On Turning 25

Once a year I try and check in with myself and write all the things I learned the previous year.  On the surface, this year seems to be one of my least productive.  I haven’t moved.  I haven’t changed jobs.  I haven’t even finished writing the novel yet.  It was our intention to have the first draft done by the first of December.  This list of things I meant to do, but didn’t is short.  All were goals I set when I turned 24.

Dreams of Travel

I knew when I started the year that I’d still be in New Hampshire by the end of the year.  I want to travel the world.  I want to live in France and Australia and Alaska.  I want to hike the whole of the Appalachian Trail and the Alps–maybe even look into climbing Everest!  I realize my fatal mistake in seeing these dreams come about was the knowing I had about being in New Hampshire.

Dreams Jobs

As for the job.  I started looking for a new one when I was closing in on my two year mark at the grocery store.  I even started looking again recently.  Neither instance was fruitless, but I realized something, and a solution presented itself.  The job I have is a means to an end.  The only reason I have it is to make money to pay the few bill I have … I hate to impose on my mother’s kindness, but she’ll be rewarded with coming harvest from these books we are writing.

The only “job” I will ever find fully satisfactory is writing.  I’ve rediscovered some old, handwritten, journals, and I’m working at completing them.  True, Rhiannon and I have decided to take a break from writing until the first of the year, but we both think the rest will bring us back with renewed strength.

I’m using the time to rest, read voraciously, do some crafts (I love embroidery), and write some short stories unrelated to Taftka.  I’m living my dream job.  The money will follow.  It always does, and that’s what we’re working towards with the patience of the gods of old … which, I must admit, wasn’t that long, haha!

Dreaming a Novel Finished

It was hard approaching December without a finished draft.  I attempted to use NaNoWriMo to sprint to the end.  Although I wrote a lot in November–and some great stuff at that–the novel still has nine chapters and an appendix before it’s complete.  And the appendix is currently up in the air.

If I learned how to write between 23 years and 24 years, then I learned how to write with a partner between 24 years and 25 years.  Rhiannon and I have learned to talk to each other at levels I’ve never experienced before.  The meshing of our thoughts is uncanny at times.  We’ve learned how to discuss without arguing, and if we DO argue it’s always productive.

We’ve arrived at places in the story planned and they transform in the writing process into something similar, but radically better than the original concept.  The story has really taken on a life of it’s own.  As long as I arrive at the keyboard images flash in my mind, and words flow through my fingers.  I’ve learned to let go of control and let the characters show me what happens.

What I Dream For Sure

The dream of completing and publishing this novel in the next year still stands.  I know once it is finished I will start traveling.  I may not go on any of the grand journey’s I mentioned earlier, but I’ll surely visit my family in Florida.  I’m feeling the pull, and I’d like to feel the heat again.

I dream Rhiannon and I will find the perfect agent.  I have one in mind, and she would be amazing for us.  I have her profile printed and posted on the wall in my room, and she reminds me of my goal.  We capture every facet of what she’s looking for in an author and material.  We also think that our plan to write a series will work in our advantage in getting published.

We’re bringing something different to the game.  We’re bringing everything we are … which is something every author must do, come to think of it.  For now, “I’ll blow my horn ’til someone blows it.”  Here’s to another year for personal transformation and progress towards the goal.  It’s closer that I even know.

Revenge of the Witch | The Last Apprentice Book 1

The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch

by Joseph Delaney

I was in Barnes and Nobles the other day, and they have this display up for the holidays where they’re asking you to donate a book to a kid for Christmas.  What you’re supposed to do it pick up a bookmark, which has the first name and age of a child.  Then you get a book, stick the bookmark in–pay for the book–and they send it to the kid.

I wasn’t intending to donate a book, but I wanted to get a closer look at the bookmarks.  The first one I pick up if for: Joseph age 14.  Immediately I think to myself, what would I choose to give my fourteen year old self to read.

Destiny was set in motion; I had to find the perfect book for this boy Joseph.  I started with kids classics.  I wanted to give the kid something great to read.  Then I thought about it from his/my fourteen year old self’s opinion.  The classics became uninteresting.  So, since the kid was a teen, I went over to the teen books.

After about a half hour of gazing futilely at oceans of sappy teen-romance, an over abundance of varying vampire series, and a cornucopia of emo fiction; I find this book–the first book in the section that visually appears worthy.  I pick it up.  I love the dark style of the art.  I read the back of the book, scan through the novel, and take one last look at the cover.  It was then I noticed the author’s name.  Joseph Delaney.

That was that.  To a Joseph, from a Joseph, by a Joseph.  I grabbed a copy for Joseph age 14 and one for myself–I had to read the book now too.  And to the Joseph age 14, if you ever happen upon this website, I hope the book turns out to be as great a read it looks!  Here’s to our shared adventure.

Chapter One: A Seventh Son

Nice set up about a cowardly boy.  This is going to be a tale about finding yourself.  It also has the potential for some really interesting magic scenes.  Me likies.  Although, I’ve read about the whole seventh son of a seventh son before in Terry Pratchett’s Equal Rites.  Except the way Pratchett plays on this myth is an eighth son of an eighth son of an eighth son becomes a wizard.

So, Tom is going to become the Spook’s apprentice.  I really like that the magical protector of the area is called the Spook.  I tend to enjoy the rural medieval style fantasies such as these.  Very nice set up, don’t you think Joseph?

Chapter Two: On the Road

The Spook is a really entertaining character.  The tropes of master and student well illustrated.  It’s time to face your fears head on.  The differences between ghost and ghast was neat as well.  I always thought of them as the same thing.  I like it when words have clear separate definitions.  Synonyms are hardly ever 100% the same.  Ah, the richness of language.

Also, there is an new reason this book seems to be fate.  Tonight I was talking with Rhiannon about how I was starting to see “things” around my apartment, at work, even when going for walks.  They’re “shadow figures” (for lack of better terminology); I can make out some details, but they’re clouded.  Sometimes I see a sunny little girl.  Sometimes I see a tall dark man.  Sometimes it’s just flashes of light or patches of blackness.  I don’t know what it is, but it’s very similar to the ghasts described here.  They don’t try and communicate with me; they’re just there.  Weird, and cool.

Chapter Three: Number Thirteen Watery Lane

Wow.  Joseph, he even managed to fool me.  I wasn’t expecting it to be the Spook in the basement.  I should have though.  I usually pick up on those kind of things.  Haha.  I really like Tom as a main character.  Even though he is scared out of his mind, he is very brave.  He faces his fears when he has to, and has a mind analytical enough to figure things out under pressure.  I identify with that.  Good show Mr. Joseph Delaney.  So far, you’ve got me hooked.

Chapter Four: The Letter

I’m really identifying with this character.  The way he thinks he and his mother are the same is very much how I see my mother and myself.  Only, I wish she knew the similarity as much as Tom’s mam seems to.

Chapter Five: Boggarts and Witches

I enjoy chapters like these; when you’re learning along with the protagonist.  It really defines the realm which the story is told in.  Chapters like this also tend to have a lot of clues in them.  The Spook has given Tom a myriad of warnings, made him make a promise not to go into this garden after dark and never alone, and never to try as see the living witch.

Using my “reading into things” superpowers, here’s what I can sniff out:  the living witch is going to do something that’s going to require Tom to go into the garden alone at night–possibly kidnap the Spook.  Tom will have to face the two dead witches before getting to her.  The boggart will probably be a challenge for Tom at some point, but I’m not sure if it will be connected to the witches ordeal.

Chapter Six: A Girl With Pointy Shoes

The way Tom thinks makes me happy.  He’s smart, he can deduce things, and he’s self reflective.  His thoughts match my thoughts as a reader (for the most part).  Insights on the plot are a little different.  Although, Tom does smell trouble ahead by realizing his mistakes in making the promise of Alice (who I think is the niece of the living witch).

I can’t decide whether Alice will end up a love interest–yes, I realize they’re thirteen–or if she’ll end up an nemesis.  We have the potential for both here.

Chapter Seven: Someone Has to Do It

Okay, so Tom DOES have the ability to make really silly choices.  I was starting to think he might be infallible.  Kinda glad he isn’t.  He’s still thirteen years old. Haha.

Chapter Eight: Old Mother Malkin

So I was wrong about the circumstances, but I was so right about him breaking all those promises.  I mean, come on though … that one was a duh!  The cakes will probably free the living witch at which point she’ll impart her revenge on the Spook.

Oh, so NOW you realize how foolish you’ve been Tom.  Nice goin’.

Nope.  Either Bony Lizzie took the children, or Mother Malkin did … who I think might be one and the same.  Also, children stealing totally reminds me of Hocus Pocus.

Alright, he’s got me convinced they can’t be one person (Mother Malkin and Bony Lizzie).  I believe that Alice might be being manipulated.  Don’t be fooled Joseph!  I think that the author had the Spook tell Tom to stay away from girls with pointy shoes because of a prejudice.  Alice seems alright.  I believe her.

Chapter Nine: On the Riverbank

To quote Stephen King: “Sometimes, dead is better … “

Chapter Ten: Poor Billy

Not yet convinced Alice is bad, but I could be pulling a Joey at this point.  I have over read into things a couple of times already.  I’m glad I’m reading a simpler story.  It is reminding me that basic plot-lines can be just as riveting as complex ones.  I should keep that in mind when we’re ready to chop stuff from the book we’re writing … aka, phase three.  Also, I don’t think Tom imagined seeing the Spook.  I think the Spook has just been watching the whole time to see how he’ll react, “since he decided to get himself in this mess,” is how I hear him putting it.

Okay, so the Spook wasn’t watching.  Haha.  I’m curious though … if he wasn’t watching, then wouldn’t he be more angry at Tom?  He was pretty short earlier in the book, now he’s got some patience.  I mean, I like it … it just seems out of character.

Chapter Eleven: The Pit

She’s only a young girl people!  She’s being manipulated.  Sorry folks; yelling at the voices in my head telling me Alice is bad.  I still think she’s good, but the men–with pipes, tweed, and reading specs–sitting in leather armchairs around the library of my mind, disagree.

The simplicity and straight-forwardness of this story is amazingly done.  It’s like Disney movies.  Clean, creative, with subtle layers of deeper story within the main drama for more advanced readers.

Chapter Twelve: The Desperate and the Dizzy

Figures, I decide to read before Rhiannon comes over, and I have to stop JUST as Alice is getting possessed by Mother Malkin.  Grr.  Joseph, our pal sure has my attention now!

Alright, this guy is playing me like a harp.  It’s certain now.  He’s writing for readers like me.  I haven’t just been reading into things.  He WANTS me to make these assumptions.  If you’ve read this chapter, then you know what I mean.  It’s not easy to make everyone an equal suspect for possession like this guy just did, Joseph.  I, seriously, have no idea who it could be.  I do know that the Spook needs to come and save the day though!  Or Mam.  Or both.  I’m still holding out on Alice as well.  I want her to end up being good … but the evidence is mounting against her.

Chapter Thirteen: Hairy Pigs

Joseph Delaney is a master: plain and simple.  I didn’t see that coming.  He had me properly distracted.  Genius.  I love books that subvert my expectations in such an amazing way.  I’m also glad the Spook nor Mam had to come save the day.

Chapter Fourteen: The Spook’s Advice

Awe!  See.  I knew she was “good” all along.  Tom’s got a friend for life in Alice.  I have no choice, Joseph.  I have to buy the next book in this series.  A-ma-zing.