A Thanksgiving Day basket of thankfulness to National Novel
Writing Month for kicking my lazy butt into gear and getting me back
into the awesome addiction of writing! Happy times were had for 22
days while I pounded out the last 116,000 words of my newest, latest
and greatest. While overly long and in desperate need of a slimming
down, I must say I'm rather pleased with how it turned out. Now onto
the brutal edits!
More importantly, now that its all over, and I cannot possibly
extend the epilogue another page (Please, no more, Laurie!), I find
myself with itchy fingers and the mighty mighty neeeeeeeed to writing
something more. Anything more. Pick something! Just pick something! So lo and behold,
there was this blog! You could get away with writing anything here, seems to me. No outline,
no need to separate past tense from present, offset dialogue with quotation marks... any of it! You could write whatever you want! Amazing
things, these blogs, no?
But what to write? Stuff about me, blah
blah blah, maybe a little something about my out of control tea addition?
(Shout out to Celestial: LOVE the new holiday blends!) Or perhaps...
Bwahhaha! An interview with the fictitional characters of my
new book! Yay!
Me: Hello Reske, take a seat. Thank you for coming.
Reske: Hey, no problem, glad to be here!
Me: So how does it feel finishing another great story arch?
Reske: Ha ha, I could really ask you the same. Seriously, though
it feels pretty good from my end. I mean, the journey you sent us
through this time was a little bit difficult emotionally, but richly
rewarding because of it. Or so I thought anyway.
Me: Hey, let's hope our readers see it that way. It seemed a
bit... over the top at times. I'm worried they'll take it poorly.
Reske: Ahh. We'll they'll be much more emotionally invested this
time, that's for sure. But knowing how things turn out in the end,
I'm sure they'll agree it was a necessary ill.
Me: Er, let's change the subject lest we reveal too much. This
is first book of the newly rewritten series that features a point of
view other than your own. How did you feel about this departure?
Reske: Heh, loved it!
Me: ...Wait, really? But you're the main character!
Reske: Are you kidding me? I got to slink around doing all sorts
of sneaky things behind the scenes with nobody the wiser! Trust me, this is going to be epic!
Me: Hmm, all right. But do you think Keagan hogged too much of
the limelight?
Reske: Ha! If anything Morid hogged too much of the limelight. He
sort of took over this book, didn't he?
Me: Er, I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about. Getting
back to Keagan again, do you think showing the events from his
perspective will add to the enjoyment of the book or detract from
it? Don't tell him I said this this, but compared to you he can be
sort of dull at times.
Reske: Compared to me everyone is dull.
Me: Ah, good point.
Reske: What I'm more worried about is readers
actually believing his skewed version of events and making me out to be some spoiled child or something. Seeing myself through his eyes like this... Does he really think I'm that whiny and immature?
Me: *cough* Oh, look at the time! Time to move on to our next
guest! Keagan, welcome. Thank you for coming! ...Er, Reske, that's his
chair now.
Reske: Okay, I take it back. Keagan does hog all the limelight. Am I seriously done already? You barely even asked me anything! I'm the main character, aren't I?
Me: What was that about being whiny?
Reske: What? That is so unfair!
Me: All the same, get lost. Thank you, that's right, move along. Ahem. Anyway, sorry
about that all Keagan. Please have a seat.
Keagan: Heh, it's really no problem. That's just Reske for you.
Me: Right? Ha ha. Thank you so much for coming!
Keagan: Thrilled to be here, thank you.
Me: So wow, this was your big break right? Your official
introduction was in the last book true, but way to throw yourself out
there, get recognized, carve yourself a piece of the Call of the Raven pie!
Keagan: Ha. I'm not really out for the glory or anything. I'm just
happy to be a part of something like this.
Me: True, true. Thanks for stepping up then. Now, I happen to think your
perspective as a newcomer on the scene --not to mention you being the polar
opposite of Reske himself-- will add much depth to characters and
events we've only seen through Reske's eyes so far.
Keagan: I'm flattered that you think so. It was an honor to be
asked.
Me: Right. So one big thing that really came of you being the eyes of
this book was the level of insight you picked up in the forest. I
threw a lot of teasers and foreshadowing your way, and even if you
didn't grasp their significance at the time, you made sure to
bite at every little morsel. Thank you for that. I
really appreciate it. Reske pretty much walks through life oblivious
to everything but cookies, so it really makes my job a whole lot easier to have someone who pays attention for once.
Keagan: Ha ha. I wish I knew what you were talking about, but
okay.
Me: Heh, next question. This book involves a very emotional scene
of particular significance to you. How did you feel about the way
things went down this time around?
Keagan: Well, it's hard yeah, I'm not going to lie. But I knew it
was coming, so I think that helped. And I had a lot of support from
Reske, Morid and the others. Oh wow, I can't believe I just said Morid. I'm meant...
Me: Morid did help you out a lot this book, didn't he? That was very kind of him.
Keagan: Uh, more like he was everywhere this book, wasn't he? I'm not sure I could have avoided him.
Me: Ah ha ha, I'm sure you exaggerate.
Keagan: Perhaps. I totally get why Peter confided him in that time though.
Me: Right? He's makes a good listening ear. Morid knows everything. He's so brilliant.
Keagan: If you say so. Probably a catch in it somewhere though. Now I owe him my soul or something.
Me: Ha ha ha! That's really funny Keagan. And oh hey! Speaking of Peter, why here he comes now. Thank you for
coming today, Peter.
Keagan: Oh. Am I done? Should I leave now?
Me: Well, there's kind of only the one chair. I didn't think to
bring more.
Keagan: Sure, no problem then. Enjoy your interview, Peter.
Peter: Thanks, Keagan. Hmm, so this is the internet is it? Nice place.
Me: Oh. Um, yeah. I guess it would be a first for you. But we're actually here to talk about the new book.
Peter: Oh? Did you write one too?
Me: Um, duh, you were in it!
Peter: That's interesting. Huh. Well, good for you then.
Me: Wait, you're saying you wrote a book too? What, for NaNoWriMo or something?
Peter: Hmmm. Let's just say 'wrote a book,' and leave it at that.
Me: Really? That's... awesome I guess. What's yours about?
Peter: Ah, sorry. I probably shouldn't say anything about it until
its published. Then you can just pick up a copy and read it yourself. Should be on the shelves by this time next year.
Me: What? No way! You got a book deal already? Who's your agent?
Do you have an agent? A publishing house contract? What?
Peter: I publish under a fairly popular pen name so I'd rather not
say in this forum.
Me: But... No fair! I so hate you right now!
Peter: I'm sorry...? What was this interview about again?
Me: My book! The one I just wrote...? You had your big
introduction and did all sort of useful, foreshadowy things...
Peter: Excuse me, but did you just say, 'Foreshadowy' things?
Me: Yes! I relied on you quite extensively to drop hints all over
the place for Keagan.
Peter: Are you sure this was even me? That sounds like a pretty
careless thing for me to do.
Me: You're a flighty, careless person. That's how I wrote your
character.
Peter: Is it?
Me: Yes!
Peter: Huh. If you say so. You being the fancy writer and all.
Me: Did... you just snort?
Peter: Nope, not at all.
Me: . . .
Peter: Was there anything else you wanted to ask me? If not, I sort
of have to go. I'm running late to another interview with the Known
World equivalent of Time magazine.
Me: Th-here's no such thing!
Peter: Oh, have they never contacted you then?
Me: Bah, just go already! And call in our next guest on your way!
Peter: Take care then.
Me: Oh thank goodness, somebody sane! Talon, thanks so much for
coming today!
Talon: Um sure. Not exactly sure why I'm here though.
This is an interview about your new book, right? I wasn't even in this
book. Not once.
Me: Er, that's true, but you were referenced a few times. And
there's that very mysterious dream sequence you might very much have
been a part of. TBD of course.
Talon: I don't see how dreams could possibly count, even if they are my
little brother's.
Me: Yes well, speaking of your brother, how did you feel about
Reske's rather significant character development this book? You must
be pretty proud of him right about now!
Talon: I have no idea what you're talking about. I haven't seen my
brother in months, remember? I've been at the capital all this book,
trying to keep our realm in good standing at court.
Me: Sure, but you have to know something about it by now, right?
Surely they told you, or... your father said he sent messages, didn't he?
Talon: If he did I haven't gotten to them yet. Look, I've got to get
back. There's a ton of work to do before Asoren and I leave for the
realm. I don't mean to blow you off, but court
really is a full time job.
Me: Oh, okay, Talon. Sorry to take up your time. Hey, I'll make it up to you in the next
book okay, with a nice, long vacation. Ooh! I think I know just the thing
too!
Talon: If you say so. But the realm won't run itself, remember
that.
Me: Noted. Hey, can you send the next guest in after you? Do we have
another guest?
Talon: Uh, the only one I saw back there sulking around was Morid but... Are you
seriously expecting him to sit here and answer interview questions?
Me: Of course! Morid likes me.
Talon: Writing that out doesn't make it so, but okay. I'll tell him
you're ready for him.
Me: *Squee!* Morid! You came! You really do like me!
Morid: What is this? Is this a joke? Who the hell are you?
Me: I'm... your writer!
Morid: Writer? What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Me: Uh, I sort of created you.
Morid: . . .
Me: Heh, please allow me to rephrase. I have been given the great
honor of chronicling your passage through the lives and times of my
other characters.
Morid: What? When was this? Given by who?
Me: Woah! Calm down! I didn't mean anyone specifically! Er, that
is, I was hoping you would grant me this great honor.
Morid: No.
Me: Wha...
Morid: Not a chance.
Me: . . .
Morid: It's too late isn't it? Take me back out.
Me: Ack! But Morid, I can't take you out now! Do you realize what all
that would involve? Hours upon hours of work and...
Morid: Don't care. I'm serious. Take me out. I'm not going to
be in your crummy books.
Me: But... No one even reads my books! Morid, they'll never even
know you were in them! Please let me let you stay?
Morid: No. No way. I'm serious. Take me out now or I'll destroy your books.
Me: What? But that's so cruel! Aww, you don't understand! The books would be total and
complete crap without! Morid, you are my books! Reske's the
main character on record sure, but you're really the one who...
Morid: I seriously don't care. Are you really going to push
this?
Me: Eep! No! ...Maybe? Please don't kill me!
Asoren: Morid!!!
Morid: Ow.
Asoren: Oh, I hope I'm not too late, writer lady! I came
as soon as I could! Morid, I didn't know you were be here too! Isn't
this exciting? We're going to be in a book, Morid! Just like
characters in, well, a book! Ha ha! I know its technically the fifth
book already --of course there were the others before that-- but well,
each new book is just so exciting, wouldn't you agree? A whole new
saga, a chance to forge our destinies anew! Oh thank you, thank you
writer lady for giving us wings and letting our stories take flight!
Me: Heh. Glad somebody feels that way. Uh, thank you for coming
Asoren. Funny, I don't remember actually inviting you to this
interview today. I mean you were hardly in the book at all this time
around, right? Just there at the beginning, so I didn't feel it
really necessary to call you all this way out here to...
Asoren: Don't be silly! I don't mind at all! Luckily Talon
mentioned his interview today or I wouldn't have known to come! Silly
Talon! He made it sound like he could hardly take time out of his
oh-so-busy schedule to make it, but I told him he was just being
selfish. This isn't about us at all, is it? It's about our fans, past
and future, who make our stories come alive as they read them!
Why, without the readers we are all just words on page, are we not? A fleeting
pitter-patter of little typed words heard only by the ears of the typer. Oh! How tragic! I think I just made myself cry!
Morid: Please don't.
Asoren: Oh Morid! I'm so glad you're here too! You understand what
I'm trying to say, right? If no one ever reads our stories, how could
they possibly find out about us?
Morid: I don't want anyone to find out about me. I'm an assassin,
remember?
Asoren: He he, of course you would say that. You're so funny,
Morid! Oh, I'm so glad you came too!
Morid: So you've said.
Asoren: So writer lady, what would you like to ask us today?
Morid: Us?
Asoren: Of course! You're here answering questions too, aren't you?
That's why you came, silly!
Morid: . . .
Asoren: Go ahead, writer lady. Ask away!
Me: Er, right. Well, uh, I guess since I have the two of you here,
why don't we discuss topic of your own ah, relationship? That is if
we dare to call it that at this point... No? Heh.
Asoren: Oh. Ha ha. You want to talk about that? It's not really... Well that is to say... Oh! Let's talk about little Sephy
instead, can't we? I think she was absolutely delightful this book!
Ahh! I can't wait to meet her again in these rewrites! I think she's
simply divine this time around, and so sooooo perfect for my little
brother! Don't you think so too Morid? Oh! You actually got to meet
her this book, no fair! Now I'm so jealous! Was she
delightful? Was she simply divine?
Morid: You already said she was.
Asoren: I knew it! I knew that she would be! She always is! Oh I
can't wait to meet her again! Can our glorious reunion be next book, writer lady?
Pleeeese?
Me: Uh, we'll just have to see. There was potentially a certain
nice, long, heh really long vacation I mentioned to Talon, but I'm
not sure I can work it back in yet without...
Asoren: Yes! Oh my god, yes, yes, yes! You HAVE to work it in! You
must! That would be so perfect! Yes, yes, yes! Morid,
wouldn't that be so... Oh wait, you weren't in that part!
Promise you'll come this time though, Morid? Writer lady, promise he can
come too? You'll love it there Morid! It's beautiful and wonderful...
and full of lots of things for you to kill!
Morid: Eh?
Me: Ahem. Well, you see, it's been pointed out to me that perhaps
I might be including Morid a little too often of late. I'm really not
sure I can afford to change an entire...
Morid: What makes you think I wasn't there last time?
Me: ...Wait, what?
Asoren: You were? Oh my god! Of course you were! Why wouldn't you
have been? You're always coming along secretly to protect us, aren't
you? Aww, now I'm disappointed not to have noticed you last time! Ah! And
you would have been so adorable like that too!
Me: See, that right there is how I know you weren't there, Morid.
There's no way you would have lived it down! Ha!
Morid: You actually think I would have let myself look like whatever you're picturing?
Me: Ha, now you're stealing a Talon moment too so, no. No can do.
You're out. Sorry, but I can't just let you can't hyjack the rest of
my series however you please. Didn't you say you wanted to be left
out of my books anyway?
Morid: . . .
Asoren: Oh Morid no! No you didn't! Please say you didn't! The books
wouldn't be the same without you! No! No! No! Don't listen to him,
writer lady! I'm sure he didn't mean it! Tell her you didn't mean it,
Morid!
Morid: . . .
Asoren: I'm serious, Morid. Tell her the truth or I very honestly
think I'll cry! The writer lady only ever tries her best you know!
She truly means well, I'm sure of it! So you mustn't say such cruel
things to her anymore, promise you won't! Now, say you're sorry
Morid!
Morid: . . .
Asoren: Now!
Morid: Geeze, all right already. Just can the tears, would ya? You
know I can't stand it when you do that. Sorry, writer lady, okay?
I'll be in your stupid books. There. You happy now?
Asoren: Aye. Thank you, Morid.
Morid: Whatever. This interview over yet?
Asoren: Don't be silly Morid, she hasn't even gotten to a good half
of her...
Me: Actually, why yes it is! Thank you both for coming today, and
another big thank you to our previous guests! And to our readers out
there reading this, I sincerely hope you'll enjoy my newest book
Guardian Prince, from the Call of the Raven series. Look for it
someday hopefully soon in stores and web retailers near you!
Asoren: Aye, goodbye nice readers! Thank you for
reading! I'm glad I got to be a part of your life, even for a moment!
I'm sure in real life we'd be the very best of friends! I just know
it! Goodbye! I hope to meet you again soon!
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