‘Tomoe’s Whimper’: A poem for ‘Kamisama Kiss’

*Kind of difficult writing from a male perspective, but Tomoe’s character is so mysterious…here goes:

And she tickles my logic with her babbling

lips and those coy eyes

And I a yokai  who sips

from the red light  district

Is pulled in

Her longing is my whimper

from her cries and echoes,

frail under her strength

strong in her gentleness and

Her longing is my whimper

To have a human goddess

right under my clutches

right under my killing aura and 

powers of fire, I want only one

fire to possess her.

And her longing is my whimper

my secret worship of her

and her tiny voice, long hands and

her shrill scream when I catch her

in a lie or sighing because she loves me

but I am yokai- I can not be loved

a human can not be trusted.

I long to make her whimper

She is me I am her.

She needs me- I want her.

But oh, the longing in her eyes when we fight together

When we tear down walls of pride by shamelessly

baring all unspoken words

of what we wanted before we were…

I know I’m already hers.

Is she mine?

Freely Love Valentines eBook Giveaway, Hands Sea, and Fortunes

Okay, so you have exactly 14 days to get these eBooks free. That’s right. Download these books until February 28, 2013

Here are the coupon codes for each book-NOT CASE SENSITIVE(clicking on the books will take you to their respective pages on Smashwords, or  title links below.

The Prayer Monologues CODE: MQ73Y

Sea of Iron Hands CODE: AV35Y

Mark of Fortune (does not need a code. Free forever!)

Read ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Promise’ and you’ll give it five stars too

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise Part 2 by Gene Luen Yang

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nicklelodeon’s The Promise, a continuation of Avatar Aang’s adventure as the Avatar is as colorful and captivating as the show itself. This book was downloaded from Netgalley as an eBook so I had to enlarge and scroll to each section of the picture. It truly was a joy to read this book which is broken down in three parts.

The Harmony Restoration Movement
Avatar Aang and FirelordZuko is trying to push for harmony in Yu Dao in the Earth Kingdom. This means kicking out the fire nation to restore balance. The problem is that citizens of Yu Dao have mingled and intermarried with each other, so you have new people with earthbending ability but who wear the fire nation colors! Such as Kori, whose father is fire Nation and mother is from the Earth Kingdom. I thought that was truly unique but it causes Zuko to debate within himself—again. Why should he kick his own people out for a movement? He consults with his father Ozai about this.

The Promise
In the beginning of the book, Zuko asks Avatar Aang to promise him something Huge. It is enough to destroy their friendship and all the Aang believes in. This is the hinge of the entire book.

Overall Reaction
My overall reaction to the book is that it was absolutely gorgeous storytelling. Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru done an excellent job with the written story and artwork and I look forward to more on this series. A perfect book for all ages!

*The end leaves room for more books to come, hopefully.

This book was received for my unbiased review for Dark Horse Books courtesy of Netgalley

View all my reviews

Teach yourself to write your own stories without so much critique-isms

As I conclude one writing journey  and begin the next one I ask myself: Where to? Who should I have trained under? Do I need a critique group? Am I too sensitive to have a critique group? Well, let’s see…

Keep in mind the source of each comment during the workshop and weigh the feedback accordingly. When critiquers have work that is already published, I always listen more attentively to the criticism[from 4 Ways to Make the Most of a Critique Group by Jane Friedman]

I’ve never been to a critique group, but I have had my writing critiqued and I think its wonderful to have that gem of a feedback. However, there are other ways to get critiqued and learn without purposely joining groups. The human input will come regardless, but until then, here are two things I’ve learned.

1. Creating short stories and fanfiction is a great way to go. People may not be reading your full length novel yet or they are reading your fanfiction based off already solidified premises, but at least they now have your voice . Your writing and creating free(hint, hint) short stories have unleashed the pin and have exposed your talents to the online and print world. I never knew this before, but fanfiction was almost like a creative exercise tool for me and the feedback totally helps!
2. Just like sitting at the feet of philosphers before us by reading their words, so is learning about writing through books can pass as a course in itself. Soon I will be venturing to Francine Prose’s “Reading Like a Writer” to learn even more from a great literary genius. There ar emany others as well. Just heading to your local library or on your tablets can bring you a wealth ebooks about writing to help with your own journey. I also suggest reading  “The Marshall Plan for Getting Your Novel Published: 90 Strategies and Techniques for Selling your Fiction”

These books and many more can be your tools as plan of action for writing. I am an advocate for self- teaching because I have seen and reaped the benefits. Do yourself a favor. Teach yourself to write and sell your own stories!

Advantages of first person storytelling: Hidden agendas

Microsoft Office

Continuing with the art of storytelling, a writer must know available storytelling tools in order to bring their characters and plot to life. One way to do this is either to tell it in first or third person point of view. To view some advantages of third person point of view, click here.

What is first person point of view exactly?

According to About.com,

“First person point of view is a point of view in which an “I” or “we” serves as the narrator of a piece of fiction. The narrator may be a minor character, observing the action, as the character Nick does in The Great Gatsby, or the main protagonist of the story, such as Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye. In addition, a first-person narrator may be reliable or unreliable.”

Given this statement let’s take it apart to see what happens when a person uses “I” or “We”

1. As the reader, we are officially inside the character’s mind. Their joys, their hurts, their complexities and it feels like you are on the ride along with them. A couple of books which come to my mind are Dark Fever and The Last Vampire Series(which I will discuss later)
2. The narrator may not be the major character in a story either, they could be minor as in the The Great Gatsby example above. In that case, we as the reader are observing potent and important events from an observer’s limited point of view.
3. Reading from the narator’s perspective may be unreliable. They have the ability to hide information from us, or worse…get us to sympathize with them subtlely.

In The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning(which is an awesome five book series by the way) Mackayla Lane’s sister Alina left a cryptic message on her cell and Mac finds out that her sister died soon after leaving that message and so begins the travel to Dublin, Ireland where Mac meets Barrons, an elusive , handsome man and bookseller and a host of other interesting monsters and people. Mac eventually learns more about herself in later books.

What I enjoyed about Mac’s story is that her encounters were countered with her not knowing very much about herself or Barrons. We feel her angst and illness every time she encounters dark foe. If this story was told in third person, there probably would be less suspense given that Mac doesn’t know everything about everyone.

The Last Vampire by Christopher Pike,features Sita,  a five thousand year old vampire who tells her side of the story so we get her history, feel her rage when she gets arrested and needs to escape and she has a habit of doing the right thing while killing people in the worst way( but hey, they deserved it…?)

I noticed while reading Sita’s story that I became more sympathetic towards her because she lost a family many, many, many years ago and in the final installment I think I shed a tear for her.

If this story was told in third person or from a minor character’s point of view, I doubt I would have seen Sita in a good light at all. Just a thought.

Want to really practice writing in 1st Person POV? Read First Person Point of View on The Writer’s Craft

Or my personal favorite: Begin to practice by creating really short stories, doing fanfiction, or journaling in the first person point of view.

Did this help? Do you have other ideas and examples? Share them here!

Fanfiction starling E.L. James and her new book ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, raises questions

Fanfiction is guilty of only one thing- allowing writers to explore a given premise immensely and honestly and spinning it in the way they want, similar to a DJ taking pieces of music and creating something new anyone can bounce to.

E.L. James is just like me and many others: Writing fancfiction due to inspiration. Fortunately, E. L. James has been getting success reports from GoodReads and even exposure in Publishers weekly for their own book Fifty Shades of Grey based very loosely on her Twilight fanfic. It also has five star reviews on Amazon. How is that for a wonderful exercise in fiction? The downside is that some ask if it is copyright infringement due to spark of interest in the Twilight Series…hmmmm, well there is absolutely no mention of vampires in James’s work according to some sites so where is the infringement?

I digress…

The best writing exercise to help your own writing is to start with a premise, some unique characters and the drive to write.

No matter what writing books tell you, or what I tell you- writing doesn’t take magic…just the willingness to share the story.  This is a thing of passion and imagination. Well, someone else’s imagination…but you get the point.

Check out sites like fanfiction.net and fictionpress.com, to unleash your writing powers and see if you too can craft that story- I know you can.

(click on Fifty Shades of Grey image to be directed to Amazon)

Creating Your Fanfiction-From the Inside Out Part 3

Fanfiction captures the wind and the awe of sharing what we love most...

The last two posts: How to Create the Ideal Fanfiction and the History of Fanfiction were just basic starting field on what fanfiction really is and how to begin to write it.

I hope this post doesn’t end up being as long as my arms but I promise to get to the nitty grits of whats happening as you’re writing fanfiction. As I stated in one of my earlier posts, writing fanfiction is an art and it requires unconventional methods. You need not have an MFA  to do this or be the best, grammatical writer there is. People simply want to hear your version of the story. That’s it.

Without further Ado, here are some things to consider while writing your FF:

1.  You could just write off the top of your head or the “seat of your pants”. A notebook is still handy at times to keep straight with character names and such. Hint: I visit wikia(Wikipedia.org)  to find great information on character backgrounds. Dragon Ball Z has one and Twilight!
2. If you have been really enthralled with a show/book, sometimes your writing will sound authentic. I can’t really explain this but after reading, thinking, and having visions of my stories, many commenters stated I actually sounded like the orignal author…this can be good and bad. Good because I am on the right track, bad because as a writer you want to achieve your own voice.
3. Make time. But don’t strain or stress yourself out. I have a fanfiction out right now that has been on pause for more than three months. Research, business, education..all of these stop me from writing sometimes. So, when I do pick it back up I add a little note at the beginning or end of my FF stating: “Sorry I was gone for so long…” Something to that effect.

More Technical Issues

• Write using MS Word. This seems easiest for me. If you do not have it, Fanfiction,net offers other routes you can take. I find this the cleanest way possible to Save and Upload documents.
• Label chapters clearly. If you are like me, then having a long running FF needs to be strategically organized and you’ll thank yourself later for this.
• Promoting Your Work:  Well this is hard and unique problem for Fanfic writers. Number one- the work is not ours to distribute and get money for so the best bet is just to reign as a popular writer online. You can do this by politely asking for readers to R/R or “Read and Review” your work to see how you are doing. This can be placed at the foot of your story or beginning, although the footer is appropriate. Secondly, make sure you have a nifty profile with your pic or some other image there. Mention your writing experience, education, other networks you are associate with, etc. Start Tweeting, Facebooking, blogging your stories for others to read.
• Share other Links: Linking=Love, so if you want others to read and review your works it would be generous to read and review theirs as well as share their stories. I find this to be most effective.

*Have any methods I am missing here?  Please send in your comments to let me know! I appreciate them!

The Wonder of Fanfiction Part 2: How To Create The Ideal Fanfiction

© Kristian Peetz | Dreamstime.com

From looking at the title, I know I am boasting a lot about how you can create the perfect facnfiction. In fact, creating works based off of someone else’s is not that difficult. The author(s) have already laid the platform with plot, character and settings. Now, the way to create the perfect fanfiction is not conventional, it involves some intangible methods as well as some actual writing.

Ready to rewrite some fiction? Dive in!

1. Watch your favorite movie, anime, or read your favorite book. Really live in the characters’ lives.
2. Now as you watch/read, are there some plots you wish was further explored? Such as a blossoming romance, or a fight that never went down? Whatever it is, you know you have been waiting for a moment that never happened and you so wish the creator had included it. Tip: It is handy to have a little notebook to jot down some major/minor characters and take some notes. You can use this for your FF.
3. For most of us who write fanfiction, we are left with a feeling that is “awe” but then we are empty. So we listen to music and it reminds us of a character’s relationship and ordeal. We venture to Youtube in hopes of an AMV depicting our favorite stories and shows. What feeling is left with you? Do wish for the story to continue in a different way? Do you wish to not even have the series go on that long?
4. What format works best for you? Some FF writers are comfortable just writing poetry inspired by a show or book. Some write flash fiction(really quick reads), others have stories which continue for a REALLY long time. It’s your choice.
   

   Art by Young Kim

5. Warning: Some sites have now included a list of authors/creators who wish for their fiction to be left alone. You HAVE to honor their request. No questions asked.
6. After all your dreaming, plotting, and dreaming some more, you are ready to write. Head over to fanfiction.net  to begin.

How did I get started in writing FF?

I was really in love with the Twilight series and found that there were some things which could have taken place. This does not mean the author was “lacking” something necessarily, but that some subplots can be explored by my hand and so I let it flow…

The same with Airbender, I love the television series, but it ended too quickly for me without continuing Team Avatar’s journey…thus it laid good ground for me to work with.

Stay tuned for part 3: Fanfiction as a Beneficial Tool for Writers

The History and Wonder of Fanfiction Part 1: Rewritten Episodes To Fill In Gaps

Wikipedia

Recently, Lev Grossman from TIME, explained that Fanfiction is basically what “literature looks like reinvented” .

Those who are fans of a particular media rewrite or “continue” a saga using their own words even though it belongs to another author. This is not for money but pure enjoyment. FF writers do not get paid for this.  If someone is not satisfied with a certain scene in Dragon Ball Z: Season One (Vegeta Saga)l or Inuyasha, or Avatar The Last Airbender – The Complete Book 1 Collection, they can rewrite it and share with readers online looking for a “fix”

Sometimes, commercially produced material cannot “fully fill in the gaps and fanfiction can be seen as an expansion” of those gaps, that fanfic writers could see(Henry Jenkins, 2011).

Perhaps the only way I can explain this is by sharing my experience. In 2006 I met this young lady who was into mangas and Japanese Animations. We shared one thing in common: Literature. However, she would tell me about cartoons featuring demons who were actually warriors, boys who fly and eventually Boondocks. At first I was like “Well, I watch the Simpsons…” However I gave it a shot and began watching Inuyasha . About a boy who is half dog and half demon but who rescues people and Kagome is a girl who fell in love with him. Kagome fell into a well and was transported back to the feudal era where she met this dog demon (must watch to see what I mean).

Anyhow, as the story unfolded before me, I began to take part in the characters’ journey. I would go to my room, put in the DVD, grab a snack and watch hours and hours of episodes waiting for the hero to actually kiss the girl, or the character to finally move on and experience his/her power.

These are so much different from The Simpsons and Family Guy. Sometimes the characters actually get older as in The Last Airbender, or Dragon Ball Z. Anyhow, in my twenties I have discovered a love for action/romance genres in animations and still cannot explain the feeling they hand over to me.

Regressing back to post topic: What is the history of Fanfiction?

According to Wikipedia,  “In the 1920s and 1930s fans of Jane Austen wrote stories based on her characters”

In 1945, C.S. Lewis adopted elements from J.R.R. Tolkien’s  Legendarium. Surprising, huh?

Without rehashing what is already posted, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_fiction for more on the history of fanfiction, it is quite a read and actually legitimate considering the sources used and how popular the form really is.

And as usual, keep writing and place your thoughts here on The Write Web!

Book 4: Avatar Aang-Chapter 2

I am posting chapter 2 of this fanfic and already received a couple reviews! To read more of this chapter and additional stories, please click on link following the chapter

The Dream Assassin

Hama cracked her fingers and looked at the mindless, stupid low level guards before her. Damned souls! With a twist of her wrist and some twitchy movements, she drained the essential molecules of the trees and the grass around her; had the water turn to ice upon her nails and shot icy daggers out causing many more guards in her path to be stabbed and bleed to death. Her cohort, Maxim tagged along with her. He was expendable too, just not right now.

“Where to next, Great Hama?”

Great Hama.

“Just keep following me. See the moon up there?”

He peered upwards into the night. “Its only a sliver.”

“Right. I can’t bloodbend right now. Maybe the next full moon. So I need you sharp! I need a map and quick and I think that hut over there is the key.”

Her old voice reminded Maxim of the witches he heard about f in the stories. She was determined and evil. But to be at her side was wisdom on his part. Her body smelled musty and ancient. Even her hair made him wheeze.

“Stop sneezing you brat!” She reprimanded. “What’s the matter with you? Do you want to be found?”

“No.”

“A camp is right ahead. The head soldier stays there and he keeps the map of the nations. We both can’t go in there, however.”

“So you want me to go,” Maxim whispered.

“You’re from low level security. They won’t be as shocked that you’ve roamed around a bit.” She sneered. “They will be madder than a wet hen though.”

Maxim doubted he would make it through to take the map. There was a strong possibility he could pretend to be ill and Hama could take the map.

“Alright then. We can do this. I want to go back home to my family.”

Hama sneered again. “if they hadn’t got rid of your family already. You’ll do well to do as I say to live longer, young blood.”

Maxim swallowed hard.

“Now here’s the plan…” Hama whispered conspiratorially.

*******************************************************************************************************************************************

Aang and Zuko welcomed the tea Iroh placed before them. “Now, young gentlemen what do we have here?” He sat facing Zuko in the War room.

Aang brightened. “We’ve decided to check on how each of the nations are doing and what needs to be changed.” Aang scratched his head. “So much has happened several days ago that much needs to be done.”

Zuko waved a hand over to Aang. “I keep telling Aang that the trip around the world would take forever. Plus Appa may get mad and eat us eventually. He can’t possibly fly us everywhere!”

Iroh scratched his chin, and then took a sip of his tea. He did this is such slow motion that Aang fumed under his collar. Zuko grew impatient.

“Well!” Aang and Firelord Zuko shouted in unison.

Iroh took his time. “We have military weapons here and flying machines. Shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Yeah there is,” Aang said. “When people see the fire nation symbol on those balloons, they will flee. We want them to know we come in peace.”

“By now, everyone knows it is peacetime. Perhaps you should try and station yourselves in different places. Stretch it out a bit. Meanwhile I think we should focus our energy on the Hama problem.”

The conversation grew even more darker. Aang listened as Iroh recounted what has transpired in the last two days since they heard about Hama. The one solution Aang could think of, was to snatch her bending abilities away. Apparently she was too angry and vengeful to be trusted with any bending ability. He voiced this to Zuko and Iroh.

“Agreed,” Zuko said.

“Now what?” Iroh said standing up from the table.

“Now,” Aang smiled. “Now, we get ready for a new adventure.”

Katara took the liberties of preparing for sleep. All day long Aang has been down in that infernal war room, so the only one she had to talk to was Sokka. Even his mind was scrambled because Suki had visit him today and they were all goo goo and ga ga over each other.

Hama dominated her thoughts as swell when she bathed and spread scented oils on her body. Such a beautiful room Zuko had placed her in; such a lovely evening. But bad thoughts. Tomorrow, she will finally waterbend and do some relaxing techniques. Perhaps Aang will join her then.

Bending.

She should be scared to bend after all the troubles she went through. This could be why she preferred to be just a normal girl staying in a grand palace. No bending, no traveling, just stay within these walls and think of the good times. Soon, sleep will take over.

When sleep did take over, it wasn’t welcome. In the dream, she lay in agony on a cold, stone table with legs spread wide. Her guts felt as if they would rip apart. Sweat poured down her face and she couldn’t see the faces surrounding her. She was old enough to understand she was giving birth, but who was the father? Katara screamed in pain as another gurgling hot pain sliced through her bloated body. An old hand pressed down on her legs, stretching them further apart.

Push! The voice said. Push this one out! This is the new nation coming forth-see?

Onlookers crowded about her and Katara’s eyes searched everywhere. She was looking for that one constant: Aang. If she were to see that face, she will know she was perfectly fine.

It wasn’t his face that glowed in the crowd though.

As she pushed and waited as each wave of pain went through her, a tall figure emerged and loomed over her.

“I am with you, Katara. Take my hand.”

Katara’s eyes were half closed as she clasped the brutally hot hand offered to her. It was so hot she winced and snatched it back, and popped her eyes open. The man before her made the pain seem of ill consequence. She was mesmerized by his tortured eyes and keen look on her. He placed a hand on her belly.

At that moment, she yelled as billows of smoke puffed from her body, green eyes stared back at her in the smoke. The shapeless baby was nothing but smoke and green eyes.

Waking up from this horrible dream, Katara found herself writhing on the floor in ripped blankets. A light shined s suddenly and someone’s arms went about her. She scratched at them and tried pulling away, but they were stronger.

“Whats this about? Why are you yelling?”

Zuko?

Katara stopped fighting and looked up into Firelord Zuko’s face; he held a small candle light. He was obviously cautious of her, moving back a couple of steps to allow her room.

“I was having a bad dream.” She said suddenly noticing how damp her hair was and the sweaty night gown she wore which left nothing to the imagination. Zuko cleared his throat and looked away as she wrapped a thin sheet about her to remain decent before him.

“So sorry to wake you, Firelord.”

“Its alright.” Zuko searched her face. “Look, Katara, I know we aren’t the best of friends and all but if a dream is bothering you that bad, maybe you should talk it out.”

“I’ve spoken with Aang already about this.”

“Oh?” Zuko’s eyebrows raised. “So that’s what the private meeting was about that day?”

“Yep,” Katara smoothed down her hair and pushed it back. She saw how Zuko’s eyes watched her every movement. It startled her.

“Okay, well this had you rolling on the floor. You should come down to the kitchen area and grab something to drink, Katara. I recommend it.”

“Nothing can help this, Firelord Zuko.”

“Just Zuko would be fine.”

“I respect your title. You’ve come this far.” Katara wrapped the sheet tighter about her lithe body. Again, Zuko’s eyes followed her movements like a stalking cat.

Katara could never tell him about the dream anyway, for the guy in her dream that hovered over her with a hand pressed gently to her belly was none other than Firelord Zuko himself. Stealing every dream she’s had every night with his brooding looks, fair skin, and contemplative moves. No matter what she dreamed, he was in it.

Every night, Zuko assassinated her dreams with his appearance.

Every night she wanted to kill herself for it.

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