mmataylor

[mmataylor]

Me as a reader: ENOUGH WITH THE PAIN. I’VE SUFFERED ENOUGH. NO NEED TO TORTURE YOUR CHARACTERS OR ME YOU GODDAMN MONSTER.

Me, as a writer: lets see just how much i can make everyone hurt then give them a spark of hope thats taken away immediately.

[mmataylor]

How to Write using the Snowflake Method: Step 4 (Writing Scorched Snow)

Where are my fellow Tumblr writers?

[mmataylor]

I have my book cover! Pretty great for $15. Now I just need to write the damn thing (design by https://twitter.com/BetiBup33)

[mmataylor]

How to deal when all your fave authors release books at the same time:

[mmataylor]

Next writing tutorial using the Snowflake Method

[mmataylor]

No two persons ever read the same book.

Edmund Wilson, critic, born on this day in 1895 (via macrolit)

[mmataylor]

I still have yet to find a cause for this effect, I don't know if it's my ignorance or lack of intellect. It puzzles me of why we tend not to introspect, We build towering mirrors but still cannot reflect.

[mmataylor]

[x]

[mmataylor]

Random Writing Advice

If your story is character driven (which most are), don’t make a huge chunk of it plot driven. The plot should be character driven. Plot and character aren’t two separate entities. The character is the driver and the plot should be the annoying passenger that keeps trying to change the radio when the driver says not to. But in the end, they both exist in the same car.

It’s when you let the plot backseat drive that things become a total mess.   

[mmataylor]

My step to step journey of writing my upcoming novel

[mmataylor]

Castillia: Book 1 - Raven Dawn Prologue

“The ram’s almost through boys, one more push!” the commander shouted. The devastating crash of the steel ram tore the door off its hinges.

“Put your backs into it lads!” he bellowed, his soldiers swung it back. The oak doors burst open spreading a carpet of wooden splinters across the antechamber. This broke the silence, the walls echoed sounds of combat. Nothing stopped them now, the inner sanctum flooded with furious cries of swarming footmen. Red and black filled the room as Archelaus Emerentius and his men surrounded the Duke and his personal guards. They searched for escape, but were met by lowered pikes. They raised their claymores in anticipation as Archelaus strode towards the outnumbered, but unyielding, party. He stopped just short of their blades. Torchlight shimmered off the plated armour of the guards. Tension was high, the silence deafening, seconds took hours.

“You have had quite the evening, haven't you cousin.” Archelaus smirked looking into his cousin’s eyes. The Duke stared sharply back, only averting his gaze to check if Archelaus's sword was sheathed.

“It's over. Your son has been dead for months, your wife is in the custody of my men. Support my claim to the throne and I will let you and her live. One condition though, old fellow, you leave for Marecia before sunrise. From there on, I don’t care. Become a pig farmer of something.” He scoffed, his men chuckled. A faint wail arose from deeper in the castle.

“You have no right to the throne! The Father will never allow it!” The Duke spurted out, he acted bold but his voice trembled.

“Please, we both know the elders have lost favour with you since you bowed to tritanism. You promised to restore our traditions, yet only I supported our holy patrons.” Archelaus said slyly, he cared little for religious matters unless they suited his aims. “Oh and don't humour me with talk of the Father. He never saved your bastard.”

With unbridled rage, the Duke swung his long-sword towards Archelaus. Archelaus was unprepared, he stumbled in shock, narrowly missing the sharpened tip of the blade. He unsheathed his sword and his men lunged their pikes towards the expecting guards. A flurry of movement came from the guard's claymores, shunting the pikes aside, but the second pike-wall was closing towards them. Valiant as they were, their plated armour pierced. Defeated, all four fell to the ground in a clatter of steel and flesh. More scattering of feet and the heads of the pikes repositioned around the Duke. He lowered his sword and muttered in a harsh but submissive tone.

“I support your claim.”

Archelaus reached for the leather pouch around his waist and revealed a scroll. He led his men and his captive towards an old wooden desk and scurried among the mess of scrolls for a quill. The Duke read over the scroll,

'I, Duke Ilurius Brennius of Valcrest, upon hearing of my son’s demise hereby declare that the Emerentius family have provided generously for their liege and realm. For their valiant service, they shall inherit the throne of Valcrest and the county of Highport if I cannot raise a new heir to the throne. This is the will of our Father of the Mountain and the sole choice for the continued prosperity of our kingdom.'

He hesitated at first. How could he let the malevolent tyrant Archelaus rule Valcrest? The elders had signed along with Archelaus. Do I have a choice? He thought, defeated.

He hovered the quill over the scroll and scratched his signature on the document. Seeing this, Archelaus plucked it from under Ilurius’s nose and inspected the signature. He smiled, it was done. Accomplishing his goal, he turned away, his black cape thrashing around him in a blur of red and black. As he walked, the red and black raven on his cape seemed to take flight. He called back with a cold, determined tone to his men,

“Tonight the Keep was infiltrated by mercenaries. They were never caught and we suspect it was a foreign rival. The scholars will investigate his private quarters and will find not only his wife's naked, desecrated corpse the signed letter stating me as his heir. May he rest in peace.”

Archealus never heard the Duke’s final pleas. Now dawns the day of the raven.

[mmataylor]

Killed my first couple of characters last night. One from my main work, one from a short story I’m working on. It felt bad... but in a good way. 

[mmataylor]

Social Media Platform

May have spent a week working out my social media presence than actually writing. Still don’t know what to do for Tumblr.

[mmataylor]

So...

Never thought I’d be one to use Tumblr. Yet here I am.