Category: Writing

Full or partly completed drafts of some of the stories I’ve written so far.

Character profiles? Indeed. I reply.

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Hello

Since my last post I have been keeping on with the character profiles and have managed to finish all the main protagonists involved in my fantasy story, The Searcher’s Want. I’ve now started on the antagonists which are all, currently, demons that the Searcher’s must search and kill to help protect the human race.

Before writing this story and as part of my preparation for NaNoWriMo, I wrote out some brief notes for the primary and secondary characters and decided to make the others up as I went along. I’m glad I did this and would recommend it to anyone attempting to do the National Novel Writing Month Challenge this November.

I’ve been back over these notes whilst doing the character profiles and when it came to doing the first demon profile, The Catcher Demon, it helped me out immensely. The template supplied by writerdsnelson from her post Profiling Blake has also allowed me to expand the demons story line and has allowed me come up with a few story points that, come the dreaded yet brilliant editing process, will enable me to expand The Searcher’s Want and make it as well rounded as I hope it can be.

Whilst writing the first demon profile I chose to give it a history. This meant having to explain where the demons have been and how they have lived and survived since their birth 400 years ago. As I was writing the story I mentioned a small amount, which I’d hope to expand on later, about the demons and their history up until the present day. This first of many character profiles has instantly provided me with a major story point that I can build upon in the other demon profiles and in the story edit.

So, I hear you ask. Character profiles? Indeed. I reply.

Thanks for reading as always and see you, hopefully, next week.

Bye Bye

It tried again…and failed. Get in!

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Hello

As I mentioned in my last post, a nasty little cold tried to delay my progress in writing some of the character profiles for The Searcher’s Want, my NaNoWriMo novel that I finished back at the beginning of July. That cold tried, and failed miserably, to rear its pointless head again this past week. I got rid of it and managed to finish the character profiles for the two possible love interests for the lead character. I now have to start doing the profiles of the secondary characters which, though very important, will take ages. But as always I’ll grow to love it after writing few words. And, it’s all needed if I want my story to be completely plot-hole free.

I went to visit my sister and her husband and my awesome now 8 week old nephew Ezra last Saturday in Sheffield. He’s changing so fast, I have to remind myself that he’s the same guy I met after three weeks who was hiccupping, sleeping and going to the toilet all the time. He’s now, kicking, punching, smiling, holding his head up, hiccupping, sleeping and going to the toilet. He’ll be playing the piano the next time I see him.

The train to and from Sheffield allowed me to continue to read 1984. It’s an epic book and is the main inspiration behind my small-amount-vampire-large-amount-government-rule-the-world-future story. That reminds me, I haven’t read Casino Royale or The Curious Case of the Dog in the Night Time in a while. Both of which are either in my work bag or in my bathroom respectively. That can be a task for me to do over the next week. I tried to have a reading evening whereby I read all three books last Wednesday but only managed to read a bit of 1984 before bed. I watched TV instead.  😦 I’m sorry.

I’ve started to carry around a note pad in my work bag and it has so far helped me to complete two of my character profiles. I’m annoyed I didn’t start doing this sooner. I also looked into the different books shops across Manchester and will try each one of them to see if they have anything I can use. I did a scout out one of them, which started out well with a few cheap second/third/forth etc hand books but as I looked round the corner at the next lot of shelves, all I could see was porn. I calmly turned around, walked out, and mentally crossed that shop of my list.

I also managed to edit a couple of short stories which I’ll be posting very soon so if you’re interested, I’d appreciate your feedback on them.

Well, I’m going to get back to it. I’ll leave with a question I think. What’s the best place you’ve found books that have helped you when writing a story?

Good Pie

To be rude or not to be rude?

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Hello

Over the past week or so I’ve only done any writing on one day. I know it’s not very much but I found myself either busy, hung-over or doing chores. I probably could’ve done more writing in-between but I’ll make up for it over the next week. Don’t you worry.

Within the writing I actually managed to do, I found myself with the task of writing an ‘after sex’ scene. I had contemplated writing an actual sex scene but I prefer to let the reader imagine what went on between the sheets. Although on second thought I’m not so sure.

This scene was from my vampire myth story and concerned the main female character and one of the chief male support characters. Amanda and Peter are having an affair behind their friend Marks, and other chief male support character, back. They all work at the same Admin Company and were all friends with the lead male character of the story, Bruce. Bruce knew about the affair but kept it a secret as he was close with Amanda. Now that he has become the End Solution and the United Kingdom’s only recognised vampire (of sorts), Amanda has chosen to try and find him to make sure he is ok. Mark is willing to help her But Peter is not. Even with all this Amanda continues to see Peter. I think you know enough now.

It starts inside a room of the hotel they usually use. Both are discussing Bruce and their particular views on the subject. This is mostly to enhance Amanda’s need to find him and to show that Peter is against it. It’s all about character building people! Anyway, throughout the scene they are naked as I don’t think two people, who only really have sex and barely don’t do anything together when Mark isn’t there, would be too bothered about walking around in such a way.

Now I’m getting to the title of this here post and the end of it.

I was considering re-writing the scene with a bit more happening as they are naked. But I don’t think this is in keeping with the tone of the whole story so far. However, it could act as I a bit of a twist in the tone that could set up the same kind of twist in tone sporadically throughout the book for impact. So, my question is this…

Do you think it’s a good idea to be explicit, shocking, drastic et al in stories just for effect or should it always be in line with the tone of the story?

Your feedback would be awesome.

Bye

 

One finishes and another begins.

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Hello

After my lovely trip to Krakow and a few days more off work, which included a daft amount of drinks followed by a revolting hangover, I knew I had to get back into the swing of things.

Before going on holiday I was drawing ever closer to the end of the story I started whilst taking part in NaNoWriMo. I realised as I started to write again that the story was even closer than I thought to being finished. And then, as if by magic, it had finished. I suddenly realised that I was at the end of my story. It’s like it crept up on me whilst I was writing.

I had many ideas about how to end the story but all of them didn’t seem to work as I got to the last few lines of the book. I considered having it carry on after the hero’s had won the day but I ended up just finishing it with one line. After weeks of wondering how I was going to actually end my story, I settled on just one line of dialogue. If I can give out any advice about writing, and if anyone would listen, it would be this.

Trust your instincts.

After doing so and finishing my third full story since I started to write any kind of stories, I decided to edit one of the others I completed. It was a story about a small, self-sufficient town that lived in the shadow of a dense and dark forest. This forest was populated by monstrous bugbears that could attack them at any time. To stop this from happening, five hunters have been given the task to hunt and protect to town. It was a story born out of frustration as another story I had intended to be small had grown and needed more work. I just wanted to finish a story so I could go back to it and edit the thing later and iron out the creases. My very first blog post has as its subject this very story entitled ‘The Town of the Mountain.’

Anyway, the first draft has been done and I’ve started to edit it. Its looks like it will take a long time as after only the first chapter I’ve removed one big paragraph and trimmed down a lot of the others. Though I have to say I do enjoy it.

This leads me onto my question for this post….

How do you go about the editing process for any of your stories?

Cheers

I forgot how good these parts are.

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Hello

As I mentioned in my last post I’ve been trying to keep to a writing schedule. I’ve stuck to using Tuesdays as a reading and commenting day and Wednesdays as a definite writing day. I have been able to write on some of the other days whenever I can. In doing this I’ve realised that I can’t really keep to any set writing schedule and I’m thinking I should just write when I can and want. Though Tuesdays and Wednesdays plans will stick for now.

I asked the many groups I’m part of on Facebook and in response I got various comments that suggested a writing plan was both good and bad. I think I’ll see how it goes for now and whether I’d stick to a more disciplined approach (writing at certain times) or a random approach (writing when I want). I’ll keep you posted.

Now onto what this posts title is going on about. I’m currently writing the second to last (or possibly last) chapter of my story ‘The Searchers Want’ which I started for NaNoWriMo and I’m writing the third chapter of my newest story, my take on the vampire myth, ‘The End Solution.’

With Searchers Want I’ve written the story from the third person and focused on the hero. I’ve also jumped to focusing on the villain(s) and the other supporting hero cast as well. The story is concluding with an epic battle between ours heroes and the villains (of course). I have always enjoyed writing the ends of stories as I’ve usually already written them in my head. This means that I already have a template to work from so I’m editing my first draft (which is in my head) whilst writing my first draft (on paper). If that makes sense. In any case I had forgotten how this feels and it’s yet another reason why I love to write.

With The End Solution I’ve decided to write from the third person (surprise) but have the first three chapters introduce the three main characters and two supporting characters whilst starting the story right in the middle of the action. This has worked nicely as I’ve started the story with an event perpetrated by a man (chapter 1) and had the three supporting characters looking for him in a story which runs alongside the event (chapter 2). Chapter 3 introduces the villain and his efforts to try capture him. All this has allowed me to describe and introduce the characters and give the reader a taste of things to come. Hopefully I will make people want to read on.

This all leads me onto my question of the post, how would you introduce your main characters? Straight away or part way through or neither?

Bye Bye

 

A schedule to try and keep.

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Hello

As I’ve mentioned previously I’ve been hoping and trying to keep to a writing schedule. This has so far been fairly successful.

After updating this very blog last week I read a couple of stories on www.protagonize.com. Both of which were good and worked well to help me get back into it. One was young adult (well written and rude but also a little dull) and the other was a chapter of fantasy story I’ve been reading. Its called The War Golum. And it’s awesome. I’ve missed protagonize….

Anyway I would have liked to do more but time got away from me. Tonight I hope to read a few more stories. If time will allow of course.

My writing has also kept going at a steady pace. I’ve hit the main part of the climax to my story I started with NaNoWriMo ‘Searcher’s Want.’ Tomorrow when I pick it back up again I’ll be close to finishing the whole thing. This is something I’ve been waiting for since I started writing the thing back in November 2012. Don’t worry, I won’t rush into it. But I might do. A little bit.

The other story, my second go at my take on the vampire myth ‘The End Solution’, is taking shape even nicer. I want to try and build a world where the government has ultimate control and rules the country like a dictatorship. They kill those who oppose them and tell the rest what to think and do. They have huge government buildings in each major city that tower over it. The only thing that could stop them is the one thing they wanted to create…oooooooo and so on. I’m having fun putting it together and building on some of the characters I mentioned when I did my first draft. Which has been posted on this blog before (3rd February 2013)

Right, I’m going to have a look around and read some stories. But I leave you with a question. Do you find it hard to commit to a writing plan? Either whilst writing one story or many?

Cheers

 

 

 

The glory of the laptop.

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Hello

I would like to start off by saying that I ticked off something from my bucket list this weekend. I completed a 10k run in under an hour ( 54 minutes 50 seconds ). I’m hoping to do next year’s run and try and keep it up for the next few years at least. Wish me luck.

Ok. As you may or may not know I’ve recently embarked on a quest to write two stories at once without getting confused. I’m happy to say that this quest is going very well. Writing two stories side by side (ish) is keeping my mind fresh and I haven’t found myself struggling to write any of them at any time. By that I mean I’m not just writing to get my word count up I’m writing what I feel to be good stuff. Obviously this may be all completely binned come the editing stage but I’m quietly confident.

As for the title of this post, I recently acquired a laptop which is going a long way to helping me to try and get a writing schedule that I can realistically keep to. Since the New Year I have wanted to keep some kind of schedule for my writing. This would (or should) allow me to write on a regular basis and to read other authors stories on a more regular basis as well. I have always enjoyed reading other stories and having the people who frequent the websites I use (http://www.protagonize.com being the main one amongst them) give me feedback. It’s mostly useful feedback I have received so far as most of them are in the same position I am.

My laptop looks is looking like the perfect tool to help get this done.

Just the other day, I found myself waiting for my food to cook and wondering what I could do. I felt like writing but knew that I only had a certain amount of time in which to do so before my food was ready. Then I remembered my laptop. Just sat there on top of my printer waiting to be used. I managed to write a full page for one of my stories which, though it could turn out to be completely useless, has got me a lot closer to being able to make that decision.

So, officially following on from my last post I have prepared a rough schedule for my writing. This currently amounts to whenever I post on this very blog I will look to participate more in the online writing groups I’m part of and the websites I’m a member of. On any other week day I will try to write something towards my two current stories. This all leads me to a question…

What is your current writing plan?

Good pie

 

 

Preparation of all kinds.

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Hello

I’ve continued to write two stories at once and I still enjoy the hell out of it. I’ve not however been able to do this as much as I’d like.

I like to think that I have a good life balance and can spend enough time on each of the things I like to do. This past week though I’ve been a bit relaxed and need to get back into the swing of things. I’m prepared to do some serious writing over the next few days in order to make up for doing not that much over the previous few days.

I’ve got a clear plan in my head and I will hope to accomplish it over the next week and beyond. I’ll keep you posted of course.

My excuse for not writing more often you ask and/or wonder? (Possibly) I just fancied some time chilling out and doing next to nothing. This along with seeing my lovely girlfriend have meant that my writing time has become small and almost non-existent. I’m prepared to make up for that starting today.

I have also been preparing for the Bupa Manchester 10K run. This is something that has been on my bucket list for a while and I’m really looking forward to it. When I applied (because my girlfriend did and who is now NOT taking part due to her reoccurring knee injury) I was slightly scared as I’d not run 10k before signing up. That was back in October (or possibly before I can’t remember) but now my time for running 10k is 56 minutes. When I applied I said I could run it in under and hour so I’m more than confident. I know I can do better than this though and aim too either before the run or on the day. I’m prepared to push myself and I quite honestly can’t wait to do so.

Well I’m off to get some food and then start with the writing again. Laters

 

Two things at once. Hmm…Yeah I’ll give it a try. Oh and notes are awesome by the way.

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Hello

I’ve continued to write my battle scene and I’m happy to say that I’m close to its climax. Not because it was a chore to write the scene (I had to stop myself from getting carried away) but because I already have the end planned out in my head. Now all I’ve got to do is make sure I don’t get carried away (again) and write too much. On a related note, I read a quote recently which sums up how I’d like to be able to write one day. It came from the mind of Linda Harrison and was written inside an article in the June edition of ‘Writing Magazine’ entitled ‘Short and Sweet’.

“Always remember that brilliant writers can pack more of a punch into one line than mediocre writers can achieve in a thousand words.”

The article was about freelancers pitching ideas to editors but this line stood out for me. And it was also written in bigger letters in the middle of the article which helped. I have always enjoyed a good piece of dialogue which could give a twist away or change the whole direction of a story, film or TV programme in just a few seconds. I try and aim to do this but in doing so I’m putting pressure on myself. Hopefully I’ll get over this and reach that goal of a truly great piece of dialogue. And in order to do that I need to write and write some more. So…

As I was writing my battle scene I decided to go back to an old story I had written and put onto protagonize.com and critique circle.com. It’s my take on the vampire myth. If you want to see an older and extremely rougher version of it I posted it on this very blog. The blog post was dated September 2 2012 if you’re interested.

I’ve gone back to it and started to write the first chapter. I’ve found that it’s a good work out for the brain (well mine anyway) to be working on two stories at once. And I’m not finding it as hard as I thought I would as I’ve written a lot of notes for both stories. I’ll keep you updated on how this goes.

I’m going to get back to it. And I leave you with a few questions.

Have you ever written more than one story at once? And if so, how did you find it?

Cheers

 

A little bit here, a little bit there.

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Hello

As I got back to writing my battle scene I noticed that it could use a little something. I have done some writing for each of the main characters and showed them fighting within the battle itself. I haven’t however written about the battle in general and how it is going, shaping up, advancing etc. I looked over the advice I was given a few weeks ago and ummed and arred about how to approach it….

I decided to just jump right in and try and write a battle scene I’d like to see in the end. I always write like this anyway but whenever I’m writing any kind of action I always enjoy it a little bit more. I’ve managed to move the battle along and put my heroes in peril. I’m only part way through it and I’m looking forward to using smell as an indicator of the atmosphere of the battle. It has always helped me when I’m reading a battle scene and as I’m currently reading Giles Kristian’s Odin’s Wolves that applies this (amongst a load of other things) really well I feel I should at least give it a shot. This will all eventually lead to the prelude to the climax of the battle, which I’ve already got written in my head. I’ve also got to remember to feature the police at some point. They come into it after the battle has finished. They witness everything and then come in at the end.

I was going to have the police come in midway through the battle but I decided they wouldn’t be any match for the searchers(advanced humans-non steroid in most cases) and demons(a lot more powerful than them and have no desire to ‘stop’ at any time even when asked politely). The police are only going to be used to let the world know about the searchers and the demons. Which leads me to my question to end this post…

If you needed to send a message to the world and have it listen, how would you do it?

BYE