Holly Holbrook's Blog

2005-08-18T20:43:00.000-05:00

I have some good news, some more good news, some bad news and even more bad news.

Good news - I finished chapter 14 in my fanfiction
Bad news - I didn't work on Antaia
Bad news - I accidently erased chapter 14, not just what I wrote today - ALL of it.
Bad news - I forgot - I don't have anymore good news for you.

So there it is. I cut and pasted my story into the submit box (some of you know what I am talking about) and went downstairs to fix something to eat. Well, I forgot about the whole if-you-don't-submit-within-a-certain-amount-of-time-it-logs-out-on-you deal, I didn't look at the screen before I went back to my Chap14 document and saved (and closed it). (Very bad - I had cut and pasted, not copy and pasted) Well that got rid of everything there, and then I went to the submission page and saw those dreadful words saying something like 'Login time error' or whatever it was. Out of anger, I went through my documents and opened Chap14 - only to see a large blank space and I realized what I had done. At this time, I fluctuated out of my own furious rants into sad, empty sighs.

I am going back into my rants and sighs now,
Holly

2005-08-17T19:57:00.000-05:00

Still nothing, too distracted. I looked through some baby name sites for some names and found a few good not-over-the-top ones.

Other than that - nothing at all.

Cheers to you,
Holly

2005-08-16T20:37:00.000-05:00

Nothing happened today, I might still write down some thoughts for the outline before I go to bed. I just felt a little blank today. I had so many activities I could have done, but I felt bored when I tried anything.

I did, however, figure out how to add a background to my blog, and I also made it so the text doesn't move with the background.

I also worked a little on my fanfiction, I got a whole... like... Sentence or two finished. :) Aren't you proud?

Cheers!
HollyH

2005-08-15T13:13:00.000-05:00

Joy! I was able to get so much done today (and yesterday), thanks to Holly Lisle's tips for worldmaking. I made the map yesterday, true, but today I answered the questions plus some. I did a 2000 year timeline on the almost complete history of Antaia! All of last night and some of this morning I was typing, typing, typing! It's a wonderful feeling knowing you acomplished something - no matter how small. (Well, in this case, large. The timeline was about 10 pages long) It all came together so well - I even have an idea for a sequal if the first one goes well.

I've taken an odd likening to the Aslilian landmark - Solenne's Plunge. It has no importance in the slightest but its... interesting? I dont know, I'm just quite fond of it.

I haven't officially created opened "The Document" yet for the story itself, but I can feel it begging to be started. I need to fill in some empty spots though, I should start my story outline.

Cheers!
Holly

2005-08-14T16:10:00.000-05:00

I made a map this morning (it took about 5 hrs. to make, but it looks simple), and found a better name for my Fantasy world: Antaia! I love it, so I shall not change! You cannot make me! It is pronounced: Ahn-Tay-Ya. It still doesn't beat Talyn, but good enough.

I also uploaded the Map and Place Names (easier to read) to be viewed if anyone wishes to see them. Nobody can use that map and claim it as theirs. It is copyrighted by me and you know the laws with copyright, and if you don't, I'll happily direct you here. That site, in my opinion, has the best description of copyright.

However, feel free to use some of the place names. I will not/probably cannot, copyright those. It's just the map that is mine. But, I will ask you not to use the word 'Antaia.' I cant stop you, but I'd appreciate it.

On a happier note, I am also working on the history of the places on said map, I will not post it online, but if this book gets published, you might see it there. Also, a timeline of great wars and such. That might take a few days, we shall see.

On a sadder note, I still have no motivation to write my fanfiction. My excitement over this story is far exceeding that one to even open Chapter 14 (I have a few paragraphs). I really hope I'll be forgiven.

What else happened?

Nothing. I still haven't thought of a good last name for this one family I have yet. It has to go well with the name "Abeni" though. I'll keep looking.

Random notes, ignorable, reference for later:
F. Names: Shirae

Cheers!
Holly

2005-08-13T21:40:00.000-05:00

Finally got something today, I started my Plot Web. I know have my list of characters and some background typed up in word. I came up with a perfect world name - Talyn - only to find that it was my subconsious telling me:

"Holly Lisle came up with a good word, it fits nicely, c'mon, use it! You know you want to!"
She has it written as a name (and title) but I would have it as a place. I am feeling down because I dont want to feel like I am stealing/copying her. I am a fan of hers, and I know that would lame to use a great writer's ideas. What to do...

I also came up with a neat character using the name Chayal. Cremitus's seer. (Cremitus: Name now official) and a school enemy for Valerie. She is based off a real person, but I shall change names to protect the "innocent." Teresa Garvey. I think she is the second person I based off of a real person. That makes Arali and Teresa now. I just love the name Arali. I wish I could use my favorite baby names, but if I do that they might loose my intrest if I use those. Chloe, Lily, Damian, Ethan, Kyler. Sigh. I have to wait like 10 years, I guess.

Random notes, ignorable, reference for later:
F. Names: Lisynthe, Amene, Telaita
Male names: Krath
Need/Reminder: Last name needed, Riorden = not working

2005-08-12T20:10:00.000-05:00

I'm back! I didn't write yet today. I wanted to, I kept debating on what I wanted to do - write the 14th chapter to one of the fanfictions I am writing, or start my Plot Web.

You know what the funny thing is?

I did neither.

I felt stressed, wanting so much to start this story, but obligated to continue the other story. I really want to write both right now, and am very depressed-like because I do not want to dissapoint people who are waiting for chapter 14. Frustrating. Very frustrating.

But I have no inspiration to write it, either. What to do... what to do.

Random notes, ignorable, reference for later:
Last names: Riorden [Rear-don]
Fem. Names: Lenavine, Anniki
Male Names: Chadistan, Chayal,

Going back to my pondering now,
Holly

2005-08-11T19:29:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my new blog! This is where I will post updates, progress or any rants I may have during writing my first book, and hopefully, more to come. I am not sure 100% what my title will be, but East of the Equator is sticking. Now, you may be saying -

'"What on earth is this person thinking? East of the Equator? Is she nuts? There is no East, only North and South!"

Logically, you are right. However, I am a fantasy writer. There is no limits to fantasy!

I will not say too much of the book as I am writing it, but I shall have some characters and a few little details. If you wish to know more than I write here, then...

Wait until it is finished!

I know it will take a while, but I am a little secretive about the story. It is my very first book and I want the experience to be extraordinary!

The following will be included in my blog:
Emotions - how I feel about what I have written for that day
Chapters - Whenever I finish a chapter, I will add that, or when I finish or edit a chapter.
Characters - When I add new characters and I particularly like their personality (or their name) I will post a little bit about them. I will not add their use in the story unless it is insignificant. I will say if it is a more of a main character or a lesser character.
Anniversaries - Pointless? Yes. Cheesy? Most definitely. I know it is stupid, but I will occasionally have 'a week since I began' or 'a month' or even 'a year' celebratory post. That way I can look back and say, "Oh yes, that was such a happy day for me!" or whatever.
Procrastination - On days I am not writing and I should be, I might add excuses and reasons why I was not sitting at my computer or scribbling notes down in my many notebooks. It may be excusable things or inexcusable things - Such as reading, watching TV, or games.
Other? - Things I post that have absolutely nothing to do with my story or whatnot and I feel like adding it, I will. I do not like rules, I may follow them, but I want freedom!

Wait wait wait... I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Holly Ellysha Holbrook and I am a 16-year-old writer. The reason I didn't fully introduce myself in the beginning was because I didnt want people to think, 'Oh, she's only 16. She isn't serious about writing...' because you would be wrong. I love writing and I cannot imagine having any other job. A side job too, of course, but you get the idea.

I live in a little wee unknown village in Wisconsin and I love it. It's small and secluded, with the occational dog barking and lawnmowing, but those sounds are nice. I was raised by both parents, my mom and my dad, and I grew up with my younger sibling. Her name is Mackenzie, but we call her Mikki.

I also have 5 pets - 2 dogs and 3 cats. I have a Bichon Frise by the name of Ozzy and a tiny runt Shih Tzu named Toby. They get along so well, they are adorable! For fun, we say their real names are Ozwald and Tobias. For cats, we have a Calico (getting old, sadly) called Gypsy. She is my sister's, but mom and I are the onle ones she likes. She loves being petted and is the 'Queen' of the house. Simba, the next one, is a Himmalayan and shares the same birthday as his mommy - Me! He is sickly, but one of the sweetest cats I know. He enjoys sitting... Like a human! Well almost, but it's very funny to see. Then comes Bailey. She will always have that 'kitten' look to her. I dont think that is uncommon for striped barn cats. She is a cuddler and very naughty. She knows she can get away with anything because my mother spoils her.

How's that for my first post? Anyway, I should start writing now, eh?
Cheers!
Holly E. Holbrook

2005-08-11T19:28:00.000-05:00

Later (approximately 2 hours) that day...

I'm back, here to start the blog off with some insight of my story. I am very excited about my characters! I want to introduce you!

Characters
Valerie Burton, [Val-er-ee Ber-ton] 15, she is a journalist for the school newspaper, lives in Minnesota (subject to change) and is taken along on the magical journey. Human.
Cinder Faust, [Sin-der Fawst] changes appearance and knows minor defensive magic. Her 'species' is called the Facie (also, subject to change) which is parts Latin for 'outward appearence' or 'form.' Sarcastic, has dry humor and is very independent. 19 years old.
Matthias, [Muh-Thigh-us] Controls water. Elemental, you might say, but also the only one who can fully control it. Quiet and serious, looks 25 or so. Actually quite old, around 411.
Tenea Aldridge, [Ten-Ee Ald-ridge] Empath, feeds off other people's emotions as she has none of her own. Smart, but doesn't speak much and often informs facts to people after it is too late. 17 years old.
Arali, [Air-uh-Lye] younger elemental than Matthias, childish and innocent. Controls Air and is easily manipulated. Looks 16, actually 148.
Mothyr, [mother] Elemental, controls earth. Mothyr Earth - get it? My attempt at humor, sorry. :) She is extremely stubborn and is demanding and high maintenance. Looks 40-some, is actually 807.
Cremitus (subject to change), fire elemental, very hot-headed and doesn't think before his acts. Mean little jerk. Looks 30-some, actually 527.

Random notes, ignorable reference for later:
Fem. names - Llewellyn & Gwyneth [Loo-Elle-En] [Gwin-eth] (sisters possibly?) Good names for sisters.
Male name - Ciaran [Kee-ran]

Cheers!

Holly