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Messages - Belial

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Author Craft / Re: Richelle's "Vampire Academy"
« on: September 16, 2007, 08:13:15 AM »
I picked up a copy after work a couple weeks ago, decided to go to bed instead of read it however... so I went to bed, then woke up a couple hours later. Instead of doing the wise thing and going back to bed, I started reading it. Around noon the next day I finished it (stayed up all night). As I'm sure is clear, I very much enjoyed the book, although the next day at work wasn't too great  ::)

I'll post a review after I formulate a few thoughts (and when I'm less tired), as for now, I think I'll (hopefully) do the wise thing and catch some sleep.

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Author Craft / Re: What genre are you currently writing in?
« on: June 17, 2007, 12:45:17 AM »
The majority of what I write Low Fantasy... once in a while I'll write some High Fantasy.

Heh, Bob... I used to write "satirical religious 'I'm going to hell for this fantasy"... it's always great fun isn't it?

Mainly I write in a third person perspective. The last story I wrote was in first person though, unfortunately my general suckiness with first person shone through... I'm planning on re-writing it in third person :P

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Author Craft / Re: Succubus Blues
« on: May 11, 2007, 02:02:02 AM »
Well, I finally picked up a copy the other day, and started reading it yesterday... or the day before. I've been sick, and you've been keeping me up way past my bedtime, so it's been a cycle of "sleep, read, fiddle around a bit on the computer, read, sleep, etc". I finished the book around noon today, then went on to the sleep portion of my schedule.

As a now spoilerish review; I very much enjoyed the book, loved the characters and thought that there was some great characterization. Ms. Mead also avoided a lot of the pitfalls that abide in the fantasy-fiction genre.

Now, onto the more interesting stuff; the spoilerish review and comments.

(click to show/hide)

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Author Craft / Re: Finding motivation?
« on: March 31, 2007, 07:40:22 AM »
Really it comes down to this (in my opinion): There's the easy way, and there's the efficient way.

The easy way is to wait till inspiration hits you; however this could be days, weeks, or even months. And I can almost guarantee you that during all this time you'll feel guilty about not writing. So although it's the "easy" way, it really isn't a good way (but hey, who ever said that writing was easy?)

Now, for the efficient way; sit down at the computer (or a typewriter, or with a pen and paper, whatever) and start grinding something out. It probably won't be your best work, but it'll get you started towards getting to interesting and exciting stuff again, and afterwards you can always go back and polish that section up, or re-write it. When you're forced to grind it out, I often find it best to have a daily quota, it doesn't have to be a big one, but there should be a goal you want to reach for. Importantly, this has to be a realistic quota; although you might be able to grind out three thousand words on a good day, will you be able to do that everyday? So instead something along the lines of 500 to 1000 (I don't know how fast you write, so this is really up to you.)

I will admit that the efficient way is not a fun way, but it does get things done, and afterwards you'll feel relieved to be past that part and on to new things. 

A good link to other ideas on the subject: http://www.sfwa.org/writing/strategies.html

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Author Craft / Re: How likeable does a main character have to be.
« on: January 31, 2007, 08:50:53 AM »
Think of Raistlin Majere. He's definately not very likable.

He's manipulative, he's sarcastic, he's bitter, he's a survivor, he's cynical, all in all he's our darker selves.

He is however, easy to empathize with.

He has an older brother who always casts a shadow over him. Everyone loves his brother, and he needs his brother to survive. His brother is stronger than him, better looking than him, and gets all the girls. All that Raistlin has over Caramon is his brains.

We've all had someone like that in our lives (whether or not that person is male or female, or even related to us). From the viewpoint Raistlin's choices can be dissapointing, but we can never damn him for them. Although there are much nicer and more traditional heroes in the Dragonlance cycle, Raistlin stands out above them all. Even though he's not very likable.

So I would say that the reader does not have to like the character very much, but he must empathize with him.

Hell as Dalamar says about Raistlin, "'We've all been laughed at one time in our lives. We've all been jealous of a sibling. We have felt pain and suffered, just as he has suffered. And we've all longed- just once- fore the power to crush our enemies! We pity him. We hate him. We fear him- all because there is a little of him in each of us, though we admit it to ourselves only in the darkest part of the night.'"

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Author Craft / Re: Unrealism In Books
« on: January 25, 2007, 03:54:49 AM »
The reasons seem to fit pretty well, and besides that it's an actual sword which people can use (although it's a bit big for my tastes, personally.)

I don't have problems with big swords, as long as they're reasonable. The thing about the Nodachi is that although it's long, it's also pretty slim, it's made for cutting not crushing. So it can be long, and still not weigh too much. A Nodachi is usually around 5 feet long I believe (correct me if I'm wrong). A western sword of comparable length is the Claymore, it probably weighs a good deal more though. It wouldn't matter if a claymore is sharp or not, it's going to hurt.

So, I guess I can stomach swords five feet long, maybe up to six (depending on who's using it). My problem comes when a sword would be fifteen to twenty pounds (or more) and be too massive to use properly. People seem to think that's cool, and I suppose if you don't know the mechanics it could be. But I've always preferred more accurate fighting.

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Author Craft / Re: Unrealism In Books
« on: January 25, 2007, 01:21:25 AM »
While I use neither as a general rule, I can defend one of them (that being the demons).

The point behind crossing a human with a fox is that it will be associated with a human, it can also be disturbing. If you have a cat demon, that's fine and dandy, but if you have a Humanish fox demon, first the reader has to deal with the fact that the thing is humanish, but that it is also an aberration. Think about this, the U.S. has laws against the making of Chimeras (crossing humans with other species and such), because with all the cloning technology, we're coming closer to being able to do it, and it scares the shit out of us. Would you want to consort with a fox-man? It pushes the reader off balance, and whether they conciously realize it or not, it's going to disturb them.

As for the big swords; that's just people compensating for things. In real life you'll never find a sword that weighs more than a few pounds (usually 3-5... I've heard of some massive ones being ten pounds, but that's enormous). Whoever tells you that we could use them, kick em in the crotch, cause we couldn't. We might be able to get in one swing, maybe two. The recovery time would be long, and we'd be cut up by people who weren't afraid they were too small down there.

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Author Craft / Re: Structure...?
« on: December 24, 2006, 06:24:05 PM »
I was actually thinking about something close to this the other day, and I came to the conclusion that there are two basic types of characters (don't worry, I think this is on topic, just bear with me for a moment). 

There are characters where form follows function, and characters where function follows form.

Form follows function would be a more structured approach; i.e. the story calls for this type of character, so I'll create this type of character to do this, he'll need this quality and this quality and this quality, etc etc.

Function follows form is somewhat less structured (in terms of story); i.e. I have a great idea for a character, so I create a world for him to play around in and the plot comes along as the character goes along.

These are (in my opinion) the two basic types of characters and stories; one where the plot is what is of utmost importance, the other where the characters are. There are many different shades of grey between these, and I doubt any story is purely one or the other, although they may have heavy leanings towards one.

So it sounds to me like you want to do a story where function follows form, but you are worried that it would be better if form followed function. In my opinion they are equally valid approaches, although I also think that one should not be forsaken entirely for the other. I usually start with a few characters that I've created (function follows form) then drop them into a situation I think is interesting (form follows function) and let the two define each other. 

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Author Craft / Re: Working against yourself
« on: November 28, 2006, 02:57:36 AM »
My biggest problem is getting myself to sit down and write. I tend to wander off and do other things when I should be writing (for example; I have a 6 page report due tomorrow that I should be working on... right now).

As for making everyone get along, or wanting everyone to be good... I don't really have that problem. A lot of my characters are bastards. And among the good guys, I like to play off of polar personalities (e.g. I have two main characters in one story; one is an overly flamboyant wizard, and the other is a dark and reserved warrior); that tends to breed a good, healthy amount of conflict.

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Author Craft / Re: Returning to a story
« on: October 24, 2006, 09:30:05 AM »
I am somewhat OCD (not horribly, in a can't function way... but for example, I took all my d6's and put them in a box, all facing the same way, I have about forty of them, they are stacked nine by four... this took time, and I have to put them back that way everytime I use them).

So for me, this just plain wouldn't work, leaving it incomplete like that would just nag at me and nag at me until I finished it.

*edited for clarity.

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Author Craft / Re: New Writer's Group from this Board
« on: October 24, 2006, 02:18:00 AM »
Sounds like it could be fun, now I just had a thought, but since I'm not really very good at the sciences, I thought I'd check it (yes, this does pertain to this by the way).

I know that matter cannot be destroyed, only changed, now, since this goo would be less dense than a human being, the area that he/she covered in goo form would be greater would it not? I'm having ideas of drowning people in goo...

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Author Craft / Re: Aelioua-Name Syndrome
« on: October 21, 2006, 04:03:53 AM »
Psh, that's not very long, that's just a hell of a lot longer than lantans ;).

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Author Craft / Re: Aelioua-Name Syndrome
« on: October 20, 2006, 06:57:44 AM »
I come up with my names by... coming up with my names. Hard to say how they come to me, sometimes I sit down and make a list (and end up scrapping most of them, but some of my favorites have come from this process.) However, I don't think I have problems with elvish names (Damned dirty elves). Mine go along the lines of:

Numazel (Probably my favorite name)
Lantan
Lazak
Malasa
Leamek
Akenzar
Grashenka
Greschka (those two are brothers)
Ordeas
Caidosh
Lezul
Aduron

(Lantan, Numazel, Akenzar, and Ordeas all share the surname of Sincraes, never really gave the others surnames.. though Lazak was known as Lazak of Hern).

Long white hair and green eyes you say O_o

How long is long?

I've written Lantan (one of my MC's) as having shoulder-length white hair and emerald green eyes before... he's not a mage though, he's more of a fighter.

As a side note, for my comedies (mainly based in the real world) I draw names (and characters often-times) from myth, religion, and demonology.

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Author Craft / Re: Any WriMo's out there?
« on: October 14, 2006, 04:26:32 AM »
I would object on the grounds of... hrm... *tries to think of a good reason. Umm... I object on the grounds that I didn't think of it first!

But no, in seriousness it sounds like a cool idea, I have no objections.

It might also be cool to exchange NaNoWriMo names, because I know you can look in on other people's stuff there (what they post for you to look at, how they're coming, etc etc).

I'm um, Belial over there as well... I don't like to have to remember too many login names.

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Author Craft / Re: Any WriMo's out there?
« on: October 13, 2006, 10:22:00 PM »
I could set my own timeline. But I'm afraid that if I do it will end up on the wayside of other things, I'm thinking that doing it this way will get me to do it. I tend to be a "eh I'll do it later" type of person.

So, I'll wait and do it then, finish up my current story first, and hope it gives me the impetus to do it all.  ;)

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