In this story, the readers follow a group of individuals, each with their own palmary characteristics, whose story takes us on a heart-wrenching tale of love that was never meant to succeed, feelings that were never meant to blossom, friendships that were never meant to cease, and an ending that will leave people wondering until the final decision is made.
Untold is a story of perspective; you will be told the story through opposite characters eye's. Which is right path to follow? And who defines what is right to begin with? So many thought-provoking questions will evolve as the characters are forced too as well. As bits and pieces come together, you begin to realize that taking action might be the easiest to do, but deciding which is the right action to take is the real difficulty. As they struggle with what they are, what they have chosen, what their future holds, and whom to protect, what the right course is rarely clear.
At what price would you give up your life for those you love most? What if that act in itself would condemn them regardless?
Such are the questions and hardships these characters have to face. Which will they decide?
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History of Untold:
To properly start off answering this question, I must talk about one specific detail in my novel. One character has been following me for some years, is the character that is at the heart of this story. The idea for her came many years ago, and from her personality and qualities came the plot for Untold. She, in my mind, has always been the driving force in the story, and has helped me to develop the small, insignificant idea into a solid piece of evolving literature I can be proud to call my own.
Several years ago I had the idea for her, and so many plot ideas, that for years I changed them and morphed them and twicked them. It was only two years ago that I found the perfect story to fit my character, and from then on I have been working on this story. I thought for a very long time that writing a book was not for me, and it was too big a task to undertake, but after years of belittling myself, I decided it was time. So two years ago I started; very slowly, and I even stopped for ten months. I stopped because the magnitude of actually writing a novel had caught up with me, and I thought I was too insignificant to accomplish it.
Well, it took me a while, but in August of 2007 I started again. I realized that I didn't have anything to lose if I wrote my story, but if I didn't write it, I would lose the relationship with my characters, and a chance for their story being heard. From then I have been writing as much as I can, and absolutely loved every moment I wrote.
More recently I have finished the first draft as of July 5th, 2008 and am now in the process of editing. Editing takes a few hours, and I have major parts to rewrite, but I am moving forward nonetheless and am so happy to finally have the first draft done (despite the sometimes tedious work and sheer amount of time it takes to work through).
Feelings Toward Writing Untold:
The experience you go through, and the feelings you encounter when writing can never be adaquetley described. I am so in love with my story, with my characters, and with the very process of sitting down and pouring out my imaginary world onto paper. The euphoria of writing is not one that can be replaced by any other experience, and I feel so privileged to be among the population of writers.
I love the way my characters speak to me, and the way they transform from an image in my mind, to eloquent words on the page. I am fully engulfed in just getting their story down, and want so passionately for others to fall in love with them like I have. I can only hope that future readers will as enraptured with this novel as I have been from its start.
So, You Said That Some Of Your Characters Are Mythological...Care To Elaborate?
No, I do not. Sorry, but if I were to tell everyone, I would have to justify it and explain the originality of them, and I am not comfortable doing that. Why? No one would understand what the heck I was talking about because they would need a lot of background. I am very territorial over my book, and I want to be able to explain it all properly, like I have in the novel itself. It is quite interesting, and I would rather not give it away at this point. Again, sorry, but I am moving on.
Inspiriation for Untold:
Often inspiration is something that I do not need to seek. I find that when I start from a basic idea, so many more intricate thoughts sprout from it, that I have more then I can put in one story. I have a notebook that is devoted to those ideas, and I plan on writing many more books in my life time. When I am in the unfortunate state of Writer's Block, I listen to music, watch movies, go through the normal routine of my day, listen to others conversations on the street; anything to get my creativity flowing again. I find that sometimes, all I need is a break. Often I have over-worked myself when writing, and just need to step back and refocus.
Support:
I do not have very much, if any, support from my family that know I am writing a book. They are not involved in anyway, which is a big motiviation for me. I want to be able to prove to them that what I am doing is not just a dream, or wasted time, but something I can achieve. My friends are not a big support system either, but it really is understandable due in part because they do not understand why I am doing it. Most people my age are not into writing, and even fewer are into actually writing a novel. On occasion they will put up with a little of my vague writers rant for which I am very thankful (and their strange confused looks always make me laugh too).
The main place where I can find support, advice, and encouragement is in a group of wonderful people on the forum I created. On "The Writer's Draft" there are so many amazing people that have helped me through so much in my writing, and I know I can count on them, just as they can count on me. I have not posted any excerpts of my novel on the forum, but I hope that one day they will be able to read my work in a published book.
Progress for Untold:
As of July 5th, 2008 I officially finished my first full draft. Naturally I have a ton of editing and rewriting to get through in the next several months. It will certainly take much of work on my part, but I am determined enough to do whatever it takes. I have all the additions I want to add in done up and have crossed out the parts that I wish to take out, but actually applying those to the documents and editing at the same time takes many hours. but as I said, I will get through it no matter the amount of hours I need to put in to get Untold polished and ready for second draft editing.
Is Untold The Official Title?:
The current working title is Untold: To Death's Waiting Arms. Completely finishing the novel is my main goal for the moment, and the official title will be decided then
Other Works for Untold?:
So far the only thing I am working on is Untold, but I hope to do more in the series. As it stands now, a sequel might not be appropriate, but a prequel really interests me. Their story is so much more then that basic love story I shared in the Home page; it is so much more complex, but unfortunately I cannot get to far into it now. It is filled with so many interesting twists and turns, and is placed in a society quite different from our own. I really want to go on, so I will stop there, or I will undoubtingly post the whole story. I also like the idea because I love being different, and prequels are not normally done.
I also have six other book ideas that I am in love with too, and all fall under the category of fantasy. I hope to start those after I am finished with this book/series. You can check them out on my "Other Works" page.
Anything The Readers Should Know Before Reading Untold?
Okay, here is where the title comes more into play. Someone can sit done, read Untold and not think too much about it. Sure, they would understand the basic going ons, and the major themes, but they really would miss out on so much. The point of view I have written it in is one in which I have allowed the reader to be an outside observer, and I have done this knowingly and strategically. There are so many lines in which could seem so simple in passing, but actually have so many underlying questions. I am not saying that one would need to analyze every sentence in the book, but some phrases should strike the indepth reader as strange, or too obvious to be pointed out by myself. Personally, I hate pointing out obvious things and am a complete to-the-point person much of the time, so when I do that, it would be best if you took a second look and use the point of view to your advantage. Have you made the connection to the title I have chosen? If not, please read over the site; it's not something I have tried to hide. Any further explanation I will not be giving, so wait until the book comes out and read for yourself.
Again, to understand Untold you don't need to over-think everything. It is not my goal to frustrate the readers with abstract riddles and complex musings. Both reading it in passing and the reader that looks at it more indepth can provide enjoyment, although one might miss out on useful information as well as the characters complexities.
- Jazzelle Braewyn Zariel