A little Fun

Once again I wish I had some really great news to report but after months of planning a exciting trip overseas, my plans seem to have fallen through. I am disappointed but not as much as the last time I attempted to set this trip. That time hurt like a spear through the heart. This time I saw the signs telling me it wasn't meant to be, not yet anyway, and though I'd still like to go, I know now is not the time. None the less I do have one more trip up my sleeve, a research trip for a future chapter(s) of my novel series. More on that another time.

Today I'm going to do something unusual, a few Shout Outs starting with the lovely duo: Melissa & Brittany Ann Zayas of the web serial:
Three of Swords
I wanted to first thank them for the lovely drawing featured above. I love it!
Secondly I wanted to commend them for their wonderful story. Set in the late 19th century, each chapter is full of mystery, magic and intrigue and written so that you feel as though you are within the time period, not to forget the fabulous illustrations, drawn with such style that they accentuate the feeling that you are indeed within the century presented. While its not 100% appropriate for all ages due to sexual situations and violence, I would still recommend anyone interested to take a stop on by the Three of Swords!

Next is for a new friend who goes by the name Smoludozerka. Recently she began a web comic:

While there isn't much up to go on yet I still look forward to finding out what she has planned for Demonade. The comic can also be found in polish here and more of her art can be found here
Together we created this nonsense. I've never done a Meme before but I think things worked out. (My part is to the right, hers to the left. My comp died so most of it had to be hand drawn and scanned in) And in case you were wondering, here's a little more on one of the main characters from "Journey"
CAUTION: BEWARE! AHEAD THERE BE SPOILERS! (sorta ^_^'' )


Otherwise there really isn't much else going on. I'm still working on editing but have also been working on a few other side projects, including working on that pile of books I need to read >_< haha.

Till next time folks!

Enter Title Here

((Ah, spring is in the air... despite the forecast for snow tomorrow, after a day of 60+ deg.F weather, there is no turning back till the end of the new year.))

I honestly must admit that this is an impromptu blog post. I have nothing really special to write about though I have a few minor topics now on my mind.

I recently had a phone consultation with one of the Book DR's from Pitchapalooza which I feel went fairly well. I got some good insight and help on how to spruce up my pitch letter, but work on that can wait till after I've fixed up the novel itself. The biggest item which had been pointed out was characterization of my main "villain". He seems to be too vague at the moment but since he doesn't make an appearance for a while yet I still have some time to figure what makes him more of a man than a mere figure head.

Otherwise editing is going slow. While planning ahead for the future of my novel excites me, where I am now in editing leaves me at a loss. Due to changes I've made I found myself stuck within ch 29 with no where to turn and in my mess I discovered that things I had been surrounding myself with had been harming my cause rather than helping. Troubles at work, marathoning a mind numbing tv show and reading a book I was not enjoying are and were a recipe for disaster. But now that I have finished that show and picked up something I enjoy reading more, editing has come a little easier and things are finally piecing back together after being so horribly broken.

I think at this pace I may finish ch 29 by the end of the week. *crosses fingers*
And then the fun stuff will finally begin!

Now for something random/ a sample of my writing (which may or may not get edited in the future).
Often I have very odd but interesting dreams. When that happens I usually write them down for use in future stories. Last night however I had a dream in which I could never use due to the fact it was based on a copyrighted idea. I have no idea why Sherlock Holmes would grace my waking dreams but that was how it was. (Thus the reason I woke with an urge to watch Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes as noted on my twitter.)

The dream went a little something like this: (the woman had no name)

London, year 18XX

Earlier that morning Watson and Holmes had gotten into a tiff of sorts that resulted in the team making a bet that for just one day, a full 24 hours, Holmes wouldn't be so "Holmes-y". That he would just for once try to be average and not so... above average. Of course Holmes denied such a claim. If anything he breathed, dressed, ate and drank like the best of the average blokes out in the dingy London streets but to humor Watson he accepted his companions wager and was left to his means.
Things were easy going at first for being alone in his loft was easy enough. He slept, smoke, read the paper and then she showed up.
Lead in by the landlady she was dressed in the finest, her dress a purple hue and her brown hair done up in a bun with ringlets framing her face.
"Sherlock Holmes I presume..." She spoke as a school teacher would a child and slowly Holmes lifted himself up from his lounge as she continued. "Your name comes to me with great recommendation, from a great many." She stepped further into the room from the doorway, her gaze remained steadfast and unconvinced as she gazed upon him and his mess of living space.
"Does it..." Holmes replied, eyeing her, picking out bits and pieces of her person from how she adorned and addressed herself physically. Make up, wedding ring, broach, hair, strict stance with feet pointed straight ahead, everything pointed to something.
"Indeed." She replied. "I believe I may have a case for you... however..." She turned each cheek before returning her skeptical gaze back to Holmes. "I remain unconvinced of the claims surrounding your name and your powers of deduction."
"I assure you Misses..." He began, halting as a sly smirk crossed her lips and Watson's words echoed in his mind.
'Be Average'
"One slip" He thought "Surely that can be overlooked."
"Misses? Why Mr. Holmes I have not yet introduced myself. Do I appear so matronly that you would immediately assume that I am wed?"
Holmes eyed her and held his tongue.
"Well... I..." He stammered, glancing aside with a grimace. "How a lovely creature such as yourself could not be..."
Again the woman seemed unamused by what she witnessed and pressed on so as not to waste either or their time.
"Either way, Mr. Holmes, and you were correct in your assumption that I am indeed wed, I have brought with me evidence from my case..." From a bag held firmly at her side she pulled out a porcelain plate, french in style with a form and shape that could only be dated from XXXX by the late artist XXXX. The piece was fascinating, incredible and quickly Holmes' eyes were drawn to the intricate details; cracks in the glaze, the color and intricate line of the design along the border, the imagery within the center of a female field worker in a blue dress. How she could so frivolously pull such a piece from a bag as if it were nothing more than a baguette bought at the corner bakers shop, he could just barely deduce, just barely. This piece meant little to her but why and what its significance...
"Mr. Holmes!" Her voice rang loudly and swiftly he looked up to her realizing he'd nearly lost himself again. Drooling over an artifact as a common man might over the buxom bosom of a street walker, yet his interest seemed to have caught her in the right way and she forgave him by asking "What do you deduce from this piece."
Again his eyes strayed and just as he was ready to speak of money, import and business Watson's words caught him in a net or triviality. Dare he prove himself and gain a case, loosing him his bet or dare he do the unthinkable and play the average man's game, giving in to petty pride while loosing both an intriguing case and another commendation. There had to be a way around it.
"What-do-you-see, Mr. Holmes?" Her patience were running thin and as Watson's words again rung in his mind, he spoke as he felt an average man, like Watson, might speak.
"What I see is a woman in a blue dress."

-and that's where the dream ended-

Ok, yes I did add a little there and yes it is quite lame (When I told someone of the dream they just stared at me blankly) but it was a fun scenario, so I went with it ^_^'' None the less I think I will leave anything to do with Sherlock Holmes to the proper professionals...

Now time for sleep because I'm already half way there!

Happy Belated New Year

((It took me a while to come up with a holiday picture because of the varying religious beliefs of my characters. So I decided to settled for something neutral. The majority of characters in my novel are some kind of Catholic/Christian but there are many who also believe in different things/nothing at all so to be fair I went with a "warm wishes for a grand new year" type image. There are a few things off with the pic, especially with the colors but I'll over look them for now. Still getting the hang of photoshop >_< If you notice that one of the main chars is missing it's because he's probably at the local pub ringing in the winter solstice with everyone else trying to warm up with a pint. Yup that's my story and I'm sticking with it... I totally didn't forget about him, nooo.. ^_^''))


Hello all and welcome to the year 2011! As I begin to type this post it has begun to snow. The third time of the new year and it is expected to be quite a doozy of a coming storm, but right now its just a light fall, glassy, like sprinkled sugar crystals.

The reason this post is so late is because I was waiting on Good news to share. Unfortunately because I was expecting it, it never came and now I'm stuck with very little to post. I guess because there is no news there is still hope for good but its been over a month so... I'm not holding my breath, sadly. (In my case no news is just as well off as bad news, if not worse because it leaves unanswered questions mounting.)

So I'll leave off with wishing everyone a grand new year. I hope all your holidays were swell and....

Lookit' the holiday gifts I got! My first JBTM fan art(s)!
(Click on the names to see more art by these fabulous artists!)

1)Gaillen by GalidorTheDragon
2)Morjin and the Monk by RoyalHeather
3)A Very JBTM XMAS by Arugaisou








THANK YOU EVERYONE!! I LOVE THEM!

Pitchapalooza- Ten Tips to Getting Published

((Drew this a while back of a scene that comes up early in JBTM. The words written are not exactly the text on the page but it summarises the mood of the scene. ^_^'' ))

The other day I attended my first Pitchapalooza. An event where aspiring writers gather to pitch their ideas to a pannel of judges who work in the publishing industry (agents, publishers & published authors).I will begin by saying that I walked away from the event discouraged/disheartened and a bit on edge. I will also add that it would have been nice if the adds for the event had a disclaimer stating that depending on the number in attendence there could be a chance not everyone would get to pitch their ideas, but negative thoughts aside the night, though disapointing for me, was certainly an experience and I cannot say I did not walk away with information did not have before.

Next I want to wish the winner of the evening Ms. Suzanne Wells the best of luck in the writing, editing and the publication of her book/memoir.

Now on to the evening!
I'd have to say that there were atleast 130 people in attendance (all aspiring writers). A greater number than what had been estimated by both the pannel and the location where the event was being held. Granted my numbers may be a bit off but when it's standing room only and shelves had to be moved to make room, the number appears about right. I didn't count when things started rolling, but once everyone was signed up we were told only 25 of the lot would be able to give their pitches, so at random names were called (the person right after me being picked >_<) and the night began. There were many ideas from a scratch & sniff kids guide to NYC to novels about heaven, hell and those that fall in between; handling loss; life in general; dieting; alzheimers; poetry; nature guides for kids shown through photographs; abuse; & a fantasy tale as told through the eyes of an imp; but not everyone had the proper pitch and only one could win the night.

So what was it that the judges said that I took away with me?
1) Make your pitch an elevator pitch.
What is an elevator pitch? To my understanding it is a pitch where you can compare or relate your idea to books already on the market while being able to discern your own from the already published.

2) To establish an elevator pitch you must read! Read anything that might have to do with your topic. (I have some work to do with this one >_<)Also do your research and see how you can put a spin on what's already been done.

3) Take advantage of organizations that might have something to do with yourself or what you want to publish. Get your foot in the door to get your writing out there. For example- During the night the judges told those with Alzheimer related books to contact Alzheimer organizations see if they could contribute their stories or poems to share with the community/ web sites. Another example was a young man with Autism who had a great idea for a kids fantasy series, he was told to contact Autism organizations to see if there was anything they could do to assist him.

4) Take advantage of social networking sites. You can market yourself/ your book on/in places such as Youtube, starting off small and working your way to larger productions that will give your idea/book more attention/notoriety. I was a bit surprised the judges gave this suggestion.

5) I was even more surprised to see the judges tell some of the writers that they could/should go the route of self publication (a route being taken by so many these days, a route that I was told some publishers frown upon. Guess that isn't so much the case anymore, hmm?)BUT with a word of caution for those wishing to add illustrations. Be cautious with self publication and art. You may have the best pictures in the world but that doesn't guarantee they will come out the same on the printed page. They said it was best just to get the words printed and worry about the quality of the art for if and when a publisher picks your book up.

6) Never be ashamed of your idea. Stand strong despite opposition to your idea. Example- one of the pitchers came up with an idea that was so unnerving the silence it brought over the room took the speaker aback and brought the pitch into the realm of near apology. There is always an audience out there for something, it may not be a big one but they are there so if you have an idea, run with it.

7) If you write, have a theme. For example- Poems. If you want to publish your poems try to sort them by theme. If you want them all together maybe place themes as chapters if there aren't enough of a single theme to make a full book. Readers can be picky and wouldn't want poems randomly thrown at them.

8) Be mindful of cost.If a publisher sees that your book/idea is going to cost more to produce than people will be willing to pay for it published (such as if there are extra/ special effects like sound, scratch & sniff, pop ups/ outs etc)then a publisher may not be willing to take the chance of producing the book.

9) You might want to write a series of novels but try to end the first as if there will not be another to follow. (I'm a bit torn on this one because of the sheer length of my novel if it isn't split into two separate books)Publishers are wary of starting a new author with a lengthy series because if the first does not do well they won't have the incentive to publish the rest of the series, a bit like in the movie industry, which brings me to

10) Depending on the type of book, write it like it could/ should be made into a movie. Alot of films are based on books these days. (I have considered this many times though there are things I would add to a film that would be out of place, or not included in the books. It's hard to not wonder who would fit the bill of my characters or how certain situations or characters could be represented and what might be omitted if time restraints forced chapters/events to be taken out.)

I hope this info might help another aspiring writer wanting to someday publish. Also, best of luck to everyone present at Pitchapalooza. It was certainly an interesting/ informative event.

Random note- I have never heard the name I gave my main char before and now in the past week I've heard it three times in different places. Not really sure what I should think about that... kinda thought I had just made it up. I suppose this is all for the better, a real name is more relatable, right?

Heh.

Now looking at my page of pitch notes I have to laugh at how nervous I was. The page is in taters from having been folded and unfolded, twisted and crumpled in my shaking hands. I suppose it was for the best I didn't get a chance to voice myself. I was far too nervous and would have rushed my words, not to mention the fact that my pitch did sound a bit too much like another in the respect of it being about a characters journey of self discovery but, dear reader, in case you were curious
this is about what I was going to say: (Each person was only given 60 seconds to voice their novel, so it is indeed a short summary.)

(Note:If I had done an elevator pitch it probably would have involved comparison to Philip Reeve's "No Such Thing as Dragons" - which I have read- or Christopher Paolini's "Eragon", which I have to honestly admit I have not yet read but know through synopsis' found on the web. Again if you look back at number 2, I still have many many books to read, Eragon is on the list. ^_^')

"Growing up in an isolated village led Gaillen to believe that everything he had heard about the world outside was nothing more than fairy tales and stories made up to scare little kids. But when the heat of the summer threatens his people and bandits ravage his ailing home, Gaillen is forced beyond the safety of the mountains and into the tyrannically ruled kingdom of Aisur where he must face his fears of the unknown to survive in a world more fantastic than the tales he had grown up with. Lost and alone, Gaillen is befriended by the bird like people, the Tsubakin; is robbed and rescued by a renegade knight; and has his heart stolen and broken by a crafty young mage. Together with his new comrades, Gaillen unwillingly becomes involved with the secrets of Aisur and finds that his once sheltered life will never be the same."
"Journey Beyond the Mountains" is/will be a young adult fantasy/fiction novel (series).


12/10- Edit- Just to note there had been 250 people in attendance and only 20 of the lot got a chance to pitch.

Standards...?

((Another look at the JBTM Cast. I'm still trying to figure out my style and though this still doesn't represent the cast as I see them in my minds eye, its better than what I had before. Yet I didn't mind so much representing them with animals. Perhaps those images shall make their way here at some point in time. ))

This post is going to be more about my art than my writing. At present I'm on ch 23 and the editing is just crawling along, inch by sluggish inch, until I feel it's right to pass on. Alot is being changed with the characters and their interactions, but I feel great attention must be payed to this chapter since the two featured do become important. Spoiler? Perhaps.

But on to more pressing matters. Recently I was offered the opportunity to draw up some comic strips for another web blog (rant blog as it may be)since it's author claims to have lacking abilities in the scribble dept. At first I was excited. Someone actually liked my art enough to ask me to draw for them! So in returned I asked for a few scripts and waited patiently until they arrived with roughly, stick figure drawn story boards. What I received however was not quite what I was expecting. While I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinions, I was taken aback by some of the articles I was given. While some were "cute" others were to my opinion, somewhat offensive or lacking in tact.

Now when I used to take acting classes I was always told there is no such thing as bad publicity. That even if you do wrong, it will gain you attention you would have never gotten otherwise, and okay... this is for acting but it sort of does apply here, if'n you recall that untimely printed comic for Garfield back on Vets day. That got some good hits on the Internet because alot of people wanted to know what the hubbub was about, but I digress. As much as I appreciate the offer I don't feel I can take the opportunity. As much as I would like to get myself out there and have my drawing/writing/what have you, seen I don't feel right about it. I want to find my way through good, not controversial means and though I could possibly do one or two of the "cuter" comics I don't think that could be part of the plan, even if I put a disclaimer stating the opinions drawn are not my beliefs.

No, for now I think I will stick with my novels and story illustrations, keeping with ideas I can agree with rather than ones I have to struggle to stomach. Even though I may/will eventually have to touch upon controversy with character development, those are just characters and they are not alone. There will be those my readers can agree with and those they cannot, and they can read into it all they want but they will know it is all just part of the story. They can choose their sides and question whose I am on, but that is all part of the fun of reading, isn't it?

I ask you dear readers. What would you do?

T-Nooler now Twitter Accessable!

Hope everyone who celebrates it had a Happy Halloween! And those who don't well... I hope you get the chance to go out and get yourself a pumpkin and some yummy candy. Above is a pic I doodled of the JBTM crew dressed up as the characters from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, one of my favorite animes, for Halloween. Just so ya'll can get an idea of who makes up the main cast and what their personalities are... sort of like... (Eli is a little more modest than Yuko and Dru at first is alot quieter and seemingly grumpier than Kamina... but that will change... hopefully.) So enjoy and while I'm up to adding new surprises, you can now follow me on Twitter! Granted I will only be able to tweet after work hours (9 pm or later- accursed long hour days) but I generally don't have a whole lot to say to begin with and I feel it is a better way to update with how my editing is going than waiting for me to find a topic to post here, right?

heh ^_^'

Well have a nice first of November everyone. Turkey day is lurking just around the corner.

Dialogue Debate

(Just getting in the Halloween spirit. Took this photo while visiting my brother in T.N. when we went to the Union Station Hotel.)

So I may have a bit of a setback. While editing today I noticed something off about the little icon that tells you how much battery you have left on your comp. It was loosing power faster than normal and when I plugged it in, it seems to have gotten stuck at 88%. Might just be a bad outlet but I'll have to monitor it. Just when I get my art computer back my writing computer starts to die... what's up with that? If it does turn out to be something with the battery (hope this has nothing to do with having kept it plugged in during the storm we had last night) I'll have less time to edit the novel since I can't tote around my art computer... and I was making such progress -_-

Now on to today's topic. Dialogue.

Dialogue can play a key part in character development and dynamic. Even if a character cannot speak they still have inner thought which can reflect on actions that have or have not occurred and the words they cannot speak may provoke the voices of others. I guess a good example of that would be found in the web comic Strays by Samantha Whitten & Stacey Pefferkorn. (I do suggest you stop by, its a great story with amazing art.)

In my novel I had a lot of scenes driven by dialogue which illustrated the clashing personalities of my two main characters but as one character changed the dynamic also changed, removing the necessity of many of their conversations. While I found many of these conversations witty and comical if not provocative, I now find that while I still do like the scripting and wish to keep the ideas, I just can't find a place for them anymore. None the less I hold on to the bits long enough to see if there is any chance for them as I cut down the chapters, eventually finding the strength to just let them go so the chapter can run smoother and the scene gets to the point faster. It does bug me a little when things tend to get to the point too fast, for example- the characters enter a town and less than five minutes in they encounter the antagonist and action ensues right after an eventful... event, an example being the film "Clash of the Titans" 2010 version where it was action after action with little pause and time to develop characters and their relationships with both their teams and the villains, but some people like that, getting bored of a story too soon when there is down time, and some publishers like that to for the same reason. But really that is up to you. There will always be readers out there who will love your writing and those who don't for one reason or another. Never let that deter you. You write for the love of writing, your story and your characters. Your audience comes second because everyone is different, everyone has their own tastes. Let them have the challenge of finding that book and earning the rewards of discovering their heart through the world that lies beyond the cover.

Just some thoughts.

Now dare I risk turning on my editing computer to do a little more editing?

Maybe

AH! and I just added a header to the Blog. Small portion of a larger image from the cover for JBtM before the book was split. Dunno if I will be keeping this but it's better than what had been there. Enjoy!