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Current novels in progress
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The Ocean and the Sky: A Young Adult Norse Novel (TOATS)
Rough outline: A retelling of the events of Ragnorak that follows the Norse god’s demise and the misadventures of Iric and Yrsa, orphaned twins from the village of Skarfsnes, who journey through the nine realms to find the lost Thor while being hunted by the ender of their world.
My current work in progress, “The Ocean and the Sky” is sitting at about 10,000 words at the time of writing this update. The first act is nearly wrapped up and I’m sending it out to select few fellow writers to give me some feedback. This will be the second full-length book that I’m attempting to write. My first, Out of Curiosity, may never see the light of day. But I’m happy that I was able to write that book. It taught me a lot about what I needed to learn and got out some of the amateur traits in my writing. Perhaps one day I’ll return to the world of Englionia and share Abbott’s and Elise’s tale. I dream about it often and when it’s time and I feel satisfied, one day it could all work out. But for now… all attending this story.
Camp NaNoWriMo
I plan on getting the large bulk of it finished in April for Camp NaNoWriMo. I’ve set a goal for myself to reach about 50,000 words by May, so let us hope this early start is a good push to put me on track to reaching that goal. For some of you who don’t know what NaNoWriMo is, it stands for National Novel Writing Month. It allows us to connect with other writers and engage in events targeted at getting your novel’s finished. One thing that I’ve learned from the experience, is support really goes a long way. When you have thousands of other people trying to accomplish the same thing that you are, who can sympathize with your struggles, it makes the journey not feel like you’re all alone.
You can follow my Camp NaNoWriMo 2020 progress by following me on Instagram @alexanderwrites_
Books I’ve finished reading this time around
I just finished “A Darker Shade of Magic” by V.E. Schwab and I pleasantly enjoyed myself. The idea of multiple Londons took hold of my very early on and I believe that this novel offers a fresh take (at least in my literary mind) of how magic works in a story. I found myself really liking the character of Lila. Her attitude, the way she carries herself. She’s a survivor and a thief but underneath that armor, I believe there’s a real humanity to the character that is yet to be revealed in the next two books.
One thing about the book that really was a letdown, was the ending. It fell a little flat in my opinion, not to say that it was satisfying, but the Twins were supposed to be these big bad duo that warped people’s minds into doing their will. I just thought their endings were too quick, too soon. But nonetheless, I’m all about stories that glorify good and defeat evil. I will most certainly be continuing the series at one point or another.
Proceeding, “A Darker Shade of Magic” I finished reading Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” after a month or two. This book had me torn down the middle. Yes, I did watch the Starz series first, but only a few episodes and I ‘d have to admit this is a classic case of the book being far better than the series. The series is more engaging to watch but the book’s detail cannot be overlooked. This book is a lot different from what I’m used to reading. The plot was fairly slow compared to other books but that’s mostly because of its length and just the amount of detail Gabaldon goes in to. It was hard to overlook at first because it was like “she did this, and then this happened, and they went here, and so on” but once all the threads start coming together, the payoff is really worth it.
Outlander is a character-driven novel. Besides a few books, I’ve never really had an attachment to written characters, but Jamie and Claire really were pulling at my heartstrings. I wanted them to triumph through their perils and remain together. The same goes for Randall. As troubling as this may be to admit, I wanted him to die–– terribly. He is evil at all measures. The hurt he causes and the lives he ruins, I’ve never wanted to see a character’s death so much in a book. Far greater than the evil of Umbridge and Voldemort from the Harry Potter series. And I would have to say that was what worked incredibly well for this book. Character development.
Short stories and other writing updates
In April I will be releasing a fast fiction, “London’s Calling” along with a few smaller stories to be spread throughout.
London’s Calling
My center is to remain completely focused on TOATS (The Ocean and the Sky) before I tackle any newer projects. If I have time, I will be releasing a novella entitled, “Sir Camelot” in the coming months. I’m approaching the finish. The story just needs editing and beta reading before sending it out into the world.
Sir Camelot synopsis: Sir Camelot, knighted on his father’s deathbed, is a drunk with an inflated ego. When years pass by and the King announces a quest that will place Sir Camelot amount the star-studded hero’s of the past, he chops his way into action with the help of his esquire, Benedict. Together, they fight a beast that plagues a neighboring village with humor, wits, and a little bit of luck.
We dined on caviar and champagne until our words slurred and our bodies motioned us into the night. Humming taxies and swerving buses circled the city like the dreams in our subconscious minds. And our ears caught the keyed melody of an accordion. My fingers drummed away to Louis Armstrong’s “La Vie En Rose” and your chapped lips kissed mine— a firework show blinded by fermented fish.
After, we tiptoed my ballet flats to her, and like a diamond she sat and sparkled. The lure was a desire to be discovered. A precious stone in the Parisian skyline. The tricolore waved in the nightfall before the heavens poured in tears. As the little droplets bounced from our faces and soaked our clothes, we proceeded to dance to our heart’s content. Angels from above joined and cherubs flew from the chapel on Boulevard du Palais. Little ivory faces spectated, anticipated, and fantasized.
“Je t’aime,” you whispered. “Ma dame.”
A value far greater than the diamonds of the world and yet still, as simple as a night in Paris.
In the small village of Norwell, a magician whipped and whirled incantations from the nose of his umbrella, a wish-granting spell, beneath the shade of a willow tree.
As the spectacle was seen by all, there came three men before him, each eager to receive their heart’s desire.
The first man asked for his wish without hesitation. He wanted all of the fortunes of the world for himself. The wizzy magician laughed to himself a little and when the man asked why he was laughing, the magician answered, “you’re already the richest man in the world.”
“It isn’t enough,” the man said.
Then came the next man and wished for the woman of his dreams—his true love. The magician chuckled again, and said, “but you are already loved by a beautiful wife and three wonderful children.”
“It’s not enough,” the man said.
And when the magician turned to the third and final man and requested to hear his wish, there was hesitation.
“I wish peace for the sick,” the man said, “and fulfilled promises for the dying.”
The magician’s face went stern and his head shifted from side to side like a barn owl and then he vanished from the three men’s sight just as he appeared.
“What a waste,” the first and second men said in agreement. “Doesn’t grant real wishes.”
The third man felt something delicate enter his hand and sitting in his palm was a flower that grew before his eyes. A snowdrop. A promise.
You can follow my Camp NaNoWriMo 2020 progress by following me on Instagram @alexanderwrites_
Proceeding, “A Darker Shade of Magic” I finished reading Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” after a month or two. This book had me torn down the middle. Yes, I did watch the Starz series first, but only a few episodes and I ‘d have to admit this is a classic case of the book being far better than the series. The series is more engaging to watch but the book’s detail cannot be overlooked. This book is a lot different from what I’m used to reading. The plot was fairly slow compared to other books but that’s mostly because of its length and just the amount of detail Gabaldon goes in to. It was hard to overlook at first because it was like “she did this, and then this happened, and they went here, and so on” but once all the threads start coming together, the payoff is really worth it.
Outlander is a character-driven novel. Besides a few books, I’ve never really had an attachment to written characters, but Jamie and Claire really were pulling at my heartstrings. I wanted them to triumph through their perils and remain together. The same goes for Randall. As troubling as this may be to admit, I wanted him to die–– terribly. He is evil at all measures. The hurt he causes and the lives he ruins, I’ve never wanted to see a character’s death so much in a book. Far greater than the evil of Umbridge and Voldemort from the Harry Potter series. And I would have to say that was what worked incredibly well for this book. Character development.
Alexander Richter 