I have just seen Tom Percival's rough version of what the paperback cover for The Dying of the Light ... and all I can say is WOW.
This cover needs to be a poster. You'll be seeing it yourself in a matters of weeks, and then you can join me in demanding more posters. MORE!
Before the paperback of TDOTL comes out, of course, there'll be the paperback edition of Armageddon Outta Here. We'll be using a slightly altered version of the hardback cover for this because I didn't want anyone out there picking it up thinking it's one of the main books — I want it to be as obvious as possible that it's a collection of stories. There ARE going to be three new stories in it, though, about which I'll go into more detail closer to publication.
The Skulduggery series is, of course, now over, and I'm working on this mysterious new trilogy of mine. I had a third of it written by the time TDOTL was released, and then I went on a tour that took me to the other side of the world, and writing stopped.
When I got back, I had to write those three new short stories for AOH — so writing of the new series was postponed.
Then I needed a break. I just needed one or two weeks to just stop working and relax. So no writing got done.
Then it was December, and I sat down to write the remaining two thirds of the book. And I sat. And I sat. And nothing was happening. My absolute deadline for getting the first book finished was the end of January, and I had a LOT to do. But nothing was happening.
The writing had stalled.
This, as you can imagine, was not good. This was ever-so-slightly worrying. It had happened before, of course. It had happened with The Faceless Ones and again with Kingdom of the Wicked. Writer's block? Maybe. If such a thing exists, then I probably had it.
December carried on. I spoke to my agent and my editor just before the Christmas break, because the title I had been planning on using (or something similar) had been used by someone else a year earlier. We'd been having discussions about what it was going to be called now. None of my ideas were hitting in the way I needed.
But then, right before the Christmas break, the title came to me. No, I'm not going to tell you what it is — not yet. But it came to me and my eyes widened, and I sent off an email. A short email. Two words long. My title. My agent and my editor got back to me immediately — perfect.
We got on the phone, discussed it, said merry Christmas, and hung up.
Happy once again, I sat down at my desk and began to WRITE.
Except I didn't.
The book was still stalled.
The day before Christmas Eve I was sitting at my computer, staring at the screen. I remembered how I had been blocked when writing The Faceless Ones and Kingdom of the Wicked. When I was writing TFO, I was in the process of buying a house and I was about to move in. Something like this is incredibly distracting, and probably accounted for my inability to write. I broke through that block one day (on New Year's Eve, 2008) simply because enough time had passed. I didn't question it, I just wrote. When I was writing KOTW, I got halfway through and things slowed down. I wasn't blocked, exactly, but I wasn't inspired. There was something missing. I looked at the title — Kingdom of the Wicked — and I asked myself what does this title say to me?
For some reason, it said 'alternate dimension'.
That's what was missing. Immediately I was writing about shunting and Mevolent and a world ruled by sorcerers, and slotting all that into what I'd already written about Argeddion and Kitana.
So, two days before Christmas, I looked at this title I'd just come up with, and I asked myself what does this title say to me?
And it told me. And suddenly everything changed.
The core idea is still the same — it's still about a 16 year old girl who is being chased across America by demons — but it has grown. It has expanded. It has evolved.
So I scrapped what I'd written. I managed to salvage maybe half of it, but that meant I was now even worse off than I had been. The thing is, though, I was now inspired. This was FUN again.
My deadline is still the end of this month. In the last week, I have written enough to that I have once again got a third of it written. I calculate that I will need to write twice as much as I usually do per day to get it done in time. Yesterday was my first attempt to do this. I wrote EXACTLY twice as much as I usually do. Yesterday was a good day. Today is going to be a good day too.
It has to be.
Friday, January 9, 2015
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«Oldest ‹Older 1801 – 2000 of 4833 Newer› Newest»There has been a volcano here for many centuries, Blakes father had a certain hidden room atop it where many a dark thing has taken place.
Chris: I think that's a baby thing...
(Fall out Bot? never heard of them ;)
(So what will we do with the roleplay, Blake and Ariadne?)
Bethany: I... Don't like pain. I just like you biting me.
Claire: You're odd. *smiles, eating her pizza*
MrBBWolf: Me too..
(*stares out a window*)
(THERE IS A VOLCANO IN BLOGLAND AND NO-ONE TOLD ME?
-_-
...)
(*grins at J* they are also performing with you me at six
And I loves fallout boy
And paramore
And skillet
And hale storm !)
(Boy*
*Goes to bang his head off a wall*)
Yes she is. But she's brilliant..
*shifts, sitting in her lap instead*
*gently bites her throat*
(*jumpscares Jai*)
(Um.... um.... alright how about this. Arias influence inadvertently stopped Phaestra in her tracks for a bit? Maybe?)
Chris: but she still likes you
*lilith chews on wolfs thumb *
(Not got a clue...)
*Looks back up at Erebus, new fear in her eyes*
*What dark things? was he going to torture her now?*
*Oh god he's going to torture her*
*Starts to squirm*
*She would rather have Silente eat her*
(I'm back bitches! Who missed me?! *smiles* )
(Rhossie! *glomps*)
(Paramore is alright. Skillet is awesome, I have the Comatose and Awake albums. I want Rise really badly...)
Bethany: I'm not... *smiles at her in her lap, before hissing from the pain* *presses herself against her*
Claire: I hope you two don't expect me to call you mum...
(Hello Rhos)
(You can try, Adam.)
Sure, Erebus.
Just point towards the volcano, as I've never seen it.
*grips Aria's arm*
(I missed you Rhos! Hi ^.^ *hugs*)
(It will be easier to completely ignore Phaestra's involvement.)
(*looks calmly at Kas*)
MrBBWolf: *smiles*
Are you wanting blood?
(I like 'not gonna die' )
(True, but I don't want to just force you out of the RP.)
(@Rhos Hello. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are not bitches.)
*smiles, pulling her a bit closer, drinking*
*glances at Claire, considering, then gives a slight thumbs up*
*Looks straight into Tanya's eyes*
*Uses her power as much as she can to tell her to let go of her and not take her to the volcano*
(I second that, Tia.)
*presses his head against the window*
*mouths "Hi!")
*lilith whimpers *
(Thinks of the so g 'feed me Seymour ')
(Actually, Tia, you do not speak for me.
You already did so, Blake. I am not pleased about it, but it will be better should Phaestra have never have appeared in the first place.)
Chlo Chlo! *accepts glomping and holds you in a huggle*
How art thou?)
(awww thank you Arai and hi *hugs* )
(Hello Jack )
(hello Kas and good point.... (its my thing, I know none of you guys (my amazing friends!) are bitches ) )
(Little shop of horrors is amazing)
(^.^ you're welcome Rhos)
(*huggles rhos* am I a bitch? )
(*half smiles and waves*)
MrBBWolf: *takes his thumb back, biting it gently, hard enough to draw blood*
*offers Lilith her thumb*
Bethany: *smiles, cuddling against her*
Claire: *she frowns slightly at the thumbs up, looking confused*
Directions, Erebus.
*stops drinking a moment, long enough to speak*
That's okay Claire..you don't have to call us mum..
*smiles at her slightly*
(It is
Every home should have an Audrey 2)
*lilith sucks on hiss thumb contently*
(If you insist... Sorry.)
*Points a finger in the direction of the Volcano*
Once you come out the other side of the forest you should have no issue in finding it. Make your way to the top and you will be able to see the entrance.
*Places his, Blakes, hand on her forehead and releases a small amount of shadows into her eyes*
(Kas, did Tanya just completely ignore Ariadne?)
MrBBWolf: *smiles down at her*
Little monster.. I wonder if I did this...d-drunk blood..
(Mean green mother from outer space)
Chris: didn't you have a mother?
*Can't see*
*Is panicking and thrashing to get out of Tanya's hold*
*Stops when she hears the voice*
Hell No Chlo! You're a freakin god-send! *huggles tightly* )
(Yup! She needs to know where the volcano is, so that takes priority.
You can't say "don't take me there" when your captor has no idea where "there" is.
Not your mistake, Aria.)
Claire: Good. Because you are rather too strange to be my mother... I am sat at a kitchen table eating pizza whilst one of my adoptive parents is drinking the blood of the other, who is an angel...
My life is strange.
(It is fine, Blake. I am sure there will be another opportunity for her to appear some when. Then I will have tracked her down again.)
(Well I also said for her to let her go, surely she would have at least done that.
Damit *facepalms*)
MrBBWolf: *shrugs* sh-she died..I think...a-and I can't remember my d-dad..except for when I w-was a teen a-and he sent me away..
*sighs*
Leave or you might find yourself in a bad place, dragon.
*Dragon? what the hell was going on around her?*
*blushes slightly*
Yeah..
*looks slightly ashamed and shifts off of her lap*
(I thought Erebus weakened Aria :/)
(*huggles tightly* you...)
Chris: *frowns* that must have been tough
*lilith finishes feeding*
*Looks up at the dragon*
I am very hard to surprise. But I must admit I did not expect this.
(How would he have weakened her? he gagged her then put shadows into her eyes so she couldn't see. She couldn't control you now but she could with her eyes and her voice, both of which she cannot now use. Apart from that, she can still use her full powers. When she is un bound.)
MrBBWolf: I-I guess..it wasn't so back..I m-mean..If you don't know someone..c-can you really miss them?
Out of the way. This is god/primordial business.
Bethany: *smiles, wiping a little blood from her neck*
I... know this may not be the time but... Do you think I should get Ember and Elizabeth to help us?
You would be correct. You may carry on with your day now.
*Looks at Aria then back to Tanya*
I will see you at the volcano.
Maybe..Probably.
(I meant during the fight?)
(*snuggles* yes I am me *nods* and i say it how it is....
And you love it *smiles* )
(I've read it some where that's one of 25 reasons to love a welsh person, we say it as it is (bluntly, brutally honest ) )
(*cough*Chloe,email*cough*)
(I'm siding with Aria on this one, though she can't speak or see magic doesn't generally need either of those things. Unless you have to speak an incantation or see your target.)
(No, he didn't weaken her, as far as I'm aware...)
Bethany: There will be the daughter of life, light and creation, the daughter of death, the daughter of time, the daughter of destruction, the goddess of life, light and creation... Will that be enough?
Claire: And me. Don't forget me. I could probably distract him with my telekinesis a little. Maybe he could stab himself in the face.
(Knocked her around a bit, trapped her in a dome, but I don't think he's tried to actually disable anyone yet.)
(Awwkay!)
*prods Aria towards the forest*
Move it, you don't want me to start making threats.
*glances at Claire, looking meaningfully at Beth*
It isn't safe for her...or me, for that matter. I'd still help but..
*glances at Claire again*
I don't want her hurt..
(he actually didn't knock her around at all. A shadow forced her to the ground then she knocked HIM around. Then he trapped her foot inside his torso, then put her in a dome. He actually did no physical damage to her. You must be getting soft :3)
Chris : I don't know
(Replied Jai
And I do love it rhos)
*Stumbles clumsily through the forest as she can't see where she's going*
*Trips over a tree branch and falls to the ground*
*Tries to get back up but she can't get her hands undone*
Bethany: I know...
Claire... I don't think... That it'd really be a suitable place. I don't want you getting hurt...
Claire: But... That's not... I want... *sighs*
(awwwwwwwww *smiles sweetly* Thank you Chlo )
MrBBWolf: *looks at Lilith*
I don't th-think you can..
*Stands in the howling wind with no apparent effort*
And what is it to you, beast? Why should you care to insert yourself into something that will only end badly for you?
(That's like the third time I've double posted...what the heck? >.<)
* looks at Claire*
We just want you safe..and chances are I won't be there either..
*sighs*
You have a good time, dragon.
*grips Aria's arm again and shadow-walks away*
*they appear in a distant clearing*
*sighs*
*frees her* This will probably get me killed, but... go.
Claire: Why not?
Phaestra: *appears in a flash of light beside Erebus* I thought I sensed a fluctuation in darkness here. *spins her golden sword in her hand*
*The shadows in Tanyas brain react violently to her disobedience, squirming and stabbing, but being careful to cause no permanent damage*
*Turns from the dragon to Phaestra*
Oh hello. I take it you are going to be as foolish as this dragon and attempt to get in my way?
(Tis true my love)
*lilith yawns *
Chris: at least she will know her dad
*Tentacles of darkness whip up towards the dragon, grabbing in to his wings and dragging him towards the earth*
W-what's wrong? are you ok?
*turns, blinded and unable to see what's going on*
*Uses her hands and finds the girl*
It won't be safe. With that many gods and demi gods and what not, people like us will get hurt..
MrBBWolf: Yeah..
(I'll need to go soon...that's almost 11pm and I'm getting tired...)
(awwwww you.... *smiles again* my love for you is true too (that's a fair bit of alliteration there *nods* )
Phaestra: Foolish is not the word I would use to describe someone who would stand in your way. *fires a pulse of white energy from her hand at him* Sensible, would be more suitable.
(Tentacles *tries not the think of stuff*)
Chris: *smiles* she's going to be glad to have you
*Aria's and Erebus' attempts to control her mind proves too much, rendering her unconscious*
Claire: I... suppose. *she sighs* I always thought you were powerful...
Bethany: She is. But my mother has the ability to create entire universes. This is... a little beyond us. Even I feel out of my depth.
MrBBWolf: I hope so..
*A half-dome of shadows protects him fro the flames ("Lightning type fire"?) and a stream of shadows slams into the beam of light*
A two on one, this is hardly fair.
*smirks*
I am powerful.
*smiles*
More than most know. But I also know when I'm out matched.
Tanya? *no response*
Tanya!
*Falls down onto her knees and finds her again*
*Shakes her*
*Still can't see anything but darkness*
(Awwwww Rhossie (
Chris; *smiles* I'm sure of it
(Tanya had a dagger on her that Aria can use to free herself)
(Really Chloe? Really?)
MrBBWolf: *smiles*
I wonder what she'll be like...
(This is a great plot. :)
Also, Aria, I really like your profile picture. :))
(Kas, Erebus put shadows into her eyes, not over. The only way she would be able to see again if a necromancer took them out. She's blinded.)
Phaestra: And I rather think extinguishing all light in this universe, killing the inhabitants of this planet and many others on top of that, is also unfair. *fires twin beams of light at him - one from her hand, and one from her sword* I created this realm. *a stone wall forms above him and drops* And I will defend it.
(I guess she has no choice but to run then.)
Bethany: I know how powerful you are. You're so strong. And I know that you have powers beyond what you show.
(your welcome Chlo
And what's wrong with the word tentacles? *mind finds a word similar to it* oh.... Well that's not exactly very clean now.... )
(Thank you Star! I like yours too ^.^ very blue. Rhyme time.
Why am I double posting so much?! I don't get this, I'm not clicking twice! *sighs*)
*smiles slightly at Beth*
Shh. Those are secrets. I don't like using them..
(Gah! I'm sorry!)
Chris: she'll be great with both her parents bringing her up
(It's never been very clean, Rhos. Especially if you watch anime like Highschool DXD.)
*The dome stretches to fully encase him and expands like a solid explosion*
(DO NOT WATCH THAT ANIME IF YOU HAVE ANY SENSE OF INNOCENCE OR DECENCY.)
(Btw, Tanya's dagger can absorb shadows. Use it, but don't take it, as Erebus can track said shadows.)
MrBBWolf: *nods*
I hope so..She's lucky..Inky should've d-died..
*Decides that she's not dead when she feels her breathing*
*Just unconscious*
*Run...run Ariadne...*
*Gets up and runs blindly through the forest, away from the battle between gods and dragons*
*Stumbles a couple of times but manages to stay upright*
(Just...hentai! )
Bethany: Is there anything you could use on me?
Phaestra: *raises her sword at the expanding dome, firing a beam of light at it before it passes over her, being directed either side of her rather than colliding with her*
(@Tanya: And how would Aria know that in the roleplay?
@Aria: Yes, I love my profile picture . . . which is, of course, why it's my profile picture. :P It feels like me. :))
Chris: I see...but she didn't *sniles*
(Damn I wish I had saw that. Now she's going to get caught again unless there is another necromancer around that can help her.
This is a great plot Star, I love that I'm a part of it, And almost everyone online at the moment is taking part too.)
(for what Chlo?)
(I fully agree Aria, as I say life is better with a dirty mind *smiles* and i haven't watched that anime )
(Don't panic J / Erebus and now I want to watch it because I don't have innocence.... )
(@Star Maybe she'd search for a weapon or something?)
Use on you how?
MrBBWolf: *smiles* indeed she didn't..
(Erebus I didn't know it had that in it when I started watching it and I'm determined to finish all anime I watch!)
*A massive hand takes hold of Malygos with long shadowy fingers and hurls him towards Phaestra*
Bethany: Anything beneficial?
(It IS a great plot. :) You arrived at a good time. XD
@Gar: ? In which way is it better?
(curious question, not a hostile one. I'm genuinely unable to see how being dirtyminded makes ones life better. :P)
@Tanya: Yeahhh, but she wouldn't know that it could absorb shadows or that Erebus could track shadows.)
(Have to go soon :/)
Phaestra: *steps out of the way, firing a beam of light at Erebus from her hand*
(If you want a high school anime watch High School of the Dead or something...)
Chris; and if she gets her mate back everyone will be happy
(What for what?)
(well Star, you curiosity is noted *nods* and how i think its better is because you can see the funny side in so many things *smiles* )
*The beam rakes across his side, blasting away a small portion of his torso, but is quickly lot in the tsunami of darkness sent crashing towards her*
(Clannad and clannad after story. All of you, I highly recommend them. But have tissues.
Yeah Star, I did come at a great time...but I wish I came earlier...you guys keep talking about oldies...I'm guessing it's people who left...?)
What do you class as beneficial?
MrBBWolf: Yeah..*doesn't sound so sure*
(I will go now. Good bye, good night, and, see you in a few hours (if you'll be here then.))
(you said Gah! Sorry! So I like sorry for what? ) (for Chlo)
(okay but what so bad about this anime that has been mentioned but you don't seem to like?)
(I like ouran highschool host club)
(Night Kas)
(Bye Kas! I'll be following you in a couple of minutes...I'm so tired now...but this RP is so good!)
Phaestra: *she raises her hands, sending beams of white energy into the wave in an attempt to push it back* *starts to take a few steps backwards*
(No. No Clannad. I don't like crying like a little girl, thank you.)
Bethany: Well, what powers do you have?
(Okay Chlo *has never heard of it* )
(Goodnight Kas )
(I just realised that Kas kinda took me out of the RP and now I'm running blindly through the forest, away from the only person who can help me...)
*laughs*
A lot.. I've had a hundred and thirty four years to learn magic after all..
(You cried like a little girl? :3
But yeah... I cried at almost every episode of Clannad after story. And like half of Clannad.)
Bethany: Name some?
Claire: *she finishes her pizza* That was a very nice pizza, considering you've never made one before, Bethany.
(No, I have never watched Clannad/Afterstory. But I know the story and know a few people who have.)
(I replied, Blake.)
*Was running*
*Feels something around her, can no longer feel the ground*
*Shit*
*Screams*
Yes, I could. I believe.
I can change physical appearances..can levitate things...elements...lots.
Bethany: Levitate me? *smiles*
*Presses the massive wave forward, pouring more and more darkness into it*
*Doesn't pay much attention to the dragon flying away*
@Gar: I guess that makes sense. :) :) I can see where you're coming from, then. :)
@Aria: Don't worry, 'oldies' refers to people who've been here a few years (like, you probably have to be two to be an 'oldie', but you only have to be here a couple months to be 'not new,' I think). You'd've had to have come quite a lot earlier to have been there that long . . .)
(okay and thank you Star *hugs* (<random hug) )
*smiles*
*calmly waves at Beth, lifting her off her feet*
*glances at Beth and does the same to her*
Phaestra: *she creates an orb of light between them with the brightness of a thousand stars - only for a split second - weakening the wave before slamming her hands on the ground, creating a shockwave of white energy which splays towards Erebus*
*Screams louder*
Who the heck are you?!
Who is 'me'?! I can't see anything!
Thanks Loki
*hugs Gar non-randomly, because it was a reply hug :P*
*is?
*was?
*it's?
(guessing Chloe has poofed?...... Shame..... )
(and jack has too.... Its weird how he's disappeared because I've come on (well that's what It looks like anyway because anything else is a bit convenient... Don't bother me though ) )
*Fades behind her*
*Silently draws a blade of shadows and slashes downward at her neck, much like an executioner*
Chris: what's wrong ?
That evil god back there put shadows into my eyes...
*Sits, hugging her knees against her chest, scared*
(I still here!)
(I presume you mean Claire, Silente?)
Bethany: *smiles*
Claire: Hey!
MrBBWolf: *shrugs*
Describe where he is
Phaestra: *she feels the blade bite into her neck and she immediately pulls away, healing the wound with a glowing white hand* *sends two beams of light at him*
(Yeah. Sorry.)
*laughs, making Beth float higher*
*raises an eyebrow at Claire, spinning her upside down*
(I am still here Rhos, just distant. I am reading up on marvel comics and watching the television)
(hey damn you Murphy's law *glares at him* (also known as sods law *nods* )
(thank you Star and grammar terms in not sure which word would fit and i say it was a random hug because I do random things *nods*
Like how Chloe and me first started talking *remembers exactly what I said* )
(I'm a freakin magician! I can make people appear! What a skill that is! )
Chris: tell me
Claire: *she glares and her eyes start to glow white, Silente lifting up too, twisting repeatedly in the air*
Bethany: *smiles and laughs*
(That's great, Rhos. Nice magic trick :P)
*Shakes her head* I-I still can't see anything
Ahh!
*laughs, trying to focus on Beth and Claire*
*makes Claire spin round, head to the roof then the floor, over and over*
*grins and does the same with Beth*
MrBBWolf: *shrugs* Inky will be happy..when she has her mate. That's true..
Chris: and you feel out of place...
(thank you Arai *hugs* you are a cool person *nods* )
(Aww, Thank you Rhos, that's sweet ^.^ *hugs*)
Neither do I. :O
I like random things. :) :)
(If the age of ultron film is like the comic it should be good)
MrBBWolf: Yeah...a bit..
*The shadows slowly leave her eyes and she can see again*
*Shrinks back when she sees the gnome*
Ahh!
What the heck are you?
W-we were flying...
*Looks around and stands up*
Where are we?
Chris : I'll probably be here to keep you company
(That's the new avengers film isn't it, Mr Smith?)
MrBBWolf: *smiles*
Yeah...I guess.
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