Hey everyone,
While watching the one of the epic videos by author Jackson Pearce (www.youtube.com/JacksonAPearce), she introduced me to NaNoWriMo. She did a really good job of describing it, so here is her video:
So there is the description of NaNoWriMo in a nutshell. In case you're having a "blonde" moment, NaNoWriMo is the shortened form of National Novel Writing Month. The website Jackson gives you is www.nanowrimo.com, but it's actually www.nanowrimo.org. It doesn't really matter which one you use though, because they both get you there. And hey, if you are this blog, you might be interested in also checking my profile on NaNoWriMo's site (because I signed up). You can see it at http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/827599. We can even become writing buddies on there. (Their term for "friends" is "writing buddies"). If you send me a writing buddies request, or however that works (haven't actually tried requesting any friends yet), and I don't accept it, let me know you sent it in the comments.
If you sign up this is what happens:
1.) You get a profile through NaNoWriMo that gives you an Author's Info and Novel Info section.
2.) Starting November 1st, your word meter will start keeping track of all the words you submit to NaNoWriMo.
3.) Your little word meter will show your progress through the month of November.
4.) The goal is to write 50,000 words in November even if it's the worst thing you've ever wrote, ever.
5.) If you achieve this, you get a little winner's badge on your profile (and a few other things that I'm not completely clear about... visit their site for more info). If you don't achieve this, nothing really happens.
So why am I so excited about this, even though it's July?
Because I am the worst at actually pushing through novels. I always write 5 pages, and then I constantly edit, and re-edit those 5 pages. So I never get anything done. But with NaNoWriMo, the goal is quantity, not quality. As crazy as that sounds, it will at least give you something longer than 5 pages to edit.
I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE for any fellow writers to attempt NaNoWriMo with me this November. Don't worry if you don't make the 50,000 word mark- chances are I probably won't either. But, hey, it'll be fun to try. Also, NaNoWriMo gives you tips ("pep talks") and allows you to discuss writing with other aspiring authors. Oh, and a lot of published authors still love to do NaNoWriMo. If you're willing to do NaNoWriMo with me this November, I'd love to hear about it in the comments.
Ciao!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A Question For My Blog Readers...
Should I add the Prologue I have already written (you can view it at http://brandimcconahay.blogspot.com/p/start-of-new-era-writing-piece-prologue.html) at the beginning or add it in later in the story? Please comment to tell me what you think. Thanks!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Kory Popescu-Cavanaugh Character Profile
Here's the Character Profile for Kory Popescu-Cavanaugh, the son of Alex and Ash, and the sister of Lexi:
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| From a Kohl's advertisment, I believe. Author unknown. |
Full Name: Kory Alexandru Popescu-Cavanaugh
Nickname: Sometimes referred to as Kor (especially by his sister Alexius)
Date of Birth: February 14, 1992
Hair Color: Auburn
Hairstyle: Short, but not buzzed
Eye Color: Hazel
Race: White
Skin Tone: Normal/ slightly pale
Favorite Food: Italian food (Yes, the Romanian/Irish guy prefers Italian food)
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Movie: The Lord of the Rings
Clothing Style: Classic fit jeans, graphic tees, button downs, converse or vans for shoes
Favorite Animal: Owl
Pets: None, unless you count Lexi’s cat, Nightmare (who only likes Kory when he feeds it)
Hobbies: Reading, Playing Video Games
Obsessions: None really… but he loves trying to beat his sister at black-ops
Lives in: Ohio
Lives with: His younger sister Alexius, 16, and his godfather, Ryan
Lives in: the house previously owned by his parents
In a Relationship with: Mitzi Whitlock
Brief History: Kory grew up with Alexius Popescu-Cavanaugh, Mitzi Whitlock, Riley Hearson, Gabe Hearson, Goose McCarley and Katie Teal
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Happy Sweet 16th Birthday to Lexi :D
Yes, I know that I am strange for doing this, but I feel that it is necessary. Today is Lexi's birthday, after all, even if she is just a character in my story. Since it's Lexi's birthday, I figured that I would go ahead and tell you a bit about her past. I believe that every part that I am going to tell you about was crucial in determining her personality, character, and actions and reactions with other characters. I am going to pick up the story directly after Alex and Ash were killed, and Lexi and her brother Kory were orphaned.
After Lexi woke up in the hospital, she was told that an arrangement had been made with a Social Worker, and Lexi and Kory were to be under the coustody of their godfather, Ryan. Ryan ended up coming and staying at the Popescu-Cavanaugh house instead of forcing the kids to leave. The house had been left to Lexi and Kory.
Lexi was affected more than anyone else by her parents' deaths. While Kory grieved, he still didn't fully understand. He didn't see it. The sight of her parents being murdered played over and over again in her mind, everytime she tried to go to sleep. Everytime she closed her eyes, it was all that she could see. Alex and Ash were burried within walking distance from the Popescu-Cavanaugh house. It became a common thing for Lexi to sneak out and walk to their graves at night when she couldn't sleep. She would curl up against their gravestone, and only there could she manage to get a little bit of rest. The first time she did it, she sent Ryan into a panic. She wasn't in her bed, there was no note, and neither he nor Kory had heard anything throughout the night. After that, however, it became a common thing to wake up and head to down the cemetary immediately to wake Lexi up.
It is common that Insurgo begin to develop their abilities during puberty, and as soon as Lexi's abilities began developing when she was 12, she began to spiral into depression. She had a bad case of survivors guilt, and being the Millenial only added to it. She felt that she could have done more to help save her parents. Around this time she also became closer to a guy who she had know her entire life- a boy her brother's age named Nicholas Raskey. As children, Lexi and Nicholas had been friends, but the Raskey family was highly influential in the Insurgo world, and the were worried about their children's safety if they were to openly support the Resistance.
Lexi did an excellent job at hiding the fact that she was struggling with depression. She put on the "happy face" and didn't let anyone know how scared or alone she was. Everyone thought that she was a happy, healthy pre-teen, and then teenage girl.
Three months before Lexi turned 15, however, things took a turn for the worse. She had been growing closer to Nicholas (who she nicknamed "Nicky"), but she was also struggling to keep her depression under control. One day, the circumstances were simply wrong. She was feeling more alone than ever, and usually she could just go into the room with someone else, and she could fight off the feeling. But both Ryan and Kory were at work, and Lexi was home alone. She went upstairs to her bathroom and tried to end her life. Thankfully, Nicholas had decided to drive over to Lexi's house and see if she wanted to get out of the house. He walked in the house, and heard Lexi crying upstairs. He ran upstairs just in time to stop her. That was the moment when he realized how much she meant to him.
After that, Nicholas helped Lexi recover from her depression (so did the others). Lexi learned to love herself for who she is, and to deal with her past. After successfully beating her depression, Lexi became a strong and valuable leader in the Reistance.
During her recovery from depression, Lexi and Nicholas began dating. (And Lexi is the only person allowed to call him "Nicky". Riley snickered and tried it once he heard Lexi call Nicholas that, and Nicholas socked him. Nicholas only goes by Nicholas unless you are Lexi. No exceptions :P)
Please post any comments you might have about the summary of Lexi's history. (Or any questions you might have... this is much more detailed in my head, so it all makes sense. I might have left some important things out, but hopefully I covered it all =)
After Lexi woke up in the hospital, she was told that an arrangement had been made with a Social Worker, and Lexi and Kory were to be under the coustody of their godfather, Ryan. Ryan ended up coming and staying at the Popescu-Cavanaugh house instead of forcing the kids to leave. The house had been left to Lexi and Kory.
Lexi was affected more than anyone else by her parents' deaths. While Kory grieved, he still didn't fully understand. He didn't see it. The sight of her parents being murdered played over and over again in her mind, everytime she tried to go to sleep. Everytime she closed her eyes, it was all that she could see. Alex and Ash were burried within walking distance from the Popescu-Cavanaugh house. It became a common thing for Lexi to sneak out and walk to their graves at night when she couldn't sleep. She would curl up against their gravestone, and only there could she manage to get a little bit of rest. The first time she did it, she sent Ryan into a panic. She wasn't in her bed, there was no note, and neither he nor Kory had heard anything throughout the night. After that, however, it became a common thing to wake up and head to down the cemetary immediately to wake Lexi up.
It is common that Insurgo begin to develop their abilities during puberty, and as soon as Lexi's abilities began developing when she was 12, she began to spiral into depression. She had a bad case of survivors guilt, and being the Millenial only added to it. She felt that she could have done more to help save her parents. Around this time she also became closer to a guy who she had know her entire life- a boy her brother's age named Nicholas Raskey. As children, Lexi and Nicholas had been friends, but the Raskey family was highly influential in the Insurgo world, and the were worried about their children's safety if they were to openly support the Resistance.
Lexi did an excellent job at hiding the fact that she was struggling with depression. She put on the "happy face" and didn't let anyone know how scared or alone she was. Everyone thought that she was a happy, healthy pre-teen, and then teenage girl.
Three months before Lexi turned 15, however, things took a turn for the worse. She had been growing closer to Nicholas (who she nicknamed "Nicky"), but she was also struggling to keep her depression under control. One day, the circumstances were simply wrong. She was feeling more alone than ever, and usually she could just go into the room with someone else, and she could fight off the feeling. But both Ryan and Kory were at work, and Lexi was home alone. She went upstairs to her bathroom and tried to end her life. Thankfully, Nicholas had decided to drive over to Lexi's house and see if she wanted to get out of the house. He walked in the house, and heard Lexi crying upstairs. He ran upstairs just in time to stop her. That was the moment when he realized how much she meant to him.
After that, Nicholas helped Lexi recover from her depression (so did the others). Lexi learned to love herself for who she is, and to deal with her past. After successfully beating her depression, Lexi became a strong and valuable leader in the Reistance.
During her recovery from depression, Lexi and Nicholas began dating. (And Lexi is the only person allowed to call him "Nicky". Riley snickered and tried it once he heard Lexi call Nicholas that, and Nicholas socked him. Nicholas only goes by Nicholas unless you are Lexi. No exceptions :P)
Please post any comments you might have about the summary of Lexi's history. (Or any questions you might have... this is much more detailed in my head, so it all makes sense. I might have left some important things out, but hopefully I covered it all =)
Monday, June 20, 2011
The Ones That Screw Everything Up: aka The Deflectors
What is a Deflector? Well, based on the title of this post, you have probably already guessed that they tend to mess things up. But what they really do is "deflect" the abilities of Insurgos. By this I mean that they can negate an Insurgo's powers simply by being close to them. Deflectors can only be regular humans. If anything strange happens to them to where they become different from the regular human, they lose their Deflector abilities.
Most Deflectors don't even realize what they can do. Why would they? The only people they affect become like everyone else whenever they're around. Because they don't realize what they can do, the Council can easily manipulate them to fight against the Resistance. That is how Lexi's parents were killed- a Deflector was issued to keep them from being able to use their Insurgo abilities. That is also why guns were used by the Insurgo issued to kill Alex and Ash.
There is only one exception to the Deflector abilities: they cannot take away the extra power of a Millennial. They can take away the everyday powers, but the extra powers that take more energy to be tapped into an unaffected. (Those powers are difficult for even the Millennial to tap into, however).
Most Deflectors don't even realize what they can do. Why would they? The only people they affect become like everyone else whenever they're around. Because they don't realize what they can do, the Council can easily manipulate them to fight against the Resistance. That is how Lexi's parents were killed- a Deflector was issued to keep them from being able to use their Insurgo abilities. That is also why guns were used by the Insurgo issued to kill Alex and Ash.
There is only one exception to the Deflector abilities: they cannot take away the extra power of a Millennial. They can take away the everyday powers, but the extra powers that take more energy to be tapped into an unaffected. (Those powers are difficult for even the Millennial to tap into, however).
Saturday, June 11, 2011
The Story Of Lexi's Parents, And The Founding Of The Resistance
The back story of Lexi's parents is very important for the main storyline in The Start Of A New Era. It explains why Lexi is the way she is, her heritage, and the creation of the Resistance. It all starts not with Lexi's parents, but actually her grandparents. Her grandfathers in particular... now just bear with me for this one:
Victor Popescu was born in America to a third-generation Romanian immigrant couple in 1945. When he was twenty years old, a cousin of his decided to travel to Romania. Victor thought he was crazy. At the time, Romania was under communist rule, and America was very much against anything to do with the communists. But his cousin, through much persuasion, convinced him to at least come and visit. He spoke of the beautiful landscapes, and rich culture despite the oppressive communists. Finally, he was able to convince Victor to come and stay for a few weeks during the summer. There, Victor met Lucia Ionescu. He fell in love with Lucia over the three weeks that he stayed in Romania. When the three weeks were over, he asked her if she would like to come back to America with him. She could be free there, he said. Lucia knew that it would be difficult to escape the communists, and she loved Romania. So Victor agreed to stay with her instead. They were married two years later, and then they had three children: Vladimir (1970), Alexandru (1972), and Stefania (1973). In 1978, Stefania was killed in a tragic accident involving a wolf. That, combined with the increasing pressure from the communists, caused Victor, Lucia, and their two remaining children to flee back to America. Victor never gave up his American citizenship, and his children were in turn born with dual citizenship. Only Lucia had to apply for citizenship, which was granted to her. From that point, Vlad and Alex grew up in America.
Brian Cavanaugh's story starts out similar to that of Victor Popescu's. He was a descendant from Irish immigrants who had fled Ireland in 1847 during the Great Potato Famine. His family lived in a primarily Irish-Immigrant Community. Brian was born in 1947, in America. He was not forced to return to Ireland, nor did he need convincing. He heard all kinds of old stories that had been passed down about "the home land". As soon as he turned 18, he set off to see whether Ireland was as grand as the stories said. Brian was amazed by the beauty of the Irish countryside. He was also amazed by the beauty and strong spirit of Maeve O'Connell. You know where this is going. He and Maeve fell in love, and were married a year and a half later. They ended up having two children: Brendan (1969) and Aislinn (1972). They did not leave Ireland, even though Brendan and Aislinn were both born with American citizenship because of their American father. At the end of Aislinn's public education in Ireland, she was offered an excellent scholarship to come a university in America. That was in 1990.
It would just so happen that Alexandru "Alex" Popescu and Aislinn "Ash" Cavanaugh would meet at the same university. They both immediately recognized each other as Insurgo, and they both had a lot in common. It was there that the also met the parents of Riley and Gabe Hearson, Mitzi Whitlock, Katie Teal, and Lucy "Goose" McCarley. They were all Insurgo, and they all became extremely close friends. During their time at the university, Alex and Ash also met Ryan, though he was not a student there.
Alex and Ash were both highly charismic, and highly determined. They had both been bothered for a long time about the actions of the Insurgo Grand Council. They banded together with the others, and began spreading the word. Because of Alex and Ash's ties to Europe, the Resistance movement became International. Soon there were Resistance movements showing up all across the globe. Alex and Ash continued to lead the movement.
Alex and Ash also fell in love during their time at the university, and while they ran the Resistance Movement. Shortly after both of their 20th birthdays, they were married. They had decided to wait on having kids, in fear of the Council using their children against them. That didn't go quite as planned, however. Their first child, Kory Victor Popescu-Cavanaugh, was born within the next year. Three years later, their second child, Alexius Moira Popescu-Cavanaugh was born.
Alex and Ash continued to lead the Resistance, but they took every measure possible to protect their children. They knew there was a possibility that they could be killed in their line of work, so they made sure that Kory and Lexi would be put under Ryan's protection if anything were to happen to them. Unfortunately, 8 years after Alexius was born, Alex and Ash were killed by the Council during an attempt to protect each other and their terrified daugther (to read more about that part of the story, visit The Start of A New Era Writing Piece (Prologue).
I know that's a lot of information, but it's sets the stage for the entire story of The Start of A New Era.
Victor Popescu was born in America to a third-generation Romanian immigrant couple in 1945. When he was twenty years old, a cousin of his decided to travel to Romania. Victor thought he was crazy. At the time, Romania was under communist rule, and America was very much against anything to do with the communists. But his cousin, through much persuasion, convinced him to at least come and visit. He spoke of the beautiful landscapes, and rich culture despite the oppressive communists. Finally, he was able to convince Victor to come and stay for a few weeks during the summer. There, Victor met Lucia Ionescu. He fell in love with Lucia over the three weeks that he stayed in Romania. When the three weeks were over, he asked her if she would like to come back to America with him. She could be free there, he said. Lucia knew that it would be difficult to escape the communists, and she loved Romania. So Victor agreed to stay with her instead. They were married two years later, and then they had three children: Vladimir (1970), Alexandru (1972), and Stefania (1973). In 1978, Stefania was killed in a tragic accident involving a wolf. That, combined with the increasing pressure from the communists, caused Victor, Lucia, and their two remaining children to flee back to America. Victor never gave up his American citizenship, and his children were in turn born with dual citizenship. Only Lucia had to apply for citizenship, which was granted to her. From that point, Vlad and Alex grew up in America.
Brian Cavanaugh's story starts out similar to that of Victor Popescu's. He was a descendant from Irish immigrants who had fled Ireland in 1847 during the Great Potato Famine. His family lived in a primarily Irish-Immigrant Community. Brian was born in 1947, in America. He was not forced to return to Ireland, nor did he need convincing. He heard all kinds of old stories that had been passed down about "the home land". As soon as he turned 18, he set off to see whether Ireland was as grand as the stories said. Brian was amazed by the beauty of the Irish countryside. He was also amazed by the beauty and strong spirit of Maeve O'Connell. You know where this is going. He and Maeve fell in love, and were married a year and a half later. They ended up having two children: Brendan (1969) and Aislinn (1972). They did not leave Ireland, even though Brendan and Aislinn were both born with American citizenship because of their American father. At the end of Aislinn's public education in Ireland, she was offered an excellent scholarship to come a university in America. That was in 1990.
It would just so happen that Alexandru "Alex" Popescu and Aislinn "Ash" Cavanaugh would meet at the same university. They both immediately recognized each other as Insurgo, and they both had a lot in common. It was there that the also met the parents of Riley and Gabe Hearson, Mitzi Whitlock, Katie Teal, and Lucy "Goose" McCarley. They were all Insurgo, and they all became extremely close friends. During their time at the university, Alex and Ash also met Ryan, though he was not a student there.
Alex and Ash were both highly charismic, and highly determined. They had both been bothered for a long time about the actions of the Insurgo Grand Council. They banded together with the others, and began spreading the word. Because of Alex and Ash's ties to Europe, the Resistance movement became International. Soon there were Resistance movements showing up all across the globe. Alex and Ash continued to lead the movement.
Alex and Ash also fell in love during their time at the university, and while they ran the Resistance Movement. Shortly after both of their 20th birthdays, they were married. They had decided to wait on having kids, in fear of the Council using their children against them. That didn't go quite as planned, however. Their first child, Kory Victor Popescu-Cavanaugh, was born within the next year. Three years later, their second child, Alexius Moira Popescu-Cavanaugh was born.
Alex and Ash continued to lead the Resistance, but they took every measure possible to protect their children. They knew there was a possibility that they could be killed in their line of work, so they made sure that Kory and Lexi would be put under Ryan's protection if anything were to happen to them. Unfortunately, 8 years after Alexius was born, Alex and Ash were killed by the Council during an attempt to protect each other and their terrified daugther (to read more about that part of the story, visit The Start of A New Era Writing Piece (Prologue).
I know that's a lot of information, but it's sets the stage for the entire story of The Start of A New Era.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Yes, It Talks. No, It Won't Tell You A Funny Joke.
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| Lexi's cat, Nightmare Photo from: www.sacramentoscoop.com |
These special cats have largely to do with the superstitious image of the black cat. Because they were the only type of cat that was able to possess this ability, they were often found with the Insurgos, who were often accussed of witchcraft. See where this is going? Because they were found with the Insurgos so much, they were deemed evil, and the superstitions began.
How can you tell a regular black cat from a talking one? You can't. You're best bet is to just look at the location of the cat. If the cat is with an Insurgo, it probably talks. If the cat isn't, it probably doesn't.
Nightmare is Lexi's talking black cat. The cat was actually a gift from her dad to her mom shortly before Lexi was born. (Oh, and by the way, talking black cats have longer life spans). So Nightmare grew up with Lexi. She is a rather reasonable cat, and is vegan just like Lexi (because Lexi's the one who feeds her). Nightmare's biggest flaw is that she likes to sleep on Lexi's bed, but she usually either ends up taking up the whole bed, or sleeping on Lexi's face. (Not very pleasant, as you could probably imagine).
Nightmare's greatest pet peeve: being asked to tell a funny joke. Nightmare won't tell you a joke, even a not-funny one.
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