Immortal Relationships........why does it wound us so?

Though I know there are few who truly read this, I have a feeling that one day, people will in fact notice that I exist on the great World Wide Web :D And today, my dear class, our topic is immortality. Now, I'm sure you all know what it means--Hmmm? No Jimmy, I am not a vampire that sparkles.

But seriously, why is IMMORTALITY such a huge problem for writers, especially when it comes to relationships? Of course, if there is a race (such as vampires, or warlocks, etc) then indeed it is problematic. The result is most usually that the humanesk/mortal partner becomes immortal. If you are reading a book in which two of your most favourite characters just broke up, mainly because of one being immortal, I can see how that would upset a reader. Even though there is a high probability in them getting back together, you still never really know... The author could be evil.

As a side note, I am often one of those evil authors. If a character has no more use, I take my chance and kill them. But, I have faith that since they had no more use, the readers most likely won't really be too upset over the character's death. (Unless they are a pacifist, in which case you REALLY should not read anything of mine :P) But, if it is a major character, then yes, you would be extremely attached and worried for their future.

So why do authors do it? Why put their characters through such turmoil, and the readers along with it? Well, there is the first case: The author wants to evaluate the general public's reaction to such a break up, and possibly get ideas to how it could be solved without being cliche. Secondly, it may in fact be where the book was headed. Thirdly, the author may just need their characters depressed and vulnerable so that they realize how much more miserable life is without them together, or so that one (or both characters) can be all mopey and unaware, and will go get themselves into a dangerous situation in which the other will rescue them, and they get back together! Yay! (All is fair in love and war!) Or, perhaps the most well written, brilliant, and soul shattering explanation......the author.....has....a point to make. I KNOW! WHAT BS RIGHT??? Who needs points or well written, bitter sweet, righteous endings! Cliche romance with happy endings please!!!!!

But hey, the truth is, whether the relationship is immortal or not, there are always going to be breakups, and reunions, and love, and heartache, and angst, and....endings. Happy or sad, all relationships have one kind of ending or another. If you freak out because you can't control what happens in a relationship, then one: DO NOT READ!!!!! And two: you can't be prepared for life! If you are prepared, and you love reading, but STILLLL freak out over fictional relationships (immortal or otherwise), then do what I do:

WRITE! Because that way, you can make up whatever you want, and whether it's good or not, chances are it will be what you really want in a book. :P

Have a great week!
Long weekend coming up!!

I HAVE A CONFESSION!!!.......I hate pink....

Well, hate is a strong word. Allow me to rephrase: I dislike the colour pink. So, you can imagine my fear when I found myself designing costumes for a high school performance of LEGALLY BLONDE! For those of you who don't know what Legally Blonde is about (and believe me, I CERTAINLY DID NOT!!!!) I suggest you google it :) But, back to the point: Dear god, pink simply infected my life. And I don't mean affected, or effected. It IN-fected my life. Like some strange fluffy cotton candy disease that plagued my room and wardrobe and marker selection!! ....pink......Pink.....PINK! Since the beginning of January, pink has been the definition of my life. The very air I breathe is pink...and...scented!!

But, after all this hard work, pink, sweat, and pink, and more pink (did I say pink?) the costumes bring out the true essence of the characters. And now, I accept my life as the pink pompom it is. As a costume designer for any form of play, the most challenging thing is not really getting the credit that you are entitled to. For a while I struggled with my inner ego, wishing people realized how much work I did put into the thing that, for a time, had suffocated my perfect black and burgundy. As the days rolled on and rehearsals seemed to draw into the night, I realized that I was just happy to be a part of this, and to explore my creative boundaries.

Just yesterday, I was at rehearsal and something quite peculiar happened. A man approached the lead actress and began questioning her, jotting down things every so often on a spiral bound note book. I vainly wanted him to question me too, sure it was for a promotion flyer or pamphlet. But, of course, that never happened. And, I was okay with that.

Today, after just getting home from rehearsal, I saw the newspaper lying on my front porch (as it usually is) and wondered if I was going crazy. You see, I don't think I've ever seen any news paper sport so much pink on the front page, so clearly the pink was now also giving me head trauma. As I picked up the paper I felt my heart race. There was our two lead actors, snapped mid song, promoting the musical of Legally Blonde.

Now you see, most people would see the actors and read the article and go "Wow! That's great! I'll go get tickets!" Me? I looked at that picture and thought, "Holy crap! What a great pink power suit! I can't believe I got that at Value Village for $12!" And that, my dear readers, is what becoming a costume designer is all about. When it's for a high school performance, there is no money, no fame, no flowers. It's simply all good fuzzy feelings, great buys, perhaps your name at the back of the program, and a whole lot of pink.

And now, after all this, you must have guessed that pink isn't so bad now, right?

..........YOU ARE WRONG! But have a great night anyway ;P

Inspiration

Many people ask me where I get my inspirations from. I have revisited this topic probably hundreds of times, and my answer changes every single time, so I figured I would give you, dear reader, something of a slide show!!!

A long time ago (in a far away land -- aka England...and Scotland) my mother and I were on vacation! Whoohoo!!! (Hi Mom! :3) And of course while my mother took numerous photos of me standing beside important and historical sites... I snapped random shots of houses and cobble stones. Why? Because I knew that I could use it for inspiration for my novel!

Note: Here I have simply shown a picture and then posted a small comment on what it inspired me for.

This is a beautiful house...which then was described as the house of my character. (SO PRETTY!!)

This dress was used for a ball in the sequel.

CREEPY GRAVEYARD!!! See that broken tomb stone?? I'm positive a supernatural being came out of that! (This was used in an epilogue for a random short story :P)

This is the most beautiful fish I have ever seen, and was used as a character's pet. :3

As you can see, you can get inspiration from anywhere, and everywhere! And it's always good to be prepared:

I always have my note books and iPod with me :3

You never know when you might see something amazing!!!
So keep your eyes wide open!

Have a great Monday!

"DON'T TAKE MY PICTURE!!" -- my kitty cat Judah >^..^<

It Hasn't Really Been a Month...Has It??

I can't believe it's been a month!!! So sorry.

Sadly I have caught a nasty cold the first day of my week off, but I hope I'll be better before the end!!

There isn't really anything exciting going on. So I haven't posted anything. Here's a motivational quote to keep you going:

"It's okay to be

YOUnique"

--Unknown

I promise to be more exciting soon!! :D

Please comment, and request things you'd like me to talk about.

Have a great March Break! 

I'll Never Be Hungry Again

What you are about to read is not for the squeamish! Here is the trembling TERRIFYING story, of what happened when I had cereal...but no milk:

So, when I arrived home today, before I sat down to write, I was ambushed by a startling noise: The growling of my stomach! After much deliberation and perusal through the cupboards, I decided on....CEREAL! Since I have none of my most favourite cereal (Count Chocula) in my loverly home, I settled for the box of no design, that contained the clustered grains my tummy so desired. I figured that in order to sweeten things up I'd put in a few...(or a lot) of chocolate chips.

I looked to the cupboard once more to find the yellow bag, but I couldn't see it. After running up and down the stairs a few times I was back at the cupboards, determined to find the chocolaty goodness!!! I moved the jumbo box of granola bars and there they were...mocking me. >:( (death stare of doom) Since I had run up and down 16 stairs, three times, I justified that I could put in a few more chocolate chips than normal.

Now that I had my wonderful bowl of cereal, decked with a multitude of chocolate chips, it was time for.........THE MILK! I love milk. Milk is a wonderful creation, and i truly feel sorry for those who are lactose intolerant. So you can imagine my excitement when I opened the shining stainless steal fridge, spotted the glowing orange milk carton and saw.......THAT IT WAS EMPTY!!!!!!

But, with another hungry growl, my tummy told me that it was cereal or nothing! So, I had to think of an alternative. I filled the bowl with tap water...I was too afraid to try it. I grabbed a packet of Nescafe instant cappuccino. I gulped before ripping the package and pouring the powder into the soupy cereal concoction. All the powder floated in large unappealing clumps at the top... Quickly I stirred it as best as I could, though within 20seconds it began to foam.

I took a sip...

Shiver!!! Quick! Splenda!!! In the fake sugar went... I took a bite. Swallowed. It tasted like good cereal with bad coffee or vice versa. After another bite, I felt sick, and down the toilet it went. My taste buds may never recover...and I doubt I will ever make the mistake of being hungry again!

*Grumble...Rumble*

 Hmm? What's that tummy? Nutella you say? Oh, very well... Now where's the bread gone??

My love of milk can be shared by Tokidoki through......

I'm Reading a Book!

January is the time where emotions run high and most avid students are loosing sleep because of exams. I would be one of those people!! Still, I feel bad for not posting anything sooner so here are a few things to keep you occupied.

#1 -- Do not read if you have not seen Harry Potter (movie 1)

#2 -- This is really me when I'm interrupted when "I'm reading a book"

ENJOY!!! HAVE A GREAT JANUARY!

A New Chapter

Another year gone, and already we're on the doorstep of another. New Years is a time of celebration. Even Google's celebrating!!!! This year for me, has probably been one of the most eventful. Tears and cries of joy took over practically everyday. I'll admit, I didn't do everything I wanted, but you can't always. It's like at the end of a book, you're ready to start a new one.

A New Years tradition in my household is that we always have resolutions for next year. But, for some reason this year, I can't think of any! And I'm not sure whether it's because I've run out of hope, or I'm just lazy, or I don't know what I want yet to happen... Or maybe, it's because I am, and have done, and fulfilled everything I essentially wanted. I doubt it, but it's a very nice thought to believe in :D

So what are you doing this New Years?? I assure you, I will be wearing a very funny paper hat :p So go have a blast, and end the night / start tomorrow, with a bang!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!!

The End...or The Beginning?

I have a friend, whose code name (because we all require a little privacy) is Sushi-Chan. Sushi and I were discussing various aspects of writing, when she asked me probably the best question I could ever think of. She said, "Gemma, as a writer do you think it's important to know when/where a story is meant to end?" And I couldn't help but think, wow, that is probably one of the most important things about writing.

Now, if you are someone who has read previous posts on my blog, you'll know that I have dedicated quite a few of them to the topic of difficult things to do, while creating a story. I mean, lets face it, writing isn't easy! Of course I have complained about how difficult it is to say good-bye to characters, and the world I created, and the villains it took so long to conquer over...but never did I really think about why I ended the story where I did, or why I wrote those specific words on the page!

So, Sushi, here is my answer: As a writer, I think probably the thing that makes your heart beat just a little bit faster, and ache just a little bit more, is knowing that you wont get frustrated with your characters when their locked up in some dungeon and you don't know how to set them free. You won't blush over those scenes that you had to delete in order to protect your innocence. You won't have any more sword fights, or battles, or deaths. And even though, a story never really ends, it's important to leave your reader with the satisfaction and conclusion that they so desire. And that makes you feel that, yes, it is alright to say goodbye. There will be other characters, and there will be other battles, and there will be other stories to write.

As a writer, you can end a story where ever and whenever you want. But a good ending, a great ending should always be a little sad, and a little hard to read. Why? Because that means that it was a story that was worth reading. And whenever something good ends, even if we weren't disappointed in the least, it's always a bit painful, to close the book, and move on.

So, writers, end your book wisely...and if you aren't quite ready to say goodbye at the end, then you can always write a sequel. :) Because no matter what the end is, it's always the beginning of something better.

Stay warm!

PS: Thank you for your brilliant question Sushi-Chan Rebekah Mihyun Chapchae Omu-Rice Deluxe!

The Hardest Part of Writing Is...?

Often people ask me, "Gemma, what's the hardest part of writing? Is it the time, the place/setting, the worlds, the characters, the description, or the plot? Well, which is it?" The truth is it's different for everyone. So, I've dedicated this post to each aspect that I find difficult, while writing:

The Time: The time (if established) is often very simple. It could be as easy as the present day, or the 1800s. The seasons also bring with them a certain mood, as well as weather. Summer = cheerful, Spring = exciting, Fall = dark and dreary, Winter = serious and dangerous.  (Well, that's how I think of it anyway; your views may be different. :D) Often, though, the time isn't established, and therefore it's up to the readers to get a feel of when the story takes place.
          The difficult part is usually through speech. If a character says, "Hey dude, wanna catch a flick late-a?" then you can usually guess that it's in the present time. If, however, a character says, "My good lady, your beauty is as radiant as the moon's silver glow..." I think it's safe to say it's a fair bit in the past.

The Place/Setting: This is also connected with time. If it is a fantasy book, however, it's a bit more complicated. Especially if you have more than one world! Being a fantasy writer, for the most part, I like to base my worlds on the mood that I want the story to have. If it's a darker story than usually abandoned buildings and old crumbling castles fill the worlds. If it's a lighter book than beautifully described forests or steams tend to appear. The complicated books are the ones that seem to have beautiful sunny summer days, and then have a creepy fairy come along and gobble someone up! :0 So, it really depends on the type of book you're writing.

The Worlds: This is mostly for supernatural/fantasy/sci-fi writers. In a world, the first thing you need to do is describe it (as I stated above). After you know what you want your world to look/feel like, it's best to draw a map, stating the main areas your characters will venture to, or important places in the future. (Even if you are a terrible artist, you can just pin point and label places, just for your own reference.) This way you can see the world out in front of you.
          Now the next, and in my opinion, hardest part, is developing a government. It's up to you how involved the government will be--such as whether they are the main villains, or whether they aid your characters. If you have more than one world/area you must indicate whether the government rules over everything, or if there are different groups of power "scattered throughout the land."
          Then, once you decide that, you must establish where your characters are from, how that impacts their personalities and their lifestyles, and if that causes friction between them and the others. For example: If one character came from an upper class, and one came from a world where people relied on crime in order to survive, how would those characters work together, or would they work against each other?

The Characters: Your characters are most important asset to your story. They also carry the mood, and the theme throughout the pages, so it's very important that the characters can 1. Understand the character's point of view, 2. Relate to them, and 3. If they are a villain then, yes, even hate them. You really want your characters to draw the reader in, and make the story feel believeable, even if it's fictional.
          That being said, often the difficult part is really making the characters consistent throughout the story, which is, essentially, what makes them believable. It's often a good idea to do a character chart, and really outline everything about your characters: The way they walk, look, speak, dress, what they like, what they don't, their personality, the way they treat others...all of that is really important, even though it may seem like a minor detail.

Description: No one wants to read long paragraphs about what a room looks like. Really, the reader doesn't care if the pillow is bordering on chartreuse and jade, but, you did need to describe the surrounding area and the aspects in it. For example:

"The walls were blue, and vanity sat in front of a mirror. There was a candle. I sat in front of it." This is clearly rushed and therefore there is not enough description to really give the reader a feel of the room, or who it might belong to.

"The barren ice cold walls were covered in a cracking blue wallpaper that sparkled with small gems carefully inset into the silk. Each gem was different, and slightly dulling, as age had clearly worn away the delicate beauty. The only piece of furniture was a small crumbling vanity, that looked to have once belonged to a duchess...perhaps it served as a reminder to those imprisoned days... It was scattered with rose petals of black and red, the softness of their skin like the richest velvet. I carefully sat in front of the smeared and rotting mirror, charred away by time. The only light was the soft yet brilliant glow of a burning candle, wax melting down the ivory sides and dibbling onto the vanity, in small puddles that quickly swirled and hardened, forming strange shapes with a quiet sizzle. The sparkling flame guttered as I took a seat on a small yet rickety chair, that I feared would quickly rot and break..." Okay, well, first of all, there is so much drama in the way I rambled on here that I wouldn't surprised if the readers rolled their eyes as the read it. Second, the description has surpassed the needs in the reader. Sure, some phrases are very poetic, but I can save that for a different aspect, rather than the dressing room, which is only in the book for one scene.

"The bare walls were covered in cracking blue wallpaper, and only a small crumbling vanity, scattered with rose petals, sat in front of a smeared and rotting mirror. The only light was the soft glow of a burning candle, guttering as I took a seat, and waited." Seeing as this is only a briefly seen room, this is more than enough description, to explain what the room looks like. Short and simple usually surpasses long and flowery.

The Plot: Before one begins to write, but after you have all of the above pieces to your story puzzle, you must take a few moments to decide on the plot. This is the one thing I cannot help you with! :P This is your story, and you can write about whatever you want, no matter what anyone else thinks. It's up to you to decide whether or not it's difficult. But, if you really want to be a writer, you can't give up, even it seems more challenging than learning how to fly. Once you have everything in place, the rest is just writing :D

Have a good weekend everyone! 
  

Money Can't Buy Everything....Can it? :P

Everyone asks me, "Gemma, what inspires you? Where do you get your ideas from?" Of course my answer is usually "Everything! I get my ideas from everywhere." And it's true that ideas can be found everywhere, but that doesn't mean that everything really inspires me.

What gives me my best ideas are my own things. My red coffin ring, or steampunk watch, or walking stick that turns into a sword. (BEST BIRTHDAY GIFT EVER BTW!) A lot of my characters wear things from my own wardrobe, or things that I pride myself in. But, in order to keep adding inspiration, that requires a bit of "cha-ching"! (My writers' block usually kicks in when there's no money left on the tree :P) And of course I feel a bit guilty spending money here and there, when I should really be saving it. :(

My mom always tells me (usually when I complain about how much my savings have depleted,) that "Money doesn't make you happy!" And she's right. I don't need to go and buy a new ring in order to incorporate it into my book. (But if I do, then I can describe the weight, and the texture, and the detail much better.)

So in order to justify my spendings, here's a little song I learned in keyboard class:

"Money can't buy everything. Money cannot make you king. Money cannot bring success. Money can't buy happiness... But of one thing I am sure, money doesn't make you poor. Money doesn't make you sad, so money can't be all that bad!"

Love you mom! <3

Have a great weekend everybody! (And go buy yourself a little something ;P)

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: FAILED.CLICK GREEN BUTTON TO RE-BOOT

Boop....Boop....Boop.

*Screen Zaps On*

Alright, so I did not complete "mission impossible". BUT! I did push myself to write 200 pages! (Yay! That's half way done!) So, I have a new goal: Finish the book by October 31st. Why? Because Halloween is my absolute favourite day of the year!

Wish me luck!
Keep checking in, and feel free to request topics for all of you writers out there! :D
Brr...IT'S GETTING CHILLY!

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

Hello!

So, I bet you're wondering what this "mission impossible" thing is. Well, I have set up a nearly impossible challenge before me: There are 5 days left (4 and a half) of summer vacation. Sure I've been writing a lot during this summer, but not enough to make it count. So, my new goal is to write 400 pages in 5 days. That means an average of 80 pages a day.

 No problem you say? Well, considering my current rate is 2.18 pages per day (what with being distracted and procrastinating and what not), it would appear that I truly do have a "mission impossible" on my hands.

However! I really want to make this summer count. So here we go. 5 days, 400 pages, a lot of Pepsi and Pocky, minimal amount of washroom breaks, and a whole lot of fantasy. Do you think I can do it? I sure hope I can! :0

Have a great day!

Excerpt (Finally)

Alright,  so I know that all you good people have been checking in waiting for an update or something fun. I have, however, been working very diligently on my book, and have also been working on editing the first few chapters, which also includes re-writing a lot of things.

So, I have for you an old excerpt of my book. Note: This has been changed significantly, but I still think that it is something that may grab your interest. I would appreciate any constructive feedback and opinions. I do hope that you enjoy it! Let me know by posting a comment. :)

  Excerpt:

From where I sat, perched in the tree, it was as if I could see the world before me…though the world didn’t consist of much. The land was dry and sparse, only tall white trees, bark smooth and white like bone, grew from the thin soil. A starless sky hung up above, a black silky blanket, impenetrable, a dark omen that would never be lost. A blood-red harvest moon shone bright, hanging listlessly and ever-present.

 “Are you listening to me?” Darren looked at his pocket watch. The moonlight illuminated his face, gaunt with horror. “We have five minutes. We’ll never make it! We have to get to the castle in five minutes, or be eaten alive by Shadows! I hate you, Rune. I really do hate you… Now we have four minutes!”

I jumped down, feeling my body tense with panic. The Shadows. These were not like any ordinary shadows you would find. These things were monsters. Massive formless bodies, oozing black-blood from those they had already ingested. Their eyes a milky white, so many rows of teeth like saws, they could cut clean through bone.

My mind snapped back into place. “So stop talking.” I grinned, patting him on the back. “Four minutes can take you a long way if you fly.” Together, we transformed: Our wide wings growing from our backs, our feathers slicing through our skin, our vision sharpening. With a single wing beat we soared into the sky, looking down at the world below.

We flew, my pace quicker than Darren’s. I didn’t pause to look over my shoulder, didn’t stop to see if he was lost behind, I just flew. I felt my feathers ripple in the breeze, as I concentrated on the thrumming of my heart, pounding so hard it nearly hurt. I saw the forest floor turn into cobblestone, the ground bumpy and uneven as we neared the castle. I didn’t even look up to see the stars.

The clock tower was in my peripheral vision; its face so white it seemed to glow in the dark. It counted down the few minutes we still had, a race against time.

Darren nearly collided into a house behind me, but he turned just in time, swerving to miss it, his green wings spread wide, like my own red and gold ones. I caught his gaze, but did not slow for an instant. This was getting much too close. “We’re almost there,” I whispered, and looked up as the clock began to strike twelve; a solid heavy chime.

The Shadows came…

They glided along the walls of the castle like running ink. Slowly creeping towards us, they tattooed themselves against it. They slithered and slunk, their bodies rippling like heat, their teeth gnashing together.

We hurried as I began to count. We had twelve seconds left…just twelve seconds. I took a deep breath, my mouth dry, panic chilling my spine. “One…Two…”

We were almost to the steps of marble.

“Three…Four…”

We flew through the opened the gate.

“Five…Six…”

The Shadows saw us, their white eyes shining like pearls in the depth of murky water, ready to assail.

“Seven…Eight…”

Their mouths drooled; lust and hunger clear in their stare, as they stretched to reach us is haste. 

“Nine…Ten!”

© 2011 Gemma

If you want to know what happens next, check in soon! They don't call it a teaser for nothing!

Writing, Editing, Drawing, and Still Getting Nowhere. What?

Okay, so I have been a good little girl and have been writing everyday! Yay! I am working really really hard on Broken Glass, trying to perfect it, meanwhile starting an interconnected story. The new story involves some characters from Broken Glass, but it is completely different. I never realized how difficult it would be to write two stories at once, because in my mind I think of them as just one thing: A world with people in it. In order to sort things out, on the side line I have then started mapping out different scenes through drawings I have done. But, this then takes away from time to write, ugh!

Then, on the other sideline (yes the one to the left, there you go!) I am helping a friend and fellow author edit his story, which is an epic mystery, as well as editing my own story. I wonder vaguely how I ended up at this point, seeing as summer is supposed to be a relaxing time. I am, however, determined to get all of this done! I will totally do it! Maybe.......NO, I WILL!

In any case, I know that I really don't have to do anything, but when I look at it, it is 100% worth it. This is how I can fulfill my dream, and like I said before, I will do anything for that. I hope everyone is having fun relaxing! If not, then take some time to enjoy the sun.....unless you're a vampire, then I recommend you relax inside. (I am indeed joking :P)

Happy Summer! Stay tuned!

Something To Keep You Tied Over...

I know, I know, it's been over a month since I last posted anything, but to be honest I've been so frustrated with writing, I've actually been avoiding my computer all together. Truth be told, I'm having a difficult time figuring out my multiple plots. I mean of course I need to finish the Broken Glass trilogy, but now I've also become obsessed with this new story! And as far as the "new story" goes, I'm totally confused as to how it's going to play out. MAJOR WRITER'S BLOCK MODE: ACCESS GRANTED. YOUR BRIAN IS NOW UNDER CONTROL OF THE WORLD OF NOTHING. THANK YOU AND HAVE A NICE DAY. Yes that is what is currently flashing through my brain, which has now turned to pulp.

Well, I promise to keep you all (if you are anyone) updated, but for now, here's a new poem. Tell me what you think! And have a great day!  © Gemma 2011

Beauty is my hunger,

Fragrance builds my lies,

Roses make thy garden,

Love that never dies.

Look into my wonder,

See the world is small,

Smell the pretty roses…

Sweet, but that is all. 

Grasp the thorns of briar,

Bleed with lust and fear,

Tremble in my presence,

Know the end is near.

Speak not of the shadow,

Cry the darkest name,

Loved you, I did promise,

Rotten deep with shame.

Power filled me sharply,

Sucked the goodness dry,

Love you, I shall promise,

‘Til the day I die. 

Titles and Names...Possibly Harder Than Actually Writing

People tend to ask me: "Gemma, how did you end up coming up with titles like Broken Glass, and Mirrordust, and Reflections, and what not?" The completely honest, and terribly boring answer is: I don’t know! In fact, I don't ever remember them being called anything else, EVER!

It’s funny though, because I had actually had all three titles figured out before I had even written the books, and they fit! Broken Glass was titled because it was sort of that the main characters were looking through a two-way mirror, not really seeing what was going on. Then one day the glass broke and they were introduced to reality. Mirrordust is when their world shatters (into dust), and Reflections is when they mend the mirror and regain control of their lives again, but are still aware of the reality behind the glass.

In fact, for all stories I have ever written, I come up with the titles first!..............................


Except, this one.


This is the first time that I have ever known exactly what the story is going to be about, and not know what the title is! I'll be honest in the fact that the title somehow glues my writing together, it helps me to not stray away from the main point of the story / the overall message. So, I was thinking about cool things like Black Lullabies and Dark Melodies (because it has a lot to do with music and dark magic) but they didn't have that "OMG I SO GOT TO READ THAT!" feel. They were more like "Eeh, that's cool." So then I thought about something spooky and mysterious like "Cinderland", full of fire and smoke (and....Cinderella?) But, for obvious Disney related reasons, Cinderland just wouldn't do.


So, then of course I started this huge quest just find cool words and ideas to help me with the title, unsure of what I really wanted my "behind the line" message to be. Sigh. I'm still working on this...what? MAY 31st? YOU MEAN IT'S BEEN A WEEK? And, I still don't have a title. Joy.


And as for names, I have a terrible habit. In one book, I always tend to pick names with the same letter. For example, when I first seriously started writing Broken Glass I had: Rune, Ruby, Raina, Ray, Robin, etc, etc. And now, I have: Salem, Seth, Snake, Seiki, Symphony, etc, etc. It really is a terrible mental problem. So what shall I do? Go back and re-name characters, making sure that the name meaning coincides with the character personality.


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Sorry, that's what happened when I smashed my head against the keyboard. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to go out in search again. If you find any names that you think would suit a dark and mysterious scientist, or names with evil / elegant meanings............or just a name that you think would sound good in a steampunkish novel, please feel free to comment.


Until then....to my last scrap of hope for ideas................SERENDIPITY! http://nine.frenchboys.net/


Enjoy the warm weather! :D

A GIRL WHO READS.....

My mother is the one responsible for finding this, but I am the one responsible for believing every word. (In no way do I own this, I just wanted to share a beautiful piece of writing that made my heart beat just a little bit faster.)

A Girl Who Reads

“Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag. She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.

Buy her another cup of coffee.

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.

She has to give it a shot somehow.

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who read understand that all things will come to end, but that you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series.

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.

Or better yet, date a girl who writes.”

-Rosemarie Urquico

Understanding

I now know what it means to have a great story. I was wrong before, I always thought that a great book, or comic, or movie had to be a certain way...and I shall admit, that I was wrong. I have just (this very moment) completed watching the first season of an Anime (a form of a Japanese TV series) titled "Kuroshitsuji," or translated in English as "Black Butler". It is the first Anime that I have ever loved soooo much, and cried so much in....without being disappointed.

You see, at the very beginning of the series, you know that the main character (Ciel Phantomhive) is going to have his soul eaten by his demon butler (Sebastian), due to a contract they made: Sebastian will help Ciel get revenge for his parents death, and the price to be payed is his soul... You also know, as the viewer, that in the end, (at least the end of season one) that Ciel is going to die...you know that all humans do, and that Sebastian will live on, for he is indeed a demon.

And yet, through this complicated plot of British tea and dark magic, you find yourself constantly yelling at the screen, for Sebastian to come and save Ciel, and for various characters not to perish by means of fire, chainsaw, or cutlery. And still, even in the very last episode, you sit on the edge of your seat, (sobbing hysterically in my case) for some turn of events to occur.

And when they do not, you find yourself amazed at how beautiful the story was. You find yourself satisfied, and awed at how well everything came together. Even though, it was a tragic end for our most beloved Ciel, you really can't think of a better way to end the series, for it is a befitting death....for a Phantomhive, that is. And even though there is a second season, where characters miraculously come back to life, and more exciting and thrilling adventures take place (and where there is a much happier ending for some ;p) in that moment at which Sebastian "hears the final call" you realize that you don't need anything more. (Despite the fact that you know you are going to watch the second season, because Sebastian is just that fabulous, and you don't know what you'd do without more of him.) But, still, all your questions have been answered, and eventually, the curtain must fall at one point or another.

You see, this is what a spine-tingling, heart-racing, mind-boggling, fantastic story really is. In the end, you won't be left wanting more. You won't be unsatisfied. And you'd realize that in the end, it wouldn't matter if it was happy or not, because you would still love the world and the characters, and you would live in that story over and over and over again.

I commend all the authors and creators who have accomplished such a story. I applaud all of those who have left their fans satisfied. And let this be in memory, for all the characters who died for the fate of a greater tale. (Whether they stay dead or not ;P)

Now, I'm going to go look over my own story......with a new perspective, clearer mind, and the hope that I too can write a great story.

Enjoy the rain!  

New Story? (It took me long enough)

Alright, so as I'm sure you all know, it's been hinted that I've been working on a new story, with new characters, and the whole works. This does not mean that I have given up on my other books! Far, far, far from it. You see, this book (still playing with title options) is different from Broken Glass in every possible way...except one. There is a character, Ryker St. Claw, who has a certain connection to two other characters in the Broken Glass trilogy. :) I don't want to give too much away on that, but I will definitely start posting little excerpts between the two books.

But, back to the point:

The story takes place on a post-apocalyptic Earth, which has now been re-named Gallery; to be specific, a city called Darkpass. There are still all the countries and continents that there are today, but they have changed… Gallery is a much spookier and darker place than Earth is/was, with dangerous creatures roaming the lamp-lit cobblestone streets…along with the Nightmare Symphony.

The Nightmare Symphony is an elite group of teenagers who are known criminals. What makes them so special is not only that they all play an enchanted instrument, but they all have special abilities, and use magic and illegal / modified weaponry. The members of the Symphony were once arrogant with their gifts and intellect, rebelling against the corrupt government, and trying to survive on their own…

Their leader, was Ryker St. Claw.

Everything changed when they witnessed a murder, and discovered that they were not the only ones who could use magic… First, there was the City Watchers, a truly horrible and twisted scociety… Then, there was Chiyo Reid, a girl with a wild imagination, and extraordinary temper.

Needing an outlet for blame, the government fell on the Nightmare Symphony for all the travesties caused by the City Watchers. Now those five teenagers are the most wanted people in Darkpass. They intend to find out who the City Watchers are, and more importantly…. what they want.

But Ryker St. Claw made one mistake…It wasn’t that he kidnapped Chiyo. It wasn’t that he made a deal with a man in an iron mask. It wasn’t even his disregard for his own life…

Ryker St. Claw fell in love...

Why this is such a crime, you will have to wait and see :) I hope you enjoyed this little relay of information, and will keep checking in for more. Have a Happy Easter!

PS - If you really want to know the whole story, then you will have to wait until I get published! (You can speed up that process by following me ;P) Cheerio! :) 

Unhappy Ending......... Great

Okay, so I was watching this movie last night and it was absolutely fantastic! I mean just the way all the different little stories wove together was brilliant! And then finally, at like ten minutes to go until the end, just when you think everything is all wonderful and the guy and the girl are finally going to get together, and there is this great movement brought upon the world, what happens? Oh, yeah, the main character gets stabbed and dies! I mean I was just like "WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?" Yes, the ending was beautiful and it wouldn't have been as great a movie if the main character had lived, but I mean really? LAST TEN MINUTES!!!!!!

(Sigh.) But this brings me to a certain point: Are books better with unhappy endings? Well, yes and no. I think it depends on the plot. (WARNING: THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR VARIOUS BOOKS! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!) Can you imagine if Harry Potter had a sad ending? If after seven books Harry died??? (Well, I mean, you know, died and stayed dead.) Or if in Lord of the Rings Frodo hadn't destroyed the ring? And there are books like the Gemma Doyle series where the girl has two different options in love and at the end of the of the third book ends up with neither. Very disappointing, but it made the book that much more beautiful, realistic, and well written.

So I ask you, dear reader: What is your opinion? Do you think that unhappy endings makes books better? Or does it make you say, "Unhappy ending...... Great." ?