Fiction Junction - Making the ephemeral, literal

[TWOxACROSS]

I love you Nexus <3

Thanks for all the advice. And you're right, I'm really into details, so I take the time to put in as much as possible, but then I also scale myself back because like you said, there's that perfect balance.

When it comes to action, I'm worried about taking too much time away to explain certain things that it detracts from the frenetic nature of the scene. I just keep thinking, what if we were watching a John Woo flick, and in the middle of Chow Yun-Fat's slide down a banister whilst shooting two guns, suddenly a scientist pops out of the corner of the screen to spout off how his velocity coupled with his current vector affect his accuracy. Although...I suppose since Woo looooves to use Bullet Time to show off intricate details, the same could possibly be done to describe details...hrmm...

In terms of the "thing" in Sample 3, it gets described briefly in the page beforehand, and then right after Karamia calls "All clear," they spend a page examining the thing's features, coming to the conclusion of designating them "freaks." Unfortunately, I ran into similar problem with the word "freak" later on >.< Although I think I was was able to clean it up a lot better when I got it back from my editors Some might still linger, though...

PS - Saya sounds icky.

I come from a very similar place like you, too. Unfortunately, everything that had to do with writing was self-taught, because I don't really have the means for most of the higher education (yet anyways). However, I think I've done a damn good job so far in fulfilling my dream, and there's nowhere to go but up :3

[Nexus_Nocturnal]

Time to part one last piece of advice then xD

I always say writing is mostly researching your own story before it is even written. take John Woo, the new Shurlock Holmes movies, and combine them. You know how Shurlock always likes to explain things in his mind and think things through before he does them? Take THOSE scenes and paste them over John Woo when they go bullet time. That is precisely what bullet time is in reading. The action slows down and things become surreal. Details pop, images come in focus, you are able to watch the very path of the bullet as it flies methodically through the brain of the enemy. What would that all look like as text? It is a tough trick to pull off, but I think you can do it. I recommend reading some of R A Salvatore's books, preferably the books on Drizzt. You won't be reading these books for the story but rather to study Salvatore's way of forming combat. His style is very engaging and he makes it easy to imagine and follow the characters even when they get into complicated parries and feints. I think you could do well from learning a little from him and others and splicing it with your own style and imagination. Remember, you are adding to your own style, never completely adopt someone else's. Having a strong individuality is important to an author.

I also recommend you have a friend or family member read over the pages you are unsure about. As a writer you will always be biased towards your work, even when you're trying not to be. Having a person at hand to give their opinion saves you time later on. :P

[TWOxACROSS]

That makes perfect sense. Dunno why it didn't dawn on me before. I have heard about how anything to do with Drizzt was great, and not just from the story being told. I just haven't gotten the chance to look into his series.

And yeah, I've got both Aevie and Ghur who I bug about reading over my stuff, so no worries there.

[Aevitas]

Just as an FYI, Nexus, I read through his book for editing purposes, and the story in Sample 2 doesn't end the way you expect it to. ;3 On the surface, it's as you say, a child soldier awkwardly finding love at an unexpected time, but from what I understand, Belts plans to take that story to a whole different ballpark once he gets more stories published.

[TWOxACROSS]

Was actually able to fit in a few revisions to the manuscript that you had said Nexus. Looks like it wasn't entirely too late :3 Thanks again.

[TWOxACROSS]

Small updateroony.

Managed to put up some of the concept artwork and ideas that went along with them in my newest blog post. Go check it out, and don't forget to Share n.n

[TWOxACROSS]

HUGE UPDATE

http://jbsargent.wordpress.com/catalogue/

My book is now on sale! Check out the link above to find sample pages and the online stores where you can purchase one.

Get it while it's hot! Nobody likes a cold book!

[Nexus_Nocturnal]

Fiction Junction confirmed for New York Time's Best Seller

Maybe I'll buy it the next time I get paid (I hate being paid bi-weekly)

[TWOxACROSS]

Haha, one can dream, right?

Oh gawd, I remember getting paid weekly in my first job (coincidentally as a bookseller), it was awesome...

[Nexus_Nocturnal]

Why did I post Function Junction!? xD

I must have that old song stuck in my subconscious.