Waking, I hear beats from a broke drummer,
pull the window shut, locked in woefully
to this dream, fighting to return to slumber.
When you're on my mind, life is poetry:
we slow dance aflame atop a candle,
a bottle to my lips is our first kiss,
the stretched plastic carrier bag handles
on my knuckles are your soft fingertips.
I am never kicking through grass alone
watching buds soar as we canter along
a blooming daisy patch, and, we fall prone.
When you're amid petals, life is a song:
my heart is a drum, but I wake screaming,
my heart is beatless to know I's dreaming.
Awake, but weary-eyed glancing over
to your photograph waiting on the side,
a floored shirt, grass-stained sleeve, becomes a blur,
empty bottles in a plastic bag; tied.
I sit up alone and thumb your image
pondering on how, if, to start this affair
but when I demand: these thoughts are finished;
my dreams without you turn into nightmares.
So, I rest my head and I close my eyes.
A tiny chain in my chest tugs me to
your gravity well, I'm falling to fly
for there to be a way to be with you.
This is the saddest joy I've ever known;
when you're on my mind, I am still alone.
Friday, 30 June 2017
Sunday, 25 June 2017
with her on my mind, the world is poetry
with her on my mind, the world is poetry
a bottle brought to my lips is a kiss from her
kicking through the straws of grass together
the carrier bag on my knuckles are her fingertips
but what right have I to think of her
without her validation, is it cute or creepy?
this is the saddest joy I've ever known
the loneliest love I've never shared
when I'm with her, resting in her eyes,
on her words, feeling, really feeling
a tiny chain in my chest tugging me toward her
in a gravity spiral, I'm falling for her
but in complete ignorance if she has a chain for me
maybe it is best if she doesn't
I can match and chat and meet another,
wandering fruit stalls in the market reaching for apples
and waiting to clash fingertips with the one
but as I idly swipe and type and walk and breathe
slowly, slower
girls more beautiful, sexier, shining bright
with minds ablaze with creativity and wonder
intelligence unyielding and smiles just like hers,
but they're not her and that is all that matters
it feels. She isn't the prettiest girl in the world,
she isn't perfect beyond perfection in every detail
yet with her on my mind, the world is poetry
a bottle brought to my lips is a kiss from her
kicking through the straws of grass together
the carrier bag on my knuckles are her fingertips
but what right have I to think of her
without her validation, is it cute or creepy?
this is the saddest joy I've ever known
the loneliest love I've never shared
when I'm with her, resting in her eyes,
on her words, feeling, really feeling
a tiny chain in my chest tugging me toward her
in a gravity spiral, I'm falling for her
but in complete ignorance if she has a chain for me
maybe it is best if she doesn't
I can match and chat and meet another,
wandering fruit stalls in the market reaching for apples
and waiting to clash fingertips with the one
but as I idly swipe and type and walk and breathe
slowly, slower
girls more beautiful, sexier, shining bright
with minds ablaze with creativity and wonder
intelligence unyielding and smiles just like hers,
but they're not her and that is all that matters
it feels. She isn't the prettiest girl in the world,
she isn't perfect beyond perfection in every detail
yet with her on my mind, the world is poetry
The Journey
I can climb a mountain on a spring morn,
touch clouds, look down on jets soaring under.
I have cracked jokes since the day I was born,
never mourned, or stomped by rolling thunder.
I’ve always been the calm before the storm
and fine idle, waiting for it to pass,
but looking in your eyes, all soft and warm
they stomp me and I transform into brass
from gold, see your lips and my brain is goo
I can’t even confess you’re beautiful,
how I long to lean in slow and kiss you
the words hot on my mind won’t form at all
and now, wordless, I walk toward your gaze
through the tempest’s bolts for a thousand, thousand days.
Saturday, 17 June 2017
No Walking Stick - revised
No Walking Stick
There's a green bag by a black and white umbrella,
held by an old looking fella in his left hand,
he is moving with purpose, marching proudly
back and forth, patrolling the safe station platforms.
There are ladies laughing, up in arms, observing overtly
the old man in sight on stage for their X Factor-freak-show.
Then a middle finger flicks past a barrel to trigger
a chain reaction of a bright white camera flash to a startled mass.
-
Wearing a Yellow Hi Vis, eating pie with thumb and finger
between lunch and dinner - he’s not getting any thinner,
but he is waiting, with a return ticket to the capital;
for labour under the moonlight at the construction site.
From the darkness in a high vis harness,
a mighty meaty, awfully sweaty, hot and heavy
figure uncertainly steps forward and into a
shining bright, focused-tight flashlight.
-
The train is on time spitting gas one minute away,
their freak is falling to the tracks. Piss leaking
all over the rock and roll soldier, of an era immersed
with engine grime, dry blood and cooking grease.
A sharp pebble in his eye, but the guy was half blind before
the cackles cease and the ladies look down at the freak
who tries to stand with his umbrella, but breaks it.
He holds up an empty hand and no one takes it.
-
Rich white trash see a train coming about to crash.
Then the massive yellow body boldly steps forward
with wet sticky fingers that slide into the palm
of the fragile old man and burns the muscles in his arm.
Two Ds, three Es, an F and a pass
he’ll never be more than working class,
with second-hand jeans showing his arse,
but he holds a distinction in the master class of decency.
-
Just six more months of marching after, but one medal down,
after saluting his five foot, seventeen stone saviour.
He looks him up and down through a bloodshot eye,
inspired by why his brothers chose to die.
A Novel Project [Part 4] Theme
An immediate thanks to all who read my draft opening and sent me feedback, it was both encouraging and insightful to hear your responses.
This week I worked a bunch, which got in the way. I wrote a poem, which was a nice cognitive break and I read an old poem publicly, with a few last minute alterations - which was nerve-quaking and uplifting.
It is after all this, that I return to the Novel Project with fresh thoughts and a new invigorated perspective. A break from your writing and a refreshed pair of eyes are priceless, I find.
I have made two new decisions. Firstly, Roderick will no longer be the main character and will instead be the antagonist, his position will be replaced by a new knight to the order; Leomund, an idealistic new partner to Jason. Secondly, the theme is as important as the plot and without it, there is nothing to explore and all the tension, decisions and everything will be for nothing if an idea isn't explored and the main characters do not grow because of it.
The theme will be a spectrum of idealism vs pragmatism. Sir Jason, after his long years of service, has seen the worst of humanity, the Kingdom, rulers and the gods themselves - he is increasingly pragmatic, the world is broken down into material objective facts and numbers. His new partner, freshly sworn into the Lion Knights, is Leomund - an idealistic disciplined Knight, who has grown up on the stories of the heroic legend of the Lion Knights, their duty and romantic vision of the Kingdom, its people and those who govern it. Finally, Roderick, a man who put down his own father's rebellion serves through a worldview of ultimate pragmatism in the service for the greater good; when immaterial is stripped away, it becomes easy to justify any measure, any length, for the greater good.
The exploration of the theme will be the central character's story arc, beginning in a state of pragmatism, moving towards this great extreme and contrasted by Leomund's ideology, it is not until Jason is faced with the radical Roderick that he finds value in belief, hope, immaterial and romanticism.
Writing targets:
Looking forward: I suppose I need a firm decision (ha) on my end goal here. Is it to submit this novel to publishers, to self-publish or just a proof of concept? Vanity publishing is a big no-no. For the time being, I will keep my options open and focus on writing a great story.
Idealistic Song of the Blog
This week I worked a bunch, which got in the way. I wrote a poem, which was a nice cognitive break and I read an old poem publicly, with a few last minute alterations - which was nerve-quaking and uplifting.
It is after all this, that I return to the Novel Project with fresh thoughts and a new invigorated perspective. A break from your writing and a refreshed pair of eyes are priceless, I find.
I have made two new decisions. Firstly, Roderick will no longer be the main character and will instead be the antagonist, his position will be replaced by a new knight to the order; Leomund, an idealistic new partner to Jason. Secondly, the theme is as important as the plot and without it, there is nothing to explore and all the tension, decisions and everything will be for nothing if an idea isn't explored and the main characters do not grow because of it.
The theme will be a spectrum of idealism vs pragmatism. Sir Jason, after his long years of service, has seen the worst of humanity, the Kingdom, rulers and the gods themselves - he is increasingly pragmatic, the world is broken down into material objective facts and numbers. His new partner, freshly sworn into the Lion Knights, is Leomund - an idealistic disciplined Knight, who has grown up on the stories of the heroic legend of the Lion Knights, their duty and romantic vision of the Kingdom, its people and those who govern it. Finally, Roderick, a man who put down his own father's rebellion serves through a worldview of ultimate pragmatism in the service for the greater good; when immaterial is stripped away, it becomes easy to justify any measure, any length, for the greater good.
The exploration of the theme will be the central character's story arc, beginning in a state of pragmatism, moving towards this great extreme and contrasted by Leomund's ideology, it is not until Jason is faced with the radical Roderick that he finds value in belief, hope, immaterial and romanticism.
Writing targets:
- Plotting the story
- Second Draft: Chapters 1-3
- Backstories for three central characters
Looking forward: I suppose I need a firm decision (ha) on my end goal here. Is it to submit this novel to publishers, to self-publish or just a proof of concept? Vanity publishing is a big no-no. For the time being, I will keep my options open and focus on writing a great story.
Idealistic Song of the Blog
Tuesday, 13 June 2017
Adelaide
A tree laid
broken and splintered,
as an idol paid
so little so
idle aid
saw little
Adelaide
alone in the dark.
Carving,
as he made
bucket
and a spade
for sand castles,
then he wades
through waves
he was afraid
of the dark surf
had he faded
in black wash
a country unmade
castle swallowed.
No knights
to save little
Adelaide.
A boy to raid
in cotton,
a time to invade
bravely
weaponry homemade:
bucket
and a spade.
He marched,
a downgrade
fairy tale,
fled his trade
miles to his
solo crusade
so far from
selling lemonade.
In shadow
nightshade
black, cold
unafraid
purple eyes
he dare evade
firey nostrils
forbade
farther motion.
Dragon
hell fire
burning.
Perhaps betrayed
or a charade
as the cascade
of flame
displaced about him.
He reached out
plucked light
from the beast
before him.
The young man's
one-man parade
dragged
a bleeding jade
star dancing
expelling shade
for
lime laid
upon the darkness.
The flame flickered
as he made
his way to
Adelaide;
for a moment
they saw each other.
The flame was
washed away
by the black,
so there stood
little Adelaide
in the dark
not alone.
broken and splintered,
as an idol paid
so little so
idle aid
saw little
Adelaide
alone in the dark.
Carving,
as he made
bucket
and a spade
for sand castles,
then he wades
through waves
he was afraid
of the dark surf
had he faded
in black wash
a country unmade
castle swallowed.
No knights
to save little
Adelaide.
A boy to raid
in cotton,
a time to invade
bravely
weaponry homemade:
bucket
and a spade.
He marched,
a downgrade
fairy tale,
fled his trade
miles to his
solo crusade
so far from
selling lemonade.
In shadow
nightshade
black, cold
unafraid
purple eyes
he dare evade
firey nostrils
forbade
farther motion.
Dragon
hell fire
burning.
Perhaps betrayed
or a charade
as the cascade
of flame
displaced about him.
He reached out
plucked light
from the beast
before him.
The young man's
one-man parade
dragged
a bleeding jade
star dancing
expelling shade
for
lime laid
upon the darkness.
The flame flickered
as he made
his way to
Adelaide;
for a moment
they saw each other.
The flame was
washed away
by the black,
so there stood
little Adelaide
in the dark
not alone.
Saturday, 10 June 2017
A Novel Project [Part 3] Opening
You train your whole life for a single moment, ready and alert, then you realise, mid-ponder as birds were fluttering overhead, that it just happened and you missed it. The moments that followed, I can never forget. The memories of before, I have recalled a hundred times and forged into steel. That moment, though, I missed it - that moment all was lost in an instant, and I, Sir Jason Thane, did nothing.The city centre was alive. A huge crowd, all the citizens of Brassdon and lords, knights and anyone who is anyone from across Angdom, had come. It was their day in the sun, my day to roast in steel plate armour. I was stood behind the king, to his right, as we approached the stage. I, and three others who drew short straws, wore the ceremonial Lion-helmets - living legends. Sons sat on fathers' shoulders, mouths ajar, ice cream dripping to the floor, watching us pass by.
Today, my job is to guard the king, but truly I was part of his jewellery. He had just been coronated in the cathedral by the High Mother. As a Lion Knight, your tasks vary and I usually work alone, but on this day, all ten Lion Knights were out on display, summoned to keep the peace and be the story. This new king, Fredric Forten, understood the importance of an idea. When you stand in this hot armour, you are more than a guard - you are the embodiment of an idea. An idea that found the very country these people call home, that keep us united together, that helps us feel safe at night from the dangers out there.
So they cheer, chant, chatter; all this noise blended together into a thunderous racket, so they can sleep soundly tonight. All this noise, dressed up as joy, really just shows how desperate they want to believe, to hide how terrified they would be without it. Loud and mighty; it drowned out the trumpets, drowned out your thoughts.
The image when King Fredric took to the stage was designed. Fredric, tall and bold, wore royal blue, like the darker shades used on the Trident crest, a symbol of his father's lands. His straight, black hair nestled back, combed under the majestic, golden Crown of Ang. At the foot of the stage, the palace guard, supported with three Lion Knights; the most famous, no helmets, smiles wide. Fredric takes the centre stage, in the four corners, three Lion Knights and I stand - thick, purple capes; heavy Lion helmets; vision obstructed, not practical at all, an awakened clay oven would better stand sentinel. Another three Lion Knights backstage, doing a real job. The setup was a compromise between style and substance. The city guard patrolled the crowds, best they could, but I wished and had argued to be out there among them - maybe if I had insisted, things would be different.
When I was a child, my father brought me to attend King Edwin's coronation here in the capital. He wore Angdom's colours, he stood on that stage alone, while his Lion Knights mingled with the crowd - a heavy sense of respect and duty was installed in the people, chins and chests raised high. King Edwin did not induldge in long speeches, he was a man of action, but on that day, he spoke awhile. He made promises and he prayed for this kingdom.
It was there, in the crowd, that I saw Lord Arthur Fairfox for the first time, though just a knight then, he trained under the Lions and the public saw him as an unofficial eleventh member. Now, under those thick grey eyebrows of his, he stares out into the crowd as our leader, at the foot of the stage. Not only is Lord Arthur famed across the land, he is loved. He and King Edwin were a mighty duo, who led this country into a golden era. In that moment, I hoped that King Fredric could do the same, but I was uncertain.
Left side of Lord Arthur, King Fredric composed Lady Vixen standing tall, feet apart, red hair tied back and both pale hands clutching her two-handed greatsword, pierced down into the ground. To the right, Sir Roderick, an inch shorter than Lady Vixen, rooted his palms either side of his belt, at the stem of a dagger and the handle of his longsword; both blades resting in their scabbards.
Vixen is the first woman of our order and one of the strongest, fierce fighters I have ever met blades with. Roderick, well, everyone already knows his story. He is still a boy at heart, but formidable. I sometimes question what I would have done in his situation.
Lord Arthur Fairfox is wise and kind, Sir Roderick Westrun famed as swift and ruthless, Lady Vixen Southstone standing graceful and an ambitious eye on Arthur's command stripes.
Sir Roderick's eyes scanned across the faces in the crowd. I spotted a hooded man, with a large moustache, shifting back and forth and moving his hands in and out of his cloak. Sir Roderick did not seem to notice.
Today, my job is to guard the king, but truly I was part of his jewellery. He had just been coronated in the cathedral by the High Mother. As a Lion Knight, your tasks vary and I usually work alone, but on this day, all ten Lion Knights were out on display, summoned to keep the peace and be the story. This new king, Fredric Forten, understood the importance of an idea. When you stand in this hot armour, you are more than a guard - you are the embodiment of an idea. An idea that found the very country these people call home, that keep us united together, that helps us feel safe at night from the dangers out there.
So they cheer, chant, chatter; all this noise blended together into a thunderous racket, so they can sleep soundly tonight. All this noise, dressed up as joy, really just shows how desperate they want to believe, to hide how terrified they would be without it. Loud and mighty; it drowned out the trumpets, drowned out your thoughts.
The image when King Fredric took to the stage was designed. Fredric, tall and bold, wore royal blue, like the darker shades used on the Trident crest, a symbol of his father's lands. His straight, black hair nestled back, combed under the majestic, golden Crown of Ang. At the foot of the stage, the palace guard, supported with three Lion Knights; the most famous, no helmets, smiles wide. Fredric takes the centre stage, in the four corners, three Lion Knights and I stand - thick, purple capes; heavy Lion helmets; vision obstructed, not practical at all, an awakened clay oven would better stand sentinel. Another three Lion Knights backstage, doing a real job. The setup was a compromise between style and substance. The city guard patrolled the crowds, best they could, but I wished and had argued to be out there among them - maybe if I had insisted, things would be different.
When I was a child, my father brought me to attend King Edwin's coronation here in the capital. He wore Angdom's colours, he stood on that stage alone, while his Lion Knights mingled with the crowd - a heavy sense of respect and duty was installed in the people, chins and chests raised high. King Edwin did not induldge in long speeches, he was a man of action, but on that day, he spoke awhile. He made promises and he prayed for this kingdom.
It was there, in the crowd, that I saw Lord Arthur Fairfox for the first time, though just a knight then, he trained under the Lions and the public saw him as an unofficial eleventh member. Now, under those thick grey eyebrows of his, he stares out into the crowd as our leader, at the foot of the stage. Not only is Lord Arthur famed across the land, he is loved. He and King Edwin were a mighty duo, who led this country into a golden era. In that moment, I hoped that King Fredric could do the same, but I was uncertain.
Left side of Lord Arthur, King Fredric composed Lady Vixen standing tall, feet apart, red hair tied back and both pale hands clutching her two-handed greatsword, pierced down into the ground. To the right, Sir Roderick, an inch shorter than Lady Vixen, rooted his palms either side of his belt, at the stem of a dagger and the handle of his longsword; both blades resting in their scabbards.
Vixen is the first woman of our order and one of the strongest, fierce fighters I have ever met blades with. Roderick, well, everyone already knows his story. He is still a boy at heart, but formidable. I sometimes question what I would have done in his situation.
Lord Arthur Fairfox is wise and kind, Sir Roderick Westrun famed as swift and ruthless, Lady Vixen Southstone standing graceful and an ambitious eye on Arthur's command stripes.
Sir Roderick's eyes scanned across the faces in the crowd. I spotted a hooded man, with a large moustache, shifting back and forth and moving his hands in and out of his cloak. Sir Roderick did not seem to notice.
Sunday, 4 June 2017
Voice.
Side note.
The story which I am writing will have two major characters and, in turn, two first person narratives. When reading as one character or the other, it needs to be clear and obvious which perspective you are reading from - their voice needs to be different. The way they perceive the world needs to be different, the details they pick up on, the thoughts they have, the language they use.
I think planning out the register, all the differences and detail picking for these two characters (or in future projects, maybe more) would be madness and stalling. In part, writing voice is intuition - if I establish a firm understanding in the differences between these characters in my mind, when I am writing as them, I will be able to craft their voice on the fly. This may be a flawed assumption and I may have to address this later if it does not work, but at the moment, I think it would be something which is impossible to plan.
That's all.
The story which I am writing will have two major characters and, in turn, two first person narratives. When reading as one character or the other, it needs to be clear and obvious which perspective you are reading from - their voice needs to be different. The way they perceive the world needs to be different, the details they pick up on, the thoughts they have, the language they use.
I think planning out the register, all the differences and detail picking for these two characters (or in future projects, maybe more) would be madness and stalling. In part, writing voice is intuition - if I establish a firm understanding in the differences between these characters in my mind, when I am writing as them, I will be able to craft their voice on the fly. This may be a flawed assumption and I may have to address this later if it does not work, but at the moment, I think it would be something which is impossible to plan.
That's all.
Saturday, 3 June 2017
A Novel Project [Part 2-b] Interviewing Sir Roderick Westrun
This blog post is a response to: https://carlywatters.com/2014/01/13/30-questions-to-ask-your-main-character/ ; a blog post by Carly Watters, a VP and Senior Literary Agent at the P.S. Literary Agency. This is to develop my main characters from A Novel Project [Part 2].
What do they look like?
Short, brown hair. Pale blue eyes. Dusty, tanned skin. Grown beard. Square-shoulders, broad and wide. Strong, muscular legs; thin, long arms. Quick and sharp. Handsome enough, large nose.
What do they like to wear?
Armour, not due to pride, but to always be prepared. Well worn.
How do they like to socialize?
In large groups, centre of conversation.
What was their role in their family growing up?
Talk to guests and sweeten them up, until that went all kinds of oh-no.
What were they most proud of as a kid?
Horse riding skill.
What did they find terribly embarrassing as a kid?
Father.
What was their first best friend like?
Intelligent discussion and creativity based conversations, one on one.
What ‘group’ were they in during their high school years?
Rich kids.
What did they want to be when they grew up–and what did they end up becoming?
He wanted to be a Duke, but better than his father; then a soldier. Became a Lion Knight.
What are their hobbies?
Committed to the job. He trains and focuses his mind, body and tongue on being as sharp as possible for the nation.
What music do they listen to?
Strings and vocals. A local tavern bard will hold his attention long into the night.
What annoys them?
Selfishness.
What makes them laugh?
Happenstance stories and odd musings by townsfolk and city dwellers. Nature's oddities and life's unexpected turns. Himself, at himself. Anything at the Empire.
Are they a dog or a cat person?
Cat (lion).
What season do they enjoy most?
Spring.
What makes them embarrassed as an adult?
Praise from superiors.
Do they drink alcohol?
Yes, though infrequently. Less and less as the story progresses.
What do they feel most passionately about?
The realm and the good of the people.
What trait do they find most admirable in others?
Effort.
Do they want a job that helps people or a job that makes money?
Helps people, 100%.
Are they a leader or a follower?
Both. He is a powerful and compelling military leader, vocal and representative of what he and his soldiers believe in. Yet, Roderick has a strong belief in oaths and law and tradition, and follows commands and laws - though, often seeking wiggle room.
What scares them?
Tyranny. Seeing the Kingdom become the Empire it left behind.
What are their long term goals?
To see the Kingdom prosper and be righteous.
What are their short term goals?
To protect and uphold the law.
What are their bad habits?
Little to none.
If they could have lived in another decade which would it have been?
During the rebellion against the Empire, to be among the legends.
What do they do when they’re bored?
Train, socialise, patrol.
What do they think happens after we die?
Nothing.
If they were to come into money what would they do with it?
He would invest it into the realm by developing new opportunities for the citizens. A school or work house, fo sho.
Who was the love of their life?
No one, not a love story.
What do they look like?
Short, brown hair. Pale blue eyes. Dusty, tanned skin. Grown beard. Square-shoulders, broad and wide. Strong, muscular legs; thin, long arms. Quick and sharp. Handsome enough, large nose.
What do they like to wear?
Armour, not due to pride, but to always be prepared. Well worn.
How do they like to socialize?
In large groups, centre of conversation.
What was their role in their family growing up?
Talk to guests and sweeten them up, until that went all kinds of oh-no.
What were they most proud of as a kid?
Horse riding skill.
What did they find terribly embarrassing as a kid?
Father.
What was their first best friend like?
Intelligent discussion and creativity based conversations, one on one.
What ‘group’ were they in during their high school years?
Rich kids.
What did they want to be when they grew up–and what did they end up becoming?
He wanted to be a Duke, but better than his father; then a soldier. Became a Lion Knight.
What are their hobbies?
Committed to the job. He trains and focuses his mind, body and tongue on being as sharp as possible for the nation.
What music do they listen to?
Strings and vocals. A local tavern bard will hold his attention long into the night.
What annoys them?
Selfishness.
What makes them laugh?
Happenstance stories and odd musings by townsfolk and city dwellers. Nature's oddities and life's unexpected turns. Himself, at himself. Anything at the Empire.
Are they a dog or a cat person?
Cat (lion).
What season do they enjoy most?
Spring.
What makes them embarrassed as an adult?
Praise from superiors.
Do they drink alcohol?
Yes, though infrequently. Less and less as the story progresses.
What do they feel most passionately about?
The realm and the good of the people.
What trait do they find most admirable in others?
Effort.
Do they want a job that helps people or a job that makes money?
Helps people, 100%.
Are they a leader or a follower?
Both. He is a powerful and compelling military leader, vocal and representative of what he and his soldiers believe in. Yet, Roderick has a strong belief in oaths and law and tradition, and follows commands and laws - though, often seeking wiggle room.
What scares them?
Tyranny. Seeing the Kingdom become the Empire it left behind.
What are their long term goals?
To see the Kingdom prosper and be righteous.
What are their short term goals?
To protect and uphold the law.
What are their bad habits?
Little to none.
If they could have lived in another decade which would it have been?
During the rebellion against the Empire, to be among the legends.
What do they do when they’re bored?
Train, socialise, patrol.
What do they think happens after we die?
Nothing.
If they were to come into money what would they do with it?
He would invest it into the realm by developing new opportunities for the citizens. A school or work house, fo sho.
Who was the love of their life?
No one, not a love story.
A Novel Project [Part 2-a] Interviewing Sir Jason Thane
This blog post is a response to:
https://carlywatters.com/2014/01/13/30-questions-to-ask-your-main-character/
; a blog post by Carly Watters, a VP and Senior Literary Agent at the P.S. Literary Agency. This is to develop my main characters from A Novel Project [Part 2].
What do they look like?
Shoulder-length brown hair. Thin, brown eyes - firm expression, wrinkled brow. Strong jawline and cold smile. Pointed nose at a slight angle. Scar on his neck, pinky finger tip chipped. Tall, strong build.
What do they like to wear?
Well polished armour. Orderly.
How do they like to socialize?
One on one, quielty. Focused and insightful. Always wins at poker.
What was their role in their family growing up?
Sent into training young. Played chess with his father, helped his mother with chores.
What were they most proud of as a kid?
Never losing at chess.
What did they find terribly embarrassing as a kid?
Caught wearing his mother's dress by his father.
What was their first best friend like?
When training, best friend was passionate and enthused, yet lacking skill to progress.
What ‘group’ were they in during their high school years?
Total nerd-jock hybrid.
What did they want to be when they grew up–and what did they end up becoming?
Wanted to be a libarian as a boy, then a commander. Became a Lion Knight.
What are their hobbies?
Reading, chess.
What music do they listen to?
War drums.
What annoys them?
Slow people. Over friendly animals. Drunks.
What makes them laugh?
Slow people. Over friendly animals. Drunks.
Are they a dog or a cat person?
Both. Loyal and a lion.
What season do they enjoy most?
Winter.
What makes them embarrassed as an adult?
Learned never to be embarrassed.
Do they drink alcohol?
No.
What do they feel most passionately about?
Justice.
What trait do they find most admirable in others?
Commitment.
Do they want a job that helps people or a job that makes money?
Helps people, but a little from column A, little from column B if he gets to decide.
Are they a leader or a follower?
A leader, this was recognised and he was promoted to a 'lone wolf' position in the LKs, to avoid any conflict between himself and superiors.
What scares them?
Mortality. Evil. Corruption.
What are their long term goals?
To better the nation and uphold the law.
What are their short term goals?
Ensure the safety of those about, uphold the law.
What are their bad habits?
Cracks knuckles, pacing, fidgetting.
If they could have lived in another decade which would it have been?
The future.
What do they do when they’re bored?
Flick chess pieces at a rook fort build.
What do they think happens after we die?
Buried or burned.
If they were to come into money what would they do with it?
Give it away.
Who was the love of their life?
No one, not a love story.
What do they look like?
Shoulder-length brown hair. Thin, brown eyes - firm expression, wrinkled brow. Strong jawline and cold smile. Pointed nose at a slight angle. Scar on his neck, pinky finger tip chipped. Tall, strong build.
What do they like to wear?
Well polished armour. Orderly.
How do they like to socialize?
One on one, quielty. Focused and insightful. Always wins at poker.
What was their role in their family growing up?
Sent into training young. Played chess with his father, helped his mother with chores.
What were they most proud of as a kid?
Never losing at chess.
What did they find terribly embarrassing as a kid?
Caught wearing his mother's dress by his father.
What was their first best friend like?
When training, best friend was passionate and enthused, yet lacking skill to progress.
What ‘group’ were they in during their high school years?
Total nerd-jock hybrid.
What did they want to be when they grew up–and what did they end up becoming?
Wanted to be a libarian as a boy, then a commander. Became a Lion Knight.
What are their hobbies?
Reading, chess.
What music do they listen to?
War drums.
What annoys them?
Slow people. Over friendly animals. Drunks.
What makes them laugh?
Slow people. Over friendly animals. Drunks.
Are they a dog or a cat person?
Both. Loyal and a lion.
What season do they enjoy most?
Winter.
What makes them embarrassed as an adult?
Learned never to be embarrassed.
Do they drink alcohol?
No.
What do they feel most passionately about?
Justice.
What trait do they find most admirable in others?
Commitment.
Do they want a job that helps people or a job that makes money?
Helps people, but a little from column A, little from column B if he gets to decide.
Are they a leader or a follower?
A leader, this was recognised and he was promoted to a 'lone wolf' position in the LKs, to avoid any conflict between himself and superiors.
What scares them?
Mortality. Evil. Corruption.
What are their long term goals?
To better the nation and uphold the law.
What are their short term goals?
Ensure the safety of those about, uphold the law.
What are their bad habits?
Cracks knuckles, pacing, fidgetting.
If they could have lived in another decade which would it have been?
The future.
What do they do when they’re bored?
Flick chess pieces at a rook fort build.
What do they think happens after we die?
Buried or burned.
If they were to come into money what would they do with it?
Give it away.
Who was the love of their life?
No one, not a love story.
A Novel Project [Part 2] Character, structure and management.
A working title: The Lion Knights
Character
There will be two major characters in this story. I have thought a some-what lot about their names. I have decided upon, Sir Roderick Westrun, and, Sir Jason Thane. They are both Lion Knights, capable, intelligent and good characters, wanting the best for the realm. The story emerges from how different the actions, ideology and extremes capable, intelligent and good characters can be.
Each character is a reflection of the other, the story juxtaposing them to have the reader question their morality, decisions, ability and world view.
There is a blog post: https://carlywatters.com/2014/01/13/30-questions-to-ask-your-main-character/ ; by Carly Watters, a VP and Senior Literary Agent at the P.S. Literary Agency. It details 30 questions you should ask your characters to develop them and ensure they are well rounded and thought out. I have answered these 30 questions for each of my main two characters. But, those answers would be too long for this one post, so find the URLs below:
Sir Jason Thane: http://woolnetaron.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/a-novel-project-part-2-interviewing-sir.html
Sir Roderick Westrun: http://woolnetaron.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/a-novel-project-part-2-interviewing-sir.html
The two major characters of this story will both be part of a select group of heroes, called the Lion Knights. Essentially Royal Guards with authority to lead armies, investigations and uphold the law. While they possess no superhuman qualities, they are famed for their intense training, skill and commitment to the realm.
Why 'Lion Knights'?
Lions are cool. Knights are cool. Perfect combo.
Other reasons: lions are associated with bravery, royalty and leadership; three core ideas in my story. Lions are an animal associated with England, Norway and Normandy; key regions in the medieval period inspiring the fantasy genre.
And while, literal LION KNIGHTS would be awesome...
These lion knights would be human, but with a lion decor;
Think 'Hound' from Game of Thrones.
Final reason; history, backstory, maybe a spoiler, who knows, etc; the group earned its authority in the Kingdom and name by supporting a revolt against an Empire, liberating the land and founding a new Kingdom and legal system, seperate from Empiric rule. During the revolution, the Empire took titles and honours away from these Knights, commonly dubbing them 'The Rebellion Knights'. As a point of pride (pun intended), the group legitimised themselves within their new Kingdom and dropped the 'Rebel' part of their nickname to form the legendary group of 'The Lion Knights'. I don't know if I'll get the opportunity to explain that bit of pun-lore in my story, so I thought I'd explain it here, right now.
Structure
In the last blog post I wrote an outline for my story idea using the 3-Act Structure, with a mid-point POV shift between the two major characters. Since then, I have continued to develop and experiment with the structure of this story, which is important in determining pace, tension, and, the development of characters and ideas for the reader.
Depending on the structure of this story, it could be presented as a mystery, a thriller, an action-adventure, or, fantasy. The story I want to tell, I believe, is a thriller with the backdrop of ahistorical fantasy - not a mystery, as the set up of the story is learning who-dun-it.
I began fleshing out my story with a chapter-by-chapter plan.
This plane began to spiral out of control, fast. A heavy first act, too heavy; delving into too much of what the story isn't. That is how it begins, for me, a step towards moving a task from do-able to impossible, to later justify never doing it. So, back to basics.
I asked myself, if I were only allowed to explore 10 plot points, what would they be? I listed 9 and then couldn't decide on a tenth. So, I dropped the tenth.
After looking through the remaining 9, I decided I could merge two of them together if I took a different structural perspective. Then, it was time to experiment with order, story and sequencing. The story had major and minor beats and in chronological order, the pacing of those beats was waaaaaaaay off. That is 7 a's too many and must be reassembled.
Finally, I have decided on the following 8 points which the story must explore, using alternate POV between the main characters, switching from character to character between each chapter.
Yes, I am losing the Part 1, Part 2 structure which made the story stand out. Yes, I am squeezing the story tight. Yes, I'll probably end up changing it. But, I like concise, I like limitations.
Limitations breed creativity, and if the story begins to choke, then I will lighten the grasp a little. The important part here is to tell a great story, which is interesting from beginning to end, that does not drag and is not rushed. When writing and proof-reading, it should become clear if either of those situations are the case and I can edit the story afterwards.
Right now, it is important to use an effective and concise writing model to get the meaty part of the meal done, before adding veggies, pouring gravy and trimming the fat.
8 sections of a story, each weighing in at 5,000 words, that is write-able. Which takes me onto the next section...
Management
In management for this project, I am going to set myself the task of writing 5,000 words per week. Essentially, a chapter per week, using my super streamlined model for the story. I was not going to create a writing plan, and I still haven't made a detailed one, but after I watched the video below, by CGP Grey, a being productive guru in some circles; I do treat becoming an author, much like happiness is detailed in the video. I want to overcome that and not make this task impossible. I want write-able chunks that I can begin to pick away at and then a healthy-lengthed first draft to actually edit and improve, while maintaining my sanity and job performance.
As a side note, for the last I don't know how many years, I have been writing with the spell check off. I do this for blog posts, too, and for blog posts, I don't thoroughly read through them enough to catch them all, apologies. I do spell things wrong from time to time or jot the odd typo, but when writing drafts, the time it takes to go back and correct it, translates into the exact amount of time needed to break my concentration and take me out of the writing zone I was in. So, I stopped. This is a minor thing, which both ensures I proofread thoroughly and allows me to write uninterupted more frequently. Reflecting on your writing, identifying the problems and taking easy solutions when they manifest are important. This is just one example of a little change I have made, but it sums up the point well enough, I think.
Thank you for reading through this second installment of A Novel Project; catch ya next time.
Character
There will be two major characters in this story. I have thought a some-what lot about their names. I have decided upon, Sir Roderick Westrun, and, Sir Jason Thane. They are both Lion Knights, capable, intelligent and good characters, wanting the best for the realm. The story emerges from how different the actions, ideology and extremes capable, intelligent and good characters can be.
Each character is a reflection of the other, the story juxtaposing them to have the reader question their morality, decisions, ability and world view.
There is a blog post: https://carlywatters.com/2014/01/13/30-questions-to-ask-your-main-character/ ; by Carly Watters, a VP and Senior Literary Agent at the P.S. Literary Agency. It details 30 questions you should ask your characters to develop them and ensure they are well rounded and thought out. I have answered these 30 questions for each of my main two characters. But, those answers would be too long for this one post, so find the URLs below:
Sir Jason Thane: http://woolnetaron.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/a-novel-project-part-2-interviewing-sir.html
Sir Roderick Westrun: http://woolnetaron.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/a-novel-project-part-2-interviewing-sir.html
The two major characters of this story will both be part of a select group of heroes, called the Lion Knights. Essentially Royal Guards with authority to lead armies, investigations and uphold the law. While they possess no superhuman qualities, they are famed for their intense training, skill and commitment to the realm.
Why 'Lion Knights'?
Lions are cool. Knights are cool. Perfect combo.
Other reasons: lions are associated with bravery, royalty and leadership; three core ideas in my story. Lions are an animal associated with England, Norway and Normandy; key regions in the medieval period inspiring the fantasy genre.
And while, literal LION KNIGHTS would be awesome...
These lion knights would be human, but with a lion decor;
Think 'Hound' from Game of Thrones.
Final reason; history, backstory, maybe a spoiler, who knows, etc; the group earned its authority in the Kingdom and name by supporting a revolt against an Empire, liberating the land and founding a new Kingdom and legal system, seperate from Empiric rule. During the revolution, the Empire took titles and honours away from these Knights, commonly dubbing them 'The Rebellion Knights'. As a point of pride (pun intended), the group legitimised themselves within their new Kingdom and dropped the 'Rebel' part of their nickname to form the legendary group of 'The Lion Knights'. I don't know if I'll get the opportunity to explain that bit of pun-lore in my story, so I thought I'd explain it here, right now.
Structure
In the last blog post I wrote an outline for my story idea using the 3-Act Structure, with a mid-point POV shift between the two major characters. Since then, I have continued to develop and experiment with the structure of this story, which is important in determining pace, tension, and, the development of characters and ideas for the reader.
Depending on the structure of this story, it could be presented as a mystery, a thriller, an action-adventure, or, fantasy. The story I want to tell, I believe, is a thriller with the backdrop of ahistorical fantasy - not a mystery, as the set up of the story is learning who-dun-it.
I began fleshing out my story with a chapter-by-chapter plan.
I asked myself, if I were only allowed to explore 10 plot points, what would they be? I listed 9 and then couldn't decide on a tenth. So, I dropped the tenth.
After looking through the remaining 9, I decided I could merge two of them together if I took a different structural perspective. Then, it was time to experiment with order, story and sequencing. The story had major and minor beats and in chronological order, the pacing of those beats was waaaaaaaay off. That is 7 a's too many and must be reassembled.
Finally, I have decided on the following 8 points which the story must explore, using alternate POV between the main characters, switching from character to character between each chapter.
Yes, I am losing the Part 1, Part 2 structure which made the story stand out. Yes, I am squeezing the story tight. Yes, I'll probably end up changing it. But, I like concise, I like limitations.
Limitations breed creativity, and if the story begins to choke, then I will lighten the grasp a little. The important part here is to tell a great story, which is interesting from beginning to end, that does not drag and is not rushed. When writing and proof-reading, it should become clear if either of those situations are the case and I can edit the story afterwards.
Right now, it is important to use an effective and concise writing model to get the meaty part of the meal done, before adding veggies, pouring gravy and trimming the fat.
8 sections of a story, each weighing in at 5,000 words, that is write-able. Which takes me onto the next section...
Management
In management for this project, I am going to set myself the task of writing 5,000 words per week. Essentially, a chapter per week, using my super streamlined model for the story. I was not going to create a writing plan, and I still haven't made a detailed one, but after I watched the video below, by CGP Grey, a being productive guru in some circles; I do treat becoming an author, much like happiness is detailed in the video. I want to overcome that and not make this task impossible. I want write-able chunks that I can begin to pick away at and then a healthy-lengthed first draft to actually edit and improve, while maintaining my sanity and job performance.
As a side note, for the last I don't know how many years, I have been writing with the spell check off. I do this for blog posts, too, and for blog posts, I don't thoroughly read through them enough to catch them all, apologies. I do spell things wrong from time to time or jot the odd typo, but when writing drafts, the time it takes to go back and correct it, translates into the exact amount of time needed to break my concentration and take me out of the writing zone I was in. So, I stopped. This is a minor thing, which both ensures I proofread thoroughly and allows me to write uninterupted more frequently. Reflecting on your writing, identifying the problems and taking easy solutions when they manifest are important. This is just one example of a little change I have made, but it sums up the point well enough, I think.
Thank you for reading through this second installment of A Novel Project; catch ya next time.
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