Writer's Camp: Days Twelve and Thirteen

     So...I'm a little late with this post, but I'm doing it now. Day Twelve is on "Conquering Writer's Block" and Day Thirteen in "Finding Inspiration," and the two meld quite easily into each other! Writer's block is not fun to deal with at all! You feel like your well of inspiration is completely dried up and you're just waiting for the rains to come again. There is no general way for me to conquer writer's block, but I have three methods that have worked quite well before.

1.) Change the story -- If the story is dry and mundane then change things around. Do the unexpected. Don't just kill someone off though. Send them away and leave the reader guessing and then bring in a new character. Give a backstory on a character or multiple characters and have them all interweave somehow. It's not a crime to change from you're original idea; it's your story!

2.) Read other books -- This isn't plagiarism. You can get a great amount of ideas from reading other people's works. Sometimes a sentence can completely overload with ideas.

3.) Take a break/Work on another project -- Normally I only write one story at a time, but usually I have five or six stories going on in my head. If I've hit writer's block, then going on to another story helps me get fresh and new ideas.

      As for inspiration I find inspiration for stories all around me! Usually, it's from watching movies, listening to music, sleepless nights, driving, taking care of kids, the list is endless. Everyone is different in their writing and how to pursue it and quite frankly, four years in college almost killed my love of writing. I was writing because I had to, not because I wanted to. However, the love is back and I'm enjoying writing my first fiction

Writer's Camp: Days Nine, Ten & Eleven

     Days Nine & Ten - I'm suppose to talk about what I'm writing on Day Nine and on Day Ten give a sample of my writing. These two days are pretty simple considering the fact that I'm already writing a blog fiction right now! So, to check out my fiction writing and the latest chapters, you can go here.

     Day Eleven - Would you rather?

From Bella: Today we are going to send one of your characters on an adventure! Take a character from one of your stories and give us a brief summary of who he is. Then answer the questions below. This game will help you think like your character, making choices he would make as apposed to ones you would. It might help you understand and know your character better too. Plus, it's fun. 8-D

Lady Marguerite le Bastone. 13 years old. Lives in Vezelay, France with her mother, sister and stepsister. From "The Phoenix: A Medieval Cinderella Story."

1.) Would You Rather Be Hot or Cold?

     - Well, it's always quite cold here at the estate, so probably hot. The summer days are rather nice.

2.) Would you rather work at night or during the day? 
      - I don't work, exactly. I mean I don't do chores, well a lot of chores. My step-sister, Marcella does all that. I do some sewing and that's normally done during the day.

3.) Someone knocks on your door. What now?
      - I'm not suppose to answer the door. Only my mother and Marcella can answer.

4.) Would you rather go without food or water for a day?
      - I don't think I could go without neither!

5.) Someone tells you your life is a lie. What now?

      - That might be the best news I've ever received!!

6.) Would you rather be settled or have the open road?

     - Oh! I've always wanted to travel! Especially to the Middle East, only not now, during the war.

7.) Would you rather lose sight or hearing? 
      - What type is question is that? Maybe my hearing.

8.)  Would you rather have a dog or cat?
      - A dog! My mother hates animals though.

9.) How do you respond to betrayal, pain, loss?
      - I tend to cry. My older sister, Constance, says that crying is for infants, but I can't help it. Or I talk to my step-sister, Marcella. She's wonderful and she's been through a great deal of loss in her life. I would never betray her, either.

10.) Do you like music?
      - Very much!

11.) Do you like reading?
     - I can't read. I've wanted to learn and Marcella knows how to read, but I feel she's too busy to take time and instruct me. Maybe if I helped more with the chores, we can strike a deal.

12.) Would you rather face a lion or a bear?
      - I don't believe we have lions in France, but I have heard of bears sighted in some of the forests. However, I would probably face a bear. They seem to be more good nature than lions.

13.) What is something that scares you? 

     - Being left alone or Marcella leaving.

14.) Would you rather be in a crowd or alone?
     - I'm usually alone anyways, but I do enjoy socializing with people.

15.) You're family is threatened. What now?

     - Depends on what they're threatened with.

16.) Do you put a lot of importance on family? (Answer honestly.)
     - Yes, well, I use to. We're not really a family anymore. We're just four women living underneath one roof. Marcella is more of a sister and mother to me than my own sister and mother and all of her family is gone.

17.) Do you believe in God/heaven/angels, or something of the like?
     - I know I should, but it can be difficult. God is a very big...deity? And for someone like me, he is very far away.

18.) Would you rather have coffee or tea?
      - What are those? I normally drink water, milk or a little at supper.

19.) Would you rather take a long walk in the forest, or a bike ride down a parkway?
      - I'm not sure I know what a bike is. I like riding my horse. And I do like taking a long walk in the forest, until I soil my dress. So I guess riding my horse would be the better answer.

20.) Do you like snow?
      - Yes! Marcella and I have a great deal enjoyment in the snow!

21.) Do you like rain?
      - At times. It tends to rain here a lot.

22.) What is your favorite thing to do?
      - Sewing and making dresses! There is news of an upcoming ball held given by Lord Arpetian and Mother may let me attend! So, I'm working on a special dress!

23.) Would you rather spend the day indoors or outdoors?

     - Depends on the weather. Preferably outdoors so I'm away from my mother and sister, but when I'm inside, I stay close to Marcella.

24. Do you like summer days?

     - Yes! They are the most wonderful of days!

25.) If there was one person you would drop everything for in their time of need, who would it be?

     - Marcella. She deserves to be happy and I would do anything to make sure she gets the happy life she wants.

Writer's Camp: Day Eight - Happily Ever After

      Now I get to write about my favorite endings in books/movies! I think everyone enjoys happy endings, but oftentimes, that's not real life. The level just under 'happily ever after' is what I call 'hopeful endings.' Everything hasn't gone the way we want to and not all the loose ends are tied up and we are left with more questions than answers, but in the end there is still hope for something infinitely better. 

      Being a movie reviewer, I'll just give a list of my favorite 'happy ending movies' and a list of my 'hopeful ending' movies.

     Happy Endings: 

     Elizabeth: The Golden Age

     The Young Victoria

     The King's Speech

     North & South 

     Ever After (of course!)

     Amazing Grace

     Amistad

     Cinderella (2015)

     Dirty Dancing

   

     Hopeful Endings:

     Kingdom of Heaven

     Becoming Jane

     Legends of The Fall

     Dracula Untold

     The Help

     Rebel Without a Cause

      As for books, my absolute favorite happy ending is really A Series of Unfortunate Events! This book series about the misfortune Baudelaire orphans is one zany adventure after another. Just when you think things can't get any worse...they get 10x worse. Lemony Snicket is such an enviable author with his ability to take the mundane and make it hysterical. By the time you get to the last book, you are just craving for these kids to get away from their evil caretaker and find some peace and thankfully they do. Maybe not in the mos orthodox of ways, but in a way only Lemony Snicket could write. 

Writer's Camp: Day Seven - Love/Family

     I know I am really behind! However, this day is based on love and family relationships. Sometimes the best stories are the stories of families or of someone's search for a family. Of course, love and romance novels have been popular for years in both the Christian and secular community. I, myself, enjoy stories about love, family and friendships, because it's what I'm around all the time, but I also enjoy reading about someone else POV on love and relationships. No two person's ideas are the same. So, I'll just do an overview of one book series on love/family and one on love/friendship.

Love Comes Softly series

by Janette Oak

       I love anything by Janette Oak and these books have been favorites of mine for as long as I can remember. Love Comes Softly (which inspired the the movie series of the same name) starts with 19 year old Marty Claridge and her husband, Clem, who move out west to start a new life together. However, Clem is killed in an accident and Marty is now alone and pregnant with no family or friends and winter on the horizon. Then Clark Davies, a handsome widower with a one year old daughter, offers Marty a 'marriage of convenience.' Marty and Clark will legally marry to allow Marty to stay with him and his daughter (Missie) until the wagon train comes through in the spring. Left with no choice, Marty begrudgingly agrees. 

     After a rocky start (with some hysterical chapters!), Marty begins to find a happy life with Clark and Missy and is befriended by wise and comforting Sarah Graham whose own marriage to her husband Ben was also one of convenience. Marty also witnesses with the incredible power of faith when she sees Clark's godliness in his life as a man, father, and a friend. and soon begins to question her own life and if God has had a plan for her all along. When faced with the choice to stay or go, Marty remains with Clark, Missie and her new son.

      Marty's decision to stay sets of a chain of personal stories of young women and their families that spans three generations. Love Comes Softly goes beyond romance in the west, but it's not preachy or over-Christianized in any way. It's wonderful blend of drama, romance and comedy that deals with love, loss, grief, joy, happiness, hope and above all family. The roles of wife and motherhood are most heavily emphasized in this series, which what I also enjoyed.

Harry Potter

by J.K. Rowling

      While Harry Potter can be used for a plethora of writing inspirations, the series greatest attributes is the unending theme of friendship. Harry Potter has been alone his whole life and so when he finds out that he's going to Hogwarts, he's excited, even a little scared. Upon meeting Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry's world is expanded in ways he never thought possible. With Ron, Hermione, Harry has a sense of belonging and acceptance that he has never had before. While they tend to get into trouble constantly, the trio usually have their hearts in the right place.

     As they grow older, Harry and his friends (including other students) go through their own personal trials where their boundaries and loyalties are frequently tested. This is especially seen with Ron Weasley who tends to live in the shadow of his best friend. While Ron never betrays or hurts Harry, he does conform to jealousy from time to time. Yet, when the time calls, Ron is there for Harry no matter the situation. Ron and Harry's loyal, but at times, rocky friendship is one of the best relationships in the whole story! While Hermione never falters in her faithfulness to Harry, Ron gives a realistic look as to what it's like to be friends with the popular kid, especially when you yourself are not popular. I've always been able to relate to Ron as the kid from a big family who never seemed to find their place.  

     Harry Potter deals with love in almost every form from romantic love, sacrificial love, selfish love, platonic love, long distant love, family love, secret love, unrequited love, triangular love...yeah just about every definition of love you can find somewhere in a Harry Potter book! Yet, Harry's whole existence (and survival) is based on love; and that love from his parents is what guides him through every trial and obstacle he is made to face. 

Writer's Camp: Day Six - Break Out of the Mold

      This is going to be a fun one! There are a lot of genres and character types that are definitely overused in today's writing. While ever several years there seem to be certain genres that are popular (magic, vampires/supernatural, dystopia), sometimes it seems like they are all telling the same story over and over again. However, my greatest aggravation is toward stereotype characters and how they seem to produce unrealistic expectations for society.

     Need I say anymore on the subject?? Love triangles are fine to a certain point, but when they start to deter the audience from the real story than it's a problem. Now, some love triangles are important to stories, such as Authrian legends with King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and Lancelot, because in most legends, Lance and Gwen's affair is what brought down the fall of Camelot or "The Vampire Diaries" where it really is a struggle between love and lust. Some love triangles can add much needed humor to the story. "Harry Potter" is a brilliant example of the stupidity of young love and the mistakes people make when they can't tell someone they love them. 

     However, love triangles such as "Twilight," "The Phantom of the Opera" and even "The Hunger Games," really had no bearing in the story, because quite frankly none of these guys had the girl's best interest in mind. The girl is usually a pawn in their testosterone wars. Also, there is a terrible double standard in love triangles. If it's girl between two guys than it's fair game for everyone. Yet, if it's a guy between two girls than it's the preferred girl (that the guy wants) who normally gets all the hate and the second girl (that the guy ignores) who gets all the sympathy. Stories that deal with these type of love triangles would be "Les Miserables" (Cosette-Marius-Eponine) and "The Lord of The Rings" (Arwen-Aragorn-Eowyn). 

     Love triangles are overused, boring and unrealistic. You can write about loving just one person or even better, struggling to love a person. There's beauty in that, because it's painful, but real. 

 
      There's Arya Stark with her sword, Hermione Granger with her wand, Katniss Everdeen with her bow and arrows, Natasha Romonoff with her spy skills...the list goes on and on. While all of these women mentioned above are great examples of strong heroines, the 'fighting woman character' is getting stale. Women can no longer just read, write, take care of people, be loving, tender, generous, wise and soft-spoken. Characters like that are seen as weak, shallow and boring. So, women can no longer be just women. The only way a female character can be popular and loved is if she is better than a man. Also, the super brainy, computer hacker character is getting really old too. While I believe that women can be (and should be) portrayed as smart and intelligent, not every girl can fix a computer or hack into a top secret facility. 

     Not sorry to say, but women need to be seen and written as women. Sure it's alright for women to fight, but don't cut them off from feeling and emotion. All the characters that I listed above (with the exception of Arya) in the beginning are incapable of loving deeply and letting other people know that they love them. However...as all of their stories continue, we're finally able to see that they are capable of loving, being generous and kind and even wanting a family and children (Natasha Romanoff!!!), but what happens? They are crucified by femi-nazis and seen as pathetic and anti-feminist. That is wrong on every single level! They are women and are written to be women, as emotional, sympathetic, frightened, compassionate

      Go ahead and create a strong female character, but she doesn't have to shoot a gun or break into Fort Knox to be seen as a heroine. Good heroines, like Skeeter Phelan from "The Help," or Marty Davies from "The Love Comes Softly" series are fantastic examples of women who could change the people and the situations around them by simply caring and allowing their feminine natures to guide them.

      Now, this is a mold that most definitely needs to be broken! The poor, mistreated, misunderstood villain who has the idea the ends justifies the means...and everyone else just rolls with it. No, just no. I do not care how terrible someones backstory is; a villain is a villain and anyone who kills for his or her own selfish gain should be hated, not praised. Characters such as Loki, Morgana, Magneto are all considerably praised for their villainous actions, because of their traumatic, abused and ignored childhoods. Alright, I'll give some leeway to Magneto because he is more of an anti-hero than just a villain.

     The tragic villain is an interesting character, but in the last several years, it has been overused probably thanks to Tom Hiddleston's performance as Loki. While he was great in the role, the character of Loki is the paragon of selfishness, arrogance, injustice and inhumanity (I really just don't like him), but people are so focused on the fact that Odin was such a terrible father (which he wasn't!!) they use that as justification for Loki's actions. No. That is not the way the villain should be treated.

The villain is what you should be afraid of becoming. 

     Case in point: Say Suzanne Collins, the writer of "The Hunger Games," wrote a prequel story concerning the life of President Snow. She wrote that Snow was abused and lonely or suffered from very dominant parents who ignored him. Then she goes and writes that Snow's father kills one of his [Snow's] siblings in an effort to gain control of his family and it works. That causes Snow himself to be afraid of his father who was suppose to protect him, but he also realizes that fear is a powerful tool. Overtime Snow turns into a psychopathic leader who uses murder and fear to control Panem.

     Now, that may change one's perception of Snow, however, it does not negate the fact that Snow is an evil man who had to be destroyed. No one wakes up one morning as a child and says, "I want to be a murderer when I grow up." It's usually a long and painful process, but two wrongs don't make a right. You may not have been able to control your past, but you can take hold of your future. The tragic villain may add layers to the character, but it is not a character to be patterned after. Use character perception instead; you may think he or she is a villain, but instead there is more than one way of seeing them. Character perception is a great way to write both a hero and a villain in the same person. 

~ ~ ~

     That was really fun! I didn't realize there was so much I wanted to say! There are a lot of story molds that need to be broken or just redone in a certain way. A girl can be in love with two guys and vice versa, but don't make it a fight. Introduce a new character that comes in and stirs up the triangle. Female characters are difficult to write, but keep in mind that women don't have to be men to get through in the world. And the tragic villain should be a life lesson that no matter how bad one may have had it, evil done in return can and never will be validated. 

      Other posts I've done on topics similar to these:

     Second Girl Syndrome

     Femine Feminists

    One Man's Villain, Another Man's Victim

    Love Changes Everything

Writer's Camp: Day Five - Bring Out The Books

     Today, we're suppose to talk about our favorite authors and book series and how they inspire us in our writing. This won't be hard at all : )

      From the time I was first allowed to read "Harry Potter," I have found J.K. Rowling to be an inspirational and cultivated writer. I grew up reading "The Chronicles of Narnia," and C.S. Lewis' ability to take Christian worldview and make it the centerpoint of a fantasy world, was nothing short of genius. 

     J.K. Rowling: She was a struggling single mother who had the bizarre idea of writing a story about a boy who went to school to learn magic. Well, almost 20 years later, that bizarre idea has made J.K. Rowling one of the wealthiest women in the world, and that boy and his magical school have become an part of our social culture. When Harry Potter came along, the world began to believe in the impossible. We got caught up in this orphan's story of boyhood to manhood as he lived, learned, fought, loved, hated, lost and ultimately redeemed his own happy ending. We fell in love with Hogwarts and dreamed that one day we would get out letters. We wanted Ron and Hermione to be our best friends, attend Quidditch matches, eat in the Great Hall, go exploring in the Forbidden Forest and the all manner of the other things that J.K. Rowling brought to life in her writing.

     As the series continued, Rowling expanded her world, but the ideals of Harry Potter "The Boy Who Lived" never got lost in that expansion. I'm a character person. I enjoy reading about characters, their development, their strengths and weaknesses, their gifts and their flaws and how we can relate to them. While J.K. Rowling wrote about a magical world, she placed within that world real human people every person could relate to.

Emma Watson as Hermione Granger

      She broke boundaries with her creation of Hermione Granger, the brilliant young witch who didn't care what people thought about her and was noble to the end. Before Hermione, it wasn't cool to be smart. Smart people were the shy, demure wallflowers that no one noticed. Well, there was nothing shy about Hermione Granger and she has inspired legions of girls to not be afraid of being intelligent, of being heard and not conforming to the social expectations. Rowling was able make Hermione a feminist minded character, without the negativeness of female empowerment or women always having to lead. That can be difficult to accomplish.

     Rowling's writing, in general is enviable! She is very fluid and balanced and, thankfully, doesn't waste too much time on detail. I'm horrible with dialogue; I'm more narrative in my writing, but J.K. Rowling's ability to write proper dialogue without it coming off as wooden I find very talented. So, while I write, I'm trying to focus more on dialogue and how to make it more interesting and less on narrative.

     C.S. Lewis: The great creator of Aslan and Narnia, and a man that made children want to believe that there was a greater world out there. I grew up with C.S. Lewis and his stories of "Narnia." I watched the BBC mini-series on videotape until they were worn out and I also love the the 1979 animated version. While Lewis wrote many other books, "Narnia" was his only children's series and really that is all I have read from him. However, no matter how old I have gotten, I have never lost my love for "Narnia" or for Aslan.

     Lewis' story from staunch atheist to devout Christian has been inspirational for decades. He wrote on theology and Christian worldview that is becoming increasingly lost in this day and age. "Narnia," while being primarily a fantasy story for children, also held a great deal of his own worldview. While he denies that he wrote "Narnia" as a Christian allegory, he may not have realized that huge impact his stories of a lion, a group of lonely children and the underlying tones of good v. evil has had on society. 

      What Lewis' inspires in me as a writer is the ability to see the ordinary (like a wardrobe, a group of kids, a teacher, an attic, etc.) and make something great from it. "Narnia" was written for children, so he had to make it easy for children to understand. He manged to tap into a child's imagination and allowed them to see themselves within this wonderful world. He didn't spend too much time on physical detail, except maybe the color of someone's hair, and he was more focused on the character development and how the character's storyarc turned out in the end. Lewis' writing was very simple and concise, but he also had a great deal of humor that could balance out the dark undertones that all his stories had.

     Both Lewis and Tolkien created worlds of fantasy, heroes to believe in, villains to hate and worlds we dream of living in. And yet, in the centerpoint of those worlds and the heart of those heroes they wrote a message of hope, peace and understanding. Both men were veterans of WWI that inevitably changed their lives forever. So years later, they created stories that centered on wars within these magical worlds, but primarily focused on the training of boys, girls, men and women who would fight to better their worlds, even at the cost of their lives. 

Writer's Camp: Day Four - Plot Bunnies/Writing Prompts Reveal

 

Writing Prompt:

"Dying is easy. Coming back will be hard. Are you sure you have the skill for this?"

Background: 

     I'm a huger lover of any Arthurian legend and I have always been fascinated by Guinevere especially, but she is usually very one dimensional, only seen as the love interest or the pawn between Arthur and Lancelot. So, I have a story idea about Guinevere's life, her family and her country before Arthur enters the picture (even though she has known him most of her life).  

Princess Gwen in her last happy moments at home.

      Guinevere is a sixteen year old princess living in the tiny island kingdom of Lyonesse, with her father, King Leodegran, her older sister Princess Wynefria (or Neffi) and Neffi's fiance, Mordred. Guinevere's mother is dead and her younger sister, Evienne, died in a terrible accident a year before. Camelot has been at war with another kingdom for the last year and a half, and now Arthur has called on King Leodegran's help. Leodegran allies with Arthur, allowing him to settle his troops in Lyonesse in hopes of finally ending the battle.

      Guinevere stays with her father, acting as a nurse and a spy and eventually finds herself in Camelot. However, things go horribly wrong when she is caught and slain by the enemy, and her body is thrown into the river. There Gwen's body travels down deep into the heart of the Lake of Avalon. Battling for her life, but only expecting death.

Legend

     Gwen was gasping for breath. She was a good swimmer, but her body felt like lead. The wound that the enemy gave her across her back was searing with pain. The water kept on pushing her down farther and farther. Great waves seemed to get stronger and heavier and soon Gwen was pushed all the way under water. The bright full moon shone down through the water, glistening and white. Gwen could feel her her lungs about to burst and soon her mind began to lose conciseness. The last thing she saw was the full moon, bright and beautiful. Soon her young body could take no more and Guinevere's life began to be measured by small, still heartbeats. Darkness began to cloud her mind and eyes closed. 

     One last heartbeat.

     Then darkness. Peaceful darkness.

     "Gwen. Gwen, you need to wake up?"

     That voice, it was so familiar...where had she heard it before?

     "Gwen. Guinevere, please, wake up."

     Evienne! She knew that voice! Of course it was her sister! How could she not have noticed it before?

     Gwen slowly opened her eyes. She was in...well she didn't really know what or even where she was in. It was a large round room....that was completely underwater, yet everything there was dry. The walls were dry, the chairs, the books, she was dry!

 

     "Is this...magic?" she finally said

     "Yes, it is," came Evienne's voice.

     Gwen turned around and saw her sister standing right before her, completely alive and human. She was still as beautiful as ever with her long golden hair around her waist and her sweet smile that could brings tears to the most hardened of men. Only fourteen; so young when she died. So innocent and pure, and full of hope and life. She had drowned a year before when the girls got caught in a horrible lightening

     "Evie? Oh, Evie is it really you?" Gwen asked in a whisper. 

    Wait..was she dead too? Was this some sort of magical resting place for souls? Surely something Arthur's dull old crow Merlin would create. 

     "Yes, it is me," said Evie reaching out her hand to her sister, "and yes, this is some sort of magical resting place, but believe me, this was created long before Arthur's old crow was born."

     Guinevere smiled though tears and took Evie's hand. It was still soft and warm; as if she had never been gone.

    "So I am dead then?" Gwen asked.

    If this was death than how bad could it be? Her sister was here with her! The sister that knew her better than anyone. The sister she couldn't save and she would live with that guilt for the rest of her life. 

     "That's your choice," said Evie.

     Now Gwen was confused. What idiot would choose to die?

     "No one chooses to die," Gwen said, "I would assume everyone would want to live forever if given the chance."

     "And is that what you want, Gwen? To live forever? Even after death has truly taken you?"

     "I don't understand, Evie? What are you talking about? How can someone just choose to live or die?"

    "Not many people do get the choice, but you do, because the fate of Camelot is wrapped up in your fate as well. Whether in life or in death, Camelot, her king and his people are now bound to your decision to either live and return from this watery grave or to stay here...with me."

     Gwen's mind was spinning. She had a heard a great deal of magical nonsense from Merlin 'the crow,' but never did she think that she would be caught in the middle of it! Who was she to Camelot? A simple Lyonessian princess that loved reading and horseback riding. That really...well really had no future plans for her life; they had all seemed to die with Evienne the year before.

    And Arthur? What was she to him? To her, he was a king, good king, a wise and brave king, and a handsome king. He was eleven years her senior and had lost his wife three years ago. Loved by his people, Arthur rose from his obscure beginnings as Uther's secret son with the widowed Queen Igraine and became the king that brought Camelot out of Uther's ashes and into a golden age of peace and plenty. That had been twelve years ago, since Uther died and Arthur had pulled the great sword out of the stone, proclaiming his right as Camelot's prophesied king. Of course, that old crow had his hand in all this. Gwen believed that Merlin really ran all things and was only using Arthur and his royal blood to wield his own black magic. 

     Camelot, Arthur, the people, herself. What about her family? What about father and sweet Neffi and Mordred, the only brother she ever knew? What of their fates? Were they bound to her as well?

     "I don't have all the answers, Gwen," said Evie, breaking her sister's racing thoughts, "I am only telling you what I know."

     "And what is it that you know?" Guinevere asked.

     Evie looked up to where the moon was shining and then looked back at her sister. Her once blue eyes were now silvery and now seemed to be staring right through Gwen.

     "If you decide to die, you will stay here in the Avalon Lake as a spirit. You will have great powers, but they will not always be easy to control. You will see darkness and pain, but you will also witness hope and happiness. You will always be young and always be beautiful, but you will never return to the earth. If you die then Camelot will continue on until Arthur's death, but he will have no heir and eventually that kingdom will fade into obscurity. Camelot will not be remembered. Arthur, his great deeds, his knights, their stories will all be forgotten."

     Gwen felt a sick feeling in her stomach. How could Arthur be forgotten? And this beautiful kingdom simply fade away? 

    "However, if you choose to live...then Camelot will be ushered into its most golden years, but nothing beautiful will last forever. There will be great anguish and suffering. You will suffer and so will Arthur in ways that are unimaginable. And Camelot will eventually fall when Arthur himself falls."

     "Then what's the difference whether I live or die!?" Gwen cried, "Camelot will fall anyway?"

     Evie smiled at her, "Yes, Camelot will fall. Yet, in its place will rise a kingdom far greater than any kingdom ever known on earth. And Camelot will live on in legend and song. Arthur will be revered, his knight's stories will be read to children and their children and their children's children. And you, Guinevere, you too will go on in legend."

     "Me?" Gwen said, "I will become legendary like Arthur? And Kay and Gwaine and Percival?

    "Very much so," replied Evie.

     For a few seconds Gwen pondered what Evie had just told her. A reincarnated life as a water spirit where she would be immortal and beautiful, but obviously forgotten. And yet, if she lived...what is it that would make her great, make her legendary? And for Arthur, to go down in legend and myth, for Camelot to be remembered in history? How would she accomplish any of that? Yet, Evie talked about great pain and anguish for both her and Arthur? Would she bring that pain and anguish to him?

     Would she bring down Camelot?

    "If I choose to live and go back, I will be mortal. I will die again?" Guienevere asked.

    "Yes," said Evie.

    "Yet, if I die, I will become immortal...it all seems to work backwards."

    "Nothing ever works normal in Camelot," Evie said.

    Gwen looked up at the moon. It was beginning to fade. Morning was coming and she had two choices upon her. 

    Die, live, forget.

    Live, die, remember.

    "What is the pain and anguish you were talking about?" Gwen asked a little nervously.

    "That I cannot tell you," Evie said, "I've already told you enough about your future, but I can tell you this. Dying is easy. Coming back will be hard. Are you sure have the skill for this?"

    "What skill?" Gwen asked

    "The skill to live, not just survive, but to truly live. Once you have made your choice, you cannot go back."

    To live, to truly live. Ever since Evie died, Gwen felt that she was just holding on, trying to survive. Now she had a chance to stay with her sister in peace, but now that she knew where Evie was, maybe this was a second chance at life. To be able to live again on earth and to live on in time and legend and myth. What person ever got that chance? 

     "I want to live," she finally said, "For so long, I've felt dead to the world and if this is a second chance for me to start a new life, then yes, I will live and I will not see Arthur or Camelot fade away."

     "Even if it means that you will suffer?"

     "I am no stranger to suffering, Evie. I survived and now I want to live."

     Evie took both of her hands, "Then go, dear sister. Go and live."

     Gwen felt herself become lightheaded and Evie's face became blurry.

    "Evie," she said.

    "Go and live."

~ ~ ~

     Gwen opened her eyes, the first thing she felt was pain. A searing pain across her back where the soldier had struck her down. She was freezing cold and was lying flat on the ground right next to the lake. She pulled herself up and saw the sun beginning to rise over the mountaintops.

     Gwen

     "Evie?" Gwen said. She looked around but saw no one.

    Gwen

    She sounded like she was coming from the lake...Gwen looked over and in the misty rippled she could make out Evie's face.

   "Evie!" 

    "One more thing," Evie said hurriedly, "I don't have time, but I have to tell you, be careful in who you put your trust in. All kingdom's are filled with spies and betrayers and some will sit at Arthur's table. And of these, you know one, but you cannot reveal him to anyone or his wrath will do great damage to all around him."

    "Who?" Gwen asked.

    "It's Mordred, Neffi's fiance."

    Now Gwen was incredulous. How could it be Mordred? She and Evie loved him, he was wonderful, an older brother they always wanted."

     "That's impossible!" said Gwen, "How could Mordred, of all people, be a threat?"

     "Because Mordred is the one that killed me; he was Merlin's secret apprentice."

Writer's Camp: Day Three - The Writer's Tag

 

1.) How long have you been writing? 

      I started writing in 2008 with fan-fiction and that has been my primary platform since then. However, I have many original ideas, but they would require a great deal of study and research.

2.) Why do you write?

       I find it relaxing and I'm able to articulate my thoughts and feelings much better through writing.

3.) What are your favorite type of books to write?

      Fantasy and historical fiction. I don't have the patience to write a mystery!

4.) How many books have you successfully completed as of now?

      If this includes fan-fiction, then two Narnia inspired stories. There is also a Harry Potter fan-fiction I was in the process of writing years ago, but I hope to finish sometime this year.

5.) What are three things you hate about writing?

      Writer's block, trying to piece together timelines and ages (too much math for me!) and trying to come up with ideas that are originally my own.

 

6.) What are three things you love about writing?

      The ability to say what I want to say, the sense of accomplishment when I finish a chapter, and seeing your thoughts come to life.

7.) What story are you working on Right Now?

       I am actually working on my own piece of fiction called The Phoenix: A Medieval Cinderella Story. It's actually a combination of the Cinderella storyline and an original story idea that I had about a leper girl living during the Third Crusades.

8.) When is your favorite time to write?

      I write whenever I feel the inspiration hit. So that could be in the morning, afternoon, evening or midnight. I have to really feel the passion for the writing. If I don't, I just stare at the computer screen.

9.) Do you write short stories, children's books, novels? 

      A mix of novels I would say, but I would love to write a children's story one day.

10.) Do you draw inspiration/is your writing style influenced from any particular author?

     J.K. Rowling without a doubt has been my primary influence for writing. Her work is so fluid and concise. She gets the point across in one paragraph instead of three pages. 

11.) Do you write trilogies/series?

     Very much so! 

12.) Have you experienced Writer's Block?
 
     On a neverending basis.

13.) What was the fastest you ever wrote a book? 

      I take my time when I write, so it took about six months to write my first fan-fiction and closer to a year for my second.

14.) Do you hope to be published one day?

     Absolutely!


15.) What are some things you hope to share through your books?

     Courage, honesty, compassion and the struggle of good vs. evil.

Writer's Camp: Day One

 

      Bella Delallo as I am a Dreamer; Let Me Dream has started a writing camp for all aspiring writers out there! Great idea! I originally wasn't going to do it because I thought it was for teenagers, but Bella asked and, of course, I can never say no to her! The camp itself is quite long from August 10 to September 7 and that's because Bella wants to give people time to think through their writing, which is a good idea! 

What is it: Writers Camp is a sort of "Pick Me Up" for writers in need. It is similar to a Blog Party, only for this event we're focusing more on a learning/inspirational experience. Don't be put off though! I'm going to make this so called "Camp" as fun as possible!

The Rules: Anyone can participate, but you must link back to my blog. You should also follow me. 8-D This camp is going to be very family oriented, with a high focused on wholesome books that we don't see very often anymore. Things like Friendship and Family stories will be greatly emphasized. If I find some of your stuff super inappropriate, I won't post it.  (I honestly don't think this will be an issue at all. Most of you who seem interested write really good books. 8-D )

How it Works: Everyone who joins will send me an email with the link to their blog and the type of genre you tend to write it. You can have more than one. If you don't have a blog, this is no big deal. You can guest post on my Other Blog, Till the End of the Line. Just email me and we'll work something out. When Camp begins I will post the different participants on my blog, with the links to their blogs. I will continue to posts these links every day of Writers Camp.

Dates and Schedule

Day One: August 10th. -- Introducing the Writers and discussing what their genre is. (Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Sci-Fi/Steampunk...)

Day Two: August 12th -- This Day will cover prompts! I will post prompts and Plot Bunnies. You pick from the Prompts/Bunnies I post and use them as a guide to help you get creative during Camp. You can choose how many you decide to work with, and you do not have to do more than one. But you can if you want to. 8-) On Day Four you post your finished Work on your blog and link it back to me.

Day Three:  August 15th -- Tag, You're it! Day three will be a Writers-Tag! 8-D

Day Four:  August 17th. -- Prompts and Bunnies! Everyone will post their Prompt/Bunny. Link back to me and I will link back to you!! 8-D

Day Five:  August 20th --Bring Out the Books! Everyone will share certain Authors and series that are their personal favorite and explain why they like them, how they were inspired by them, and how others might be inspired.

Day Six: August 22nd -- Break Out of The Mold: Have you noticed that a vast majority of books now days seem to have that certain mold? Now is time to break out of that! This Day will cover the importance of a unique story and why it is so important to write the books you want to write, not the books "The Public" craves. Believe it or not, a lot of people want fresh ideas, despite what you see on the shelves. You can all post stories/books that you see as unique, or at least Stand Out.

Day Seven: August 24th --  Love/Family. This day will cover the importance on positive strong friendships,and family bonds. We'll discuss books (or TV Shows/Movies) with a positive angle to these topics, as well as books (or TV Shows/Movies) With a negative angle.

Day Eight:  August 26th --  Happily Ever After: We'll talk about The Importance of strong, realistic romance. As with friendship/family, we will show books (Or TV Show/Movies) with both positive and negative angles on the topic. Share some things you would like to see in a romantic relationship.

Day Nine: August 27th --  What's You Writing? Share the plot/characters of at least one book you are currently writing.  You are totally welcome to ask for feedback. 8-)

Day Ten:  August 30th -- Sample Time! We share snippets and samples of our writings. You can even write random scenes that have nothing to do with your books, but still show us what style you have and things like that. Again, you can absolutely ask for feedback.

Day Eleven: September 1st -- Would you Rather/What Now?  This will be a Writing Game! Basically, you will pick a character from a book you are writing on and put him through a Would You Rather/What Now? Test. I will supply the test. You have three days to complete it. This game helps you to understand your characters better, and it also helps you think as a writer.

Day Twelve: September 4th -- Conquering Writers Block!!! Okay, writers block is the worst obstacle a writer can face besides Plot Hole. This day will cover the different ways you can conquer or outsmart writers block, and how to keep yourself writing when you'd rather nap and give up on the whole thing.

Day Thirteen: September 6th -- Be inspired! Share things that help/inspire you with writing. Put out some ideas on what you think might help other writers get on with their work.