Melanie Nilles

The story dictates everything when you write. Never has that been as apparent as today. I have been torturing myself over a fantasy story that isn’t anything epic or big. However, I was trying to stretch it to fit the mold, because I wanted it to fit with the minimum word count that novel publishers want.

Today I had an epiphany of insight into why the story doesn’t interest me as much now as it did when I started. The simple answer is that it lost something in the “filler”. Sure, I could go on and build on it, but the story really doesn’t want that. It can’t be that. Now, I’ll go back and after saving the original file as backup, I’ll delete half of what I wrote and write it the way it wants to be written. With all that off my mind, I hope to regain what interested me in the story in the first place. I won’t try to dictate how long or short the story should be, but will write what the story wants me to write to keep it interesting.

There’s a lesson here for anyone to take. Don’t make the story fit a mold. Rather, just write it the way it demands. If you don’t listen to that inner voice, you’ll find yourself banging your head against a wall. Let it flow and meander as the vision comes to you rather than forcing something that it’s not. I should have known that. However, I never thought I would write a story shorter than novel length. I always seem to have huge visions of worldbuilding, not small windows.

I will keep the extra I wrote as backup. I’ve always believed that anything extra, even if later deleted, is useful background info.

Mark your calendars for October 19th! Mayra Calvani, author of Dark Lullaby (Whiskey Creek Press, ISBN 978-1-59374-901-1 paperback) will be a guest on this blog.

Back Blurb:

At a trendy Turkish tavern one Friday night, astrophysicist Gabriel Diaz meets a mysterious young woman. Captivated by her beauty as well as her views on good and evil, he spends the next several days with her. Soon, however, he begins to notice a strangeness in her–her skin’s abnormally high temperature, her obsession with milk products, her child-like and bizarre behavior as she seems to take pleasure in toying with his conscience.

The young woman, Kamilah, invites him to Rize, Turkey, where she claims her family owns a cottage in the woods. In spite of his heavy workload and the disturbing visions and nightmares about his sister’s baby that is due to be born soon, Gabriel agrees to go with her.

But nothing, not even the stunning splendour of the Black Sea, can disguise the horror of her nature. In a place where death dwells and illusion and reality seem as one, Gabriel must now come to terms with his own demons in order to save his sister’s unborn child, and ultimately, his own soul…

In eight days, Mayra will stop by to answer questions about her book, writing, and her inspiration for the story. Stop by on Friday the 19th and see what she has to say. Don’t forget to check out her other upcoming stops on her virtual book tour:

Oct. 12 – Fictionscribe — www.fictionscribe.com

Oct. 15 – Storycrafters — www.storycrafters.blogspot.com

Oct. 16 – Independent Book Report — www.independentbookreport.blogspot.com

Oct. 17 – Inspired Author — www.inspiredauthor.com/v3/node/12

Oct. 19 – Melanie Nilles

Oct. 22 – Details with Nikki Leigh — www.detailwithnikkileigh.blogspot.com

Oct. 23 – KS Augustine — http://www.ksaugustin.com

Oct. 24 – Patricia’s Vampire Notes — www.patricias-vampire-notes.blogspot.com

Oct. 25 – Chit Chat and All That — www.rebecca2007.wordpress.com

Oct. 26 – First Chapters — www.firstchapters.authorsabode.com

Oct. 30 – Publishing Success Stories — www.publishingsuccessstories.authorsabode.com

Welcome back! We’re less than four months from the release of Book 1: Dragon Prophecy of the four-book Legend of the White Dragon series and sitting with another character.

Today we have the Sovereign ruler of Rivonia, Kassar Farolkavin. Welcome, Sire, to our chat today. As I understand, Rivonia is a large continent but your people stay to the northern coast. If your country at one time wanted to expand to Cavatar, why not expand further south first?

In our culture you would not question me like that. I would ignore any woman not of my household, but you are not of our culture. I am a reasonable man, however. I understand from my ties to the Isolder family of Cavatar and the culture there that not every peoples believe as we do. However, were you Caveshi, I would have you arrested!

They are the reason we do not expand. They are savage people of the plains; we named it for them as a warning. The tribes of the plains are not all Caveshi, but many others too. Too many to list, but Caveshi are the largest. Their warriors attack my people when they travel too deep into their territory–my territory! I rule the land, but they cause trouble. They have what should be mine. Only their supplications from their harvests restrain my wrath.

We also prefer to be close to the trade routes. Our armada is master of the seas. Cavatar is strong, but they will not interfere in our affairs. We trade around the world and have colonies on many islands.

So, you prefer power by sea rather than land. Yet I hear you have the best horses.

That is true, but for one. The stallion of my enemy is not mine, as he should be. But the Caveshi women possess him. They fight! The men let their women fight. They should be protected with the children, not fighting or riding horses. The husband should make the woman who controls him give up the stallion and care for her family instead.

As a horsewoman, I would have to disagree with that, but it makes me wonder what your family life is like. How do you treat your wife?

I have twelve wives and each respects my authority. I protect them, clothe them, as any husband should. They love me and have given me many strong sons and more daughters.

So, you prefer sons to daughters?

Both are necessary, but sons can stand for their own. Daughters must be protected; they are weak and vulnerable, but necessary for bearing children. It is my duty to see that any man who marries them has the strength and resources to care for them and the children they will give him.

*clears throat and takes a deep breath to calm down* Well, you’re entitled to your opinion. As I understand, the people of Cavatar have different beliefs on the roles of men and women. How do you maintain your alliance with such a cultural rift?

You would not understand.

Try me.

Very well. I will keep it simple.

Our alliance is based on the treaty forged some four or five hundred years ago. Rivon architects later designed and built the palace on the hill known as Setheadroc. Also, every heir is gifted by the other country when he reaches manhood. I sent one of my finest mares in foal to my best stallion to Phelan Isolder for his fourteenth birthday. Not long after, Alric Isolder sent my first son, Narkov, a sword of beauty and strength like none in our land can produce. It is this that binds our two countries anew every generation.

Thank you for that explanation. Now, it’s late and I am out of time *aside: and patience*

Thank you, Sovereign, for your “enlightening” views.

Thank you, everyone, for joining us tonight. Join us next week for lucky thirteen! We’ll be about halfway to the last interview with some of the most revealing yet to come!

Next week, we have the honor of one of the Creators, one of the three Majera, Haiberuk, from the Legend of the White Dragon. That’s next Sunday. You don’t want to miss it!

I haven’t felt this good with a horse in a long time! I had my mare for ten years and she and I never just “played”. She was never interested. For three years before her I had no horses, not since I sold a beloved gelding because of college. He and I had that special connection that you find once in a lifetime.

However, I’m pretty sure Beau and I will have that something special in our relationship, not just as horse and trainer but as friends. I love him as I haven’t loved a horse since Blaze, the Paint gelding I mentioned. For the last couple of weeks he’s been more settled in to the point that he’s comfortable now in the new setting and our colder weather. He’s still growing a winter coat–about a month’s growth behind everyone else, so I blanket him when it gets particularly cold–but he’s not looking quite so cold on the cool days. That helps. He’s also settled in his mind. That’s a great thing right there.

Tonight we just played, something I haven’t done in over thirteen years. It’s FUN! I forgot how much fun it was. And that is inspiring on so many levels. I chased him around to get him going in the indoor arena, which didn’t take much more than the snap of the longe whip. He found another lying in the dirt and picked it up by the handle with his teeth and started trotting off with it, until I ran after him. Luckily, he dropped it before he stepped on the shaft or the lash. He ran and bucked and did his little squeal of delight when he plays. After a little of that, I turned and ran away from him. He turned and started following me with the “Hey! Where ya goin? Whatcha doin?” look. After a little of that, I turned on him and he jumped. He whirled and ran, realizing the game had changed.

Nights like this are the reason I love having horses, besides riding. Since I can’t ride him yet, I’m taking advantage of the time by horsing around, building a bond with him. He’s so pretty to watch when he plays too. I’ve never had a horse with such naturally beautiful movement. Nor have I ever had a horse take dewormer the way he does–like it’s nothing!

Did I mention what a sweetheart he is? And I’ve spoiled him on sugar cubes. I swear the only horse who ever refused them was my mare, if she wasn’t in the mood. She was different. Beau is a big kissable, huggable dream come true. He really is my dream horse! He may not be perfectly flawless but he’s perfect for me right now. I don’t regret spending the money on him.

Beau has reminded me what I love about horses and shown me what I was missing for so long that I forgot. And it’s rejuvenated my writing too! How’s that for a bonus?

Throw away scenes; a waste of time and creative energy or the best resource for development of plot and character?

Every book has a certain amount of scenes that flow together. In well-written books they flow together without effort, connecting plot points and showing different sides of the characters. But those are only the scenes that made the final cut. How many didn’t? What does a writer do?

Here’s something many first-time writers don’t realize–you may write a scene or scenes that you don’t use in the final draft.

I heard that gasp. Take a deep breath! It’s not the end of the world. You can hack your work into pieces and remake it into something better. A good story won’t die. Rather, like bones that break and mend, it will grow together stronger; that is, with the right materials.

Not every scene you write has to fit into the story.  Much of that is unnecessary filler, or simply a means to develop ideas.  I work form a free-form outline.  That is, I write down my idea, define my characters and some plot basics, and summarize any scenes that come to me in a form of synopsis.  The rest is fluid.  It changes and evolves.  Even some of what I thought I knew could change if it better suits the story.  Some of that happens because of scenes I may write, but which end up on the cutting room floor, whether immediately after writing them or in the editing stage.

However, all those scenes have a purpose.  Don’t completely delete anything!  Keep them in a separate file you can refer to later.  Often times, there are nuggets of gold in all that dirt.  You’ll find useful pieces to incorporate elsewhere in your work.

The moral of this is twofold.  First, don’t be so attached to anything you write that you are unwilling to cut it.  Second, save what you cut.  There’s always something useful in there, whether you see it up front or not.  Those extra scenes were your mind’s way of bringing into light an idea that floated in dark of your unconscious mind.

Watch this:

http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=1197846

Welcome back for another interview, this time with a man known as Dorjan in the first book of Legend of the White Dragon. He’s the man most trusted by the warlord Tyrkam.

Thank you for joining us, although I’m not sure what to call you. What title do you use?

I have no official title. I am simply a lieutenant to Tyrkam, an advisor and teacher. I prefer no notice. They know me only as Dorjan.

When you say “teacher” what do you mean?

When I met the man some years ago, he was little more than a glorified marauder; not a thousand men following him. He thought himself the best warrior anywhere, until he met me. When I beat him but would not kill him, he asked me to join his campaign. I agreed, but not to fight. Rather, he asked me to teach him what I knew. I remain his sparring partner and confidante and advisor. He will not question my word.

Would you say you’re better than him?

Yes.
You do realize he may hear of what you say here.

I do.  He knows the truth, that he cannot defeat me.

Yet you stand in the shadows with no ambition to take his place.

I have no need for power, nor the desire. I stay at his side to observe. He has…involvements in affairs I hope to learn about.

Why do you assist him in bringing death to hundreds, thousands of people?

It is not my place to judge his actions. I make no decisions nor will I kill, not without reason. The affairs of the Second Race are not my concern.

What do you mean “the affairs of the Second Race”? What do you mean by the “Second Race”?

There are two races of men on this world. The first was made the perfect army to fight the forces of the Darklord. They were given powers to shape the world to their will, the will of their Creators. The First Race was formed by the Light, like the dragons and many others. However, they were not able to reproduce fast enough and lost many lives in the beginning. The Majera formed another race of men to assist them, but the Darklord had a hand in their creation. He tainted them with greed and malice and a lust for power and control. The Majera discovered in time to limit their years and take away all connection to magic.

What about the good people? Obviously, not every person of the ones you call the “Second Race” are terrible.

You’re right. Many are good. They seek a connection to the Light, which was taken away at their creation. This pursuit gives them a deeper fulfillment and guides many to overcome the darkness inherent in their nature. I have observed it in many men and women in my time on Ayrule.

But many still give in to their desires. Tyrkam desires power, like those who follow him. I have no desire to claim such power nor the fear of having it taken away.

Where are you from, if not the continent of Ayrule?

An island known as Loringale.

What brought you to the continent?

Service to another.

Care to elaborate?

No.

Why do continue to serve Tyrkam?

He holds the answers I seek.

About what?

That is my concern. If I find them, you’ll know.

How will we know?

*shakes head*

Okay. I see you’re not going to give us any spoilers here.

Thank you for joining us, Lieutenant Dorjan. And thank you to our readers for returning for another interview.

Join me next week when I sit down with Sovereign Kassar Farolkavin of Rivonia, Cavatar’s strongest ally, from the Legend of the White Dragon!