Silver Platter NaNoWriMo Book

EDITED TO ADD: I’m over at Southern Fried Chicas today.

Let me give you the backstory first. I think it was about a week and a half ago or maybe two weeks ago I had a strange dream. Not a Martin Luther King type of dream, but as close as I’ll get as having one like him. I was in a wedding. Kid and Play were doing there famous dance and then my father, during the reception came up to me, with fear plain on his face, and said to me and told me I needed to get back to my room. My room was 613. (Even being asleep I knew I needed to take note of this. 13 is just my number.)

At this point, the dream really started to get strange. All of sudden I was a teenager again. I was between 14-16. I had a guy friend. He felt like my brother, but not blood related. We had powers. Cool powers. This evil being was following us, trying to erase us off the face of the earth. We were hiding from him, and right before I made myself wake up, were we about to defeat him.

More things happened in this dream than I’m willing to share, but all the details were so vivid. A part of myself was on high alert. It was like 5:30 in the morning, but I forced myself awake. I found the nearest pen and paper and started to jot down all the details the dream had given me about this world and the powers that I had and my friend had. The idea bugged the hell out of me for the rest of the day. Even at work I kept writing down details on the post-it notes. Out of that strange dream that started off with Kid and Play (Seriously, there were doing the famous dance move from House Party) an idea for a YA took root.

This is what I have so far.

I’ve also put together a Book Soundtrack with upbeat songs even though the book feels dark, but I won’t know until tomorrow (tonight at 12:01) when I start writing the book. The heroine, Jalani (Jelani meaning mighty i.e. powerful) is snarky as usual. Cian (Cian= ancient i.e. knowledgeable) is cynical. Both are the perfect characters. Did I mention this is a YA? (Pam, calm down. I know you are still excited…)

The amazing Gwen Hayes told me that’s how the famous Twilight series started. I’m not sure if this is THE IDEA, but I’m so damn intrigued that I’m committing the next month to writing this book. I think that’s the essence of NaNo. Write an idea and really go where it’ll take you. And, folks that’s what I’m doing. I know I’ll going way, way off the path with writing this YA. I’m a die-hard romance writer (Trust me, I’m thinking of Jalani and Cian’s book when they are grown…Yes, follow your mind to the gutter.) But I can’t ignore this idea.

The moral of this rambling post, novice and newbie writer, go where the ideas take you. (Well, if you are not on contract.) You never know where they will take you.

And, sometimes ideas are given to you on a Silver Platter. Don’t be scared to ruin them by writing them. It takes balls I can tell you that much. By 12:01 tomorrow night I may hate this idea, but I’m not stifling my creativity by trying it first.

Have you had a strange idea for a book and still decided to write it?

(Also, let me know your NaNo screen name. I’ll add you to my buddy list. You know once the site isn’t slogging through the thousands upon thousands of Nanoers.)

Now For The Revealing of The Ultimate Princess Bride Fan

First, I must be getting famous because I’m on Magical Musings today getting controversial. I’m talking about being an African American author and breaking into e-publishing. You can read it here.

But for the two people who have been reading my blog faithfully, watching The Princess Bride until their brains wanted to leak out their ears…I’m sure you want to know who won. It was close and it came down to the most accurate answers deciding who would get the full 5pts for the day.

Drum roll please
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Beating their worthy opponet by a mere 6 pts……

MYA!!!!!

And the crowd goes wild. Just for the purpose of this contest you may borrow my evil crown and septor. (It must be returned by midnight or you’ll turn into a pumpkin.) Now what have you won?

A Princess Bride T-shirt of your choice (please e-mail me your choice and the size, and mailing address)

The Princess Bride Novel

My Debut Novel, signed by moi, How Much You Want to Bet?

And, the lifelong bragging rights to knowing tons of useless info regarding The Princess Bride.

SlaveDriver, you are not forgotten. You were a very worthy opponent I must say. This is what you’ve won:

A coffee mug with a witty statement

$ 5 Amazon Gift Card

And, of course, a signed copy of my debut novel. (please e-mail me your mailing address.)

Now my blog will go back to it’s normal state. I don’t know how I’ll survive. Oh, yeah, I’ll post my plotboard.

Until Tomorrow folks.

“Have fun storming the castle.” ~ Miracle Max

*Honorable Mention goes to Dara, Kate Diamond, and Kristy for giving answers even when the competition was cutthroat. *

Last Call: The Princess Bride

“This is for posterity, so be honest.” ~ The Count

“Murdered by pirates is good.” ~Grandson

“I wonder if he is using the same wind we are using?” ~Inigo

“You keep using that word. I don’t think it means what you think it means.” ~Inigo

“You be careful. People in mask cannot be trusted.” ~Fezzik

“Never go against a Sicilian when death is on the line.” ~Vizzinni

“I shall be very put out.” Prince Humperdinck

“Yes, you’re very smart. Now, shut up.” ~Grandfather

That’s all the quotes I’m willing to look for, but don’t hesitate to add your own.

Here are the answers:

Go back to the beginning. Inigo muttered it while in a drunken stupor. Also, 20 years pass before Inigo can avenge his father. The second best in the entire movie when he defeats The Count.

Now if you just want to have fun with these question go for it. They are worth 1pt each:

What year did this film come out or the date you can find at the bottom of the movie credits?

What does Westley call Prince Humperdinck before entering the Fire Swap?

Who hired Vizzinni?

How many times during this contest have I spelled Vizzinni wrong? (Okay, I’m just kidding with this question)

How long does it take for full potency of the miracle Miracle Max made for Westely?

That’s all I’ve got. I’m going to bed now. (It’s 12:20 a.m.)

EDITED TO ADD: I’ve got a great interview over at Slave Driver’s blog. Stop by and sit for a spell. ‘Cause you know she’s calling me a Shark expert.

It’s Up! It’s Up!

You can now buy my second release, See Megan Run here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KBC: Day 10, By Now You Should Know I Can’t Count

“A little head jiggle is supposed to make me happy?” ~ Westley

Seriously, I did a double-take when I saw my title for today’s post. Tomorrow is supposed to be day 10. Don’t know what happened. Should have started on the 20th, but it’s too late to back down now. Tomorrow I’ll just post make-up questions. I’ll also post all the movie quotes that didn’t make it. Lastly, I’ll announce the winner on the 30th as God intended.

Also, I found the cure-all for my grumpiness. I’m drinking coffee. I know I’ll pay for it later, but it’s just sooooo good.

The answers: The Machine does in fact suck the years from your life. It does in fact have six suctions. You know if I didn’t suspend belief while watching this movie I would question how such a thing really works.

Question worth 4pts: What was Vizzini’s plan when things went wrong?

Question worth 1pt: How many years passed before Inigo could finally avenge his father?

Okay, this contest has been fun. I can now see that after coffee. Amazing what a little crack in a cup can do to your morale. And, tomorrow, I’ll officially be multi-published. So, that means I’ll be up at 9 p.m. watching The Wild Rose Press site. (And, calling my mother at the same time.) Links will be added everywhere I post. Much, much happiness will ensue. I’m inviting all my friends to come by and celebrate.

Until tomorrow (tonight) folks.

KBC: Day 9 and Late About it

“Are you just fiddling with me or what?” ~ Westley

I blame it on Daylight’s Savings. So, nothing witty from me today.

Answers: Tyrone is the six-fingered man’s first name. Also the night of the wedding 60 men guarded the castle, but they were still no match for The Man in Black.

Question worth 4pts: What is the name of the thing that sucks years from your life?

Question worth 1pt: How many suctions does it have?

KBC: Day 8

“Please consider me an alternative to suicide?” ~ Prince Humperdinck

Not sure if you noticed, but I’m actually getting the days right this time. Yay!

Also, I’m completely jazzed about the YA I’m going to write for NaNo. I have no idea where my camera is, but I’ll take pictures of my plot board as soon as I find it. The plot board is starting to get full and more scenes and world details keep coming to me. Though I’m not sure where in the story they will go I jot them down on a post-it and slap them on the board. I’ve also wrote down the rules of this magical world. Maybe once I’ve written it I’ll know if it’s a fantasy or a old school paranormal. (You know paranormal used to be about more than shifters, vampires and were-people). At the moment I’m not too worried about. I also don’t know the rules of the YA genre, but it should make revisions interesting. I’m kind of liking being out of my comfort zone. Heck, I’m not even thinking about selling this novel. I’m really just stretching my wings.

Anyway…
Yesterday answers:

Valerie is indeed the name of Miracle Max’s wife. Though he liked calling her a witch. Hands down it’s one of the best scenes in the movie.

The other answer is definitely check for loose change. Gotta love Miracle Max.

Question worth 4pts: What is the six-fingered man’s first name?
Question worth 1pt: How many men guarded the castle the day of the wedding?

KBC: Day 7

“Aren’t you a rotten liar?” ~ Miracle Max

Sorry about yesterday. I should not have placed my crappy day upon you. Doing much better today. I have a kick ass idea for the book I want to write for NaNo. Something completely out of my league, but I’m up for the challenge.

Also, I’m on twitter as melissablue13. Follow me. Okay, that just sounds like stalking, but trust me it’s fun.

Also, my user name on the NaNo site is MelissaBlue. Buddy me.

Now for answers:

Bonetti’s Defense
Capo Ferreo
Agrippa
Thibault

And…Guilder.

You guys are kicking butt and I’m very impressed with you both. But who will be named the Ultimate fan? ~cue suspenseful music~ We’ll know on the 30th.

Question worth 4pts: What is Miracle Max wife’s name?
Question worth 1 pt: What is Miracle Max’s solution for “all dead”? (you may use exact quotes just because the line is funny)

KBC: Day 6

Inigo: “You seem a decent fellow. I’d hate to kill you.”

Westley: “You seem a decent fellow. I’d hate to die.”

Um, Mya, if you have to ask then the answer is no. I had high hopes for this contest. You know like I do about everything I do. So, either people are intimidated by the questions or I’m just a boring person and just don’t know it. You know, I’m probably the person who thinks they are popular, but as soon as they turn their back the people around him/her roll their eyes and ask “Who invited such-n-such?”

And, yes, I am feeling quite crabby patty this morning, but that’s not what you guys came for…

Answers: Flamespurt, Ligtening Sand, ROUS, which indeed stands for Rodents of Unusual Size.

I do believe the direction was the voice for said rodent.

Today’s questions:

Worth 4 pt: Name the four fencing techniques used in the fight scene between Inigo and Westley? (Hint: Turn on your caption.)

Worth 1 pt: What country does Prince Humperdinck wish to start a war with?

KBC: Day 5

“You’re sick. I’ll humor you.”
~Grandfather

I can honestly say I’m throughly impressed with you two. Caryn pointed out the reason why. I have to admit. If I wasn’t running the contest I wouldn’t know half this answers without watching the movie again and again and again. Driver, thanks for the cool, useless facts. I’m a huge lover of those.

Lastly, the countdown is more for me than you guys. I know when I get to day 10 See Megan Run will be out and I’ll be screaming around my house like a loon. That’s neither here or there…

As for the answers, I’m going to have to say Fezzik’s boots are more reddish brown than tan. I apologize for that question. Didn’t realize it was so freaking subjective. I went in search online for picture’s of Fezzik’s boots. Online they do in fact look tan. Though not in the actual movie (Reddish brown in the movie). So, Driver you get 2 points.

And, yes, he was “unemployed in Greenland.”

Question worth 4pts: What are the three terrors of the Fire Swap?

Question worth 1 pt: What does R.O.U.S stand for?

These question should be easy for anyone to answer.