In your last comment section, Erik was referring to the characters of Eric and Maddie in S&A and Free Spirits. He says the character Eric is a reference to him.
Cobalt Stuff
I have to make a note about Cobalt here. I am so happy Lile is back, she inspires me in so many ways---her writing is just phenomenal and so are her music choices.
Also I am so glad we have Mansfield with us as well. I love having new blood into the company(don't even think about it). Maybe he can do a guest blog on one of our blogs so we can get to know more about him.
Somewhere Along the Line . . .
Somewhere along the line this story became a very unintentional allegory. When I noticed it I just went along with it and developed it more. It is not very evident in this chapter but, it will be in later chapters. It was a very subconscious move.
Process
I have a very good grasp of the plot points for Hidden and the sequel that comes after. I have a feeling the last one will be about 3 chapters and this one will be between 8 and 12 chapters. It just the actual writing it that has become troublsesome.
I have tried to start writing ahead of my postings. In the past I write a chapter post it and then write another one and post it so, I can't mess with the cannon or add much foreshadowing if I decide to change something.
The only time I haven't done that was in IVB when I got so into writing it I ended up writing until the end pretty early--and I actually felt that led to some of the rushed feeling of it.
That said, I have been afraid to post something and then want to change it or add something later but, I have decided to do it anyway. So hopefully this will expedite the posting , I feel bad because this had been ready and should have been posted a week after chapter 1.
If that made no sense don't worry about it.
Similarities
I think Lile and I have the same muse who is lazing on the job-- I am convinced of it. I was so excited to write something in third person and then switch it to first person at the end and then Lile did it before me ! Oh well, (:
I have been seeing the first scene in Chapter 1 for so long so I was very excited about it.
There are also a few other similarities I have seen but, it is interesting how they exist in completely separate contexts.
When I had writer's block for a while I decided to update a running list of names I have for characters and I am always amused by how many names on that list have appeared in LL. The two main ones being Clara and Addison but, I also had Rosalinda which is similar to Rosalie.
Context
I have been experimenting a lot with re-contextualizing elements of past my past writing. It's something I have wanted to do but, it won't look blatantly obvious-- like there wont be a character named Sawyer who owns a diner (although that sounds like a good idea . . .).
I think this piece opens itself up to the recontextualizing of elements because this serial has been so genre bending. I have no idea if Veritas is a coming of age, dystopian, postcyberpunk or allegory or any number of genres it could be.
Some of these reoccurring elements so far are :
In some ways Jean and Alan are respectively versions of Slate and Darcy in IVB.
Rayne and Cain are similar characters except of course Rayne is not really a villain or antagonist.
Belle, the stripper in UL is a version of Belle in Hidden who is a Madame--I suppose is the right word.
So, look out for those things I've sprinkled in through out the piece.
Chapter 2
Yes it's short, it should have been bundled with chapter 1 but I could not let go. Also one of songs in the playlist got a lot more popular because it was featured on a CW show. Also, a song is not on playlist so I have youtube embeded it.
-1- Black Balloons by Goo Goo Dolls
-2- Mama Who Bore Me
Chapter 2
You know even I will say Erik is reaching. He is just jealous because there isn't a girl whose successfully writings are very blatantly based on him.
ReplyDeleteOh Really, you didn't hear about how I left home and moved in with my cousin because I had a "drug problem".
ReplyDeleteShawna wrote that 3 years ago before she knew you and when I was sure you were dead
ReplyDeleteYeah ! This total made my day. I love long in-depth posts. You said there was a sequel to Hidden so does that make CTE a stand alone ?
ReplyDelete. " I had never been to keen on the idea of sharing my parents affection "
ReplyDeleteIDK, that sounded kind of creepy
The ending sounded as if there was going to be a parellel universe or maybe it was just a run of the mill cliff hanger. Call me crazy but I was totally on the side of Jean's parents.
ReplyDeleteOh that Eric. Well I'm sure I heard the name in passing before meeting Erik. . . so who knows.
ReplyDeleteI saw the similarity in chapter 1 of Hidden with the first scene taking place on a protagonist birthday
The part with Jean and his parents reminded me a little bit of Juliana's reunion with her parents. This makes me miss UL ):
ReplyDelete^ what is there to miss you can still re-read it ! ! !
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the dialogue surrounding the. I'll never look at a bench the same way again.
It’s no bigger than me so, I have a feeling it will fit in the trunk,”
ReplyDeleteLOL
. . . . To soon ? (:
But. . but. . it was so short.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what you have in store. I feel as if the story is an allegory for technology is not money.
I meant to write "and money"
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Harry said that Jean promised to take care of Minnie makes me think that Jean and his brother are closer than they let on.
ReplyDeleteIn the Veritas world it must be weird to have people drop by unexpectedly. I mean now that we have cell phones it's alittle weird not to call or text first, but if you are constantly on the internet and conntected it must be even more strange.
ReplyDeleteJust a thought.
I was hoping for more Allison in this chapter, she seems like a really interesting character.
ReplyDeleteWhat an UPDATE ?!?!
ReplyDeleteWhy does Alan think the Dorys wanted to let Minnow go ? I mean didn't they runaway ?
Oh, I may have already asked you this but did you have 'Addison' as a male or female name ? On a side note what is the inspiration for Mrs. Dory's dress. It sounds dreadful.
ReplyDeleteI could see this as an allegory for imperalism. In which the Easterns have taken over the LOLA and quarantined themselves in a safe thriving environment while the "natives" live in the darkness and in threat of disposal.
ReplyDeletePierre, Jean why are there so many french names. Is it because they are cooler than American ones.
ReplyDeleteWe are so wrapped up in your writing style we forget about your posting style. I think after re-reading IVB I appreciate it tons more than the first time. It was so exciting reading 3 updates from all sorts of POVs.
ReplyDeleteIVB ? UL ? JB ? LiLe ? I feel like I need a glossary
ReplyDeleteIVB ? UL ? JB ? LiLe ? I feel like I need a glossary
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteCarleigh-- I meant a threequel I suppose. They will all go together but, could be read separately to some extent.
Snakeyes- Is it ? It was meant to imply he never wanted any siblings.
Tabby-- You are not crazy. Not at all.
Linda-- I missed that one !
Darcy_Lover-- I actually miss UL too, I really mean that. Now I feel sad.
Maylights-- Good point on re-reading it. But that just makes me even more nostaligic-- I really do miss that story but have literally no where to go from the end.
Cranberri-- It's funny the lines you all pick up on.
Lorrie--I know, I know this was really short. The other ones will not be this short.
Ft.Life-- Love your username. This will never be mentioned but, Jean's brother is 30 years old--seven years older like Jean is to Minnow so they had a similar relationship but, Harry is 14 years older than Minnow so they never really had a relationship.
California Blues-- THat is an interesting thought.
Nilla- I'll keep that in mind
LOTRMom-- She did run away but, I suppose he is thinking they didn't try and find her or force her to come back or call the cops or something.
Linda-- Umm,let me see. . .I had it under male names for sidekicks/secondary characters not for a protagonist incidentally enough.
Thanks everyone !
For some reason the smiling gun metaphor went way over my head.
ReplyDeleteOh, that Eric. Oh, you just heard it in passing /sarcasm
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to admit it, I am just flattered you think so much of me to write about me. We don't have to tell Joel. /condescending.
Do you like not being able to add foreshadowing and extra stuff, I would think it makes the story more real time.
ReplyDelete@ MT
ReplyDeleteLet me help
IVB -- Is Very Boyish (Shawna's serial with boys in it)
UL-- Uterus Lovers (Women love this one
JB-- Blowjob backwards, it's what we call Joel for the lulz.
LiLe-- Like a Lesbian, because she hates men.
Your Welcome
A few more you may see:
ReplyDeleteS&A- I have no idea what this stands for so let's just call it Fiona and Joel if they were young and hot again. Pretty much any reference to a LiLe relationship you can turn into Fiona and Joel.
I almost feel bad filing Shawna's comment section with this but LiLe's blog hasn't been updated
@Erik
ReplyDeleteI know and I have a bunch of jokes to post. But, we should stop making fun of her because then she might try and come to the office.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI realized that my comment before wasn't very helpful so I though I would leave a real comment. I started reading Veritas last week so I've just caught up. It left off on such a cliffhanger. Sometimes I find it difficult to read truly unique characters in a piece of work unless it is an "Classic". I felt that Alan, Jean, Minnie and Sara Grace fall into a category of their own. Like you've said before they are not the good guys but they aren't evil either. However, they lived in a certain reality that I think shattered for them the moment the war broke out. Sure, they would kill a bad guy (and get a reward ?) and that was it but WAR is a true statement just like kidnapping Alan was. I think Vertias focus on what happens when people get fed up with the way things are and create action. I think until the characters reached Arcadia it was hard for readers to see the humanity it this world you have created
ReplyDeleteI hope that was helpful
MGBY
Oh, snap.
ReplyDeleteLOL.
STOP BEING MEAN TO ME ):
ReplyDelete@ Lile ^ You know I used to be middle school guidance counselor and the boys would always make fun of the girls they liked the most.
ReplyDelete@MT
ReplyDeleteSo true ♥
Shawna, you have to delete their comments. I mean this is a business and I think Joel and Erik are being completely unprofessional and are harassing me.
ReplyDeleteHow do you feel knowing LOLA is the offical name of Law and Order Los Angeles ?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteNatalie-- Yes, something like that.
Sundance-- No,Pierie because of the St.Pierre-- a type of fish and Harry was originally Herri as in Herring, a type of fish. I am done with this theme which is why his mother does not have a name.
Marcia-- Yes but, each IVB section was 700-1000 words long.
MT-- You'll learn. We are our own little subculture.
Makemelala--There is no metaphor, just a ridiculous statement. . .
Sawlisa-- I actually don't like it because I like to see you all pick up on the foreshadowing bits.
Erik-- STOP. <3
MT-- Wow, just wow what a wonderful review. You may be to good for this Cobalt. I would like to know what you mean by "Classic" and why you find it hard to read unique characters. Your last few lines were spot on !
Constance-- I think it's kind of funny !
ReplyDeleteLinda- It will take me a while but, I'll do it.
No, don't worry Honey. I just let those idiots get the best of me.
ReplyDelete