Glancing back at old Blog entries, I happened to notice that on December 23rd of 2012 I had 13,320 words of LSODM written. This was a good thing to notice. It means that, with 18,504 words of Book 9 already spewed forth onto the page/screen, I am well ahead of where I was last year — and I finished LSODM in PLENTY of time, did I not?
Well, actually, no, I didn't. It was pretty much down to the wire, as they say. I couldn't afford to make ANY mistakes with LSODM, because I had no time to do anything resembling a significant rewrite. But at least I know it can be done. At least I know I can do it. Now all I have to do is hope I DO do it.
Pressure pressure pressure... It's everywhere. I don't actually mind pressure. It's a handy tool to make you sit down and write, after all. And I have no one to blame for these onrushing deadlines but me, because I'm the one who agreed to them in the first place. I'm the one who said "Hey, let's collect all the short stories, and I'll write a few more brand new ones, and we can publish in the summer before the final book!" And what a wonderful idea that was. What a magical, wonderful idea, to schedule the writing of short stories at the same time as I've scheduled the writing of a book. How clever that was.
I had wanted to include ten new stories in the collection. I STILL want to do ten — but the fact is, I might not be able to. I may only be able to do five. I want to tell a tale of the Dead Men during the war. I want to tell the tale of Billy-Ray Sanguine and what he did when he was recovering from the sword-wound that Valkyrie inflicted on him in The Faceless Ones. I want to show you how Val met Caelan for the first time. But most of all, I want to go back to Skulduggery and Valkyrie, back before the screaming and the killing and the darkness. I want to see them having fun again, before the death and the destruction and the heartache and the loss. The collection will be out mere months before the final book, after all... I want you to enter into Book 9, fully aware of how good it used to be between them.
And then I want to shatter what remains of your souls.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
4,974 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 3601 – 3800 of 4974 Newer› Newest»(*is still slow clapping*
. . . Damn. I can't stop slow clapping.)
*Priya greedily takes the bag, and smiles*
*She bows to Precocious*
(Kyaa! It is my evil friend Mr. Ioux!
*waves cheerily*)
((**IOUX :l
FABNI
Oh my goodness that was horrid English...))
Er . . .
*bows back*
*strolls down the street*
*quietly munching on cotton candy*
(I will have to leave in about an hour, I'm afraid.)
(Oh my god)
*She jumps easily into a tree and follows Doctor*
*doesn't notice Priya in the tree*
*is too busy looking at shops on the side of the road*
*looking for something new to occupy herself with*
*she eats some of her cotton candy*
*spots Sir below her*
*She falls from the tree onto Sir's back*
Greetings, Ms. Fabienne.
I apologize for having made you exclaim, Ms. Dark.
May I suggest glue, Ms. Barnosky?
*decides to seek out an establishment that shall scrub the one-second view out of his mind*
((No, it was just ridiculously funny, Sir :P))
*she stays there, lowering her head, beginning to cry as all the apparitions laugh, jeer, and scream at her*
*She feels torn*
(Hm. Glue would certainly work. Although then I would be unable to type, and would thus deprive y'all of my magnificent self.)
((Ioux: Hello, Ms. Precocious/Barnosky.))
Effie: You're weird.
Ioux: I suppose I am something of an oddity. I am also holding a completely operational firearm, Ms. Double. Would you care to make any more comments about me?
Effie: No, I think weird sums it up.
Liz: Would you mind giving my amulet back?
Ioux: [Blinks] You asked nicely.
Liz: Well, you are holding a gun.
Ioux: Fair enough. Where is Ms. Chelsea? [Effie cracks up at the fact that Liz's gun is a 'Ms.'] I had thought that you would have brought it out by now.
Liz: Well, pointing a gun at you before wasn't really effective, was it?
Ioux: [Low chuckle] No.
#ChaseForBook9
((Type with your nose. I've done it before*
seb yiuib justbgo liekbn tyhs
Translation: See you just go like this
Oh my gods I need to stop doing homework I can't think properly..))
((Guns))
*Priya begins to play with Sir's hair/scales*
*immediately begins grabbing at the fiend on his back*
Unhand me at once! I have large spheres to roll at abstract representations of the unimaginable horror I just saw!
*she munches on cotton candy*
*Priya clings to his back like a monkey*
*sees a clothing store*
*looks down at her own impeccable lab coat*
. . . No.
*sees a Mexican restaurant*
Definitely not.
*sees a sporting goods store*
No.
*Walmart*
No.
*a "Gentleman's Club"*
Oh God no.
*a stationary shop*
No . . .
*sighs dejectedly*
*leans against a lamp post*
*hears loud shouting*
What the-
*she strokes Sir's scales.hair curiously*
...
*stops, and sighs*
I suppose, at the very least, you are not attempting to murder me.
I think you are the first to do so today. Except those at the. ..
*shudders*
*walks toward the shouting*
Hullo?
Priya?
*rounds the corner*
*sees Sir and Priya*
. . .
*raises an eyebrow*
*Priya invisibly laughs* *she nods, happy that someone enjoys her company*
*looks at Precocious*
*tosses a crushed paper to her*
*it reads: YOU hAD YOUR CHANCe*
...
*sees the good Doctor*
Ah, greetings.
*reads the note*
Oh, hardy har har.
*tucks the note in her pocket*
You're dreadful company for cotton-candy-eating. Though you ARE a good listener.
*smiles at Sir*
Hullo! Haven't seen you in a while. I trust you're recovering well?
*the nails dissipate, and she smacks against the floor* *:)3 lies there, feeling hopeless* *she cries*
Effie: Hello, this is Bob. [Pulls out a sword] Bob is much more civilized than a gun. Duel?
Ioux: I believe Ms. Herald has more interest in this case than you. I would prefer to deal with her.
Effie: What? Fabi was my student, not hers. And if by "deal with" you mean kill, then, um, no.
Liz: [Whispers something into Effie's ear]
Effie: You're an idiot. An idiot. [Punches Liz]
Liz: [Doesn't back away or block] [Her nose starts bleeding]
Ioux: [Smiles cheerfully] Would you like a handkerchief, Ms. Herald?
Effie: He needs to die.
Liz: [Nods grimly]
Ioux: I apologize, have I done something socially unacceptable? Is it considered unsanitary to use another person's handkerchief nowadays? If so, I apologize profusely. I would hardly believe such a mistake worthy of the death penalty, however, and I'm sure any court of law would agree.
#ChaseForBook9
...
*blinks*
Oh, yes. Indeed.
*Priya rolls her eyes*
*she wields a twig to fend Doctor off from her and Sir*
(*smiles happily*
Ioux!)
*she
((Fabi, I love your character banter! It's amazing!!))
*raises her hands*
*looks bemused*
Really, now. What do you think I'm going to do, attack you?
(Tragically, I must go in exactly 37 minutes.)
*Priya looks at the twig* *She bares her teeth*
*sighs*
(I AM here though I think I shall give up on Nic coming)
((Quite tragic. I may have to suddenly egress as well. ))
*sighs*
Back-person, it is fine, there is no need to act as such.
Yes, yes, what he said.
*she glares, sign-language-ing the word "Priya"*
*she sighs, knowing that no one will understand* *she goes back to clinging*
((If it helps, Ari did say that she would be back after nightfall))
*notices the sign-language*
*shrugs*
Need any help there, Sir?
*she clings tighter to Sir, thinking that Doctor is going to make her leave*
(Its BEEN nightfall....so yeah no biggie I'm watching Deathly Hallows prt 2
((For future reference, Ms. Dark, the term is usually 'signing'))
*does not see Ms. Priya, as she is atop his back*
Er, no thank you, my good Doctor.
... So, my good Doctor. I was just searching for a bowling alley. If the woman on my back agrees, would you care to join me?
(I'll be forced to depart in 26 minutes, however . . .)
*beams*
I thought you'd never ask!
( Thank you for that. I appear to be lacking common sense this evening.))
*Priya nods*
(If we needed to, I hope we could continue it next time we're online together.)
(I'm nor trying to be nasty I'm just saying I'm just occupying myself elsewhere but lurking)
((It is fine, Ms. Dark. ))
*nods satisfactorily*
Wonderful, then. The only problem is that... Well, I do not exactly know of many bowling alleys in this area...
*laughs silently*
((Of course, Ms. Barnosky. ))
Ah. That would be problematic.
*sighs*
I don't know of any in town either, though I think there are a few on the other end of Blogland.
Perhaps we ought to do it another day. When we've actually found a bowling alley.
*snaps her fingers firmly*
Yes, yes, that's it!
. . . As long as it's within the next ten days, of course.
*swallows*
I don't intend to drop dead before going bowling with you, thank you very much.
(Sure thing!))
*she pauses, the signs the letters of her name over Sir's shoulder so that he can see it*
*Priya glances at Precocious before signing wildly*
*looks discouraged* *writes a note*
It reads: There's always a third choice
*raises eyebrows at Priya*
I beg your pardon?
*tucks hands in her pockets*
*blinks, his eyes darting between Ms. Priya's fingers and the good Doctor*
...
Firstly, that sounds very wise, my good Doctor.
Secondly, what the devil is a Priya?
*tucks that paper away and pulls out a third one*
*She draws two parallel lines, with a space between them. She draws a one next to the top line, a two in the space, and a three by the bottom line*
*Three lines. The third is not always seen*
It's a little floating weightless woman who likes cotton candy and jumping on people's backs.
Apparently.
*she smacks Sir upside the head* *she signs "me"*
*she chews thoughtfully on her cotton candy, nodding in agreement*
*looks at Priya's latest paper*
. . .
*chuckles*
... Ah.
*rubs the back of his head*
*Priya looks hurt, because she genuinely was proud of her representation*
*she nods*
*she signs to Sir again "thank you. What is your name?"
*sighs wearily*
Well . . . it was good to see you, Sir, at any rate.
And don't forget about the bowling!
*starts to walk away*
*stops*
*looks back*
Sir?
*she signs* "What am I, chopped liver?"
Er, my name?
*pauses for a few seconds*
Right, here, I am Sir Reingington.
*nods*
*shifts his gaze to the good Doctor*
Yes, my good Doctor?
As it turns out, you CAN'T serve pineapple upside-down cake right-side up.
*tuts in mock disapproval*
You let me down, Sir, you let me down.
*laughs and walks away, pulling out the keys to her van*
*she gives him a thumbs up* *hugs*
...
*watches her depart*
*and sighs, in the same tone as last time*
I still have no idea what the devil that is.
*Adra stares up at the sky quietly, in a pool of her own cold blood* *she shivers*
((Thanks, Adra! [hugs]))
((Yes, Ioux. I must admit, when I created the villain, I did not intend for him to be so likeable. I almost don't want to kill him now.))
((Sorry I poofed, dinner))
Effie: Uh, kidnapping is socially unacceptable.
Liz: So is poisoning.
Ioux: And thievery. Would you be so kind as to return my tracker?
Effie: Tracker? What tracker?
Liz: The little gadget that opens the box, and other stuff. I think a fire-breathing duck has it.
Ioux: Don't lie to me. You got out of there somehow.
Effie: So if he doesn't have it...
Liz: I don't know! [Anxiously runs fingers through hair]
Ioux: Ladies, I assure you that you're brilliantly deceitful liars. Had I not observed the slight bulge in Ms. Double's pocket, I almost would have believed you.
Effie: Uh... [Reaches into her pocket and pulls out a half-sandwich]
Ioux: I see.
#ChaseForBook9
(Goodbye, my friends, I must depart.
*raises a hand in the air in a solemn farewell*)
*sighs* Who else is here that I know?
Meritorious: everyone else would be dead. If he hates you enough it'll be months until he kills you
*Waves to her other friend, Doctor*
*she draws a strangely accurate sketch of an upside-down cake* *passes it over Sir's shoulder to him*
(And, Fabi, if you kill of Mr. Ioux, I'm afraid both Precocious and myself must have strong words with you.)
((Spoilers, Fabi!
*hugs Anni* Bye lovey!)
(*off)
Good bye, Ms. Barnosky.
Now then, Ms. Priya. I have many things to do, and so I would appreciate it if you left my shoulders. I need to find a different way of scrubbing my mind.
((Bye Anni! [waves]))
((Heh... Can't promise.))
((Oh. Sorry...))
#ChaseForBook9
*she clings tighter* *she tries to speak, to show how much she doesn't want her new friend to leave, but can't.* *she cries, frustrated*
((*bows* And I thank you, Fabi))
*she carefully takes a second bite of her cotton candy*
Alexis: *paces outside the treehouse*
...
*sighs*
Ms. Priya, do you wish to go bowling with the good Doctor and I?
*realizes that Sir most likely left*
...
*she doesn't budge*
*she nods*
Alexis: *feels a tiny person grab her hand* Hey Liv
Olivia: Up?
Alexis: *picks up* Hey little one
Olivia: Lexi!
Alexis: *smiles* Who brought you?
Olivia: Ravel
Well, then, perhaps we should simply meet then? After all, you hardly wish to spend your whole day upon my back.
*carefully touches the scar on her throat where, hundreds of years previous, her vocal cords were ripped out*
*she curses that, wishing she could speak*
*she hands him a note:*
Please don't go.
Ravel: I thought you'd be happy
Alexis: thank you. I doubt Niccolò will touch her
*looks at her eyes, but says nothing*
*she pokes his nose*
...
*very slowly exhales*
((And I'm gone!))
#ChaseForBook9
*her eyebrows raise slightly*
Good bye, Ms. Fabienne.
((Bye Fabi! *cuddles*))
...
*briefly closes his eyes*
Very well, Ms. Priya.
*she grins, genuinely pleased* *she hugs him tightly*
*stiffens*
... Hrm.
*she cocks her head to the side*?
*shakes his head*
*the frowns* *she signs "why the 'hrm'"?
Ravel: we only can hope but you deserve some peace
Alexis: *sits with Olivia in the grass tickling her and the two get in a tickling fight in the snow*
Ravel: *keeps an eye on them but also tries to hear Zaf's thoughts* I knew she made that link before he stabbed her just...her thoughts are so fuzzy...
I am merely wondering about things that are not my business, mind me not.
*she raises her eyebrows*
*she uses her shoulder as a table to draw on, propping her paper against him*
*she begins to draw a small dainty flower*
*then draws a shark under the flower, the flower sitting on the shark's head*
*it's a rather rubbish drawing*
*she looks sad, and drops the paper*
...
*bends over, and picks the paper up*
*she hides farther behind him, embarrassed*
...
*sighs*
It looks fine, Ms. Priya.
*she shakes her head, and snatches the paper from him, casually slipping it into her pocket*
*she signs "where should we go?"*
(Omg Snape died I'm crying I can't oh my god I don't cry often...omg he is my least favourite character)
((I sympathize with that...))
... Quite, Ms. Kerias.
Well, Ms. Priya, where do you wish to go?
*she pauses*
*she has no idea*
*she bites her lip*
*Doesn't know what is around these parts of Blogland* *she offers Sir some cotton candy instead*
(When Bellatrix died I was the only one in the theater that screamed NO everyone else cheered)
((Of course. But the people cheered because Molly said "not my daughter too, bitch", or something similar, and that was one of the best lines in the movie series))
((Hello, everyone.
If you're in Blogland, as a reminder, my body has been simply lying there unconscious for some time, and bleeding out from the back- you're welcome to do whatever you'd like with it. I'm somewhat surprised no one has already.
Adra, are you still here and in Hell?))
#ChaseForBook9
(Not my daughter you bitch! I wish Bellatrix didn't explode...)
((I am *waves*))
*she is currently lying on the floor in a pool of her blood, next to the door*
((Ah, alright then. Would you mind if I interact with you, or is it too difficult to alternate between two characters? I shall be more than happy to wait if it is.))
#ChaseForBook9
...
No thank you, Ms. Priya.
Please, tell me where you would wish to go.
*wall
((Sorry))
*walks up close to her, but a few feet away, looking around for her* *he looks directly at her but doesn't seem to see her* *speaks in a soft whisper, barely audible* Adra? Are you here?
#ChaseForBook9
((No no! I'm eager to see how this plays out- I'm on two electronic devices..))
*she pauses*
*she points forward* *she goes back to being a monkey*
*she groans* Nooooooooooo
*shrugs*
Very well, then.
*begins ambling forward, taking in the city streets*
(I was waiting til you came back....though I doubt anything I do will help)
Alexis: *goes to Niccolò's body* Bloody idiot! Ravel get me that sigil book
Ravel: *gives it to her*
Alexis: I need help. I can heal him, he'll hate me but I can. I just need energy from someone who had the Surge.
Ravel: tell me when Alexis.
Alexis: *uses the sigil book to draw sigils around Coco's body and looks up at Ravel* I need you to touch one and pour your energy in
*smiles*
*remembers that she weighs about 90*
*realizes that if one were to tie a string to her wrist, she could be a balloon*
*she suddenly taps Sir's shoulder frantically*
*she semi-pushes herself up, looking at the words carved into her flesh* *she shakes her head* We're almost there...
(On second thought I doubt it'll work...so I guess I am better off alone...typical. May go as I'm useless here and no matter what it wont matter not with Adra in Hell)
*turns and walks towards her, but doesn't stop until he's passed her by a few feet again* Adra?
#ChaseForBook9
*she struggles to pull herself up*....Nic, I'm right here..
((No one has done anything to attempt to stop you, Zafira, or made any claim that your efforts will fail. I'll not die from that, either, but I'm rather surprised no one's tried to kill me, or at least restrain me somehow.))
#ChaseForBook9
((^^ I do believe that was a subtle hint to... You know... restrain him before he raises hell))
*inhales sharply and exhales shakily* *turns on his heel and walks back the way he came*
#ChaseForBook9
*continues walking, but turns his head to Ms. Priya*
Yes?
And Ms. Kerias, you are hardly useless.
((I now see the irony in what I just said))
*She points to a stand where there are many red balloons*
*she gives him pleading eyes*
(I just waited til you came back to be honest...actually Alexis thinks Aro may not use your name asap but eh not sure. I was hoping to find out what may happen with Zaf being captive and all.)
Ravel: Alexis you're insane. If this works we subdue him.
Alexis: I understand Ravel.
Javier: I'll help.
*the three of them pour their own energy into the healing sigils that should heal Coco back to a stable state* (if you wake the three of them you will find weaker
Nic... *she tries to breathe* Nic, I can't run after you...
...
Please don't leave...
Nic
I suppose I should mention, I will hardly be here tomorrow, and when I am, I...may not be in the best frame of mind. Sorry...
And unless I can find my iPod, I'll be leaving early tonight as well. Again, sorry.
#ChaseForBook9
(Yeah well when do I ever listen? Coco should know me well enough I'll totes not think how he'll probably kill us all...if Dooms Day erupts I take no credit)
((Oh.. *hugs Fabi* I'll be missing you, then. I hope you'll have a good day, at least.))
(but... That's stupid! *no offense meant!!! Please don't take offense! But I just mean,... He tried to kill you all, lol. And you still think that?)
It is entirely alright, Ms. Fabienne.
Well, if you insist, Ms. Priya.
*walks to the stand, and begins digging through his pockets for money*
(Yeah well Nic is special he'd probably escape and restraint and I am not killing him. Will I probaby get killed? Yeah. Oh my god Olivia is near him....*facepalm*
((I wish you all the best of experiences, Fabienne. Hopefully the day finds you in good humor, whether or not you spend it here.))
*shoulders begin to shake lightly with silent sobs* *suddenly, stops walking, freezing up* *is perfectly still for a moment, then sinks to the ground and just sits there, quietly crying, with barely enough time in between sobs to breathe*
#ChaseForBook9
*She stops his hand* *she carefully plucks a balloon from the stand*
*she points to the "free" sign*
... Oh.
...
*she manages to stumble, her legs giving out next to him, and she falls*
*she puts on a coat so not get blood everywhere* *she hugs him*
*she takes his hand and ties the balloon around his little finger* *she then takes a balloon, tying it around her wrist*
Alexis: Enough. He'll wake on his own.
Ravel: *silent*
Javier: Alexis I swear if he wakes and kills us all!
...
*frowns, looking between the balloons and her*
*flinches slightly at the contact, but either doesn't have the energy or can't think well enough to realize it's Adra or react in any way* *after a few moments, puts a conscious effort into breathing normally, and manages a hoarse whisper* Adra?
#ChaseForBook9
*she cocks her head to the side*
...yes?
(( HELLO!! i am exhausted... just got back from tidying my uncles jungle... i mean, "garden"... *shudders* i think i found Narnia in there...))
((Hello, Snow! *hugs* Goodbye, Zafira))
Are you real?
#ChaseForBook9
((Hello, Snow.))
#ChaseForBook9
...of course. Of course I am, Nic. I'm here to get you out.
(( hi ))
Greetings, Ms. Stormberg.
Ms. Priya... Thank you, I suppose?
*Priya carefully hands Sir a piece of paper*
(Hi Snow! I'm very lonely. I seem to be unwanted and hated
((Thanks...))
Effie: [Is an illusionist]
The half-sandwich: [Is actually the tracker]
Ioux: [Realizes this] [Raises eyebrow]
Liz: [Sees Ioux's eyebrow raise and realizes that he realizes]
Effie: [Takes a bite out of the sandwich] *illusion
Ioux: [Darts forward] Unhand that mechanism!
Effie: [Pretends to be surprised] [Drops the sandwich] [Makes it look like there's mustard on the floor]
Ioux: [Dives forward to grab the sandwich]
Air: [Falls through his fingers]
The tracker: [Is still in Effie's hand]
Effie: [Passes the tracker to Liz when Ioux isn't looking and summons another image-sandwich] [Smirks]
Ioux: [Looks up at Effie's hand and sees a sandwich still there] Ms. Double, would you mind handing me that? It is, after all, highly dangerous, and the wrong button could--
Effie: [Sprints off]
Liz: [Facepalms with one hand, hides the tracker in her wallet with the other]
Ioux: [Looks from Liz (missing her sleight of hand) to Effie]
Effie: [Bumps into the door frame] [Makes the image of a sandwich flicker to one of the tracker and then back, as if she briefly lost concentration]
Ioux: [Makes up his mind and runs after Effie]
Effie: [Runs down the corridor, followed by Ioux] [Makes an illusion-Liz chase after them] [Sandwiches all disappear] [Scowls] [Makes the sandwich in her hand reappear and the Liz illusion stop and pull out a gun]
Real Liz: [Ducks behind the box, pulling out the tracker]
#ChaseForBook9
((Where is sassy Star when you need her to come on?))
Can... Can we leave?
#ChaseForBook9
(( the only good thing about clean his "garden" was that he gave me a cool hat :) and, of course, the fact that i'm getting $20 for it... *watches the RP, trying to work out if now is the right time to enact her plan*))
((....))
((I highly doubt that anyone here hates you, Zafira.))
#ChaseForBook9
Of course. *she shakily gathers herself to her feat, offering her hand to help him up*
((Sighs))
#ChaseForBook9
(Snow I tried but it won't work. Care to join me? I have Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans do stay away from the white they taste like earwax)
((Snaps))
((Vanishes))
#ChaseForBook9
Ms. Kerias, you are not. Many care deeply for you, whether or not you can see it.
*examines the paper*
((I would like to dedicate to...
Well,
the final day of break, for the Americans. *she hugs them all* And to the others, the people not on break, I hope for a really good weekend! *hugs again*
*raises glass* Hear hear!))
( sure zaffy. *pokes* how goes life?)
( HEAR HEAR! )
(*shrugs* You may not, Niccolò. The rest do. Why do you think nobody bothers to speak to me unless necessary? Because nobody wants me. I knew it from the start nobody wants me part of this.)
((Goodbye, Fabienne. I sincerely hope you are well.))
#ChaseForBook9
((Fabi! I just went back and read-
I love that you made the objects, like, so their own action... That was cute :3 *hugs*))
(Fine. I guess, Snow. Depressing but besides the point oh look the awkward hug of Draco and Voldy)
((Oh... Fabi, I do not blame you. *salutes to her*))
*The paper has an actually well- drawn shark with thorough detail, a lily in the shark's tuxedo* *she nods*
( bye fab.
zaf! people want you! you are the grand mage, we can't not have you. and, you're my friend :) )
((Zaf- the best hug was HarryxVoldemort.
"TOGETHER! *jumps off*))
*she almost forgets, but pulls her bag up to her shoulder*
( lol. is it worrying that my favorite part in all the harry potter movies is when everyone thinks he's dead and they're all like "boo hoo"?)
Oh for. ..
Ms. Kerias, must I force the love and care that many have for you down your throat?
... My word, Ms. Priya. This is quite excellent.
((Not at all, Snow :D))
*she hides again, embarrassed*
Post a Comment