I have just pressed SEND.
By pressing SEND, I have emailed off the completed book to my agent and editor. It will now be sent to the copyeditor who, amongst other things, will be checking for grammar and spelling mistakes that I've missed but, more importantly, will be ensuring that everything I've written makes sense.
She will be checking facts and figures and timelines, scouring her notes on the other books to make sure I haven't contradicted myself... A good copyeditor in invaluable, and I have a great one.
It's done. I wrote the two Scapegrace chapters that I'd left until last. Oh, and I ALSO included the winner of the Die Horribly competition...
It took me until last night to pick a winner. I was sent 30 finalists out of everyone who entered. Of those 30, I quickly whittled it down to 15. Then, not so quickly, down to 10. Then it took me ages to narrow it down to 5. Then 3.
There were some great entries. Lots of funny reasons why people reckoned they should be the reader I pick to kill horribly in the book. But I needed something specific. I needed something that would fit in with what I'd written. And there was only one reader who fit PERFECTLY.
So congratulations to Lewis Holmes, from the UK. You shall have the distinct honour of being Horribly Killed in The Dying of the Light.
Lewis' death was the last thing I had to write. Now it's all over. Sure, I'll be sent the copyeditor's notes to approve, and there'll be a little more fiddling around between now and printing time, but...
... but it's over. I have finished writing Skulduggery Pleasant.
I think I need to lie down now.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
4,942 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 3801 – 4000 of 4942 Newer› Newest»*looks at Zaf, grinning*
Your right, this is wrong. I shouldn't toy with kids like this.
*a holographic scepter forms in her hand*
I'll end it quickly.
*turns and aims at the holographic Olivia still staring at Zaf*
*the hologram is crying*
Fire.
*black lightning streams and turns the holographic girl and bed to dust*
*the dust is.blown away and fades*
*throws the holographic scepter after it*
*watches, and then it clicks* Stephanie has the Scepter. That's fake.
Aro: *is where Silente is, and has a knife aimed at her* Release Grand Mage Kerias, or die.
*suddenly goes stiff*
We'll this was fun.
*walks forwards and unites Zaf*
Your quite smart Grand Mage. Well done. That was one of the most lifelike holograms I've ever made.
*steps back from her*
*smiles*
*tries to stand but falls*
Aro: *grabs Mom* You. I'm placing you under arrest for assault on a Grand Mage. *points to Silente*
((The binding sigils are on my skin?))
((they're in pen, I made sure they weren't permanent.))
*laughs at Aro*
Yes. Very amusing.
*starts walking away*
Aro: *enters her mind and makes her senses dull* I will.
*stops moving*
*sighs*
If I promise not to run can I have my senses back. I rather like having them. It stops me running into stuff.
Aro: *gives her the senses back* Come here and put the shackles on.
*turns and looks at Zaf*
*looks at Aro*
What if I cant? What if I'm a warlock. I don't want to die because you forced me to wear shackles.
Aro: you know what? Forget it. Just...go.
Go? Okay then. I'm sure me and your mother will meet again very soon
*walks away*
*calmly*
*calls back* and maybe I won't have to use a fake Olivia to hurt her then. I hear the child is rather easy to get a hold of if needs be.
*continues walking away*
Aro: *makes Silente lose her sight and touch*
*grins*
What happened to 'just go' Aro? Your sending mixed messages here.
*has stopped walking*
Changed your mind so soon?
Aro: *handcuffs* You...Are going to die
*whispers* Isn't she technically already dead?
Oh your just charming aren't you.
*looks blindly at nothing*
What's the plan? Really high bridge? Beheading? Hanging? Tied to a rock and thrown in the sea? Do tell.
((AMY! *WOULDHUGBUTIDONTHUG* YOUR BACK! Oh they don't know its me..))
((Oh...okay.
I'll just hug you because you can't hug me... *hugs*))
((where have you been?!))
Ari would be proud. Tesla was an answer on Jeopardy! and I got him. It was a guess but...
Aro: *lets her go and takes Zaf*
((Studying, projects, it got busy for a while...sorry!))
Oh fine don't answer. I'm just making polite conversation. Trying to lighten the mood, if you will. But if you'd rather be in awkward silence then, well, that's up yo you I suppose.
*isn't even attempting to leave*
Alexis: *comes over and takes to the Sanctuary*
((you left me all alone! I was lonely! I turned to crime just for the hope you'd pay attention! Harumph! ;P))
((...Okay. I should be on more often...))
*refuses to speak*
*doesn't really like not speaking*
*especially when you can't see*
*its rather uncomfortable*
She okay? The Grand Mage I mean. I'm fairly certain she should be. I didn't do much to her..
((yeah maybe..well possibly..it might be a bit late now..unless a miracle happens. I'm well known for miracles..well not really but still..))
Alexis: Aro took her to a doctor. We'll see. *places in a cell* You will be held here until either the Grand Mage or one of the Elders is able to deal with your case. Pray Grand Mage Kerias does not press charges. *sighs* You know...for someone who kidnapped her you actually care about her? *seems dumbfounded*
((How are you guys, by the way?))
*sits and stares blankly*
Course I do! Your mums ace! Granted she can be a tad irritating at times but shes a good egg.
*nods*
I think I'm getting used to being blind and numb. Weird..
*shrugs*
Well this is were we part ways Alexis.
*the mask smiles*
Unless you want to stay and chat?
((im in a weird mood. Its probably die to lack of sleep or something. Oh well. Ots fun! you?))
((Busy-ish...I'm waiting until the last week of school...))
Alexis: Okay I'm going to chat. Why did you attack her if she's ace?
((Oi suckers I am out June 13th: really 11th.))
((June 12 is last day for me...))
((Same really like once I finish finals I don't need to come back.))
((What do you mean? For us, we just have three days of finals on the last few days of school...))
*shrugs*
It's..complicated. okay I'll explain as best I can. Everyone's a little good and a little bad right? So it stands to reason that even good people do bad things. And, if you try stick to one side then eventually the others going to come boomeranging back. Well in a way its like that. I'm both good and bad. I try be good but end up bad. Also I'm a bit screwed up in the head for many, Many reasons. Not that anyone would know this. They just see a loony who's attacked a grand mage.
*shrugs*
Which is sort of what I am.
((Finals start June 9th and end June 11th, but the catch is if I finish my finals and I take all 6 on the scheduled days, June 12th and 13th I donot need to go to school. They don't take attendance. I may go the 12th to say goodbye to my friends but otherwise once I'm done I'm not required to go back until September.))
You're not a loony! You're...okay, actually you are a loony...but in a good way? I don't know anymore...
((Oh...okay.))
Alexis: Have you ever spoken to Doctor Henry Jekyll? I think you and him may share a very similar thought.
Once! But not after that. He left me to it after that. It was only a brief chat. Actually he only said a sentence or so.
*shrugs*
*laughs slightly*
Yeah.
Alexis: I shall go get him. He's currently working on-
Jekyll: No, I am not. Grand Mage Kerias refuses to let anyone near her. I believe something has upset her, but she will not let anyone near her. Hayley sent me to take a walk and I have overheard my name.
Hello Doc. Yeah er about Zaf..just take her to Olivia. That'll probably help her..
Jekyll: I shall, when we can get a few words out without shadows. *tilts head* You share my thoughts, I hear. You believe we are both good and evil, correct?
Correct. It's logical and rather true from my observations.
Jekyll: Like myself. What makes you believe it is true? I have observed it in man, but what have you found?
Everyone has something they are good towards. Family, friends, pets, a sword a coat. Even the worst people have a good side for something. And everyone was a bad side, no matter how good they may seem. Like Aro. He would do anything for his family. He looks out for them and cares for them. Good. However he'll also take people's sight and touch away then throw them in jail. You can't have one without the other.
Jekyll: Interesting. I have seen in myself, I have Hyde who freely kills, and myself, I would never harm a person. I have seen honest men turn violent, the darker side kept breaking through. I also have noted in cases of a true name, the name is often the part of the person that the person shuns. Zafira was kind, and loving, Justaria was violent and cruel. I bet if we met Szoren (Niccolò's name) he would be violent, Niccolò's true nature is very caring. From what I gather. So I do see why you believe what I do.
((So in chorus today I got back and I legit was on my hands and knees begging to keep my This Is The Moment piece because Jekyll and Hyde...and my chorus teacher looks at me and goes:" You really should buy the song book from Jekyll and Hyde." I think she figured I love the piece being I legit fangirled when she said we were doing the piece back in the winter.))
Good. It's nice to know I'm not the only person who has this view. Anyway, I should probably, uh, sleep or something. Or meditate. Or wait. I'm sure both have more pressing things to do that talk to an insane criminal. Go do your jobs. Good bye Dr Jekyll. Bye Alexis. Send your mother my apologises..or don't. Actually. That might not help her. Yeah maybe not. I'm sure I'll hear you lot again.
*stays sat up*
*staring at nothing behind the mask*
((gtg now. I should sleep. We can continue thisat a later date yes? Good. Night!))
((Good night, Silente.))
((Night and yes. I shall work elsewhere with Zaf))
*stays where I am, shaken and unmoving*
Hayley: Ravel, you're connected to her, what is she seeing?
Ravel: The day Alastair took Alexis, and how Alexis was a doll a few weeks ago. She's petrified. She's also reliving when Niccolò's copy and him tortured her. Basically I think she took an unecessary trip to memory lane.
Aro: I can try...
I'm working on Dangerous Game.
Tonight we are betrayed. Keep Shilo safe Make Rotti pay. On Marni's grave! At the opera tonight.
rawr
RAWR?
Rawr.
Zombie Caterpillars!!!!!! They go up your nose and eat your brains!!!!!
Hello FABI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you here?!?!
XC caps lockkk
Hello Snow!!!!!! How be's yous!!!!!!!!!!???+++?+?????
I did not know you were here!!!! I have new minions!! They are zombie caterpillars!!!! Yesterday I was going to set them off on Silente when she was sleeping but then decided against it!!! Because I'm nice!!!
Could be with you tonight
I would sing you to sleep
Never let them take the light behind your eyes!!!!
Love that song!!!!! I am hyper!!!!!!!!! For some reason my swim coach doesn't like zombie caterpillars!! Can you believe that!!!!??
??
is anybody here?
*looks around sadly and sits on a rock*
*jumps back up because she is to hyper to sit*
*jumps up and down muttering about zombie caterpillars*
Hey Snow, Dugglyn.
Sorry, had to go take my medicine.
FABI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*runs over to her*
*hugs*
SOMEONE IS HERE!!!!!
I woke up early today. I had school today. I went to my friends house today. I went to Irish dance today. I went to swim team today. And yet somehow I am extremely hyper!!!!!!!
It is the zombie caterpillar energy!!!
DUGGLYN!!!!!!!
[hugs]
(If there was an award for most enthusiastic, you'd probably win it. :-P)
Yes, someone is here.
I cleaned out my room and went to Pilates and jazz classes.
I'm not hyper, but I might be later in the conversation, since hyperness is often contagious.
So..... HOW'S LIFE!!!
((I am just really hyper, to get the energy out I get really enthusiastic and run around the house screeching!! Not everyone enjoys that!))
If you want to become hyper just remember...
....ZOMBIE CATERPILLARS!!!!!!!!! They are cool!!!!!!!!
Somehow for the Blogland awards I got nominated for poetic and I'm not poetic at all!! I think the person was joking.
...
I'm not a naturally enthusiastic person (though I can fake it fairly well, especially online. Just add a bunch of exclamation points!!!!! Maybe a smiley!!!!!!! :D), so I don't think that thinking about zombie caterpillars will help. But thank you.
Ugg, I have to go to sleep. I don't feel tired now but tomorrow I will regret not going to sleep early so goodnight!!!
Don't let the zombie caterpillars eat your brains!!
(You do seem quite enthusiastic!)
She did that for other people as well, nominate them after they nominated themselves to make sure it counted. I don't think she meant it as a joke, per say. She's not the type to do that. I think it's more likely she did it to make you happy.
Goodnight, then!
And, um, thank you.
Sam Ish, your dedication was beautiful, and it means a lot to me that you included my name in it. Thank you.
My mum got us Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
*laughs*
I just read the ded.
I-- *tackles Sam Ish* it means a lot to me that someone thinks that. Sees that. I...
IT'S ALMOST THE HOLIDAYS
*levitates with happiness and glee and such*
I'm going to be learning "important life skills" such as cooking, baking, knitting, and learning how to immobilize somebody with 8 inches of cord. *nods*
The knitting I'm not so sure about, but the rest seem good, because food=survival and the other one seems cool.
Bai!
*poofs*
Oh, and Sam Ish:
I saw the ded. *hugs* Thanks. :)
I'm grinning like crazy right now. And people are giving me concerned looks. BUT I DON'T CARE! *the song starts playing* *cringes* *I've been trying to get it out of my head the past few hours*
*and poofs for real this time*
Beautiful ded Sam.......*SUPER-MEGE-HUGSIES*
*not here* *poofs*
*looks at a clock*
I..I slept. Till noon. How did I do that? I was going to sleep longer as well..wow.
Gtg bye
MOO!
QUACK!
I love that ded!!!!!! Thank you for putting me on there!! It makes me happy!
*hugs Sam*
*disappears into mist*
Hi/bye Dugglyn..
meooow
Baaaaaa!
Aroooooooooooow!
(supposedly a wolf)
Still nobody here?
*waits for someone to come on*
blogland i have returned to post 1 comment.
never, never, never, never, never ever ever ever ever ever.......
um...
eat.... barbed-wire!
This advice will really help u in life.
i have spoken.
Hi/bye mischief shadow! I will head that advice for the rest of my life!
**heed
Hello? Mischief....? MISCHIEF!!!!!!! *tacklehugs* I HAVENT SEEN YOU SINCE I FIRST CAME TO BLOGLAND!!!! GOD I MISSED YOU!!!!!!
Hiya Silly! How are you?
You know what, I haven't tried this for a while..hmmm...
CALLING BLOGLANDIANS, YOUNG AND OLD,
THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF YOU, OR SO I'M TOLD.
I BEG OF YOU, DO COME TO THEE!
RELIEVE ME, SET ME FREE!
AT LEAST ONE OF YOU PLEASE COME AND CHAT!
I CALLETH YOU TO ME!
((Dynamite dynamite dynamite))
((frozen frozen frozen))
Oh hey Rhydian. I'm bored. Very bored. You?
Lol...and as soon as you say that, I've gotta go....ok, life is officially cruel. Bye
Oh. Er. Bye then i guess.. :(
Msd, but I am here temporarily!
#ChaseForBook9
YAY I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ARI!!!!! HAVENT SPOKEN IN AGES!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Ari! How are you?
Hello.
HOW ARE YOU!!!!!!!!
Hi dragona! How are you?
Hey Silly! How are you?
Wb! How are you Rhydian?
I'm meh tbh Sil. You?
Hey Rhyds!!! *taklehugs*
In real life, I'm pretty good!
In rp, not so much, but it's cool. I'll get through it. :)
How are you guys?
#ChaseForBook9
Hey Dragona how are you?
Real life-fine
Rp-in a jail cell unable to see or feel..
Oh, yeah- Alastair's been quietly amused by how many of his torture methods you've used.
XD
#ChaseForBook9
I'm fine for whoever asked, how is everyone?
Who you talking to Ari?
And I'm good/meh
He has? Well at least he's entertained.. I knew the grater was a method he used but I dont know any of his other ones..
He has so many, it's nuts. I could write up some of the things he's done, if you guys want, though it is violent. And it'd take me a bit- I don't get out of school for another few hours, and all that.
Rhyds- sort of everyone? Silente in the last two comments, though.
#ChaseForBook9
It's fine thanks Ari. I can imagine some of them, and I probably don't want to imagine the other ones..
I'd like to know what methods Alastair uses (Omg I sound like a creep! Oh well)
Personally, I wouldn't like to know. But whatever.
Dragona. You'll be happy to know Masky is currently in the American Sanctuaries custody.
Who's Masky?
Food brb.
Masky is Masky.
OK then
I mean, there's no laid out routine he has or anything, but he likes to play around with knives- he has a rather striking assortment of poisons and enchantments on his- and he's a sensitive, so sometimes he'll use illusions (though he rarely does those except with his names- he prefers to stick to realism), and sometimes he'll read minds to find people's fears and target those. He likes to go for people's families or loved ones/friends. And he tries to target people pretty much evenly between physicality and emotions. He's also used a few mideval tortures in Blogland before- he drew and quartered Zaf once- and his discipline is disease-based, so sometimes he'll infect people with nasty things, and stuff like that. It's a pretty wide range. But he typically prefers to avoid killing people. Once they're dead, they're not in pain anymore, so.
#ChaseForBook9
I know Masky!
*enthusiastically raises hand* *also has to go now*
Bye guys! *hugs everyone*
#ChaseForBook9
Alastair sounds SO evil. I either must write fanfic bout him, or create a character of my own just as cruel *nods*
@Ari I can understand that. Killing people is quick. You don't get to see the long term effects.
@Rhydian breif explanation. Masky is someone who runs around wearing a mask and kept kidnapping people. We know they're female and a vampire. She tortures people but we don't know if she'd go any further, she has yet to get the chance. She can make holograms and uses lots of diffrent weapons. Dragona suspects its me. She's now in the American Sanctuaries custody for attacking Zaf. It may or may not be me.
Bye Ari!
I now suspect it's you Sil.....
Bye Ari!
I love Alastair . . .
*not really here*
Yeah well Sil may be unable to rp for a while...we'll see how long it lasts. Hopefully she'll be rping again soon! And not dead..
Aro was pretty dead set on Masky dying yesterday..and Zaf wasn't thrilled either...
SILENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gtg now. SEE YA!!!!!!!!!
Bye Rhydian..
*Whistles, and hops into Blogland*
Back.
Well, heya, Dragona!
Don't think anyone else is here.
Hm.
Hey Sam! How are you?
Good, good. How're you?
I'm fine, thanks. Sorry for the late reply, internet trouble.
Nah, it's fine. Stuff happens.
So...
What's up with you?
Sorry! Internet decided it'd be funny rp stop working.
Hey Sam!
Wb Dragona!
**to not rp
Sorry internet again. Hey Silente! How are you?
Fine thanks Dragona! Partially waiting for Zaf to come on...
You?
I'm fine, thank you.
*Jeopardy theme plays*
Good! Well not good technically its only fine but still! Good to hear that your fine!
Why is a theme playing?
We're waiting.
JKLAJSDLKFAJSLKFDJADSFASJ
THREE PAGES IN A ROW WHAT IS THIS
Ha ha Sam again! Oh. The dedications just love you!
Mwhahahahahaha.
Blerg.
Well, after last time, I have NO idea what to ded to.
greetings :3
Heya Jubi!
Hey Jubi.
Sam..ded to something random.
Hey Jubi! How are you?
DRAGONA!!! SAM!!! SILENTE!!!! *supermegatacklehugsofdoom*
HAII!!
I'm ok... I have way too much homework...
which means that I'm procrastinating by coming on here... so mad
*msd
autocorrect uugghh
*dodges the hug*
How are you?
Hello little vampire
Hello Zaf. Wanna continue our rp?
Which RP?
The in-jail-arrrsted rp dragona.
Ah. Is there a way I could join in?
Dunno really..we're in the American Sanctuary..
*It's nighttime*
*Sits in her chair, trench coat tossed aside to the corner of the room, hat atop it*
*A cigarette in my hands, slowly smouldering, the only source of illumination in the room*
*It puts me in stark profile, highlighting the stubble on my chin*
*Yes, I'm a girl, shut up, there are some things that a PI has to be*
*Somewhere in the world, a lamp flickers*
*And I slowly look up, a grumpy scowl haphazardly smeared across my face, and say...*
I dedicate to hard-boiled detectives, and their wonderful stories.
...Zaf?
Boom? Sorry cute gerbils squeaking distracted me
GERBILS!
AND ZAFFY!! *Supermegatacklehugsofdoom*
I said do you wanna continue the rp?
I said do you wanna continue the rp?
I GOT HUGGED!!!
AND YES WE MAY CONTINUE THE GERBILS DISTRACTED ME BY THEIR CUTENESS
oh and HEAR HEAR! :D
*composes self* Indeed, we may, Silente. *sighs* I swear I go into Niccolò grammar mode. I deserve it for impersonating him for a few days, he leaves an impression.
I may/may not suddenly join your RP
Fair warning: I am not very good at it
*is sat in the cell leaning against a wall*
*whistling zydrate anatomy*
Alexis: *smirks* Zydrate comes in a little glass vial. *sings the line, then speaks* When did you see that musical?
((Silente- I love you. ))
*will join the RP if possible*
((thabk you Zaf. I haven't really seen it but I know what happens in it. We got the DVD then the DVD player broke.))
*smiles* I was around when it first came out Alexis.
*turns to face the direction that Alexis' voice came from* hows your mother? Any better?
Alexis: No. She's now asking for us to release Niccolò, but well....Alastair is the name out and he won't do good for her. So now we think she's finding herself in the past. Possibly what she said to Alastair in the time he had her captive. *sighs* So I hate to say it, you're stuck until someone can calm her. Apparently we need her signature to do anything offcial.
Ah. Take it she's taking a trip down memory lane then? That's not good. Have you tried using a sensitive to calm her? Or sigils? Or have you decided to just let her wait it out? I didn't think it'd have quite this effect upon her..
Is there anything I can like do?
((i don't know Dragona...))
Alexis: I don't know. Aro and I are to interogate you though. He has full permission to use force. For a Sense-Warden, he likes to physically torment people.
Aro: I do. *grins* Simple questioning- you cooperate we get to have answers, fail to do so, I have some fun.
*nods*
Sounds reasonable. Okay. Ask away. Oh but first can i have my sight and touch back?
Aro: *gives her senses back* Fine, who are you and why did you attack Grand Mage Kerias?
*lets just say is stood guarding the door*
Post a Comment