Cutlass Trilogy

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Deceived


 Here is a short story I wrote in 2005. It was the first story I had ever submitted to a contest--I won first place, I was estatic. Since then, I haven't won another...although, I really haven't focused much on contests. :/ I'm trying to find time to look into them. 

It's also weird going back and reading this and seeing how much my style has changed. I'm very glad it did, lol.


Deceived
The clouds, grey and dull, were thickening as many figures dressed in black and darker colors entered the funeral home; they were welcomed by the drought-breaking rain. Indeed, it was the weather fit for Oklahoma today.
The daughter of this woman who was plagued by death was named Kiera, and as she walked ahead of all those that were to attend the funeral, she felt out of place.
The tears that had been shed just three days ago could not be shed today. She was silent and did not speak to any who expressed their sadness for her and her family. She didn’t even recall what the disease was that she died of, but it suddenly came to Kiera that it ahs been lung cancer that had taken the life away from the body in the coffin.
She remembered the weeks of turmoil this pestilence had taken her through. She loved her mother dearly, but she was relieved now of her constant complaining. So often she had heard, “I am in so much pain, Kiera,” Kiera, I cannot do that, I am sick,” “you don’t care for me Kiera! You don’t care that I am sick.”
Yes, she couldn’t help smiling at the thought, that she would not have to hear this constant harping that she could be free from her mother’s sad voice and the pale appearance of her mother’s face.
She thought about how her mother had deceived so many people, how everyone had thought her mother was such a caring and loving person, but the truth was her mother was evil and selfish.
This was why her love for her mother had diminished. Ever since her mother had been diagnosed with cancer, Kiera had lost all her freedom and was forced to grow. She was growing up faster than she would have liked. Every day after school, she had to come home and help her mother. If she had forgotten to do something before leaving for school, she would be punished for it when she returned. If something unexpected happened that her mother didn’t like, Kiera would be punished for it. She would try to keep the house clean, and cry while doing it. Then after all of that was done, she would stay up into the night, trying to get her homework done while secretly wishing her mother would either die or get well.
It wasn’t that her mother pressed these things to be done that made her so cruel; it was her selfishness, it was the fact that she felt sorry for herself and wouldn’t allow anyone to not pity her. She and her mother were swimming in a sea of sorrow and the farther they waded out, the deeper and more treacherous each step became. When they could not longer touch the bottom, her mother, in order to saver herself, would hold onto Kiera, immersing her in water so she would drown and her mother could keep on breathing. Even thought doctors had told her she could be treated for cancer, she intended to make Kiera a part of her pain.
As Kiera was walked out of the funeral home, the wind blew fiercely, and a newspaper that had been carelessly thrown away rested at the feet of one of those who attended the funeral. It caught his interest and he picked it up  to read the first page:
“…Kiera Lynch was found dead last week in her home on Third street in Eufaula, Oklahoma.
The exact time of her death has not been determined, but officials believe the cause of death was suicide…Her mother, who is gravely ill with lung cancer, was unable to attend the funeral…”

Trends = :/

Today I was reading my new Writers Market and came across this question in the "Advice from Agents" section. The question was: Is it wise to follow trends?

Here is the answer from Felicia Eth, founder, Felicia Eth. Literary Representation:

It's always temping to write something that seems trendy. Much of this business is about the selling aspect, so writers often think that if they write what publishers seem to be publishing, or what seems to be appearing on bestseller lists, then they have a greater chance of getting a contract--but I honestly don't think it's the wisest way to go. Sure, a writer needs to be aware of what's out there, both so you're not reinventing the wheel (i.e., writing a book that's essentially already been published), as well as so you know how to position your book--but you really need to write what you write best. This means if you've never written for the YA market and have little sense of that audience, then starting now probably doesn't make sense, nor for that matter does reinventing yourself as a political writer if you don't already have a column or blog that's well known in that arena. You're not likely to "fool" publishers simply by trying to do what's hot.

Beyond this though, there's the issue of timing. This is a business where things move slowly, so whatever it is you'd be selling today most likely won't come out for a year to two-and-a-half years. Who know where the market will be at that point? Being conscious of the market is key--but above all, your book needs to be the best it can be. Who knows--maybe it it's terrific, you'll start the next trend

This gives me hope, and I've always watched trends and cycles in the literary world. I think everyone has their 'time', obviously Agents can tell this better than writers ourselves. Just because we receive numerous rejections doesn't mean we're bad writers, our books may simply not be ready for the market at the moment. Patience is a virtue, but also torture. So I'll wait.

Today is the day!

I will write! I will only do Italian homework for Friday's classes and nothing else. I'm determined....I will probably also look up all these agents I marked in my new Writer's Market. :) Hopefully I'll have some luck this new year....before I graduate in May of 2012. ahahahahahaha.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

busy, busy, busy!!!

Today, I have a full schedule again, however, I get out of class at 3:00 and DO NOT have to work. My plan is to finish alllllll my homework and then write for however long I can. I'm working on my last book--Cannon, as well as a short story about Cove and his father, Canice. It's taking a little while to figure out which direction I am taking them.
:/

Ciao, Ashley

Monday, March 28, 2011

Today, I did many things...

Among those was buying a Writers Market.
This is my third one, by the way. The first was green, the second orange. Before that, I used my English Teacher's. It was white. They continue to change. lol. I suppose that's good--they have to market too. :) Happy Agent-ing?

Friday, March 25, 2011

Writer's Market? Si.

My plan is to buy a new Writers Market and continue making my lists, researching the agents, then querying them. Maybe I should just begin querying some publishing companies. I'm kinda afraid to do that. :/ Blah. And not a lot of publishing companies will take unsolicited manuscripts anyways. When I get some of this short story finished for Cove Rowell, I may post it. I also should post the short story dealing with Barren and Kiera cause people who are reading my book may be curious about that. I was. lol. :))
Meanwhile, enjoy this picture from How To Train Your Dragon. Toothless always makes me smile. :))

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Writing today? Maybe...?

Maybe.
I have to submit a proposal for my Irish History paper, this is something I keep forgetting about. Next week looks pretty busy. Observations everyday, and I-search proposal (not very fond of that class). Not to mention work. So, we'll see...:/

Here's a picture of my favorite socks. I'm wearing them now.
Ciao, Ashley

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Little Progress?

It's very hard for me to write. I can explain why in just three words:
Thirteen page mid-term.
Yep.
But, it is over with! Not edited, but it's sitting on my desk. (14 pages, actually).
I've written a little on Cove's short story, and some on my last book. I guess what I really should be doing is looking for agents. :/
Blah.

Monday, March 21, 2011

This is all I did over Spring Break....

To demonstrate my wonderful ability at naming things in such a way as to make them impossible to find.

Also, I worked on my book and 13 page mid-term. Neither of which are finished. Off to writing.

Ciao,
Ashley

Friday, March 11, 2011

And Unattractive Picture....Go!!

This is me editing stuff. 

It's what I hope to be doing over Spring Break, after all my mid-terms, reading, ect. are finished. Anyways. I don't have much to say. Here's a short summary of my book: 

The last place Barren should be is in Maris, a port town with a government notoriously against pirates; the noose around his neck only solidified that fact. As Barren awaits death at the hands of his brother, William Reed, the last thing on his mind is the afterlife. At this moment, Barren’s only concern is the map he doesn’t have— a map to his father’s lost treasure. This treasure, however, is not what Barren expects. It is not gold or silver, jewels or pearls, but a terrible weapon of dark magic, forged in an attempt to kill his own father. Years after his father’s death, the device still lives… and kills. Barren must find it and destroy it in order to save his wife and the entire Elvish race, but destroying a device of dark magic only proves to be more difficult for Barren, especially when a curse of death comes over any who succeeds in destroying it.
I hope you like it. After all, this is what Agents judge my book by.

Ciao, Ashley

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Sorry, No Dream...

I hear the popular way to write a book now is by dreaming of it...but I didn't dream of mine. Which makes me sad cause that would have been an epic dream!! I don't usually remember my dreams, and if I do, they're about me working at a grocery store (which I do) and checking people out at high speeds.

Basically, I just began writing. I know, not very cool...but still. I had a lot of worlds, characters, and plots in my head. My first Trilogy was called The Secrets of Lweven, it was similar to the epic journey type of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. I had family trees, maps, lore, races, and languages. It was fun. At the same time, I began writing Cutlass, better known then as The Pirate's Cutlass. (I later decided, for the ease of marketing, Cutlass was simpler, and that The Pirate's Cutlass would work as the Trilogy title).

Anyways. I loved it!! It became my absolute passion and I spent a lot of time writing chapter after chapter of various stories. When I got to High School, my Freshman English teacher introduced me to the Junior English teacher at our school. She read my book and helped me perfect it. (She initially expected to receive my first manuscript and gag but she didn’t, in fact, she thought it was quite good. Looking back, I think it sucked but apparently that’s called potential?)

Over the years, I have not been silent about my wish to be a famous writer. I still have yet to hold true to that promise. Until then, here is a list of my books (even the not-so...so..ones):


The Secrets of Lweven Trilogy
The Secrets of Lweven
The Silvaren Daughters
Elrevion's Guardian

The Pirate's Cutlass Trilogy
Cutlass
Flintlock
Cannon

Shy Savior Trilogy
Nacoma Knight
Shy Savior (title yet to be found)
Untitled third book (hehe)

Stand-Alone Books
Silence

Maybe at some point you'll see all these on the shelf? One can only hope!! :))

Ciao, Ashley

Amazingness.

Elaine put this up for me at her college. :))


Love to Read?
Looking for something thrilling, creative, and overall marvelous?

Well here’s where to go http://www.ashleymnixon.webs.com/, you can checkout this site and get all the information.
This up-rising author from Oklahoma is a natural writer whose words are making a breakthrough in the world of stories and novels. She needs all the support you can offer and trust me her work is worth the reading. Just read! You will not be disappointed, only astonished. Her name is Ashley Nixon and she’s on a journey to getting published!

No Kindness to Strangers...

Since I'm not lying about having written for 8 years, I have a lot of rejection letters. Some deserved...and some...well...you know. As you can imagine, my list of agents is pretty long.
This was my first real list. I wrote these from my Writers Market then looked them up. Those who accepted my type of Book, I wrote their address down....I also drew because I got board half-way through.
This was the most recent. I'm pretty sure I've been rejected by almost everyone on here. :/ Story of my life...and every other writer out there. Now I'm planning on buying a new Writers Market and staring all over again. :/

Meanwhile...

I'll be doing this: editing. I will also be working on the third book!! And a short story about two of my favorite characters--Cove and Sara Rowell!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Things Called Time Machines...

This would probably be my gazillionth attempted at starting a blog...
But let's ignore that, and start all over again.

I'm Ashley, and I'm a writer. I've been writing for about 8 years. I love pirates, in fact, three of my books are about pirates. I'm a Junior at the University of Oklahoma. My major is English Writing. I am a Gates Scholar. I currently have a job that I want to quit. I have no time to write, which sucks (that's why I'm considering quitting). I'm taking Italian and because they say we're supposed to be positive, I'll tell you I'm good at it. In reality, I can hold up a...decentish conversation with an Italian...but you can't speak fast. I find time to work out everyday somehow. I'm in a Hip Hop as Poetry class where I will have to perform a rap. I have been to Ireland, it's lovely. My parents are, unlike other parents, very supportive of my wish to be a famous writer. So is my boyfriend....and his family...Which is also lovely. I like Ellen Degeneres. I love the Lord of the Rings, but my current obsession is How to Train Your Dragon and Zorro. I can't decide who my favorite band is because they all go mainstream and then I'm sad, but I like peeps like We Came as Romans and Paramore and The Killers and I See Stars and Dance Gavin Dance, and Bayside and....yeah.

SO...this blog will hopefully catalog my attempts to find an agent and get published. Recently, I posted a status asking who would like to read my book, and several people now have a copy of Cutlass!!  I'm so excited and hopefully, through them, I will find motivation to keep up with this blog. I suppose we'll see!

Ciao,

Ashley