuck out to me. "Say, what's in this drink?" Suddenly my mind was racing. Did the guy in the song drug the girl? But why? Is he some type of creepy serial killer? Or... could there be another reason? It didn't take long for the plot to formulate.

Genre: Er... this is still blurry. I'll say Thriller/Suspense/Adventure.

Short Synopsis: Samantha Barlow returns to the town of her childhood, filled with an urge to visit her best friend until high school- Paul Brandon Mullins, and confront some of the demons from her past. He’s excited to see her, invites her to his living room, and before they know it, night is growing near. They sit by the fire, chatting and drinking hot chocolate, when Samantha says she should leave. Paul reminds her that it’s cold outside, since snow began to fall a few hours before. He insists that she at least have one more cup of chocolate before leaving. She agrees at last, and in a few moments grows drowsy, wondering just what was in that drink.
 Samantha wakes in a basement, accompanied by Paul who seems to be reliving a memory from the past. With the door locked, temperature dropping, and no way out, how far will Brandon go to relive his memories, and the horrible things that happened in them?

 My theme is God's love can cleanse all fears.


How long did it take to write the first draft? The first draft is still being written, but I hope to have it finished within a month or two.

What other books in this genre compare? Uh. I'm not sure what books. Maybe some Dee Henderson, or Terry Blackstock novels? The plot reminds me of crime shows, though.

Agency Representation: None as of yet.

What actors would play your character in the movie version? I've never considered the actors... this should be interesting...

 Maybe for Sam, my main character... Amy Adams? But with green eyes. This is the person that comes to my mind when I try to think of an actress.

 This is Jung Yong-hwa, a South Korean actor. He's basically the perfect Richard Lee, especially when wearing glasses and hat like the photo on the right. Except Richard doesn't have earrings. ;) Richard is a really sweet guy that it doesn't talk about in the synopsis, but he's actual a big part of the story. Kind of the light in darkness. But enough.

This is the hard one. I'm thinking either Nicholas Hoult,  or Jake Gyllenhaal for Paul. I'm leaning towards Nick. I mean... does this not look like the perfect disturbed young man? No offense to the actor...

 So still thinking about that. Three more characters to go.

 Detective Patrick Walker. Yes it's the SHIELD guy. Actor's name is Clark Gregg. This is the guy on the case in my story. Couldn't find anyone else for the part.

And lastly, Alex Pettyfer and Elle Fanning as Sam's younger siblings Charlie and Danielle.

Who or what inspired this WIP?: The song 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' as well as many other things. You never know what's going to inspire you. Look for stories everywhere, it may just surprise you! I never expected a Christmas song could inspire me to write a suspense story!

 This was so so much fun! I loved finding people who remind me of my characters! And telling about the crazy things that inspire me. A year ago, I wouldn't have dreamed I'd be writing suspense. I'm more into medieval fantasy. But things will surprise you! I hope you enjoyed this quick glimpse into my newest project!

 I tag whoever wants to do this, like RJ did. It's a lot of fun!

 ~ A rambling writer.