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Timeline: Aurori's GambitTimeline Workshop: Aurori's Gambit, Tarien ColeMore Like This
BEWARE, there be SPOILERS here. (I do try to keep them mild.)
Catalyst: Dyna Fenser, the erstwhile Preceptra of the Order of the Dragon, has been made a Lady of the Night in her own right. But the terms the Darkness made for her elevation included the capture, taming, and presentation of Aishe Aurori to the Empty Throne. (What is the Empty Throne/Darkness? I let the reader decide, you can try your Church Lady voice here if you wish.)
Big Event: Fenser discovers the Kunzer family (which Aishe has married into) is meeting in Slany, and orchestrates mischief to lure her and her husband Kilian fr
Sometime in the OvernightI clicked over 25000 pageviews! I know, we're not supposed to look at them. They're just an ego-trip. Yeah yeah.More Like This
Well, when it comes to my work, I have an ego.
The clock says I've been here four years. But the very first Aurori post, which constituted the 1st thing I ever submitted here, was hoisted on October 13, 2010. So about 24,500 of those views have come in the last 2.5 years. Not a bad rate for someone with barely any graphic art on his board. I appreciate the interest and feedback I've received over that time.
On another note, I saw an article recently that of the 300 six-figure contracts announced over calendar year 2012, 45 of them were picked up after being independently released. Now, when you factor in the number of those that had to have been previously contracted writers who received a 'raise' based on their sales, and I'd bet that those 45 represent at *least* half the total of new writers getting high value contracts last year.
Now I'm not su
The Story Never Ends. But Sometimes...The Writer isn't ready to write it. :iconfoxsighplz:More Like This
Writing Alt-Aishe (would that be Faishe?) was fun, and I thought it got me back into the groove of writing The Aurori Saga. Then I hit chapter 3 and realized it was just too depressing.
Maybe it's the combination of real life and having to 'work' to finish the Sci-Fi. I knew I left Kilian and Aishe in a hard place at the end of Aurori's Eclipse. Personally, Politically, and even their own relationship, they are both strained to breaking. And the tension was going to remain there for much of the book. But putting that to the page is like shoveling snow. All the things I enjoyed about the Aurori stories are shoved WAAAAY down the list. Ultimately, they reappear, of course. But it's hard. And they're changed. I like where it ends, and the doors it opens for them.
But I'm absolutely not ready to take that journey with them.And I knew it as soon as I started Chapter 2. I finished Chapter 3, and got half-way through 4, and
Rithea and Commander BryeisonIn the Courtyard with Rithea and BryeisonMore Like This
To the castle courtyard Rithea and High Commander Bryeison went. They walked by way of the gallery to enjoy the varying hues of the coloured-glass windows being projected within the hallway at this time in the late afternoon. It was warmer in the gallery than either of them should have preferred, but whether this was due to the sun pervading the gallery with no exit or to the happy agitation both felt for the new conversancy to two who had been used to seclusion neither of them could decipher. They spoke a few gentle words, remarking on the glory of the day, the exultation each felt for according in
Gutter- The LenoreThe Laughing Sailor was, in Loch's opinion, the perfect example of a tavern- at least, the kind his father had warned him to stay away from. So, naturally, it lifted his spirits a little to go inside. Most of the men were already roaring drunk, a few girls were sitting in the laps of strangers and giggling foolishly, and Loch was certain that there was a brawl beginning in the corner of the room.More Like This
This was soon confirmed when one of the men threw another onto a table, sending crockery and mugs clattering everywhere, while the surrounding people began egging the two on.
"Over here," Nemi said, pulling him towards the barman, an ugly fellow wi
Fool's Gold - Part 1 CH 15Jayce rubbed paw over her arm as she stooped out of her father's den. Representatives from ten surrounding Lupeau packs had convened at the Pack of the Cercle to reclaim their missing. She had been requested to be present at the weeklong affair. Her mind was far from the proceedings.More Like This
"Our guests seem satisfied with the resolutions." The blind elder followed her out into the fresh morning air.
"Hmm." Jayce nodded.
"Each one found their home waiting for them, except one." The old wolf strode beside the younger woman.
"Which one?"
"That young one, playing with the other pups of our pack." She gestured to the center of the den area. A mess o
Fool's Gold - Part 1 CH 14"Does everyone remember what to do?" Marcos turned to the small group of people as the car pulled into the zoo's parking lot. Six people looked back at him and nodded. "Ok, Jayce, Remus said we had about 30 minutes to get any of our kind out of here. Then it's the PETA Police's show."More Like This
"They're not the PETA cops…I called the ethics committee of the Zoo. They informed the authorities." Faye frowned at the red Lupeau who looked out of place surrounded by two girls, a guy and three kids. "My friend who works dispatch informed me about the task force's schedule."
"I can't believe it took two days for them to get their act together."
"Antos
The Galaxy Sings in B FlatThe galaxy sings in B flat.More Like This
Fifty-seven octaves below middle C, hundreds of thousands of tiny stars with little worlds trailing atmospheres in elliptical orbits. Double-star systems, triple-star, more; planets, civilisations, dark matter, tangible matter, all circling, swarming, humming together in one enormous note, not bumping together but carrying a wave from the centre of their island universe, expanding out into space…
Sound cannot exist in a vacuum. This is a widely known fact. And space is a vacuum, sure. But only when you look at it from here, from our tiny little world. Close your eyes, zoom out, and look at the celestial
Prophecies of War "Is it true that the Narz skin the soles from the feet of their dead?" Keeve gulped, fingering the stiff collar of his leather armour.More Like This
"That it is little brother, but only those they consider to be enemies."
"Bryce – do the Narz consider us to be their enemy?"
"You and I? No, no. We are wardens of the Raighl clan. Keepers of the 'Old Ties'. Tribal barbarians or not – the Narz will hold to their alliance with the Keltir clans and the Vikir people.
"Maybe so, but then why is that one eyeing my feet?" Keeve declined his head in an almost imperceptible nod, indicating one of the two tribesmen stationed befor
To Create a CharacterAre you starting a story? Do you have an incomplete, flawed, or no character at all? It's happened to me many times and in my struggles to perfect my creations, I have learned a few things. I present you with seven easy steps with a challenge each to get you thinking.More Like This
Grab a piece of paper and a pencil. Let's start…
Step 1: Past
When creating a character, you must first establish a past. Even a person with amnesia has a past, they just don't remember it. Pasts are important, they show what shaped the person and why they are the way they are today.
If your character has a scar, why? If they have amnesia, why? If they have a phobia of
Casting Runes Part 103 Liam nervously licked his lips and could not do anything but wait for Colleen’s response.More Like This
All he got was a smile, insecure and shy. Then she took his hands in hers and tugged at them as she went backwards…to the bed. Liam gulped, unsure what she would do next and even more uncertain about his own actions.
“Colleen…”, he mumbled even though he did not know in the slightest what he was trying to say, but she silenced him with a smile and a quiet: “Shush.”
Still smiling and, runes’ sake, blushing, Colleen crawled under the only blanket of the double bed and pulled Liam down with her. He lay there, stiff as a board, heart and mind racing, when Colleen spread the blanket over them both and then seriously cuddled against his side. Without conscious thought, Liam wrapped one arm around her shoulders and winced as she put her finger onto his
Casting Runes Part 65“Lunch’s ready…”More Like This
This was an excuse Colleen tried to get away from Liam with, and Jordis understood her all too well. Grimacing, she admitted to herself, that she did in fact not understand her sister, as she had never experienced anything like she had had to endure. The thought that she was glad, made her feel guilty and she felt tears well up in her eyes. There had been so much pain in Colleen’s life…
“I’ll fetch us something to eat…”, her sister said and backed away from Liam. He let her go, which was surely best for all of them, but Jordis could see that he did not like it.
She and Neil exchanged a glance, as her beloved knight gently put a hand on her shoulder, and then they nodded at each other. A smile appeared on her lips as the two of them understood each other’s thought without a single word, but then she turned to Liam and led him to the front door of the hut, while Neil approached her sister.
Casting Runes Part 47“Alright.”, she then shakily said and Jordis waited, what she would tell her.More Like This
Colleen’s fists were clenched and her teeth were gritted as she tried to speak. But she started a few sentences until she sighed and shook her head, mumbling: “No, this…no, I can’t.”
“Colleen…”, Jordis held her back and now did touch her sister, gently grabbing her arm to hold her in place. She spun around and instead of the expected fury, Jordis say panic in her eyes.
“Runes, Colleen!”, she gasped and took her sister’s hand in her, caringly squeezing her fingers, “What happened?”
“He had Father killed.”, she whispered and Jordis gulped as she really did not want to hear this, but she had to. And Colleen had to speak of this, finally.
“They just…stabbed him, right through. They didn’t even talk to him, just…just killed him like a stray dog.”, Colleen spoke, her gaze lo
Der Dreizehnte"Manche Wälder eignen sich nur dafür, dass einige pikante Adelige auf frisierten Rössern edel über Baumstämme hopsen und als Zeitvertreib nach Füchsen mit glänzendem Fell jagen."More Like This
Humy zitierte den Text mit schwärmerisch geschlossenen Augen. Ihre kleinen, über und über mit Runzeln bedeckten Hände vollführten dabei großartige Gesten.
"Nun, mein Bester! Wäre das nicht etwas für Dich?"
Ich sah meine Agentin mit vor Entsetzen geweiteten Augen an und fand nach geraumer Zeit auch endlich meine Sprach wieder.
"Humy", erklärte ich mit einem Seufzer „ich bin zwar nur eine Nebenrolle 5. Grades, aber selbst wir Nebenrollen haben unseren Stolz! So schlecht, dass ich es überhaupt in Erwägung ziehen würde, in einer Geschichte mitzuspielen, die so beginnt, kann es mir wirklich nicht gehen!"
"Ist das ein 'Nein'?", fragte die kleine weißhaarige Dame und blinzelte kurzsichtig über die Ränd
The Old ManThe old man's wife passed away a few days ago.More Like This
He wouldn't like me writing it that way—a fan of George Carlin, the thought of 'soft words' tended to make him cringe; he would have preferred 'died' or 'shuffled off her mortal coil.' He said that second one plenty. Every few years now one of his friends shuffles off their mortal coil, and he always says it that way when he finds their name in the obituary. 'I guess Mavis shuffled off her mortal coil. A shame. She had the most wonderful rack as a young woman. Would've married her if I hadn't met Julia.'
The old man wasn't exactly politically correct. Come to think of it, he was a bit of
TarienCole on hooks, audience and BetaReadersHappy Holidays, everyone! Hopefully everyone intends to unplug and have some good RL times.More Like This
We'd like to welcome our new members:
:iconjoanfarley: :icondeliriumgothique: :icongodzilla2003: :iconblackcherryangel: :iconhana-kuro594: :iconskeletonboy:
And our new Co-Founder:
:iconmothbanquet:
They've joined us in our journey to make the leap to pro! We're exploring ways to build a creative career, using whatever tools we have on hand.
If you've been reading the journals and articles, you've probably been getting an inkling of a sometimes-scary truth: being an artist basically means you're an entrepreneur. But no worries! Entrepreneurs experience more success when they support each other, and that's what this group is for.
If you haven't already, take the poll I posted yesterday. The popular response is pretty clear so far: we have mostly writers in this group. That's great, b
Extrasolar Origin (Ver 2012)More Like This
EXTRASOLAR
Origin (2012 Version)
Written by: Bjorn Malmberg and Ryan Malone
Planet Orion, second planet from the main sun in the Pi3 Orionis solarsystem...
He sat patiently and waited in the shadows outside the children school building. It was a pyramid shaped complex, in the middle of the Boeotian jungle. Tall trees shadowed most of the buildings, but further away towers of shell white concrete and glass reached above the roof top of the dense forest. He envisioned the inside of the building in his old mind. It was difficult to hold the thoughts, they floated away and got dimmed. So old. So far from home. He knew that she was in there.
A New BeginningMore Like This
Extrasolar: A New Beginning
by Björn Malmberg and Ryan Malone
"Medical Officer Jonathan Falk, 995-556?" a short woman in the white lab coat called out. The boarding hall resembled an airport terminal with its long rows of low benches crammed with people. The main difference was that there were no windows, just a large dome of white painted metal. A suntanned, brown-haired man rose. He wore casual clothes, scruffy jeans, military boots, grey t-shirt and black leather jacket. He was in his mid-twenties, well-trained and fit like the rest of people who were waiting for their names to be called out. He swayed, not use
ES An Unfortunate AccidentMore Like This
EXTRASOLAR
Episode 1
An Unfortunate Accident
The room was pleasantly lit by the soft light streaming in from a roof window. A polished black table mirrored everything in the white room of the Orion parliament building, mostly the group of ten people who sat around it. They were all government officials, dressed in expensive suits, except for three people in plain outfits. A black haired woman in a dull business suit, Charmine Andal, Public Official of the Orbitals, rose and nodded politely at the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Orion Party and moderator of this meeting.
She turned her head to three people across her, two men and one f
ES OriginMore Like This
EXTRASOLAR
Episode 2 Origin
White ceramic-surfaced tables stood in neat rows in the bright, sunlit classroom. There was silence and anticipation in the air. A little girl was standing in front of the class. On the ceramic screen behind her was a drawing of a triangle-shaped object with blue flames shooting out of its back, next to a colourful sketch of a planet with only one moon. Stars and crescent moons framed the image.
The seven-year-old girl's name was Elden Stark and it was a Show and Tell day at her school. The theme was the upcoming celebration, "Legacy of the Blue World, 500 Years." Nineteen children were sitting in silence, waiti
freedom to know eternityi.More Like This
Dragon's shadow is bigger than him.
Jane only notices this when they're flying patrol. Her eyes trace the shape following them on the ground so far below, and a faint memory tickles her bones – "So much nothing between here and there," she'd whispered, more scared and alive than she could ever want – she teeters on the edge of realization – but it falls away as soon as Dragon opens his snout and whoops with sheer joy. The powerful cords of muscle along his snakelike body curl with exertion as they cut through the sky, and behind her wide-open eyes, Jane knows what it is to be free.
She joins him in one long wail, the happiest they've ev
Michail's storyThe rain was pouring down from leaden skies above and lightning made the world light up in flashes of silhouettes. Thunder drowned the sound of hooves hammering against the muddy road that eagerly erased every trace in puddles of water. The small group of crimson clad soldiers never paused to look back but pushed their horses forward, muttering genuine excuses to the exhausted beasts that had been their companions for years. The horses in return did not fail their masters, sensing the urgency in their errand and defying the bitter winter rain. Ovdovan could sense the presence of his men right behind him, their loyalty making his heart weep inMore Like This
Sisters beneath the willowOnce upon a time, there lived a wealthy Merchant with his two daughters Lissinda and Marielle.More Like This
Lissinda was dark haired and dark hearted where Marielle was a child of sunlight and laughter. She was so beautiful that most young men only had eyes for her.
And so it came to pass, that the young Minstrel Talagand, came to the city and saw Marielle in her fathers' garden, picking flowers.
"Such beauty cannot remain unpraised in song and stories" he thought, and decided to compose a song to her that would serve her beauty justice.
One night, Talagand went to the garden to sing beneath his loved ones window. His song was so sweet and beautiful t
The legend of the Silvertear lakeOnce upon a time, in years beyond our own, a dragon of the Timekeepers flight fell in love with a mortal woman. Her hair was the colour of sunlight, her lips like a rose in bloom, and her eyes rivalled the midnight sky.More Like This
But their love could not be, for no dragon may love a mortal, and no mortal will ever live long enough to share a dragons life.
Yet, they met in secret under the weeping willows, pledging their undying love under the moon, and for just a few hours, he made time stand still.
As years passed by and mortality withered her beauty like the leaves of autumn, the dragon decided to stop time eternally so his love would never die. H
Up is down[ Can't make it.More Like This
Prof. M decided to hold an extra lecture.
Will be free in the evening.
Love you.]
I reread the text message for perhaps the eighteenth time before deciding that; no, the words weren't just going to magically rearrange themselves, yes, he really was occupied with studies and not that busty blonde chick that always sat to his left, and no, I wasn't an idiot and a fool for putting up with this shit. It took a while for me to understand my own train of thought. Maybe because the coffee was taking a bit longer than it usually did to kick in. When it did though, I slowly lowered my head against the cool metal of the table top and willed myself not to break down in public.
Things must really be bad if it's gotten to the point where I have to tell myself that everything's okay.
I lost track of time, too busy sorting through my muddled thoughts. It wasn't like anyone was going to ask me to leave, what with it being two in the afternoon a
Sta.sh
