I am only half dead! ☣Sнα∂σωƒα¢є☣ update
Nov 2, 2017 19:16:32 GMT -5
Dingoleap, mintedstar/fur, and 3 more like this
Post by » ѕнαdσω ⚔️ on Nov 2, 2017 19:16:32 GMT -5
Hello WFF! Shadow here! Decided to crawl out from under my hole to give a little update. I am currently in the throws of early NaNoWriMo writing and it is going pretty well! Along with novel writing I am working on two papers and a presentation. One paper is to discuss the themes within the tale of "Gawain and the Green Knight" which has inspired my own "tale" for Clans of the Valley "The Shadow & the Eagle" which I will be creating sometime in 2018 if not this December.
The other paper is going to be over a river in the Himalayas called the Beas River. I am the only one in the class who did not pick a river in the United States, so I'm a bit on my own. Along with this paper I also have to present it in a 12 minute speech with power point. WHEEEE.
I am also coming down with some kind of viral bug (I can feel it). Sore throat, terrible body aches and random spurts of heat/cold. I am betting its gonna turn out to be strep or something of the sort. I'm hoping its just another allergy infection. THAT I can deal with without a doctor or prescription medications.
Today I also found out that my College is providing me TWO grants to total $1,800 to help me pay for this semester! HUGE stress off my shoulders there. Every semester is a struggle to pay, but I have faith that my education will be worth the thousands of dollars of debt that I am accruing...o.e
My sleeping schedule has been totally thrown off the rails. I can't fall asleep as easily and it's been increasingly hard to get up in the morning. 2am to 8am is not a schedule I want to keep, so I've been sleeping in...I'm starting to think it has more to do with my depression than anything else. BUT I still overcome it every morning. Every small victory counts.
Honestly though, I'm sure you guys want to hear more about my nano project than anything else. I'd rather spill my excitement over this novel as well! So how about a little snippet?
First I will show you guys what is on my nano profile and then give you another peek at what I've written thus far.
My synopsis is pure trash but it's a good starting line. Nothing has been edited or corrected, so excuse the lackluster writing.
SYNOPSIS: Makatsa is the first human to ever be born in the Kalmera Forest. For the Kalmerans who inhabit the forest, it is a sign from the Creator that change is coming...much sooner than they realize.
Since Makatsa's birth 18 years ago, the forest has become increasingly hostile. Kalmera trees attack strongholds and villages relentlessly, beasts prey on Kalmerans for sport, food and water is mysteriously laced with poison and parasitic spores fill the air.
Makatsa's love for the wild is being questioned. The strange and violent behavior emitted by the forest means something big is coming, and she fears she is the root cause for it all
EXCERPT: “Why green?” She asked him, eyeing the dress.
He held it up, his eyes moving from dress to woman. “It’s a calm color. It’s good for high strung meetings when emotions are rampant. And the low-cut and see through fabric at the legs will give the noble lads something to stare at while you save them all from their stupidity.”
Makatsa snorted. “Sounds like something Noella would say,” she said, taking the dress from him and walking over to a divider where she could get dressed behind it.
“I am your personal guard, so I’ve heard many of her explanations in the art of noble wear,” he replied, a sound like steel grinding against steel echoing in the room.
Makatsa peered around the divide, knowing instantly the source of the sound. “You brought weapons with you to bed?”
Captain shrugged, showing her his thin, long sword that had been hidden in his makeshift mattress. “It’s the one your father gave me. I am never without it.”
“Of course,” she said, returning to the task of putting the dress on.
Captain was like most Kalmerans, beautiful and unique and striking. Shimmering scales covered his skin. Talons replaced his toes, and long thin ears poked through his shoulder-length red hair. Most Kalmerans were like this: wild looking with different parts changed or morphed into something…more.
But here she was, a plain human. No special qualities about her, and yet everyone thought she was some kind of god.
She shouldn’t be complaining. She knew how it worked. The more “human” you looked, the higher in the social hierarchy you were and the more access you had to magic by birth. That was why all fae lived in well-built strongholds because they could belong there.
This was also why Captain would have been dead by now if her father hadn’t found him begging on the streets and taken him in.
Sighing, she stepped out from the divide, smoothing the skirt with her hands and raising her gaze to Captain’s back where it was bent over his precious metal sword, the hilt decorated in giant, red rubies.
“Well,” she said quietly, watching as he turned around. “How do I look?”
He didn’t gawk or provide a generous compliment, instead he squinted. “Don’t you need make-up or something?”
She glared at him. “I thought this was a simple meeting?”
He ignored her, walking to the left side of the room opposite of the window, coming up to a vanity mirror and a desk. “Where does Noella keep the damn make-up?”
Makatsa walked up to his side, grabbing his shoulder. “Captain, what is so important about this meeting that I need to wear make-up?”
Captain paused, his hand deep into one of the upper drawers to the faded wood desk. “It’s just important, Makatsa. Please, can you play your part just this once?”
Makatsa removed her hand, crossing her arms. “This is just another meeting about the wall guards being killed by the Kalmera trees, right? How could there be more?” She asked, her voice rising.
Captain turned, sitting on the edge of the desk and grasping her upper arms between his hard, rough hands. The scales slightly caught on her dress, but she didn’t care.
“Will you still play your part, even if I tell you the rest?” He questioned sternly, his eyes darkening in the seriousness of his loaded question.
Play my part as the most powerful figure in the Forest of Kalmera? I’ve been doing it since the moment I was born.
“Yes. Just tell me what happened.”
EXTRA EXCERPT: Brauck stood and bowed to the other nobles, once again taking the job of filling Makatsa in. She appreciated it, especially since he was the only one here who was closest to her age.
If you could count one hundred years as ‘near my age’.
He reached under the table and brought up a giant leather bag. Reaching inside he brought out a tall stack of documents and vanilla folders which he spread on the table.
“These are the records of all the deaths of wall guards we have had since the walls of Thoria were first built. And this-” He paused, reaching inside the bag and bringing out another stack of documents, this one three times as tall as the first stack. It took him a moment to balance the tower of documents on the table before continuing. “This is the deaths that have occurred in the last 18 years. Half of these have occurred within the last month.”
A heavy silence fell on the gathered group of nobles. Makatsa clutched her chair with tense hands, sweat gathering on her exposed collarbone. Her pale, green dress suddenly felt very inappropriate. She should have worn black.
“We must take drastic measures, my lords and lady,” Lady Delilah said, her hands clasped in her lap. Her pale skin didn’t show signs of nervous sweat, but the flush in her rounded cheeks spoke enough of her anger. “Many young Kalmerans are in danger of losing their lives over a job that shouldn’t be so lethal.”
“What do you propose we do?” One of the older lords spoke, his long blonde locks gathered together in a low ponytail, exposing his pointed ears.
Lady Delilah sighed. “I believe we should purge the trees. All of them that surround the city.”
Immediately, all the lords in the room agreed, including Brauck.
But Makatsa remained silent, instead she held her hand out for the large stack of documents. “Pass them here, Lord Brauck.”
Giving her a questioning stare, the chocolate skinned Kalmeran slowly slid the documents to her where she took them in her arms and began opening up the folders.
“What are you looking for?” He asked.
“Locations,” Makatsa said tersely, already taking note of the overwhelming evidence in each folder she opened. “A full purge would be too dangerous. We would lose more lives before we could get half way around the walls.”
“But a purge is the only way to keep the trees at bay for some time,” Lady Delilah protested, the flush in her cheeks and neck becoming a shade brighter. “The flames aren’t working anymore, Lady Makatsa.”
“But they must,” Makatsa argued, setting down the documents. “Or else the purge will force us to sacrifice more of our people. I am proposing that we keep everyone alive and that we let some trees live…we all win.”
“The forest is dangerous, or have you for gotten that?” Another lord speaks up, his voice low and full of meaning.
Makatsa glared at the noble, crossing her arms over her chest. “I am very aware of how dangerous and unpredictable the forest is and has continued to become since my birth. I dare say I know it better than anyone in this room.”
“Yes, because you insist on going out into the woods like some low-born Kalmeran,” he said without kindness. “I don’t see how-”
“We purge where the deaths have been highest,” Makatsa interrupted, not wanting to hear more. “And continue to burn the other areas. We will need more guards to accomplish this, so I suggest, my lords and lady, that you begin recruiting.”
This project stems from my fantasy series: The Forest of Kalmera. The novel itself is called "Chasing the Wild". I am very determined to reach 50k, and possibly go beyond and actually finish the story (however messy and underdeveloped it might be) so that I have a draft for future TFOK novels. <3
Let me know if y'all would be interested in future updates/excerpts. This is all I can do here for now given how much is going on this month. But once Nano ends I will jump back into finishing "Curse" and continuing my work on Clans of the Valley content.
With much love,
Shadowface
The other paper is going to be over a river in the Himalayas called the Beas River. I am the only one in the class who did not pick a river in the United States, so I'm a bit on my own. Along with this paper I also have to present it in a 12 minute speech with power point. WHEEEE.
I am also coming down with some kind of viral bug (I can feel it). Sore throat, terrible body aches and random spurts of heat/cold. I am betting its gonna turn out to be strep or something of the sort. I'm hoping its just another allergy infection. THAT I can deal with without a doctor or prescription medications.
Today I also found out that my College is providing me TWO grants to total $1,800 to help me pay for this semester! HUGE stress off my shoulders there. Every semester is a struggle to pay, but I have faith that my education will be worth the thousands of dollars of debt that I am accruing...o.e
My sleeping schedule has been totally thrown off the rails. I can't fall asleep as easily and it's been increasingly hard to get up in the morning. 2am to 8am is not a schedule I want to keep, so I've been sleeping in...I'm starting to think it has more to do with my depression than anything else. BUT I still overcome it every morning. Every small victory counts.
Honestly though, I'm sure you guys want to hear more about my nano project than anything else. I'd rather spill my excitement over this novel as well! So how about a little snippet?
First I will show you guys what is on my nano profile and then give you another peek at what I've written thus far.
My synopsis is pure trash but it's a good starting line. Nothing has been edited or corrected, so excuse the lackluster writing.
SYNOPSIS: Makatsa is the first human to ever be born in the Kalmera Forest. For the Kalmerans who inhabit the forest, it is a sign from the Creator that change is coming...much sooner than they realize.
Since Makatsa's birth 18 years ago, the forest has become increasingly hostile. Kalmera trees attack strongholds and villages relentlessly, beasts prey on Kalmerans for sport, food and water is mysteriously laced with poison and parasitic spores fill the air.
Makatsa's love for the wild is being questioned. The strange and violent behavior emitted by the forest means something big is coming, and she fears she is the root cause for it all
EXCERPT: “Why green?” She asked him, eyeing the dress.
He held it up, his eyes moving from dress to woman. “It’s a calm color. It’s good for high strung meetings when emotions are rampant. And the low-cut and see through fabric at the legs will give the noble lads something to stare at while you save them all from their stupidity.”
Makatsa snorted. “Sounds like something Noella would say,” she said, taking the dress from him and walking over to a divider where she could get dressed behind it.
“I am your personal guard, so I’ve heard many of her explanations in the art of noble wear,” he replied, a sound like steel grinding against steel echoing in the room.
Makatsa peered around the divide, knowing instantly the source of the sound. “You brought weapons with you to bed?”
Captain shrugged, showing her his thin, long sword that had been hidden in his makeshift mattress. “It’s the one your father gave me. I am never without it.”
“Of course,” she said, returning to the task of putting the dress on.
Captain was like most Kalmerans, beautiful and unique and striking. Shimmering scales covered his skin. Talons replaced his toes, and long thin ears poked through his shoulder-length red hair. Most Kalmerans were like this: wild looking with different parts changed or morphed into something…more.
But here she was, a plain human. No special qualities about her, and yet everyone thought she was some kind of god.
She shouldn’t be complaining. She knew how it worked. The more “human” you looked, the higher in the social hierarchy you were and the more access you had to magic by birth. That was why all fae lived in well-built strongholds because they could belong there.
This was also why Captain would have been dead by now if her father hadn’t found him begging on the streets and taken him in.
Sighing, she stepped out from the divide, smoothing the skirt with her hands and raising her gaze to Captain’s back where it was bent over his precious metal sword, the hilt decorated in giant, red rubies.
“Well,” she said quietly, watching as he turned around. “How do I look?”
He didn’t gawk or provide a generous compliment, instead he squinted. “Don’t you need make-up or something?”
She glared at him. “I thought this was a simple meeting?”
He ignored her, walking to the left side of the room opposite of the window, coming up to a vanity mirror and a desk. “Where does Noella keep the damn make-up?”
Makatsa walked up to his side, grabbing his shoulder. “Captain, what is so important about this meeting that I need to wear make-up?”
Captain paused, his hand deep into one of the upper drawers to the faded wood desk. “It’s just important, Makatsa. Please, can you play your part just this once?”
Makatsa removed her hand, crossing her arms. “This is just another meeting about the wall guards being killed by the Kalmera trees, right? How could there be more?” She asked, her voice rising.
Captain turned, sitting on the edge of the desk and grasping her upper arms between his hard, rough hands. The scales slightly caught on her dress, but she didn’t care.
“Will you still play your part, even if I tell you the rest?” He questioned sternly, his eyes darkening in the seriousness of his loaded question.
Play my part as the most powerful figure in the Forest of Kalmera? I’ve been doing it since the moment I was born.
“Yes. Just tell me what happened.”
EXTRA EXCERPT: Brauck stood and bowed to the other nobles, once again taking the job of filling Makatsa in. She appreciated it, especially since he was the only one here who was closest to her age.
If you could count one hundred years as ‘near my age’.
He reached under the table and brought up a giant leather bag. Reaching inside he brought out a tall stack of documents and vanilla folders which he spread on the table.
“These are the records of all the deaths of wall guards we have had since the walls of Thoria were first built. And this-” He paused, reaching inside the bag and bringing out another stack of documents, this one three times as tall as the first stack. It took him a moment to balance the tower of documents on the table before continuing. “This is the deaths that have occurred in the last 18 years. Half of these have occurred within the last month.”
A heavy silence fell on the gathered group of nobles. Makatsa clutched her chair with tense hands, sweat gathering on her exposed collarbone. Her pale, green dress suddenly felt very inappropriate. She should have worn black.
“We must take drastic measures, my lords and lady,” Lady Delilah said, her hands clasped in her lap. Her pale skin didn’t show signs of nervous sweat, but the flush in her rounded cheeks spoke enough of her anger. “Many young Kalmerans are in danger of losing their lives over a job that shouldn’t be so lethal.”
“What do you propose we do?” One of the older lords spoke, his long blonde locks gathered together in a low ponytail, exposing his pointed ears.
Lady Delilah sighed. “I believe we should purge the trees. All of them that surround the city.”
Immediately, all the lords in the room agreed, including Brauck.
But Makatsa remained silent, instead she held her hand out for the large stack of documents. “Pass them here, Lord Brauck.”
Giving her a questioning stare, the chocolate skinned Kalmeran slowly slid the documents to her where she took them in her arms and began opening up the folders.
“What are you looking for?” He asked.
“Locations,” Makatsa said tersely, already taking note of the overwhelming evidence in each folder she opened. “A full purge would be too dangerous. We would lose more lives before we could get half way around the walls.”
“But a purge is the only way to keep the trees at bay for some time,” Lady Delilah protested, the flush in her cheeks and neck becoming a shade brighter. “The flames aren’t working anymore, Lady Makatsa.”
“But they must,” Makatsa argued, setting down the documents. “Or else the purge will force us to sacrifice more of our people. I am proposing that we keep everyone alive and that we let some trees live…we all win.”
“The forest is dangerous, or have you for gotten that?” Another lord speaks up, his voice low and full of meaning.
Makatsa glared at the noble, crossing her arms over her chest. “I am very aware of how dangerous and unpredictable the forest is and has continued to become since my birth. I dare say I know it better than anyone in this room.”
“Yes, because you insist on going out into the woods like some low-born Kalmeran,” he said without kindness. “I don’t see how-”
“We purge where the deaths have been highest,” Makatsa interrupted, not wanting to hear more. “And continue to burn the other areas. We will need more guards to accomplish this, so I suggest, my lords and lady, that you begin recruiting.”
This project stems from my fantasy series: The Forest of Kalmera. The novel itself is called "Chasing the Wild". I am very determined to reach 50k, and possibly go beyond and actually finish the story (however messy and underdeveloped it might be) so that I have a draft for future TFOK novels. <3
Let me know if y'all would be interested in future updates/excerpts. This is all I can do here for now given how much is going on this month. But once Nano ends I will jump back into finishing "Curse" and continuing my work on Clans of the Valley content.
With much love,
Shadowface
