Saturday, February 4, 2012

Writing Books. And Haywire.

So much to do, so little time...

You may have noticed a distinct lack of updates since, er, the last post. This is MOSTLY because I was knocked off the internet for a few days, which allowed me to focus on writing. The latest book is going well, you'll be pleased to hear. Still don't know what it's called, but I'm sure it'll come to me, and it'll be typically brilliant.

I'm writing this one in sequence, which is unusual for me. Usually I'll skip forward and back, writing the cool stuff and then fitting it all together later, like a jigsaw. But this one is different. This one, I started with the first chapter and just kept going. I'm leaving gaps as I go- maybe I'll write half a chapter and move on, or maybe I'll just write the dialogue in a scene and add in the actions somewhere down the line. It means I'm moving quickly, getting down the CORE of the story as I go. Assuming I continue like this, it means that when I'm done I'll have the bare essentials of the book written, and I'll just need to go back and flesh everything out.

I'm not sure why, after six books, I've suddenly changed my approach. Possibly because there really is no more room for error. I only have three books left, and everything has to be set up and in place. I need to be a lot more disciplined in my storytelling or else I'll get to the final book and realise I've forgotten to mention something in an earlier book, and it'll ruin EVERYTHING...

My mind is basically on Skulduggery and nothing else at the moment. When I'm driving, I'm thinking about plot. The moment I wake up, I'm thinking about scenes. Publication is September 1st (or thereabouts) and I really don't have any time to waste.

A few days ago I was in the car, thinking about books 8 and 9, and I realised something MAJOR. Something HUMUNGOUS. I'm not saying if this story development is fantastically fun or utterly devastating, but it'll happen somewhere in Book 8- probably around the middle. And this is a development that wasn't in my overall scheme of things. When I planned these books, this development did not happen. But now, because of the slight changes and shifts that come with writing any book, I realised that this development was essential. I know this is all a gigantic tease to you, my Minions, because I'm talking about something you won't get to read about until 2013, but dear GOD I can't wait to write it. Oh wow it's gonna be brilliant. But I can't tell you what it is. Sorry.



And that's pretty much all I've been doing. Oh, I went to see Haywire the other day. Haywire is a spy/action movie, some of which was filmed in Dublin, and it stars Gina Carano, a UFC fighter. It's an odd movie, very low key, very non-flashy. I absolutely loved it. And I have a new crush, bringing my Crushes on Actresses to a grand total of two.

1. Alexis Bledel.

2. Gina Carano.

That's a very exclusive list right there. They both should be honoured to be on it.

If you're over 15 (or whatever rating your country has seen fit to bestow onto Haywire) go watch it. Don't expect explosions and car chases, and you might like it as much as I did.

4,772 comments:

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Sparky Braginski said...

1st.

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Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Hey guess what? Me and sparky are married!!!

Gepard Valk said...

Okay, everyone's here. But I gots to go! Byes!!

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

U

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

*hides axe*

Penguin MAN!

Geez how could they mistake me for a man!

I mean. I'm sorry about what nearly happened to you brother

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Bye Gep.

Alyson said...

Does anyone know how to shade black on black?

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

How do you refresh this thing?

Robin Snowscar said...

Stupid machinery

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

ahhh

Gepard Valk said...

Press ctrl+r duh

Sparky Braginski said...

Robin.

E-mail.

Alyson said...

It's okay. I mean it was in wales so... well you know... That place is infested with penguin men.

Robin Snowscar said...

Ah Sparky what is Flame going on about?

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Thank Gep :)

Robin Snowscar said...

Right okay!

Sparky Braginski said...

ROBIN.

E-MAIL.

*looks pleadingly*

Valice said...

Have to go! Bye!

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Byee Valice!

Robin Snowscar said...

I'm there Sparky.

Flame you aren't blog married.

Robin Snowscar said...

Bye

Sparky Braginski said...

See ya round Valice.

Sparky Braginski said...

Bye Valice.

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Yep, we are.

Robin Snowscar said...

No, you aren't.

Sparky?

Sparky Braginski said...

*hides behind Robin*

Do something.

Sparky Braginski said...

You think I want this?

Robin Snowscar said...

Precisely.

Flame don't make me hurt you *evil glare*

Sparky Braginski said...

...

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

I have no idea whats going on but it's amusing :P

Alyson said...

You should have seen them earlier.

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*shakes head* that can't be...

Two marriages!??

Agh.

Kinghog said...

It's snowing here too!
I love snow

Sparky Braginski said...

Flame, please stop.

I REALLY don't want this.

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Aggggghhh..

Sparky my love...

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Wohhooo snow! *watches the weirdness*

Alyson said...

why is there snow every where but my house?

Kinghog said...

Is it just me or are all coments being deleted?

Robin Snowscar said...

*tackles Flame*

*pins him on the ground*

*smacks him in the face*

You are obviously delusional

Sparky Braginski said...

Thanks Robin.

I gotta go.

BYE!!!

Robin Snowscar said...

*waves whilst sitting on Flame*

Bye

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Yes, younger delusional to think I'd Marry that.

*points to sparky*

Kinghog said...

Well it depends on what country you are in
Eg I'm English and so about waist height in it

Robin Snowscar said...

That is not nice *smacks again*

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

I'm also english but way down south so its not gotten really heavy yet but it's still quite heavy

Robin Snowscar said...

Kinghog - I'm in England we barely have an inch

Alyson said...

I'm English too. But i'm in Cornwall so all I'm getting is rain. :(

Kinghog said...

I'm not delusional...

...I have taken my tablets today.

Alyson said...

It's all we ever get.

Robin Snowscar said...

Same Nicolette am in South-East

Kinghog said...

Well I live on a hill and I'm quite short.
:p

nights.raven said...

i gtg
cya later!

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

She said that earlier!!

Alyson said...

Did any of you see Sherlock?

Kinghog said...

Lol look at the light its so flashy.....

He he he he he he he he he.

Robin Snowscar said...

Bye

Robin Snowscar said...

DEREK - I love that picture so much. I want to know now. WHAT HAPPENS that wasn't originally going to? Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell meeeee *pleading*

*finds dignity* Oh there it is
*walks away*

Now Flame, say sorry to Sparky and you can get up

Kinghog said...

Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe.
I should stop now.

Kinghog said...

But I won't!
Hehehehehehehehehehehheeehehehheheehehehehehehehhehehheheheheh!
*has seiezier and dies*

Robin Snowscar said...

*mutters* Stupid robotic piece of crud

Alyson said...

Oh... Kinghog's dead again.

Robin Snowscar said...

Okay *still sitting on Flame*

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*rolls over so I'm sitting on Robin*

That backfired on you.

NOW say sorry to me and you can get up.

Alyson said...

Look Flame, Sparky didn't even consent to the marriage so it couldn't have been passed. Therefore, you were never and will never be married to Sparky.

Robin Snowscar said...

*rolls over agin*

*pins arms with knees*

Now you can't do anything

*sits on torso*

Ha

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Alyson, I know that, jeez, I was only messing with sparky.

Robin Snowscar said...

Yup, now say sorry.

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*kicks legs*

*sighs as his body goes like a carpet and she falls off*

Haha.

Alyson said...

If you know that, then say sorry.

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*puts Robin on her stomach and ties her in chains*

Unbreakable chains.

*now, where's sparky?*

Robin Snowscar said...

You made your body go like a carpet?

Robin Snowscar said...

You cheat an awful lot.

Robin Snowscar said...

Sparky?
My lips are sealed
Unless you say sorry!

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Yep. I'm flexible. *raise both eyebrows repeatedly*

And you know the ones where you pull it and the whole thing ripples? Like that.

Robin Snowscar said...

*awkwardly gets self into sitting position*

Alyson said...

I've gtg. I hope you sort out your marital issues.

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

I cheat? I'm the one smart enough, to do that.


And your lips are sealed?

Robin Snowscar said...

Ah, well. I'm a Sworn and as such incapable of turning myself into anything.

Robin Snowscar said...

Yep
I'm not revealing Sparky's whereabouts

Robin Snowscar said...

Bye Alyson

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*creates a dome of electric lasery cage around Robin^

That will fry you.

Robin Snowscar said...

*nods* Okay

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Bye alyson.


And sparky is in email. I know where she is, DUH!

Robin Snowscar said...

Then why ask? Even though it's not entirely accurate but half true I suppose

Robin Snowscar said...
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Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Why where is she?

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

You may as well say cos well I have the upper hand here...

Robin Snowscar said...

*raises eyebrow* Like I said, my lips are sealed

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*glues them*

Well now they are.

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Sparky dedicate this page.

Robin Snowscar said...

*smiles evilly*

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*decides to ask someone to marry them*'


Searches in blogland.

Robin Snowscar said...

*patiently waiting to be rescued or killed*

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*only finds Robin*

You shall marry that tree.

*shows her tree*

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

aww a tree how romantic :P

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

don't know how you'll get that tree into a tuxedo but there you go :P

Robin Snowscar said...

I'm going to be dead soon and he will be all alone! Poor tree

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

And nic?

Yu shall marry that stone.

*shows her stone*

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

See im the perfect matchmaker...

Robin Snowscar said...

Flame, can I get out of these chains now?

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

Byee guys! Be on tommoroow after 9pm :)

Robin Snowscar said...

Bye Nic

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Nope. And your mouth is sealed with glue.


Do you Robin take Mr.... Terrance Tree to be your lawfully wedded tree husband?

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

ByEZErS

Nicole Fudge (Nicolette Croga) said...

aw coolio! *places stone on her window sill* I'll marry him in the mornin'

Night you two!

Robin Snowscar said...

(My lips are sealed bozo)

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Night!

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*tells Ribin to nod*

Holly said...

I spoke to a relatively successful (how do you measure this stuff?) published author today at my Creative Writing course, and we talked a bit about Public Lending Rights/ the money you get when your books are taken out. Do you get PLR, Derek? Also, that film sounds interesting, I'll have to try and check it out. Have you read 'Warm Bodies'? It's a zombie book - and at the same time the only feel-good book I'll ever recommend.

Robin Snowscar said...

*nods*

Holly said...

*Taken out of a library.

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Hey holly!!

Howre you?

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

So, terrance do you take Robin to be your wife?

*terrance the tree sway*

I'll take that as a yes.

*tree walks to Robin*

*can't pass through cage and gets turned to ash instantly.*

Oops.

Robin Snowscar said...

I'm a widow
*grin*
Shame

*chains fall off*
Oops

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*gasps*

Wha-

How?

Robin Snowscar said...
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Robin Snowscar said...

*innocent look*
They must be defective. *Looks at electric shield.*
That might be more difficult

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*summons chains*

*wraps them around waist again*

They are certainly not.


And if you mange this, I'll fall in love with you all over again..

Robin Snowscar said...

Oh God. Suppose I best not even try then. But Flame, I really don't like chains

Sparky Braginski said...

Am I still married to Flame?

Holly said...

I'm great thanks, Flame! I'm currently trying to write a speech to be performed in a few days - eek- but I think I might just have to give up and go to bed. I have a driving lesson tomorrow and loaaaaaads of work to do... :<
You?

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*shrugs*
knew you'd say that, exactly why I said what I said..


Tounge twister/ riddle of the century!!!

Robin Snowscar said...

No Sparky.

Sparky Braginski said...

I dedicate this page to Robin Snowscar.

Sparky Braginski said...

Great.

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Hope not,

And I'm ok holly. I have two exes here tonight...

Sparky and Robin. *grins*

*ties Sparky up and throws her into another cage*

Hmoh.

Robin Snowscar said...

Thank you Sparky :D

Now, he has me tied up in chains with an electric fence thing round it, little help?

Robin Snowscar said...

Or not.

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

No cos, I tied her up and put her into one!

I love to be evil.

Robin Snowscar said...

Sparky, can you knock down this electric thing from where you're at?

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

It has no substance it is just lasers, electric lasers.

Robin Snowscar said...

*shrugs* still electric

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

And those chains? Magic binding...

Robin Snowscar said...

Haha, you let me worry about that. Magic binding has nothing on the Sworn

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*cough*

So who is in charge?

*cough*.

Who outsmarted both of you?

*cough*

And who is the new leader of blogland?

*cough*

Yes that's right I am. ;)

Sparky Braginski said...

STOP SPAZZING INTERNET!

Robin Snowscar said...
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Sparky Braginski said...

*burns ropes with electricity, then taps my cage*

*it shuts down and I walk out*

*I shut down Robin's cage and we stand in front of Flame, looking incredibly scary*

I'll go for the face.

Robin Snowscar said...
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Sparky Braginski said...

TEAMWORK!

*high fives Robin*

Robin Snowscar said...

HAHA

I told you chains don't work Flame!

Robin Snowscar said...

*high fives*

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

You know.

The thing is. I have two armies of my fire warriors surrounding you both.

Sparky Braginski said...

*punches Flame's nose, breaking it for the third time today, grabs his hair and brings his head into my knee*

Robin Snowscar said...

*sets Flame on fire, making sure it won't hurt Sparky*

Sparky Braginski said...

WHO'S IN CHARGE NOW FLAME?

*kneels to the ground and slams fist into the floor, throwing everything except me and Robin(who jumped at the right moment) off their feet*

Anything else, punk?

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*armies close in on Sparky and Robin*

Robin Snowscar said...

*sends warriors up in Flame too*
That all?

Incandesence said...

Hey guys whats go-

*sees the crazy fighting*

Oh.

*turns and runs*

Sparky Braginski said...

*kicks Flame were it hurts and smiles as he falls to the ground*

TeeHee.

*super innocent 'aren't-I-adorable' face*

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Ha, kill them, they duplicate.

Sorry didn't mention that, did I?


Incan! Long tine no see!

Robin Snowscar said...

*giggles*

Incandesence said...

HI Phoenix! I would give you a hug, but you appear to be locked in combat. :)

Sparky Braginski said...

I may be a bit on and off, I'm writing...

Robin Snowscar said...

*sits on the floor*

*sends wave of energy through them*

*they all burn to a crisp*

Duplicated ashes? *stil*

I thought not

Sparky Braginski said...

INCAN!

Help us.

*smiles evilly and grabs one of the soldiers heads*

*continues smiling as his head explodes*

Anyone else want to have a go?

*grins as the rest of the army runs away*

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*grabs Sparky and throws her into lake*

Ops.

*grabs robin and throws her into forest full of spiders*

*spins and starts exploding bits of blogland randomly, hitting Robin and Sparky.*
BOOM!

Robin Snowscar said...

Okay Sparky

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*grabs Sparky and throws her into lake*

Ops.

*grabs robin and throws her into forest full of spiders*

*spins and starts exploding bits of blogland randomly, hitting Robin and Sparky.*
BOOM!

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*grabs Sparky and throws her into lake*

Ops.

*grabs robin and throws her into forest full of spiders*

*spins and starts exploding bits of blogland randomly, hitting Robin and Sparky.*
BOOM!

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*grabs Sparky and throws her into lake*

Ops.

*grabs robin and throws her into forest full of spiders*

*spins and starts exploding bits of blogland randomly, hitting Robin and Sparky.*
BOOM!

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*grabs Sparky and throws her into lake*

Ops.

*grabs robin and throws her into forest full of spiders*

*spins and starts exploding bits of blogland randomly, hitting Robin and Sparky.*
BOOM!

Robin Snowscar said...

*commands spider army to attack Flame* They follow me
*CHARGE*

Incandesence said...
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Sparky Braginski said...

*trudges out of lake and bear hugs Flame*

When I shock myself, it really is quite painful.

*shocks self, and laughs as the current flows into Flame*

If I let go, you'll be burnt to a crisp, how about that?

*lets go and smiles at Flame's screams*

Robin Snowscar said...
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Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*stabs sliders*

*kicks Robins neck to the side, breaking it*

Sparky Braginski said...

*calls Kenspeckle, who heals Robin*

Robin Snowscar said...

*spine realines*
*shrugs*
*stabs Flame with sword*

*chucks energy ball in Sparky's direction* - tap it it'll dry you off

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*sends waves if shadows over both sparky and me*


*we tumble over cliff*

*sparky falls onto rocks, and I transport back*

Robin Snowscar said...

Kenspeckle *meltdown* :'(

Robin Snowscar said...

*tackles Flame over a cliff*

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

Oh, thought Kensoeckle was dead?



*slices Robin in half*

You're dead now. You cannot join back in.

*turns back to sparky*

Now... REG

Sparky Braginski said...

*weakly touches energy ball, which not only dries me, but carries me up the cliff*

Hello again!

*beams*

*picks up Flame, shackles him in unbreakable magic-binding cuffs that hurt his wrists because they're too tight and throws him over the cliff*

Sparky Braginski said...

*gets Kenspeckle to fix Robin*

And now she can fight again!

Robin Snowscar said...

You've been dead four times over mister.

Besides there is only one way to kill a Sworn and that's not it.

Robin Snowscar said...

Admittedy I'd need to be mended *nods at Kenspeckle*

Robin Snowscar said...

The energy's are good huh? Talk about what is says on the tin

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

*kicks key from sparky's hand*

Unlocks shackles.

*falls into sea happily*

*doesn't come back up.*

Robin Snowscar said...
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Sparky Braginski said...

*looks at Flame's exit*

Am I supposed to care about that?

Robin Snowscar said...

The water, clever boy.

Flame Phoenix (Fawkes)~roleplaying said...

I have to go now. Bye InCan *hugs*

We must catch up.

*shakes head at the other two*

*jabs them with poison before he leaves.*

Byezers.

Sparky Braginski said...
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Sparky Braginski said...

*ignores poison*

Robin Snowscar said...

Neither of us can go in the water.

Besides his disappearance is a retreat

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