In Trance

Since I have some spare time while I finalize details to begin writing, I figured I would make a post tonight while I'm thinking about it and keep you all enthralled with the prospect of more stuff to come. All that is mainly needed now is to get my storyline together and figure out how to get it all on paper. It'll come to me here soon.

Today though, it's all about reflection and dreams. Reflections upon things that may be, and thoughts of dreams that I would like to see made into reality. They always say that it only takes some measure of effort to make them a reality, but when those dreams involve someone else, it is not a story you can write alone. It has to be written together, and most people do not like having their story written for them. But when it comes to a relationship, it has to be co-authored and has to be an outline that is put together by both sides. And perhaps this is the line that most people cannot, or will not, cross for whatever reason. It is then that you realize that life is just one big book being written by you, and the ones you want to be part of it. The same goes for music, in terms of evoking thoughts, feelings, emotions, or just general well being of the mind and heart. When the mind is stimulated, all manner of good things can happen and it shows the importance of maintaining a healthy way of thinking - a task much easier said than done and I'm the world's worst when it comes to it.

An enchanting theme, made better by the remaster.

During a discussion last night with a few friends and confidants, the issue of intimacy came about and how the aspects of it, including sexually, make a love life that much more comforting and involving for both sides. I have always been classified as a hopeless romantic, and way behind the societal norms as what constitutes dating and relationships, but that is because I choose to be. I personally like to believe that chivalry isn't dead, and there is still some measure of hope left for people like me who are in love with love. The ones who believe in passion, who believe in romance, and believe in true love. (Pardon using an urban dictionary definition, but it's actually the best I could find.) Things such as the image at the left are things I crave, and things I cherish when I have them. I have always been the one to go the extra mile in situations where I feel like I must. Even to those who feel like we don't, we do - and it makes us feel better when we see the smile it puts upon your face. We don't do it because we're materialistic, and we never expect anything in return except to be loved. That is all a hopeless romantic ever asks for.

With me, the smallest gestures of my affection toward someone are the things that make me feel great. Knowing I can brighten your day is the greatest feeling in the world, and it allows me to have that reassurance that my deeds don't go unnoticed. It's 110% or nothing. I miss writing the poems to the woman I loved, buying her the flowers she enjoyed for the sake of it, and just texting her "Good morning" and wishing her a wonderful day. After having such things part of your life for so long, they are memories and feelings that do not fade. Setting it all up as a surprise gift for her to wake up to, or to brighten her day when she was sad. I miss it all: The hugs, the kisses, the cuddles, the holding hands, and the just looking into her eyes and seeing straight into her soul, and knowing this woman is the one I love. Days gone by, days that I would love to have back.

For now, stare into the sun and let its rays cleanse your soul.

I'll be back on story related stuff tomorrow, just in a thought provoking mood and had to let some feelings loose. Adieu for now.

Mission Start!

A little music for your day while I put everything together for this entry. A great piece of instrumental work from Crisis Core on the PSP, the prequel of Final Fantasy VII. I actually had this playing during the opening scene in the first book, followed by its immediate next track, which is a remake of the "Bombing Mission" theme from the original game. The title of this entry is due to the fact that I somehow managed to put together a VERY rough outline on the missions for the book, along with main story plots to keep an eye on it. There will be a lot of backstory in between the missions, and more in the way of investigation along with character development. I always do my best to minimize "filler" material, but when it comes to the story, making sure the characters develop in ways that makes them happy is how the book proceeds. Watching the characters grow through the story, just like us in real life - you want to watch them mature and move past challenges. After a while, with everything that a mind can put them through, you have to wonder if they...

That'd be pretty mad.

Anyhow, onto the main points - the mission log is done and the official "count" would be in the league of eight or so. The original book had eight as well, giving it an even sixteen on the series. Much of the time, like the original, is spent in the day to day of the team and their workings toward resolving the situation, developing the relationships of the characters, envisioning the new ones ambitions, and most of all, making sure that all of them play their primary roles to the best of their ability. A character that can be better should always be made better, unlocking their hidden potential.

Unlocking the potential of a character can be a lot of trouble sometimes, especially when you don't have a solid foundation of where they stand. I tend to go with the D&D stance on determining a character's alignment. They are simple to use and have clear cut definitions which make it easier to classify them. Granted, these stances change over time if needed.

Characters like Travi Gladius, Bill Bishop, Allison Gladius, and Heather Greene are all inherently Lawful Good. Meanwhile, characters like the main bad guy in the church is Lawful Evil transitioning to Chaotic Evil over time. Then there are characters like Alana who could be classified as Neutral Good, or Chaotic Good depending on the situation. This dynamic allows for multiple scenarios, and also allows a lot of freedom in character development - even when limiting down to the main nine used in the link above. Some characters fit in the middle somewhere, others can be on one end of the spectrum or the other depending on the circumstances. 

Reducing the number of active combatants during the missions was a top priority this time around, as noted in an earlier entry, about how managing that many guns at once can be a little confusing and anticlimatic if not done correctly. Despite the fact that there will be multiple people present, I'm trying to keep my amount of combat related text to Travi and Bill, however - propriety dictates that it will be necessary to involve other characters. But I'm still bringing that number down to around three or four, from as many as seven in the original book. This will help me streamline the missions somewhat and also allow me more detail to the situations instead of worrying about who is firing next. 

"I'm tellin' ya, it's Who's turn to shoot!"

Next entry, I'm going to be finalizing a few details on how I want to advance the plot and what genres I want to input. The first book had a solid mixture of some comedy (which, the two comic relief guys are gone in this iteration), action, thriller, drama, and even some romance. All of these elements made for good story, so I'll look at how I can incorporate all of these yet again. For now though, I have to get a water pump fixed in my car since it very inconveniently decided to blow. My reaction was similar to this yesterday:

Yep, I was mad.

Adieu for now.

Writing...

It really is. Writing can be very tough, but as ideas come and go, it's easier to get a grasp on where I want to go with this newest book. I feel like I have a solid idea of how the book will open up thus far, delving into the past a little bit for connections sake as noted in the last entry. Adding some historical figures into the mixture can be very intriguing when it can be put together and made into a viable plotline branch that ties into the book nicely.

Looking at how to proceed with this, it was noted in the original book about how the main character in Travi Gladius comes a military family, and someone in every generation since the Revolutionary War had fought in the military, and him being the last in the line thus far. Given this expertise, and his warrior spirit that obviously flows through his veins, it only makes sense to include a minor, but very influential character in his life in this book. Travi's father, Nathan, was also in the military for a long while, joining near the end of the Vietnam War and serving for a long time. This gentleman will have a spot in the opening of the book, or somewhere near it as an Army Ranger that set the events of this book in motion. The main bad guy, name is in the works, was a protege of Jim Jones whom many probably know as being the infamous leader of the People's Temple back in the seventies and coaxed near a thousand people into "revolutionary suicide". The twist I'm looking at doing is the United States receiving a credible threat against a prominent figure (I'm going with then President Jimmy Carter), and a task force of Army Rangers is being sent in to detain the leader. They arrive just hours after the suicide takes place, and from there - they contend with Jones's bodyguards and then him. From a distance, the main bad guy sees this all go down and it creates his hatred for the unbelievers, in particular, the United States. But his hatred grows and he vows to kill all unbelievers in the name of God. This of course, setting the stage for the entire book as SOCA must contend with religious radicalism.

Except they don't rip hearts out...yet.

So, while that is going on - in the present, the main bad guy is biding his time to unleash "God's wrath". As a distraction, he orders his followers to launch an attack on a target to get the world's attention. From there, all hell breaks loose.

Something like this I guess.

From that impasse, once all hell breaks loose (see above), Travi and Bill take charge and begin investigating the reports of religious fanatics at large and ties toward this radical branch. All across the world, new attacks are reported, and the plot point takes front stage - bringing Allison Gladius and Heather Greene into the mix and their continuing research. Upon a return to Italy, they find some previously unknown data that their mentor Doctor Fordham had hid away for such an emergency - Allison finding the footnotes in her locked away research data that had been previously overlooked. This would return us to a look at the place where the first book began, and hope for the future begins anew. Meanwhile, SOCA (now known as Task Force 191) is given full authority by the President of the United States to get into the investigation and shut down the ones responsible. From there, it's the usual game of investigation, evidence gathering, putting the pieces together, and having old names resurface that give clues and hints along the way. From here, the book takes off and the world looks at a complete collapse. A subtle hint dropped by the "peaceful" front of the radical religion could be what tips the scales into TF 191's favor.

Plot twists galore, including insiders on the good guys part. This could turn into an interesting thriller full of intrigue if I play my cards right. After all, having the good guys on their heels is part of the fun. Shows resolve, shows willpower. It will test Travi and Bill to the limits, but I think they can handle it. They are the best of the best. I like where this is going. Almost makes me wanna say: 

Adieu for now.

Double down the right field line

The main character list has been finalized for now, and I believe I've covered just about every base. I'm working on reasons for the absences of several stalwarts from the first book, but it may just be a case of put on a bus and waved goodbye. Insert some BS reason not related to the story and voila. After that, as needed - minor characters can be created on the fly for the express reason of being thrown under the bus or killed as needed.

"Gentlemen, I know you are loyal! But you have no plot relevance. So, I need you to go die now."

Such characters usually have no real importance to the story, but are needed for a specific plot point. These types are created on the go, given some random generic name, traits, and personality. Once they are done, they're done. Such thinking has benefited me quite well in the first book when I was choked by needing a character to die, but none of the mains were ready. Enter the red shirt as they commonly called. Poor sap. You send them off, knowing in their mind they are fighting for what they believe in! They rush in, they aim their guns, they fire off the salvo of rounds that harmlessly bounce off the wall in front of the protagonist, continuing the fight knowing that it will earn them some keep in the story! Instead, they wind up just another body in the count, and they are left wondering what went wrong while you laugh manically!

Making an abnormal face while doing earns extra credit.

Anyhow, moving on. The "missions" for the book are still progressing, but I think I have an opening one ready to go. In the first book, I had a flash back to the past for the main character during a pivotal operation at the end of World War III, in which his SEAL team took down a high ranking leader of the opposition in his compound in Iraq. I'm thinking of a similar one here, maybe a year prior to the events of the book in which the Mavericks embark on their final mission together before the team is disbanded and SOCA is reorganized. This could be to kill a "current" leader of the church, or even capture him, as a way of gaining the attention of the bad guys. I am wanting to open the plot up with some controversy that would be true, with President Adam Hunter reaffirming due to a rise in religious violence around the world and in the nation, and an outcry from the religious to make the US a Christian nation, he reminds and steadfastly refuses to acknowledge this, going back on several former Presidents of saying a nation under God. This earns the ire of many, including the church - who see the United States as the anti-Christ now.

Before the hate mail begins, yes - it is true. If you don't believe me, do your own research.

As I said in the previous entries, I have no real issue with religion as a whole except that the extreme radical examples do exist in the world, and that is the focus of my this story. Your normal everyday Joe Blows who go to church on Sundays, and follow their faith devoutly - I have no problem at all with. But it's these extreme elements that pop up that cause me a great deal of concern due to their penchant for creating all kinds of mass chaos in their "crusades" against infidels, unbelievers, and the ones who believe they are their god's "chosen ones". Those are the ones that give me pause, and leave me very fearful for future generations when such radicalism is left unattended. It can be argued (and it has been by many), that the decline of the United States has come due to the people leaving God behind, and that we should return to being a Christian nation. We never were to begin with.

If you have issues with that, take it up with these fine men. 

I deviate from my true purpose of this post though. With the bad guys setting up shop as the religious extremists, the old plot point that I am believing of using has a lot of sudden uses for them. "God's wrath" "Breath of God" all kinds of names that can be used by them in their unholy crusade. With President Hunter's affidavit, this puts them into action. Now, I'm looking at how well organized they are. I am still leaning toward them having a "peaceful" front for the world, as a mega church or religion (more like a cult?), then behind the smoke and mirrors is the true nature. For them to be a threat, they have to possess a strength equal to that of the world powers. So, perhaps an armed wing of their church ala the Knights Templar. As the missions unfold, I'm sure all of this will fall into place. Or come tumbling down like a Jenga board. 

And it has happened before.

From there, it's a matter of seeing where the characters want to take the story. I really like how this is progressing so far, and I'm liking the idea of having the old plot point come back alive. Tie ins with the first book are very possible now, and the thought of linking it all together has some merit. Creative juices are at max flow now, it's time for something fast.

They've gone plaid!

I should have more in the way of idea development instead of rambling on the next entry. Adieu for now.

 

First and ten

During the usual night of being a grave digger on 3rd shift, I managed to make a couple potential breakthroughs on how to approach the new "bad guys" in this one, dealing with organized religion and a possible church (offshoot church of I'm guessing all world religions at the moment, perhaps the religious leaders of the main ones) that has two avenues at the moment. Either they are presented as the good guys originally, and over time and story, they turn into the bad guys - or if I plan to bring back my plot line from the first one, they are the bad guys from the get go. Right now, they are looking like complete total radicals in their way of thinking, on par with many extremist wings of religions in the world right now (ISIS, etc.) The way of the radical thinking process puts them firmly in the driver's seat of being able to use the plot point to the fullest extent, perhaps seeing them as the harbingers of the apocalypse. I think this approach because it will allow me to add in the third storyline as well, potentially being a character back from the dead in essence and allowing him to roam the earth once more. Of course, I'm not convinced he ever died, but he'll definitely go the way of the zombie in some form.

Something like this I guess. Minus the rotting flesh and lack of optical organs.

Going with this line of thinking though, it does allow me to continue the struggles for the main character, though I see it as more of him being able to confidently confront these things with his best friend, his wife, and his sister at his side and back. Travi Gladius has grown exponentially over this time frame from the first book, to the years in between, to the new book which I am placing about 2-3 years into the future, around 2017-2018. Travi Gladius, a secret agency, versus the dangers of radical religious leaders and their followers...

Jim Jones anyone?

With this line of thinking on the bad guys, references such as these can be made. Incorporating historical figures into the events of books can give some measure of relevance and relation to how the world is currently shaped. The "Black Ops" series in the Call of Duty games is famous for this, having such historical figures as Fidel Castro, John F. Kennedy, Manuel Noriega, Jonas Savimbi etc. By inserting the main character of the games: Alex Mason, David Mason, Jason Hudson, and Frank Woods etc. into the mix with these historical figures, it adds a sense of relation to the game seeing historical events such as the Bay of Pigs invasion, The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, and the Invasion of Panama come to life from the viewpoint of a fictional character. That is the aim I am shooting for. We'll see how it all plays out in due time.

Missions are still at a premium, but I think I have a few solid ideas on how to progress once I get a few more things ironed out. It's all progressing really well at this point, a bit better than I had first hoped. The character list is all but done and I think our bad guys have probably established their identity. From here, it's just moving onward and letting the story tell itself. Time to listen to these characters and see what kind of story they want to experience. That is the first lesson I ever learned about writing, let the characters write the story for you.

Sorry for the lack of wit and humor this time around, but I'm tired - and it's another long set of days ahead. Time for me to grab some shuteye. I may be able to get another update in later on this evening once I am back from the gym. Adieu.

Opening Kickoff

So far, I have compiled a list of characters that make some appearance or play some major role in the new book - all of them sorted into different avenues of thought and process. I have decided to go with the idea I presented a couple entries back and keep SOCA around, just in a minute different form. With the agency secured, I turned to the new bad guys for this book - organized religion.

Okay, maybe a little overboard.

Honestly, I have no real issue with organized religion other than the fact that it causes so much suffering in the world, whether it is meant to or not. I have many friends, good friends, that are devout in their belief and faith and that is perfectly fine with me. Doesn't change my perspective of them, nor do I think any different of them. But back on topic, since I have been playing Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions on my PSP here lately, remembering and harking back to how the story played out with the Church of Glabados being the main manipulators of the War of the Lions. However, behind that were the cunning and demonic beings known as the Lucavi. The Church, using a story in their masses called the Zodiac Braves, held onto different "auracite" that supposed held the soul of each of the Zodiac Braves in them. There were twelve in total, and twelve were number of Braves from the tale, ranging from Capricorn all the way to Sagittarius. However, the tale was found to be a total fake used by the church to control the masses, as found out Elder Simon Rakshu. However, despite knowing the truth and documenting it, he never brought it forward - knowing that the church would come down on him hard for revealing their truth. In essence, this game and story within tell a tale about how everyone, even churches, have their own intentions not known to anyone but a select few and those select few are quickly silenced if found out.

Yes, stuff like this actually happened if you were against the church back in medieval times.

Back on subject, I am looking at a similar plot line for this new writing of this church seeking to gain global power and perhaps bring the world under the iron fist of their religion, controlling the masses and manipulating them into making them the saviors of the world. In the background though, another force is looking to capitalize on the situation. Figuring out the details on it is something I will have to examine later on though, as the current outline is there, but I'll need to color it all in eventually. Hopefully it doesn't matter me too angry.

Let's face it, this is pretty fracking mad.

"Missions" for the book are still in alpha stages, but instead of the action orientated pace of the first book, I'm hoping to go for more of an espionage feel this time of around, or at least more of a Metal Gear Solid type.

Complete with sneaking around in boxes? Absolutely.

Going with that line of thought though, seeing as how we're looking at a two man team involving Travi Gladius and Bill Bishop now, it will be easier to manage personalities and keep the focus on the task at hand. Alternating between six characters during a firefight can be very tiring, especially when you take into account each character's differing ways of dealing with a situation and how they react under circumstances presented. Having only two combatants will make it a bit easier to keep up with, especially using the template I toyed with during the Alana/Zack "missions" in the original book.
The other storylines will encompass primarily the love interests of the two main characters, Allison who has embraced her wifely role, and Heather Greene who is working on it alongside Bill Bishop. The pair are still working a full time medical research experts within the agency, and they will wind up coming into play later on when an old nemesis returns from the dead.

Not this guy.

 

The old nemesis, along with the church elements will take up the other storylines, several of them intertwining at times. It wouldn't surprise me if a certain plot point from the first book doesn't make a return, under the guise of "God's wrath" to weed out the unbelievers and bring only the truth believers to the forefront. It would make perfect sense to someone to use it as a means to bring terror and control to the masses, or to play God in essence, and wipe out humanity as a whole. Two sides, two end points, two entirely different ways of getting there. Mutually assured destruction from one side of the equation? Why not. Travi and Bill need something to do, they have to be getting bored.

And what better way to kill time that to hit homeruns off of baseballs shot out of mortars? I sense a new sport in the making.

I'll have more put together by the next entry. For now, adieu.

Seven years

To the day, my friend has been gone. Bill Brock, a man who spent his entire life fighting the battle against cancer, the indiscriminate taker of life in our world. But if there was one thing he never did, it was that he never gave up and fought until he ultimately lost said battle. Never let it be said that he didn't fight to the bitter end though, because I personally watched him. Something akin to Zack Fair against the Shinra army, kept fighting until he just couldn't anymore.

This seems about right, standing there hands on hips and saying: "Bring it on!"

But, his memory and personality still lives on - partially in me, and partially in he writings of my book and the planned sequel. Bill Bishop was created by him, down to the personality and traits - including the signature eye roll that all of us in the circle of friends knew him for. Such was his calling card, and we knew he could counted on for that witty remark when the situation warranted one. Bishop in the story, takes the role of the second in command of Gladius's team, following him to the loyal end to wherever life takes him. A proverbial pillar of strength, and someone who is not afraid to put out the wrongs when they happen. Brock was the same way. He would let you know if you were out of line, and wasn't afraid to make sure you knew it. As such, that is among the many things that made him a great friend. My friend, you are sorely missed in this world and you were taken way too early from it. But as long as you live on in the heart and memories of those that loved you in various ways, you are never completely gone. My brother in everything but blood.

March 14th, 1986 - May 28th, 2008 Rest in Peace my friend.

I know I promised more in the way of story related stuff this post, but this needed to be done first. I did not get a chance to do anymore work toward it today due to the day. However, that will change tomorrow and I will get back to my routine. Heck, I didn't even hit the gym today. 

Adieu.