#adr62395ian

[adriandsushi]

New life goal: get yelled at by a middle-aged mom for using the ‘wrong’ bathroom.

[adriandsushi]

So I’m on this kick now with book promo. Trying to drive book sales and blog traffic and trying to keep sane all at the same time.

It’s come to my attention that there are two groups of writers.

Group A: supportive, optimistic introverts that continually give solid advice and a good “You can do it too!”

And

Group B: closed door, a bit negative, only the elite can be writers/ everyone can write but not every one is a writer.

I’m sorry, but since when did I have to PROVE that I’m a writer? Back in my early days, we were all so supportive and now we kinda suck.

I’m apologizing as a Group A writer on behalf of the Group B writers.

I am so sorry. Your writing is good. You CAN do this.

[adriandsushi]

Had a nightmare last night.

Basically the tag line of this nightmare was: writing contains a lot of math.

I’m so bad at math that I couldn’t be an author anymore and I had a panic attack.

[adriandsushi]

My boss has added me to the ‘store managers group chat’

At first it was kinda fun. Then it just became this conglomerate mass of who’s fukcing up their store more.

It’s taking a lot more self control than necessary to not start responding with random things

‘I forgot to put truck order in today’

‘Rookie move’

‘I’ve eaten six pieces of garlic bread today’

-or-

‘Sales up 18%’

‘I really want long beautiful hair, but I miss my pixie cut’

DO YOU SEE MY DELIMMA?!? How do I resist the temptation to not respond with random facts about Adrian?

‘Does anyone have any pan dough?’

‘No, but I published a book’

HEeeeeeLLlpppp MEEEeee!

[adriandsushi]

Story Time with Adrian!

Fasten your dicks, guys. I got another story for ya.

So, I work at a pizza joint. Been there for a short spell now and in my time, I’ve seen some shit, lemme tell you.

The best thing I’ve ever not witnessed was the following, told to me by a coworker.

So mid-week last week, this bicycle turns up. By the dumpster and shed. Completely hidden from view of the back door. This bike sat there for at least three days.

Tuesday night, my coworker (we shall call him thing 1) comes running in with one of his friends, Lorax. ‘We are gonna take this bike and pimp it out’

Okay? Okay.

The next night. We are super busy. About 15 pizzas behind. Five or six tables. Chaos.

This kid comes in. He’s jittery and just full panic. So my friend goes over and says ‘how can I help you?’

This kid loses all of his marbles. ‘My bike. My bike. It was here. My friend. This bike is really expensive. It was a gift. I need my bike.’

Well. Tits.

‘Yeah, it was there.’ How do you say my Pizza children took that bike home to pimp it out?

This kid leaves his name and number. He gave us a fake name btw, but I guess I can’t judge him for that because hypocrisy is one of my faults.

Thing two, the brother of thing one, is having a calm, hysterical laugh. As one does when one’s brother has fucked up irreparably.

They step into the office and thing two calls his brother. ‘Hey man, that kid is looking for his bike.’

Silence. Because thing one and Lorax have spray painted this bicycle black and neon orange, added pegs. Decked this dude out. Pimpin.

Thing one and Lorax proceed to frantically scrub the half dried paint off of this now stolen bicycle.

Thing two has a sudden realization. This bike. Is in. His front yard. If this kid walks by and sees this bike, it’s going to be less funny and more stabby.

More panic insues. Lorax decides that he’s gonna take the bike back under the cover of darkness.

Good idea.

Nope.

Lorax decides to ride this stolen bike down the busiest street in town at 8:30 at night while an unstable teenager is frantically searching all over Gods green earth for it.

This kid jumps out of a moving car at 8:30 at night for this emergency un-pimped bicycle with streaked paint and new pegs.

Lorax hands it over and simply says ‘I just found it, here you go.’

Now, you are probably just like: Adrian, come on. Where is this going?

There are two things you need to know.

1.) My coworkers at work were covering up a crime while the big boss was sitting about 15 feet away.

2.) When asked for more information on the kids fake name, thing two shrugs and says ‘he got kicked out of school last week for trying to stab someone’.

So I get home and text my brother. (Not the twin, the younger one) ‘hey, do you know this kid?’ Typically when I ask that, it’s followed by: should I hire them?

My brother promptly calls me to tell me that if I hire him, I need to be prepared to quit my job and watch the massacre that follows. ‘But, actually, don’t. Because all my friends work there and if you get them killed, I’ll be a little bummed and you’ll ruin the holidays again, so don’t.’

[adriandsushi]

Writing Tips: Villians

Villians really seem to be something a lot of writers struggle with. I’m here to help.

The number 1 thing I notice when reading other FanFiction or internet stories with a villain is that they aren’t people.

Think about the people you know. Everyone is passionate about something. They have family and friends and dreams and goals.

One of my favorite scenes I’ve ever written/read is when a neutral good character basically has a bad acid trip and visits the memories of a lawful evil character.

He comes down from this acid trip of hell and says something along the lines of: “I’d probably have done the same thing.”

Don’t make your villains entirely villainous. Make us cry when they fall off the rainbow bridge or get impaled by the hero. They are still characters, they still have feelings.

Tip number 2.

Every hero is a villain and every villain is a hero.

Every. Single. One.

Let’s play a short game. I’m thinking of someone who is loyal. They want their family to be proud of them, and are willing to work very hard for it. They will do anything to make them happy. Hero or Villain?

Villain, it’s Loki from Thor.

Now I’m thinking of someone who is egotistical, arrogant, selfish. They have been known to throw pity parties. This person is untouchable in their own little world. They don’t care what they destroy because it can be rebuilt. Hero or Villain?

It’s Iron man.

Do you see my point? Don’t think of your villain as a villain because that won’t make him real. It won’t make your audience connect with him.

When you build them, know why they think they are the hero.

Loki does everything for Thor. Pretty sure he says as much.

Third tip (less of a tip and more of a trope)

Guys, slow descent into madness is slow. Ssssllllloooooowwwww. Let me tell you how slow for those of you who have never watched someone deteriorate mentally.

My great grandmother about ten years ago fell and broke her hip. She fell again about two years ago now. When she recovered the first time, she still drove herself on occasion, could still hold a conversation and was a functioning and active member of her church.

The second time she fell, she had a bad reaction to the anesthesia and did lots of time in the hospital. I went to visit her once and she confused me for my dad’s )her ex grandson in law) sister.

She’s gotten better, but she doesn’t drive herself, she always has someone with her and goes to the doctor every two weeks. She’s able to do less and less but it’s slow. We didn’t wake up one morning and have her reduced to infancy.

Long story short, the slow descent into madness is slow. Sometimes it can take years. Sometimes, they seem fine and something can snap and they lose it.

This has been another writers tip from Adrian.

[adriandsushi]

Writing Tips: Creating RelationSHIPS

I’ve seen how well writing advice goes on this blog, so here it goes.

When you read a book, what makes you want to come back for more? Sometimes you have to know what happens next, but for some people it’s the relationships between characters.

I’ll breakdown some of my favorite ships and tell you why they are my favorite and how you can incorporate that into your writing.

Wesley and Buttercup (The Princess Bride)

This is a weird but classic ship for me. Wesley is nothing more than a poor farm boy at the start of the movie. He will do almost anything for Buttercup. Fight a giant? As you wish. Be tortured until mostly dead? As you wish. Climb up a straight face cliff? As you wish.

You’ve got to be careful with this type of relationship as it can easily border an abusive relationship. Its also a ‘reclaimed love’ relationship and those really make me happy.

When a couple is separated and then reunited, it can make feelings stronger. More determined. (“I lost her once, I won’t lose her again!”)

Buttercup is basically useless, but Wesley makes up for it. There is no need for her to fight anyone because he’s going to stand in front of her and protect her. They are a good couple. Devoted, loyal, and dependable like an old dog or that pair of worn out sweatpants.

Moving on, let’s talk about my all time favorite ship! *hides*

Gray and Juvia (FairyTail)

Before you assault my inbox, listen. This is my favorite example of a ‘powerhouse couple’. Alone they are each a force to be reckoned with. Together, I won’t spoilers but... that unison raid, Son!

If you’ve read the manga or seen the anime, very early on you meet Rain Woman, Juvia of the Great Sea. She is immediately attracted to Gray, but because they are on opposite sides, she puts her guild first.

Because Gray is a really good person at this point, he doesn’t push her off the roof. After this, the ‘gloomy rain’ that follows Juvia fades into dazzling sunlight. Juvia admits that she’s never seen it before.

Let’s have some real talk here. Code and I have got this headcanon where Gray... Grey?.... Gray has some form depression or anxiety(not the body image kind). Juvia is kind of a depressing character in the beginning. She’s depressed. Clearly depressed. Gray shows her the sun.

(Don’t You Dare Forget the Sun by Get Scared)

Since I’m resigned to no spoilers, I won’t go too into detail other than: Juvia forms a strangely healthy obsession with Gray-sama. (Teenage girls have posters of their favorite people too)

Gray keeps her around, but never really gives her an answer. Going into season Nine and we still don’t really know for certain if he likes her back.

Something I want to point out: Juvia doesn’t start off with “I love you.” It starts with “I could protect you, if you wanted.” <— if HE wanted. A natural progression in a relationship.

I’ll get down off my box now because I could talk for hours about Juvia and Gray.

They both regularly take a beating in the Anime. Ultimately, the bad guy makes the mistake of harming the other/ they think about each other and it’s over. You can hurt Juvia, but don’t even think about touching our precious baby Gray.

Their teamwork is amazing. They were both sad, broken puppies and they helped each other into the light. (Gray’s reckless behavior slows down after he starts spending more time with Juvia)

I’ve talked long enough about FairyTail. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it so highly. The characters and the relationships and it’s great. Watch it now.

Onto another! You guys have those non romantic ships right? Where you ship someone’s friendship rather than their actual relationship?

John Smith and Thomas (Pocahontas)

Don’t shout at me. I’m not going Yaoi or slash fic (is it still called that)

What I’m talking about is the mentor- student relationship.

John jumped off a boat to save Thomas, he taught him how to shoot properly, he generally took him in and showed him the ropes.

Even when Thomas fucked up irreparably, John didn’t really shout at him. (“Thomas what are you doing?”)

Thomas believes that John is the best around. He’s star struck when he first meets him. (Could be that hair tho) His idol in the flesh.

That kind of obsessed respect really brings out my inner child and sets the friendship ships away.

Grace and Alexander

I’m about to blow the top on a huge volcano here. In my fanfic days, two characters really always seemed to draw each other in.

This is also a real relationship that I’ve experienced. I’ve seen it in lots of shows, but can’t really think of any that end the same way as this one.

Mutual caring. They both care deeply about one another, share secrets, conversations, even a dwelling place for a short period of time.

Stuff happens. Everything blows up and they are left with the decision to admit their feelings and try the happily ever after thing or they can, for the “benefit of all humanity” agree to never speak of it, never be more than barely friends, and never ever be alone together.

They both already know that they would basically do anything for each other. Hybrid monster threaten you? Dead. Possible prison sentence and execution if you are caught? Don’t get caught.

Like my Gray And Juvia section, these two are powerhouses. Formidable on their own and devastating together. They realize this and decide not to be together.

It’s sad at first, but their friendship is stronger because of it.

We can’t always sacrifice good things for relationships.

And there you have it. A few ships I have that I resort to when I need a little Relationship boost.

I love doing writer advice so if you have anything you’d like advice on please don’t hesitate to ask!

[adriandsushi]

Ships...

I have ships. And then, in case when those ships sink, I have life preservers.

[adriandsushi]

NaNoWriMo Pep Talk

Guys, it’s about halfway done. I won’t lie to you, I haven’t been writing as much as I wanted. But here’s what’s up: my boss popped out a kid. I took over most of her shifts. This has meant that there are days where I work ten hours a day because it’s busy and I can’t escape. I spend most of my time tired, at work, stressing about work and wondering if I’m actually doing a decent job or if people are just telling me that so I don’t quit.

Enough about that, onto the actual advice part of this post. It isn’t so much as advice, as it is words of encouragement. Last year, I chased my own tail for most of NaNoWriMo. I barely wrote the 1,667 words a day that I needed. On my rare day off, I was happy if I broke 3,000. Let me tell you something. I wrote almost every single day for a year straight. Wrote something. Journal, email, blog entry, side projects, a novel, something. The days I wasn’t writing, I was storyboarding, editing, experiencing life, reading, things that impacted my writing.

I’ve been lucky. Yes, I will hit overtime hours for the second week in a row, but never mind that. I have been lucky. I did a word sprint at midnight on Halloween (nov 1st technically). I wrote 2,500 words in one setting. Went to bed just after 2 am. I was off the next day(one of two I’ve had since Nano began) I wrote an additional 4,000 words. I was projected to finish on the 8th of November.

I spent my first week 5 days ahead of schedule because I was prepared for this month to be hell. I have two days off this week and one of them I have to spend driving an hour to a meeting, then sit for 7 hours in a meeting and drive home after dark on an unfamiliar road.

Because fate thinks I’m her personal bitch, I’m now only three days ahead, I’ve written about 3000 words in two days and before that only about 1000 in two days. (Weekends are nuts at restaurants)

Guys, the advice is this: never give up. You will have people asking why you’re exhausted, why you are doing this, why, why, why. Here’s the answer. No one knows.

No one knows why we do Nano. Okay?

No one knows why we write. Alrighty?

No one knows why anything. Deal?

We are writers and it’s perfectly acceptable to not know. I don’t know and I’m doing Just fine. I don’t know and I’m three days ahead.

I could have easily said: November is going to be too crazy, I’m not going to do Nano this year. But I would have regretted it probably every November until I died.

Word count: 29,900

[adriandsushi]

NaNoWriMo Week 1

Writing gives me too much power. The raw, unadulterated power. Like a mother bear or a pissed off moose.

The moment where I realized how complex the story leading up to my story is, was a strange one.

I could write another novel in just the history of one royal family alone. There’s 5 of them.

Right now, I hold a character’s fate in my hands. A fragile thing that I could throw on the ground and stomp on. I could crush its hopes and dreams in a few words. Not even that. I could jump to the next chapter and leave it there. This character is dying and I’m not helping.

Maybe some of us are writers because we have a hero complex. We never have enough action in our lives. We have to make up for it.

I know I write fantasy because it’s better than reality. Fuck reality.

Word count: 17,411

[adriandsushi]

The Wolf Queen Book Trailer

Guess What I Did Today?!

[adriandsushi]

Wolf Queen Countdown: ???? Weeks

The journey through publishing my book has actually altered my everyday life. I get up in the morning, lay in bed, checking emails. I get up and let the dogs out, come back inside to make coffee and then grab a notebook and sit on the back steps with the dogs, waiting on AuthorHouse to call with their Daily Update. 

We got the first cover design today and I love it. It’s beautiful and basically everything I could have ever hoped for. We might have 11 weeks left until launch, but I have no actual idea. 

[adriandsushi]

Wow.

This week has flown by. The Wolf Queen has taken GIGANTIC strides in a short amount of time.

Saturday- Copyright office finally closed my claim. Exactly 6 months from when i submitted it. 

Sunday- Started looking for a Printing company, chose one after emailing several.

Monday morning- AuthorHouse called me, very interested in getting it all started. 

Monday evening- I stayed up all night proofreading and doing final touch ups. 

Tuesday morning- Author house called again to ask when I would be sending in my manuscript. 

Tuesday afternoon- finished proof reading. 

Sent my finalized copy to them this morning (Wednesday) The time estimate right now is 19 weeks. I should have a closer estimate in a few days, after the Content Evaluation is completed. 

[adriandsushi]

Did Some Math Today

A poem by Adrian

I did a little math today. 

Found out that in 2011, when I wrote my first full-length novel, I was 16. 

Instead of driving, I was writing. 

Instead of going to prom, I was writing. 

Instead of being popular, I was writing. 

I did a little math today. 

Found out that in 2009, when I began writing online, I was 13.

Instead of summer camp, I was writing. 

Instead of rebelling, I was writing.

Instead of worshipping teen idols, I was writing. 

I did a little math today.

Found out that in 2006, when I first started writing for fun, I was 11. 

Instead of setting goals, I was writing.

Instead of dreaming, I was writing. 

Instead of working hard in school, I was writing.

Today, I am 22. 

Instead of giving up, I am writing. 

Instead of partying my twenties away, I am writing.

Instead of listening to people, I am writing. 

[adriandsushi]

I turned my brother into a meme. What did you do today? ⚙️

[adriandsushi]

Wolf Queen

I woke up in a cold sweet this morning. I woke up and realized that it is August. And the earliest we will hear back from the copyright office is September. That's next month. That's like two weeks away. We need promotional nonsense for Wolf Queen. Maybe I should have done another round of editing. Or used a super advanced editing style. Maybe I should have waited until more than three of my beta readers finished it. I've got to go back through and fine tooth comb it. Find all the tiny spelling errors. I need to finish formatting. I need to choose a printing company. I've gotta buy ISBN numbers. Balls. I thought I was almost done. Never mind. Carry on with your lives.