Your Own Mer-writing

[Randi]

Oh, and thank you guys! Age should never hold one down on things like writing, or films (I've made a short picture shwo type thing after a Florence and the Machine song).
Life is short, so there's no time to waste.

[Garrett]

I've decided to take a small break from my series. I don't want to overdo it, to where I don't even want to write, you know? I think this series could be "the one," and I don't want to overwork myself to where I throw it out.
I think I'm going to start a small side-project, also about mermaids, and heavily inspired by my favorite book series of all time - the series that actually introduced me into the fantasy genre, I believe - Daughters of the Moon! This is the first book, just to show you where I draw my inspiration from. :)

[Garrett]

I think I'm going to change my Sea Monster Slayer story to, rather than having one mermaid who has to fight these creatures, I'm going to have four or five. That's going to change the story and its original plot some, but I think it's for the better. :)

[Randi]

That's completely ok Garrett :) And a bit more realistic.

[[deleted user]]

I agree about the H2O thing but other than that it sounds cool!!! :)

[Ryan]

I've had a couple of concepts circulating in my head for the last twelve to fifteen years; with the earliest one involving What Really Happened [tm] to Flight 19, another one involving the CIA, but my most recent story concept is this:

It's the near future (say 25-30 years outwards); and Charlie Silver is fulfilling a lifelong dream as he walks on the Sea of Crisis as Orion 21's commander.

Meanwhile, 298,000 miles away, back with us mere mortals; Thomas "Tom" Silver and his sister Jennifer "Jenny" Silver are struggling through the middle years of high school.

They've always been fairly sickly -- while other students were trying out for more energetic sports, they had to settle for supporting roles in Band, Book Club, etc.

But the highlight of each year comes for them in the winter, when the athletics department offers swimming.

They get trounced in the short, high energy swim competitions, such as 50 to 100 meters, but hold the school records for the 800 to 1500 meter freestyle, strangely enough.

Lately in the last six months, they've been noticing some strangers hanging around in the background at their swim meets. Strangers who take an intense interest in them; but quickly disappear when confronted.

It's not just them, but the family as a whole as well that's under this kind of scrutiny.

Disturbing anonymous notes are found in their mailbox; with messages like "You'll be sleeping with the fishes" on them.

They've tried to convice their dad -- Charlie -- and their mother -- Victoria "Vicky" -- of how serious this is; and that they should go to the police, or at least notify the FBI of this -- stalking an astronaut's family should get a quick response; but both of their parents have been strangely non-committal on this.

While looking through some old papers, the children discover the beginnings of a road that will lead them to unravelling the lie behind their family history; something that will take on an unexpected life of it's own in both the public and private spheres...

[EDIT: I'm not quite sure yet how to do this. Doing it from a first person POV works really well for a YA novel; but I'm not sure how to do that with a dual set of heroes; so I might cut the children down to an only child...]

[Randi]

I always like third person because you can really delve into your character's thoughts and actions and decisions and create more illusions and secrets and stuff.
However some people are just better at third and that's fine.
However you can have multiple points of view. I like it when authors do that to give different characters different opinions and views on situations at hand and so forth.

[Garrett]

I've finished a 207-page book a couple days ago. It's for my senior project at school. All seniors have to complete this big semester-long project in order to graduate, and mine was a book. I'm currently turning it into book format on Lulu.com, so that's been taking up the most of my time lately. But I haven't abandoned my mermaids. I'm currently struggling through working on a project that I describe as "if Anne Rice were to write a book about mermaids, it would be something like this."

[Randi]

Oooh, cool :) I worked on a non-mer novel or NaNo and I'm trying to get back into my series rightn ow.

[Garrett]

Guitar Chick wrote: "Oooh, cool :) I worked on a non-mer novel or NaNo and I'm trying to get back into my series rightn ow."

Yeah, I have so many ideas kicking around right now. Two or three mermaid ideas, a Medusa story that I worked on for my senior project, and a story about dragons.

[Karen]

"if Anne Rice were to write a book about mermaids, it would be something like this."

Awesome. Happy writing, everyone! :)

[Jacob]

Just passing through and noticed everyone's affinity for mermaids. I have a short story about a mermaid that you may be interested in. 'Citra' was published January 2012. It is online and is free. Issue 10.

http://crossandcosmos.com/

I also did the book cover. I hope you enjoy.

Citra

[Randi]

Brandi wrote: "I've written a short story that is still in the works. I have two chapters up but the second one still needs a lot of work. I haven't had very much inspiration to fix it and come up with a third ch..."

Hey, I'm excited about reading your story and all, but please never use age as an excuse. It doesn't matter if you're thirteen or 30, age should have nothing to do with writing. I'm not trying to be mean or anything like that at all, and I'll be happy to help edit your work for you. But still, never underestimate yourself or your age. Just a note :)

[Randi]

Everyone does :) I think my writing is suck a lot of times too.


Anyways, after reading your story, I do have a few things to say. And these aren't meant to be mean, just helpful little things:

1. The story reads like an outline. There should be more descriptions, more details, and more emotion.
2. What are the parents motifs for hating Kaia? It can't just be no reason. Give some reason. There needs to be more background, even if it's later on in the story in flashbacks.
3. The whole bathing suit thing is a tricky subject for mermaid writers. It's an issue. Should mermaids be topless? Should there be scales? Should there be bathing suits? It's also a little too convenient that the bathing suit matches her scales unless that has some special meaning later on.
4. Tons more emotion is needed here. Kaia's adoptive parents just drowned her in the middle of the ocean! Things need to be boiling.
5. If there is one thing you over-describe, it's everyone's appearance. Might cut back on that a bit. But make sure we know what your character looks like.

Seriously, never give up on writing. Even the greatest works of literature can be improved. Hope this helps :)

[Naomi]

I am currently querying my mermaid-type manuscript called Dark Waters. You can see a sentence synopsis/blurb here:

http://www.rachelpudelek.blogspot.com...

[Literally]

Garrett wrote: "So, I've got this idea for a series, and it's about four different girls living in Miami Beach.
Marissa: cool, popular, blond
Lena: Goth-obsessed, punk rocker-style
Dosinia: mysterious and quiet..."

I would NOT use the name Dosinia, since Tera Lynn Childs uses it in her series. Sorry if someone has already pointed this out to you--I haven't gotten through all the comments yet.

[Randi]

Jennifer wrote: "Garrett wrote: "So, I've got this idea for a series, and it's about four different girls living in Miami Beach.
Marissa: cool, popular, blond
Lena: Goth-obsessed, punk rocker-style
Dosinia: mysteri..."

I don't think anyone has. We probably didn't know Forgive my Fins existed at this point, lol. It's also used in Jaclyn Dolamore's disappointing Between the Sea and the Sky.

[Literally]

I haven't read Between the Sea and the Sky yet...that is really depressing to hear.

I started to read Lost Voices, and had to stop after about 40 pages. I just didn't want to associate mermaids with so much sadness and despair! The almost-rape was awful.

[Randi]

Jennifer wrote: "I haven't read Between the Sea and the Sky yet...that is really depressing to hear.

I started to read Lost Voices, and had to stop after about 40 pages. I just didn't want to associate mermaids wi..."

The first forty pages are saddening yes, but the book is so chilling and beautiful. The second one is looking to be good (I just started it). It's one of my favorite merbooks actually.

[Garrett]

I really wanna try writing an epic mermaid fantasy, kind of like Game of Thrones set underwater. Maybe it's finally seeing the trailer for Empires of the Deep that's got me inspired. Maybe it's because I finally finished watching the current season of Game of Thrones yesterday (last scene was EPIC!!!), but other than a snippet of an idea, I got nuthin'. *Sigh*

[Paige]

I love me some mermaids and Game of Thrones!!! You must do this Garrett!! I will totally buy it LOL ;)

[Randi]

Garrett wrote: "I really wanna try writing an epic mermaid fantasy, kind of like Game of Thrones set underwater. Maybe it's finally seeing the trailer for Empires of the Deep that's got me inspired. Maybe it's bec..."

I'd read it so long as my mom could look over my shoulder and not slap me! Which would definitely be a problem with Game of Thrones, lol.

[Garrett]

Oh yes, Game of Thrones gets verrrry...um...naughty sometimes. A lot. I'd have to say it nearly beat out True Blood with all the sexy times...not by much though lol.

[Karen]

"sexy times"

That made me giggle, Garrett. :)

[Randi]

Garrett wrote: "Oh yes, Game of Thrones gets verrrry...um...naughty sometimes. A lot. I'd have to say it nearly beat out True Blood with all the sexy times...not by much though lol."

Yeah. I read the first book. It was naughty. I only finished it because I couldn't put that thing down, ohmyGod it's so addicting. But I couldn't do it again, just because I was afraid my mom might find out, lol. It's a very well constructed and interesting series, and I'll probably finish it when I'm older, but for now, I have to pretend like I haven't read it.

[ღஐKendraღஐ]

Guitar Chick wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I haven't read Between the Sea and the Sky yet...that is really depressing to hear.

I started to read Lost Voices, and had to stop after about 40 pages. I just didn't want to asso..."

Gah!!! I LOVE THE LOST VOICES TRILOGY!!! I actually like the new angle she had on mermaids. I mean it is different having them as she does but I like the creativity. The story is very good and thrilling beilieve me! You will be utterly shocked at the last chapter. I was stunned I had to read it over! I'm dying to read the next one...it better come out soon...

[Garrett]

@Karen LOL! As much as I love Game of Thrones, it's one of those shows that could get really awkward if someone else walked in on you watching it at the wrong time. :-D
@GC I really want to read the books so bad! But every copy in every Colorado library seems to be checked out! It's so frustrating... :-\

[Randi]

The paperbacks are actually super affordable. Mine only cost me about six or seven dollars for the trade paperback. They're fascinating as all get out, but they definitely don't tone down the content from what I've heard. I don't actually have HBO because my parents believe it is the root of all evil or something like that, so I haven't seen much of the show. But it has a huge following on Tumblr, so I know a lot about the characters and the plot.

[Garrett]

Oh, the show definitely doesn't tone anything down haha. It gets pretty dark sometimes. I haven't read the books so I don't know how they compare in terms of content, but it's shown some brutal stuff before. I have to say is that Daenerys quickly became one of my favorite characters of all time. I love her!

[S.K.]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DQOM8G6

Mine is about the virgin heiress to the mermaid royal bloodline needing to select a mate from a group of men who were bred for the sole purpose of providing her with an heir. But she's not in love with any of them-the only man she has ever loved was a human she met at a vacation resort in her teen years.
It's too hard for her to decide so she returns to the Seaview to think it through and work and live as a human, only to find that her human Link is now the owner-and has been waiting for her return.

[Literally]

I just remembered this brief conversation; I finally read Between the Sea and Sky and also found it disappointing. :-(

[S.K.]

I've been getting some great reviews for The Marked ones this week-quite a few had me in tears, especially this one guy who was tough as nails on the editing (mind you he got the crap copy I put up on day one and have replaced since) but had some great stuff to say about everything else! I've been featured in two newspapers, three blogs...tweeted by a famous Australian writer Anita Heiss who I met at a writer's conference last weekend. I just can't stop grinning! This is such an exciting experience!
Bonnie from A Backwards Story just posted an interview about The Marked Ones for 'Splash into Summer.' I'm so honoured to have been included :)

http://abackwardsstory.blogspot.com.a...

[Mark]

The Siren is on her way. She will be among us in October.

She is dangerous, angry and scared. She is being hunted too...

https://www.facebook.com/TheCallofthe...

[Howard]

S.K. wrote: "I've been getting some great reviews for The Marked ones this week-quite a few had me in tears, especially this one guy who was tough as nails on the editing (mind you he got the crap copy I put up..."

S.K. would do well to revisit that one review and read the reviewer's comment first and then re-read the review.

[S.K.]

Hey Guys I just put an excerpt up for my book if you want to check me out :)The Marked Ones

[Howard]

Urban Mermaid will be published under GGP's Moonlight Gardens imprint.

[Howard]

I'm looking for a few good reviewers to tackle An ARC of Urban Mermaid. Hurry, supplies are gonna be limited.

[Amanda]

I wrote a verse novel about mermaids called The Mermarium. The mermarium is a place that begins as a place of exploitation for human entertainment and transforms into a place of marine life rehabilitation. Available for pre-order on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D558QVF?...