Showing posts with label short stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label short stories. Show all posts

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Inside the Character: Eadën Vangûard

So apparently a lot of people want to see an ItC on Eadën from The Cycle of Time. I haven't dealt with that story in a while, so this could be interesting to see how much I remember/get feelings over Eadën (then again, it's not hard to get feelings over Eadën). I will try to avoid spoilers but know that he is a big character in The Cycle of Time so there is bound to be some secrets or storylines revealed.


P.S. Some of you ask, I answer: the ¨ above the "e" in Eadën's name is part of the language I created for the elves in Janíza (the land that The Cycle of Time is set in). Normally, the ¨ represents the natural sound of a letter (like e says "eh", a says "ah", etc.) and is used in longer, more complicated names to help with pronunciation. You may be saying, "but Eadën's name isn't complicated it's just 'eden'." This is true. However, since he is royal, the ¨ is used more as decoration. Call it fancifying royal people's names in this case.

In case you were wondering what the other symbols mean:
¨ = natural sound
ˆ = no sound
´ = long sound (e = ee, a = ay, etc.)

Otherwise, words are pronounced normally.

Fun trivia: In elven, Eadën's name is actually pronounced "ee-AY-den", with a long "a" sound. However, humans are bad at language apparently and read it as "Eden". ;)

Okay. Language rant over, you can skip that. Bye.


1. Who would play Eadën in a movie?
Honestly? I don't know. I haven't found his actor yet, but I have a few pics of drawings and stuff that resemble him so here ya go.

This would be Eadën most of the time...tired, sharp featured, and hair in disarray.


However, he does have moments like this...

Where he is very creepy looking when he wants to be.

Eadën is an elf, by the way.

2. What color is his hair?
Eadën's hair is described as glossy black and wavy/curly in texture. It is cut loose across his forehead, so you can usually see the wave. He rarely combs it since he's kind of a traveling man, so it's kinda a mess sometimes.

3. What color are his eyes?
Those who have read the current draft of The Cycle of Time: The Journey (lookin' at you, Rachel) are well aware that Eadën's eyes are very, very blue. Sky-blue; azure almost. They are extremely bright and are actually a bit shocking at first.

4. What is his body type?
Per elven norm, he's lean, but muscled, and quite tall (think 6'7"). And he's extremely angular. I think I described him as looking like "a string was tied to his spine and it was pulling him upwards constantly" or something like that. His shoulders are sharp, hipbones jagged, and his silhouette is all edges and corners. He is also very pale, and his skin is described as having almost a silvery sheen to it.

5. Does he have any piercings/tattoos? 
None mentioned in the book, that I can recall...however, I wouldn't be surprised if he had a tiny meaningful inked something-or-other on his skin.

6. What's the most attractive thing about him?
Since he comes off as alien-ish with his elven self, only some find him attractive. However, the most attractive thing I find about him is either his eyes or his super-sharp facial features. Think STRONG JAWLINE. VERY. STRONG.

7. What is the ugliest thing about him?
Okay, trying not to spoil anything, so read on if you dare. He has a really ugly scar wrapping over one side of his torso from mid-stomach, over shoulder, and down back. It's from a wound that was deadly but of course he magically lived through it (I know, I'm working on it...).

8. When he smiles, what does it look like?
LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL that never happens. Eadën has had a very hard life and he doesn't like joy. However, it is notable that he has extremely white and amazing teeth.

9. What does his laugh sound like?
LOLLLLLLLLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLLL no.

10. What is his normal speech pattern?
He has kind of fancy-talk (but not as fancy as the fairies). He's pretty articulate despite not having attended most of his childhood schooling.

11. How does he express/handle anger?
Hrm...he's kind of emotionally dead, honestly. Granted, anger would be one of his most-felt emotions, but he doesn't show it much. If he gets angry enough to react towards someone, he would probably either kill them or like flip a table or something.

12. Does he cry?
Only on special occasions I suppose. He's used to sadness so it's only rare that he cries, but when he does it's usually like silent, and he just tenses up as tears stream down his lil face.

13. What would make him cry?
In the novel, Eadën struggles with feeling unworthy of his place in life and guilty over the choices he's made. It is these issues combined with longing to please/live up to his deceased father that makes him cry in the book. So yeah, stuff like that.

14. How easy is it for people to read his emotions?
Unlike Jay (whom, as I've mentioned, people who know him can tell by his physical cues how he feels), Eadën is completely unreadable and people hate him for it. He can hide almost any emotion, even from his own wife.



Character Beliefs

15. Is he religious?
Not particularly. I think he follows a religion, but not very strictly.

16. How does he view those of other faiths?
He doesn't care what you believe.

17. What are his core values?
Eadën's core values would beeeee.......hmmmmmmmm...........probably loyalty, or striving to be a better person. Idk if those are "values" or not, but they're things he's always focused on.

18. How willing is he to fight for those values?
In theory, Eadën would fight for anything if he believed in the cause. However, if he's discouraged or defeated...he finds it difficult to get back up sometimes.



Likes and Dislikes

19. What is his favorite food?
He's vegetarian, actually. He really likes fruit.

20. What is his favorite color?
Probably green. He really loves being out in nature, so green has become a calming color for his turbid mind.

21. What is his sleeping preferences?
Eadën is definitely not picky when it comes to sleeping. Actually, he really doesn't sleep much at all. I think in the book once he went several days without sleeping a wink. You can imagine he was grumpy and emotional about it, too. Anyway, he doesn't sleep much because he has nightmares...yikes. Poor bb.

BONUS: What position does he usually sleep in?
Probably on his side, or stretched out.

22. What type of music does he listen to?
Eadën was never one for arts and crafts and math and writing. He was always out on the field perfecting his swordplay and footwork.


Character Introspection

23. When is his birthday?
I'm not sure of the exact date, but he was born in the summertime.

24. What family structure did he have growing up?
Eadën was supposed to be born dead, so he's been sort of fighting for his life ever since he was a wee babbie. You see, elves are biologically capable of having only one child in their lifetime, so Eadën was more than a miracle child, especially since he was alive when he was born (albeit weak and wailing). His older sister doted on him for much of his childhood, and his parents, the king and queen, didn't see much harm in him skipping his classes and romping out in the sun if it meant he would get stronger. However, after a while his older sister realized that their parents paid more attention to Eadën than they did to her and...well, the rest is history.

25. What is the worst thing he has ever done?
um idk probs burning down half of janíza and earning the title ember because all he left in his wake was embers but u know idk

26. What is the best thing he has ever done?
Attempting to turn his messed up life around, even though it meant leaving everything he loves and knows and jumping headfirst into danger.

27. Has he ever been in love?
Once...long story short, he had taken a young ten-year-old human girl prisoner when she decided to start talking non-stop to him for weeks since she was bored and he visited the prison every day. She ended up spurning his turn-around, and he helped her escape. About a decade later, they married, despite his elven nearly-immortal aging and her short life span.

28. What is his biggest goal in life?
To stop the war in Janíza and finally settle down with his little fam-fam. :3

29. What does he believe is his greatest vice?
Without a doubt, black magic. It is an addictive form of magic and he used it for a long time and struggles to fully separate himself from its consumptive power.

30. What motivates him most?
Probably his daughter, Clairê, and his wife, Linnea. He doesn't find anything redeeming within himself, so he simply focuses on staying alive and keeping Linnea and Clairê safe.

31. Is he objective oriented?
Most definitely. Goals have pretty much mapped his life out since before he can remember. Goals give him something tangible to work towards, I suppose.

32. Would he rather be a good person or a great person?
Great. However, I think he is realizing that he may only ever be a "good" person...to himself, anyway.

33. Would he rather be hated for who he is or loved for pretending to be someone else?
At one point, he lived for other people's acceptance. However, he's grown quite a bit since then and now I think he realizes that not everyone will love him for who he is. He still struggles with that, though.

34. Is he an extrovert, ambivert, or introvert?
Introvert, definitely.

35. Is he creatively expressive?
Yes! But only in one form: SWORDPLAY. He literally has the best form when he's using his sword, and his footwork is always flawless and it's said he looks like he's dancing some ferocious panther dance when he's fighting someone with a sword. He works constantly to be the perfect swordsman.

36. What is his disorder?
Where do I start. He's addicted to black magic, he's got PTSD basically from war and being like cut in half and his sister hating his guts and being evil, I'm pretty sure he's got major depression if we're being clinical here, and...and... *CRYING WILDLY*

37. Is he materialistic?
Seeing as he's only ever had any real possessions while he was still officially a prince, no, he's not particularly caught up on possessions. He does have a few possessions that he will probably hurt you if you touch them though.

38. What is his learning style?
He's definitely a visual learner. If he watches someone do something, he can probably replicate it pretty well.

39. I am a ______. How would he finish this sentence?
"I am a failure." (NOOOOO BB WHY U SAI THAT NO STOPIT)

40. Life is an act of _______. How would he finish this sentence?
"Life is an act of deciding when to stand up and fight back and when to kneel and take it."



OTHER

Theme song: "Cold" by Aqualung

Pinterest boards:
Eadën's board
The Cycle of Time board

Wattpad stories:
Excerpt of The Cycle of Time: The Journey
Janíza's Hero (short story)
Embers

Monday, January 5, 2015

Stuff Happens More on Wattpad (aka A Comprehensive Guide to Ana's Wattpad Page)

As you may or may not know, I joined Wattpad a while back and, as you may know if you stalk me close enough, I post things pretty regularly on there. While my posting is mainly short stories and nothing really substantial, it's still pretty like, for real. It also answers some questions I'm sure you have about many of my characters (that is, if you stalk me on Pinterest close enough to know my characters).

Currently, I have 17 stories published on Wattpad, including (DUN DUN DUN) an ENTIRE FULL LENGTH NOVEL!!!! Have I ever mentioned Rhett Hawke? Well now I have. In his story the humor side of myself comes out, so its nothing serious, though I attempted it to be sometimes. Keep in mind that I wrote it when I was about 13, edited it maybe four times, and left it because I'm not really planning on publishing it or anything anytime soon, so I decided to make it a magical Wattpad series for all the magical Wattpad people of the world. Enjoy :3

Anyway, about my other works... I have 17 published works (I said that already didn't I) and about 75% of them are short stories about my various novels. To give you a peeky peek, I shall make a handy dandy list about my handy dandy titles and what characters and stories they include and/or are related to (feel free to skip, I'm just bored):

UNTITLED (Peter Pan fanfiction-retelling backstory type deal)
What it's about: I have a board on Pinterest about it...and that's literally about all I understand about it. It's a really cool story if I do say so myself, I just have to plan it out some more.
How much posted: A chapter...a short chapter...
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Nope. I don't post much to the pinterest board and haven't written any blog post about it, so it's just me and my brain.
Updated?: Not really. I need to plan it.
Worth reading?: Why not? It's like a peek into my sick mind. >:) (Then again I could say that about everything)


Blue Skyys
What it's about: Sci-fi galactic war between two rivaling galaxies. Includes major brotherly/family feels and awesome characterization (ahem I'm really proud of those charries okay). Also a cliffhanger. And really intense scenes.
How much posted: Three or four chapters, pretty good length.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Eh, if you really really stalk me you'll know a pretty okay bit about it. I've written a blog post on it, and the board on Pinterest for it is a pretty good size.
Updated?: Nope. It's coauthored, and the coauthor doesn't write hardly at all, so no regular updates.
Worth reading?: I've been told the setting is a little hard to explain, but if you like the genre, I think it's worth a skim to see if you want to invest time in actually sitting down to read it.


The Orion: The Deadlands
What it's about: If you stalk me you know. Post-apocalyptic, bad governments, all the rage going on these days in young adult fiction. Awesome characters stuck in lame writing.
How much posted: Two shortish chapters. I am capable of posting more (I have the whole thing written yet unedited), but I'm not sure I want to because I want to publish this one someday.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Yes. Absolutely. I post about this one all the time.
Updated?: Like I said, I can, but I don't, because I want to publish it and don't want to spoil it...
Worth reading?: Really only if you're curious and want to get a feel of what the book's about. Nothing really happens; the prologue gives a good explanation of what the book is about. Otherwise, just a sneak peek.


Home at Last
What it's about: Short story I wrote for school, so it's pretty complete and like, you know, understandable. Set in King Arthur time. Pretty epic.
How much posted: It's four pages long, but a complete story.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Nope. Little known secret though: I have a secret board on Pinterest with ideas for a King Arthur story. Coming soon to a Wattpad near you.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth Reading?: If you're into it, sure! One of my better works, probably, because it was for school so it had to be pretty good to get a good grade. :)


Luke's Conversion
What it's about: Short story (excerpt of Orion series 2). It's about Luke Vetti converting to Christianity. Major Luke feels ahead.
How much posted: It's a short story, completed, edited but probably not perfected, four pages long.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Luke Vetti has the largest Character Board on my Pinterest account (about 652 pins, I believe, at time of writing). He's famous amongst my Pinterest followers...though not as famous as Westly Decker.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth Reading?: Yes.


Luke & Kyle: The End of the Line
What it's about: Short story (related to Orion series 2). Luke and Kyle's infamous parting scene. Super painful.
How much posted: Two pages of indescribable pain.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Yes.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth Reading?: Yes.


"Know What You Fear"
What it's about: Short story (related to Orion series 2). Two young assassins from "The Orion series 2" who are dealing with issues related to being pressured young assassins.
How much posted: Two pages.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Not really. They have a board but that is all.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth reading?: For fun, why not.


Rhett Hawke: The Secret of Blackrock Cave
What it's about: FULL LENGTH NOVEL!!! Very humorous and lighthearted tale of pirates and orphans and treasure and Rhett Hawke the Awesome.
How much posted: 31 Wattpad pages, about 100 normal pages, so a novella.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: I'll post the occasional Aiden Turner pic for Rhett Hawke on Pinterest, and I've mentioned Rhett Hawke before, so kinda.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth reading?: It's a bit of a commitment, but if you want a laugh (even if it's a slightly random plotted, slightly unedited laugh), this is the book for you. Especially if you're a Pirates of the Caribbean fan.


Me Too
What it's about: I wrote this short story in a writer's meeting one day and thought it was interesting enough to type out and post. It's not terrible, not a piece of art, but it's so short you might as well give it a go.
How much posted: 1 page.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: No.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth reading?: I put it up there for kicks.


One Song Won't Hurt
What it's about: Short story (related to Superior Race). Lane and Chloe go to the prom. Lane-ness ensues.
How much posted: 2 pages.
Well known (if you stalk me?): I haven't done anything with this story in a while, but it's pretty well known.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth reading?: It's a fluffy little piece. Nothing epic or severe.


Embers
What it's about: Short story (related to the Cycle of Time). A collection of short stories that only has one short story, but I wrote another and plan to post it.
How much posted: 4 pages.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: YEAH MAN. I TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.
Updated: Recently I've been trying to write The Sentinels, so as long as inspiration holds, I will no doubt have a few short stories waiting around to be written.
Worth reading?: If you like fantasy or are interested, sure.


The Cycle of Time: The Journey
What it's about: About three chapters of my first novel, a fantasy adventure.
How much posted: 6 pages.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: YEAH MAN. I TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.
Updated: Nope. THAT'S ALL YOU'RE GETTING, PEOPLE.
Worth reading?: If you're curious...


Westly Decker
What it's about: Short stories revolving around my newest little baby bear, Wes. If you want feels, you're in the right place.
How much posted: 5 pages, two short stories.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Pretty much. I only pin to his board every other day in massive spurts, that's all.
Updated: About once every month or so I crank out new feelings.
Worth reading?: I feel like the second story in this work is one of the most poignant, well-written works I've ever written, and my best friend Angie Zoe agrees. So yeah, read my awesomeness.



So yeah, exhaustive list of my works and how bad they are. Anyway, as you may have noticed, my blog doesn't get the attention it deserves. I am sorry for that. However, if you are lonely, head over to Wattpad or Pinterest to get some more action (Pinterest mostly). I post to there more often. :)

Yeah that was the whole point of this.

Yeah I don't care that this was incredibly long, it makes me feel better for not posting anything for months.

Yeah I know my blog posts are random, insane, have terrible grammar, and are filled with typos and inconsistencies.

Yeah I don't care.

Yeah it makes me feel like I'm writing a personal letter to people.

Yeah it makes me feel like I'm funnier than I am.

Yeah I like the personal feel it gives.

Yeah.

I know.

I'm da bomb.









(Yeah I know I'm selfish and conceited PLS DON'T HATE ME *cries*)

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

READ MY WORK!

ATTENTION! I HAVE JOINED ANOTHER WEBSITE AND HAVE TAKEN THE NEXT STEP INTO THE BIG BAD WORLD!

Anastasia Cross is now on Wattpad!

My best friend Angelina Zoe (find her writing here, and her blog here) introduced me to this great website a few weeks ago and I have just gotten to actually joining and posting. Since I am very wary about letting the world see my awesome ideas and letting them have free reign of stealing it (ahem ahem wink wink) I have decided to only post things I am not planning on publishing. I did post the first chapter or two of every book I have finished and that I am working currently on, so CHECK IT OUT! Also, I have posted several short stories that pertain to my larger novels (i.e. include the characters and setting). So if you have the time or get bored or something, check out what I've done!

I may also begin posting random stuff like, stuff I will never finish or book beginnings that I scribbled down, if you're lucky... >:)

Thanks for reading!

Your faithful freak,









Links:
My watt pad page, where you can read some of my writing
http://www.wattpad.com/user/Anastasia_Cross

Monday, August 5, 2013

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?