Category: Writing

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

The Battle Continues With Thanks.

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Hello

I’ve received some great feedback from my question in my last blog post regarding the battle scene for my story. I’ve jotted down the ideas and will be putting some of them into action soon. I can’t thank the members of the various groups I’m part of on Facebook enough. In particular, Jaden Diebold of the ‘Fantasy Writers’ group, ‘Emmalyn Edwards’ of the ‘WRITING’ group (who also mentioned me in her blog at the following address http://home.earthlink.net/~wyverns/2013.04.01_arch.html#1367095376952 which was AWESOME!!) and Gina Marquita Fiserova of the ‘Writing Friends’ group. They have all given me many nuggets of help for the future.

Now, as for the battle. I continued down the route of telling the story from various view points. I’m currently writing from the view point of the main villain who is about to attack the leader of the Searchers (our heroes). This is not the leader of the army of Searchers in the battle mind you but the now disgraced leader looking to make good. Once I’ve done this I’m going to go back and add in another chapter which will be full of battle scenes. This chapter will be told from a third person perspective and will (hopefully) show how our heroes and villains both go on in the battle before the climax.

I’ve always liked writing battle scenes or any scenes were something is actually happening. I seem to write slightly quicker when I do this aswell. Ok. I’m going to get back to it.

Thanks again to everyone who helped. I’ll let you know how it all ended.

Good Pie

The Battle Commences.

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Hello

As I wrote in my last post I was getting closer and closer to the final battle of the story I started to write for NaNoWriMo. I started by writing out how the battle would go by bullet pointing the key thingshappenings within it. I’ve read numerous times that this is a good way of planning your chapters, big scenes, whole books etc but I always prefer doing this for the climax of my stories.

I tried it once for a whole story but I ended up only using the first few points and the last few. All the ones in the middle got either moved around or changed or deleted. I’m not saying it’s a bad way to go about these things but it’s not my chosen way. Anyway…

I’ve started writing the battle scene.

To set the battle…scene our heroes, the searchers who search and kill the demons, have throughout the story been fighting against four different types of demon. The Calculating demon, the Cautious- Calm demon, the Catcher demon and the Rambunctious or ‘Ripper’ demon. The Ripper has shown itself to be the more dominant one with the guidance help of their intelligent and strong in all ways leader. After he had lost the last battle against the searchers he has committed himself to getting revenge. He has pulled together an army of ripper’s intent on taking back what he believes to be rightfully theirs. Earth. The searchers have now come together from all over the world to try and defend it.

I’m being slightly biased but I think this sounds well good. I was slightly giddy when I came up with this about half way through(ish, possibly) writing the story. As I’ve said before I’ve been looking forward to writing this for a while.

I did agonise a little bit about how to start but I just thought I’d go for it and take care of any inconsistencies or moments of rubbishness in the editing process. I’m happy I did this as I’m enjoying writing it so far. I’m going to go and write some more now I think.

I’ve decided to write the first chapter (of three) for the battle from the view points of each of the main characters, the police and the villain. I’m liking it so far but I’m not sure if it’s the best way to write a battle scene. So, I ask you this?

How would you write an epic battle scene?

Cheers

It’s been a while.

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Hello

I’ve recently moved into to my third flat with my mate and as such have not been able to keep updating this cheek young blog. Sorry.

The move went well. My lovely girlfriend helped me move on 30th March and since then I’ve been hard at work(ish) getting everything sorted. It took longer than I thought. And its not even all done. But I’m happy with it so it was all worth it.

And amidst all this, I managed to get my short short story entered on time. I managed to get round the late edit I had to do(see last post) I also got a call from writing magazine who told me to confirm my address.

Of course, I haven’t told my bible for writing about my new flat! How could I do that? The nice lady confirmed my new address and confirmed the entry was all good and will be considered. Fingers crossed. I’ll post it on here at some point in the near future.

I’ve also done some more writing towards my other story. I’m up to the point where the two leaders of the armies, bad and good, are giving their speeches to drive their armies on. Just before the final battle to end it all. So, I have a question for you….

How would you inspire someone to follow you into battle?

Laters

So close. Bloody research.

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Hello

It’s getting close the dead line for my short short story. I’m almost finished with it and ready to send it in but I would’ve been finished completely if I hadn’t done one thing.

I asked my dad for advice.

Now don’t get me wrong. I value my dad’s opinion greatly and he’s always been very insightful and honest with me. I asked him about the hero of my story. He is 29 yrs old and resembles a blond Hugh Jackman. He also can’t feel hot or cold temperatures. Well, not all the time anyway. It’s only when he gets very close to either of them or is out in either of them for a long time that it affects him.

I ran this passed my good old dad and he said that if the character does actually feel pain then he is not completely immune to hot or cold temperatures. He just has a high pain thresh hold. This would account for him being able to feel pain but only at last minute as he doesn’t react in the same way as most people do when they’re near a fire or out in the cold. This was very insightful and something I needed to hear. I did some more research to confirm this and, as always really, he was right. But this also meant one more thing.

I had to go back over my story and edit it to include this new found, and something I should’ve looked into earlier really, piece of information.

Thankfully I only had to add a few things in so the story would make sense and the reader can understand what the hero’s, in his opinion, condition is and why he feel lonely. The deadline is 13/4/13 and it’s now creeping up on me. Wish me luck and hopefully I’ll get my first competition entry of 2013 in on time.

Well, I’m going to get back to editing the story. I’ll post it on here when it’s finished and hopefully you’ll give me some feedback.

Oh and, how close to missing deadlines have you come in the past?

Laters

A little looks to be going a long way.

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Hello

I recently read an article about in ‘Writing Magazine’ about getting the first draft of your novel finished and one part caught my eye. The rest of it was stuff I already knew. Stuff like having a structure for your story, just typing and not worrying to much about the content as the edit will take care of it and so on. But the one thing that stood out for me was this.(well the general meaning of it anyway as I can’t remember the full quote)

‘You don’t have to write vast amounts each day. Even if you only write a small amount they’re all words that will get you closer to completing your novel.’

I often worry that I should be writing a certain amount each time I sit down at my desk. I’d find myself forcing out 2000 words when really I only felt up to writing 500. But 500 every day is a good amount in anyone’s book. Even just 100 is fair. As you will probably know if you’re into to writing something the words will just flow. Before you know it you’ll count them and find you’ve done a few hundred in no time.

I’m getting into writing everyday and it is very rewarding. I find that I’m moving my current story along nicely and getting closer to the final epic(hopefully) battle that concludes the whole thing. I’ve even used my main twist which I’ve been waiting to use for AGES.

Well, I’ll get back to it. But one question before I do, how many words do you write each day when you’re writing a story?

Bye

That short short story of mine

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Hello

So I’m well on my way to finishing my entry for the writing magazine’s short short story competition. Having only 750 words to work with is hard. But exceedingly good.

I’m settled on my story but making sure use all the words are used correctly and none are wasted is as good as it is bad.

Its bad because I find myself overthinking what words to use. But I suppose any writer does. Should I use the word ‘explain’ or ‘define’? Should I say ‘he wounld’nt have it.’ or ‘he would’nt listen.’ The story is set in my head but the words that link it up just keep on changing. This is bad because the deadline is 13/4/13 and with editing comes one or two corrections each time. I shall keep going though. I’ve come this far.

Its good because I get to see an idea I’ve had for years grow. I get to see an idea which I’ve sat on for ages come to fruitition. I have to say I find it…how do I put this…well awesome! Even if the story doesnt get me anywhere in that competition, I’ll have it written. I’ll have it to re-jig. I’LL HAVE IT.

Anyway, i’m gonna back to it. That thing won’t edit itself. So I’ll leave you with a question…

Have you got an idea you’ve been sitting on?

Getting in the mix.

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Hello

Following on from my last post I received some very good ideas from the some of the people who make up the extremely awesome Fantasy Writers group on Facebook. I’ve since created a few characters from Stockport and intend to use other people that I’ve met on nights out and such things as a base for the fringe characters. You know the ones who you chat to like they’re your best friend for an hour one night but never see them again. The ones that inadvertently turn a normal night out into a great one.

I’ve moved my story along but as I was doing so something hit me. One of the things I have enjoyed about taking my writing more seriously is entering into competitions. But I haven’t done it in AGES. So I’ve decided to enter a short short story competition through the magazine I subscribe to ‘Writing Magazine’. It’s a 750 word fiction contest in any genre you like. I’m enjoying creating a new story as well as, though I like the story I’m writing, a break is always good.

Having to come up with a new story has always been one of my favourite parts of the writing process. So, I ask you this. What is your favourite part of the writing process?

Also, if you’re interested in the competition, the website is http://www.writers-online.co.uk

Bye

 

You can’t have too many characters. Can you?

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Hello

I find myself at a particular part of my current story that I’m not the biggest fan of.

The bit just before the climax of the story.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’ll still put all I have into writing this part of the story like I have with the rest of it but as I write it all I can think of is…How should I start the final battle scene? Who should die? Who should be the hero? What surprises should I or indeed do I need to put in? etc etc etc

Now, in this part of my current story my (reluctant) hero is waiting for backup which he can make into an army at short notice. The bad guy already has his army and is waiting on the battle ground. But this throws up even more things to stop me from getting to the climax.

More smeggin characters to introduce.

I’m not giving them huge descriptions but the ones that do get them will feature more prominently in the climax and the others will get even smaller ones but will still feature somehow. But they all need them. And they all need to be written.

I do however like creating these kinds of characters. I don’t need to give them in depth descriptions but just enough so the reader can (hopefully) picture them and care about them a little bit. I’ve so far managed to get some Spanish female twins (described as stunning as anyone who’s been to Spain can confirm) and an American who models herself on Buffy the vampire slayer. There are men involved  as well I swear. These are just fringe characters remember.

Well, I’m going get back to making more characters and getting to that wonderful climax I can’t wait to write.

Bye Bye

Writing groups. Sounds good but how do I find them?

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Hello

I bet its an easy process but how do I find a good writing group to join?

I’ve read enough to convince me that a writing group may be the next thing I need to do to progress with my writing. It sounds like a good way to get my writing critiqued to a (hopefully) high standard and to get it out to more people.

I will (again hopefully) be moving to greater manchester and I’m looking for a good writing group to join. But do I simply google it or is there a place I can go to find what I’m looking for?

Any suggestions would be greatly appriated.

Well thats me for now.

Bye bye

in praise of sleep

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This is why sleep should be a part of the working day as well as a majority of the night.

a different daylight's avatara different daylight

I’ve just finished At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O’Brien. Don’t let the incomprehensible title put you off. It contains vast stores of wisdom:

What is wrong with…most people…is that they do not spend sufficient time in bed.

I find nothing to disagree with in the above.

When a man sleeps, he is steeped and lost in a limp toneless happiness: awake he is restless, tortured by his body and the illusion of existence.

Flippin torturous body.

Why have men spent centuries seeking to overcome the awakened body?

YES. Forget this waste of thinking power, philosophers.

Put it to sleep, that is a better way. Let it serve only to turn the sleeping soul over, to change the blood-stream and thus make possible a deeper and more refined sleep…

In fact, let us all become cats:

cat pandaI admit he looks more like a panda in this photo, but it’s the same…

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