A Year to End and Begin

Welcome to the end of 2014! I hope it has been a good year for you! It certainly has been a great year for me!

During this year, Thiranos, while it may not have been conceived, has grown into a rich world full of relatable characters that are just dying to tell us their stories! Two of the three Thiranos books have been written, and many of the other Thiranos Tales book are in the planning stages!

I am so excited about what this past year has brought and what this coming year has yet to bring! So much can happen in so little time, and I urge everyone to make the most of it!

Next year will be an exciting one for Thiranos, and I cannot wait to take the journey with you. Please, keep in touch here as well as thiranostales.deviantart.com to see just what is coming very soon!

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays From Thiranos!

Hey, all! I hope everyone has been having a wonderful holiday season! I just posted a few sketches of some of our favorite characters on my deviantArt account, so I thought I'd bring them to you here as well!

Brady

\

Scotty

Makenna

Not the most perfect or accurate things in the world, but I like 'em. Might do some more in the future like these. Totally not comfortable with bodies at all, but we'll see what happens.

As per my story, haven't gotten any manuscript requests yet, but maybe tomorrow I'll send some more out. It is the holidays, after all. Agents need breaks too! I've been sick lately, but I finally got some antibiotics in me, so, hopefully, I'll start being productive again. I've thought about several short stories which, again, aren't on the Flowchart of Progress, but I want to type them up anyway.

I just can't seem to draw myself away from Pokemon Alpha Sapphire...

Background Mania!

So, I decided the other day that I absolutely love writing background stories for my characters.

I'll be honest, when I first started writing Thiranos, I was not very fond of the main character, Makenna. I wanted to like her, but I wasn't sure if I could, knowing the way that she seems to be oblivious to her best friend Brady and his feelings towards her. I wanted to know more about them. What makes Makenna the way she is? Where does Brady get his personality? Why do they care for each other so much?

I started writing background stories based on certain items or events that were nonchalantly mentioned in my manuscripts. Each tale reveals something about the reference that makes the reader understand something more about the character, why they are who they are.

So far, I have only written about Makenna and Brady. And Brady... I have to admit, as I was writing and reading and revising (rinse and repeat), the first manuscript, I wanted to like Brady. I tried so hard to like him, but for some reason, I just couldn't bring myself to say, yes, he is the better guy in this situation. But, alas, I couldn't say that... until I wrote a couple of extra stories with him. Then I understood him so much better, and now I love him for who he is and more. I've also grown a bit more fond of Makenna, seeing how she truly does care for Brady in her own way.

I really want to write more about Scotty, and I have a few stories planned (see flowchart of progress.) But right now, as much as I like Scotty, I'm having too much fun exploring the depths of the relationship between Makenna and Brady.

Here's what I've written so far:

“Kenna, I’ve broken bones trying to beat you before, remember?” ~ Brady, Thiranos: Born of Fire
“That hurt worse than the time I broke my arm following you up that tree.” ~Brady, Thiranos: Born of Earth

A Pain of the Heart


“I’ve only been to one dance in my life, stag I might add, and it was the most awkward night ever." ~Makenna, Thiranos: Born of Fire

A Night to Remember

"Brady smiled broadly and waved back, his father’s old army jacket rising and falling with his shoulders." ~Thiranos: Born of Fire

Bleeding Pain


I have several more written in my mind, including one that may or may not be canon. Anyway, if you want to continue to follow my writing, please watch my deviantArt account (ThiranosTales) for future updates! I would love to know what you think about my work, so drop by and leave a comment if you'd like!

Queries Ahoy!

Yes! I have started querying! Basically, I'm an amateur at this kind of stuff. I mean, I send about 400 or more queries for Manassas, my first manuscript, and I got 400 rejections. But, that didn't stop me! I took a break from Manassas for a while and came back to it at the beginning of the year intending to rewrite it. As I was starting on the revision, I came across a notebook that held a hidden treasure I had long forgotten about, an excerpt from my baby Thiranos project.

There it began, and there it stayed. Since then I've written two manuscripts and have planned several more! Now I've revised the first manuscript in the Thiranos Tales series, Thiranos: Born of Fire, and I have begun to send queries to agents.

It's scary to send your work out there into the world. I picture it alone and afraid, shivering in an alley holding up an old tin cup, begging for loose change. I want to do all I can to help it, but right now, I just have to sit and wait. It's out of my hands now. I just pray that my work speaks for itself. All it takes it getting one agent to think, "Demon fighting leprechauns? This just might be the next trend!" Or something along those lines...

Anyway, if you are interested in reading my original manuscript in its non-revised form, go here: Manassas - Chapter One.

Until next time, I leave you with this little gem, Scotty who is apparently scared of shirts.

Courtesy of ThiranosTales

Devious Feature

Welcome, welcome! Here I am featuring the last winner of the dA-WritersRevolution membership drive, Dudet19!

When Miss Dudet isn't writing, she likes to sleep and listen to music. If she's not long-boarding, Dudet19 is rather fond of reading. She enjoys the books Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and1984. Edgar Allen Poe is one of her favorite authors. It's more than evident that she takes much of her inspiration from him in her writing. Dudet19 absolutely loves food! Especially, sushi! She also believes that she is adept at creating strange, yet beautiful descriptions. She is currently a college student from the southern United States, and she has the tendency to want to believe in people. It's always great to hear that some people still have faith in humanity!

glass organ.hearts like shattered glass
against windowpanes: painted
pieces make spectrums.Cancerwhat is cancer?
is it the disease in my head
that spreads to
the rest of my body?
telling me to
find a way
just,
keep away
from my fears
but I'm afraid for a reason.
was cancer the disease that made me willing
to relieve
myself of all that i believed in?
was cancer the growth of the
lie that i owed
you some sort of
sexual redemption?
was it the lie that
i could sacrifice
so much of me
despite
who i know i am
is it the idea
that i owed
enough of my soul
to accept being miserable to please you.
to pay you back for
the nights you heard me cry
about my fears of giving all to anyone
and you not listening.
of my fears that brought me to tears
about what i let you know
from the get go
was going to be living death for me.
but your heard,
and you didn't listen.

Dudet19 is inspired by life and music such as "Rage Against the Machine" and "My Chemical Romance." She has multiple writing processes depending on what she is writing and her mood. While a happy mood may not be best for writing for her, she tends to come up with haikus when she is walking to different places. For her, poetry requires silence, and with short stories she enjoys being inspired by creepy instrumental music.

She has been writing stories since she was very young, elementary school even. In seventh grade, she began to write poetry in an attempt to express the ever changing emotions of that age. Despite losing her books, she has fond memories of her writings back then. Dudet19 likes to write poetry, if you couldn't tell by visiting her gallery! Sci-fi and horror are her fortes!

Toy Rocket.tied my heart to a toy rocket
in hopes of reaching Jupiter
the parachute breaks voyage
mission number one undone
plastic and thread
explode from cheap nozzle
and I rendezvous with the asphalt
a half heart dance right before rock bottom
the smell of sulfur lingers in my half of inch hair
and I try to kill the time it takes
to die from suffocation
I only aspired the heavens
to drown myself in
anti matter
but here I am
breathing my way to
the same destination.In the junkyard's yellow car (morning glory)Taxi car give me a place to sleep
While all I have are month old receipts
Obituaries of the dollar bills
That once existed in the torn pockets of my coat
Turn on your radio, give me some heat
I've been alone for a month, no love do I keep
My only love are your torn leather seats
Taxi car provide me shelter to hide
'Cause the police are convinced it was a homicide
Memories of my loss, just..
Reminders in the ash tray
Start the ignition light my cancer, I'll deny the fratricide
You've been the one keeping me from suicide
But soon enough you'll have to decide
Taxi car let me tell you my story
My wife was my all, she was my morning glory
Her favorite flower gracing the entrance
As she put on her lipstick in the mirror
And I cried forever, my tears kept pouring
Until I was empty, a storage box with no inventory
Taxi car the world is freezing
Tell me, how you went on breathing
Your ancestor's exhale still sit in the very stitching,
in your rotting steering wheel
Well sleep keeps on teasing
IPray pretend.Pray pretend.
Because there's nothing left
Up the message
To heaven send
To the god you want to believe in
But your too convinced
You've suffocated within
This perfectly silent
Imaginary sin
Take me down
Along this road
Press
Play my lips
Syllables echo
Petition crowned
Upon my teeth
Towards holy ground
All too familiar
False hope to pound
Beating dead horses into the sound
Of the dying voices
From underneath
This hallowed earth
Beneath sacred feet.
All the angels say
Lets pray for them
Lets pray pretend
For those countless sins
Lets pray pretend
In blasphemy
To the god we serve
To what we're supposed to be
All the angels
Drop
Their bleached white robes
Upon the heads of withered souls
Oh dance my love
See underneath?
Skeletons they were
Under these sheets
Praying pretend
While we pray for real
Our broken souls
Beneath their veils.
Pray pretend
To the god we hope for
Up we send
This desperate crow call
To the god
That we abuse
That we curse, and hope
That we can use
To save us from
Our

This feature has also been posted on http://thiranostales.deviantart.com.

Future and Features!

Hey guys!  So, here's what I have on my plate for the future!


I have 3 of 16 projects in the works! Born of Fire and Born of Earth have been written and are in the process of revision. One Fallen Journal has been written, and more are to come (there are thirteen Hell dimensions, after all!) The other Thiranos short stories will make more sense to my beta readers (btw, if you're interested in beta reading, let me know), but I'll try to make it enjoyable for non-readers as well.

Now, onto a few features I'd been putting off because I'm lazy. 

First off, here's an updated photo of the previously posted feature of Brady and Makenna by TwilightWolfCourage! Thanks again, friend!

Next, is a new take on Ludichrom! I love the perspective here! Would you want to face off against him? I sure wouldn't! He looks like he knows how to use that ax! Thanks, EliDCamacho

And here's another Ludichrom! This one is little and cute. Love love his little blinking motion! Adorable! Thanks, Pario-PS!

Thanks, everyone!


Now, shameless group promotion! Please, check out dA-WritersRevolution! We accept both artists and written word artists! We are about to start our first contest. We would love it if you would like to either 1) join and participate or 2) contribute prizes! Let me know if you're interested!

Yours Truly,

Michelle

Update on Things

Hey, thought I would post an actual blog for once! I've been working very hard on getting Thiranos: Born of Fire revised and ready for a publisher. I know there is a long way to go still, but preliminary revisions are about halfway done right now. I got really productive this weekend and did five chapters in one day. I'm planning on getting a couple more done tonight and possibly sending out a few queries to agents to test the waters. I'm still waiting to hear back from three that I sent over a week ago. Hopefully, I'll know something soon.

I have a few beta readers that are giving me their opinions on things. So far, most all of it has been positive! Makes me feel a little better when people actually enjoy reading my brain stories.

I've been thinking on them pretty hard, and I think it's about time for me to write some stories involving the character's past. These stories are actually referred to in some way, shape or form in the book. Just thought it would be neat to flesh them out a bit to give the characters some more depth. Here's what's on the schedule so far. I know these probably won't mean much to you right now, but someday they will!

Brady & Makenna:

Tree Climbing
Power Outage
School Dance

Scotty:

Girlfriend Fiasco
Witches

Other:

Gaia's Journal
Continuation of Journal of a Fallen

At some point I might post my flow chart of future books and such, all subject to change, of course. All in all, I plan to just keep writing whether I get published or not. I've had some people tell me I should self-publish, but I want my first book to be treated right. I don't think self-publishing would truly get me out there like I'd like to be. Perhaps once I get my Demon in Me mini-series done, I'll put it all together and self-publish that as a free book. We'll see...

I Am So Proud of This!

The title of this entry says it all! I am so proud of the story I just wrote! I can't say that it is perfect, but it actually elicited an emotional response from me both while I was writing it and while I was rereading it. Please check it out! I would love any and all feedback as well as some recognition if you enjoy it! Please share with due credit! Check it out in the link below!

Numb

Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone is having a happy and safe All Hallow's Eve! I have a story that I was going to post today, but I didn't get it finished in time. I may post it tomorrow though, so be on the lookout for it!

Until then, here are a couple of features! These are special because they are both of Makenna and Brady! It's funny because I don't think I actually asked the artists for that... But, hey, I love it!

This first one shows Makenna on a really good hair day. Brady's hair seems like it has a mind of its own! I love the interaction here though. Really shows their relationship off!

Courtesy of Deviant TwilightWolfCourage

This next picture makes me think that those two are the dodgeball duo from Thiranos... Seriously, they look like they are about to make some hurt with those balls! I love Brady's shirt. It's super cute!

Courtesy of Deviant MangaInkFingers

I'm so glad it's the weekend! Update: I've revised the first eight chapters in Thiranos: Born of Fire. I have a few beta readers who are helping me out with their opinions of the book and whatnot. So far everything has been fairly positive, so that's a good sign! Now, if only I can get an agent to read it...

Sigh...

Normally, I don't copy and paste, but, well, the post speaks for itself...

Okay, I just want to give you a brief recap of the past three days for me:

Sunday

- Burned myself getting pizza out of the oven.

Monday

- Forgot my key card at home (along with my debit card.)
- Got five sore spots on my fingers from cutting up a sample at work for two hours.
- Later, at martial arts class, the one on my pinky decides to turn into a blister.

Tuesday

- First thing at work I shatter a piece of glassware on the floor.
- Thought I brought my instrument.
- Boss had to come rescue me.
- Realized the "3" key was mashed in.
- Afterwards, the instrument worked oddly well for me. Too well.
- Thought about making pot roast stew and sugar cookies all day.
- Came home after almost getting run into twice.
- At home, my husband drops his phone on his toe, and the screen shatters.
- I get a tiny (about half a cm actually) sliver of glass from his screen into my thumb.
- I bleed.
- We go to Verizon to use my free upgrade for him.
- I brag about my "dumb" phone being indestructible and having it nearly four years.
- My phone falls out of my pocket.
- My screen no longer works.
- I cry a little inside.
- Place an insurance claim.
- They are sending a new version of my phone that will get here tomorrow (for $45, of course.)
- We go home.
- Joke about how funny it would be if dropping it made my phone work again.
- Drop it on purpose just to see.
- Phone works perfectly now.
- Can't cancel claim, but can send phone back when I get it tomorrow.
- Most likely will see it and think, "Ooo... Shiny..." and will activate it anyway.
- Made pot roast stew.
- Shrugged my shoulders and sighed.

I'm just hoping that this week won't kill me by the end of it... I mean, injured skin on Sunday, blistered skin and drew bodily fluids (heh, gross) on Monday, and drew blood today... I'm scare tomorrow i'm going to get a gaping gash or break a bone. 

Anyway, onto more interesting things...

Here's an interesting take on Ludichrom's head and shoulders! I like his deviousness here as well as his shirt! Thanks,D2Be!


So, I wrote a little more of my Demon in Me mini-series today at work, and I was going to type it up.... Then life happened.

Three Pence a Dollar?

Is that a saying? I think it should be if it's not.

I have three features to show today! First, I'll start with this adorable picture of Ludichrom! He is confident and flirty, but not overbearing or arrogant.

Courtesy of Deviant LuiShadowDoll

Next, here's a picture of Makenna that is pretty cool and unique! I love her hair and her clothes! She did a really good job of using my reference picture.

Courtesy of Deviant 102vvv

Lastly, we have a special picture! This has a bunch of different characters in there, but Makenna is front and center in the brown hair and green jacket. The conversation she is having is very reflective of her tomboyish nature!

Courtesy of Deviant PictureOnProgress

Update! I have revised the first two chapters in Thiranos: Born of Fire! But there is still a lot of work to do for it... I'll get the main revisions done then hit it big time!

Feature: dieliala

Time for my third feature! This time we have dieliala! Dieliala has some excellent art in her gallery! She seems to prefer to draw girls, and she is very good at it! She has a large variety of characters and interactions. All of them are executed very well.

So, up first, we get a nice head-shot of Makenna! I love her style. Makenna looks so unique here! She has amazing hair, and her expression looks so delightful! I'd be her friend... until she turned into a demon beast. I don't know how Brady stands it!

Now, I bet you're wondering who could draw such a pretty looking Makenna... dieliala, that is! I bet you didn't know these things about her:

1) I like anime / manga. (Some of my favorites being Sailor Moon, Fullmetal Alchemist, Bleach and Fairy Tail.)
2) I'm a bit of a gamer. Though, I prefer nintendo and Mmos. For Nintendo, my favorites being Harvest Moon, and Pokemon. As far as Mmos, Maplestory and I'm currently growing a bit fond of League of Legends.
3) I tend to read and write a lot, which fits in my hobby of RPing.
4) I tend to be a pretty shy person, though, if we hit a mutual topic we're both interest in, I tend to not be as shy.
5) One day, I want to have a table in Artist Alley.

She and I share some video game preferences! Do you like Zelda as well?

Anyway, what about dieliala as an artist? Who is she truly when she creates her art? Perhaps this Q&A will get us one step closer to understanding her.

1) What do you enjoy about art?
    - How you can express your creativity through it.

2) How long have you been drawing?
    - I've been drawing for 6, going on 7 years. I actually still remember making my first drawing back in October when I was in 6th grade.

3) What's your favorite medium?
    - Digital, though, I do want to learn traditional methods as well.

4) What inspires you the most?
    - Music, stories (either that I read, or create through RP or writing), and probably other artists here and there.

5) What deviation are you most proud of?
    - I'd have to say that I'm most proud of this one  because it was my first time ever trying to incorporate an animal into my drawings.

6) Do you have any OCs? If so, tell me about them!
    - Gaahhh I have wayy too many. xD Going through my gallery, if it is my personal art and isn't fan art, there's a good chance that it is an OC of mine. But anywho, my primary original characters are Akida and Kyna Umichi. I've had them for as long as I've been drawing / writing stories and I've put them in practically every universe, and situation imaginable. I adore drawing them needless to say. There's also Minako Hitsugaya, my first technical "fan character" for Bleach. While I don't use her as much as Akida / Kyna, she still holds a place for me because she was the first character that I ever used to RP in Bleach (Bleach was my first RP fandom).
Okay, so we've learned about dieliala's deep, dark side. What about the more lighthearted side to this mysterious deviant?

1) What's your favorite kind of weather?
    - Cloudy / dark. Ironicly, I dislike thunderstorms although, I do enjoy dark, gloomy-ish days. I find them to be rather comforting.

2) If you had to pick, who would be your favorite superhero be?
    - I honestly dunno. I was never really into superheros, but if it counts, I'd say Starfire and /or Raven. x3 If they don't count, then Iron man most definately does.

3) Bananas or strawberries?
    - Strawberries. :3

4) Do you have any siblings?
    - Yes although I never met or lived with them.

5) Create a catch phrase for yourself!
    - "Even if you think your art is shitty, continue doing it because it will come out less shitty the next time."
Awesome! Now dieliala wanted me to show us a few of her works (including the one shown above!). You'll have to tell her what you think!


I perused through her gallery and came up with a few favorites of my own!


Thank you for sharing about yourself, dieliala! I hope everyone goes to visit her gallery (Gallery)! I highly recommend spending your own time finding favorites!

Would you like a feature? Let me know! All you have to do is draw one of my OCs! (Literature people, we can work something out as well!)

Yours Truly,

Michelle

Feature Before Feature

I'm about to post another feature, but first, I wanted to post this little gem up. Here Ludichrom is looking suave as always. Looks like something you'd want to find at a bar and follow home. Did I say that? Haha, but seriously. His personality comes across very well here, slick and confident.

Courtesy of Deviant ACrowsCollection

So, I was thinking that if I don't get anyone else interested in a feature, I might just feature myself. I have some old art that could use a second look...

Feature: Llachar

My second feature! May I present to you lovely people, Llachar! Llachar is definitely an artist who is only going to get better as she continues on her journey in the way of the arts.

Business first! I asked Ms. Llachar to draw my OC, Scotty. I definitely love this picture because he has the perfect hair and perfect eyes, and that pose (which Llachar is very proud of, and she very well should be!) is wonderful for out little Scotty! I also love the added detail of the chin stubble and arm hair.

Alright, now, assume that pose as you read this, and let's get down to the nitty-gritty of who Llachar really is! When I asked her to name five things about herself, here's what she said:

1) I have a weakness for flower crowns and giant fuzzy hoodies.
2) I love the sky and the color blue. The idea of flying enchants me.
3) Owl City is my favorite musical project.
4) I love fiction, reading, and stories.
5) I love drawing digitally and with pencils. I prefer mechanical pencils and colored pencils, but I also experiment with charcoal and watercolor pencils. I want to learn to you gouache and inking pens, for better lineart.

Very nice, Llachar! But, how did you answer my Q&A?

1) What do you enjoy about art?
    - The process of making it, the joy I get from running a pencil across paper and making it become something. I love to watch the characters come alive under my hand. I also love making up characters and imagining stories. :3

2) How long have you been drawing?
    - About four years.

3) What's your favorite medium?
    - Oooh, you ask tough questions. I'd say paper and pencil, because it's the most convenient and also pretty easy. But then, as mentioned above, I also love digital work and charcoal.

4) What inspires you the most?
    - Ben Hatke's art is a source of awe for me. Van Gogh is my favorite artist from history- Starry Night will never cease to enchant me. I also get ideas from brainstorming with my sister.

5) What deviation are you most proud of?
    - Oh gosh. Just one? Angsting , Attachment Is Forbidden , Rogue Jedi  and Twilight  are all works I'm pretty proud of.

6) Do you have any OCs? If so, tell me about them!
    -Ohh, Thiranos, you don't know what you've gotten yourself into. There's about four different universes that i have OCs in and I will go on for hours about all of them. There's Atonai and Tornea from the Star Wars fanfic (I love Atonai. He cares so much about everything and knows exactly what he believes. He left the Jedi Order because he disagreed with them all so strongly. Tornea is an insecure ball of feathers and happiness.) and there's Tenshi (and so, so many others) from the Demon Wars universe. He's a little dork with true skill in mechanics and a background tragic enough to be a Shakespeare play. I'll stop now before I write you a short novel.

Goodness! That's a lot of OCs in so many different universes as well! They all seem very different and unique. And, hey, write a short novel! You have enough characters to fill one plus more!

Since the last feature, I've added a new section! Introducing, the Fun Corner!

1) What's your favorite food?
    - Pepperoni pizza with Japanese takeout on it. Or dipped in eggdrop soup. And nachos.

2) What's your favorite board game?
    - I don't play board games very much? Apples to Apples is pretty fun, if that counts.

3) If you could meet any mythical creature, what would it be?
    - A dragon. I know, such a predictable answer. But they're huge, and they can fly, and most of them breathe fire. They're highly intelligent and generally known as very wise.

4) What kind of music do you like?
    - Everything from Pheonix (Fall Out Boy) to Cactus in the Valley (Lights ft. Owl City)

5) Showers or baths?
    - Depends on my mood.

I snooped through Llachar's gallery and came up with a few of my own favorites! Here they are below:


Please go visit Llachar's gallery and check out the art and the fun stories behind them for yourself! Llachar, keep studying and improving like you are and who knows where the future will take you!

Be watching for the next feature coming soon! If you'd like a feature, please note me, and I'll note you with details. Also, if you haven't, please check out my mini-series, Demon in Me Pt. 1 here - http://fav.me/d81r015 Let me know what you think!

Yours Truly,

Michelle