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.)

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

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!

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

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

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

Follow-Thru

This last week is going to be like a gauntlet for me, seeing as I still have some work to complete before I can say "It is finished." Otherwise, I have some information to give to my faithful readers and supporters. My Prologue is structured differently than my main story. 'Why', you might ask? Well, my Prologue is actually following a supporting character who has had a worse life than any other in the story. Known as 'The Henchman' in my writer's group, he had his family taken from him at an early age in the midst of a battle that involved the entire town at the foot of the Castle. For those of my readers who might not be able to make the connection, as a child he was traumatized after seeing his family slaughtered before him. His present-day state, where he is referred to be one without a name, is him with suppressed memories.

Though I have yet to research the matter specifically, I do know that one with suppressed memories will unconsciously store away his thoughts following the said traumatic event and act as if the event had almost never happened. With this in mind, the Prologue covers the majority of the memories he is slowly recovering as he continues to act on the Head Maid's behalf.

Remember, if anyone wishes to read my work's current revisions, please contact me and I will send them to you! (include email along with request; I will soon place reminder of this on my main page for anyone who has not read this message)

C. Olson