Introducing the 30 Minute Friday Link up!

Hey, bloggers and writers! I have an exciting announcement!

Over on 30 Minute Fiction, I've started a new weekly link-up/blog hop!

30 Minute Friday

You can post any piece of fiction (or piece of a piece of fiction) that you've written anytime, anywhere, in any genre, in less than 30 minutes!

So head on over to

30 Minute Fiction

for the first

30 Minute Friday!

Seriously, go there now and post your stuff!

30 Minute Fiction: 2/1 Update (Short Stories, Novels, Poems, & More!)

So, you guys remember my announcement about 30 Minute Fiction, right? My new WordPress blog where I churn out a 30-minute-or-less piece of fiction every day? Well, it's been pretty successful thus far, and I've decided to include a weekly update for it here so that you Blogger people can keep up with it!

In the first week of 30 Minute Fiction, here's what was written:

1.) Dorian- A speculative sci-fi short story about the future of robotics and artificial intelligence

2.) An except from The Solutionist- Yes, that's right! The first thing I've written for it!

3.) The Division- a poem inspired by the dVerse Poets prompt, Undercurrents

4.) Judgment- By far my most popular piece of week one, a fantasy short story about Judgment itself

5.) 8 Minutes- a short, space opera sci-fi story about a ship in danger and the last hope for a civilization

6.) Rebound- a poem written for dVerse Poets latest open link light

7.) The beginning of Stolen- an excerpt from a novel you don't know much about, which also happens to be my only historical fantasy attempt

If you missed any (or missed the announcement of 30 Minute Fiction), please head on over and read them now!

Reading: Top 5 Books of 2011

I haven't had a whole lot of time to read this year (because of a killer college semester), but somehow, I did manage to stuff quite a few books into these last few weeks of the year (though I unfortunately wasn't able to get all the most popular ones). So, without further ado (seeing as how New Years is tomorrow), here are my top five reads of 2011!

5.) The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa- Though its ending was predictable, I really liked the plot of this book. It had my favorite characters from the entire series, all journeying toward the equivalent of the edge of the Earth, and finding some pretty awesome and terrifying things along the way. Good way to top off a decent series, I thought.



4.) Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr- I've always liked Marr's depiction of faeries, and while (yet again) I found the ending contrived, I found the novel as a whole a great ending to the Wicked Lovely series. All the characters' conflicts seem to explode at once into this fantastical all out war zone that existed right beneath ignorant eyes of the human world.

3.) City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare- I was hesitant at first to read this, if only because an "extension" of what was originally supposed to be a trilogy rarely works out well. But I found that Clare did a damn good job with it. The story makes sense, is dramatic, and picks up right where the trilogy left off without a single hitch. I especially like this book's focus on Simon, as he's been one of my favorite characters throughout, and I'm highly interested in seeing where the last two books of The Mortal Instruments takes him.

2.) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins- Ha, this didn't come out in 2011, but I, unfortunately, just got around to reading the series. I wasn't sure what to expect, and the first person, present tense through me for a loop, but I think that it does indeed hold up to its hype, and I'm very excited for the March-release movie. I'm currently reading the second installment of the series, Catching Fire.

1.) Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare- Had I finished more of the books in my current to-read stack (like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Daughter of Smoke and Bone), Clare probably wouldn't have had two entries on the list. But even then, Clockwork Prince would likely have still been number one. There is really no getting past how far Clare has come since City of Bones. This book is a dramatic wonder, and despite the fact that there's only one real battle scene in the entire novel, it still came off as one of the most exciting stories of the year. The writing, the plot, the character dynamics...everything has been ramped up in this book, and I've never been more exasperated by a book-release wait time than I am for the final installment of The Infernal Devices.

Novel: The Bombardiers (Excerpts Part 2)!

Hey, guys. Sorry I vanished on you all. It's finals time, you know? Had to write a paper and then get all my notes organized and write everything down. Ugh! I hate finals. Anyway, I thought I'd stop by today for some more excerpts from The Bombardiers.

Do remember, these excerpts are from my first draft, so expect lots of typos and a shaky style and way too much introspection. I'll fix that stuff the second time around. xD



Warning: Some of the content is rather graphic. And there's some strong language. You have been warned!

Novel: The Solutionists

So, for the first time ever, I actually got inspiration for a new book from a dream. I had an awesome dream this morning, and it gave me all these great ideas for a novel to add to my WIP list. Here's the makeshift cover and (a really long) synopsis.

For the last two thousand years, they have existed in the shadows, carefully guiding humanity in their desired direction. Using devices that defy time and space, they have weaved their designs into the leaders of human kind, using their skills and knowledge to remain only as figments of the human imagination. 

The year is 2034. With overpopulation, pollution, and greed threatening to devour the Earth, there seems to be little hope that the leaders of the world will unite to bring about change. But they deem it necessary, and thus, they will make it happen, no matter who they must bend to their wills in the process.

But when when one of their "clients" is found dead, they begin to suspect a spy has infiltrated their ranks. Calling upon their best and brightest, they create a task force bent on rooting out the corruption they fear has bloomed amongst them. 

But when they cannot trust themselves to do what is right for the Earth, how can they continue to do their duty to the planet? With war brewing on the horizon and the Earth quickly beginning to fall under the weight of the scourge that humanity has become, time is quickly running out. 

_____

Warren Devonair, a Twister with a flawless record, finds himself called before the Grand Architects and given the order to lead the Inquisition task force. Forced to work side by side with the person he hates the most and stuck at the helm of a duty he cannot fail at, Warren finds the careful facade he's worn all his life begin to fall apart. And if he can't keep it together, his job, his life, and the world may just fall with him. 

Salen Burrick, a former criminal lawyer, now lives his life in the lowest periphery of society. He hasn't shown his face to his family in years. He left his practice without even a goodbye. But what could have possibly made a successful, happy man abandon his life? They did. He's always seen them, skirting around rooms like shadows, moving more quickly than any human being should move, whispering in the ears of people that never knew they were there. But Salen knows they're there. And he also knows what they don't. That there are other things there too. Things that no one sees but him. Things that gnaw right into people's souls and eat their minds alive. Things that should not exist but do. And Salen is entirely convinced that they are the reason these things are here, the reason these things broke him into a thousand pieces. And even if it takes him a lifetime, he will destroy them like they destroyed him.

Mona Clarkson had a life one time. It consisted of a loving fiance, a full scholarship to a prestigious university, and a caring family. But after her fiance abruptly left her to pursue a "more important" political career, the rest of her life seemed to leave with him. Now working hard to make ends meet and close to failing out of school, Mona's life is further destroyed by a pregnancy of mysterious origins. On the verge of an emotional breakdown, she forces herself to leave the home she's always known in the hope of starting a new (and better) one somewhere else. 

But there are many things in life that follow you until death. And Mona, Warren, and Salen are beginning to realize that.

_____

They have stopped the world from falling apart for two thousand years. They have protected the collective knowledge of humanity for even longer. They have ended wars and created countries. They have started wars and destroyed kingdoms. And everything that they have done has saved the world.

They have always had all the answers.

They have always had all the power.

They have always been The Solutionists.

But nothing lasts forever.

Novel: The Bombardiers (Quotes 2)

Got some more quotes for you guys for my science fiction novel in progress!

_________

From Chapter 3, as Ganth is getting "rescued"--

“Congratulations, Mr. Richard Ganth, you have captured my attention. If you intend to utilize it in a timely manner, I would suggest you humble your brutish self and ask for help now. Preferably before more of the AJA shows up to spirit you off into the night.” 

-- Xi

 

_________

From Chapter 4, Xi's explanation of erasure--

“Well, you see, this whole erasure business can be a bit tricky. I mean, they could just erase entire families for one person’s wrong, but the more people you take out of the equation, the more things just don’t add up.” She laughs. “Ah, math humor! Anyway, sometimes, instead of just erasing children along with their oh-so-guilty-of-something-inane parents, they’ll just implant a plausible situation in everyone’s mind of how they died. Usually horrifically. Although I was particularly amused by the one about the microwave explosion.”

-- Xi

_________

From Chapter 4, Xi's explanation of why Ganth is "special"--

“Oh, you! You’re a special little bastard! I wish I’d found you sooner, but even my amazing self couldn’t spot the error. As it turns out, you’re little health implant, aka memory distorter, has an imperceptible defect that, well, renders it completely useless in terms of its underlying, unknown, sinister function that isn’t supposed to exist. In other words, it does exactly what it’s supposed to do and doesn’t do what’s it not supposed to do but normally does.”  

-- Xi

 

 _________

From Chapter 4, Sara's angry rant about Xi's secrecy--

 

“I swear, you are the most infuriating woman I’ve ever met. You tell me groundbreaking things, and yet you leave the most important parts out. You tell me they erase people, and yet you never explains what happens after that! So, please, please, can you spare one moment of your precious time and tell me? What happens to the people that get erased? Torture? Prison? Soylent Green is people? What?”

-- Sara

Novel: The Bombardiers (Quotes 1)

Hey, guys! I've actually managed to start working on my outline for The Bombardiers. I was thinking it would be cool if I shared a few quotes that I come up with while writing it.

Here's a couple I've written so far:

From the Prologue--

"In your greed and ignorance, you overstepped your boundaries. You pushed beyond the realm of your own understanding. You played a god you had no right to play. Instead of advancing our wealth of knowledge in order to craft a better life for all, you created an invincible killer. And now that killer will kill us all."

- Millicent Barnes

_____

From Chapter 2, while Sara is calling her sister--

"You know, Miss Sara Miller, since you are so obviously concerned about the AJA finding you via your phone, I thought I might enlighten you to the fact that I have made it utterly untraceable. Hm, you also have unlimited service now. Not that you have anyone to talk to anymore, I suppose. Bit of a paradox, isn't it? Or is it just a pity? You know, I'm not entirely sure." 

- Xi

Novel: The Bombardiers, NaNo Cover

I lied, I do have something to post. I worked on this over the weekend when I was a bit bored (of doing homework). Here's my first attempt at a cover for The Bombardiers, at least a NaNoWriMo cover. Obviously I'd put in a bit more time for a legitimate cover.

Anyway, hooray for minimalism!

Novel: The Bombardiers- Character List

Now that I've teased you all with the little summaries enough, let's get a more in depth look at the characters of The Bombardiers.

_________________

Xi

Name: Xi (another name is revealed within the story)

Age: Exact age unknown

Nationality: Altean

Occupation: N/A

Appearance: A young woman of average height with dark hair, green eyes, and a pale complexion. Occasionally, (usually in an attempt to further a point) Xi will reveal parts of her "inhuman" side. Fiber-optic-like lines will seem to run down her face, turning at sharp angles and disappearing beneath her collar, only to come back into sight as they run down her arms. These lines usually display light pulses of various colors, as do her eyes. However, Xi never specifies what any of her "inhuman" features do or mean.

Motives: Xi's main motive is gradually revealed to overwhelmingly be revenge against the Altean government, though she does seem to have some genuine interest in freeing society from the secret oppression of the Prime Executives. Her underlying drives remain a mystery to most of the characters in the story, even after she reveals her terrible past. Because Xi's emotional and mental states are so unpredictable, none of the other Bombardiers are able to fully decipher her.

Novel: The Bombardiers (Mystery Character Summary)

And it's time for the last The Bombardiers teaser summary. Have a look:

______________

Since Altea's inception, I have watched and waited. In different positions. In different places. With different personalities. And occasionally, different faces. But throughout it all, from beginning to now, I have been there.

And I will be there to see the end.

Because after so many years of watching and waiting, hoping and pleading, my prayers have been answered. By Xi. I'm not entirely sure who Xi is, though I'm almost positive I know where Xi came from and why Xi is doing what Xi is doing. 

But in the grand scheme of things, Xi's motives do not matter. All that matters is that Xi wins. All that matters is that Executives fall. It is only when every stitch that holds Altea together is ripped from its seams that I will be able to rest in peace. 

Until then, I will keep watching and waiting.

And at the end of all things, I will only have one thing left to say.

Every single god of man, bless the Bombardiers.

Novel: The Bombardiers (Norton's Summary)

And yet again, it's time for a little snippet from the world of The Bombardiers.

________________

Norton Sater considered himself successful. He'd graduated early. He'd gained valuable job experience. He'd achieved that which everyone in Altea wanted to achieve: a job in the upper echelons of the Altean government. 

And so Norton Sater walked right through the front doors of the Altean Justice Administration without a second thought. He signed the non-disclosure agreement without a second thought. He followed his new boss down three hallways, through two sets of double doors, and into a large monitoring room without a second thought.

And then he discovered the truth about Altean justice.

And he had many second thoughts.

Torn between the keeping the life he loves or throwing it away in order to expose to truth, Norton finds himself slowly breaking apart. It doesn't help that his only companions are a renown terrorist, an emotionally disturbed young woman, and a half-crazed ex-soldier.

But what's a man to do when faced with two such roads? Does he destroy himself in order to maintain the life he cherishes? Or does he let himself be destroyed for the sake of everyone else?

Novel: The Bombardiers (Ganth's Summary)

It's time for another The Bombardiers summary, guys! This round, we have another main character, Richard Ganth. That just leaves two more summaries before the character listing!

_________________

His parents believed in Altea. They used their life savings, their every connection, to get there. And the next thing he knew, his parents were gone. 

And no one seemed to notice.

He's spent his entire adolescence trying to figure out where they went and why no one remembers them. He's prayed to the God he follows secretly to guide him to the truth. 

And then they found out about him. 

They tore him from his home, from his job, from his search, and locked him away in a van. They tried to spirit him off to where he couldn't be found. They tried to erase him. Like they did his parents.

But they failed.

Because just as they found him, so did Xi.

And now that Richard Ganth know the truth about Altea, he's set his sights on a higher goal: it's destruction.

Novel: The Bombardiers (Sara's Summary)

It's time for another The Bombardiers summary, guys. I know you all have been waiting for it. This time, it centers around another main character, Sara Miller.

_______________

Sara's Summary

Sara's parents were born in Altea. So was her sister. So was she. She has grown up within the confines of the "perfect world," and she never doubted that it was all that it claimed to be. She has never in her memory been assaulted. She has never in her memory been afraid. She has never in her memory been worried about her well being or her future.

But after a single life-changing incident, Sara learns that her memory may have been lying to her all along.

She didn't mean to overhear them talking about the terrorist Xi. She was doing her job, her internship, doing inventory in a lonely supply room. And then they were there, standing outside the room, talking. And none of it would have amounted to anything if that camera hadn't been there the entire time, recording Sara's presence. 

And later, Sara thinks, after the memory of her entire existence has been erased from everyone she knows and loves, the camera should have been her first clue. But, she knows, it no longer matters how she ended up here, doing what she's doing. Because she wouldn't have it any other way.

She's a Bombardier, and if takes dismantling Altea piece by piece in order to get the world to see the atrocities its government has committed, then so be it. Because according to the world, Sara Miller no longer exists. And if Sara is nonexistent, then as far as she's concerned, she can do whatever the hell she wants.

And the only thing she wants is for Altea to fall.

Novel: The Bombardiers (Xi's Summary)

So, I've teased you enough about this, huh? Time for a first summary now!

__________________

Xi's summary

There is a nation. It's name it Altea. And for the last fifty years, it has been proclaimed the utopia of the world. Millions try to immigrate. Millions more lament their inability to do so. And governments from across the entire planet use Altea as a model of the perfect world.

Altea has no crime. It has no poverty. It has no conflict. It has no social issues.

Except it does.

And for the last five decades, the people who control Altea, the Prime Executives, have been keeping that a secret by using their own technology against the very citizens they pretend to protect. The criminals, the delinquents, the poor...they exist. And when they come into existence, they are promptly erased from it. 

And not a single person knows this.

Except Xi.

Xi sees the truth. Xi hears the truth. Xi knows the truth. And despite the Prime Executives best attempts, Xi exists.

And Xi will do anything and everything to prove to all of Altea and the rest of the world that the others do too.

Even if it means destroying the hopes and dreams of all humanity.

Novel: The Bombardiers (Second Peek)

Hi, it's time for another The Bombardiers peek! Still no full summary for you yet, but we'll get there.


(On a brief other note, I'll get around to the Supernatural premiere and Secret Circle Ep 2 reviews tomorrow. No time for them tonight! Ack!)

__________

"Recent reports confirm that Xi is not working alone..."

"Xi has banded together with several others..."

"Attacked the national army..."

"...stole highly advanced weaponry..."

They were different.

"Can anyone stop these monsters?"

"We don't know what they want..."

"No demands have been made..."

"It's baffling!"

And yet, they were alike.

"What could these people possibly hope to gain?"

"Why hasn't the government been able to stop them?"

"We have yet to receive word..."

"The Executives have been silent..."

They came together by chance.

"Today, seventy two lives were lost..."

"A medical facility, of all places...!"

"These monsters must be stopped!"

"Why does our government seem...?"

"Since we have been so helpless?"     

And they have only one goal.

"The people want the truth..."

"...starting the suspect the Executives aren't..."

"Are they being truthful?"

"Some are starting to think that..."

To expose the truth.

"How many people have to die?"

"The people are living in terror..."

"We're afraid..."

"We're all afraid..."

"...Of these people, these..."

Even if the world hates them for it.

"Today, they gave us a name..."

"...signed their work..."

"...left us their signature..."

"These monsters call themselves..."

"They call themselves..."

The Bombardiers      

Novel: The Bombardiers (First Peek)

So, NaNo is still pretty far off, but my new novel is already stewing and steaming in the back of my mind. For a long time, this idea wasn't a novel at all, just a random conglomeration of characters with amusing attitudes.

And then, the other day, whilst watching that one great fanmade scene for the Hunger Games movie (you know, this one) after being disappointed in the first official sneak peek...

...I had an idea.

I don't know where it came from (but then again I usually don't), but I did know it was the best thing I'd come up with in a long time.

So, without further ado, the first peak at The Bombardiers.

___________

"For the first time in the history of Altea..."
"Today, the first recorded crime in our history was committed..."
"An unknown criminal hacked into the Central Bank..."
"...hacked the system..."
"...stole 3.1 million dari..."
"...and left a message..."

Xi sees.

"The federal police still have no leads..."
"People everywhere are panicking...."
"Today, at the National Armory..."
"...another message..."

Xi hears.

"The Prime Executives held a emergency meeting..."
"During a meeting of the Executives today..."
"...their computers were hacked..."
"...and yet another message..."

Xi knows.

"Bystanders stopped walking and cars stopped moving..."
"The entire highway was backed up for miles..."
"Everyone was staring at it..."
"On every single public digital billboard..."
"...is this the last message?"

Xi is.

"The country is in an uproar..."
"How do we combat this unknown...?"
"The world wants to know..."
"Who is Xi?"