SHADOW GENESIS: INCEPTION | REBOOT PROJECT Explained (Part 1)

How It's All Going Down

Explained several times (now here for better access), I decided to reboot my novel under strong belief of a better story. After reading over the story from start to finish several times I realized (one heck of a rude awakening) that I am lacking ‘big time’. The story (contrary to others input) is lacking, and my character’s ‘life force’ was not strong enough (my way of saying they are void of believability). At times (back then) I wished I had a little more grip on what I was doing. Years back I was just writing as a hobby, it felt good and I went with it… unknown to the future of me taking it seriously, only to end up smacked in the face. More like a tap on the nose for constructive criticism sake. Destructive criticism flies out the door with a swift kick in the rear from my good ole Timberland boots. Trolls and cynics have a short life span with me… despite their entertainment factor.

Negative into Positive I say.

Around May 2013, I received a letter from THRULINE Entertainment in Los Angeles, CA (after setting up the book to screenplay route by XLibris Corp) in regards to Shadow Genesis becoming a media adaptation. After going through review, the project will remain in their databases in Hollywood. Of course, I will have word immediately when one shows interest, but at this time, there are no signs of a possible market in film or television. I expected this for various reasons. One of them being the fact I am not ‘Big Time’, low key at most, being a tiny spark than a big ole blazing country bonfire. Therefore, I have a ton of work to do. Little did many know, that is also another big step in my bigger goals.

Being an author is only ‘one of’ my goals (wink-wink).

Around that time is when I said to myself that my writing skills need improvement. Biting the bullets by being my own worst critic, I return to the drawing board. Ran through many websites, tutorials, wikis, and reading materials just to get to where I am now in this reboot. Now in second draft, I want to ensure that this second book has a fighting chance. Sharing my writing with others is another helpful move. Picky I am about that, for I have ran into a few ‘thieves’ trying to steal my work on the sneaky tip. Never could understand why people feel the need to rip from others when they have a mind of their own and a wide range of resources just waiting for them to seize and evolve in their works. Copyrighting is a serious thing with me. I advise all writers coming up to keep secure and aware of these pilfering goons… because the theft is real… as real as this so called ‘Thirst’.

And now, for the Reboot work:

Title idea for reboot

Without spoiling those who are looking forward to reading my current novel, I at times show a bit of the reboot status, from character profiles to lore without exposing too much of the plot. I do my best to keep everyone updated until the reboot is ready to publish, while I am still contemplating on attempting the traditional publishing route (or just keep to self-publishing). Traditional publishing is no easy feat, for it is a challenge to get your story out there for the world to see. Is why self-publishing (while tedious in terms of money) is another option. At the moment I can't even consider self-publishing at the moment on my part due to financial issues (not 'balling' as one would say like I use to) therefore funds are tight. There is this one spot called BookBaby that I am considering for myself, and for those looking to publish via eBook and the like can check that out. 

Character ReWork: Malice & Hellion Explained

I originally started Shadow Genesis off with four main characters, a few supporters, and a antagonist with her own supporter roles. Keeping the whole POV (point of view) straight with the important characters is not as easy as it sounds, because one can get a bit overboard. Keeping each character even in scenes plus the minors fitting in just right is fun but also a challenge. I sometimes find myself lost (writers block kicks in) and end up taking a bit of a break while moving about my resources researching until finally coming back to the point of view character at hand. Sometimes I even focus a bit too much on a minor... only to go back and hack them down a few notches. Things can get complex... maybe the story is trying to tell me something, the world itself and its people. These minor folk have stories too. They all have to link to the main hitters at hand.

 

 

Malice La'Shade Khan

“I will fulfill my dream, there will be peace. If I have to erase her myself then I will. Even if this peace is as short-lived as you proclaim… then at least I will be the one to make it happen… but I will not be the last.” – Malice

Sovereign Malice La'Shade Khan (Unofficial)

The first female sovereign of Shadara, Malice La’Shade Khan is Nocturien Khan’s only daughter by Mistress Jinovia Vayos. Her kindhearted and soft- spoken nature is taken for granted by those who believe her weak willed, and dislike her ongoing plan in changing Shadara from its once dark and chaotic ways. Despite her a being of pacifist nature, beneath it all is a calculating and incredibly powerful sovereign resting within her charmed figure and beauty. Her lifelong friend is Na’Kaishia Nightshade, and Gerodima Odin her old mentor and friend.

Malice came to the throne at an early age just when her father, Nocturien, mysteriously vanishes. With Nocturien far from reach and thought deceased, the only other successor to the darkgearian throne is no other than Malice, who is of human and dark elementai blood, and the rightful ruler of Shadara. She is from a long line of elementai, dating back to the true race sprouting from the life force of Umbra, making her a powerful figure throughout the realm even with the blood of a human flowing through her veins. Though hybrid by nature, she is believed to be not as powerful as her ancestors are, and it is unknown as to if this is actually true or not. Those trying to expose her true potential end up lost in a wavering shroud of uncertainty, while others see this as her being weak and nothing like her predecessors.

Her coming to sovereignty brings forth the Era of Malice, which despite her name meaning vengefulness and bane, brings a time of peace and new beginnings, and ending the Darker Than Dark Times altogether. While she dreams of a realm unified in tranquility, she at times fall victim to various nightmares that haunt her mind even when awake. Dark visions she treats as warnings to a coming threat.

 

My attempt in creating Malice (Not bad, eh?)

When I created Malice Khan, she was far from what she is now. Malice was originally chaotic good... in fact... she was one 'Bad 'B' as common slang goes. Her name means many things, Vengefulness for one, which I was going for at a time before doing something different. People are going to hate her, dislike, criticize, and try their hand in taking her down. All of those words mean Malice, and unfortunately her father given her the name. But there is a upside, there is a bit of scorn in all of us perhaps. We dislike some things, may even go as far as 'hate'... which is poisonous. What I go for in Malice, is her eventually having that scorn for her arch-nemesis, Hellion. Hellion is trying to destroy Malice, and she very well just might do enough damage to make Malice seek vengeance. Malice is all about pacifism, a big diplomat and tries her best to refrain from violence solving violence... but in the end... it all comes down to brave confrontation... and if not mistaken... her name is very synonymous in a interesting way with those.

 In the novel she is not even chaotic good in character. She is a strong but tranquil acting woman. High born due to royalty, and has not a single bit of power in her tone... but you know for sure she is above you in status and potential just by looking at her. Like a rose with thorns... or a cat... a sweet... fluffy... serene-purring cat hiding its claws and fangs like the skin-scarring... flurry-pawed... feet landing fur-ball it can be. Upon the reboot idea I broke her down, given her a middle name (La'Shade) and switched the 'Queen' title to Sovereign. Also added a few 'common names' people in the realm of Shadara call her. Such as 'World Queen', 'Little Lady', 'Lady Sovereign', and so on.

'Luscious Lavender Looks' (Unofficial Malice Idea)

She was also taller than her current in story height. Now she is short... around 5'something (keeping the height out there in mystery for people's imagination). Her race is still the Dark Elementai, a race that took me years to develop right, but she is also 'part human'. This keeps her from being that 'Mary Sue' trope that is going around... keeping the blood diluted thus making her even. That doesn't mean Malice is a pushover... she is just real 'elegant' with what she does... until pushed... naturally so.

Still in mind with Malice, I wanted a character people (women mainly but not entirely) can relate to in terms of power and gender. Today we have so many 'gender battles' on who is the better sex... and honestly in my view that is a bit annoying. Nevertheless, I implement my experiences (both first and secondhand) in my characters, with Malice representing that judging one by gender is--as said in my novel--"A fool's course." Never underestimate a woman. Besides, women are important in this world (real world I mean) in more ways than one. Without woman there is no man, and without man there is no woman. I aim to bring that philosophy into my world of worlds as well.

Four main characters as seen in current novel (From Left: Lucius Allistar, Kuma Akumodo, Malice La'Shade Khan, and Na'Kaishia Nightshade) (Unofficial)

 

 

Hellion

 “The olden times will speak of my wonder, as it shall trump all else.” - Hellion

Hellion the Damned Queen (Unofficial)

Born from the spritz of Etvon’Osada, Hellion’s coming was a dark omen across the region. Her power is comprised of pure nether, the realm-born nel’vier is capable of ascension to the highest degree. However, Hellion’s dark intentions pits her against the other nel’vier of Etvon, exposing her ties to the Damned and its malevolent influence. She has absolute dominion over the entire Damned plane, and stations herself as monarch within Wrath, the heart of the Damned. Hellion delicately formulates a series of schemes all tying to one goal: Taking Shadara, the nightrealm.

Hellion may appear soft and serene, but she is truly cold and cunning, merciless, ruthless, and ambitious. She is truly an untrustworthy and sneaky sort, and often comes off as a sensual creature though her lust is nothing more but a hunger for power, despite her a powerful entity as is. Her motives always a cover to deeper ulterior motives, and is at times manipulative. She is the pinnacle of excellence among her kind, being pushed to an even more force of power once she descended into the Damned, where she is the superior example of her race, making her supernatural in condition, and the desire to become divine, which makes her a broader threat to more than just Etvon.

Hellion clashes against Shadara Sovereign Malice La’Shade Khan, which she believes is incapable of holding an entire world in her ways. In order to overthrow Malice and claim Shadara’s Umbra Prisma Crux, she must break the laws that bind her from crossing over from the Damned. Her sights are set on obtaining a divine and powerful artifact known as the Omni Stone capable of fueling her with ‘godly’ power, and the Nexium Stone, which holds the necessary power source suitable for her war machine: Oblivios Machina.

 

Cold, calculating, malevolent, straight evil with just as much softness in the tone of her voice to rival Malice's own gentle tongue. Hellion is the antagonist of Shadow Genesis who runs the game behind the scenes in taking Shadara by storm. I created her, like everything else, years ago, and she has been through several looks. Her story is no ordinary "I want everything," sort. Her origins and current status conflicts, and just when one thinks they figured her out, she is several steps ahead of the game.

The Damned Queen

Hellion embodies everything I have gone through in personal experience when dealing with the 'femme fatales' of dating... truth be told. Watching movies with female antagonists are just one of my elements in creating Hellion, other works of fiction included. I aim for deceit and power, one who will do what is needed to get what they desire, and when challenged is not afraid to rip someone apart... and not even break a single nail... or claw in this case. She will use you, abuse you, have little regard for what you want, and will absolutely belittle you for she is high above all, even those of high status (higher than her even) are vermin beneath her pretty white glittery feet. Such diabolical deceit has its flaws... however.

When I first introduced Hellion in my novel, things were a bit horrific... sort of. Her home plane the Damned was one of those skin churning dominions straight out of a Inner Eldridge Abomination Dream. I scrapped that all out and went deep in my own mind to create the Damned as shown in my reboot work... which I'll show in lore info of course. It's now a bundle plane of chaos, with Hellion snugly fit at the bottom. There in her overly extravagant palace (matching her 'excellence') she is supported by other malefactors loyal to her cause as she plans her schemes against Shadara... which is just scratching the tip of the iceberg.

And that's that for now. Stay tuned for Part 2 where I explain three more of the main characters like Lucius, Kuma, and Na'Kaishia, a bit on one particular character plus Shadowrealm 'reborn' as Shadara... and much more!