1: The Intern, Blog Tour

I will be updating the Blog Tour page, once new links/posts are live ;)

Oct 2010: I’ll also be seeing to my next project, an urban fantasy featuring cyberpunk elves.

The Heiress [#2, Gluttony], Update

I recently wrote on my main blog that I re-did a couple of outlines for two novellas I’ll be working on very soon.

Before starting work on those two novellas, I decided to re-do the outline for 2: The Heiress as well (there were several aspects that “just weren’t working out,” so I looked at it from a new perspective to “enliven” the plot somewhat).

I may outline the other Sins07 books and do them in random order (I MAY jump to #5, Greed, after Book02 is done!)…and while I would like to work faster, I know I’m not superhuman and have to prioritize which project(s) to see to first.

I’ll be tackling a couple of urban fantasy projects up to mid-2012 (I’d like to try and complete the cyberpunk Elven trilogy by then), after which I should have the time + opportunity to fully focus on the remaining books in this Sins07 series.

I enjoy doing things all the way (not halfway), so I *will* complete the Sins07 series [it may just take a little longer than I ideally envisioned ;)].

I also like to plan things out and have a clear/precise execution, because I feel more comfortable going the slower/steadier route as opposed to rushing to do/complete something faster (which might lead to a shoddier final product/result).

2: The Heiress is the fourth project on my “to-do list” — will do my best to get to it as soon as I am able to :)

2: The Heiress, and Gender Balance

Part I: The Heiress (Gluttony)

The second deadly sin is “gluttony.” I initially thought of having a model as the protagonist. I considered having a male model as the protagonist too. Eating disorders came into the picture — but then I took a step back, and remembered the theme/concept I initially had in mind for this entire Sins07 “seven deadly sins” series.

"Gluttony" by Julie Morstad

–> Image from Julie Morstad / Tiny Showcase

Right from the start, I’d always wanted an element of fun and light-heartedness throughout the books (“light-hearted” in the “cheerfully optimistic and hopeful” sense — not in a completely carefree, frivolous sense). The whole aspect of eating disorders just wasn’t right, with regards to the concept/vision for the series. I watched almost all the episodes of What’s Eating You? on E! Online (I love that channel — that, and A&E). I know a few people in real life who have suffered or are currently suffering from some kind of eating disorder. There is nothing fun about eating disorders. Most of the time, it is something very miserable, demoralizing, and anxiety-inducing. While I can understand the inner turmoil and the seriousness of eating disorders, I just didn’t feel that it’d be a good fit for this YA series I am currently working on.

My “Plan B” (if I wasn’t going to cast a model as the protagonist) was to feature an “heiress” (which immediately brought to mind: Paris Hilton!). The character could still do some modeling on the side, but she would have more money, power, and control, than a super-thin model working for a modeling agency / in the fashion industry. It would also allow for more interesting possibilities and various plot twists, than if I’d gone the modeling/staying skinny/eating disorders route.

I have always believed in providing/creating the changes I would like to see in real life (instead of whining and griping about “things I don’t like”). The heiress can have friends who are models, or who suffer from quite-severe eating disorders (to up the book’s “relevance”)…but this would not be a “defining trait” of the protagonist herself. If it was (which would be the case, if she were a model who binged and purged on a consistent basis in order to “eat all she wanted” but “still remain thin”)…I would have to compromise a lot of the “fun” element in the plot.

One thing remains the same: the focus on wastage. I believe that is the sinful aspect of gluttony — the actual wastage of food and consumption of too much, when others are literally dying because they don’t have enough.

Part II: Gender Balance

I think the third book will feature a lead male protagonist. To even things out, maybe I’ll have 3 females and 3 males (from Book01 to Book06), and a girl and guy for Book07 (I’m very “diplomatic” that way). I think I was thinking of a bisexual best friend for the lead male in Book03 (Sloth) too — though the protagonist is likely to be more heterosexual than heteroflexible. But I thought it’d be more interesting if his best friend were bi/gay/sexually ambiguous.

It might go along these lines (with regards to the gender of the protagonists):

Book01 (Lust) — The Intern / Suzie Q (17, Female)
Book02 (Gluttony) — The Heiress / Female
Book03 (Sloth) — The Junkie / Male
Book04 (Envy) — Female
Book05 (Greed) — Male (something to do with banking/finance, presumably)
Book06 (Anger) — Male
Book07 (Pride) — Male & Female

Popularity, Sex, Drugs in Teen Novels

I suppose it might come as a surprise that I chose to write a mainstream “seven deadly sins” series [though I do have a darker, more "alternative" version I'd like to play around with in future ;)]. My first two books were multiple-genre-crossing — I don’t intend to experiment too much with the writing style which will characterize the SINS07 series.

What I did have in mind was something lighthearted and humorous (without being devoid of substance — I always aim for some level of substance, according to my standards).

I deliberately chose not to glam up popularity, sex, and drugs [(like in Gossip Girl, etc, so if you enjoy those books, my books will probably not be your cup of tea (you're still always free to check out some excerpts!)].

The psychologist Abraham Maslow studied what he called exemplary people, such as Albert Einstein and Eleanor Roosevelt. I think I follow a slightly similar work ethic, with my writing material.

I like to create/write about protagonists who go through a journey, and come out better people — a journey where the character’s true worth isn’t based on superficial traits like one’s physical hotness/drool factor. What makes a real relationship an ultimate experience is the actual interactions between the two people that are supposed to be sharing a love. I don’t subscribe to the notion of “true love” being based on “how hot the person is” — because at the end of the day, there still will be a real, living person underneath the exterior. A beautiful soul and a beautiful body are not necessarily the same thing.

So, as I was saying…I believe there is a lot more to life than popularity, sex, and drugs. And while these elements are common in the subject matter of teen books/products (and aren’t completely left out in the SINS07 series — that would be a little bit unrealistic, especially since it *is* a “deadly sins” series), SINS07 will feature such elements in a fun (and purposeful) way.

I respect my readers that way.

Different Languages in Book

In 1: The Intern, Suzie Q comes from Nova Academy, “one of the finest high schools in the country.” She scored/scores high on Languages and Linguistics.

There are a few phrases that appear throughout the book, in a language other than English. Here are a few excerpts.

1. Hueles rico / Spanish

Excerpt from Chapter 3:

“I speak a couple of languages,” I say, “like Spanish and Mandarin. I think Spanish is a real sexy language.”

“Hueles rico,” he says in fluent Spanish. He leans in. “You smell good,” he whispers.

I don’t know what to think. Is he flirting with me?

2. coureur de jupons (womanizer) / French

Excerpt from Chapter 6:

“Stefan,” she says to him in a sharp, “I-wish-you’d-stop-it” kind of tone as she steps towards him. Both are still hidden by the stage curtain. To the audience, that is. Then she fires off something to him in another language. It sounds French. She says something that sounds like “coureur de jupons,” and tugs on her skirt angrily when she says that.

3. non ije ppajyo borosso / Korean

“Hello.” This is the time Toshio chooses to appear. “How was the Six to Five party yesterday?”

The private party for Jo.Zee’s friend’s new clothing line.

“Okay,” Jo.Zee says to him. “How’s the Rainism dance going?”

“Bad. I trip at the non ije ppajyo borosso part.”

If I’m not wrong, that’s Korean for, “Now you’ve completely fallen in.”

I don’t hear much else because I’m more focused on mentally strangling the brainless, senseless, witless, clueless dude for interrupting a moment of opportunity. I look out to the sea for a while, enjoying the view, then continue to eavesdrop on their conversation.

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P.S. Here is a small sample of phrases in various languages (that don’t appear in 1: The Intern, but are interesting nonetheless):

1. ba wo de ai qing huan gei wo / “Return the love that I gave to you”/ Mandarin (a really nice and famous song by Teresa Teng!)

2. Ouçam à vários, falem com poucos / “Listen to many, speak to a few” / Portuguese

3. aut viam inveniam aut faciam / “I will either find a way or make one” / Latin (beautiful language)

4. Mía glóssa then íne poté arketí / “One language is never enough” / Greek

5. maa gridhah kas-ya-swid-dha-nam / “Do not covet others’ wealth / ancient Sanskrit

6. Nôû töøng khuùc ruoät / “Blow my mind” and/or “extreme pleasure” / Vietnamese

7. Raucht Ihnen der Kopf / “Does your head spin?” / German

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P.P.S. A smattering of Spanish and Mandarin appear in a couple of my other books (not in the SINS07 series). Wonder what languages I’ll feature next time!