R.B. Holbrook's Blog, page 22
September 13, 2012
Angel vs. Demon: Demon Interview
Me: “Demon, how old are you?”
Demon: “Old.”
Me: “Give me a number.”
Demon: “Why?”
Me: “I need to know.”
Demon: “For what?”
Me: “Research.”
Demon: “… What are you writing NOW?”
Me: “Interacting with you gave me an idea for a future book. I want to use you as material. Right now I’m just doing an outline so I’ll have the information when I’m done with what I’m writing now.”
Demon: “Me? A book about me? Alright, now we’re talking! Bring on the questions.”
Me: “Your age?”
Demon: “Sorry, but I fell from grace long before age and dates mattered.”
Me: “Ooo, that’s good. And what’s your favorite sin?”
Demon: “My favorite are four of the deadly seven: greed, envy, lust, and vanity. Oh, how I love to watch the mighty fall! A few of me and the fellas get together and bid on how the popular folk meet their moral end.”
Me: “Really? Do you ever get into fights with the other demons?”
Demon: “All the time. It’s a constant battle over turf. We thrive on chaos and like to fight.”
Me: “So why DID you fall from grace?”
Demon: “Wow! That’s a pretty long story…?”
Angel: “Is it my turn for the interview yet?”
Me: “Not yet.”
Demon: “Wait, you’re asking her questions, too?”
Angel: “Of course, it is a book about a demon-slaying demon who’s best friends with an angel.”
Demon: “Demon-slaying… Best friends with a WHAT!?!”
Me: “Did I forget to mention that?”
Demon: “I’ve been hoodwinked!”
RBH
Filed under: Angel vs. Demon, Writing Tagged: Angel vs. Demon, hoodwinked, interview, R B Holbrook, seven deadly sins, tricked, Writing
September 10, 2012
Angel vs. Demon: Passion
Demon: “RB’s been awfully quiet the last few days. Little contact with anyone or anything. Barely eating and sleeping. What’s that about?”
Angel: “The story is merging with the writer. It is like an actor who buries his or her self in the role of the character they portray. RB is submerged in the story. Becoming one with that world and that plot. Captivating isn’t?”
Demon: “Disturbing. It’s like building a wall around you and separating yourself from everything. People, places, events… I could never live like that.”
Angel: “People who like what they do become passionate like this, cocooning themselves in their work, craft, or gift.”
Demon: “Hmmm, that’s why I prefer the digital age. So many distractions, who cares about passion when there are so many things to do and see.”
Angel: “Passion created the digital age. Passion created those beers you love. Passion perfected the television you watch. Passion-”
Demon: “Okay, okay, you’ve made you’re point. Such a nag.”
Angel: “Let RB work. Eventually the story will end.”
Demon: “On paper yes. But not to the author. RB is still dreaming of Oracle’s Legacy.”
Angel: “Wait… are you saying…?”
Demon: “I’m thinking some passions don’t end, even upon THE END.”
RBH
Filed under: Angel vs. Demon, Writing Tagged: Angel vs. Demon, dreaming, drive, Oracle's Legacy, passion
September 7, 2012
Angel vs. Demon: World Domination
Me: “In my mind, I conceive worlds. Does that mean they exist?”
Angel: “To you, they exist.”
Demon: “Not only do they exist, they are ruled by you, oh great one.”
Me: “Yes, I am.”
Demon: “You control their lives, their destinies. In your worlds, you are the beginning and the end.”
Angel: “Oh, boy…”
Me: “I do rule with an iron grip.”
Demon: “You tell them to jump, they already know how high and do so without complaint.”
Me: “As they should.”
Demon: “I am in awe at how masterfully you compel your subjects. Now if only you could bring that out into the real world.”
Angel: “Hold on-”
Demon: “With your cunning and genius, you could surely make this world yours as well.”
Angel: “Now you go too far!”
Demon: “To corrupt, there is no such thing as too far.”
Me: “Oooo, that was good, give me more. I can use this.”
Demon: “Wha- You’re writing this down? You’re not taking me serious!”
Me: “Of course not. Now go back to what you said about world domination… and corruption.”
Demon: “I’m not fuel for your stories!”
Angel: “Ha! Yes you are.“
RBH
Filed under: Angel vs. Demon, Writing Tagged: Angel vs. Demon, creator, dictator, god, Imagination, ruler, world creation, world domination
September 5, 2012
Angel vs. Demon: Assassin
Demon: “Whack! Another one bites the dust!”
Angel: “RB, what is your fascination with killing off your characters?”
Me: “Fascination? They’re bad guys. I thought you’d cheer that they’re gone.”
Angel: “But do you have to kill them all? There are other ways to punish them.”
Demon: “Yeah, torture!“
Angel: “That’s not what I mean.”
Me: “I don’t kill them all. Just the one’s that happen to cross this character’s path. He is an assassin.”
Angel: “You make it seem like that’s all assassin’s do is kill. There is more to him I’m sure.”
Me: “Not this assassin. He was created with one goal-”
Demon: “Death by any means. MUWAHAHAHAHA!“
Angel: “Yes but-”
Me: “You don’t have to like it. But I’m not changing it. Besides, its not like he’s a good guy himself or a main character. He’s a tool to the villain and to me.”
Angel: “That’s harsh.”
Me: “It is what it is.”
Demon: “Booo-yaah!“
RBH
Filed under: Angel vs. Demon, Writing Tagged: Angel vs. Demon, assassin, character development, minor character
September 3, 2012
Angel vs. Demon: A Touch More Evil
Demon: “This character just isn’t evil enough. And yet…”
Me: “How do I make her more evil without changing who she is fundamentally?”
Angel: “She’s not supposed to be pure evil. But she’s nowhere near good. NOWHERE near anything with the word good in it.”
Demon: “What she is?”
Me: “Vain. Ambitious. Greedy, with a touch conniving.”
Demon: “Maybe you should make it more than a touch…hmmm?”
Me: “What if I do this?”
Demon: “Yeeees.”
Me: “And this…”
Demon: “Oooo yeeesss”
Me: “Maybe a little of this.”
Demon: “Ooooooooooh, yeeeeeeaaaaahhh. Muwahahahahaha!!”
Angel: [walks to the door] “I’ll leave you two alone.”
RBH
Filed under: Angel vs. Demon, Imagination, Writing Tagged: angel, Angel vs. Demon, brain storming, character, demon, Evil, greed, inner conflict, Writing
August 30, 2012
Angel vs. Demon: Apathetic
Demon: “I like this character. She’s very apathetic.”
Angel: “And you like that…why?”
Demon: “A lack of emotional response means she likely doesn’t give a damn what happens. If a man is dying in the street, she might just keep going, not caring about his fate. Less likely to do the right thing means more likely to fall prey to wickedness…to me.”
Angel: [laughing]
Demon: “What?”
Me: “You haven’t been paying attention. The apathy is only an act. In front of others, she’s emotionless, uncaring. But she has another side. Like a secret identity…kind of. Read.”
Demon: “What?” Demon reads the computer screen, “WHAT!!”
Angel: “Did you forget RB likes to make main characters 3 dimensional? Guess she’s not as apathetic as you thought.”
RBH
Filed under: Writing Tagged: 3 dimensional, Angel vs. Demon, apathetic, apathy, character development, main character, Writing
August 28, 2012
Angel vs. Demon: Wicked Tears
Demon: “You’re so mean.”
Angel: “Are you crying?”
Demon: *sniff* “No.”
Angel: “RB, what did you do to make him cry?”
Me: “I just told him he was a good guy and I’m glad he’s around to help me work on my stories. He gives me good ideas.”
Demon: “That’s not how you said it. You said,” Demon clears his throat, “Demon, you’re such a GOOD guy. I’m glad you’re around to help me with my stories. You give GOOD ideas. And you have such HONEST criticism.”
Angel: “Wait… you even added honest?”
Me: “Maybe.”
Angel: “That’s a bit devious… What did you do, Demon?”
Demon: “Me? Nothing.”
Me: “You said my main character sucked because he was TOO heroic.”
Demon: “No, I didn’t.”
Me: “Did too!”
Demon: “Did not!”
Me: “LIAR!”
Demon: “Now I feel better.”
RBH
Filed under: Angel vs. Demon, Writing Tagged: Angel vs. Demon, good demon, pay back, R B Holbrook, Writing
August 26, 2012
Angel vs. Demon: Last Will
Angel: “Demon, you’re writing?”
Demon: “It happens. Don’t be so shocked.”
Angel: “How can I not be? I didn’t know you could. I didn’t even know you knew what a pen was.”
Demon: “HAHA! Damn, you’re annoying.”
Angel: “So what are you writing?”
Demon: “Last Will & Testament.”
Angel: “I… don’t understand. You don’t die. You’re not even alive.”
Demon: “I didn’t say it was mine.”
Angel: “… dare I ask… Whose are you writing?”
Demon: “RB’s.”
Me: “Say WHAT?!”
Demon: “HA! That got your attention! I’ve been calling you all morning, and you’ve just ignored me, plotting away at your writing. I can’t stand that. I WILL NO BE IGNORED!
Me: “Angel, suddenly I am in the mood for scripture, how about you?”
Angel: “Oh, I would love that!”
Demon: “Argh! I’m out of here.”
Me: “That got rid of him.”
Angel: “But he’ll be back. He always comes back.”
RBH
Filed under: Angel vs. Demon, Writing Tagged: Angel vs. Demon, Distraction, last will, R B Holbrook, testament, Writing
August 24, 2012
Angel vs. Demon: Soundtrack
Demon: “Bamalam!“
Angel: “No. Sounds to cartoony.”
Demon: “Kapowee!“
Angel: “Sounds like a comic book.”
Demon: “Aldadingding!“
Angel: “Okay, now that’s just ridiculous.”
Me: “Heh heh”
Angel: “Wait, RB, are you laughing?”
Me: “Uh huh”
Demon: “Why?”
Me: “Because ya’ll still don’t get it.”
Angel: “You were the one talking about sound.”
Demon: “Yeah, I thought you wanted an idea of what magic sounded like?”
Me: “Yep. But I wasn’t talking about a soundtrack. I was saying it needed to be described… wait I’ll show you better than I can tell you.” Pulling out a pen and paper, I write a quick paragraph. “Here.”
Angel takes the paper and begins to read.
Demon: “For cryin’ out… Even way over here, I can’t hear you think. Open your mouth.”
Angel: “Oh, my apologies. It reads: It wouldn’t stop. That unending tapping. The pen was more of a drumstick than a writing tool. Her nervous energy was driving him crazy as it continued to tap, tap, tap on the desk. Tap, tap, tap. A tireless rhythm that demanded he slam his book close. So he did.” Angel hand’s the paper to Demon. “Ok, I get it now.”
Demon: “I’m disappointed. That didn’t have magic in it.”
Me: *Groan*
RBH
Filed under: Angel vs. Demon, Writing Tagged: Angel vs. Demon, description, R B Holbrook, sound, sound effects, Writing
August 22, 2012
Angel vs. Demon: Sound Effects
Me: “What kind of sound do you think magic would make?”
Angel: “I guess it would depend on the kind of magic.”
Demon: “CRACKLE! POP! FIZZLE!“
Angel: “You sound like Alka-Seltzer.”
Demon: “I was going for Rice Krispies.”
Angel: “Anyway, why does it matter what sound it makes?”
Demon: “SHABANG! SHAZAAAAAM!“
Me: “Sound is important to a reader, just like taste and sight. They don’t just want to feel the wind, they want to hear it howl.”
Demon: “AW-AW-AWOOOOOOOO!!!“
Angel: “Magic sounds, not howling sounds.”
Demon: “Oh right, RAZZLE-SNAP!“
Me: “Though it is hard to convey sound in writing, the best way to show it is to describe it as best as possible.”
Demon: “SPARKLE-ZIIIIIIIIIIIING!”
Angel: “I get it. So what about POOOOOOF!”
Me and Demon: “Booorrrring!“
RBH
Filed under: Angel vs. Demon Tagged: Angel vs. Demon, description, magic, sound, sound effects, Writing
