Read all about it!
So goes the cry of the traditional newspaper boy. That seems to have drawn enough attention in its own time to get some readers; unfortunately this isn't much of a venue these days.
I'm still trying to figure out just how I should go about advertising myself. I've passed out the blog link to real-life friends. I already had some sort of presence on fanfiction.net, and I've frequented some of the forums at NaNoWriMo and Forward Motion Writers. I know that some of the forums have gotten me attention here on Blogger (although my number one source of hits seems to be some site called vampirestats).
At the same time, few of those viewers turn into commenters, so I'm not sure how well it's really working. I also have a whopping number of official followers (zero), but it's obvious at least one person has kept up with everything.
The hits have been increasing, though, so I'm hopeful that's going to continue. At the same time, I feel like I should kick things up a notch, but how? I have no Facebook, and I feel like if I made one it would either be entirely ignored or under constant assault from university friends. I don't have a Twitter and, as a writer, I'm not too sure about the format and word restriction. Apparently everyone also goes to Pinterest now, but that seems to be a lot more image-oriented, which doesn't work well, especially when I have all of one cover design (and a debated one at that).
For now I guess I'll just keep updating posts and chatting in my forums (and I've also decided to comment on some DeviantArt works, with a link to the blog in my signature). If anyone knows a good networking site or anything else I could do to get some attention as I work towards publishing, I am definitely open to suggestions.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
New Fan Fiction Idea #3 Revisited
A mini-excerpt of my Hetalia rock band AU dying to be written. I feel like it might make a good opening, even if the fiction is supposed to be the whole story of the band's life.
Note that, since I doubt I'm going to write this in the first place, this isn't exactly my finest writing. It was just one little part that had enough to it to flesh out.
Yao sneaked a peek into the burgeoning crowd before pulling his head backstage. To be honest, the stage was better-looking—or at least better-prepared—than the scene around him.
"Where is everyone?" he started, eyeing the two others with him.
Alfred leaned back against the wall, shrugging. "Well, Arthur's flying with the fairies."
"Now?" Yao tried not to facepalm. "It's five minutes to the gig!"
"Eh." Alfred glanced in the direction of the dressing rooms. "He didn't snort that much. Just don't let him near a microphone and he should be okay."
Sighing, Yao crossed his arms, checking the backstage clock again. "And I'm going to assume Francis is spending some quality time with his fangirls."
"Ooh!" Ivan raised his hand, as if ready for the teacher to call on him. "I can go get rid of them if you want!"
"No way, dude!" Alfred took a great stride to put himself between Ivan and the dressing room hallway. "The last time you tried to 'get rid of' fangirls, I had to call 911!"
Ivan pouted. "You didn't really have to. I was doing a good enough job on my own."
"I wasn't calling the cops, I was calling an ambulance!"
Ivan shrugged, while Yao sighed yet again.
"We'd better not be calling the cops, with everything that goes on with this band," the keyboardist muttered.
Note that, since I doubt I'm going to write this in the first place, this isn't exactly my finest writing. It was just one little part that had enough to it to flesh out.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yao sneaked a peek into the burgeoning crowd before pulling his head backstage. To be honest, the stage was better-looking—or at least better-prepared—than the scene around him.
"Where is everyone?" he started, eyeing the two others with him.
Alfred leaned back against the wall, shrugging. "Well, Arthur's flying with the fairies."
"Now?" Yao tried not to facepalm. "It's five minutes to the gig!"
"Eh." Alfred glanced in the direction of the dressing rooms. "He didn't snort that much. Just don't let him near a microphone and he should be okay."
Sighing, Yao crossed his arms, checking the backstage clock again. "And I'm going to assume Francis is spending some quality time with his fangirls."
"Ooh!" Ivan raised his hand, as if ready for the teacher to call on him. "I can go get rid of them if you want!"
"No way, dude!" Alfred took a great stride to put himself between Ivan and the dressing room hallway. "The last time you tried to 'get rid of' fangirls, I had to call 911!"
Ivan pouted. "You didn't really have to. I was doing a good enough job on my own."
"I wasn't calling the cops, I was calling an ambulance!"
Ivan shrugged, while Yao sighed yet again.
"We'd better not be calling the cops, with everything that goes on with this band," the keyboardist muttered.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
New Manga Idea #5
This idea came to me somewhere between Man in the Blade and The Colony of Avlain. It's still quite old.
Working Title: Four Elements
Genre: Not entirely sure. Possibly seinen or something like it.
Protagonist: Lord Sand (real name Qin*), a thirty-year-old man with no eyebrows and who always wears a hood but is otherwise of average appearance. He's generally serious, although easily incensed, and he's a bit too used to the luxurious life of the leader of the Country of Earth.
Other Main Characters: Lady Wind, the ruler of the Country of Air, though she inherited it at the age of fourteen. She's rather immature still and carries on a rivalry with Lord Sand. She's proud to be a leader of the nation of thieves (not robbers). She's rather dainty, with swirls of light blue hair.
Master Fire, the twenty-something ruler of the Country of Fire. His hair is medium-length yellow, with occasional waves of red. He's the mischievous type and rather arrogant.
Mistress Water, the thirty-something leader of the Country of Water. She has a very soft voice and is compassionate to an excess.
Antagonist: One of the leaders, as well as a few odd stragglers in the land to which they're transported.
Setting: The four nations border each other and have been at war off and on for a while. While a lot of the central land is the same, the outskirts of each country corresponds somehow to the element. The Country of Water is known for its wizards. The main story takes place somewhere outside the borders, in a harsh desert setting with some nomads.
Plot: The four leaders meet to discuss possibilities of peace. Coming to no good conclusion, they leave the room find themselves in a new land, and no one knows just where (sound familiar?). Now they have to work together to survive and find their way back. It's by no means an easy quest, especially when they find out who sent them here—and who has a prophecy that spells doom for his or her country.
It seems like it could be interesting if I ever pick it up again.
*Qin of Man in the Blade was named after him.
Working Title: Four Elements
Genre: Not entirely sure. Possibly seinen or something like it.
Protagonist: Lord Sand (real name Qin*), a thirty-year-old man with no eyebrows and who always wears a hood but is otherwise of average appearance. He's generally serious, although easily incensed, and he's a bit too used to the luxurious life of the leader of the Country of Earth.
Other Main Characters: Lady Wind, the ruler of the Country of Air, though she inherited it at the age of fourteen. She's rather immature still and carries on a rivalry with Lord Sand. She's proud to be a leader of the nation of thieves (not robbers). She's rather dainty, with swirls of light blue hair.
Master Fire, the twenty-something ruler of the Country of Fire. His hair is medium-length yellow, with occasional waves of red. He's the mischievous type and rather arrogant.
Mistress Water, the thirty-something leader of the Country of Water. She has a very soft voice and is compassionate to an excess.
Antagonist: One of the leaders, as well as a few odd stragglers in the land to which they're transported.
Setting: The four nations border each other and have been at war off and on for a while. While a lot of the central land is the same, the outskirts of each country corresponds somehow to the element. The Country of Water is known for its wizards. The main story takes place somewhere outside the borders, in a harsh desert setting with some nomads.
Plot: The four leaders meet to discuss possibilities of peace. Coming to no good conclusion, they leave the room find themselves in a new land, and no one knows just where (sound familiar?). Now they have to work together to survive and find their way back. It's by no means an easy quest, especially when they find out who sent them here—and who has a prophecy that spells doom for his or her country.
It seems like it could be interesting if I ever pick it up again.
*Qin of Man in the Blade was named after him.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
New Fan Fiction Idea #5
Working Title: The Loony Bin
Fandom: Hetalia: Axis Powers
Genre Tags: Drama/Angst
Length: Multichapter, at least one for each patient.
Protagonist: Alicia, a university freshman of average build with dark hair in a low ponytail. She's an introvert who enjoys solitude as much as hanging out with her friends, she takes schoolwork seriously, and she's very easily affected by "the evils of the world," as it were.
Other Main Characters: Alfred, the bulimic patient. Sophomore-age university student who's quite cheerful unless the situation has anything to do with food or he thinks someone is calling him fat. This would be an absurd thing for someone to call him, of course, although I'm still debating whether he should be a "classic" bulimic or one that "purges" through obsessive exercise. Either way, he had a great American football scholarship before his situation got bad.
Ludwig, the obsessive-compulsive patient. Mid-twenties, he usually refuses to leave his room, nor does he often let others in. He is friends with Feliciano, when he's Feliciano. He has a good heart, but his situation makes it difficult for him to do much for others.
Feliciano/Romano, the dissociative identity patient. Feliciano is very cheerful and a bit passive, while Romano is intolerably uncooperative and hateful. Generally, he switches his hair part when transitioning between identities. He would probably be able to function decently in society if he didn't have such terrible memory issues.
Arthur, the major depressive patient. The officials at the asylum have gone to... rather extreme measures to prevent him from killing himself. He rarely interacts with others; on those occasions, he does so acrimoniously. He very rarely shows a glimpse of any positive emotion.
Raivis, the paranoid schizophrenic patient. He will interact with others if they're nice enough, though not without harbouring suspicions. He will, however, push all others away when he has hallucinations of his torturer, and, if he thinks they are his torturer, he may do so violently. He's normally very quiet but can be cheerful.
Ivan, the antisocial patient. He's very excited to interact with others but rarely has the opportunity as he always tries to maim them somehow. He is not allowed anywhere near Raivis no matter his mood.
Francis, the narcissistic patient. As he manages to hit on Alicia enough within a few seconds for her to flee, he doesn't get much screen time. He's really quite pleasant normally, but if he decides someone is attractive enough and they don't reciprocate, he gets violent. He also doesn't take affronts to his appearance or cooking, but rarely do those crop up.
Kiku, the schizophrenic patient. He doesn't talk much, nor does he express emotion. In his world, he is vanquishing evil spirits. He does so with an authentic katana that somehow has not been taken from him.
Eduard, the manager of the asylum. He's very calm and a bit numb to the chaos. He just does his best to help the patients in what little ways he's able.
Antagonist: Sometimes the patients, sometimes Eduard when he doesn't have quite the right idea as to what is most helpful for a patient. Otherwise, lack of funding is a huge setback.
Setting: A typical university city, though I'm not entirely sure where. The main factor is that this particular asylum is a private one, poorly-funded, and the only one in a convenient radius.
Plot: For a psychology project with few guidelines, Alicia decides to interview the staff of the little asylum/institute she stumbled across one day. She ends up trying to communicate with the patients as well and forming some bonds. But there are some things seriously wrong with this place, and she has to decide if she can handle taking it upon herself to change them.
Point of View: Third-person, omniscient.
I got this idea some time ago, but I doubt I would be willing to do the research involved. All of my knowledge is from my one term of general psychology, which doesn't bode well for a dark disorder-oriented fiction. Although I could always look up things on Wikipedia. [is killed by every teacher ever]
Also, I like the discord between the title and the actual fiction, but I'm not sure if it would really work that well.
Fandom: Hetalia: Axis Powers
Genre Tags: Drama/Angst
Length: Multichapter, at least one for each patient.
Protagonist: Alicia, a university freshman of average build with dark hair in a low ponytail. She's an introvert who enjoys solitude as much as hanging out with her friends, she takes schoolwork seriously, and she's very easily affected by "the evils of the world," as it were.
Other Main Characters: Alfred, the bulimic patient. Sophomore-age university student who's quite cheerful unless the situation has anything to do with food or he thinks someone is calling him fat. This would be an absurd thing for someone to call him, of course, although I'm still debating whether he should be a "classic" bulimic or one that "purges" through obsessive exercise. Either way, he had a great American football scholarship before his situation got bad.
Ludwig, the obsessive-compulsive patient. Mid-twenties, he usually refuses to leave his room, nor does he often let others in. He is friends with Feliciano, when he's Feliciano. He has a good heart, but his situation makes it difficult for him to do much for others.
Feliciano/Romano, the dissociative identity patient. Feliciano is very cheerful and a bit passive, while Romano is intolerably uncooperative and hateful. Generally, he switches his hair part when transitioning between identities. He would probably be able to function decently in society if he didn't have such terrible memory issues.
Arthur, the major depressive patient. The officials at the asylum have gone to... rather extreme measures to prevent him from killing himself. He rarely interacts with others; on those occasions, he does so acrimoniously. He very rarely shows a glimpse of any positive emotion.
Raivis, the paranoid schizophrenic patient. He will interact with others if they're nice enough, though not without harbouring suspicions. He will, however, push all others away when he has hallucinations of his torturer, and, if he thinks they are his torturer, he may do so violently. He's normally very quiet but can be cheerful.
Ivan, the antisocial patient. He's very excited to interact with others but rarely has the opportunity as he always tries to maim them somehow. He is not allowed anywhere near Raivis no matter his mood.
Francis, the narcissistic patient. As he manages to hit on Alicia enough within a few seconds for her to flee, he doesn't get much screen time. He's really quite pleasant normally, but if he decides someone is attractive enough and they don't reciprocate, he gets violent. He also doesn't take affronts to his appearance or cooking, but rarely do those crop up.
Kiku, the schizophrenic patient. He doesn't talk much, nor does he express emotion. In his world, he is vanquishing evil spirits. He does so with an authentic katana that somehow has not been taken from him.
Eduard, the manager of the asylum. He's very calm and a bit numb to the chaos. He just does his best to help the patients in what little ways he's able.
Antagonist: Sometimes the patients, sometimes Eduard when he doesn't have quite the right idea as to what is most helpful for a patient. Otherwise, lack of funding is a huge setback.
Setting: A typical university city, though I'm not entirely sure where. The main factor is that this particular asylum is a private one, poorly-funded, and the only one in a convenient radius.
Plot: For a psychology project with few guidelines, Alicia decides to interview the staff of the little asylum/institute she stumbled across one day. She ends up trying to communicate with the patients as well and forming some bonds. But there are some things seriously wrong with this place, and she has to decide if she can handle taking it upon herself to change them.
Point of View: Third-person, omniscient.
I got this idea some time ago, but I doubt I would be willing to do the research involved. All of my knowledge is from my one term of general psychology, which doesn't bode well for a dark disorder-oriented fiction. Although I could always look up things on Wikipedia. [is killed by every teacher ever]
Also, I like the discord between the title and the actual fiction, but I'm not sure if it would really work that well.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Core Curriculum Syndrome
Or: A Big Reason Writing Is So Great.
Something that makes writing—or, most likely, most types of art—a unique field is that you always get to avoid what I call Core Curriculum Syndrome. You're probably familiar with it. It's not wrong to assume you've experienced it yourself, at least to some extent, and you've known others who've had it, too.
The key symptom of this condition is the cry: "When am I ever gonna use this?"
The Chemistry major whines about having to take English classes. The English major whines about having to take Mathematics classes. No matter what specialty someone has, it's, well, a specialty, and there are some things every school requires that really doesn't contribute to it by virtue of content. Certainly any situation, classroom or otherwise, can contribute to general growth as a person, but that's a lot different than a future medical examiner wondering why she has to rotely memorise the key painters of post-Impressionism (no grudges here, no, sir).
Yet as gripping as Core Curriculum Syndrome can be, there's a way out:
Anything could make it into a novel.
Let's suppose (quite reasonably) that knowing the key characteristics of Mannerist art won't help me in any post-mortem investigations. But maybe a character needs some spicing-up, and they may have an inclination towards painting. Maybe the next leg of the journey is in a museum, and I need to set the scene with a tour guide describing an art style in droning tones. Maybe a history-loving character needs some curious euphemisms related to the era he loves.
And so the dreaded syndrome vanishes. I'm not going to say that I eagerly await all experiences in life because I'm not quite that cured, but once I'm out of the worst of it, I can appreciate anything. I still sort of want to throttle whoever decided I still need to take general chemistry after getting a 5 on the AP test, but there are people to meet in that class and corny jokes to hear. Actually, this extra class of chemistry might be my best example of dealing a crushing blow to Core Curriculum Syndrome—somehow it led to me writing (and enjoying) an inane fan fiction that gives chemistry lessons.
This phenomenon isn't even restricted to academic experiences. Even something as simple as riding somewhere (whether I wanted to go there or not) in a car and catching a glance of a truck with vampire teeth on the grill can turn into a story; in fact, my thought that that truck must have been its driver's baby was what got Macbay Transportation Services started.
So, what do you think about Core Curriculum Syndrome?
Something that makes writing—or, most likely, most types of art—a unique field is that you always get to avoid what I call Core Curriculum Syndrome. You're probably familiar with it. It's not wrong to assume you've experienced it yourself, at least to some extent, and you've known others who've had it, too.
The key symptom of this condition is the cry: "When am I ever gonna use this?"
The Chemistry major whines about having to take English classes. The English major whines about having to take Mathematics classes. No matter what specialty someone has, it's, well, a specialty, and there are some things every school requires that really doesn't contribute to it by virtue of content. Certainly any situation, classroom or otherwise, can contribute to general growth as a person, but that's a lot different than a future medical examiner wondering why she has to rotely memorise the key painters of post-Impressionism (no grudges here, no, sir).
Yet as gripping as Core Curriculum Syndrome can be, there's a way out:
Anything could make it into a novel.
Let's suppose (quite reasonably) that knowing the key characteristics of Mannerist art won't help me in any post-mortem investigations. But maybe a character needs some spicing-up, and they may have an inclination towards painting. Maybe the next leg of the journey is in a museum, and I need to set the scene with a tour guide describing an art style in droning tones. Maybe a history-loving character needs some curious euphemisms related to the era he loves.
And so the dreaded syndrome vanishes. I'm not going to say that I eagerly await all experiences in life because I'm not quite that cured, but once I'm out of the worst of it, I can appreciate anything. I still sort of want to throttle whoever decided I still need to take general chemistry after getting a 5 on the AP test, but there are people to meet in that class and corny jokes to hear. Actually, this extra class of chemistry might be my best example of dealing a crushing blow to Core Curriculum Syndrome—somehow it led to me writing (and enjoying) an inane fan fiction that gives chemistry lessons.
This phenomenon isn't even restricted to academic experiences. Even something as simple as riding somewhere (whether I wanted to go there or not) in a car and catching a glance of a truck with vampire teeth on the grill can turn into a story; in fact, my thought that that truck must have been its driver's baby was what got Macbay Transportation Services started.
So, what do you think about Core Curriculum Syndrome?
Monday, March 25, 2013
Further Remnants of My Reading List
A (still incomplete) continuation of my reading list.
- Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. Now, I had the misfortune to have to read A Tale of Two Cities too young and sort of decided not to approach Dickens again. Then I read a selection of this for class recently, and I couldn't figure out what I had hated so much about him.
- Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin Abbott Abbott. I've heard of it before, and then it was recommended in my Bible, Science, & Human Values class when we were discussing the probability of more than three space dimensions. One of the professors admitted that finding out it was a political satire sort of ruined it for him, though, ha.
- Gutters by glassamilk (on fanfiction.net). I've heard good things about it and browsed the prologue without disliking the writing style. I'm a bit worried about its rating, though hopefully it's just for violence.
- From Fearful to Fearsome by be-nice-to-nerds (on fanfiction.net). I'm not sure how far I got, but I added the story to my favourites without actually finishing it. I should really get to actually reading it through. It's certainly been good enough to warrant it.
- The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The movie was my favourite thing ever as a kid, and I've seen it multiple times, onstage, and I've even played in one onstage (as a munchkin extra, albeit). I've also seen Wicked, Return to Oz, and Oz, the Great and Powerful, but I still haven't read the originals. Doesn't seem quite right.
- Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare. I've been reading the two before it, and once I finish this prequel series, I'll go ahead and try the original series. There are some questionable parts, granted, but the writing style is great and with so many beautiful sarcastic comebacks I'd hate to miss any.
- Unwholly by Neal Shusterman. Because it's Neal Shusterman. End of story. Or not—I can't say how much I freaked out when I first saw this book. Unwind is going to be a trilogy! Huzzah! I feel as if I can at last comprehend the reception of Miserable among my readers.
- Railsea by China Mieville. Un Lun Dun was awesome, but when I looked for other books by this author, they were all too, eh, adult-oriented. This one said it wasn't, so I bought it. I probably should have sampled the writing first, because it doesn't seem to have the same flow to it. Ah, well. I'm sure it's still worth reading.
- The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. One of those "uber-classic, must read" types. Also considering The Three Musketeers.
- Sherlock Holmes series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. My dad actually made me read some of it for punishment, so it doesn't exactly hold the best memories for me. At the same time, I feel like it would be fun to read if I can get past that.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
New Fiction Idea #17
Got the spark to do some version of The Wizard of Oz, and then suddenly things started hitting me. I'm pretty excited for this.
Working Title: Sector-O, Galaxy-Z193-9
Genre: Sci-Fi
Protagonist: Tommy, a sixteen-year-old human boy with short, dark hair. He's on the short side, but he's fit enough without really being an athlete. He's easily frazzled, a bit reckless, and very loyal. His father Michael abandoned his family when he was six, and he's very teen-angsty about it.
Other Main Characters: Kaliause, an eighteen-year-old mostly-human woman of mixed Asian heritage (though she's never seen Asia—or Earth for that matter—in her life). Due to a crash accident, about half of her brain has been replaced digitally, but it's not reliable technology, and she often blanks out on information at bad times. She's very tough and reasonably caring but hates her condition.
Stannum, a Reclaimed human who died at about fifty but has been functioning for thirteen years since his infusion with cybertronics. He works in a graveyard when the technology is functioning enough for him to move. He's not in good shape and he knows it, but he carries on day by day wishing for the real life he once had.
Liutas, a former High Command military officer who's about thirty. He's a very large and well-built furry humanoid alien. A situation of torture has more or less broken him, and he fled the military afterwards despite the already-low soldier count. Rejected from society and wanted by the authorities, he leads a shamed and reclusive life.
Antagonist: Vonda, leader of the faction waging war against the High Command. She's determined to take down Michael, the last uncorrupted member of the High Command, and whoever stands with him. On her side are several minions, including the Nefret, a loyal (or, forced to be loyal through brain wiring) species of flying creatures with six long limbs and high intelligence, and the Subaltern, her private police/military force.
Many others involved in various facets of the war, or just being jerks, could also stir up trouble.
Setting: See title. While Tommy is from future Earth and knows nothing of the other worlds at the beginning of the story, the others (and where the story takes place) are from Valka, a war-torn planet of the above galaxy. Technology is advanced but usually not that enduring.
Plot: After doing angsty rebellious teen things in a restricted area, Tommy runs from the police and hides in what he doesn't realise is an experimental warp travel device. He inadvertently activates it and ends up crash-landing on Valka. First to help him is Hea, a blonde girl who tells him how to find his father before vanishing. Travel goes relatively well at first, but soon the news that Michael's son is in the area spreads, and Tommy finds himself banding together with Kaliause, Stannum, and Liutas as the three try to make it to Michael for their own ends.
Point of View: Third-person, limited to different characters but mostly Tommy.
I've always wanted to do something based on the music video for "Silent Running" by Mike & the Mechanics, and when I decided to try a sci-fi take on The Wizard of Oz, it came to mind. I really hope I get to write this, and figure out just what I can throw in to make it a trilogy, which would seem cool.
Better title suggestions are welcome.
Thanks to Sharon and the rest for helping me figure out how to make my Tin Man tick (or not tick, as the case may be).
(Also, going through Google Translate for names for my Lion, I ran into both "Aslan" and "Simba." See, I'm not the only one who does this!)
Working Title: Sector-O, Galaxy-Z193-9
Genre: Sci-Fi
Protagonist: Tommy, a sixteen-year-old human boy with short, dark hair. He's on the short side, but he's fit enough without really being an athlete. He's easily frazzled, a bit reckless, and very loyal. His father Michael abandoned his family when he was six, and he's very teen-angsty about it.
Other Main Characters: Kaliause, an eighteen-year-old mostly-human woman of mixed Asian heritage (though she's never seen Asia—or Earth for that matter—in her life). Due to a crash accident, about half of her brain has been replaced digitally, but it's not reliable technology, and she often blanks out on information at bad times. She's very tough and reasonably caring but hates her condition.
Stannum, a Reclaimed human who died at about fifty but has been functioning for thirteen years since his infusion with cybertronics. He works in a graveyard when the technology is functioning enough for him to move. He's not in good shape and he knows it, but he carries on day by day wishing for the real life he once had.
Liutas, a former High Command military officer who's about thirty. He's a very large and well-built furry humanoid alien. A situation of torture has more or less broken him, and he fled the military afterwards despite the already-low soldier count. Rejected from society and wanted by the authorities, he leads a shamed and reclusive life.
Antagonist: Vonda, leader of the faction waging war against the High Command. She's determined to take down Michael, the last uncorrupted member of the High Command, and whoever stands with him. On her side are several minions, including the Nefret, a loyal (or, forced to be loyal through brain wiring) species of flying creatures with six long limbs and high intelligence, and the Subaltern, her private police/military force.
Many others involved in various facets of the war, or just being jerks, could also stir up trouble.
Setting: See title. While Tommy is from future Earth and knows nothing of the other worlds at the beginning of the story, the others (and where the story takes place) are from Valka, a war-torn planet of the above galaxy. Technology is advanced but usually not that enduring.
Plot: After doing angsty rebellious teen things in a restricted area, Tommy runs from the police and hides in what he doesn't realise is an experimental warp travel device. He inadvertently activates it and ends up crash-landing on Valka. First to help him is Hea, a blonde girl who tells him how to find his father before vanishing. Travel goes relatively well at first, but soon the news that Michael's son is in the area spreads, and Tommy finds himself banding together with Kaliause, Stannum, and Liutas as the three try to make it to Michael for their own ends.
Point of View: Third-person, limited to different characters but mostly Tommy.
I've always wanted to do something based on the music video for "Silent Running" by Mike & the Mechanics, and when I decided to try a sci-fi take on The Wizard of Oz, it came to mind. I really hope I get to write this, and figure out just what I can throw in to make it a trilogy, which would seem cool.
Better title suggestions are welcome.
Thanks to Sharon and the rest for helping me figure out how to make my Tin Man tick (or not tick, as the case may be).
(Also, going through Google Translate for names for my Lion, I ran into both "Aslan" and "Simba." See, I'm not the only one who does this!)
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