Almost Hate Mail?

A while back I made a post (well, a couple) on the lows of one Christopher Paolini. Neither were particularly comprehensive, and I see it was just a way to let rip! But anyway, when I was in London someone posted on one of those entries, back when I wrote my posts as *confessions*.

Anyway, there is some anger in the comment, but I feel I must, yes, must reply to this; first by post, then email. The following was the comment:

well…… you may think he is crap but he still got 3 books published and you don’t, so you must be do something wrong if you are such a great ‘fantasy writter’.
And by the way, his parents may have published his first book in the US, but it did not became famous until it was discovered by the publisher Alfred A. Knopf.
So some people who do have knowledge of literature think he is good.
So I think you are just being jealous, because he did got famous and you are just stuck in a phase in which you criticize others because you just suck.

Firstly, thank you for your comment! They are always of much appreciation.

It would help me tremendously if you were to use proper grammar in your comment, and I recommend the Firefox spell checker (if your principle browser is Firefox). I’ll be a hypocrite since I’m certain I will make an error or two somewhere in here. Anyway, I am not here to criticise on spelling.

Right, he got three books published, granted; the first two were the produce of vanity presses. That meaning, anyone can create an account on Lulu, then c&p their work in and hey presto! you have a self-published book. Fortunately for one Paolini, his parents were there for him with a convenient publishing house on, no, in their doorstep. Heck, if I were to finally finish my novel and show it my mum, I’m pretty certain she would jump with joy and take it her boss, the head of a publishing company too. However, I would never let her do that. I want a real publisher to go through it and tell me personally their true intent, and essentially their provenance for it.

Anyhow, when have I ever described myself as a “great fantasy writer”? Besides, I’m not sure if you can call me a fantasy writer; the world it is set in has next to nil fantasy elements in it, and as of yet the only “fantasy” names are that of the main character. He is a lone exile; one of the key points is that there are no cities and he is out in the cold and dark. Trust me, it’s more interesting than that There are no Tolkien elves, dwarves, “dragons” or Star Wars plot twists (methinks). I shall include fantasy animals but for effect–namely, the atmosphere. They would also be my own creations. Not only that but I care about my characters and don’t feed from purple prose. That novel I just described is my main project, but right now, for NaNoWriMo, Milkman is my ruler.

Have you ever read anything I have written? No. You have not. The last writing I posted on the internet was several months ago, but it was trash–I tore it down menacingly. Would you like to read some? Tough. When I finish my second draft you may take a peak, but for the moment keep your noses out of it. That last line I should like to dwell on. Criticism is a necessary tool and given the chance I would apply it to Paolini personally. If he listened, I might consider forgiveness, and if he challenged them, then to the same accord. But Paolini? I doubt it entirely. Furthermore, he began to write Eragon when he was 15, and published it when he was 19 or 20. I am 14, and I began to write my novel when I was 13, rather, the idea arose back then. I think I can safely say the rest does not apply to me, hence I would recommend you didn’t compare me to him again. Thanks.

Regarding jealousy:

I have envy for Paolini, sure, in fact for anyone who reaches a pinnacle. But in particular those who do/not deserve it.

That was a lot longer than I had originally intended, but thanks for reading.

Everyone else: I promised pictures from London, and those shall be coming soon! I had a great time, but my god did we walk a lot!

My Art

The following are some of my favourite sketches – drawings, whatever that I have done in the recent past. They are all based around Ever Wayward.

Scar, Taken in the Window’s Light

Some Drake–Drew this one in Paris.

Scar Roars into the Night… It’s OK for what it is.

Well it was him, but now it became too much of an alien, but I like it.

Mutated Prisoner, Perhaps

The Uncompleted, Edited Version of Scar

I’m quite happy with the majority–not bad for me, since, you know, art ain’t really my thing

Milkman!

I’m getting overly pumped over NaNo, yet I still have such little confidence I can win. My keyboard is really annoying me too–I’ve new batteries for it but it still won’t let me type Oh well.

Anyway, so, Milkman. It started off as an animation – like I said – but I love the idea so much I just have to novelise it. How about: “Milkman: The Movie… Novelisation” Whatever. My friend and I have been coming up with great plots for the stories. And that’s the modest version, seriously. He’s go flash CS3 now, so once I get him to know the basics we can start working on it together; I write the novels, we both do the animations. Here are the characters, anyway:

Musical Pictures

Countless times have I heard about writing playlists but I’ve never really made any–until recently. I find I concentrate better when I have some musical piece in the background, one that matches the mood of whatever I’m writing. I have the following recommendations on my own iTunes, but there’re some links to YouTube with them. Since my principle novel is set in a fantasy wilderness with an exile, I use a lot of Lord of the Rings music (yet, I am not a Tolkien wannabe–I hope?). Anyhow:

Hope on the Horizon: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: The White Tree

Romance: Oasis: Wonderwall

The Final Struggle: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: End of all Things

The End: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King: The Grey Havens

I can’t think of anymore. For action scenes, battles etc, go for action or fast-paced rock; the stuff that makes your heartbeat against your chest. Also go for great photographs or paintings. Anything inspiring really. Here are a few you might find useful:

Twilight

The classical sunset.

Toddler Sleeping

This one’s a little more interesting. What does it make you think of? Poverty? Innocence? Write it down.

The Lone Soldier Stands

Memories of a shattered past as the last of his duty remembers his comrades.

Now that you’ve seen these three pictures, what comes to mind? Give yourself three minutes and write something down. Explain these pictures in your own mind. This is also a great way to work into NaNoWriMo when you’re stuck.

PS: None of the above media is my own copyright. Since I do not know the owner’s of them, I cannot link them. If any owners read this please let me know at once.

For NaNoWriMo #2

It’s their 10th anniversary (who knew?) and so I want to make sure I can win. It’s terrible really. I can’t believe that I’m still only on the planning stage so late into October, but who said last minute wasn’t fun? Well, to make it easier, I have my novel decided. Here is the cover art:

Milkman!

It all began as an animation obsession a couple of years back, but I just didn’t have the time to finish it. There is an opening sequence that I was always very pleased with. See it: Milkman. Anyway, it should be a fun, easy going thing to write and een if I don’t win it will just be an exprience to remember! It might be set in London, with a very clichéd, evil/cackling dude.

Milkman must stop the menacing Postman and his boss, Businessman from taking over the city; Policeman, Fireman and Pizzaman are under threat.

Should be interesting.

PS: In the cover art, Blink is just my YWS name! A lot of people have cover art fever at the moment.

For NaNoWriMo

When I first learnt about NaNoWriMo this year (around April some time) I couldn’t wait. It was, however, about a month later I learnt of several GCSE exams that month. Typical. Just typical. I had been contemplating doing it earlier on–perhaps October, I thought.

But thenI would miss out on all the great community feel going on at not only the NaNo forums, but at the Young Writers Society, and generally with any writer I know. Aside from the internet, I know know writers–only myself. My friends think I’m mad to do be doing NaNo. They have a point. 30 days, 50,000 words? Well, it will get me writing faster and dare I say, out of writer’s block. It’s the experience, no?

NaNoWriMo.

Last work I found out that my exams aren’t until the 27th or something like that, which just inspires extra incentive to finish earlier. I’m going to get all my notes and test papers done before October, so I glance over them the night before. Besides, it’ jsut Science, right?

My idea? Murder mysteries are my speciality at the moment–aside from Ever Wayward, of course, which I won’t abandon. I would like to do a prequel to Ever Waywrad actually, in the form of a murder mystery. I’m running out of time to think and with me going to London late October (yay!), will I get chance?

That means plotting, devising and all the jazz too. I’m actually attempting a murder mystery with someone on YWS too, Bride and Doom. Who said murder mysteries ever have decent titles, eh?