IT'S ALIVE!!!!

Holy crap-buckets I forgot this existed...

I guess work, school and life just caught up with me. Well let's see if I can get you all caught up without having to write a three part novel for it. When I left you all I was complaining about Religion... what else is new. I ended up having to replace my Mac this year, yes my poor Giles is no longer functional and had to be replaced by a Lenovo, whom I've named, following the Buffy timeline, Wesley. Wesley is not as awesome as Giles was... Giles never highlighted things while I was typing making me erase paragraphs of work (aka I hate trackpads).

 A new problem arose two years ago in february, one that has yet to be solved. I have a strange knee injury that no one in the medical profession can seem to agree on what's actually wrong with it. My physiotherapist believes it to be a baker's cyst plus tendinitis, one of the doctors on the East coast didn't believe me when I told him that it swells up and causes me great pain when I try to bend it after work -since I'm not a permanent resident I had to go to the after hours clinic and of course my knee wasn't acting up that day. My campus physician said my knee didn't line up with the rest of my leg, and my home doctor, who I only just got to see, has yet to get back to me with results. Needless to say, I'm a walking health hazard.

On another note I've had a pretty exciting last year. I spent part of my summer in the province of Transylvania, Romania (excited squeal) and got to see Castle Bran. I don't think I've ever been so in love with a country before. I went there are part of an archaeological dig so I kinda got to kill two birds with one stone; go on a dig and get to see a country that I probably would never have a chance to go to otherwise. I spent five weeks living in a tent on the side of a mountain, where the nearest village was a 5km walk away and the only form of modern comfort we had was a propane stove. We bathed in the rivers, drank from a fresh water spring, and probably smelt worse than when your dog rolls in something by the end of it. Still, I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.

I did a lot of writing while I was in Romania -well, I've done quite a bit since my last update in general- given that once we were done work for the day and there was still light in the sky, there wasn't really much else to do other than read, chat, drink, and/or write. I tended to read by headlamp after sundown, drank with the gang in the beer ponds when I felt like it, and wrote most afternoons as long as there was nothing else going on in the campsite -such as soccer games or spear fights. Either way my page count is now up to 81, if I were to shrink the page sizes to be normal novel sizes that number would probably grow by at least a third so I'm pretty content with that number. Some major plot points have been reached though before I continue going forward with my novel I've decided to do some editing and revising in some earlier parts -namely those that I fell could use a little more beefing up. Like Venice... not overly happy with the Venice part as of yet -should mention that the characters themselves are no longer in Venice and storywise moved on to another plot point.

I ended up changing Kat's name to. She is no longer Katrina but just Katrine. I can't really explain why but I like it better. I'm also planning on changing her last name eventually, once I think of a better one. A new character has been introduced as well, nothing major as she might not ever actually make another appearance, might just have her mentioned every now and again. That's pretty much all that has been updated in that department.

I have discovered a new series of books, well not all that new but new to me as I had only started reading them this past summer. It all started with me watching a show called Rizzoli & Isles while I was visiting home,  I don't get the channel that it is on over on the East coast so I couldn't really keep up with it, despite how much I was enjoying it. Now, it should be mentioned that I'm normally not a huge fan of the crime genre, I enjoy watching crime shows just not reading crime novels, despite that I decided to give the book series since it was easy for me to get (my mum decided to get me a kindle for my birthday so that I wouldn't have to fill half my travel pack with books for my trip). And so I read the first book... and then the next one.... and the next one... and the- okay you get the picture, I was hooked. The characters are great, the writing is fantastic, and the stories are compelling.
So, if any of you happen to be crime lovers I highly recommend The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen; I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Happy reading.

K.A.Becks

Completely Off Topic...

Dear fellow bloggers,

today I came across a very disturbing article in my newspaper. To some it may not seem disturbing, but for me, it left the words "are they serious?" in my mind. As I was flipping through the Life section of my paper, I came across the religious views section and one headline caught my eye. "Did sinners cause quake?" An entire article dedicated to the view that because the Haitians don't follow the Christian/Catholic view, God punished them with an earthquake.

Upon further reading, the article took extra care to state that to save ourselves we must all -this is taken in my own words and in no means meant to insult anyone- become literalists who follow the bible to the very last detail.

What bothers me the most about this article is that, I know people will take it seriously when it shouldn't be. It's almost as bad as when Pat Robertson stated that the earthquake was caused by the Haitians worshipping the devil back when Haiti was a French Colony.

Another thing that bothered me a lot was the section of the paper. A section that was labeled "Religion" when all I saw were articles promoting Christianity and Catholicism. Last time I checked, those were not the only religions in Canada.

A note to the editor, if you are going to include Religion in your newspaper, your going to need to go a little farther than the Church.

Getting Them Cogs in Motion

Hi all, sorry to leave you all in the dark for so long, getting back on track took a little longer than I thought. For starters, I thought for sure I would get some blogging and/or writing done over the break but low and behold being back at my parents house in central Canada, I was not allowed to use my microsoft word because someone else in the house was using a microsoft project on their computer. That's what you get when you install the same OS on three computers.

But that wasn't the only reason writing was not done. Family stuff and activities with friends seemed to be happening everyday and soon enough it was time to fly back out east.

Oh well, I am back now so no worries. I return to the land of snow and crows, leaving behind the big cities and the constant happenings. I do not regret my decision.

Anyways, now on to the real reason why you all read my blog, an update on Hunter. Although I said I did not get any writing done over the break that does not mean I did not get some done before and afterwards. During study breaks I did some editing, finally fixed the page layout that was pissing me off, and wrote a tiny bit. Coming back I enlisted my friend who is working towards a Bachelor of Arts specifying in English to read over certain passages to make sure what I'm saying in them is clear and that it is grammatically correct. After much confusion, both of us referring to different things using the same word namely, she understood what I was asking of her and readily helped me fix one glaring problem in my more recent passage.

One problem I find with writing, is that when you want the characters to travel, you have to be careful -especially if you've never been to the locations in which you want your characters to travel to. For example, I've been to England, Scotland, Ireland, and the USA; all of which I could easily pick a location and not worry too much about proper description since most of the places I would pick are still quite clear in my mind (because I've taken so many pictures). However, I've decided not to send Kat and West to any of those places. Instead, I have sent them to, wait for it, Verona, Italy.

As much as I love Italy and I would like to go there someday, I'm quite clueless to the actual layout of the city. Any and all help in this department would be appreciated, not because I'm too lazy to look up pictures for it, but I think it would be more beneficial to hear a description from someone who has actually been there.

Luckily though, with my novel being set somewhat in the future, description of some buildings can differ, but I still would much prefer to hear how Verona looks now and compare to how it might look in like 40 years after various supernatural beings have taken over.

Although right now I have hit the dreaded stalemate of the story -that is where it is nothing but boring information that, unfortunately, needs to be there to advance the story... there are usual a good number of these- I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and my good friend West is helping me move it a long. Yes, I do like to think of my characters as real people, for that, I feel, helps give them more personality.

Kat's as helpful as soggy mop to moving these parts a long, but she is key to the plot so I cannot simply stick her in a corner and tell her to wait until it's done -though I wish I could at times.

Anyways, enough about that. Just wanted to let you all know that YES I am still alive and working diligently on Hunter.

Now for another part that you all have been waiting for, book recommendations. YAY!

Today's book is Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel -which was given to me as a Christmas present from one of my sisters. There are not enough words in the human dictionary to describe how much I love this book. The story is based in the 1500's, during the reign of King Henry VIII of England, and follows the life of a cunning man by the name of Thomas Cromwell and his own rise to power during this time. I fear if I get started in trying to summarize the plot I will not be able to stop and thereby ruin the story so I shall leave it at that. Honestly, a great read!

And for you classic lovers, I do recommend Ovid's Meamorphoses, a collection of myths and stories from the Greek and Roman period. It contains a creation story, the story of the first werewolf, Lycaon, Pygmalion, Perseus and Andromeda, and the fall of Troy. From my own opinion, though I enjoyed the book, it is a good read, not a great one. Though that may differ depending on what one likes to read.

And finally, for the history lovers. Although I am not finished it... frankly I'm only on the first chapter, but nonetheless I am enjoying it, Lindsey Hughes last historical work, The Romanovs. Although more of a textbook than the other two I am referring tonight, it's an interesting read for those who are into the history of the Tsars and of Russia. I will add more information on the text as I read more, but like I said I am still on the first chapter.

With that, I shall leave you, as I always do.

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

So It Begins...

Well fellow bloggers, it has begun. The month of nonstop work that drives University students to the end of their rope. I am locked inside a cage and the key has been placed within view and only just out of reach. A cage that consists only of research books, paper, a blanket and pillow and the occasional appearance of food and water... possibly a toilet as well. So with that, I say. Good bye for now, I shall speak with you all again in December.

In the meantime, all of you who are into Celtic mythology or Folklore, I recommend Celtic Myths and Legends by Rolleston and Folktales of Ireland which was edited by Sean O' Sullivan. Both are fountains of information regarding the old beliefs -watered down by Christian Monks, of course- but there are still some elements left from the oral tradition.

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

Back From the Grave

Huh, so it appears I am not dead just being very neglectful of my blog, my sincerest apologies for all you who are waiting ever so faithfully for updates. To put things in retrospect, I have had so much going on lately that it is a miracle that I am not actually dead... or that I updated.

First of all, there was Thanksgiving weekend. A time where my family comes from all corners of the world to gorge on turkey, fish, and other meals that you cannot get at University... or at least cannot be prepared to your liking at University. Although my family was missing one member this year, a silly sister who decided to remain at her University rather than going home, we still had fun. Most importantly, I got to see my sister who lives over in the Middle East and went hiking with her in hopes of working off the potential Thanksgiving tummy. I think we were successful.

Secondly, Midterms started up the week following Thanksgiving, meaning that I spent majority of my life either in the classroom or reading chapter upon chapter about the Celts, studying Gaelic terms, and reading Greek Tragedies -like most University students. On top of that I was also making my Halloween costume, which had to be done by this past weekend. I was successful in that department and have discovered a great hatred for drawing teddy bears and colouring with crayons.

And lastly, this past weekend was my second horse show as an English Rider. It was much more successful than my first. My horse, who is not really my horse but I'm the only one who rides her every week so she might as well be, won her first 3rd and 2nd place ribbons -note, this is also only her second show- and she and my friends baby -a 4 year old Thoroughbred/something cross... also not really belonging to her but once again she is the only one who rides him- got first place in the costumer pairs division.

If anyone wants to know, we were Peanut Butter and Jelly.

Anyway, back to the most important part of this blog -and the whole purpose of its creation- updates of Hunter. Truthfully, I haven't really worked much on it and I don't think I will be seeing as I got a job recently and I have about 100 million papers due in the next month... but not really. I've got 3 papers and 1 project... but it feels like 100 million... I'm sure every University student out there will agree with me on that statement.

I am trying to write quite a bit right now to make up for the lacking of writing, but seeing as it is dinner time, and I am currently writing this post I am sure all of you can imagine how well that is going. I think I shall have to leaf through my Now Write! book in hopes that it will save me from my writer's block.

Now... book recommendations... (ahem) for all of you nonfiction/history lovers, The Fall of Empires is a great book to read. It touches on everything from the fall of the Pharaonic Egypt to the Mayans. Any teachers -or students- involved in Ancient Civilizations might want to take a look at this book for project information or essay ideas.

Well that's all for today!

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

A New Month, A New Post

I realize it has been ages since my last update but I assure you it was not because I was neglecting Hunter... I've just been neglecting the blog. I am well into the writing of Chapter 3 and have, somehow, also managed to keep up with all the reading I have for my Celtic Civ course and my Celtic Paganism. I may have to take a break from Hunter for a bit due to Midterms, essays and presentations, so I am writing as much as I can to ensure that my absence from Word does not affect my goal.

I decided, while working on a map for Celtic Civ, to watch Dracula last night -a movie that stars Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, and the guy who plays Wesley in The Princess Bride. I don't remember who actually played Dracula, but I can assure you that it was none of the above actors. Anthony Hopkins was very good in the movie, Keanu Reeves -surprise surprise- was not. The movie kept true to the book through most of it, though there was one point where I could not tell if I was actually watching Dracule or The Wolf-Man... so I double checked the DVD case and discovered that I was, in fact, watching Dracula. Could have fooled me.

One thing I really liked about the movie was that, at the beginning, they had a whole scene of the real Dracula, Vlad "Tepes" Dracula and his fight against the Turks. I was only slightly disappointed about the death of one of his wives, the one who through herself out a window and into the river because in the movie they say it was because she got word of Vlad's death -even though he wasn't dead- when really, she was just crazy.

On the topic of halloween-ish movies, I watched GhostBusters a couple of nights ago and discovered that, no matter how hard you resist, the end of the movie leaves you desperately wanted melted marshmellows. What a great movie :D.

I claim that the reason I have not updated recently was due to my neglecting the blog, but that is not 100% true, I also have been dealing with presidential issues... or vice-presidential issues. I am the vice president of X Against Horse Slaughter Society at my University, which basically means I have to make slideshows, send e-mails and manage everything while the President oversees and books things when necessary. Our society is in place to let the public know that horse slaughter does happen -over 100,000 horses last year in Canada alone- and that we are trying to stop it. Our goal is to raise as much money for Horse Rescue Centers as possible.

You may ask, why is this going in a blog about the supernatural? Well, I feel that the more people who know the more of a chance we have to, hopefully, stopping the mistreatment and the slaughter of horses.

Anyway, I think I have taken up enough of your time with my blabbering. Today I shall recommend two old classics to read; Dracula and Frankenstein. Both are well worth the time, especially to those who are interested in the Supernatural and/or monsters.

Happy reading!

Kim A. Becker

P.S. I have recently discovered that my library has online articles dedicated to werewolves, vampires, ghosts and witches, my love for my University increases.

Don't You Hate...

I absolutely hate when you want to listen to a song, but you don't know the name of it or who it's by... or even what it sounds like. It makes everything that much harder. ... I also hate trying to convert a powerpoint -with audio components- into a movie file... took me 4 hours to get it right...

The Insanity Never Ends

Wow, what a hectic week. To start off, I have finally attended all of my classes and love each and every one of them (yay). Thus far, aside from readings, I don't have any homework but it isn't so much school work that has made this week hectic. Firstly, there is the hunt for find all the books needed in your classes, the hunt for a job, making time to go to the gym -and to the barn- and, in my case, making time to write. 

However, readers, I am VERY proud of myself this past week, for I have written more in the past few days than I have since starting this blog. I think that deserves a round of applause. I have also figured out all the important characters that will ever be introduced -or mentioned- in Hunter, that, alone, deserves another round of applause. 

The word count at the moment is 10155, yay me.

Today, in my books, has been my greatest day -I wrote a lot today and I went horse riding (my first English riding lesson to be exact). That isn't to say that I haven't been on a horse before, quite the opposite actually. I, for the past nine/ten years of my life, am a cowgirl... or at least I like to think I am. I've been riding Western since... well for a nine/ten years. The fact that I didn't end up on the ground tells me that it was a good ride. 

I should probably get back to reading The Iliad but frankly, I much prefer writing in my blog and rocking out to Bon Jovi than reading the epic poem on the Trojan War. Don't get me wrong, the poem is... uh... decently interesting... I just don't have the drive to read it at the present moment... that and I am too hyper to actually focus on it. 

Tomorrow, I will be having my fourth Gaelic lesson of the year and I wonder if my professor is going to be late again. One would think that after the third or fourth day the prof would know where the class was... makes me wonder what he's actually doing. I'm on to you Professor Seamus...

Well, that is truthfully all I can think about writing for tonight, but I do have another book series to recommend to all those Fantasy readers... yet again. Laura Resnick's In Fire Forged and In Legend Born series is incredible! Once again, like Jane Lindskold's books, it is for the older audience, but it is a worth while read. The books actual names are In Legend Born, The White Dragon, and The Destroyer Goddess. 

I realize, that in my last post I only mentioned Jane Lindskold's first book in the Firekeeper saga, so I feel I should include the others, for the sake of those who do not know what they are looking for. In order, they are: Through Wolf's Eyes, Wolf's Head, Wolf's Heart, Dragon of Despair, Wolf Captured, Wolf Hunting,  and Wolf's Blood. Just a quick note, Wolf's Head, Wolf's Heart is one book, and in my opinion soo much better than the first, though from Wolf Captured on is the series peak. 

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

Migrating East

I've arrived in Antigonish, Nova Scotia -my home away from home- at long last. Usually, on my journey, I have a finned companion -who is affectionately named Yin- traveling with me but alas, this year, I trade him in for my sister. On the plus side, you can have more than a one sided conversation with a sister as well as she is willing to buy the drinks when you arrive at a pub. Fish, no matter how well trained, do not offer to buy drinks. 

So, my dear Yin remains in Oakville, alone. I feel somewhat sorry for him, for before he at least had his other finned companion Yang to keep him company -but Yang, unfortunately, died the previous year. Ironically, in Asian culture, Yang is the symbol of life and Yin is death... and yet, in my case, it was Yin that lived and Yang that died... unless it means that Yin caused Yang's death. I, however, know for a fact that it was a Fire Extinguisher, not Yin, that killed my dear Yang. 

Off the topic of fish, I forgot how remote -and absolutely wonderful- Nova Scotia is. In comparison to Ontario I mean. I could care less that you can drive for four hours and not see so much as a breath of civilization. I love it. And seeing my school does nothing but put a chesire cat smile to my face. 

As for Hunter, it is coming along. Understandably, I haven't written much but I am trying. I have ideas for the far future, I'm just having trouble with the now. At this point in time, my faithful readers, I feel it is time to reward you. And by that I mean, I am going to post the finished Prologue to Hunter. 

I hope you all enjoy.

Steam resonated from the locomotive as it coasted to a stop within the old station, emitting a loud whistle-like screech as the brakes locked the wheels in place. The doors to the train cars creaked as they slid open, allowing the passengers to exit the steaming, winding snake.

Cold grey eyes watched every movement of the current inhabitants to the metal snake’s home. Scraggly brown hair surrounded caramel ears and topped a broad forehead. A single white wrapped stick of tobacco rested on the right ear; a single bright colour that contrasted greatly with his dark exterior. Calloused fingers grazed past a silver six-shooter, stopping at a dark leather pouch. Thrusting his hand inside the pouch, he pulled out a small silver lighter.

He removed the cigarette from his ear and turned to a small girl with golden blonde hair; a gruff smile crossed his features as he held the cigarette up for her to see.

“You see this?” he asked before placing th white stick inbetween two pale pink lips. The girl nodded, a small, slender hand diligently reaching for a .45 caliber rifle and the other resting at a sharp wooden stake. “This is our timer,” he explained, “our goal is to put all the creatures down before this goes out.”

The girl was used to the man not calling what they were hunting monsters- he theorized that at this day-in-age, not many people were being turned of their own free will. “The only monsters,” he had once told her, “are the ancients: Vlad, Set, and Lycaon –the ones who turned humanity into their cursed kind.”

The man flicked the silver lighter open, giving life to the flame embedded within. He placed the flame up against the white stick in his mouth, igniting the tip. Taking a long drag on the cigarette, the man uttered one word while exhaling smoke, “Go.”

                                                                        ~~

Crystal blue eyes opened as slender fingers grasped a silver six-shooter, ripping it from its holster. The short, golden blonde haired young woman stalked towards the resting train’s open doors. The train was long since vacant, awaiting its new passengers to board to their next destination. She held up a silver badge to the train’s attendant –a badge that allowed her free pasage on any train, boat, or plane.

The badge was of simple design; silver with the image of a falcon with its wings spread wide etched onto it and the words ‘Order of the Falcon’ carved above it. Really, it was the word –the single word- beneath the falcon that gained its bearer access;  the word “Venator” or “Hunter”.

Reaching for his two-way radio, the attendant fumbled with an order of claiming that the train was delayed. He knew what it meant for a hunter to be in the building; if there was a hunter present then there was unmistakably a monster in the vicinity.

The woman walked through the traincar slowly, her steps barely making a sound. Her senses were on high alert as she cocked her six-shooter as quietly as possible. The click of the gun echoed through the empty train, bouncing off the walls and disappearing as the silence devoured it.

                                                            ~~

Pointed, dark brown ears perked as a strange sound rang through his train car.  Blood stained lips curled back over large white fangs and a loud growl rumbled from the beasts thick throat. Rising up on muscular hind legs, the beast moved stealthily towards the compartment door, yellow eyes peering out through the small round window. The creature’s black nose twitched as it inhaled the scent of a stranger –a female stranger.

                                                            ~~

The women froze, her careful gait causing a boared to creak under her –or, what she had initially thought was under her- weight. Listening to the echo, the sound had not come from her but from one of the private compartments. She clutched her silver shooter tightly, glaring towards the entrance to the room. There was another creak, louder than the first which brought her eyes towards one compartment in particular.

She took up her steady pace once more. Stalking towards the door, she raised her gun up slightly, aiming it towards the room. The train had fallen silent once more. Glancing up at the small round window to the room, she was taken a bit aback by the fact that it was completely fogged up. What didn’t surprise her was when she had looked through the glass –through the fog- she could see a pair of glowing eyes staring back at her.

A loud rumble, equivalent to that of thunder, erupted from the room as the woman jumped back away from the door. “Shit!” the word barely left her lips when the door exploded from the impact of the colossal beast’s lunge. Projectile shards of glass and wood flew every which way as the beast –landing on all fours on the other side of what was once a door- rose back onto its hind legs; a bushy, brown tail flicking behind it. A barking roar escaped its agape maw as it glared at its advisary –who was still in the process of regaining her footing.

“You’re a big one,” she commented to the monster before her, “well, big or small, I guess you all die the same.” Her words were met with an angry snarl as the creature cracked his clawed knuckles. “Are you so far gone that you’ve forgotten how to talk? Pathetic.”

Whether it could respond or not, the beast certainly could understand what she was saying and understood that she was taunting him. With a bellowing bark the beast charged at her.

Raising her six-shooter to eye level, she squeezed the trigger and released a single silver bullet from the gun’s barrel with a loud crack. The bullet soared through the air only to be slowed by a shield of fur and flesh as it burrowed to its destination; leaving remnants of its silver poison to pollute the creature’s bloodstream. The bullet came to a full stop as it reached the over-accelerated heart, the force knocking the creature off balance.

The brown furred beast came to a crashing halt at the hunter’s feet, labored breaths racking from the creautres agape maw; its glowing eyes turned dull. As the beating organ slowed to a stop, a final heaving breath left its lungs.  

Taking two steps to the beast, the hunter gave its furred head a rough kick, assuring herself that the creature was indeed dead. Turning on her heels she let out a low snort as she marched towards the train car’s door, “I hate werewolves.” 

Personally, I believe it is a good start and you all are the first to ever lay eyes on it (a round of applause would be adequate at this point). It is interesting, but at times that I cannot think of what to write I find myself thinking, 'What would Joss Whedon do?' (the writer and director of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or flipping through the pages of a well loved classic, Dracula. Sometimes I even find myself watching the very clever -and creepy- episodes of Buffy while looking through Dracula. 

For any who are deeply attached to the original myths and legends that surround the Supernatural, Buffy is a really good reference. Joss Whedon has certainly done his homework. So, not only do I enjoy the episodes just for the love of the story, but also for the informational value that it includes -which saves me hours of reading up on  the old myths (since we all know Anthony Stewart Head, as Giles, and Alyson Hannigan, as Willow, can explain it at a level we all understand and make it entertaining). 

It is my sincerest hope that Hunter might touch the world as Buffy did. Appealing to those attached to the old myths as well as those that do not know them as well but are just looking for a good read that includes the Supernatural phenomena that we all love. Sure, Twilight fans who love the idea of a sparkling Vampire romantic will probably be severely disappointed, but those Werewolf lovers out there will not. (Werewolves are better anyways). 

I must admit, though I am not overly proud of this (well, not so much not proud, but somewhat ashamed since I am so attached to the old legends) I have changed part of the Werewolf transformations... however, my faithful readers, I will not reveal to you as to what I have done -you will just have to wait until I release that information, possibly later on, or until Hunter is published... if it gets published. 

Seeing as it is late on my end, I shall now leave you, as always, with my favorite farewell. Well, after I say this, reading is TV for the brain -only without the gooey, loss of intelligence part- if you put some effort in, I am sure you will find something worth reading. For those of you who love wolves and are on the younger side -or enjoy an easy read- I recommend The Sight and its sequel Fell by David Clement-Davies. For those older and enjoy a more difficult read and LOVE fantasy, there is the Firekeeper Saga by Jane Lindskold, a series of six books, the first called Through Wolf's Eyes. 

Both are very enjoyable, though I highly recommend not reading the Firekeeper Saga until you are, at least, in Grade 11 -around 16 years old. However, The Sight and Fell are great from whatever age. 

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

The Hunt Continues...

Today, while looking for new headphones that I had stowed away in my room so that I would not lose them -ironically, I still cannot find them- I found something I wrote two years ago for my Grade 12 Writer's Craft course that I would like to share with you all. Considering that it is Supernatural based I thought it fit. 

Our teacher told us to write a short, descriptive story, no more than a page, using one of the six words she gave us in a list. I chose 'attack' and this is what I wrote...

Bloodlust

by K. A. Becks

We huddled together, our breath hovering in the dank cellar; listening as footsteps thundered overhead. The predators were hunting. My petite, baby sister grabbed my arm in fright, digging her tiny nails into my pale skin and whimpering quietly so that she would not be heard. Dust hovered around us. The pungent smell filled the room, slowly suffocating us with its stench. The thunder stopped; we held our breaths. Chills shook our bodies and rattled our bones but we remained still, quiet, and waiting. The floor boards creaked above me and through the cracks, the pale-skinned, greasy haired creature hovered, sniffing, and searching. My heart pounded against my rib cage like a prisoner in a containment cell. A gasp of pain came from my left; five heads turned, watching in horror as warm, ruby red liquid sprang forth from my eldest sister's smooth wrist. My senses immediately jumped to life at the metallic scent of blood. The sleeping beast that possessed me two nights ago, when my neck was pierced by some unseen fiend's venomous fangs, had finally awaken. The thunder started again, a different kind, a rumbling sound that ascended from the deepest depths of hell. They were growling; they smelled it, more importantly, I smelled it. The sweet, tepid juice was calling me; I tried to fight back my urges, a losing battle. A startled scream came from my younger sister as an explosion of sound sent the planks flying. Their bloodshot eyes were wild and frenzied, their muscles ready to spring forward and attack. My mind was screaming at the scent of the dark liquid and I licked my pale-rose lips eagerly, watching like a hunter as my sister snaked her way back, shielding her wound with her soft, slender fingers. I gave in, my eyes turning scarlet and bloodshot. Ebony hair draped across my shoulders as I pounced, bounding toward my sister with dangerous intent. A scream, like that of an eagle soaring through the sky, echoed through the moist room. I drowned the rest out as I sucked the crimson syrup from my prey's inert arm, ignoring the cries as my feral brethren continued their assault on the rest of the game. A frosty chill shook my bones at what I had done, what I had become. Even as a beast, I still felt it. Cold fear gripped my heart in inescapable talons, yet still, I fed. The beasts rose from their kills, planning their next attack, their next victim. I joined them; pondering which beating heart I would instill this cold feeling into next, whose sweet nectar would follow the previous flowers. The war between night and day, dark and light would continue, and there would be stone, cold blood.

End.

I feel this to be an inspiration to Hunter and gives me hope. Yes... I can write a dark novel of Supernatural fantasy! I hope you all enjoyed!

I've just come to the realization that this is the second year that I have watched Mama Mia! with my mum right before I leave for school... I feel this is a worthy tradition. And with that, I leave you as I always do.

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

We Will Return After A Short Break

I'm back and completely healed... for the most part. The stitches are still there but at least the pain and swelling is gone. I didn't get much done during my recovery time, which was surprising on my end. I guess the medication just made me lazy. 

Fan eXpo was AMAZING! Saw Emma Caulfield and even got an autograph from her -YAY! Any Buffy fans will remember Emma as the lovely, and hilarious, Anya -the former Vengeance Demon. I've also now own my own Boo -the ghost from Mario and have caught up with a good friend from school. A very eventful day, if I may say so myself. 

I wrote quite a bit tonight to make up for my lacking of writing this past week and to get me through my next few days of packing and EXing before I leave Ontario for the lovely Nova Scotia. Eight months of Celtic Studies, school friends, horse riding and Meal Hall... I can't wait!!! 

I think I shall stay up late tonight to ensure that I make up for last week and this up coming week. Ideas are already swimming in my mind as to what must be written. I'm thinking a dream sequence... a memory of sorts and of course, a glimpse of a villain. Not a main villain granted, more of a lackey, but a villain nonetheless. Definitely going to be a Vampire villain, though I might throw a Demon or a Werewolf in as well -just for good measure. 

There are still some kinks I would like to work out as well with the Hunter's Headquarters, but nothing so important that needs to be fixed right away. The descriptions will come in time. Perhaps I should try to draw it or build it on The Sims so that I can visually see what I want and describe it effectively. Or at least build the grounds with or without the actual building. I've never been very good at drawing buildings though... or building building for that matter. 

Oh well, I'll think of something. 

Well, I'd best get back to my writing. 

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

The Calm Before the Storm

Some of you may have noticed that I am, yet again, really late with the update, but that does not mean I have been neglecting my story. On the contrary, I have been very busy with it on top of other things that needed taking care of. For the past two days I have been editing and tonight I have one more page to add to the work that will -hopefully- one day be published as Hunter. I still have some more editing to do on setting description and what not which I will probably be able to do tomorrow -if I am not too drugged up. 

*Ahem* perhaps I should explain that sentence. Tomorrow my wisdom teeth -all four of them- are being extracted... meaning I will be feeling the effects of laughing gas and numbing for at least a couple hours after the extraction as well as I will be taking lots of Tylenol 3. Yippee... (note the sarcasm).

On a much happier note I am now sporting a lovely, and very short, haircut. Something I haven't done since grade 6 or 7. And by that I mean, I haven't gone this short since then... I have gotten haircuts regularly. And on saturday I will be showing off my lovely haircut to the world through Fan eXpo.

Any who do not know what Fan eXpo is, allow me to explain. It is one of Canada's largest conventions geared towards Horror, Comics, Anime, and Science Fiction -meaning there is something for everyone! It's a lot of fun and can be creepy at times. My first time attending Fan eXpo I was asked to join a Satanic group -I'm not sure if that is actually what they are called, but they are a religion that worships Satan- and was handed a pamphlet discussing the group. 

If you haven't guessed, that was in the Horror section of the Con. To put you all at ease, I did not join the Satanic group. I may be a horrible Catholic but I'm not THAT horrible. I just make fun of people who claim that the earth is 6000 years old and insist that the planet was broken up by the 'Great Flood' on Easter Sunday... and by which I make fun of the person on Easter Sunday, not that the person is claiming the flood happened on Easter Sunday. Though, then again if you think about it, it could very well HAVE happened on Easter Sunday... just it wasn't called Easter Sunday at that time... it was just Sunday.

And I'm rambling about religious crap that no one cares about. The point of that was, the bible is a hypocrite. I do not feel the need to explain that sentence, but it's true.

On another note, I have finished Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel. I claimed the last time that I mentioned it that it was a new book... that was a lie. This was, in fact, my second or third... possibly my fourth time reading it. However, I have started another new book -that is actually a new book. It is called Blood Promise and is the fourth book in the Vampire Academy series -a series that kicks Twilights ass. The writing style is better, the storyline is better; everything about it is so much better.

So, for all you Twilight haters out there who want a good -if not decent- vampire story, I suggest picking up Vampire Academy... it is strangely addicting, but in a good way.

And on that note, I shall leave you as I always do.

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

A Late Post

I know I haven't updated in two days but I have good reason. Sort of. Well friday, as you know, I had work and a doctor's appointment, so I bet you all can imagine that my plan to wake up early and write did not go as, well, planned. And yesterday, although I had ideas, I was kidnapped by one of my best friends to watch Buffy.

Oh the laughs we shared while watching those masterpieces. Buffy is just one of those shows you cannot get tired of watching; at least one hot guy in every season/ appearance per episode, horribly choreographed fight scenes, hilariously corny lines; it just has it all. Especially when one of the hot guys has a british accent. Does it get any better than that?

I just thought I'd let you all know that I have written quite a lot today and am very pleased with myself. I have, finally, introduced my second main character -and my favorite of the two- West. I suppose, since you know my favorites name that it is only fair to tell you all the name of the primary main character; she is Kat... or Katrina. I have now introduced three minor characters... well four technically, and am starting to get very excited about where my story is going. 

When I am further along with my story I will be posting the plot/ plot summary -that is if I think of a plot. I mean I have a plot it just isn't... coherent enough for people outside of my mind to understand it. 

Well, I am going to try and get some more writing in before work today so, as always...

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

After a Day of Fun and Learning

I'm very surprised that after my day of exploration into the ancient world that I managed to write so much as a page. My mind is bubbling with all the historical items I saw and I feel as though I am on a Historical high. (I figure that if one can get high from plants and sugar, then one could just as easily feel the same effects from history). 

The things I saw today! We, being my mum and I, were privileged enough to view the Dead Sea Scrolls -personally I was fawning more over the temples and other historical items that were from the era of the Dead Sea Scrolls than the scrolls themselves. Not to say they weren't interesting, but I am fickle when it comes to those sorts of things. After an hour in the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, we spent a good hour exploring Ancient China, Korea, and Japan.

Such beautiful works of art in those exhibits! Everything from the statues to the jade work and even the armor were works of art. Looking at it all made me feel as though I had died and gone to heaven! And then we went off to look at something that I had been DYING to view. The Egyptian Book of the Dead... or at least pieces from it. 

They had full translated pages of prayers and offerings that were said or made during the burial process and the mummification; it was breathtaking. I also never knew that the ROM had so many mummies. There were two human -one that was perfectly preserved and one from before the mummification process that was not so well preserved- and quite a few mummified animals; like hawks, crocodiles, and ibis'. Mummifying animals that represented certain gods -like a hawk for Horus- was almost like sacrificing the animal to that particular god.

We were also told -by a automative tour device- that the Bust of Cleopatra would be in the egyptian exhibit... though we never found her... or at least not in the Egyptian exhibit. We DID, however, find her in the gift shop... we suspect the museum was hiding her on us. 

I'm greatly pleased at how this day turned out. 5 hours at the ROM, one hour and one page of writing. Not to mention, I got a good deal of reading in today as well. 

Well, it's getting late on my end and I will try to wake up early so that I can write a bit more before my doctor's appointment and work.

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

A Bump in the Road

I had planned to write tonight, to make up for my lack of doing so yesterday, but it seems that -regardless of the fact that I had it on first- I cannot use Word if my sister -who also has a Macbook- is using hers. I think this problem may have something to do with the fact that I don't use Cogeco wireless eight months of the year and this is Cogeco's way of punishing me for doing so. It's not my fault that my school is 1,840 km away. 

On a brighter note, my writer's block, which I was experiencing all day yesterday -that's my excuse for my laziness and I am sticking to it- seems to have passed and I have had a tidal wave of ideas while I was at work. (If only I could actually type them up... stupid Word).

On an even brighter note I am going to the ROM tomorrow -YAY!!! Any who do not know what the ROM is I shall tell you. *Ahem* it is the Royal Ontario Museum, and probably the only GOOD museum in Ontario... Canada's equivalent -though not really- to New York's American Museum of Natural History. Obviously one can tell which of the two are the better -one is famous and the other... not. Regardless of this, however, I am excited. The last time I went to the ROM was over a year ago and I only got to see two exhibits -which I was very disappointed about- but this time I have the entire day to explore and enjoy history like the history geek that I am. 

Plus, my mum is going to be with me, which makes it all the better. Everyone has those little things that they share with their mums, mine is history... and horse stuff. With my dad its... umm... well my dad and I have similar senses of humor so I guess that counts. 

Anyway, I am going to attempt to open Word again and hope to get some writing done while my ideas are still fresh. 

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

As predicted, I did not get much writing done yesterday and, for some unexplainable reason, today. Yesterday I wrote less than half a page and am currently working on finishing that page. However, as long as I keep writing at least every night, no matter how small the amount I write may be, I feel I will complete my goal. 

Things are going well with the story, I have various ideas of what is to take place, it's just the matter of getting to those points that the problems arrive. I'm glad I started this blog, it is certainly giving me the drive I need -even if no one is reading my posts. The fact that someone could be reading what I post and potentially rooting for me to complete my goal seems to be enough to force myself to open up Word and type away at my story. 

So far, I've gotten out of the prologue and am working on the first chapter. I only have one of the main characters introduced at the moment, but a couple of secondary characters will momentarily making their appearances. I feel that the story will pick up a bit more once the second main character shows their face -which I am hoping will be soon. I seem to have no control over when my characters come and when things happen in this novel, it is almost as if my story has a mind of its own and I am just answering its call by typing away. 

Apparently, for the past few days, my story has been lazy. 

Well, my dad has just come with an offering of Saltwater Taffy so for now I say Slan leat (which means goodbye (plural) in Irish Gaelic). 

Happy reading!

K. A. Becks

A Good Start

It is officially day two -though maybe not by the blog clock- and I am pleased to state that I have written 3 pages. If I keep up this pace I may be able to beat my deadline. I highly doubt, since I have to work today, that I will manage to write 3 pages tonight but I will at least try to get page 4 done. So far, no success. My house seems to be purposely trying to distract me. 

And on top of it all, today looks gorgeous -making me wish that I didn't have to work today all the more. It would be nice to just be able to lounge in the sun today, typing away on my trusty Macbook. Well, one can dream. 

I'm beginning to wonder if I have bitten off more than I can chew, especially with second year university creeping ever closer. As excited as I am to go back, I'm starting to miss the carefree days of high school, where my current goal would not make me feel quite as swamped as I imagine this upcoming year will. 

I should be going back to my writing, I have an introduction to finish and I would like to, also, have time to start a new book. It is called Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, if any have not read it, I suggest doing so. It is 1006 pages of literary mastery. I shall leave you on that note.

Cheers!

K. A. Becks

To begin...

Well, here I am not entirely sure what I am doing -though I imagine many bloggers start out this way. I had an idea at the beginning of the evening and now I am not so sure about it -and yet here I am typing away. 

Hmm, perhaps I should introduce you to my problem. I am an aspiring author, with multiple promising ideas and yet I never seem to commit. Perhaps it is my lack of drive or the fact that I lose interest in what I am writing -or more commonly, a new idea forms in my head and I focus so hard on that one idea that I by the time I go back to what I was previously working on, I have no idea how to continue it. 

I guess you could say, I am using this blog to keep me on track with one of my more... intriguing ideas. There is a lot of talk these days on the supernatural, especially when it comes to the ideas of Vampires. 

I will tell you all this now, I am NOT a Twilight fan. 

However, I am a Parapsychology fanatic and with this I find myself attempting to write a novel about said subject... or mainly on a hunter of the supernatural. My delivery of the idea is harsh, I understand, but my concept is much more interesting than what my previous sentence deems it as. Perhaps, when my thoughts are a little more coherent, I will enlighten -or bore, depending on your personal interests- whoever stumbles across my blog with the actual story-line that resides, somewhere, in my mind. 

Starting tonight, I will give myself no more than two years to complete this project and I will not start another until it is finished -this is my promise to both myself and to whoever finds and takes an interest in my blog. I hope this will be enough of a push to drive me forward. 

Happy reading! 

K. A. Becks