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 3001 – 3200 of 4833 Newer› Newest»I swear, people are just like one of those ouroboros things. We just bite into ourselves and rip ourselves apart and then wonder why we're in such a state.
(@Hugo So, you're just standing there?)
(@Star that person sounds like a moron..)
Bethany: *sees Silente* Oh... Um, something's happening with Tanya... *nods at the fire*
Phaestra: Thank you. *places her hand at the side of her head for a moment, before removing it* You are clear. You can be trusted.
I know.. Adra would make you one if you asked. I don't know how to magic... So.... I can't be of use. *She curls in his coat* But this is mine now!
I was always clear and could be trusted
*Sighs* But I understand, you had to check.
*Turns and walks back over to the rest of them, standing next to Silente, smirking*
*looks at Tanya*
Her magic is just trying to protect her. Don't worry.
*hugs Beth tightly*
Can you fix my face..?
*glares at Aria*
*growls*
(I will be back soon. So please pause the roleplay until I get back.)
(Okay Soph :)
(Ok Sophia)
(So aria how are you?)
@Silente: they probably are.
idk, it's just like . . . how on eaarth are you meant to find worldwise acceptence when the people who are seeking this acceptence can't even acceptence each other?
jsodsomsom.
Hello, anyway. And thank you, just for you know, responding to me and making me feel non-excluded. Not that I'm complaining about being excluded, because I'm not being and I'm not working too hard to include myself either, it's just nice when someone makes effort for you.
(I'm fine, you?)
(@Star you're welcome..*hugs* how are you, other than that.
@Aria I'm okay. Enjoying the rp?)
I'm fine, thank you, Silente. :) I just went ice skating, and it was really fun. :)
How are you? :)
*and anyone else who isn't Aria because she's just been asked?
(Ohhh ice skating is awesome! I'm okay thanks.)
Hang on.
Silente just got asked too. :S
Sorry. Just ignore me. Tell me how you are if you want to tell me, don't if you don't. :P
(XD confuzzled warrior bubble.)
Ice skating is awesome!
I like it because you just kind of glide along really fast and idk it feels nice. :) Plus you can have a really good long hard think whilst you're skating. :)
(Yeah, it would be better if Erebus was back though. No offense.)
Confuzzled seems to be my primary state of existence, Silente. XD It's a side effect of worrying, inconsistency and incompetence. :P
@Aria: yeahyeah.
I guess so.
(@Star yeah. Ice skating is bril.
@Aria no offense taken. Sil will be trying to avoid Erebus however..)
(You aren't incompetent star!)
(Ice Skating Star-Bubble! :3)
(I sprained both my wrists the first time I went ice-skating...bad memories...haven't been again.)
(@Aria aww! Don't let that one time put you off! Ice skating is fun.)
(Why will Sil be trying to avoid Erebus?)
@Silente: A few comments ago I typed '@Star' instead of '@Silente,' and now I just started typing '@Ice skating' instead of '@Silente' . . . meh. :P
And, yeah. I really like it. :)
And, have you actually met me??? XD XD I promise you, if you'd met me irl, you would thoroughly agree with me about my incompetence. I am one of the most incompetent people on the planet, probably. I don't really mind, although it can get annoying sometimes.
@Kas: Yesyes. :) :)
*hugs*
@Aria: OUCH. :o
(@Aria because Sil has a voice in her head called Onwa.
It's her true name.
And Onwa, well, she rather likes Erebus.
So when Sil is around Erebus she's at risk of Onwa taking over..
And being WAAAAY too friendly.)
(*huggles Aria*
One day you will get the justice you deserve. Show that ice rink who's boss!)
(@Silente: Oh yeah, I read that. You put the link up. That was very firey indeed. I totally ship it.
@Star: Yeah...I'm an idiot. I thought I would be brave and go into the centre or the ice rink...Then I fell backwards, and my feet couldn't keep up, so I decided to protect my butt by putting my hands down straight, the pain travelled up both of my arms. Next time, I will not protect my butt. That was a very very bad idea *shakes head*)
(@Aria *facepalm*
Yeah...seemingly everyone does....it's a bit weird...*shakes head* Sil doesn't. Sil hated it.)
(I saw, that was quite amusing.)
(xD I'm sure it was. So yeah, Sil avoids Erebus in order to stay herself..)
@Aria: Yeah. :/ Don't worry, though; if we didn't make mistakes, we would never learn. :)
I ship them too, but I have a LOT of irrational urges and likings. :P
(I suggest you let Onwa out to have some fun.)
(xD star! *shakes head* I swear, even G ships it!)
(*laughs*
Oh you do, do you? Hmm. Maybe.)
(G)
(Damit I took out the question mark. "G?")
(G, Gem. Chi..)
(MSD for food!)
(G?
I'm not sure whether I ship them, because Sil...)
(Oh, wait what?!
So Blake's wife even ships Erebus and Onwa? Woah. I guess it's just that good. :P)
(xD Mhmm. *shakes head* It worries me how many people ship it..)
(MSD?)
@Sil: I'm sorry, it's just SHIPPABLE. XD
(Ah. No one's taught you the terms!
Msd - might suddenly disappear
Wbd - will be distant
Mbd - might be distant)
@Tanya I simultaneously ship Sil&Beth and Onwa&Erebus. :P
*@Kas:
(Ohhhhhhhhhhh that makes so much more sense now, thank you, Enhoy your food ^.^)
(*rolls eyes at Star* I know... it's more shipable at least than some of Sil's OTHER ships..)
(Me too, Star.)
(Enjoy* Damit)
@Ariadne: I'M NOT ALONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEee. :) :)
@Sil: :P Yeah. XD XD
I think Alastair is too distant, so I'm going to go.
(I am back.)
Bethany: Of course. *hugs her tightly, her hand glowing white* *Silente's face glows white for a moment before the wounds heal*
Hugo: So will I be able to access her mind?
Okay, Noelle.
*hugs*
:)
*Sticks her tongue out at Silente*
(Awwkay, Noelle!
Wb, Sophia.)
(Welcome Back, Sophia
Bye Adra!)
(Thanks Aria :)
(@Star uh...you realise only one person out of Sil and Onwa can be present at any one time?)
(Hey Soph!)
*smiles*
Thank you Beth..
Phaestra: *she places her hand on Ariadne's shoulder* Pettiness will not be accepted here. Please refrain from attempting to irritate one of us who has done far more than you for our cause.
(Bye Noelle! Safe life!)
*glares at Aria*
Hugo: *he accesses Tanya's mind, frowning slightly* She is clean. There is no darkness in her mind that has been put there by Erebus.
My apologies, Noelle. *hugs*
@Sil: Yeahhhh. But shipping both simultaneously still isn't as contradictory as shipping both Tadra and Aladra, and furthermore, I'm a very, very inconsistent people. Sometimes when two people are arguing I can manage to agree with them both at the same time, despite the fact they have opposing views. I have no idea how I manage that but I do. :S
*the fire around her intensifies, seeking to drive away anyone too close to her*
Or else?
*raises an eyebrow*
(Back soon, then I'll bring Tanya back.)
Bethany: *she takes more steps away from Tanya* Hugo... Stop messing with her mind.
Hugo: Indeed. That may be most ideal. *he exits Tanya's mind* *steps back, also*
Phaestra: Or, Ariadne, I will lock you in my realm for all eternity.
Oh. Deleted comment mine. I gave a little self-centred irrelevant rant so I deleted. :P
*Shrugs* Suppose I better leave now then.
*Walks away*
Phaestra: It will be better for you to stay. All I am asking is that you do not be so petty. You are supposed to be a goddess.
Supposed to be?
*Turns round*
I can act however I want. I have to be in my mortal form so I don't incinerate everyone who sees my true form.
*comes to*
Now let me tell you who my favourite goddess is.
*sighs and climbs a tree near the waterfall, sits and watches everyone*
(@Star I am okay with any such rant. Email me if you want an audience and/or a conversation.)
Phaestra: I am simply pointing out that alone, Erebus has a higher chance of catching you and controlling your mind. With us, however, you have a higher chance of survival, and you will be able to aid us against him.
(I believe we should wait for Silente before the roleplay goes any further.)
It's okay, Kas. If I'd wanted an audience/conversation, I wouldn't have deleted it, but as such, it was serving no purpose. :) Thank you, though. :) *hugs*
(I will be back soon.)
What will I be able to do in this form?
*sighs* Nothing. I don't even have a weapon.
*She's suddenly dressed in a stark white traditional Greek dress*
*walks over to Aria*
Do you need a place to stay? My bunker is relatively safe.
(Ok, Sophia.
*hugs Star* *whispers* I like the word androgynous.)
(Aaaaaand Back!)
(-_- wow. Me and my timing..)
@Kas: (I typed '@Jaimie' there even though I knew who you were because of your display name. Blegh, my mind is really not on top form today. :P) It's a cool word. :) :)
Incidentally, do you know how to pronounce it? I think I've been doing it wrong. And if you do, do you know how you pronounce 'androgyne', because I think I'm doing that one wrong as well. :P
I still have a ded to go from the other day. Can't think of anything to ded to, though. :P
(Distantly here, not gonna RP much, if at all.)
Hi. :)
(I DEDICATE THIS PAGE TO SOPHIA!!!
SHE'S AMAZING NO MATTER WHAT SHE SAYS!!!
OBVIOUSLY SHES AWESOME!!!
PREVIOUSLY STATED, SHES AMAZING!!!
HER BRILLIANCE IS BLINDING!!!
I REALLY APPRECIATE HER PRESENCE!!!
AND ABOVE ALL SHES A GREAT SISTER!!!
AND THAT SPELLS SOPHIA!!!)
:)
Hear hear. :)
*hugs Silente*
*hugs Sophia*
(Hey J :)
(Thanks Star! *cuddles*)
(Hear hear!
Hey, Blake.
No idea, Star. :/
I stole that ded, Star :S
And you, Jaimie, are pretty awesome yourself. You're as awesome as you think Sophia is. It's true. Don't hide your awesomeness! :3)
(Nuh.. we aren't arguing bout this...)
ʞpı
ǝqʎɐɯ
ıɥ
˙˙˙
(Hi Fabi, if you stay. How are you?)
(Hi Fabi
Aww Erebus why?)
Why would you invite me to stay with you?
(Hear hear
And Silente, I was talking to Tanya. Who just asked if I needed a place to stay and if I want to go and stay with her)
Noooooo, you didn't. You stole half of it. :P
You didn't steal the ded on the same page I got it, anyway, I don't think.
Ah, okay. Because I pronounce androgynous ann - droh (like 'koff' without the 'ff') - ginn - uss, and I pronounce androgyne ann - drough (rhymes with 'dough') - gene, but I guess androgynous could be ann - drough - gene - uss.
Hi, Lantern. :)
(Because I bought Alpha Sapphire off a friend yesterday and got a 3DS today and being the massive nerd I am it has my attention firmly in its grasp.)
(Ah. Sorry. Confusion. :)
(Awww come on Erebus, don't leave us for a game! pwetty pwease?)
(*laughs* J the nerd..Hm..)
poob sı ɥɔıɥʍ 'ʎɐpoʇ ʇuıɐd ob oʇ ʇǝb ı
ɥbnoɥʇ ɹǝʇʇǝq ʇoן ɐ ǝq ןן,ı
ɥǝɯ ɯ,ı
(*nods* painting is good.. calming.
*did I get that right?*)
(Stop deleting comments, guys, please.
@Jai I cannot properly convey how awesome I think you are. Like, I'm going about it wrong, I think. You mean something to me, Jai. So no, I can't just stop and let you think something that I think is wrong.
Well, I can. But it's an opinion and I will state mine and disagree with yours, because I think you're a fantastic person and that's that.)
(*has never played Pokemon.
Wbd.
Hello, Fabi.)
(*Feels a pang of pity for Tanya*
*Goes back to training his Torchic*)
(*hugs gently*)
(I am back.
... I am not awesome. At all.)
(Welcome back Soph!
And yes you are!
*gags*
Shh!
*cuddles*)
(Erebieeeeeee don't leave us for a game! *Tacklehugs him and drags him back so Blogland*)
(to*
I'll need to go in a few minutes, going to my grans. I'll go on her laptop.)
(*hugs Aria*
Okay..
Where did we get to rp wise?)
(*removes the gag and cuddles her back* No, I'm not.
I believe Tanya just woke up.)
Hello! How are you all?
(*glare* I made your NAME describe you. You can't argue that logic!
Right...Okay.)
*shifts closer to Beth*
Morning Tan...
*looks up the waterfall at Elizabeth and Claire*
Hmm..
(Hey Rhydian!)
(*Tacklehugs Rhy* Hey! ^.^)
Hi Sil!
So what's going on atm? Rp wise
Hi Aria!
(Everhones grouped together plotting to take Erebus down.)
*smirks slightly at Aria due to her being told off by Phae*
Who's Erebus and why are we all plotting?
(Erebus is a bad evil God type person who wants to cause problems.)
(Ah...can I assist in this rp or should I just watch?)
(Um..well not much is actually happening...)
(Join in Rhy!
EREBUS GET YOUR BUTT BACK IN BLOGLAND!)
¡ǝןıɥʍ ɐ uǝǝq s,ʇı
¡ıɥ ¡uɐıpʎɥɹ
(Actually, I can argue with that logic.)
Bethany: *hugs Silente tightly* What are you looking at?
(But pokemon....)
(Please don't argue with my logic..)
*hugs Beth tightly back*
No one.
Sooo Sil...What do you need to take down this "Godly" person?
Hi, Rhydian! :)
(not really here, sorry).
(Back)
HI STAR! *tacklehugs* ....hiii
(Hey Jacko.)
*looks at Rhyd*
Hi..we need God's and Goddesses..
Bethany: Are you sure?
(May violently poof, hi!)
(Hello again Jai, how be you?
Rhydian, it has been a while, how be you?
@Jai Ed would help you but hes kind of, gone for now)
(Hello Soph and Kas)
*nods*
Of course..
*kisses her gently*
Always. Just wondering if we should get Claire...
*looks at the plotters*
@Sil: How about Anti-Magic? Will that work?
(Hey again Mr Smith
I'm going to my grans now.
*Hangs onto Erebie*
You need to RP with us! i'll even stay up later if you do...pweaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee?)
(I'm not so bad Jack, you?)
(Bye Everyone! i'll be back in a few minutes!)
I am good Mr Mercy/Smith...I do not recall meeting you?
(Hello Ariadne
@Jai I am good thanks, watching the x men films, 3 left, not today though)
(Rhydian, its me Ed)
(*grumbles*
Fine...)
(See ya, Aria!)
(Hello Erebus)
Oh right. Hiya then "Smith"!
Bethany: *kisses her back* We probably should...
(Smith is one of my new characters, Mercy is the other one)
(Yey!
*hugs J*)
(See ya Aria!)
Okay..
*grins*
Hey Beth?
SO what kind of issues is this Erebus apparently causing Sil?
Brb
Oh you know...wide scale darkness..
Bethany: What?
RACE YA!
*laughs and sets off running, jumping into the air, taping the sigils to activate her wings, flying furiously*
(Jai, is Mr Wolf around?)
(@Jack he is. Near the cottage.)
Bethany: *takes off and flies after her, overtaking her easily*
*A thin, nearly unnoticeable shadow flies out of the trees towards Silente*
(Thanks)
Mercy: *Is sat in the bar* *sends a message to wolfs mind saying the bar*
AHH!
*flies faster, trying to keep up*
How are you so QUICK??
MrBBWolf: *frowns*
*isn't used to getting mind-mail*
*walks to the bar*
H-hello?
Bethany: *turns towards her and sees the shadow, knocking it away with a pulse of light*
Mercy: Hello Wolf, please have a seat
*jumps at the pulse of light*
Yo okay I'll slow down!
*slows slightly*
MrBBWolf: um..
*sits down*
Bethany: No! There was a shadow which flew at you... Come on. *pulls her and flies to Elizabeth and Claire*
Mercy: You have an... unusual power Mr Wolf. We are interested in recruiting you
*Another shadow suddenly shoots toward them from the other side, then another from the front, soon it seems as though the whole forest is trying to bring them down*
*frowns but flies after her*
*lands between them*
You okay?
MrBBWolf: P-power? R-rec-cruiting?
Mercy: Yes, you have the power of attracting people. We think you could help us
MrBBWolf: H-how..?
Bethany: *she frowns and creates a shield of light around them all, halting the path of the shadows*
Claire: What the hell is happening?
Elizabeth: We are under attack. *she draws her bow*
(I will be back soon.)
(Okay Soph..)
Smith: Our s... society w... was formed many y... years ago
Mercy: We have a goal, and you are going to be useful
*pulls Claire closer*
*mumbles about being found*
MrBBWolf: w-what g-goal?
(And I am now back! hello everyone.
Yay! Erebie! *Cuddles tightly*)
*Sits in a Y-shape created by two branches*
*Lays against one branch, feet against the other*
*Rests her eyes for a few minutes, dress falling slightly off the branch and blowing in the wind*
Mercy: Control Wolf. Mortals rule this world like they own it, we are the next step of evolution. Our last operative is no longer of use and you will fill the spot nicely
(Welcome back Aria!)
*Watches from the branches of a tree, content to stay hidden and ware them down*
*The shots become larger and stronger*
MrBBWolf: c-control? I-I-I don't want cont-trol?
Mercy: But we do. Once we have our device complete we can take over and with Erebus occupying everyone the time is right
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