A young and aspiring writer. Currently a college freshman majoring in Literature & Civilizations, I am trying to write my first novel. This is a place for updates and excerpts for interested readers to check out. I love to talk, about a lot of things, so don't be afraid to drop something in my ask box or send me a message.
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In Search Of A Beta Reader!
Alright, so I’ve kicked into overdrive and have begun to work non-stop on my original story. It is a long, novel-length story, and I would like to have a beta reader (or multiple beta readers) to help me out.
It is a Young Adult Fantasy story with science fiction themes. It features a diverse cast and diverse locations as well, so if you’re looking for your not-so-average fantasy novel, then give this one a try.
What is it about?
When a young man and his friends travel to a nearby kingdom to request aid for their village, they unwittingly find themselves thrown into a mission that will lead them to places they’d never imagine. Never having left the comfort of their homeland until now, they find themselves on a path abundant with difficult choices, unanswered questions, and rough experiences. They say teamwork can overcome any obstacle, but what obstacle can be overcome when the team is divided against itself?
What am I looking for help with?
- Dialogue: I’ve had trouble before with dialogue. There are times when the person talking doesn’t sound like him/herself. I’d like the beta reader to be able to take note of this and inform me, so I can make any necessary changes.
- Description: I’ve had experience reading literary works in which there was more description than required. As a result, I tend to under describe. Though I’ve done my best to write the necessary amount of description, I’d still like to have someone review it and tell me if there’s anything they felt was too much or that needed more detail.
- Content: More specifically, plot holes. I want to make sure that I don’t write something and then find out that I forgot mention it previously in the story. I don’t want anything vital to the story occurring without a trail so it doesn’t magically appear out of nowhere.
- Pacing: I’ve had trouble with this story in which I’ve felt that the story moved either too slowly or quickly. Though I think I’ve fixed it this time, I want to hear what other people think so I can make any necessary changes or cuts.
If you can help me with one (or more) of these, then please drop a message in my ask box. I’m looking for interested beta readers who are willing to stick by this for the long run (3 chapters are up, and I predict there will be about 15 or so).
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Soujou: The Warring States →
A distant world, full of wonder and mystery, is subject to the choices taken by those who reside in it. One such exam…
Chapters One and Two of Soujou: The Warring States are available for reading on Wattpad.com! Check it out!
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Creating Your Protagonist (aimed at Fantasy writers)
[The first in a series of articles about writing characters - copied from my account on FictionPress]
Protagonist
The protagonist is the principle character in your story, the one the plot revolves around, the one the reader grows to love and cheer for, and, the one you need to know the most about. The protagonist doesn’t have to be the ‘good guy’ or have strong moral beliefs; rather he can be an anti-hero such as Han Solo (Star Wars), House (House M.D.), Mal (Firefly/Serenity), Tyrion (Game of Thrones) or Damon (The Vampire Diaries).
However there are difficulties in creating such a character and it is easy to venture into murky cardboard cut-out waters. A few wrong steps and you go from complex individual to one-dimensional idiot.
A very interesting read, and good for fantasy writers out there.
Source: alwayshellogoodbye
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Find Soujou Elsewhere!
Soujou: The Warring States is being simultaneously updated on three fronts. The first is this blog on tumblr.
However, it can also be found on Figment.com by following this link: http://figment.com/books/647093-Soujou-The-Warring-States
Additionally, you can also find the story on Wattpad! Just follow this link to find it: http://www.wattpad.com/17846524-soujou-the-warring-states#.UaWNNMpaQnA
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Soujou: The Warring States
Chapter 1: A Sign Of The Times
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“You are all my beta readers!”
Chapter 1 of Soujou: The Warring States is being reviewed, and shall be posted up later tonight. Prepare for a long read, and hopefully an enjoyable one as well. Comments and reviews will be welcome.
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The subject of why women don’t have quest narratives would require a work the length of the unabridged Pentagon Papers. The short answer is kind of a “duh.” Power and patriarchy can’t afford women the possibility of quest, because within these structures women are valued as agents of social preservation and not agents of social change. You can go on a quest to save your father, dress like a man and get discovered upon injury, get martyred and raped, but God forbid you go out the door just to see what’s out there. And these are the tales of rape and death that get handed down to us.
– Green Screen: The Lack of Female Road Narratives and Why it Matters (via existentialcrisisfactory)(via existentialcrisisfactory)
Source: theamericanreader.com
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Spilling The Ink
Location, Location, Location: Danthrum Island
A small island located in the Danshin Sea, just off the coast of Arany. Despite its small size, the island has the potential to become a thriving marine hub for incoming and outgoing ships.
Three distinct locations make up the contents of the island. Near the northern shore is Seasaint Village, home to a small community of tribal people who live by what the earth gives them. Surrounding that village is the Guinti Forest, a thick rainforest that covers most of the island. Deep within the forest, one can find the Dorunu Cave, a location mostly unexplored because of the difficulty of getting through the forest and finding the location.
The island receives large amount of rainfall every year, mostly due to its tropical rainforest. As with many tropical locations, this rainfall comes mostly in short bursts throughout the week, and graciously allows the inhabitants of the island to experience a plentiful amount of sun.
Meanwhile, the forest is separated into two sections: the central section and the west section. This separation is caused by the flow of the island’s rive that flows through it. The Susamajii River, which cuts through the forest and all the way to the other end of the island, has an immensely fierce flow and is considered a hazard. The river, though long, is not very wide, and when seen from above is hardly noticeable.
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Through The Rabbit Hole
Soujou Characters: Calum
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t see you there. What am I doing up in this tree? I like it. Nature’s quite nice, especially when you can understand what it’s telling you. Fine, I’ll come down, but only because I can tell that you want something.
So, what is it? How did I know you wanted something? I could hear it in your voice. You were slightly hesitant, curious, asking questions and such. If you didn’t want something from me, you wouldn’t be asking for this bit of small talk to turn into a conversation.
Get to know me? What’s there to know? I’m well aware I’m taller than you. How much taller depends on how close you are to 5’8”. Can I request that your questions be coherent, at the very least? ‘Cause you’re all over the place! I have no idea where this conversation is going.
My name is Calum. Calum. Cal-um! What are you, deaf or something? No, not death, deaf! Of course I need to scream, you’re not listening! What? The flowers? Ohmygod… This is becoming a pain already.
I don’t even know why I’m bothering to answer your questions… My parents? I don’t know. My mom died in an accident when I was about ten years old, and- Oh, I’m twenty-one at the moment. No, my dad didn’t die too… Well, that I know of. That bastard left me and my mother when I was about five years old, and I never did understand why. I don’t think my mom knew either. Anyway, I’m not sure what’s happened to him.
Oh, my amulet? What about it? Yes, that is an emerald. It was a gift from my village elder. You see, I found out that I had powers when I was pretty young. I didn’t know how to control them, though. I accidentally tore down my home. I would have died, but my mom managed to get me to safety before that happened. She never made it out, though. Even now I still feel like it was mostly my fault, so I don’t really like to use my powers.
No, I stopped using them after that. But, you know, it seems that talking with nature is a passive effect, and I can’t stop that. I can ignore it at times, sure, but I hear it quite often.
What am I going to do? You mean with my life, right? I’m not sure. I have a few leads that I can follow, but I’m not sure if those’ll get me anywhere. I might just follow my friends for a bit, and decide where to go from there. Who knows, maybe they’ll be needing me wherever it is they’ll be going.
What else could you possibly want to know?! Gah! You’re as annoying as you are deaf! What? Deaf-! I’m not doing this anymore. Good luck, goodbye, and hope you find a nice grave to not bother me in.”
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I’m starting to regret having gotten out of bed today… I’m sure my day would have been a lot less painful if I did.
– Abidemi, Soujou: The Warring States
