Jack Lewis Baillot's Blog, page 73

"Great. I always wanted to be blue."

I've yet to find my notebook which has all my notes in it. As soon as I locate it I shall be sure to finish posting them as requested. Today, however, I did remember one note which never made it into my notebook but into the actual draft.
When I first wrote the book, the very first version which had Peter's sister in it, Peter was actually framed for murder and had to run away from the Base or be shot. So there is an interesting fact for you. (That idea was scraped when I sent Irene to Narnia, also known as my closet.)

Today I've another snippet for you. After this, I will be sharing just one more, because then November shall be over and my kindness ends, like Cinderella's spell.

The next day Trisli and Hugh packed their things, preparing to leave early the next day. Alyce was given a room at the tavern and that evening the boys came to hear her stories, rather then Trisli's.“Her's aren't half so interesting as mine,” he muttered as he listened to her recount an adventure she had while out on a hunting party.“Maybe she isn't exaggerating hers,” Hugh replied.“I don't exaggerated!” Trisli sat up straighter as if to give himself more importance.Hugh eyed him silently for awhile, then asked, “When was the last time you really killed a dragon? I can't remember.”“It isn't my fault you have a poor memory,” Trisli muttered.Hugh groaned, then leaned closer to his friend. Trisli hated it when he did this. Hugh was worse then his parents.“What?” he moaned.“Trisli!” Hugh yelped, while keeping his voice at a reasonable tone. “You've been lying for years about slaying dragons! Now the king wants you to go into the Wild and kill one! You don't even know how to use a sword! What makes you think you can pull this off?”“I do too know how to use a sword,” Trisli muttered, indigent.“How?” Hugh asked.“You take the sharp end and stick it into the dragon.”“No you don't.”Moving with a surprising amount of speed, Alyce was suddenly behind them, her hands on what was supposed to be her hips.“Oh, as if you have ever slain a dragon before!” Trisli muttered.“No, but I know their scales are harder then chain mail! Harder then the best shield ever made! You cannot walk up to them and stab them, just like that.”“How do you know?” Trisli demanded. He and Alyce were the same height, which made glaring at her eye-to-eye very easy.“Because I am not an idiot like you!”Even though she didn't look much like a girl, Trisli knew he couldn't just slug her in the stomach as she so richly deserved. Still, it was tempting.“You cannot call the last DragonSlayer an idiot!” Faithful to his own kind, one of the other boys came to Trisli's aid, feeling him with a certain amount of pride at being again referred to as the last DragonSlayer.“Trisli is no DragonSlayer,” Alyce muttered, turning to find the boy who had spoken. Something in her eyes must have scared him because he shrank back.“Then why are you here?” Trisli demanded.She didn't bother looking at him. “Because my king is so desperate to put his people's minds at ease he would not listen when I tried to reason with him. He heard of the kingdom's last DragonSlayer and nothing would stop him from finding you.”“What makes you think Trisli isn't a DragonSlayer?” Hugh asked in a low voice.For a moment Trisli thought his friend was finally standing up for him, until he looked at him. Alyce turned and must have seen the same thing.“What makes you think he isn't?” she asked.“He's my friend,” Hugh replied, shrugging his shoulders. “I know him very well. But you lived at the castle, you heard the same stories as the king. Why don't you believe him?”Trisli hated that they were talking about him as if he wasn't there, but he wanted to hear Alyce's answer so held his tongue.For a long while Alyce said nothing, then she shrugged her oddly shaped shoulders and shoved some of her dirty curls back from her face. “I see the truth where others only see lies,” she murmured, then added, “And I would like to get a bath before we leave tomorrow. Good night.”
 How is everyone's Hermit's United going? Do you have any plans for Thanksgiving, other then eating that is? My plan is to hang out with my family and - read. (Editing and all, but I won't have a lot, which will be nice.)
 Don't forget, on Friday there will be a picture reveal. This will be a three part thing, every Friday until the book is out. AND the pictures will be ones Clair has selected herself. Now I should go, I've dawdled enough today with editing. 
 Bet no one can guess where my quote is from. You get points if you can guess the actual book.

 Allons-y!

"I declare war on the moon!"

Wherein Jack discovers she really can see Rise of the Guardians on opening day and admits it is impossible for her to read just one book at a time.
 If I had gone to public school as a kid someone likely would have said I had ADD. Maybe I do, maybe I don't. I can't keep my mind on one thing for too long, but, maybe that is something else. ANYHOW, I cannot read just one book at a time. I have to have several so I can jump back and forth between them. Which I have no problem doing as I can keep the stories and plot lines separate. This drives one of my bestest friends crazy because it means it takes me longer to get through one book then it does him. (We always read the same books, and he will finish way ahead of me and then be unable to talk about it till I finish.) Right now, I am reading five books, three of which are by three of my favouritest authors. 
 One book is called Empire of Ruins, by Arthur Slade - yes, him again. *Smirk*. This is the third in a four part series and I finished book two not too long ago. And I liked this series so well, that I believe the first and second book deserve a review - since I forgot to review the first book after I finished it.

 The books are about a young secret agent, Modo, who is a hunch back. He was rescued as a baby - from a traveling freak show - by (well, the man who is a secret agent. Surprised?) Modo has a rare ability to shift his form so he can look like different people. This comes in handy when your a spy. Being able to disguise yourself as your enemy, or their servants enables you to get a lot of information from them.
 And Modo and the agency have some very powerful enemies, the dreaded Clockwork Guild. (These are people you do not want to mess with, especially one of the top women who has a bad temper and a mechanical hand.)

 In the first book, Modo works with a fellow agent, a street wise girl named Octivia. (I rather like her. She is slightly unruly, but she is also sweet and a very fun character who is full of surprises.)
 The first part of the books were a bit slow and took me awhile to get through. But by the middle I wasn't able to put them down. The second book takes place mostly under the sea. I am not crazy about books which take place on or under the ocean, I find them to be a bit dull. But The Dark Deeps had plenty of excitement in it, and I liked the characters a lot. (Rather, I disliked them to start,  and loved them by the end.)
 Mr. Slade's writing style is fast and easy. The books are packed with adventure. I also like that he choose to make the hero of the stories not handsome yet full of character. (Even if Modo can be a little childish at times, I didn't get annoyed with him, because I understood WHY he was doing it. And the more I read of Octivia the more I adore her.) In fact, all the characters I thought I would end up disliking I am now very fond of.

 I wouldn't suggest these books if you want a deep read full of twists and turns and edge of your seat danger. They do have some unexpected twists and they are exciting, but they aren't going to knock you over. They are perfect if you want something to read in the summer, lying out under the sun, and wishing to pass the day in some other country.
 I do recommend them highly. (I am half-way through the third and so far it is my favourite. Though the forth looks to be very good.) There is some language in them sometimes. Nothing horribly bad, just one word that I can remember, and I only remember it being used twice. The bad guy, rather lady, can be frightening, but I've read much worse. (Actually, I believe even children would enjoy these books and am a bit surprised they are in the young adult section. If it was me I would switch them with the older Percy Jackson books.) But there, those are my warnings.

 Tomorrow I will start the final read through of my book. I will also be fixing the final pictures and making sure the formatting works. (The pictures in the book aren't blurred as the internet was claiming and I was able to fix the few things with the cover.)
 And my last bit of news? The bad guys in Grimm yelled Allons-y. I was happy, even if they were bad and Adalind is back.
 The quote is from the Doctor Who Children in Need. (The Potato Man is back! The friend who will crush the life out of our worthless human forms. He's one of my favourites 8-D)
 Allons-y and Bonne Nuit!

"I'm just his-" "Hostage!" "Yes, hostage! That works."

 Wherein Jack reviews a movie and talks about some theories.
 This post will have spoilers so if you've yet to see Sherlock die and don't wish to know about it, don't read.


 I've mentioned some of my theories on how I believe Sherlock lived through the fall and read on some others. But I've never done a proper review of The Fall or explained my theories. So, I shall do so now.

 First off, I liked this episode a lot. Not as much as series one, but it was a lot of fun and excited and had some interesting twists. I liked how Sherlock and Watson's friendship was displayed - and I loved the part where they ran away from the police handcuffed together. (And Sherlock pointing his gun at Watson's head and Watson not minding, that was cool too.)


 Moriarty shooting himself surprised me - and I don't know HOW they will manage, but I've a feeling they will bring him back.

 How Sherlock survived the actual fall still has me stumped. Moffat said he does something very out of character and it is obvious and no one has noticed yet. (I cannot see an obvious clue to save my life - this is what I need my sister for - so I likely missed it with the rest of you. I did notice some things though.)

 It was VERY out of Sherlock's character to start crying and telling Watson he'd just made everything up to impress him. Sherlock, impress people? I don't think that is high on his list of characteristics.


 The other things I noticed though was the little girl - I mean, EVERYONE noticed her. But when Sherlock walked into the room she screamed. I believe her kidnapper looked a bit like him. I mean, it wouldn't be hard. It was night. She was scared. All Moriarty needed was to hire a tall fellow with dark hair. When she sees Sherlock later she would still be so scared that she wouldn't bother looking too long and hard at his face. A tall fellow with dark hair. He reminder her of her kidnapper and she screamed.

 THE SCARF! Okay, so he had the scarf in series two, I saw it in pictures of the Adler one. Why did they give him a new scarf? They blue one was SO much better.


 The camera kept narrowing in on the tea. This is a long shot I know, but there is a drug I believe which can slow down a person's pulse. It is probably not connected with the tea, but I think Sherlock took some - in his tea, see, the tea might be something else.
 But I do believe he took some kind of drug like that. I think that is why he went to Molly. Also, when he "died" he would want someone who knew he lived to keep someone from burring his live body.

 The drug though, I think he took it, and somehow got down - how he got down alive, not sure. He  planned for Watson to leave so he could get it all set up (this is Sherlock, he would have suspected Moriarty's motives.) When Watson sees him jump someone hits him on a bike. Now, not only is Watson CONVINCED his best friend is dead - he saw him jump - but he is discombobulated and grieved. In The Dying Detective Sherlock tells Watson he trusts his medical skills so much he knew Watson would realize he wasn't dying. So, I believe he did all of that, so that by the time Watson got to him, he would be so upset and dazed he wouldn't be able to feel even the slightest pulse in spite of the drug.


 Lastly, someone pointed this out, Sherlock wouldn't let Watson come close to the building. He wanted him to stand in that exact spot. Maybe so he couldn't get a good look at his face? Maybe Sherlock somehow found the kidnapper and pushed him off, then ran down the steps and took his place? Okay, so that one is a bit crazy, but I think the kidnapper will end up playing some part in all this.
 (Someone also said it is Sherlock laying on the ground after the jump but isn't him when they are lifting him to the stretcher. Has anyone else noticed this? I don't have netflix anymore so I can't look.)


 So, there they are. What about you? Have you noticed something I missed? Did you find the obvious clue now that Moffat gave a hint of what to look for? Has this even been Sherlock in series three or some look alike kidnapper?! (Hey, I need at least one crazy theory.) Am I the only one who misses his old scarf? (Which one did he have in the Hound? Does anyone know? I can't remember.)

 I'm going now. I've a good book and a couple days before I have to edit again. I plan to enjoy it.


 Allons-y!

"Piper figured her friend would never forgive her if she brought Percy back transformed into a sea mammal."

 Wherein Jack looks forward to holidays and wonders if she can last until then. Also in which she talks about names and their vital-ness to writers.
 Names are important for writers. Not just your pen name but the name of your blog/book site. Spreading word about your book even before it is out is important, as I've said before. One of the best ways to do this is to set up a blog. You want a place that is yours in the wide internet world. One where people can find you. And you will also want a good name for it. Something my sister showed me right off is the importance of titling my blog. I changed titles about every week - you know all those quotes I use on my post titles, those ended up as my blog title. She cautioned me that this might make it harder when people actual wanted to find my blog. What would they type in? So, when I set up this blog - in other words, when I took her advice and got serious - I sat down and spent what felt like ages thinking up just one title for it. I didn't like this plan. I wanted to use movie quotes still, but I consoled myself by using them in my posts. Now it is my...trait...calling card, whatever you fancy to call it.
 Anyhow, if you plan to publish, it is important to sit down and plan this out. Setting up a blog is good, and giving it a title is important. (The blogs I read have a lot of great titles which fit them well.) What I would advice to look for in a title is something which fits your personality. Using your pen name is a good idea, but not necessary. A title which stands out would be helpful as well. But the name you pick, do not change it. Also, do not get a new blog every month. I know you can tell your readers you have a new blog, but it is rare for readers to move to the new blog with you. So make sure you set up a blog you plan to keep. (And when you make your url, it would be a good idea to use your pen name, thus making it easier for readers to find you.)  Examples. You want to find your favourite author's website. What is the first thing you are likely to type in? Either their name, or maybe you go so far as to type scottwesterfeld.com. You want your readers to be able to do the same to find you.

 Another note on blogs. I know it is common to have more then one blog. I have several set up for my books, which I link to on this blog, which is my main one. I have found though, it isn't a good idea to have all your blogs listed on your About Me page. When someone clicks on that and sees five or so blogs, they aren't going to know which is your main one and might just go away.
 There is a way to fix this. If you go under edit you can click on which blog you want to be displayed and you can link to the others from your main one.
 I've also mentioned pen names. These are important. Like your blog title, you do not want to go about changing this. I mean, one week you might be Annie Smith and the next Sally Jones. No one is going to be able to find you and after awhile they will give up. So think of a pen name BEFORE you set everything up.
 Authors do not have to use their real names when they write - but on that same note, using your real name will not harm anything. I know of authors who do both, or who use a pen name and have their real name on their site or something. But names are important. Whichever you go with you want to make sure it is a real name. I know when many set up a blog or anything on the internet they go with names like, Alice-223399. Or FlyingChic21. (Maybe it should be FlyingChick - since they can fly. No wait, chickens can't fly...can they? Has anyone ever agreed on this matter? Or are they too busy with the road still?)
 Anyhow, don't do names like that. Also, do not steal a characters name. Everyone knows Jo March isn't alive and writing books. They see that on a book cover and their going to either think, "NERD!" (Not that being a nerd is bad,) or, "What is she, five? I won't read that." You want to prove to them you are an author. So don't use character names. And make sure your user names are your actual pen name. (You know what...maybe I should look into this more. Maybe user names don't need to be your author name. I am going to check authors on twitter and facebook, do some research.)
 However, you do need a serious author name. And there are many different ways to do one. You could use your initials (I'm sure you can all think of examples, but just in case. J.R.R. Tolkien). Or a middle initial. (Fred E. Rodgers. *Snicker* I came up with that all on my own. *Grin*) No middle name. (Henri Watson.) Or all three names. (Bob George Kilroy.) Just make sure it is a name you like, because it will be yours for the rest of your writing life. (*Laughs evilly.*)
 There, now I hope that was helpful to someone. I know it helped me, the little I knew before I started. 
 Okay, names aside now. Guess what came in the mail yesterday?

  I have been quite giddy about it all day. I like to flip through it and look at the pictures and read bits here and there. It still doesn't feel very real - and it needs a tad bit more formatting - but I am VERY pleased with it. The pictures aren't blurred, the formatting turned out very nice. It is terribly thick, but I fixed that. I had a kind of large print set I suppose, but now it is normal print.
 I must confess, I've been carrying it about all day. Simply because I can actually do it. And I read it in public, because it is in book form.

 Next week I read it one last time, to make sure every thing looks good. But for now, I am just enjoying it.

 I am going to bed now. I shan't bother telling you were the quote is from, I'm sure you can guess.

 Allons-y and Bonne Nuit!

What would he say to the king? “Hi, my name is Trisli and I like coffee.”

 In which Jack reviews her new favourite book and admits that she has been stalking the mailman in the hopes her book will come faster.

 First of all, thank you all for your comments on the trailer. You brightened my photographer's day - and mine as well. *Grin*
 Second of all, as of right now I am at 42,332 words. Which means I can finish tomorrow, hopefully, and spend the rest of the month editing without fear of not reaching my word goal. (After I help John finish his book.)
 Third, this review is late, but I've had a busy - month so far.

 Seraphina



 I have done a bit of review on this book before, talking some about the characters in it. On finishing it, I've become even fonder of the characters. There was another girl in it, a princess who I thought would be annoying and it turns out her friendship with Phina was really sweet and genuine. I cannot wait for book two to see how things are further developed. Also, the romance in this book wasn't all over the place. This book isn't a story about romance, and the romantic parts in it were very well done and not on every page until one felt queasy. Also, Kiggs acted like a gentleman all through and held to his duty, doing what was right, even though it was likely to cost him something he loved. (Shocking, right?)

 The story was slow paced until almost the end. Normally when this happens I get board and toss the book aside. (I like adventure and excitement and battles and danger.) This book didn't really have that. But the writing style and characters made up for that and I kept going because I liked to be with them.

 Also, usually in slow stories, the end battles turn out to be boring. (I've not read Twilight and have no plan to, but those who have talked about it and I shall use it as an example. I've seen this in other books but cannot remember their titles.) Some have found Twilight dull and boring and slow - and just when they thought they would get to read a battle - Bella blacks out and comes to after it. Nothing exciting happens.
 Seraphina is not this way. The battle at the end was heart pounding. The kind of "Keep you in your seat with your nose inching closer and closer into the book," exciting. I loved that battle.

 Other things I liked about the book were Seraphina's dragon teacher who was trying to understand humans and muffing it very nicely. I loved his student as well - and was a bit sad over what happened there.

 There was no love triangle. This might be debated, but I don't think it can really be called one. I mean, Kiggs doesn't even love the other - I won't say more, spoilers.

 Phina's dad - he does something surprising which I loved.

 The book is about music, which is very cool. It almost reads like a song, come to think of it.

 Phina isn't perfect - *gasp*. She has many faults, but in the end tries to do what is right to help those she loves.

 Kiggs is dashing and cool. (It takes a lot for me to add a hero to my list of favourite heroes. Kiggs made it pretty high up by the end of the book)

 The book is fat. Usually I avoid fat books, but I didn't mind it this time. I was sad when it was over.

 There will be a second. HURRAY!

 There were somethings I wasn't crazy about.
 There is a bit of language in it.
 I found it confusing in some places - but I find most things I read confusing so don't judge the book on my word alone. You might find it perfectly clear.
 Some of the people hint at some crude things, but it wasn't bad from what I remember.
 The cover...I still can't decide if I love it or am not crazy about it. What are your thoughts on it? I mean, it does fit the book very well - so maybe it is just me and wanting swords on the cover of every book I read...

She also did this cover, but after seeing it, the other seems more fitting to the story
 That said, I highly recommend this book. It caught me completely by surprise, so much so I am going to buy it when I have the money *HA!* and it is a wonderful adventure. The characters are amazing, even the girl ones. And the girl doesn't fall in love the moment she sees the handsome hero. They become friends first! That one took me off guard. Also, she doesn't hate him either. I know, didn't think that was possible.

 Anyhow, if you are looking for a good book to read over the holidays while it is bitterly cold and snowing outside, I suggest this one!

 Now I need to go. (No Percy quote today because I am reading my new book slowly to enjoy it for as long as I can. The quote I used is from my NaNo book, because some of you might get it.)

 Allons-y!

"Aw, yes - John Green." "Jason Grace." "Whatever."

Today was an Indian Summer day, if one bundled up and didn't stay too long in the shadows. I reached my 30,000 word goal by noon so decided to talk advantage of the weather, and the sun. (I also cooked lunch, a hot, real cooked lunch not thrown in the microwave.) After I ate I wrapped up and walked down to the library where I found a book I've been waiting for. Wildwood. They still don't have Snicket's new book. Walking home, I read a little while trying to avoid the cracks in the sidewalk. Then I sat on a picnic table in the sun and read a chapter. The park was quiet so it was a peaceful place to stop for a read before heading home.
 And I say all that just to put off the trailer just a little longer, because I'm evil like that. 
 I must admit, I am wary about the trailer. Nowadays trailers I picked apart like a roasted turkey at Thanksgiving. And I'm certain mine isn't going to be "knock you out of your chair amazing." I am pleased with it, William and my actors did a lot of hard work, which only makes me more nervous. It isn't really my work which will be put out there but theirs. What if I didn't put it together right? However, they liked it, and I like it, so that has to count for something. I truly hope all of you like it as well. The scenes from it will all be in the book and I've added something extra at the end. Something just for all of you. 
 The something is the reason Isidore is no longer talking to me. (Correct me if I'm wrong after you see it, but doesn't he look so cute in it?! I kind of called him cute to his face and he moved down to Africa with Clair until I start work on book two. That is how mad he is.)
 Okay, enough though. I shall end the wait, and a certain reader's torment *wink*. I hope it was worth the wait. (You all know what this means, right? My book will be out in a month!)
 Trailer.



A close up of the something extra Isidore in the Closet
 This picture was an extra, a kind of bonus Clair did. We both wanted one of him asleep in the closet but it wasn't ever picked, so she did it anyways. Since it was a bonus, I figured I would be nice and share it with all of you. Now you can see how brilliant and amazing she is, and get a sneak peak at what the pictures in the book will look like. (Isn't he SOO cute when he's asleep?!) Okay, I should really stop tormenting him.
I'm going to bed now.
 Yes, another Percy Jackson quote. I warned you.

 Allons-y!

 

"Bring me back! Bring me back!"

 I must apologize. The last post I wrote was rather Thimy Whimy and I ended up getting the dates wrong. The trailer will not be out today but tomorrow. The Fourteenth, as originally stated. So, sorry about the mix-up!
 To make up for my sleepy post in which I confuse dates, here is a snippet. (It is like offering a cookie, only it doesn't taste as good... besides, John ate all the cookies. That's right, John! I read your blog.)
 But anyways, the snippet. Enjoy, and tomorrow...well, you will just have to come back then.
 “The legend is true,” Alyce whispered, her eyes gleaming.She's even cuter when her eyes do that, Dragon whispered – as if the others could hear him.Trisli almost nodded his head but caught himself in time.“What was the crime?” Hugh asked warily. Trisli knew his friend didn't wish to offend their hosts – who could probably kill them in the blink of an eye – but his curiosity won out.“It isn't important,” Bear growled, his tone saying, Ask again and I shall add another crime to my list, then feed your body to the dragon.“You said the story might give Trisli some answers about the – dragon,” Alyce ventured, changing subjects.Great. Now she thought he was creepy. Just what he needed.Right! He didn't even mention DragonSlayers! I wanted to hear that part!Trisli glared a warning at Dragon, though he didn't see what good that would do. I'm the little human who cannot kill you, so shut up.“I was getting to that,” Bear snapped.Good. Ask him to throw on another rabbit. Stories are better if one has something to eat.“A lot of the legends of Myste have either been forgotten or retold so many times no one knows what is true.”“This is why someone needs to write them down!” Owl exclaimed.“Why don't you, then?” Fish demanded. “You gripe about it enough!”“He doesn't know how to write!” Raccoon chattered.“At least he is smart enough to know when to lay off the coffee,” Snake hissed.I love it when they fight. This is better then chasing a deer through the forest.“Shut up!” Bear roared, then smiled kindly at Alyce.Talk about mood swings! Trisli thought.“As I was saying,” Bear went on as if nothing had happened, “a lot of the legends of Myste have been forgotten or changed so many times they are nothing more then fables.”“Like Trisli's stories,” Hugh muttered under his breath

 Quote is from The Mark of Athena. *Grin*

 Allons-y!

"Good bye, John."

 When I see The Hobbit I shall be possessed by the urge to shout, "It is all right, Watson! You can go back to Baker Street! Sherlock is still alive and will miss you when he comes back! You needn't move to Hobbiton."
 I was late posting today, I know. I was running about too much, doing NaNo things. As explained below.
 Sunday my mum was kind enough to help me order a copy of my book. (Aye, my own copy. *Rubs hands and cackles.*) Now, hopefully, I've got some of you wondering why you don't get a copy yet. Well, simple. I'm the author, so I get one first. 8-P Okay, I shall be nice. No, the real reason is I am checking formatting. Amazon had a panic attack because things were blurry. I think it is being silly but I want to make sure. Never trust an internet panic attack.
 Once my copy comes I will review it, make sure it looks nice, and re-read it - again. Did no one ever tell you writing is mostly just re-reading? So write something you like, because you have to read it more than anyone else. After I have reviewed it - and added in the last pictures - I will finish it up and release it!
 But, since it isn't here yet, I am using this off editing period to do some dash writing. I'm hoping to get my word count WAY up before the book comes, so I can get behind again while I review. Which means reaching 30,000 by tomorrow and at LEAST 35,000 by Friday - if not 40,000. (Note to self, never release anything ever again around NaNo.)
 I do have some release information though, this for all of you. The Short Story Collection is out! (And a bit early.) You can find it on AMAZON.COM, it should be on Createspace but I don't know how you would find it there. And, it is on Kindle. (If you have Nook or some other reader which doesn't work Kindle books, contact me and we shall work something out.) I cannot find where it went on Kindle, but you should be able to find it by putting in my name. (I don't own a Kindle so I don't know how they work.)
 I'm sorry if the Kindle looks funny. I know, I should have all this worked out BEFORE I publish, but it was having fun mocking me. And, again, I don't own a Kindle, so I don't know how to check the format.
 Also, about the character notes. I know I've not posted any since I did Peter's. To be honest, I forgot about them. Then, as I was going to do one tonight, I realized my notebook is missing. So, as soon as I find it, the rest of those will be coming.

 I have a bit of news on Book Two. I shan't go into too much detail, not until after New Years, but I suppose a bit of information won't hurt. Most of book two has to be re-written because of some plot changes which took place in book one. (Can't tell you about those, top secret and all until after you read it. *Evil laughter*) Now, if I was a good author, I would be spending NaNo working on book two. But I'm not a good author, so, I didn't.  Title release and summery for the second book will be released some time after New Years. Not sure exactly WHEN though. I don't even want to think ahead that far yet. 
 Before I go, I have some news about signed copies. Since I'm not a rich and famous author but am more of the starving kind who lives off instant soup, I will not be traveling about the country and holding book signings. (Besides, I'm a spy, not going to work.) But, I do have a plan. I will be doing five editions of the book as signed copies. (Right now, it just won't work for me to do more. Maybe at a later date if someone REALLY wants a signed one. But right now, with everything in my life going haywire, something would just blow up.)
 Here is how it will work. The first five people who contact me will be put on the list. But there is a slight drawback. Remember my lack of a job? Well, I have NO extra money. Which makes me buying five copies early...impossible. Therefore, those who want the copies will have to send the money they would send to Amazon to me. We can do this through Paypal to keep things safe. Once I have the money I will order the books - well, once all of the pictures are in them. (Note, I will set aside the money and use it only for the books. You know, just in case you wondered.)
 When the books arrive I will sign them - you can even let me know what you wish me to sign, like, add a note or anything - and I will ship them out.
 There are rules to this, so listen up. *Adjust glasses.* If you live in my town - YES, you know who you are (maybe. I don't know if anyone from my town reads this.) Anyhow, if you live in my home town or if you see me often, you may not sign up for one of these five. (You get a signed copy anyhow because I can nip over or you can and I can sign it over tea.) This is only for people who live miles from me and whom I never see.
 That said, if you want one of these you need to email me so we can work out more details.
 And now I will stop sounding all business like. *Comes out from behind the desk*
 Don't forget, the trailer is out tomorrow! 
 That  is all the news I have. Tomorrow's post will be less newisy. Right now, I have to work on my word count. *Crosses eyes.*
 Allons-y!

"You're coming with me?" "Yes. Apparently it's illegal to chin the chief super inspector."

 Well, I FINALLY did it. Yes, FINALLY. I watched Sherlock die. (I know, took me long enough, right?)
 I had a good reason for my delay. After watching Adler I was so mad I couldn't go on for awhile, and then they shows were taken off line after I watched the Hounds. They were finally put on Netflix, so I spent an hour and a half last  night trying to find the obvious clue as to how Sherlock survived the fall. I had some theories...such as the tea, the man on the bike who hit Watson, some kind of illusion, Molly, and I think the ball Sherlock was fiddling with might be a clue. Also, his scarf. His scarf must be a clue. MUST! Either that or someone in filming went blind.
 I didn't find Sherlock's actual death sad, because I knew he wasn't dead, but poor Watson! His reaction teared me up, yes I confess, I teared up. But I don't get why everyone got upset after the fall. I mean, when Doyle killed him it was for real - so I can get why they were mad at him - but when he died this time, it showed him still alive. (And with the wrong scarf...what is it with that scarf?) So, even if one hadn't read the books, at least they were reassured he wasn't dead. They should be glad they weren't alive during Doyle's day.

 But I'm curious now. Do any of you have any theories on how he lived?

  Okay, Sherlock aside...for the time being.
 Today, I am going to show you the complete cover process I went through.

 All of this was done on Photoshop, Picmonkey, and Paint (the program on most computers.)
 Photo copyright to William Knisley. If you wish to ask him about his photos, or see his other work, you can find him here http://wpkphotography.blogspot.com/ or contact him at WPKPhotography@gmail.com


Our first attempt at trying out poses. The first, and last, with aviator sunglasses. Too WWII, not enough Steampunk
Homemade goggles took their place and we tried a new pose
And another pose
And...oh yes, another. (Did I mention it was COLD out?)

Coming home, I attempted to lighten and crop the picture.
And add words. Incert first problem. With the different colourings in the back and fore ground I had trouble placing the words. I couldn't use all black, because you couldn't see it in the shaded areas. Nor could I use all white because of...well...the snow. Also, I couldn't get the lettering right on my first attempt, so I pulled up almost every Steampunk book known to man and did more research.
And asked for help. This is where I learned of grain. Wonderful stuff, grain. It works like that old photo covering thing...only, you get to keep more colour.


Unless you add too much.
Grain Exhibit B.Still not right. Made it look like it was twenty below out...which wasn't far off. But it isn't twenty below in the book. *Peter sighs with relief.* That is book two. *Peter frowns*
 After my failed attempts with these pictures I pitched them in and got a new model.  Now, let me explain something. I don't dislike William posing for my covers. Just, I have something else I needed his help with which hindered him posing for this cover. (Spoilers). Also, I'm soddy with his camera. Don't believe me. Keep an eye on the pictures I took, and compare them with his. There is a reason I'm an author and he's a photographer. 
 So, I scrapped these pictures, called them a test run, and we went into the city with an old sword, a new model, and William behind the camera. (And the author with a clearer idea in her head as to what she wanted.)
 More reviews. May I present to you, the capitol of Wyoming!
My I present to you my model, standing outside the capitol of Wyoming, holding a sword!
May I present to you my model standing outside the capitol, holding a sword, and getting slightly nervous.
May I present to you my model, in front of the capitol steps, holding a sword, and hoping none of the people driving by feel like calling the police.
My model smirking while watching said people drive by
My model now worried the sword might appear like an assassin weapon

My model hoping no important people show up for debates
Or children on school field trips
My model getting very warm in the heavy aviator jacket
My model glad I said to take off the other leather jacket under the heavy leather jacket (I was trying for broader shoulders, but it didn't work. Also, Peter isn't very broad in the shoulders.)
  And now, the actual shots I ended up using

Deciding to ditch the capitol before we were arrested, we moved to an old train station. I liked the poses where the camera is looking up at the model, so William tried a few more, but again, I didn't like these angles as much. I liked more of the side shots then the front shots.
Also, you can see a street lamp and a circus looking tent in the background. We were attempting England...and, well, those just don't fit. And my Model was looking into the sun, which meant squinting
Nevertheless, I tried a cover with this pose and angle. As you can see, it is far too bright. With Steampunk covers, the background is faded while the person stands out clearly in the front. The person usually is the only thing in full, bright, or catch your eye colours. In this one, the first to grab you is the bright blue of the sky - though I did like the shadows. I did not, however, like the street lamp but sadly, no one would let me cut it down.
I liked this one more, but as in others, you couldn't see the model's face very well.
 New position.
William is a daring photographer. He willingly stood in the street to get this one. I liked these angles much better, no street lamp, so we moved to this position. (And he moved out of the street.)

I liked this one best out of them all, but the hat started to flap in the breeze and I feared it would look too silly. "I don't mean to say your wife was being silly, but one of us was very silly, and it wasn't me."
I decided to try it anyways so cropped it down. After all, if I didn't like it, I had plenty more to try out.
And, I cropped out the street lamp. Next best thing to hacking it down with the sword, I suppose.
Once cropped, I tried different shadings and colourings to give it an older look. However, the first few tries blended the colours all together so nothing stood out. (Well, the clock did a little.)
Black and white, nope.
This is an overlay to give it an old photo look. I didn't like how it brought out the blue in the sky while making everything else drab.
 And I made many more attempts, most of which didn't save, until I came up with this.
This really brought out the blue in the photo, but it also gave a nice effect to the browns, which is what I wanted. So even though it made the blue pop, it heightened the other things I wanted - such as the clock, the model, and the tree, as well as the model's shadow.
 This is where I began to shift back and forth between Photoshop and Picmonkey. All the others were done on Picmonkey alone and the one's of William done only on Photoshop.
Moving to Picmonkey, I found a way to darken the blue. I then added grain, but again, it was too much and dulled everything.
This is with less grainI was very very pleased with this one, as it did all I wished. Before, when I brightened the browns it gave my model a sunburn, but with this one, the jacket, the clock, the bit of brown in the building, and the model's face are nicely and clearly seen. Deciding I liked this well enough to add words, I moved on but ran into trouble again. Different colouring. The blacks and whites blended into the shades and the sidewalk. So I decided to try what someone suggested and make a kind of overlay for the words. This, at long last, took me to Paint.
The overlay took a lot of work because it had to be centered.
Even though it didn't look centered when it was.
And it had to be the right size.
And centered
And not too close to the ground as it would push the title down to far. By this point I was ready to kill someone.
I also had to decide on the shape and the colour.
Oh yes, and fonts
Giving up on Paint, which is annoying when one wishes to add lettering, I moved back to Picmonkey

And more font testing...and size...(As you can see, the book one is far too large)
More testing
Perfect, or so I thought
And then I added some gears, to the wrong one
 And then came a new problem. The publishing company I thought I was going to use, wanted to charge all of you $27.00 to buy my book, and I kind of figured none of you liked me that much. I mean, I don't like me that much.

 So I moved publishers...and the cover no longer fit. AND I had to make my own back cover AND attach to the front. This is when I closed my computer, pulled out my book, crawled into bed, and forgot about the world till I feel asleep. Then, Friday morning I woke, and set to work once again.

For the new publishers I had to move the names down. But, colouring problems. So, it was back to Paint.
And I did about as many of these as I did with the bottom.


And, add author and artist names. 
And gearsRealize I forgot the side note thing. Start to get worn out. I had to save every step of my work as I went so that, when I made a mistake I wouldn't have to start completely over, I could back up to the last step.



Add side note
Start on adding the back cover. Thinking, "Hey! This is easy! I love Picmonkey!" Upload to see how it will look....and almost stab something when I see the picture is COMPLETELY blurry and up close and personal with the cover. Almost all the lettering was hidden because the model's face was zoomed up.Decide to retire from writing and spend part of the day with my mum
Come back, tell myself I've come to far to quit and show my mum my covers. Mum, like all mum's, loves them and tells me to keep at it. She also informs me the side note should say Worst, and not Worse. At this point I decide to hate the English Language and give the cover one last try.
Add side note, realize I miss spelled it yet again. Try not to shoot anything.
Begin to adjust cover so the Model will stop slapping people in the face.
"This is a close up?"
Decide I hate re-sizing and it should be taken out and hanged.
Or poisoned.
Attempt to add words to the back cover all while hoping they will not shoot off the cover I will be uploading it to
Threaten the internet when it tells me my picture doesn't have the right pixels and might be blurry. NAW! You think?! Even I can see that and I've no clue what pixels are!
Consider becoming a Lama herder
Wonder if there are any positions open in the Foreign Legion 
Think about how nice a desk job would be
Decide desk jobs are worse then this
But how this equals walking over hot coals
Realize there is a black mark on the page
Play around with colours
And size some more
This is where I glared long and hard at the gray lining around the photo and determined to end its life.
 Then, at LONG last...I had it. I uploaded it. I sat back...and I grinned. Then I fell over and tried not to think about book two.
 Once all that was done I took the words off the original back cover
But to get this, I first had to overlay the photo with gray. This was before I changed publishers.
Then I had to solid it for the new publisher
And attempt to add words. Do not try with Paint, it eats most of them
And, back to Picmonkey
  And, here it is!

 First, the whole thing which doesn't look very nice because it is all flattened but should look very nice on the actual book when it is in its proper shape.



  And just the front, which looks better since it is not yet on a book.



 And, since I finally own a copy of Mark of Athena - and shall have new quotes from it soon enough, I am breaking off my Percy quote - for today at least - and am using a Sherlock quote in honour of his death.
 Any thoughts on the cover progress? Word count updates? How did Sherlock live, theories?
 Allons-y! 

"That's true. I used to teach Ancient History." "That's me, Ancient History!"

  Wherein Jack Attempts a Social Life.

 In the middle of editing I heard of a ladies party. I like to think of myself as a lady. A slightly reckless - okay, not slightly - loves sword fighting, Tomboyish, adventurous, lady. I like tea and pretty dresses, but it is time to face the facts. I don't know what to do at parties.
 Putting on a pretty, white - bad idea - dress, I went to the party because people like to tell me, "You need to get out more," and they had tea and snacks. I realized two things.
 One. Me and white, do not mix. No matter how careful I am, it usually ends in disaster.
 Two. All one does at parties is talk. There is no hiding behind the curtain with Laurie, no glaring at Mr. Darcy, no getting in a debate with Thornton, and - sadly - no shooting off fireworks in a tent. Children parties are so much more exciting. 
 However, I did attempt to be social, so I should get points for that. And that really had no purpose to anything in the writing world, but I wrote it anyways.

 Right now though, I think another snippet is due. ( I KNOW! TWO snippets! I'm turning into a softy.Actually, it is just a ploy. A delusion. As soon as Hermits United ends the snippets are likely to vanish.)

 I've been having fun with my story, now that I've finished editing and can write again. (I'm still doing little of the story telling. I just write and everyone does what they like. Today, a band of thieves came in....an unusual band I've kind of grown attached to. A band who has animal nicknames. You can meet some of them below.)




“You could loosen these ropes,” Hugh was saying, “the blood flow to my arms has nearly stopped.”“If I do you will punch me again,” Skunk whined. Trisli noticed for the first time he had a black eye under all the grime on his face.“No,” Hugh shook his head, “trust me, that is something I am never going to do again.”Bear laughed and the ground seemed to shake from it. “I like you, Fox!”“He scares me,” Weasel whispered.“Everything scares you,” Raccoon clattered. His teeth started to chatter.“How much coffee have you had?” Snake asked him, his eyebrows going up.“Five cups – No! Twelve!”Bear pried the cup he now held out of his hands. “I think twelve is enough.”Raccoon sat back and stared at the burly man with eyes which looked ready to pop from his head. “It is?” he clattered.“More than enough,” Bear grumbled and emptied the cup into the fire. The flames hissed and smoke shot into the air. Raccoon stared at it as if he had never seen anymore more interesting in his life.The other thieves went back to talking, or arguing, or insulting each other – whichever took their fancy – but Raccoon didn't take his eyes from the fire. Trisli couldn't have asked for a better opportunity.Moving behind Raccoon and crouching low in the bushes, Trisli deepened his voice as much as possible, and began to whisper.“Do you like coffee?” It seemed like a stupid thing to ask, but he didn't know how else to start a conversation with a man named Raccoon.“Yes,” Raccoon murmured dreamily. None of the other men so much as looked at him, if they even heard him.“But, they took your coffee away,” Trisli said in his low voice.“I know, they do that a lot,” Raccoon chattered.“Doesn't it make you mad?”“No.”Oh. “Does it make you sad?” Trisli asked, trying again.“Yes. I cry a lot.”Please don't cry, he begged silently. He didn't need to see a man named after an animal, who smelled like one too, bawling his eyes out.“Why do you let them take it?”“They have meaner names then me.”“Owls aren't mean,” Trisli growled, his throat starting to ache, “why don't you slug him? Look, he's even asleep.”“Owl sleeps in the day.”“I know,” he muttered, “but, why don't you wake him up and teach him not to take your coffee.”This time, Raccoon said nothing and Trisli feared the man had fallen into some kind of coffee induced stupor. He considered poking him, but Raccoon didn't need it. Without warning he leaped up and hurled himself on top of the snoring Owl.“You'll pay for that you coffee hog!” he yelled. “I shall be avenged!”
 Allons-y and what is your word count?