ed note: The Story has one rule: No rules. Tonight, the introduction of a new type of chapter-- Rattling the Cage --a preview of things to come or not. Each idea below may or may not become a chapter. Some are more likely than others, such as the gift that Zoe has for Kyra and the confrontation between Rog and Yul (if I could drive and write we would have this one tonight--wow is all I'm going to say). As for the others, stay tuned. ;-)
(1) Zoe has a gift for Kyra. Think Papa here. Very emotional and tear inducing.
(2) Trev stands outside the lab when Em has her bandages taken off. Key here is "outside." Emotional and dramatic scene as Em confronts Trev. Confront may not be the right word here.
(3) Rog and Yul fight over her coming along on "the mission." Verbal turns to physical, blood is spilt. Expect to see the past rear its ugly head and neither pull any punches, literally and figuratively.
(4) The crew learns what happened to the Dyad. Last days and impetus for "the mission." John gets very nervous when Zoe tells of the last days and what happened. Von is visibly shaken.
(5) Von tells Zoe of Ceru's mother.
(6) Ariel confronts Trev over Em. Ariel at her "Arielest" best. She shows the strength of her mother, Cait.
(7) Von (after learning the fate of the Dyad) has words for John. Potential to go either way here--could get very ugly.
(8) John explains the history of Kulmyk and the ascension of The Hood.
(9) Von shows Zoe The Book of Letters.
(10) Zoe continues her telling of Ceru's last two years. The legend continues. :-D
48 comments:
` I calls them tales uv da Hood!
S E E Quine, that's frailing funny! :-D
Colorful Comment by numbers....
(1) can't wait to read that one, I hope it comes soon. Kyra is who I am going to be when I grow up so I like reading about her.
(3) I'm scared of this one, just a real pansy when it comes to violence. BUT, you sound very excited about it so I will trust you. You haven't let me down so far.
(6) Ariel. She makes my 'heart smile'. I began falling in love with her in 'A Thousand Wishes' and lost my heart to her completely in 'To My Mother'. Yes, more Ariel.
(8) Bless John's heart if he will explain and give me a little more insight.
These are the ones that really caught my attention. I know any of the chapters will be brilliant, though.
Tree, you always sound so modest. How do you do that considering how talented you are? I know I could put on a good show of false modesty if it were me, but I would be SO impressed with myself if I had your talent. But you seem genuinely humble in your comments. You are one of my blogging bright spots. Jennifer
Jennifer, #1 will be written since the gift that Zoe is giving Kyra has already been mentioned in the story and it is only fitting to close that circle. As for the Rog and Yul chapter, the "violence" will be more playful than not. Look up the chapter Like a Calf and this will give you a little idea of their relationship in this regard, so no worries there. I'm growing more fond of Ariel with each chapter she is featured. The Magic Pillow chapter is one of my favorite Ariel chapters. You might enjoy that one. And, at some point, we need to hear more from John--the whole Hood character is still a bit fuzzy and only he can help there. ;-)
Jennifer, you are very kind in your comments and I love you to pieces for them. My writing is better than it was (if you read some of the early chapters you will see what I mean--before I started writing this story, I had never written before and the writing shows). I have gotten better over the last two years, but it is clear to me I have a very long way to go to be as good as I know the writing can be. Very few of my chapters make me happy and if I were thinking of publishing, I would feel the need to rewrite them all. Most are, by the nature of this blog and my time or lack thereof, first drafts with editing for grammar. That others enjoy the story thrills me. That several have stayed loyal, amazes me. Stick with me. I will get better. Until then, I'm humble because I am fully aware of how much room for improvement there is.
As always, your engaged, kind and thoughtful comment is very much appreciated. :-)
I SO get it now. Any other comments that I might try to make about Like a Calf will come across under-whelming due to the fact that I hold that part of my nature close within. I'll just say the post plus the comments on that post were gratifying :) Magic Pillow was so eloquent. You portrayed the parents' love for her so well. My Hubby spoils the kids behind my back too. They would probably choose his attention over mine the way Ariel did too. But it's OK, my kids bloom under positive attention from their Dad.
As always, thanks for the enlightenment and guidance. Jennifer
I love what you've done. Its more than leaving people in suspense, its misleading them!
I can't wait to see which ones you do though... Don't think I won't be coming back to this list and checking them off because I will!
xx
Jennifer, having you along for the ride has been as a light in the dark this last week. I've seen the sincere effort you've made to understand the story and read the archives and I've enjoyed, more than you know, answering your questions and seeing your mind at work trying to wrap itself around the characters. I'm always a bit hesitant to direct people to the "sex" chapters since it has the potential to turn some readers away, but what the heck, love and procreation is a part of life--why should it be any different here. ;-)
Not sure what it is, but I will admit I seem to be able to capture the world of a small child, whether that is Ariel with her parents or Kyra with Papa. I suppose there is still a part of me that is six or seven, a part still innocent, a part shinning bright before the darkness of the next two decades, and it is that part that I find peace and love and a child with arms outstretched, waiting patiently for another set of arms to embrace. That embrace, by the way, took place about seven years ago, and a sweeter hug I've never known. :-)
As always, you honor me with your attention to the story and your genuine engagement. Thank you Jennifer. :-)
Oh, and did you know that most of my characters (Papa, Kyra, Yul and Ariel) have eyes blue just like yours? :-D
Elise, I've resisted doing a "Rattling the Cage" sort of chapter for two reasons: (1) once the idea is out there, I have a tendency to want to move on, which is to say, not write what in my mind has already been documented; and (2), I write from the moment, and in any given moment, what strikes my fancy to say is as the changing winds.
So many of these chapters, and literally hundreds more have played out in my mind as vividly as if a movie. In fact, there are chapters I've visualized that I am sure are in the story but have never been written. Let's hope that not too many of the ones on this list slip into that category.
Thank you so much for visiting and commenting. An engaged reader is a hard thing to find and I appreciate to the end of an endless day each and every comment. Thanks Elise. And good luck with Bradley. :-)
I am excited about both the numbers 3 and 8.
But, I am most excited that you used numbers.
It is comforting (I think) to know I'm not the only one on Tennessee's highways trying to write and drive at the same time. One of my girlfriends was so worried about my little bad habit that she bought me a dictaphone. I tried but it just isn't the same. Gotta actually write down those two lines of poetry so the next two can surface.
This fractual is beautiful. Kind of reminds me of a hay rake in a meadow of flowers.
I'm looking forward to the new chapters. I'm especially looking forward to #8. *shudders
These are all interesting. You draw your characters so well they come alive on the page.
Tease! ;]
Wamblings description of the fractual is a hit with me!
Miladysa, I'd have it no other way. The question is, is it working? Are you feeling the tease? Are your nerve endings throbbing and aching in anticipation? Do you want more? Do you want it now? Harder? Faster? :-D
AW, I try. Thanks for the kind words. Always nice to see. :-)
Wamblings, if I could type and drive at the same time, this story would be three times as long right now and packed with ten times the energy and emotion. There is just something about driving down the interstate with music playing that ignites my imagination and vivid chapter after vivid chapter just starts flowing as if the gates to the dam of my heart have been thrown wide open. At last, by the time I get home and get down on screen what I had experienced on the drive, well, it always seems to me, to be a rather pale imitation.
#8? You've got to be kidding me? I did history for 10 years. I'm frailing done with history. Really? I woman of passion wants #8? Wow. :-D
Strumper, the numbers were just for you. I almost used a.b.c.d. etc., but then I thought, how fair would that be to the Strump. So blogger babe of butter real, those numbers are all yours.
Now, I can understand #3, but for crying out loud, #8 too? Please say it ain't so? You had 10 to pic from, and you pick #8? My oh my, just goes to show how little I know about my readers. Hope you have a great frailing time in Florida because hell will freeze over before we see #8. :-D
I'd love to see all of these chapters written, like your one sentence posts often do, each of these opens up a world of possibility. Excellent ideas all and not one more so than another.
Starting with the gift from Papa and that partial circle some way down, I get goosebumps just by the thought.
Trev and Em are worrying, so much here that we don't know, so young a relationship still, so adverse are their conditions in a number of ways. It seems very much as though it could go both ways for them, despite the hammering heart a ways down, to tentative and uncertain they are still. And there is still the question of the blonde on the dock and if Zoe has any bearing upon them. 'Outside' doesn't bode well. But nothing is written yet and though the signs have hinted at one thing, there have also been signs of the opposite and just cos I like happy endings, ;-), I am completely convinced that between them Em and Trev will find a way through this first chapter.
Another chapter like Like the Calf, what else needs saying except Yes Please! :-) We know not much of what was said between the two in regards to 'the past' and so that there might be some issues yet resolved or an element of resentment unspoken that might rise to the surface during a spat is easily conceived. I like the explanation given of a chapter more playful than violent, although I must admit also the aforementioned has some appeal inasmuch as it might give a little more insight into Yul's own personal past.
What happened aboard the Dyad would be an answer to a question already posed and would be very welcome. Who else was there, what happened, what their experiences were - one thinks of all that the crew of Bravo have experienced both externally and internally and wonders at the magnitude of their story, the crew of Dyad, also - and perhaps most pressingly what happened at the end.
To hear from the mouth of Von to someone connected an account regarding Ceru's mother is such an exciting prospect. What it might tell us about Von and about Ceru and how more than likely it will bring Von and Zoe closer, through Ceru and through the sharing.
Hadn't meant to go through each in this way, but one is just more rousing than the next. :-)
An Ariel chapter is a chapter well worth reading (again and again) as we have seen several times. I can just imagine this, imagine her confronting Trev in defence of Em with whom she has not only become close but protective and her strength and character which we saw so well from those first chapters as for example when they had to leave Kulmyk, a very memorable chapter that was.
Words for John evoke such curiosity in regards to what happened and what might happen in such a chapter. Compassion and understanding, more closing of circles perhaps, fun to think about that one. (as with them all)
To know more about Kulmyk and the Hood again is an exciting possibility, and the chapter where Von shows Zoe the book of letters, I can only imagine will be an extension of the one below this one. Knowing he never told his father about it, it seems unlikely that he would have told Zoe and so for her to learn of its existence, to see proven once again the many reasons why she saw what she saw in him, this chapter I think would be so very wonderful. Again, just the thought gives me shivers. And last but not least, Zoe sharing her memories of Ceru, again, shivers. Each of these, one can tell from the mere idea, would make an excellent chapter. Look forward to reading many and hopefully them all. :-D
Very, very nice idea for a chapter type, evoking maximum curiosity and at the same time one doesn't know if any of these will come to be. My mind is spinning with the possibilities.
Finally! I've been trying to get here and finish this for close to 18 hours. LOL
Hope you're having a good day. Welcome home, x
This reminds me of a blog I wrote a couple of years ago when I had a million ideas in my head. I did the whole thing by rolling dice to decide content. It was pretty entertaining, all about neutral morality, and the like...
rofl!
Behave :]
As you wish Miladysa. :-)
Tom, it is a little like playing double blind solitaire. Keeps the story unpredictable, fresh and entertaining with twists that normally wouldn't follow if the story was taking a linear approach. The mosaic approach, however, gives me a freedom most writers don't have and allows me to explore character traits and storylines a traditional novel would struggle to achieve. As always, nice to see you stopping by. :-)
I really like the "Rattling the Cage" idea. I'm so looking forward to #1, as well as many others! I'd like to read about all the scenarios (no pressure Trée, right?) ;-)
Deb, I'm starting to think this Rattling the Cage was a bad idea. :-D
I think #1 will come sooner rather than later. I have the basic idea in my head of how the scene opens (Kyra in conflict as the demons of her past rise up to face the demons in front of her) when Zoe comes calling with a package. Inspiration for giving this one the emotional punch it deserves is just on the edge of my mind. It will come into focus soon.
As always, thanks for visiting Deb. :-)
Sweetest, good to be home. As always, your comments leave me speechless. I don't think I will ever lose that wonder I feel when I read one of your comments. Sweet dreams when you get that far. :-)
As a newcomer here I have a lot of catching up to do but may I say I like how the fractal reminded me of little masks we wear, or thoughts, options, some stay, others fade in our memory.
Cléa, I love the way you see these images. Tell me, what masks do you wear?
I making a t-shirt that says 'I Heart the Hood.'
Hi Tree. I watched the commentary videos tonight. I want to read the posts that go with said videos tomorrow. If you were to throw a link on here, and make it easy for the computer-challenged blogger (ME!) to read, it would be appreciated. It is late and I watched them all one after another, so my details may be hazy at best; you mentioned it was difficult to have your name out there as a writer. I hope at this point in your writing career that that is no longer true. You should be so proud of what you have accomplished. I came into to this WAY down the road and I am hooked. A little lost at times, but hooked (being lost is actually not an uncommon occurance for me)!
Enjoyed my evening visit with you. I am going to watch Across the Universe now and experience Beatles Bliss! Jennifer
Also, thanks for the information and link today. What a good blog friend you are!
hahaha. I love evil characters so it isn't the history of Kulmyk so much as the ascension of Hood that intrigues me. I feel Hood in Deborah's coal bin. Though actually it is hooded demons in human form in her case. I think that Hood must share some spiritual brotherhood with my unseen characters though. Maybe we aren't meant to see him clearly either. I don't think Deborah will ever have a clear flashback to her hooded demons. They are simply a part of her past that shapes who she is in her present. Maybe a dictaphone would work better for you than it did for me???
Strumper, make it a hoodie. :-D
Jennifer, you might be the first to go back and watch all the videos. Wow--you get a badge of some sort for that. I only have one question. Did if help you get to sleep? :-D
As for the links, that one is very easy. Look on my sidebar under the heading of "Story Labels" and scroll down to the label called "Video." Click on it, and it will pull up all the chapters, and the corresponding videos. The series on Ceru and Von are my favorites.
Wow, I still can't believe you watched them all. Now, if you try that with the audio, you'd better set aside an entire day. :-D
Well, you know now one thing about me--of all the things I might be, vain is not one of them. Who else would put out YouTube videos of themselves without having showered, shaved or combed their hair? :-D
Wamblings, like you, I tried a dictaphone, and for whatever reason, it just wasn't the same. It was nice for capturing ideas while driving, but my mind needs to see my words for some reason as if they were stairs and I need to see the solid ground under my feet as I ascend.
I created an image last night that will surely be associated with The Hood, so expect to see it soon with some new information on our friend. The trouble with having an image driven story and a pronouncement like this chapter of future direction is, each chapter has to have an image and the image has to fit the chapter. By the way, almost all the images I create are posted at Trebuchet, my image only blog. That is, if you want a peek of what I call "the playground of my imagination." I've posted almost 900 images there over the last couple of years. As always, so nice to see you stopping by. All the best. :-)
You have an AMAZING mind! Prolific! And your enthusiasm for your story HAS to have a huge part in how well it is written and its success. You astound me. :)
Oh Susan, what do I say to that. :-)
Your kind words are a wonderful way for me to start my day. Thank you for the smiles. :-)
As for the writing, well, I can't imagine writing without being in love with the story or the characters. If I ever lose that passion, I'll lose the story too. The two go hand in hand. I know it might look prolific from a distance, but the story has been written just one chapter at a time, almost like laying brick, with a singular focus on the chapter at hand and no more. After awhile, they just kinda add up. :-D
Susan, thanks again for the very kind words. Almost as good and necessary as my morning coffee, black, served in an off-white cup with a slight lip. :-D
I completely relate. This was why the dictaphone didn't work for me. Of course with poetry, you can lay a tiny notebook in the center of your steering wheel and jot down those two lines to make room for the next two lines to surface. Nahhh, the roads are relatively safe right now. Someone thought it was within his rights to read my notebooks so I've quit doing that. I'll head straight over to check out Trebuchet. Sure am glad I upgraded my pc card. With the last one image downloads could take forever.
so wow!
Insom, thanks. Wow's are good, but too many are like cotton candy. :-D
Wamblings, what can you do about lurkers other than sigh and be patient. :-D
Your very kind words at Trebuchet were the cream in my coffee this morning. :-)
I watched 4 videos with you speaking (on the side bar). Are there more? If there is it would be like finding several sequels to my favorite book! I have a terrible case of computer-idiocy so I struggle at times. That is something folks don't realize, the fact that I have a blog at all is just a HUGE success story. They still scratch their head and wonder WHY exactly. Got to go help in the antique store today. I'll check back in and see what video goodies may be in store for me! Have a great day - Jennifer
Jennifer, there are twelve videos in total. Try this link and see if it takes you to my YouTube page:
DT on YouTube
Found it Tree. Could you imagine kids being able to sit and listen to, say, JK Rowling, explain her work and how she saw certain passages? Of course I'm sure she was very involved in the movies. This is a novel idea with the videos! I have to comment on your four legged baby looking over your shoulder...I lost what you were saying for a minute because I was watching puppy!
Jennifer, if I wasn't quite so self-conscious I would probably do more commentary--there is so much more to each chapter than what is seen on the blog--everything from the image and what it means to the inspiration that opened the door to that particular chapter. Each post has an entire story behind it. I've done a ton of audio on the story--hours of it actually. The old audio has been saved on the Fansite since the service I used to use went out of business. All the Gagcast ones are still playable right from the chapter.
Thanks so much for your energy for the story. It really does encourage me. Thanks Jennifer. :-)
Looks like you have ten chapters ready :D
I wish writing the chapters was as easy as creating these lists. :-D
Sorry, but I am laughing at you a little. You come across articulate and comfortable. If I were to video, it would add 15 lbs ( I would blame it all on the camera) and make this southern Minnie Mouse voice of mine sound worse - if that is even possible. Don't be self-conscious, do more! You come across very well (from your thumb-nail photo, I had you pictured as a bit of a punk!). As always, it's fun gabbing with you -Jennifer
Jennifer, you are very kind. Thank you. Maybe soon, we'll see some more commentary. ;-)
The mask of a chameleon :).
Cléa, touché. :-D
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