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