Tiaden Serial – Ch.3

Chapter 2.

Tiaden Dawn Re-write

Chapter 3.

I stood firm and gathered the cool shadow energies around me, my fingertips were tingling as the smooth shadows wrapped around my hands and gathered just behind me. The atmosphere quickly became charged with all of the energies as they built at such a rapid pace, his underlings hung back a little as he took his time strolling over to me. I smirked a little, keeping my heart-rate low and breathing steady. I had to keep as much control as I could muster. That deep bass tone rumbled in his throat as his eyes wandered over every inch of my body, my skin crawled under that disgusting gaze. We all knew exactly what was going through his mind.

The scrawny blonde seemed to have changed but given the lack of light I couldn’t be entirely sure. I swore his hair was slightly darker, longer and his build was a little heavier. I ignored him and returned my focus to my real problem, his boss. He was getting close to me now, his eyes fixed on mine as his energies sat in his hands, like heavy boulders. I tilted my head a little smiling sweetly, his lips curled and his eyes sparked – he hadn’t decided whether to break me or sell me. I had to take advantage of that, I was worth more money to be sold but I’d betrayed and upset him. Draconics really don’t take kindly to that. Taking a deep breath I took my chance, shutting down my conscious mind I had to move entirely to instincts. To think would just slow me down and force me into making mistakes, I couldn’t afford such a luxury.

Moving quickly I pulled the shadows around me, wrapping them tight like a cloak they felt like a beautiful oil slick, smooth, cool, familiar and comforting. I knew this would hide me visually, not completely but enough to give me some help. His eyes lowered as he began scouring the area by the tree looking for me. I paused a moment, if I moved straight away he’d catch sight of me again and I’d lose some of my new advantage. I felt him gather his energies tighter into his hands before I swung at the tree behind me. I darted to the side, feeling the rush of air as his fist went by my cheek. His fist his the tree with a sickening thud and crunch, causing the huge fir tree to shake and wobble. He paused waiting for my reaction, as he looked slightly away from me I shot forwards, kicking his hip with the heel of my foot before hitting his lower jaw with my fist. I stepped back staying slightly behind him, I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed when he wasn’t particularly fased. Shrugging it off I continued my assault, he was twice my size, I had to depend on speed and agility rather than brute strength.

It didn’t take him long to turn on his heel and land a heavy punch to my ribs, once he’d found me he didn’t let go. I danced and spun, ducking and diving trying to avoid his hard blows while landing my own. Something in the back of my mind was thinking this image was wrong but I ignored it, dancing to my left before kicking his ribs and risking my balance to stretch and kick his throat. A gutteral groan told me I’d hit my mark and finally had half a chance. I was growing sore and tired, it felt as though he’d caused a good bit of damage to my poor body. I needed to finish this. My kicks had been enough to throw his balance, he stretched out trying to grab my throat. Hitting his arm aside I used my other fist to hit his lower jaw then something changed. He went flying sideways and landed with a sickening crunch. Confusion flooded my mind, there was no-one else here, what the..!?

Blinking I lowered my body preparing to attack this other person, then I realised it was that scrawny blonde. He stood looking at me, with his arms crossed and a rather sickening smile on his face. His voice was smooth as silk and arrogant as they come “thought you could do with a hand”

I dove forwards aiming to pin him by his throat to the closest hard object. He stepped back and accepted it, not even a glimmer of fight from him. Instead, a very soft purr edged out past his lips as he looked down into my eyes, an odd spark held within them. Shaking my head I freed him and stepped back saying to him “What the fuck were you playing at!?”

He grinned before moving to stand only inches from me “Just a game.. like the old days”

I raised an eyebrow, the hackles were stood up on the back of my neck but the flood of emotions was overwhelming me now. I turned away from him to look at the groaning males sprawled out on the grass, we had to go. Wait, did I think we? This was just, wrong. The male didn’t give me a chance to go through my thoughts “I’ll drive, sweet thing”

I raised an eyebrow looking at him sharply before saying “excuse me…?”

He shrugged and reached forwards with an open hand before gesturing for me to hand over my keys “You’re in no state to drive”

I pursed my lips looking deep into his eyes, trying to feel his energies and make some sense of this. Instead it felt like my head was going to split in two and the rest of my body was rebelling against me. Fine. I handed him my keys and skulked over to the passenger seat of my own damn car.

Slumping down in the leather seat I cradled my head in my hands and tried not to actually think. Breathing slowly I focused and returning my energies to their normal state, releasing the shadow and grounding. As the car rumbled to a start the shadows slid off me and slinked along the floor back into the woodland, while my natural energies flexed and extended, dancing and bowing around me for a moment before settling. It felt good to stretch them again, but it also meant I didn’t have my cloak to hide the pain. Ugh. I needed to get back into training, I’d focused so much on money and moving I’d let my fighting slip.

I half opened my eyes and peered warily through the window, I wasn’t sure who the hell this guy was or what he was up to but I was tired, hurt and my stomach was starting to growl too. I muttered to myself and thumped him in the leg before turning my back to him and looking out the window, watching the hedges fly by as I ignored the protests of my body. It took him a second to respond and say “What was that for Suri’el?”

Hearing him wrap his tongue around that world ‘Suri’el’ sent a shiver down my spine and my toes curl just a little. There was something to it, the slight lilt in his tone and voice. I could feel him waiting for my reply, I refused to look at him “you got me into this”

A soft sigh escaped his lips but he gave me no other reply. I could feel the fluctuating tension, it felt as though the emotions were waving in rolls through my mind and body. I didn’t know what to do or think, everything was a ridiculous mess. I have no idea how long passed or where exactly we were but he pulled up into a small carpark of a standard multi-chain hotel place. I groaned to myself, hauling my bag of essentials off the back seat before slowly getting out of the car. I felt like I’d been hit by a freight train and it’d only be worse the following morning. The guy fidgetted and played with my keys a little as he watched me walk around my car, his eyes glinted before he lifted his chin, smirked and handed them back. He said softly “You can keep them Suri’el”

That shiver shot up my spine again, I scowled at him and tried to push the flood of images out of my mind. Sleep. That was what I needed.

Trudging across the carpark I didn’t say a word as he walked next to me. The tension was clear in every step he took, he kept tightening then relaxing his muscles as he glanced over to me before shaking his head. He didn’t give me a chance to have any input on the rooms, before I knew it I was being escorted to a double room somewhere. Something sat in the back of my mind double, wait a cotton picking fucking second! As he opened the door I looked in in abject horror, there was one bed. A double bed. I raised an eyebrow and looked at him saying “That floor doesn’t look very comfortable for you”

He could piss off if he thought he was getting sexual favours for helping me, it was afterall, he who got me into all this in the first place! If it hadn’t of been for him I’d have been tucked up in my comfortable bed, in my nice house, with money. After he’d closed the door he leaned in and licked my throat, I growled and bared my teeth at him. He just laughed at me in that hideous knowing tone. Ugh. I hated him.

He looked around the room casually as I dropped my bag by the bed, I noticed there was the standard armchair tucked up the corner of the room, that would be his bed then. I turned to him thinking to point this out to him, instead I felt his hand skimming over my ribs before resting on my hip as his other hand took my own. I blinked and looked at him, part of me wanted to bite him and kick him out of the room. The majority however was overcome with an odd sense of happiness, a warmth crept through my aches and pains as he began to lead me into a slow dance around the room. As we danced his appearance changed, his eyes turned into a rich moss green while his hair became pitch black and stretched down the nape of his neck in a scruffy cut. There was something so familiar, soothing but dangerous about him. Shaking my head I snapped myself out of the stupid headspace, grabbed some clothing to sleep in and went to the bathroom to change.

A scowl was fixed on my face as I pulled off my dirty, torn clothing, trying to ignore the blood stains. I had been rather attached to that top and jeans, oh well, I’d buy more. With a heavy sigh I returned to the main room, I was a tease and adored playing with men but he made me painfully aware of my lack of bra. I glared at him as he stood watching me with that smirk back on his lips. I knew I should probably have thanked him but fuck him. He did this. I crawled under the warm, soft duvet and sank into the mattress with a contented sigh. It was moments before sleep took me away from that hellish day.

Tiaden Dawn Serial – Ch.2

Chapter 1 can be found here.

Tiaden Dawn Re-write.

Chapter 2.

My mind was racing as I had to organise everything. This had royally fucked up my plans, I’d only been in that damn house for a week. So that was a months rent and a deposit down the drain. I cursed that little runt a few more times as I pushed my car around the corners, feeling it slip a little then grip as the back end shifted a touch, it felt great. The little things helped focus and calm me. I’d have to sleep in my car for a few nights and find a new place to live. I hated sleeping in my car.

I pulled into the driveway of the small house, ripping the keys out of the ignition I ran up the short path to the doorway. At least with all this moving I didn’t take too much with me and hadn’t bothered to unpack properly yet. Running upstairs I threw my clothes and most precious belongings in bags, double checking the rest of the house I made my getaway. Glancing at the clock in my car I growled, it’d still taken me a whole half an hour, plenty of time for them to gain on me. Taking a deep breath I carefully pressed my energies outwards, feeling for the men. They weren’t too far away, probably playing a little game of cat and mouse. Fan-fucking-tastic.

Growling to myself I turned the key in the ignition, just as I went to put her in reverse I bit my lip and dragged a pen and notepad out of the glove-box, I had to tell my landlord I’d vanished. Thank the gods for insisting on a rolling month by month contract. Muttering to myself I decided I’d really rather not thank the gods for getting me in this situation. The note was simple, blunt “Sorry. Moved out. Big family emergency. Keep the deposit. Don’t contact”.
I didn’t sign my name as I’d completely forgotten which name I’d given him. I really should get better at remembering names.. Oh well, I’d managed so far.

I stuck the note through the letterbox knowing that he’d be by to do his little check on me to make sure I was settling in tomorrow. Well, that was his excuse, I suspected he wanted to catch me in the shower or something. Shrugging to myself I drove off into the night.

Well. It sounded more romantic in my head if I said that. Instead I headed down to the main roads, as much as I didn’t like the bright lights it allowed me to pick up the pace and keep the hunters from getting too close – they wouldn’t do anything with other folk this close by. Unfortunately, this was also far more tedious and boring. The black tarmac seemed to extend into the distance, bringing a sense of moving without going anywhere or making any progress. The fluorescent lights spaced the same distance apart, giving nothing but a harsh, slightly yellowed after image in my mind. What was so wrong with the stars? My mind returned to the issue at hand, I knew they were following me at a safe distance, I was growing tired and needed to lose them. Damn that little runt.

I sighed and muttered to myself as I turned off at the next junction, paying no attention to where I was or where I was going. I just needed to lose them so I could sleep. Why me? Why did I get myself into these stupid situations? Smiling to myself I knew the answer, because I loved it really. The thrill, the game.

I grinned and pressed the accelerator harder, time to get this game going properly. The roundabout was coming up fast, it was quite late at night there was a strong chance there was no-one coming the other way. Part of me hoped there was someone, that little thrill as I carefully moved the vehicle around theirs, the chance of something happening. Of course now wasn’t really the time to be playing chicken but I couldn’t help myself, the adrenaline was kicking in. Some part of me was disappointed as I went round the roundabout, throwing my car into the bend before pulling her hard round the sharp bend to turn off down some smaller road. They were closing in.

Taking a deep breath I focused. Time seemed to slow down a fraction as I took in every essential detail and began to take this seriously. If I were in a 4×4 I may have been tempted to try diving off road and losing them like that but the lower slung muscle car would just ground out and leave me stranded. No. I had to depend on my head-start and twisting turns, the hare vs the hound. I refused to ease off even a touch going round the corners, the back end inched and fought against me but I couldn’t risk losing any time. My mind was beginning to turn to panic a little as I was realising I didn’t have a good plan to shake them off my tail. I couldn’t hide my energies properly, they had too firm a grasp on them so any space I put between us would only buy me a little time. I really didn’t have a choice here.

Some thought of the gods came into the back of my mind, I wasn’t going to turn to them, they put me here, with all this. Minutes seemed to drag on for hours while I wracked my brains thinking of some way to get out of this. The steep sides of the motorway had given way to straggly woodland which was rapidly closing in, tall deciduous trees with broad trunks stretched back away from the road and spread their canopy overhead.  In the end I concluded my best chance was to dive into a dark lay-by and fight. If it was dark I could use my shadow energies to their best effect and just hope. Gritting my teeth I began drawing my energies up as I slowed the car and pulled into a small lay-by on the quiet country road.

The woodland offered some protection and cover should I need it, the moon hid behind the heavy clouds bringing me more darkness. The only false lights down these roads were the headlights, just the way I liked it. I got out of the vehicle and walked across the grass turning to face the road as I leaned against a tree. I refused to appear flustered, I was going to go down cool, calm and fighting tooth and nail. It was screaming in the back of my mind to just shift and fly away but I refused. Yes, I had run but I wasn’t going to give in and take the coward’s way out. If I shifted now, and flew away, I’d lose all my worldly possessions and any pride I’d accumulated. No. I’d stand and fight.

I felt them just before I heard the truck. The heavy earth and fire based energies crept along the floor searching for me. The solid heat seemed to pool at my feet as I stood and waited. If nothing else I’d ring the neck of that scrawny little shit for doing this to me. I ungritted my teeth and pushed my mind to focus, I knew I should just have fought in the carpark but this way I’d had a chance to think and gather myself. I had also lost my house and wasted fuel.. but that was for another time. The big truck slowly coasted into the layby, there was that sickening self assurance about the entire thing. I couldn’t see the faces of the passengers with the bright headlights but I had no doubt the leader was sneering and licking his lips. I held back the rising bile.

Leaning back against the tree I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes a little while quietly gathering the shadows behind me. The leader exited the truck first, his heavy footsteps made the ground shudder a little, he wasn’t playing. His eyes had darkened, his energies were swirling around him in an almost frenzied manner. His lips parted into a smirk as he looked me up and down “Now then, be a good girl and I’ll get a good price for you…”
I laughed coldly “bring it”.

Just had to write

I haven’t got into my flow entirely this year. I suppose it’s for various reasons, I wasn’t too bad at the very start. I was doing short stories and my erotica. It all really went wrong when my male decided he was applying for the army. That’s a huge change to both of our lives. You don’t need to know the pagan stuff which has been going on in the background.

Anyway, to focus back on writing some-what. I’ve noticed I have a thing about darkness. I have my explanations but you’ll just have to contemplate and think up your own wild theories. This is slowly bringing me round to the actual point of this – to just write. This seemed to be a sensible(ish) place to just dump whatever scenes or flash or whatever I come out with. I can’t explain it, maybe it’s the seeing it on the pretty background of my blog vs a plain white screen of a word doc.

Delicate wisps of mist, smudged with hints of smutty silvers crept through the edges of his vision. The crystal clear air seemed laced with the fragments of ice, sitting heavily upon his tongue. His body leaned forwards a little while he contemplated stepping further into the darkness. He knew it was ludicrous, he was already outside surrounded by the ink of the night but there was something stopping him. The whispers of rustling leaves seemed to crawl up his spine and find residence in the back of his mind as his tongue edged out over his dry lips. Why was he here?

**

The soft flutter of feather brushing against feather seemed to scream through the still air. He bit his lip trying not to curse as the delicate sound seered into his mind. He was trying to remain hidden, yet that could now be the last thing he’d ever hear – because he couldn’t keep his damn wings still. When he finally had to exhale he watched the warm air send ripples through the surrounding space. A damp sensation began to glide down his cheek as he looked around him, he’d been here barely an hour and he’d already failed. Every joint in his body seemed to be formed by pain itself as he kept himself completely motionless. His mind was beginning to fracture as his focus was being split between his overwhelming desire to slump down and give up and continue on with all this. As he searched for something, anything, within the scene before him he felt the calloused warmth softly sit upon his shoulder. It felt as though a bolt of lightening shot through him, he’d failed. He was going to be ‘removed’. He closed his eyes preparing for the darkness to seep through every fibre of his being. Instead, a whisper was carried on the gentle breeze brushing past his damp cheek “You always were such a perfectionist…”

I should point out – I haven’t even bothered to re-read those little scenes. They’re just to clear my head and get me back into some sense of a flow.

The final point – from the last picture prompt OT put up -

Gazing upon the world watching the sky fall; a single cold drop at a time. Gliding downwards over the mirror to my soul as I cast my sight through the hazy, blurred reflections. The greys seemed to have descended over the crisp, fresh blues, cackling with glee as world domination was imminent. Each colour subdued, submissive and accepting of his place, trodden down beneath the overpowering charms of the greys. Even black bowed it’s head and stepped back, forsaking it’s position upon the night sky. So, I found myself in a greyscale world. Watching the world crumble, piece by piece, dripping down my window as I watched in quiet amusement.

 

And so it is – looking upon the world with a broken perspective. Slipping between the layers, quiet amusement sat upon my lips while I sit back and watch.

 

 

Break

I haven’t written properly in well over a month now. I haven’t even considered writing at all for the last 2 weeks.

On one hand it frustrates me as I would love to sit down and write, be it my novel, flash fictions or some good poetry. However, I’m just not in the right frame of mind for it and I think this complete break will do me good. We all need some time away to freshen up, when things become stale you’re never going to get any where.

It seems this entire year has been rather up and down really. I started off reasonably well with O.T ‘adopting’ me as the poor prose writer with no idea about poetry. I came on leaps and bounds with my poetry (with HUGE thanks to O.T and his boundless patience), I also got M.T published and did the erotica stint. However I’ve had many times of threatening to quit writing completely, periods of not writing etc.

Just part of the process though. I recently finished reading Neil Gaiman’s Stardust and there was a little excerpt from him saying how there’s a point in every book he’s written where he hates it and talks about throwing it all away. He continued on to say his editor laughs and just says “Ah, you’re at that point then”. I think in my case – I just haven’t found ‘my voice’ yet. I certainly haven’t with my poetry anyway.

If I’m having so many problems with all this, why do I keep coming back to it then? Why don’t I give up and find another hobby? Because writing is an addiction, it’s a part of me. As a good friend said “You can quit writing, but will writing quit you?”. The simple answer is – No. So what do I do? As with everything practise makes perfect but when you’ve lost the desire to even consider trying, what then? Well, then, I take my break. It was my birthday recently and I was given a small mountain of books so I intend on losing myself in those and ignoring the niggling desire to attempt to write.

As for the future, who knows. Of course I really want to write Red Spiral, it will be my masterpiece. However, with my partner applying to the army I have no doubt that will throw me off once again when he leaves for basic training. We’ve been together over 5 years, lived together for over 5 years. When he goes off to basic training, we’ll be apart with him at the other end of the country, for 4 – 6 weeks. It’s going to be a huge change. However! I have my baby Ziggy, so there’s always a positive.

I’m not going to make empty promises about having RS finished and into editing by christmas or how I’ll take the next step with my poetry by hallowe’en. We’ll just see how everything goes. I’m stepping back into my spiritual stuff far heavier than I have done for a few years now and that will affect everything else.

I do have a good list of projects which will be worked on slowly over the coming time -
Teaghan – needs a proper name
Red Spiral – I’ve done the first couple of chapters and have ch.1 polished up completely.
Tiaden Dawn – Needs re-writing – My first written book.
Twisted Fates – Needs re-writing
Tiaden Aurora – Prequel to TD. Written first 15,000 words or there abouts.
Rebellion of the Muses – Needs proper name. Only a vague idea right now.
Poetry – need to find my voice and progress.

There are probably more but if I list them out like that, it places that little niggle and reminder in the back of my mind. I haven’t forgotten or given up, I’m just re-assessing things and seeing where I end up.

Oh! And! I went on my 3rd murder mystery weekend with mum last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it – we did suceed and figure it out!! From that, I might even have a bash at a murder mystery story/book. I’ve not read that genre but I don’t read much fantasy so what the hell! It could be a giggle. All when I’m ready of course, not before.

Perceived elitism and genres.

It is within human nature – the need and desire to feel superior to others. Writing is far from an exception to that. There are many writers who come across in a condescending and arrogant manner, thinking themselves above those around them. Rather than taking the time to learn from said fellows, they lord it over them and give them snide little “good work” comments; when they bother to read something other than their own work.

Age is one of the common reasons given for such an attitude. “I’m older therefore I know better”. Of course age is far from a good marker for the intellect and skill level of someone – there are plenty of writers twice my age who’re incredibly immature and poor writers. This can come across is a straight up attack “Well, you’re only 25, what could you possibly know!?” Or more of a back handed comment “Well, you’re very good for your age”.Personally I fail to see quite what age has to do with much of anything. Of course this must be taken with some good old fashioned common sense – you can’t complain at a 13 year old for having a lower comprehension of the technical side of things. They haven’t learnt that yet. However! If you happen across something written by a 16 year old which blows you away, don’t take away from that by rolling your eyes and becoming snide purely because they’re younger than you! Quit being so damn petty and jealous and congratulate them on a piece well written. Either learn from them or move on.

More often than not those writers who feel the need to treat others in such a manner are in actual fact very poor writers themselves. They live in a little bubble where they’re absolutely fantastic, everyone loves them and they’re the next J.K Rowling or Dan Brown. This in a roundabout way brings us round the perceptions of the genres.

Erotica is a good place to start, as a good friend said “the standard of erotica is very poor – it only does as well as it does due to the horniness of humanity!!” I’m not going to deny I turned away from erotica because I believe it would have put a black mark on my resume when I approach traditional publishers. A lot of people do frown upon erotica and it’s writers (it could be argued with good reason!) however, the same can be said for fantasy as well.

Which brings me onto another little gripe – the obsession with fantasy sub-genres and splitting everything into teeny, tiny, pedantic little groupings. There’s much arrogance and ranking involved in this as well. The epic/high fantasy people look down upon the contemporary fantasy writers because they’re not true to fantasy or some other rubbish.

To be perfectly blunt – when exactly did you last walk into a reputable bookshop and find the shelves split into “Epic fantasy, contemporary fantasy, dark fantasy, urban fantasy, supernatural, steam punk, cyber punk, low fantasy, sword and sorcery, magical realism” and the list goes on!! It’s completely absurd! At exactly what point did the love of writing and the dream of becoming published decend into this?

I have no doubt there’s just as much pathetic, pedantic nit-picking within the other genres. People can’t help themselves it seems – they get so wrapped up in boxes, labels and putting themselves above those around them they completely lose track of the actual point. As same friend from above also said “who cares what the genres say? They only help them put it in the wrong place”. They’re just more labels. Should we not be writing our stories as we see them then let the publishers stick the labels on them for marketing purposes?

It would seem many people think it’s far more fulfilling belittling and playing one up manship with others. So with the rant ended I will bid you a good luck with that. I’ll be off writing my novel, my masterpiece – Red Spiral.

 

 

Plotting and Planning

As you’ve all heard I have Twisted Fates up for sale on lulu now.

 

 

However, TF is the first in a short series – short meaning there may only be one sequel. This brings me around to the title and idea behind this post. I now have to write “Fates Collide” the sequel to TF. There are as many different methods to planning out a novel as their are writers. They tend to be split into two groups though -

Plotters

Pants of your seats people.

I’ve used both methods in the past. We’ll start by looking at the plotters first though.

 

Plotters -

As the name would suggest these are the writers who plot and plan their book before getting down to the act of actually writing it. It depends upon the person as to quite how much planning they put in place. Some people will go as far as having an outline almost as long as the finished novel, where as others may just have a rough framework to look back on. This method can be of great use if you write in something such as the epic fantasy sub-genre where you may be constructing an entire new world, with a variety of societies and cultures there.

Just how much you choose to put down into that outline is entirely individual. Personally, I got down a rough guide to the appearance and personality of my characters before putting a single sentence down for each chapter. Other people could go as far as giving an entire back-history on all the characters and putting down every little detail. When you find yourself hit with writers block it could be useful to look back at your outline and give yourself the break of where to go next. Other people however find it boring, as they already know what’s going to happen to it’s taken the fun out it. This brings us down onto the other side -

Writing by the seat of your pants -

These get a lot of criticism from the avid plotters, this is however how I wrote my first novel. Some people take it to the extreme and have a vague idea in their head before watching where their characters lead them. Others like to form a bit of a plot, something more concrete before seeing what happens. The basis it that you just see where it goes. It’s interesting trying this method however you do have a higher risk of falling into holes such as writers block, it could also be argued you run the risk of looser plots and character development as well.

I’ve mentioned things such as allowing the characters to lead the show and take you down their story above. Yes, this sounds really quite insane but it brings us through to another arguement around writing circles. I should make it clear at this point that writers understand their characters aren’t real people. That doesn’t stop us argueing with them. The same can be said for poems as well – although, poems are usually more sneaky and savage.

Some people however state that holding this concept and allowing the character to define and tell the story is quite absurd. However, those of us who maintain this view argue that by seeing our characters, stories and poems this way we’re putting more life into them, thus making them more realistic and all over better quality. It means that we know our characters inside out and we’re far less likely to go against their personality thus keeping it all better on track.

On the other side, they argue that as the writer we should be focusing upon producing a technically correct piece of work suitable for publication. We should be thinking in a more logical, cool and business like manner. Each to their own. I still firmly believe that putting the passion and realism into the work by treating it all like this produces a better quality piece over all. Yes, even in poetry. If you can feel the character of your poem, you can find the proper images, wording and turns of phrase to complete it in a manner true to said poem.

Treat your work with care, respect and love and you’ll find it works far better for you in return.

Oh and don’t forget – writers are a bizarre sub-species of humans. Therefore we don’t necessarily have to think within the usual logical parameters of non-writers. =D (Really, it’s our quirky, illogical thought processes which non-writers love about us).

 

 

Print copy

As you’ve all been hearing I decided to self publish Twisted Fates through lulu. I held the physical copy in my hands yesterday! It was very surreal. I have to add at this point how pleased I was with the print quality from lulu. That copy only stayed with me about an hour though before I sent it off to O.T (after signing it).

What now? I’ve written a couple of poems which I’m pleased with and I think form a nice little pause before I continue on and write the next novel. This is where I’m a little unsure. I’ve started on Red Spiral and that’s a project I’m really excited about. I’m also taking my time with it as it’s got a very different feel to my two written novels. I do however have a sequel for Twisted Fates to be writing as well. I suppose we can’t forget that I still have my first written novel to edit and get out as well. So there’s plenty to be doing!

On a more personal note – things are going brilliantly with Ziggy. My baby’s turning 2 next month. I’ve started building up the groundwork some more now with hopes to be lying across his back in August. I’m taking things very slowly and carefully, given his start in life I want to be sure that the bond is built up properly.

Realistically the next move is to look more seriously into traditional publishing again and decide whether to hold back Red Spiral and go that route, or, push it out on lulu.

I know I should have confidence within my writing and I personally like Twisted Fates. I’m just nervous about getting feedback from my sales. I think this is quite a normal thing for creative folk, if we don’t have the little niggles of doubt surely we should be more worried?

For those of you who want a copy of Twisted Fates – (click pic)

If you’d rather have a look at my new poems -

http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/Fyreheart/751250/

Twisted Fates

Twisted Fates is now up for sale on lulu!! (Click pic)

Thankyou so much to everyone who’s helped me with this! So many people have been fantastically helpful and supportive! Thankyou very kindly!!

I’m really proud to have my book up for sale on lulu. It’s the first book in a contemporary fantasy series. Check out the lulu page for more details!

 

Self publishing

So, a bunch of people decided to bug me about self publishing one of my written novels. After some thought I decided that it’s not such a bad idea. Really. I’m going to put Twisted Fates, my nano novel from last year up on lulu. The goal for release is 25th June.

This is the blurb for TF –

Unknown to the humans there’s a war raging right under their noses. They’re unaware of the other planes of existance around their own. Yet, the angels Israfil and Ezekial are working behind their gods’ backs to bring them crashing down onto the human’s doorstep. They believe humans are mere parasites and it’s time to rid the Earth of them. Together with Aliah, the trickster god they intend on plunging the Earth into chaos and taking the plane as their own. But this is only the beginning..

I’m quite excited about this. I’m re-editing TF at the moment and I’ve done up the front cover for it -

Change of path

So as many of you were aware I had been put forward for an erotica contract with my story Alpha Dance (Click link). You’re probably also aware that my partner of 5 years is applying for the army. That threw me into a huge tail spin (sorry all who got caught in that) which lead to huge amount of frustration and a ‘half writers block’ as O.T put it! Anyway – After thinking on this for a good two weeks I made the decision last night to decline the contract and focus else where.

My passion really is contemporary fantasy writing. Erotica is a bit of fun here and there but not something I can throw myself into at the moment. I don’t want huge amounts of pressure from a publisher, promotion/marketing on top of my partner going into the army. This means I’m trying to write Red Spiral and will probably try and hone my poetry a bit more. Yes, this means I’ll be bugging you wonderful people for feedback and collab’s!

I may as well use this to tell you a little about my plans for Red Spiral hadn’t I? So R.S is a contemporary fantasy/dark fantasy/supernatural/low fantasy/*insert a few other sub-genres* There are so many bloody sub-genres within the fantasy label I’ve given up! Ahem. Anyway. It’s set in modern day England, probably in an urban setting. Told from first person perspective you’ll follow my angel as he’s kicked from the higher plane and has his wings torn from him. He’ll adjust to his new life and go into a downward spiral of self destruction until.. well, read it and find out. I wouldn’t want to give away too much now would I?