Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Thoughts and speculations

National Novel Writing Month is coming to a close. I'm fairly certain I'll cross the finish line, but once again, it's only with 1/3 of the actual story complete. I'm going to estimate this book to range between 100,000 ~ 150,000 words, before cutting anything out and seriously editing.

I'm thinking that I may have been wrong, that UnWritten may just be a trilogy begging for completion, instead of a stand-alone. We'll see once Part I unravels. It may be a duet-ish, with only two books. We'll see once the editing phase kicks in.

Believe me, I'm SO ready to call my inner-editor to come back from vacation. :B

Besides that, I've decided I'm going to do my best to get a booth at GenCon next year. The details are fuzzy but one thing is for certain, no matter which way I go, I'm going to be working on better-painted pieces.

To start off, I'm illustrating Tal, our mute protagonist from UnWritten, as the first test dummy of sorts, for methods of painting. It's also going to be the first fully-finished and refined painting of a humanoid since...well, I can't remember. Everything before it were dragons. 'The Elder,' 'To Escape,' and 'Dreams' stands before it. Let's see if he can stand among them.

Here's a screenshot of the work in progress. Planning to refine a bit more today. (Left is the rough sketch, right is the progress of refining it. Duh, but really...)


*Edit**
And here's an update for today~

Monday, November 8, 2010

Myr.




Quick n' lame portrait. Needed to do something to get my mind off things for a little.

This is Myr ("Meer" to be technical O.o sorry for the weird name!)

He's an Aeteli, like Talimyro, but he's an 'elder' (about 150ish years old. Aeteli live to be 200.) and he's blind in his left eye, partially blind in the right.

He's kind of the antagonist, but mostly not.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Excerpt: UnWritten

'Tis the opening of the first chapter of my NaNo-novel, UnWritten. Just thought I'd post it since it's chugging along nicely. Even if it does, indeed, need a lot of editing. xD Enjoy.

-o

I was young but no longer a child. The way I had spent the first twenty-eight years of my life could be adequately related to a comatose. I was reckless, nosy, pushy, and always had my way. It was a trait that made me more successful as a merchant than my father ever could be. I was proud of myself.

I spent every year traveling, buying and selling goods, and learning the market and the people it served. As a result, I befriended many. I have a list of people whom I would defend with my life and I like to believe they would do the same for me. This is only my explanation to solidify what I'm about to tell you. This way you will understand I am not a crazy fool and I didn't find the boy in a gutter someplace.

I was twenty-eight and I received a letter from a friend of ten years. His name was Rysorin, Head Aeteli of a kingdom north of Sharyndai. It was a dire situation, he needed to speak with me immediately, feared mentioning the subject in written form. Letters back then had no protection. I knew a good half-dozen men had shifted through the letter before it made its way to me. I packed my things and headed to the kingdom--known as Crystal Star in Etlian. Its true name is difficult for me to pronounce.

The place was beautiful, made of crystal, marble, and white stone structures. It was a winter-wonderland. The Aeteli lived in peace and I was half-frozen. You know how Aeteli can endure harsh weather better than others? I was reminded strongly as the ship docked and I descended the ramp. In the shipyard I met Rysorin. He was normally stoic and hard to understand—Aeteli are like that—and he took me to his home where a fire was built and hot-tea served to warm my blood.




“What is the point of this?” the elf asked dryly. He stood at the window of a small study. An old man sat opposite, in a cushioned chair. His balding head caught the final sun rays like a polished stone, what hair remained was white and thin, but long enough that it was tied back at the base of his neck.

“I'm getting there,” he said with a wave. “You asked for more information on the lad, didn't you? Well, have at it. Do you wish to sit? It may take a while.”

The elf remained standing, narrowed eyes glaring at him. Ignoring his impatience, the old man tutted and mumbled until he remembered where he left off.

“...Ah, that's where I was...Rysorin had a desperate request,” he continued. “He doesn't ever ask my favor, so I was willing to oblige. He explained a couple in the kingdom had given birth to a child. Children are rare for them, you know—”

“I know. I don't need you explaining every sticky trait of the bastards. Just tell me where he's at.” It was difficult for the elf to remain standing still. His hand lingered near a pistol on his hip. The old man wasn't fazed.

“If you say so,” he rubbed his chin. “He told me the child couldn't stay with them, so he asked if I could take him in. Since I needed an heir someday, I obliged. There is his origin.”

“That doesn't explain anything, old man—”

“Of course it doesn't. You don't want to know about the Aeteli,” he scoffed. “You'd understand if you let me tell you.” The elf scowled.

“Tell me where he is, Calidar. That is all I need to know.”

“You would have also understood that where ever Tal is, he's not on some restricted area, breaking laws. He's a good boy.”

The elf's eyes widened and he strode forth, slamming his hands on the desk, leaning near. “Are you telling me that you do not know where he is?”

“I told you that I do know where he is. But if you want to be specific, then ask a specific question.” Calidar looked steadily at him, a tilt in his head that suggested the elf do as he advised.

Irritated, the elf rolled his shoulders back, standing straight with a sure posture. “Tell me where exactly Talimyro is and I will not turn you in for not cooperating with the Kalir.” His hand reached for the pistol.

“He's at the library. He will arrive here in a couple hours' time.”

“Really?” the elf wanted a confession, Calidar sensed it since the officer arrived at his doorstep. “We have received multiple reports declaring your son was seen on private, restricted property.”

“Why are they reporting to the Kalir instead of telling him straight-up to get off, if he was there?” Calidar asked. “It seems to me that there is suspicion in place of sightings. How can you simply assume without real evidence?”

The Kalir officer remained still. For a moment, Calidar wondered if he would reach the end of his rope soon enough and pull out that weapon.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Conflict

'...Alfred was struck, startled by the young duke's words. Was peace a luxury available only to a "fat" world? He recalled Prince Edmund's people, ragged, freezing, starving; watching their children, their elderly die while inside this city was warmth, food. What would I do if I was in their position? Would I meekly die, watch my children die? Or would I fight? Alfred shifted in his chair, suddenly uncomfortable.

I know what I'd do, he thought bitterly. I'd faint!...'
- Page265, Fire Sea, Death Gate Cycle by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman

Just had to quote it. Freaking love these books.