What is this feeling so sudden and new ?

“When a condition or a problem becomes too great, humans have the protection of not thinking about it. But it goes inward and minces up with a lot of other things already there and what comes out is discontent and uneasiness, guilt and a compulsion to get something--anything--before it is all gone.”

 - John Steinbeck, Winter of Our Discontent 

So, a few of you have asked about where the title comes from and it comes from this quote. I was looking for quotes with good wording about grief and loss to use for a title inspirtation and I found this one. When I started this story it was mostly about Sara losing her baby and how they go to all kinds of lengths to bring him back. You could argue the same for Maxwell who lost a lot and is scrambling to hold on to what he has.

Compulsion and UL3 Update

So, Ive done something...different. I've known how Compulsion ends since word one (that said I still have to retcon a couple of things), but I was starting to feel hopeless getting there so I got rid of my old hodge podge notes and  made a brand new outline where I  break the rest of the story  down into chapters...and we have about 10 more to go. This is such a new feeling for me to know exactly what I'm writing next.  It's like a little guide I can refer to.

I'd tried to do the same for UL3, but it was pretty hard because that story is going to be in two parts and part I isn't very linear. I'm still 7 chapters in and I've kind of hit some really bad writer's block with how to move a scene forward....which is probably what led to the previously mentioned V2 outline.

Compulsion 23

Recap:So, Maxwell goes out with Haley and they get super wasted. Haley finds out Maxwell has been holding on to a handerkerchief that belonged to him and is freaked out...but not as freaked out as Maxwell is that Haley doesn't remember meeting him in the hospital.

Compulsion 23

Playlist

-1- Wait by M83

-2- Crazy by Daniela Andrade

-3- Silhouettes by Of Monsters and Men

#SerialAesthetic

Muse: Hey Guys ! Here is the recipe to write your very own SHV (and incidentally....LiLe) character in 4 easy steps:

I actually saw this on Tumblr describing  fandom crushes....and I realized I may have found my peeps.




There was a hashtag going around called #novelaesthetics where writers showed images that fit the aesthetics for their novels. So, I decided to do one for a couple of my serials with the few images I don't think I've used. 

Vice 2: Compulsion

UL3

 

You Belong In A Story

These are images I've collected and would love to write a story for.

Compulsion 22

Recap: Things are changing at Camp Harmony. Maxwell has been forced into a 7 year contract by his bosses and has decided it's a good idea to ask for sexual favors from his subordinate,

Playlist (It's a longer one for me)
Compulsion22
-1- Carry Me Home by SOHN 
-2- The Devil's TEars  by Angus and Julia Stone
-3- Ghost by Halsey
-4-Inside my Love by Delilah
-5- Holes in The Sky by M83, HAIM 

SIDENOTE: I may be switching commenting systems soon-ish. It's hard for me to tell who I've responded to with this one. 

Meet My Muse !

I've always loved LiLe's posts with her muse and it wasn't until I commented on her post a while back that  I realized something...I have a new muse. I think she's been on leave since UL, but she's back and I thought I'd do an interview !




SHV: So, tell us a little bit about yourself.

SHV Muse: Well, I like drinking tea or coffee on a nice computer-lit evening.  I'm into unhealthy relationships, problematic behavior, dysfunctional families, substance abuse and antiheroes.

SHV:Um--

SHV Muse: Also, blondes...apparently--,

SHV Muse: Huh, I never realized how many of my main characters are blonde--

SHV Muse: Oh and I am also forgetful as hell

SHV: ...You are ?

Muse: Well, yeah. You ever notice how we use a lot of names twice by mistake.

SVH: Right....we do. So, Muse where have you been ? I haven't felt like I had another voice in my head since UL

Muse: Well, like I said Shawna you pretty much do the same story; virgin blonde gets in over their head and then saves the day...I mean I'm only assuming that is where Compulsion is going since that is where Vice and UL went. Anyway when you started re-reading UL for UL3 I was like I have to get in on this, if we want the experience to be the same.

SHV: Um...right. Well, I think the readers would want to know about UL3. What do you think you can tell us ? Maybe a line or--

Muse: Well, if we keep the first chapter of the serial the same they are either going to love us or or kill you with fire.

SVH: Uh, okay, well---wait. Why wouldn't they  kill you with fire ?

Muse: Look, I don't really want to talk UL. I have some ideas for Compulsion we need to add.

SHV: Add ? I've finally convinced myself to condense the story down--

Muse: Yeah, yeah whatever. Look, you know how in each version of the Vice/Veritas world you mention people donating organs ? Well--

SHV: Wait.

Muse: Mmmhmm....

SHV: That's brilliant and it ties up the---

Muse: MMMHMMM

SHV: Well, I have some writing to do. Muse, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship

The End

UL Update
I am writing the sixth chapter. I have never been this far ahead of anything ever and it's pretty exhilarating. I've actually been able to go back and add new things. There is also a lot on the chopping block.

Compulsion 20 + 21
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Playlist

I'm doing double chapter because some of these are really short

Recap
Alan has gone undercover in the Mjollner to find out what happened to Rias. He meets a man named Bishop who is in charge of the new recruits. He tells them he ran away from Rayne and gives them the 7 million dollars he stole for their protection.

Maxwell goes to Ft. Perch and is told by his ex-girlfriend (who is a high ranking official) that he can either sign a 7 year contract that will keep him in Camp Harmony or be court matrialed for his role in a bad military operation. He signs the contract.

Also, Minnie gets a job at the Luxor for reasons...

Chapter 20
-1- Arsonists Lullaby by Hozier

Chapter 21
-1- Another Day by The Album Leaf
-2- My Body is A Cage by Arcade Fire