#agohac

I'm running out of crummy excuses here...  So I'm trying to get back on board with my writing blog... and my writing.  So in order to focus more I have decided to return to my favorite writing spot on campus, King Cafe!!!  I came here seeking isolation in a social context, however since no one is here it's more like regular isolation.

Regardless!

I am here to finish chapter three which is moving slowly due to the addition of another plot point that was introduced in the second chapter.

Hey everyone!  I know I said I was going to talk about some of the inspiration behind AGOHAC once the first chapter was published and I still plan on doing that so stick around for some background on Rook in the next couple of days.

Updates:

Chapter two has been a long, grinding process.  I'm working my way through what will be the final draft right now.  I'm not sure what took me so long with this chapter, I suppose I felt really pressured to make it as good as the first in 1/3 the time.  I'm slowly getting used to writing on consistent deadlines.

I have a new assistant editor!  One of my good friends has volunteered his time to read my drafts.  I really enjoy his work and his edits have been good so far, though I feel like he doesn't quite get my style yet.  That will come with time though!

Varia and I will be doing a series on the making of AGOHAC where we post the best of the editing process so our readers can see what goes on each month between chapters. I'm not sure if it will be posted here or on Varia, but I'll have links to it either way.

I'm going to Colorado!

***

Period.  Yes.  It is pretty much perfect and I love it so much.

I can't believe it's almost July.  Only two more months until my new apartment.

Anyway, I've been talking with my buddy in Varia and I think we're going to do some sort of a video series featuring me.  We already made a video of the reading of the first chapter of AGOHAC.  It's pretty much amazing.  So when we start making videos I'll post the link here.

I'm enjoying my new perspectives, or rather my new voice.  I find that there's a lot I want to talk about with writing lately and I find it really exciting. I think it has to do with the fact that my writing is really taking off in a direction that is positive and, so far, fruitful.

Tonight I talked with one of my friends about how he starts a story.  As I have explained before, I play god in my stories.  I create characters first and define a story for them that usually does not end happily.  The characters come first, then the situation, and finally the world (which is sometimes an afterthought and perhaps not very well thought out with the exception being AGOHAC).  He told me that he makes a clearly defined world first, then makes a few characters, and lets them tell him their story.  I really enjoy this organic approach to writing and I think it is reflected well in what he writes.

I have been trying to focus on the world the story occurs in more.  AGOHAC features a world (or at least a large aspect of the world) that governs the people and the way they live their lives, so it needs to have its center in the light.  I feel like my problem lies in the fact that I make larger-than-life characters and they overshadow the world.  So I'm trying to focus more on the subtle political influences that would affect the world of AGOHAC.  In GAP, well I'm not really sure what I'm doing in GAP yet, but I'm trying to create a glorious world and a smaller, more humble protagonist.  I have a lot of ideas for GAP, but the way we're writing it anything could happen.

I'm hoping to get a lot done today, or maybe, I dunno, FINISH AGOHAC FINALLY.  I've already explained my situation in a few words, so I won't go into that.  I'm actually feeling better than I've felt in awhile.  I'm going to try to be more open with my writing from now on.  So after this post I'm going to post my blog to Facebook.  I know a few people will read it and that both excites and terrifies me.  Like I said yesterday, this blog has become more of an online journal than anything else.  So we'll see how that goes.

Anyway I'm having a writing day with two of my best friends.  It's something we try to do often, but honestly it's hard to find a time when we can all get together.  When this post is finished and everything is squared away on Facebook I'm going to finish up AGOHAC and then proceed to write my segment for my collaborative story, GAP (it doesn't really have a title so that's what I call it).  I'm really excited for GAP's protagonist, she's a lot different than any other character I've ever created.  Honestly the world and the races bring me way outside of my general sphere of expertise.  I've never made a race of monsters before.  I think it's a bit evident when comparing my race to the other two, but what my Dra'kil lack in design I feel they make up in social complexity.  So I'll just have to see.

Today I moved home from my dorm and I edited the first chapter of "A Game of Hearts and Cards" with my editor.  So I went to the Varia Lit Magazine headquarters and was highly artistic and productive for about an hour.  Then I started playing with the box of words and the box of blank paper scraps.  Then I started scattering them about the room, on my editor, and on her cat.  THEN I threw her pens across the room (but only because she was poking me with them).  Finally I put a tissue box on my head in triumph and was promptly punched in the gut.  I imagine this will become standard procedure.

Also I am no longer allowed to touch the box of words.

So I'm going to ask a question.  What do you do to get inspired?

"Young Volcanoes" off of FOB's new album in honor of finishing the second draft of the first chapter.