I've been quite pathetic...

With actually keeping up on this blog. Which is utterly terrible. It's been what, two years, since my last update. Many apologies on my deplorable skills at updating. 

Ironically enough, I did actually write quite a due short stories that summer, and have them all located safely tucked away in my google drive. I'll possibly upload  one or two of them eventually, after editing them. Please feel free to comment and critique! Any helpful tips on writing will only serve to make my writing better and I appreciate all feedback (even if you utterly hate it, it's good to know what works and does not work). 

On my writing in general, I've undertaken quite a few large projects with my cowriter, Sora. We have four projects that are currently on the table, and each have numerous shelved for later (not only what we're working on together, but also our individual projects). 

The "big four" projects include something's that have been brewing for years and some that are quite new.

The first is a novel title Myrrid. It's at the moment a stand alone novel, with the possibility to be a multivolume series if it meanders in that direction. Sora and I have been working on this since we've known each other (which is quite a looooong time) and it's had many make-overs since our first brainstorming talks. It's an urban paranormal fantasy. I'll post a synopsis of it when we have the newest plot line sorted. 

The second project is a series. It's currently a seven volume series, but as plans don't always go in the way you'd expect, it can quite possibly end up being more or less than that (probably more). The first volume is titled Reawakening. Currently this is the most developed of all our current projects, with most the first part written and the entire book outlined. We're currently focusing on deeply developing the world and the characters in it before writing anymore. There is so much that must be decided on now, especially since there is so much that will happen throughout the planned seven books. This epic series is a little bit of everything, and follows many characters as they move through a events in their world. I'll post a synopsis once I have a coherent one that doesn't give away any spoilers. 

Our third and four projects are tied together. The first being a stand alone project that Sora has been working on and brought me on board when I began developing a tv script that coincidentally follows the events of her novel roughly 20 years later. This is still very much in the early stages of development, but a fun and much anticipated endeavor that we're looking forward to undertaking. Synopsis of both will not be available for a long time, probably not until we're able to get Myrrid and Reawakening published. 

Yes, published, you've most certainly read that correctly. We are serious in these endeavors, partially the reason that there will be not much aside from the synopsises that will be posted on here. Possibly chapter excerpts, but that remains to be seen. 

I'll be sure to post updates and continue with uploading short stories as I practice my writing skills and work on developing my own unique style. 

If you've actually read this far, I thank you, and hope you'll come back again. 

Ta

-MandaMae

Summer Shorts

I've begun my weekly short stories for the summer. I'm a little behind as I did not post the word on Monday, or the story itself yet. I ended up being oddly busy this week and spent little time at home. I'll have the latest story up this evening. For now I have to go, but more when the story is up!
-Ta

The Soundboard

My new blog is up!

Now all that will be here is my short stories and any excerpts that I choose to put up. I'm trying to simplify things a bit.

Short stories with commence next week, I wanted one week on not doing anything, and now I'm antsy to write again. Expect one by next Friday!

The new blog is called The Soundboard - http://thesoundboard-mandamae.blogspot.com/. Check it out for my conversations. :) That is all this morning. Sherlock for the rest of the day. Ta.

The Summer is Almost Here

Once summer arrives, I will be able partake in an activity that has eluded me these past few weeks - freetime. I've been very swamped with school, with long essays due and finals starting. I had my first one this morning. Phew. I'll be graduating next Sunday, which also falls on my 23rd birthday. That makes me feel old.

This summer I'll still be busy with two jobs, but I'll be scheduling in bouldering at the gym, climbing trips out to Devil's Lake, WI, and writing times. My friend and fellow writer Sora will be joining me in picking up the weekly short story exercises we had started earlier this year. We'll also finally be able to work on our novels. Both the one we are writing together and the two each that we are writing separately.

Updates on those and the short stories will be uploaded on here. I'm thinking of moving my reviews and thoughts onto a different blog. I don't want to clutter this too much. It's some food for thought over the next week.

Now it's time for me to actually pay attention to my Shakespeare class. Last day of class and I don't know where we are in Hamlet. Oops.

Coffee is super delicious...

AND I HAVE A PLOT!

It's quite good if I do say so myself. And with this new plot comes the rewriting of Chapter 1 and (hopefully) the rest of the novel. I still have a few kinks to work out with the plot, but its all minor stuff that I don't have to worry about just yet. The important things are mostly figured out.

I'm working with one of my friends to create sketches, drawings, and maps of this world. I'll post them on here when we start making them. I'm waiting until I get a bit further into writing it and until midterms are over.

Don't expect too many productive posts over then next two months. My cousin is getting married next month, and I'm her maid of honor. Lots of work to do there. I am also in my final semester at this college, and in order to graduate, I need to pass all my classes. Which have quite a bit of work in them. So, don't expect much until the end of May.

I saw In Time on Wednesday with my friend and editor Sora. It was a decent movie. It was a fairly fast driven plot, with quite a lot of action. There were a few problems that I had with it overall. Mostly the emotions that the characters could give you. One example was Justin Timberlake's character Will Salis, was not good at expressing emotions. When his mom timed-out, and he was crying over her body, I started laughing. Really really hard. Even his face didn't look sad. That was some really bad acting. The time cops (they weren't called that, but it's all that comes to mind) were another source of frustration. It was like they wanted them to be like the agents in The Matrix, but they were no where close to that level. They were just like mall cops, all the bluster, none of the skills. It was irritating. Especially when Cillian Murphy was the leader. He can do so much better. One of his lesser performances.

It was almost obnoxious how easily they got away with everything. They did the same thing over and over and over, stealing time from "banks", and yet no one stopped them. It would have been pretty easy to place a few extra guards at the locations, they had cameras, so it wouldn't be difficult.

The overall idea of the film was really cool, but I would only watch it if you want something that you don't have to think about much. Some high speed chase scenes, or just chase scenes in general really (the car chases were not that impressive) make it fun to watch.

Next up: Martin Scorsese's Hugo

A teaser of sorts

I've been spending much time working on this novel and I've decided that I will fulfill my promises of excerpts. Below is the start of chapter 1 of The Night is Darkest.

Do not be afraid of telling me what you think. Be honest, be blunt. Please be constructive though. And if you have thoughts or ideas on where this is going, or where you think this should go, don't hesitate to say it! I love hearing what my readers think.

Enjoy reading!

The Night is Darkest by Manda Mae

I

The window was covered in frost. The faint light of dawn glimmered pale yellows and oranges in the ice crystals. Snow had not yet fallen this half year, but the days were getting colder. The nights colder still. I watched silently as the sun’s first warmth began to melt the frost. The melting crystals gave the window the appearance of crying. I imagined that the window was mourning the end of the half light. The end of the vivid colors that could no longer be seen through its visage.

           From down the hall chimed the grandfather clock.

   Six chimes.

                                                                                                                       The days were getting shorter. Darkness ruled this half year and maybe the window mourned the fading of the sun most of all. This half year was always dreaded. The interim’s dull greys only fed the dread inside oneself. Always the streets would empty of human life.

 
________________________________________________________________

The bacon sizzled as it landed in the pan. Evany added another slice and turned to grab an egg. Her father stood in the doorway.

“Morning.”
“I smelled the bacon. The sun has risen?” His voice was deep and still scratchy from sleep.
“Of course father,” Evany retorted, her tone thick with exasperation. “I wouldn’t have started breakfast had it not.” Evany cracked another egg into the skillet.
Wilhelm sighed, shaking his head at her tone. “The darkness is getting longer.” Her father moved into the kitchen, sitting down at the table. The table was oak, made by Wilhelm, Evany’s father. It had been a knotted tree, and there were many knots amongst the grain. Her father began picking at a knot, a habit he had when he was agitated. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Evany caught the look of sadness that passed across Wilhem’s face. She knew her mother was on his mind. He was always thinking of her, though only the most painful memories would show on his face. Her mother Evelyn was a gentle, dark haired woman, who always had a smile on her face. She had pale, olive toned skin and dark brown eyes, a rare sight in Arcem. Most all that lived in their sector, 43, were extremely pale with blond or red hair and light colored eyes. Outsiders were few and far between. Her parents met by chance at a mutual friend’s place. They were married shortly afterwards and Evany was born a year later. Her mother was always telling stories and making everything ordinary seem special. She saw the light in the darkest corners. Seven years ago, almost to the day, Evelyn didn’t make it home before sundown.

She had been visiting with her sister Martha. Evelyn took the risk of leaving just as the sun was touching the horizon. Martha had begged her to stay. It took nearly a half hour to reach home on foot, in which the sun might not hold out long enough for Evelyn to reach home. One hour before dark there was no longer any way but by foot to reach home. Or a horse if you had money, which they did not. Her daughter’s birthday was the next day and the whole day was to be special.

Very few celebrations were held during the dark half. The dark half was completely dark with no sun or light to be seen outside, the complete opposite of the light half, and the darkness left little room for cheer. Birthdays were less than insignificant and largely ignored or unmentioned. Most born during the dark half the year did not survive, and those that did lied about their birth. No one wanted to be called a dark child. Evany’s parents wanted to make sure her birthday was special. That it wasn’t ignored. Her birth fell on the last day of light, but was in the dark half year, part of the shadowy interim, where there was less daylight every day until it was totally dark, that fell between the times of light and dark.

When the sun had risen on Evany’s fourteenth birthday, Evelyn was nowhere to be found. Evany knew she had vanished with the darkness, never to be seen again. The darkness had claimed a ray of light from their lives. Wilhelm searched for her as long as there was light. Never giving up hope that his beloved was still there. When darkness fell on the eve of her birthday, the eve of the light half, Evany watched as the light faded and saw the light leave her father as well. He was nothing without his beloved.

RANDOM FACT: I hate socks.

They really just irritate me. And I don't ever want to touch them when they are used/dirty.

Anyway, on to more important things. 

I have not written my latest short story yet. It just been sitting in my googleDocs, gathering cyber dust. I don't know, if/when I will every be completed. 

School has really been eating up all of my time. And when I'm not at school I'm at work (I have eight classes to teach this session). And when I am not at work or school, I am doing anything but my homework, i.e. watching Psych (I am insanely addicted and waaay too much like Shawn. It's scary.) and writing my novel. Occasionally I'm doing homework. 

I've basically decided to devote much of my time on my novel, The Night is Darkest. The basic plot is coming together and I've begun creating the world, and written the first chapter and parts of the second and third chapters. 

So for now, no short stories. Unless I randomly write one, and then it'll be up as soon as it's finished. 

In the meantime, I will try to update more often and possibly post some excerpts or notes from my novel. Not today though. 

As soon as I have the plot figured out, I'll be sure to post a summary.

I am also open to any suggestions or plot ideas for "epic quests for truth with no magic,  no romance, and no coming of age."

Back to scribbling away.