Author Solo Write

Chatterbox: Inkwell

Author Solo Write

Author Solo Write
You are a writer, preparing to publish your first novel. It has been edited and revised over and over until you hate the sound of the title, but it is done at last. You have sent it sent in to various publishing companies, and you are finally able to take a well earned rest.
But just as you lean back into your favorite chair, you hear a knock at your door. Glancing at the clock, you see that it is two in the morning. You were up all night sending out your manuscript, and you ought to be the only one awake all over town. There should surely be no one at your door.
Trying not to wake up the other inhabitants of the house, You go to the door, preparing to yell at whoever it is. But you see no one. Just an envelope. You pick it up and read.
Dear Author,
You are one of the lucky few chosen to represent the Sunny Meadows Publishing Company as we open. We are a publishing company who specializes in children’s and young adult literature. We will publish your book, along with nine others, and they will be sold world-wide. We will give you 90% of all money we earn from your book, and you will celebrated throughout the world as one of the finest authors to be found.
Bear in mind, we at Sunny Meadows can be viewed as slightly eccentric. I hope that this will not stop you from taking this once-in-a-lifetime chance. We will never publish any other books.
Please be at our headquarters at 12:00 sharp on July 16th, 2020. Lateness will not be tolerated. This conference will be lasting several days, so we do ask that you come prepared.
We have accepted one book from each the following genres: mystery, graphic novel, fantasy, sci-fi, realistic fiction, historical fiction, poetry, short stories, picture book, and beginning reader.
Please fill out this form and send it to us before July 16th.
Name:
Age:
Gender/pronouns:
Appearance:
Personality:
Background:
Luggage:
Book genre:
SHORT summary of book:
Shipping:
Other:
We are excited to see you there!
Sincerely,
Kytleen Marsh
Head Editor of Sunny Meadows Publishing Company
submitted by Kytleen Marsh, Head Editor
(June 19, 2020 - 5:25 pm)

back to the Inkwell
submitted by Top
(July 1, 2020 - 12:38 pm)
submitted by top
(July 2, 2020 - 10:27 am)
submitted by top
(July 3, 2020 - 12:42 pm)
submitted by TOP!!, age pls CONTIN, UE!!
(July 3, 2020 - 1:01 pm)

The next part of the story will be out this Sunday.

submitted by Kytleen M
(July 3, 2020 - 4:29 pm)

Top

submitted by Top, age Top, Top
(July 4, 2020 - 1:53 pm)
submitted by TOP
(July 5, 2020 - 10:05 am)
Thank you, everyone, for keeping this thread topped all week. Here is the next chapter of the story. 
Chapter One — Clay

There was a long period of total silence in the dark room. The authors were all too shocked to speak. Then, they heard the skittering of nails over the marble floor and a young woman's shriek. Rencon fumbled for a light switch, and, after several agonizing seconds, a weak gaslight flickered on, revealing a scene of ultimate chaos. 

Yameneko, who had night vision nearly as good as a cat's, had clambered to the top of a heavy, metal coat rack, and was crouched at the top.

Myra and Lola were sprawled on the floor, where they had landed after Myra tripped over a tube of lip gloss Lola had dropped. In an uncharacteristic bout of clumsiness, she had stumbled right into Lola, who had collapsed immediately onto the floor. As she fell, her kitten, Lucy Grey, leaped from her arms and ripped open Myra's big, black bag, and was now buried in a mountain of black scarves.

Clay, who had also attempted to find a lightswitch, had found a large flower pot instead, which, of course, he broke, causing both him and the floor around him to be covered with dry dirt and broken pottery.

But worst of all was Saylor. She was backed up to the wall, fearfully eying Altoos' raccoon. On one of her neat, black, patent leather shoes was a pile of something dark, soft, and smelly, courtesy of the little rodent.

Altoos ran his hand through his spiky, black hair and sighed. Perhaps bringing a raccoon to this place hadn't been the best decision. But he had made his bed, now he would have to lie in it. "Um. . ." He looked at Saylor and smiled sheepishly. "I think that means Bandit likes you?"

Lola, who had finally disentangled herself from Myra and her scarves, walked up to Saylor. "Come on. There has to be a bathroom somewhere in this place to wash your feet in. And I have some extra shoes I could lend you." The two girls left the room.

"I'm going to go look for some bedrooms," said Iduna. "I could use some peace and quiet." She pulled a book out of her bag and wandered out of the doorway.

Iduna walked through the rambling hallways of the mansions — because, let's face it, that's what it was. Not the main office of a publishing company. A mansion — only half aware of her surroundings. She looked through the various doorways she came across; a kitchen, a sitting room, even what appeared to be a sauna. After what was maybe fifteen minutes, she stumbled into Clay, who had gone off in search of a kitchen.

"Oh. Hey, Iduna," Clay stuttered. "Um. . . you're looking for bedrooms, right?" Iduna nodded, her nose still buried in her book. "Well. Um. There're some stairs back there." He pointed by himself. "The whole upstairs is a bunch of bedrooms. Like a hotel or something. They're all really nice." Iduna nodded again and then started to leave. "Wait!" Clay cleared his throat, then continued speaking. "Uh. . . your book's science fiction, right?" Iduna nodded for the third time. "So's mine. Sci-fi dystopian, actually. They're short stories."

Iduna glanced up. "Really?" Clay nodded, encouraged. "That's really interesting. I love creating sci-fi worlds. It's so. . . satisfying, you know? Like creating a whole world. Except that it's not. It's this world. And you have to show bits of this world along with your creation. It's difficult, but so fun." Clay grinned. This was the most Iduna had said all day.

"I agree. I love the restrictions and the freedom you can find when writing sci-fi. And I get so attached to the worlds I create." He laughed. "Which can be painful, since I write short stories. Just as I start to really love a world, I have to leave it. Every time I finish a story, it's as if a tiny piece of me is ripped away."

"I hate to break it to you," Iduna replied, "but that's how every writer feels. It's nothing special." Clay blushed. "Well, thanks for telling me where the bedrooms are." Iduna lifted her book back up and drifted away. "The kitchen is two doors down and to the left. Just so you know."

Clay looked crestfallen as their promising conversation broke off so abruptly. He turned around and followed Iduna's instructions. He was craving a nice cup of tea. Earl Grey perhaps.

But when Clay opened the door that used to lead to the kitchen, all he saw was a blankness. A void. He started to turn away, but it was too late. He stumbled forward and fell.

All over the house, a high pitched whining could be heard. The authors found their way to the origin of the odd sound. Iduna was the first to arrive.

She glanced into the kitchen. It was just as she had expected it to look, except for two things. There was no smiling young man making a cup of tea. Instead, in his place, there was a thin packet of papers. Iduna picked it up and read.

Chapter One — Clay

There was a long period of total silence in the dark room.

~Note:
This story is like a ski lodge in that one character will disappear in each chapter. However, there is NO MURDERER. (Except for me, of course.) The story will end once all of the characters have become chapters.~
submitted by Kytleen M, Head Editor
(July 5, 2020 - 12:27 pm)

Amazing! I can't wait to see what happens next.

In particulate I enjoyed the continuing escapades of Bandit and Yameneko's cat like graces. Alsothe 'murder' was just brilliant! I mean Dier's literally turned his last page. It's a pity though, that he didn't get to ineract more with Iduna. Since thier interaction was very sweet.

Also, apologies, but I didn't notice Allen anywhere. Was that intentional, given the large character roster? Or was he somehow missed by mistake? 

 

 

 

 

submitted by JohnF.Q, age 17, England
(July 6, 2020 - 5:23 pm)

You are correct, Allen was not in this week's chapter. I'm sorry, there are just so many people that it is difficult to write and the story will become boring if I add in something about every single character in every chapter. However, I do try to even it out. If you have noticed that your character has little importance in one chapter, it probably means they will have a large part later on. I'm glad you are enjoying the story!

submitted by Kytleen M
(July 6, 2020 - 8:10 pm)

Very interesting concept, and also very well written. I like the elaboration that Yamaneko has night vision like a cat!

submitted by Blackfooted Bobcat
(July 7, 2020 - 1:06 pm)
submitted by top
(July 6, 2020 - 11:37 am)
submitted by New Part Out!
(July 6, 2020 - 12:37 pm)

Wow! This is so cool to read! 

submitted by Cynthia M, age 11, USofA
(July 6, 2020 - 3:53 pm)

Oops!  I wrote a comment here but forgot to hit the submit button.

I am really enjoying this story.  I especially like how you described the chaos in the beginning.  In my experience writing about chaos without the writing becoming chaotic is tricky. 

submitted by Peregrine
(July 7, 2020 - 10:26 am)
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