Well Christmas as always is a very busy time period, but I have given my story some attention.

Some of the later chapters have been refined storywise, and by that I mean I've updated them with more information and detail as I felt the small important notes were feeling lonely. This will all help my full drafts come together easier anyway, so in the long run this helps a lot, in the short it helped me get back in the mood for writing a proper full draft for Chapter 5: New Legs.

On another note, Chapter 5 itself got a big update, I went back over a large portion of it, and changed a big scene involving Ayithe and Bieum arguing. I've actually wrote that scene up about four times and for some reason, its nagged at me constantly(which is why I've re-wrote it again and again) but finally I wrote it up again a fifth time and I actually feel much better for it. I guess its one of those things, while I knew where the story was going and it ends up with the same conclusion regardless of how  write it, I knew it myself it wasn't right and needed changing.

Re-writing that part of Chapter 5 was about 3000 words in, and by changing it, it puts my mind at ease with that scene and refreshed my mind. So while it meant making bigger changes and deleting a large section from the chapter, I know I've re-wrote it much clearer and more interesting to read, everything makes more sense now.

Therefore last night  wrote about another 3000 words and even began drawing up some scenes in my art pad. I find this all so enjoyable and it makes me want to write more. While it's only a sketch, it looks rather good and when I put some more time into it, I'll post it up.

In terms of what chapter 5 is, its helping to expand upon more of the characters and who they are. This Chapter specifically explains some of Ayithe's past and why Gier and Bieum have a problem with her in the first place. However it also explains the differences between the two brothers and there relationship with Ayithe. This is why I suppose I wasn't happen with that scene and re-wrote it so many times before being happy. I also particularly hope this helps bring forward more reasons to why Ayithe is the way she is. Technically Chapter 4 started that off, but Chapter 5 helps bring more of that forward by answering some questions I felt needed some answers.

Overall at the moment, I'm at a much better half way point for chapter 5.

 

Busy times

Well, I've not updated over November, I guess I've just been that busy. However I did get time to spend on writing the latest chapter. I've edited it a lot from its first iteration, so I'm feeling happier with it, however its still not finished as I've had to concentrate on university work. I do however have plenty of time over Christmas to spend on it, so I hope to get the Chapter finished for then at least.


I also updated this blog visually, widened the blog and changed a few things along with the background picture and title. Hope it looks better than before. I know christmas is a busy time for everyone, but I guess this is how I spend my time lately, got plenty of people to be around but no one special to give time to, therefore my story is going to get some much needed attention.

David -

A Bit of the story outline

Here's some information on where the story starts...thought I'd post this up today in between my other work. Maybe get people interested?

Story Outline

Ayithe Solete is a young beautiful strong woman who lives in a large town known as Rium. Living with her older brother and parents they live a fairly simple lifestyle, but simple doesn’t mean easy. Ayithe and her brother follow in the footsteps of their parents of being a Regional Fighter. Regional Fighters are not just thugs, but people who fight for prestige, courage, prominence and of course money. All fighters must strictly follow the Fighters Code; to fight only on agreed terms, to never fight to the death, to fight within a declared area safe from others, and when wearing a fighters badge to act responsible at all times. While only fighters who have participated in league tournaments can wear the badge, word travels fast in Toltheria and Carnus so reputations grow quickly for those who wish to start out.

The success of Ayithe’s family has earned them a statutory home with Rium, and Toltheria prides itself on its fighting tradition and family names are eager to keep their homes as famous as their victories. Ayithe believes she has a lot to live up to since her parents rise to fame, and while her older brother has had more time to adapt, Ayithe’s temper often holds back her own real skill and determination. Leaving Rium and the North of Toltheria for the first time, Ayithe is free to explore the world properly with her brother. Yet things quickly go wrong, leaving Ayithe the dramatic realization that the rest of the world is very different to that of her own. Losing everything and everyone important to her, Ayithe is taken to the lowest point of her life before discovering that her shocking journey has only just begun.

Toltheria

Toltheria is Large Island within the massive Continent of Carnus, a world where Dragons and other creatures roam free and break up the ever growing population of humans that dominate the land. The large human population has over grown what the Royal Family can now cover, new Sheriffs have been appointed to take charge over various regions and cities. The Royal Family have moved away from the beautiful Toltherian Island and now reside in Carnus to keep better control of their vast land, while Toltheria has since been left under the authority of it's Prince and Sheriffs.

Toltheria is a large Island with a mountainous north with a flatter south, but the man feature of Toltheria is its great forest that cover's the majority of the island leaving all the human settlements to cover the outer rim of the island away from the dangers of the creature's that reside inside. Toltheria is also the birth place and resting place of the great wizard Shalan, who's fanatics have created there own cult that are based in Solonce.

More important information!

Firstly a late post since I said I'd update on weekend, but o well plenty to update.

I had a chat with some people who have read the first couple of chapters and one opinion I got was about the Prologue was that they believed the story was going to be about Shalan's Vengeful spirit. (If you don't know who Shalan is read the prologue which I posted up early in this blog.) Therefore he believed it was a predictable storyline. I have quickly assured him he was wrong and to keep reading.

I have received positive feedback after that, but since he expressed that opinion I thought I would bring it up in case anyone else had that opinion. It does make me wonder if I should change the prologue encase it really does give across that impression too strongly? I'll take it into consideration and wait for some more opinions.

I haven't done as much work on Chapter 5 this week, but when I get chance between my university work I'll continue again as I'm really enjoying writing it and have no intention of stopping.

Meanwhile, here are some more updated title designs I've been working on. New fonts and layout. The first wooden design is actually by Ronald, someone who's been proof reading my story, its nice and clear and stands out much more over the rocky one that I've done. I like the rocky one especially with the new font and its actually pretty clear in when its larger, but once its smaller it becomes unclear. The third one, is a simpler design, again I changed the font and I've actually come to liking it the most so far.



I have also decided that the first few chapters will be released onto my Facebook group page. These will be the fully updated, proof read versions that you would expect to find in the final story. I won't release full versions of the rest of the story as I'll save them for the finished version, but hopefully it'll give those interested a preview and see what they think, hopefully making you want to read the rest.

Here's a link to the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/410532333792/

If that doesn't work, then search for: Fully Aware -Novel-

I guess I've not been as slow as I thought I would be, and I managed to get a chunk more done of Chapter 5. I decided to re-write a certain scene since I didn't like it, and its made me feel more comfortable with the chapter now.

I also recently had a new reader, who really enjoyed what I've written so far. I guess I decided I wasn't going to post this all up since I was actually putting alot of effort into it and thought it should all wait until it's all done and redy for reading, however I realise its important to get some views to ensure I'm still on track. So far all is well.

I am actually planning on putting up more information, but I'm not on the right computer at the moment, so i'll get back on it and update!

Slowing down

Been working hard on Chapter 5: New Legs, but now I've started University again, it's likely I may be a little slow on this. However I will keep up whenever I can, I'm about a third of the way into the chapter at the moment after I decided to edit an important scene to make more sense.



Recently my proof reader has been great and helped a lot of some things I missed when writing, reminds me how easy it is to miss your own mistakes when you know it all in your head and don't realize you've either not explained something properly, or miss-spelled.

I'll give a better bigger update on my next post.

More Chapter's finished!

Alright, an update! A new re-hash at the title, stands out a bit more for sure and the font is growing on me, so I better find a new one quick before forget the Y looks like an N. Either way I made a more simplified version as well, which I rather like.

More importantly though: Chapter 3 was re-written and changed to "Chapter 3: Pushed to the Edge." I've now also finished "Chapter 4: A Lost Soul." and am now currently working on Chapter 5, which is called "New Legs" I'm chuffed that since re-starting this project properly in July that I have managed to write up all these chapters, I do try proof read everything myself, but its never easy spotting your own mistakes, so my proof readers have been helping me out too.

I recently finished up another Chapter, and while I work on the next I decided to post up some more information, here is a map I created to help visualize the world of Toltheria. Also, there's an mock up of what the title could look like on the front of the story. I'm still debating what to do about the font, as its not the easiest to read, however it looks nice, so its still subject to change.

So far I've changed a lot after I really wanted to make this a strong good story. I have added in a new character to help fill in a spot I felt was empty that was important to help express more of Ayithe's personality.

I suppose It would be good of me to give some brief information on some of the characters within the story. I'll give some more information again at another tome but for now:

Ayithe Solete; The Main character, Ayithe is a young beautiful woman who is looking to really make an impact within her profession of being a fighter. Sitting in her families and brothers shadow, she has a lot of weight on her shoulders to impress with her famous family name.

Raine Shallows; Ayithe's best friend growing up. Raine is a herbalist who follows in her parents foot steps as well. However with little to no pressure on what she is doing with her life, Raine is rather relaxed and free. This works well for Ayithe as she knows she doesn't need to compete with Raine and allows them to freely enjoy each others company.

Arckry Solete; Ayithe's older brother. Arckry is a young and promising fighter, having won a junior fighting tournament when he was growing up, and continuing with a polished record he too carries on his families famous name. Having done so well already, he has also proved to be a rock for when Ayithe has needed it, he strives to be the best fighter who Ayithe follows closely.

Dreach Borundis; The main antagonist. Dreach has a lot of famous ties but is unaware of it, however having become aware of some magical powers he possesses he believes himself to be indestructible and therefore better than everyone else. He gets what he wants when he wants, and cares little for other peoples feelings.

Gier Durtun; Ayithe's main rival as they grew up. Gier has a long standing rivalry with Ayithe, growing up they both came up through the ranks within Rium's famous fighting academy. While there is no distinct hate between the two, both have always wanted to be better than the other and this has caused problems between their families.

Bieum Durtun; Giers older brother, and Toltheria's Regional Champion. Famous for being the current regional Champion Bieum is highly skilled with a blade. He believes in true professionalism and honour when it comes to fighting. Having repeatedly been bothered by his young brother Giers fighting with Ayithe, he holds little respect for her.

Descient; A Darkling. A mysterious Darkling of great age, the very creature that any human would run away from in terror. Descient is clever though, and sees more than just killing for food or fun.

Raslin Icewind; A kind young man who is trying to escape from his previous life. While he has done no wrong, he is haunted with under-confidence, and must believe it himself before he can truly be the person he wishes to be.

More to be posted up in future....

Here's the actual short prelude for the story:

Prelude: The beginning.

One thousand years ago, in the small country of Toltheria, one of the world’s most powerful wizards was reaching a grand old age of ninety nine. His name was Shalan and being a proud and stubborn man, he had learnt magic solely to become the most powerful man in the known world. Upon reaching such power he became arrogant and selfish, refusing to allow others to get close to him and believing he was better than any other man.

His magical powers and prestige earned him a seat in the King’s Royal Court, and very quickly he became the king’s right hand. He remained by the king’s side for over sixty years, and it was only as he reached his nineties that he began to feel his humanity as old age really started to take a toll on him. He had become so attached to his magic he no longer needed to walk around, choosing to levitate between any locations. He could create basic food or water from thin air and control and pick up any object with a simple thought in his mind.

However, magic requires a lot of strength and concentration, and his body was beginning to weaken. One thing he could never do was reverse the effects of aging, and until now, it has never really bothered him. The next year was now very important, he decided he had to find a cure, or he had to find a spell that could fix his aging problems.

Nothing could do it, even his own attempts to cast his own spell failed to make any impact on his age. Eventually he gave up, and sat down staring out of his window, lost in thought to why he should have to die like any other man. Surely he had proved he was greater than anyone else, why else would the king give him the room at the top of the tallest castle tower. He could see the entire kingdom from his window; the fortified city around the castle, the towns in the distance over the large grass fields and the mighty forests that stretched right up to the mountains.

He stared at a dragon flying in the distance, normally it would be cause for alarm, but he simply didn’t care. The large fire dragon flew gracefully for its size, its eyes searching the forest below for prey. They ate everything, especially humans, and unfortified towns and villages were easy targets for a hunting dragon. Dragons were most dangerous because of their size, but also because of their near immunity to magic. Only the most powerful wizards could affect a dragon, and they were few and far between.

It was only as Shalan stared at the Dragon he remembered that Dragons were known for living for thousands of years. What if he could harness the aging properties of a dragon, then he could have another thousand years to find a cure from death. Shalan did not just stop there, as his ideas swarmed his mind, he began getting carried away, and decided to capture a variety of Dragons and steal the best properties he could think of.

Leaving the castle he gathered the help from the five greatest mercenaries in all of Toltheria. Shalan and the mercenaries led by Dumatar Borundis ventured across Toltheria and the greater continent of Carnus in one last attempt to extend Shalans age. Feeling he had little time, and such a power spell to finish with, he captured what he could before taking five dragons to a famous clearing within Toltheria for what would be the greatest spell of his life. With help from the some mercenaries, they pinned the five creatures to the ground in a pentagon shape. The five dragons they had managed to capture were; a Fire Dragon, a Soul Dragon, a Dark Dragon, a Wind Dragon and lastly a Sand Dragon. Shalan opted to take one property from each; health regeneration, telepathy, immunity to disease, telescopic sight the life span of a dragon. As the mercenaries asked for their pay, the wizard pinned them to the ground with magical chains, forcing each of the five men to kneel in front of a dragon.

Unaware of what the wizard had planned the mercenaries were caught off guard and were bound before they could do anything about it. Shalan laughed, his dream of a longer life was finally coming true. First, the men would become vessels for the powers, ensuring that each of the powers were not volatile to the human body, then Shalan would harvest the powers for himself.

Reaching up in the air, Shalan chanted, his hands glowed and sparks filled the air around the clearing. The men shouted in resistance, and the dragons roared as they fought to free themselves. Then a large lightening strike ripped down from the skies and into the hands of Shalan, each dragon collapsed dead and a glowing mist ripped from their chests before flying into the surrounding mercenaries. Each of the men remained alive and Shalan laughed with delight as his spell began to work.

However, with one final lightening strike Shalan screamed in pain and the five mercenaries were lifted from the ground and sent flying into the surrounding trees. A loud clap of thunder roared over the land and a white light ripped out of Shalan’s body, turning him into a bloody mist.

Shalan was never seen again, and each of the mercenaries was scarred across their right cheek for the rest of their lives. Returning to the King, the powerless Mercenaries told the king what had happened to Shalan, the supposed greatest wizard in history. It is now believed that no man can ever extend his life beyond its capability and Shalan’s books with his spells remain encased in an honorary tomb in the small town of Solonce near the east coast of Toltheria.

It is now legend over Toltheria that Shalan’s Spirit is still searching for the descendants of the mercenaries to steal back the powers that they received. The five mercenaries stayed close for many years after the incident believing he would return to finish the job. Passing the knowledge down through their generations it was finally decided to split the group, only the family line of Dumatar Borundis retained the knowledge. While the remaining blood lines separated with no knowledge of each other, in hope that if Shalan would ever return, he would not be able to find them.

Fully Aware my Novel

Here I'm going to be posting up information about my story. This is a fantasy story about my fictional characters, mainly and primarily about "Ayithe Solete"and what happens to her in her life.

This is a new direction for me, and a big change to the basic writing I have grown up doing. However now with this story, I plan to put together the full fantasy world in which my characters live. I guess in a way you could compare it to the type of world LOTR is in, that's the basic style I'm aiming for, but I always prefer to write my own stuff and keep it original so it is not the same world, just similar in style.

This first story is called I would like to title to full story as: "The Toltherian Chronicles - Fully Aware" but I guess that like a variety of other things is subject to change. For now, it will remain as "Fully Aware".

So I'll keep this up to date as I progress.

I have a group on Facebook as well called: "Fully Aware -Novel-" where I keep some more information as well as some followers who have been nice enough to take an interest.

So things of note about what I've written so far:

Prelude: The beginning.
Chapter 0: Leaving Home.
Chapter 1: Broken, Changed, Forever.
Chapter 2: Descient.
Chapter 3: A little help. (In Progress)