Let the poetry slam begin!

You know what this website is lacking?

Some poetry!

I will amend that right away.

These are some classic Lackscroft and Roe poems recently discovered scribbled all over one of my notebooks, imagine that. I have been given instructions to share these poems with the entire world.

We've come to sing for you
a tune that is quite true.
We travel to and fro
for all the world must know
of this sweet, yet sour tale
so listen to us wail.
We'll try to keep it short
and not offend this court.
If this promise we cannot keep
with us you'll have to weep.
But do not despair just yet
for you and I just met
and the rousing tale begins below
when we start sing the next canto.

The Fairy Tale Conspiracy Begins

I've been neglecting the blog lately, but I have a good excuse, really I do.

Tada: Letter 5, in which our heroine is in a pickle, she meets some mysterious commentators and uncovers a terrible evil plot by a hideous fat man.

I have to say conspiracies are really hard to write. I have such respect for any author who writes about a conspiracy. I've been working on this for a week, this letter was my worst so far. I was almost tempted to just post it and get your opinion, but by that point it was such a huge mess. So I did my best to fix it. It still needs works.

And, you'll notice there is something very important missing. This is the only letter that I didn't write down the messengers.

Terrwyn, do you still have the original letter and envelope for this one? It would be soooo helpful if you did and I don't have to recreate it. This is the envelope where Lackcroft and Roe make their first appearance. (heaven help us.)

The Art of Imitation (Or maybe just bad writing?)

"There are no originals ideas, there are only original people." --Barbara Grizzuti Harrison.

I wanted to post Letter #5 here. I really did, I had ever intention of revising it over the weekend and then posting it Monday evening. That was my plan. But then . . . but then I read over letter five and I realized it's a mess. A sticky mess. Not to mention it has some huge plot holes. It needs some major reconstruction. I was particularly struck, not only by the bad writing, but some awfully familiar images. What's this about an elven ring?

Nano Wrap-up. Entering the Winner Circle. Welcome

Hey, it's finally December. Nano is over, but the writing will continue. I'm happy to post that we both won Nano. We both made the 50,000 word count. I got 51,263 and Terrwyn got 50,145. It's so exciting.

Earlier in the month I was all wishy washy about claiming a win, since I'm still writing the story, but now I feel like shouting it out to everyone.

I won Nano 2010!

Last month flew by for me, with all that writing-frenzy, and the year is almost over. 2011 is upon us already. The end of the world is a year away, (according to the Mayans anyway.) So let's get busy with fixing up Goosey. I've neglected this blog long enough, now I'll get back on task. I'll start to post regularly again on Mondays and Thursday. Yeah!

Nano Week 4 : Is it over yet?

"So convenient thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do." -- Benjamin Franklin

I'm chiming in on my Nano project. Its almost over now. We have . . . seven days left. After a hugely enthusiastic first week I've been ahead of my word count. Last week I spent most of the time telling people that I'm ahead, so its okay that I haven't written anything today. Of course the guilt started to wear me down and then every day I didn't write I wasn't so far head.

I'm definitely on task to "win" Nano this year. I've written 44,000 words so far. I don't think I'll have any problems reaching 50,000, since I'm only a little over half way through my story. I'm on chapter 13. I have plenty more ideas. I've even got a general idea of the climax and how the story will end.

That's great, but is it really winning when my story isn't finished?

The Princess theme continues (Princess Quotes Part 1)

"I never knew such beautiful people existed... Tall, fair skinned, big eyed... living boldly, using her beauty as a weapon. A girl the complete opposite of me. A girl who's just like a Princess." -- Tsukimi, Jellyfish Princess

After my Tangled review I decided to continue with this theme and talk about being a Princess, and what it means to be one. It's a theme in my Nano novel too (at least I think it's a theme in my Nano novel). I also discovered so many Princess Quotes I wanted to share them.

In the beginning of Goosey there is a lot of talk about how a Princess must act and look. Mirth says, "Princesses must be graceful" and "Princesses never cower". They are gentle, decent, and proper. They don't carry weapons (though I think Terrwyn cut that bit from her last letter.)

There is an old fashioned mentality in books and movies about being a Princess. It's expressed really well by this scene from Shrek the Third:

Week Two: Plot? What Plot?

I think it's safe to say that National Novel Writing month has claimed our lives. But the idea of having a completed novel at the end of month, however rough and messy it is, is incredibly attractive.

I've also noticed how each pep talk sent out each week by a different author is incredibly inspiring and encouraging to read. I'm getting more good advice and confidence from this one month of writing than I ever did in any college course.

Week two is much harder to plough through than week one. Week one, I was simply following my every whim and throwing in whatever I thought was exciting and interesting. The writing was incredibly easy because I was enjoying the feeling of being a 'reader' along with my writing. I was basically writing the story as I 'read' a book-- not knowing where the story was taking me.

I added in magic wherever possible, I added in Penguins, I threw in snow and a snow queen. ( You can see how much, when reading this story, I sort of ache for snow! And when I had snow I hated it. It just goes to show you can't please everybody, least wise yourself.)

Now in week two, I have realized that I need stop adding and start pulling. I need to start making my story make sense or else I will rapidly begin to lose interest and so will my future readers, if any exist!

I have also realized, that the impending deadline does not allow for much think time. In sum, I am struggling against two needs-- the need to make the story a story and the need to finish the story in a short amount of time with very little time now at my disposal.

And so, I have become creative. I created a list of quesitons abotu the plot and priortized important elements that need to be explained. Then, instead of answering the quesitons for myself, I have the characters ask the questions and within the story, answer the question in a creative way.

For example, on thing I struggle with in my story is particularly how the magic happens in a way that makes sense. I mean, it's magic, so it doesn't have to make sense, per se, but within the rules of the world it has to have some sort of explaination. You can't just have a bunny pop out of nowhere and say that it's because it's magic. You either have to establish that it is a magic bunny and part of the magic is that it can pop in and out of various rooms. You also have to set limits on the magic. If it was unlimited magic bunny, well then you've created a nice deus ex machina in case you get into trouble. But Deus Ex Machina's sometimes come off as too easy. The bunny needs an achilles heel in the magic. For example, the bunny can pop in and out of any room in the world, but every time he uses the magic, he gets older. This makes the story more interesting and poses more questions for the author to answer.

NaNoWrMo Woes, Woo-hoos!, and Wows!

Well-- We Did it! We joined National Novel Writing Month. And now, to write those glorious novels. So far, I have described...a lot of things. A submarine, a room from a four year old perspective, and snow. I thought we could start a post on our "woes, woo-hoos, and wows" in little bits and pieces when the website is way to over run with Nanoers to function properly!

I am really enjoying the process of writing so far. Although it's only day one, I'm finding the deadline freeing. I feel less guilty about spelling, grammar, and typing mistakes. The deadline spurs the novel onward, whether it wants to go or not.... Here's to good endings!

In the Grand Tradition of . . . a Trailer Review

"Something brought you here. Fate. Destiny."
"A horse."

I've been wanting to review something for a while now, but I haven't read any books, manga, graphic novels or watched any movies that tie in with fairy tales or Goosey. I plan to remedy this next month, but in the meantime I've decided to review the trailer for the upcoming Disney movie Tangled, in theaters November 24th, I believe.
  

I have to say the trailer made me laugh aloud - twice. Flynn cracks me up. There's a definetely feeling of nostagia when I watch it, it makes me think of Princess Bride. So, I'm giving the trailer 4 of 5 stars.
I will admit it, I'm a Disney Fan. I'm intrigued. I want to know more. And that's really all I require from a trailer, now the movie that's a different story. (And another review.)

Tangle is the latest in the line of Disney movies that retell fairy tales.
Snow White 1937
Cinderella 1950
Sleeping Beauty 1959
Little Mermaid 1989
Beauty and the Beast 1991
Aladdin 1992
Princess and the Frog 2009

And this is a Princess movie, a generous mix of old with a new modern feel. It has its snappy dialogue, a bit Shriekified, just without the ogre. Let's see where's my checklist:

A Handsome, yet arrogant, yet loveable hero (can we say character development?)
A Princess, locked in the tower
Bumbling soldiers in presuit
Not one, but TWO animal side kicks: horse and a lizard

Check and check. We're just missing the easily identified evil villian or villianess and it seems we're expected to just know the story, Rapunzel's name is never even mentioned. She's an intriguing girl with luxurious hair, so long and deadly it's practically alive, but this girl has it under control and she's not afraid to use it. She's a Medusa with her snakes, only no one's going to be petrified by her. Or are they?
Not that a trailer review is anything like a movie review. It's mostly speculation, or prehaps anticipation, a little cynicism and even some nostalgia.

Perhaps you've already seen it.

Torture? ( am I seriously considering this? Yes, yes I am)

NaNoWriMo--- November is National Novel Writing Month. The Official Link.

The goal is to write 50,000 word novel, about 176 pages in 30 days.

That's 1667 words per day. That's 12,500 words per week. In a good week I can write 10,000 words no sweat. (Mind you that's a good week)

Family Reunion: Who are you? And How are we related?

The recent additions of new characters and the growing of family trees has posed a lot of questions( that probably have been answered before, but I have forgotten.) So here they are:

1). How are ANge and Mirth related?
2). How often did they see eachother in their childhood?
3). When did their father's die?
4). How did their father's die?
5). Do their mother's get along?
6). Do Mirth's brother's and Ange get along?
7). Does Mirth get along with Ange's brother?
8). How does Mirth feel about Winding-- has she ever been there?
9). HOw does Ange feel about Carentas-- has she ever been there?
10). Favorite childhood memory together?
11). Worst childhood memory together?
12) The Wisps? When did Mirth first find out about Ange's wisps?
13). What big even lead them not to see eachother again?
14). How far is Winding from Carentas?

And that's all.

I'm thinking, though, for the sake of the story, that a strong point of conflict that would keep Mirth and her family from Winding and why Winding wouldn't come to the aide of Carentas would be because a). Mirth's mother does not like ANge's mother or b). Because Mirth's mother is insulted that Ange's mother would not marry Ange to one of her cousins. or C). The father's had something to do with it or d). The alliance with Genoya insulted Carentas..or e). Winding does not have the resources or alliances to help Carentas.

I think it would have to be a fued or some sort of impediment that does not allow the families to help eachother.....

Anyway, what are your thoughts and answers?

Edit: Angelbird added the family tree picture.
(From the tree it appears that Ange's father Rodier, was the eldest son. Is that right? I mean, the way I figure it happen was he ran away from home at age eighteen. So he must have abdicated the throne, only to end up in Winding, marrying a Princess and becoming a King anyway. -- OR is he the younger brother?)

Plot? Character? Setting? Going once, Going Twice....

All writers go through a self loathing process. Especially during editing. I think the more I read my story, the less I like it. But the more I read Angelbird's story, the more I enjoy myself!

Why does this happen? Well, for the obvious reason that during the editing process we are our own selves worst critics. Another reason would be because editing, you search out mistakes and the further you go, the harder it is to notice the things you did RIGHT!

As my favorite poet once said:
" Oh Editing, nothing rhymes with you
and so I introduce random words, like blue
to say, Dear Editing: Nobody loves, likes, or lives you
it's very so very so so true, true, true." Lackscroft and Roe. ( with the help of a goose)

Plot wise, I always struggle with details and importantly, conflict. In order for a plot to be interesting, it has to be exciting and suprising. It has to have conflict. Who wants to read the story of the little girl with the curl who was always good? NO ONE! We want the story of the little girl who was BAD and who faced trouble, ect. Who wants the story of Hansel and Gretel and their happy family? Boring. Nothing happens. There's no where for any character to grow and, more importantly, nowhere for the story to go.

Happiness is something we long for in real life. But stories are not real life. The story must face conflict and struggle and that stuggle should shape the character's nature, for bette or for worse. ( Hopefully for better!!!!)

So, I thought I'd share my playwriting materials to help clarify important plot, character, and detail elements. Although playwriting addresses different qualites of a story, it shares the same basic plot and character needs!

I think these will be very helpful to me and help me focus less on self loathing as a writer and more on the joy of the process.

This first sheet is an idea worksheet-- it helps knock out the main elements of plot.

Working Title: Goosey.

Central Character: ( Age/Full name)

Central Character’s dominant need: ( one sentence)

Other Major Characters:

Setting ( consider different options):

Occasion: ( event which this play is set):

Major Conflict/dilemma as it manifests itself in action: ( state simply)

Resolution: ( How action is resolved)


How the central character changes by the end: ( change should be vast)

Dramatic premise: ( Journey [blank] leads to [blank] )

And here is a short form biography that I do for my character's in acting, but it's pertinet for story writing as well:

Short Form Biography


Character’s Name:

Physical Characteristics


Age: Date of Birth:


Height: Weight:

Eye Color: Hair Color:

Skin Color/Tone:

Posture:

Grooming:

Vocal Quality:

General Appearance: ( indicate handsomeness or beauty, elegance or crudeness, sex appeal, “ presence,” general health, any physical problems or defects, etc.)


External World

I. Family Situation

Father: ( include age if alive or how long ago he died, occupation, any special characteristics, nature of relationship with, etc/)

Mother: ( include age if alive or how long ago he died, occupation, any special characteristics, nature of relationship with, etc)

Siblings: ( identify if brother(s) or sister(s), ages, any special characteristics, nature of relationship with each, etc.)


Other important relatives: ( what relative(s), age special characteristics, nature or relationship with, etc.)


Family’s ability to function: ( happy, disruptive, dysfunctional, unusual in some way, etc).

Marital status: ( if not married, describe any significant romantic relationship( s). If married, how long? Describe spouse. If divorced, how long? Any special circumstances?

Children: ( include names, ages, nature or relationship with, etc)

Sex life: ( healthy, active, dormant, frustrated, specific problems, etc)

Close friends: ( those considered extended family, include names, ages, nature or relationship with)

II. Place in the Community

Occupation: ( include how long in the field)

Education: ( indicate quality as well as how much)

Economic class: ( include annual income)

Political affiliation(s): ( Republican, Democrat, Independent, conservative, liberal, moderate, other)

Religious affiliation: ( if it exists, indicate how active)

Other important organizational memberships:

General status in community: ( how perceived in the eyes of others—leaders or follower, asset or liability, etc.)

III. Leisure-Time activities


Internal world

Intelligence: (some measure for comparison and how it manifests itself)

Personality type: (extrovert or introvert, optimistic or pessimistic, hot tempered or cool, etc.)

General Sense of Self: (degree of self- confidence, self-esteem, etc.)

Sexuality: (how powerful a force, degree of comfort with, etc.)

Spiritual life: (nature and strength of--- does God fit in somewhere and if so how and to what extent?)

Sense of morality: (how strong is it? How does it manifest itself?)

Major secrets ( that they haven’t told anyone; prioritize if more than one)

Personal goals: (prioritize if more than one)

Major disappointments: (prioritize if more than one)

Special qualities and talents: (unique physical, intellectual, artistic, or spiritual traits).

A crisis . . . a desperate cry for help?

     "What you hope for
Is that at some point of the pointless journey
The King assassin Sleep will draw a bead
And blow your brains out"
   -- "Walking to Sleep" Richard Wilbur

How important is the background, all those little details that flesh out the character and the world they live in?
Its important, right? It is and it isn't.

Let me get straight to the point, before I wander off too much. The reason I'm almost in panic mode, I think there is a major problem with Ange being a single child.

Creative Cursing

"Oh me, you juggler, you canker-blossom
You thief of love! What, have you come by night
And stol'n my love's heart from him?"
 --Hermia, A Midsummer Night's Dream

I've recently become very fond of reviewing the four letters we've posted. I seem to be in a pensive, almost reflective mood - that or I'm secretively procrastinating from doing any actual revision work. (gasp, no, am I doing that?)

In any case, I've taken down a list here of the clever words we've used - okay, mostly it's ones that Mirth has used to swear or curse or express her deepest emotions. Anger. Anguish. Fear. Resentment. I've discovered that Ange isn't really the sort of girl who curses or swears. She more the type who will wring her hands together and whine "oh, woe is me". I hope she doesn't come off as too pathetic.

Ange's swearing mainly consist of the following: "Oh bother" "Oh cousin" "oh dear" and in general a lot of "oh" "oh" "oh".

Mirth's are much better: "Insufferable." "Blasted" "Spider's Eyes" (She is very fond of that one.) And "Bugs"

I'm sure there are others I've missed. I should go through the rest of the manuscript and find them all. I'm rather fond of Mirth's colorful language. The fourth letter really nails her voice. The language throughout the letters is a bit old fashioned. Though I'd even call it romanticized. Of course, it's best when the swearing suits the time period. It won't do any good if the girls mouth off like a modern diva or a trash talking hipster. Not that I'm really good at that kind of swearing. I'm much more fond of creative swear words. And in the event that Ange decides to color her language a bit more, I've made a list of the possible words that she might use.

Blast, bell-cry. old bat. Batty. Buck. dung beetle. Drat. Ding dong. Merry. Wretched Knave. Willywisher. Devil. Dox. Doxy. Pie-in-the-sky. Pox. Penny. Pluck. Plucky. Pickle-eater. Fie. Dull. Drum. Posh. Piss. Oh, Spite (Yes, I stole that one from Midsummer Night's Dream, but it's a good one.) Fee Fie Fo Fum. the doldrums. what a lark. Alas. Alack. Flip. Flap. Fury. Frog's legs. Filth. Rip Roar. Flossy. Hog. Tipsy topsy. Tilly. Faith.

Ah, the list could go on and on . . . after all, I'm just making most of them up as I go along. It's quite fun. Have I mentioned before I'm a fan of alliteration? Well, I am.

Letter Number 4

This letter has a quite a few problems. The first being that it is a little long in the tooth. But I'm stuck with what I should cut short and what I should fill in!

The focus of the letter is meeting the Stranger whilst establishing a new sense of place....But cramming all these in makes the letter seem...well Crammed.


But enjoy reading! And I'll keep plugging away at editing!

Splash right in.

Once in ancient days, in a land of myth and lore, two young girls began to write each other letters.

Goosey, a correspondence

Being the adventures of two winsome girls, Princess Ange and Princess Mirth, written down in a collection of letters. Both Ange and Mirth are born into the highest royal status of the land and end up as peasants, one a goose girl, one a simpleton. There are no fairy godmothers to save them, but if they can find the courage and strength in their hearts, they just may find their happily ever after.

Their letters, read by many, tell how they will discover love, face betrayal and survive encounters with pirates, evil wizards, three mysterious women, various livestock and some badly written poetry.

Reposting Letter 3

"What are men to rocks and mountains?"
Jane Austin, Pride and Prejudice

I said I would fix the third letter and here it is. Letter 3, one more time.

I've rearranged some of the events a little; drastically cut some scenes. You were right the fitting scene was too long. Of course, I also cut down Falada's scene too, but it felt like I was getting too long winded. How long is this letter? Too long?

I tried to keep the descriptions suited to Ange's perspective. She's very attuned to her wisp, where they are, and what they are doing; as well as to sound. She overhears rumors, or the bells chiming.

Also I used a "devise" to lead into my longer scenes, and since I used it twice in this letter I wonder if that's OK. It's the following phrases:  "I shall explain what happened." and "I know you'd appreciate hearing about her, so I shall do my best to describe her." Next time I'll try to be more original, think of something else clever to say.

Let me know what you think.

Let's Play Perception!

" 'Be what you would seem to be' - or, if you'd like it put more simply -'Never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise."  the Duchess, from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

While trying to figure out how to improve letter three, and my writing in general, I read through a Writer's Digest article on POV. (Alicia's Rasley's The Power of Point of View, 2008. Here's her blog: edittorrent.) After all we each have our own personal way of viewing the world, and it makes sense, especially in a first person story, to individualize the POV.

I like to think I do this already, but I could do it better, or at least be aware of it. Sometimes even when talking about Goosey I'll use first person. I become the character. I am Ange. (See my user name is Angelbird, but right now I'm writing as the author.)

Letter Writing

"The three [letters] you wrote me after I had broken of the engagement are so beautiful, and so badly spelled, that even now I can hardly read them without crying a little."
Cecily, The Importance of Being Earnest

Let's see, the last time I wrote an actual letter to someone, I mean a handwritten letter, was . . . maybe a birthday card to my sister last year. It's rare, who can afford stamps these days. 44cents. And what a waste of  paper, unless it is recyclable, (Actually I own some fancy stationary made from banana leaves - there's different kind of a renewable resouce.) But e-mail is so much better, right?

I wonder.

Everyday I come home from work and the first thing I do before I go inside is check the mailbox. I receive a magazine once a week, but other than that I get bills and junk mail. Unless it is birthday cards or christmas cards

I never ever write letters anymore. Actually I don't even send out Christmas cards - I think about sending them - does that count?

The Book Jacket Quest begins . . . and the Gooseyness prize goes to . . .?

goos·y  
goos·y [goossee]
(comparative goos·i·er, superlative goos·i·est) or goos·ey [goossee] (comparative goos·i·er, superlative goos·i·est)
adj
1.  resembling goose: similar to a goose 
2.  having goose bumps: affected by goose bumps or the nervousness or fear that can cause them (informal) 
3.  silly: behaving in what is regarded as a silly or scatterbrained way (disapproving)
Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

I've always been fond of the name Goosey, especially because of the third definition. Or maybe I just like words that end in 'Y'. Lucky. Rosey. Cosy. Posey. Nosy... (I'm making this up as I go.)

Anyway, I thought it was high time to start summarizing this story. I don't mean giving away the ending. Not yet. But I've always had trouble summarizing my stories, and making the summary interesting (and not just a dull, fact explaining sentences, yawn. I do those all the time)

well here is a how de do....

I can't seem to post any more comments. I wonder why? I just don't exist to the comment box it seems....

Where do the ideas come from?

"I think most people have more ideas in their heads than they think they do. Its just that those of us in the fantastic fields - either we don't listen to our own filters, or we have a much high ridiculousness threshold."
   Interview with China Mieville, NY Times July 23rd, 2010

I've finally posted the 3rd letter from Ange. Yay! Go Ange!

It's not the most exciting action packed letter, but it does some important set-up stuff for later. I realized I went into this story assuming whoever reads it would know the fairy tale. That said, I've found the fairy tales on-line:

It's fascinating to read the different versions. So, I've got two for you:

From Andrew Lang's The Blue Book: The Goose Girl and from Andrew Lang's The Red Book:  The Golden Goose

Another source is available at SurLaLune Fairy Tales. Here's the main website: http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/. SurLaLune has an extensive site all about fairy tales. They have annotated versions of the stories, as well as all the hundreds of retellings available from children books, novels and live action movies and cartoons. I remember reading the Goose Girl on SurLaLune when I was first beginning to write Goosey, to help get some ideas about how to proceed.

Mostly I think my ideas come from the same part of my brain that forms dreams.

So, here's Letter #3 for your critques, comments, questions, etc.
Happy dreaming. I mean reading.

How appropriate! And timely too.

I just noticed that Gail Carson Levine posted about retelling fairy tales -- about why she is drawn to these stories.

I could totally relate.

Here's the link: http://gailcarsonlevine.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-fairy-tales.html

Why do I like rewriting fairy tales? Its fun, of course. But it goes much deeper than that. I've always been drawn to fantasy, since seventh grade specifically, and of course I had my early exposure to the Disney fairy tales of Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. There is something compelling about the language of fairy tales: the simplicity and yet complexity. I'm also drawn to symbolism, and allegory; the power of storytelling comes not just from having complex characters, good dialogue, or clever word play, but from the meaning hidden evoked by the language.

How literary I'm getting . . . I haven't ever tried to put in words why I write fantasy, though I've thought about it plenty -- almost as much as why I write.

One of reasons I write, that I am a writer, is because I have these stories and I want to share them. Fairy tales are the perfect example of stories that have beeen shared for hundreds of years, from the Grimms Brothers, Disney and through modern retelling.

something wierd is happening

I don't know what is going on with blogger. I can't seem to comment.....!!!!

why -- because its fun, silly!

Todd: "We have unfinished business, I and he."
Scott: "He and me."
Todd: "Don't talk to me about Grammer!!!"
     Scott Pilgrim and the Infinite Sadness



I thought, briefly, about doing some work. Specically I should look at my problems with past and present tense in my letter. I know its important, its like grammer, it takes away from the story if there are errors. But instead of doing that, I decided to make this:



the family trees (sorta)



I had to recreate the lovely drawing you made Terrwyn, I'm so very fond of it, I thought I should share that happiness. Its better than discussing grammer. Eventually I'll make one for the other royals: Geyona and Glaukos, but there are spoilers in it.



The right way to write?

"A window is a window, but there is looking out and looking in" Margaret Atwood

The other day I decided to dig through some of my notes on revising. I've said it before. I really have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to revising. I'm still trying to figure it out. And I've collected tips, quotes from authors, editors, lists of the top eight ways to edit, articles from Writers Digest on book doctoring, Writers Boot Camp, Characterization, an interview of Margaret Atwood, and my notes from a writer's retreat -- the list goes on and on.

I looked at everything and it made me very, very depressed. Urgh. too much. Why is it so painful? I didn't want to think about the story or do anything with it, except maybe shove it under my bed: out of sight, out of mind.

But then . . .

Then I read through letter 2, from Mirth, and it all went away. I got so excited. It was fun. (Isn't that rule #1?) I loved it oh so much. And suddenly it didn't matter that I'm so bad at revising or don't know how to do it.

I have this list about what to include in the first three pages of a manuscript (like the physical description of the characters...) I was once told do not have conversations with more than two characters, but I do that all the time. So I've decided to ignore all this advise. (Maybe not all of it.)  But I'm not going to stress about it or change things just because it 'proper' or its a rule.

I'm going to stick with my gut reactions. Instinct. Intuition. There is no one right way to write a novel. Rules can be broken (rule 5, I believe).

As long as the story still works and is good enough - that's what matters.

Here is some advise I will follow:

"Learn the rules, then follow the rules, then learn when to break them."

letter number two.

Well, I did Letter Number two. It was hideous trying to edit. I'm sure there are more mistakes in it than I care to correct. So please, any suggestions, corrections,ect, feel free to make!

and above all, enjoy reading it!

Letter #2

A new page.... and a letter!

Happy Day!

I've finally decided to actually work on revising. Amazing. I know. So, where did I start?

Why the beginning of course.

Here's the link: Letter #1. Make any critiques, criticisms, suggestions, opinions, questions, queries or observations about it in the comments.

Enjoy.

P.S. Tag you're it Terrwyn.

Quotes . . .

Real quotes from the manuscript. . .
I went searching from some interested quotes about geese and these are a few I discovered.

"When suddenly out of the middle of nowhere came this awful honking and flapping; dozens of geese came flying over the hill right down on top of us."

"Geese!! What shall they think of next? Whatever do you raise geese for? It sounds silly to me."

"It is rumored the Golden Goose is cursed. Better to leave things alone that want to be left alone, they say."

I found this photo in my archives, and I've decided to call it 'Geese behind Bars'. Oh dear, what did they do to get locked up like this. Well, you know geese are such troublemakers.

A little illumination . . . the Project History

"Perhaps we may frighten away the ghost of so many years ago with a little illumination" Phantom of the Opera, the musical

Revisions are such a daunting task (not to mention endless) and I know this blog is about revising our story, however I have no idea how to go about it. I guess the most logical place is to start at the beginning, but before that, how about a little history of the project.

Rules, an update

I remember when we started the letter exchange, I gave myself rules to follow, simple ones to keep me focused. So I figured I should update the rules for the editing.

The new rules are as follows:

1. Have Fun (as always this is still the first rule)
2. Be Spontaneous
3. Make it up as you go along
4. Post new entrys to blog every Monday and Thursday
5. Rules are made to be broken.

As you can see I've already broken rule number 4, and I am posting this on Tuesday, hence I need to have rule 5, which I've always been a believer in. Grammer rules are good and all, but are they really necessary?

And now....an envelope.

Taken by Goldwin, son of the Martris, fastest carrier of Clevis, son of Triad. Along with Iornhoof, son of Star and Mooncrest, breed Scarlati.

Passed to Anias, son of Blains the blacksmith, son of Craig the warrior of the Lykains  Along with Tam, foal of Diadim and Kryles, who pulled chariots in the old war. Breed of Scarlati and Milliant.

To be delivered into the hands of the gentle Princess Angevine Iantheia of the Castle of Harmony Wind, Winding.

From her dark cousin Princess Mirthyane Anthaina of Carentas Kingdom of the Fleet Footed Steeds.

Lost, in a bet brought on by too much beer, to  Mies the sure footed son of Fris, the wanderer and Kaytly his wife who scoured the hills in search of her lost love.

Read by Allens, the minstrel of the golden harp, son of Trey who sang with a golden voice.

Delivered to  Unknown

Reposted by Brey, a man of little words and little known family.

Run by Pant, the short runner, son of Shorhio

Given to Asmatha, the swift of foot, but short of breath.

Passed by ‘Otta breath, sorry I can’t run’, a bowlegged shepherd.

Goosey

As I start this out, I just want to say--Wahoo for beginning the editing process!!! We began this story oh about a hundred years ago.  The ending of the rough drafts was long in coming partly due to the very legitimate excuse of mischievous faeries.....

Without further ado, Let the editing begin!!!!