Easter and Download Update!

So, I haven’t been round much again sorry!

After the release of my visual novel, I’ve been working on fixing up some small errors in it.

But they’re done now and here are the updated links to download Diving in Deep ๐Ÿ™‚

Windows:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/elf7dbded71csbs/DivinginDeep-1.4-win.zip
Mac:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/u5wcaq4u4e6i55w/DivinginDeep-1.4-mac.zip
Linux:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/1d8ct1877jaft81/DivinginDeep-1.4-linux.tar.bz2
All:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/5yx3lck0sn5rmzy/DivinginDeep-1.4-all.zip

I will be on a break now for Easter (I’m exhausted after March ๐Ÿ˜€ ), but will be back next Thursday.

Sorry for the absence again lately! I am so appreciative of your comments and support, and I know I haven’t been able to show that appreciation properly. But with March and NaNoReno over and after a break I will be back to regular commenting and posting!

Hope you all have a brilliant Easter, and until then, have a sketchy Merrik and Quinn ๐Ÿ˜€

Easter

Diving in Deep- Challenge Complete!

Thank you so much to those who commented on my post on Saturday and other days, and I’m really sorry for not replying, but I have been busy trying to get ready for releasing my visual novel. Which is now completed! ๐Ÿ˜€

I did it, I finished it in a month!

I won’t re-post all the information again, as I know many of you have seen it twice already! So for those interested in finding out more, please visit the links below.

https://awriterslifeformeblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/14/a-new-challenge/
https://awriterslifeformeblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/romance-writers-weekly-lovewritechat-2/

Diving in Deep is a visual novel featuring:

– 6 Possible Endings (3 โ€˜Goodโ€™, 3 โ€˜Badโ€™)
– 19, 500 words (which averaged about 45-60 mins depending on reading speed)
– Personality defined by the player
– Romance and Friendship path
– When an ending is unlocked, the picture will show on the start screen so as you can easily see which endings you have completed if you want to get them all.

This is my first visual novel, and my first time ever putting up something for download and, even though I got a few people to test it out, there might still be a couple of errors.
I also couldnโ€™t test on Mac or Linux systems, so any feedback on those would be much appreciated.
If you experience any problems please let me know and, hopefully, I will be able to sort them and re-release if needed ๐Ÿ™‚

This visual novel is FREE in the hopes of encouraging people to try out this format if they haven’t done so before. Who knows, it might inspire you to try out some more? ๐Ÿ˜€

If you need any help, then just let me know through the comments, or you can email me – harliqueen at hotmail dot co dot uk

Download Links:

Windows:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/9ypxqb4cqzdy0b7/DivinginDeep-1.0-win.zip
Mac:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/sym8wqxcl3a0jpk/DivinginDeep-1.0-mac.zip
Linux:
http://www.mediafire.com/download/b2opz9y1y9opeco/DivinginDeep-1.0-linux.tar.bz2

Instructions:

1. Download .zip file.
2. Unzip the file to a destination of your choosing (your desktop is usually easiest).
3. Open the folder you extracted, and click on the application (there should be a little shell next to it, to indicate the correct application you need to click on).
4. Have fun! ๐Ÿ˜€

A New Challenge

Part of the reason I wanted to finish the first draft of my current novel by the end of February was because I knew I was participating in a challenge in March.

The challenge is NaNoRenNo.

It’s kind of like the normal NaNoWriMo, but instead of producing a 50,000+ novel, you produce a completed visual novel.

For those that don’t know what a visual novel is here’s the Wikipedia definition-

‘A visual novel is an interactive fiction game, featuring mostly static graphics, most often using anime-style art or occasionally live-action stills (and sometimes video footage). As the name might suggest, they resemble mixed-media novels.’

It’s a different kind of storytelling that instantly caught my interest for a few reasons:

1. Any form of storytelling is good with me ๐Ÿ˜€
2. I adore Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books.
3. I love gaming, so being able to take some aspects of it and add it to my own story is awesome!
4. Really being able to bring the story to life through both writing and art.

I’ve always had a dream of creating a comic, because of the mixture of writing and drawing- I love the two!- But I was never patient enough to complete a whole comic.

With visual novels I get to draw the art (though not anime-style as is usual), and also add more writing than I would in a comic. I am not even kidding about how perfect a medium that is for me ๐Ÿ˜€

So my project this month is to complete a visual novel, and see how it goes. Also, I will say that visual novels are something I hope to look into producing and selling along with my novels in the future.

For those interested, I will detail the visual novel I am producing below ๐Ÿ™‚

Sorry for the white backgrounds on the art, WordPress apparently doesn’t like transparent images!

TitleForum

When underwater archaeologist, Quinn, discovers an artifact in the ruins she is exploring just offshore, she doesnโ€™t realise the significance of it.
At least, not until she comes face to face with the owner of the artifactโ€ฆ who happens to have a tail.

Introduced to the world of the Merpeople, Quinn must keep the exciting discovery quiet in order to protect their secrets, all whilst dealing with new feelings that are stirring towards her merman guide, Merrik.
If that wasnโ€™t difficult enough, she must contend with the persistent interference of a dangerous treasure hunter searching for his next big prize.

And Quinn is all too aware that the Merpeople would be his perfect target.

Characters

quinnquinnuw
Quinn Lanton
The main character of this tale, a woman whose curiosity helps her to find the biggest discovery of all time, only to realise she must keep it a secret.

Her personality can be defined by the player through dialogue and action choices, which will affect the way characters react to her and the outcome of the ending.

merrik
Merrik
Merrik is happy to live his life in the safety of the sea, but meeting Quinn changes things.
Now the merman finds his position as Guardian of the artifact tested as he navigates through the world of humans and their greed for what does not belong to them.

waltonspritesg
Walton Huntley
An ex-archaeologist turned treasure hunter. His only interest is the next big prize and the fortune he could get for it.

The Artefact

Artefact

Diving in Deep is going to focus on romance (obviously ๐Ÿ˜€ It’s what I write!), but will also have a good amount of excitement and action so hopefully all can enjoy it! It will be FREE, so I’m hoping lots of people will be willing to try it out.

Though I realise this may not be the kind of thing some people would go for, I am hoping to open up this form of storytelling to those who might not even have known about it, and maybe get them to try out something new ๐Ÿ™‚

Is this something you’d be willing to try out? Does this interest you as a different form of story?

*This is a scheduled post, I will be back on Tuesday. Hope everyone has a brilliant weekend! :D*

Let’s Lighten the Mood

I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who commented on my post on Tuesday about not getting into my groove! It was a real boost to get so much encouragement and kinds words, also to know I’m not alone in my feelings on it!

Seeing as I had a heavy-ish post on Tuesday, I thought it would be nice to lighten the mood and wanted to share this link of a fun graphic I saw some time ago ๐Ÿ˜€

http://thewritingchimp.wordpress.com/2014/11/17/how-to-survive-a-relationship-with-a-writer/

It gave me a good chuckle, I hope it does for you too.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Valentine’s!

Hope everyone is having a lovely Valentine’s day, with or without someone.

If you’re with someone, then enjoy the love and romance!

If not, then don’t forget to love and pamper yourself! Maybe with a good romance book. The best people are fictional people anyway, right? ๐Ÿ˜‰

Just a quick post today, sorry haven’t been around much yet again. Hopefully next week will be back to a normal week and I can catch up properly!

Seeking Solace | Cover Reveal

For Books and Reading Thursday today I thought I would share the amazing cover of Callum McLaughlin’s upcoming poetry collection, which I am very much looking forward to. His poetry is… well, no other word but breathtaking!

Callum McLaughlin

Seeking Solace Seeking Solace

Iโ€™m incredibly excited to be able to share the cover for my newest book and first poetry collection, Seeking Solace. Iโ€™m really happy with how it turned out and hope you like it.

The book should be available in both Kindle and paperback formats within the coming week or so โ€“ I will of course keep you updated here on my blog.

Itโ€™s been a long time in the making and as much as Iโ€™m looking forward to having a neat, documented way to look back at a significant portion of my poems for my own benefit, I canโ€™t wait to also share it with anyone out there kind enough to spare their time to read what I have to say.

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On to 2015!

So, here we are- The beginning of a fresh New Year.

I hope everyone had a brilliant Christmas and a great start to 2015 ๐Ÿ™‚

I thought about doing a round up post for 2014, but when I look back on it I was pretty overwhelmed. Not only did I achieve so much that Iโ€™m proud of, but I met so many incredible new friends and authors!

In December I did sit down and think about where I was heading in 2015, and how I was going to get there. 2014 was great, but I will admit I was all over the place. It was my first year at writing, blogging, publishing, reviewing, etc!

This time around I feel a little calmer and organised about it all ๐Ÿ˜€ I have a good plan going forwards.

Last year I got caught up in trying everything and, though it was great to learn so much, I need a more streamlined approach going forwards.

I have a new blogging schedule planned, a better timetable for publishing my books, ideas for improving my writing, but the main thing that caught me last year and gave me unbelievable amounts of stressโ€ฆ

Marketing.

Ah, yes. Marketing.

It really was a hate/hate relationship. I didnโ€™t like doing it, you guys donโ€™t like reading or seeing it ๐Ÿ˜€

So, this year, I have decided to take a different strategy for it. I realise it has to be done, but why should it give me such intense grief as it did last year? So, I have a much better plan in store for that, which involves focusing much more on reviews and visual marketing, trying to make it more fun rather than a chore.

Before this turns into an essay, I will just say that I am back and raring to go for 2015! I think itโ€™s going to be an excellent year for us all!

I am gradually catching up with everyoneโ€™s blogs, which I have missed reading ๐Ÿ™‚

So, whilst I catch up and try to get back into the routine, I hope you all have a fantastic start to the New Year and have already made great progress!

How was Christmas? Did you have a good start to the New Year?

Taking a Break

I am officially putting my blog on hold. With so much going on at home, I have hardly had any time to post, so it seems like the right thing to do.

I will be back in the New Year refreshed and sorted and ready to go once again.

Until then, I hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas and a brilliant New Year!

Iโ€™ll see you all in 2015!

Yay for Friday!

Hey everyone, this week has felt like it has dragged really badly, so I’m thankful we finally reached Friday! ๐Ÿ˜€

Just a quick post today.

I had an awesome interview over Lit World Interviews, by RonovanWrites, why not go check it out? ๐Ÿ™‚

http://litworldinterviews.wordpress.com/2014/11/14/mishka-jenkins-interview-prophecy-of-stones/

Hope everyone has a great weekend and I will try to be around more next week! ๐Ÿ˜€

Apology!

Sorry I haven’t been commenting on blogs and my own comments as much lately! I hope to get back to normal next week ๐Ÿ™‚

I’m not in NaNo, but I’ve been having a real good time at writing recently! It’s pretty much consuming my time once again, even if it is only random things and not towards a particular project, it feels good to get back into it so much ๐Ÿ™‚

Have a great weekend!