84,726 words.
And that's the PLOT written.
Now I go back to the very start and write the STORY. The story is different from the plot. The plot is everything that has to happen at certain points— the plot is the writer inflicting his will on the book. The story, however, is how we get to the plot. The story is what drives the characters forward. The story is what captivates US, the reader.
Naturally, there's a whole heap of overlap between the two. A lot of the time, plot is story and story is plot. But not ALL the time. And for this one, the war book, I needed to get the plot hammered into shape before I start to lather on the story.
Now I get to spend time with Val and her family. Now I get to write about Scapegrace and Thrasher. Now I get to have fun and make jokes.
If there's one thing I don't want, is to have a less-funny Skulduggery book. I like it when they're funny. The danger, as Val gets older and the books get darker, is that they lose their humour. I haven't read the first few books in a while, but I'd imagine there are a lot more jokes per page in the early ones than the later ones. I expected this, but there is still a certain ratio I have to keep. Even though you Minions respond to the emotional beats of these stories as they get more mature, no one is really wishing for a joke-free book, are they? Where's the fun in that? So now I go back and make sure that no matter how grim things get (and they DO get grim) or how dire the situation becomes (and it DOES become dire), we have enough jokes and laughing-in-the-face-of-death to see us through the darkness and out the other side.
1st!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I'm finally first, woo :D Just saw 'Derek posted 18 seconds ago'. Well, hello Derek, and hell everyone soon to come!
ReplyDeleteDEREK!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're awesome Derek! This just makes me even more excited for the book! I can't wait for September! :D
ReplyDeleteNOw i can actually start typing measired cmments that aren't in a frantic rush :P I'm so excited for the book :D GIVE US JOKES. WHO IS SKULDUGGERY WITHOUT JOKES?!
ReplyDeleteHe's trying to hide on Twitter!!!! Sneaky little Irishman isnt he?
ReplyDeleteSCAPEGRACE AND THRASHER, DEREK, STOP TAUNTING ME I AM DESPERATE FOR THOSE TWO, YES YES YES
ReplyDeleteHey Zafira and Arcanine :)
ReplyDeleteHey Zafira and Arcanine :)
ReplyDeleteHeya I owe Derek a slap or a hug idk whichever comes first
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to add in some cute Valkyrie and Skulduggery moments, too! That's what cheers me up after a really intense chapter.
ReplyDeleteAlso, question: how did the files and elder journals survive the explosion in Dark Days?
Hi! :)
ReplyDeleteHunt him on Twitter the coward is hiding from his Bloglandians
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Also, that is a LOT of words of plot...
ReplyDelete*cheers you on*
*seconds Moonie's reminder of cute Val & Skul moments*
*not that it needs to be reminded, really*
But yeah, I like the jokes. I like the plots, too, but I'm easy to please. Sometimes anyway. Jokes are good, in any case, although nothing beats a Val&Skul moment full of heartbreaking feelings.
OMG
ReplyDeleteCAN I JUST HAVE THIS BOOK NOW?!
PLUS, WHAT IS THE TITLE?!
YOU SAID YOU WOULD REVEAL IT THIS MONTH!!
OMG
ReplyDeleteCAN I JUST HAVE THIS BOOK NOW?!
PLUS, WHAT IS THE TITLE?!
YOU SAID YOU WOULD REVEAL IT THIS MONTH!!
DEREK DON'T HIDE FROM YOUR BLOGLANDIANS, O LORD OF GRACIOUS GLORY.
ReplyDeleteBad Zaf! Calling Derek a coward is bad...
ReplyDeleteEh and odds are I'm safe
*explodes Ireland*
Oh, I double posted. WHOOPS
ReplyDeleteZAF! BAD! Mara on fire now. *scowls* *tries to extinguish fire*
ReplyDeleteKilling me is too good....what the hell can he do?
ReplyDeleteReplace you in the book... *grins*
ReplyDeleteDerek, O Gracious Lord of Lords and Lordiness and Lordships... Talk to your gracious Bloglandians, O Lord! *bows*
ReplyDeleteMy god! That much comments? I wish, I could be that famous!!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDERREK!! WHERE IS THE TITLE?? :'(
ReplyDelete*funniest
ReplyDelete*The
God dammit, Derek! PLEASE O LORD COME ONLINE! *bows* *grovels* *bow-grovels*
ReplyDelete*grovel-bows* XD
ReplyDelete*scowls*
ReplyDeleteOw. No. No scowling. Scowling hurt Mara's head.
*hums I Should've Kissed You*
ReplyDelete...DEREK AS A B-DAY PRESENT TO ME (it's Friday, *coughcoughnudgenudgewinkwink* COULD YOU RELEASE THE TITLE? PLEASE?
ReplyDelete:(
ReplyDeleteHeadaches STINK.
HOLY MOTHER OF NANDOS DEREK.
ReplyDeletePLEEEEEEEEASE?!?!??
*curtsy-bow-grovels*
HI EFLAME!
ReplyDeleteHeadaches do stink. *nods*
ReplyDelete*hums along with Star*
Hey EFlame! XD
ReplyDeleteYES DEREK. FOR EFLAME'S BIRTHDAY.
I must say one of the ones I found funniest was KotW...KotW and Mortal Coil were my favourites. I think Mortal Coil had all but one of my favourites. For me I think the first and Death Bringer brought the least laughs on most recent read around, but rereads aren't always as affective as the first time, and I can't remember the funny factor from the original read around.
ReplyDeleteDear Lord, I cannot wait for the next book :D I think the thing that drew me into the series and makes me really love it now was there was a perfect mix of humour and thrill/danger. The right ratio between the two carried on throughout each one :)...also the characters. They're fun.
Hellooooo everyone!
ReplyDeleteHey B-J! :)
ReplyDeleteDD and DB were my favourite for quotes and funny stuffs :P
Hi Willow VS!
ReplyDeleteHi Willow S, if you're still here! :)
DEREKKKKKKKKKKKKKK I DELETED MY COMMENT SAYING:
ReplyDeleteYAY, FUNNINESS!
But don't worry, KOTW was plenty funny and Death Bringer was one of the funniest. The sparrow flies south for winter, omgg. :)
Hi Mara!
ReplyDeleteYou can call me just Von if you want Mara, it seems to be easier for people to just use that
ReplyDeleteKotW was really funny... *nods*
ReplyDeleteI thought TEOTW was pretty good as well :)
Okay Von :)
ReplyDeleteSchool in a day... *le sigh*
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I'll still be sick... *frowns* I hope not.
there must be jokes... and humor, it is what sets these amazing stories apart. It makes them real and alive, along with the mix of action and plot. I love skulduggery and Val's interaction in the most dire moments , but there is always the laugh.
ReplyDeleteLucky for me, Monday is a holiday for us ^^
ReplyDeleteI do like it when they are funny! :D
ReplyDeleteSo excited for the new book, can't wait.
Also looking forward to Wednesday, only 4 more days until I come and see your talk at the Imagine Festival. YAY!!!
Derek come talk?
ReplyDeletePlease?
I promise I'll... I don't know...
I'll promise I'll do something!
Asdfghjkl
ReplyDeleteHELLO!
LUCKY VON! :O
ReplyDeleteHiya Kallie! :)
Hi Mel! :)
ReplyDeleteEVERYBODY DO THE FLOP.!.
ReplyDeleteIm hyper!!!!!!
Hey Mel, and yup lucky me.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I'm thinking if I should go to Ireland or not this summer, I'm going to Germany, but not too sure about Ireland.
Gosh, Witty is so annoying right now.
ReplyDeleteDerek, please come and chat to us? Before I get so dizzy I can't even read the comments?
ReplyDeleteI might have a lot of typos, my head is spinning...
DEREK DeREk TALK TO US please?
ReplyDeleteATTACK HIM ON TWITTER!
ReplyDeleteIs Derek even still online? I'm surprised nobody has slapped me yet for not joining in the begging.
ReplyDeleteOOOH a plot. I like this a lot. I love the jokes - it's the only book that actually makes me laugh out loud and get weird looks from my own mother.
ReplyDeleteIn school my teacher said to me that I havent did much that period and that I was going backwards and without even thinking I said no sir, Im simply advancing in reverse...and surprisingly I didnt get in trouble...
ReplyDeleteLol, nice come back Mel
ReplyDeleteRobin, plots aren't that good. I prefer the old winging it technique.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin :)
ReplyDeletelol Mel! XD I woud've loved to see that!
*would've
ReplyDeleteDamn headaches! *is annoyed*
I'm always like that Mel. I love joking with them. One of my teacher's asked me if 'I could look any more despondent' I inquired whether he had been 'reading the dictionary in his spare time again'.
ReplyDeletePLOTS ARE GREAT.
ReplyDeleteStories loose it after a while if there's no plot.
*nods* i agree robin.
ReplyDeleteAnd Mara take pain meds!
I took medicine... Thanks Von :)
ReplyDeleteYeah and I asked my english teacher about it and she said to me "3 things, the first is that you got of very lightly when you said that, secondly thats a clever play on words and thirdly you have been reading too much skulduggery pleasant"
ReplyDeleteI stared at her like O.o and then I smiled and she said to me, thats what being an english teacher does for you...and now shes my favorite teacher ever. But now she asks me questions in the middle of lessons like some boys were talking about cars and she said to me in front of everyone "I bet you would prefer to have the canary car" and everyone else was like wha??? And all I could say was "That would just bring me more closer to living in a world with skulduggery"
Im told Im very witty, but thats like saying to me do you want to ride in the tardis ? Of course Im going to say yes!
Sometimes I think theres too many muggles in this world...
I'm playing pokemon Pokemon Black, like cos I got my cousin's DS charger :P
ReplyDeletei already like your personality Mel xP
ReplyDeleteomg, Pokemon!
I'm playing pokemon black too O.O
ReplyDeleteWhy thankyou! I personelly like being this sarcastic, its very satisfying :)
ReplyDeletewho doesn't like being sarcastic, hehe. I tend to be sarcastic myself without being rude :p
ReplyDeleteAnd why does everyone like Pokemon black, I like the white version
I liked the white pokemon better. Reshiram. So I got black :)
ReplyDeleteOmg Thrashgrace :3
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for book 8's title!
IT'S ELEVEN O CLOCK DS. THAT IS EVENING.
ReplyDeleteI like Zekrom a lot better
ReplyDeleteI don't use it. I just think Reshiram is prettier *grins* Girl logic.
ReplyDeleteReshiram may be prettier, but Zekrom looks more....intimidating, I guess is the word
ReplyDeleteI suddenly really like the Sims 3... *thinks*
ReplyDeleteI made a Mara and a Harry! THEY'RE GRTTING MARRIED! :3 Harralie ftw!!!!
Haha, I just caught a drifblim :3
ReplyDeleteAnd I used Reshiram in a battle. Just to win, y'know!
And I don't even know where I am, or how far I've gone..
Have I defeated the elite four?
*goes to check*
*getting
ReplyDeletehttp://willowstorm.blogspot.ie/2013/02/ive-been-thinking-about-this-for-awhile.html
ReplyDeleteKind of important.. Well, it depends, really..
I defeated the Elite Four once. Gotta do it again.
ReplyDeleteI've been through the whole game already, been meaning to buy Black version 2 but I'm procrastinating on it :p
ReplyDeleteWhat is it Willow?
ReplyDeleteFinally figured out route eighteen. Ew. So long.
ReplyDeleteSince when is GRASS TYPES effective on Solrock???
ReplyDeleteNo. *sobs*
I wanted that Solrock.
*just killed a Solrock*
Hooray! Scapegrace is my favourite character.
ReplyDeleteWillow... :( *hugs*
ReplyDelete*just killed a Golbat too :(*
ReplyDeleteA Tangela!
ReplyDeleteI need to train but it's so boring.
ReplyDeleteGet that Tangela!
ReplyDeleteROBIN, I HATE YOU ;-;
ReplyDeleteWhere are you at, Robin?
ReplyDeleteI caught the Tangela!
ReplyDeleteWoot!
I want a Solrock though :(
Thanks for being sure of that, Derek. I was kind of feeling like KOTW was a little too serious, even though I loved it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, we need to discuss Ireland! March 28th through April 6th.
I think I'm going to go... I just feel really depressed and sick and upset right now...
ReplyDeleteNight everyone... I might be back later... *hugs everyone*
Hope you feel better Mara! *hugs* Goodnight
ReplyDeleteI have a solrock!
ReplyDeleteWhose "we" Val?
I'M SCARED TO FINISH THIS BOOK ;-;
ReplyDeleteLuciana - Why do you hate me?
ReplyDeleteSomewhere Flame... xD Opelucid City.
TOBIAS AND TRIS
ReplyDeleteAND CALEB
AND CHRISTINA AND WILL
AND AL
AND ;-;
I'm scared to finish reading this book.
I'm at someplace *shrugs*
ReplyDeleteA SHELLDER.
No thanks.
Ahahaha Divergent *grins*
ReplyDeleteYou're on a roll Flame with those Pokemon
ReplyDelete*shrugs*
ReplyDeleteHave I done the elite four...?
Hm.
THIS IS NOT OKAY
ReplyDeleteI MEAN, I WORKED OUT MOST OF THE PLOT AGES AGO, BUT THIS IS NOT OKAY ;-;
they're too perfect and awh :'(
Sometimes I wonder if coming here was a mistake...
ReplyDeleteI mean, I love you all and I've had amazing times here, but... Ever since last year, everything's been downhill for me. All my friends are leaving me. Most on the internet. I must've cried my eyes out so many times... My mother even knows how upset I was about Kes...
I don't know what to do anymore... Maybe I should go back to being a silent reader instead... :/
I thought you said you did defeat the elite four
ReplyDeleteWillow, the "we" is Derek and I.
ReplyDelete*raises hand* I won't just leave you out of the blue Mara! I hate doing that to people, it's rude, and just plain cruel
ReplyDeleteOhhhh haha I thought we were referring to someone else on here, silly me
ReplyDeleteLuciana - Are you readin Divergent, or Insurgent?
ReplyDeleteMara - Don't leave. You are genuinely one of my favourite people here.
ReplyDeleteI g2g :(
ReplyDeleteI found another Solrock!
Mara - e-mail, now.
ReplyDeleteDIVERGENT. I MIGHT NOT BE ALLOWED INSURGENT ;-;
Meh, I'll risk getting grounded and try to buy it on the same day as I buy KotW NPB:')
I caught it too :D
ReplyDeleteBye Flame, and yay you finally caught it :3
ReplyDeletei'm so looking forward to the new book *-* i just LOVE your jokes :D can you please not kill many of the nice charakters? that would be nice :)
ReplyDeleteGood job Flame.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Insurgent has a killer ending. It's not as good as Divergent though. But the number of people that die hurts. Especially WHO dies.
Im going to the magical land where everyone sleeps to bye bye!
ReplyDeleteWho knew - Derek CAN speak the language of literature wisdom.
ReplyDeleteHi by the way
ReplyDeleteBye Mel
ReplyDeleteHi Cal
ReplyDeleteHi and bye to whoever it's appropriate.
ReplyDeleteAM I GOING TO CRY AT THAT, TOO!? ;-;
ReplyDeletesorry for disappearing, I wanted bread and butter. Idek why, I just did. Probably because Divergent reminds me of HG. AND I THINK I PREFER FOUR TO PEETA, BUT I'M NOT SURE. maybe equals. Uhm. Idk.
TOO MANY FEELS ;-;
Idiots screaming at a party across the street.
ReplyDeleteAnd now an actual scream. Well damn.
ReplyDeleteThey must be partying hard. I have neighbors who sometimes get drunk and it's funny listening to them singing all at a different tune
ReplyDeleteWait hysterical laughter. We're good.
ReplyDeleteThey're all my age. And some of them are stumbling out of that house drunk. I can hear someone throwing up.
ReplyDeleteHaha, if I were their I would definitely be laughing
ReplyDeleteMore screaming. A girl again.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of boys there. Nasty boys. Proud drug dealers and thieves. It's gotta be the ummm girls who have bad reputations with them.
The music is so God damn loud.
ReplyDeleteYay humour.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is a lot of plot words...
No there's a guy shouting. And another. I can hear the girl too. The dog is going nuts. Maybe I should go over there...
ReplyDeleteOn second thoughts no.
ReplyDeleteHi Zath!
ReplyDeleteWell, given its 1 in the afternoon here, no partying is going on anywhere near....
ReplyDeleteMidnight.
ReplyDeleteIt's midnight here... xD
ReplyDeleteya, if you went over there...well giving them the element of surprise wold be a no-no
ReplyDeleteI'M TERRIFIED TO READ THE LAST FIFTY PAGES
ReplyDeletehELP
*snorts* I'm not worried about me.
ReplyDeleteI just don't think it would be a good idea. I don't want to get involved with them. Besides, I think they're okay. It wasn't fear or pain screaming, I don't think. They sound different to me, any one else?
Luciana - You're right. You should be.
ReplyDeleteNo Luci, continue!
ReplyDeletewell it's up to you then
It's dying down now. I think midnight was chuck out time.
ReplyDeleteStop it! Stop it! Stop writing so fast!
ReplyDeleteI mean, carry on. Keep writing, but slow down, just a little bit, maybe? Not so much as to set you back, not so much that it becomes selfish of me, but... I need time to catch up!
I STILL didn't manage to get hold of KOTW!
Do you see what you've done? Now I know that Scapegrace and Thrasher both survive book Seven. Do you see?!
Otherwise, Wonderful, sir! I look forward to your every word (especially the jokes and laughing-in-the-face-of-death). Good day.
Must go! Ta-ta!
ReplyDeleteBye robin
ReplyDeleteHey guys
ReplyDeleteEvening all...
ReplyDeleteI'm back once again... In bed. Meant to be well asleep. Oh well.
ReplyDeletehello eden
ReplyDeleteyup Mara, I hate those nights
Hey em
ReplyDeleteHey Willow.
ReplyDeleteMsd.
ReplyDeleteHi Em, Von and Eden. *nods in greeting*
Von - Don't you just?
* nods back *
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteare you new on here eden? or is it you just hardly come on?
ReplyDeleteI always listen to classical symphonic music and it usually helps me fall asleep
I'm not new it's just I haven't been on in a week because I've been spending a lot of time with my family over midterm.
ReplyDeleteI don't seem to have met you either willow.
Well that explains it. Well, it's always nice to meet new bloglandians!
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go to sleep now...
ReplyDeleteNight everyone :) *hugs everyone*
*falls asleep*
Night Mara.
ReplyDeleteGoodnight Mara :)
ReplyDelete... I love air.
ReplyDeleteMe two.
ReplyDelete*Too
ReplyDeleteDamn autocorrect,
" why did you even change it to that !"
The air around me tastes like yogurt. How bout you?
ReplyDeleteI think in the past the grim moments have always been lifted by jokes. It's made me feel less serious about myself. More concerned.
ReplyDeleteKOTW did have less jokes than Death Bringer.
Hey guys! I'm in Florida vacationing at the moment- just wanted to leave a note that my superawesomenerdfighter best friend/sister is playing around with the coding on MC to make it more awesome, so if you go on it right now, it's going to look messy- just warning. Also, I'm bringing in another character tonight... *evil laugh*
ReplyDeleteMine smells like dust and deodorant,
ReplyDeleteYou think it would've bad but it's actually very nice and soothing.
The air around me smells like sun, trees, and fruity perfume. It's fantastic!
ReplyDeleteIm gonna explode Derek....
ReplyDeleteNO! DON'T EXPLODE DEREK! WE NEED HIM TO WRITE MORE BOOKS FOR US!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Derek, good to hear from you again!
ReplyDeleteYou know what always has facinated me? Is how you CAN actually maintain the balance between grim and dire and laughing-in-the-face-of-death humour. You can pull it off really well.
What am I saying? Of course you can.
You're Derek Landy.
Anyway, always good to hear from you. I'm thrilled with the progress of this book. I'm desperate for a good book, given that my library is temporarily closed... :'(
I'm glad to hear that Scapegrace adn Thrasher are included. What would we do without our favourite zombies...? (Well, now they're kinda... alive... sort of.)
Thank you for posting Derek! :D
I HAVE A VERY CANDOR SORT OF URGE, RIGHT NOW, TO TELL SOMEONE THE TRUTH
ReplyDeleteThat I hate them.
Omg, Divergent made me laugh, cry, awh, laugh some more, grin like a lunatic and has made me rock in a corner because feels
YOU ALL NEED TO GO READ IT
And fall in love with the perfection that is Four.
I HAVE A VERY CANDOR SORT OF URGE, RIGHT NOW, TO TELL SOMEONE THE TRUTH
ReplyDeleteThat I hate them.
Omg, Divergent made me laugh, cry, awh, laugh some more, grin like a lunatic and has made me rock in a corner because feels
YOU ALL NEED TO GO READ IT
And fall in love with the perfection that is Four.
Okay.
ReplyDeleteHe legit ignored me...BECKY knew I was there that little
ReplyDelete*glares at Derek*
SOMEONE LET ME HAVE DR. PEPPER
ReplyDeleteI'LL BE UP ALL NIGHT NOW, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Hello to whoever is on
ReplyDeleteHahaha, nice, Luci!
ReplyDeleteHey, Willow! I am here!
NEW MC CHAPTER!!!!
ALSO- IT HAS A NEW THEME AND IT'S REALLY SUPER AWESOME SO YOU SHOULD ALL GO AND CHECK IT OUT!!!
I shall definitely check it out before I go to sleep
ReplyDelete*Jumps up and down* omg omg yay! I'm being accepted back into krav maga to finish training :DD
YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!! *throws confetti* PARTY!!
ReplyDeleteI would throw a party for it! I know I've messed up my knee but i'm not one to give up so easily and thankfully my instructor is letting me start off at the level I was, and he said if I'm still interested I can also be an instructor their after my training! *throws confetti with you*
ReplyDeleteI actually checked it out and nobody realitvly close teaches it by me
ReplyDeleteOne good influence Derek has on me I can't do
YAY THAT'S SO GREAT, WILLOW!!! I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!
ReplyDeleteHey. Hey Zaf. Hey ZAf. You should read the new MC chapter. It's really really awesome. *nods* Yes, it should be read.
Like nobody even read my last one
ReplyDeleteOh no
ReplyDeleteMINEO
ReplyDeleteI read it!!!
ReplyDelete