Question Friday 04

Coming to you late because it was a busy day and then I napped for like, three hours. I was tired! It was an early start! Anyway, here they are. Lots of Julian questions today.

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1. So, What's your favourite flower?
My favorite flowers are lilies and hibiscus. I like big, open looking flowers that don't have a lot of petals. They also come in vibrant colors, so that makes me super excited and happy. 


2. Do the de Arques ladies have favourite flowers? Oh, do the god/goddesses represented so far have any flora/fauna associations that might be relavent to characterization?
This cracks me up for some reason. I haven't actually thought about the use of flowers, though that would be a fun little easter egg to hide in there huh? I'm sure there will be a mention of flowers for the ladies at some point. I already have the queen in peacock colors because Hera is represented by the peacock. So, you can see that I do like to have those things in there. 


3. What is Julian's favourite kind of weather?
Sunny, dry, clear out. He likes being able to go out and play sports or go on a ride (I'm sure there's some motorized vehicle he cruises around on that I've yet to create) or go hunting. He does like being outdoors so any weather that allows him to do that. You can bet there will be plenty of rainy, stormy days on his quest because I am in fact evil.


4. What would an ideal/perfect day for Julian be?
Probably all of the above in question three. He'd wake up late, have no plans, call up his closest friend and they would go out riding or hunting or just causing trouble. I see the two of them would probably often get themselves into trouble around the castle. Julian is a bit of a big kid and he's clinging to his youth as best he can. 


5. Does Julian have a favourite childhood memory?
Yes, and it was the day he hit his first target with his crossbow. He loves that thing like it's his own leg. I mean, the guy would die if he didn't have it. It's a family heir loom, given to him by his grandfather. He got it at a young age, but his mother wouldn't really let him use it until he was a bit older. His father then taught him to use it and the first time he ever hit the center of his target, he was sold. It's a memory that reminds him of being a child, while still growing up. 


6. Do you like cheese?
Yes, yes I do. Cheese is amazing. It goes with so many things. It can even be melted on apple pie if you ask my grandmother... I suggest you don't ask her.


7. Does Julian have a special weapon or skill to help him on his quest, or must he depend on his own wits?
All heirs are taught to fight with and without weapons. He can defend himself thoroughly, otherwise they wouldn't trust the poor guys out in the world alone. It's part of growing up for them. He's also incredible with his crossbow. It's the only real skill he obtained naturally. Because he's only so experienced in the ways of the world, he doesn't really know what he's capable of and this quest will put him in situations where he has to explore that. He will heavily rely on others and that is also a lesson that is being taught to him; diplomacy and trust. 


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So that's that. See you next week! LL&P

Growing Up Royal

Way to procrastinate today, Alex. Sheesh. Sorry for the late post, especially on a day for questions when I should be giving you more time. Lesson learned... until next week of course.

I have a feeling today is going to be a rant post about family dynamics. Uh, yes, yes it is.

Growing up royalty is either perceived in books as absolutely wonderful and fabulous, or a complete hell in which you are a prisoner of your own blood. I'm pretty sure that this royal family falls somewhere between the two. There are definitely a world full of perks that come from being a royal. You are never in want of anything, you are surrounded by family all the time. Sure, that could lead to feuds, but they are never bored. They get the best of everything, including an education. They have the opportunity to be an amazing help to the kingdom.

Julian is grateful for what he's grown up under. He knows that even though he's never truly seen poverty before, he knows that he has it pretty good where he is. Unlike some other royal characters I've come across, he isn't lacking in true friendship either. Sure, there's a court of people that show up and put on airs for the family, but he is blessed with a great friend who isn't just there to say he knows the prince. Julian has a lot to be thankful for and he knows that.

However, there's the other side. It's, in a way, tradition to shelter the king's children. It sounds cruel and I'm sure there's been plenty of princes that have felt that way about it, but it does serve a very interesting purpose. The Quest of Kings is a crash course in growing up. By sheltering their sons away from the world outside the castle walls, they are required to know their kingdom intellectually first, then, when the time is right, they are shoved out on their own to see the world first hand. Their lives are changed instantly. They have to fend for themselves, taking only the knowledge they have and using it as best they can. The Quest also forces them to view the world as someone who has nothing. They will be ruling a kingdom and making decision for all walks of life, rich and poor. If they only know the royal side of life, they won't understand poverty, which is why the prince is given next to nothing when he's sent on his way.

Maybe it's as cruel a tradition as it sounds, but it has made stronger kings than any other kingdom in this world. They have to spend a year living like a poor vagabond with a quest in a world they don't know. It's like how they say a person learns a language faster when they are just thrown into that culture. They have to learn quickly. Sure, the king could spend twenty years preparing his son to take the thrown, teaching him all about what it is like to rule and be poor so that they can rule properly. But think of how often we look at our politicians and think, 'That guy/girl knows nothing about me or what it's like to be me.' This sheltered life forces him to see the world for the lowest common denominator. It's a big world and a big responsibility to be in charge of it, the king should know it as closely as he can.

Alright, onto normal ranting things. QUESTIONS PLEASE! I need them. Tomorrow is question friday (already?) and I will need something to answer. Also, I promised I would tell you when I found some music that would be inspiring for when I write. You need to check out Abney Park. It is a steampunk band! I had no idea they existed until this afternoon. I haven't listened to them much, yet, but I plan on checking them out to see if there's anything helpful in their music. I'm hoping for the best. Have a great evening!

LL&P

Princess of [Kingdom]

Continuing with my family theme, you get to briefly meet Julian's sister. I know these haven't been the most interesting posts, but they give you a little bit of info on the other characters in the story, or at least characters I am allowed to introduce you to without giving anything away. Like I promised last week, here's Sophia.

Name: Sophia Helen de Arques

Age: 17

Height: 5’5”

Weight: 110

Build: Slender, elegant, small boned

Eyes: Deep blue and almond shaped, but larger than her mother’s

Skin: Olive

Hair: Waist length, golden dark blonde with a slight wave.

Other Facial Features: Striking features with soft eyes and high cheekbones. Resembles her mother, but more striking.

Occupation: Princess

Personality: Intelligent, perceptive, observant and generally quiet, but has a gentle way of expressing herself verbally. She has a way with words and charming everyone around her. She less gentle with her older brother.

Background: Born to be the crown jewel of the family. She if very beautiful for as young as she is. She does not regret her place in the family, though she would like to choose her own husband as opposed to having to be arranged in a marriage and her mother has tried to make it as easy as possible. She is currently seeking suitors.

Greek God Equivalent: Athena

Uh, yup. That's about it. I can't really think of anything else I was going to say about this today. I will point out, that my dog's name is Sophia and I kinda like it that way. I know she will have a place in the book, but I'm not completely sure how in depth it is just yet. 

Good news, I'm planning on disappearing out of my house for a bit tonight to go sit at Starbucks, get a drink and do some work on this whole thing. I'm not sure what my plan is for tonight. We'll see how it goes over. I'm looking forward to getting out of my house for a while though. Thanks for reading.

Queen of [Kingdom]

So, here you get to meet Mama de Arques. Again, I'm not sure exactly how she looks aside form what I've described down there. Then again, that could change. I don't know. Looks are hard for me right now.

Name: Claire Helena de Arques

Age: 40

Height: 5’6”

Weight: 125

Build: Motherly curves

Eyes: Almond shaped and rich green

Skin: Medium olive, lighter than her husband

Hair: Waist length golden brown and straight, though always in elaborate hair dos under her diadem.

Other Facial Features: Soft and inviting with a quiet sort of beauty.

Occupation: Queen

Personality: Soft, quiet, respectful, traditional, takes her place at her husbands right side always prepared, though that doesn't make her completely unassertive. She is a strong presence in her husbands life and does have quite an influence on him. She loves her children very much and is upset to see her son have to go on his quest to take the throan.

Background: Born the daughter of a Duke, she was always destined to be married off into royalty, though Julian II’s liking of her and consequent love of her was unexpected. She bore two healthy children to Julian II, but was unable to conceive again after their daughter Sophia.

Greek God Equivalent: Hera

Other: Often seen in peacock colors.

I was going to tell you all something else, but now I can't remember what it is. I started watching Heroes and it definitely brainwashed me. Also, Ferris Bueller's Day Off is on television and now it is certainly that my brain will be mush by the end of the day. I think anyone from when that movie was made and on that names their kid Ferris is asking for trouble. 

On an unrelated note, I now have an affiliates list. If you know anyone else that is working on their own art or writing projects, have them contact me and I can list them if they list me. Also, check out the first affiliate. It's amazing. A friend of my older brother is starting a clothing company; for every shirt you buy, one shirt gets donated to someone in need. It takes the charity/clothing alliance to an all new level. I can't wait until they really get started on it. Keep an eye out for them! You can check them out at http://no1without.blogspot.com!

King of [Kingdom]

I've decided to introduce you to the de Arques family this week. So far, none of my characters have faces other than Julian, so you will just have to imagine that they all look somewhat similar to each other. First, I'd like you to meet the King of [Kingdom], our heroes father.

Name: Julian Therius de Arques II

Nickname: None

Age: 48

Height: 6’1

Weight: 200-225

Build: Tall, strong, and broad.

Eyes: Narrow, intense hazel.

Skin: Olive, darker than his son

Hair: Shoulder length and mostly grey covered through previous dark brown hair.

Other Facial Features: Strong features, regal look, weathered skin and wrinkles around his eyes and mouth.

Occupation: King

Personality: Level headed, tradition minded, looks to the future of the kingdom and takes his place in society very seriously, often pushing too far. His intimidating characteristics can only be subdued by his wife.

Background: The fouteenth king of the de Arques dynasty. He completed his journey to the Oracle and his quest in seven months, a shorter period of time than any king before him. He has been the strongest ruler yet, keeping his kingdom well in tact, though there are still oposers of his rule.

Greek God Equivalent: Zeus

Pretty typical, I think for a King/father character. I know that, and I knew going into it that he would seem that way, but he serves his purpose in Julian's life this way. It should be interesting to explore the relationship between Julian and the King since they are different kings of personalities, while still being on the same side. They both want what's best for the kingdom, but Julian is just too young to have the experience and I think that is the only thing that really separates them when it comes to a relationship.

Question Friday 03

Wow, I keep making late posts in the day. I think I average about 5PM though, so it's okay. Things have been going on around my house and I've just now gotten a chance to sit down and write this out. Lots of questions, too.

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1. So, what's your favourite comfort food?

Spaghetti and marinara. It has been my comfort food since I was a kid. It is the only thing I crave when I am sick.

2. What does Julian think of when he daydreams?

Not having to go through with this tradition. He wants to be given the time to go learn about the world on his own without the added pressure of running a kingdom on his heels. 

3. Does Julian have siblings?

Yes. Julian has one sister, named Sophia Helen de Arques. She is seventeen years old and as of Julian's birthday, she is looking for suitors. She remains at the castle while Julian is on his quest, but she will come into play, I believe in the second book. I'm not sure, but I will be utilizing her. More on her later.

4. Does he have a pet?

He does not have a pet that is just his. There are hunting dogs and horses among other things that belong to the royal family, but there isn't anything that he calls his own. 

5. Any thoughts on the climate of [Kingdom]?

I am in the process of drawing a map, actually. The coastal regions range from mild to cool and rainy. Inland there are forests and deserts, but most of the occupied land is around water, whether it be lakes or rivers or even manmade bodies of water. The one thing that there isn't is any tropical climates or rainforest-like climates. Also, I am so referring to it as [Kingdom] from now until I get a name for it.

6. What is your writing process like?

My process changes depending on how serious I am about what I am writing. Sometimes, I just fly by the seat of my pants and go. In this case, I do a lot more planning. I like to write up character profiles for each character that includes precise information on how they look, their personality, their history, their likes and dislikes and any other technical information I need to remember when it comes to writing them into the story. Once I have everyone as detailed as possible, I will write an outline that is a chapter by chapter synopsis. It details the main point of the chapter, what I am trying to convey. I sometimes have more detailed information than others, it just depends on the kind of chapter it is. Often, a chapter is dreamt up from one line of dialogue or a sentence that I want to include and I will build around that. 

I find that I tend to work a little bit backwards. I find one detail that I like and I create the story around that. If I have two details, I will run through every possibility that they have to be connect and go from there. My writing process is very scattered because my ideas come out of left field sometimes. Some of my best ideas I've ever had happened in a grocery store or while shopping. I keep a small notebook with me all the time, just in case. Then, I go home compare all the notes and find the plot inside it. For this story though, the process will be a lot more structured than usual.

7. Did you get character ideas from people you know, other fandom characters or what?

My character ideas come from all over. I find that a lot of times I know that my plot needs one characteristic to round it out. For example, with Julian's sister, Sophia; I knew that somewhere in the family I needed a place that Julian could feel he wasn't being pressured and I wanted a sort of logic and realistic feel to this place. So, I took those characteristics--logic, realistic, familiar, intelligence--and wound them all up into one character. That is what Sophia is. She's a very smart, level-headed, intelligent young woman who is a counter balance at home for Julian. They aren't great friends, but they care for each other. I knew that it would give him a firm foundation. It just worked out that she corresponds well with the goddess Athena. 

Other times, my characters just come to me. Or maybe I have one look or purpose they need to serve in the book. I'm finding that a lot of the characters in this trilogy are created on and around Julian based on my needs to advance the plot. Luckily, I find that my favorite characteristics are easily implemented in this fantasy world and I can use all my loved personality traits and quirks. I will say this, there's at least two characters that did receive parial inspiration from Captain Jack Sparrow. 

8. Do you have faces for any of the characters?

What's funny about this is that I have so many characters to put faces to, but only Julian's came to me and made sense. The rest of them are still up in the air. There's one character in particular, that I could tell you their personality, the way they dress, their scars, their quirks, their fears, their vices, personal details about their childhood and I cannot for the life of me settle on their physical attributes. I can't decide on hair color, hair length, eye color, body type or height. I mean, I know next to nothing about how they look, but I know everything about who they are. Looks are alluding me a little bit for characters, but I think once I get moving on it, they will make a little more sense. For now, we will just have to live with my poor descriptions of their physical appearance.

9. Does Julian have a sidekick/bestie that will accompany him on his travels of epic proportions?

The Quest of Kings does not allow the heir to embark on the journey with a companion. So, starting out on the journey? No. Julian is completely alone, but--and I think I can tell you this without giving away too much, because I want to talk about him--Julian will very quickly gain a traveling companion. I know I've mention Milo Lycus before. He is a very interesting character that nearly gets Julian into trouble... over and over again. I will get to him next week, I believe. He may not be Julian's best friend and definitely not at the beginning, but he definitely occupies the 'sidekick' role.

10. What inspiring/badass music have you been listening to to prepare/write this epic?

Oh man, I dont' even have a good answer for this. I listen to a lot of movie soundtracks when it comes to this kind of thing because I want it to play very clearly in the reader's head when they discover this fantasy land. I've taken to string quartets and also a lot of the metal sounds that are in Hellboy II have been pretty inspiring. Also, the song "Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)" by Arcade Fire has been and interesting mix. They actually use the sound of whistling kettles in the song and I like the image it gives me. If I find anything else I love, I'll be sure to share it with you!

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I hope that feeds your craving this week and that you will survive until next week when I post again. I hope to get some plotting worked on this weekend, God willing. A lot is going on around my house right now, but I am consistently excited about this trilogy and I really cannot wait to share it. Thanks for reading!

The Antihero

Probably my favorite character in any book, movie or television show is the antihero; not to be confused with the antagonist. Where an antagonist is a villain, the one causing the problem that is progressing the plot for the hero or protagonist, the antihero is the protagonist with a less than conventional characteristics of the typical hero. Yesterday, I noted that the hero was courageous, self-sacrificing and morally right. The antihero tends to be selfish, morally ambiguous and show more signs of being cowardly in the face of danger.

Its true that everyone loves a great villain. The villain, with all their endless evil and conniving, create the plot that stories are surrounded by. The antihero is all that corruption without making the reader feel like they are siding with evil while they love them. The best part about them, is that you get all of the faults, mistakes, malicious behavior and sharp wit of the villain, but they are, in a way, fighting for good. Occasionally, they aren't fighting for good or bad, they are fighting for themselves. Let's go through a few examples. Here are some of my favorites.


Pirates of the Caribbean - Captain Jack Sparrow
This character single handedly created a franchise. It brought life to the pirates of old and he was the antihero that everyone wanted to be like.

Lost - Benjamin Linus and James "Sawyer" Ford
Both of these characters have very distinct 'bad guy' feelings. Ben being the more questionable of the two (since we still aren't sure what side he is one). Sawyer is fighting more for good, but doing it in a way that serves him best. (Not to mention Kate, who is technically a fugitive. Just saying.)

Dexter - Dexter Morgan
This show just put the lead actor in a place for a Golden Globe. The character is a serial killer hunting murderers. It's the ultimate antihero in that he will kill to find, what he believes is true justice.

Fight Club - Tyler Durden
Brad Pitt's portrayal of this fictional character created quite a stir. Honestly, I can ask any guy what their favorite movies are and there is no doubt that Fight Club with it's chaos creating character will make the list.


I could go on and on. The antihero is one of the most loved characters in all of literature and media. We want to love the bad guy. Woman want to change him, men want to him him. Don't get me wrong, there are certainly the female antihero. What about Pam from the Southern Vampire series? Or even someone a little more mild, like Meredith Grey of Grey's Anatomy? She's repeated described as being 'dark and twisty inside,' labeling her as the antihero and still the protagonist.

I promise, the women in my book, most of them are the antihero. With the exception of Julian's mother and sister, the rest of them have a distinct flair for self-serving, self-preservation, and morally ambiguous behavior.

DISCUSSION! Talk about your favorite antihero in any book, series, show or movie. Also, it's Question Friday tomorrow!! Ask me anything, everything and all you want to know will be revealed... well, within reason. Thanks for reading. See you tomorrow.

Journey of a Hero

Today I'm going to talk just briefly about the hero of not just my novel, but also the role that heroes have played in the past. It seems only appropriate that word hero comes from the Ancient Greek ἥρως or hḗrōs. Originally, hero was actually a demigod and not just a given term for the protagonist of a story, legend or parable. It later turned into the term we use for our self-sacrificing, moral upholding and courageous characters we see today. 


Classic heroes usually were measured by their martial courage. The heros of Greek mythology, like Heracles and Achilles are seen in this same kind of heroism. Modern heroism is modified and more morally based. There doesn't have to be a massive battle that takes place, but rather just a grand gesture of heroics. 


I would definitely have to say that Julian is a classical hero. He may not be our fighting a war or protecting the innocent, but there's a lot to him that is the hero. Julian was not the first character I came up with in this universe. In fact, he was probably the third character or so. I started with a lot of bad guys. I had ideas of all the trouble that would be going on and then once I had figured out what kind of world they were in, I discovered what kind of hero they would need. Of course, there's always the temptation to create the strong, manly, fearless in the face of danger type of hero, but I decided that I wanted someone who was going to have to do a lot of learning before he even realized what he was. 


Julian is very much the reluctant hero. He is unsure of himself, unsure of his place in the world, unsure of his next step in life. All he knows is that he has his entire path laid out before him and he has to follow it, whether he wants to or not. This path, the one that takes him to the throne, is by no means clear cut, so somewhere along the line he is going to be challenged to do more than just follow the path. He doesn't know it yet, but it will require a lot of growth on his part. 


I think what I am most excited about with him is the amount of learning we get to do with Julian. We are going to discover the world outside his castle walls while he does. He knows very little about the world and as he finds out all of these different creatures, people and villages, we will get to do the same. Hopefully you find it as exciting as I do.


Tomorrow will either be talk about the decisions that heroes have to make or the definition of the anti-hero, which does come into play in this plot. Comment below! Let me know what you think of... well, anything!

Rain Check

This is the fourteenth post and I'm gonna have to rain check. I can't think at the moment, I've got life happening to me today (ugh, how dare it!?) and so I'm just not prepared to post anything interesting or relevant. All I can say is that I'm going to have to find time tomorrow, which may prove just as difficult.

I'm really sorry, but I promised to post everyday; I didn't promise you'd be satisfied.

Julian de Arques III

I have absolutely no idea what to post today. I'm completely lost and confused and have things to do and need to be cleaning and I'm writing a horrible run on sentence, but you will forgive me because I'm going to make it up to you by posting my (edited) notes on my main character.

Name: Julian Therius de Arques III

Age: 20

Height: 5’11

Weight: 165-185

Build: Lean, muscular

Eyes: Narrow, intense, but not intimidating, dark brown.

Skin: Tan, olive skin

Hair: Wavy, falls below his chin, often pulled back into a ponytail, chocolate brown.

Other Facial Features: Strong, able, defined jaw, narrowed eyes, intense brow, warm smile, and inviting eyes.

Occupation: Prince and heir to the throne

Personality: Free spirited, often argumentative with his family, naïve about the world, young, impulsive, driven.

Background: Born the Third Julian Therius de Arques. Will be the fifteenth son of the de Arques dynasty to rule over the land. He grew up knowing his place in the kingdom and what was expected of him.

Greek God Equivalent: Apollo

Other:

Info: Main character and protagonist. Will be written in his POV.

And of course, some of you who haven't heard already, you will be curious if there is a face that I imagine. Before I post this guys picture, I want you to know that I did not base Julian's looks on this actor. It happened exactly the opposite way. I created the character, then was watching a movie and saw him and maybe it was subconscious, but it doesn't matter. So, this is the man that is JUST FOR REFERENCE! It is just supposed to help you see him, too.

That is all for today. I don't have much to talk about because I'm totally out of it today and getting over being sick and all that fun. Then again, I am making brownies, so that's reason to be excited.

Question Friday 02

Alright, I'm gonna make this as quick as I can since I need to head out, but who knows what will reallly happen because I am long winded.

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1. Will there be romance?

I should have guess that this would be a question at some point. However, for reasons I can't explain, I am completely unsure of the answer at this point. I would really like to have romance involved, but with the nature of this book being very plot driven, it would only be a sort of subplot and I can't quite pinpoint how strong it would be. There's also the fact that a lot of the female characters involved are either related to him or trying to kill him. Yes, there's the allure to the enemies falling in love, but that would be hard to do with the sirens or some of the other characters I have planned. There is a character that's only recently begun brewing in my head, but I am not sure how strong her involvement in the story would be once he left on his quest. So, my answer? The plot is more adventure driven, but if my characters start to really demand it, you can expect to see some tension in the romance department.

2. What inspired you to write the story?

I know I talked about what inspired met to start this plot, but not just what inspired me to write it. There were a lot of outside factors that mixed up in my head and created the plot, some of them more obvious than others. But what inspired me to just write? Well, actually, that is probably a book called Waking the Dead by John Eldredge. I was reading it because my father suggested it to me. I was (and still am) at a point in my life where I'm not sure what direction I am going and I have too many options. He is a Christian writer just as I am. It isn't a self-help book, but more of a book that examines the reasons we hold ourselves back, in a way. At any rate, it was actually one specific thing that he said in the book that helped me realize what writing can do. He compares a lot of moments in our lives to those in movies and fiction; he really enjoys using them as metaphors. At one point, he says that fiction is necessary. He says that we live in this mundane world and it is hard to get the heart excited again, or passionate again and fiction does bring our hearts back to life. It reminds of us that most essential need to love and live. It wasn't a main theme of the book, but it was very exciting for me. As a person who had been trying so hard to figure out what I was doing with my life, it was a relief to hear someone call fiction a necessity. I was never looking for permission to be  a writer, but I was not convinced that it was a acceptable job. I felt like it was meant to be a side job, something of a hobby and when I read that part, I realized that I wasn't just going to be writing for myself because I felt like it (even though that could have been the reason and I would have been fine), but I was going to write something other people were going to read; something that other people were going to feel. I now have the opportunity to put together a plot with compelling characters and plot that when you put it down whether you loved it or hated it, you will feel it. So, that is my inspiration for writing it.

3. Why did you choose the gods/goddesses that you chose?

I think with most of them, I created a general outline of the character. I decided on their involvment in the story and saw where they needed to be and then I went and did a heck of a lot of research to find just the right god/goddess to fit that character. With the characters a sort of silhouette, once I found the corresponding god, it all clicked and the character became very clear. All of their quirks, ticks and minor personality traits fleshed out and I had a bigger picture. Some of the gods I knew I was going to use, like Kairos for example and he just happened to fit The Oracle. Some of them, like Aphrodite, well it only made sense that she be the counterpart to this one particular character in the story. It really is just a blind search in hopes that it clicks. It usually works.

4. Julian. What's his favorite outfit? What's his favorite food? Who's his best friend? What's his most prized possession? What's one thing could he lose that he would be completely lose without?

Oh, these are hard to answer! His favorite outfit is yet to be discovered. I haven't got a set sense of what the fashion is going to look like in this world, so I don't know just yet. I would guess that it is something casual that makes him look average and nothing like royalty, though. For food, again, I'm not sure what exactly the kind of diet this kingdom is on. Though, he's the kind of guy to like almost anything. Darn men and being able to eat and not gain weight. What a jerk. His best friend is a faceless, unnamed Duke. I haven't quite figured the character out yet. I just know he's a Duke. I have no idea what he looks like. His most prized possession is this old family crossbow that his grandfather gave him as a child. He accidently killed his grandmother's cat with it. He swears it was an accident. And the final question, I don't have an answer for. I know that if I did have an answer, I would already be making plans to have him lose it, because I'm evil and torture my characters. See what you did? Now I'm going to come up with something for him to lose.

5. Will you have a Gaia equivalent?

I don't know yet. That is definitely an interesting goddess to have involved and there are going to be so many interactions with characters in this book and the following books, its hard to say where it will all end. I wouldn't be surprised if they do run into someone eventually that is the Gaia equivalent, but that character has yet to be discovered.

6. What rides are you gonna go on? I've never been to Disneyland and I want to vicariously!

I always go on as many rides as possible, but the requirements are always Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad, Indiana Jones, and the Matterhorn. If I can squeeze in more, I will definitely go on them.

7. What is your favorite kind of cookie?

Hmmm, this is the hardest question yet. i don't kow. I love cookies. Home made chocolate chip cookies from scratch are incredible, but if I'm going to buy cookies from the store, Oreos usually win out. It's appropriate that two days ago someone called me the creme in the Oreo. Apparently I'm the best part.

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Well, I hope that can hold your attention for a whole weekend while I figure out what I plan on writing next week. My goal right now is to get as many characters and events outlined as possible and get to actually writing by March 1st. If I can do so earlier, I'd love to, but we will see. I'm gonna set a writing schedule and get myself into the routine of writing every day. I foresee many trips to Starbucks. Have a great day!

I've done some more research on Kairos, and you know what's weird? This god is just as elusive as The Oracle. First of all, not all accounts call him a god. Some are convinced that he is a she. Of course, I go with the male version, but that isn't the point. Then, there is the many different definitions of what he actual is the god of. Another name for him is Caerus.

The Greeks had two words for time; chronos and kairos. Of course, these both are the names of gods, but represent different versions, as I've said. Kairos has been described as the opportune moment, the god/goddess of pure time, or the spirit of opportunity. There's a few accounts of him being described as a youthful man with hair hanging in his eyes, but none on the back of his head. He's also described as being completely naked with winged feet. It is quite a strange description for a god, but that isn't the first time that the Greeks sounded like they were on something when they came up with myths.

Aesops Fables go on to say that you must catch Kairos when he is in reach, but once he has moved on, not even Zeus could catch him. That sounds like an awful lot of power in a god who doesn't have a set description.

Alright, this is a bit of a rambling post. I wasn't sure what to talk about so I started to do more research and then realized that, geesh, there isn't anything set for this particular god. I only have the information I know from a Mythology class I took and any resources I can find on the internet.

This is a boring post. I'm sorry about that. I plan to have some art or inspirational pictures up next week as I get on with more of the world. I'm not sure whether you would like to hear more about the de Arques dynasty or if you want more on the actually world around it. This kingdom is still not named. I need to get working on a map, too. Wow, there's a lot left to do.

Alrighty, its Thursday, which means y'all need to ask me questions! I am going to Disneyland tomorrow, so I will be posting early in the morning and so you absolutely have to ask me things asap. I'm not sure what you want to ask, whether it be about this whole theme or future posts or what kind of hair products I use. I don't know. Have at it!

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The Opportune Moment

As promised, today I'm letting you in on the god that goes with The Oracle. There were some very good guesses, that really did make perfect sense. However, I failed to mention–and maybe this was just me being malicious–that the god did not have to be on the list from a couple days ago and I also didn't mention that all the gods correspond in gender, as well. My bad.

The Oracle's Greek god equivalent is one of my favorite gods, merely for the philosophical debates that it tends to invoke. Kairos is also the god of time, but not the chronological time like Chronos, but rather the opportune moment. Kairos refers to the time between the sequential time. It is more the response to opportunity, or the use of time in regards to momentous, defining moments in our life. 

There are a few reasons I chose Kairos for The Oracle's counterpart. The first is that I knew I wanted Kairos to be a part of the inspiration. I find that this trilogy has a lot to do with time. Firstly, our quest has a set amount of time that it must occur in. It also is a transitional time in our hero's life. There are so many elements that involve time, whether it be the measure of time or the timing of these events in his life. The Oracle is the catalyst to this change in him. The character arc for Julian is closely tied to The Oracle and the role he plays. In the first book, the plot focuses on locating this legendary wise man. The Oracle is the life changing moment. 

There are aspects of The Oracle that are very similar to that of Hermes. He is the go-between character and a bit of the messenger, however, he is more the instigator of the experience. He isn't just translating a message for the heir of the throne, he is actually choosing the quest that will shape the young man's life. I find that this is much closer to the personification of the opportune moment than anything else.

It's as shorter post today because I'm not feeling well and can't focus much longer. I might give you more info on Kairos tomorrow. He is definitely my favorite god. He instigates a lot of great debate. So, for the comments tonight, let me know what you think of Kairos as the corresponding god for The Oracle. Do you agree? Is there more to it that you think you can find or do you think I'm crazy? Let's talk it out!

The Legend of the Oracle

As promised, I am going to tell you the Legend of the Oracle. You will have to bear with me, since I am not fully certain on all of the legend that goes with this mystical being. I am still working out parts of his characterization as well as history.

The Oracle is a legendary man, often associated with mystery and magic. This man is difficult to locate and never stays in one location for too long. Not too much is known about who he is. There are rumors of his origins as well as lineage. Some legends say that he is an eternal being, transporting magically from place to place, reveal destinies and the like to unsuspecting people, while other legends say that he is a crook, making money off of the lies he tells. Somewhere in the middle of all that, lies the truth of who he really is.

The most accurate legend says that he is not one man, but rather a bloodline of men who have passed the title of Oracle from father to son since the beginning of time (as far as they know). The purpose of this title is said to be one of hope and opportunity. Known for being an infinitely wise man, the Oracle provides insight to seeking humans (and the occasional creature).

In relation to the Quest of Kings, the Oracle provides the final pilgrimage. His place is to wait for the heir to find him and then give the prince a riddle, of sorts. This riddle is the location, or at least the first step, to finding an item. The items that have been sought in the past range from legendary weapons, headstones, jewels and even people. The quest that is given is chosen by the Oracle and often relates to the weakness of the heir. The theory is that the Oracle's place in the tradition is to strengthen the prince in his final year before he takes the throne so that he is fully prepared for the hardships that lie ahead.

The Oracle is undescribable. Most people could not put a face to the name. They associate him with a hooded robe and sash tied around his waist. Other than that, there are various versions. Some say he carries weapons, others say he carries nothing but water. Some insist that he is an ancient looking man and others claim he is youthful, appearing to be outside of time itself.

Hopefully that gives you a view into this curious character. Tomorrow I plan on describing the Greek god that he is associated with, since it is my favorite god. Anyone care to make any guesses of who it might be? If not, if you had to choose one, what's your favorite Greek god?

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Greek Mythology and Related Gods

Oh, I am so unprepared for today's post. I was going to do the Legend of the Oracle or the de Arques family history, but realized a little too late that I'm not entirely sure how those legends/histories play out just yet. I still need to do some more brainstorming on those before I finalize them and feel confident posting it all here.

Instead, I am going to introduce you to something that I had mentioned on Friday about my inspirations. There's a running theme with all of my characters that is very specifically chosen. Each character that I create has a Greek god equivalent. This doesn't mean that their story directly follows that of the god they are modeled after, but they do have similarities. Most characters, you will notice, have been named for their greek god. Not all, of course. Sometimes it is even a far reach of the name. At any rate, they all have their parallel characters.

There's a few reasons I did this. Mostly, it is to satisfy my love of Greek mythology and to include it in my stories. I tend to use it as a model in some ways. Also, since this trilogy is meant to, in some ways, mirror the Greek epics, I knew it needed to be included. There is also the matter of using it as a familiar model. Not everyone is familiar with Greek mythology, but it allows me to include the classic themes in literature that I really fell in love with.

Here's a list of Greek gods and their qualities that you can expect to see in my own characters. There is only one character to each god/goddess.


Aphrodite - The goddess of lust, love and beauty. Known as the most beautiful goddess. Her symbols are the septor, myrtle and dove. The Roman equivalent is Venus.

Apollo - Associated with being the god of music, prophecy, medicine, health, poetry and archery. He is also linked to Light and Truth, as well as the sun. Apollo is known for being the most attractive god. His twin sister is Artemis and is the son of Zeus. His symbols are the bow, lyre and laurel. The Roman equivalent is the same.

Artemis - Goddess of the hunt, wild things and the moon. She is the twin sister of Apollo. Known to be a virgin goddess. Her symbols are the bow, dogs and deer. The Roman equivalent is Diana.

Athena - Goddess of wisdom, warfare, strategy, handcrafts and reason. She is another daughter of Zeus. She came into being in full armor and is known to be the wisest of the gods. Her symbols are the aegis, owl and olive tree. The Roman equivalent is Minerva.

Chronos - The Keeper of Time. Often shown as the god turning the zodiac wheel. The Roman equivalent is Saturn.

Hephaestus - God of fire and the forge, or the god of smiths. He is the only god to be cast out of Olympus. He is crippled and said to be ugly. He makes the armor for the gods and some Greek heroes. His symbols are the axe, hammer and flame. The Roman equivalent is Vulcan. (This always makes me happy.)

Hera - Goddess of woman, childbirth and marriage. She is married to Zeus. Her symbols are the scepter, diadem and peacock. The Roman Equivalent is Juno.

Hermes - God of flight, thieves,  mischief, commerce and travelers. He is the messenger of the gods and leads the dead souls to Hades. He is found in more myths than any other god. He is tricky and inventive, and his symbols are caduceus and winged boots. The Roman equivalent is Mercury.

Moirae - Also known as The Fates. This is the collection of three gods that control the thread of life. The first, Clotho, spins the thread of life. The second, Lachesis, measures the thread that will become the lifespan of every mortal. The final, Atropos, cuts the thread of life. Their Roman equivalent is the Parcae and were named Nona, Decima and Morta.

Zeus - He is the king of the gods, ruler of Mount Olympus and the god of the sky and thunder. His symbols are the thunderbolt, eagle, bull and oak. The Roman equivalent is Jupiter.


You can expect to see more themes, creatures and various gods throughout the characters. Its a fun game to play, trying to find the parallels between my characters and the gods in Greek mythology. I can't wait to share more with you about the characters, but for now, this will have to do.

Question Friday 01

This is coming to you late because it has been a long day and I haven't had time to sit down and properly answer the questions. But here is the first of many successful *crosses fingers* Question Fridays.

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1. How long do you expect the books to be?

This is tough to answer. After doing some research, it really comes down to the genre of the book for a ballpark word count to be answered. Since this does fall under fantasy and it is geared towards young adults and adults, my estimate is that each one in the trilogy will be around 100,000 words. That's quite a lot, but I'm a bit long winded when it comes to certain aspects. From what I've read, publishers are unlikely to put the money into a 'long' first time writer. My goal is to go all out, do what I have to do to make a compelling story and see how it goes.

2. Also, do you like chocolate mousse? (from the same commenter as the first)

Yes.

3. What sources/ideas inspired you to come up with your story idea?

I think the plot was a long time coming. The idea of this Greek epic of sorts has always been something I wanted to tackle, but was too afraid to jump in. I am so inspired by Greek Mythology. I have a love for the insanity that goes on in those stories, from the gods to the creatures. It is a huge resource for me when it comes to finding names, characters, themes and so much more. In everything I write, I always seem to compare it to any given myth to find where the themes come from.

The steampunk genre was scary at first. I hadn't exactly chosen it immediately. I knew I wanted to write a fantasy, because I wanted that big, unknown world feeling to it and I like the idea of creating your own world and not having to make sure you fact check every two minutes to make sure you are getting it all down right. I have so many ideas, that I knew I could combine them all into a fantasy. But, then again, I didn't just want your J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy, or C.S. Lewis. I needed something less whimsical and more rooted. I started researching and looking around the internet and when I finally saw the movie Treasure Planet, I knew I came across something good. Then, when Stardust came out, I found that it too had some steampunk tendencies. The idea of having gadgets, technology and all that metal around gave me a really interesting addition to the plot I already had.

I look to the internet for inspiration a lot. I'll just type in steampunk into a search engine or search for forums, character designs, costume designs and all that kind of art that comes with it. It just continued to expand in my head and I decided that more than anything, there was a good chance I could combine the old world of ancient Greece with the metal of steampunk to get something possibly very weird and hopefully very intriguing.

4. I'm very interested in the history of The Passing of the Crown ritual. Is it different from when the tradition first began, or has it remained completely unchanged since the beginning?

The Passing of the Crown in regards to the Quest of Kings has not ever changed. The same ritual has always applied. As far as anyone in modern times knows, there was never a time when it didn't work that way. As for the passing to a daughter, that is a more recent accepted tradition. Far back, just like in the real world, women were not allowed to take places of power. Their was no exception. The crown could only pass to a male heir, never a male married into the family. Eventually, their came a king and queen with only daughters and the eldest daughter fought like hell to take her place in the royal family. She threatened to go on the Quest of Kings, without permission or warning, just to prove her point. Laws were changed, tradition was altered and she was allowed to take the crown under the stipulation that she married first.

5.Do you have any particular music that gets the gears churning on the STC universe yet?

Not exactly. I haven't had the opportunity to actually do any writing for the books just yet. It has all been notes and planning. So, all the music I listen to is just whatever I feel like using at the moment. A lot of times I will put on instrumentals or a string quartet so I'm not distracted by lyrics. But, I will let you know when I find what band or music takes hold of me as I write.

6. So, technically a daughter could, say, have her brothers offed and then take the crown without ever having to do the quest, assuming she's the evil back stabbing type?

Assuming the worst, yes that is entirely plausible. That is, if she can have her brother(s) killed without anyone finding out it was her who set it up. Women can be sentenced to death. If they can inherit the crown, they certainly can die for it.

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Thanks for reading! I hope this week's posts were worth your time and that you lovingly pass it on to more people so we can get a bigger fan base going. I can't wait for next weeks posts. I hope to have the Legend of the Oracle written as well as a family history of the de Arques dynasty.

See you Monday!

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A Woman's Role

Post is coming at you early today. I babysit and it makes it hard to post and watch a three-year-old at the same time. It can be done if needed, but I may as well get it out of the way if I can. Not out the way, because I'm enjoying this, even with so few followers at the moment. I'm trying to decide how to continue on with next week's posts. Today, I think I'm going to do a little backtracking, since there was a few questions about passing the crown yesterday and I want to clear that up.

Also, I am dubbing Fridays as 'Question Fridays,' which means on Thursday you can comment on the post and ask me a question. It can be about me personally, characters, the whole steampunk world, my version of it and I'll even let you ask completely random questions about whatever comes to mind. Hopefully you keep them appropriate. We'll see how well that goes over.

On to business,

There was a few questions regarding passing the crown and what that entails for any daughters of the royal family. I wanted to clarify, firstly, that just because the crown cannot pass to a female heir first, and must pass to a male, does not mean that women in this world are less than men. It is due to part tradition and part logic that the heir is preferably a male. The reason I call it logic is that, though I believe that women can do anything men can do, it doesn't mean they were meant to do anything men can do. I agree that a woman can rule a country. Look at Queen Elizabeth for example. She was the best thing to happen to England in God know's how long. However, I do also believe that men have a very strong nature for ruling, leading, and making intense decisions that blanket over a large majority.

Do not mistake me, I am a very strong willed woman and I like to be in charge. I also believe that in this case, where the world is based in a very traditional world with old world social structures, it makes sense for the men to take the crown before the women.

I was also asked to clarify the laws that govern the crown being passed to a daughter. In the case that either the son(s) fail to finish the quest, or there aren't any sons, the crown is passed to a daughter. I'm still working out details of what this ritual is. I know it involves her being courted by various surrounding princes. At any rate, she must take a suitor, at which point she marries and then can take the crown.

One thing that is unique about this aspect of the passing the crown is that it is a very political move. It is extremely strategic the way that they choose a prince to marry the princess. They take into account the size, population, resources, location and various other factors before choosing. She does have a say, a very big say, in who is chosen, but ultimately, it is a chance for the kingdom (still unnamed, darn it) to expand in a positive direction. The queen and princess(es) can be vary important parts of the kingdom's dynamics. Women all over work and take care of families and function just fine without the help of men. Often times, women are more successful because men are weak... okay, I'm kidding, but there are women in positions of power in this world. It isn't uncommon and you can expect to see some very strong female characters in this trilogy.

One more thing, I was asked if this has ever happened before. At first I said only once has the crown been passed to a female, but I've revised it. It has happened at least three times. Twice in the case of the king and queen only having daughters and once in the wake of failures to complete quests. I think I'm going to write up a history for each of these. I'll probably post them too.

I might have someone to do some concept art for me! Hopefully in the future we can get some fun stuff posted for visuals. Keep an eye out for that. Okay, all done for today. This is longer than expected. TODAY IS QUESTION DAY! Ask me what you want to know and I'll answer them tomorrow!

((I am having major spelling issues today. Geesh.))

Passing the Crown

Sorry this post is coming a bit late to you all. I have been out of the house and then Heroes caught my attention and, well, you know. At any rate. Here's more info on traditions!

The crown is passed to the first born son of the standing king. Of course, as I explained in yesterday's blog, the Quest of Kings must first be completed by the prince by his twenty-first birthday. In the case that the first son does not complete his quest, the second son will attempt the Quest of Kings. You can imagine the kind of hostility that would create between sons. If the current king does not have any sons, a daughter may take the thrown, but only after she is wed to a prince from another kingdom. This is definitely not what any of the families want, since it would mean creating an alliance with another kingdom that may or may not be stable. It could be a good thing and it could be horrible.

There is of course, the theoretical notion that if the king has any illegitimate sons, they may be up for the crown if they step forward with proof that they are royalty. They too would have to complete the quest. A hostile take over has never occurred, but it isn't completely insane to think that it might. That is only the most extreme cases.

This is a quick post today! Hopefully it was worth reading and tomorrow you will get some information on the legend of the Oracle and it's origins. No comment discussion today, but hopefully you comment anyway!

The Quest of Kings

I've decided to start of with a few legends and traditions that come along with this story. It will provide you with a little backstory into this world (which I still haven't named yet, my bad). Since I won't be giving away a lot of information on the official plot, I figured it would be nice for you all to have something fun to think about.

So, the first history lesson about this unnamed world? The Quest of Kings. This is the quest that our hero, Julian, is embarking on. The Quest of Kings is an ancient tradition passed down from dynasty to dynasty. The only way that the crown can be passed to the prince is when he completes his quest.

For as long as the kingdom has existed, this tradition has been in practice. The oldest son celebrates his twentieth birthday by a grand ball that is thrown for him by the king and queen. He is then given the family sword, as well as a family crest that is passed on from king to prince. It is the only proof that the prince is allowed to carry on him that he is in fact part of the royal family. From the day of his twentieth birthday, he has one year exactly to complete his quest.

This quest begins with his search of the Oracle, a legendary wise man who holds the secrets of the kingdom... or so he says. I'll give you more on the Oracle later. Once he's found the him, the Oracle gives the prince his mission. It usually involves him finding an ancient artifact. They are never easy to find and the Oracle does not give hints, clues or maps to the location where it is hidden.

You can see that I'm clearly trying to torture poor Julian. First he has to go on a quest with limited information and limited resources and he can't just go find some artifact, he has to find a specific one, but only after he finds this Oracle person! Oh, how evil am I? Its good.

More on the laws regarding passing the crown tomorrow!

And the question for discussion today, if you could name a mythical, fantasy kingdom with a steampunk flair, what would you choose?

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The Story Begins

I like the fact that my first post happened on a Friday and I didn't have to post again until Monday. I swear it wasn't intentional, but that is just how it worked out. At any rate, it gave me some time to try and plan out the week's posts, though I can't say I really know how it will all play out, we'll see.

Business first. Here's what you can expect each week. I will be posting character descriptions, summaries, plot ideas and creature legends. I will be giving you little glimpses into the world that I am creating as I come up with it. I encourage comments and responses to what I post and if you are an artist or just a fan, please feel free to create your own art! Use my stuff as your inspiration for things. If you have an account on Deviant Art, let me know and I can watch you too.

Now onto the fun stuff. I'm sure you are all wondering what the heck this whole thing is even about and why you should be interested in this whole 'steampunk' thing. Well, how about I give you a teaser. If I was going to write something to go on the back of the book, this is what it would say;

"On a quest for honor and the crown, Prince Julian Therius de Arques III will be the reluctant hero of his kingdom. His father, King de Arques II, will pass his crown to his son only after he has completed his quest. The sheltered Prince can only use his limited knowledge of the world around him to seek out the Oracle, a wise man who borders on legend. The world is cruel outside his castle walls and just when Julian believes he can complete the first stage of his pilgrimage, he is being tracked by a notorious sky pirate, bounty hunter and assassin. With no allies, but his unlikely con-artist sidekick Milo, he will face theives, sirens and hellhounds around every corner. His journey into the corrupt world outside is only proving to be a grander adventure than he would have ever asked for."

So, that is something like how it would go and that will give you a good idea of what to expect in the first book in particular. Our hero, Julian, must embark on a journey he wants no part of, but must complete due to his royal responsibilities. Tomorrow you will hear more about our protagonist.

And now for a poll! What is your favorite mythological creature? Respond in the comments!

Welcome!

Every New Year I make up some stupid resolution that I promptly break. I figure that way I can get the disappointment out of the way and not worry about it later on. I've even made the resolution to not make a resolution, which essentially breaks the resolution immediately and therefore taking care of the whole thing in one go. I like my little game I play. It's fun for me and probably no one else, but that's the point. This year, however, demanded I do something better than scoff at people who have things like 'goals' and 'a future.' Ha! Who needs that? Well, apparently I do.

I've been planning to write a book... a few books. Most of the ideas get developed enough to start, but not enough to finish and half way through I decide that it wasn't as good an idea as I thought. But in the past few months there has been an idea that has been nagging me, pulling at me, and demanding my attention. I've been pushing it around all the corners of my brain, waiting for it to take hold of a more solid plot. Not too long ago it finally became a full fledged plot, from beginning to end. There's details to work out, of course; all those little things about the characters, plots, subplots, and the world this story will exist in. That is what this blog is for.

My New Year's Resolution came to me from watching Julie & Julia. When that movie came out, I figured that I could write a blog, too. Yes, there's a lot of people that assume they can write a blog just because they have a thought in their head, but this is more than just writing a blog to show off my skills of knowing how to use a computer. Instead, I am using this blog to keep myself in check. I am going to post here all kinds of information about my book, my ideas and the characters. You will get little snippets of plot and events that took place even before the plot.

Here are the rules:

• I will post a minimum of five times a week. Usually this will mean Monday through Friday, but there may be a few times that I post something on the weekend. 
• I will use this blog to post information about my book. This means that I will be sharing information about the characters, plot and world I am creating. 
• I will post even when I haven't done any work on my book. This gives you permission to yell at me when I post something that has nothing to do with my book. 
• I will post design ideas, plot ideas, and art. This means I have to work on it daily, even though I accept the fact that sometimes I have other responsibilities and I can't dedicate a lot of time every day. 

Here's the summary. I am writing a blog to develop my book and create a fanbase for characters that you all haven't even read yet. This will help me dedicate time to writing as well as keeping myself in check. These first few posts will be me throwing around ideas of how to keep my readers interested and what you can expect out of this blog. I have to come up with my set format for posting and such. We will see how it goes.

But before I thank you for reading, you probably want to know what the heck this story is about! Well, it is an epic steampunk fantasy about the quest of a kingdom's prince. Steampunk is a fantasy genre where the society is more old fashioned, but with technology that is advanced past even what we are at. It is an extremely industrial age with old social standards. A good example of this is the Disney movie Treasure Planet. Some of the things you can expect is flying ships, harnessing lightning as energy and kings, princes, bounty hunters and pirates. It is a trilogy, so all three books will follow the main character (who you will learn more about soon) and his epic journey into finding his place in the kingdom.

Some great resources for figuring out what this 'steampunk' thing is is by searching it through Deviant Art. There are so many amazing pieces of art that very much embody the feel and ideas that I am going for.

Thanks for reading and I really hope you decide to stick with me through this journey. If you love to read and love to discuss ideas, I can't wait to get your feedback. Recommend this blog to your friends! I can't wait to get started.

Always,

Alexandra