Figuring Out The Science

In the midst of creating this world, I realized that it needed a scientific side as well. It also needed to keep some level of historic accuracy as far as scientific discoveries went.

A simple example: At the time of the plague in Europe, no one really knew how it was spread. That was one of the reasons it was so deadly. If I have a character start washing their hands and such, I've jumped quite a bit into the future. "Sanitary" isn't really a word one associates with that time period.

This lead to another question from myself to myself: are the Immortals in any way ahead of humans as far as scientific discoveries? The answer here is yes, but not by much. In fact, by the time we get to the present, humans and Immortals are about even in the "discovering things" category.

Then came a third question: What makes the Immortals, well, immortal? I could take the easy way out and just say "magic" or something, but I want to get a little more complicated. Their genes are different. Just as their are genes for eye color, possible mental illness, and height, there are genes that make one simply not age...or just age very slowly.

In humans, this is a mutated gene that often leads to aging disorders like progeria, DKC, and the like. In Immortals, the gene is always inherited and combines with another gene common in all Immortals to create the immortality. This isn't pure immortality, though. Immortals can age, but it happens so slowly that it is almost at a stand still. The twins are over 400 years old by the end of Book One, but they do not look over 20 years old.

Here's the kicker; there are certain substances that hold off aging, so Immortals have the option to age a bit for appearance purposes or continue looking 18. For Dark Ones and Vampires, it is blood. For Shadow Walkers and Felians, it a being's life force. For Night Wolves and Werewolves, it's flesh (so sorry, no vegan or vegetarian Night Wolves exist). And yes, for all of them, human is best because of the genetic similarities.

I probably went into this WAY more than I needed to, but it helps to know the rules of your story. Fans of your work are less likely to, I don't know, come after you with torches and pitchforks that way.

The Immortal Language

There is a language amongst the Immortals clans (all of them) that is a beautiful combination of several known languages put together. For now, I have called the language Manchen-ni. The language is not spoken often in the series, but many Manchen-ni words pop up during the story, mostly as nouns. For example, the words Sapir, Krudos, Doushen, and the rarely used fecha are Manchen-ni words.

FYI: Fecha is a Spanish word for the calendar date. It has a totally different pronunciation and meaning in the Immortal world. Immortals prefer a meaning closer to the Portuguese meaning, which is similar to "noise." The Immortal version is not as nice, though.

The language is actually not spoken as much as it was thousands of years earlier (blame the whole Tower of Babel situation on that), but it is still spoken as a common language for those who cannot, or will not, speak English. Many of the "younger" Immortals hardly ever use the language but have heard it enough to understand it. They prefer to use their native languages and English. The twins, for example, start out speaking only German but later become very proficient in English. They recognize Manchen-ni, but do not know it enough to regularly speak it.

The Elders are required to know it, understand it, and speak it. The Ambassador's Guild is not required to speak Manchen-ni, but they must be able to understand it. This also goes for anyone else working with or for the Sapir (the title given to the Guild and the Elders).

So, in summary:

The twins and their Handlers: understand Manchen-in, do not regularly speak it

The Elders: understand it and speak it

Elizabeth: understands it and can speak it

All additional characters in Great Hall: can all understand it, do not regularly speak it

All additional characters outside Great Hall: some can understand it, none speak it

Humans: have no freaking clue about the language...YET...

The Twins Are Jealous

So I took the month of June to work on a totally different project. It was mostly an exercise, a chance to try and pull a Nanowrimo move in the middle of the year. For most of this month, William and Thomas stayed quiet.

Not anymore.

The twins are pulling hard at my writing strings, demanding attention. This puts me in a weird place: I want to finish my June Project, and I don't really know what to do with the twins right now, but they do not care. They want my attention, NOW.

I think writers have this issue sometimes, especially when they have more than one work in progress. If the stories are character-driven (as I feel they should be), and if the characters are solid, you will know when they are speaking to you. Their voices will be easy to identify in your mind, and you will know when it is time to return to them.

So, my twins are now jealous of the energy I have directed toward this short story. They may have to hold out for a few days longer, but it not going to be easy. I do love the short story I am finishing up, but the truth is, the twins are my favorites.

I never neglect the favorites.

Back On Deck

Okay, after a VERY long break from this blog and my main story due to a zillion things going on, I am finally starting to get back into the swing of this series.

I think authors need to do this sometimes; step away from their biggest project for a little while and get things in order and in perspective. There were too many distractions, and that was making it impossible to really get anywhere with the story. I wrote a second possible climax, one more in line with the twins' personalities, but I still wasn't totally sold on it. That's when I decided to take a break.

The really good parts of Forbidden Children seem to all be in the beginning, up until they prove themselves worthy of respect. After that, I realized that the rest of the story was nothing more than fodder. Was it interesting? Yes. Was it necessary to the series? No.

Herein lies the toughest part of writing; you have to know when the story ends. Books Two and Three are solid because they are hard hitting from start to finish. There are no dull moments, no flashbacks, nothing of the sort. My problem with Forbidden Children is that the twins' background does not need an entire book. It pains me to say that, but it is true. A lot of Book One can be blended into Tainted Blood, the first half mostly. I realize now that the second half of FC was for my own personal amusement. The most important parts of the twins' journey had already been told.

This is what really hindered me for the last month: I didn't know what to do about Book One, and once I started to realize what had to be done, I freaked out. The idea of basically throwing out an entire book of a series scared me to bits.

So here is what I think will happen: Book One will be saved, but I will now focus my energy into Book Two and see if the two can be weaved together. More than likely, most of FC will be saved for a novella or something similar. Maybe it will be posted here eventually. In any case, I am done with FC for now; the best parts have been written.

On to Tainted Blood and Book Three: War Of The Undying...

Serious Editing

Wow, I've been MIA for months! Well, there are a lot of major personal changes coming up, including a major move to the opposite coast. That doesn't mean that my writing has suffered, only that I have had time to really think about it. The thinking has left me borderline terrified. Here's why:

In March, it dawned on me that the back half of Forbidden Children was looking less than stellar. There was too much downtime between the really critical scenes, leaving a lot of insightful but boring chapters. I also got really bored with the plot lines involving their interactions with women. We all know that if the author thinks certain scenes are boring or forced, the reader will think the same, times two.

I love the climax of Book One, but I have started to hate the reason for the climax. It is over a damn girl, a pretty boring girl at that. I know my twins, and they would not throw themselves into such a situation over a cute but rather dull girl. My really strong female leads do not make their grand entrance until Book Two, so any female paired with the twins before that is not high on my importance list, anyway.

This leaves me with some huge plot holes to fill. This is the main reason why my now grumpy Reading Team has not seen anything new from me. I could probably send them about four to five more chapters. After that, I've got nothing.

Book One is not going to be dumped; it has way too much potential. But major parts of it will be, paving the way for William and Thomas to be much better represented. This will probably be the hardest task in writing this entire series. The rest of the road map is perfect, and even has room for possible add-ons and surprises. I know where all the characters (and I mean ALL of them) will end up. But no one will ever see that beautiful road map if I can't get the damn car out of its neighborhood. That is my new task, and it will not be easy. Few things are as pitiful to see as a book that suddenly loses direction halfway through, and that is my issue with FC.

I am certain that I will figure it out because everything else about this series seems to be solid. My main heroes (or anti-heroes) are awesome guys, my bad guys are awesome pains in the butt, the society they live in is over a decade old, and the I adore the main plot. The main question is this: how much of the twins' back story needs to be told before I get to the present?

Oh, and I welcome any comments or suggestions :)

Back To The Editing Board

I finally wrapped up my first draft of Tainted Blood today, which means it is officially time to let it cool for awhile and set my sights back on the prequel, Forbidden Children. I think I am on draft four or five with FC now. I am still seeing improvement between each draft, though, which means it is not finished yet. Once the drafts start looking identical, I'll know my editing has tapped out and another set of (professional) eyes will need to take a look at it.

Another observation that gives me hope: Tainted Blood, even in its rough first draft, appears to be a better story than Forbidden Children. It is more complete, more solid, and more gripping than the first one was at this point. I take this to mean that I am actually learning as I go; at least, I hope I am. This also tells me that I can make FC even better, and that the final book will have a lot to live up to. I'll cross that bridge in November 2010, though.

I think I am actually going to enjoy going over FC a fifth time.

One Year Later

It just dawned on me two days ago that Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) is upon us, which means that my twins and their story are almost a year old. My first draft of this novel was created during the Nanowrimo competition in 2008, and I have spent the last twelve months re-writing and editing. The draft I'm working on now, number four I think, will be my final one before I start the long process of submitting it to anyone willing to read it.

With one month before the entire process starts again, I took a few days away from physical writing to simply examine the evolution of the twins, and where they will be heading next month when I start feverishly writing the second installment of their journey. I looked at how many hours have gone into them, how many words have been written and re-written for the sake of telling their story as it should be told. One thing is certain: draft number four looks much more full and complete than the first, and that is amazing to me.

This series pretty much has me at its mercy; I couldn't drift from it if I tried. One year ago, I would have considered that a negative. Today, I am happy that I have found a story that commands my attention like this one does. That was always my downfall; I got so easily distracted by new story ideas that the old ones never got finished.

That is when you know you have discovered the story you are truly meant to write. If it invades your mind nearly every waking moment, when you find yourself thinking about it at work, before you fall asleep, when you wake up, in moments of pure silence...that is when you know. At that point, you are obligated and dare I say required to share it.

It is your story.

I wanted to take this moment to thank everyone who has followed me on this journey so far, to all my family and friends who have supported me, to my Reading Team (you guys rock), and everyone who has ever visited this blog either on purpose or pure accident. Finally, to my fellow writers: thank you for your support. Find your story and write it. You are destined to share it.

The Search for the Twins: Character Building

I started thinking about a debate I have seen between writers: Should the characters or the plot be developed first?

My opinion: Characters make your plot, so they should come first. I'll admit, though, that for Forbidden Children, neither came first. The Immortal society itself was created first, back when I was about 15. I then started a 12 year hunt to find my characters. 

I went through at least 20 potential main characters, but encountered the same problem. Back then, I didn't know exactly what the problem was. Now I know that I was dropping cardboard cutouts into a plot and hoping for the best; the story wasn't their story, it was anybody's story. I eventually scrapped the whole original plot (which was much more predictable as far as horror novels go) and sat the story on the back burner. 

I knew I had found my main characters in 2008 when I could not picture them in any other story except this one. They gave me my plot. They did not neatly slide into a peg hole like my previous attempts did, but they clawed out their own. This is why William and Thomas are my favorite characters, and this is why their story needs to be told. 

I have also seen how crucial it is to know your characters inside out. You have to be able to answer any question about them. You have to get to the point where people think you're talking about someone real. For example:

What would William think about a typewriter? Answer: He'd laugh at it and go back to writing longhand. He thinks that typewriters and computers degrade his profession; he is a scribe.

What does Thomas think about love? Answer: It's a nice idea but ultimately a pipe dream.

This is a nice exercise for writers: can you answer nearly any question asked about your main characters? Do they have a favorite food, piece of clothing, childhood memory? The trivial facts have led me to some great plot points.

Next post: I am actually going to post a scene from the novel, and I am both excited and terrified.

The Soundtrack

Yes, this story has its own soundtrack in my iPod. I think a lot of writers do this; it gets me and keeps me in the mood to write. Here are some of my favorites and why, in no particular order:

1. "Madokara Mieru" by Corner Stone Cues. Hands down, my favorite piece on the playlist. It captures the mystical feel, the element of suspense, and the journey of the twins.

2. "Nara" by E.S. Posthumus. Most people know this as the theme song to "Cold Case." To me, it sums up the entire Immortal world and all of its dynamics.

3. "Fully Alive" by Flyleaf. A former teen client of mine introduced me to this group. I just love the music and the idea of the twins living "fully alive."

4. "Local God" by Everclear. I just picture the four main characters slumming it and getting into trouble in some random town in Germany, lol.

5. "Ein Wiener Walzer" by Adiemus. This is a waltz and goes directly to a scene in the story.

6. "Before The Worst" by The Script. First, I got to meet this band and they are great guys. Second, pretty much sums up Thomas' love life.

7. "By Your Side" by Tokio Hotel. Someone sharp-eyed probably saw this coming a mile away. All about the four best friends.

8. "Un Bolero Azul" by Adiemus. Germany just before and during World War II. At least, that's what I think when I here this haunting, march-like song.

9. "Beautiful" by Eminem. I know, I was surprised too. The chorus is amazing, though. If William and Thomas wrote a rap song, it would sound like this. 

10. "Main Title Music" by Marco Beltrami. This is from the "Angel Eyes" soundtrack. It is such a sad piece. I listened to it while writing a troubling death scene.

There are a bunch more, but these are the ones I listen to the most. There are 52 songs in all in the playlist, and they span the music spectrum. I'm not the only one who does this, right?

The Elders

All societies have leaders, people who have absolute rule or simply the last word. For the Immortals, there are four leaders representing the Immortal clans. They are purposely a range of cultures, races, and viewpoints. They pass final judgement if needed and give final approval on laws. William and Thomas get to know most of them fairly well. I'll briefly introduce them.

Vladimir: this is the Dark One Elder, and he is by far the most visible of the Elders. He is the voice of the Dark Ones, hails from present day Russia, and is the oldest Elder. Vladimir is a character that has lasted through all 15 years of brainstorming, because he is classic, smooth, witty and wise. He becomes one of the twins' father figures.

Saynan: She is from modern day Japan, and is the ShadowWalker Elder (you won't hear much about the ShadowWalkers in this novel). She is also the only female Elder in history. While she puts on a cool exterior, Saynan is very passionate about issues of ethics and equality. She becomes something of a mother figure to the twins.

Claudis: He is a Moor, and the NightWolf Elder. It is often assumed that he is gruff and unyielding, and while he has his moments, he is loyal to what he believes in. Claudis likes to play devil's advocate in meetings and debates, but he does it to get others to think about their choices.

Romain: Hails from present day Spain. Romain is the leader of a widely scattered  and hunted clan, the Felians. He is gone from Great Hall often, off to track down his brethren. As a result, he is not in this story much. He appears to be a mix Claudis' no-nonsense attitude and Saynan's compassion.

Where the twins walk...

In the brainstorming days and months, I envisioned my twins seeing the world, traveling to foreign lands, and getting into misfit-like situations all along the way. Then I realized how that would ruin their entire story; their confinement and lack of control over their lives is part of their struggle. Their roaming is confined to about three different parts of the world for this story:

1. Germany: This just makes sense. It is their home, and no matter what happens, they always return back to where they began. They live in southeastern Germany and witness the country's growing pains, its highest and darkest moments. Through it all, they never stop calling themselves Germans. 

2. Ireland: This is where they serve out their time for their crimes, at Great Hall in Northern Ireland. The twins mature the most here; they make lifelong friends, learn to control their instincts, and strengthen their already tight bond. This is also the setting for some of the funnier moments of the story.

3. Washington DC: William and Thomas are assigned to a school in the United States' capital, much to their surprise. This transfer is the most important location change in the novel because it sets the stage for the climax of the story and also answers a few important questions concerning the twins' family.

The Handlers

While they are first dispatched by the Elders of the Immortals to kill the twins, the NightWolves that eventually become The Handlers grow a friendship with their targets. For now, their working names are Georg (no, I didn't forget the "e") and Gustav. That will probably change simply because they are inspired by actual people, and those are the actual guys' names. Actually, all four of my main guys are based on actual, internationally known people. Yeah, names will change. Anyway, these two are a good 200 years older than the twins, have wives and (eventually) children of their own. They are both very good at their job and are an assassin team. Each brings something to the table: Georg is the lead tracker, able to find the most elusive target using all of his senses. Gustav is the muscle; while they are both excellent fighters, Gustav is the more fierce of the two. Both have a low tolerance for nonsense, a penchant for finding the best beer in the region, and a desire to serve their Elder.

Georg and Gustav agree to look after William and Thomas because they have faith in the twins and sense that there is potential greatness in them. Like the twins, Georg and Gustav get a kick out of going against the grain in a logical manner and do so often. Still, the Handlers are highly respected in their Clan and never lose their influence with the NightWolf Elder, Claudis. In fact, Claudis eventually turns to their way of thinking when it comes to the twins.

These two focused but outgoing NightWolves round out the leading "Boys Club" of the first two novels. 

HWC and Author's Note

First off, I am planning to attend the Hawaii Writers Conference this September. I would love to know if anyone else who happens to read this is going, particularly if you are from Florida. It would be nice to be familiar with someone else there. I'm staying at the Courtyard Marriott, because it's less than a quarter mile away from the conference hotels, it is in my budget, and I am a Marriott Rewards member, lol. If you are interested, rooms start at $109, and I saved about $200. Don't say I never helped you :-)

Second, I haven't been writing too much on the blog or my book in the past week because I have been doing some major brainstorming. One scene in particular has been bouncing around in my head, and it makes me giddy every time I think about it. I love these moments; writers live for these moments. Whenever you can combine characterization and plot pushing into a single scene, it's cause for a small happy dance. Meanwhile, events in Miami over the weekend made me revisit another story that has absolutely nothing to do with Immortals. Looking over that story helped me with the brainstorming as well.

Moral of the story: If you get stuck on a particular piece, it could help to go look at something else you are working on (or started working on and abandoned in my case). Reading over some old scenes that are halfway decent may lead to your imagination creating some new scenes.

The Sapira

Much like the Congress of the United States or Parliament in the United Kingdom, the Sapira is the governing body of the Immortals. This group has at least one representative from every nation that has Immortals. While the Ten Commandments are the basic rules of Immortal life, the Sapira created laws "inspired by God's divine intervention" for the Immortals to follow.

The members of the Sapira usually stay in their home countries, although about 25 of them remain at the Immortal headquarters, Great Hall, permanently. The Sapira meet regularly about three times a year, but can also be summoned at a moment's notice in emergencies and in dealing with major violations of Immortal law. The Sapira not only vote on lawas, but also act as a jury of peers during major trials. A two-thirds vote is needed for a law or sentence to pass.

Members of the Sapira have to be at least 275 years of age. The senior members, some of whom are founding members of the Sapira, have the most power and are allowed to debate or invite other younger members to debate. The Sapira's verdict or vote can still be overturned by one governing body that is above them...The Immortal Elders.

What are Forbidden Children?

Forbidden Children is the title of the first book in the series. It follows twins William and Thomas, the only known Forbidden Children on Earth. 

Immortals in the series usually do not become Immortal until they reach around 18 years of age (think of it like puberty). At that point, they gain their immortality, along with some additional abilities. This is called the Cross Over. Until they Cross Over, children of Immortals are as vulnerable as human children. In the case of William and Thomas, who were born to Immortal parents, they Cross Over very early due to unfortunate circumstances (I will explain this in an upcoming blog). At 14 years of age, they have immortality, heightened senses, and animal instincts. They are also not in control of themselves due to the sudden influx of power. The twins soon start attacking humans, seeking blood.

Forbidden Children are considered an abomination of nature. There are no previous records of the existence of such children in Immortal history; such creatures are merely the stuff of legend until the twins become immortal. A big part of the book involves the governing bodies of the Immortal world deciding the fate of the twins: teach them to control their instincts, ignore them and leave it to the humans, or destroy the twins themselves.

Angel Note: Send questions, and I will try to answer them in upcoming blogs. Again, I appreciate the visit!

Greetings!

This blog is for a series that I am writing, The Immortal Ones. I will use it as an introduction to the characters and plots that are included in the stories. I will also do an occasional post about the writing process itself. The first novel, Forbidden Children, is currently in the revision stages. 

I will probably include some fun things on Marked, including character "interviews" and blog entries, background about various events and settings in the series, and scenes that likely won't make the final version. God willing, the full novels will see the light of day sometime before I leave this Earth. 

Anyway, feel free to give feedback and thank you for taking the time to check out Marked.

Angel Marie