It would seem that my energy that would have been used for writing and posting online, have instead been used for my performance in the workplace. I had hopes for a better pace to be had with my writing/posting, but I have very little to report. Unfortunately enough.
In light of the obvious disappointments, I have decided to reiterate my story for those of my readers who have yet to fully understand or piece together my story's plot:
The story starts with a man reminiscing a past he had long forgotten. We find him sharpening his axe blade meticulously, not paying any mind to the intense heat of the adjacent forge. He looks first to the wall across from where he sits and considers the time and sweat poured into each of the 30 weapons. Then he looks to the fire and while his focus is on the pit of the flame, he sees into his past. As the memories begin to come back to him, he cuts his finger while routinely checking the blade of the axe. He places the weapon back into its designated mount on the wall and is then later called by his Mistress, the Head Maid of the castle. Answering her call, he reluctantly follows her into the hallways to do her bidding.
Later on, two of the other characters* in the story, the sisters Cindy and Maybell, are introduced. After having fled from home to escape possible arranged marriages, the two young women took everything they had of worth and set out to find somewhere they could live how they wanted. After a week in a town that appeared easy enough to settle into, the girls began to look for work so they could live. The girls find are unable to find work after trudging through the town, until Maybell spots a man in the local tavern wearing livery on his upper arm. After a quick talk Maybell secures a job for them both as live-in maids at the man's castle outside of town. With excitement pulsing through their veins, the girls get into bed with anticipation as their only incentive. With Maybell fast asleep, Cindy looks out of the nearby window into the outskirts of the small city and up to the castle at the hill's peak. A shriek that sends a chill throughout her body fills the air, though only for a moment. Looking back to the castle, she questions her excitement of the day to come.
Thats the preview for now, please read my posts from the start to get better insight into the world I've started forming!
C. Olson
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Creative Juices Flowing?
Yesterday I had some small ideas for my novel, and thought I wouldn't have many more soon. But I had some specific ideas today after reading about Allies in The Writer's Journey and thought on the specific roles of my protagonists. Since the hero is most often the one who changes the most throughout the course of the story, I pondered on who would be my story's true hero/protagonist.
I show the world mostly through the eyes of the sisters Cindy and Maybell, but they are not the only ones to change. My unnamed character, a.k.a. the "Henchman", is also changed in his resolve to act on his desire for freedom from servitude. His fate in turn influences the girls and how they should handle their own family matters*.
Hopefully this means I am getting my mojo back, if you'd call it that. This recent slump of mine began around summer's start and since my classes are ending soon, this might mean that my lack of creativity lately could have been from my body's reaction to the summer season... This is only speculation, though not very convincing if you ask me : P
I thank any of my new and or faithful viewers from the beginning that may be reading my blog/story notes. Please continue to support me in the future as well!
C. Olson
* If you haven't caught onto the meaning, I am referring to the girls' parents and how they had wanted to set up arranged marriages. (Read past archives for more background information.)
I show the world mostly through the eyes of the sisters Cindy and Maybell, but they are not the only ones to change. My unnamed character, a.k.a. the "Henchman", is also changed in his resolve to act on his desire for freedom from servitude. His fate in turn influences the girls and how they should handle their own family matters*.
Hopefully this means I am getting my mojo back, if you'd call it that. This recent slump of mine began around summer's start and since my classes are ending soon, this might mean that my lack of creativity lately could have been from my body's reaction to the summer season... This is only speculation, though not very convincing if you ask me : P
I thank any of my new and or faithful viewers from the beginning that may be reading my blog/story notes. Please continue to support me in the future as well!
C. Olson
* If you haven't caught onto the meaning, I am referring to the girls' parents and how they had wanted to set up arranged marriages. (Read past archives for more background information.)
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Recent Decision on Character Flaws
Since I haven't been posting nearly as much as I have in the past, I have decided to try my hand at adding little pieces of information in my blog from time to time. I feel that this will keep you, my faithful viewers ' interest up rather than only having old archives to read.
After seeing a movie last night with some friends I had a small revelation of sorts. As I might have mentioned in earlier entries, each of my characters hold certain traits of myself as their dominant character traits. What I had decided on as a major character flaw for the 'Henchman' character (still without a name) was that he had pent up emotions harbored within. These feelings consist of anger, discontent, and a lack of security in unfamiliar situations. Since this particular character is one of the most important, I thought it best to give him the most troubling flaw. A strong hero must have a difficult decision to make in the story, or at least have internal blocks preventing him from acting on what has already been decided. Both of these lead to the character's growth, which is what partially defines a hero:
"... the character who changes the most in the story."
... this is regardless of whether the change is positive or negative.
C. Olson
After seeing a movie last night with some friends I had a small revelation of sorts. As I might have mentioned in earlier entries, each of my characters hold certain traits of myself as their dominant character traits. What I had decided on as a major character flaw for the 'Henchman' character (still without a name) was that he had pent up emotions harbored within. These feelings consist of anger, discontent, and a lack of security in unfamiliar situations. Since this particular character is one of the most important, I thought it best to give him the most troubling flaw. A strong hero must have a difficult decision to make in the story, or at least have internal blocks preventing him from acting on what has already been decided. Both of these lead to the character's growth, which is what partially defines a hero:
"... the character who changes the most in the story."
... this is regardless of whether the change is positive or negative.
C. Olson
Monday, June 23, 2008
Work, School, and balancing the ticket
For the past while, I have been unable to think creatively (as far as my story goes). I don't believe that this dry-spell has anything to do with my lack of imagination, but instead my unstable schedule. With work and school together it seems that most of my time is taken up leaving me tired and out of sorts. For those of you reading this who can relate, I sympathize. (How do you do it?!)
I have had jobs in the past, but none have given me so much mental strain and fatigue. I hope this doesn't seem like a complaint, rather it is meant to be my explanation for 1) not having written much for the past while, and 2) me convincing myself that work is to blame. Though both lead to my lack of endurance - mentally - I know that unless I can change these conditions soon, my ranting is meaningless. Any advice for time management is welcome!
C. Olson
P.S. - I hope for all of my faithful readers out there to continue to support me in my endeavors!
I have had jobs in the past, but none have given me so much mental strain and fatigue. I hope this doesn't seem like a complaint, rather it is meant to be my explanation for 1) not having written much for the past while, and 2) me convincing myself that work is to blame. Though both lead to my lack of endurance - mentally - I know that unless I can change these conditions soon, my ranting is meaningless. Any advice for time management is welcome!
C. Olson
P.S. - I hope for all of my faithful readers out there to continue to support me in my endeavors!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Notice to readers
Hello, and good day to you all! I know that I have not been posting as often as I have most recently promised, but as of now my classes have required more of my attention than previously noted. I will continue to post when I am able to make time, and I hope that everyone who has been with me thus far will continue to check up on my progress every so often!
Thank you in advance and for all who support my future in writing!
C. Olson
Thank you in advance and for all who support my future in writing!
C. Olson
Saturday, May 17, 2008
The Girls And Their Home
Though I last spoke on my story's prologue, I feel it best to continue on with other chapters. So for the third chapter, the girls are on their way to the Castle/Estate and are busy getting ready before hand. Anyone reading this chapter will see how poor these two are and to what lengths they are willing to go in order to survive.
At first I was planning on having the two sleep in a single bed to help emphasize their poverty, but then I thought about a note I had made earlier. The girls are staying in another character's previous house from long ago. With this in mind, two beds are already in the bedroom. The condition of the beds are much less than perfect though.
Some walls inside the home look as if they were once repaired, but have aged with time. The kitchen looks neglected and practically unused, showing that the house had not been occupied for quite some time. (Who doesn't use their kitchen?) The exterior of the home is scorched in places while others seem covered up or redone. The type of wood used for the framing and its color is different than most other houses surrounding it. The positioning is also different, as it sticks out from the town, disrupting what would have been like a single wall shared by the back of the neighboring homes.
(If I go into too much more, then those who have read my prologue might realize who once lived where the girls start out. And that would spoil the fun!)
Anyone who wishes to see my most current revisions of my story's chapters need only ask. Please feel free to look at my work and give me your input! All comments are welcome as well!
C. Olson
At first I was planning on having the two sleep in a single bed to help emphasize their poverty, but then I thought about a note I had made earlier. The girls are staying in another character's previous house from long ago. With this in mind, two beds are already in the bedroom. The condition of the beds are much less than perfect though.
Some walls inside the home look as if they were once repaired, but have aged with time. The kitchen looks neglected and practically unused, showing that the house had not been occupied for quite some time. (Who doesn't use their kitchen?) The exterior of the home is scorched in places while others seem covered up or redone. The type of wood used for the framing and its color is different than most other houses surrounding it. The positioning is also different, as it sticks out from the town, disrupting what would have been like a single wall shared by the back of the neighboring homes.
(If I go into too much more, then those who have read my prologue might realize who once lived where the girls start out. And that would spoil the fun!)
Anyone who wishes to see my most current revisions of my story's chapters need only ask. Please feel free to look at my work and give me your input! All comments are welcome as well!
C. Olson
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Exams are over and I am back!
Hello all! Sorry for my absence for the past while, but a number of events took place and then I got lazy. Now I am aiming to have many more posts and things to say to my viewers, so please continue to support me in my writing goals/career!
Over the past few weeks, I have been slacking on my writing as well as other tasks that required my attention. Seeing how I much I have been neglecting my writing is rather embarrassing, since it was I who started this blog and spread the message to all I could for support. Despite my lack of posts, I have been gathering my ideas little-by-little and am almost done placing them together. At this moment I am working on my Prologue, which I have put off on completing for these past weeks. I will continue with my story's updates within the week and will be looking forward to any and all who support me!
C. Olson
Over the past few weeks, I have been slacking on my writing as well as other tasks that required my attention. Seeing how I much I have been neglecting my writing is rather embarrassing, since it was I who started this blog and spread the message to all I could for support. Despite my lack of posts, I have been gathering my ideas little-by-little and am almost done placing them together. At this moment I am working on my Prologue, which I have put off on completing for these past weeks. I will continue with my story's updates within the week and will be looking forward to any and all who support me!
C. Olson
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