Let’s get straight to it. There’s going to be a lot going on in the book and it may get a little overwhelming or just plain too fast. Just bear with me, you’ll love it (if you like spicy things happening to characters or deep story lines with plenty of detail about each character).
OK, so where’s the book?
So far, the first 34 pages are available for free. There will be a few buttons below that will take you to the pages. I don’t know how much to give away due to the fact that I actually want to put some money on it. I’m thinking around £5-£8. While it is somewhat short compared to a traditional novel, it is still quite a lot of effort produce. Plus, I might commission a few illustrations for it as well which will cost a bit.
An important note.
A rather large problem in society, especially in rural and under-developed countries, is the lack of awareness about mental illnesses. While more and more people are being educated about it, there is still a large gap that needs to be filled. I’m talking about the extremely large number of people who still have no clue of what ADHD is. So, hopefully, this book will help spread awareness about the reality of mental illnesses. I have tried to be as accurate as possible in the level of detail of all the numerous disorders mentioned.
On the less serious note, while the people who are aware of these illnesses usually try help out in any way they can, there is a bit of… uhh, how do I say this… prejudice. Some people hold beliefs about some mental illnesses such as NPD (mentioned in the book). I don’t mean symptoms, people with certain mental illnesses can act in ways that we are able to predict, hence, diagnostics. What I mean is what goes on in their head. Everyone will start to grow tired of a show-off, but what you don’t know is the fact that, that person was neglected as a child and was told “man up” when problems arose. Even when issues get out of control, that person is on his own and had to protect himself from people who wanted to exploit his weaknesses. Seeing the weaknesses as “fatal flaws”, the person develops a second and more confident personality, showing no weakness at all. In his/her quest to show strength, he/she tries to show off everything they have to offer, desperately trying to get the attention the he/she wanted as a child. Whoops, sorry, I got carried away. But you get the point, know what’s behind the mask before judging. There’s a bit proleptic irony for you! (The protagonist of the book wears a mask).
Meet the Characters!
Note: Acknowledge the fact that names aren’t revealed, only referenced to via traits.
I left the hands and feet out, I’m not a great artist. I haven’t done anything on it before. And since I am on a budget, they have been drawn using a mouse (and a lot of ctrl+z).
The protagonist
- Sex = Male
- Age = 16
- Height = 6’1
- Weight = 65kg
- Sexuality = Hetero
- Ethnicity = Hispanic
- Nationality = Brazilian
- Skin tone = fairly tanned
- Body build = Slim with surprisingly small waist
- Languages = English, speak and listen only portuguese
- Right handed
- Fitness = Not very strong but plenty power in dominant arm, can run 5k in around 35 mins. Resting heart rate at 69 bpm.
- Intellect = Extremely knowledgeable in designated fields, can run field analysis by simulating a situation in his head and deciding upon best courses of action (not applicable when emotional, e.g. enraged).
- Specialisation = Mechanical Engineering, Propulsion and life support
- Pain tolerance = Medium, affected by neural development, see notes
- Mental stability = Deteriorating, stable for the time being
- Likes = Engineering, medicine, darker conditions, video games, drum kit, sharks, carnivorous diets and cake
- Dislikes = Medicine, bright light (unless outdoors with sun), insects, needles, any sprout-like vegetables
- Notable details = It is mentioned that his mask is vital to him, you may also notice that he doesn’t wear it all the time. Energy levels are usually at low in the mornings, 3pm and late at nights. At these times, he can handle himself. His brain cells and neurons are much more developed and active, memory pathways open quickly, recollection of memories can be invoked by almost any stimuli and reflexes and motor movements are much quicker. This leaves his nerve endings a lot more sensitive causing pain to be much worse. But on the plus side, his skin is more sensitive to touch (wink, wink, nudge nudge!).
The girl
- Sex = Female
- Age = 16
- Height = 5’6
- Weight = 47kg
- Sexuality = Hetero
- Ethnicity = White
- Nationality = American
- Skin tone = Rather pale
- Body build = Very slim, underdeveloped but healthy
- Languages = English
- Ambidextrous
- Fitness = Quite weak in strength but can keep at activities for extended periods of time. Resting heart rate at 57 bpm.
- Intellect = Can latch onto subjects very quickly and learn key aspects about people incredibly fast. Able to notice even the smallest of body language that may signify lies or uneasiness. Can be rather forgetful of unimportant details.
- Specialisation = Music, pianist and singer
- Pain tolerance = Directly proportional to situational priority, see notes
- Mental stability = Extremely fragile (upon close analysis)
- Likes = Singing, piano, competitive games, being liked, being around caring people, taking the lead, freedom of will, romantic fantasies, pizza, cats and swords
- Dislikes = Losing, being alone, parents, being looked down upon (figuratively speaking), lack of attention, any bugs and hot days.
- Notable details = Her determination is quite extraordinary, if the situation demands it, she can shrug off injuries for short periods of time. Unfortunately, her isolated childhood has left her a little vulnerable and so her body isn’t very well developed in terms of muscles, however, her high metabolism and hyperactivity has allowed her to develop a strong circulation system, of course, with exercise, just not what would be required for a normal person.
20,000 Words 