2013-02-26

The 4th chapter is ready! http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8955111/4/

Camilla's short poem (SatinCoveredSteel helped to translate it):

Nella cella imprigionato
il vampiro è tormentato
dalla sete e dai ricordi
urla il mostro: mordi, mordi.

In his cell held captive,
his torment, it is massive
his memories and thirst unite —
the monster screams: bite, bite.




I've written a one-shot for Emergency Beta Service. Would you read it? If you want to vote for it, you have to "like" and/or "share" it on Facebook. Thanks! 

2013-02-23

Snare has been reviewed on RobAttack!

http://robattack.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/new-to-you-fics/



Scroll the post, since there are many great stories featured! The review for Snare is so kind and encouraging that even Edward is feeling all warm and fuzzy.

Thank you to the amazing people of RobAttack!

Snare's new chapter is due to be posted on Monday (February 25).

Enjoy the weekend!

- Raum

2013-02-22

If you've enjoyed The Selkie Wife, you'll love this out-take!

Out-take of The Selkie Wife
Summary: Set during the reign of "Bloody Mary" Tudor. Bella is captured by Edward to raise his daughter. He promises to release her one day, but will he? Court intrigues and danger around every corner. Can they, and their new-found love, survive? Rated M/OOC/AU. Complete.

2013-02-15

As you probably know, jmolly's creativity is amazing. Here's a proof!

Edward's manip by RobsButtonsBabe
Summary: A future-take from the UE Series, for the Fandom Fights Leukemia, Lymphoma and Sarcoma. Carlisle and Esme pay a visit to Edward's coven in the Amazon. Complete.

2013-02-14

EBS’s 2nd Anniversary Challenge 

Entry type: Twilight
Name of entry: The Second Line
Primary prompt: Free pass: write about something involving second (2nd) or two (2) of something
Secondary prompt: Write in 2nd person
Categories: Romance / Family - All Human

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The Second Line

by Raum
 
You're supposed to wait for five minutes, but you cheat. A crease forms between your eyebrows as you take a peek at the tiny object in your hands.

I keep my distance, not wanting to make you feel under pressure, but I'd like to smooth that crease with a soft caress. I wish I could brush away the worry that’s seeping into your irises.

One minute has already gone by, and you look up at me.

I guess the tentative smile on your face mirrors my own.

You leave the thin bar on the counter and close the distance between us.

I don't dare to speak, suspended between the last moments of hope and the fear that, in a matter of seconds, disappointment will crash down on us again, like a chilling wave that the warmth of our embraces can't keep at bay.

Three minutes, and you're already holding your breath.

I draw you close to my heart, and I wish you could find there all the words that I can't say out loud. As if I could read your mind, I know your thoughts are surfing through the last two years – the medical check-ups, the empty reassurances that everything is okay, that it's just a matter of time, that we have to relax.

Do they listen to themselves, when they say Don't think too much about it...When you least expect it, it will happen?

You break our embrace and return to the counter, where you take up the object again.

The time is up, and I get ready to envelope you in my arms again, to rock you back and forth, whispering how much I love you.

Tears form in your eyes, and one of them glistens through your eyelashes. Like a breaking dawn, your smile lights up your face. Your cheeks redden, and you open your mouth.

You hand me the pregnancy test, and when I see two lines on it – one clear, the other thin and still forming, but present nonetheless – our voices mingle in one long-expected word.

“Positive!”

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Thank you to Camilla and SatinCoveredSteel.


2013-02-13

Show, Don’t Tell, by Lissa Bryan



Lissa Bryan is the awesome author of Ghostwriter (2012) and The End of All Things (2013) and is currently working on a new novel. She helps new authors with her suggestions, support, writing lessons, and with her great kindness. Her blog: http://lissabryan.blogspot.com/

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

That’s one of those bits of ubiquitous writer’s advice you always see. I said it myself to a new writer just a couple of weeks ago after being asked to critique a piece they had written. The writer expressed frustration. “People have said that to me before, but I don’t know what I’m doing wrong!

I’ve been there. I once got a review that said my work had the same flaw, but I couldn’t see where I’d made the mistake. It took a while before I understood what I was doing, and I’m working on ways to correct this flaw.

Essentially, it boils down to the difference between saying 

“He was frustrated,” 

or saying, 

“He paced, raking his hands through his hair as he muttered to himself.” 

In the first example, we’re told what the character is feeling. In the latter, we see his agitation through his body language.

There are several useful resources on the internet, such as the “Body Language Cheat Sheet” which can help you show your character’s emotional state. Another suggestion is to monitor your sentence structure in areas of tension: short, terse sentences can help set the mood.

Another sign that you may be “telling, not showing” is using a lot of adverbs. One of the first things my editors did for me with my second manuscript was go through and highlight all of the words that ended with “-ly” and I was surprised to see how many there were.

Original: “Stop it,” he said angrily.
Re-worded: “Stop it,” he said, and his eyes narrowed as he clenched his jaw.

The second sentence shows more action and is more “visual” than the first version. It helps the reader see the story as a movie in their minds, as opposed to having to supply the details themselves.
I’m still learning about this, myself. But I believe writing is a life-long learning experience, and I hope to keep improving as I go.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Thank you, Lissa!

2013-02-11

The third chapter is now available: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8955111/3/


Camilla's short poem (SatinCoveredSteel helped to translate it):

Il vampiro prigioniero
vede sempre tutto nero.
Ma, or che con Bella ha parlato
il suo cuor s'è ridestato.


The vampire prisoner
is really quite the brooder;
But Bella’s words to him
bring his heart to life again.



 The next chapter is due to be posted in two weeks.



Mozart's Symphony 41 -- it plays a role in the chapter

 

2013-02-08

The Other Side of Me deals with and explores the trauma and healing of acquaintance rape. The issues are handled realistically and with respect. Mature.
Summary: Post-college, Edward and Bella help each other heal through the worst kind of pain inflicted by a close friend. A realistic look at trauma and healing. AH, Mostly E/B, Em/R, J/A take smaller roles. OOC Rated M. Complete.

2013-02-06

I've a thing for historical fiction (my first multichapter story, De Immortalitate, is set in the Roman Empire). This article by David R. Gillham, author of City of Women, will help you to avoid history lessons in your stories and, at the same time, to use your research, as well as language or accents, to build a setting. Enjoy!





David R. Gillham says:

"Here are a few points that writers of historical fiction might consider as they sit down to work:

1. Fiction = Friction. Regardless of your time period, regardless of all the in-depth research you’ve done, you must remember that you’re writing fiction first, and historical fiction second. In other words, don’t forget that it’s action and conflict that moves the book forward. The historical details enrich the work, but detail for detail’s sakes will sink you." ...continue.

2013-02-05

The second chapter is waiting for you: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8955111/2/

"The life of Charlie and Bella Swan was devastated when Renée was murdered by a serial killer: The Drainer. Charlie, a former FBI profiler, is convinced that the killer is a vampire, and that those creatures are real. Nobody believes him, till the day he captures one of the undead."

Camilla wrote a short poem for the chapter, and SatinCoveredSteel helped to translate it:

Nel suo covo va a portarlo
perché deve interrogarlo.
L'ha rinchiuso in una cella
ma ora vuol chiamare Bella.

He brings him to his lair
and interrogates him there.
In a cell he’s shut him,
now Bella wants to butt in.



 The next chapter is due to be posted next Monday.

2013-02-01

I bet this is the darkest Bella you've ever met...

Summary: "I'm not Bella Swan any more. That girl died alone, in the woods, shortly after my eighteenth birthday. I am Death, and Death wears Christian Louboutins." Entry for "Bella's Insane" contest. OOC/AU/M. Complete.
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