tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78721881663879731522024-03-05T13:53:26.871-08:00The Useless BlogBlog of Author Nathan MajorNathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.comBlogger313125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-6759316190252797672014-01-17T17:59:00.003-08:002014-01-17T17:59:25.408-08:00I'm slightly more professional now.Hey blogging buddies (those of you that are still around), I slammed together a sort of professional style website that goes over the stuff I like to do. So if you want to see all my designs, writings, reviews, and other stuff in one convenient location, then drop on over to<br />
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<a href="http://www.nathanlmajor.com/"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>NATHAN'S AWESOME NEW SITE...THING!</i></b></span></a><br />
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Hopefully you read that with an echoy, reverb voice. If not, read it again, please.<br />
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Also go to the site. And proofread it, because I'm pretty sure it's full of spelling typos.Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-27141143021102986762013-12-04T14:11:00.001-08:002013-12-04T14:11:15.577-08:00WreedleFirst off, I'm not dead! Hooray!<br />
Second off, I have awesome news! My cousin and I are developing an upcoming web site solely focused on helping indie authors get their books to as many readers as possible. On the flip side, the other half of the design is to help readers easily find quality indie books in their preferred genres. It's a daunting task but we are off to some great ideas here, and should have a beta site to show people very soon!<br />
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A few things that I need from you, dear reader, to help me in this endeavor.<br />
First, if you're a self-published (or traditionally published) author and have two minutes, <a href="http://tiny.cc/c25i7w">take this survey</a>. This is us trying to find out exactly what authors want and need and how this will work.<br />
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Second, if you are a reader (which I'd imagine is everybody here), <a href="ttp://tiny.cc/u65i7w">take this survey too</a>. It's also short, but our attempt to get a better idea of what READERS want.<br />
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Then we're gonna mash 'em together and make a site out of it. It's gonna be great.<br />
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For now, we are accepting beta signups and will provide updates if you sign up on <a href="http://wreedle.com/">Wreedle.com</a>. If you sign up there, we are giving away free stuff along the way (like adspace!) so it's totally worth it! Also, I'm in charge of the mailing list, so I don't send no spam or nothin.<br />
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In the WRITING side of things, I'm self-publishing! Steelgods 1 should be out January 1st, 2014, with any luck. I'm also going to be going crazy with a small group of friends, hopefully forming a squadron of self-publishers. Our goals are still up in the air, but just keep an eye out for that. And I'm going to be writing a lot more.<br />
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That's it! Sign up! Take surveys! Do it! Yeaaaah!Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-34094884273507651012013-08-06T14:20:00.003-07:002013-08-06T14:21:01.888-07:00Book Review: The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvDgOBVnNZXDqQFroQbVN26FqWksWhGYwowceoTZqZ5I5vxjZlnCD-BmOJRoU8IQY6ZEkBiZodkmFxUpFCZw9REYqb2w4LVbxW3C6dnachTn2FmRhhKWHnruJZfYrGiSMtmV6FO0uOY8/s1600/10137823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvDgOBVnNZXDqQFroQbVN26FqWksWhGYwowceoTZqZ5I5vxjZlnCD-BmOJRoU8IQY6ZEkBiZodkmFxUpFCZw9REYqb2w4LVbxW3C6dnachTn2FmRhhKWHnruJZfYrGiSMtmV6FO0uOY8/s400/10137823.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
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I made a comment after finishing the book that <i>The Rithmatist</i> is what happens when Brandon:<br />
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- Read <i>Harry Potter</i><br />
- Read <i>The Name of the Wind</i><br />
- Played a bunch of <i>Starcraft 2</i><br />
<i>- </i>Attended a college geometry class<br />
- Had some fever dream, and thus <i>The Rithmatist </i>was born<br />
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If any of those things sound appealing to you, you might as well give the book a shot, because it's a pretty good one.<br />
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The premise is simple: there's a world that I'm pretty sure is Steampunk (it is only mentioned once, and it's that steampunk horse on the cover. No, it doesn't have <i>anything </i>to do with the main plotline, but I guess steampunk is "in" these days so you have to put it on the cover) but the real magic lies in chalk drawings. Rithmatists, which is "Arithmatists" but without the "A," can use chalk lines formed into specific geometric patterns to create magical, living...things. Lines can become walls or attack arrows. Drawn creatures can be minions that can attack or defend. In most cases, this magic is used for either duels (hence the <i>Starcraft II </i>comparison) where they build their own defenses (read: bases) and attack each other with lines or minions, or is used to hold back the wave of what is basically "rogue chalk minions" on some island to stop them from taking over the world. Actually, that second one is pretty important, because it's what all Rithmatists are training to do with their lives: serve on the front lines and then retire.<br />
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Our main hero is <i>not </i>a Rithmatist, but he attends a high-brow school where the Rithmatists are trained alongside normal students. The guy really wants to be a Rithmatist though, so much you'd say he's obsessed. He really wants to train with a Rithmatist teacher and, because this is a YA novel, he eventually does. But behold and lo, dear reader, for <i>mystery </i>is afoot! Somebody is offing the Rithmatist students in weird ways, and it's up to our hero, his inept love interest slash enemy slash friend slash girl bad at magic, and a washed-up professor to crack the case! Sound like <i>Harry Potter</i>, just a little? Yes? No? Well, it kind of is. Just a little.<br />
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To be honest, this book has a surprising <i>lack </i>of action considering it's a Brandon Sanderson novel, and I'm fine with that. I consider <i>The Emperor's Soul</i> to be his best work ever, and even in that novella the fight scene seemed tacked on. It's fun to follow the rag-tag group of mystery solvers as they try to crack the case and discover more about Rithromancy? Rithmamancy? Rithmatism? Whatever.<br />
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Speaking of things that are "un-Brandon Sanderson-like," this book is <i>short</i>. While I did feel the arch concluded in the right timeframe for the novel, I wished the whole thing had gone on a bit longer. Oh well, it leaves on a scene that exists just to bait a sequel (this is more Brandon Sanderson-esque), so you'll get the rest of the story in the second novel. And third one, if he goes that far.<br />
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My other major beef with the novel is the ending "twist," and not the first one about the killer but that <i>other</i> one. I won't say anything for spoilers, but it's absurdly lame and almost predictable, and exists only to push a second novel. It also sort of destroys any sense of closure that the book had been building up to, which makes a lot of it feel like a waste. I understand the need to get people excited for a second book, but I was <i>already </i>excited before this scene popped in and made me angry. Also, the final "battle" is anticlimactic compared to the one that happens literally one chapter before it, and seems tacked on to the end just to show how all the characters have grown and can work together now. Yawn.<br />
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Complaints aside, <i>The Rithmatist</i> is a solid Sanderson novel, and has everything that fans of his books want: cool magic, fun characters, a splash of humor, and plenty o' plot twists. If you like the guy's work you've probably already read it, but if you're on the fence I'd say take the plunge! It's a fun, fast read and is entertaining from cover to cover. Just...sort of turn your brain off for the ending.<br />
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<b>Four out of five stars. </b>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-70857308348719091512013-08-06T14:02:00.001-07:002013-08-06T14:20:47.720-07:00Book Review: Strangers by Michaelbrent Collings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strangers-ebook/dp/B00D5N57A2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1375822199">Currently available On Kindle for $3.99</a>)<br />
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Home invasion stories in the horror genre work because home is where we feel like we are safe. We have to, or else we wouldn't be able to sleep at night. Home, with those we love and care about, is a bastion from the dangers of the world, a sanctuary against the hustle and bustle of outside and where we feel confident we can help and protect one another.<br />
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So taking that and tossing it on its head is always an effective method to provide scares, even if it's a common trope.<br />
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Michaelbrent Collings has, by my count, nearly covered every single horror situation by this point, minus maybe the "creepy dark haired Japanese girl" one. From foggy towns to haunted houses, insane parents to vicious fairies and vampires, to ghosts and demons and now home invasions, he's got all his bases covered. But that's a good thing, because even if the premise is something familiar, Michaelbrent does an excellent job in all his novels of taking a tried-and-true horror concept and making it his own. And <i>Strangers</i> is no exception.<br />
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Were I to elevator pitch the novel, it would be "The Strangers" meets "Saw." A family, innocent on the outside but harboring deep dark secrets on the inside, is trapped inside their home as an unknown assailant wrecks havoc on them. Anything else would be potential spoilers, just know that the secrets the harbor are dark, and lead to horrific consequences. While the underlying "goal" of the main villain might be predictable, there are still plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep you gripping the novel, including a rather large double (and then triple) twist at the end that felt perfect for this type of horror novel.<br />
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The pacing is, as usual, phenomenal. Once you get into the "meat and potatoes" of the book, Michaelbrent has his metaphorical hooks in you, and it's hard to quit before its over. I've always seen that a sign of an excellent writer if he can keep me gripped to my kindle all the way to the end, ignoring dishes, chores, or even sleep because I "have to know what happens next." Strangers accomplishes this, and in spaces, with one minor exception: the beginning. While the prologue chapter is a ghastly scene that does well in setting up the nightmare to come, there is a lot of idle time spent before the monster actually appears. That and the final portions of the novel do seem to drag a little (this is a <i>long</i> horror book), but if you persevere through the slow start the novel is absolutely worth it.<br />
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I made a comment in my review of <i>Darkbound</i> that the gore escalation in Michaelbrent's novels is a bit off putting, and I'm pleased to say that <i>Strangers</i> doesn't fall in the same trap. While there are several grotesque and graphic scenes, most are done in a way that they're actually scary rather than just desensitizing, with most of the horror in the book delightfully gore-free. I think Michaelbrent found the balance between <i>Rising Fears</i> and <i>Darkbound</i>, which makes this an appealing book for those who like both psychological and gore-scares.<br />
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<i>Strangers</i> is a great spin on the home invasion novel. While nothing is particularly novel in and of itself, the book is absolutely gripping, the horror and tension real, and the ending twists loads of scary fun. If you're looking for a fast-paced read for that dark evening at home, you couldn't do much better. Just be sure to lock the windows and doors before you do (but honestly...it won't help!).<br />
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<b>Four out of five stars. </b>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-68770869823164250892013-06-28T17:04:00.000-07:002013-06-28T17:04:25.115-07:00A Call for AlphasI'm in need of Alpha readers for<i> A Straight Cut, </i>which is finally finished. It's pretty easy: read the book and tell me what works and what doesn't. Simple. Even a child could do it. If the child could read, that is. If they can't that'll make things difficult.<br />
If you have interest, either email/google+ me, or comment on this with some sort of contact information.<br />
Hooray! Editing is over (for this book, for now!)! Next project!Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-68857388780599968672013-06-24T16:05:00.001-07:002013-06-24T16:05:28.899-07:00Book Completed: A Straight Cut<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E8pEtrTE8D0hkOLILGUYTsf9rje0rw3lQpBiLm42h2vD8PJKX-qnbmVaMtoA-bluyjk63bY1VLskUXex3izauV8oc89AB1yTotcKHgTOkSnfEufryp5r9JhEyCUv8b9BVPPACgyYbf8/s1600/wordle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1E8pEtrTE8D0hkOLILGUYTsf9rje0rw3lQpBiLm42h2vD8PJKX-qnbmVaMtoA-bluyjk63bY1VLskUXex3izauV8oc89AB1yTotcKHgTOkSnfEufryp5r9JhEyCUv8b9BVPPACgyYbf8/s400/wordle.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still use "back" and "just" too much. Also "like."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />A book I wrote a concept of exactly two years and a day ago (I'll post the concept below; it isn't that great), started a year later, abandoned, and now finished in a week (40k in one week, huzzah?). <i>A Straight Cut</i> aka <i>Canyon Story </i>aka <i>Sold Sixth</i> is FINISHED!<br />
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Hooray and huzzah!<br />
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With one caveat: I still have to do a full read-through edit for continuity mistakes, general bad misinformation, and cutting a bit from the beginning to get to the action faster. Granted, it starts with his parents selling him into slavery so I don't know how much faster it can go then THAT, but hey...you get it.<br />
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It's also worth noting the main character of this book's name is Timothy, because my cousin was annoyed that I'd put almost every other cousin subconsciously in my other books as side characters except him. And I finished it on his birthday, so that's...great! I think.<br />
<br />
Anyway, here's the rundown with random stats and garbage:<br />
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<b>Book Number: </b><i>12. On to unlucky 13!</i><br />
<b>Words: </b><i>123,178</i><br />
<b>Chapters: </b><i>Forty-One, plus an Epilogue</i><br />
<b>Overall Time Spent: </b><i>One Month plus One Week </i>(it started as another "write a book in a month" projects)<br />
<b>Hours?: </b><i>Didn't record this time. But a little under 40 for the final bit. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><u>Random Junk!</u></i><br />
<b>Magic System: </b><i>My own personal favorite! Very minimalist, "Conduit," involves transfer of things (heat, etc.) from one area to another using a body as a "conduit" to move it. Requires something to do something. </i><br />
<b>Romance?</b> <i>Not as you'd think, but there is a boy/girl thing going down. </i><br />
<b>Side Characters? </b><i>Lots of named ones this time. At least thirteen prominent ones. </i><br />
<b>YA or Adult? </b><i>Good question. I'm not sure. Protag is 16, book deals with a lot of YA-interested scenarios, but also gets very dark at the end. </i><br />
<b>Wait, how dark we talkin' here? </b><i>It's pretty bad. </i><br />
<b>Rape? </b><i>Um...no. I don't write YA novels with rape. </i><br />
<b>So you write adult novels with rape? </b><i>...can we get back on track here? </i><br />
<b>How many times "A Straight Cut" is said: </b><i>According to MS Word, 25 times. One of the characters says it quite frequently, and it has something like a quadruple meaning in the novel. </i><br />
<b>Is the inspirational first chapter in here as like a prologue? </b><i>No. It's bad, and unnecessary. It plays a very important role in the mythology, but other than that...no. </i><br />
<b>Is this in Effulgent Corruption's World? </b><i>YES. Very much yes. While you don't need to know anything about EC to get it, there are some very massive hints regarding that this book takes place exactly after the events of the final EC book, that hasn't been written. </i><br />
<b>Do any EC characters show up? </b><i>One, but you don't know he's an EC character. </i><br />
<b>Any other weird world crossovers? </b><i>Technically EC's world is after Where Gods and Mortal's Dance's world, after the Gangrene shows up. A Straight Cut is after the Gangrene is gone. So they're all technically the same world, though their magic doesn't collide (actually, the "gods'" in WGMD's magic is similar to the Immortal's magic in Straight Cut, but that's spoilers</i>)<br />
<b>Do you have a personal favorite character? </b><i>Rae. </i><br />
<b>Back to the EC thing, give me a hint about how they're connected. Please!! </b><i>Ley-lights. That's all I'll say. </i><br />
<b>Why did you name characters "Hollow" and "Willow," "Grant" and "Giovant"? Are you trying to confuse people who skim? </b><i>A few may make a change by the end, mostly Hollow and Willow being a little too similar. I make up names as I go and how I think they fit the characters. I've completely change a person's name before giving it to Alpha's with a simple find and replace, though. </i><br />
<b>Can I read your book? </b><i>Sure! If you want to alpha, let me know and I'll send you a copy in every file format known to man. After I do my read-through. </i><br />
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Well, that was overindulgent, but too bad for you: my blog. Now, here's the page I wrote that "inspired" this, written two years ago. You can see how much better I've gotten. Also, I wrote it in like 15 minutes, so don't be hatin.<br />See you next book.<br />
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The Ragged One crossed the desert, a straight line carved behind.<br />
The desert sands hissed around the line, the mark cutting clean across the vast expanse like a [insert something here]. The indentation stretched on for miles, a single scratch that dragged near-endlessly.<br />
The Ragged One dragged the sword behind him, itʼs seven-foot blade pressing against the sands, making a low hiss as it lurched forward. A merciless sun beat down from above, the heat radiating from the dunes in resonating, hallucination-inducing waves. A small sand-twister billowed up, crashing directly into the cloaked figure, blasting scorching, stinging sand through him.<br />
His pace did not slow, though The Ragged One did wipe his eyes once, pushing the small particles from his vision. He continued, the long, rusty blade trailing behind. The weapon was thick, a good three inches, and weighed more than The Ragged One who yanked it forward.<br />
A sandstorm billowed up on the horizon, a dark, dusty flurry set against the cloudless blue sky. It grew as it moved, surging and throbbing as if a living thing, growing as it swallowed up dunes and wayward shrubs in its mad push forward. It was heading straight for the lone figure, The Ragged One the only shape in the entire desert for miles.<br />
Still, he pushed forward, ignoring the burning heat and incoming storm. Behind him, the line ran still, ending at the point where his sword struck the dusty earth. His footprints, soft indentations, had quickly been swallowed up by the ever-changing face of the desert. But the line did not fill. It had not filled, even for the hundreds, if not thousands of miles The Ragged One had traveled.<br />
His cloak had started whole, a white tapestry of story. Inset in the side had been sewn figures of gods and suns, lights and dreams of a people long forgotten. Before the desert, before the sands.<br />
Before the unrelenting sun. Before the sands choked the world, swallowing up any and everything that dared try to live on its scorched, radiating surface. Before the last man had died, choking and gasping to his last, sand-filled breath.<br />
The cloak was tatters now; like the world, it was but a remnant of its former self, pieces breaking off and fluttering into the hot breeze. Holes ordained it like stars in a dark sky, the enormous cloth floating and fluttering in the constant winds. It would have been majestic, had there been any but The Ragged One to see it.<br />
The Ragged One had been walking for days, or was it months? Could it even have been years at this point? He knew not.<br />
He had one final task to accomplish, one last thing he must do. He assured himself of this before plunging into the billowing sandstorm, his grip on the sword never loosening.<br />
One final task before he could die. <br />
The line crossed the desert, continuing until it reached the place where it had begun. There it connected, into one solid, unbroken whole.<br />
And The Ragged One rested.Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-9738599833445294032013-06-19T20:42:00.001-07:002013-06-19T20:42:34.922-07:00SpecificationI should probably specify that "writing like a crazy person" means "writing 10-15k words a day" crazy. I'm finally hitting that old stride I had before my long writing hiatus this past year. It's good to be back.<br />
Expect two, maybe three completed novels from me by the end of summer! Yes, be amazed! Be astounded! Wonder how many keyboards I go through (I got a new one for my birthday, thanks in-laws!)!<br />
Also story after these might be post-apocalyptic, since that seems to be what all the kids want these days. Who knows? Well, I do, but that's not the point.<br />
Six chapters to go!Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-34088648754727413002013-06-18T14:33:00.003-07:002013-06-18T14:33:25.061-07:00The Final Push<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
This has actually been going on for a week now, but I figure I could post about it.<br />
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I'm officially writing like a crazy person in an attempt to make progress before grad school. I have a summer ahead of me to write, submit, and finish before I go to grad school and my time gets sucked down the drain, so I'm determined to at least make some serious progress in the next three months, either by traditional publish, epublishing, or both.<br />
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What this entails:<br />
- I'm submitting like crazy. I submitted <i>Death's Aria</i> to around 30-40 people last Friday, and I'm only just starting.<br />
- I'm editing like crazy. I've been burning through <i>Death's Aria </i>edits the past few days. I'm also adding a chapter to <i>Aeon</i> to make it more "novel" length, and submitting that too.<br />
- I'm writing like crazy. Specifically books I started and didn't finish. <i>Empty Pages</i> being the primary one, but recently I'm determined to finish <i>A Straight Cut </i>(aka "Canyon Story"). That one I'm hoping to have done by the end of the week, even if it's got 10 chapters (at least 20k words) left.<br />
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The longer version is that I'm working heavily on finishing <i>A Straight Cut</i>, which will also include going back and adding two chapters, as well as editing current content to fit the "new" ending. The ending ultimately hasn't changed, but some of the situations around it (tying a few things together better for the finale) have been altered, which will require some edits. All for the best, if I think so. This book is kind of <i>Lord of the Flies</i> meets child slavery meets Nathan is killing off everybody <i>Game of Thrones</i> style in the Third act, so it should be interesting. It's quite a dark YA, but that's clearly all the rage these days, so I forsee good things. Also, probably the most entertaining couple I've ever written, which is actually why I picked it back up again. It's good to re-read your stuff over a year later and decide it's actually pretty good.<br />
<br />
<i>Empty Pages</i> is struggling a but, but that's because I wrote my characters into a not-as-interesting situation; once they get out of it it'll pick up (and the situation will probably get axed or at least shortened in edits). I enjoy that story's overall meaning, but the actual story itself is bogging me down. Anybody ever have that? It seems to be a constant problem for me: I want my stories to have deeper meanings beyond the actual characters running around doing whatever, but sometimes I get too hung up on the meanings. Ah well.<br />
<br />
Nobody likes a long blog post, so that's it. I'll update this more. Maybe. I make promises I don't keep, too, so watch out for that.Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-64673972377409891932013-05-14T00:31:00.001-07:002013-05-14T00:31:30.132-07:00Confidence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdtSDKiwDgMe0r4AfNMJai7oar8Pu2i2ozK1bsgU2uNVO3Fog4LsYP0vmx4C1ds9XSB7tGH-bsgOhu81Rj3YzDDaMqIfyKh1uB-zp7l6y2KQ1UQ6RqdpNGneiFL0jPV9KR2opSN_lej4/s1600/halfcovernewbloodyscratch2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdtSDKiwDgMe0r4AfNMJai7oar8Pu2i2ozK1bsgU2uNVO3Fog4LsYP0vmx4C1ds9XSB7tGH-bsgOhu81Rj3YzDDaMqIfyKh1uB-zp7l6y2KQ1UQ6RqdpNGneiFL0jPV9KR2opSN_lej4/s320/halfcovernewbloodyscratch2.png" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Holy cow, has it really been almost <i>two months</i> since my last post? What have I been doing all this time?<br />
<br />
As you can see from the header, I made a faux e-book cover for <i>Half</i>, should I choose to go down that path. As of this moment I'm still not sure, as <i>Death's Aria</i> is currently being sent out to multiple people (to be followed shortly by <i>Aeon</i>), but it's looking pretty likely. It all depends, as always, on whether I get rejected or not. All in the cards. Again.<br />
<br />
Something that's been bothering me this past year is my believed lack of productivity. Don't get me wrong: I've written a fair amount of the last year. <i>Quarter</i> was my last finished novel, in July of 2012. After that I started <i>Empty Pages</i> (which I didn't finish), <i>Eighth</i> (which I didn't finish), <i>Morphiam </i>(abandoned, retitled <i>Night Terrors</i>, and now being revitalized), and <i>A War of Blood and Oil</i> (which I didn't finish). Between all my abandoned projects is enough words for probably a book and a half, though if you mixed all three that would be a pretty weird book. The only project I completed was <i>Aeon </i>which, oddly enough, I abandoned and then returned to. Something's not right in the state of Denmark. And by Denmark I mean my writing ambitions.<br />
<br />
I already made a whiny, bitchy post about how frustrated I was, but don't worry: this isn't that over again. This is me trying to bring back the spark. Am I frustrated? Yeah, a bit. You don't write twelve novels and almost two million words without feeling a <i>little</i> sting when you realize you're still no closer than you were before to getting traditionally published. It also's frustrating when you go from being able to write five to six thousand words in a sitting to barely pulling a thousand a day, which is still far from bad but the degradation of the level of output is pretty jarring. I'm fully aware I've improved as an author over the past half-decade, and I'm pleased with where I've gotten to. I'm just curious how many more half-decades it's gonna be.<br />
<br />
On that regard, here is the current writing lineup for the next few months. I'm determined to keep up on this. Despite the incredible amount of popularity my <a href="http://nathanvsvideogames.com/">game review blog</a> has been having (it still gets over 1,000 unique hits daily), it's going to need to take a backseat for a little bit until I get this all straightened out.<br />
<br />
The following is in order of my priority, though all <i>must </i>be done before the start of July or else I'll go crazy.<br />
<br />
<b>1. Finish submitting <i>Death's Aria</i> to everybody and their mom</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Pretty straightforward. I've been sitting on this book for ages and it's driving me nuts that I haven't done anything with it. Mostly because I haven't gotten around to doing my massive "Version 2.0" edit yet. Oh hey, speaking of that...<br />
<br />
<b>2. Do the massive "Version 2.0" edit of <i>Death's Aria</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
I did something for the first time in my life today. I made a huge editing timeline in Word. I broke the entire book down by chapter, stating what happens in the current chapter, and what I want to have happen in revised chapters. Then we're going to go, chapter by chapter, until we hit all 28. I'm hoping 3-4 chapters a day for easy one, but the entire third act is being rewritten here, so that last bit may take a while. This book needs it.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Submit <i>Aeon</i> to everybody and their mom</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I think <i>Aeon </i>has the best chance out of anything so far to go somewhere. It's tight, it's emotional, and it's unique (not to toot my own horn too much here...). I honestly believe it's the best thing I've ever written, and after some very minor changes (and fixing spelling errors) I think it's already set to go.<br />
<br />
<b>4. Figure out of <i>Aeon</i> is a novel or a novella</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Still can't figure this out. It's at 42k, which is 2k over novella but I feel it's too short (and cuts out too abruptly) to be a novel. Or maybe not; I don't know, I'm not the expert on selling books. In either case, if it is to become a novel, it'll need to be longer. If it's a Novella, it can stay or get shortened a bit.<br />
<br />
<b>5. Write every day regardless of how I feel. Finish <i>Night Terrors</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
I used to be good at this. In 2012, I wrote every single day, not missing a day, for eight months straight. Even when I was submitting, review writing, or editing I still wrote at least 1,000 new words every single day. Maybe it was burnout or something, but it's been hard to do that again. I need to get back into the groove. It's been going well with <i>Night Terrors</i> as of late, though I'm afraid I still slack off from time to time.<br />
<br />
<b>6. Oh yeah, I'm going to Grad School in Irvine. I guess I didn't post that on here, huh? </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I'm getting a Masters in CS with an emphasis on Informatics, basically it's UC Irvine's version of an HCI program. I start in September, so I'd imagine that'll keep me busy. I still fully intend to write, so long as I don't have to think about how much money I'm spending on schooling. Regardless, we'll have to figure out a move as well as a whole new life in a different state (I've been in Utah since 2007) so that should be an adventure.<br />
Oh, and yes...I got into UC Irvine. Feel pretty good about myself for that.<br />
<br />
<br />
Long post, not too interesting, point being I'm trying to make this count even if this summer is the "last hoorah" for this whole "writing" business. I think as a creative person one's greatest fear is not total, abrupt, jarring failure, but having something and losing it slowly. As Green Day put it, "I'm not growing up, I'm just burning out." Burning out is the worst thing that can happen creatively, and it's very easy to fall into the trap. Just don't be creative for long enough, and <i>bam</i>, it's over. Not good.<br />
<br />
I'm not going to burn out, not yet. Though I dare say this might be my last chance at doing this. Though I intend to keep writing after leaving for school, there's a good chance I'll get my career out of this, and it isn't in writing. It hurts, because in truth being a published author was what I wanted more than anything, but I can once again quote another band in saying "you can't always get what you want." (Rolling Stones. Come on, don't be music philistines here)<br />
<br />
Off we go!<br />
<br />Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-90994268534748935242013-03-18T06:42:00.004-07:002013-03-18T06:42:47.306-07:00Aeon - Postmortem <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFCHmfyCXsQwMgWYJ6N0Cefqohi199JPJVbDaIs8TJ9J0CO4C5Dehl2DXOiNLW6bQVw64Ew1pbtDBQNuwupj0Al-cIAXgcwyYCL-vUoVnYUyO1b6K2VpIUEOSUrGeezVEOuSt2clqQdg/s1600/aigus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFCHmfyCXsQwMgWYJ6N0Cefqohi199JPJVbDaIs8TJ9J0CO4C5Dehl2DXOiNLW6bQVw64Ew1pbtDBQNuwupj0Al-cIAXgcwyYCL-vUoVnYUyO1b6K2VpIUEOSUrGeezVEOuSt2clqQdg/s320/aigus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aigis, from Persona 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><i>Aeon - Postmortem</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Now that I've had a little bit of time to distance myself from <i>Aeon </i>(and prepare for my next projects), here's a brief blurb on how I designed, plotted, and was inspired to write the story, as well as some tidbits on its development. I will try to refrain from all spoilers.<br />
<br />
<i>Aeon </i>was initially developed as a work of experimental fiction. I was playing <i>Persona 4 Arena </i>of all things, and one of the character's stories was from a robot's perspective. I liked the story reasonably well, but I felt it was lacking a good deal of information that would make her more interesting. So, I thought it might be cooler to write a story completely locked in a machine's perspective, just because it would be fun to try and "think" like a machine as I wrote.<br />
<br />
The concepts that the story brings up regarding what makes a being sentient, the development of said sentience (are we born with it or do we learn it?), and the idea of a "ghost in a machine" and if you can kill said ghost are not necessarily new concepts, especially to sci-fi. However, I hadn't recalled someone telling the story <i>strictly </i>from a first-person's perpective of a robot. Most are in third-person, or deal with the concepts of robots wanting to "be human" or "feel love" or some such nonsense. I honestly never really thought this made sense as a robot "wanting" an emotion (such as Data having "desire" to have human emotions and tendencies in <i>Star Trek: TNG</i> basically means he already has emotions because he wants something) or the whole "what is love?" thing, because psychologists have defined love and broken it down and any robot would be able to just use that definition.<br />
<br />
No, I want the story to be more on development, and how it would be different for a machine that was created <i>to </i>develop rather than a person. For those who know/don't know, I have a major in Psychology, but have always had a deep intrest in programming, robots, and computers (my original major was CS). Being able to combine both these things with my love of writing is where this story came from.<br />
<br />
Back to inspirations, the <i>Persona 4</i> thing also ties into <i>Persona 3</i>'s Aigis (pictured above), who was starting point in terms of design for Seventy-Seven. Again; another game with a concept of a robot who has to learn things, but really is shoved aside and none of the deeper concepts examined. You could argue Data from <i>TNG </i>is also an inspiration, but I didn't start re-watching TNG until I was nearly done with the book, so I don't think it really applies.<br />
<br />
Weirdly enough, the old anime <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolis_(anime)">Metropolis</a> </i>might have had the largest influence, despite me watching it nearly a decade ago. I re-watched it after finishing <i>Aeon </i>(and seriously, it's worth watching. It's still phenomenal) and many of the ideas regarding robotic development are there, even if they're a bit corny. It's also a visually striking picture, using a lot of contrasting art styles to paint a particular picture, and overall is just a great film if you like robots.<br />
<br />
Initially, the story's point was extremely shallow, and it didn't have a plot arch. The story was designed to be simply the machine booting up, gaining sentience, and that was the end. I'll argue this is because it was "experimental," so I didn't want to dig to deep.<br />
<br />
I added the concept of "Infusion" (no spoilers here) to the book after about the second chapter, which ties into the scientists' goals. I actually quit writing, however, about half-way through the third chapter. Partially because I sunk back into a writing rut, and also because I had no idea where this book was going.<br />
<br />
Vita saved this book. The character and friend of Seventy-seven added an arch, character motivation, and lots of fun scenarios that made the book enjoyable to write again. It wasn't until I finalized that she should be in the story that everything came together, and the story essentially "wrote itself." It's worth noting I usually think of novels in terms of key scenes, usually an ending twist and one or two middle ones. All other scenes I often plan just the day before, when I go on walks and brainstorm the next chapters. I have a start and an end, but what happens in the middle is up to the magic of discovery writing.<br />
<br />
But back to the point: <i>Aeon </i>ended up being much longer than I anticipated because it just ended up needing so much <i>stuff </i>to cram in. This was especially when the scientists started growing personalities and backstories that were necessary for the plot and actually proving relevant to the overarching story. Initially, they were all going to be bland and singular, a sort of contract to the extreme dynamic between the machines. While this might have been an interesting "moral message," in the end I tried fleshing them out a bit more (though early Alphas indicate it still might not be enough) and actually making them somewhat unique. Humanizing them made what they had to do all the more interesting, whereas if they'd simply been faceless beings their goals would have appeared shallow.<br />
<br />
Overall, I enjoyed writing <i>Aeon</i>, more than most books I can think of in recent memory. It certainly had its moments where I got stuck or annoyed, but as a whole it was a very fun project to simply sit down and just churn stuff out. I got quite attached to all the characters, so much so that certain scenes were hard to write, and actually ending the novella was a bit sad because I knew I'd never revisit them. Either way, it was a fun experiment, and I'm glad I did it.<br />
<br />
Moral: I should write more sci-fi.Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-24077444177296311242013-03-13T06:21:00.000-07:002013-03-13T06:21:04.324-07:00Aeon FinishedMy novel...or novella...or short novel...or whatever a 43,000 word thing is, <i>Aeon, </i>is now finished!<br />
<br />
Hooray!<br />
<br />
I guess I should do a stats thing.<br />
<br />
<b>AEON</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Total Words: <b>43,160</b><br />
Number of Chapters / Boot Cycles: <b>14</b> (counting the 0th)<br />
Robots?: <b>Yes </b><br />
Techno Babble: <b>A whole lot yo</b><br />
<br />
I realized I can't think of anything else that wouldn't be a spoiler, so that's all you get.<br />
<br />
This isn't a very exciting post. I might do a post-mortem post soon (I want to start doing these with all my novels so I can remember what I was thinking when writing them).<br />
<br />
I am uncertain what is next on my docket, but I'll be sure to let ya'll know. I should probably edit <i>Death's Aria </i>for reals this time.<br />
<br />Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-33135552714954001012013-02-23T22:08:00.000-08:002013-02-23T22:08:01.994-08:00I'm writing again.Rather than extrapolate in great deal as to what I've been doing, I'm going to make this a "Quick Hits" so you can read it fast and get on with your day.<br />
<br />
- I went to two days of LTUE (I had to work the other two). It was awesome. I met a lot of cool people at the signing and hung out with people I already knew on Saturday. I'm kind of over going to panels unless they REALLY interest me, and I'm thankful that I now know a lot of people (authors, agents, etc.) from across the spectrum so I can just ask them questions directly about things. If you spent time talking to me: thanks. I had a good time.<br />
<br />
- Bec (mein wife) and I will be at Conduit, as DEALERS. Yes, we are peddling our perler wares this May at SLC. We already have a booth bought. We will be there Friday and Saturday and will have tons of stuff up for sale. If you want to buy some perlers from us (as seen on the <a href="http://www.nathanvsvideogames.com/">other blog</a>), then please show up! We will be setting up an online shop as well if you don't like going outside.<br />
<br />
- I have a new job that requires me to work graveyards. That's on a more personal note, but I figured somebody would be curious.<br />
<br />
- I have been writing what started as a short story, called <i>Aeon</i>. I originally planned it to be a short story, but based on current length and planned projections it's certainly somewhere between novella and novel. Feedback so far has been overwhelming positive. It's my first venture into sci-fi, with the story being about a robot going from initial boot to sentience, from its first person perspective. It started as a writing experiment and kind of got out of control. If you'd like a copy after I finish, give me a hollar. I foresee good things with this.<br />
<br />
- The next project is editing <i>Death's Aria </i>for reals though. I had an editor at LTUE tell me to send her stuff, and have had people I queried with <i>Half </i>asking me for something that wasn't vampire related. Since <i>Death's Aria </i>is probably the best thing I've written so far (obvious mistakes aside), I feel it is the next best shot.<br />
<br />
- I'm seriously considering ePublishing a few of the backlog of novels. Not the truly awful ones, mind, but <i>Half </i>and <i>Steelgods </i>could probably do reasonably well finding a home on the Kindle store. We'll see how that develops.<br />
<br />
That about covers it from me. I'm very excited about <i>Aeon</i>, and I'm glad to be writing again. Let's kickstart this into space.Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-33308739402518368162013-01-30T19:09:00.000-08:002013-01-30T19:09:00.141-08:00Darkbound Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8F8W5QDpgAIxxX4KEODEBef8V3Zvm-tc0kQEcUIB7eDJ5dUeMCXhtHhd-JbHc7Eizd-oqrZseqhW5BUazfPig8HcF9UHKhjXoMzG9UrLCDsths3GrxJMHHSPsLhW24XvriMFijGTePI/s1600/darkboundcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8F8W5QDpgAIxxX4KEODEBef8V3Zvm-tc0kQEcUIB7eDJ5dUeMCXhtHhd-JbHc7Eizd-oqrZseqhW5BUazfPig8HcF9UHKhjXoMzG9UrLCDsths3GrxJMHHSPsLhW24XvriMFijGTePI/s400/darkboundcover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Note: This is a review of an ARC provided by the author</i><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Darkbound-Michaelbrent-Collings/dp/1482016990/ref=sr_1_20?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358823848&sr=1-20">Buy the novel here.</a><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>The Short</b><br />
<i>Pros</i><br />
- Excellent starting setup<br />
- Briskly paced and thrilling<br />
- Some extremely intense suspense, particularly the first 1/2 of the novel<br />
- I would argue this is one of Collings' best paced novels<br />
- Ending twist is one you won't predict, but still is fantastic<br />
- Short length makes for a quick, memorable read<br />
<br />
<i>Cons</i><br />
- Way too much gore<br />
- Seriously, it's almost gleeful it its grotesque violence, like the author was reveling in it<br />
- Pacing and reveals near the end come a little too quickly and without enough foreshadowing<br />
- Fantastic premise seems cheated out its full potential in leu of cheap thrills<br />
- Epilogue is so predictable I knew what it was going to say before even reading it<br />
<br />
<b>The Long</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
There's no hiding that I'm a fan of Michaelbrent Collings' work. He's made a name for himself by consistently producing well edited, well paced thrillers that dip more than a toe into horror. Whenever I get one of his novels I know I need to stake out some time, because I'm not going to put it down until I finish it. So I was quite excited when this next novel, <i>Darkbound</i>, jumped onto the scene. Another horror novel in true Michalbrent Collings fashion? Yes, please.<br />
<br />
So did <i>Darkbound</i> deliver? Well...sort of.<br />
<br />
The premise is simple: six relative strangers get on a subway car together. Within moments, however, they realize something is wrong. The lights go out, only darkness can be seen out the windows, and they are seemingly trapped like fish in a barrel. Seeing as they range from kindly (an old latino grandmother) and downright hostile (a gang leader), tensions quickly escalate to levels near-murderous.<br />
<br />
And that's before the supernatural killings begin.<br />
<br />
The first part of <i>Darkbound </i>is excellent. It's incredibly suspenseful, with the personalities of these downright intimidating characters playing off each other in such a way you feel like you're sitting on a powder keg. These interactions remain the most entertaining parts of the novel, with the despicable and hostile characters constantly feeling like even a greater danger than the supernatural monstrosities hunting them.<br />
<br />
It's unfortunate, then, that the novel seems to lose focus after the first killing.<br />
<br />
I won't spoil anything here, but I will say this: <i>Darkbound</i> is gory. As in, stomach-churning, paragraph after paragraph of violent, horrific torture. Fingers being torn from sockets, dismemberment, pieces being painfully bent in unpleasant ways; you get the picture. And as someone who has been reading Michaelbrent's work for a while (as well as a child of the violent video game generation and a massive fan of horror films), this isn't unexpected. It's just...too much. Even for me.<br />
<br />
Call me a wimp, but I like my gore to accent a story. <i>Apparition</i>, another of Michaelbrent's novels, has some downright nasty stuff in it, but it's tolerable because it's 1. Brief and 2. There as part of the story. The violence in <i>Darkbound</i> just feels mean-spirited. Did I really need three Kindle pages of this person being brutally tortured and executed? And while you could argue that (after reading the ending) this blood-filled horror was the point of the novel, it's still sickening. It's almost like it's reveling in itself as it goes on and on, so much so that I started just skimming the later deaths as I knew they wouldn't be adding much to the overarching story.<br />
<br />
So how is the overarching story? Well, it's actually fairly clever. One part "Purgatory" and another "Saw," there's some genuinely disturbing and clever moments with what happens to these six unfortunate blighters (Olik's in particular was very suiting, if it perhaps could have been presented more tastefully). Call me demented, but I began to look forward to see what each person's demise would be. Unfortunately the cleverness in the kills was hampered by the copious flesh-rending.<br />
<br />
The ending packs a twist I will openly admit I didn't see coming, and I actually thought was pretty cool. Though it could have done without the whole "recap," basically explaining the entire rest of the novel for those of us too dumb to pick up on subtlety. While I'll argue the final two scenes could have used a bit more foreshadowing, I still bought the massive twist. So if you're looking for a novel that'll catch you by surprise, this one's got you covered.<br />
<br />
It's hard for me to come to a consensus on <i>Darkbound</i>. One part of me admits that I <i>did </i>read the whole novel in one sitting, unable to put it down until I found out how it ended. The other part remembers how my favorite (and most memorable) horror novels don't rely on being gory splatterfests to evoke "shock," instead building on the tension presented in the scenes. <i>Darkbound</i> has the latter in spades when the trapped victims "interact," but the second somebody died I sort of sighed and was left resigned. It wasn't scary, it was just cheap.<br />
<br />
All that aside, <i>Darkbound</i> is deliciously paced, and still provides enough tension and shock (as well as that great twist) to be worth a read. I'm just hoping this "gore-horror" trend doesn't continue into future novels, as they tarnish otherwise excellent reads.<br />
<br />
<b>Three out of five stars.</b>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-2387373371691021972013-01-26T11:37:00.000-08:002013-01-26T11:37:05.868-08:00Beginning AnewWith that downer of a note gracing my main page for the past bit of time, I figured I should put something less negative on here (as well as probably start blogging more reliably. Maybe? Maybe).<br />
<br />
Here are a few things I've been doing:<br />
<br />
- Working on a short sci-fi story called <i>Aeon</i>, which is currently in limbo because I am uncertain if I am currently skilled enough to finish it<br />
- Re-reading <i>Death's Aria </i>in preparation for edits before submission<br />
- Re-reading <i>Half </i>and <i>Quarter</i>, as I plan on e-publishing them a little while down the road (haven't decided when yet, but it is going to happen)<br />
- Working on my newest novel, <i>Morphean</i>. By that I mean I just now made a .doc for it and will be starting it soon while editing <i>Death's Aria</i><br />
<br />
I realized that last year I abandoned a lot of projects. <i>Naught But Glass </i>(which was technically 2011 but I tried reviving it in 2012) made it three chapters before falling flat. <i>A Straight Cut </i>got all the way to the last 1/4 of the novel (the biggest reveal happened, everything went crazy, and I stopped. Not sure why) before it got put in the backburner. I believe that one was actually victim of "realizing that in order to make it work I would have to rewrite the first 1/4 of the novel" syndrome (aka "attack of the internal editor") and I lost drive to finish it. Lastly, <i>Empty Pages</i>, which I was very excited for also flubbed out after about five or six chapters. This one was mostly because I had an idea for an ending but one of the pieces I just couldn't latch together. Until I figured that out (which would make the twist make sense), I couldn't proceed as I had foreshadowing to do. So it kind of just died.<br />
<br />
I also started <i>Eighth</i> (which I actually will finish, I assure you) but I decided it would be best to write something I could actually pitch, seeing as <i>Eighth</i>'s grandaddy <i>Half </i>already got the reject stamp (it's what I get for trying to sell a vampire book in this day and age). So that one is down but not out.<br />
<br />
I've found it very motivating to visit local bookstores, be they small one or chains. With this day of eBooks I usually can just buy anything I want to read off Amazon, but last night I had some free time and was in the area so I wandered around Barnes and Noble a bit. Walking through both the fantasy and especially YA sections I realized that I <i>really </i>wanted to have something on those shelves, and also I could totally write something that would work (or have already written something and haven't submitted it. Lookin' at you, <i>Death's Aria</i>). It was very motivating for writing and also uncorked that little well of writing ideas that's sort of been running dry these last few months.<br />
<br />
I spent the rest of the evening plotting and devising the world for <i>Morphean</i>, a tentative title for a tentative series called "Dreamkiller Chronicles." Essentially our conscious thoughts and emotions create a sort of residual haze over everything (where do all those emotions/thought go after we dissipate them? To Morphean) kind of like a Wifi network I guess; a world we are always connected to but not aware of. When we dream we actually set foot in that world, but a few people can actually control how they react in their dreams and eventually break out, getting to the heart of Morphean. Of course, some people are scumbags and can bust into other people's dreams and corrupt them, essentially destroying their subconscious and killing the person. Can't let that happen. <br />
<br />
So it's <i>Nightmare on Elm Street</i> meets...I dunno, something else. Young adult. The funnest part is this story directly links to <i>Death's Aria</i>'s world, but not so much that you'd have to have read the previous book to get it, just enough for some cameos. There's obviously more to the system than just that, but that's the basic gist. It's one part fantasy, one part the teen-empowerment stories that all YA novels are, and a big part mystery. Should be interesting. Maybe. Hopefully not a carbon-copy of <i>Death's Aria</i>.<br />
<br />
Anyway I'm trying to start up writing again. I have been writing regularly for ARPGamer.com, as well as a bit on my video game blog, so those are available as well. That's it from me! I'll post less "here is Nathan's life" posts in the future.Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-64764452163603278362012-09-11T09:19:00.000-07:002012-09-11T09:19:12.745-07:00The Cheat is not Dead!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6YNl8O9E4IofHx0e9VWWd3GgKoEFeQakP4vwteDaA0n49I-PDl1PxJ5KYwwyCbBVZc4tlDSdZxqGCqy2MQW6TtVWWGJe-CmZOS4ILBgUlnFMnXlsT87a-WAZL0URPAPT1kZSWpvUzoQ/s1600/tumblr_l5uhyn3Idc1qbaqie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW6YNl8O9E4IofHx0e9VWWd3GgKoEFeQakP4vwteDaA0n49I-PDl1PxJ5KYwwyCbBVZc4tlDSdZxqGCqy2MQW6TtVWWGJe-CmZOS4ILBgUlnFMnXlsT87a-WAZL0URPAPT1kZSWpvUzoQ/s320/tumblr_l5uhyn3Idc1qbaqie.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Yeah, a really old Homestar Runner reference for the title. I'm up with the times, yo.<br />
<br />
So what have I been doing, you ask? Well, mostly making movies! I've made two movies in the past month, which is a pretty good clip if I do say so myself, with more on the way. They'll be going public sometime in October or November, so keep an eye out!<br />
<br />
What about writing, you ask? Well...I'm actually writing a new novel! It's called <i>Empty Pages</i> and it's me doing the same approach I had with <i>Half </i>(only less breakneck): Write something that's fun, silly, and I don't worry too much about. Except this one is YA fantasy vs YA vampires, so there's that.<br />
<br />
Not surprisingly, I ended up plotting a bit of it in my head, and the story got a bit dark. However, I'm still trying to keep it silly and fun, and I think it'll be a pretty good read. Plus it's getting me out of my writing slump, which is necessary.<br />
<br />
So that's pretty much it from me here. Writing a new novel while scripting, recording, and editing videos (which is a <i>lot </i>of work). I'm also picking up reading again (finally) and doing the whole work thing (though I'm trying to find a full-time job). Fun times?<br />
<br />
Anyway, expect some more info on <i>Empty Pages</i> as it comes. But for now I'll just dump some words:<br />
<br />
Talking book<br />
Librimancers<br />
The Scribe<br />
Nobleman-turned-thief<br />
Burritos (not in the novel)<br />
<br />
So that's it from me. Keep it real!Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-11744703773711637062012-08-13T10:52:00.001-07:002012-08-13T10:52:21.462-07:00Still nottin'So I haven't started writing again yet, mostly because nothing interests me. Though I did think of something I might try, which worked in May.<br />
<br />
I wrote <i>Half </i>because I wanted to write an urban fantasy book where I just did whatever I wanted. It was hardly the deepest novel but it was fun and I really got into the voice presented. <i>Quarter</i> was that with more refinement, and again written in a short time span (three weeks vs two).<br />
<br />
I also wrote <i>Half </i>because I was mad at <i>A Straight Cut </i>(and I'm still mad at it...that book's premise is cool but the story I wrote doesn't live up to it, at least not in its current state) and needed to just creatively explode all my pent up frustrations on something. Sort of a revival, of sorts.<br />
<br />
I'm considering doing this again, but this time in a more traditional fantasy setting. Still YA (I'm probably pigeonholing myself into YA, but whatever...I like writing them more) but with more sillyness (like <i>Half</i>) then brooding depression darkness death (like every other YA novel I wrote). It'll be another book I don't care about if it's bad or good, just me throwing a character on a silly adventure.<br />
<br />
If anything, it'll force me to start writing again, which is what I really need.<br />
<br />
It isn't as if I've been unproductive. I'm currently alpha reading two novels, still writing game reviews on a nearly-daily basis on my <a href="http://nathanvsvideogames.blogspot.com/">video game blog</a>, working on movies/videos for said video game blog, making perler bead sprites, working, and applying to grad schools. So yeah, been a bit busy. I also am trying to play the piano more, so add it to the list.<br />
<br />
Regardless, I need to start writing again, because I'm frustrated that I'm not. That pretty much sums it up.<br />
<br />
So expect some awesome writing soon. Also, editing <i>Death's Aria</i> and submitting it to everybody I just harassed with <i>Half</i>. What could possibly go wrong? :DNathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-389769854320385112012-08-03T09:03:00.002-07:002012-08-03T15:30:22.997-07:00Fighting against the tide<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLkZ2BNV39N_iooRCEHrNh5c8b6nfSBgad2rsYb4FmNkM2BB-xYd3VASzJVh8zauQ4Fz_4NOkFPXmJSSvLjW7YW5Ys5O7BfMrFAUoOlqp6xhXE9kWbn8xdbhFlKf2J-6_32tN2g-_e9c/s1600/rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLkZ2BNV39N_iooRCEHrNh5c8b6nfSBgad2rsYb4FmNkM2BB-xYd3VASzJVh8zauQ4Fz_4NOkFPXmJSSvLjW7YW5Ys5O7BfMrFAUoOlqp6xhXE9kWbn8xdbhFlKf2J-6_32tN2g-_e9c/s1600/rock.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisyphus vs Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Hello loyal blog followers (what's left of you, anyway). Wondering what the hell I've been doing? Yeah...me too.<br />
<br />
I took July off (as mentioned in my previous update), but July is over so that technically is no longer relevant. I had every intent to write my middle-grade novel this month, but it's humor and I haven't been feeling very...<i>humorous </i>lately, so it's been slow going.<br />
<br />
My current new plan is to dig up every random idea I've had over the past couple months (including those I've abandoned), write either the first chapter (in the case of new books) or next chapter (in the case of those with abandonment issues) and whichever sticks I'm writing. Except I'm not allowed to do <i>Eighth</i>, because if I do I'll just end up writing that, and the last thing we need is a third book in that series.<br />
<br />
Speaking of which, <i>Half </i>queries are still out in the wild. I've had a handful of partial requests (though, oddly enough, not as many as <i>Steelgods.</i> I'll go on record and say <i>Half </i>is a better book, despite that) and a few personal responses (that's new), so yay for me. Once I feel enough time has passed (read: probably in September) I'm going to do <i>Death's Aria</i>. My goal was at least three books submitted this year and I currently have only done one, so I should probably get on that.<br />
<br />
Regardless, as much as I'd love to keep writing <i>Half </i>books (which I can write quickly and get fun, cool ideas for relatively fast), there's no use in pushing sequels for a book that might not sell. I'll keep writing them in my free time (like <i>Steelgods</i>), but honestly if <i>Half </i>doesn't sell the rest are pretty much dead in the water. Which makes me kind of sad, but I brought it upon myself.<br />
<br />
Speaking of which: those of you expecting the <i>Quarter </i>alpha...I apologize for how long it's taking me to edit this. Since I took July off and have since been sort of mulling around, I didn't ever finish the edit. I actually don't have much more left (though I have to rewrite a chapter), but once I get it finished it'll be headed towards your inboxes. Thanks for your patience.<br />
<br />
Aside from that, my video game kickstarter exploded (thanks to everybody who contributed!) and so I'll also be working on providing some video content for that, which involves writing scripts. Am I spreading myself too thin? Probably, but that's hardly anything new. Here's hoping I can make something awesome. I'm actually quite excited to get all this figured out; learning something new has always been interesting for me.<br />
<br />
In either case, I have no idea what I'm writing next (I should probably finish <i>Half </i>and <i>Quarter</i> edits...and <i>A Straight Cut</i>...and <i>Naught But Glass</i>) but I'll keep ya'll posted. I still plan on doing the next <i>Steelgods</i> book in September, if only to keep with the tradition (yet another sequel to a book that didn't sell...brilliant).<br />
<br />
Keep on pushin...Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-70392360301704443252012-07-20T11:59:00.002-07:002012-07-20T11:59:08.987-07:00Current UpdatesHere's just a brief idea of what I've been up to:<br />
<br />
- Preparing to make video reviews for my video game blog. Getting Final Cut Pro and a tutorial and starting tinkering around.<br />
- Submitting <i>Half </i>to everything that moves. Had a few decent bites! (woo woo)<br />
- Editing <i>Quarter</i>, doing my second minor edit of <i>Half</i>, and going back to <i>Death's Aria</i><br />
- NOT writing my middle grade book. I've written almost four books this year already, each on a deadline (all three of them took less than a month each) and I need a breather. Priming the pump or whatever. I'll start writing it once I feel the creative spark to write punch me in the face.<br />
- Watched <i>The Dark Knight Rises. </i>Didn't like it. I'd promise a review, but I promise those all the time and then don't pull through. But I do want to write one.<br />
- Enjoying taking a break from my hobbies. Sometimes I treat them with even more seriousness than my actual job (read: I do this all the time) and the stress is getting to me. A breather was necessary.<br />
- I bought a Dreamcast (actually two Dreamcasts; one of the ones I bought was a model I didn't want...anybody want a Dreamcast?) and am enjoying playing games on that. Also bought like 50 NES games, so I have to burn through those.<br />
- Considering writing scripts for previously mentioned movie reviews. They're gonna be crazy. Crazy AWESOME, or at least I hope.<br />
<br />
That's it; just enjoying some laid-back summerness. I'll keep updating the <a href="http://nathanvsvideogames.blogspot.com/">Video Game Blog</a>, but aside from that I'm on hiatus. I hope you are all having good summers as well!Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-5429199211156865972012-07-11T23:18:00.002-07:002012-07-11T23:18:45.358-07:00Review: Apparition by Michaelbrent Collings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_77z9yV7WtyscgfEIpxORs-NglsP7L8Wn104iNKmK-HUeYhaNeM81UqO0rk1vsOI4fagiKu2HI-tO1b-Zi_SeF6jnXL_LaBo1ui3m6JoaYSbU1SZj2YLq2apB5BftBmE4XE6uS9nJ0g/s1600/apparation.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_77z9yV7WtyscgfEIpxORs-NglsP7L8Wn104iNKmK-HUeYhaNeM81UqO0rk1vsOI4fagiKu2HI-tO1b-Zi_SeF6jnXL_LaBo1ui3m6JoaYSbU1SZj2YLq2apB5BftBmE4XE6uS9nJ0g/s400/apparation.jpeg" width="273" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There is nothing I personally fear more than losing myself. Losing control of my emotions and making a mistake, failing to maintain dominance over my most basic of functions and becoming manipulated by some other, sinister force. I believe this is why the concept of possession is so chilling to many people: you lose what makes you YOU, so you still have to witness the awful consequences of your actions.<br />
<br />
<i>Apparition</i> by Michaelbrent Collings is about parents killing their children. I'm not going to mince words here, this book deals with filicide. If that sort of thing bothers you even in the very slightest, you should probably avoid this book, because it will get in your head and royally mess you up. However, if you are the kind of person who loves books that get into your head and royally mess you up, then I <i>really </i>have a novel suggestion for you!<br />
<br />
To put it into context: this book starts with a graphic description of filicide. Not so much that I'd consider it distasteful, but absolutely horrific enough to make me squirm uncomfortably. Which, considering I got this book to be scared, I'll write that down as a bullet point for the positive.<br />
<br />
The story follows Shane and his two children, who are seeking answers in regards to why parents suddenly snap and murder their children. All the while dark things being creeping into their lives, influencing Shane and putting some rather awful thoughts into his head. Without spoiling much, I'll just say that as Shane gets closer and closer to finding the truth, he falls deeper and deeper into the abyss of madness.<br />
<br />
Michaelbrent Collings is a master of building suspense, providing lulls that are still unnerving and then hitting you with big scares. I felt he did this near-perfectly in <i>Rising Fears</i>, while <i>The Haunting</i> had sections that felt a little long for me. In <i>Apparition </i>his pacing is at its finest: starting with a horrific, jolting scene to set the mood, and balancing the brief breathers with the heart-stopping horror. I literally read until three in the morning until I was so tired I passed out with Kindle in hand, and when I returned to the book I didn't stop until I had completely finished it.<br />
<br />
While I'd argue this is my favorite of Michaelbrent's books I've read so far, I had two issues with it. The first is I never really had a grasp on Matthew's age, which kept throwing me off. He seemed particularly young considering how he talked (and was talked to) at the beginning, but then he'd observe things in his viewpoint that seemed <i>way </i>too old for his thought processes. A minor nitpick (especially since the teenage daughter was done so well), but enough to throw me off.<br />
<br />
The other is the issue that horror masters have been battling since the genre began: that not seeing a monster is far more scary than when you actually reveal it. While I think <i>Apparition </i>did very well by concealing the true identity of the monster until the very end, once the reveal happened it was, as one expects, far less scary than anything I was speculating. A few of the final scenes even came off as a bit corny. This didn't detract from the absolutely bananas climax that <i>Apparition </i>has (not to mention the fantastic, <i>fantastic </i>epilogue that capstones this horror novel perfectly) but I often wonder if a horror book would work where we never actually see the big bad and only witness it's influence and awful aftermath. But that's not a question for this review.<br />
<br />
Long story short, <i>Apparition </i>provides exactly as advertised: raw, unflinching horror speckled with gore and a healthy dose of "that's just <i>wrong!</i>" If you have any affinity for the horror genre whatsoever, I high suggest picking up this and all the rest of Michaelbrent Collings' works. Just be warned: this book was the first book I've ever read to give me nightmares, so maybe you should read it with all the lights on.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Four out of five stars. </span></b>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-50389651664538111712012-07-05T10:05:00.003-07:002012-07-05T10:05:48.899-07:00Nathan vs Video Games Kickstarter<br />
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(I'm reposting this from my <a href="http://nathanvsvideogames.blogspot.com/">video game blog</a>. Please consider throwing a few bucks in my direction so I can make some awesome movies! :D)</div>
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<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/447061988/nathan-vs-video-games-the-video-series"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaqbz0UCY_OTkUHbxRQ5mOjMQ5CGMJVmp2xdNoZswx8rPVRk-fl3wLUrHBCFwGdjxC14qbGvjBAHGnMLg8Kg4jBdu9gT5SybqQNb0o20WYzJFeIEz9H5U4JsdlBlTZpKNHa6-Bd9wfm3K/s320/The-pitfalls-and-perils-of-Kickstarter.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span id="goog_1833343966"></span><span id="goog_1833343967"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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<br />
I'm doing a kickstarter!<br />
<br />
Like Let's Play's? Curious what I'd sound like on camera? Want me to play some REALLY AWFUL GAMES (Like <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disney's_PK:_Out_of_the_Shadows">PK Out of the Shadows</a></i> on Gamecube) with commentary? Want to SUGGEST an awful game and have me review it ON VIDEO?<br />
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All this can be yours if you just contribute a few bucks to my kickstarter! RAD.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/447061988/nathan-vs-video-games-the-video-series">GO GIVE ME SOME MONEY! </a><br />
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In all seriousness, I've been wanting to do video stuff for a while. I have a ton of video editing software already (hence why the kickstarter doesn't have to be too expensive) but I'd love to get a really nice capture card and maybe some good microphones and do some delicious video content. I can't guarantee it'll be all quality right out of the gate (hey, it's a learning experience) but I'm determined to make some awesome stuff should this get funded, and if anything watching me swear at Donald Duck while playing that awful <i>PK </i>game will probably be worth a couple bucks (in my humble opinion).<br />
<br />
If you are interested, PLEASE go donate! As another cool bonus, if you donate $15 or more you get a PERLER BEAD sprite of your choice! Pretty rad, huh?<br />
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Share this around and we'll see how it goes! Thanks for contributing; and expect tons more content coming up in the next few weeks!<br />Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-60759744873055000212012-07-02T17:15:00.001-07:002012-07-02T17:15:16.449-07:00Quarter, book #10, complete!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3FitbC2Hjc3lwciio1-UII8DrULMo50UPz8IouTamX91ihDmNTOsKYUtyMd6HI5GHeodqTw7SBn_aHJhPnTAoUOp-HrRUPyiDpghtJ1AQCv2R9q8qUFCGgx3t1WbryUtfEN29ArCh58/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-07-02+at+6.11.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3FitbC2Hjc3lwciio1-UII8DrULMo50UPz8IouTamX91ihDmNTOsKYUtyMd6HI5GHeodqTw7SBn_aHJhPnTAoUOp-HrRUPyiDpghtJ1AQCv2R9q8qUFCGgx3t1WbryUtfEN29ArCh58/s400/Screen+Shot+2012-07-02+at+6.11.33+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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In another three-week (and a day change) book blitz, the sequel to <i>Half</i>, <i>Quarter</i>, is completed! Huzzah and hooray!</div>
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I'm hungry and want dinner, so here's some really basic level stats:</div>
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Total words: <b>75,064</b></div>
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Total chapters: <b>27</b> (including the epilogue)</div>
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New main characters: <b>3-4</b></div>
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Fight scenes: <b>7 </b>(if you count the final fight + car chase as two)</div>
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Vampires: <b>JUST HALF OF ONE THIS TIME!!!!</b></div>
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So that's it. This is less exciting than the usual book finish posts, but hey...what do you expect? Next on the docket, werewolf uncles. See ya then. </div>
<br />Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-70861959586458914752012-06-22T14:57:00.000-07:002012-06-22T14:58:35.600-07:00A Book A Month All SummerA brief update (I'll be back from my blog hiatus soon; expect a post on writing book summaries!) for what's going on with my current plans:<br />
<br />
I'm going to try and write a book a month for every summer month (June, July, August, September). This is more feasible than my original plan to write two books in June, mostly because life got in the way in June.<br />
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However, my current plan is to finish the half-done <i>Quarter</i> in the next week, and then start on my middle-grade novel in July. August we'll churn out <i>Eighth</i>, the third book in my <i>Half</i> chain, which should be pretty cool. Then, in September, we'll do the third <i>Might of the Steelgods</i> book: <i>The War of Blood and Oil</i> seeing as it's tradition to write one of those dumb things at the end of summer every year. (Steelgod September returns!)<br />
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After that I have no idea. I also plan on finishing <i>A Straight Cut</i> sometime in July if I have time. I'm going to just write it on days I'm not writing something else. That book annoys me.<br />
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I also have to edit <i>Death's Aria</i> and do minor <i>Half </i>revisions, as well as send <i>Half </i>to everybody and their dog in July. If I don't start submitting, my year goals to submit at least two novels this year will fail. I have more than enough material; I just need to submit!<br />
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That's it for now. I'm writing <i>Quarter</i> like a fiend! Expect some cool life updates soon, too. :)Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-26814895180221125132012-05-18T10:38:00.001-07:002012-05-18T10:38:08.230-07:00GRE Induced Hiatus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqkB6prBDjjDDfmAFc9RnzTd8PNtEiFvN81pMEg-sVpwUHfKlnxb1YL8fZ83qfAFQg9XW0Xo0FS_BSju42ubdqDzT4H8JgtTDywbAzuQQmJ0Q8CSKLNiAXFOJZUjmNwv6ENfmE3ws26k/s1600/0033_gre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqkB6prBDjjDDfmAFc9RnzTd8PNtEiFvN81pMEg-sVpwUHfKlnxb1YL8fZ83qfAFQg9XW0Xo0FS_BSju42ubdqDzT4H8JgtTDywbAzuQQmJ0Q8CSKLNiAXFOJZUjmNwv6ENfmE3ws26k/s400/0033_gre.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In case you haven't noticed, I'm taking a slight blogging break for the next couple of weeks. A week from Saturday I'm taking the GRE (and studying for it has sucked up most of my brain power) and then we are going to family reunion, so I will be too busy to provide updates.<br />
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I do plan on writing <i>Quarter</i> and my middle-grade novel in June (two weeks for each). However, don't expect updates from this blog for a while still.<br />
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Thanks for your patience; see you eventually!Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-39687369329158753512012-05-04T13:57:00.001-07:002012-05-04T13:57:04.686-07:00My biggest problem with the Game of Thrones TV Show<div style="text-align: center;">
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This show still has my favorite opening of any show ever. </div>
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(This still isn't my post on violence or an album review. Sorry?)</div>
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So I've been watching <i>A Game of Thrones</i> on HBO. The sad truth is it was the first season that actually got me to finally read the books, which I devoured up until #4 which I am currently stuck on. Sorry, but after the insanity that was <i>Storm of Swords</i>, it's a little hard to keep going and have everything live up to expectation.</div>
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Regardless, reading the books opened my eyes a lot about how the TV show is produced and presented, especially now that I've read the second book<i> before </i>the second season kicks in. And, after re-watching the first Season (for my failed attempt to review them episodically on here, which I swear I'll do someday) I had a sort of revelation:</div>
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I don't think the TV show is very confident in itself.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But Sean Bean is <i>always </i>confident. THAT HE'LL DIE. The man's a two-legged spoiler. </td></tr>
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Hear me out: I love the TV show. I think it does well in presenting an adult fantasy story on mainstream television (if HBO is "mainstream"), which is something that very rarely happens. Usually these things fall apart under the silliness of the story or magic, and when they attempt to be "dark" they end up being shallow or pretentious. Which <i>Game of Thrones</i> manages to not fall in. </div>
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<i>Yet.</i></div>
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The reason I say "yet" is I feel it's skirting on the edge here. And the reason I have is this: it isn't confident enough in its dark premise.</div>
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Let me elaborate: <i>A Game of Thrones </i>(and the whole <i>Song of Fire and Ice</i>) is a dark batch of books. The characters are delightfully gray, with even the most noble appearing "heroes" often making selfish, poor mistakes and having us (as readers) question if we really admire these people as much as we thought. It has been said that the only good main character in this book is Samwise, which I can agree with. </div>
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What made the books (especially the first one) so good is the fact it manage to be exciting, tense, and dark without having to <i>do </i>much stuff that the mainstream would classify as "exciting, tense, and dark." While there was plenty of violence, it wasn't at the forefront. While there was sex happening all the time (including incest, rape, and more) it was almost never on camera, and tended to not be sexually explicit (minus a rather putrid scene at the start of <i>A Clash of Kings</i>). The first book was confident that it could tell its story and be compelling without any cheap tricks. Sex and violence was presented as part of the story, not as gratuitous stimulation to titillate and excite. It was a necessity but not the point, with the violence or sex not being at the center of a scene but rather something that happened to <i>support </i>the dialogue, politics, and dark schemes. It's a fine line to skirt, because a reader can easily get bored without some "cheap thrills," but it was confident and masterfully done enough to pull it off.</div>
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But the TV show is not like this, at all.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you are a legal age female in this show, odds are you'll be seen topless at least once. </td></tr>
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Nudity is all over the place. Scenes in the novel that originally didn't have it added it as a "bonus," and scenes that <i>did </i>have sex are longer and more drawn out to keep things going. They even added an extra "main" character in the first season, some hooker Theron liked, just so she could spout some expository dialogue while the two of them were getting it on. It has gotten so bad that when last week's episode (Season 2 Episode 5, "The Ghost of Harrenhal") came out and was actually the <i>first episode in the series without nudity</i>, people stood up and took notice. Yeah, essentially episode 15 was the first one without some boobs. Nice work.<br />
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The reason for this is obvious, if a bit annoying. Since they have a limited run and the books are big, they had to get the expository dialogue out <i>somehow</i>. My main problem is that their #1 choice for doing this is during a sec scene. Vesyris needs to explain about dragons? Do it while he's having sex in a tub. Theron Greyjoy needs to explain the Starks and his frustrations to build into Season 2? Do it when having sex. Dani needs to learn more about the Dothraki? Make sure you do it when also talking about sex. Littlefinger needs to talk about his political goals? Position it over him teaching prostitutes how to turn each other on. Renley and the Knight of Flowers need to chat? Make sure it's while both are nude and shaving each other. Not all expository dialogue is presented via sex, but it <i>does </i>seem to be the vast majority.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukAcA_XAVZHEetwwK4MguILSldbJQhd78qIOSSM6UCklTmyEvij9nQGxmoG3R6OIh2Sp5TUHimQ-6x6aPbt0Jb7a6RC8E2xqL9MLb6Op7SccjEbBBUNkvS0cD3bUDDN5mUryOXhOEtd0/s1600/robert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgukAcA_XAVZHEetwwK4MguILSldbJQhd78qIOSSM6UCklTmyEvij9nQGxmoG3R6OIh2Sp5TUHimQ-6x6aPbt0Jb7a6RC8E2xqL9MLb6Op7SccjEbBBUNkvS0cD3bUDDN5mUryOXhOEtd0/s400/robert.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What? Characters talking without sex? REWRITE IT!</td></tr>
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While this could easily be dismissed as laziness of the writers, I honestly don't think so. There are plenty of added scenes that are actually quite good. The highlight for me is a dialogue between Robert and Ceresi in the first season that isn't in the book. You don't really learn much about their relationship in the novel except they generally hated each other and were married out of politics, but this little scene is just the two of them talking and remembering their times together. Both are horrible people (Robert because he's a fat, lazy sloth and Ceresi because she only cares about her personal gain and the gains of her children) but cast in this light you see them differently. You are given dialogue that explains the world <i>and </i>digs deeper into the character's. It's a great scene.<br />
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So I know the writers are capable here, because the rest of the show (both stuff that's new and old) is written masterfully. So why the need for all the sex? (and exaggerated violence, but we'll just assume everybody knows that's in there so I don't have to talk about it)<br />
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I think it's because <i>Game of Thrones </i>isn't confident that it'll be "dark" enough without showing all this awful stuff. It isn't confident in the viewers understanding the depth of the characters without shoving it into their faces.<br />
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Consider this: In Season 2 Episode 4, "Garden of Bones," Joffery is given two whores from his uncle as a birthday present. What happens is a long, horrible scene where the young king basically forces them to beat each other bloody. It's a stressful thing to watch because of how awful and trapped these whores are (though don't worry; both are completely nude and the show isn't afraid to show it).<br />
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I don't remember if this happens in the book, but it was certainly never presented in scene. My question is this: Why was it necessary to burn 10 minutes of a already crammed show on this? We already know Joffery is horrible. We knew it the second we laid eyes on him; he was a smug, pompus jerk. The actor was fantastic at portraying this without being overt. And, after he has done so many horrible things already, why is this necessary?<br />
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Because they aren't confident, is why. They can't let the subtle characters of the book simply play out; they have to slap you in the face with it. Over and over. "Look at us! Look how <i>dark </i>our characters are! Look how <i>edgy</i> we are! We are HBO, you can't see this on normal TV!"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaNz2n17YrUy6OVeqTUQSXVdoRSPSVgjXySoiSFxl0vd76qjb1-XkEu0DqBtK-gFVM9Kdt5SZeovcz7dCreAkUO16S1MsvmcCC5TATd8oanbhYsaR9hNanye6W_suzhSnia1K2QdCdG0/s1600/douche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaNz2n17YrUy6OVeqTUQSXVdoRSPSVgjXySoiSFxl0vd76qjb1-XkEu0DqBtK-gFVM9Kdt5SZeovcz7dCreAkUO16S1MsvmcCC5TATd8oanbhYsaR9hNanye6W_suzhSnia1K2QdCdG0/s320/douche.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at this picture. You KNOW he's a douche. You didn't need to see him order naked prostitutes to beat each other to prove it. </td></tr>
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There are many, <i>many </i>examples of this. And while you could argue it's to make it more appealing to a mainstream (read: dumber) audience than those who read the books, I really feel that it is more of them thinking their "edgy" drama is impotent, so they always overcompensate. Trust me guys: we know how bad the characters are. We know this is a dark story. But because you insist on <i>showing </i>us how edgy you are, the impact is lost. We are desensitized to boobs because they are <i>all over the place</i>. We are desensitized to violence because it's <i>always</i> gory and gruesome. And so, when a scene that is supposed to be impactful because of the violence or sex or abuse comes up, its effect is lessened. You are actually <i>weakening</i> your characters by having them be so blatant.<br />
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This might be a little nitpick and again, I'm technically a "new" fan of the books so I might be wrong, but it is really starting to get to me. It's almost predictable now...is an infodump needed? I bet you the next scene starts with somebody getting it on with somebody else. Oh look, I was right, what a surprise.<br />
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It's like HBO is a kid trying to hard to be dark and evil and scary he went to Hot Topic and bought all the clothes and stacked them all on and goes around growling and cussing and making lewd gestures, while all the adults just shake their heads and chuckle to themselves. That isn't edgy, it's overkill. The source material is so incredibly dark already, it would work <i>better </i>if you were subtle. <i>Don't </i>beat it into our heads that Joffery is the worst human being on the planet, just let him show it in line with the story. What does the beating of the whores have to do with the overarching narrative? Nothing. But when he forces Sansa to strip and humiliates her in front of the court (which Tyrion saves her from), <i>this </i>shows progression. It shows Joffery is awful <i>right there</i>. It shows Sansa is broken. And it shows Tyrion might actually have a heart, while earning plenty of Joffery's ire. It's a great scene, and it had no boobs (probably because the actress for Sansa is underaged), no forcing the point, and no expository dialogue. And hey, it was a scene lifted from the book. What a surprise.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNISBPhdyATxvxTU1ksJhwgX1uji8aT57EZ8qm_uc-QKCTuaXn_VJcabfEf4xVw7uSCNJxmZ5rY_uXEjC8TEvEkdTOWJtxWDdFMxHQuIMtFhRlQMgVpgbhzWIys_Ee-e12Pl3a7lCVJ4/s1600/arya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNISBPhdyATxvxTU1ksJhwgX1uji8aT57EZ8qm_uc-QKCTuaXn_VJcabfEf4xVw7uSCNJxmZ5rY_uXEjC8TEvEkdTOWJtxWDdFMxHQuIMtFhRlQMgVpgbhzWIys_Ee-e12Pl3a7lCVJ4/s400/arya.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least all of Arya's plot arch is wonderfully intact.</td></tr>
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<br />Lastly, since this has gone on far too long anyway, let me give one final example. As I mentioned before, the Episode "The Ghost of Harrenhal" was the first episode to not have any boobs. I'd like to just point out a scene (minor spoiler here) that I felt was powerful that didn't have to rely on any cheap tricks to make it that way.</div>
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Tywin is around a table with his lords, discussing the war against Robb Stark. He's decided Arya is to be his cupbearer, without knowing her true identity, so she is essentially hearing her brother's mortal enemy discuss how he is going to destroy his armies in a methodical, tactical manner. As the scene plays out she is brought into the conversation, believed by Tywin to be a northern girl but not aware she's a Stark. After asking her what the northerns think of Robb, she spins a tale of mythological proportions about Robb's strength and Direwolf. Tywin laughs, asking Arya if she believes Robb is invincible. She says, "No...any man can be killed." Scene closes on Arya.</div>
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It's worth nothing there is almost no swearing, violence, rude behavior, sex, or anything of the sort in this scene, yet it is dark, creepy, tense, and powerful. We see Tywin as he really is: a genius and ruthless warlord whose competence makes him sympathetic but also a bit arrogant; had he know it was Arya there he might have realized his life was potentially in danger. And we also see Arya's arc growing: she's becoming more revenge fueled, convincing herself that she can kill anyone, even Tywin. Lastly, we are seeing the world and war develop, and all this is portrayed by some downright killer acting across the board. </div>
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<i>These</i> are the types of scenes the show needs. We don't need people spouting politics in bed or right after. Giving somebody to do while spouting dialogue is a common writing trick: people sitting around is boring. But adding sex to make it "edgy" is just crass and cheap. If you can't use a scene from the book, make one that isn't there but doesn't involve tons of nudity. If you need to infodump, do it through other scenes. It was already sublimely interwoven in the novels; <i>do it here</i> if you want to retain that spirit. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjC9QLJnomsjDQSj0KksmS4o5eic9NYc3hjXDIGV1Z3cy5vdp64oB3LbbNhhYH_eAVgkQXYtOYmKqF4bi7gk2gOKmElPcm_BpLo-l8W9-AIS6QDREk3q7fAb5gjk3kDkwsVqhyphenhyphenhH_KHA/s1600/DSC00128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjC9QLJnomsjDQSj0KksmS4o5eic9NYc3hjXDIGV1Z3cy5vdp64oB3LbbNhhYH_eAVgkQXYtOYmKqF4bi7gk2gOKmElPcm_BpLo-l8W9-AIS6QDREk3q7fAb5gjk3kDkwsVqhyphenhyphenhH_KHA/s400/DSC00128.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plus, you know you want this in Season 3, HBO. </td></tr>
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<br />Let me close by saying this: I do <i>not </i>hate this show. In fact, it's probably my most favorite TV show ever. It's magnificently cast, acted, and the production values are through the roof. I think it's setting a new bar for television, and I also am glad that medieval fantasy is <i>finally </i>getting through to the mainstream public as this might open up options for future TV shows in that genre.<div>
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That being said, I think the series could do better. Right now it's amazing, but with just a few changes it could be unforgettable. It shines with greatness, presenting powerful scenes and characters, and right when I'm sold that it's just the greatest thing we cut to a scene of expository dialogue and boobs. Or some grotesque, overly-bloody gore and violence. Or some other scene of crass tastelessness that seems to be there just to shock and awe. </div>
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You are better than this, <i>Game of Thrones</i>. Stop pandering to the lowest common denominator. You are making a show for smart people, so stop backpedaling and <i>make it for smart people</i>. We don't need boobs and guts to get our attention. We want rich characters, crazy politics, and Tyrion outsmarting everybody with hilarious results. We want it to be dark but not edgy, serious and realistic but not overblown. The show is <i>so close </i>it hurts, and I was hoping after Season 1 when fans complained about these little things they'd fix them. They haven't, so I'm complaining again.</div>
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Make it happen, HBO. Make real, adult television. And then maybe this show will be remembered for much more. </div>
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</div>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7872188166387973152.post-48528889181288892342012-05-01T10:16:00.002-07:002012-05-01T10:16:50.287-07:00(Not so) Brief Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Don't worry; the Violence in Fantasy Writing Part 2 blog will be here soon enough, as will my review of my friend's album. However, I straightened some things out with regards to my writing and I thought I'd share.<br />
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I have goals set for May and June, and they are as follows:<br />
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<b>May</b><br />
Finish <i>A Straight Cut</i><br />
Edit and send out queries for <i>Half</i><br />
Give <i>Half </i>to a limited Alpha run (while queries are out, probably)<br />
Edit and prepare queries for <i>Death's Aria</i><br />
Plan <i>Quarter</i> (<i>Half </i>sequel; almost done with that already!)<br />
Plan chapter outline for middle-grade novel<br />
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<b>June</b><br />
Write <i>Dapper Lycanthropies Time Travel to Ancient Egypt and Save History</i> (or whatever it ends up being called) in two weeks<br />
Write <i>Quarter</i> in another two weeks<br />
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<b>More Details</b><br />
Editing <i>Death's Aria</i> is obviously the biggest thing in store for May, as <i>A Straight Cut</i> probably only has 20-30k left in it. I'm not stressing over wordcount for May I've decided; I already did for both March <i>and </i>April, and I have more important things to do (like fix my currently finished novels and submit them to meet my yearly goals slash actually move on this "career" thing).<br />
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After re-reading <i>Half </i>I've decided I actually think it turned out decent enough to submit to people. Is it perfect? No. But to be honest my strength as an editor is (in my opinion) overshadowed by my strength to write decent first drafts, so after a clean-up I'm sending it to every paranormal/urban fantasy person I know. Also: if <i>Half </i>does not get picked up, I <i>will </i>Kindle publish it. Despite it being silly I like it too much to just let it die (like what is currently happening to the <i>Steelgods</i> series).<br />
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I will need Alphas for the book. However, this is a very "pulpy" novel. Think the <i>Monster Hunter International </i>books or the first <i>Dresden Files</i> novels. It is intended as a fun ride and, while I'd love for it to be a <i>refined </i>fun ride, it's clearly seated in the less... prestigious realms of literature.<br />
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I'm also preparing for the GRE which I take the last weekend of May, which is right over CONduit. So I won't be at CONduit. Sad day. And I'll have to do that in May too.<br />
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June should be easier in theory. <i>Quarter </i>is practically sorted out already. I don't have an outline but I have the main plot points and twists, which is more than I had for <i>Half </i>and it ended up ok. We'll also be doing my middle-grade novel about time-travelling werewolves who are super British and go to Egypt, which will be short so two weeks should be feasible. I am going to a Jenkins family reunion so this isn't an easy goal at all, but as a plus I'll be surrounded by kids of the intended demographic for the werewolf book, so maybe I'll get some early Alphas. :P<br />
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Also both <i>Quarter </i>and <i>Dapper Werewolves</i> are books I just really want to write. To be honest, while I've been excited about ideas before (like <i>A Straight Cut</i>) I haven't really gotten sucked into a story on a personal level on a while. <i>Death's Aria</i> did a decent enough job, but the difference in my writing (both personally and the actual words on the page) between <i>A Straight Cut </i>and <i>Half </i>point clearly to the fact that I should be loving what I write more. So I'm going to write awesome stuff that appeals to me, even if it isn't high brow or whatever.<br />
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Not that I hate <i>A Straight Cut </i>(I FINALLY figured a bunch of stuff about it out, so the underarching story is really awesome now) but it isn't sticking. Also I know I have to almost completely rewrite the first 2/3rds (or do very heavy edits) before I can even show it to anybody, which is discouraging.<br />
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So that's my personal update that you probably don't care about. It works for me because it clears my head and now I have goals. So expect novel #10 (<i>A Straight Cut</i>) by end of May, and than a blitz for #11 and #12 in whatever order come June.Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com1