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Brooklyn really needs some work. I'm quickly discovering my romance needs serious help. Oh, well. I wrote a really short piece today that is so strange I am never sharing it with anyone. I have no clue whatsoever where this incredibly weird idea popped in from, but my sister informed me when I said it was one of the oddest brainstorms I ever had that it wasn't a brainstorm, it was a brain assassin because reading it made her brain die. I didn't even write the whole thing, just a few of the lines. Anyway, if anyone asks me if I wrote them, I'm denying it at all costs. The most bizarre workings of my mind are not what I want to be known for. I think it might have been partially inspired by something I was already working on, and partially born out of my sister telling me she watches youtube videos of people partially under anesthesia. Trust me. You don't want to know. Of course, that was kind of the point of the whole thing- the characters not wanting to know, either. I also have a pic of Brooklyn- I didn't include it in any previous posts. I'd put up the one I have for Isaac, but that one sucks, and I really don't want anyone thinking that's how I picture him.

 Come to think of it, the most bizarre workings of my mind were probably best seen in some of the stuff I made up when I was really little, and logic played a much smaller role in my stories. There was a mummified corpse on public display, dinosaurs, and a person dressed as a doughnut, among other things. Of course, there's still not much logic in the living forever thing, but that I'm not getting rid of. I also have pictures of Tabby and Tanner, and an okay one for Alec.

Alec

Tabby

Tanner

I know I put some pieces in that one that don't really go much of anywhere- they're kind of setting up for future stories. Conan and Ryan in particular. I have big plans for them in the future- unfortunately, they aren't going to make it into this story. When I did Tabby's picture, I was kind of thinking that she was going to have a harder time moving forward than her brother. I didn't have the chance to show much of her personality, though. Maybe next time.

(almost) Finished!

updated story files: transcript files

I'm almost done my stories! I have about half of one left, maybe not even that. I really, really, really need an editor, though! I know some parts could be a lot better, but I need help to fix them. Also, still hoping for a better ending for the scene below. I need a connect between here:

 Lark suddenly knew what she had to do. She put her hands on his shoulders and pulled Cato around to face her. "We have hope. We fight for life. We fight for love and laughter and sorrow and sunsets and everything else that makes it possible to carry on.

and this song:




I already have one, but I don't think it's very good. I've looked for references for the first scene in the first story, but found very little. I don't generally write a lot of romance, and some help would be appreciated in making it better. I really would like it to stay PG-13, and there just isn't a lot of advice on writing that level of romance scene out there. Let's just say most of it is advice on writing for more mature audiences and leave it at that. Here's what I have...

Kris sighed and laid her head on Caz's shoulder. "You sure you don't need to get back to study hall?" He grinned mischievously and wrapped an arm around her. "Nope. Don't tell me you're in a hurry to get back?" Kris closed her eyes, reveling in the electricity shooting through her skin where his arm touched her. "What do you think?" His lips on hers were all the answer she needed. She was a million miles away, drifting on silver wings, when the loudspeaker squawked to life.

It's a really short scene, but I think it really sets the mood for the rest of the story, so revisions would be great. Also, I've got a fairly short piece that I might do, but it's going to be hard because the whole thing is sort of how most of the couples that will eventually appear in this story came to be. So romance advice would be great. The story line is below, if it matters.

Setting: School dance. Very casual, more of a party than a formal event. Jeans and t-shirts, hanging out with friends on a Friday night kind of thing. DJ in the background, 300 or so kids. Still need the room. Gym? Rented venue? Help! Has to have a basketball hoop.

Character descriptions (note: pictures aren't going to be perfect. They're more the essence of the character than a perfect match. There's only so much you can do with free online photo editing.)

Cynthia, general: Long black hair usually pulled back- braided or leather headband. Beautiful ice-blue eyes, pale skin, slender body. For dance: hair loose, falling down to her waist. Dark jeans, silky, flowing shirt matching her eyes. Personality- fun-loving, witty. Roz's best friend. At the dance, you'll find her: teasing her brothers or getting borderline flirty with someone she swears she doesn't like.

Caz/Jasper (identical twins):Relatively long black hair, cut to slant low over one eye. Same blue eyes, light skin as sister above. Big, muscular bodies, broad shoulders. Personality- energetic, outgoing, loyal. These two move for no one- and usually don't have to. At the dance, you'll find them: hanging out with friends or shooting baskets in the corner.

Cato: light-skinned, golden blond hair with (natural) streaks of platinum blond. Emerald green eyes. Personality- stands out in a crowd. A smart alack, seemingly fearless, charges recklessly through life. At the dance, you'll find him: hanging out with his friends, until his girlfriend Brooklyn pulls him onto the dance floor when the beat picks up.

Dorian: Very obviously Cato's half brother- same face, same eyes. Hair just a little darker, but not much. Yes, the picture isn't very good for this one. Actually matching two internet pictures is difficult to say the least. Personality- much the same as Cato. People often think that Cato is Dorian's twin, not Sammy's. They're surprised to learn Sammy's related to this dynamic duo. At the dance, you'll find him: Watching Cato from the edge of the floor, trying very hard to pretend he's not on the lookout for possible future dates. Don't get me wrong, he's no player- just a little lonely.

Roz- most noticeable feature is her bright red hair. Personality- Lights up the room. Cynthia's co-conspirator and best friend, able to give as good as she gets from Caz and Jasper. Burning with an intensity as bright as her fiery hair.  At the dance, you'll find her: with her steady boyfriend, Wes, circulating through the crowd.

Sammy- Cato's twin, and almost his complete opposite. Smaller, with olive skin and dark brown hair. Same bright green eyes, though. Personality- More cautious, usually with part of his mind focused on what Cato's doing in order to bail him out of the inevitable disaster. A good listener, and great with all things mechanical. At the dance, you'll find him: Keeping one eye on the old-as-dirt electronics, and the other on his adrenaline-high brother.

To be introduced here:

Parker- to be Cynthia's dance partner. Lines- rough draft (also needs editing help):

Cynthia: (walks over, tosses hair a little) I was looking for a dance partner. Wondered if you were interested.

Parker: (stunned, can't seem to speak)

Cynthia: But if not... (turns as if to go)

Parker:  I.. sure!

Shae- to be Jasper's dance partner, future girlfriend. Small, dark-skinned, vivacious

Kris- To be Caz's dance partner, future girlfriend. Tall, dark-haired, a little attitude.

Kiona- Dorian's instant crush. Later his girlfriend. Smaller than the other two girls, but will turn out to be as bold as either of them.

Wes- He's respectful, caring, with a mischievous side too. The water to Roz's fire, able to balance her out.

Also thinking about writing a very short piece inspired by a weekend trip to Facenda-Whitaker bowling alley. I realized that it was very much my character group's scene. Loud, pop music playing in the background, crowds, french fries, laser light patterns flashing... I created an idea between turns. Maybe, to relax, Cato, Dorian, Caz and Jasper, Roz, and a few others joined a bowling league on the weekends. In this vague idea, they bring the girls along. It's not really anything concrete yet. But it might become more solid in time for the deadline- who knows?

I wrote a new scene tonight. For a while, I was chugging along, and then I hit a roadblock. I need a way to finish off Lark's incredible dialogue, and then I think I'll be okay. This was a total surprise. It was originally a happy moment, a moment of celebration of Alec's life. Then I redid the setting. It was going to be in an area close to a large gathering of people to overhear the conversation. When it ended up with the three in the back of the car all alone in the parking garage, I had to write more of Cato's reaction than I anticipated. I was going to have him mouth off, push her away and generally be his normal, snarky self. Then I got caught up in the flow of the story. It became a grieving, emotionally charged exchange when Cato reminded me that he's been found out in a moment of extreme vulnerability. And that, I already knew, he can't stand. He's got an independent streak a mile wide, and hates asking for help. His anger and grief mix together in this strange, yet amazing piece of writing. Please help with my problem! Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Note for clarity: we find out earlier in the story that Alec committed suicide. Tabby and Tanner are twins, his younger siblings by two years.

Trace is another member of the team, who will be featured later in the story. He's a very skilled singer and guitar player.

Also: just in case anyone thinks this is going in that direction, they cannot kiss. Lark has a crush on someone else, and Cato already has a girlfriend. I thought about using her instead of Lark in this scene, but she already knew Cato could play, and his character has so far been the kind of person who would never let someone he cares about so deeply see his emotional pain. This is further emphasized when he waits until Tabby and Tanner have left before falling apart completely.

Cato wasn't sure what to think. He'd been pretty close to Alec. They'd had big dreams once. Dreams of bigger and better things. Their music was going to be their ticket out. No longer. Cato opened the hatch and sat down just inside. He reached back and found the familiar rough fabric. Cato pulled it to him and opened the zipper, and there it was. The guitar Alec had given him at age 9. From Alec, his fingers had learned to dance across the strings. They'd sat in the basement so many rainy days, voices melding into one, playing for life, for love, for sheer joy. Reluctantly, he laid the guitar on the seat and picked up the other case. What lay inside almost released the tears that had been threatening ever since he'd first heard the news. Alec's own precious instrument. Cato lifted it out and held it as if about to play, head bowed. "Alec… why'd you have to throw it all away?" "I wish I knew." The voice made him whirl around. Tanner stood there, watching him. Without another word, he sat down and nestled in close to Cato's side, and began to cry silently. Cato wrapped an arm around him. "Shhhhh. I know. Believe me, I know." And then Tabby was there, too, warm against his other side. He held them both close, never wanting to let go. "He's not with us anymore, but he's still here. As long as we remember, he'll always be here." And he put his hands on the strings of the guitar and began to play one of Alec's favorite songs.(Vienna)As the notes rang out low and strong, Cato finally broke down and wept.

(This is not a youtube, it will play at school.)

Lark was coming to get a CD from the car she'd driven last when she heard the music. She followed the sound all the way back to the big van Patience had taken earlier. The hatch was open, letting the sound echo through the garage. Lark waited out of sight and listened. The song was incredibly sad, the chorus so emotional it was heartbreaking. The singer had an amazing voice, rich and expressive, and she could hear his skill with the guitar without even seeing it. As the last word faded, she walked around the car to the hatch. She looked inside and froze, stunned. The singer must have heard her, because he snapped his head around. Cato looked just as surprised as she was. For a moment, Lark was speechless. Then she found her voice. " I… I thought you were Trace. Why didn't you tell anyone you could play like that? That was amazing!" Once she started, she couldn't stop the flow of words pouring from her mouth. "Seriously. Where did that come from? You never said a word." Lark saw movement behind Cato, and for the first time she noticed Tabby and Tanner snuggled up against him. He sighed and put a hand on Tanner's shoulder. "All right, kiddo. Why don't you go find Raven? See if she can put a smile back on your face before it freezes like that." Tanner sat up, stretched, and made an effort to smile. "You've got the idea. Go on. See how much chaos you can stir up. Tabby, how about finding Jasper and telling him where we are? If I know him, he'll be getting worried by now." When the two younger kids had gone, Cato turned away from Lark. "Alec was everything I ever wanted to be. First time I heard him play, I knew that was going to be my life." He laughed bitterly. "We were so naïve. This war was always going to take us. Call it fate, whatever you want, but we never had a chance." He was almost in tears again. Lark didn't know what to say. She'd grown so used to the sarcastic, smart-mouthed, ever-optimistic Cato that the person before her was someone she didn't know at all. This was his flip side, the doubts and fears that lived deep inside him, coming out in a stream of harsh, acidic cynicism. Part of her wanted to run for Jasper, but that didn't seem right. The other half of her wanted to fold him into her arms, but that wasn't right, either. In the end, she just sat on the back bumper and listened as he continued to rant. "What are we even doing, if this is how it ends? It doesn't mean anything. Alec made that guitar sing like no one else who ever lived. And now he's gone, and what's left for us? More blood, more hate?" Lark suddenly knew what she had to do. She put her hands on his shoulders and pulled Cato around to face her. "We have hope. We fight for life. We fight for love and laughter and sorrow and sunsets and everything else that makes it possible to carry on.  


Here is where I stopped. Assistance in finishing off the scene is welcome!

Still need a beta reader

I will be doing a lot of writing this week, and I still need a beta reader for what I already had. Leave a comment if you're interested in reading over the material and making suggestions. It helps a lot if you've read Animorphs. Updated story files below. I really think the characters are coming together. I've spent longer on Caz and Jasper than any others I ever did, and as weird as this is, they really mean a lot to me. I know them better than I know almost anyone for real. I think one reason I have so much trouble editing is that I have trouble bringing myself to talk about them as fictional. They're just so real to me. Even more so after I wrote this.

persona

I've spent time on the others, too. Isaac in particular has always been one of my favorites- so much that he'll be back in one of the stories I haven't worked on yet. There's also a short piece I've been considering with him, but that probably won't get done for this. In the meantime, Caz and Jasper and Cynthia continue to live on in my mind.

Found these pics online a while ago. I thought they represented these three characters really well and altered them slightly to fit the story.

Caz

Jasper (just ignore the blue circle on this one- that was a mistake by my editing program

Cynthia

Wanted: Beta Reader

Looking for someone familiar with the Animorphs series to read over my stories, make suggestions. And if anyone knows how to link a blog post to a folder full of pictures, that would be great!

This will be the music for the battle scene I'm going to work on.

Continuing work on stories. I keep writing pieces from different parts, and haven't gotten around to some major plot points, but it's a work in progress. Please read and tell me what you think, especially for Isaac. I've spent a lot of time on his character, and would like to know which direction I should go. For the confused on Tanner, Tiff/Lucy, Jasper's story is under backstories, and the overarching theme is coming soon. It helps if you've read Animorphs.

story files 2

I found my Skyworld album inspirational, but haven't written out those scenes yet. Maybe by next time!