Knitted more than wrote this weekend :(
Thanks to http://www.oocities.org/televisioncity/taping/6785/episodes.html though, easy to find some references in original episodes.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Meanings of Episode 26 "Eternal Love"
The interesting thing about episode 26 is its English title "Eternal Love" in the original Japanese title is actually "Eien no omoi" (永遠の想い).
想い "omoi" has many many meanings, some of which are:
thought
feeling
emotion
expectation
wish
longing
yearning
the heart
desire
(from http://thesaurus.weblio.jp/content/%E6%83%B3%E3%81%84)
While I agree with the English translation for the episode title, I always thought of the actual meaning as "eternal longing," and that's what I'm trying to put into DS.
想い "omoi" has many many meanings, some of which are:
thought
feeling
emotion
expectation
wish
longing
yearning
the heart
desire
(from http://thesaurus.weblio.jp/content/%E6%83%B3%E3%81%84)
While I agree with the English translation for the episode title, I always thought of the actual meaning as "eternal longing," and that's what I'm trying to put into DS.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Skipping Ahead
Frustrated by my crappy dialogue efforts in chapter 6, today I skipped ahead a few chapters to write a different scene. The writing went well and I completed 500 words, but as I wrote more and more I realize that the scene was highly dependent on Van and Hitomi's relationship and how it developed during the intervening chapters. I mean, I wrote it based on their relationship as I think how it should have progressed to by that point, but as to whether or not they decided to get there or to another direction entirely is dependent on their interactions with each other up to that point, and by chapter 6 they haven't yet made those decisions or even knew these things are coming!
Earlier when I was considering if I should skip ahead, I did think about this possibility. But I was--and am still--unsure if this is A Bad Thing because I am making tons of assumptions about the characters, and the round peg characters will be totally incompatible with the square hole scene. Or if this is A Good Thing since I'll have an idea that the characters should become square pegs and in the intervening chapters they need to do x and y to get there.
What I do know is that I need to keep writing. Not to allow myself an excuse to shrink away from difficult writing situations, but I think at least at this point in writing DS, I should commit any possible scenes and ideas down on paper so they are all there, and then when I have more content I will be able to convert and rewrite to make an actual story.
Well, that's the plan so far, anyway.
Earlier when I was considering if I should skip ahead, I did think about this possibility. But I was--and am still--unsure if this is A Bad Thing because I am making tons of assumptions about the characters, and the round peg characters will be totally incompatible with the square hole scene. Or if this is A Good Thing since I'll have an idea that the characters should become square pegs and in the intervening chapters they need to do x and y to get there.
What I do know is that I need to keep writing. Not to allow myself an excuse to shrink away from difficult writing situations, but I think at least at this point in writing DS, I should commit any possible scenes and ideas down on paper so they are all there, and then when I have more content I will be able to convert and rewrite to make an actual story.
Well, that's the plan so far, anyway.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Another Day's Work
Wrote a bit of chapter 6 within SimpleNote this afternoon, it's really great to have the text handy all the time via browser or my phone. I'm struggling on the dialogue, though; it just seems so lackluster. Will give it another night and see if I have better ideas tomorrow.
Today's favorite sentence is totally spoiler, so here is my second favorite passage:
Today's favorite sentence is totally spoiler, so here is my second favorite passage:
She was lying in the middle of a large grassy field, shielding her eyes against the afternoon sunlight to look at the passing clouds. The grasses undulated in the breeze like jaunty cat tails. There was a clump of trees at the very edge of the field just out of her sight, and a little brook.One handwritten notebook reconciled into Scrivener.
On. A. Roll.
With a glass of Negroni by my side the evening pile of work seemed to go fast. I am two-thirds through chapter 6 first draft, found my missing Esca drawings on a harddrive, updated my fanfiction.net profile (last updated in 2008!), uploaded a "bookcover" image for DS (this is a great new feature), signed up for beta-reading on ff, updated my character sheets and notes in Scrivner (still have 6 more handwritten notebooks to convert), and synced Scrivner with SimpleNote.
Speaking of SimpleNote, I haven't used it in a while and I logged into this note:
2012: Be Awesome!
1. menigioma protocol
2. triathlon
3. gym 4x/wk
4. finish Deeper than the Sky
5. plan events
6. homecooked meals gourmet style
7. 115lbs
I did not accomplish a single thing on that list.
It doesn't mean that 2014 won't be awesome though.
I read through the first 5 chapters of DS that were released, and damn, was the writing terrible. I had to skim through some passages, I didn't really want to read them. Ah well, the only way to get better at writing is to write.
The storyline and ideas are fine, though, and I found a few interesting details I had forgotten that I put into my notes so I'd remember those little bits later. I didn't realize I had so much backstory about Escaflowne and the start of Fanelia, and I'm sure there are tons and tons of backstories in those handwritten notebooks. I think I even sketched some maps and clothing styles.
I really want to finish ch6 and also a much later chapter that I finally solved the puzzle of presenting the story, but sadly, it is way past bedtime and I should really head to bed.
Speaking of SimpleNote, I haven't used it in a while and I logged into this note:
2012: Be Awesome!
1. menigioma protocol
2. triathlon
3. gym 4x/wk
4. finish Deeper than the Sky
5. plan events
6. homecooked meals gourmet style
7. 115lbs
I did not accomplish a single thing on that list.
It doesn't mean that 2014 won't be awesome though.
I read through the first 5 chapters of DS that were released, and damn, was the writing terrible. I had to skim through some passages, I didn't really want to read them. Ah well, the only way to get better at writing is to write.
The storyline and ideas are fine, though, and I found a few interesting details I had forgotten that I put into my notes so I'd remember those little bits later. I didn't realize I had so much backstory about Escaflowne and the start of Fanelia, and I'm sure there are tons and tons of backstories in those handwritten notebooks. I think I even sketched some maps and clothing styles.
I really want to finish ch6 and also a much later chapter that I finally solved the puzzle of presenting the story, but sadly, it is way past bedtime and I should really head to bed.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Hitomi's character
Okay okay, I know I said just a few hours ago I would commit to writing and here I am, back on the blog. It is addicting to just post whatever I want. I did write for 3 hours...on 2 pages.
On my walk home I was thinking about Hitomi's character. So far in DS I've written her as if I'm Hitomi--a bit arrogant to put myself into the story to fulfill my fantasy of Van--but really she is:
- straightforward with her emotions
- impulsive, immediately thinks of what to do (eg pushing Van on the bridge)
- cheerful
- brave, and also doesn't really see potential risks (eg jumping across the cargo hold)
- generous, forgives easily
- takes everything literally, and says what's on her mind--I don't think she's ever made a joke in Esca
- charismatic--she's not a leader but everyone is attracted to her for her qualities, they can't tell her no
- nosy, but genuinely want the best for people (eg Naria)
- persistent, particularly with Van when she thinks she is right
- kind hearted
- loyal
- more timid to contradict older, authoritative men (eg insisting that Allen let her dowse for Van, her relationship with Folken)
- attracted to a "type" of men like Allen and Amano
- packs a lot into her bag, so she is particular of her personal items
- willing to sacrifice for the greater good, especially for her friends
Now that she is 25, she is still impetuous and butting in if she feels like it's her duty as a friend. Her current character in DS is much more reserved, I need to put her emotions and her straightforward talk back into it. Van's character is a bit reserved too but I think I don't quite have a grasp on Hitomi's character and that's why my writing process suffers.
On my walk home I was thinking about Hitomi's character. So far in DS I've written her as if I'm Hitomi--a bit arrogant to put myself into the story to fulfill my fantasy of Van--but really she is:
- straightforward with her emotions
- impulsive, immediately thinks of what to do (eg pushing Van on the bridge)
- cheerful
- brave, and also doesn't really see potential risks (eg jumping across the cargo hold)
- generous, forgives easily
- takes everything literally, and says what's on her mind--I don't think she's ever made a joke in Esca
- charismatic--she's not a leader but everyone is attracted to her for her qualities, they can't tell her no
- nosy, but genuinely want the best for people (eg Naria)
- persistent, particularly with Van when she thinks she is right
- kind hearted
- loyal
- more timid to contradict older, authoritative men (eg insisting that Allen let her dowse for Van, her relationship with Folken)
- attracted to a "type" of men like Allen and Amano
- packs a lot into her bag, so she is particular of her personal items
- willing to sacrifice for the greater good, especially for her friends
Now that she is 25, she is still impetuous and butting in if she feels like it's her duty as a friend. Her current character in DS is much more reserved, I need to put her emotions and her straightforward talk back into it. Van's character is a bit reserved too but I think I don't quite have a grasp on Hitomi's character and that's why my writing process suffers.
A poem
A poem I wrote last year when I lay awake in bed with nothing to do:
My heart passed me by
On a train to neverwhere;
Sitting at the window
Looking faraway
Dreaming of adventures.
The train passed me
With a flattened whistle
Before I could wave.
My heart passed me by
On a train to neverwhere;
Sitting at the window
Looking faraway
Dreaming of adventures.
The train passed me
With a flattened whistle
Before I could wave.
Working on Chapter 6
After putzing around on the storyline, I finally have some real content that I want to write. I am pretty excited since this fanfic is never far from my mind all these years--mostly feeling guilty about not finishing the story.
In the intervening years though, I've entered my 30s, and I hope that I will still be able to write from the perspective of 25 year old Hitomi and Van.
Some house cleaning stuff:
- will need to update this website, not sure if I still have the main graphic anymore
- re-read the first 5 chapters
- clean up my notes from these years
- read the Compendium again for facts, although I don't think I'll need to re-watch the series since 1) it will take time, 2) I'll be too tempted to do a bunch of other things that are not writing, 3) I probably still have so much of it committed to memory since I am a ridiculous fanatic.
I've started on chapter 6 though it will take another few hours of work to finish the first draft. I think this time I'll attempt to write the story and then do the editing separately, to try to preserve the inertia of committing the story down to paper. Let's see how it goes!
In the intervening years though, I've entered my 30s, and I hope that I will still be able to write from the perspective of 25 year old Hitomi and Van.
Some house cleaning stuff:
- will need to update this website, not sure if I still have the main graphic anymore
- re-read the first 5 chapters
- clean up my notes from these years
- read the Compendium again for facts, although I don't think I'll need to re-watch the series since 1) it will take time, 2) I'll be too tempted to do a bunch of other things that are not writing, 3) I probably still have so much of it committed to memory since I am a ridiculous fanatic.
I've started on chapter 6 though it will take another few hours of work to finish the first draft. I think this time I'll attempt to write the story and then do the editing separately, to try to preserve the inertia of committing the story down to paper. Let's see how it goes!
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Escaflowne
When Van gets captured at the start of ep5 and Allen tells Merle and Hitomi they shouldn't worry about Van's life, at least, he says, "They say that only the King of Fanelia can operate Escaflowne."
So:
1. There are widespread knowledge and rumors of Escaflowne as a legendary guymelef surpassing normal guymelefs, and that it belongs to the Fanelia royal house, passed from king to king.
2. It seems almost logical to Allen that Zaibach has waged war on Fanelia to capture such a commodity.
3. There must be a bond between the royal blood of Fanelia and Escaflowne beyond merely possessing the guymelef. In the fight with Allen and Dilandu, Van seems to take personal hits from actions on Esca--this is even before strengthening his blood pact.
So:
1. There are widespread knowledge and rumors of Escaflowne as a legendary guymelef surpassing normal guymelefs, and that it belongs to the Fanelia royal house, passed from king to king.
2. It seems almost logical to Allen that Zaibach has waged war on Fanelia to capture such a commodity.
3. There must be a bond between the royal blood of Fanelia and Escaflowne beyond merely possessing the guymelef. In the fight with Allen and Dilandu, Van seems to take personal hits from actions on Esca--this is even before strengthening his blood pact.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Ep 2 thoughts
I'm in the process of re-watching the episodes (for the 10th time, probably?!) and making dialogue notes since I haven't watched actual content since 2008. I think each time I watch Escaflowne, I am that much closer to my Escaflowne dissertation... So let's start off our multivariate analysis with our favorite character (certainly mine), shall we?
In ep2 when Van first meets Allen, I love those few quick scenes:
- First instance of Van saying Hitomi's name
- Van meets Allen carrying Hitomi and challenges him
- He is defeated in a single stroke, pukes, and falls unconscious
In the series, Hitomi and Van constantly refer to each other as "aitsu", or "that guy/that girl". Hitomi does it in her episode intros, and they refer each other that way talking to other characters. It's a pretty rude and informal way to refer to people, and I think it's so reflective and funny of what they first thought about each other. So when Van first said "Hitomi" was when she screamed bloody murder when they were separated--I think it reflects his personality, as he's particularly vulnerable to emotions whenever he has to rescue her. When there is a chance of loss, he turns very protective and sensitive, probably as a result of him losing his family so young. I think his most endearing qualities appear out of his kingly shroud at these moments.
As to Van's first meeting with Allen, his fateful best companion and competing lover: Van was about to draw his sword, when Allen cautions him that he shouldn't draw lightly as he would surely lose his life. And of course Van drew his sword. Standard anime/movie logic.
But I thought about this scene for a while, my dissertation spider senses tingling. Did Van know who Allen is? Did Van draw his sword because he was protecting Hitomi? But as he drew his sword he kind of smirked a little....
Allen was dressed in the Knight Caeli uniform. Although Van was very young when Aston and his daughters visited Fanelia, as a curious boy he certainly would have remembered the knights who accompanied the King of Asturia. (Later in ep2 when Van interacts with the Mole Man, we can see that Van's memory recall is freaking amazing, as he remembers Folken's discussion of glar leaves before he was 5 years old.) Allen's outpost was the closest neighbor to Fanelian borders, and with Dilandu's comment on Allen's widespread reputation and Allen's non-military-standard striking looks, I think there's a pretty good chance Van has heard about the commander of Fort Castelo.
So if Van knew about Allen's position as a knight of Asturia, he certainly could have been diplomatic in stating that Hitomi was under his protection and that would have been that. Allen would give Hitomi back to him, maybe offer the services and supplies of Castelo for their refreshment. But no, this is Van, who's been crown prince of his kingdom that his father and his brother left for him for 10 years. He had slain the dragon for the Dragonslaying Rite for accession just yesterday, that had taken years of training to prepare and the actual lonely event had required a surprising trip on the Mystic Moon. He just received his monarchy title this morning, and then invisible giants destroyed his kingdom and his people. But he couldn't even see the enemy before everything ended. He wanted to avenge Balgus, who had prevented him from defending the kingdom he was just sworn to protect. He wanted to exact justice for the others slain.
And here is Allen, taking an unconscious Hitomi away, expressly forbidding him to draw the sword of the King of Fanelia. I think that's just too much invitation.
In ep2 when Van first meets Allen, I love those few quick scenes:
- First instance of Van saying Hitomi's name
- Van meets Allen carrying Hitomi and challenges him
- He is defeated in a single stroke, pukes, and falls unconscious
In the series, Hitomi and Van constantly refer to each other as "aitsu", or "that guy/that girl". Hitomi does it in her episode intros, and they refer each other that way talking to other characters. It's a pretty rude and informal way to refer to people, and I think it's so reflective and funny of what they first thought about each other. So when Van first said "Hitomi" was when she screamed bloody murder when they were separated--I think it reflects his personality, as he's particularly vulnerable to emotions whenever he has to rescue her. When there is a chance of loss, he turns very protective and sensitive, probably as a result of him losing his family so young. I think his most endearing qualities appear out of his kingly shroud at these moments.
As to Van's first meeting with Allen, his fateful best companion and competing lover: Van was about to draw his sword, when Allen cautions him that he shouldn't draw lightly as he would surely lose his life. And of course Van drew his sword. Standard anime/movie logic.
But I thought about this scene for a while, my dissertation spider senses tingling. Did Van know who Allen is? Did Van draw his sword because he was protecting Hitomi? But as he drew his sword he kind of smirked a little....
Allen was dressed in the Knight Caeli uniform. Although Van was very young when Aston and his daughters visited Fanelia, as a curious boy he certainly would have remembered the knights who accompanied the King of Asturia. (Later in ep2 when Van interacts with the Mole Man, we can see that Van's memory recall is freaking amazing, as he remembers Folken's discussion of glar leaves before he was 5 years old.) Allen's outpost was the closest neighbor to Fanelian borders, and with Dilandu's comment on Allen's widespread reputation and Allen's non-military-standard striking looks, I think there's a pretty good chance Van has heard about the commander of Fort Castelo.
So if Van knew about Allen's position as a knight of Asturia, he certainly could have been diplomatic in stating that Hitomi was under his protection and that would have been that. Allen would give Hitomi back to him, maybe offer the services and supplies of Castelo for their refreshment. But no, this is Van, who's been crown prince of his kingdom that his father and his brother left for him for 10 years. He had slain the dragon for the Dragonslaying Rite for accession just yesterday, that had taken years of training to prepare and the actual lonely event had required a surprising trip on the Mystic Moon. He just received his monarchy title this morning, and then invisible giants destroyed his kingdom and his people. But he couldn't even see the enemy before everything ended. He wanted to avenge Balgus, who had prevented him from defending the kingdom he was just sworn to protect. He wanted to exact justice for the others slain.
And here is Allen, taking an unconscious Hitomi away, expressly forbidding him to draw the sword of the King of Fanelia. I think that's just too much invitation.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Hello Again 2
Is it weird that although I've away so long, rarely a week goes by when I don't think about the unfinished story?
But this summer and fall I've been better about actual work on the story. I think I just needed to practice? The story is much tighter and better for all this time away; I just wish it hadn't taken me so long! But I'm prepping to try NaNoWriMo for the first time, and I am pretty excited to write actual story again. The 50k words that come out may not be good, but at least it's a second start. It is definitely my goal to finish DS.
I'll also be updating this blog, probably ramble on about the characters like I used to. It's like I should have written an Escaflowne dissertation or something.
Today I was GISing for "Fanelian sword screenshots" and realized that out of the handful of returns, almost all of those pictures are from this blog. Kind of weird...
In preparation for the month of writing, here are two lists that the NaNoWriMo people recommended I make:
1) What makes a good novel to me?
- believable characters
- detailed, accurate setting
- quick succession of crisis buildup
- happy endings
- unexpected romance
- sympathetic character flaws
- lots of character development
- little details in the story that turn out to be important
- magic
- brilliant prose
- food
2) Things that bore me or depress me in novels?
- malicious evil characters without motivation or redeeming qualities
- modern prose style that is obtuse
- unreasonably dramatic conflict between characters (esp when they can just communicate to resolve misunderstanding...)
- weighty moral themes
- feeling of author purposefully jerking my emotions around
- lots of poetry
- main characters who are too good
- conversations that are too witty, esp romantic banter
- psychological horror
Since my old friend Sapphirefly posted a photo of herself (and also a book! I think part of the impetus is that!), here is a photo of me. I'd say it's a fairly accurate portrait :)
But this summer and fall I've been better about actual work on the story. I think I just needed to practice? The story is much tighter and better for all this time away; I just wish it hadn't taken me so long! But I'm prepping to try NaNoWriMo for the first time, and I am pretty excited to write actual story again. The 50k words that come out may not be good, but at least it's a second start. It is definitely my goal to finish DS.
I'll also be updating this blog, probably ramble on about the characters like I used to. It's like I should have written an Escaflowne dissertation or something.
Today I was GISing for "Fanelian sword screenshots" and realized that out of the handful of returns, almost all of those pictures are from this blog. Kind of weird...
In preparation for the month of writing, here are two lists that the NaNoWriMo people recommended I make:
1) What makes a good novel to me?
- believable characters
- detailed, accurate setting
- quick succession of crisis buildup
- happy endings
- unexpected romance
- sympathetic character flaws
- lots of character development
- little details in the story that turn out to be important
- magic
- brilliant prose
- food
2) Things that bore me or depress me in novels?
- malicious evil characters without motivation or redeeming qualities
- modern prose style that is obtuse
- unreasonably dramatic conflict between characters (esp when they can just communicate to resolve misunderstanding...)
- weighty moral themes
- feeling of author purposefully jerking my emotions around
- lots of poetry
- main characters who are too good
- conversations that are too witty, esp romantic banter
- psychological horror
Since my old friend Sapphirefly posted a photo of herself (and also a book! I think part of the impetus is that!), here is a photo of me. I'd say it's a fairly accurate portrait :)
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Hello Again
Hello everyone,
Amazingly I still think about my unfinished work a lot even though I haven't written about it for 2 years. I just can't get Van and Hitomi out of my head--they are the subjects of many of my daydreams. I think I won't be able to to rest until the story is finished.
This year I'm applying to grad school and have a lot of other things, but I have started writing again. This time I'm planning to write more of the story before I publish chapters, because I've regretted some of my earlier decisions. I do plan to spend some regular time writing--I am constantly amazed at sapphirefly's passion, and hope I will be able to bring the same.
-jomiel
Amazingly I still think about my unfinished work a lot even though I haven't written about it for 2 years. I just can't get Van and Hitomi out of my head--they are the subjects of many of my daydreams. I think I won't be able to to rest until the story is finished.
This year I'm applying to grad school and have a lot of other things, but I have started writing again. This time I'm planning to write more of the story before I publish chapters, because I've regretted some of my earlier decisions. I do plan to spend some regular time writing--I am constantly amazed at sapphirefly's passion, and hope I will be able to bring the same.
-jomiel
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Lucky
Today I received my 67th review on DS posted on ff.net.
Here's why I think it's amazing:
- I haven't done any serious work for it in 2 years.
- I've broken deadline promises several times.
- It's 5 chapters in probably a 20+ chapters story.
- Van and Hitomi can barely survive their awkward reunion.
- Ch1 and 2 are horrible, and nothing happens in ch 3-5 except boring narrative.
It's amazing my readers don't hate me yet, don't you think?
And yet today, I received a very warm and generous review praising my work more than it is, more than I deserve. There's no scolding, no pointing of fingers, no lament on lack of romance, no complaint on the horrible prose. Instead, it is unconditional, it is understanding, it is overwhelmingly the most perfect review I never could have imagined.
Is it that? Or is it no more extraordinary than the other 66 reviews except for my own reception?
I think I have been taking my readers for granted. I haven't really given real thanks for their time and their feelings they invest into DS. I haven't been fair in toying with their expectations.
And it's amazing I am still lucky, isn't it?
First order of business (rather, second, as this post is the first), find a note-taking process.
edit: Gosh. I'm reading old posts and it's like...what the heck was I talking about?! Does anything come out of brain makes sense?! It's amazing how my readers can understand anything, honestly.
Here's why I think it's amazing:
- I haven't done any serious work for it in 2 years.
- I've broken deadline promises several times.
- It's 5 chapters in probably a 20+ chapters story.
- Van and Hitomi can barely survive their awkward reunion.
- Ch1 and 2 are horrible, and nothing happens in ch 3-5 except boring narrative.
It's amazing my readers don't hate me yet, don't you think?
And yet today, I received a very warm and generous review praising my work more than it is, more than I deserve. There's no scolding, no pointing of fingers, no lament on lack of romance, no complaint on the horrible prose. Instead, it is unconditional, it is understanding, it is overwhelmingly the most perfect review I never could have imagined.
Is it that? Or is it no more extraordinary than the other 66 reviews except for my own reception?
I think I have been taking my readers for granted. I haven't really given real thanks for their time and their feelings they invest into DS. I haven't been fair in toying with their expectations.
And it's amazing I am still lucky, isn't it?
First order of business (rather, second, as this post is the first), find a note-taking process.
edit: Gosh. I'm reading old posts and it's like...what the heck was I talking about?! Does anything come out of brain makes sense?! It's amazing how my readers can understand anything, honestly.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Villians
One of the things I am planning to do with DS (the pile of things seem to grow by the day) is the absence of a single-source, demonic villian that we'll be able to point to for every malice and misdeed. I wanted to show the inherit malice possible in ourselves, through selfish actions that people choose without thought or care to its true signal-cascade effects. However, I didn't really have a concrete idea of what could happen until I saw Redbelt this weekend. Its notion of a strong but naive hero, betrayed by friendship and sidelined by good fortune, who will ultimately prevail because of the righteousness of goodness itself.
It wouldn't transfer over to DS directly--mostly because Van is in the position of power (even if dwarfed by other countries in the Alliance) and partly because he isn't really that type of character. Despite Fanelia's relative simplicity, Van distrusts, because of his status and because of his experiences, and then has to make an effort to let people in. But it's not impossible situation to create, for Van would trust someone he believes is reliable. And there are exponentially more possibilities if Hitomi is the harbinger.
The second idea I'm planning recently is the push of humanity evolution. Words get created and dropped. Events become history and become myths. Individuals are born and whole populations die. And soon an age passes. People come in waves to replace each other, to support and uphold their own ways of life. The passing of an age is sad, but full of promises--because the end marks the beginning.
The depressing thing about thinking and planning is that I am not producing anything. But I really, really think that this is necessary in my development, in DS's development. I am learning composure, I am learning patience, I am learning to dig deeper. I want so so much for DS to be an entity--a matured distillation of my dreams and feelings--where the fantasy world is there, ready for people to enter and enjoy and wrestle with their thoughts, until the lingering finish they didn't know they always wanted.
And I thank you for letting me be selfish and do this. For waiting.
It wouldn't transfer over to DS directly--mostly because Van is in the position of power (even if dwarfed by other countries in the Alliance) and partly because he isn't really that type of character. Despite Fanelia's relative simplicity, Van distrusts, because of his status and because of his experiences, and then has to make an effort to let people in. But it's not impossible situation to create, for Van would trust someone he believes is reliable. And there are exponentially more possibilities if Hitomi is the harbinger.
The second idea I'm planning recently is the push of humanity evolution. Words get created and dropped. Events become history and become myths. Individuals are born and whole populations die. And soon an age passes. People come in waves to replace each other, to support and uphold their own ways of life. The passing of an age is sad, but full of promises--because the end marks the beginning.
The depressing thing about thinking and planning is that I am not producing anything. But I really, really think that this is necessary in my development, in DS's development. I am learning composure, I am learning patience, I am learning to dig deeper. I want so so much for DS to be an entity--a matured distillation of my dreams and feelings--where the fantasy world is there, ready for people to enter and enjoy and wrestle with their thoughts, until the lingering finish they didn't know they always wanted.
And I thank you for letting me be selfish and do this. For waiting.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Character Development
Wow, has it really been that long since I last posted? I guess being busy with work and ffxi again really alters my concept of normal time.
I keep going back and forth between thinking up possible conflicts and trying to expand the characters and cultures in DS, but I feel like these past weeks have been just running around in my hamster wheel. Perhaps it's my own inexperience with writing that none of my ideas have pushed me any closer to an actual, solid development for plot. But though I've tried hard to make things happen, I think the root problem is not basing my ideas on what I want to happen with V+H--not just what kind of romantic scenes they could have or what kind of experiences would be interesting--but my focus should be on what would make V+H develop into the characters they could become.
There should be events that make V+H realize their love, grow up more, extend their capabilities, and impact others positively as well as learning. There must be trials and tribulations, and accusations and wrong assumptions, and mistakes as well amends.
This should be a good new starting place.
Recently I've been getting into Shugo Chara, as I mentioned in my other blog. I see a lot of parallels between Van and Shugo Chara's Ikuto--qualities that I love in both. The draw of Ikuto's past and his secrets are so mysteriously boyish and manly at the same time, that I think it would really interesting to develop V+H this way, and the idea of the past is present already in DS even in its beginning ch, that pushing one of DS's themes down this path would be totally possible. Everyone has something they regret, or a secret joy, or a dream they keep only to themselves. Or maybe some confession that they are embarrassed to reveal.
One thing I would really like to know is the mystery of this scene:
I keep going back and forth between thinking up possible conflicts and trying to expand the characters and cultures in DS, but I feel like these past weeks have been just running around in my hamster wheel. Perhaps it's my own inexperience with writing that none of my ideas have pushed me any closer to an actual, solid development for plot. But though I've tried hard to make things happen, I think the root problem is not basing my ideas on what I want to happen with V+H--not just what kind of romantic scenes they could have or what kind of experiences would be interesting--but my focus should be on what would make V+H develop into the characters they could become.
There should be events that make V+H realize their love, grow up more, extend their capabilities, and impact others positively as well as learning. There must be trials and tribulations, and accusations and wrong assumptions, and mistakes as well amends.
This should be a good new starting place.
Recently I've been getting into Shugo Chara, as I mentioned in my other blog. I see a lot of parallels between Van and Shugo Chara's Ikuto--qualities that I love in both. The draw of Ikuto's past and his secrets are so mysteriously boyish and manly at the same time, that I think it would really interesting to develop V+H this way, and the idea of the past is present already in DS even in its beginning ch, that pushing one of DS's themes down this path would be totally possible. Everyone has something they regret, or a secret joy, or a dream they keep only to themselves. Or maybe some confession that they are embarrassed to reveal.
One thing I would really like to know is the mystery of this scene:
Friday, April 18, 2008
Recently...3
Yesterday I started making my collection of Escaflowne screen captures into categories instead of organizing by episodes. I suppose it's a bit overkill to see exactly the carving in chairbacks in the Palas formal dining hall, and how green is the carpet, and what you can see out both sides of the windowed hall--and I know this weekend when I go home again I'm so going to grab my filmbooks (forgot last time) and scan in the maps and layout pages--but this is just the way I am. Obsessed.
Actually, I had copied the screenshots to the new folders because it's not like I will let them go out of ep order, but this is less being obsessed and more about keeping track of what happens in each ep. I find the archive extremely useful as a reference. (Okay maybe this is still obsessed.)
Still deep in research and plotting. Wikipedia is so great. Today's reading is about Emporer Tang Taizong (I read this history when I was a kid so it brought back so many memories, too), and it reminded me that Tyrrhenia in its golden age should be like the Tang period, and Empress Zhangsun is a good model for Elamere. I also read up about Japanese military strategies for a base for Fanelia's system. A similar situation to the Thirty-Eight Year War could be an idea for Goau (Why was he and Balgus out in the field and requiring their guymelefs? There is no explanation ever. Sometimes things in the series are so random, eg Hitomi's gym bag).
A sudden idea (shocking): What is going on in Basram that Van needs to have internal communication there?! Fanelia is such a small and rural country that it's hard to imagine (now) that anything past its borders would be in its consideration--barring anything catastrophic. Though Van has gained allies and good will through his prowess in battle and common sympathy from Fanelia's wanton destruction, there has to be a damned good reason why he's spending resources and men all the way across the Alliance into Basram.
Seriously, what was going in my head when I wrote the first 5 chapters. I dug myself a hole and it's so hard to climb back out. (Don't get me started on ch1. I can't even look at it now I'm so ashamed. /emo wrist slash)
Actually, I had copied the screenshots to the new folders because it's not like I will let them go out of ep order, but this is less being obsessed and more about keeping track of what happens in each ep. I find the archive extremely useful as a reference. (Okay maybe this is still obsessed.)
Still deep in research and plotting. Wikipedia is so great. Today's reading is about Emporer Tang Taizong (I read this history when I was a kid so it brought back so many memories, too), and it reminded me that Tyrrhenia in its golden age should be like the Tang period, and Empress Zhangsun is a good model for Elamere. I also read up about Japanese military strategies for a base for Fanelia's system. A similar situation to the Thirty-Eight Year War could be an idea for Goau (Why was he and Balgus out in the field and requiring their guymelefs? There is no explanation ever. Sometimes things in the series are so random, eg Hitomi's gym bag).
A sudden idea (shocking): What is going on in Basram that Van needs to have internal communication there?! Fanelia is such a small and rural country that it's hard to imagine (now) that anything past its borders would be in its consideration--barring anything catastrophic. Though Van has gained allies and good will through his prowess in battle and common sympathy from Fanelia's wanton destruction, there has to be a damned good reason why he's spending resources and men all the way across the Alliance into Basram.
Seriously, what was going in my head when I wrote the first 5 chapters. I dug myself a hole and it's so hard to climb back out. (Don't get me started on ch1. I can't even look at it now I'm so ashamed. /emo wrist slash)
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Continuation Revised
I just realized that perhaps part of the struggle about my ideas for the main conflict in DS is its lack of continuation from the story in Escaflowne beyond the characters and V+H's relationship. Even though I've written a lot about the cultural and political history of Gaea, there must be remaining tensions and unsolved issues that need to be brought forward and resolved.
Summary of the end:
1. Rebuilding of destroyed Fanelia. Asturia with ruins within Palas, and a destroyed Rampant Port and border post Castelo. Freid with collapsed capitol Godashim and Fortona temple.
2. Armies contend for dominance against each other (unclear of factions--other countries include Cesario, Basram, Daedalus, and Egzardia--have to watch end ep again).
3. Collapse of Zaibach empire. What happened to its people?
4. Atlantis entry sealed.
5. Death of thousands. Energist bomb effects on the battlefield (where exactly is it?).
On the personal aspects:
1. Allen is reunited with Celena. Allen is still unattached, and no resolution about his status within the Heavenly Knights.
2. Dryden off on his quest to return as a better man.
3. V+H part, obviously.
Is there anything I'm missing?
My new stat counter tells me most of the traffic is from Google image search. I'm not sure if I should be happy about that or not. (At least, I'm not savvy enough to IP filter its hits, so it'll stay for now.)
Summary of the end:
1. Rebuilding of destroyed Fanelia. Asturia with ruins within Palas, and a destroyed Rampant Port and border post Castelo. Freid with collapsed capitol Godashim and Fortona temple.
2. Armies contend for dominance against each other (unclear of factions--other countries include Cesario, Basram, Daedalus, and Egzardia--have to watch end ep again).
3. Collapse of Zaibach empire. What happened to its people?
4. Atlantis entry sealed.
5. Death of thousands. Energist bomb effects on the battlefield (where exactly is it?).
On the personal aspects:
1. Allen is reunited with Celena. Allen is still unattached, and no resolution about his status within the Heavenly Knights.
2. Dryden off on his quest to return as a better man.
3. V+H part, obviously.
Is there anything I'm missing?
My new stat counter tells me most of the traffic is from Google image search. I'm not sure if I should be happy about that or not. (At least, I'm not savvy enough to IP filter its hits, so it'll stay for now.)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Backstories
My brilliant idea today was to write more backstories for DS, so off I went on wikipedia for details I've missed and new articles.
1. Read about steampunk and identified Esca elements: airships, guymelefs, crystal power, fate alteration machine, energist bomb
2. Read again about Edgar Cayce
3. Read again about Ignatius Donnelly
4. Read about Immanuel Velikovsky
5. Read about Freidich Schiller
6. Read about the sinking of Helike in Greece in 373 BC
7. Read the article on Numenor
Still need more backstories, and though it's likely I wouldn't fit them all into DS (and really shouldn't), they'll help build the culture and interactions between groups.
I'm more and more into the idea that Hitomi could turn out to be a significant political figure that exceeds her role in Esca. Having Hitomi in a powerful role is so appealing. My only hesitation right now is how it will turn out for her. I don't want Hitomi to be a ruler of a separate country like Princess of La Vallex, but there must still be numerous roles for her in the future of Gaea--I just can't think of any right now.
Can't quite remember where this is from, though it must be from an official illustration:
1. Read about steampunk and identified Esca elements: airships, guymelefs, crystal power, fate alteration machine, energist bomb
2. Read again about Edgar Cayce
3. Read again about Ignatius Donnelly
4. Read about Immanuel Velikovsky
5. Read about Freidich Schiller
6. Read about the sinking of Helike in Greece in 373 BC
7. Read the article on Numenor
Still need more backstories, and though it's likely I wouldn't fit them all into DS (and really shouldn't), they'll help build the culture and interactions between groups.
I'm more and more into the idea that Hitomi could turn out to be a significant political figure that exceeds her role in Esca. Having Hitomi in a powerful role is so appealing. My only hesitation right now is how it will turn out for her. I don't want Hitomi to be a ruler of a separate country like Princess of La Vallex, but there must still be numerous roles for her in the future of Gaea--I just can't think of any right now.
Can't quite remember where this is from, though it must be from an official illustration:
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
On Writing 2
I still haven't jumped back into prose and paragraphs and sentences and particular words, but this time for real, I think I'm getting closer in preparation. In my previous post on writing, the focus was on editing, but these past couple of weeks have been of a different sort of experience.
Listening to Escaflowne music again while visualizing scenes and pretending characters have helped set me back into Gaea. A little notebook and a good pen force me to think about DS at every idle moment. Some alone time in coffee shops and wait for public transportation are surprisingly productive. And changing my desktop to my DS drawings definitely bring in the mood.
My composition is still awkward, but writing everyday helps, even if it's just this blog or recent anime reviews or emails. I'm sure if I persist in my focus on DS, even if progress is slow, It will eventually find me.
Yesterday I detailed the second to last ch (unless my plan for scenes change dramatically). I get tremendously excited when I get a good idea, and it's tempting and slightly depressing that I can't reveal it here--indeed not until the second to last ch. I hope you will forgive me, even though it's awful of me to wave a cookie but not share. Well, perhaps a chocolate chip: Van and Sousuke will meet.
Considerations tossing around in head right now:
1. Other main characters' developments are too two-dimensional (Allen, Millerna, etc.). What growths or regressions have they had since we saw them last in Esca? How are they impacted and grow by the events and by interactions with V+H in DS?
2. Erected political structures are weak and superficial. Needs more backstories to countries and better representations of the rulers.
3. How are Gaea in general affected by the conflict and then the outcome of the conflict? Do people just go on with their lives without a real knowledge of what has happened like in Esca?
4. Related to 2 and 3, have more important minor characters who we can identify with and see how their lives change. (Esca examples: Voris, Jajuka, Zongi, Miguel)
5. I want to toss my original idea of including the song "Into the Light" into one of the ch, because it's such a common device in fanfiction and basically I did no work except think it illustrates V+H's relationship really well--and then when I wrote down that I've decided to toss it, I feel really sad and lost.
This is the back cover of doujinshi "Euphoria of the Meadow" by Gypsy Queen:
Listening to Escaflowne music again while visualizing scenes and pretending characters have helped set me back into Gaea. A little notebook and a good pen force me to think about DS at every idle moment. Some alone time in coffee shops and wait for public transportation are surprisingly productive. And changing my desktop to my DS drawings definitely bring in the mood.
My composition is still awkward, but writing everyday helps, even if it's just this blog or recent anime reviews or emails. I'm sure if I persist in my focus on DS, even if progress is slow, It will eventually find me.
Yesterday I detailed the second to last ch (unless my plan for scenes change dramatically). I get tremendously excited when I get a good idea, and it's tempting and slightly depressing that I can't reveal it here--indeed not until the second to last ch. I hope you will forgive me, even though it's awful of me to wave a cookie but not share. Well, perhaps a chocolate chip: Van and Sousuke will meet.
Considerations tossing around in head right now:
1. Other main characters' developments are too two-dimensional (Allen, Millerna, etc.). What growths or regressions have they had since we saw them last in Esca? How are they impacted and grow by the events and by interactions with V+H in DS?
2. Erected political structures are weak and superficial. Needs more backstories to countries and better representations of the rulers.
3. How are Gaea in general affected by the conflict and then the outcome of the conflict? Do people just go on with their lives without a real knowledge of what has happened like in Esca?
4. Related to 2 and 3, have more important minor characters who we can identify with and see how their lives change. (Esca examples: Voris, Jajuka, Zongi, Miguel)
5. I want to toss my original idea of including the song "Into the Light" into one of the ch, because it's such a common device in fanfiction and basically I did no work except think it illustrates V+H's relationship really well--and then when I wrote down that I've decided to toss it, I feel really sad and lost.
This is the back cover of doujinshi "Euphoria of the Meadow" by Gypsy Queen:
Monday, April 07, 2008
Protector of the Heavens
It's been a while since I've seen the series and I don't have the filmbooks with me--was there a phrase to describe Escaflowne as "protector of the heavens"? It seems too together for me to make it up, but then memory is sometimes a tricky thing. I've searched lyrics and Escaflowne Compendium already; if I can't find it in the filmbooks this weekend, I'll have to delegate it to the pile of facts I made up.
I think instead of focusing on my failure of coming up with anything plausible for ch6, I should resign myself to wandering thoughts on end-story. At least, it's coming along.
Ah, my other thought recently was on age. During Esca, V+H were 15, and their dreams and beliefs in themselves and each other supported their intentions throughout the story and ultimately outwilled the Fate Alternation Machine. For DS, V+H are 25--and are the defining characteristics courage and desire for truth?
I think instead of focusing on my failure of coming up with anything plausible for ch6, I should resign myself to wandering thoughts on end-story. At least, it's coming along.
Ah, my other thought recently was on age. During Esca, V+H were 15, and their dreams and beliefs in themselves and each other supported their intentions throughout the story and ultimately outwilled the Fate Alternation Machine. For DS, V+H are 25--and are the defining characteristics courage and desire for truth?
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