Stu vs A New Start

I haven't touched this blog in 18 months+ but I am rebooting (to coin the Hollywood phrase) as I am hoping it will get me back into writing. I was alao inspired by John Greens book A Fault in Our Stars and a quote write at the end which goes: My thoughts are stars I can't fathom into constellations. 

This really resonated with me as I feel it sums up my writing. I am going to adopt this phrase to kick start my writing.

On a side note John Green's book is not something I would usually read. A shout has to go out to Radio 5's film show and thwir review of the film. You will get no spoilers here but I will say it is only the third book to make me cry (after Boy in the Striped Pujamas and the last chapter set on the Wall of Dance With Dragons -again no spoilers).

Anyway, enough of my ramblings about A Fault in Our Stars, although highly recommended. My blog is back. Stay tuned for more literary musings and maybe a sneak peek at my own work.

P.S. Milo and the Restart Button... no so highly recommended!

Stu vs. Changes

Forgive me blog its been two months since my last confession... I mean blog post. In my defense 2012 has been a crazy year so far. I landed myself a short term teaching post in a year 4class and to say its been an eye opening experience is an understatement. In just 6 weeks I 've learnt more than in the past 18 months and I have a fantastic class to boot who'll jump through hoops for me. This, however, will end in just over a week which leads me onto the next reason for a crazy start to 2012...

In Feb the truely unthinkable happened, my wife was made redundant from Orange, something people were telling her couldn't possibly happen. Well it did and as a result we are upping sticks and moving out of Bristol. Just today we found a house in the lovely town of Crewkerne in south Somerset. We move in 10 days!

To ease a little of the pressure, well not really, Ruth starts a new job on March 12th. She also using her spare time to promote her business www.littlesprinkles.co.uk where she provides cakes, biscuits and sweets for ALL occasions. She's already booked in at some wedding fairs (you can thank me later honey for my prmotional efforts)

So as you can imagine writing has truely been put on the back of he back burner and the resolutions I made with such good intentions are seemingly a long way off. I refuse to give up though. The move has reinvigorated me across all areas. I'll be joining the local library and a local film club - my other passion.

On the reading front I am literally half way through The Hunger Games Trilogy and it is EXCELLENT, just can't put them down. I've actually read quite alot more so far this yeara nd have no intention of slowing down. 5 books down 25 to go!

Oh and I almost forgot the new series of A Game of Thrones starts in just over a month. I'm salivating with excitement!! Cold winds are rising!

Stu vs 2012 (Resolutions for Next Year)

2011 has gone by in a blur and was filled with ups and downs. More on that another time. However by far the best part of 2011 was watching my son go from this:



To this:


Anyway onto 2012. Usually new year resolutions are either made to be broken or are so ludicrous that we have no hope of actually achieving success. I've thought long and hard over the last few weeks about what I actually want to achieve next year and believe my resolutions are actuslly achievable. Some of this determinations comes from reading about my wife's aims for 2012. Please feel free to read about her passion for all things sweet related at http://little-sprinkles.blogspot.com/

Next year I intend to:

1. Read more (My bookshelves are filled with books left untouched). Please look to the left for more on what I intend to read in my 2012 Reading list.

2. Push on with my Writer's Bureau Children's course. I started last May and am currently bogged down with assignment 2. By this time next year I want to be booged down with assignment 6.

3. My lifelong passion is to become a published author. Next year I intend to finish my first children's Book and publish it via the Kindle. So watch out for Captain Cosmo: Space Adventurer on a Kindle near you.

4. Finally get a fulltime teaching position and do away with all this unpredictable supply malarky.

5. Spend more quality time with the family (anyone who knows me knows how much I depend to technology and my gadgets. In 2012 I promise to use these less. Ironically I'm typying this out on my IPad - lol.

6. Lose a little bit of weight. Tone up a little.

Well that's it. Not too far fetched I hope. Anyone else care to share thier own?

Stu vs Writer's Bureau Assignment 2

Progress Update:

I've already given you people a sneaky peek at the synopsis for my science fiction novel for kids and was really shocked at the feedback I was getting. But alas, assignment 2 for my Writer's Bureau course doesn't end there. It is actually split into about six parts and I'm slowly ticking each one off. Below is my next synopsis aimed at children aged between 7 and 9 and takes place in a prep school with some hidden secrets. Once again read and enjoy and as always comments and criticism is not only welcome but encouraged.

The Stationary Store-Room Adventures (7-9)

Nathan and his friends, Snotty Fred and twins Ruben and Holly, are bored, having played with their Christmas presents constantly for the last few weeks. So in a moment of madness they decide they need supplies and plan a raid on the school’s stationary room during a lunch break. Their raid is successful but one of the stolen maths books becomes enchanted.

During lunch they take stock of their hoard and begin planning what to do with it. Fred reaches for the enchanted maths book and begins to create a maze full of traps and monsters using the squared paper. As Nathan hides the stolen goods and Fred is nearing completion, the paper begins to fold out on itself encompassing the four friends and they find themselves at the start of Fred’s maze. As Fred tries to remember how to get to the exit they are attacked by a ghoul. They manage to escape but get lost in the process.

As they make their way blindly through the paper maze they find that by drawing weapons on the walls and then cutting them out they come to life and use them against the hoards of creatures of the maze. As they come upon what looks like an endless plain of paper Fred realises he never finished the maze. To escape Nathan cuts a hole in the floor with the scissors and upon jumping through they find themselves on the sports field with only a few minutes left until registration.


I have to say with a word cap of just 250 words I felt I didn't do the story justice, but I'll be working on it during subsequent assignments. I'm hoping I can edit my final synopsis down enough and get it up on here over the next couple of days. At the moment my word count is waaaaay to high. I'll also be adding these tasters to my website (see to the right for a link that will take you whizzing over to it).

Stu vs. NaNoWrimo: As One Thing Ends....

Another continues....

So I gave up on my nano, no not given up but shelved for a time, and gave myself a few weeks off the writing. Until yesterday when I got back on the metaphorical saddle, picked up a pencil and began Assignment 2 of my Writer's Bureau course. The blue sheet of paper has been pinned to my notice board for six months. So I dusted it off and began working on writing synopses for three possible book ideas.

I've now written them all, one completed, the other two in draft form with too many words so will need to edit. I'm going to share one with you now. This is an idea for a book aimed at 5-7 year olds and I would love to know what you think. My tutor believes sci-fi for younger children is a very hard sell. Now I've done my research and I'm out to prove her wrong.

So here it is. My synopsis for Captain Cosmo: Intergalactic Space Explorer:

Captain Cosmo and his childhood robot friend Bal-4 have been asked by the Space Museum of Extraordinary Living Life-forms (SMELL) to track down the Gurdulfozer. In return he will be paid and receive a lifetime supply of Super Zombie Attack credits and get his own action figure.

So they head of to the Gemmi Nebula, believing they find the creature there. However along the way his stasis pod malfunctions, he wakes believing he is heading out for a vacation and sets down on the nearest planet to the sun. Bal-4, awake the whole journey plays along as he knows this is the correct place.

On arrival they are met by a race of small beings known as the Putrefowl. They try to enlist Cosmo in their fight against Kiro who has begun enslaving them. Slightly annoyed that it is getting in the way of his vacation he offers to help. Cosmo agrees to take the Path of Five, a series of tests, to free the Putrefowl. He passes the first four challenges Kiro sets him; the dagger pits, glacial climb, eating fire chillies and game of ape swing. The final challenge is to battle the Gurdulfozer to the death. Instead he sets it free, causing Kiro to flee the planet. The Putrefowl hold a feast in Cosmo’s name, then he and Bal-4 leaves with the Gurdulfozer and return to SMELL. After collecting their prize they decide to go on a real vacation.

If you are at all interested in my other stuff you can get a sneak peek on my website http://awritersblock.weebly.com/ and click on the projects tab. If you can wait the other synopses will be up on my blog tomorrow.

Enjoy and goodnight!

Stu vs The Illnesses

Wow, I haven't blogged in a few days. Why you maybe asking, well viruses, colds, flu, tonsilitis and generally not nice things have been passed around my house affecting me, my wife and most unfortunately my son Nathan. This has meant many sleepless nights trying to get him back to sleep (every violent cough seemed to wake him). This coupled with his total lack of appetite has meant a stressful week in the Copping household. We seem to be over the worst of it though.

This week has also marked the end of my short term work in a reception class. Yes it only lasted 3 weeks but it hsa felt like forever and I feel like I was really making strides where I shouldn't have been. I'm really going to miss that class of little horrors. So it's back to waiting by the phone next week from 7-9am in hope that some poor teacher somewhere will phone in sick. Roll on Tuesday!

I finally decided to bite the bullet this week and officially gave up on Nano but it has given me a fire that I haven't had in months. I think I will finally start Assignment 2 for my Children's Writers course. I'm just getting a bit muddled when looking at plot and synopsis. Argh! 

I'm also going to try and finish my book and Little Big Planet 2 this week during my 'off' hours.

Stu vs NaNoWriMo: The Meteor

As promised here is an excerpt for the next chapter. It is almost all description, which at the moment I am unsure about and any comments or critisms would be greatly appreciated. Happy reading

The Meteor

Dusk was ever approaching as Etheracea’s two sons hovered low in the sky. To the north Isinia was a ball of molten brown trying to flee behind the Teseras Mountains. It was surrounded by deep oranges, purples and browns, silhouetting the tall peaks that acted as the Northern boundary of Etheracea. To the south, Osana too was heading for the horizon. A polar opposite to the warmth of Isinia, the southern skies were awash with deep greens and ice blues giving off a final chill. The final rays caught the strange rocks of Trillium Peak, causing it to sparkle in the early evening calm, like a lighthouse warning ships of the impending shore.

The night was a clear one. Stars and their constellations littered the sky, named millennia ago by the elves and passed on through generations to the humans that now inhabit this ancient land.

To Captain Tannock and the other sentries on the walls of Nethergale this was a familiar sight. Some looked to the heavens and wished for a change, others thought of lost loved ones. Most just took in the view as the day made way for night. Tonight however would be different. To the west one unfamiliar star shone brighter than the rest. It was also moving. Captain Tannock had heard of such a thing; a thing of legend, a shooting star. It was known that these fabled objects granted wishes to those who asked, but he didn’t believe in all that magic stuff. His sword and his men were enough for him to worry about.

This star was strange, not only was it getting brighter, but bigger. It lit up the skies more than any moon. A flaming arrow encased in fire as it headed for its target. Tannock was sure it would pass harmlessly overhead and crash somewhere far off to the east. It was not for him to worry where. His world was the castle or the barracks at Atol.

As it approached reds turned to brilliant whites as it burnt up and danced across the sky. More soldiers had joined Tannock, their gaze transfixed on the meteor. The captain noticed others below all looking to the skies. It was same all across Etheracea. Fisherman on Lake Theraya let their nets run heavy, travellers on the Nerum Plains fought to control their horses and mules and eagle riders stopped midflight as the ball of light exploded. Huge pieces of rock broke away, plummeting to the ground. Smaller fragments fell like hail stones setting fire to houses or buried deep in the countryside. Tannock was grateful the castle remained untouched along with the town below.

Out to the East the inhabitants of Tarak weren’t so lucky. The main body of the meteor passed over Etheracea getting swallowed up by the Mephista Duordina, the ocean that stretches out to the east. As a result a huge tsunami almost two hundred feet in height rose up and began speeding towards the coast. A pirate vessel was the first object to stand in the way of its watery vengeance. The crew didn’t stand a chance as the monstrous waves swept over the ship snapping the mast as one might snap a twig. Men were thrown overboard as the ship rode the crest of the wave to be carried off or drowned, finding peace in the watery depths. Wood splintered as wave after wave tore into the hull leaving just flotsam as it bore down on the cliffs of Tarak Isle.

Tarak Isle was also hit unawares. The Eagle Riders were unable to get down to the lowlands to warn its inhabitants. The angry and frothing seas met with the eastern cliffs of Tarak Isle just a few hours after the meteor struck, neither willing to give way. Outlying rocks, unmolested for millennia were cracked and obliterated under the onslaught. Spray shot high into the air to sprinkle the woodlands and plains on the coast.

The harbour town of Nelin was not so lucky. The waves sailed over the harbour walls. Wood, brick, boats were all swept away by the huge waves. They swept buildings aside dragging their occupants out to sea. Screams filled the air as the survivors headed inland to the highlands surrounding the Tarak Mountains. Some of the Eagle Riders headed out to, battling the coastal winds and rain in the search for survivors. Each one returned empty clawed.

A smaller fragment plummeted into Lake Theraya, super heating the surrounding water before finding a home deep on the lakebed. Steam bellowed from the crash site and dead fish were left cooking on the water’s surface. Here the waves were not as high, only a few small fishing boats were capsized and the outer harbour of Porthilla protected any moored boats from harm. The town’s inhabitants ventured out briefly to catch a glimpse of the steam rising far off in the west.

Captain Tannock had seen enough. Clapping his fellow sentries on the shoulder he felt it his duty, as the most senior officer, to report the night’s happenings to the king and council. Surely they would want a short report before heading to the Cavern Hall for supper. He took the steps two at a time as he descended the stairwell; the only sound that of his scabbard bouncing off his right thigh. He met few others as he entered a corridor on the second floor and made his way to the king’s rooms.  His shadow flickered in the torchlight. Very little natural light could be found here, even in broad daylight.

* * *

The final part of the meteor crashed amongst the icy peaks of the Teseras Mountains, melting ice and snow and adding fresh water to the small rivers that made their way south to Etheracea. Steam once again rose high into the sky though it remained hidden within the thick cloud that surrounded the mountains. Deep within the glacier its strange inhabitants materialised from caves and hollows. These grey skinned brutes were dressed in black pelts made from the fur of dire wolves, their feet strapped with strips of leather to protect themselves from the harsh landscape. The meteor was calling them; all of them. Males, females, old and young took up arms and began leaving their homes as if starting some great pilgrimage. By night fall the glacial tribes were all marching towards the crash site as if driven by some mystical power and as the suns disappeared almost two hundred Orgalath were braving the sleet and snow of the glacier. Most were on foot but some rode giant spider-like creatures, used by some to help farm snow covered slopes.

Stu vs. NaNoWriMo Day 13: A Bit of Description

Looking at my stats page on the Nano website isn't making me feel that great. My average words stands at around 300 and I am way below the diagonal line. Finishing seems like a distant dream and I blame life an work getting in the way.

However this mamouth undertaking has given me a drive to write. i've worked on my story more in the last 13 days than I have in the last few years. My problem is that I'm a perfectionist. I edit as I go and like nothing I write dismissing it as cliche, boring or just not good enough.

Today I've been working on my second chapter which involves a lot of description. I would give you a sample but my latop has decided to have a midlife crisis and it won't connect to the internet. Thank the lord for Mr IPad, here to save the day. I promise my next excert will be up tonight. I really want some feedback on it.

Stu vs NaNoWrimo: Day 8 (falling even further behind)

I find work is increasingly getting in the way of my mojo.

I have been doing a bit though bringing my total up to around 2000. Over the past few days I've been closing on finishing the prologue. I deep in the midst of writing a crucial peice of dialogue to fliesh out the comings and goings of my fantasy universe. I have also mapped out the rest of the story using flashcards and am now knee deep in them. Even if I reach the magical 50,000 words theis story will be far from finished.

My real problem may come by the weekend as I try to write the chapters that I haven't given much thought too. I can see me hitting the wall soon.
B
The silver lining to all this is that this is the most intense period of writing I've done in years and enjoying every minute of it. Isn't that the point of all this?

Stu v.s NaNoWriMo Day 6: Fight Scene

Well after a few days of no writing I am seriously lagging behind. This evening I was back with a vegence having written my first fight scene since my second year of uni. Back then I reinacted the battle Peter Jackson styly to check I wasn't doing anything impossible. I fully intended to do the same with this one but as it happened there was no need due to lack of moves. Yes it was a short one yet no less important and fleshed out with a spell, some description and even more inner monologging(?)

Here we go, enjoy and as always comments and critiscisms are most welcome

Shaken out his trance by his sons, the three made their way over the rubble and bodies. The edge of this brick is scorched and blistered. No catapult could have done this. I must get answers. I must find the king. Their progress down the stairwell was slow due to Nathal’s injury. As they descended; fighting could be heard on each floor, yet they found no conflict of their own, only corpses. I only see Etheran corpses and this strange green substance. Is it blood? Has the enemy suffered any loses and if so where are the bodies? I cannot stand all this confusion.

“Irmane, Nathal! In here no-” He was cut short as he opened a side door on the first floor. There confronting them was some huge armoured monstrosity.

The newcomer was fast, swinging his blade, slicing horizontally in an attempt to behead the elf. However Traemidan was quicker. Keeping his weight on his left side, he dived back towards the staircase, rolling and twisting together, coming up on one knee facing his attacker. However with no weapon he was defenceless. That thing’s huge! The monster emerged from the sunless corridor, stopping briefly to retrieve it’s sword that had become embedded in the beech door. Standing at over eight feet it dwarfed the three Etherans, its head and chest hidden by some strange amour, studded with what looked like blue emerald crystals. Its skin was a semi-translucent blue-green colour. Traemidan could see dark veins pulsating underneath.  

Seeing his father weapon less, Irmane let go of his brother and leapt forward, bringing his sword up to meet the creatures deadly thrust as his father backed away. The creature’s sword was made from a single piece of corral. Not a single join could be seen. As the blades met the air seemed to shimmer as if giving off some mystical energy. The force of the blow brought Irmane painfully to his knees and the blade fell from his grip. All he could do was clutch his injured arm as the creature prepared to strike again. Traemidan watched their eyes meet, knowing that without a weapon, he could do nothing. He tried to shout. Nathal! Help your brother... Irmane to me... Not a sound came out. Nathal, weapon forgotten, began to mutter something under his breath.

Fear gripped both father and son, paralysing them as the creature stabbed downward towards Irmane. No. The corral blade connected between the neck and collar bone, biting through mail, flesh and bone. All Irmane could manage was a sharp gargling noise as blood bubbled up through his mouth as he slumped to the floor. Relentlessly the beast unsheathed his sword from the half-elf’s body and turned on Traemidan. A second later the stairwell was flooded with a bright light and intense heat causing Traemidan to shield his eyes. Confused he saw the charred remains of the monster crumble to the floor. In an instant the dim conditions returned but the heat somewhat remained. He blinked successively, trying to bring moisture to his stinging eyes. It actually hurts to breathe.

As he stood he noticed Nathal, standing quite breathless where Irmane had left him. His right arm was outstretched with something small glowing in his balled up hand. Did my son do that? How? What manner of sorcery was that and what of Irmane? He rushed forward to Irmane, crouching down he scooped his body in his arms, cradling him to his chest. He was limp and cold. That look of fear still etched across his young face. At that moment his resolve vanished; he began to whimper and tears began to pool on the stone floor beneath him. It should have been me. He was just trying to protect me but it should have been the other way around. No longer will I hear his voice, see him test his skill in the yard, get to see the man he would become.

“Father?” A familiar voice. Distant.

“Father!” There it is again, but my son lies before me. Dead.

“Father! We must go, there will be many more after that and I am unsure I have the strength for a repeat performance.” Nathal was standing over his father, trying desperately to pull him up. Slowly Traemidan rose; not wanting to take his eyes off the body of his son, now lying in a pool of crimson. I will return and retrieve you my son. You shall find peace amongst the trees as your ancestors did. He turned away, glancing briefly at the creature’s charred remains before bringing his foot down on its skull, reducing it to ash.  I have never seen fire do this bone. Did the same thing happen to the walls of Nethergal?

Oh and an updated word count now has me at 1,691. Woohoo, just 49,309 words to go in just 24 days.

Stu vs NaNoWrimo: Day 2

Yes there are a few hours before day two officially ends but It's been slow going. I think I've done roughly around 910 words of very rough writing. I actually started this evening with a quick edit that added some emotion into my prologue. I also managed to get a few hundred words written during my lunch break as well. I really am in this for the long run it seems.


This evening was also good, I've introduced Traemidan's (POV for prologue) two sons and fleshed them out enough to hopefully leave the reader wanting more. I have just realised that in no such previous post have I mentioned my genre (reading the excerpt will give this away) or my target audience which is Young Adult. I'm calling it a night now though but not before I leave you with a little excerpt:

Suddenly the world around him came alive as if his hearing had just returned. Shouts and screams could be heard echoing through the corridors outside his room and the clash of metal on metal was ringing in his ears. Once again he tried to stand, his vision instantly blurring as he doubled over in pain, recovering just long enough to vomit down his green leather stockings. The stench of which did little to relieve the nausea. Traemidan took a moment to survey his once immaculate room lying in ruins. Shreds of his red silk drapes covered the floor soaking up a mix of blood and some green viscous substance he didn’t recognise. Other personal items lay smashed upon the floor and his gilded plate mail and long sword were missing. My father’s sword... gone. I must find the king.

He pushed himself once again to his feet, somehow managing to keep his balance as the pain in his head and right arm intensified. Slowly he edged towards the door, losing his footing more than once. He stepped over the unrecognisable forms of the soldiers, stopping briefly to notice something had torn out their throats, their swords still sheathed in their belts. Whatever killed these men must have caught them unawares. That’s not like any soldier of the king I know, what has occurred here? He made it to the doorway and although the corridor was deserted the castle was awash with noise; shouting and screaming what was that snarling sound. If pure evil had a voice he was sure that was it. The air was thick with the smell of burning wood. The castle was ablaze, though which part was unclear. A feint smile returned to the old elf’s face as he caught a glimpse of his two sons, emerging from a cross passage.

Irmane and Nathal were half –elves. Their mother was Etheran. Irmane, the elder of the two was taller and more muscular about the shoulder from his time spent sparring in the training yard. His jet black hair, matted with dried sweat and blood fell to his shoulders. In that moment he could not have looked any less like his elvish father. His chainmail had taken a battering and his broadsword, dripping more of that green viscous fluid seemed heavy in his right hand. His left was arched over his brother, helping him to walk. Nathal was the polar opposite of his brother, shorter with a more angular face like his fathers. He grimaced with every step; his librarians cloak slashed in several places and stained a deep red. Blood red! thought Traemidan.  

As if seeing their father for the first time, they quickened their pace, relief clearly showing on tired faces. As they embraced Traemidan let out yelp of pain in memory of his flailing right arm. Nathal stooped to inspect the injury but Traemidan pulled him up.

“What has happened here? Who attacked us? Where is the king?” His questions came tumbling out, not pausing for answers. Irmane untangled himself from his brother and placed a hand in the small of his father’s back and gave him a small nudge.

“Where have you been father, under a rock? That blow to the head must have affected you,” he replied urging his father forward yet always alert. What has my son so on edge, maybe I did take a fall. It would certainly begin to explain a few things. “We must get out of the city before we are totally overrun. Once free we should head west and warn the remaining garrisons of what has transpired here. Who knows how many Eagle Riders managed to escape.

The trio came to the stairs at the southern side of the castle. Fear gripped Traemidan as he noticed huge chunks of wall were missing. He stood transfixed, staring out at the world beyond the walls. The air was thick with smoke making it difficult to see much at all except the sky, and what a strange sight it was. Gone were the blue skies and wispy clouds he knew so well. They had been replaced by reds, purples and oranges. The sky is on fire, this must be some trick, an abnormal sunset perhaps.

Criticism, encouragement, pointers on how I can improve, I want it all. I keep thinking I can only get better. Now please excuse me as I'm off to watch Terra Nova, one of my guilty pleasures for American TV.

Stu vs The Synopsis

I'm never one to just jump right in or am I organised enough to actually plan to far ahead (strange as I'm a teacher but I digress)

So this morning I knocked up a quick synopsis for my NanoWrimo (I love saying that, it just roles off the tongue) novel. Yes it probably has more holes in it than Julius Caesar's corpse but it's a start and I'm sure it will change as I progress.

If anyone is interested here it is in all it's glory:

Synopsis

As a comet breaks up over the land of Etheracea, Traemidan, the last surviving Elf has a vision of a bleak future where mana once again fuels desires and strange creatures are laying waste to their lands.

He wakes to find his King has died and with Prince Garaan far off in the north he is unsure who to trust on the Council of Eldars. He dispatches his son's to take word to the Prince of his father's death and bring him home.

Upon his return and after the coronation Traemidan tells Garaanand the Council of what he witnessed in his dream. However they do not share his concerns and is removed from the council. The newly crowned Garaan Declares that under his rule the realm will be united once again and the garrisons of the north are to prepare for his arrival as he intends to lead a raiding party into the Tesseras Mountains and bring back the comet shard that fell there.

Not about to give up Traemidan sets out for Tarak Isle, where the king's brother, Wrain, commands the Eagle Riders, hoping for a better reception.

Traemidan's sons, Eliyan and Vrai, accompany the Garaan into the mountains where they come up against the Orgalath clans who have claimed the comet shard for themselves. Something in the rock has changed some of the creatures physiology and the Etherans' are crushed in the mountain passes. Garaan, Eliyan, Vrai and small group of soldiers are captured but not before word is sent to Tarak Isle where the Eagle Riders mount a rescue attempt.

The rescue is a success and the Etherans' make off with a part of the comet which is given to the Eldars for study. This research leads to the discovery of mana in the rock and begins to corrupt the Eldars who in turn begin to lead Garaan down a dark path that involves the capture of Traemadin and his sons. King Garaan then holds a series of tournaments in his own honor where Eliyan and Vrai witness the death of their father but are rescued along with the mysterious Flo'Rina by the Eagle Riders.

Now I have work this afternoon but I really want to have written my prologue by tomorrow. I'm feeling very ambivolent about this whole project right now.

Stu vs NanoWrimo

Tomorrow is November 1st, for most it is just another day for pinching and punching and a few white rabbits. For me it will be this and more with the start of National Novel Writing Month. I've got an idea for the story I'm going to attempt. I'm in the process of writing a quick plan. Yes I know I should have done this already but I've been busy with stag do's and a best man speech which I delivered with a few laughs on Saturday. It may just have been the most nerve racking moment of my life to date.

Stu vs Another Book Down

Well, that was an easy read. I'm talking about about a Diary of A Wimpy Kid and it was ok. Much better than the film, which was poor. Yes I know it's a kids film but even so.

The book did make me chuckle in places but nowhere near as much as the Horrid Henry books. I did buy the complete set but will hold off on the others while I get back to some meaty fantasy. I'm just about to sink my teeth into the ancient lands of Azeroth and Kalimdor. This is of course the world of Warcraft and has been recommended to me by my brother.

On another note I'm sinking my teeth into another writing project. The Facebook writing group I belong to are creating an anthology of poems and short stories with song titles as the focus. My attempt will be called Wonderwall and that's all I'm saying for now.

Now with all this writing stacking up, I'm going to sign off and actually go do something about it.

Nanu nanu

Stu vs A Novel in November

Challenge accepted!

Regular readers may know a few months back I joined a writers group on the The Book of Face, and although not a regular poster I put my two cents in every once and a while. Well while trawling posts I found a link to a website celebrating National Novel Month (if anyone hasn't guessed it already it's next month.

So I've signed up and accepted the challenge of writing 50,000 words in a month. Now considering I've written precisely 0 in the last two months this seems a little daunting. Hovever with the challenge being non-genre specific I thought I could get a move on with my childrens novel that I can only describe as Rugrats in Space... intrigued I hope so.

Stay tuned for regular (hopefully!) updates on my progress and maybe the odd excert.

Stu vs Campaign Cartographer 3

Now I can draw, I'm not an artist but when I put pencil to paper the finished product looks vaguely like it should. However I wanted to create a really authentic and cool (emphasis on the cool) looking map to show the world of Etheracea. I had a go at doing a hand-drawn version which, although ok, didn't cut the mustard.

So I went searching for a little help. Now I have no arty friends but have found the next best thing. A user friendly computer programme that does it for you. A case of drag and drop. Well it arrived in the post this morning. I have installed it and as I have an hour or so to kill will be giving it a test run. I will be placing a few of my efforts here and on my website (if they turn out good that is).

Time to get my geek on.

P.S. Just watched a new American show called Revenge. Suffice to say it was very good, will be tuning in again.

Stu vs his website

There has been too much time between posts, so to all my regular readers I appologise (if I have any). The reason has been the end of the school holidays and going back to work. On the bright side its been better than the end of last term, having got work in a mor local school.

I've also joined a writer's group on facebook which is full of very active writers. One thing I've found is that so many of them have their own websites and as a result I've created my own. Here's the link which can also be found in the 'Links to Me' section

http://awritersblock.weebly.com/

On a completely different noteand with a small stab of jealousy my son made it into a magazine this month... And before his dad. If you have it please check out this months Good Food. The bottom picture on letters page is my son chowing down on his mum's Good Food.

Stu vs. Writer's Bureau Assignment 1

I've just received my first assignment back and am really chuffed with the feedback. Maybe I'm not kidding myself and can get published. I've also received the brief for A3 and the learning curve for this course is surely exponential but only a little daunting.

So here is my first assignment in all it's glory along with my tutors feedback:

Assignment 1: Creating Characters

 9-12 Character - Eragon (Eragon)

Eragon is a popular character because he is a character most can identify with. He is on the cusp of adulthood when a single event changes his life forever. He then embarks on an adventure to battle evil and that fantastical element may appeal to young boys, however his problems are rooted in the real world; those of friendship and dealing with loss are issues that face every child no matter their age or upbringing. This makes Eragon a plausible and likeable character and we accompany him along the way and grow with him.

5-7 Character - Horrid Henry (Horrid Henry)

Horrid Henry is a prankster. Children in this age group really believe, like Henry, they are always right and don’t understand necessarily what they do is wrong. The books focus on Henry's viewpoint so we can understand his motives for doing things. They can sympathise with him as the victim rather than the bully older children know he is. Henry is of school age dealing with problems that most other children encounter, from annoying parents and siblings to girls at school. Children of this age have the same mindset as Henry and follow him hoping his schemes will work.

7-9 Character - Fox (Animals of Farthing Wood)

In a book with an ensemble of characters, Fox is the appointed leader of a band of animals. He is commanding as all leaders should be. He is also selfless and compassionate towards all others no matter what. With no titular character in this book, readers don't picture themselves as the leader but as a follower. As we go through the book the reader realises the sacrifices Fox has to make while helping others as we would help our friends. The reader looks up to Fox, believing in him, willing him to get us to the end safely.

Cosmo (5-7)

Cosmo is an outgoing boy of six that lives with his dad on a Tarakian space station. His mother died in a raid on a Scurge scout ship. Cosmo is left alone most days to roam the ship with his only friend, a sentient robot toy called Bal-4 as there are no other children onboard. Bal-4 was given to him by his dad after arriving on the S.S. Sibilius.

            Cosmo is a small boy for his age with a little piggy nose and very blonde hair. He is constantly covered in cut and bruises from crawling through ducts and other small spaces on the ship; this usually ends up with him getting in trouble with his dad. He also has a bionic eye after losing one boxing with Bal-4. This eye allows him to see infra-red and have x-ray vision. He has learnt much about space travel from workers on the ship and his father allows him to do small jobs for all those on board.  Cosmo dreams of one day becoming a space adventurer and is constantly making up scenarios where he must save the ship from invaders.

Nathan Thames (7-9)

Nathan is ten years old and attends a very prestigious private school in the southwest of England.  He is tall for his age with jet black hair and grey eyes. Nathan can be described as slightly rotund and walks with a slight limp, having one leg shorter than the other. He also wears glasses due to being shortsighted.

            A clever and creative child who has problems sustaining this over prolonged periods resulting in him lagging behind his friends, this doesn't bother him though.  Nathan enjoys his sport though wouldn't be called sporty. Due to his size he has excelled in the scrum of the school rugby team. At home he spends his time playing his dad's old SNES, he loves retro games.

            He really lacks in self-confidence around strangers but is really close with his friends. His best friend is Snotty Fred who he has known since they were five; they also share the same birthday. In their spare time Nathan and his friends, Fred and twins Ruben and Holly, spend their time making up adventures, obstacle courses using everyday items from the class room and talking video games. They are considered geeky outcasts by their class mates.

Ryan Phelps (9-12)

Ryan has just moved to Surcliffe in Dorset with his mother, who wanted Ryan to have a better life. Over the past year he has got into frequent fights with others at his school. He has no brothers or sisters and his dad left when he was just a baby. As a result he finds it hard to make friends and is content to be the silent one at the back of the class who gets on with his work. He is very intelligent; he just doesn’t know where he wants to go in life.

Ryan is mature and very independent, helping his mum around the house as much as he can. He is just starting his A-Levels in biology, history and media studies.

Ryan has very curly brown hair and brown eyes and walks with his shoulders hunched in an attempt to be left alone; this also disguises his surprising upper-body strength. Bullied at primary school, Ryan despises people who pick on others and has developed a short temper because of this. On his first day his new school he finds an unlikely friend in James, a Year 11 outcast.

Dialogue

"Peas... Again!" sighed Tom disgusted as he sat down at the lunch, "I hate peas. Sarah can I put them on your plate?"

   "No you may not!" Sarah replied, rolling her eyes as she scooted onto the bench behind him, "my mum always says you must eat your greens."

Tom gathered up a spoonful of peas. "Your mum never told me nothing, here have some more," said Tom, tipping the peas over Sarah's plate.

   "Tom! Stop it! Take them off, take them OFF!" squealed Sarah as she jumped up to aviod the overflowing peas on the table. Tom put a few peas on the palm of his hand and flicked them in Sarah's face.

   "Eat your greens Sarah. Eat your greens... they're good for you," mocked Tom, flicking more peas at her. Sarah burst into tears.

   "Miss Evans! Tom's flicking his peas at me again!" sobbed Sarah.

Feedback

Popular Children's Characters
You have summed up the characters well and hilighted the reasons children would relate to them. Don't forget to credit the authors with their work.

Your Own Characters
Cosmo - An appealing character who would suit the age group, although it will be a challenge writing sc-fi for children so young.

Nathan - A strong character

Ryan - If he's starting his A-levels he's too old. Children refer to read about others a little older than themselves, so he should be twelve, thirteen at the most. Make sure he has some flaws or weaknesses which make him more human, more interesting and provide characteristics which will determine how he reacts to the challenges he faces in the story.

All characters have to be a little larger than life. They must have passions, fears and courage, Give them memorable features and mannerisms and let them make an impact so the reader remembers them. Fix them in the mind by creating an anchor - a name, habit, way of speaking, a sensory perception.

Dialogue
A very god peice of natural dialogue with plenty of conflict, but it's not clear who the viewpoint character is as you have no thoughts. It's best to stick with one point of view (even 3rd person) and tell the story through the main character's eyes, at least in books for younger children. For older readers you can have more than one viewpoint character (third person multiple) but would still be 'inside' the head of that character and would only change between chapters.

You have woven plenty of action into the dialogue too, so that the reader has a mental image of what is happening and where. This helps break up the dialogue, anchors the speech in the scene and contributes to characterisation.

It's not necessary to attribute all speech as long as it's clear who is speaking. Most attributive verbs are, and should be, invisible. They should not take the eye away from the speech. If you need to use one, said is usually the best. It is not noticed. The only time an attributive verb really pulls its weight when the meaning of the spoken words in't clear from speech, necessating, for example, 'she lied'.

Fictiona dialogue must have a point an a destination. It can never be general or polite conversation (or arguments). Dialogue is real life conversation without its sidetracks. It has two main functions: to move the story along and reveal character, which yours does very well.

A very good start to the course and I look forward to your next assignmen. Please let me know of any feedback you begin submitting material to publishers.

Well there it is folks and well done to anyone who has actually read this. Stay tuned for more writing adventures soon.

Stu vs The Research

If people actually read my ramblings then you'll know I've finally submitted my A1 for the WB's children's writing course. This logically leads onto to A2 (I know I bet your as shocked as I was). Whereas the first was all about characters, and as there are so many stored in my head, seemed easy to write (though more difficult to hone), this second one is actually requiring some thought; it revolves around story and plot.

So I've taken it upon myself to do some research while off on summer holidays; yes being a teacher has its perks. Now my local library has proven to be quite crappy in the past and it didn't fail to surprise me yesterday either. All I managed to pick up was Cabbages From Outer Space (yes it is as bad as it sounds) and The Day of the Monster Pigeons, which I have yet to sample but should be more appropriate.

Waterstones yielded a greater selection of books and a hunt on Amazon has found them at more affordable prices so will be making a bulk order over the weekend. I'm hoping to find a gap in the market with a series of space-based stories for 5-7 year olds. I have a couple of fantasy-based ideas for the others. More info to come.

Stu vs A Foray into the World of Publishing

I finally got my first experience with the publishing industry this week... And no it wasn't purchasing a new book. I am still sinking my teeth into George R.R. Martin's A Dance With Dragons on the book front.

Anyway I digress, a couple of weeks ago I was asked to consult on a new book for supply teachers, being one myself and I am actually getting paid for it. Its been an interesting forray into the world of publishing and after rereading my notes... quite brutal! So please be free to check out the new book in the 'Brilliant' series.

On a separate note Assignmnt 1 for my Writing for Children's course is complete and being sent off tomorrow. One down, thirteen to go. Hopefully the next one won't take me four months.

This is me signing off for today.