50,000 words

Wow. It just sounds crazy to say it, but I have officially eclipsed 50,000 words in the first book of my trilogy. Just to put that in perspective, the first Harry Potter book is 309 pages and around 77,000 words. You see, 50,000 words is special for me because I think I've subconsciously deemed it as the point of no return. In terms of plot, I would say I have at least 1/4 of the book left to go including a pretty big climax I have planned. I also need to go back and flesh out some details on characters, as well as add a few things to make everything flow together. Of course, then begins the monotonous process of editing, but I'll be thrilled if I can even get there...when I get there.

I still have quite a ways to go, but as I said earlier, I am officially deeming this as the point of no return. For years I've dabbled here and there with some ideas, fleshed out some characters, and written outlines for the trilogy, but never have I fully committed 100% to finishing this book. In fact, I honestly wasn't sure if I ever would finish it. I am now happy to say that whether this book is read by 2, two thousand, or two million, I am going to finish it. Whether it's published across the world or simply posted here on this blog, I am going to finish it.

Something just came over me today and I felt really inspired to write. I've been sitting here for the past couple of hours writing one of the most thrilling sections of book 1. For the first time since I've been writing Kedu, I was actually brought to tears tonight. It's something I had been planning for a while, but as I started to write it down, I couldn't help myself from being moved to tears. Now I'm not saying I have the next big hit on my hands, but if I can get attached to these characters enough to cry for them, I have a feeling others may do the same.

From the start, the thing that was always most important to me was the characters. I may not have the most advanced writing style or use a lot of complicated words, but I feel that I have truly created a group of lovable characters. That brings me to the book itself. I am not sure I've ever discussed the actual contents of the book on my blog, but now is just as good a time as any.

During my undergraduate years, I had a blind professor. Many of the students were constantly amazed at his ability to lecture, remember facts, and use his other senses without sight. It's pretty fascinating how his ability to hear, smell, taste, and touch is probably 10 times what I'm capable of.

As I thought more and more about this idea, I soon came up with the idea of the Proeliators. Basically, the Proeliators are an ancient group of warriors who protect the land of Vale. Their powers come from their incredible ability to sense the world around them. Their senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch are so advanced, that they are nearly unstoppable in battle. Their heightened senses also make them some of the most advanced spell casters in my world.

I don't want to give too much away because, after all, I want you guys to read it one day! Basically though, my trilogy tells the story of Vale's last Proeliator.

I can definitely see myself finishing the book this year, maybe even this summer if I have more writing days like I did today (although editing is another story entirely). I have a cousin who leaves to read, as well as a few friends who I think would be happy to proofread. I never really understood it when authors said that you can't write with the sole hope of it getting published...that is until now. I genuinely want to finish this story for the sake of my characters...and for myself. If it gets published, that would be a dream come true. If not, you guys can look forward to reading it here on the blog one day.

Am I living in a sideways world?

So I wrote up a blog the other day and for some odd reason, it didn't actually post to the site. Some of it was saved, but a large portion of it was lost. Me being too lazy to re-write, I put off the blog post until now. I'll try to re-create the original post as best I can.

Do you ever have those days when something just feels off? A few weeks back (before the end of LOST), I tweeted that exact statement. One of my friends jokingly said that perhaps I was living in a flashsideways world.

Now to add more fuel to the fire, I've noticed several strange coincidences occurring in my life.

1. During a job interview last week, I interviewed at a location that looked incredibly similar to to a place I interned at back in college. Ok, that's normal enough. Buildings often look the same of course. To make things more interesting though, the gentlemen I interviewed with was a UofL graduate (same as me) with a Communication degree (same as me). Not only that, he had just got married and his wife worked as nurse where she was preparing to start a new job at the same hospital where my wife works as a nurse. Weird, huh?
2. Also found out recently that 2 different couples I've known for about a year or so have the same wedding anniversary as me and my wife (June 6).
3. I also find out that someone I just met is now working as an intern in a Communication department where I used to work myself.
4. Finally, in class the other day, our discussion somehow arrived at evolutionary psychology, which was a major point of an article I presented on later in class.

Before you freak out and accuse me of losing my mind or something, I should let you know that do not really believe that I am living in some alternate universe :) That being said, these coincidences are interesting nonetheless. I'll be sure to let you know if anything else happens. Funny thing, coincidences...

Since the end of LOST, I'm sure you've noticed that my blogging has been pretty lackluster (*cough* nonexistent *cough*). I have thought a lot about my blog and where I want it to go; however, I don't feel any closer to figuring it out than I did before. I can't decide if I want to blog on a myriad of topics or focus on one thing of which I am a big fan (sports? video games? technology?).  Maybe some of you can help.

There are two things in my life I'm working on right now so it would be great if the blog could help me with one (or both). Number 1: Live a healthier lifestyle (exercising more, eating better, drinking less soda, etc...). Number 2: Write more. Many of you know that I've started work on a trilogy, but it's something I've never had the drive to finish. I've typed over 150 pages and am just over 45,000 words. I actually have many of the major plot points already worked out in my head. Maybe I just need to "get my [butt] in the chair and write," as Pat Rothfuss so eloquently wrote in my signed copy of The Name of the Wind.

Regardless, let me know if you have any ideas on where my blog should go from here.