Picture of the Day:
The birthday cake my sister and I made for my nephew, who is a pokemon fanatic!
Quote of the Day:
"The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore."
-Dale Carnegie
Hello, my dearest readers! I find that my life has gotten very busy as of late, and has afforded me very little time for keeping those who are interested up on my writing adventures. Today, on this peaceful Sunday, I find it quite perfect to simply update--but I doubt this update will hardly be simple!
For the first order of business, let me begin by saying that I have kept up with my writing very well! I have broken two hundred pages in the pirate story, and that sits me comfortable at chapter sixteen. However, the downside to this is that I haven't gotten very far plot-wise. And, while the lines are spaced at one and a half for easier editing, I fear that it may mean I need to split the book into two installments. I cannot quite decide if this is a good thing, a bad thing, or something that really does not matter, but I have been pondering it a lot lately. I have also been madly wondering where I would split the story, since for the sake of ease I would think that one whole book would be better. Nonetheless, I am sticking with my current goal: get the whole story drafted once, then worry with the particulars. This has, undoubtedly, helped me get this far, and will keep me pressing forward. If I decide to break it up, it will only be a little bit of editing required!
Still, if you have an opinion on whether or not one long book is better than a broken set, please let me know. I am curious to see what readers think (other than myself); would you rather buy a single book of around five hundred pages, or two books around three hundred pages? Post in the comments, if you please.
Next order of business, I find that I have been very lax in updating my book of the month. Well, it is freshly October, and I am going to pick this up again! So, allow me to introduce you to our star this time around.
Sabriel by Garth Nix
Sabriel is a book I read sometime in middle school, and it (and the following two in the trilogy) have kept its place on my shelf! This is a darkish fantasy, which I find appropriate for October. I would not say the book is overly terrifying, but there are certainly some darker moments, scenes and themes in this book that make it simultaneously a page turner, engrossing, and perfect for someone who wants a little thrill in their life. So, let me explain this lovely piece of high fantasy!
Garth Nix is simply a master in general--his style is easy to read and interesting (a difficult combination to achieve, I have found!) Well, if you like that, this is certainly a book for you. Sabriel follows the adventure of a young woman of the same name who is the daughter of the Abhorsen; The Abhorsen being a very powerful necromancer.
As the book opens, Sabriel's father is gone, and scary things are beginning to happen around the land. A dark shadow tries to force its way through the Wall, undoubtedly to consume and harm all of the people. However, it is Sabriel who has to rise to fight it. She gets a very strange message from her father (probably one of the coolest scenes in the opening of the book, though to pick it as the coolest scene from the entire novel would be hard--it is full of galloping action!) and begins to set out on her way.
She is only armed with her own bravery and the set of the seven bells of The Abhorsen, magical items that can alter and persuade death differently depending on the tone.
Really, I cannot even begin to describe how amazing this book is, only that Garth Nix showed his worth in this series! I regret to say that this fleeting description cannot possibly do it justice. I implore you to simply find the book, open to the first page and start to read. If you are not hooked by the second turn, I would be sincerely surprised. It is a fantastic novel--perfect for the month of October!
Lastly, I would like to divulge a little bit about my writing journey. I discovered as I was writing the other day that I gave Liam no real talent to speak of. (I suppose most authors have the opposite problem. However, in crafting this prince, I seem to have left out the things he can do.) I decided on something through the course of writing that slightly surprised me, and I would like to share it with you.
On a ship of the most dastardly pirates the seas have ever known, it is revealed that Liam is actually a fine musician; he plays the violin, the violoncello and sings. I believe this fits him well, however much it surprised me to write it, as he is a young man of the poetic and romantic sort and would undoubtedly take to music. Aside from that, it not only puts him at a further contrast from his company, but also adds the dimension of a little-known pirate fact: after the surgeon and the cooper, a musician was a pirate's prized possession. Let's face it, long days on the sea could get very dull with no entertainment. Even for the members of the famed Grey Hallow, boredom is not an option.
My Liam has proven himself useful after all. And talented. Who would have thought?
So, in honor of Liam and his hidden skills, I leave you this song for your listening pleasure. It is taken from the Master and Commander: Far Side of the World soundtrack, and is the very piece that I was listening to when I wrote in his musical affinity. May it inspire you the same as it did me.
And, as always, happy writing! And, if you are not of the writing sort, happy reading. It takes both kinds for the world to turn.
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