well, thanks! [name_f]Petra[/name_f] sure is a lovely, yet underrepresented name!
to be very honest, I actually imagined [name_f]Petra[/name_f] with long black braided hairs with tanned skin. Middle eastern, maybe [name_f]Indian[/name_f] look. Left-handed, maybe. I think she’s more of ambidextrous. Fidgetting, of course!
Not to spoil, but it isn’t [name_f]Princess[/name_f] Marchelia whom [name_f]Petra[/name_f] would be meeting on [name_m]Saturday[/name_m]. It Geniviya, Marchelia’s sister. … another spoiler, she is the assassin who murdered the [name_m]King[/name_m], right in front of [name_f]Petra[/name_f].
I know. The plot is weird and complex. But I guess I’ll have to deal with this
Ooh, I like this! With all the politics, I expect it may have a lot of twists and deceit in the story? It all sounds very interesting! From this excerpt, my expectation on [name_f]Petra[/name_f] as a character…she’s a strong, usually stable character who can handle quite a lot, but she struggles with all the situations she gets pulled into. Maybe even something like she’s so used to being perfect that when she isn’t/when she fails, she really beats herself up and suffers because of it? Unfortunately, I cheated and looked at your other comment, so I know what she looks like…For the general, though, tall with black hair that is slicked back and blue eyes? A slightly long face, but defined jaw. What does he actually look like, I’m curious now
Thanks a lot! It means the world to me! btw, You got the [name_m]General[/name_m] right on point! He sure is a handsome guy. ( I love this character a little too much, even if he is an antagonist.) [name_m]Even[/name_m], [name_m]Ziven[/name_m] [name_m]Emmerich[/name_m], as mentioned, (who is this general’s brother) looks just like him. But a more warm version of this [name_m]General[/name_m].
and it’s true, [name_f]Petra[/name_f] literally goes extreme on herself whenever things go wrong(which always does in the story)
I read your story. It’s a great extract. especially the name [name_m]Lowell[/name_m] [name_u]Loyal[/name_u]~~ I was thinking you should take inspirations from Greek mythologies,(the clean ones, of course). You can also add several Irish mythical creatures. They sure engage EVERY CHILD! tried it on my nephew too~
and thanks once again for the response~~~
Nice, I’m glad I got the image of him somewhat right! And [name_f]Petra[/name_f], too. In my experience, perfectionists tend to be harder on themselves than others. Not because they think others less capable, they just see their own mistakes as worse. Your [name_f]Petra[/name_f] kinda seemed like that type!
And thank you! That’s a good idea! Really, different mythologies were a big interest to me when I was younger, so even subconsciously, I think some would wind up in most everything I think up…
Title: I’m not sure yet, but my working title is Haunted Archipelago: Trapped in MAGIC PARK (If you couldn’t tell I haven’t come up with the name of the magic park yet).
Demographic/Age Group: It kind of falls under both Middle Grade and YA, but leans more toward YA because most of the characters are true teenagers. It’s also going to be kind of intense and a bit violent (constant mortal peril; people getting eaten by monsters; stuff like that), but because I can’t handle super gory fiction it’ll be pretty tame.
Genre/s: MG/YA, and a blend of [name_u]Adventure[/name_u], Suspense/Thriller, Horror/Supernatural, Sci-Fi, and [name_f]Fantasy[/name_f]. Not sure if I should include Fanfiction, because it is heavily (and obviously) inspired by the Jurassic World franchise- especially Camp Cretaceous (love that show )- but is still developing and becoming more of its own story the more I work on it.
Medium: I’m writing it as a novel, but I see it as a TV show.
Blurb: Once upon a time, magical creatures roamed the [name_f]Earth[/name_f], scaring and inspiring humans with their magic and power. But when magic died out, so did they, making them the stuff of legends and fairy-tales. Now, in the twenty-first century, that magic has been rediscovered, and with a little help from genetic engineering, magical creatures have been recreated as well. Now dragons, unicorns, and sea monsters populate the immensely popular MAGIC PARK, where humans’ fantasies come to life.
When the park seems less appealing to teenagers, the park invites six lucky teens to participate in an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at the MAGIC PARK to increase the park’s popularity among their age demographic. Not long after they arrive, though, things go horribly wrong, and now dangerous creatures are running amok through the park. [name_m]Even[/name_m] worse, the park’s barrier- which was meant to keep magical creatures from escaping- is keeping everyone trapped inside. To survive, these kids will have to band together and find out just what set these creatures free.
Main Characters:
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[name_u]Malak[/name_u] [name_f]El[/name_f] Khoury is the star of a popular teen sitcom on this world’s equivalent of Disney [name_f]Channel[/name_f]. She’s bright, outgoing, and endlessly optimistic, and is a talented singer, dancer, and actress. She’s always looking for new adventures to share with her fans, and doesn’t always understand that not everyone’s as social as she is.
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[name_u]Zephyr[/name_u] [name_u]Scott[/name_u] is a surfing prodigy and one of the most famous faces in the world of young athletes. He’s very chill and laid-back, and has a deep love for animals and nature. He’s a patient peacemaker, and pretty much the ‘older brother’ of the group, but his relaxed nature means that he often gives up what he wants to keep the peace.
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[name_f]Julia[/name_f] “[name_u]Jules[/name_u]” Zhao is a normal girl who won a raffle that got her a spot on the behind-the-scenes tour (even though she put her name in as a joke). She’s smart and very witty… except in social situations, where she always feels awkward and like she’s falling on her face. As an aspiring movie maker and avid gamer, she’s well versed in technology and has a fiery competitive streak.
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[name_m]Carlos[/name_m] Castillo is a prankster who only got invited because his mom is the park owner’s personal secretary. He’s snippy and sarcastic, and takes great pleasure in pushing people’s buttons and watching the chaos that ensues. Quick-witted and super resourceful, he could go very far in life if he wasn’t so lazy and constantly concerned with his own entertainment.
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[name_u]Linden[/name_u] [name_u]Duke[/name_u] (you can vote on the spelling here) comes from a very wealthy and influential family. She’s the alpha female: always in charge, always right, and always perfect. She’s dangerously ambitious and incredibly intelligent, and never gives herself anytime to relax and just be a kid. She’s a perfectionist with impossibly high standards that she holds everyone (and herself) to, and because of that she doesn’t have a lot of friends.
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[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] “[name_u]Theo[/name_u]” [name_u]Atlas[/name_u]’s parents were some of the scientists who recreated the first dragons, but unfortunately, were killed in a shady accident, which he came to investigate. He’s a very shy, soft-spoken kid who’d rather be left to his own devices; he’s very independent. He’s artsy and has a keen eye for detail- very little goes unnoticed by him. Though he can seem antisocial and a bit cynical, he feels things very deeply and is incredibly sensitive.
Extras: I actually left quite a bit out of the character descriptions and the blurb because I thought it would go on for too long. It’s basically Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous meets Fablehaven meets [name_f]Marvel[/name_f].
I drew a (very sloppy) placeholder cover for this. If you’re wondering, [name_u]Lynden[/name_u] is the one who’s featured, just because I thought it would be the most visually interesting. I’m not sure if any of the characters are the actual ‘main’ character.
If you have any suggestions for the name of the MAGIC PARK and the park’s owner, let me know!
I love this concept it’s super fun sounding! I could see it working really well as a TV show as you mentioned you picture it as. I like the distinct characters of each of the group, as well as their names!
This premise sounds like so much fun! Magical and almost whimsical until you have to run for your life! @the_common_fool pretty much said it all. I think a show of this would be amazing, and I would watch the heck out of it. The characters are all seem developed in the perfect way to interact and play off each other in an entertaining way. If you’d like to talk more about your characters here, or in the Talk About Your [name_u]Story[/name_u] thread, please do! It’s a great cast! Also, sloppy what? That’s a beautiful picture and the hair is gorgeous
(I think I’m going to have to watch Camp Cretaceous now!)
Aww, thank you (and @the_common_fool) for your kind comments! And yes, if I had the skills/resources/time I would totally turn this into a web-series so it could play out closer to the way I see it in my head. And thanks for complementing the title- I whipped it out in less than a day so the shading’s all over the place (which is pretty much the only thing I notice lol).
Your idea sounds so cool!
I love Jurassic World, but I haven’t watched Camp Cretaceous yet. It’s on my loooong watchlist.
Title: The [name_f]Maple[/name_f] Society
Demographics/Ratings: I’d say new adult? Target age would be around 16-24. While the main characters are teens, the story contains violence, death, drinking, and swearing.
Genre: dark academia with fantasy elements. partially historical fiction
Medium/format: a standalone novel
Blurb:
Mapleridge College is a school for the best of the best, the elites of society. [name_u]Reese[/name_u] [name_m]Baird[/name_m], raised in a rundown trailer home by a single mother, is far from anyone’s idea of an Academy student. Against all odds, she is accepted to the prestigious academy under a scholarship.
Theo [name_m]Caldwell[/name_m] has it all, a wealthy family, a stellar academic record, an enrollment at Mapleridge. Yet, he is plagued by nightmares which only get worse once the school year begins. Nightmares that strangely resemble events that happened over a hundred years ago at the college.
Percival Havelka is from one of the most influential families in the area, and is looking forward to attending Mapleridge. [name_m]Little[/name_m] does he know, the college hides deep secrets—secrets about the origins and rise of the Havelka family—dangerous if unearthed.
Reese, [name_u]Theo[/name_u], and [name_m]Percival[/name_m] discover they are reincarnations of former Mapleridge students who were involved in the mysterious [name_f]Maple[/name_f] Society during the 1920s. As they discover more about their pasts, they learn that something dark and dangerous occurred at the campus—a curse that has affected the families of Mapleridge for generations. The three must find a way to break this curse before it is too late, and they too are consumed by the shadows of Mapleridge.
Characters:
- Theodore “[name_u]Theo[/name_u]” [name_m]Caldwell[/name_m]: the heir to an old money family, [name_u]Theo[/name_u] has had a lot of expectations thrust on to him from an early age. He is accustomed to hiding his inner struggles under a facade of stability.
- Reese [name_m]Baird[/name_m]: a literature major and aspiring author, [name_u]Reese[/name_u] comes from a working-class background, and often feels out of place within the elitist and upper-class atmosphere of Mapleridge.
- Percival Havelka: the great grandson of an influential politician, [name_m]Percival[/name_m] is very proud of his family’s roots to the point of arrogance, and is eager to continue the old [name_m]Caldwell[/name_m]-Havelka rivalry with [name_u]Theo[/name_u].
- Philip Havelka: [name_m]Percival[/name_m]’s famous great grandfather, [name_m]Philip[/name_m]’s story is one of rags to riches, from the son of working-class immigrants to a successful politician and businessman. While he is long dead, his actions still continue to impact the residents of Mapleridge to this very day.
- Otto [name_m]Caldwell[/name_m]: [name_u]Theo[/name_u]’s grandfather and the head of the [name_m]Caldwell[/name_m] family, [name_m]Otto[/name_m] is an ever-present force in his life. He is strict and overly controlling to his grandson, in part because of a desire to protect him from the family curse.
Excerpt:
Theo [name_m]Caldwell[/name_m] is a fraud. He knows this as well as he knows there are seven days in a week, five fingers on his left hand, and zero chance he’d live to see his thirty-fifth birthday. [name_u]Theo[/name_u] knows that everything he does is scrutinized, inspected for any flaw, any crack on his being. And he knows he—much like the broken vases in Grandfather’s study—will be discarded once any imperfection is found. So he pretends. He puts on a pretense of faultlessness. It’s an act worthy of an Academy Award, he thinks, an act that’s enough to fool most people. Sometimes, though, his porcelain exterior shatters, leaving him in fragmented pieces.
Now is one of those times. It is the first day of school, an event he dreads with every halting breath he takes. He is curled up in his bed, Grandfather’s words from last night replaying over and over again in his mind.
“You are a disappointment to the family name, [name_m]Otto[/name_m] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Caldwell[/name_m],” Grandfather states, looking [name_u]Theo[/name_u] directly in the eye. The usage of his full name was a reminder, of course, a reminder of his namesakes—his grandfather [name_m]Otto[/name_m], a former congressman, and his great great grandfather [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], a businessman responsible for much of the family’s wealth—both of whom he could never live up to. He feels like suffocating.
“If you keep on behaving this way,” Grandfather continues, “you will tarnish our reputation and lead us into ruin.” [name_u]Theo[/name_u] can see the narrowed eyes, the mouth pressed into a sharp frown. It makes his stomach curdle.
He doesn’t know what he expected when he went to that party. A bit of fun, he supposes. Some freedom from the repressive atmosphere at home. He was a fool for believing nothing would happen. Something always did.
He forces himself out of bed, an action that takes almost all of his willpower. It is the urge to prove Grandfather wrong that drives him forward. [name_u]Theo[/name_u] puts on his uniform one piece at a time. White dress shirt. [name_u]Blue[/name_u] tie. Blazer. Slacks. He thinks of it as a reassembling act. With each piece of clothing he puts on, a part of his facade is back. With his shoes on, he is once again [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Caldwell[/name_m], ideal heir, model of perfection.
He ignores the voice at the back of his head that says he is worthless and always will be.
Extras:
I feel like the blurb doesn’t emphasize the conflict between the Caldwells and Havelkas enough. A big theme of this novel is the conflict between the old money and the nouveau riche, and these two families are the representations of that. The Caldwells have been wealthy for centuries, and look down on the more newly rich Havelkas for being “unsophisticated” and “vulgar”, while the Havelkas see the Caldwells as being snobbish and out of touch.
Questions: I’d love to hear your thoughts about the excerpt. Are there any parts I could improve? Did I convey [name_u]Theo[/name_u]’s emotions well? Also, which of the main characters are you drawn to the most?
Oh. [name_f]My[/name_f]. Goshhhhh. I just melted into that plot like butter on toast! Your blurb manages to reveal enough about the characters without oversharing the plot which made it really engaging! Personally, I can connect to [name_u]Reese[/name_u] more, coming from two poor households, but honestly I’m more interested to read about [name_m]Percival[/name_m]’s development (character development is my absolute favorite thing to see) because his characterization sounds really unique!
Does the trio come together begrudgingly (particularly [name_m]Percival[/name_m] and [name_u]Theo[/name_u]) when they realize how they’re connected and become closer/get over their differences for the most part towards the end of the story? This is really cool! Thanks for sharing it!
Wow, I love this. All of your ideas, the dark academia, the reincarnation aspect, the names, the characters themselves…That excerpt is amazing, the beginning has such a hook! Your writing is so good! Poor [name_u]Theo[/name_u], though. The impression I got is that he’s exhausted with acting this way, of course, kind of breaking a little bit more all the time, but he doesn’t really have a choice in the matter. Like he doesn’t even consider anything else than ‘he has to act perfect’ even though he feels so bad about it, maybe. All of your characters sound so cool, and I want to see more of the [name_m]Caldwell[/name_m]-Havelka rivalry through [name_u]Theo[/name_u] and [name_m]Percival[/name_m]. [name_u]Reese[/name_u] really draws me in because she’s in this prestigious academy on her own merits, not because of connections or money. I would love to see more of this, thank you for sharing it with us
@KJGlitter and @the_common_fool, thank you so much for your kind comments! I’m glad you’re interested in The [name_f]Maple[/name_f] Society. To answer your question, yes. They do come together begrudgingly and become closer over the course of the story, and it’s quite a journey and a half.
After some consideration, I have decided not to work on my romance novel. I have my reasons, but they’re too personal for me to go into detail. Let’s just say that I don’t feel ready for it. Maybe one day in the future, I will return. But for now, I’d rather devote myself to my main project.
Honestly, this is a very wise way of thinking. I know some writers who feel like they have to keep working on something, even if it no longer feels right for them. If you find a place in life where you pick it back up, great! If not, that’s also great! Whatever feels best for you! Good luck!
Ahaha super late to the trend as usual but this sounds fun!
Title: [name_u]Blue[/name_u] Bloods
Demographics/Ratings: Ya I think, there is swearing, violence, abusive parental figures and the main character is very hopeless and slightly unhinged at the beginning
Genre: [name_f]Fantasy[/name_f]/Fairytale retelling ([name_f]Cinderella[/name_f])
Medium/format: Currently editing first book but have plans for a total of 5 in the series (each with elements and themes for a different fairytale)
Characters:
Main characters:
Braise
[name_m]Guillaume[/name_m]
Akakios
[name_f]Kore[/name_f]
Cahval
Arius
Knave
Blurb:
For seven years, the assassin known as Phantom [name_u]Blue[/name_u] has been terrorizing the [name_m]Kingdom[/name_m] of Verrepied. Nobles and barons and other elites have been winding up dead in their own homes, their skin as blue as starlight, their eyes as black as coal. And no one knows why or who. There are rumors that say it is the ghost of the crown prince, who disappeared a half year prior to the beginning of the attacks. There are conspiracies that say it is a cult making their gruesome sacrifices to the gods sick enough to demand human blood as payment. There are some - the young ones - that say it is the monster from under their beds, inside their closets, behind their eyes in their sleep when they have a nightmare. And as is usually the case, the children are right.
Half right anyways, for the monster lives not in closets or beds, but in a manor that used to be it’s own, so long ago, before it’s life became the hell that it’s mind had never thought it could be.
Did I say it? [name_f]My[/name_f] bad, I meant she, for this monster is the worst kind of all, the kind of destruction and chaos and fire,
This is the kind of monster that is human.
This is the kind of monster with a name.
It’s Braise, by the way.
Excerpt:
“M’lady! Your shoe!” Braise turned, starry eyed and startled as the Second [name_m]Prince[/name_m] of Verrepied knelt before her, a six inch crystal heel in his hand. “[name_f]May[/name_f] I?” he inquired, Braise could do nothing but blush and nod. Lights twinkled in his electric green eyes and Braise mentally remarked how beautiful he looked. She smiled sadly, he was so lovely. She lifted up the hem of her dress, her silken skirts of white and silver whispering secrets as they brushed each other. She allowed him to grasp her ankle in his velvety soft hands and slip her shoe back into place, watching him in awe as the moonlight caught his chocolate hair and sent streaks of silver through it. He gazed up at her sheepishly and Braise smiled sweetly in return.
“You are beautiful” his breath hitched in his throat as he gazed into her sky blue eyes. She scanned his face, taking in every detail; his brows were heavy and set, but his mouth was locked in a hopeful smile that made the skin around his eyes crinkle. A jawline that could cut through glass framed his face in the way that would be expected of a prince, and his hair was cut just right. [name_m]Even[/name_m] under his puffy golden sleeves, she could tell his shoulders were powerful, his body would be rippling with muscle under the satin of his shirt, and she guessed if she had gone a bit farther down she would have still been impressed.
“Yes” Braise breathed, as she bent over and unsheathed the poison dagger hidden in her heel. “And so were you”
And she was so caught up—in the thrill, the adrenaline, the moment—that it wasn’t until after her dagger grazed his skin, the poison slipping into his bloodstream, greedy for death, it wasn’t until she was staring into those eyes, those beautiful, beautiful, eyes so green they looked as if they had been carved from the Emerald Forest itself, watching the life drain quickly from them that she remembered a small detail she had neglected…
The entire royal family of Verrepied had brown eyes.
And suddenly the prince was smiling.
Extras:
So I know the writing sucks i have not editied a thing because I am a ~procrastinator~ but yeah. It’s basically a retelling of [name_f]Cinderella[/name_f] but she’s an assassin. Forced to become one after her father died and her step mother converted their mansion and invested all their money into an assassin academy, and forced her to work lest she die. All is as well as it can be, before she is visited one night by a mysterious stranger, insistant that she killed his family. Upon further inspection, she realizes she didn’t and gets caught in a big case of who done it that leads her closer to an identity she lost when her father passed.
Questions:
Lemme know what you think so far =)
I love this!! “Cinderella but she’s an assassin” yes please, let me read it! I’ve heard of twists on fairytales before, but none quite like this. I loved the excerpt (that poor prince ) and your blurb was so fun and snappy! That plot sounds really fun, and since you mentioned how she was hopeless and unhinged at the beginning I’m looking forward to how Braise changes during the story. You also snuck in a lot of hints at world building in the blurb, A++. [name_f]Do[/name_f] the missing crown prince and suspected cults come back into play? Is it the poison that Braise uses that lead to the name Phantom [name_u]Blue[/name_u]?
I have a lot of stories that I’ve essentially put on hiatus for a little bit, but I do have an active RP with my friends! It’s about a support group in a small town for people who have been mysteriously ressurected.
I’ve had this image for a story with tiny bits of dialogue nagging me for at least a year, so I’m also trying to figure that out rn. [name_m]Will[/name_m] update you if it ever becomes a real story, lol.
I also love fairytale-inspired books (obvi, since that’s what my main project is right now lol!). I didn’t even attempt [name_f]Cinderella[/name_f] because it just didn’t strike me as a fairytale that needed a new version but [name_f]Cinderella[/name_f] as an assassin? That is a [name_f]Cinderella[/name_f] story the world definitely needs!
Ha, I love that premise! Looking forward to an update