U is for Unforgiving

U is for Unforgiving

“That’s it?”  I ask.

The man nods without remorse.  “Yes.  That’s it.  Unless you’d like your punishment to be more severe.”

 “I’m so sorry,” I whisper.

“Sorry doesn’t buy your life back.”  He turns to the guards.  “Now get on with it.  Execute her and be done.”

The blade comes toward me, then all fades to black.

***

And here's the song What Have You Done by Within Temptation:

Very intense, I know.  It really inspired me though!  Don't know what it is about their music that I love so much!  I guess it just flows well with my train of thought.

Anyway, I'm about... 140 pages into editing my 5th draft of The Trials! Yay!

Although, that actually isn't much of my book, considering that it's an extremely long, 116,000 words (and counting.)

So, how long are your stories/novels/books?

I always feel like mine is a million pages long!  (Actually, 440 to be exact...)

Have an Uplifted day!!

--Jess

I Feel Bad For My Antagonist...

PREPOST UPDTATE: Our performance at the Quicken Loans Arena that I talked about in Wednesday's post didn't turn out so well. We all had lots of fun but it wasn't our best run through. And I didn't make the second round of ABNA. Oh well. Better luck next time!

There comes a point in story writing that your characters take on a life of their own. But the more real they become, the more I feel bad about doing bad things to them. I mean, sure, in the end it's all for the better (well, hopefully). Because the whole point of the story is to watch them overcome. I guess they don't always end up 'overcoming' but the possibility of failure is what makes the story interesting. And that's why we have antagonists.

But I feel bad for my antagonist.

I'm pretty sure my beta readers didn't feel bad for him. And my CP hasn't met him yet. I made him pretty easy to hate (I think). But then, I'm the only one who knows his full back-story. And when you really think about it, most bad guys think they're the good guys.

I mean, wouldn't you be angry if all of your efforts to be great were overshadowed by one of the the protagonists? And then if you thought that same protagonist was going to bring the galaxy crumbling down, wouldn't getting rid of them be the right thing?

From our point of view, no. That definitely isn't the right thing. But from his? Probably.

Besides, being the antagonist is hard. No one wants to be hated. Maybe they like causing trouble but they don't want to be hated.

As I said before, there comes a point when your characters take on a life of their own. And I'm pretty sure my antagonist hates me for making him the bad guy.

There ^^ is another antagonist I feel bad for...

What do you guys think? Who's an antagonist you feel bad for? Is it silly to feel bad for the antagonist?

Have a great weekend!

--Jess

P.S.

Knights of Micro-Fiction is on Monday! Be prepared! And, votes for my Campaign Entry are still needed appreciated!

Campaign Entries I Loved

Well, the Campaign entries are finally over. All we've got to wait for now are the results. So I thought that today, since it's late and I'm feeling a little lazy, that I would just show you my five favorite entries:

1. Angie at Live to Write~ On the Beach
2. Rance at The Action P(r)ose~ All Gods Pilgrims
3. David Powers King's Ghost by the Seashore
4. Avery at Creative Type~ Purgatory
5. Jocelyn Rish's Party Girl

All of them I think have a dark flair to them, which I tend to love. So, go check out their entries and 'like' them on Rachael Harrie's site if you get the chance!

--Jess

P.S.

Apologies for the super short post (with not much content, as my dad would put it). Hopefully I'll have time for a longer one tomorrow or Thursday!

Third Campaigner Challenge: Synbatec Island

Alright, this post is part of Rachael Harrie's Campaign. This is the third and final challenge! I'm really going to miss the Campaign! I've had so much fun and met so many new and awesome bloggers!! Anyway, here's the challenge:

Write a blog post in 300 words or less, excluding the title. The post can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should show:

• that it’s morning, 

• that a man or a woman (or both) is at the beach

• that the MC (main character) is bored

• that something stinks behind where he/she is sitting

• that something surprising happens.

Just for fun, see if you can involve all five senses AND include these random words: "synbatec," "wastopaneer," and "tacise."   (NB. these words are completely made up and are not intended to have any meaning other than the one you give them).

So here's my entry:

Synbatec Island

Of all the things he told me, one remains clear. He was one of the last that could remember a sunrise. I’m cursed with the knowledge that such a thing existed. He used to speak of a time when pink and gold drops of light fell from the sun and into the clouds.

I stand on the island of Synbatec. He said that the sunrise was most beautiful here. During the war, countries rose and fell, but nothing could destroy the skies of Synbatec. Nothing except for the Tacise. The Young had predicted it. But the Elders couldn’t see it coming.

I look up at the dark green and grey clouds. They didn’t see. I almost laugh out of anger. I reach down and feel the grainy sand slip through my fingers.

The sea used to be beautiful. And so was the beach. I close my eyes and try to imagine a time when the skies and oceans were blue. I imagine families coming here to enjoy the view. A woman sits with her husband as they watch the waves crash in synchronizing harmony. A taste of sea salt is ghostly present. I try to breathe in fresh air of the place but a foul smell fills my nose and lungs. I cough and open my eyes.

Our world used to be beautiful. I glance behind me and see the wasteland of papers and bottles and debris left behind from a glorious civilization. A scrap of wastopaneer is picked up by the wind and blown into the sea. The sea that once had blue, crystal waves is now polluted with junk. The water has turned grey and green from oil. Lightning flashes and I jump in surprise. There’s no longer anything to do, but wait. If only we had known.

***

Yeah I know, not exactly the picture you saw at the top, but oh well. I thought most people would take a happier approach so I chose the 'dark side' for this one.


It's exactly 300 words and I think I used everything in the right way. I'M ENTRY #5. (I know! I actually made it in really early!) If you like it, vote for me here!

--Jess