M.E. Vaughan's Blog, page 4
February 7, 2016
Before I’m Twenty-Five
Time, when you’re young, tends to give you the impression of being endless. At five years old, an hour feels close to a day, and a year is practically a century. Being asked ‘what did you do over your holiday’ is the adult equivalent of ‘where were you at 5:45 pm on the 12th of February 1996?’
My point is that even when you’re ten years old, life doesn’t seem to go that quick, and it feels like you’ve got all the time in the world to figure everything out.
In my case, ten year old me had some very exact ideas about what I was going to have achieved by the time I was twenty-five. Twenty-five, to me, was the pinnacle of adulthood. By twenty-five, I was going to be famous, be married, have children, a house of my own, and adoring fans, and then I’d have plenty of time afterwards to enjoy it all in luxury.
Well, I’m twenty-three now, and my ten year old self is still tapping her foot, waiting on a lot of things. Apparently, in order to fulfil myself, I have one hell of a busy schedule to catch up on in the next two years.
It may seem silly to some readers, especially anyone older than me, but you have to understand that from my perspective twenty-three is the oldest I’ve ever been, and that the ten year old inside of me is incredibly demanding. Call me idealistic or foolish, but the self-expectancy I placed on myself from a young age has never really gone away, and even though a lot of my goals have changed, I still have that internal list of ‘Things to do before I’m twenty-five.’
A part of me wishes that I could go back in time, and talk to my little self, and explain how things are going to work out. Talk to her about fighting with depression, and bereavement, and the hours spent struggling not to let my dyslexia rule what I could or couldn’t do. I wish I could go back and say, ‘You’re going to make some really stupid mistakes’ and then assure little me that these weren’t a ‘waste of time’ but rather a lesson in how to use it better.
Mostly, if I could go back in time and talk to anybody about my ‘list’ it would be my mother. Because, let’s be honest, little me would nod at everything I told her and take none of it in, because little me is a ten-year old with no perspective of time, and high expectations of herself.
For a majority of my life I was under the impression that my mother wasn’t a great achiever. I don’t mean this in a rude way: she built and cared for our family, and I thought she was invincible, and amazing, and strong. But she wasn’t a movie star, or a big business woman, or any of the other qualities that we place so much importance on in our society. She was just my Mum.
It was only in the last few years of her life, that I really got to talking to her about what she did do with her life. And it was only after her death a year ago that I started bubbling with even more questions about the adventures she went though, and what she achieved.
This was a woman who could speak several languages, was highly educated, with a degree and masters-equivilant from a very prestigious French University. Even the fact she could speak English so fluently should have flabbergasted me, seeing as there wasn’t a drop of English blood in her body. These things never occurred me growing up.
My mother was a woman who had a long line of qualifications under her belt. She went through a number of different jobs, had skills in writing, admin, language, geography and teaching. She could sing, and dance, and my God, but could she throw a great party!
By the time she was my age, she had only just met my Dad. She was studying in the Lake District, taking a year out from France. She ended up marrying the strange Englishman she met at the fancy dress party, and then spent several years on an adventure, travelling and seeing the world.
If we regard achievements as the amount of stories you have to tell at the end of the day, than my mother had one hell of a life.
I wish I could talk to her about it, I wish she could talk me through this transitional period as I try to be both the person I wanted when I was ten, and try to be more realistic with myself. If she was around, my mother would probably scoff at me for my feelings of disappointment and self-doubt. I think the first thing she’d do was remind me of all the things I have achieved.
You see, the list of things to do before you’re twenty-five is always growing. As my life takes me down new and unexpected routes, there are going to be some things on the list that no longer stand for who I am, and others that need to be added.
Ten year old me would have never dreamed that I’d earn a black belt in Karate by the time I was eighteen. Or that I’d get a music scholarship to my University, and start directing my own choir, and writing original music. She wouldn’t have guessed that I would be accepted for a PhD, or that I would start lecturing the year after.
I guess the point I’m trying to make, is that alot of us have a screaming ten-year old in our head that tells us what we should have done by the time we hit a certain marker, but when that voices gets too loud its good to remind yourself of the things you have done. Because at the end of the day, that ten year old has no perspective of the trails and tribulations you’re going to go through, and whilst they can be a good motivator, they have no right to bully you.
Life is not a checklist of things you need to tick in order. Life is a bunch of stories and experiences, some of which come at the worst possible time, and from the least likely places.
So with that in mind, here’s my list of things to do before I’m twenty-five:
1) Do the best I damn well can
2) Write a new list for ‘30’
December 6, 2015
December 5, 2015
The Sons of Thestian – Audiobook Sample
The following is a sample recording of The Sons of Thestian by M.E. Vaughan
Book #1 of The Harmatia Cycle
Published by the Zharmae Publishing Press
All rights reserved.
Get your copy at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository
November 14, 2015
My thoughts so far on @M_E_Vaughan 's The Sons of Thestia...
My thoughts so far on @M_E_Vaughan 's The Sons of Thestian!!! pic.twitter.com/XBAfcp5Z3B
— Benjaminoftomes (@Benjaminoftomes) November 14, 2015
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August 20, 2015
HORSHAM, WEST-SUSSEX – BOOK EVENT
At 18:30, Friday, 11th of September, local author M.E. Vaughan will be hosting a book event at Waterstones, Horsham to promote her new epic fantasy The Sons of Thestian, and to speak on the ins & outs of the Publishing world.
M.E. Vaughan is a Ph.D student from the University of Winchester, and is local to Horsham. With high-ratings and glowing reviews, her best-selling novel The Sons of Thestian is the first book of The Harmatia Cycle, a trilogy based in Celtic Mythology with a fairy-tale twist.
The Event, ideal of bibliophiles, fantasy lovers and fellow writers will include a Q&A, book signing and a costume competition!
July 16, 2015
May 30, 2015
2015 ‘The Sons of Thestian’ Competition – Results!
Today is the day! Over the last month and a half, I have received a good selection of entries, and judging them has been an extraordinarily difficult task for me, not least because of the level of work.
Due to this, I have judged Art and the Written entries separately, as I felt that was only fair. As such their will be prize-winners from both sections.
Before I begin, I would like to say how much I appreciated each entry. They were each extraordinary pieces of work, and I am so proud and honoured to have received them. You cannot know how much your efforts have meant to me, and I will be forever grateful for your support.
Each piece has been given an individual critique below. Writing Entrant winners will be announced tomorrow (31/05/2015).
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR PRIZE-WINNERS
ART
1st Place: Red Cap by Thomas Fummo
2nd Place: Rufus Merle: La Mort by Rebecca Welch
3rd Place: Rufus Merle by Hamish Steele
ART ENTERIES:
Red Cap by Thomas Fummo
The winning entry. There is nothing I don’t love about this picture. Whilst all of the entries were very good, each boasting a different artistic style, The Red Cap is to me a perfect specimen. The attention to detail is immaculate, and the picture totally captures exactly how I imagined the Red Cap should be. The textures, the way the skin hangs both loose and yet tight, the single nostril, the red eyes, the lanky limbs and above all the beak like teeth…You have a great talent for drawing monstrosities Thomas, and on this occasion you’ve really outdone yourself.
If ever anyone wants to know what I envisioned the Red Cap as, I will be directing them to this picture.
Fae by Thomas Fummo
Your rendition of Fae is incredibly pleasing to me! I love the scars, the design of her weapons (all of which you noted and drew!) and her stance, like she’s going to spring out of the screen. For Fae, who is often drawn in a passive way, I liked seeing her looking so fierce and battle-ready, like the warrior she is! You captured her essence perfectly.
Rufus Merle: La Mort by Rebecca Welch
Where do I even begin? The concept is fantastic, and your line-work as always is horrifically enviable. The more you look at this picture, the more details you pick out, and that’s especially what I love about it. You’ve encapsulated the character extraordinarily well, throwing in hints and clues. As always, the way you draw the folds in clothes is wonderful, and I cannot fault you for the anatomical accuracy (those hands!). I am totally charmed by his picture; it could really be ‘La Mort’ in a genuine Tarot Deck, and maybe when I have enough money, I’ll commission you to make the whole thing!
My only quibble, and it is a small one, is that you didn’t have time to colour it, which would have really completed the picture. This, I understand, but it is a shame. Regardless, La Mort is a fantastic piece of work and among my absolute favourites.
Rufus Merle by Hamish Steele
As always, I am charmed by your style. Everything from the pose to the bright colours is just brimming with life and character, and this picture looks like a professional poster for a genuine cartoon! I am especially fond of the details on the clothing and Rufus’s expression. It is clear you drew on the front-cover and the book trailer to inform Rufus’s look, and I especially love the long coat with the fur-line and the boots. Adding the magic was a wonderful, extra touch which just completes the whole thing.
Luca by Amelia Bull
As a big fan of Art Nouveau, I was delighted to see Luca drawn in this way, not least because the style totally compliments the character, and you spent time investigating how she should be dressed and appear. The colours compliment her, and I am very pleased by how anatomically correct she is in build and size. This is a very beautiful homage to the character, and one that I have put up very proudly on my wall. I apologise for not being able to load a better scanned version.
Athea Ascending by Jules Ironside
This is an incredibly vibrant and striking picture. I can imagine it would be even more impressive on paper, and was very struck by its regality and power. The new design of Athea’s staff was creative and interesting, and I liked the touch of the sand turning into a different colour (Almost reminiscent of oxidised blood, though that of course isn’t actually blue!). I think the thing that gets me most about this picture is the eyes, as they really do stand out and are very piercing. You’ve certainly captured Athea very well.
April 27, 2015
FTA: The Frankenstein Complex: Why Fanfiction is a Dirty Word
Originally posted on Blog Z:
Welcome to Monday! Yes, I know, you don’t want it to be Monday. But hey, it’s not all bad. We have a new author post from M.E. Vaughan!
Author of the recently released The Sons of Thestian, Vaughan also writes and composes music. But that’s just what she does in her free time. Currently, she is “undertaking a PhD researching the representation of Celtic Paganism in Historical Fiction.” For more information, check out her website: madeleinevaughan.com
Today, Vaughan is discussing the writing taboo, fanfiction. Why is it so reviled? Why do so many people take part in it? M.E. Vaughan has a few theories on the matter.
Take it away Madeleine!
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a critically acclaimed piece of work which has been cited as the first piece of science fiction ever written. Every child in the Western world and beyond know who Frankenstein is, though people often confuse the scientist with…
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April 3, 2015
BOOK COMPETITION
It’s very simple, anyone is free to participate, and the more participants the bigger and better the prizes!
April 2, 2015
ATTENTION ALL ARTISTS/WRITERS/CREATIVES
Hello everyone! in light of the success The Sons of Thestian is currently having, I’ve decided to hold a promotional competition!
It’s very simple, anyone is free to participate, and the more participants the bigger and better the prizes!
