OUR Story

I went over to visit Megan Rebekah's blog yesterday and she had a progressive story going that seemed like some fun. I've seem em before and participated too, but haven't done anything like that on my blog. Sooooo, here goes.

1. I'll start the story.
2. You follow up and continue the story in the comment section.
3. Make sure to read the comments in order, so you know where the story's at before you add to it.
4. Have fun and let's see where this goes!

Three thousand years of walking the earth, pretending to be a mortal man and all I have to show for it are some lousy scars and a few campfire tales. The fire within me is growing dull and I've nearly forgotten why I was cursed to continue on like this. If only I hadn't ...

ok, your turn

Methods of Madness

We all have our unique style of....everything. In this case, I'm curious about your unique planning methods for novel writing. I'm well aware that creativity can't always be reigned in, but sometimes there is a method to our madness.

For me, writing a novel is a mix between planning and unbridled creative expression. Usually, I need a bit of a foundation laid before I can let loose and just write. For example, I will start most novel planning by filling in some of the following, very basic, information:

Title:
Subtitle:
Genre:
Sub genre:

Protagonist:
Primary Goal:
Occupation:
Alignment:
Character Trait:

So on and so forth for antagonist and other main characters. Then I'll do a little more of a detailed character study for each character to get more of a visual idea of just who they are.

CORE CHARACTER INFORMATION
Character Role: (i.e. protagonist, antagonist etc...)
Character Name:
Nickname:
Age:
Gender:
Ethnicity:
Religion:

VISUAL CHARACTER INFORMATION
Height:
Weight:
Hair Color:
Eye Color:
Body Type:
Skin Color:

RELATIONSHIPS CHARACTER INFORMATION
Siblings:
Parents:
Love Interest:
Children:
Best Friend(s):
Unique Relationship:

After I've filled in some of this information, I have a similar method to filling out basic scene & plot-lining. All of these are simply what I like to consider the skeletal structure of the novel. They help lay a foundation for which, I can then let loose and just fill in the details. I make sure that I view this foundation as fluid, in that, things obviously are bound to change, but it at least sets me off in the right direction.

How about you? Do you have anything planning methods like this?

$eX $ells

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few hundred years, then you're probably keen on the idea that sex sells. I'm not talking about a $20.00 harlot, with bright crimson lipstick and mini-skirt, on the downtown street corners. I'm talking about the idea of it. The taunting illusion that somehow, a product or service will be coupled with sex in some way, shape or form.

I'm bringing this up today, because I was reminded at how powerful this concept is. Even in the literary world. I posted a very quick blurb yesterday about a tattoo'd author and when I went to look for a picture to post for it, I just grabbed one of Megan Fox with her tattoo showing. Within minutes of posting that picture and my blurb, I had a bunch of comments...

I have a lot of different questions that this brings to mind, but I'll only ask one.

Who would you choose, based on sex appeal, to sit with you and help promote your book. Assuming that you could have any celebrity for a day in promotion.

Your Literary Tattoo

I ran into an article that talked about an author who, after some success, made a point of getting a tattoo on himself that says "New York Times Best Seller."

This leads me to wonder, if you succeed as a writer, what would your tattoo say?

Or, is there anything wild or crazy you've promised yourself "if you make it?"