Demons and their ways.

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Hello

Since my last post I’ve managed to complete two more of my demon character profiles. I now have three of the four demons profiled that make up the villains of my story. I’m really looking forward to writing the next one as it is the chief, among many, villain of the piece.

Each of the other types of demon have certain skills and knowledge to do something in particular. This type of demon, known as the Ripper, was designed as a protector for the other three. It was designed to make sure the others don’t come to any harm.

I have most of the main parts to this character figured out so it shouldn’t take as long as the other three. Which is a shame as I’d wouldn’t mind it taking a lot longer. As I wrote the Searchers Want, the character grew more than the others because it was more influential. The Ripper demon is the architect of the demons plan to take over the world. As much as I enjoyed writing all the other character profiles, this one should be ever so slightly better.

What I am looking forward to as well, amongst a lot of other things when I start editing this story, is expanding on each of the demons characters. Relating to humans is easy, but demons? Do I know any demons? There is a bloke who walks around Manchester with just his trousers on, wet hair, and a bunny rabbit under his arm. Maybe he’s a demon?

Anyway, to sign off, here is a brief on how the Searchers became searchers in the first place. If you have any questions, feel more than free to ask them.

‘ There are four types of demon in total that make up the villains of my story, The Searcher’s Want. Three of them have been designed to do a certain thing to help the human race live better lives. The forth has been designed to protect them while they do this if required. Unfortunately they have decided not to help anyone else but themselves. After discovering, within hours of their birth, the powers that they had, they all fled to different parts of the world. That is what necessitated the man who conducted the ritual to bring them to life, Henry Radcliffe-Gray, to start searching and killing them just under 400 years ago. He is now the Searcher General and commands the rest of the searchers. ‘

Cheers

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

A cold, a notice board and some good tips.

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Hello

After my last post regarding my love/hate relationship with research, well love/like a bit relationship, I found myself with a cold which stopped me in my tracks. I don’t like writing when I’m ill whether it be self-inflicted or not but I managed to stop the cold before it could get going. It put me behind on my character profiles though. I did manage to complete 2/3 of a character profile on the secretary, and wannabe searcher and killer of demons, Valerie Marks for my demon hunting story The Searcher’s Want. She is also a possible love interest for the main character. I’m planning on finishing this tonight and hopefully another profile as well. Bloody colds, you great big (insert your own insult here).

Also, I’ve acquired a notice board. My lovely mother sent me a text saying that she had one going spare. When I saw it I remembered it was the one she always used to use in the kitchen when I was growing up. I always like to keep things that have true sentimental value and, though I did forget about it for a while, this is one such thing. Now all I need to do is start to populate it. And get some pins. And small pieces of card or post it notes. And a good place to put it. Round my neck? In the bathroom? On my bedroom door? I’ll pick a good place for it.

I asked a question at the end of my last post, How do you like to go about doing the research needed for any writing that you are about to do or are currently doing?, and received plenty of good, helpful tips.

Sarah Waldock, of http://sarahs-history-place.blogspot.co.uk/, had some particularly good insights into research. She said that she likes to use actual books for research. This made me realise I don’t actually have any books that are solely used for research only. She said she also has a ‘holy shit that’s interesting!’ notebook which she keeps around for when inspiration strikes. There have been countless times when I’ve heard nuggets of information from passers-by and wanted to remember them and use them at some point. I now have a note book that will, hopefully, stay in whatever bag I carry with me day to day so none of these are missed. For all of Sarah’s useful comments, have a gander at my last post ‘Research…Will I ever like you?’ why don’t you.

Colleen Aune Moore commented when I posted on the Facebook group ‘Writing Friends’ by simply saying ‘How much time have you got?’ I replied saying I had a lot. She then advised that following the links from a Google search will get you the info you need. This is pretty much what I’ve been doing but it’s good to hear that others are doing this as well. I did think I was being a tad lazy doing this. Thanks again. Colleen.

Right, back to the character profiles and the research for the next week, ish.

Speak soon.

 

Research…Will I ever like you?

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Hello

Following on from my last post, which was two weeks ago, my fault, sorry, I have looked into buying a notice board. This may seem like a simple task but I don’t want to be buying notice boards all the time. This is necessary I can assure you. (I’m sure some of you are aware of this anyway.)

I also decided to dedicate a majority of last week to research. I have started to research certain parts of two of my stories, the story I’m currently writing which is my take on the vampire myth, The End Solution, and The Searcher’s Want, my hunter/searcher against demons for the fate of the world story I started, and finished recently, for NaNoWriMo.

For The End Solution, I’ve started by looking into the structure of the British Government. Specifically, who the Prime Minister has around him and why. I since discovered that he has around 21 members of parliament who act as cabinet ministers around him mainly amongst others. This has given me the headache of having to come up with possibly 10 new fully formed characters for this story as I don’t plan to need all of them in a complete capacity. And, along with having to write full character profiles for the ones already in the story, this is both bad and good. Bad, all that time it will take. Good, because I know I’ll enjoy it on many levels and it will help to advance the story greatly. Research…Will I ever like you?

For The Searcher’s Want, I decided to start the character profiles. Using the template I found in a post from writerdsnelson entitled ‘Profiling Blake’, I’ve discovered a lot about my characters and some things I can use to enhance their back stories, and create some conflict which I think the story needs, when I come to re-draft the story in the future. What I found out when doing this was some research, which I’d been neglecting about some of my characters, was sorely needed. For instance, one of my characters, the second oldest searcher named Abraham Smith, has been a searcher for 200 years. He became immortal at the age of 55 after being a searcher for 2 years. Now, this brings up all kinds of things when I’m writing about his history. Working out dates and things. It’s as exciting as it is frustrating. I think I’ve got the dates right, which I’m going to go over again just to be sure, to then find out I’ve missed one thing out. And I have to start all over again. Research…Will I ever like you?

I know I have to do research to make sure my story makes sense when it comes to location, dates and times of things, street names etc. But I think I’m just whining because it’s not as simple as I thought. I’m going to continue for the next week and I’m sure I’ll grow to like it. Here’s hoping anyway.

Well, to end this post and push me back into a research and character building frenzy, I’ll leave you with a question. How do you like to go about doing the research needed for any writing that you are about to do or are currently doing?

Cheers

 

 

Looking inside myself…for stuff and things.

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Hello

Following on from the promise I to myself that I would do more writing, I have, in fact, not done that much. Let’s see why that was…

Thursday 1st August 2013:

Got up. Went to work. Got home. Packed a bag. Stayed over at my girlfriend’s house. Fell asleep.

Friday 2nd August 2013:

Got up. Went to work. Got home. Unpacked a bag. Met my friend for a few beers. Had more beers (very bad ones). Had one last beer. Went home. Had another beer. Fell asleep at 4am.

Saturday 3rd August 2013:

Got up. Was hungover. Had a shower. Was hungover. Played on my xbox for most of the day. Was hungover. Had a nap. Woke up with the shakes. Bought a takeaway pizza. Watched The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (which was very good by the way. I do need to get round to reading those books you know). Fell asleep.

Sunday 4th August 2013:

Got up. Finished the July Edition of Writing Magazine (finally). Did a smeg load of ironing. Played on my xbox. Wrote 674 words of The End Solution (see I do write). Went out to the shop for supplies. Watched The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (which was very good as well.) Fell asleep.

Monday 5th August 2013:

Got up. Went to work. Got home. Packed a bag. On the tram read a chapter of Casino Royale. Stayed over at my girlfriend’s house. Fell asleep.

Today:

Got up. Read another chapter of Casino Royale on the tram to work. Got home. Unpacked a bag. Went for a run (in which I ran 10k in 57mins. I can do 55 minutes. Am I out of shape already?) Had a shower. Played on my xbox. Sat down to write this post.

*I should stress that I did eat, drink and go toilet on all of these days at regular intervals.*

It looks like I play a lot of xbox doesn’t it? I have contemplated getting rid of it but I use it as a reward when I finish writing at any given time. It is also a very good stress reliever, helps to wake me up in morning (not every morning), and helps me to wind down after work.

Seeing my girlfriend is always awesome. I shall keep doing that for as long as I can.

I have been meaning to read more often. The two chapters of Casino Royale should hopefully get me back to my reading ways.  I currently have three books on the go. One which is located in my bathroom, The Curious Case of the Dog at Midnight by Mark Haddon, 1984 by George Orwell, which is in my bedroom, and Casino Royale By Ian Fleming which is in my work bag. I also carry the latest copy of writing magazine in my work bag.

Maybe I need a concrete routine to follow. I have mentioned about wanting to follow a routine but sometimes when I get home from work or at the weekend I just want to do nothing. I’m going to be purchasing an actually notice board to, again hopefully kick start my writing. I know can write more in a week. Hell, I wrote 50,000 words a month once. What is holding me back?

I read an interesting article by Martine McDonagh (www.martinemcdonagh.com) entitled ‘Write-away Days’ which got me thinking about trying to write outside of my flat. Maybe in the local library. Or potentially take a long weekend away and use that to write. I do have a lot of holidays left to take from work?

So, all these words have led me to the questions of the post. How do you ensure you write on a regular basis? And, do you prefer to write at home or away?

 

Cheers

 

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

 

A fistful of grammar.

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Hello

So, I’ve continued to brush up on my grammar skills and as it turns out, I know more than I thought I did. Maybe in my haste to get my stories written I’ve chosen to forget certain aspects of the wonderful, if not very frustrating, world of grammar.

As I’ve been reading through the exceptional book, ‘Improve your grammar; Learn the skills, master the language.’ By Collins. (http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/7802960/Collins-Improve-Your-Grammar/Product.html?searchstring=imporive+your+grammar&searchsource=2&searchfilters=s%7bimporive+your+grammar%7d%2bc%7b91%7d%2b&urlrefer=search or http://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Improve-Your-Punctuation-Graham/dp/0007288069/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1374611468&sr=1-5&keywords=improve+your+grammar) I keep remembering things that I’ve somehow forgotten or easily working out what I should be doing. I’m currently on the section dedicated to commas and all their forms. And if I’ve missed any commas so far or hereafter, I’m sorry.

This has also helped me with my editing and writing over the past week. I’ve continued with my take on the vampire myth and editing one of my older stories. The writing is coming along nicely, although as it’s going along I’m realising that I’m going to need to create a lot more for the world this story takes place in.

It’s a world in which the Prime Minister rules the country like a dictator. He has put in place huge, gothic, dark buildings in each of the main towns and cities across the country. These help him to keep a watch over a majority of it. He uses special employees or ‘Operatives’ to keep an eye on the small villages and day to day life that he can’t control himself. This, as you might imagine, creates a whole host of questions and a whole host of answers to accompany them. I’ll let you know how I get on.

On the other hand, the editing process has been more fruitful than I’d previously anticipated. I’ve always liked editing but after almost two years away from the story I’m casting my eye on, I’m chopping and changing stuff and really starting to be critical of myself. I know I’ll have to go back over it again and again (location, character, descriptions and so on) but if it’s possible I’m looking forward to it more than I ever have.

Well, that’s me for now. I’m going to get back to it. Hmm…How do I end this post…why not with a question?

If you could change one thing about the world today, what would it be? And don’t feel like you have to choose a nice, save the world, type of option. Just go nuts if you like.

 

Bye

 

 

Hello feedback my old friend. How I cherish thee.

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Hello

After posting a short story I’ve been working on for a bit in my last post I received plenty of feedback. This was all quite helpful and very much needed. After going back over the story with the feedback in mind I could see where the story needed to be improved. Thank you to all those who commented on it. I’ll be reviewing and editing said story soon and I’ll probably post it back up for more comments.

I haven’t had any of my stories critiqued in a while so this was all very refreshing. I received some good comments about the story as a whole. Lori Fetters Lopez gave some very valued feedback indeed. Thank you Lori. I also received some good, honest and straight to the point comments about my grammar and use of commas from a few editors that frequent the Facebook writing groups I’m part of. David Neely, Sean Cleary and Roy C. Booth thank you for time and words.

If I could give any advice about being a writer it would be to embrace all kinds of feedback and take all the good parts from it. If you find yourself on the receiving end of someone’s rant about your story just so they can use a whole host of long and not needed words then just laugh at it and pick out the bits you can actually use.

Right, I’m going to get back to it. And if there are any grammatical errors in this post, either let me know or leave me to find them later.

Cheers