Your character was about to die. Nay, he should have died, yet he didn't. A metaphysical force saved him. The writing world calls this action a deus ex machina.
Deus ex machina is a Latin [1] term meaning "god from the machine", as the action was often performed by an elaborate machine on stage in Greek dramas [2].
In the writing world of today, a deus ex machina does not have to be performed by a god, it can be simply a highly "convenient" happening, such as a previously unintroduced character showing up to save the day and dying on the next page. There are far more examples to be found.
Using a deus ex machina cheapens your prose. It is far from recommended. The alternative is, of course, a properly foreshadowed, or at least completely rational, ending.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
New Novel
A few days ago I had two ideas that hit me within a few hours of one another. I'd had each of them hit me before, but never that close. I decided to combine them.
My new novel is going to "Hayao Miyazaki meets Fire Emblem." Since some people probably don't know what/who those are, I'll explain briefly.
Hayao Miyazaki is a Japanese director. He has directed and/or written the screenplay to many successful anime productions.
Fire Emblem is a turn-based strategy video game. I plugged it a while back for more information.
Anyway, I wrote down the main things in Hayao Miyazaki's films and the main things in Fire Emblem games and rolled with it. I also added some aspects of epic and urban fantasy.
The basic plot of my novel is this: Sophia, a recent teen, is thrown into a war when she follows a scruffy thief out of her Haven, a walled citadel she's never left. Almost everyone, soldier and farmer alike, are fighting over the four metropolises spread across Maccia. Sophia and the rogue, Biter, assemble a group of naves and pros to fight a brigand party large enough to topple Urbaater to the west before they can seize it. During the final assault, Sophia learns an important lesson--everyone, even the lowliest thief, is worth fighting for.
My new novel is going to "Hayao Miyazaki meets Fire Emblem." Since some people probably don't know what/who those are, I'll explain briefly.
Hayao Miyazaki is a Japanese director. He has directed and/or written the screenplay to many successful anime productions.
Fire Emblem is a turn-based strategy video game. I plugged it a while back for more information.
Anyway, I wrote down the main things in Hayao Miyazaki's films and the main things in Fire Emblem games and rolled with it. I also added some aspects of epic and urban fantasy.
The basic plot of my novel is this: Sophia, a recent teen, is thrown into a war when she follows a scruffy thief out of her Haven, a walled citadel she's never left. Almost everyone, soldier and farmer alike, are fighting over the four metropolises spread across Maccia. Sophia and the rogue, Biter, assemble a group of naves and pros to fight a brigand party large enough to topple Urbaater to the west before they can seize it. During the final assault, Sophia learns an important lesson--everyone, even the lowliest thief, is worth fighting for.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Fifteen - Farewell
Simply put, here is part four of my serial, Fifteen.
Amelia’s hair fell to her waist. The dark locks were braided into three plaits, tied to one another by bands of golden linen twisted into triangles.
Staring blankly, she said, “I can’t believe that it’s been a year already.”
Mr. Wood replied, “Yes, miss, a short time in the full scheme of things.”
“I’ll miss you,” Amelia stated, her voice low.
“I won’t truly be gone, miss. I shall be at your side always.”
Amelia nodded and paced around the Strongroom. She fiddled with her plaits. “I know.”
“I would like for you to learn one more thing before I transform.”
“What is that?”
“What you shall be up against.”
Amelia gulped. “You said that I have until I reach adulthood before I must fight. Is that untrue?”
“Her forces are beginning to assemble, if the times have not changed. It is far from uncommon for fighting to break out early, although rarely at the fullest scale.”
“Who is “her”?”
“They call her the Princess of Darkness,” Mr. Wood began. He shivered. “Tovorchica, the Weakener.”
Amelia’s face scrunched. “She has come before?”
“She rises from the Strength itself. A part of it she tainted some three thousand years ago.”
“How do I fight her?”
“You must harness the whole Strength, including the taint.” He paused. “Both of us shall perish in the Unleashing.”
Amelia’s eyes flew open. “Both of us!”
Mr. Wood frowned. “I speak the truth. I shall be consumed along with you.” Bowing stiffly, he stated, “Farewell, miss.”
Friday, August 3, 2012
Goodreads
Do you want to keep a handy list of books that you've read (plus reviews), books to read, and/or books you're reading? If so, Goodreads may be for you. Goodreads, found here, allows you to stay connected with other prolific (or casual) readers and manage your reading. Have fun on Goodreads today.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Age Groups
When you walk into the fiction section of a book store, how are the books separated initially? The answer is usually--by age group. There are three major age groups for marketing (only two for publisher's terms, as the first two are combined).
The first age group is children's. For book store marketing, children's refers to anything under young adult. Publishers consider young adult books to also be children's. Children's books are further divided into picture books, early readers, chapter books, and middle-grade. Most fiction books sold are children's books.
Young adult is the second age group. Books in this group are geared toward teens and may contain content that is unsuitable for pre-teens, although that is somewhat rare. Young adult books usually sell less than children's, but more than adults'.
The final age group is adults'. Mature themes and high complexity abound in the category, yet they aren't necessary elements. Thrillers and romance novels are the most popular adult books.
Which group are you most keen to browse?
The first age group is children's. For book store marketing, children's refers to anything under young adult. Publishers consider young adult books to also be children's. Children's books are further divided into picture books, early readers, chapter books, and middle-grade. Most fiction books sold are children's books.
Young adult is the second age group. Books in this group are geared toward teens and may contain content that is unsuitable for pre-teens, although that is somewhat rare. Young adult books usually sell less than children's, but more than adults'.
The final age group is adults'. Mature themes and high complexity abound in the category, yet they aren't necessary elements. Thrillers and romance novels are the most popular adult books.
Which group are you most keen to browse?
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