Month: April 2018

The Wizard and His Lady (Part One)

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ 8 Comments

The Wizard and His Lady

[Part One]

[Part Two]

[Part Three]

[Part Four]

     The moment he pierced through the mist and entered her realm, she felt his presence. Like a spider watching a butterfly flutter into its web. Her domain, guarded by gnarled trees and a thick fog, left many a weary traveler lost for days. However, this was no ordinary traveler. He was an elderly man, who leaned on a wooden staff as he walked through the forest. His cloak was adorned with stars and the emblem of his kingdom.
He was coming to the lake.

     The thicket of the woods opened up to a clearing of vibrant green grass. Reeds bent against the water’s edge. There were no birds chirping nor fishing leaping out of the glass like surface of the lake. He was alone, yet he smiled. “Lovely day, isn’t it?” All was quiet and still. There was a glimmer in his eyes, the sparkle of a child. The elder man hummed pleasantly to himself as he walked along the water trickling through the rocks. “A bit chilly, but lovely none the less.” Leaning against a large stone, he admired the lilies that perfumed the air with the scent of spring.

     He peered into the lake, to stare at his own reflection, and was met instead by the image of a beautiful maiden. Her eyes were the color of forgotten pearls and her hair fell into gentle waves of gold. Not startled in the slightest, he placed a hand on his heart and bowed. “My lady,” The corner of her lips curved up slightly. “I was wondering when you would show yourself.”

      The leaves in the trees bristled in the wind. “Wizard” Her honeyed voice, familiar and sweet, danced in the air. “I know why you are here.”

No judging, bees, and you might get part two.  Bonus points to anyone who knows what this story is based on. Hint: Think medieval legend….?

Write with Heart,

Lady Jabberwocky.

My Life in Books Tag

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ Leave a comment

Want to know more about me and what’s on my bookshelf?

Well, here you go, the “My Life in Books” Tag. Inspired by Dreamland Book Blog 

1.- Find a book for each of your initials

V – Miss Violet’s Shining Day by Jane Breskin Zalben

A – All Grown Up by Jamie Attenberg

P – The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

2.- Count your age along your bookshelf: What book is it?

My Father’s Daughter by Tina Sinatra. Nice. That would be the 25th book on my shelf. Just turned 25 in February. I’m getting old.

51VXyMVylcL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_

3.- Pick a book set in your city/country

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I’m from New York. A proud New Yorker.

great-gatsby

4.- Pick a book that represents a destination you’d love to travel to

The Jewel Box by Anna Davis. I’ve always wanted to travel to London.51wAg-l4ScL.SX316.SY316

5.- Pick a book that’s your favorite color

Alex and Eliza by Melissa De La Cruz. It’s a beautiful antique rose sort of color. Is that not gorgeous?

51dkyfgx6xl-_sx329_bo1204203200_

6.- Which book do you have the fondest memories of?

The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. You guys know, I love a good mystery. When I was commuting to college, a train and two subways,  I would read Sherlock Holmes, and those stories always make me happy.  There’s something enchanting and intriguing to me about classic mysteries.

5164dapiwbl

7.- Which book did you have the most difficulty reading?

Duchess of Nothing By Heather McGowan. I read this novel years ago. I can’t say this is a bad story, by any means. The thing is, I had a difficult time connecting with the main character and the story. There was just no real plot progression. It’s more about the internal, physiological conflict of this woman who feels trapped and stuck in her romantic relationship and life.

1211803

8.- Which book in your TBR pile will give you the biggest accomplishment when you finish it?

I recently bought a collection of Hercule Poirot mysteries by Agatha Christie. It’s this massive book of 50 short stories. I’m gonna try very hard to get through the whole thing. Or at least most of them.

NdydxJIUrD4C

Do the kids still say “tag me” when they want someone to give them a tag?

Write with Heart,

Lady Jabberwocky.

How to Not Write a Total Jerk Character In Fiction.

~ ladyjabberwocky ~ 1 Comment

Mayday! Mayday!

You’re writing a story. When suddenly, a character you’re creating is taking a nose dive right into unlikable jerk territory.

Have no fear, Lady Jabberwocky is here! Let me try and help save your character from being total terror.

Whether they be hot tempered, or rude, or just have a nasty attitude,  you have created a character who is nothing but bad qualities. Yes, there are antagonists and villains and personified rain clouds, however, is that all they are? Just… the bad guy?

Here are some tips for creating a character we love to hate (and not hate to hate).

Changing Point of View

If your story involves multiple perspective and narratives, perhaps consider having your jerk character try on the narrator hat for a bit. How do they see the world? Are they really as nasty as they seem? What are their home lives like? Is there a reason for their rudeness? Take a walk in their shoes. By doing this, it can give the reader insight to that characters backstory and perspective.

Create Obstacles

Let there a be a struggle that shows another side of their character. The reader will gain a level of empathy for this character if they see them face some kind of hardship. Maybe the character learns from their past mistakes? Or feels guilt about something? Or has to face a real, serious conflict, either internal or external. Give the character a hill to climb.

Give Them a Redeemable Trait

Anything. There has to be something good. No matter how horrible and cruel someone is, there must be some redeemable quality. Are they charming? Quick witted? Hard working? Show some level of respect or affection towards another? Like animals? (Who doesn’t like puppies?) You catch my drift. Any sort of positive trait to balance out the not so positive traits.

Don’t just have a character who is only recognized by the reader as being a terrible person. Real characters, like real people, need a balance in order to be complex.

Hope this helps some writer out there. In the comments, let me know who your favorite jerk character you love to hate.

Write with Heart,

Lady Jabberwocky.