- Sit down at desk.
- Open Word document.
- Look at blank page.
- Become anxious.
- Decide that the problem is the font.
- Change font.
- Be much happier.
- Look at blank page.
- Make cup of tea/coffee.
- Drink tea/coffee while looking at blank page.
- Do not check Twitter/email/Facebook/Tumblr.
- Check them a little.
- Take a break.
- Sit back down.
- Write something.
- Change font.
- Be much happier.
- Take out phone in case someone wants to ring you.
- Do not play Angry Birds.
- Do not play it.
- Play it a little.
- Put phone away.
- Delete what you have written.
- Write something else.
- Read back over it.
- Shrug. Decide to fix it in the rewrite.
- Congratulations! You've started the book!
Sunday, December 14, 2014
How To Write Books Good, Part 3
Beginning the book:
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«Oldest ‹Older 1801 – 2000 of 4873 Newer› Newest»You do not make me uncomfortable, Tia. I just do not like my old name sometimes. It does not fit me as much as it had when I chose it.
Those are classifications. I may name you as a person, Blank, and I doubt Tia would be any more satisfied.
We are not our names any more than definitions are the words they're listed next to in a dictionary.
Blank is nothing.
And nothing scares people. It scares me.
It's like empty space. Empty open space, I mean. You're floating about in space, and you look straight ahead, and realise if you move forward for 99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 kilometres, you'd stretch out your hands and still feel nothing around you, because nothing is there.
Same with Blank. You can't get to know someone and "name them as you would a bird or a notebook" because they can turn into a Blank, into nothing, and scare you by doing that. And you don't let that which scares you close to you.
I am sorry, Tia... Even if you say don't be sorry, I am sorry...
Forgive me, but now I have to go... I will be on later.
I am sorry...
Not necessarily, Alastair. I recall mages take a name that suits them.
*hugs Tia and Blank*
Bye Blank
And as the rest take their leave, I return.
There really is no need to be sorry, Blank.
I can cope. And you did say you'll choose a name eventually.
And you are not a nobody, remember that.
See you soon!
It seems I stand corrected, hello.
I don't mean to say that a name can't suit someone, but rather that no one is their given name exactly.
If the action we describe in English as jumping were not called jumping, the action would continue to exist, and would not be altered in the slightest by the alteration of its name.
*considers staying up long enough until Blank returns, in order to offer Blank an apology*
(Hello, Solus.)
Elleni, I need to apologise.
Tia, please do not wait up for me. I will come back in your afternoon.
*fades because it's time to go*
I see your point, Alastair. Understood.
(Good bye, Blank. I am sorry for pushing you. Just do what makes you happy, and ignore me.
*hugs Blank*
*sleeps*)
(Night Kas)
(Good night, Sil.
Guess I shouldn't have pushed :/
Typical me. I never learn.
Sleep well, Sil.)
(Sleep well Kas)
(You gotta put down the phone to sleep, Sil.
*puts down phone*)
Helloooooooooooooooooo?
Midgardian.
Trickster.
Purple peeps!
I don't think any of us are purple, Dug...
Wait what? You're not?!
I had no idea!
Gasp!
Am I alone?
You're never alone
*hugs*
Sorry for the distance.
Blake.
*shakes his hand*
*grins*
Matex!
Ah, tis ok Blake!
Purple everyone! (And yes I know you're not purple)
*looks at self and frowns*
I am purple
I meant Blake
(Well actually I'm just saying that because I can't actually see any of you guys right now (or can I? It's all an allusion! Or is it? Whoooo!))
Of course you can see me.
Just close your eyes and imagine a purple dinosaur.
Oooh! I get it! You're a fragment of my immediate family!
Ever wondered what Dugglyn looked like? Well now you know!
----------->
Hanging.... By a thread
From a age-beaten bar,
And feet shake nervously, no...
Terrified
And the tunnel collapsed in the vision
And the body fell
Yes but only a fragment!
*looks*
Hmm, scary!
*acknowledges Adra's presence but doesn't know what to say*
Sorry..
Elleni made this emoticon thingy with my face on it and it almost gave me nightmares...
(Because I had put makeup on :P)
*offers hugs to Noelle*
J once showed Rose what he looks like... The rest of you will have to guess.
This is what J looks like:
Neon purple hair
Big green, bushy eyebrows
Lots of eyes shadow
1256 inches tall
Purple skin
Huge ears (like bigger than your head)
Bright red eyes
And freckles!
Zanida: *is sitting down by the forest, the poison from Lucifer taking the nightly effect* Make....this....stop!!!
Guys....I know I hardly come on, and when I do I seem so distant. It's not anyone's fault, I just...so much has happened in such a short time that I hardly can comprehend it. *nods* I just feel like I am getting up in a daze and going on day by day.
*sighs* Again, its not anyone's fault I sort of am distantish
-Zaf
...
Beaten and bruised,
She lay beneath her Master
And his cruel, cracking whip.
His hand was slithering in circles
And the whip cracked with a hiss
And tore a hole in her head.
Eyes puffy, red, swollen,
A world almost too dark to see,
She wishes she were blind
*nods to Adra's comment, acknowledging she is here*
Now I feel what it must be like.....
*sighs*
If this hell is what I gave her....Guess I do belong in Hell.
-Zaf
I'm just going to bed. Night.-Zaf
Night Zaf
Btw..
I have a picture of J CHI sent to me!
--------------->>>>>
Soy, couldn't resist drawing what I described. It would be better with pen and pencil but oh well!
I am too pure for you and for anyone
Not easy to state the change you made.
If I'm alive now, I was dead,
They mistake their star, these papery godfolk.
Yet, O my
Homunculus, I am ill.
I have taken a pill to kill
The thin
Papery feeling.
I am sorry Dug, but you are very, very incorrect.
And like that I've got to go, goodbye and goodnight anyone who is still here.
I may not know what you are feeling, Adrasdos, but I want you to know that you are alive. You are here, in this world. Do not end your life so soon.
Your friends are here for you.
And Tia, please do not feel bad because of me. I forgive you, but I hope you can forgive yourself.
*is here and will be here for a while*
Wbd, though.
*hugs Adra*
I'm sorry this is late, but I agree with Blank. I heard you told some of us to tell you that you're here, so...
*hugs her again*
Ditto what Blank said.
(Lavender I will at some point record my version of SIFTS I have tried a few takes already but hated them with a passion.)
*nods*
It's okay, Sil. Take your time. Thanks for trying. :)
And hi! How are you?
(Soz was having breakfast.
You're welcome. I will get a good recording...eventually...
I'm okay. Not too tired, yet. Bit dizzy bit nauseous. You?)
I'm doing okay. Trying to create an outfit for my character, but it's soooo hard! XD
Hope you feel better soon. Being dizzy and nauseous is no fun. :(
(Eh. Dizzy and nauseous are fine. I can handle that and the God awful ache in my shoulders. So long as I don't throw up or anything, I'm good.
Type of character is it?)
Just Lavender. I made her like myself. She wears long sleeves to hide her daggers in, but likes her comfort. Nothing too tight. And wears jeans and glasses.
It's still hard to find things though...
I'm starting to wonder what she WOULD wear if she had special clothes, but I can't think of any. Even her mother freaks out about her wearing normal clothes on missions. :P
(She sounds nice. Well, the missions and the knives are a bit ominous..
I need to plan a BIG rp again...get everyone involved, or try..)
(Not fighting cause Blake just goes OP and ruins that..(no offense Blake. Or J.)
But it has to have some fighting..)
Hmm... The thing is, I'm really bad at responding in time when I role play... Especially when there's a lot involved.
The knives and missions bit is just that she helps her mother working for the American Sanctuary on the west coast. She also uses a bow well, but irl, I have really bad aim. :P Not to mention her power.
Oh, and she's very loyal to her friends. Even those on the other side of the law(*coughVal/Ivycough*).
(*nods* she sounds cool (other side of the law. Sounds like Sil xD) Ahh American Sanctuary.. *grins*)
Sometimes people don't have names. I have nameless characters.
You just have to identify them without. It is difficult, but . . .
(Blank does have a name, though. It's Blank. :P)
(Hey Star :)
Hey. :) Sorry, not really here. :P
(That's fine Star. Hope you have a good day.)
Hello, Star! Not for long, by the sound of it though.
:P
@Sil: yeah, did you know that DEREK answered Zaf's question once about how America has it's Sanctuaries? There are three of them, but he didn't exactly mention where... So Zaf stated that she was from the east coast, I am from the west, and I guess there's one in the middle. Probably where Sanguine is. :P
(@Lavender Sil had a habit of terrorizing the east coast one..)
*laughs*
Zaf must have had her hands full then! :P
I wonder what DID happen to her as a Grand Mage in Blogland. I uh, kinda got a spoiler about what happened in one of the last books.
*has not read the last three yet*
(Ahh. Yeah it's a big spoiler that one in Zafs story. In blogland she would try call rank and people would fight back then Sil would get arrested and escape.)
Sorry, Sil. I gotta go.
Bye!
(Or Sil would die. Zaf has done that before..)
(bye :( )
Sounds funny. :P
*whispers*
Sorry, bye!
*poofs*
(Anyone on?)
*really doesn't like spiders*
I hate it when you're doing something and all of a sudden, there's a spider right near you. Gah!
*is not here*
Sorry!
(Whoops, just realised I still haven't dedicated... Ummm...
I dedicate to friends... No matter what, they are always there for you, if you fall, they laugh at you but always pick you up in the end, if you fall out, they pretend to be angry and go off and sulk but always come back. My point is, in Blogland we need to do the same and always be there for each other, wether we do it already or not.
I also dedicate to Adra and I hope she is happier in the future and begins to talk to us more.)
(Don't worry Lavender! (I hate that too though!))
Hear hear!
(Not here :/
*hugs Velv*)
(Thank you Tia! *hugs* Bye!)
I had a dream and Danni was in it.
(Danni is... Wait! Don't tell me... Memories?
Hi! I'm here now, but only for a short time.
Good ded, Vel.
*won't tell her*
*hugs Tia even if he's not here*
Huh, I just realized I got comment 1996.
That's the year I was born! :D
Sorry, I'm talking too much.
*will be quiet*
*also realizes how close we are to the next page*
(Hey Lav! Argh! Don't wanna ded again!)
Then I guess I shall.
I dedicate this page to, um...
*thinks*
I DEDICATE THIS PAGE TO THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS BECAUSE IT IS AN AWESOME MOVIE.
Yup.
Sorry, that's the first thing that came to mind. :P
I have that movie on the brain right now.
(Hear hear! Sorry, I had to ded yesterday and this morning so I couldn't think of anything else...)
Is it bad that I'm hiding in my room instead of going to dinner so I don't have to run into this toddler who loves me too much and doesn't let me eat in peace?
It's fine, Vel. :) That thought just popped into my head right when I needed something.
(It's not very bad... I would have done the same!)
How are you, by the way?
*looks at her picture that's showing up too many times in a row*
*should really slow down on her comments*
(Haha, I'm fine, still trying to work out how to set a profile picture... It doesn't seem to be working on my iPad... How are you?)
I'm good. :)
It worked for my iPod... What are you having a problem with?
Hey, Hope!
(Yes, Danni is Memories.
It was a weird dream. I know what prompted it. I'm not sure if I'll share it.)
(Setting a picture, I clicked on the "select from camera roll" button, but I can't upload any of my photos... And I tried the "take photo" button, but I can't post that either...
(Yay I got it right! I don't mind if you do or don't share it Tia...)
That was strange...
I tried to comment and wifi stopped, I tried to refresh the page and it said error...
Just a suggestion, have you tried seeing if camera was allowed on the app you're using to comment?
You sure you don't want to share it, Tia?
Also, because my other comment was deleted, hi!
*hugs Tia*
Okay, not deleted, but it didn't post at all.
And I should really stop talking posting so much and just try to say what I need all in one comment...
The thing is, sometimes I post, and suddenly remembered to add something to it AFTERwards.
I'm using safari...
It worked for me, I'm pretty sure...
Have you checked the setting on your iPad to see if camera is allowed to be used in safari?
(Yup, it is...)
Hmm...
Testing.
Well that is strange then...
Sorry, Vel, I don't know why it's not letting you change it...
(Hey, Hope...
I might share it when Danni is online.)
Okay... I hope she's okay...
I haven't heard from her since that night...
(Don't worry! Does anyone want to come to my house?)
(neither Lav... I'm sure she's fine, only two innocents were killed and they were in Sydney, Danni is in Perth and we would know if anything had happened there...)
Sorry, Vel. I'm going to have to go now...
Won't be on later because I'm going to try to get to bed early tonight.
If Danni comes while I'm gone, I'll still read the past comments.
Night guys!
(Okay, bye!)
*waves*
(*hugs* Do you want to come round to my house and meet Kayleigh?)
(I'll send Tanya)
*Tanya is standing alone on the edge of a field*
(*less distant hopefully* :/)
Hey Tia(not really here by the way), are you by any chance waiting for Blank? And did you notice her comment on the last page(I think it was)?
Kayleigh: *is out exploring Blogland. Walks past a field and sees someone standing there. Decides to go up to her.* Hi! Are you looking for something?
(Hello, Hope. I'm just here. I'll see Blank when I see her.)
*looks at Kayleigh wearily*
Maybe. Who are you?
Kayleigh, Kayleigh Agony, pleased to meet you... And you are?
*extends her hand towards Kayleigh*
Tanya Halcyon. A pleasure.
*smiles* So, what are you doing out here?
*shakes hand*
Step forward a few steps.
*walks forward toward the field, and disappears*
*rolls eyes* I thought Velvet said everyone here was nice...
(Step forward)
*sighs and decides to cross the field. Steps forward*
*Kayleigh steps into the giant invisibility bubble*
*suddenly thousands of troops appear all over the field, training for combat*
*Tanya turns to face Kayleigh*
Pretty cool, huh?
What-?! Um... I suppose... Why are they here?
Preparing for an invasion.
*Curls up beside Kas*
*Nudges his foot*
I got the job at MacDonalds...
*Rests her head on his foot*
*tacklehugs Danni* c:
*awkwardly
Danni is also near the Victoria/NSW border...
Not Perth...
How are you feeling, Danni?
Cold. So cold. And scared. And tired. And dead.
Very dead.
*snuggles into Kas's warmth*
Also email Danni.
*hugs Danni warmly and reassuringly* No. Not dead.
An invasion... Why?
(Yay Danni! (Sorry about getting the place wrong...))
I feel dead...
*cuddles*
Thanks Velvet...
(*hugs*)
(*pulls Velv into the hug*
Warm! c:)
To impose order.
(Wbd for 5-10 minutes)
(Okay Tia!)
(I think I'm back.)
(Also, merry Christmas, Velv and Danni!)
(Okay!)
If you're planning an invasion, then why are you showing me this?
(You too Tia and Danni!)
Velvet, I'll be taking over Blogland. Maybe I'll have a constitution.
(Kayleigh, Tia)
Okay, so you've brought me here to make me the first killed? So I can run back and tell everyone else?
*sighs*
I already have three divisions of soldiers. Element of surprise is irrelevant.
And who would you tell, anyway?
I don't know, maybe the whole population of Blogland? I just don't get how bringing me here would help you in any way...
Well, you could always join me. I'm doing a good thing, you know. Just look at the mess Blogland is in. All the fighting, violence. It's bound to explode one of these days. But I will try to keep order.
Also, I have three divisions of troops. Join me.
I don't know... It's taken me ages to find Velvet again... Something like this would make all of my previous efforts go to waste...
Sure. See you around. Don't tell anyone what you've seen though.
And I do hope you reconsider.
*scoffs and mutters* reconsider... *rolls eyes and walks back to the house* Velvet, I'm home!
Velvet: Oh hi Kay, how was it? See anything cool?
Kay: No!
Velv: *frowns* You said that a bit quickly...
K: Really? Hmmm...
V: Are you okay?
K: Fine! I'm gonna go upstairs... *goes up to her room and sits down*
*walks back to the bunker, frowning*
We need her if we're to succeed.
Anita: Who? Kayleigh?
No. Wait. Yes. We need someone to get close to you-know-who if we're to pull this off.
Anita: Hmm... that would increase our chance of victory.
Yes, it would. Otherwise that overcharger is just a useless piece of junk.
Kayleigh: *thinks until her brain is about to explode and gets an idea. Grins and climbs out the window, running all the way back to the bunker* Tanya! Are you here?
*a guard lets her in*
*Tanya meets her in the bunker*
Hello again. *a smile appears on her face* Have you reconsidered?
Kind of... Basically, I'm plotting against my friend Velvet and I need to be near her if I'm going to complete my plan but I need to join you if it's going to work...
I'll let you know what I'm planning.
(Email)
Hello! First off, I'd like to say that I have found my personality! :D
*punches a fist in the air, and does a little dance*
Woohoo!
Second, I can't believe I just realized that I could have used the name "anonymous" instead of Blank. That was a little stupid of me. Haha! Sorry.
Third, I have a proposition for you all. A game. Anyone sound interested?
Oh, and fourth, my hands are so dry from the cold that they sting like crazy! How is everyone?
Also, I am sorry... My new personality is in need of a little adjusting...
Also, I will be distant.
I want to play a (distant?) game.
That would depend on the game, I imagine, though I rather doubt I'd be interested.
An invasion of Blogland would certainly be interesting...
Alastair, I have three divisions of soldiers hidden in Blogland. I don't think it'll too interesting before Tanya wins.
Sorry, it was just that I was being bothered by someone in real life.
Hello Tia! Hi Alastair!
My game is to try and find out who I really am. There shall be five questions in total, so you can choose amongst yourselves who will ask the questions or how you will take turns. Whichever you would like. Those questions MUST have a yes or no answer. ONLY. After those questions are answered, you shall try to guess who I am. If you guess wrong, I will reveal my NEW name. If you guess right, I will tell you my reason for doing this in the first place and not take a new name.
If you have any questions for the rules, they will not count as the five questions in the game. Now, shall we start?
They've faced greater foes than that, Tia. And supposing she does win, the aftermath would be interesting.
I'll leave the game to Tia, then.
Although, wasn't Velvet here just a while ago?
Should we wait for her?
(Back! Sorry, had lunch! What game is this?)
(Okay... Does it matter that I already think I know who you are?)
Blank, have I ever emailed you?
No, Velvet. It does not. You may ask a question, and try to confirm who you think I am. Or you may wait until the end of questioning to guess.
(Okay... I have a question...)
Yes, Tia. Question one, answered.
Tanya... What do you think about my plan?
(My phone has something blue lodged in its power button and I don't know what the hell it is.)
(Question 2- Have I rped with you?)
No, Velvet. Question two, answered.
(Oh poo... I have no idea who you are now...
*confidently looks through emails*
*sees about twenty people*
*sighs*
Ok, next question. Are you enjoying hiding your identity from me?
That is hard to answer a yes or no, Tia... But as it is my game, I shall bend the rules slightly to say that I am enjoying it a little in the way that I am making you guess, but I do not like that I cause you distress by having no name.
Also, forgive me, I have suddenly gone distant.
Question three, answered.
No more questions for now.
No more questions. Tell me who you are or don't, I don't want to play this game any more.
I'm sorry.
*hugs Blank*
(I have absolutely no clue now... Please just tell us!?)
*takes out phone* Do you want to start now Tanya? I can call Flo right now...
(Not now, sorry. I have to go soon. :/)
*hugs Tia back*
I am sorry as well. You are a friend to me, and yet I distraught you so...
I shall tell you my new name.
You can call me, Scarlet Melody.
*goes to change her name and profile pic*
(Okay Tia!)
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