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Post by Kathleen on Jul 1, 2011 0:28:43 GMT -5
I have pretty much zero time for this. It's definitely quite insane. But hey, at least when I'm asking myself why I did so badly at classes, I can reply, 'I was writing a novel!' Which, you know. Is some consolation there. Anyway, so. My goal is just to have funtimes with this, and to that effect, I am not going to worry one bit about anything, and let it all sort itself out in the most enjoyable way possible. And now! for our feature presentation, which has been knocking around for a while and isn't this the perfect time to indulge:
For all of the sixteen years that she’s been alive, Cass has had a problem. The problem’s name is Marley, and she happens to be Cass’s older sister. Marley doesn’t attract trouble: she finds it, clubs it over the head, and drags it along behind her. And she relishes every minute of it.
So when Cass’s whole family has to pick up and move clear across the country to avoid Marley’s psycho stalker ex-boyfriend, Cass isn’t too surprised. These things happen. What Cass isn’t expecting is Marley bringing home a new boyfriend the very first week, just as Cass is settling into her familiar routine of being normal and secretly wishing she were Marley. Still, this is nothing unusual. The fact that Marley’s new boyfriend is an Undead prince is sort of a problem, though – as is the bit about him wanting Marley to be his new princess. New Undead princess. And unfortunately for Cass, she just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Suddenly drawn into a fantasy world of crazed Undead, mythological creatures, and love potions, Cass is once again stuck trying to clean up Marley’s mess. Luckily this time she has help, in the form of a talking cat who may or may not be a spirit, a girl from Chemistry who is way too interested in the macabre, and a somewhat weird - but presumably human - orange-haired guy.
If she can just figure out the secret to calming unicorns and whether mace works as well on the Undead as it does on humans, Cass might be able to make it out with herself and her sister intact. Oh, and possibly have a bit of fun, too. But the stakes are high, and this time the trouble is not all Marley’s…
Expect griffins, carnivorous squirrels, pink fluffy things, kelpies, castles, sappiness, and utterly ridiculous shenanigans with plans that would never, ever work in a million years. Among other things.
It sounds completely ridiculous, I know, and I confess to mostly just wanting to write about unicorns. But hey. I am going to have fun.
just so's I don't lose track because it is late and I am very tired and I musn't forget what I was thinking.
Cass Williams
Marley Williams (sister to above)
Cedric Alonzo Montague von Kadrowski (I have always wanted a character called Cedric - how cool is that, hey?! 'cept I already have one 'c' name. I stupidly tend to do that. why can't I think of distinct names oh why) (also he has more names now! And they are ridiculous and I am extremely pleased with myself for thinking them up)
Arthur Dunkelkrieger (I sort of feel sorry for poor Art already... I shouldn't try to make up last names)
Rose Thompson (new name!)
The Cat - AKA Aglet
Piper (the Best Friend - former-ish)
Josh (the Stalker Boyfriend Who Is Frequently Mentioned and Makes a Guest Appearance Later On)
Assorted Parents
Assorted Others of the human and not-so variety (may or may not be significant)
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Post by Shadaras on Jul 1, 2011 0:40:42 GMT -5
What. xD This is amazing. And crazy. But that's what makes it awesome. <3
Also, I feel for your always having names of the same letter. >.> I do that. A lot. I'm slightly surprised I have managed to avoid that for Old Ghosts so far. (I am especially, horridly, fond of C-names and M-names and K-names and S-names, too, which amuses me.)
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Post by Avery on Jul 1, 2011 0:52:40 GMT -5
Can I just say how totally awesome this sounds? It seems like the kind of book I would read in an instant. I demand many excerpts! <3
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Post by Rikku on Jul 1, 2011 1:09:30 GMT -5
You're doing this! <3 Glee!
And. Craziness and ridiculousness and overshadowed younger siblings! =D All such lovely things! And a cat! And a Cedric!
... And 'Dunkelkrieger' is far too fun to say. xD
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Post by Kathleen on Jul 1, 2011 11:31:58 GMT -5
What. xD This is amazing. And crazy. But that's what makes it awesome. <3 Also, I feel for your always having names of the same letter. >.> I do that. A lot. I'm slightly surprised I have managed to avoid that for Old Ghosts so far. (I am especially, horridly, fond of C-names and M-names and K-names and S-names, too, which amuses me.) Thank you! xD I sort of really hope it will actually turn out crazy-awesome. Isn't it awful? D= I think it's because I'm drawn to certain sounds, and so I just unconsciously gravitate towards names that sound alike. Which is really irritating, because if there's one thing I've learnt, it's that you really, really need fairly distinctive names. xD I've also heard that you shouldn't have too many names with the same number of syllables, which is another thing I tend to do. Yuck. Can I just say how totally awesome this sounds? It seems like the kind of book I would read in an instant. I demand many excerpts! <3 I'm super pleased that it sounds like something you'd read. =D (also I sincerely hope it comes out that way - my NaNos tend to be disappointing. Well. Actually, my writing in general does). I will absolutely oblige in the excerpts department! You're doing this! <3 Glee! And. Craziness and ridiculousness and overshadowed younger siblings! =D All such lovely things! And a cat! And a Cedric!... And 'Dunkelkrieger' is far too fun to say. xD I couldn't resist - it seemed like far too much fun. D= Also it'd be absolutely impossible in August, so. Semi-impossible seemed like a better bet. =D I know, right? =D I'm glad it sounds lovely. Also it was originally going to be 'Durkheim', but it sounded so boring. And 'Dunkelkrieger' makes me amused every time I read it. Author appeal and all that. |
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Post by Kathleen on Jul 1, 2011 12:21:47 GMT -5
Writing. =D This is going well in a very fun way, considering nothing has happened yet.
People tend to wonder about Marley’s name. My parents weren’t the world’s biggest fans of A Christmas Carol, they didn’t idolize Bob Marley, and they weren’t expecting a boy. There wasn't even a story about a bottle of wine, a late night, and a motel in Marleyville, Texas, or something like that. They just liked the name. By the time I came along, they had gotten no more sensible. Dad called me after the Cassandra of ancient Greek mythology, a Trojan princess with the gift of prophecy. I don’t know what my parents hoped I would foretell: maybe whatever trouble Marley was next going to forcibly insert herself into.
I'm still waffling about whether to write first-person or third-person. First is more comfortable, but there're so many advantages to third-person. I may awkwardly switch halfway through. |
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Post by Kathleen on Jul 1, 2011 23:44:24 GMT -5
2,800 words. This feels quite good, actually. =D I'm having a most enjoyable time writing, most probably because I don't feel like I actually have to get anywhere.
My final class of the day was AP Chemistry. Dr. Birmelin looked about a thousand years old and had a voice smaller and dryer than a gum wrapper. People kept having to ask him to repeat his arbitrary lab-partnering. I could have sworn he changed up names the second time around.
My name was called with Rose Thompson’s, prompting the guy sitting next to me, who I had been thinking was sort of cute in a tow-headed sort of way and who had said his name was Jason, to grimace.
“Tough luck,” he said, giving me a sympathetic grin. There was only one Rose at Waterbury-Newton, it seemed, because the black-haired girl from lunch joined me at my lab table as Jason departed, mouthing a ‘good luck’ at me.
“Hi,” I said as Rose slumped onto the stool next to me. Her thin shoulders folded themselves in like fragile bird wings. “Cass. We sort of met at lunch.”
Rose gave me a long stare with her bright eyes. I noticed a small slit in the side of her nose, presumably where a nose ring went during non-school hours. “I know,” she said finally, and turned away to look at the board, where Dr. Birmelin was writing down rules for equipment (basically, break it and die. Horribly.)
I chalked Rose up to typical teenager troubles and left it at that. By the time I was clearing up my books, I was exhausted, and I barely spared her a glance as I hurried to join a sea of black jackets and green-gold ties swarming towards the door.
it's not terribly interesting, but I rather like Rose. She's going to be fun. |
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Post by insanepurpleone on Jul 2, 2011 2:34:08 GMT -5
"Break it and die" are wonderful lab rules. xP And possibly very practical advice, depending.
Also since I haven't mentioned so already, I really love the premise for your story. Undead princes! Talking cats! Utterly ridiculous shenanigans! What's not to love, really?
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Post by Kathleen on Jul 3, 2011 21:01:40 GMT -5
"Break it and die" are wonderful lab rules. xP And possibly very practical advice, depending. Also since I haven't mentioned so already, I really love the premise for your story. Undead princes! Talking cats! Utterly ridiculous shenanigans! What's not to love, really? Absolutely. xD My chem lab teacher was never so dramatic, and for that I am sad (he said things break all the time and not to worry about it. Which proved to be true. I mean, the bit about things breaking all the time. /ramble) Thank you! ^_^ I fear all this positivity and love for it is going to give me an ego larger than the Sphinx. >.< |
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Post by Tam on Jul 3, 2011 21:22:17 GMT -5
Oh this. xD This is excellent. I mean, beyond the fact that I always love your writing and the way you describe things as being like gum wrappers or bird wings and it all seems to fit so perfectly — the whole premise of this sounds awesome. <3 Undead princes and talking cat guides and great characters! Yes!
...I'm getting an odd sort of Studio Ghibli vibe from this, actually, for some reason. xD; I dunno. But I am so very much looking forward to reading more. Best of luck, Kath! =D
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Post by Rikku on Jul 3, 2011 22:56:56 GMT -5
It does have a sort of Ghibli-ish feel. xD Possibly to me just because of the cat. Which! Reminds me! =D Post something with The Cat! I mean, neat descriptions and character introductions and Science are all wonderful and neat but the cat!
... unless you haven't written any scenes with it yet. xD In which case! Do! Or, well. Post anything. Because prettywritings are pretty and yes.
... Gonna stop talking now. >.>
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Post by Kathleen on Jul 6, 2011 15:27:42 GMT -5
Sorry for the late replies, guys! - a couple of my days seem to have been eaten without notice. D= Oh this. xD This is excellent. I mean, beyond the fact that I always love your writing and the way you describe things as being like gum wrappers or bird wings and it all seems to fit so perfectly — the whole premise of this sounds awesome. <3 Undead princes and talking cat guides and great characters! Yes!...I'm getting an odd sort of Studio Ghibli vibe from this, actually, for some reason. xD; I dunno. But I am so very much looking forward to reading more. Best of luck, Kath! =D Thank you thank you. <3 I hope it turns out as awesome as everyone says it sounds. Otherwise I will be very disappoint. xD Huh, really? I haven't seen much Studio Ghibli stuff, so I couldn't really compare it, but that is definitely interesting. xD In case I haven't repeated it often enough, thank you. <3 I get all, I can do this! when I see pretty comments by awesometastic people here. =D It does have a sort of Ghibli-ish feel. xD Possibly to me just because of the cat. Which! Reminds me! =D Post something with The Cat! I mean, neat descriptions and character introductions and Science are all wonderful and neat but the cat! ... unless you haven't written any scenes with it yet. xD In which case! Do! Or, well. Post anything. Because prettywritings are pretty and yes. ... Gonna stop talking now. >.> I'm going to have to find me some more Studio Ghibli stuff to watch, so I can refresh my memory. xD Alas, The Cat was just introduced and thus hasn't done anything interesting yet. D= (Not even vaguely interesting Cat-things.) But hopefully I can get writing again today, and then I shall be able to oblige you. ^_^ Also, don't stop talking, I love your talking. <3 |
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Post by Kathleen on Jul 8, 2011 20:23:14 GMT -5
... eurgh, this is harder than I thought it would be. D= *is behind and struggling* Bother. >.>; But! I finally got to properly introduce The Cat today, and that was fun. =D Also, it got a name!
“You’re not a cat,” I said with certainty, “so what are you?”
“Well-spotted,” the cat-looking-creature said sarcastically. “Give the girl a medal. I’m a spirit trapped inside the body of a cat. Does that make you feel better?”
“Not really,” I said honestly. “Is it true?”
“Maybe.” The cat narrowed its eyes. “Or maybe I’m lying to make you feel better. Is it working?”
“I can’t tell.”
“Hmph.” The seemed to stump the cat temporarily.
“What’s your name?” I asked. “What should I call you?” I didn’t want to keep thinking of it as ‘The Cat.’ “And,” I added, my mind returning to an earlier point of the conversation as it only just now reached the processing center of my brain, “what did you mean about my sister dating a zombie?”
“One question at a time, human girl. You may call me Aglet.”
Aglet. I turned the name around in my head. It sounded vaguely familiar, like I’d heard it before. “Hey, isn’t that what you call the little plastic bit on the end of a shoelace?”
Aglet’s tail thumped the ground. “No, it is not.”
“I’m sure,” I began.
“Shut up,” the cat snapped. “Now, as to your next question, yes, a zombie. That is the term you would use for them. Also known as zonbi, or nzumbe. Whatever language you speak, the von Kadrowskis are Undead. Have been for a while. Very old family.” Aglet yawned. “Old enough to capture me and keep me imprisoned for a very long time.”
I decided to let the Aglet-thing drop. The way it stressed the last few words, I guessed Aglet was glad of its freedom. His? Hers?
“Do you have a gender?” I interrupted, as politely as I could. Aglet looked at me.
“I am a cat, human girl.”
“I know…” I let the sentence trail off. Those eyes were very unnerving. “Forget it. I’m sorry. Continue. Cedric’s a zombie?”
“Yes. Also, I believe he intends to make your sister into his new Undead princess. At least, that was the impression I got, before I made my most excellent escape. It was really quite daring: you should have seen it.”
“I’m sure it was,” I said. I knew Cedric was trouble. Marley liked trouble. She was sure to find it if it existed, create it if it didn’t.
“Human girl, I believe your parents are about to arrive home. I do not wish to meet them.” Aglet rose swiftly, with the lithe grace that belongs solely to cats, presumably leftover from their days of Egyptian royalty.
“Wait,” I cried, scrambling up from the porch steps, “you can’t go!”
“Why not?” Aglet didn’t sound concerned. He—I was resolved to think of him this way—sounded bored.
“Why did you talk to me?” I demanded. “Why did you tell me this? You must have a reason.”
“Must I? But reasons are so tiresome, human girl.”
“I have a name, too,” I said reproachfully. “It’s Cass.”
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Post by Rikku on Jul 9, 2011 1:58:49 GMT -5
xD *amused*
... It's all amusing, of course. I mean, the bits what're meant to be. But that bit amused me particularly. =D Aglet is fun. This is fun.
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Post by Terra on Jul 9, 2011 11:17:18 GMT -5
I found the bit with Aglet especially amusing because my brother loves the word. XD
...This story looks fun in general. =D
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