Long piece 2. 4.5 pages. This would be presented in a book proposal or query.
Part I -- LEAVING BEHIND VINES
The elaborate stained glass windows threw rainbow light on dark wooden floor of the king’s study. Sapphire eyes stared at the patterns as his mind played over everything that he needed to say. In a few minutes his advisor would be here. There had been suspicious deaths in the stronghold and King Tantin did not like the way it looked. It did not matter how he looked at it everything lead back to his advisor Kaladron Fairbanks. Each person that had died had a unique connection to Kaladron as the bodies stacked up Tantin could no longer deny the fact that his advisor was a prime suspect. A knock came at the door. “Come in.” Tantin called in his velvety voice.
“My lord you requested my presence?” Kaladron said as he entered. The brown haired elf wore a simple outfit of black with a dark green cape about his shoulders.
“Indeed I did. Do come in and take a seat.” Tantin gestured to the chair that opposite him. The king straightened and leaned forward to rest his elbows on the mahogany desk.
“What is it I can do for you my king?” Kaladron’s oily voice grated on Tantin’s nerves more then it normally did.
“I would like to speak with you about the deaths.” Tantin felt a cold sweat break out on his palms. The air had suddenly changed. The light atmosphere of a moment ago was shattered by a sinister air and the king became apprehensive.
“Very well my liege. What is it that I can do to help you catch this murderer?” Kaladron’s eyes sparked. He crossed his legs and leaned back in the chair in a nonaggressive pose.
“Well I looked into each person who has died and it seems…” Tantin took a deep breath. The fact that he had to do this scared him but he knew he had to do this. “That the last time they were all seen was with you.”
“Are you saying that I am the killer?”
“I am merely stating a fact.” Tantin clasped his hands together to keep the fact they were shaking away from the elf opposite him. Kaladron’s eyes seemed to go from their normal chestnut color to black. Tantin tried to pass it off as a trick of the light but when the brunette leaned in close Tantin saw that his eyes had changed colors.
“So you are saying that I am the likely killer? That I had the brains and guts to kill those people then rip them to shreds? Is that what you’re saying that I could do that to another?”
Tantin tried to swallow because his throat felt a little too dry. “I… I was only saying what I had found out. I have not accused you of anything. I wanted your word that you had not killed them.” He said the last four words with force.
“Well…” Kaladron stood up and turned his back to Tantin. If the king had been able to see the wolfish grin on his advisor’s face then he would have know what was coming. “I am afraid that I cannot do that.”
“What?” Tantin stood and placed his hands on the desk. The golden haired king raised an eyebrow in shock as he looked at Kaladron’s back.
“I believe you heard me my liege. I cannot give you my word that I did not kill those people.” Kaladron spun around and mirrored Tantin’s stance.
“So you are saying you killed all those people.”
“Indeed I am.”
Shock coursed through Tantin’s veins. Kaladron had just admitted that he was the killer and here he was alone with the man. “Then I shall have to call the guards in.” Yes I must get the guards in here as soon as possible. Tantin thought as he straightened and made for the door.
“I cannot allow you to do that my lord.” The crooked grin on the advisor’s face made Tantin shiver in fear as he took an unconscious step backwards. Kaladron stalked toward his king with a wickedly curved dagger. Tantin gulped and opened his mouth to yell but his vocal chords would not work and air rushed out of his lungs in a silent scream. “You have something I want and we can make a fair exchange. You can keep your filthy life if you give me The Armlet.”
Icy fear twined up Tantin’s spine as he considered the deal. It seemed that either way Kaladron would get The Armlet of Exyel. Was it worth saving his own life if his country, Exyel, would be thrown into chaos? Yet there was still a chance that he could escape. After all it was only a few running steps to the door then after that… there must be people in the halls. Thoughts and ideas were running through Tantin’s head yet he could not choose a plan to follow through with. All of them kept leading to dead ends; Tantin knew he had to choose the option that would be best for his country instead of himself. “So what is your answer?” Kaladron was right in front of Tantin and it seemed that his body worked all on its own. The king’s fist balled up and slammed into Kaladron’s face.
Bone cracked and blood spurted as Kaladron took a reeling step backwards. It was now or never. The blonde ducked under a clumsily thrown punch and dashed for the door. A dagger thumped into Tantin’s shoulder; the impact spun him sideways and off balance. “Guards!” he roared as his hands connected with the floor. A growl issued from Kaladron’s throat as he rushed the downed king; his booted foot connected with the elf’s stomach and he wretched. Another kick and blood was spat onto the floor as Tantin fell face fist onto the rainbow washed wood.
“You should have just handed it over when you could.” Kaladron purred as the thudding of boots began to permeate the room. “I hate to have to do this to you. After all you had such promise but the Herald of Darkness thanks you.” Thick fingers grasped the king’s arm intending to pull the Armlet of Exyel off.
“Never.” Tantin said through gritted teeth. Pain throbbed in his body and he just wanted to fall into the welcoming arms of unconsciousness. But with his remaining strength he rolled to the side so he could line his left foot up for a kick. The air rushed from Kaladron’s lungs at the impact and as he gasped for his lost breath the door out in the king’s waiting room was opened.
Kaladron slammed his fist into Tantin’s temple making the king’s vision swim. All thoughts of his own safety and life were out of his head as he tried to keep The Armlet on his arm but it slid down with the help of Kaladron. The door to the study banged open and the small detainment of guards rushed in. Kaladron ripped The Armlet off of Tantin’s limp arm and ran over to the window. “My Lord!” the captain said then his eyes slid to Kaladron who was clutching The Armlet to his chest. “Seize him!” the captain fell to his knees by his king’s side.
The last thing Tantin saw before he blacked out was the stained glass window shattering into thousands of pieces. Kaladron let out a cackle as he jumped out into the day light. Despair washed over the king as his eyes slid closed. He had failed Exyel… The Armlet was now in The Herald’s possession. All was lost…
I
Silence swirled on the eddies of warm air as the silver haired woman leaned back from the scrying bowl. An exasperated sigh escaped her lips as she saw King Paris was meeting with his war council planning to attack Pallenor Dar. “Elves are such a dim race. How can Paris and Pallenor continue this frivolous war?” she said in the multi-toned voice of her Dragon heritage. “How can they not see the damage which thirty thousand elsons of war has brought upon their country? Do they just ignore the barren planes of blood tainted dirt? Kings are supposed to put their country’s needs above all else yet every king after Tantin has brought nothing but heartache and ruin to their people.” her fists clenched as she sank into a wing-backed chair in front of the fire. As she seethed the flames leapt at her anger and devoured the logs in the fireplace.
Zayden’Ash knew she should not care so much about what happened to her southern neighbors. But something inside of her drew her to the plight of Exyel. The pointless Thirty Thousand Elson Civil War had devastated the once proud country. Now the dying land lay in the shadow of its former glory as generation after generation was nursed on hate and weaned on death. Sisters lost brothers to a forgotten cause. Wives lost husbands to fruitless battles. Mother’s lost sons never to be found on the bloody plains of combat. Pain had locked its iron grip around the heart of Exyel and only the reuniting of The Armlet of Exyel could ever loosen that grip.
Many times in the past the silver haired queen had tried to intervene and help but each time her plans had been thwarted. Not this time. She would not let her plan fail for she had spent too much time weaving the spells and making the preparations. Everything was falling into place and she refused to let victory slip between her figners.
The queen stood, straightened her green velvet dress and made for the door. Just before she left she turned and waved a hand at the fire that immediately reduced itself to burning embers. The light from the hall torch made her silver hair gleam copper then sapphire as the light caught it just right.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
long piece 1
short story... 3 pages
Feathers And Glass
By: Taylor R. Vangclear
The beautiful mosaic square reflected in crystalline eyes as Dove stared out her window. The warm summer sun was shining bright outside and the warmth washed over cool, pale, skin. A tinkling sigh escaped between chilly lips. Slowly Dove stood. With great care she picked up her right foot and set it carefully down in front of her left. Then she slowly moved her left foot to complete the step. That step took her close to the window and the entire square was now visible. With the up most care Dove set her cold hand on the stone sill and a small tink rang out at the contact. People were dancing in the square for the midsummer festivities. Longing beat in the princess’s heart as the music played through her head. How lovely it would be to not worry about your every step. After sighing again Dove turned her eyes to the sky. Pigeons flew there and cooed in mid-flight. A lone white dove flew among them. “I wish I could fly with you.” she sigh to the birds. “It would be so much better than watching time pass me by. I cannot remember my youth, but it must have been horrible. Having to watch my every move. For if I don’t I suppose I shall break… as all glass things do when they are treated carelessly.” Dove lamented.
With small careful steps Dove moved away from the window. Every step made her heart beat fast for she was afraid that she would shatter into pieces. But she liked to hear her heart race because the sound reminded her of bird’s wings meting and parting. After many long minutes Dove sat in her study. Birds flew around her window as she began to sing. Her voice sang of the sweetest thing, love. Something that she had never had and never would have. For the first kiss would surely kill her. Yet she sang on because it was such a beautiful concept to her.
Many hours were spent in front of her mirror as she wondered why people feared her so. “If I were to break and disappear would I ever be missed?” she mused aloud as she slowly tilted her head to the left. Then she carefully ran a thin finger over her arm. To the touch her skin was smooth and cold. “Am I truly alive? Will I ever grow old? Am I just magic? Or is there a heart inside this glass cage?” she asked the birds that flew around outside. They answered her with light cooing. Then a white dove sat on the stone sill. “Shoo. Don’t come in to my dreadful prison!” Dove called to the bird. It cocked its head sideways then flew off. Then her heart felt sad and she did not know why.
The same thing happened again the next day. The white dove sat on the windowsill then Dove shooed it off. It happened again the next day.
And the next.
And the next.
Till one evening as the sun was setting it flew into her silent prison. “Please you must go. You cannot stay here. I am so still and you move so quick. You must fly free so you do not die. I cannot help you free for I am glass and will surely shatter…” Dove stood and started to walk toward the fluttering dove. “Please leave. You must go fly for my days are nothing if I cannot watch you in the blue sky.” the dove landed on the seat she had just left and it looked at her as if it understood her every word. “Please pretty dove. You must leave.”
It seemed as if the dove understood her for it spread its wings. Then the sun flared and blinded away all sight for an instant. When the sun faded there standing where the dove had been was a handsome young man with hair a deep mahogany and eyes a fresh green. Dove’s heart beat fast with an emotion she had never felt before as he hoped down from the chair. He spoke in a whisper as if his voice alone would shatter the princess. “I have watched you for a long time now and I had to see if what my heart tells me is real.” he said in a voice that was simply enchanting. “I think I’m in love with you.”
“I am a princess made of glass. Whatever your heart tells you must be false.”
“How can my love be false if I feel my heart beating with it?” the dove boy said as he took a step toward Dove. She carefully took a step backwards.
“But what hope is there for a dove boy and a princess of glass? Our love would only last till our first kiss. Then I would shatter and break and it would all be for naught.” she said in a tone filled with sadness.
“If you want me to leave then I shall leave you here in this prison of yours.” the dove boy’s face fell.
“I am so sorry… but it does not seem fair. You can move about without the fear of breaking while I must watch my every move. Everything I do brings me fear.” Dove’s eyes filled with small crystal tears.
“But if it was for love would it be worth it?” he pleaded.
“I know not. I fear death as much as any. Perhaps even more because everything I do could be my end. Every step might be my last. It is no way to live a life.”
“As you wish my love. I will admire you from afar.” And with that he was a white dove flying out the window.
Dove’s heart felt heavy and crystal tears trickled to the floor only to shatter into pieces. Her only chance for freedom and she had thrown it away. “And for what? This quiet hell? I live here and watch time pass day after day. Perhaps shattering would be a small price to pay for a kiss.” she looked to the window that the dove boy had flown through and she knew that there was no chance for love now.
Dove sat very still in her chair by the window day in and day out. It was the only place in her lonely tower that she could see the white dove perched on the roof across the way. The sun rose and set over the mosaic square and Dove watched with a heart full of longing as the dove boy would flutter away at night only to reappear the next dawn. She would sing to the birds and to the dove boy. But he never came back. After many cycles of the moon Dove stood from her chair and set one glass foot carefully in front of the other to walk away from the window. That was when she heard the flutter of wings. Slowly Dove turned to see the white dove hopping around on the floor. After a flash of light the dove was a handsome boy once again and her heart beat fast. The dove boy smiled as tears filled his emerald eyes. He spoke in a whisper. “I have watched you now and I know what my heart tells me is true. You cannot live hear bound by your fear. For when you listen to your heart what is it you hear?”
“My fear is very real. I’m a princess of glass and I’m destined to shatter. But I shall answer your question since you’ve been around so long. I dream I’m a bird and this glass but a mask. So when I listen to my heart I hear the beating of wings.” Tears filled her eyes as she looked at the handsome dove boy. Slowly he stretched out his hand. Although she feared his touch she longed for it.
“My heart burns for you as I look into your eyes. If I cannot have you then I am willing to die, to shatter, to taste my first kiss. I will regret nothing, and I have nothing to lose. So please don’t hesitate.” she whispered and took careful steps toward the dove boy. He took her face ever so lightly into his hands and guided her close till their lips met and she felt bliss like nothing she had ever felt.
Then the pain seized her body from her lips to the tips of her toes it tore her apart. The thin shards cut the dove boys fingers and lips, leaving them bloodied and scraped. Her last scream gripped his heart like an iron fist, leaving it no room to beat. The glass hit the floor in shards of death.
But her heart was still beating, it was all that was left. And as he had known in his heart it would be, there sat a dove as white as could be. She was a dove and now she was free from the glass cage that had bound the her for too long. Out of her prison together they flew, to cast off all fears and shatter a lie.
Feathers And Glass
By: Taylor R. Vangclear
The beautiful mosaic square reflected in crystalline eyes as Dove stared out her window. The warm summer sun was shining bright outside and the warmth washed over cool, pale, skin. A tinkling sigh escaped between chilly lips. Slowly Dove stood. With great care she picked up her right foot and set it carefully down in front of her left. Then she slowly moved her left foot to complete the step. That step took her close to the window and the entire square was now visible. With the up most care Dove set her cold hand on the stone sill and a small tink rang out at the contact. People were dancing in the square for the midsummer festivities. Longing beat in the princess’s heart as the music played through her head. How lovely it would be to not worry about your every step. After sighing again Dove turned her eyes to the sky. Pigeons flew there and cooed in mid-flight. A lone white dove flew among them. “I wish I could fly with you.” she sigh to the birds. “It would be so much better than watching time pass me by. I cannot remember my youth, but it must have been horrible. Having to watch my every move. For if I don’t I suppose I shall break… as all glass things do when they are treated carelessly.” Dove lamented.
With small careful steps Dove moved away from the window. Every step made her heart beat fast for she was afraid that she would shatter into pieces. But she liked to hear her heart race because the sound reminded her of bird’s wings meting and parting. After many long minutes Dove sat in her study. Birds flew around her window as she began to sing. Her voice sang of the sweetest thing, love. Something that she had never had and never would have. For the first kiss would surely kill her. Yet she sang on because it was such a beautiful concept to her.
Many hours were spent in front of her mirror as she wondered why people feared her so. “If I were to break and disappear would I ever be missed?” she mused aloud as she slowly tilted her head to the left. Then she carefully ran a thin finger over her arm. To the touch her skin was smooth and cold. “Am I truly alive? Will I ever grow old? Am I just magic? Or is there a heart inside this glass cage?” she asked the birds that flew around outside. They answered her with light cooing. Then a white dove sat on the stone sill. “Shoo. Don’t come in to my dreadful prison!” Dove called to the bird. It cocked its head sideways then flew off. Then her heart felt sad and she did not know why.
The same thing happened again the next day. The white dove sat on the windowsill then Dove shooed it off. It happened again the next day.
And the next.
And the next.
Till one evening as the sun was setting it flew into her silent prison. “Please you must go. You cannot stay here. I am so still and you move so quick. You must fly free so you do not die. I cannot help you free for I am glass and will surely shatter…” Dove stood and started to walk toward the fluttering dove. “Please leave. You must go fly for my days are nothing if I cannot watch you in the blue sky.” the dove landed on the seat she had just left and it looked at her as if it understood her every word. “Please pretty dove. You must leave.”
It seemed as if the dove understood her for it spread its wings. Then the sun flared and blinded away all sight for an instant. When the sun faded there standing where the dove had been was a handsome young man with hair a deep mahogany and eyes a fresh green. Dove’s heart beat fast with an emotion she had never felt before as he hoped down from the chair. He spoke in a whisper as if his voice alone would shatter the princess. “I have watched you for a long time now and I had to see if what my heart tells me is real.” he said in a voice that was simply enchanting. “I think I’m in love with you.”
“I am a princess made of glass. Whatever your heart tells you must be false.”
“How can my love be false if I feel my heart beating with it?” the dove boy said as he took a step toward Dove. She carefully took a step backwards.
“But what hope is there for a dove boy and a princess of glass? Our love would only last till our first kiss. Then I would shatter and break and it would all be for naught.” she said in a tone filled with sadness.
“If you want me to leave then I shall leave you here in this prison of yours.” the dove boy’s face fell.
“I am so sorry… but it does not seem fair. You can move about without the fear of breaking while I must watch my every move. Everything I do brings me fear.” Dove’s eyes filled with small crystal tears.
“But if it was for love would it be worth it?” he pleaded.
“I know not. I fear death as much as any. Perhaps even more because everything I do could be my end. Every step might be my last. It is no way to live a life.”
“As you wish my love. I will admire you from afar.” And with that he was a white dove flying out the window.
Dove’s heart felt heavy and crystal tears trickled to the floor only to shatter into pieces. Her only chance for freedom and she had thrown it away. “And for what? This quiet hell? I live here and watch time pass day after day. Perhaps shattering would be a small price to pay for a kiss.” she looked to the window that the dove boy had flown through and she knew that there was no chance for love now.
Dove sat very still in her chair by the window day in and day out. It was the only place in her lonely tower that she could see the white dove perched on the roof across the way. The sun rose and set over the mosaic square and Dove watched with a heart full of longing as the dove boy would flutter away at night only to reappear the next dawn. She would sing to the birds and to the dove boy. But he never came back. After many cycles of the moon Dove stood from her chair and set one glass foot carefully in front of the other to walk away from the window. That was when she heard the flutter of wings. Slowly Dove turned to see the white dove hopping around on the floor. After a flash of light the dove was a handsome boy once again and her heart beat fast. The dove boy smiled as tears filled his emerald eyes. He spoke in a whisper. “I have watched you now and I know what my heart tells me is true. You cannot live hear bound by your fear. For when you listen to your heart what is it you hear?”
“My fear is very real. I’m a princess of glass and I’m destined to shatter. But I shall answer your question since you’ve been around so long. I dream I’m a bird and this glass but a mask. So when I listen to my heart I hear the beating of wings.” Tears filled her eyes as she looked at the handsome dove boy. Slowly he stretched out his hand. Although she feared his touch she longed for it.
“My heart burns for you as I look into your eyes. If I cannot have you then I am willing to die, to shatter, to taste my first kiss. I will regret nothing, and I have nothing to lose. So please don’t hesitate.” she whispered and took careful steps toward the dove boy. He took her face ever so lightly into his hands and guided her close till their lips met and she felt bliss like nothing she had ever felt.
Then the pain seized her body from her lips to the tips of her toes it tore her apart. The thin shards cut the dove boys fingers and lips, leaving them bloodied and scraped. Her last scream gripped his heart like an iron fist, leaving it no room to beat. The glass hit the floor in shards of death.
But her heart was still beating, it was all that was left. And as he had known in his heart it would be, there sat a dove as white as could be. She was a dove and now she was free from the glass cage that had bound the her for too long. Out of her prison together they flew, to cast off all fears and shatter a lie.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Short Peices
My short pieces for my portfolio are (1) an overview/ teaser for The Snowy Waste and (2) a biography each of which are a page or shorter.
THE SOWY WASTE
The thriving country of Exyel slips into civil war after their national treasure The Armlet of Exyel is broken apart. It’s only hope of ever finding peace again lays in the hands of the prophesized Quest Quartet. In the first decades after the outbreak of war people were hopeful that these Questers would arise. But after 30,000 years of bloody battles the Quest Quartet is nothing but a child’s tale. Yet this does not faze three motley friends from taking up the task. Jamie Stean of Vanton, Nealock Jordan of Flar and Billy Bones set out from the small vineyard town of Flar to seek the only thing that will save their dying country. Although each has their own motive Billy’s is the purist because he, Sir Tantin Exyel, will remain in the form of a skeleton until his country once again resides in peace. So he joins up in hopes of bringing Exyel back to the magnificence it knew when he was king. The three leave in hopes that the tale of The Quest Quartet will be like the ones told by bards where they fought valiantly and conquered evil with no effort. What they never expected was for them to get swept up into a power struggle between Darkness and Queen Zayden'Ash of the Dragons. They did not foresee one them leaving to accomplish good for the quest and giving her life for it. Zayden'Ash is the savior of the motley group but also the puppeteer of it. She has the power to make the search for The Armlet an easy task yet she with holds her power in hopes of making The Quest Quartet a story to be told for an eternity. When the Quest Quartet threatens to fall to pieces will someone step up and push them toward finding the second piece? Or will they all fall to Darkness?
Biography
Taylor Vangclear grew up in the hills of New Jersey with her family. As a dyslexic child she never wrote much. But one summer her older brother decided that he was going to write a book; she decided that she also wanted to write. It was the summer before eight grade that Taylor started to plan out and write her series. It was also that summer that Taylor decided she would be a published author before she graduated high school. All through high school she wrote. Many of her publications were in class anthologies and some stories in Voorhees High School Images Magazine. But it wasn’t till her senior year that she realized she did not have anything published that was noteworthy so she assumed she would not be published before graduation. It was the middle of September that Taylor started working every spare minute on a new novel project that was published June 2009 ten days before she graduated high school.
Taylor is now working on The Cycle of Tomorrows which consists of three series, two quartets and a trilogy, and three individual novels. She is also part of the Long Beach Island Writers Grope that meets twice a month. She is an active member during the summer attending meetings and she has given a presentation on getting published and what you need to do. During the school year Taylor gives workshops at her old middle school and high school. This May she will have her first book signing ad reading that she arranged on her own and independent of her publisher. She has also arranged to speak at three libraries in Ocean County this summer.
When she is finishes editing The Snowy Waste which is the first book in The Quest Quartet Taylor is going to send it to Daw Books in hopes that they will approve it and publish it. When the first book in The Quest Quartet is accepted she will focus on completing the rest of the series in a timely manner so she can move on the complete the other series in The Cycle of Tomorrows and work on other novel projects.
THE SOWY WASTE
The thriving country of Exyel slips into civil war after their national treasure The Armlet of Exyel is broken apart. It’s only hope of ever finding peace again lays in the hands of the prophesized Quest Quartet. In the first decades after the outbreak of war people were hopeful that these Questers would arise. But after 30,000 years of bloody battles the Quest Quartet is nothing but a child’s tale. Yet this does not faze three motley friends from taking up the task. Jamie Stean of Vanton, Nealock Jordan of Flar and Billy Bones set out from the small vineyard town of Flar to seek the only thing that will save their dying country. Although each has their own motive Billy’s is the purist because he, Sir Tantin Exyel, will remain in the form of a skeleton until his country once again resides in peace. So he joins up in hopes of bringing Exyel back to the magnificence it knew when he was king. The three leave in hopes that the tale of The Quest Quartet will be like the ones told by bards where they fought valiantly and conquered evil with no effort. What they never expected was for them to get swept up into a power struggle between Darkness and Queen Zayden'Ash of the Dragons. They did not foresee one them leaving to accomplish good for the quest and giving her life for it. Zayden'Ash is the savior of the motley group but also the puppeteer of it. She has the power to make the search for The Armlet an easy task yet she with holds her power in hopes of making The Quest Quartet a story to be told for an eternity. When the Quest Quartet threatens to fall to pieces will someone step up and push them toward finding the second piece? Or will they all fall to Darkness?
Biography
Taylor Vangclear grew up in the hills of New Jersey with her family. As a dyslexic child she never wrote much. But one summer her older brother decided that he was going to write a book; she decided that she also wanted to write. It was the summer before eight grade that Taylor started to plan out and write her series. It was also that summer that Taylor decided she would be a published author before she graduated high school. All through high school she wrote. Many of her publications were in class anthologies and some stories in Voorhees High School Images Magazine. But it wasn’t till her senior year that she realized she did not have anything published that was noteworthy so she assumed she would not be published before graduation. It was the middle of September that Taylor started working every spare minute on a new novel project that was published June 2009 ten days before she graduated high school.
Taylor is now working on The Cycle of Tomorrows which consists of three series, two quartets and a trilogy, and three individual novels. She is also part of the Long Beach Island Writers Grope that meets twice a month. She is an active member during the summer attending meetings and she has given a presentation on getting published and what you need to do. During the school year Taylor gives workshops at her old middle school and high school. This May she will have her first book signing ad reading that she arranged on her own and independent of her publisher. She has also arranged to speak at three libraries in Ocean County this summer.
When she is finishes editing The Snowy Waste which is the first book in The Quest Quartet Taylor is going to send it to Daw Books in hopes that they will approve it and publish it. When the first book in The Quest Quartet is accepted she will focus on completing the rest of the series in a timely manner so she can move on the complete the other series in The Cycle of Tomorrows and work on other novel projects.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
blog 21
When I was younger being an author was never on my list of jobs I wanted. Then again when I was younger writing was never my strong point. But somewhere along the way I shed all the ideas of all the jobs I’d ever wanted and author became the one job I wanted most. I decided I wanted to write books like the ones that I read. So I started writing. Once I started writing it became a huge part of my life. I now write everyday working on one projects or another. My best skills in writing are the plot twists that I come up with and the way I present scenes. When I put in plot twists I try to make them unconventional ones that people don’t see coming. Sometimes they are even ones that make the readers angry because the outcome is something that they don’t think the character deserves. Like character deaths, especially if it is a main character, is something that no one wants to see coming in a book. But I use that to my best advantage when I write. Even though I know authors only make the big buck when they become a well known name I still want to do it. Although along with my writing career I’ll b working with the NYPD in the forensic department when I get out college. Forensic science is something that fascinates me and I’d like to use some of the things that I experience while working in the books that I’ll write.
Genres:
short- biography - biographical
short- synopsis - fiction??
long- short story - fiction/fntasy
long- beginning of book - fiction/ high fantasy
Genres:
short- biography - biographical
short- synopsis - fiction??
long- short story - fiction/fntasy
long- beginning of book - fiction/ high fantasy
Sunday, April 11, 2010
blog 19
Taylor R. Brown
61 Fairview Ave.
High Bridge NJ, 08829
(908)-268-0966
t.brown2009@yahoo.com
April 11, 2010
Daw Books
375 Hudson St.
3rd floor
New York NY 10014
Dear Mr. Stampfel,
The Snowy Waste is a completed 250,000 word high fantasy novel that is the first in The Quest Quartet takes place in the war riddled land of Exyel.
The once pristine land of Exyel was brought to ruin by the betrayal of their finest king, Tantin Exyel, and the loss of their countries unifying symbol, the Armlet of Exyel. With the breaking of the magical Armlet the land spiraled into chaos. Now after thirty thousand years of civil war the prophecy of The Quest Quartet is about to come true and save this land. As Jamie, Neal and Tantin set out to quest like in the bard’s tale they find that nothing is as the tales told. After all not everyone wants Exyel to reunite. The only way to save their broken land without losing everything is to alley themselves with a living legend. But will the help from Dragon Queen Zayden'Ash come too late to save all the questers? Or will her involvement be a saving grace disguised in tragedy?
This summer will mark my sixth year writing and working on this series. I am nineteen and had my first novel, A Colorless Myth, published in June 2009. I’m an active member in the Long Beach Island Writer’s Group. I have the whole Quest Quartet planned out and the first two books written.
Included is a full synopsis, the first fifteen pages of manuscript, and a SASE. If you are interested in the full manuscript I have enclosed SASE for your reply but if you prefer you can send me an e-mail. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Taylor R. Brown
Types of writing for my portfolio:
Long pieces: beginning of The Snowy Waste and short story Feathers and Glass
Short pieces: Biography and Synopsis of The Snowy Waste
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Fiction Author
Job title: Fiction Author
Credentials:
To break into the field: Be able to write (College degrees don’t mean too much)
But once you’ve broken into the field your credentials become (1) what you’ve published, (2) where you’ve published it and (3) the popularity of it.
Job description:
Writing, press conferences, convention panels, book tour and signings, public interviews
Describe the range of job descriptions in your profession have
The range in Fiction writing is vast. You can do something as small as novella. Or a long series of books. Or a compilation of short stories. It all depends on what your strong points are in the writing. The range also depends on the audience you’re targeting and the genre you’re writing.
What kinds of writing do individuals in this profession do?
• Short stories (less than 7,500 words).
• Novelette (7,500-40,000 words).
• Novella (17,500-40,000).
• Novel (over 40,000 words).
• There’s also a range of genres to choose from.
• Ex: Adventure novels, Young-adult fiction, Erotic fiction, Historical fiction, Philosophical
fiction, Science fiction, Horror, Fantasy, Suspense fiction, Thriller.
• Each Genre also has a lot of sub-genre. Like Fantasy there’s High fantasy, Dark fantasy,
Low fantasy, Quest, Sword and sorcery, Urban fantasy
• Biography’s for backs of books
• Synopsis for back of book
• Anything website related
• Interviews
• Panels at conventions
• Workshops that you might run
• Reviews on other author’s books
• Query letters (to agent, editor, and publisher)
• Book Proposal
o Manuscript
o Market analysis
o Chapter Outlines
o Author Biography
How can you prepare yourself for this kind of writing?
Practice. Write. Familiarize yourself with the market you’re trying to break into so that you can gear your writing to that genre.
Read, especially books in your genre so you know what’s out there. What to avoid doing and what to do.
What resources are available to individuals who want to enter your profession?
• Writers market.
• Publishers website
• Agent’s website
• Various books written by authors with advise about writing
• Writer’s groups
What are some of the obstacles?
Rejection letters. You have to have a tough skin when you send out to publishers because most of the time they don’t give you a reason for rejection. Like I got seven rejections before my novel was published.
Competition. You have to look at what the publishing house has published recently and compare that to your work. If it’s really similar they won’t publish because they already have something like it.
Finding time to write and edit
Getting ideas/ getting pas writers block
What are some creative ways to give yourself an “edge” for entering your profession?
• Original plot line (even if you borrowed ideas from other books or movies or whatever if you can twist them and disguise them and make them your own then that makes for a good edge.
• A good Query letter
• Have extra material that goes along with your book to get published with it like maps and language translations.
• Writers group – they can help you tighten things and fix scenes that aren’t good enough to keep in. they can also help you to pick out bad habits you have in your writing when you never can. Plus they give you a lot of constructive feedback.
• Good dialogue in your writing- Keep it real, unrealistic dialogue makes it hard to believe the plot
• Leave out the parts people skip
• Good characters – believable and interesting
• Sub-plots
• Outlines
Credentials:
To break into the field: Be able to write (College degrees don’t mean too much)
But once you’ve broken into the field your credentials become (1) what you’ve published, (2) where you’ve published it and (3) the popularity of it.
Job description:
Writing, press conferences, convention panels, book tour and signings, public interviews
Describe the range of job descriptions in your profession have
The range in Fiction writing is vast. You can do something as small as novella. Or a long series of books. Or a compilation of short stories. It all depends on what your strong points are in the writing. The range also depends on the audience you’re targeting and the genre you’re writing.
What kinds of writing do individuals in this profession do?
• Short stories (less than 7,500 words).
• Novelette (7,500-40,000 words).
• Novella (17,500-40,000).
• Novel (over 40,000 words).
• There’s also a range of genres to choose from.
• Ex: Adventure novels, Young-adult fiction, Erotic fiction, Historical fiction, Philosophical
fiction, Science fiction, Horror, Fantasy, Suspense fiction, Thriller.
• Each Genre also has a lot of sub-genre. Like Fantasy there’s High fantasy, Dark fantasy,
Low fantasy, Quest, Sword and sorcery, Urban fantasy
• Biography’s for backs of books
• Synopsis for back of book
• Anything website related
• Interviews
• Panels at conventions
• Workshops that you might run
• Reviews on other author’s books
o Manuscript
o Market analysis
o Chapter Outlines
o Author Biography
How can you prepare yourself for this kind of writing?
Practice. Write. Familiarize yourself with the market you’re trying to break into so that you can gear your writing to that genre.
Read, especially books in your genre so you know what’s out there. What to avoid doing and what to do.
What resources are available to individuals who want to enter your profession?
• Writers market.
• Agent’s website
• Various books written by authors with advise about writing
• Writer’s groups
What are some of the obstacles?
Rejection letters. You have to have a tough skin when you send out to publishers because most of the time they don’t give you a reason for rejection. Like I got seven rejections before my novel was published.
Competition. You have to look at what the publishing house has published recently and compare that to your work. If it’s really similar they won’t publish because they already have something like it.
Finding time to write and edit
Getting ideas/ getting pas writers block
What are some creative ways to give yourself an “edge” for entering your profession?
• Original plot line (even if you borrowed ideas from other books or movies or whatever if you can twist them and disguise them and make them your own then that makes for a good edge.
• A good Query letter
• Have extra material that goes along with your book to get published with it like maps and language translations.
• Writers group – they can help you tighten things and fix scenes that aren’t good enough to keep in. they can also help you to pick out bad habits you have in your writing when you never can. Plus they give you a lot of constructive feedback.
• Good dialogue in your writing- Keep it real, unrealistic dialogue makes it hard to believe the plot
• Leave out the parts people skip
• Good characters – believable and interesting
• Sub-plots
• Outlines
Monday, April 5, 2010
blog 18
Specificl/ Dream Resume
Taylor R. Brown
61 Fairview Ave – High Bridge NJ 08829 (908)-268-0966
t.brown2009@yahoo.com
____________________________________________________________________________
Objective
Avid, detail oriented writer interested in publishing book series and stand alone novels.
____________________________________________________________________________
Education
High School Voorhees HS
2005-2009
Astronomy Club, Science Fiction Club
College, Kean University
Fall 2009-Spring 2010
History Education
Writing 2020
New York University
Fall 2010-Spring 2013
Biology and History
____________________________________________________________________________
Experience
Dunkin Donuts -Worked cash register
Clinton, New Jersey -Worked closing shift
09/01/07-06/10/08
Sales
Catholic Charities -Supervised 2nd through 7th grade children
Califon, New Jersey -Prepared snack
09/15/08- 06/16/09 -Prepared lesson plans
Group Leader -Presented Starlab
Publish America -A Colorless Myth published
Fredrick, Maryland -Managing own book tour activities
02/25/09-Present -School Visits
Author
____________________________________________________________________________
Works in Progress
-Editing Mind Of Black the second book in The Quest Quartet
-Outlining The Final Thread Quartet the second series in The Cycle of Tomorrows
-Writing Crimson Clashed With Ivory
-Outlining and writing Weaver of Bones
____________________________________________________________________________
Publications
Books
A Colorless Myth (Publish America, 2009)
Articles
Shards of Time (Images Magazine, 2009)
Cry of The Raven (Creative Writing Anthology, 2009)
Rose of Gold (North American Review, 2010)
Oblivion (The Saint Ann’s Review, 2010)
____________________________________________________________________________
Editor
Kings Will Fall- Ryan Drumm
____________________________________________________________________________
Activities
-Writing and editing the first book in The Quest Quartet
-Outlining second series
-Captain of Science-Fiction Club (Junior and Senior year of High School)
-School visits and writing workshops (Voorhees High School, Woodglen Middle School)
-Participates in the Long Beach Island Writers Group
-Manage own website and blog
-Unofficial manuscript editing
____________________________________________________________________________
Skills
Creative writing, Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, photography, blogging, managing and editing website
Taylor R. Brown
61 Fairview Ave – High Bridge NJ 08829 (908)-268-0966
t.brown2009@yahoo.com
____________________________________________________________________________
Objective
Avid, detail oriented writer interested in publishing book series and stand alone novels.
____________________________________________________________________________
Education
High School Voorhees HS
2005-2009
Astronomy Club, Science Fiction Club
College, Kean University
Fall 2009-Spring 2010
History Education
Writing 2020
New York University
Fall 2010-Spring 2013
Biology and History
____________________________________________________________________________
Experience
Dunkin Donuts -Worked cash register
Clinton, New Jersey -Worked closing shift
09/01/07-06/10/08
Sales
Catholic Charities -Supervised 2nd through 7th grade children
Califon, New Jersey -Prepared snack
09/15/08- 06/16/09 -Prepared lesson plans
Group Leader -Presented Starlab
Publish America -A Colorless Myth published
Fredrick, Maryland -Managing own book tour activities
02/25/09-Present -School Visits
Author
____________________________________________________________________________
Works in Progress
-Editing Mind Of Black the second book in The Quest Quartet
-Outlining The Final Thread Quartet the second series in The Cycle of Tomorrows
-Writing Crimson Clashed With Ivory
-Outlining and writing Weaver of Bones
____________________________________________________________________________
Publications
Books
A Colorless Myth (Publish America, 2009)
Articles
Shards of Time (Images Magazine, 2009)
Cry of The Raven (Creative Writing Anthology, 2009)
Rose of Gold (North American Review, 2010)
Oblivion (The Saint Ann’s Review, 2010)
____________________________________________________________________________
Editor
Kings Will Fall- Ryan Drumm
____________________________________________________________________________
Activities
-Writing and editing the first book in The Quest Quartet
-Outlining second series
-Captain of Science-Fiction Club (Junior and Senior year of High School)
-School visits and writing workshops (Voorhees High School, Woodglen Middle School)
-Participates in the Long Beach Island Writers Group
-Manage own website and blog
-Unofficial manuscript editing
____________________________________________________________________________
Skills
Creative writing, Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, photography, blogging, managing and editing website
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