Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Die Horribly Winner! (And finishing a book)

I have just pressed SEND.

By pressing SEND, I have emailed off the completed book to my agent and editor. It will now be sent to the copyeditor who, amongst other things, will be checking for grammar and spelling mistakes that I've missed but, more importantly, will be ensuring that everything I've written makes sense.

She will be checking facts and figures and timelines, scouring her notes on the other books to make sure I haven't contradicted myself... A good copyeditor in invaluable, and I have a great one.

It's done. I wrote the two Scapegrace chapters that I'd left until last. Oh, and I ALSO included the winner of the Die Horribly competition...



It took me until last night to pick a winner. I was sent 30 finalists out of everyone who entered. Of those 30, I quickly whittled it down to 15. Then, not so quickly, down to 10. Then it took me ages to narrow it down to 5. Then 3.

There were some great entries. Lots of funny reasons why people reckoned they should be the reader I pick to kill horribly in the book. But I needed something specific. I needed something that would fit in with what I'd written. And there was only one reader who fit PERFECTLY.

So congratulations to Lewis Holmes, from the UK. You shall have the distinct honour of being Horribly Killed in The Dying of the Light.



Lewis' death was the last thing I had to write. Now it's all over. Sure, I'll be sent the copyeditor's notes to approve, and there'll be a little more fiddling around between now and printing time, but...

... but it's over. I have finished writing Skulduggery Pleasant.

I think I need to lie down now.

4,942 comments:

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Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

*sighs*
*moves into a corner*
*slides down the wall slowly*
*bangs her head against it once*
*hangs her head over her knees*
One mighty fine screw up is what I am.

Anonymous said...

(I like exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*hugs*)

Star Inkbright said...

Don't say that, Silente.
Don't ever say that.
It's not about whether or not you fall. We all fall. What matters is the getting back up again.

(#ChaosWalking)

Star Inkbright said...

(@Dugglyn: I realised! :P
:))

Unknown said...

...

*Tries to say something*
*And then everything comes out as messy, blubbery tears*

Anonymous said...

*a soft mist slides between the bars*
*it solidifies next to Silente*
You are not a screw up! You are an amazing friend! You got Sam a body and a house!

Anonymous said...

((Nothing says all is good in the world like exclamation points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!))

Star Inkbright said...

Aw, Sam . . . :( *hugs*
It's okay.
Cry if you want to, but . . .
It's okay. You don't have to be sad.

Anonymous said...

Aww Sam...!
Remember what Star said, think of all the good things she did for you. Everyone does horrible things. You might do something horrible later, you never know!

Unknown said...

*Hiccups*

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, we only have 132 comments left!!! Oh the horror!!!!!!!!

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

((sorry, food.))
Yeah. A body that I hurt and a house she hid in from me. Great friend aren't I.
*sighs*
Screw up.

Anonymous said...

Brb I need food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

((here we go is the next free blog btw))

Star Inkbright said...

@Silente: Everyone screws up.
At least she had somewhere to hide.
And if you judged how good a friend I was on my reliability, I think I would have no friends.

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

((your reliable star! Sort of..))

*gets up*
Sam?

Unknown said...

...

Gowway.

*Suddenly remembers crying before*
*Realizes what tears are, and are for*
...
*Bursts into fresh tears*
*She's useless*
*Not a real person*
*She couldn't even figure out what tears are for*

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

Sam. Please.
*clutches the bars bending them slightly*
Sam..

Star Inkbright said...

((@Silente: . . .
whut
u dont no me))

*hugs Sam* It's okay. It's okay. I'm sorry.

((Why we all so SAD??????? D:))

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

((i might not know you but your still reliable. I can rely on you to cheer me up when we're both on. I can rely on you to challenge my views. And to make awesome word art. I rely on you lots. But in little ways.))

Unknown said...

*Sniffles, and wipes at the weird fluid coming from her nose*

Wha... Whaddya want?

Star Inkbright said...

((@Silente: Wow.
. . .
Wow.
Now I need to work out how to say that to Silente in context. O_O
Thank you. *virtually hugs*
Wow.
*impressed*))

Star Inkbright said...

@Sam: Whatever you want.
Um.
. . .

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

I want to say sorry. I...what happened...that....I mean...
*sighs*
I'm sorry okay. That's all. I understand if you hate me. In fact I expect that. Just...know that I'm sorry.

Unknown said...

*Violently trembles*

*She doesn't know what to say*
*God, but she wished she knew what to say*
*But she doesn't*
*So she remains silent, not wanting to sound more stupid than she already has*

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

*nods*
Okay. Right.
*sighs and let's go of the bent bars*
*there are finger grooves in them now*
*walks to the bed and slumps down on it*

Unknown said...

*Quietly sits in a corner, rocking back and forth*
*Barely understanding how emotions work*
*And hating herself for it*

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

*wishes she wasn't in a cell*
Sam. I know your probably confused. And defiantly hurt. And I know you probably don't want to talk to me right now. But I just, it wasn't fair. For me to do what i did. I can't justify it. And I can't take it back. I can't even promise it won't happen again. But I can say sorry. I know, sorry doesn't help. Sorry doesn't wipe your memories. Or make you feel better. And the word itself is over used. But i am. I really. Truely. Am. And in all honesty I hope you never trust me again. That way I can't hurt you as easily.

Unknown said...

*Keeps silent*

...

*Sneezes*

I...

*Gulps, as her nail, or lack of one, suddenly feels as though it is on fire*

*Bites her lip*

...

I forgive you.
I guess.

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

You...you do?
*gets up*
*moves to the bars again very quickly*
*smiles*
Thank you! Sam I- thank you.
Hey let me look at your hand minute.

Unknown said...

*Shakes her head, clutching the hand to her chest*

It'll heal on its own.

Anonymous said...

Hhheeerrrrreeee cccccoooooommmmmmmeeeesssss tttthhhhhheeee suuuunnnnnn!!!!!
Deodorant
Hhheeerrrrreeee ccccooommmmmeeeeeeessssss sssuuuuuuuunnnnnn
And I say
It's alright!!!!!!!!!!!!_!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BE HAPPPPYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

Please Sam. Let me fix what I broke. I can do it.

Anonymous said...

Darn auto correct!!!! I mean really?!?! Deodorant?!?!?! I meant dodododo!! Not deodorant!!! Oh my!!

Anonymous said...

Happy happy happy, hyper hyper hyper, crazy crazy crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here comes the Sun!!!!!

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

((in all fairness deodorant does fit..))

Anonymous said...

*bursts out in a maniac laugh*
Haha.....here comes the Sun.... Deodorant!! Hehehehehehehehe..............

Unknown said...

*Continues to shake her head*
Thanks, Sil, but no thanks...

Dragona Pine said...

Hello.

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

Well. Okay then. I won't make you let me. That's rude.
*smiles*
So, uh, how are you? I mean other than...yeah....

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

Hey Sophia.
*waves*
*moves back to painting*
*using a dark blue now*
*painting between the lines she's already done*

Unknown said...

Hey, Dragona.

I'm... *Wipes at her eyes*

Well. I'll be fine, later.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dragona/Sophia!!!!!!!!!! I'M a maniac!!!!!!!!!
Mawhahahahahahahahahahaha
Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha
Hehehehheheehehehehehheheehheeheeh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Sun Sun Sun, here it comes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here comes the Sun
Dodododododododo
here comes the Sun
And I say
It's alright!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'd like to be
Under the sea-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

Dugglyn. I believe this is yours.
*has a zombie catapiller on her hand*
They're escaping.

Dragona Pine said...

*tilts head*

What the hell is wrong with you?

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

Hey Sam what's your favorite animal?

Anonymous said...

Soooooooooooo......
HOW BES YOUS?!?!??!?!?!.!?!?
I am good thank you, and you
Oh I am great thank you, how are you
Fantabulous!!! Thanks and you
Amazing!!!!! Thanks and you....


..
...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

What the hell is wrong with who Sophia?

Anonymous said...

*takes the zombie caterpillar from Silente*
They're not escaping!!!!!!

Dragona, were you talking tome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????!?!?!?!?
If so, everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hahahahahehehehhohohohhahahahehehhehgohohohoh_!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dragona Pine said...

I was asking Dugglyn. Considering there's only one person being crazy at the moment.

Anonymous said...

*looks at zombie caterpillar on her hand*
why were you on Silente, sweety?
Zombie caterpillar: I want brains!!
Me: oh, ok. You may attack one random person!
Random person: not me!!!
*caterpillar jumps onto him and goes up his nose*
Me: there you go little guy!!
Random person: ahhhhgggg!!!

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

She went to have food then came back hyper.
*paints*
Whats your favorite animal Sophia?

Anonymous said...

*looks at Dragona*
*puts on an innocent face that really looks creepy*
Oh, I'm fine honey! Why? Am I scaring you!?! If so I apologize!!!!
Bwahahahahahahahaha Mwahahahahahaa!!!!!!!!-

Unknown said...

Hm...

I dunno. There are so many animals...

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

*looks at Sam*
Hmm..ah I have an idea. Yeah.
*taps finger tips together*
*twists so that her plans are hidden*
*smiles and opens her hand*
*throws to ball to the outside of the bars*
*when it hits the ground it becomes a baby fox*
*there's a glowing sigil on its back*
*it allows you to interact with it*
Yeah. That's nice. For you.

Anonymous said...

*random person jerks Athens falls down*
Random person: help me.....
Me: my minions need to eat!!
*the random person jerks once more then becomes still*
*the caterpillar crawls back out his nose*
Me: better?
Zombie caterpillar: yes thanks!
*the random person starts shaking violently*
*he get shorter and thinner and hairyer*
*suddenly he is a zombie caterpillar*
Me: Hello new recruit!
Zombie caterpillar 2: Hello master! I am proud to be at your service!!!!
Me: aww! Thank you!! Go do your caterpillary stuff now!! This zombie caterpillar will show you what to do!
* points to caterpillar that was on Silente*
*the caterpillars walk off*
Me: bye guys!!

Anonymous said...

**and

((Be back in 10-30!))

Unknown said...

*Scuttles back, staring at the fox*

... What is it?

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

*looks at Sam*
It's a baby fox..don't you like it? Would you prefer a monkey or a diffrent animal?
*looks at the fox*
I though you might like it..

Unknown said...

*Blinks*

Never seen one before. ..

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

*the baby fox trots towards Sam*
You haven't? Oh well, tada. If you want a different animal then..
*shrugs*

Unknown said...

...

Does it bite?

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

No. Well that one won't. Real ones might.

Baby fox: *nudges Sam's hand with its nose hesitantly* *sniffs her* *licks her hand*

Dragona Pine said...

*laughs* It's a bloody baby fox. What harm do you think it could do?

Unknown said...

*Frowns at Sophia*

Hey, I've never see-
*Almost jumps as the fox licks her hand*
SILENTE WHAT IS IT DOING.

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

Hey don't be mean Sophia!
*glares from behind the bars*
Its not her fault. If you met a new animal you wouldn't know if it was dangerous.
*walks nearer the bars*
*looks at the ones she accidently bent earlier*
*focuses back on Sophia*
What brings you to my humble abode?

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

It's licking you.

Baby fox: *nudges Sam's hand again* *sniffs around Sam* *climbs onto Sam's lap* *sniffs her some more*

Dragona Pine said...

*folds arms* If I met a new animal and it looked dangerous, the moment it tried to hurt me I'd shoot it.

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

Well your just mean.
*folds arms swells*
Why are you here?

Unknown said...

*Sits completely stiff*
SILENTE I THINK I'D APPRECIATE IT IF YOU'D GET RID OF THE FAX OR WHATEVER.

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Hello?

Dragona Pine said...

(Hey Rhydian! How are you?)




*looks at Silente*

I need a reason?

Trip Castalan, Lord of The Hobbits, The Fourth Most Popular Folk/Parody Banana Thief In The Land said...

Herrrroooww!

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

(Hey dragona! I'm good! What about you?)

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Hello Trip! how are you?

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(hey rRhydian how are you?)

Baby Fox: *sits* *fades* *disappears*

*looks at Sophia*
Well your stood outside my cell talking to me. So yes. You need a reason.

Dragona Pine said...

(I'm fine, thanks.)


(Hey Trip! How are you?)

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(hey trip! How are you?)

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

hey Sil! How are you?

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

"Stay here and protect Meg" - Castiel

"Since when do I need protecting?" - Meg

"Since you were held captive and tortured for over a year" - Castiel

"Touche"- Meg



SO MANY MEGSTIEL FEELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(@rhdi I asked first.)

Trip Castalan, Lord of The Hobbits, The Fourth Most Popular Folk/Parody Banana Thief In The Land said...

(I'm fine thanks. How are you guys?)

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

"Deep down, in parts you never let see the light of day, you wanna live a long normal life away from creepy old things like me" - Meg

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

((I'm good Sil! So...howaboutyou?

And I'm good trip!))

Dragona Pine said...

*smiles at Silente*

I never realised it was "your" cell. It belongs to the American Sanctuary, you are just the occupant. And that's only because I arrested you. So I can do what the hell I want.

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Sorry for Megstiel quotes and spam......It is literally the best ship/OTP in the world

Unknown said...

*Sighs*

Phew.

I think it was planning on eating me.

Trip Castalan, Lord of The Hobbits, The Fourth Most Popular Folk/Parody Banana Thief In The Land said...

*walks down the corridor holding a large IKEA box*

Hey! Silente! I brought you a housewarming gift!

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

(fine thanks!)

And the only reason you got me was because you went back on your word. So bite me bitch.
*goes back to painting the wall*
*completely ignoring Sophia now*

Trip Castalan, Lord of The Hobbits, The Fourth Most Popular Folk/Parody Banana Thief In The Land said...

Oh! Rhydian! Remember Hide?

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

What's going on?

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Yes I do Trip....What about it? Is it about the sudden stop of it?

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

You did what Trip?! I wasn't aware I'd moved in. I was under the understanding I'd be out soon.
*turns to trip anyway*
*sees the IKEA box*
Is it a wolf? Oh please tell me its a wolf!

Fabi S. - Fashion-Conscious Fire Wraith said...

Baby fox...

Dimitri...

I remember...

Anonymous said...

You may all stop crying now for Dugglyn the wild banshee ninja maniac who has gone crazy has returned!!!!!!!!

Dragona Pine said...

Is it my fault for doing my job, or is it yours for giving me the opportunity, Silente? You were never going to escape me. I'd have pursued you to the ends of the earth - even beyond - if I had to. I bring criminals in every single day. People who are more skilled, more successful, and more dangerous than you. You were merely an annoyance. An annoyance I swatted like a fly.

Trip Castalan, Lord of The Hobbits, The Fourth Most Popular Folk/Parody Banana Thief In The Land said...

Kind of. Over the past six months or so I've been working on a plot for it, and I think I'm pretty much there. I was just wondering if you'd mind if I wrapped it up.

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Sorry, from what I Can tell, Silente is in prison...Why? What's going on?

Anonymous said...

We all live in yellow submarine!!_!
Everyone in Blogland lives in a yellow submarine!!!!!!! Sky of blue and sea of green!!! Haha!!!!!!!!!
Did you all like the story I wrote about the zombie caterpillar?!?!
You know, the one that went up a random person's nose and turned them into a zombie caterpillar!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Plot? Wrapping it up? TELL ME EVERYTHING!!!! (Over emial of course, don't want spoilers leaking out lol :P)

Dragona Pine said...

Rhydian, I arrested her for multiple counts of kidnapping and torture.

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

Silente...What have you done? Kidnapping and torture? Please tell me this isn't recent

Anonymous said...

Silente is Masky! She tortured Sam, Zafira, and I. So now she is in prison. It's very simple!
And now we all live in a yellow submarine!!!!!!!

Lewis Ravenscroft / Rhydian Blake said...

I KNEW you were Masky! *feels betrayed* I thought that all of that was behind you? *turns away* I can't even look at you Sil

Anonymous said...

It is very recent Rhydian. Have you read back? It's there.
I'd like to be under the sea in an octopuses garden!!

Anonymous said...

Yeah...
Imagine how it feels for Sam, Zaf, and I?
*shudders at the memory of the torture*

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

*moves to the bars as a blur and stops just before them*
Now listen to me. I don't care that you managed to arrest me. I don't even care that you went back on your word. I don't care that you are sick enough to tell a suicidal person you will kill them then instead arrest them. But don't, not even for a a second, underestimate me. Because that is something I do care about. You can burn in the deepest pits of hell for what you've done. And I'll be right there beside you, pushing you into the flames.

Unknown said...

Things are getting interesting around here :D

Anonymous said...

*a thick mist separates them*
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold it right there. Silente, you did horrible things. Sophia, you did horrible things. You both did horrible things. Just let it go!
Let it go! Let it go! Can't hold it back anymore!!

Anonymous said...

Rant they always, Rhydian!!!?!?!?!?
My eyes are slowly melting!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

**aren't

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

*lays in a ball*

Dragona Pine said...

I am not underestimating you. I am stating a fact. You can think whatever you bloody want about my methods. But I get results. I do whatever is necessary to get results. Which included deceiving you. And you were stupid enough to think that I would have mercy for a kidnapper and a torturer.

Unknown said...

Hey Zaffy! How are you?

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

Rhydian...
*looks at his back*
*snaps*
You know what fine! Be upset! Be that way! I don't even care anymore! Carry on judging me! Just don't expect me to give a damn.

Unknown said...

((Hmmmm.....Should Remi get Sil out or not....Hmmm))

Anonymous said...

*the talking mist solidifies and rolls around on the ground laughing hysterically*
Let it go!!!!! Let it go!!!!!!!!!

Dragona Pine said...

(Rhydian - she's in the custody of the American Sanctuary. Plus whoever tries will probably get shot so... :P)

Unknown said...

Sil....I'm not judging you. I just want to know why you did it. Tbh, it changes very little. It was just a shock. Why did you do it Sil...?

Unknown said...

((Remi isn't a well-liked character Dragona :P so it really wouldn't matter))

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

And you!
*points at Sophia*
*just turns away and lays back on the bed*

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

Hmmm....

Anonymous said...

So..... how are everyone's eyeballs???????
Please answer it is very important!!!!! We only have a couple more comments left!! Where do we talk after that!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!

Queen Flora Ophelia of the Flowers; Leader of the New Land of Stickers; Prophet of the New Order; General of the Shadow People said...

Hellooo :)

not really here - I'm eating pizza

but I just read this post aloud to my mum (she also reads the books) and now I'm an emotional wreck inside
gaaaahhhh

why does it have to endddd :(

Unknown said...

FLORA!....Yo. pizza is awesome :P so how are you?

Anonymous said...

Hello Flora!!! I'm Dugglyn!!!! I have zombie caterpillars!!!!! They go up people's noses and eat their brains!!!! How are your eyeballs!?!?!??!?!!?,

Unknown said...

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?postID=102936176654140727&blogID=1104475307058729066&isPopup=true&page=17#form




We transfer here once this place is full. And my eyes are fine thanks Dugglyn

Anonymous said...

Oh, thank you so much Rhydian!!!!!! Someone realizes that I am here!!!!!!! :D I'm glad your eyeballs are good!!!!!

Jai (Silente Tempest - St Of Sinners) said...

((on the here we go Blog Dugglyn.))

I don't have to explain myself to you Rhydian. I just did it. And you know what. I even enjoyed it. Yep that's right. I enjoyed torturing them. It. Was. Fun.

Unknown said...

me and Corvo have theory about the end of SP and the new books.....Well technically it's my theory, Corvo just agreed

Unknown said...

@Dugglyn: SO AM I!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

@Sil: OK. Everybody needs a hobby right? I'm not judging you, because I'm not a hypocrite

Queen Flora Ophelia of the Flowers; Leader of the New Land of Stickers; Prophet of the New Order; General of the Shadow People said...

Ugh, and now I'm listening to the TFIOS soundtrack.
I'm so self-destructive. GAH.


also, hello those that said hello! How're you?
@Rhydian: I'm good thanks! :D you?

Anonymous said...

You enjoyed it!!?!?!?!?!?! Are you really sorry?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Unknown said...

@Flora: I'm good! Bored irl though.

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

I'll go tweet Derek...

Anonymous said...

I am good, Flora!!!!!!!!!!! My eyeballs are melting!!!!!! Melting!!!!!!! How are your eyeballs!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

Ooh I gonna try for lasty

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

DYNAMITE

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

Boom

Zanida Laufeydottir Queen of Asgard (Zafira Kerias) said...

Boom

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