Monday, November 29, 2010

Covers for Cursed with Power

While waiting for someone from deviantart to make me a cover, I have attempted to make some of my own.  However, finding pictures to go with the storyline of Cursed with Power is more difficult than I can stress to you.
I'd appreciate opinions...
Personally I feel this one is too bright for the mood Cursed with Power automatically sets when you begin the book.  Right in the prologue Celestria tells of her troubles, and so I'm not sure how I feel about this cover.  The doubling of the image I did myself to have more of an effect.
Well, what can I say about this one so you won't laugh at me?  First off, the image only looks blurry because I've enlarged the size so you wouldn't have to be turning you head in every possible way to see what the heck this little cover looks like.  There's really no fantasy feel I get from this cover.  Yeah, it's dark.  Yeah, there's red.  Who cares?  I don't know about this either...

Since I'm in quite a disagreement with myself at the moment I'm keeping the cover as it is.
This probably looks better than all of them because someone else --Hexen--made it for me.  Nonetheless, I shall keep looking for something... If you have any opinions please share them with me.  Or if you rather tell me to stop even attempting to make a decent cover, then please use small words.  (Because you don't want to hurt my feelings, right?  *waits* Right? *sighs*)
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Celestria's Dreams

Today I thought I would post about the dreams Celestria has in Cursed with Power because beside them occurring often throughout the book, they actually have a lot more behind them then what there might seem.
I did not decide to have dreams involved in the storyline simply because I wanted to.  Oh no, my reasons went further than that.  Like Celestria, I rarely have dreams.  In the first chapter Celestria outright says that she is analyzing the dream she has just had because it's been years since she last had a dream.  However, there are times when certain events seem to spark dreams... or even nightmares.  Out of nowhere you wake up in the early morning and you wonder what just happened. This exact event happened to me only yesterday, the morning of Thanksgiving.  I woke up from a dream and I laid in my bed, staring at the ceiling, attempting to grasp what had just happened.
Celestria does much of the same, though I think we can all agree that the dreams she have are much more painful than any one person should have to deal with.  She dreams of her dead sister, Dyanna, and of her past lover, Adam.  As the story progresses, her dreams seem to advance as well.  They go from being simple memories to conversations she never recalls having.  Each time she has a dream she wakes up just as confused as before...
I woke up to find myself lying on the wooden floor.  My face was wet and as I raised my head from the ground I noticed something I had never seen before…a strand of golden hair was on the floor.
Sometimes I think I wonder as Celestria does.  Are dreams more than what they seem?  Is there significance in them that we are meant to grasp once we wake up?  Can they warn us, help us, scare us, torture us...?
Personally, I'd like to believe that a dream is more than a dream.  No matter what is about,  I think every dream --and nightmare, for that matter--has significance.  Of course, I doubt any of us care to ponder forever the true meaning of a mere dream.
Is a dream just a dream?
“Fear thy future, dear sister.  Much is to occur and thou cannot face it on thy own, for if thou dost there will be consequences… Consequences I assure you none of us want to see.” Dyanna whispered.  She began humming a song, but I could not comprehend what was occurring.  I was sobbing in front of three people who meant so much to me, and I had not yet considered how they had arrived here.  How were they in my room?  How were they here together?  Above all, what had happened to them?  The blood on Dyanna’s dress told a story of its own; however, I could not bear to look at it for any longer. 
Or maybe it is something more...
**The pictures featured in this post are not my own, but are pictures owned by users on deviantart.com Images are merely for your entertainment, and are not meant to represent Celestria --or any other characters mentioned.
The quotes that were featured within this post are from chapter 7 of Cursed with Power.  I have included them because they go with the context of this post and I do not believe in any way give away anything.*
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Chapter twelve....Without a Breath

Chapter 12 went public a day or two ago, but I held off on posting the update because I had thought I would finish chapter 13 soon after.  However, with Thanksgiving those plans changed.  Onto what the chapter is about.
Chapter 12...
Without a Breath
Celestria and Alaire set out to travel yet again, but soon they are faced with a new fear.  They must overcome the tension building up between them and ultimately at the end of the chapter Alaire's future is determined.  In this chapter he is only breaths away from his death.  Will he die?

EXCERPT FROM THE CHAPTER:
Annoyed, I said, “I have not forgotten anything, but I do think it strange when thou knowest everything I ask of thee.”
            Just as I stepped to walk out onto the road, Alaire grabbed hold of my arm. “Do not cry on my shoulder if this is what I receive in return.  Let me remind thee, I saved thy life as everyone else watched in horror.  Make no mistake, if thou continue on this way I shall not do that again.”
            The moment he let me go I began running on the road.  I did not stop until I realized how far I had gone without Alaire.  He did not deserve to be treated like a meaningless servant.  There was so much truth he spoke about me, as if he could read into my every thought.  As if he could look into every memory I had and reference to it.  Like he said, I had cried on his shoulder; there was no way I could deny that.

Now question it all because in a moment it could all....
End...for the worst.
Find out what happens next time you read Cursed with Power.  Keep watch on the blog for the update on chapter 13, which is coming soon.

"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Happy thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.  I want to thank every single one of you who are following this blog, whether you are doing so publicly or in secret.  I never imagined having a blog for the Magicians series --much less any series I would write--or that people would want to follow this blog.
I cannot thank you all enough.  It means a lot to me, and I try to keep the posts as interesting as possible.  I hope from this blog you have been able to connect with the book(s) in a new way from before.  I hope in the future this blog will turn into something more, but until then I am extremely grateful for the 22 followers there are of this blog.  Whether you're here because you've read Cursed with Power, because you love Leal, or simply because you liked the layout I hope you'll continue to follow this blog.

"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

A question for YOU

Whether you're someone who reads this blog in secret, stalks me, or reads Cursed with Power...
I want to hear back from you.  There are already a lot of features on this blog, but I want to continue to add more so you can interact with what goes on in this blog.  I'm curious what next you might like to be on the blog or be in "extras".  I've considered having a poll up about most/least favorite character in the book and then having the results given a the end of the week, but in order for this to work out best I would have to know that more than one person would participate.

Other than that there is nothing else that comes to me off the top of my head, so if you have ideas please comment or quite simply email me.
Hope to hear your thoughts!

"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Answering a question: "What was..."

Question: What was the very very first thing that got you started on the Magicians Series? What gave you the idea?
Asked by: Tessa Faith at Witty Writer

Thank you for the new question that is probably the greatest I've heard yet.  How in the world did I come up with this series?

Back in July of this year I was looking over past projects I had finished/was working on.  I realized as I was categorizing these --yeah, I had too much free time back then--that I only had one series: the Lights trilogy.  I started thinking about what kind of new series I could start because after I had finished The Magic of Light, I could not seem to find another book I could really put my full heart and soul into.
So I began thinking out ideas off the top of my head.  The first idea was a series based off of a short story of mine, River James: the Story, the Legend.  However, the idea of that series sounded almost too much like Indiana Jones because it was basically going to be about an archer who went around on adventures and whatnot.
Boring.
Then, there was this other idea.  I thought about how I've always been writing fantasy books that focus on the good magicians, the good princes, the good kings.  Always them as a main focus.  What if someone turned that around?  What if instead of the good magicians, there was a main focus on the Dark magicians?  This idea fascinated me, but it literally started like:
There are only five Dark magicians alive. This series focuses on their struggles....
And that was as far as I got.  While someone said I should do the series about River James, my heart was tugging me towards this other idea.  This fresh and twisted idea where Dark magicians were the focus and the people you've always hated in stories became the people you were actually concerned about.
It turns out that evolved into the Magicians series.  I guess if nothing else it was the scenes in The Magic of Light that focused on the Dark King that inspired me to have a series focused on the dark side of events.  Let's face, after all, the story is quite different when the villain is telling it from their point of view.

Thanks for your question, and as always I'm open to any others you have in the future.
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Alaire

Today I'll be talking about Alaire because quite honestly he's a character who came into Cursed with Power unexpectedly, and now it appears he'll be coming along for the journey.
Whether you've read the new chapters of Cursed with Power or not, hopefully you'll read this post and come away with knowing a bit more about Alaire.  However, his secrets are not going to be revealed.  Oh no, I leave that for him to do.

 Alaire Secler is a 29 year old man.  He's single, despite the inferences we can make that he is attractive --maybe even just as much as Leal.  The picture you see to your left actually became a rather large influencer of how Alaire's physical traits became determined.
In Cursed with Power, Celestria vividly describes him as such:
Alaire sat down in the grass, and gestured for me to sit beside him.  After a moment’s hesitation I sat down as well.  For the longest time we sat in silence, staring at each other.  His dark hair seemed cut so perfectly, as if someone had just done it for him yesterday.  As a breeze blew past us I realized I was watching his tunic wave in the wind.  For the first time I also noticed a necklace around his neck.  I attempted to see what it was, but in order to see any more of it I would have to lean closer to him.  The last thing I wanted to do was make it more obvious that I was observing him in great detail.
From the picture I was inspired to give Alaire's character a somewhat ironic addition.  A necklace of a cross...Though at first this would have seemed totally out of the ordinary for Alaire's character, I was soon able to weave it into him and before I knew it this the necklace became more than just an object around his neck.  It became something Celestria and the reader noticed and questioned. Is he a religious man?  Can he be wearing such a necklace when he has committed so many sins in his life?
The questions revolving around Alaire are many, but as you may have noticed Celestria seems more worried about finding Leal than discovering every secret of Alaire's.  And what she will not realize for a very long time is just how many dark secrets Alaire has and keeps to himself.

As I said at the beginning of the post, Alaire was not a character I had planned to place in Cursed with Power.  I knew he was a character that would eventually come into the series --since he's a Dark magician--but he was expected to come in The Secrets We Share, not at the start of the series.  However, there was a time in the book where Celestria was extremely close to death.  She was most certainly going to die, and there were only two options left: One, let her die or two, have someone save her.  Having already determined an end to the book, I did not want to kill Celestria off in chapter 7 of the book.  Instead I decided that someone new needed to come into the story and rescue her from a fate she herself could not escape alone.  Alaire ended up being this new character because Leal rescuing her seemed a bit too hopeful.
Now that Alaire is involved in the story with Celestria, I can definitely say many new changes to the plot are being made.  Whether Alaire is staying or no continues to be a factor I fret over every day and night.  Eventually there will come the chapter where I must decide what ending role he will have in the book.
For now, though, I can say with certainty that the ultimate role Alaire was chosen to play in the series was saving Celestria's life.  As for in the future of the book...there's no telling for now.

As Celestria has pointed out, there seems to be a lot Alaire knows about Leal --and so forth--that he does not willingly come forth with.  Keep Celestria's words in mind; she is foreshadowing a truth that will later on be discovered.
Something that was decided long ago --probably at the start of this series--was that Alaire and Leal both worked for Esmour.  Their true nature of missions and such have not yet been revealed, but in time it shall be.  In time their real personality will show, and perhaps even a darker side as well...

There's more to be discovered about Alaire.  What really happened with his wedding plans?  Why does he wear a cross?  Who is Esmour and what did Alaire do for him?  Why is Alaire so set on getting Celestria to admit her feelings for Leal?
Perhaps the most important question: Is Alaire the darkest person Celestria could know?
We worked together, and eventually we began to fight over everything.  Magic was pulling us further apart, and then she could not take anymore.  She said she hated the person I was becoming… She argued I was the darkest force in the world she knew.
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Chapter 10 and 11 update

Since I'm late with the update on chapter 10 and some of you have already read it, I decided tonight to combine an update so then you hear about chapter 10 and chapter 11.
Chapter 10: Shadow of Power
In chapter ten Celestria is closer to death then she ever has been before.  Now traveling with this new man's she met, she faces the greatest challenge of all.  It's evident: survival is key.  If they die, they lose everything they have ever worked for.
EXCERPT FROM THE CHAPTER:
The light was beginning to shine through my eyes, but I heard a man’s voice next to me.  Alaire was conquering a spell of some sort as well; the problem was I doubt either of us knew what we were trying to perform.  There was a screeching sound and then a gust of wind that blew past us.  I placed my hands down and could feel something wet below me.  When I glanced down I saw a river of water…black water.  The water moved towards Lena and Melodie, neither of which seemed to know what to do.  The thunder grew louder and a lighting bolt struck down, barely missing us.


Now onto the newest chapter...
Chapter 11: Encounter
In chapter eleven there is a simple question you must ask yourself: When can you deny what you see?  Celestria asks this same question when she once again encounters her dead sister, Dyanna.  Now, though, she is beginning to wonder whether these encounters are imaginary --something perhaps of her own making--or very much real.
What happened to Dyanna so long ago?

EXCERPT FROM THE CHAPTER:

The closer I got, the more blinding the light became.  When I could not see anything but the whiteness around me, I stopped and stood still.  In a moment the light faded away to focus solely on the woman in front of me.  She wore a dark green dress; the same dress she had worn the last time I had seen her.  Could it really be her?  Was she here?  Was I here or was this a dream, and I had never actually woken up from the fight?  Even that I doubted, though, because in past dreams I had never been able to speak or be heard.


Find out next time you read Cursed with Power.

The images used in this post are not mine.  All credit goes to the creators of these images, which were found on deviantart.com
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Answering a question: "Will Celestria..."

Question: Will Celestria be in any of the other books?
Asked by: Tessa Faith at Witty Writer


I realize there have been a lot of posts lately that seem to only focus on questions from followers of this blog, but please keep in mind that Nano and Cursed with Power being worked on together at the same time leaves me with few other options for post focuses.  I promise this will not remain the case.  After November ends there will be more variety of posts for certain.

Now, Tessa, to your question.  To be honest I feel I cannot entirely answer this question just let.  By answering it I would be giving a spoiler.  However, there's a bit I can tell you without giving anything away.
Primarily there is an ending to Cursed with Power that leads into the beginning of New Life.  While I cannot not know this is certain, I believe New Life will start off exactly where Cursed with Power ends.  Of course the difference will be that then the story will be told from Leal's point of view.

When you finish the book come back to this question.  Then, once New Life is public for you to read start reading it and you will definitely have your answer.  However, it will not be until you've read the entire series that you'll find out if Celestria is any book following Cursed with Power.

Thanks for the question, and I hope your curiosity will encourage others to ask what they seek to know more about relating to the book(s) and the series.
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Watch the trailer

I know it took me a really long time to finally start and finish the trailer, but here it is at last.  I will be posting this on the page for Cursed with Power as well.  Hope you enjoy it; I spent two hours on it so trust me this worth you wasting 3 minutes on.
The song is "The Last Night" by Skillet.  The main song changed to this because I was listening to this song and decided it really went along with the story well.
Enjoy!

"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Chapter nine...Three Days Later

Chapter 9 was actually uploaded several days ago, but it took me a while to find the time to write up the updates.  If you are on the mailing list you already received an update.  Here's a blurb about the chapter for those of you who aren't on the mailing list --for reasons I cannot understand.

There is a lot that occurs in chapter 9, and it's hard to explain the chapter without giving away a spoiler of some kind.  Therefore, instead I shall let you read an excerpt from the chapter.  This way you'll be interested in reading more of the book and nothing will be given away.
Excerpt:
Closing my eyes, I could not understand what was happening.  Next I heard Aldemund scream in agony and then there was the sound of running.  I dared to open my eyes, but everything around me continued to look blurry.  A man was kneeling beside me; I could not recognize him, and my failing vision did not help me get a better look at him.  He spoke words to me, but I could not understand him.  Either he was not speaking Romanian or all of the senses in my body were ceasing to work, but it did not matter.  In a minute the world went dark around me.  The darkness was almost unbearable…
I understand for some of you it was painful to read chapter 8 because there was a cliffhanger at the end --so to speak.  If you have not read the new chapter I urge you to do so while the events from chapter 8 are clear in your mind.
Read the book.  Remember that the ranking is currently 400, and in case you don't know it was in the 380s last week.  Please help with the ranking.
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Answering a question: "Will the..."

Question: Will the five books be in chronological order? Will characters in say the third book mention things that happen in Cursed with Power?
Asked by: Tessa Faith at Witty Writer

Hi again Tessa.  Your question today I think is significant, whether others care to realize this or no.  I never actually thought anyone would think to ask this, so I think that really shows a lot about you since you did.  Great curiosity you've got.

The books are in chronological order.  I promise it's nothing like Star Wars where you learn about Luke and A New Hope is the first movie but then years later it's like "Actually Anakin was before Luke so technically his story comes first, even though his was after..." (And I'm not trying to insult Star Wars in any way; I'm a fan, not a hater.) So while there may be flashbacks to events in the past, each book moves the story further along.
References to events that occurred in Cursed with Power is definitely something you should expect in the following books.  Being as Cursed with Power is the first book in the series it has a tremendous effect on the other four books.  I think it also gives the readers a look into what to expect and what to seek out in the next several books.

Hope that answers your questions.  Thanks once again, and if you run across more questions as you read please post them.
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Answering a question: "Do you know..."

Question: Do you know how many chapter Cursed with Power will have? Are all the books going to have the same amount of chapters?
Asked by: Tessa Faith at Witty Writer


Thanks for the many questions, Tessa.  While I've been caught up in writing, Nanoing, working, and etc. etc. I promise I will answer all of your questions.
I was actually not surprised by this question of yours because Covertkat (on inkpop) asked me this as well.  All the same, I'm fine with answering this on the blog since I have not already.
The amount of chapters for Cursed with Power really depends on how the book goes.  I'm roughly approximating to have 24 chapters in total, but keep in mind there could be more or less depending on if I need to add more or do not have anything necessary to add.
As for the amount of chapters for the other four books... I highly doubt they will have the same amount of chapters.  While I have not begun thinking about how many chapters for the following books in the series, I can tell you know it'd merely be a coincidence if any of them had similar amounts of chapters.  With series there is also always the factor of how the books grow.  Some books in the series may be longer than others and vice versa.

Once again I appreciate your questions and interest.  If more questions come to you, you know where to ask them. Hopefully others *cough cough the other followers* *hint hint* *wink wink* will be inspired by your curiosity.
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Answering a question: "Will all..."

Question: Will all of the books be written in first person?
Asked by: Tessa Faith at Witty Writer

Thanks for another great question, Tessa.  As I told you, this gives me something to focus my post about instead of debating forever about what next I should mention that anyone will want to hear about.
Yes, all of the books in the Magicians series will be written in first person.  I chose to do this because I think -or I'm hoping, rather--this will have a greater effect on the readers.  It also allows the readers to get into the minds or each Dark magician separately.  Besides that, I personally feel with each book being in first person it makes it feel more real and allows the readers to get close to the narrator --that being the Dark magician(s).

Glad to hear your questions, as always, and I hope from your many questions other people will consider asking a question.  Remember, everyone, you can ask anything on "ask a question" and since there aren't too many questions as of yet I answer your questions in a timely response.
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Chapter eight... Doomed

CHAPTER EIGHT
DOOMED
I realize it took me an extremely long time to finish chapter eight, and I can only apologize for this.  While nano and my job should seem like good enough excuses, I also have myself to blame because once I got far into this chapter it actually got really interesting to the point where I wasn’t writing it in my journal, but I was typing away like a mad woman.
Let’s get on with what the chapter is about, though.  And remember, while there are no spoilers I will let you read a sneak peek so you can get a feel for the chapter before you even read it.
(Please note that chapter eight is entirely different from what it was like in the original first version of Cursed with Power.  If you read the original version, please read this new one because it has significantly changed.)
In chapter eight Celestria walks about on the streets and thinks about a decision she made.  As she is walking she meets a man, Aldemund.  He begins questioning her because of the staff she carries; he also, strangely enough, knows her name.  Who is he?  How does he know her?

Excerpt from the chapter: Instant pain shot through me, and I did not need to look to know what had happened.  He was burning my skin, and if I did not stop him I would surely die.  While I screamed in agony I cursed him, but despite my conditions I was able to think. 

Will Celestria survive?  Who is this man she meets?  And what causes her pain in this chapter…so much pain to perhaps even “doom” her?  Find out when next you read Cursed with Power.

"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Falling Behind

I realize and regret that I've fallen rather behind my usual schedule, and I know that blaming NaNoWriMo wouldn't exactly cover it.  All the same, I thought I'd post before I retire tonight to tell you about how chapter eight is coming along --in case you were wondering and/or possibly cared.

I rewrote chapter eight three times today.  I tried to type it and nothing came to me, so then I started writing it out in one of the journals I have for Cursed with Power and it worked...sort of.

I know what needs to happen in this chapter and the scene is playing out in my head.  The problem is getting the right words on paper.  The problem is not giving up even if I feel like what I'm writing is crap.  So I truly must thank those of you who praise my work to no end because without you I'd have more reasons to give up all together.

Hopefully chapter eight will be up by tomorrow.
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Adam: He loves her...he love her not...

I cannot stay in town.  There's much that troubles me now, and I'd rather be away from thee while I think on all of this.
...
He walked away from me and never once looked back, though I wanted him to.
...
Two years ago
handsomeThroughout Cursed with Power Celestria and the reader questions Adam, her former lover.  There is so very little we know about him, yet one question stands out more than any others.  Does he love her?
Today's post revolves around Adam.  I shall go into a little about how his character came about, the relationship between he and Celestria, and several other matters.

Adam is not an extraordinary name for the late 1500s.  It was actually rather common, which was therefore my reason behind choosing this name for Celestria's former lover.  New conflict was automatically brought into the book since Adam was an ordinary guy without any powers, any magic, any great amount of wealth, and etc.
With Adam being an ordinary man, it seemed only reasonable that Celestria would feel she couldn't tell him about her magic.  After all it's not as if she's a good magician.  She had a choice to tell him she had Dark magic or to remain as she was.  She chose the second option, as you know.  So then why did she write a letter to Adam?  Why the moment the story began did she want to write to a man who left her?
There was something powerful about that letter by having Celestria write it to Adam.  No one realizes it at first, but as others have agreed Celestria makes it sound like she is going to meet her end.  As if any day now she will meet the fate which will kill her, and she thinks to tell Adam this.  She clearly makes it seem as if she has gotten over him; as if she has moved on, yet he appears in her dreams.  She thinks back to him and remembers the bitter memories.  Two years have gone by and neither have contacted each other.  In dreams, flashbacks, memories, and thoughts it is unclear.  Does Adam love her anymore?  Can he not accept her for who she is?
While Adam isn't someone Celestria is going to forget, it is also significant how Celestria sees Leal and relates him back to Adam.  They are compared until at last she sees a major contrast between the two men.  However, her feelings toward Leal do not change.  She continues to fear she will fall in love with Leal, and she believes if that happens she will have her heart broken yet again.
He walked away from her two ywears ago...Will he ever return?  Does he love her?  Will we ever know and if so when?  If we find out will we like what occurs?  Should Celestria want Adam back?  Should she stay away from Leal to remain loyal to Adam, or is her heart trying to reach out to someone new?
Keep these questions in mind while you read.
I realized something he had done as no other man in my life.  When Adam had left he had never once looked back...and Leal had.
...
You like him more than you admit...
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Where is chapter 8?

Celestria: I thought chapter eight was going to be finished yesterday?

Me *sighs*: Yeah, about that...

Celestria: Well... I'm waiting...

Me: Nano takes up a lot of my time during the night hours.  Lately I've only been able to write for Cursed with Power during school.

Celestria: You think these excuses are reasonable?

Me: Maybe....or maybe not...

It's no surprise that chapter eight is unlikely to go up tonight because most nights I am typing away for Nano.  I apologize for this being the case, but be it as it may I ask for you to be patient and understanding.
Since no one likes long waits I will try to blog with interesting posts.  Of course, that's in hope that what I post is actually interesting.
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Answering a question: "When do..."

Question: When do you think you will be finished with Cursed with Power?  Do you have a deadline?
Asked by: Tessa Faith at Witty Writer

Hi again Tessa, thanks for your question because I am certain there are others out there who are just as curious as you to know what kind of deadlines I have set for myself.
Before showing you the actual deadlines I have set for the book, I first want to explain that this is based off of the fact that I finished the first 8 chapters in one month.  This is a vague set of deadlines I have set for my self:
By the end of November... finish another 8 additional chapters.  16 chapters total.


By the end of December... finish another 8 additional chapters.  24 chapters total.


By the end of January... finish another 8 additional chapters. 32 chapters total.


By the end of February... finish any necessary additional chapters to end the book. Begin editing. Post official summary to New Life.


By the end of March... continue editing through the book. Write query letter and synopsis.


By the end of April: continue with editing; begin mailing literary agents.  Present book at Student Learning Conference (if accepted)


By end of May... continue editing and mailing agents.


By end of June... continue editing and mailing agents.


As you can see while this is a very brief outline of deadlines I am hoping to meet, it is both reasonable and *hopefully* accurate.  Once I post the official summary of New Life in February I plan to begin outlining for that book.  I have not come up with deadlines for New Life yet obviously, but if you'd be curious in seeing them as they come along I am more than willing to share.  If you cannot wait for New Life --who can wait?--then I can add you to the mailing list.  A release date of the summary I will be announcing on both of my blogs as soon as I know a date I will be posting it.
I am aware that in my deadlines I say I will be editing the book every month after I finish it, but this is because while once I finish it I can start mailing agents I know there are revisions that the book needs.

Thanks once again for your questions, and if you have more you know where to ask.  I hope others of you will ask any questions you have as they arise.  I look forward to one day sharing this book with you in a new way --as in hello I would very much love for it to be published.
"There's a lot that I want." He said. He smirked as he said it like he knew he was pushing my patience.