So, I'm trying a new format, the video blog. At the moment, I'm not planning to upload to YouTube, although in the future, as I get more confident, I will.

On Mary Sue: Interpersonal Relationships

While this particular section could also have been referred to as popularity, I find 'interpersonal relationships' lends itself better to the topic.

When people talk about Mary Sue, they use phrases such as "everyone loves her" and "all the (appropriate gender) were attracted to her".

A Thought on Names

My Elven book contains names that I created at the age of 13. Why am I keeping them? Because they fit the characters and can be outlandish enough to be considered Elven names.

The thing is some of my characters have outlandishly long names that are generally saved for formal or 'you're in trouble' moments.

Take the MC and his twin brother.

Trebonistanthilis and Kristonistanthilis

Similar names, identical appearances what's the catch?

They use short names.

Trebon and Kris

Although I didn't realize it at first, as I get to know Trebon specifically I've come to realize that their short names actually say a lot about them.

Trebon, the somewhat speciesist (like racist but with species) younger brother
Kris, the more open minded (in this instance) older brother

Trebon doesn't shorten his name to 'Trey', which he could. I don't remember why originally, but it makes sense now. Trebon grew up in an isolated, nomadic warrior society that puts a lot of emphasis on purity of birth, strong traditions and faith. Kris, while also isolated, was raised with tutors who left him open to the concept that he shares his world with Humans and they aren't all bad.

Later on, Trebon does take on the name 'Trey' for the purpose of hiding. (Long story, Gods and Magic involved) but at the time he does that he also is spending a great deal of time amongst Humans and learning to understand and respect them. He doesn't think of himself as 'Trey', but he's not so snaptastic about being called 'Trey' as he was in the beginning.

Kris, on the other hand, could have used Kriston, but he doesn't. He uses Kris. (Point in fact 'Kriston' was the nickname used by his ultimate namesake before the deconstruction of Elven society occurred) Kris never really had an issue with Humans because he's been raised that way.

It's all in the names, and I never actually realized it. It's why the brothers have names like Kenilias (Ken), Kerilias (Kerry) and Rubelation (Rube), and Trebon's guards are Andalon (Andy) but the other Cailiyan might occasionally be called Cai, he doesn't have a short name he prefers.

I could go into other names and what they say about their characters. (Blog of an Ex-Teenage Superhero comes to mind especially or even AKBF) but I'd rather not since I haven't put as much development into the Blog or AKBF yet that went into the Elven Story.

Camp NaNo August 2012

On day two of this most interesting challenge, to write 50,000 words in 30 days, I find myself in good position. I have already written over 5,000 words and I think I'm going to write so more in a few minutes. I'm working on Warrior's Rage, which I also called the Elven Fic.

I've decided for NaNo to write this particular rough draft because if ever there was a story I knew front to back and side to side, it's this one.

I also decided to just tell the stupid story as I see fit and I can fix it in the next draft.

Which is why scene (chapter?) 1 is written in a completely different form of pov than scene 2. I intend to just write this, learn about the characters and make notes on my plot ideas as I go along. I have eighteen scenes to write, which means I need to strive for between 2500 and 2750 words per to achieve the stated goal.

I anticipate more to go into the story after I've written the pivotal scenes.

Not to mention I really haven't figured out what they spend fifty years studying at the sequestered palace. I know they don't start studying riding until age 40, and weapons at age 45, but what about earlier? I picture Elves developing through baby/toddler/childhood at the same rate as a Human child, but to then mature through adolescence on the long track.

I'm using Scrivner to work all that out, and I fully intend to use it to organize the drafts later, when I'm in the revisions, so that I can see what I started with, what I've changed, and where I need to go.

Honestly, I think Scrivener is going to be an awesome assistant to writing this novel just because I can stop, write out some thought or idea, and then go back to writing without going crazy. I prefer to write the novel itself in Word at this time, but that's just a personal preference.

I'm sure as I become more adjusted to using Scrivener I'll actually use it more, but the editing features in Word are, at the moment, far superior to Scrivener

Always on my mind

Setting aside the childrens' books, it's a week away from the beginning of Camp NaNoWriMo the August edition.

Originally, I was going to write Highband Honor the sequel to A Killer Best Friend, but I'm not. I've decided to bring up an old but good story, Warrior's Rage. I keep trying to write this story, it's been fifteen years, you'd think I'd have a passable rough draft at least.

We'll see if I can hammer out Warrior's Rage for August. Then it'll be a toss up of "Finish Gemini" "Finigh Highband Honor" and "Write King's Peace" for NaNoWriMo. I'll probably do a combo of all three, now that I think of it.

It's amazing how my writing tends to become so sporadic when it comes to original fic. I guess it's because it's not as instant gratification as fanfiction. Oh well. I'll keep adding words, maybe, some day, I'll get the groove figured out.

Until then.