February 2012
3 posts
2 tags
Friday Snippets #2: PoB, the mysterious stranger
It’s #FridaySnippets time again! Come join the fun! :D
Sadly I missed out on promoting this game properly this week, as I’m in the middle of a move, but I’m ready to play once more! Here’s my snippet for this week: part of the scene where a mysterious stranger from Erthel’s mother’s forgotten past confronts the two women. This is one of my favourite moments in...
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Friday Snippets #1: PoB prologue
#FridaySnippets fun starts today! Here’s my first snippet: the prologue to “the Path of Blood” in its revised version.
A couple of warnings:
“The Path of Blood” as a whole, and this snippet in particular, features mature content, some of which might make people a little queasy.
I’m not a native English speaker: this is translated from Italian so might be far...
Writing and sharing: introducing Friday Snippets! →
Starting on tomorrow, friday February 17th, I’m launching on twitter a fun little meme inspired by Holly Lisle’s “Friday Snippets” tradition: every friday writers share a link to a snippet of their WIPs on twitter, using the #fridaysnippets hashtag!
Go read more on my website and if you’re up to it, get ready to join the fun on tomorrow! I’ll be using this...
December 2011
1 post
6 tags
The secret is out... DasteRoad.com goes live!
Yes, you got that right. As the title says, I have my own website now, and it’s alive and kicking: come have fun at DasteRoad.com!
Also, the secret that wasn’t really a secret - the news I was hinting at in my latest tumblr post - is finally out: as explained on the website, and as I mentioned to some of my closest pals lately, I’ve decided to take on the adventure of using...
September 2011
4 posts
4 tags
PoB - Editing Days 8-11
It’s official: I’ll be leaving for the new place in 6 days from now. I didn’t update earlier simply because I didn’t get much done lately, between trip-and-move organization, some tedious post-phd bureaucratic business to take care of, and thankfully, hanging out with friends and relatives to celebrate the upcoming big change in my life. I did still work on the revision...
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PoB - Editing Days 2-7
Yes, I know I said I’d assess progress daily. But discovering during the last few days that I’ll have to leave to start at the new job much sooner than I expected seriously messed up my daily schedule. I am still working on the revision each day (I got in another 6940 words total from last time I updated), but I’m going much slower than my ideal estimate, mostly because...
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PoB - Editing Day 1, and a rant on worldbuilding
Day 1 brought only 986 words. Considering I have to get in at least 2400 words a day if I want to finish this monster in one month, this is not a good start, but once I’m done with the current scene (a completely new one that didn’t exist in first draft) things should move faster. Also, I know perfectly well what I was doing wrong: now that I have all this new, shiny and awesome...
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PoB - Outline DONE
It took me much more than what I thought, since working on the outline revealed a couple of problem areas I hadn’t noticed before, but both the to-do list and the revised plot outline are finally done. I know the plot structure of the revised novel, I know which scenes I have to cut and which I have to add, I know the important changes I have to keep in mind along the way - so yes, I’m...
August 2011
1 post
4 tags
PoB - Replotting DONE
Yes, you read that right.
I had the final phase of the evil state exam to take care of lately (oh, and it went pretty well apparently) and I’ve been away from home often, but the Replotting phase is done. DONE I SAY. I’m currently building the final outline and to-do list so I have a clear plan of everything I changed and I’ll have to keep in mind - then I’ll be ready to...
July 2011
5 posts
4 tags
PoB - Replotting Final Rush #12-16
I had to balance my writing time with studying for the evil state exam, but I finally nailed a few things that were bothering me about the Ending. Now I have to address the Aftermath, and I’ll be ready to rebuild the plot outline. Onward!
Updated Replotting to-do list:
Erthel’s mom’s backstory [done];
Erthel vs. the investigation [done];
Erthel vs. her job [done];
Erthel vs....
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PoB - Replotting Final Rush #11
The replotting points about the Arvelsen and Valdersen bloodlines turned out to be largely obsolete or very intuitive based on the previous results, so today marked another point of the to-do list done. Go me! I also started working on the Ending and the Aftermath. I already know this is not going to be a quick point, but now that I’m on a roll and working every day on this again, I’m...
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PoB - Replotting Final Rush #10
Today was productive: I solved my issues regarding the Erthel vs. herself side plotline rather quickly, since most of them had become obsolete or really simple to address after the rebuilding and the replotting I got done until today. Yay me! Onward I go.
Updated Replotting to-do list:
Erthel’s mom’s backstory [done];
Erthel vs. the investigation [done];
Erthel vs. her job [done];
Erthel vs....
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PoB - Replotting Final Rush #4-9
It took me almost the whole week, but I FINALLY wrapped things up with the side plotline about Erthel’s job and her relationship with the rest of the village that was bugging the hell out of me. I didn’t really expect this point of the to-do list to be so hard, but it’s not that surprising given that it gave me quite the trouble during the first draft too and I ended up dropping...
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PoB - Replotting Final Rush #3
It might not seem, but I’m actually getting some work done on this beast and not flat out hating it all, which is even more surprising. I finally fleshed out the everyday background of Erthel’s family and her job, and I might have figured out how to work it all into the novel in a way that actually adds to the main plot line instead of being distracting, like it happened during the...
June 2011
3 posts
The best laid plans
Is it just me or tumblr is seriously, like SERIOUSLY screwed up today?
Anyhow. As is probably apparent, the RFR experiment went right down the drain lately. I’m not sure why exactly I’m hating this phase so much… maybe it’s because I don’t have a clear target to aim to, or maybe I just need to write (that would explain why low-energy things like fantasizing over my...
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PoB - Replotting Final Rush #2
Day 2 of the RFR was quite productive! I solved quite a few issues that were bothering me in the “Erthel vs. the investigation” plotline, and I’m now ready to move to the other points. Given that this plotline is the main one, I expect the other points to be solved more quickly, with the possible exception of the one related to the Ending and the Aftermath that I already know is...
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PoB - Replotting Final Rush #1
I got seriously sidetracked on the latest couple weeks because of Yet Another Fanfic Rut, and because of a couple of trips I had to take for a job interview out of town (currently waiting for further news: please keep your fingers crossed for me people), but I’m ready to kick ass once more. As such, given that I can’t wait for this novel to be finally done so I can get back to actual...
May 2011
1 post
3 tags
PoB - Replotting time!
The Rebuilding stage of Revision Phase 2 that has been draining my lifeblood from… what, January? I’ve been slaving away over the mechanics of the special physics involved and their impact on society for 4 effin’ months? Holy crap. It’s true that I’ve also had a PhD and serious fangirling issues to take care of, but still.
Anyway, I was finally done with Rebuilding...
April 2011
1 post
5 tags
PoB - Almost done with rebuilding, and OMG ARTS
Despite appearances, I am still getting actual work done on the PoB revision. It’s just kind of hard to assess progress at this stage, and I can’t get into much detail without risking spoilers, so I don’t aim at posting frequently, at least for the moment. I’m almost done with the Rebuilding phase: between today and tomorrow I should be ready to jump into Replotting and...
March 2011
3 posts
7 tags
PoB - Still rebuilding, and managing fangirling...
Yes, I’m still alive, and yes, I’m actually getting work done on revision phase 2 for PoB.
I’m also still a rabid Girl Genius fangirl, but apparently some things can’t be mended. Meh, as long as I still manage to work on my own writing every day, shameless fangirling counts as harmless fun, and it’s fine with me.
What is not fine with me, is when fangirling turns...
Goodnight, prof. M.
One of my former professors, one of the people in my whole life I admired the most, looked up to and actually think helped me be a better person died tonight.
I can’t remember the last time I saw him at the uni. I can’t remember the last time we spoke. I can’t remember if I gave him my christmas or new years’ wishes.
The world is made of people, and it looks quite like a...
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Step 1: Admitting you have a problem
Ok.
I will stop obsessively fangirling about Girl Genius and writing fanfiction about it AND I will get back to work on my writing.
Eventually.
Oh, and I’ve been officially unemployed since last week. Whee.
February 2011
1 post
2 tags
World domination step #1 done
Ok, apparently now I’ve been given the title of PhD. Now to build my first doomsday device! Insert your favourite maniacal laughter here.
Brb.
January 2011
2 posts
7 tags
PoB - The Gift again, and writing longhand
Yesterday I addressed the importance of training with the Gift (the titular “path of blood”), today I’ll work on what scars exactly are and how they interact with training.
Yesterday I also finally finished typing all my Revision Phase 1 written notes in LSBXE and putting together the masterplan for Revision Phase 2, which highlights the main problem areas in plot, worldbuilding...
4 tags
PoB - Rebuilding the Gift
As is incredibly original and witty to say while updating a blog again after a long hiatus, “the report of my death was an exaggeration”.
My PhD defense will take place in early February, in the meanwhile I’m still working at the uni in an effort to wrap all of my activity up so we can actually get some papers published. Also, I’ll officially be unemployed from March on,...
December 2010
7 posts
2 tags
PHD THESIS OF EBIL DONE
Evil phd thesis done, PDFd and sent to the commission members.
E-mail server says it’s been delivered. Waiting for “read” notifications.
Forgot identity in the process.
I think I’ll go drinking myself blind now or something, in the meanwhile have a happy new year everybody.
Brb.
4 tags
PoB - Together
1318 more words assessed on Dec 13th, thus concluding Erthel’s adventures and Revision Phase 1 for PoB. Yay me!
The not-quite-fun news now though is that I’m more than knee deep in crap with my PhD thesis, so I might be just a little bit busy during the following days. To clarify, it’s 9:30 PM around here and as soon as I post this, I’m getting back to work on the evil...
3 tags
PoB - Welcome home
I haven’t updated in a while, but bit by bit, I’m almost done with the manuscript assessment phase.
Assessed 5624 more words on Dec 9th, 4144 on Dec 10th, 2960 on Dec 11th and a whoppin’ 7696 on Dec 12th. Only the brief epilogue remains now, and after that, it’ll be time to reread my notes and build the plan of action for Revision Phase 2. Sadly, given that in two weeks...
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MOLYMOD(R) UK - Molecular Models →
Ok, this is precisely what I want for Christmas ♥
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PoB - Nothing ever goes well
Resumed the manuscript assessment phase on Dec 2nd with around 6K words.
There are a couple of really muddled scenes in this phase of the novel, but I think I know more or less what it will take to fix them (mainly filling a couple of gaping, frightening worldbuilding holes). The scene with the whole “kiss of blood” ritual between Faurel and Lizthel is still fun, but it also gives me...
November 2010
21 posts
2 tags
EVIL EXAMS DONE
Exams done. DONE I SAY.
Now only evil bureaucracy and my phd thesis stand in my way to world domination. Muh-ahahahah!
Now excuse me, I must go stuffing my face with yummy foods prepared by mother-in-law.
Brb.
5 tags
Stalling for sanity
I’ll be taking two exams on tuesday 30th. The last two exams I have to take for my phd. My current state of mind can probably be guessed.
So. I’m putting the revision for PoB on hold for the moment until I sort this out.
Please everybody think happy thoughts for me ♥
4 tags
PoB - The room of crimson
Assessed around 7.4K words on Nov 25th.
I’m past the halfway point of the first draft now. Erthel faces doubts about her workplace, suffers post-sleep hallucinations and makes an important choice during a funeral. Then she goes at the high bloodline’s estate so her gift can be tested for anomalies (in the so called room of crimson) - and things go royally splat, just as they should....
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PoB - MR DOUBLECROSSER IZ DOUBLECROSSER
Assessed around 7K words on Nov 24th, and I even studied for an exam after dinner BECAUSE I’M JUST THAT AWESOME. Ah-ehm.
Blew past the first, big turning point of the novel rather quickly, although that scene in particular always gives me the creeps. Now Erthel is dealing with the ugly aftermath of what happened, her awkward relationship with Faurel is blooming into an unexpected friendship...
4 tags
PoB - Not-quite-petty arguments
Assessed around 3K more words on Nov 23rd. This was a pretty busy day and I only had roughly an hour to work on the revision before going to sleep. Ack. But again, such is the life at the evil day job. I could try bringing with me a few pages to work upon during lunch break though. This will be an experiment for tomorrow.
After the infamous neverending lunch scene, I stumbled upon a couple of the...
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PoB - Neverending lunches and marriages
Assessed over 6.5K words on Nov 22nd. I came home from work pretty late, unless I’d likely have done much more. It seems so weird to know that the first, big turning point of the novel is just around the corner.
Right now, Erthel is at lunch at the high bloodline’s estate in a neverending scene in which I’m doing my best to talk the reader’s ear off with my oh-so-awesome...
4 tags
PoB - Riding again
According to my new masterplan, I started the revision once more on Nov.21 and assessed around 14K words in a couple of hours. Go me! This should be a wilder week than usual at the evil day job but I expect to be done with this phase by next weekend.
I realized I have quite a few muddled, neverending scenes at the beginning, but that’s no problem. Once I get to the replotting stage...
2 tags
Dream Theater - Honor Thy Father →
I should probably quote Dream Theater in the credits for “the Path of Blood”.
I was washing the dishes and listening to this song more than one year ago, when lightning struck me: one of the most important concepts in the whole novel, the importance of blood and blood ties, was born right then. And it was amazing, the way it worked and fit perfectly with the whole plot concept. It was...
6 tags
PoB - The new masterplan
On Nov.18th I got home from work, had to clean the bathroom, had to bring out ALL the trash (paper, plastic, glass + tins), had to go food shopping (I had Michael Ende’s Nothing plus a luckdragon in the fridge and was not sure they were edible), had to fix dinner, had to wash dishes.
Such is the life at the DasteHome (at least when DasteSO works until late).
BUT I looked over several of...
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PoB - So much conclusion jumping
1480 more words assessed on Nov. 17th.
Old time readers of a certain wacky webcomic will probably recognize the quote in the post title, but anyway, conclusion jumping seems to be the theme of the scene I’m currently evaluating. Contradictions arise between what has recently happened and what Erthel’s mother always told, and it makes sense for the Matriarch to point them out, but...
3 tags
I really, REALLY need to write for a living
During lunch break a little curiosity about a particular scene of PoB occurred to me. Then I wondered if I still had the backup of the first draft on my USB flash drive. I checked, I found it and looked for that particular scene to check the little detail that had come to my mind.
Then I spent more than a hour reading from that point on. Almost to the end of the novel.
I really need to make...
3 tags
PoB - Return of the tree of fire
2368 more words assessed on Nov.16th. I’m done with the flashback with Erthel’s mom’s disappearance, now back to the present.
I’ve met quite a few character glitches in this scene. Erthel is very, very passive in this phase and her watching-being shocked-thinking routine really slows down the narration when it should be something frenzied instead. It makes sense for her to...
1 tag
Oops, I did it again
Yes, I changed my tumblr theme. Again.
This is by far the best one though, I can see why it’s one of the most popular. Later when I have some time I’ll upload my own wallpaper and put the progress meters for my writing projects on the sidebar.
tumblrbot asked: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INANIMATE OBJECT?
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PoB - The she-wolf
Manuscript assessment: 18 pages out of 243.
I’ve set up a progress bar thingie for the revision too, keeping in mind that the way I’ve formatted the first draft manuscript, a total of around 72K words and 243 pages roughly corresponds to 296 words per page. So now I’m at around 5.3K words out of 72K, having assessed 888 more words from the previous session.
I’m currently...
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PoB - And so it starts again!
I printed out the first draft for PoB on Nov.13th, with some serious lack of cooperation on my printer’s side, and started the revision on Nov.14th.
As the first draft was, the revision too for PoB is going to be a bit of an experiment. I’ll be digging tools and following advice from Holly Lisle’s awesome course on revision, but at the same time I’ll be building my own...
5 tags
Almost ready to revise, and resurrecting Violet
Tomorrow, marking one month from the end of the first draft, I’m going to officially start the revision for PoB. I’d like to get it done in one month so I’ll have a pretty, polished version ready to give to my loyal pals on Xmas, but only time will tell.
As a diversion, I’m also going to keep plotting and kicking ideas around for Project PC. Currently I’m fleshing out Violet, my protagonist,...