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.

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.

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.

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.

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
Throughout 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.

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.

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.