That's Fishy . . . So, as I said in my last post there would be some little references to Kurt Vonnegut and that is what Jean and Minnie are. They are named after Vonnegut's Kilgore Trout (who is named after real life Theodore Sturgeon).
So, Jean is a man. His name is a play on the name of the fish John Dory. So, it's pronounced like the English name John although in my head it's more JA-n than j-OH-n. With an emphasis on the 'j'. Minnow is named after the fish as well. It is just their names I would not look to far into it. I have to say there are not a lot fish names that work as people names.
As far as other names I did play around with Sara Graces's name. I tried Cera, Sariagras, Sarah Grace.
Pictures
I only have pictures for some of the characters introduced:
Alan Gray
Based a little on Zac Efron's even features but, Tom Felton a little too.
Sara Grace Based on Kate Winslet
Jean Dory Imagine Jonny Depp with white hair
Minnow Dory Ashley Greene. She is probably the actor who resembles my idea of a character the most.
What if ?
I have to say there are a lot of what if's that I take in consideration in writing this. Beauty Standards exist for a reason--because they are what some people find attractive and want in themselves. There are surgery's to open eyelids, lighten skin, fix noses that make a lot of money. I had to ask myself if people could choose how they look would they really want to be different. The answer in this scenario is no.
Music
I've always liked to type to piano music so, I will be incorporating some of it into this. I know a lot of the songs sound similar . . . I suppose I am trying to set a mood ? There will be a lot more diverse sounds as this goes on.
Chapter 3
Before I get to chapter 3 I do want to say a lexicon is in progress right now. Chapter 3
Playlist
-1-The Meadow by Alexandre Desplat -2-Precious by Minipop -3-Hopeless by Breaking Benjamin -4-I Love To See The Temple by Paul Cardall -5-Pippins Song by Pippin
So, as I admitted to CranberriVodka in the comments she was right all along about the genre. Although technically I would classify this as postcyberpunk.
The Story
How did Shawna Harrison who writes about love, peace and friendship get to cyberpunk ? It goes all the way back to IVB actually. When I decided Mrs.Bennett was going to read a passage from Slaugherhouse 5 I started looking for the best quotes to use. Along the way I saw other Kurt Vonnegut quotes and remembered what a great writer he was, and how I loved his work. I thought to myself I should try and write something similar to his style.
Along my journey of studying up on KV's dystopian literature I came across the term cyberpunk--a sort of subgenre of dystopian lit and after doing some research on that, I decided to write a cyberpunk web serial.
Cyber what ?
Cyberpunk is a type of fiction by the genius writer William Gibson. It explores a lot of high tech. His books deal with an interconnective stream of information called cyberspace. Sound familiar ? Well, the crazy part is he wrote in the 80's before the internet was ever heard off.
Thanks to he and his writing partners donations to the creative commons I was able to read a lot of his short stories and novels online to help me understand what I was writing. His novel Neuromancer is called the "bible" of cyberpunk. I found it a little tedious so, a lot of my information I got from critical analysis/ reviews of it.
The cyberpunk genre is all about a near and relatable future. However the movement really is resigned more to the 80's which is why I say post cyberpunk Muse, Inspire Me
I have to say this work, Veritas is heavily inspired by the CP movement and the writings of Kurt Vonnegut and William Gibson. It's more details than the overall plot, I will go ahead and list some from chapter 1 :
2081-- This is a refernce to Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron that takes place in 2081. The short film version is also called 2081.
Boston Atlantic Metro.-- Named after Boston Atlanta Megoloplis (BAMA) aka The Sprawl, the setting for Gibson's Sprawl trilogy. William Case and Linda Gibson-- Are named after William Gibson himself and two characters ---Case and his girlfriend, Linda Lee (I freaked when I saw this) in Neuromancer. So no that was not a reference to that Linda Leigh. Kyto and Kytocxin-- I came up with the name Kytoxcin first, after the drug Mytoxcin (mustard gas) which is mentioned in Neuromancer. I decided to just make the inventors last name Kyto after the first 4 letters. It's funny how it sounds Japanese.
Simstim-- Yeah, I stole this word/concept too.
Antique Paper Bills line (prolouge)that is from line is from a short story by Gibson and another Michael Swanwick called Dogfight.
Prolouge
I did want to back up a bit to the prolouge. I wanted to hint this was taking place in the future with a few little lines.
The fact that he is having a conversation, looking for sugar packets (i know random) and writing a letter was supposed to illustrate he wasn't driving the car. I'm Still A Writer !
I did come up with some things on my own. I was inspired for the idea of Syndicates by MT Anderson's novel Feed. I got the name Syndicate because the RSS in RSS feed stands for really simple syndication.
As I mentioned in the comments, I really had to look to the past to decided how the future in this serial will look. I asked myself what hasn't changed in 100 years ? What hasn't changed in 1000's of years and if it did change is their still a version of it ? I mean people still perform Shakespeare they still listen to Beethoven.
For instance oral stories--epic poems--books--plays--radio shows--television--??(DVR, maybe ?)
Disclaimer #2 : Beware the Trope
In case you can't tell this will have a lot of Art Major Science like UL2 had some Art Major Law. I do a bit of research but, it can sometimes go over my head.
I know, I'm a trope addict but they are not bad things and have really helped develop the story.
Chapter 2
I really wanted to be far ahead in my writing before I post the next chapter but, at a certain point I get confused and almost blog about things that haven't happened yet ! Anyway I think I am enough chapters ahead to give you all a little more. I haven't really had enough time to set the scenery.
Yes, I'm using that title so you know what that means. The newest web serial I am working on is called Veritas:Closer to Earth. I will go ahead and tell you not to look to much into the title. I will go ahead and say the Closer to Earth part comes from this trope and has no real significance except I liked the name of it.
As for the genre well, to be honest I don't want to say. I still want to see if someone still wants to try a guess. Either way I will tell you all in the comments and then in the next post I will explain how I got there (it's quite a long story). I'm not revealing the genre at this point because I think (and no offense, hon) when Linda revealed her genre everyone was expecting something macabre and scary (although I found LL quite bone-chilling--especially the end) so, I don't want to start any expectations at the very first chapter.
I am going to put a disclaimer on this whole web serial now : Any relations to real or living people or Cobalt employees it merely coincidental and I mean that. Any relations to fictional characters or people . . . should be seen as a compliment.
Other notes : I am having some issues with coming up with good images so, those may change from time to time. Also, the name veritas.yolasite was already taken so that is why it is at closertoearth. The numbers go with the songs and are added last , in case the breaks seem awkward.
There are lots of songs I didn't use in UL2 that I wanted to. I may use some of them in other things but, here is one I don't think will make it in so, it will be the music for this post. It is Edwin McCain's I'll Be. It would have been in chapter 8.
United Light 2
I have been purposely messing around with you all by making it seem like chapter 8 was the end of United Light 2. But, to be perfectly honest with you for all intensive purposes it is.
I like the first UL but, it was very plot-rich, very heavy and had a lot of interludes. And that came from the fact that I wrote as went along, not knowing where anything was going to end up. UL2 was a little different, similar to IVB I knew basically how it was going to end and I had an entire outline for the story. I thought it would be nice if I first shared the outline and then explain a little more about the story. I don't have them handwritten and scanned like Rowling does on her site so, I am going to copy and paste.
Outline (it's sloppy)
Outline
DR gets engaged
Jr gets summons
2
Meets tessa’s toddler daughter. Lawyers want her to settle, threatens says goodbyes to go south
3- life in the cult through discovery
3
Evidence is missing, sawyer thrown in jail for charges, Juliana is threatened goes to see Caine. When she sees her father he has note from Rhett.Julianafather losesfaith
Raleghs turn evidence is gone
4
JR arrested
Switches to Rhett&Dr.J. Goes to find DR&T
Tessa bails her out.
R&J Looks for evidence from tl.
Go to commune to find information. See it is the same. She goes to basement and draws on wall. You watched you said nothing.
Finds TL, living out of state
Finds tapes
Reluctant to give them
Get back to court J consideres buring them. Caine could kill her
Prosecuted
Forced into witness protection
4 years
As you can kind of see I did stretch 5 chapters into 8. In the original draft instead of Tessa coming in the middle of the fight between Daniel and Juliana she is the one who bails Juliana out of jail.
Also in the original Juliana goes into witness protection and can't see or contact her Dad or Rhett until Caine is killed 4 years later. When she comes back though she doesn't fit into their lives and she ends up leaving. I was going to go with this ending for such a long time but it felt too sad.
There were also a few more longer parts between Rhett and Dr. Johanseen about ethics. I was also originally going to write the court case but, that would have been repetitive since I showed the discovery. It would have also been crazy inaccurate.
Pictures
In an uncreative twist, Jennifer Caine is based on Jennifer Garner. Jennifer Caine has naturally curly hair like Sawyer but, she straightens it which is why she in her first chapter Juliana notices how perfectly straight her hair is.
Juliana & Hayley were based on these two unrelated pictures I found but, I could never photoshop them together well enough.
Rhett/Juliana
*I'm still loling over the let's get off this ship. That is why I need editors !*
There is a deleted scene (by deleted I mean I can't even find it on the desktop anymore) in about chapter 21, when Juliana runs away from Caine and Rhett follows her. He catches up to her and tackles her and then they start kissing. After I deleted that scene I knew that canonically speaking Rhett and Juliana would never have a romantic/sexual relationship. They have a bother/sister type relationship: more than friends, less than lovers if you will. I've also always known that they would end up having to go seperate ways in the end.
Now, does that mean Juliana couldn't move to Louisana or something ? No, anything could happen.
Another goal, I had when writing this was to remind the readers that Juliana and Rhett are both still teenagers and very young. That's why I included more things about their parents and futures.
I found a really great collection of images that went with the last picture I used and I could not decide which one to use. Anyway here are some more I wanted to go with.
The End
I struggled a lot with making this the end. Once I had it written I considered adding some chapters about Juliana in the halfway house or something but, it would have given the last chapter less of an impact. I never had any intentions of writing about those 4 years to be honest.
I wanted more than anything to give the other characters some space in the story but, I think I may save that for a future epilouge. This was supposed to be a Juliana/Rhett story and kind of turned into another ensemble story with the other cast members along the way.
I do feel a bit accomplished about this because it is over 20,000 words and I am pretty sure I wrote it in less than 30 days, even though I publish it on later dates.
What's Next ?
This would be the part where I show you the prologue for my new web serial but, I already did that so you all have some idea what is next. I am currently in between two titles right now for it, so I can't give the title just yet.
Like UL2 this story was outlined only, it is much more heavily outlined. I have a lot more layers of themes,metaphors,character motivations etc. going on. And it is expanding to a lot more chapters. I am very excited/nervous about it. There is no telling how long I will hold on to it and nurture it until I start posting,TBH. I haven't even created a website or graphics for it.
As a matter of fact, this new story is a lot different than what I usually do that I actually considered writing it under a pen name. I will also admit it is heavily influenced by a lot of things from tv,books,movies,politics,music, history,pop culture and more. I suppose in a way it's a bit of American Realism . . . a bit. I am in love with the songs I have in mind to use !
I realize none of that makes any sense to you all because you haven't read it but, it will.
In the meantime, I will be working for Cobalt, updating all the tags for the blog entries. Cobalt writers have been invited to attend some writing conferences (and speak a little on how our company uses web serials) so hopefully I can get some insights on making my web serials better. It is very different than my book writing/editing because I don't have a year to work on one thing I don't get to take things back or rewrite if I change my mind towards the end.
Anyway, I hope I get to talk to you guys again soon.
It is springtime (although it always feels like Spring in SoCal) around the office and we are all still adjusting to our new office spaces. Erik's Birthday was this past weekend and he went back to Pennsylvania so, I had some more office space which is always nice.
Our office is right near a McDonalds so my wallet is happy I am getting 1$ coffee's instead of 3$ lattes every 2 hours. Joel did bring an espresso maker he got a while back into the office but it turns out none of us know how to use it and he ended up breaking it. But, no worries us Cobaltians are getting our caffiene fix !
Chapter 7
There is one note I want to make on Chapter 7, there really is such a thing as cremation jewelry. It's not something creepy I made up and some of it is quite nice. You can even get some for your dog's ashes.
Alright so I know, I know this chapter was short like the others, I am working on it. This was one of the few chapters where there is a lot of subtext, more specifically with Rhett and Ricky (No, not that kind of subtext). In a way I was making a statement about the effects of violence on teens and kids. I'm not making any political argument but, as far as Ricky's character goes he is obsessed with the idea of violence but, he doesn't reallize the violence he sees as fictional. And therefore can't empathize when he sees real violence. That's why he doesn't feel guilty taping it. TLDR : Ricky is an example of someone who is desenstized. That is also why he can't fight, he lives in a fictional mentality and can't deal with a real violent situation.
Also a secondary note, Ricky looks up to Rhett (which is why he tells Rhett when Juliana tries to commit suicide) and that plays in a little bit too.
Chapter 7 . . .
It's funny at this point the sequel is over 20,000 words (excluding chapter 7) even though it does not feel like it.
Anyway this is another short chapter and in order to supplement that I am giving you all a tiny gift . . . A special preview of my next project. Writing my next work is still a big WIP, I am doing something totally different as far as the writing process. It is just a prolouge I've whipped up and I have excluded the title to add to the mystery. Both links are at the bottom with their playlists. Pick whichever one you want first !
I will admit I feel like I have ADD (like two of my lovely co-workers) trying to write both ULII and planing my new project. I jump from each one. Anyway let's see if you all can guess the genre now.
-1- Down to Earth by Justin Beiber (I was going to use him or Jesse McCartney eventually) -2- Make Me Better by Ne-Yo -3-Carol of Bells by George Winston (love writing to piano music !) -4-Almost Lover by A Fine Frenzy -5- Closer by Boyce Avenue -6- Chasing Pavement by Adele (I'd skip the first 45 seconds)
As a writer I am not sure if I am more Stephen King or JK Rowling. In that Stephen King wrote a series and had no idea how it was going to end whereas JK Rowling worked from an outline from the very start.
This concept of United Light II was at first a coming of age story with the Rhett-Cortland love triangle but, that got abandoned once I started drafting RGGS. I wanted more substance so, it became about United Light still and it's after affects. I knew that Caine's lawyer was going to throw everyone in jail, create rifts and dust off all the skeletons. What I didn't know was if Juliana was going to jail or not. I'm not sure there is a logical reasoning why she didn't excpet for the very real fact that jails are overcrowded as it is and they often let people off with warnings.
On a side note, I am getting to a point in this story where some honest opinions are great. Chapter 6
