Inspiration, art and stories

"Dreams are the things that keep us fighting. Fighting for our goals and when we well do... We are fighting with passion and there's nothing more beautiful than a person with a passion so strong that it makes her or him glow."

It can be anything, in any forms -- inspiration. Or, it can at least come to you in any forms. Maybe an ice cream, a sunny/rainy day, a dream or your own thoughts just wandering off. It's hard to say exactly how motivation and inspiration comes to us but when they well do we recognize it like an old friend to us. Just looking out through the window right now fills my head with ideas to new stories, starts on a lot of fantastic things, a lot of fantastic stories -- then, if you like my writing or not is up to you, but I would at least like to think that I know what a good story is.
   But do you know which method works best for me? Surround myself with art in all forms. Books, pictures, plaques, music, just going out and really watch the world -- the nature, the buildings and the humans. Watch it all. How do people move? Do they use their bike, their car, motorcycle or something else? What is the diffrences between the elder and the younger people, except their age of course. And after seeing the diffrences between the people in different ages start to watch people who look like they are in the same age. (I tell you to watch the world, not to stalk people, to make it clear). Already knowing the differences and actually study them is a difference. You don't need to sit with a notebook in centrum if you don't like to, but it's a nice way to train your writing. If you study the world and see the differences who connect us to each other while you are writing it down there's a bigger chance you will remember it later when you start to write "on real" or maybe your "real" idea comes to you while you are looking into other humans' lives. And if you already are writing something don't be afraid over to start something new. If you want to continue the other work but still want to test your new idea don't just write the idea down somewhere. Give it a start, a prologee, a first chapter, give it a solid base, just so you can return to it another day and remember what you wanted, because you have a piece of what you wanted right ahead you. A little piece of something bigger.

By watching people and writing down the things you see and think are... remarkable is going to give your story details that makes your story remarkable. It's often the smallest details that makes a story complete and... perfect in some eyes.
   Anyway, now I came of the track... If you want inspiration just go outside and watch the clouds, the birds, the children if there's any and watch and think. Maybe you see an old tower or building, or just field, whatever it is you are seeing... have you ever wondered how it was before your family was there, before you were there? Let's say 200 years back in time, what was it like there you are living now? What I mean is that everything has a story, even the ground itself. Everything has a story -- it's just a question whether it's been discovered or not. And that's what artists do. They are trying to tell a story. That's what we do with our lives, even if you aren't an artist your whole life is your own story you probably one day will tell someone. Artists just choose to have more than one story to tell. Whether it's painting, writing, sculpting or something else you are giving it a story, a little life in it's own way, you are making something and fill it with emotions you may or may not remember one day when you look at it again. And that's what we, the artists, do. We create stuff and give it a story and sometimes a life.
   We give happiness, tears, anger, frustration, longing and a lot of other things. It's a gift to the world from the bottom of our hearts. We make you feel something and that's a bigger gift than some people can ever understand. And, at the same time we give a little bit of ourselves, to the art -- movies, books, paintings, clothes, themes to websites -- and to you. I think, I hope, that every artist thinks in this way so that I haven't written something and almost said that I'm "speaking for every artist" and then don't. I really don't want to offend anyone.
   Remember that even if you get paid for your sort of art it's still art. Even if you sell your paintings, if you sell your rights on your texts/books it's still art. Even if you are a designer your clothes are still art though someone paid you for doing them. It's still art whatever the situation is, for there's always a reason why we continue and at least the majority of artist probably continues because they love what they are doing.
   So, whatever your art is, just take a good look outside, on the world, go to places you haven't been and observe the things you maybe haven't really been observing before. The sky, the birds -- how do they move? How do they fly? How do they sing their songs? Maybe it isn't songs? Maybe the "songs" are screams? Maybe the birds are trying to take over the world? --, even things as simple as stones. Observe it closely because you never know what you can be missing if you don't give it a chance. So, give the world a chance. Go somewhere and observe things. And, as a payment you maybe will find more inspiration while you have given yourself another chance to train on what you love.
   And, if you don't like going outside for some reason that only you know about, remember that there's always the Internet. Pictures, songs, stories, art in all form are available on the Internet. (Tumblr is a fantastic place for art, Benjamin Von Wong is a really cool artist too who has his own YouTube channel where he talks about his work, I think, I haven't really been able to check our the videos, Anne Stokes too, then there's Wattpad, ao3, YouTube and other places on the Internet where you can see art and make it too.)

"And, the shining light of passion will light up other peoples' worlds and show them something far more interesting if they just look closely; we are all small gods of creation. And together we have built up a whole world. And, if that isn't art, tell me, what is?"

-- Selma.

Life -- until they find a better word for it

"Remember that you can not hold on to the past if you want to change the future."
   -- Elkastor, The Eternal Battle, chapter XVIII

Days like this I just want to write and write and write, and read more than I have time with. It's kind of sad how much our lives depend on how much time we have left -- 'till the day ends, to our lives end, to the world's end. Because, that's the truth, isn't? Everything has an end, even when we wish the time to stop, right in the moment so we can use the time as we wish. "Live in the moment", "Live your life", "Don't make your job to your life", "Use the time the way you will remember it, not the way you must"... There's a lot of things people tell us, the society tells us. But it's not easy to actually have the time you have -- that may or may not make any sense for you, but for other it maybe will. The thing I mean is that the whole day just passed by, and I almost did nothing. It's not something I regret, but as long as the wish for have done something more is there I don't really feel like I spend my time the way I could have done. I watched a lot of series today, and that's kind of what I did, and I still don't regret it. I also wrote a page or two on my book and I'm in the right direction now, so that's another thing I don't regret. The thing I probably regret is my way of spending way too much time on the internet -- especially on tumblr (once you have logged in, there's no way out, I'm not kidding, by the way). And, now, I'm spending more time on stuff I wasn't planned on doing. But I got this feeling that I should write something here, probably because I'm flying to another country soon (in ten days) and I won't be able to write something during that time, because of that I won't have any access to the Internet.

 
Anyway, back to the subject, if there's any, I mostly babble right now.
   It's okay to just doing nothing a whole day, whatever you count as "nothing". If this "nothing" makes you happy and feel comfortable with your life, your situation and just... comfortable, you maybe should consider to make it more often. Just spent the whole day in bed and slept? Sure, do it again a day that won't hurt anyone or you, like a Saturday -- if you don't work during Saturdays... You know what I mean, a day that fits your life. Do you want to have a cup of tea and read a really good book? Go for it, if you feel for it and it fits your life. Do whatever you like to, as long as it's legal I don't think someone can stop you.
    But, if you are like George R.R. Martin and like to kill your characters, that's another thing. Killing characters is fun sometimes -- not always, though.
   I know this was mostly babble and stuff but I hope some of you people who are on my blog right now will return! I makes me happy to see that people all over the world have found my blog, but I have absolutely no idea about who returns and who just sees this and roll with their eyes or something and never think about this place again... I would really like to know if someone actually likes this or not.

P.S. Next time I write something here I hopefully will write something about the writing. (Or anything else I maybe can write about? Do you wish for something special? You can find my e-mail under "About me", just send something, if you really want to, or comment ☺ ).

-- Selma.

The writing process

A lot of people have asked me "How do you start a new story?" and recently I have answered "Start it the way you expect a good book/story to start". Some people almost laugh at how easy it actually can be and facepalm themself and others just look like questionmarks. When I say that you should start a story the way you would want a story to start I mean that you should pretend to be the reader for a while and just close your eyes and figure out how your dream book starts. Do they start running from a monster? If you like the idea, go for it -- but, however you start your story, start it in a way you like, and write with joy. If you don't write with joy, don't write at all. I know some people may take that in a bad way, but, when people who write with joy, or do anything that pleases them or makes them happy, they always get the best results.
   If you don't succeed at the first try: Don't you dare to give up. (No matter if it is writing, drawing or anything else.) Do you know how many people who get criticized just because they do what they love to do? (Or because they just love someone?) The number of people should actually scare you all. Everybody thought Van Gogh was crazy, and today he's one of the most famous painters in all time. J.K. Rowling? We shouldn't even start to talk about how many no she got to Harry Potter. And Suzanne Collin's "The Hunger Games" didn't get worldfamous before the last book. And, I mean, what would the world be without Harry Potter that has saved so many lives? With this I don't mean that you're not going to get hate for whatever you do, you are going to get more hate for the things you love to do just because some people live on others' happiness, no, with this I mean that you should never give up. One of my friends is writing a novel where the main character is gay, and I don't even know how many hate letters she has gotten together with letters there it stands that people will kill her if she continues with the novel -- and, I'm so happy that she continues, she's one of the most talanted people I have ever met and it would be a waste of her talent if she listened to the horrible people who try to make her stop with what she loves to do. And, she's such a strong person! (Not to talk about what a strong mother she is...!) But, she also get letters from people who love her work and supports her. I'm one of I don't really know how few, that has actually got to read some chapters, and I love them. She is a person who's gold worth, and I really hope for her sake that the publishers will tell her that they liked it and will publish her book. So, even if there's downsides there's always upsides too. (Everything have, haven't they?)
   The writing can change your life more than you can ever expect, and often it's in a good way. Personally, my writing have made to a better person and have given me a goal in life I'm trying to reach.

You have probably heard "just sit down and write something!" from people -- if you have told anyone that you write, or your ideas. I personally haven't told anyone in my family what my books are about, even if some of my friends know what I'm writing about. No one in my family have ever really been the book-type.
   For some people it's pretty easy to just sit down and write whatever you want to. But, for others it isn't really that simple. You maybe like to plan a whole year before you start the actual writing -- and, you know what? That's okay. Simple because if that's your way of writing that's the best possible way.
   All you actually need is something to write on, and something to write with.
   I'm not kidding. You don't always need an idea. Some days I really want to write, and when I try to sit down and write something on my trilogy the only thing that comes on the computer screen is nonsense, so, then I take something else to write -- maybe another story, maybe just a random thing, just something to write. Because on of the most important rules within the writing is to never stop writing. Write whatever you like to write, as long as you write.
   The second thing you really need to write something is motivation and inspiration. Have you ever tried to write and the stuff you write aren't just... right but you continue writing and hoping for the best? Yeah, sometimes that works, but for the most of the time you should really screw that idea and sit down to read, watch a serie or whatever you like to do, maybe draw something?

And, then, when you have (an idea), something to write on and inspiration you're officially ready to write. Because, as long as you love to write, writing is one of the easiest things in the world. For some people this isn't that easy, just to sit down and write, or come up with an idea -- and, that's why you always should read other books, watch tv-shows, look at art and discuss the world and AUs (alternative universes) with your friends. Don't be afraid of being "weird" with your ideas -- they are often the most spectacular...!

Good luck with whatever your passion in life is! :)

-- Selma.

Under wings' protection

"No." She determined shakes her head. "Never. It is't even certain that she manages to put out the fire!"

   I can almost swear that she succeeds, otherwise you can put out the fire," he says trying with a smile. He is sure this even though the sister of his friend hesitates.
   "But ... if she doesn't succeed? You might think that I will succeed, but I'm not so strong yet." She's desperate now. What's he talking about? Why would he do such a thing against Laurina?
   "She will succeed, believe me, you guys are identical twins, you share the same blood. That she would not be able to use elemental magic ... it's unthinkable. But, if that's the way, if that happens, you can personally behead me," he says, with a self-assured tone. She still hesitating.
   "She's terrified of fires," she notes contradictory.
   "Not deep down, I have seen her fascinating and wistful glances when we have been sitting by the fire," he says and fires a victory cheerful smile.

   "Believe me, she will not like this fire. Every time Dad even says the word 'move' she immediately protests together with mom. Mom's gonna be pissed when she discovers that her house that has been passed down through generations is about to burn to the ground. "
   "She's out of town next week, that's when I'll do it," he says firmly.

   "No," she says even more firmly and slams hard together the notebook that lies on her lap. Her blue eyes almost burns of anger. "You can not use our lessons to discuss it here. You shouldn't even had brought up the subject!" she hisses, and the birds immediately fall silent . Their cheerful chirping no longerfills  the forest they're in.

   The sun goes in the cloud and it looks as the weather is on the girl's side now and follows her mood. The boy doubtfully looks up at the white clouds and discovers the gray ones who're heading towards them. "You might like to calm down?" He asks, a little anxiously. She shakes her head.
   "It's not my mood the weather follows. But, if it would do that, the flashes you are concerned about would already have destroyed at least a dozen trees, believe me. "He looks suspiciously at her but at the same time, he knows how fiery her mood can be. She takes a deep breath and seems to calm down slightly but the gray rain clouds filled with rain drops that longs to meet the warm ground and cool it are still left.
   "I am not both an elemental and a witch, did you forget that?" she says. 
   "No, you're right," he says, tears his gaze from the sky and faces her blue eyes instead.
   "It's not possible that anyone could control the weather with their mood, right? Or, I mean, the weather would follow one's mood?" she asks curiously, but also glad over that they don't discuss the burning of the house anymore.
   "Yes, but then you have to be a witch and an elemental as the weather always consists of the strength of the Elements and the magic from a witch -- or warlock -- gives the opportunity to influence it. Two forces form a new, roughly," he says, and curses himself for being so naive to actually believe that these lessons would go so easily. These things are as obvious to him as a human being breaths but it was more difficult to explain than what he would have thought.
   "... I hope you understand?" he wonderingly adds and she nods. 
    "In a storm all of the Elements exist and the magic from the people in the witch race or warlock race gives the person an opportunity and scope to use the Element's forces more volatile than just focusing on just one spot. Or, well, something like that. But I rather think that if you have a witch's -- or warlock's -- magic it may happen that it happens to 'leak' out when you have conflicting or strong feelings. And if you then also have a blessing from all of the Elements, or only some, you can accidentally affect the weather without wanting it?" she asks, and then takes a deep breath. There was quite a lot to say without inhaling properly.
   The boy -- Dominick -- nods approvingly. 
    "Thank God that youunderstand  better than I explain," he says with relief. The girl gives him a big and yet teasingly and a playful smile at the same time.
   "If you didn't explain reasonably well, I would never get it," she notes, still with her smile, but now it's even pleased. She managed to learn one more thing today. If she continues like this it will not take long before she can more than she could ever dream of.
   The boy suddenly sighs.
   "But I will never be able to learn you to control the fire," he says and becomes dissatisfied with himself. 
    "What?" she asks puzzled. He nods toward something at her feet --the stump. She looks down and aghast look at the little dancing flame at the stump's roots and she extinguishes it rapidly.
   "See, you could put that one out," he notes. She glares at him. 
   "It was four inches high! The fire you're talking about would be several meters high! Remember that we have downstairs, upstairs, and the wind! And the basement then," she says grimly and do not even dare to think about the idea of ​​how big the fire could be. He does not respond to it and just sit quietly until he seems to get on better thoughts.
   "You haven't noted," he observes. She looks up in surprise.
   "What for something?" she wonders.
   "That the weather changes depending on someone's mood." A light goes up for her and she opens the notebook again and writes it down quickly and then looks up again with a curious and wondering look.
   "That would never happen, right? The weather following someone's mood?" she asks inquisitively.
   "It hasn't happened for a few centuries, only the elect ones can do it ... and it's been a while since they existed," he says, and suddenly, almost out of the blue, it starts raining so heavily that you could have believed they were in a shower.
   "End of today's lesson then," Dominick says and stands up and then looks at the stump he was sitting on and the look is anything but longing.
   "Yep," she says, and slams the notebook before she looks at him again. "How is it that you can all this really? You are not an elemental nor a witch, or warlock for that matter," she says, and examines him with a searching look. He just grins to answer, as usual, and with a sigh she goes her away, leaving him alone in the woods, in the rain.
   "Angel," he shouts behind her. She turns all too interested around, she might get her answer anyway?
   "Next week! When your Mom and Dad are away," he screams to her. 
   When a lightning strikes a few feet behind him, you could think that it was her mood that created it. She sees him jump to and then, with angry steps, she goes from there.
   "Okay! Then you know," he shouts behind her again. 
   "Don't you dare, Dominick," she angrily yells  back.

That was the prologue from my first book in my trilogy -- "The eternal battle" -- and my book is about this girl, Laurina, who actually is elected by Lightness a.k.a "the good power" of this story.

   That was the beginning of this story, and, as you now know Dominick -- Laurina's big love and best friend -- will set fire to her house, which, Laurina puts out. And, after that secrets will be discovered, and one of them is what the h*ll Dominick actually is -- and, boy, he shouldn't have told anyone that he is what he is. Right after he tells Laurina what he actually is a lot of things start to happen. And, without any spoilers: Laurina ends up like the one who pays the price together with Angel, her twin sister, and it will turn out that she actually is the person everyone wants, just because she is elected (trust me, you don't want to be in her shoes even if her life has its good sides, especially in her love life).

-- Selma. 

The first step - introduce myself

My name is Selma. I'm an author (I would like to see myself as one at least, but maybe not all of you would agree with me), trying to get my stories published.
   I don't live in a English speaking country, but the English language has always been close to my heart, but, because of the fact that English isn't my first language it has a lot of flaws. My first languge is Swedish and Sweden is where I come from.
   Since I was little I have always loved stories, all of them -- books, mythologies, folktales... I kind of grew up with them and later in my life I realized that I really want to be an author and last year I came up with the a book idea that kind of changed my life. I never thought the idea would actually be something, but now I'm working on the third and last book while I'm trying to get the first book published. (In Sweden we send our manuscrips to a publisher without contacting an agent and then it's up to the publishers if they like it or not.)
   This blog is mostly about my writing, all of my stories actually even if it probably will be mostly about my beloved trilogy.

This is what I can say about myself right now. I am kind of ambivert, which means that I'm neither "extrovert" nor "introvert", more something like in the middle -- I am moderately comfortable with groups and social interactions but I mostly prefer to be alone and have some "problems" to just give away information about myself.

-- Selma.