This chapter is quite long (12 pages long in MS Word), but I could say that this chapter is one of my favorites so far. It does not only show how GOOD Aya is but depicts how "shocked" Kosuke is with each scene. I describe this chap as clever and hilarious.
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/21/
It will also lead to the next chapter - which you should watch out for -- The School Ball *wink wink*. I'll do my best to make it a blast... and you'll be shocked ^_^
~hiro
Monday, November 05, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Zero Dragon Episode 2 Chapter 7 Uploaded
Yes, I've uploaded a newly revised chapter of Zero Dragon
Here it is - - http://www.fictionpress.com/s/1027750/16/
I was kinda having this 'editing' mood all of a sudden, and I thought of editing an unedited chapter of Zero Dragon. Really, it is literally screaming for edits. Lots of grammar errors I've spotted - ah, high school days of writing that bulk... Just now when I get the time to make the necessary revisions.
Aside from editing ZD, I also edited Chapter 7 and 10 of Fists and Lipsticks. I spotted quite a number of grammar mistakes. In addition, I also edited the Crosse-Aya conversation that night and removed the 'You even changed your name' party, since I thought of something more interesting. I also added the info pertaining to Kosuke's dad being one of the chosen by the Diet to become the next prime minister. In the previous installment, it mentioned merely 'as a chief justice'. Also, I spotted a line by Tomo calling Kosuke as 'Kosuke' when it should have been 'Yamazaki-kun', since I've mentioned that Kosuke is called by his first name only by Yuken (and Fuuko... and yes, later by Aya).
Well, enjoy!
Here it is - - http://www.fictionpress.com/s/1027750/16/
I was kinda having this 'editing' mood all of a sudden, and I thought of editing an unedited chapter of Zero Dragon. Really, it is literally screaming for edits. Lots of grammar errors I've spotted - ah, high school days of writing that bulk... Just now when I get the time to make the necessary revisions.
Aside from editing ZD, I also edited Chapter 7 and 10 of Fists and Lipsticks. I spotted quite a number of grammar mistakes. In addition, I also edited the Crosse-Aya conversation that night and removed the 'You even changed your name' party, since I thought of something more interesting. I also added the info pertaining to Kosuke's dad being one of the chosen by the Diet to become the next prime minister. In the previous installment, it mentioned merely 'as a chief justice'. Also, I spotted a line by Tomo calling Kosuke as 'Kosuke' when it should have been 'Yamazaki-kun', since I've mentioned that Kosuke is called by his first name only by Yuken (and Fuuko... and yes, later by Aya).
Well, enjoy!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
F&L Chapter 19: The Highest Bidder - now UP!
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/20/
It's a short chapter (only 5 pages in MSWord)...
This one I made in the plane from Manila back to the US.
And yeah, this chapter doesn't have too much of the
much anticipated Aya-Kosuke; however, Crosse enters the
story and faces off with Kosuke for the first time, although
indirectly...
I'll stop here, or I'll end up telling the whole story.
Hope you like it!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Fists and Lipsticks Banner - Banned in MediaMiner.org?!?!
Here's the e-mail I received:
=========================================================
Dear hiro-0911,
Your artwork 'Fists and Lipsticks Official Banner'
was removed by MM.org administration staff due to:
Unless you actually drew the pictures in your image
you can Not post it here. This is for art which you
created not someone else's art you took and edited.
Do not repost this unless you can verify you drew
the figures in it.
Please avoid violating MM.org Gallery Guidelines,
repeated violations may lead to your account
being disabled.
Regards,
MM.org Managment
P.S. Please do not reply to this message
========================================
Well, all I can say is THANK YOU! They
actually thought that I stole it
somewhere, so they must think the art rocks!
Lol...
I already sent a mail, explaining to them
that I really drew and
CG'ed those drawings myself.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
F&L Chapter 18: Hidemi's Pursuit Now UP!
I always hope that things would remain as smooth flowing as now. Day after day updates - man, it can't get any better!
Chapter 18 of Fists and Lipsticks now up! - - http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/19/
From the 'cheezy' scenes, the story leaps back to some action. I'm pushing the plot an inch further with this particular chapter.
I'm still here in the beach, but we're leaving this afternoon. Ahhh, the wind feels great here and the people are really friendly. Earlier, we had some yummy BBQs, calamares (breaded squid), and adobo (Filipino pork cooked in soysauce, yumm). We rented a jet ski and went island hopping. And the girls... man! (Oops, I hope Meia doesn't read this haha...). Yeah, Meia's the only one missing here. Otherwise, it would be the perfect vacation!
In case you haven't seen it yet, I've placed above the CG of Aya. Pretty eh?! I drew that ! I drew that! Hahaha...
F&L Chapter 17: Kosuke's Secret Revealed! Now up
How I love beach vacations...
I'm currently in an island in the Oriental Mindoro, Philippines called Puerto Galera. It's beautiful here. Actually, I made this chapter by the seaside (while occasionally disturbed by pearl vendors every now and then lol...)
Here's another chapter of F&L - http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/18/
I enjoyed writing this installment too. And yeah, because of Akio's big mouth, alas Kosuke's secret is revealed to the whole school *grins*
Enjoy!
Friday, October 26, 2007
F&L Chapter 16: I am the Competition Now Up!
Another fast update ^_^
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/17/
Well, from the all-Kosuke-Aya scenes, the other characters would be playing more roles now. Shizuki and Makiko's back on the story as well as the Yamazaki gang. Ruri will also come in the story (remember Aya's blue-haired female gang colleague?).
Nothing very notable in this chap as far as the story line is concerned (as compared to the previous chapters, which are typically one of the highlights of the story). Watch out for the next chapter, however. It would be kind of... amusing ^_^
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/17/
Well, from the all-Kosuke-Aya scenes, the other characters would be playing more roles now. Shizuki and Makiko's back on the story as well as the Yamazaki gang. Ruri will also come in the story (remember Aya's blue-haired female gang colleague?).
Nothing very notable in this chap as far as the story line is concerned (as compared to the previous chapters, which are typically one of the highlights of the story). Watch out for the next chapter, however. It would be kind of... amusing ^_^
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Chapter 15: The Love Charm, The Kiss, Him, and Her
I just happened to watch The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe in DVD... Maybe that's why my title kinda sounds like it (haha...)
Well, that was a short interval from the previous update. I guess because the ideas are coming and coming. More shoujo-ness in the particular chapter. Don't miss it:
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/16/
It was fun writing this chapter (and Meia was like 'oh my god Hiro-kun, I loved it!'). I particularly placed stresses on 'awkward intervals'. You'll see another side of Kosuke and Aya - nothing of the harsh, I'm-ready-for-battle kind of aura. This is the chapter where you see them blush like typical high-schoolers in-love (nothing like a gangster at all) and seemingly unsure of what to do next for every surge of 'doki-doki's.
The original plan was to lock them in the staircase, but I realized that it is too cliche. The world has gotten enough Hana Yori Dango-like scenes. So I came up with another idea, hence the necklace scene... I dunno if it has been done before (please message me if you know of one movie / anime / book where a similar scene happened) but I SWEAR I thought of the idea myself.
I may be uploading new chapters more often since, as I have said, the ideas are currently smoothly flowing in my brain (good thing for me!). The story hasn't gotten much plot to this point, and it seems as if the whole 15 chapters were all Aya-introductions. But now, things would revolve around the characters. In fact, in the next chapter it would be Hidemi who's going to be in the spotlight (and a FEMALE character... *grins* Watch out for it.)
I said before that Fists and Lipsticks may be patterned to a movie's length. But I guess the story wouldn't fit in a 2 and a half hour film. So perhaps yeah, this one's a series already. Although, the story is still much much shorter than Zero Dragon.
Ah... Zero Dragon... When can I ever find time to re-edit you *sweatdrop*. Currently, ZD is also in the 15th installment. However, I pulled it out from FP for editing (so you may have noticed that I have more than 200 reviews, a number of them reviewing for chapter numbers that do not actually exist - - - that's because I pulled the latter chapters out for revisions).
I'm coming to Manila tomorrow. My lil' brother (not really little, he's 16 already) e-mailed me, inviting me to go with them to Puerto Galera, a beach spot in the Philippines. Apparently, they're having their November break. So yeah, since I think it would be nice to go for some tropical heat, I'm flying back to Manila and get some sun.
My Oakley shades, my handy-dandy $20 beach shorts, yellow Havainnas, and the vanity lotion... Pack pack pack... Galera, here I come!
Oh, I'm bringing my laptop too. It might be good writing stories at beachside.
Well, that was a short interval from the previous update. I guess because the ideas are coming and coming. More shoujo-ness in the particular chapter. Don't miss it:
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/16/
It was fun writing this chapter (and Meia was like 'oh my god Hiro-kun, I loved it!'). I particularly placed stresses on 'awkward intervals'. You'll see another side of Kosuke and Aya - nothing of the harsh, I'm-ready-for-battle kind of aura. This is the chapter where you see them blush like typical high-schoolers in-love (nothing like a gangster at all) and seemingly unsure of what to do next for every surge of 'doki-doki's.
The original plan was to lock them in the staircase, but I realized that it is too cliche. The world has gotten enough Hana Yori Dango-like scenes. So I came up with another idea, hence the necklace scene... I dunno if it has been done before (please message me if you know of one movie / anime / book where a similar scene happened) but I SWEAR I thought of the idea myself.
I may be uploading new chapters more often since, as I have said, the ideas are currently smoothly flowing in my brain (good thing for me!). The story hasn't gotten much plot to this point, and it seems as if the whole 15 chapters were all Aya-introductions. But now, things would revolve around the characters. In fact, in the next chapter it would be Hidemi who's going to be in the spotlight (and a FEMALE character... *grins* Watch out for it.)
I said before that Fists and Lipsticks may be patterned to a movie's length. But I guess the story wouldn't fit in a 2 and a half hour film. So perhaps yeah, this one's a series already. Although, the story is still much much shorter than Zero Dragon.
Ah... Zero Dragon... When can I ever find time to re-edit you *sweatdrop*. Currently, ZD is also in the 15th installment. However, I pulled it out from FP for editing (so you may have noticed that I have more than 200 reviews, a number of them reviewing for chapter numbers that do not actually exist - - - that's because I pulled the latter chapters out for revisions).
I'm coming to Manila tomorrow. My lil' brother (not really little, he's 16 already) e-mailed me, inviting me to go with them to Puerto Galera, a beach spot in the Philippines. Apparently, they're having their November break. So yeah, since I think it would be nice to go for some tropical heat, I'm flying back to Manila and get some sun.
My Oakley shades, my handy-dandy $20 beach shorts, yellow Havainnas, and the vanity lotion... Pack pack pack... Galera, here I come!
Oh, I'm bringing my laptop too. It might be good writing stories at beachside.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Official Website for Fists and Lipsticks NOW AVAILABLE
Yep, yep, yep! It's up. Way too early for a 3-day initial target.
Here's the website: http://fistsandlipsticks.multiply.com
Although I've finished only CGs of Aya and Kosuke (I've been up all day, sheeez...), I'm happy to finally have it running at last. I chose Multiply.com (as opposed to the Angelfire Zero Dragon site, which is too difficult to access nowadays) since the overall format of the site allows easy browsing and easy updates. No html required, so it really is easy to use not only for me but also for those who would come and visit.
Aya's CG is omgwtf it turned out perfectly! Just like how I wanted her to look like. Pink lips (but does not look like make-up), doll-like features, blonde hair, and intimidating and mysterious blue eyes. I always wanted her to be someone that you can easily recognize in the middle of a crowd - striking features - a look that you would never expect belongs to a female gangster.
Kosuke's CG on the other hand... Ugh... I've tried correcting his eyes for gazillion times but there's really something wrong with it... It's either too big, or one is bigger than the other, or it's not aligned... I really don't know what's wrong with it. I actually wasted 9 or 10 pieces of drawing paper to come up with a what-my-girlfriend-Meia-refers-to-as 'bishie' looking guy (oh Meia, I'm sorry, I think I murdered Kosuke's face *sweatdrop*). But when cover half of his face, he looks fine... then cover the other half, he still looks fine... but totally remove the cover... WTF! Warped!
Aside from the CGs, I came up with this idea to put some kind of anime/manga simulation, which turned out really, really good (at least for me). It kinda looks like a real fan-subbed anime and a translated manga hahaha... Serious! See them in the website if you don't believe me and see for yourself! Hahaha...
Well, I'm thinking of a good melody for an opening and ending theme MP3... And also I'm planning to draw either Yuken or Crosse next. I just hope they'll turn out just fine. Lots and lots of work to do! Great that I have a lot of free time recently! Works for me, hahaha...
Monday, October 22, 2007
Fists and Lipsticks Website - *Coming Soon*
Due to insistent public demand and e-mails I've been receiving, I decided to draft out a website for Fists and Lipsticks. This would include character CGs, character profiles, and perhaps some mp3s for theme songs just like what I did for Zero Dragon. For easier formatting, I'm looking at Multiply.com to possibly host it since it contains a blog, music bank, video bank, a guestbook, and an organized photo album all in one. No html formatting needed. But I have yet to check their rules whether Anime is allowed in their website or not.
Character design is my main concern right now. I haven't drawn for a while, so it may take several revisions. But I promise to come up with the best portrait, especially of Aya (she must look extremely pretty - that's a challenge for me... *come on, hiro-hands, you can do it!*). Aya's lips is another difficult feature... And Meia keeps on insisting that Kosuke and Crosse MUST and MUST MUST MUST look totally hot... (*sweatdrops*)... So I said "fine, fine, I'll make them look 'hot'... Well, let's just see. I hope they turn out okay.
Character design is my main concern right now. I haven't drawn for a while, so it may take several revisions. But I promise to come up with the best portrait, especially of Aya (she must look extremely pretty - that's a challenge for me... *come on, hiro-hands, you can do it!*). Aya's lips is another difficult feature... And Meia keeps on insisting that Kosuke and Crosse MUST and MUST MUST MUST look totally hot... (*sweatdrops*)... So I said "fine, fine, I'll make them look 'hot'... Well, let's just see. I hope they turn out okay.
F&L - Chapter Fourteen: Warmth Uploaded in FP
At last - an October update (although its long overdue...)
It's a 10 page update, the bulk of it revolving around the Kosuke-Aya rooftop scene. You wouldn't want to miss out this one, would you? *wink*
Here's the link - -
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/15/
Hope you like it! And leave your reviews in the FP website, here, or in my e-mail ...
~hiro
It's a 10 page update, the bulk of it revolving around the Kosuke-Aya rooftop scene. You wouldn't want to miss out this one, would you? *wink*
Here's the link - -
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/15/
Hope you like it! And leave your reviews in the FP website, here, or in my e-mail ...
~hiro
Sunday, September 16, 2007
F&L Chapter 13 - Conspiracy? uploaded
It's a very short one, and not too much plot... But there's something in this episode that will play a huge part in the next chapter *wink wink*.
I placed a Yuken-Kosuke scene again. I believe that doing more scenes like this will emphasize their friendship more. They should appear to be the "close ones" in the gang of 5.
I'm excited for the next chapter. Actually, the rooftop scene was supposed to be Chapter 12 as mentioned in my previous post, but I just thought that it was better this way... Otherwise, things may seem too fast and less anticipative.
Here's the link: http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/14/
Hope you like it! ~hiro
I placed a Yuken-Kosuke scene again. I believe that doing more scenes like this will emphasize their friendship more. They should appear to be the "close ones" in the gang of 5.
I'm excited for the next chapter. Actually, the rooftop scene was supposed to be Chapter 12 as mentioned in my previous post, but I just thought that it was better this way... Otherwise, things may seem too fast and less anticipative.
Here's the link: http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/14/
Hope you like it! ~hiro
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Fists and Lipsticks Chapter 12 is up
I'm pretty surprised that I was able to update F&L in such a short span. Perhaps I was motivated by some reviews, e-mails, and IMs I received. Thanks guys, you know who you are ^_^.
Here's the link -- http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/13/
I feel good that the ideas for F&L are flowing smoothly and the plot currently have no holes as far as the posted chapters are concerned. Actually, chapter 1 - 12 , as you may have noticed, are mostly introductions of Aya (her attitude, her gang, her family, even her house and hobbies were introduced). However, you will also notice that even though it took 12 chapters to do this, Aya still remains to be a mysterious person.
However, from Chapter 13 onwards, the real plot begins. Expect some really unexpected twists and scenes as the story progresses. Hope you will still be there to see them unfold.
Here's the link -- http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/13/
I feel good that the ideas for F&L are flowing smoothly and the plot currently have no holes as far as the posted chapters are concerned. Actually, chapter 1 - 12 , as you may have noticed, are mostly introductions of Aya (her attitude, her gang, her family, even her house and hobbies were introduced). However, you will also notice that even though it took 12 chapters to do this, Aya still remains to be a mysterious person.
However, from Chapter 13 onwards, the real plot begins. Expect some really unexpected twists and scenes as the story progresses. Hope you will still be there to see them unfold.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Fists and Lipsticks posted in Animeforum.com
My Angel Meia had this promotional idea (as she calls it) for my fic called 'Fists and Lipsticks'. After she bugged me in our 30-minute trip from the movie house to my condo, I gave her the permission to post the fic in a forum. Here's the link.
http://www.animeforum.com/showthread.php?t=63405
I haven't really tried posting my fictions in a forum other than Fictionpress (FP isn't even a forum *-sweatdrops-*). But come to think of it, it wouldn't hurt sharing it although it is much more prone to plagiarism and things like that... Hope it wouldn't happen (Man! I'd kill the person who steals my work!)
I received a long-distance phonecall from my mom in Manila a while ago. Guess what, my dog Red XIII had some neighbor's Golden Retriever pregnant! Talk about h*r*y, haha... Now, Meia's asking me for a puppy! Pretty early heh heh...
http://www.animeforum.com/showthread.php?t=63405
I haven't really tried posting my fictions in a forum other than Fictionpress (FP isn't even a forum *-sweatdrops-*). But come to think of it, it wouldn't hurt sharing it although it is much more prone to plagiarism and things like that... Hope it wouldn't happen (Man! I'd kill the person who steals my work!)
I received a long-distance phonecall from my mom in Manila a while ago. Guess what, my dog Red XIII had some neighbor's Golden Retriever pregnant! Talk about h*r*y, haha... Now, Meia's asking me for a puppy! Pretty early heh heh...
Saturday, August 25, 2007
New F&L Chapter Uploaded
Fists and Lipsticks Chapter 11's up at last ! It's called Behold! The Miyazawa Gang!
Aside from introducing the infamous Miyazawa gang, I've added a Yuken-Shizuki scene as well. I'm glad it turned out quite nice. It took me four hours to complete it, and another 30-minute pre-uploading revision.
Meia dropped by my place today and helped me revise this chapter. Actually, it was her idea to put the Yuken-Shizuki scenes in this chapter, when I initially planned to write it after the Kosuke-Aya rooftop challenge (yup, you gotta watch out for that in chapter 12! especially shoujo fans *wink wink*). She has all the 'kawaii' ideas in her head and she pushes me to write them at once! So sorry for ZD readers if it is taking me so long to revise the chapters that I pulled out. I'm typically enjoying F&L recently.
Here's the link for Fists and Lipsticks =
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/1/
Aside from introducing the infamous Miyazawa gang, I've added a Yuken-Shizuki scene as well. I'm glad it turned out quite nice. It took me four hours to complete it, and another 30-minute pre-uploading revision.
Meia dropped by my place today and helped me revise this chapter. Actually, it was her idea to put the Yuken-Shizuki scenes in this chapter, when I initially planned to write it after the Kosuke-Aya rooftop challenge (yup, you gotta watch out for that in chapter 12! especially shoujo fans *wink wink*). She has all the 'kawaii' ideas in her head and she pushes me to write them at once! So sorry for ZD readers if it is taking me so long to revise the chapters that I pulled out. I'm typically enjoying F&L recently.
Here's the link for Fists and Lipsticks =
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2191842/1/
Enjoy!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Fists and Lipsticks undergoes revisions
Yup, in fact several things have been changed. One major revision is that I changed the orders of names from Western to Japanese (eg. Kosuke Yamazaki to Yamazaki Kosuke, Aya Miyazawa to Miyazawa Aya). Honorifics (-san,-kun,-chan... etc) has been added to the speaking lines. Another change is Yamazaki Daisuke's (Kosuke's father) profession from chief of police to a big-time supreme court judge since it would pose as a significant connection between Aya and Kosuke.
A major grammar wrap-up was done, especially the 'jumping tenses'. Now I can guarantee that they're 90% corrected, in case I've left out some 10% (so please give me feedback in case you spot some of those mistakes. The reviews will truly help!).
Aside from Fists and Lipsticks, revisions for Zero Dragon is currently ongoing. In fact, I'm editing the final chapters of Episode 2, correcting a LOT of grammar errors (yep, the jumping tenses again). I'm proud to say I'm learning a lot from editing my fictions. In the next chapters that would be uploaded, perhaps it would lessen the risk of committing the same mistakes.
My air conditioning unit is broken and it's freaking hot here... I guess it would be nice to get some lemonade downstairs!
A major grammar wrap-up was done, especially the 'jumping tenses'. Now I can guarantee that they're 90% corrected, in case I've left out some 10% (so please give me feedback in case you spot some of those mistakes. The reviews will truly help!).
Aside from Fists and Lipsticks, revisions for Zero Dragon is currently ongoing. In fact, I'm editing the final chapters of Episode 2, correcting a LOT of grammar errors (yep, the jumping tenses again). I'm proud to say I'm learning a lot from editing my fictions. In the next chapters that would be uploaded, perhaps it would lessen the risk of committing the same mistakes.
My air conditioning unit is broken and it's freaking hot here... I guess it would be nice to get some lemonade downstairs!
Monday, June 04, 2007
ZD reuploaded to FP
After tons and tons of revisions, Zero Dragon's finally back!
I've got to thanks my lil'angel Meia for helping me edit this one. Lots of changes have been made, including some conversation lines, plot lines, and names.
Episodes were also broken down into chapters to better facilitate incoming reviews. All though the whole bunch has not been uploaded yet since I'm revising and revising them to improve them immensely, expect them to be up in two to three weeks.
Here it is - - -
http://www.fictionpress.com/read.php?storyid=1027750
or
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/1027750/1/
I'm back in the Philippines after having graduated (At last! Wooot wooot!) in BU. I'm enjoying some real sun here (37 degrees is normal here, it's like the whole place's a sauna!). But I'll be going back to Boston in two months. I'm here to pay my mom a little visit. Her cafe's hitting the malls here well, and she seems to be pretty much enjoying it.
I've got to thanks my lil'angel Meia for helping me edit this one. Lots of changes have been made, including some conversation lines, plot lines, and names.
Episodes were also broken down into chapters to better facilitate incoming reviews. All though the whole bunch has not been uploaded yet since I'm revising and revising them to improve them immensely, expect them to be up in two to three weeks.
Here it is - - -
http://www.fictionpress.com/read.php?storyid=1027750
or
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/1027750/1/
I'm back in the Philippines after having graduated (At last! Wooot wooot!) in BU. I'm enjoying some real sun here (37 degrees is normal here, it's like the whole place's a sauna!). But I'll be going back to Boston in two months. I'm here to pay my mom a little visit. Her cafe's hitting the malls here well, and she seems to be pretty much enjoying it.
Friday, January 05, 2007
New new. . . .
I recently transferred to my new condo and finally I got a real stable hi-speed internet connection! I got the 15th floor and I'm pretty satisfied with the view on my window.
I've made a 3-page update in my fiction Fists and Lipsticks. Well, after strenuous school works, school papers, and school projects (schoooooool... *sigh*), I've finally managed to hook myself once again to leisurely stuff like writing and making progress in Final Fantasy XII, which is pretty cool by the way. The battle system's quite complicated being the 'real time' it is (camera angles made me occasionally dizzy), but little by little I got the hang of it. Well, enough of Final Fantasy...
I decided to make progress on Fists and Lipsticks and finish it as soon as possible, but avoiding 'rushed' scenes. Updates would be simpler as each chapter is to be limited to 3 to 8 pages (at the most). I'm enjoying shorter chapters, really. They at the same time provide the readers a more convenient way of giving constructive reviews. I'm planning to break down Zero Dragon as well, but it would still take serious editing (still pending *another sigh*), and really, I'm not in the mood to make those editings yet. Hey, I'm having fun with F&L lately. Ideas are storming continuously into my mind and I'm just too excited to put them into words!
I'll post another entry on my next update. ^_^
I've made a 3-page update in my fiction Fists and Lipsticks. Well, after strenuous school works, school papers, and school projects (schoooooool... *sigh*), I've finally managed to hook myself once again to leisurely stuff like writing and making progress in Final Fantasy XII, which is pretty cool by the way. The battle system's quite complicated being the 'real time' it is (camera angles made me occasionally dizzy), but little by little I got the hang of it. Well, enough of Final Fantasy...
I decided to make progress on Fists and Lipsticks and finish it as soon as possible, but avoiding 'rushed' scenes. Updates would be simpler as each chapter is to be limited to 3 to 8 pages (at the most). I'm enjoying shorter chapters, really. They at the same time provide the readers a more convenient way of giving constructive reviews. I'm planning to break down Zero Dragon as well, but it would still take serious editing (still pending *another sigh*), and really, I'm not in the mood to make those editings yet. Hey, I'm having fun with F&L lately. Ideas are storming continuously into my mind and I'm just too excited to put them into words!
I'll post another entry on my next update. ^_^
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Editing is no fun at all
I'm currently editing my fiction, Zero Dragon, which I post in Fictionpress.com.
Reading through it made me realize how much it screams for help!
I'm in episode 3 already and I must admit that reading through my work is really tough. It's been a long time since I last re-read Zero Dragon. For some reason, I feel as if I'm reading a work that is not mine! Weird, huh? Now, I'm seeing those typos and grammar errs and shifting tenses more clearly this time around. I'm having a hard time reading my own work - - what more, the reader?! OMFG this is a fiction emergency. And to think I've made it sound so huge and all... now I am quite uncertain about it. The story, despite its heightening plot, have so many holes in it. I think I made some calculations wrong. I over-exaggerated some parts that this time, I don't know where to pull the right bulk to fit into the plotroom from.
Revisions did not only include the grammar errors. The formatting (paragraphs, indentions, and alignments) will be uniformed. Lengthy episodes will be narrowed down into Chapters to enable readers to give more concise and constructive reviews and make reading the massive text easier (uploaded as Episode I : Chapter One, Episode I : Chapter Two, Episode IX : Chapter Four... and so on..) Some speaking lines were changed and some scenes made slightly different. Plot sequences were changed too.
I decided to make ZD more novel-like this time. I have incorporated RPG-game elements like putting the actual names of the swords, armors, and weapons that were bought by the characters in their travel from place to place, including their stat point attributes. But I guess I have failed to keep it constant for the latter episodes. And so, I have also deleted these parts and opted to replace them with more vivid descriptions. Don't worry though. Characters still move around like that in an RPG and get themselves their gadgets too. The emphasis, however, will be decreased as compared to the previous.
The story's currency, qians, had been revised as well. I said before that it was "set out by monsters once they are slain". I got a review pointing out that it was very much "video-gamish", to which I agree with. And so, this time I figured out to change that part. Instead, qians will be acquired through trading monster hide to merchants.
A number of Mignard's conversation lines were changed too. I noticed that his manner of speaking had been not constant in some parts. He should have his trademarked "exaggerately polite and princely" manner of speaking in the earlier parts of the fiction. The casual manner of speaking should come later when he grows a more amicable friendship with Zero. That was my initial plan, but I guess that did not come out that obvious. I worked on that one too.
I noticed too that I put on too much fire on Eiles - LITERALLY. Dhor was burned, Afaria was burned, Carinde was burned, La Flance... well, at least La Flance was not burned or something. I think it was quite redundant. I plan on pulling out Afaria from the list. Dhor and Carinde scenes, I believe, incorporates fire in the background quite well from my point of view.
I also pulled out "!"s and "Uh!"s which are visibly too redundant in the earlier episodes. I think I placed it there before to fill in the holes where in I felt that the character HAS to say something here... So blam blam blam, I put these nonsense words for the heck of it. Good idea? NO way. Pull it out at once, Hiro! Pull pull pull!
Another is Master Zhang Lu and the Nemethia Mercenaries. Zero, the main character of ZD, is a member of the Nemethia Mercenaries. If Zero is in it, then the mercenary faction should have an active role in the story! Why didn't I realize that a long time ago? And Master Zhang Lu should have more exposure. Besides, he is the leader of the reknowned mercenary group! From episode 1 to the latest, there had been a very minimal exposure and activity as far as Nemethia is concerned. Their role should not be merely confined in one episode just like what I have done. Wrong, wrong, and WRONG. And another wrong thing I did regarding Nemethia is identifying them as a "mercenary group willing to do tasks for a price". If they were so great and full of respect, Nemethia should instead be willing to do tasks if righteousness entails it, regardless of whether there was a reward or none. For the revised edition, expect to here more from the Nemethia Mercenaries, including Zhang Lu, Reed, and the others.
In the episode where Zero tells his past (Man of the Tides), he narrates his relationship with Mondragona. There had been a little emphasis on this when this information is crucial to understand Zero's hesitation to... wait, this is giving out a major spoiler. *zips my mouth shut for a split second*. Anyway, the point is that the Zero-Mondragona relationship should be more extensive just like how the Mignard-Lineah relationship is constructively built. The only difference is that the Zero-Mondragona relationship relies more on flashbacks. I noticed that there was minimal emphasis on them.
Warrick is another character I wanted to pull out from the party when I scrolled down the pages of ZD (traveling in a great number must be very unrealistic. I consider it a great thing to lessen them up quite a bit). I think it would be better to just meet him and just make him give the bow to Zero for Artifact Cube safekeeping. But in my plot, he ought to do something very brief yet very important in one battle with Rourke later in the upcoming face-offs. And hey, I made a CG of Warrick and I think he's okay... so there... no. Erase that. I'm not gonna pull him out anymore.
Well that's about it for now. Editing is no fun at all, but it is a great learning experience. I am always too lazy to edit my own work as compared to editing and proofreading and commenting on other people's work. But hey, in this blog I think I have given a constructive review to myself! Lol.
When the proofread version of Zero Dragon is finally published, I'd make sure that it's in its best state for the readers to fully enjoy. Hope you keep on supporting ZD, which has been running for almost five years now. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! ~@~
Reading through it made me realize how much it screams for help!
I'm in episode 3 already and I must admit that reading through my work is really tough. It's been a long time since I last re-read Zero Dragon. For some reason, I feel as if I'm reading a work that is not mine! Weird, huh? Now, I'm seeing those typos and grammar errs and shifting tenses more clearly this time around. I'm having a hard time reading my own work - - what more, the reader?! OMFG this is a fiction emergency. And to think I've made it sound so huge and all... now I am quite uncertain about it. The story, despite its heightening plot, have so many holes in it. I think I made some calculations wrong. I over-exaggerated some parts that this time, I don't know where to pull the right bulk to fit into the plotroom from.
Revisions did not only include the grammar errors. The formatting (paragraphs, indentions, and alignments) will be uniformed. Lengthy episodes will be narrowed down into Chapters to enable readers to give more concise and constructive reviews and make reading the massive text easier (uploaded as Episode I : Chapter One, Episode I : Chapter Two, Episode IX : Chapter Four... and so on..) Some speaking lines were changed and some scenes made slightly different. Plot sequences were changed too.
I decided to make ZD more novel-like this time. I have incorporated RPG-game elements like putting the actual names of the swords, armors, and weapons that were bought by the characters in their travel from place to place, including their stat point attributes. But I guess I have failed to keep it constant for the latter episodes. And so, I have also deleted these parts and opted to replace them with more vivid descriptions. Don't worry though. Characters still move around like that in an RPG and get themselves their gadgets too. The emphasis, however, will be decreased as compared to the previous.
The story's currency, qians, had been revised as well. I said before that it was "set out by monsters once they are slain". I got a review pointing out that it was very much "video-gamish", to which I agree with. And so, this time I figured out to change that part. Instead, qians will be acquired through trading monster hide to merchants.
A number of Mignard's conversation lines were changed too. I noticed that his manner of speaking had been not constant in some parts. He should have his trademarked "exaggerately polite and princely" manner of speaking in the earlier parts of the fiction. The casual manner of speaking should come later when he grows a more amicable friendship with Zero. That was my initial plan, but I guess that did not come out that obvious. I worked on that one too.
I noticed too that I put on too much fire on Eiles - LITERALLY. Dhor was burned, Afaria was burned, Carinde was burned, La Flance... well, at least La Flance was not burned or something. I think it was quite redundant. I plan on pulling out Afaria from the list. Dhor and Carinde scenes, I believe, incorporates fire in the background quite well from my point of view.
I also pulled out "!"s and "Uh!"s which are visibly too redundant in the earlier episodes. I think I placed it there before to fill in the holes where in I felt that the character HAS to say something here... So blam blam blam, I put these nonsense words for the heck of it. Good idea? NO way. Pull it out at once, Hiro! Pull pull pull!
Another is Master Zhang Lu and the Nemethia Mercenaries. Zero, the main character of ZD, is a member of the Nemethia Mercenaries. If Zero is in it, then the mercenary faction should have an active role in the story! Why didn't I realize that a long time ago? And Master Zhang Lu should have more exposure. Besides, he is the leader of the reknowned mercenary group! From episode 1 to the latest, there had been a very minimal exposure and activity as far as Nemethia is concerned. Their role should not be merely confined in one episode just like what I have done. Wrong, wrong, and WRONG. And another wrong thing I did regarding Nemethia is identifying them as a "mercenary group willing to do tasks for a price". If they were so great and full of respect, Nemethia should instead be willing to do tasks if righteousness entails it, regardless of whether there was a reward or none. For the revised edition, expect to here more from the Nemethia Mercenaries, including Zhang Lu, Reed, and the others.
In the episode where Zero tells his past (Man of the Tides), he narrates his relationship with Mondragona. There had been a little emphasis on this when this information is crucial to understand Zero's hesitation to... wait, this is giving out a major spoiler. *zips my mouth shut for a split second*. Anyway, the point is that the Zero-Mondragona relationship should be more extensive just like how the Mignard-Lineah relationship is constructively built. The only difference is that the Zero-Mondragona relationship relies more on flashbacks. I noticed that there was minimal emphasis on them.
Warrick is another character I wanted to pull out from the party when I scrolled down the pages of ZD (traveling in a great number must be very unrealistic. I consider it a great thing to lessen them up quite a bit). I think it would be better to just meet him and just make him give the bow to Zero for Artifact Cube safekeeping. But in my plot, he ought to do something very brief yet very important in one battle with Rourke later in the upcoming face-offs. And hey, I made a CG of Warrick and I think he's okay... so there... no. Erase that. I'm not gonna pull him out anymore.
Well that's about it for now. Editing is no fun at all, but it is a great learning experience. I am always too lazy to edit my own work as compared to editing and proofreading and commenting on other people's work. But hey, in this blog I think I have given a constructive review to myself! Lol.
When the proofread version of Zero Dragon is finally published, I'd make sure that it's in its best state for the readers to fully enjoy. Hope you keep on supporting ZD, which has been running for almost five years now. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! ~@~
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Since everyone's in it... Why not?
Since everyone's into podcasting and blogging and stuff, I thought that it might be a good idea after all. I'm never into stuff like Friendster and MySpace and blogging at LiveJournal or Xanga or Blogger. May seem a little 'corny' at first, but hey, this IS still writing. Makes a good diversion, especially during a long rest in writing at Fictionpress.com and with some tedious school works.
I'm actually quite busy doing some school works for my research. Last year in college is really quite a shift. It pulls away from you so much of your leisure time. Instead, you find yourself too indulged in things that are fractionated for your future. It's like I feel that I am really growing older and older with the greater stuff assigned for me to bear. It's like you're being sucked in a whole new dimension. It's like you're given a new pair of eyes. It's a time when multivitamins do not seem to work. Stress, stress, and more stress.
Despite a lot of things to do and an awfully immense pressure rushing into my system, as much as possible I try to compose myself and still find time to do those things I'm fond of doing, though this time, the time is lessened enormously. In my freshmen and sophomore years, I go to the gym at least thrice a week and stay for about 2-3 hours. I get to play Need for Speed at the PS2 for hours and hours and surf the net till I drop. I even get to continue writing a really long novel titled 'Zero Dragon', which I post in Fictionpress.net with no writer's block at all. Ideas just *poofs* and *blams* to my head instantly, non-stop. I get to update 1 episode every 1 or 2 weeks, but now my last update was last May and alas I haven't started the next episode yet.
Things had been really rocky between Meia and I too. She has to move to Florida next month, yet we're both busy to be even preparing for the departure. It's gonna be a long time till we see each other again. Aside from my girlfriend, there's my mom to worry about. She's had this fracture on her left arm from an accidental fall from a bench just a week ago, and I'm deciding whether to fly back to Manila to check her out when I have my thesis literally seizing me.
A diversion is what I need! Or a freakin' vacation at Hawaii... Somebody give me a plane ticket to Hawaii! (and pocket money too *smiles... then grins*)
Hey, this journal thing is fun after all. I think I'll be back more often. Drop the stupid thesis! Ranting is good sometimes. ~@~Current Mood:
and VERY hungry
I'm actually quite busy doing some school works for my research. Last year in college is really quite a shift. It pulls away from you so much of your leisure time. Instead, you find yourself too indulged in things that are fractionated for your future. It's like I feel that I am really growing older and older with the greater stuff assigned for me to bear. It's like you're being sucked in a whole new dimension. It's like you're given a new pair of eyes. It's a time when multivitamins do not seem to work. Stress, stress, and more stress.
Despite a lot of things to do and an awfully immense pressure rushing into my system, as much as possible I try to compose myself and still find time to do those things I'm fond of doing, though this time, the time is lessened enormously. In my freshmen and sophomore years, I go to the gym at least thrice a week and stay for about 2-3 hours. I get to play Need for Speed at the PS2 for hours and hours and surf the net till I drop. I even get to continue writing a really long novel titled 'Zero Dragon', which I post in Fictionpress.net with no writer's block at all. Ideas just *poofs* and *blams* to my head instantly, non-stop. I get to update 1 episode every 1 or 2 weeks, but now my last update was last May and alas I haven't started the next episode yet.
Things had been really rocky between Meia and I too. She has to move to Florida next month, yet we're both busy to be even preparing for the departure. It's gonna be a long time till we see each other again. Aside from my girlfriend, there's my mom to worry about. She's had this fracture on her left arm from an accidental fall from a bench just a week ago, and I'm deciding whether to fly back to Manila to check her out when I have my thesis literally seizing me.
A diversion is what I need! Or a freakin' vacation at Hawaii... Somebody give me a plane ticket to Hawaii! (and pocket money too *smiles... then grins*)
Hey, this journal thing is fun after all. I think I'll be back more often. Drop the stupid thesis! Ranting is good sometimes. ~@~Current Mood:
and VERY hungry
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