Guidelines to Fiction

When we get an idea that's when we have to start working with the guidelines of friction to get our story out and be told.

Me, personally, only do a little in the beginning.

Like: characters, place, time, plot, etc.... I try not to go to much into detail in the beginning. It feels sometimes like I'm spoiling it for myself. I don't know, am I the only who feels that way?

Anyways, here are some things that may help the writing process of fiction, the simple stuff I do before hand, there's more things to learn that I didn't post so you can look at them here. These are just the things I begin with.

Plot, is what the character(s) did, said, and thought. It is the Action Proper given unity by the Enveloping Action, the Universal Action, the Archetypal Action. As Aristotle said, What gives a story unity is not as the masses believe that it is about one person but that it is about one action. Plot, or storyline, is often listed as one of the fundamental elements of fiction.

It is the rendering and ordering of the events and actions of a story. On a micro level, plot consists of action and reaction, also referred to as stimulus and response. On a macro level, plot has a beginning, a middle, and an ending. Plot is often depicted as an arc with a zig-zag line to represent the rise and fall of action. Plot also has a mid-level structure: scene and summary. A scene is a unit of drama—where the action occurs. Then, after a transition of some sort, comes the summary—an emotional reaction and regrouping, an aftermath.

Character

Characterization is often listed as one of the fundamental elements of fiction. A character is a participant in the story, and is usually a person, but may be any personal identity, or entity whose existence originates from a fictional work or performance.
Characters may be of several types:

• Point-of-view character: The character from whose perspective (theme) the audience experiences the story. This is the character that represents the point of view the audience will empathise, or at the very least, sympathise with. Therefore this is the "Main" Character.
• Protagonist: The driver of the action of the story and therefore responsible for achieving the story's Objective Story Goal (the surface journey). In western storytelling tradition the Protagonist is usually the Main Character.
• Antagonist: The character that stands in opposition to the protagonist.
• Static character: A character who does not significantly change during the course of a story.
• Dynamic character: A character who undergoes character development during the course of a story.
• Foil: The character that contrasts to the protagonist in a way that illuminates their personality or characteristic.
• Supporting character: A character that plays a part in the plot, but is not major
• Minor character: A character in a bit/cameo part.

Methods of developing characters

• Appearance: explains or describes the character's outward appearance for the readers to be able to identify them
• Dialogue: what they say and how they say it
• Action: what the character does and how he/she does it
• Reaction of others: how other characters see and treat him/her

Types of conflict

There are five basic types of conflict. In ancient cultures Person vs. Fate often constitute the conflict of the story; however, so many people today believe they are in charge of their own destiny that few stories of this ilk can be found. In modern times, Person vs. Machine, also known as Person vs. Technology, has become another one.^[2]

Person vs. Self is the theme in literature that places a character against their own will, confusion, or fears. Person vs. Self can also be where a character tries to find out who they are or comes to a realization or a change in character. Although the struggle is internal, the character can be influenced by external forces. The struggle of the human being to come to a decision is the basis of Person vs. Self. Examples include the titular character of Beowulf. More recently, the Academy Award winning movie A Beautiful Mind has been posited as an application of Person vs. Self. Faulkner in his Nobel Prize acceptance speech noted that the great stories are those of the human heart in conflict with itself. With that in mind the other conflicts enumerated here can fade into the background as part of the setting rather than the conflict-in-itself of any given story. A simple, ready example may be Jack London's "To Build a Fire" wherein we can see that the conflict is not Man vs. Nature but Man vs. His Own Nature.

Person vs. Person is a theme in literature in which the main character's conflict with another person is the focus of the story. An example is the hero's conflicts with the central villain of a work, which may play a large role in the plot and contribute to the development of both characters. There are usually several confrontations before the climax is reached.

Person vs. Society is a theme in fiction in which a main character's, or group of main characters', main source of conflict is social traditions or concepts. In this sense, the two parties are: a) the protagonist(s); b) the society of which the protagonist(s) are included. Society itself is often looked at as a single character, just as an opposing party would be looked at in a Person vs. Person conflict.This can also be one protagonist against a group or society of antagonists or society led by some antagonistic force

 

Person vs. Nature is the theme in literature that places a character against forces of nature. Many disaster films focus on this theme, which is predominant within many survival stories. It is also strong in stories about struggling for survival in remote locales

Person vs. Supernatural is a theme in literature that places a character against supernatural forces. When an entity is in conflict with him-, her-, or itself, the conflict is categorized as internal, otherwise, it is external. Such stories are often seen in Freudian Criticism as representations of id vs. superego. Bram Stoker's Dracula is a good example of this, as well as Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Christabel by Samuel Coleridge. It is also very common in comic books.

Person vs. Machine/Technology places a character against robot forces with "artificial intelligence". I, Robot (the film) and the Terminator series are good examples of this conflict.


Types of prose fiction:

• Flash fiction: A work of fewer than 2,000 words. (1,000 by some definitions) (around 5 pages)
• Short story: A work of at least 2,000 words but under 7,500 words. (5–25 pages)
• Novelette: A work of at least 7,500 words but under 17,500 words. (25–60 pages)
• Novella: A work of at least 17,500 words but under 50,000 words. (60–170 pages)
• Novel: A work of 50,000 words or more. (about 170+ pages)
• Epic: A work of 200,000 words or more. (about 680+ pages)

^{Enjoy! Hope this helps any inspiring authors out there.....}



Updated blog & Review #2

Hi Everybody,

I'm back to doing this blog. I gave it an updated look and yes, I love chocolate. What women doesn't, really. Plus, chocolate helps us feel better in our dark times. And by dark times, I mean, when I become with writers block and can't write a signal word.

Though I'm getting better with fighting it. Yay, me!

If you noticed I changed the name. Instead of just talking about one of my series I'll talk about my processes in all of the crazy, fun ideas that pop into my head anytime of day.

Just yesterday, one popped up after/while I was watching Scream 4 with my sister- review for Scream here. It'll be a short story and I've already hand written 13 pages for it. It's contemporary. Not many of those came to me and stay contemporary. But this one is, yay! My first one and I'm so excited.

Anyways, a few weeks ago I got back my first book, Broken, from another reader my mother found among her worker friends. This time was different. Not only my mothers friend was going to read it but she was going to read it aloud. It's one thing reading it in your mind and it's another reading it aloud. You never know how it'll be taken by that person or how well it really sounds out into the air we breathe.

So, Lisa, decided to read it to her 15 year old daughter because she found out about it. And when my mother told me I was kind of taken back, maybe even a little nervous, because I've yet read it out loud so.... this was new to me. But in the end my worries needed no more because they both loved. Yea! *wipes forehead*

I even got a written (well typed) review from Chloe, Lisa's 15 year old daugther. And, of course, I'm going to share.


Ashley,

Hello....

First off- thank you very much, for sharing it with us. We had a great time reading it together. She would read a chapter or two out loud and then I would. I thought that you wrote a very good and entertaining story. I really have nothing bad to say about it. If I were to make any suggestions- I would say maybe during the drive to her grandfathers home you could have talked more about Jane/ her mom and her background. Like where she was from and to maybe build up her personallity a little more.

I would have loved to learn more in the beginning about where she had lived and to get to know her. I really like to understand the identity of the main characters in the beginning :).

Over all we truly enjoyed the story. Thank you again for sharing it with us.

Sincerely,

Chloe


I love getting feedback and I'm sooooo glad they enjoyed.

So, while I'm off between semesters I'll do a read through of this book and get back to working on book number two.

And I would love to get some feedback too, from any readers I may get. What do you think of the title/tag of the blog? I may or may not be sold on the tag yet. It's still a working in progress.

Moving Forward

I've been kinda on a dry spell lately and yesterday I finally got a moving in the story which is making me excited. So, in two days, yesterday and today I've been going at it and hand written 11.5 pages, back to back, making a total of 23 pages. I've written two in a half chapters in two days and that'll be a new record, I'm lucky if I can get that in a week.

I'm loving the feeling and hoping I can keep the momenta going and then I'll be done with the first written draft in no time..... :) Let's just hope my hand won't give out on me.....





New Blog

But don't worry I won't forget about this one, to those who read it. I created this for my book series, to talk about it and it's progress and nothing more. But I have more I want to say. So that why I created another. I'll be doing book reviews (I've gotten better....I think), tv/movie reviews, and other random stuff I want to talk about, stuff I can't talk about here, on this blog because it would take away the point on why I created.

The new blog was in hopes of co-hosting it with my sister but right now she's not so sure about. But between you and me I'm pretty sure she'll change her mind. When, don't know but she can start whenever she feels like it. :) Time to have some fun....<3

All of it back

So, kind of late, but whatever.

Monday mom got back the rest of the chapters from Donna, 11-26, and yesturday I just started to dive into the editing for them.

Today it just dawned on to me that this might actually happen. I just have one more person that needs to read it, get a cover, copywrite it, then work on self-publishing it. Sounds crazy, right? So as I'm going through it, sometimes I'm catching myself as just another reader, reading a book I just got off a shelf and I'm seeing that this is actually pretty good and I get sucked in at moments with two of my favorite characters. A little weird but it gives me confidence that I might have actually found my calling and it brings chills. :) 

You know what would only help out on my confidence even more is a full on detail review from Donna which I have asked my mother to get from her and I can't wait to see what she likes. Over all, all she's been saying is that she loves it, but I want a little more.

I adore this song and it's even going to be on the soundtrack for my second installment, Taken, and I can't wait to write down that scene.... :)

Music

rythem & beat it's a big part of a writers, scratch that, it's a big part of any bodies world. Whether its rap, pop, r&b, or even country....yes, even country. It's there in our lives where every we go. So today I'll be talking about one song in particular.

The first time I heard this song was on a show called, Harper's Island, the best show I've every seen that had all my favorite elements and I was truly surpised in every episode as I watched them one by one. Sidenote: right now I would like to say sorry to all those people that I got hooked onto the show, truly sorry...sorta.

Anyways the song is called, Letters From The Sky by Civil Twilight. And I fell in love with it the moment I heard it. Though in the show it's a very sad scene, so every time I hear it I tend to vision that specific scene. So here's the scene,   

This song is actually going to be the theme song for the main girl and the guy she's slowly falling for but it's going to be a part of the third installment and yes, I already got that scene planned out and it's going to be closely to the end. So excited. :) But sadly I can't get to it right now because I have yet finished the second. Then again, with me, I already had the ending for book two in my mind before I even got started on the first. But, trust me, I will not forget it. It's going to be a truly powerful scene.    

How it SHOULD have ended

So something fun. I spotted this on a blog I follow, A Storybook World, and I thought I should share it with you guys.

How it should have ended <- website....

Some of it back

Okay, back to book news....

So my quick edit was sent to my moms other friend, Donna. Which her job is to help edit, make sure nothing is confusing, and over all that it is a good story. And just to let you guys know she wanted to do this and I truly appricated it. It's nice to have another pair of eyes.

Today when mom got home she dropped off what Donna had already edited, Chapters 1-10. On her view on it right now is that she loves the concept and it's very dynamic though I need to work on the technically stuff. Like, grammer, repeating, and short on the details in some spots. And I know I need to work on that but isn't it better to have more details than not much at all. You can always cross out.

So, soon I'll be working on edit number two and I can't wait to see what else she has to say about it. :) Me very happy!   

125

Okay short, short blog but I just wanted to say wow.....125 pageviews, that's like amazing. Whether they're reading it or not something grabbed there attention about this blog and that's pretty cool.

I've noticed on the stats that I've had some viewers from over the pond, in the UK and someplace over in the lower part of Thailand.

But anyways, Dr. Pepper is celebrating their 125th anniversary this year and though my blog hasn't been here for 125 years, I just had to show case their design for their cans this year.

I spotted my sister drinking a can one day and I just thought they were too cute. I love it from the colorful can to the diner girl.

For some reason I have a thing for the years between 1920's to the 1960's. From what I've seen on TV, whether it's true to the year, they just seem so colorful, so lively unlike today.

So hopefully one day my writing will take me to one of those timelines. *crosses her fingers*

The Gathering Review

The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

Until now.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . . different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

Review

        Okay, so how do I feel about this one.....well, let me just start off by saying I love this women and the style of her writing. It's easy, fun and...addictive! My first brush of her was her very first YA series, Darkest Power. Which consists of three books, The Summoning & The Awaking & The Reckoning, completing a trilogy. Which I thoroughly enjoyed and if it wasn't because of those books and her I would have never truly have gotten into writing and to be able to create my first book, Broken. So I'm going to work really hard on this review because it needs a descent one.

         Everything from the forest to the small town I love. I don't know what it is but I just love those settings. Anyways, most of you will probably compare this to the other trilogy if you read them. And you can see how completely different they are. So you have in, Darkest Power series, it's fast pace and moving while in this first installment in the, Darkness Rising series, it's more slow and developing. But still enjoyable. Huh, bare with me guys I'm really, like, really new at reviews so, yea...

         In the Darkest Power series theres kind of a little love triangle, in this one (for now) doesn't have much of one, which is refreshing to say the least. Don't get me wrong I love reading books like that, who is she going to pick? Is she going to pick the one I like or the other? But for some reason lately they just seem to be in every book, no matter what the story line or genre it is. And after awhile it just gets... tiring. So I was glad there wasn't one in this one. 

        Lets see, characters. Maya (the protagonist) is just turning sixteen and now for some reason things are a changing, lol. Anyways, she's an animal lover and takes care of the injurys that pop out around her house, which is in, like, the middle of the forest....bonus! She always had a healing touch but now it's just remarkable at how quick the animals are healing and for some reason, when she isn't wearing gloves when she handles them, she's able to see how they got injuryed as if being them. If you get that...hopefully that made since.

         Why she can do that we figure it out with her, along the same journey she's on. However what she is the readers will probably, no doubt, figure it out before she does. I think that's the only thing I have a problem with, that and the cliffhanger. Then again I think that's the best thing Kelley Armstrong can do... always wanting to leave you hanging, making you crave for the next book. And she certainly did, like always. 

         They'res two main people she hangs out with; her best freind Daniel and the guy she likes Rafe (whom is looking for something special in a girl) you'll learn more about that later in the book. Though some of you may not like this book, I've read complaints that it's to slow and nothing at all like Kelley Armstrong first YA series, and I think there's a point to that. She wanted something different but enjoyable and it was. I'm on the other hand, from those people who complain, was thoroughly Pleased with the book. I couldn't put it down and was really sad that it ended and where it ended, then again it was a cliffhanger. Like always with Kelley Armstrong.

         The last six or so chapers I really got into it, fast pace and exciting. That's when you start to see who's really behind on all those fires. So when I read sometimes I listen to music and for those fast pace and exciting scenes I (and I mean I, if you read it you may not think so) but the song I think that would go perfect with those scenes, was Cosmic Love by Florence + The Machine. So if you read it listen to that song from chapter Thirty- four and on.

         I wasn't going to talk much about the main two boys but....I thought different. Sorry long post I just want to do a really good review. Anyways, Daniel the best friend. So I couldn't really visualize him until now. He's kinda like the boy next door. He's sweet, kind, and he'll always have your back. And I think I found the perfect person to play him if this ever turned into the movie (and if it does, hopefully it doesn't turn out badly like Twilight. Sorry it just showed how flawed it really is) and sorry to those who are reading this that love Twilight. I did to but at the time I just got started into liking reading but now that I've read more since those books I've seen better. Sorry again to those who like it. 

       Anywho, is name is Drew Van Acker and I loved him in the series that was on cartoon network called Tower prep and I just enjoyed his character, so I think he would be perfect as Daniel. In that picture over there ->

     Now Rafe, he's the bad boy, always gotta have one of those. I just love there type definitely in books, always teddy bears that protect there girls. :) They make me smile. Though I can't think of who to play him in real life but I can picture him perfectly in my head. :) 

         

         Another character I loved was Sam. Ever since the beginning I have pictured Jordan Todosey whom plays Adam on the show called Degrassi who is a bad ass just like the character in the book. So, yea....

         Okay I think I covered everything now my ratings.


            Ratings:
                 
                  Cover art: 5/5
                  Plot: 5/5
                  Characters: 5/5

          Over all: five out of five stars.....can't wait for the next one :)
                   

   

To: All book lovers

Found the next morning, Friday, in the playroom

  

    Thursday night just a few minutes after I got out of the shower my brother comes knocking at my door to bring me some bad news. Now for a book lover this part may/is going to hurt.

    He brought in the current book I was reading, How to ditch your fairy, and it was chewed up baddly. My brother said you can still read it and that was true but it hurt painfully to see that happen to a book mostly if it's yours.

Thanks to our lovely two year old alaskan malamutes, also known as gentle gaints, they enjoyed their reading for the day (well night). However it's been forever since they did this to a book so it was kind of a surprise to me. Plus where I had the book they had to work to get. It was stacked on a bag from borders that had three, THREE books in it, two of them hard cover one not, but that bag was, too, stacked upon something; two notebooks and the review of my first book, Broken. So they really had to work for it because all of that was on top of my desk which is about hip size to me.

Buck or buba bracing on the back of the couch next to my dad who may or may not like this picture (love you dad :p)

Maya or wolfie, because she looks exactly like a timber wolf but it maybe hard to tell in this pic. Whom inspired me for a character in my book

Both of whom are between the weight, 100 to 110 pounds, maybe more we haven't weighed them in forever and height, well, when Buck stands on his back feet and standing straight he's about 5'8, the height of my younger sister, and Maya she's as tall as my younger brother, 5'5 or 5'6. So I'm officially the shortest person in my family :(   

    So I'm thinking maybe they were wrestling or chasing each other and accidently knocked it down because that wasn't the only thing that fell the whole stack did. But thankfully they didn't get the new books out of the borders bag because that would have been heartbreaking if they did. So i'm kind of stuck. I want to read a book but not that one, with all the chew marks and lost cover, then I think about reading the next book I got, The Ghost and The Goth, but I don't want to start another one when I was just getting into the other, you know. 

   But on other news my Broken manuscript is with my mom's BFF Donna who is going to give me the kind of criticism I need. Who'll be reading word by word and making sure things make since. The last time I heard she was enjoying it but it sounded like a trilogy to her, which it is so....also lately I've been either hand writing my second book or retyping it onto the computer 

                            Currently Reading: How to Ditch Your Fairy, sorta

                            Current Song: The World I Knew by Jordin Sparks made for the movie African Cats

Broken Review One

So like I said in earlier posts that I handed over a manuscript of my first draft of my book over to one of my mom's friends who asked if she could read it, get someone out of my family to tell me how it is, someone who doesn't have any ties to me. And....she loved it! She 20 something but usually she doesn't read paranormal kind of stuff which is what my book is, otherworldly :)

I'm really excited; who know just a piece of paper can mean so much to a person. So with all do here is the very first review of my story,

              Hi Ashley-

                    Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your writing. I have to admit that that particular genre is not what I would usually pick up; so the fact that it kept my attention really impressed me. Every time I put it down, I looked forward to the next time I picked it back up. What I enjoyed most was how descriptive your writing is. you really have a knack for making it easy for the reader to visualize a particular scene in the book. Because of this, I could totally picture it as a movie!
                    I also felt like the way in which you slowly developed each character was very smooth. It's important that the reader start to feel almost like they know the characters and you definitely gave me that sense. All in all, a very fun read- great plot, good sense of humor and exciting! The only thing I would look out for is minor grammar and sentence structure issues, but i'm also aware that what I read is your 1st draft and grammar is not the main focus when you're first putting your ideas down. I hear you're already working on number two! I'd love to check that one out as well when you are done.
                    Thank you for letting me preview it. It was my pleasure.


              Renee

So a very good review, I'm glad she found it exciting and wants more. Including wanting the second book and in the end that's the goal, right? If you have more than one then it's always good you leave them wanting more and I'm glad I did.

My Fair Godmother; Review

My Fairy fair Godmother, written by Janette Rallison....

          Finding your one true love can be a Grimm experience!

      

  After her boyfriend dumps her for her older sister, sophomore Savannah Delano wishes she could find a true prince to take her to the prom. Enter Chrissy (Chrysanthemum) Everstar: Savannah’s gum-chewing, cell phone–carrying, high heel-wearing Fair Godmother.

     Showing why she’s only Fair—because she’s not a very good fairy student—Chrissy mistakenly sends Savannah back in time to the Middle Ages, first as Cinderella, then as Snow White. Finally she sends Tristan, a boy in Savannah’s class, back instead to turn him into her prom-worthy prince. When Savannah returns to the Middle Ages to save Tristan, they must team up to defeat a troll, a dragon, and the mysterious and undeniably sexy Black Knight.

     WOW, just.....wow. What can I say but it was just ahh-mazing, truly was. Some moments made my heart flutter and want to come out of my chest with joy then there were parts I was practically sitting on the edge of my seat. Definitely a page turner.

I couldn't put it down, one minute I would look at the clock and the next it's almost midnight. I like to read sometimes before I go to bed, sometimes I just don't want the day to end. So I prolong it with books, books, and more BOOKS. 

The only problem I think I had with this book is that she only notice him once he supposedly got hot and sometimes I get ticked, for once I just wish he could be the geeky boy, next door. I like those kind, they put a smile on my face, I like when the underdog wins the girl. But other than that I loved it and it wants me to read more of this author, like the next one in the series, My Unfair Godmother and JustOne Wish (though that one isn't apart of the series, just another book written by her.)

He, Tristan, was nice in the beginning until he said that one thing, but it was funny. I did have haha moments and I like those. Loved the characters though at some points in the book I didn't like the tone of Savannah’s sister, however you grow to like her later in the book. It was a nice new take a fairy tales. It wasn't all the glits and glam we usually see, it's real and I liked that.      

Over all:

Characters: 4/5

Plot: 5/5

Made me want to read more of her stuff: Hell, Yeah! <3

Wha'ts up

So probably a short one but I need to post something...

     ...I've started working on my second installment and I think it's going very well right now. My plan for this book is 260pg, 26 chapters 10pgs each, and I think in the long run it'll help some much. No goals on how many words I think I'll just stick with what's above ^^^.

In this one I'll have all the originals plus some new ones to the cast. I'm excited :) to say the least, my stomach is fluttering and I can't wait to dive into this storyline I've got for the second one.

And latest news on the first one, Broken, my moms friend Renee is enjoying my book.  "Intrigued" was her comment today. She's close to finishing and I can't wait for the feedback she's got for me.

Currently Reading: My Fairy fair Godmother

Current Song: Can I Go Now by Jennifer Love Hewitt (who knew)

Book two

I've started working on the second installment of my series and with this one I don't feel so much....pressure. I don't know if that is a good word to describe it but since I got most of the hard stuff done with the first one (character, plot, places, etc.) now it just feels like the stroy is coming to life, living day by day, letting me write her story she wants me to tell, with out any of the stress.

I'm not done with the first one, still got to get through all the editing stuff. I have printed once with double spacing so I could cross and write (or more like my mother). But right now the printed version is with a friend of my mom's who she works with and in her twenties (which is a bonus right there). So far she's enjoying it which makes my heart flutter with joy and giddiness.

But I'm just having fun writing with pleasure (not that I wasn't with the first one....but it was the first one, you know) anyways I'm having fun letting it take me where it wants to go and I can't wait to go along for the ride.  

Not an april fools prank

....because if it was then I would be crying but since it's not I'm giddy with joy.


I've finish my very first book. *sreams* I can't believe it (more the finishing part than actually writing part) So I finished with Twenty Six chapters, 255 pages :/ (a little sad but I'm okay I finished and later if I want I can add pages) and at 78,504. Surpassing my goal of 60,000 *eeehh* Sorry just very giddy with excitment.

So I'm done for now I'll be passing it off to my lil sis, mom, and best friend (but first I'll have to tell them, they don't know yet that I finished...then again no one does I'm blogging about it first cause it's been awhile)

Plans now: taking a break for awhile, while my personal editors go over it. Then during the summer my best friend is going to help be draw out my cover design (she's amazing by the way) and of course the editing process (but I'm not worrying about that just yet)

My first plan I came up with over the weekend that I get it done by march 31th but that didn't happen which is okay I'll take today (getting it done is all that really matters, right?)

Okay, so that's pretty much it. If I forgot anything I wanted to say I'll blog about it later because I'm beat, been on the computer all day finishing that last chapter. (:
 

Broken soundtrack

Okay, well still working hard on the book but I wanted to bring the songs that are a part of the book and some songs that I just wrote to in some pretty intense scenes.

So six to seven of the songs are in/part of the book and the other I used for the creative juices...(: 
Had to repost this because i had to change a song, lol  

Nothing really new

So sorry I haven't been blogging in a while it's just there hasn't been anything to blog about. The book is coming along great I predict I'll make it up to 76,000 words, evenly or not, I just know I'll get there. Three more chapters to go and I'm hoping with these three I'll make my page count, 260. Right now I'm over 220 almost 230 so I'm close :)...

So short post wish I could be saying I was done but I can't...just not yet anyways. So going good and hoping to be finished soon (cross your fingers)

Almost done

Last night, 11:40pm, I finished the end of my book. However, this doesn't mean I'm done with my book. No, I'm still working on it, the part before the actullay ending and if I don't finish it well then it wont make sense, will it?

I'm getting close I can feel it, it's just I haven't been inspired lately. Maybe it's because it is the ending and I just don't want it to sound lame. I want it to flow and smooth along the pages till I get to the part I already have finished. And if I'm subconsciously stressing (which I probably am) it's probably blocking my creativeness with a wall of some sort. But I promise you I will get over this bump. I don't want to let myself down, because I have a tendency of not finishing what I have started so I can't fail now. For me and for the many people who know about this book.
                                                                       

Be careful and Survival

Be careful where you leave your infomation...never know who'll get a hold of it

This morning we all, at the house hold, learned a very important lesson about security. Earlier today mom was going through checking accounts and charges and found out there were 5 or so made out to facebook made friday, the 25th. So dumbfounded we all went to are accounts looking for the person behind it. The only person we could think to look at was my sister. Now we weren't blaming her just that she did purchase something before with the help of my mother, so we looked there. Finding out that she has been hacked.

So mother learned to becareful to where she leaves her information from now on. Thus becareful out there you never know, tell it happens. On other news, nothing really but I was excited,

 Survival;

Yesturday morning I finally Survived....third time around. I guess third time really is the charm.

Can you survive the zombie apocalypse? written by Max Brallier is an amazing read. It's one of those books were you get to choose what happens and I absolutely loved it....<3

It was my very first make your own choices book and I'm so glad I got it. Mostly got it because of the zombies but I mean who doesn't love zombies.

Some scenes were hilarious, some sitting at the edge of your seat scenes. Couldn't put it down, the only way anyone was going to get it was prying it out of my dead, cold hands....Yes! It was that good. 

100 paths and 50 endings to choose from!....which one will you get?    

Valentine's Day of the Undead (Megan Berry)

Q: What could be worse than spending Valentine's Day alone?
A: Spending it with evil zombies!!

Megan Berry is no stranger to heartbreak, but spending Valentine's Day serving other happy couples hot dogs while mourning the loss of her one true love is almost more than even a highly trained Zombie Settler can handle. So when her recently estranged boyfriend, Ethan, texts her asking her to be his Valentine, she ditches her bodyguard and rushes to his side.

But soon, Megan's dreams of chocolates, flowers, and lingering make-up kisses take a turn of the rotted-corpse-and-maggot variety, and Megan fears that her first Valentine's Day with Ethan may be her last.

My very first book review and I thought I share it with you, (the very few reading this)

Its on the short story Valentine's Day of the Undead by Stacey Jay, who writes amazing YA zombie books. Its her third installment for her Megan Berry series so you'll have to read the first two to understand this little short.

My review:

Okay, I thought I write a review since it hasn't yet recieved one. If you read the first two,You Are So Undead to Me & Undead Much? I doubt you'll need much encouragement to buy this one. But if you haven't you've got to read the first two or much of this wont make sense to you.

Megan Berry once again lands herself into trouble but you can't blame her, all she wanted to do was to be with him, her one true love. Not wanting to spoil anything for a wannabe reader I'll just say this, there are parts were you want to scream at her, telling her not to go, dont do that but if she dosen't well then there wouldn't be a story, would there?

It's a great continuous to the series. You'll learn more about her just like you did in the second one, though more than she ever wanted to know. You'll love it just like the others. I had to get the kindle for my PC(thankfully its free from amazon) just so i could read and find out what happens next. I hope in the future she'll be able to write more about Megan berry because I just love this series and the whole concept of zombie settlers. I bid her goodluck and encourage you (future buyer) to get this...I promise you, you wont regret it, I sure didn't.

Not only is this my first review but it's the only one for this book. But forth warning it's only available in the Kindle Edition but luckily for you if you want to read this amazon has a free download of a kindle for your computer :)

Weaknesses

We all have one, sadly, I have two. Though I don't think I want to tell you one of them, you might use it against me one day. But I will gladly tell you the other. Writing/new story ideas, I tend to get at least a new idea for a story once a week, even sometimes get two new ideas in a day. Just depends on where my mind wanders off. I try not to wander off from my main story but sometimes you just have too.

Just saturday, I got a new idea inspired by the t.v series Touched by an Angel, which I truly adore now even got a little teary eyed from a few episodes. So of course the idea involves angels, though that whole entire day I wanted to work on it, start writing...I couldn't. If I started it, it would only take my time away from my main story and since I'm so close to finishing I couldn't risk it.

However I have everything I need up in my mind so when I'm ready I can get started.       

1/3 of the way done

Finished one of my goals, which I'll list again; 60,000 words, 250 pages, and finish by the end of this month. Yesturday I was working hard and made it passed 60,000 words and I'm still going. :) Now all I have to do is make it to the page count which is still an iffy to me (so crosses my fingers)   

How it all started

My writing career, the path I choosen to go down for the rest of my life (Hopefully). It started early 2008 when I started writting for fun which turned into a passion. Since I was being homeschool through highschool I had time to do things I probably wouldn't have if I did go to public school (I did go to the highschool here in town for summer school, health, and 7 days during regular school but it just wasn't for me)

Before school started me and a friend joked about becoming homeschooled. Me and her going to highschool from home in our pjs and since we were joking I had no idea that it was going to turn into reality but sadly just for me. She couldn't and is now finishing up her senior year, looking at an art institute and I am truly proud of her.

Well for me I, too, will be looking at one since I want to do something creative with my life. But that's another story back to the one I'm telling now. Where was I, oh yea, well since being homeschooled I did four years in just three so I finished before my friend. Graduated last year june 4, class of 10.

I started my book Broken in late 2009 but really didn't get a lot done with it because I was working on finishing highschool and trying to hangout with my friends as much as possible. I really started to get into it late last year, 2010 and has now been working on it for, four straight months. My goal (Crossing my fingers) it should be done by the end of this month (Knock on wood) and once its done I'll be handing it off to my personal editors (Mom, little sis, and my best friend) who will be telling me whats wrong or (more of what I want) what's good. Mom already joking about red pen stains all over the pages (thanks mom) :p luv ya, too.

My question I asked yesturday about how do you make your chapters so long? I forgot to add a part, How do you keep it constant?     
    

What it's all about...

...The Broken Installments (My book series), I give to you the summary of the first installment which is called Broken.

Jane’s mother had just died so the only place she has left is her grandfather’s, who she hasn’t seen in a long time. But the thing is she’s never really been to his house before, all they have ever done was phone calls, letters, and the occasional web cam.

She always thought it was weird that her mother wouldn’t let her go see him in his home town, her mother would always tell her, “When you’re older then I‘ll take you.” a promise she sort of kept…for the worse.

Now that she’s landed in Penridge, Minnesota she meets up with the mysterious Emerson boys who just happen to be living with her grandfather since their father is gone most of the time because of his job. One of the boys is nice where the other isn’t and the reason behind that may have something to do with her.

While along her journey she’ll find out more about her history and herself, than her mother let it up to be.

Now its only a rough draft i have to add in the wolves since they too are a main part in the book but yet to know were the put them in the summary. At the moment my goals for this book are; 60,000 words and 250 pages. I know for sure I'm going to make the word count, even going to surpass it, but the pages are ringing up low. i have indeed made it pass the half mark for the pages but I doubt I'll make it to 250 though I know I'll pass the 200 mark.

Yes i know since it is a rough draft, the first, i can add or subtract, hopefully just add. So I'm not trying to stress to much. However i have a question for you guys, though i highly doubt anyone is going to answer me, How do you make your chapters so long?

I'm just wondering. I've talked to my sister about it, which thanks to her I've gave up at trying to make them long, she told me "just when it feels right" and i have been doing that lately, but I'm still curious as to how you guys do it.  




 

Reasons why...

So, my name is Ashley Hill (if you haven't notice yet) and this blog is designed mostly around my book seires called The Broken Installments. Right now I'm still working on my first draft for my first novel called Broken and one day I hope to publish it, rather with or without an agent, self publish or with a little help from a publisher, but no matter what I want it to be out in the world for people to read

At first when I started writing my novel I really didn't plan on wanting it to be publish but my dad kind of talked me into, to just try and see what happens, it doesn't always hurt to take risks, right? I started writing this story as a fill in as I awaited for a book to come out, which was the third book for the darkest power series writen by Kelley Armstrong, and well it got turned into something more.

Now you know the reason for the blog (my series) but when I started, writing, I never thought about doing something like this but I got inspired by a indie author Keary Taylor, who's written two books, Branded and Forsaken, and published. I've read the first one branded and i think its a great start for a series but I have yet read the second.