"I sit down to a blank page and see my oldest friend. Some days I write something decent. Some days I suck. Whatever. It’s not like I won’t be back tomorrow."
~ Sera Gamble

Wednesday 16 September 2015

NaNoWriMo 2015 - Story Ideas

It's September and I'm starting to think about Nanowrimo 2015, that exciting and crazy month in November, where every year I attempt to write a 50,000 word first draft of a novel.  I think September is the earliest I've thought of my Nanowrimo novel, normally it's some time in October I start to think of it.  But I'd really like to give myself a good go of it this year.  Perhaps this year will be the first one I actually win Nanowrimo?

alien
Beckie / Flickr Creative Commons License

Feeling inspired by my Art Challenge earlier this year, where I created a fantasy image based on an idea of a British secret service covertly fighting alien threats in the Victorian era.  How would Victorian technology fare against alien technology?  Aliens, alien abduction, experimentation on humans, shapeshifting aliens, alien robots and monsters attacking Earth and it's inhabitants would all seem very alien and very strange to 19th century humans.  


My Artwork: 'Ancient vs Futuristic' - Colour Pencil on A5 Sketchbook paper

Although they could use Victorian guns, probably flintlock pistols and rifles, and gunpowder (most enemies don't fare too well against large explosions), I think they would still struggle against alien enemies.  Perhaps they could make use of the occult knowledge that was so popular in Victorian times.  Consulting psychics to determine when and where any alien encounters or threats had or would happen.  They could also seek out witches and mages to do battle against alien enemies, summoning spirits and werewolves to do their bidding.  This may make the battleground a more even one.

The Ouija Board
Lemurian Grove / Flickr Creative Commons License

Their communication abilities would be very archaic compared to today, before telephones of any kind were invented, not even radio communication existed.  Letters would have been posted, and if something could not wait 24 hours for first class post, messengers could be sent, like errand boys (or grown men if they could not trust them) to deliver paper messages that were urgent.  Members of the secret service could turn up at an agent's house, or meet them at a pre-arranged time, such as at a park.  They could pass paper messages that would need burning after reading.  Or they could have some sort of code.  Perhaps Braille? They could have secretly invented before it was released to the public to be used by the blind, it could have been used as a discreet code around the edge of postcards or greeting cards to be sent through the post to secret service agents.

Bible inside cover
lokarta / Flickr Creative Commons License

Steampunk technology could have been invented in a similar way, to look like Edwardian technology, that was secretly invented earlier than was released to the general public.  What kind of Steampunk technology could they have had?  Electricity hadn't been invented, so it would have to be something running from a steam engine, or cogs like a wind-up clock mechanism, which could be very small like a pocket watch, or something very large like Big Ben.

Compass Study
Calsidyrose / Flickr Creative Commons license

Perhaps I can spend these 2 months leading up to Nanowrimo researching Victorian technology and what occult and superstitious beliefs they had, to give me plenty of ideas to go through in November.  I find I struggle when I don't know what is going to happen next in my novel, I've tried winging it with absolutely no prep at all, and I've tried with lots of ideas seemingly carefully planned, and then run out of steam.  

This year I hope to be more prepared with ideas I can pick at random, and make use of the Mythic Game Master Emulator, originally designed to emulate the Game Master (or Dungeon Master, if playing Dungeons & Dragons), and allow a group of friends to roleplay without a GM (or DM), or to play a roleplaying game solo, without any other players (which is what I originally bought it for).  But when you read into the Mythic Game Master Emulator ebook, you learn that it can actually be used for writing a novel, ideal if you up against a deadline (such as Nanowrimo), and don't know what to throw at your characters next.  I'm hoping it will help me keep pressing on with my novel, when I'm stuck and feel I don't know where to go next.  It should also help it feel like a game too, making it more fun!  I might even try having a list of ideas or events, up to 100, that I can then throw a 100 sided dice (1d100 or 2d10's), to pick something at random to put my characters through.  I love challenging my characters, and seeing what they can survive through!

Anyone else thinking of their Nanowrimo 2015 novel?  I'd love to hear what you're working on and any tips you have for ploughing on through 50,000 words in 30 days!

Sunday 20 October 2013

I'm Back!

This Blog has been incredibly quiet of late, time to return to my blank page and start writing again.  Nanowrimo 2013 beckons.  Watch this space...

Friday 15 June 2012

Friday Fictioneers - "In the Woods... " - Revision

After having read some of the comments on my previous post, particularly the constructive criticism from newpillowbook (Thank you!), I have decided to rewrite this piece to try to cut extraneous adjectives and description, sticking to getting the story across, whilst still keeping some good description so long as it does not distract from the story.  I have managed to cut 61 words from the original 326 word flash fiction piece.  So it is now 265 words long.  I am hoping this improves the piece and still gives you vivid imagery of the scene.  Please let me know what you think!

---

In the Woods...

Gliding through the trees, a lithe and agile figure swings from bough to bough.  Clad in dark emerald suede, strong and supple, like the frame it covers.  A long cloak of scarlet curls wrap around her as she alights upon a sturdy limb, easing herself into a crouching position.  Her right hand unconsciously reaches for a vine behind her, whilst her left holds an elegantly curved bow horizontally in front of her.  Arianne cocks her head slightly as she spies a strange white shape moving along the forest floor beneath her.

The shape is that of a man, covered in a stark white armour appearing to be made of leather, with a white bowl for a helmet on his head.  He moves slowly, as if dragging his limbs through thick set honey, the open part of his helmet shimmering like a rippling stream.

Mesmerised by him, Arianne watches as he passes under her bough, swivelling round, she doesn’t allow him out of her sight.  Silently releasing her grip on the vine she slides an arrow from the quiver on her back.  Taking aim, her lips slightly ajar whilst squinting one eye, she holds her breath…  then shoots the arrow strong and straight, piercing the ground only a dragon’s breath from his right foot.

He pauses, stares at the arrow, then turns to follow the invisible line from the arrow’s quill to the bow it was shot from.

The beautiful wielder of the oak bow sits above him, her head held high as she gazes down at him, the corner of her lips leisurely curling up.

Friday Fictioneers - "In the Woods..."

Here is this week's attempt at Madison Woods Friday Fictioneers, this week's story is based on the photo below (photo credit also to: Madison Woods).  It took a little while and I finally came up with this, after about an hour rewriting it, I have ended up with a 323 word Flash Fiction piece I have called "In the Woods... ".  I hope you like it! 

Constructive Criticism always welcome!


In the Woods...

Gliding through the trees, a lithe and agile figure swings from bough to bough. Clad in dark emerald suede, strong and supple, like the frame it covers. A long cloak of scarlet curls wrap around her as she alights upon a sturdy limb, her own slender limbs outstretched as she eases herself into a crouching position. Her right hand unconsciously reaches for a vine behind her, whilst her left holds an elegantly curved bow horizontally in front of her. Arianne cocks her head slightly as she spies a strange white shape moving along the forest floor beneath her.

As it continues to move in a slow deliberate way, as if dragging it’s limbs through thick set honey, she notices the shape is that of man, covered in a stark white armour appearing to be made of leather, with a white bowl for a helmet on his head. As he moves through the dappled half-light of the forest, the open part of his helmet shimmers like a rippling stream.

Arianne is mesmerised by him, she follows his steady journey with her emerald eyes as he passes under her bough. She swivels on the balls of her feet, easing herself round, not allowing the white figure out of her sight. Silently releasing her grip on the vine, she slides an arrow from the hidden quiver on her back, and lines it up against the wooden bow. Her pale pink lips slightly ajar, she concentrates whilst squinting one eye. She holds her breath, then shoots the arrow strong and straight, piercing the ground only a dragon’s breath from his right foot.

He pauses, stares at the arrow, then slowly turns his helmet, following the invisible line from the arrow’s quill up to the bow it was shot from.

The beautiful wielder of the oak bow sits above him, her head held high as she gazes down at him, the corner of her lips leisurely curling up.

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Friday Fictioneers - "Vertigo"

I've been inspired by Madison Woods Blog, particularly her weekly "Friday Fictioneers" Flash Fiction challenge.  So I thought I'd have a go!  (Here's hoping I get this right!).  The challenge is to write a 100 word (give or take) piece of flash fiction inspired by her photo prompt.  I post a link to Madison's story here, and post my story here.

(I would love to receive some constructive criticism on this, I am striving to improve my skills!).
The ship shudders as another explosion rips through it.
“Oh God, oh God, oh God” Jade mutters over and over again, the tears in her eyes blurring the vision of the console she so desperately clings to.
“Abandon Ship! Abandon Ship!” orders the tall burly Captain, grabbing a large pulse rifle and hurriedly punching keys on the wall.
“But Captain, the radiation! We’ll have to suit up!” she cries in disbelief.
“There‘s no time!” yells the Captain. As the doors hiss open, he scoops her tiny frame up in one sturdy arm and whisks her through the doors and out into the unknown.


Two Word Tuesday...

Inspired by today's Writing.com Facebook status:  "Two Word Tuesday ---> Describe the weather where you are right now in two words... "

My two words to describe the weather where I am today?

"Opaque Sky"


Monday 11 June 2012

Book Review: Prince Harry - Photographs by the Daily Mail

Prince Harry - Photographs by the Daily Mail
by Alison Gauntlett
ISBN:  140540311X
ISBN13:  9781405403115
 
I really enjoyed this book, it covers Prince Harry's life from birth right through to young adulthood in 2002 when the British Royal family celebrated the Queen's Golden Jubilee. It is beautifully illustrated throughout with high quality photographs, each image has a description telling you where the picture was taken and roughly when. This book works it's way chronologically through his life, with a very pleasant narrative. An absolute pleasure to read, which I found very informative and very relaxing to read.

What's also nice is that although the text makes a brief light reference to some of the not quite so pleasant elements of Prince Harry's life (namely some things that were plastered all over the tabloid press), these are not illustrated. Making this a book you can be proud to own, showing the best of Prince Harry in his best light. And I really enjoyed it.

My only complaint? I wonder if they might do an updated version to include his life and photos from the last 10 years to the present. I loved it so much I want more!