Unexpected Characteristics

Your hero is in a mood. He's snapping at everyone and storming around like Johnny Raincloud. His
best friend asks him if he's alright, and your hero suddenly screams at the top of his lungs, flings down his plate of food, and runs off before anyone can say "Um...".

You ask yourself (or your character in your head), "Where did that come from?"

He replies with a growl from the corner he's run off to while you wonder blankly how your hero, who's always so happy and go-lucky, actually managed to scream at his BFF.

These are the things I love about characters. When you get to know them enough, they like to surprise you. For instance, one of my characters, Eadën, was so sullen and serious and intense throughout my whole book, I knew at one point he was completely gonna break. He did. And when he did, it was really nasty. There were nightmares, screams of agony, and tears (TEARS! My somber macho elf, CRYING!). When the scene had passed I looked back and went, "Wow, man. You are deep."

I never planned it to go that way. I never planned the intricacies of Eadën's emotional map. I had a vague idea of what made him angry and what made him sad when I started out, but I had no idea he was capable of feeling the way he does.

That's the thing with characters; at some point, they come to life on you. They pull strings and make their own paths after a while. They write their own destinies if you let them.

Maybe it's because I spent eight years with Eadën that he's so complex. He's the longest character I've ever kept—longer, even, than my main character, whom I replaced six times before settling on the Alli-Dirco duo. Either way, Eadën has developed unexpected characteristics. Ones I have not approved of.

[ >:(  ]

[ ;)  ]

He is strong even when weak. He is not the pretty boy he looks like. He is tortured and tormented by his past and wants more than anything to get away from it...so he won't be tempted to go back. His worst fear is himself, because he knows that if he was given the choice to return to his old life, he would not be sure what he would choose.

Those are things you don't just plan out. They develop on their own.

So let your characters be themselves. If a character wants to be meek and quiet instead of bold, don't try to change him. See what becomes of it. You might like it better than what you planned.

Movie Review: Epic

Looks like a really, really, REALLY cool movie, huh?! I WAS SO EXCITED TO SEE IT!! My parents bought this movie last night and I nearly freaked out. We stayed up late to watch it.

It lived up to all of my expectations...up until the middle...and the end.

It wasn't a bad movie, don't get me wrong. I loved it! It was very imaginative and SO well animated. They payed such attention to the little things and I love that! But...the story line was lacking.

My first impression was: WOW. Very cool. I loved the animation and the thought put into all of the little details, like the leafmen jumping super high because they're small, and all of that super cool stuff. But during the middlish-endish, I sorta was like...is this it? I mean, is this the whole movie? There has to be more to it than this.


QUALITY:
5 out of 5 stars
This is one of the best-quality movies I've ever seen, up there with Rise of the Guardians. The animation is superb. The attention the animators put into the details of the leafmen, from freckles to leaf-veins and little hairs on the stems of flowers, really knocked my socks off. I loved the animation style, how everything was all glowing and beautiful in Moonhaven and all foggy and dark in the Boggan lands. It definitely lived up to my expectations in this category. The battle scenes, BTW, were amazingly cool. Plus, the creativity involved in the details of this movie was incredible.

CHARACTERS:
3.8 out of 5 stars
I'm really not sure how to rate the characters of this movie. The characters were well-thought out and I had no problem distinguishing personalities between characters. But they weren't very well developed through the movie. For example, Nod was a total rebel, and he never really had a defining moment to accept help from others. And MK struggled with all the small-people abilities for the whole movie, and suddenly at the end she started flying hummingbirds with no problemo. There were a few well-developed secondary characters, though; we all agreed Ronin and the Queen were the greatest characters in the movie. Despite this, I'm giving them an almost-four star review for characters because of the inconsistent development of the two main characters.

STORY:
2.5 out of 5 stars
The story lacked. I thought it did, anyways. It was a very simple, straightforward storyline, with hardly any twists or surprises, which left me sort of disappointed. I was really expecting this AWESOME movie with a storyline that kept me on the edge of my seat. I don't know if it's just because it was made for smaller kids or what, but the story was a "bare-minimum story". Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the storyline. At the end of the movie, I was blinking at the screen and saying to myself, "That's it? That's the end? But...but...? What about mortal injuries? Deaths? WHAT DID THE HERO LOSE?! NOOOOOTHING!!!! THERE'S NO ARC TO THIS STORY!!!!" But it was still a story, and followed all of the rules of storytelling, so it wasn't unbearable or anything. It had a plot, just an incredibly simple one.

ACTING:
4 out of 5 stars
I thought all of the voice actors did a very good job. No one really stood out more than the other; my least favorite voice actor was probably Josh Hutcherson as Nod, but maybe because I just don't really like him anyways. The best was either Beyoncé as the queen or MK's dad (don't know his actor). He did a really good job.


OVERALL AVERAGE STAR RATING:
3.8 stars out of 5

I would probably give it a 4 anyways, just because of how entertaining the movie is for it's details and animation.

So, what are your thoughts on Epic? Did you like/hate it? What would you rate it?

Top 10 Best Heroes of All Time

I'm sure this post won't go without some disagreement. But I write it still.

And just know that I am truly, really, yes, yes, yes doing this from a completely honest writerly standpoint. I am not picking favorites. No I'm not. And if I am, it's because my favorites are the best. ;) No really, I will be as honest as possible.

Now. Anyways. Here are the top ten greatest heroes of all time (from local media that I have personally seen and stuff).

P.S. I will be following with a top villains, supporting characters, "anti-heroes", and damsels in distress. HEE HEE HEE... >:} Also, none of these are in any particular order...I consider them all equal in heroic attributes.

TOP TEN HEROES OF ALL TIME:

1. HICCUP
How to Train Your Dragon (movie)

Despite his father's obvious disapproval of all of..."this" *gestures to all of Hiccup*, Hiccup still manages to come across as optimistic. He makes the best out of his worst qualities, which turn out to save his village (and earn him a seriously cool best friend *eye point to Toothless*).

2. MEGAMIND

Megamind (movie)

One of the only good guy bad guys I've ever seen. He deserves this.




3. PRINCE CASPIAN
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (movie)

Despite his people's hatred of Narnians, Caspian willingly learns about them and listens when they protest against the Telmarines. He then proceeds to fight against his own people. That takes guts, people.

4. JACK FROST

Rise of the Guardians (movie)

(saw that one coming, didn't you?)

Jack Frost has all the qualities of a truly interesting hero. Paired with his flawed nature and several profound failures in the movie, you truly learn to respect him. Click here for a full analysis on this character.




5. CAPTAIN AMERICA/STEVE
Captain America (movie)

Steve (aka Captain America) is one of the most moral and awesome heroes I know of (yes, even though he's a Marvel person...). He loses everything (literally everything, even his own time period) and is still this AWESOME hero. How cool is that. Too cool. That's how cool.

6. WRECK-IT RALPH

...Self-explanatory.

Another one of those bad-guys turned good. Ralph turned into the goodest good guy there ever was. I mean, he became a little girl's hero. It doesn't get any better than that.

7. ROXAS

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days and Kingdom Hearts II (video game)

Not technically a "hero", I guess, but still. He gives up his existence to make sure another kid stays alive to fight the evil in the universe.

8. BRUCE WAYNE

Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises (movie)

Yup. His parents die, he loses it, gets slapped by his girlfriend and sent to a bad guy training camp, saves his sanity, rescues his worst enemy, and heads off to become the world's greatest superhero. Doesn't get any better than that. Doesn't matter what happens to Bruce, he always keeps his eye on Gotham's safety.




9. ROBIN HOOD

Doesn't matter how you paint the picture, it's always generally the same; Robin kills someone he didn't mean to kill and gets himself branded an outlaw, yet goes out into the woods and makes good out of the worst.

10. PRINCE DASTAN

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (movie)

He loses his dad and his brothers turn against him, and still he is determined to clear his name and save the kingdom. Classic hero story.

So, did I miss a one? What are your favorite heroes? What do you like about the heroes listed?

Inside the Character: Alli

Soooooo...yeah, I knew the old post I put up yesterday was pretty lame. So I'm posting this character thingy. Because character thingies are fun.

Aren't my books, my characters, what makes me a writer? Not how obsessed I am with Batman...

;)

Well, I've decided to start monthly (maybe weekly, I don't know...) character posts. This week/month's post will be on the main main character of my biggest and bestest project, The Cycle of Time.


1. If your character was in a movie, what actor would play her?

Elle Fanning!!

2. Who is Alli's best friend?
Alli: Well, I have many friends, but I've known Dirco for as long as I can remember, and he really is my greatest friend. You tend to get the feeling that you really know someone when he can look at you in a certain way and you know exactly what he's thinking and why.

3. Who does Alli look up to more than anyone?
Alli: I know a lot of great people, but Eadën seems to me like someone worth looking up to.
Me: Care to elaborate?
Alli: Ummm...*blush* He's nice? In a weird kind of mean way...?
Me: ...Continue.

4. If you could save one thing in a fire, what would it be?
Alli: Hmmm...I don't know. *shyly* I don't really have much to save. I guess it'd be Dirco. He could sleep through anything...you did say the fire happened at night, right?
Me: What about your bows and arrows and weapons?
Alli: Oh, yeah. Those too.

5. What is your worst fear?
Alli: Getting caught by Flame. Dragons still scare me.
Frielend: Hey! I thought we were good friends, little one!
Alli: I like you, Free. It's just big, scary dragons I don't like.
Frielend: I am not a big scary dragon? *scaly pout*
Me: Get back in your cage, you filthy animal!!!

6. What do you enjoy most of all?
Alli: It used to be listening to Dirco tell stories, but—
Dirco: BUT?! YOU DON'T LIKE MY STORIES ANYMORE?!
Alli: Dirco, if you'd let me—
Dirco: Oh no! I get it! I'll just go tell my stories to...to...someone else! HEY VETTE!!
Me: DIRCO YOU LEAVE VETTE ALONE! SHE HAS TO RECUPERATE FROM ACCIDENTALLY FALLING FOR YOUR AWESOMENESS!! NOW GO HUSH!!!
Alli: ...Anyways, I like sword fighting.

7. Do you have any hidden talents?
Alli: Not really. I'm a simple person. Dirco's the one with hidden every things. And Eadën, too.
Me: Hey, at least she admits it...

8. What annoys you more than anything?
Alli: Umm...probably Dirco.
Dirco: So I'm your BFF, and I annoy you more than anything, too?
Alli: I spend a lot of time with you, okay?
Me: Hey, you two, stop using modern words and stuff! You're fantasy people. You say thy and thee and they.
Dirco: I've never said that before in my life.
Me: Hush up, Dirco. This is Alli's interview, not yours.
Dirco: :P

9. What are your life goals?
Alli: To help the land of Janíza rid itself of Jzän, and Milerax, and all it's spawn.
Me: That's more like it with the fantasy talking.
Alli: Thanks!

10. Do you have any dreams that you're afraid won't come true (i.e. love, family, etc.)?
Alli: *blushes* I'm really content with where I am right now. I don't need anything else.
Dirco: No true love? That's usually what girls want.
Alli: NO.
Dirco: Sorry... *ashamed*


Pinterest boards:
Alli's character board
The Cycle of Time storyboard

The Journey Publishing Update

The Journey is hereby tentatively scheduled to be released on October 27. (No I did not just make that date up.)

The Cycle of Time: The Journey

Health for sickness and life for death,

The Cycle of Time will never rest.

Around it goes without a breath

Will you pass its ceaseless test?

      Darkness is nearer than the land of Janíza knows. Fire Eye, the ruthless ruler, is weakening the cities, and before the people will be able to react, everything they know will vanish.

      Alli and Dirco, two orphans living in the slums of a secluded village, live in this time. Dirco's storytelling business is declining, and just as they begin to consider moving to another city, a stranger appears and hires them to travel with him, claiming he is interested in Dirco's stories.Things only become darker and stranger from there, as both Alli and Dirco are thrust into the midst of an ongoing war revolving around Dan, the hooded man.

      Now neck-deep in a battle that began far before either of them were born, Alli and Dirco struggle to survive as Dan drags them from one end of Janíza to the other. When she is suddenly forced to question everything she has ever known, will Alli have the strength to fight or will she hide forever in the small village of Geggon?

      The Cycle of Time has just begun. The tests have started. Before she knows what is happening, Alli is forced into a strange new world. If she and Dirco don't accept it, all will be lost.

Keep checking back for updates!!!

Funniest Thing You Will Ever Read (if you are a writer)

So here I am, lonesome on my couch as I surf the internet. My family is at the beach, except for me and my sister because SOMEONE *eyeballing little siblings* used up all the 30 SPF suntan lotion and SOMEONE *eyeballing my cherry red face* had to use fifteen. So SOMEONE *eyeballing myself again* got burned to a crisp and is now un-allowed to go to said beach. Cruel world, isn't it?

To quote the post below:

To: my sunburn

From: me

Anywho. Offtrack. So, there I was, crying softly as I searched for some source of inspiration, when suddenly it hit me. I found this post, which brightened my entire day. I couldn't have asked for better inspiration.

Read it and weep, brothers and sisters in writing!!

http://teenscanwritetoo.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/ten-things-never-to-say-to-a-writer/

I hope you enjoy as much as I did. I cried I was laughing so hard. I hope someone out there understands this.

If you totally get this post, holla at me! What was your favorite?

"The Sentinels" Sneak-Peek

Here is the newly-written poem to be placed at the beginning of The Cycle of Time: The Journey.
These poems are taken from the dwarven prophecy, called the Arkundl-Gra. Most people view this extensive poem as nothing but dwarven superstition, but small parts of it hold merit, such as the parts about time, light, and darkness.

Darkness fills the hearts of those

Whom the Cycle does dispose.

How they live one never knows;

Pray the evil fails to grow.

The Significance:

The Cycle of Time: The Sentinels involves much more about the dark side of Janíza and characters such as Eadën, Dirco, Alli, and Jzän. As they struggle through new threats and new fears, they find in themselves the evil that feeds Jzän and Milerax.

The first two lines refer to the Cycle, i.e. the Cycle of Time. Originally the Cycle of Time referred to the dwarven race's existence on the planet, but as time passed the name broadened to include time itself, and to a lesser extent the "path of light" (the paths taken by good-willed men). The next two lines include ominous references to darkness and evil; these signify the presence of black magic. Black magic grows on the land of Milerax, and it is said once one has contact with black magic, they are forever changed by the power it holds.

The Sentinels is full of temptations, fears, horrors, and new enemies. Will Alli, Dirco, and Eadën find enough light to overcome evil? Or will they become overtaken by the blackness within themselves?

My Short Story Handicap

For ever and ever I've looked at my sister's beautiful short story writing ability and sighed. I've seen competitions for short story writers...and sighed. It's a massive handicap to not be able to write short stories. I wish I could so bad.

For some reason I have no inherent ability to write short stories. I've tried to write thousands, and have only completed two. And only one was any good. (I'm actually quite proud of that one. It's pretty awesome. Well, fast-paced and one part is kinda random, but overall a good one. Rabbit trail.)

I think it has something to do with my detailistic mind. Either way, when I sit down to write a "short story", things get so complicated I end up writing thirty pages before stopping and going, "This isn't short, therefore, NOT A SHORT STORY."

But I would, like, SO enjoy writing a story that is short and to the point. It would be SO FUN. The problem is, I just can't seem to fit all that I want in just ten pages. How do you fit a story in ten pages? How do you create believable characters, a compelling plot, and interesting elements in just ten pages?

Does anyone have any pointers on short story writing? What are your secrets? How do you keep a short story short?