31, Will you be writing today? How do you feel about your writing journey over the last year?
No, I won't write today, too busy.
The last year was better than any writing year I ever had, and that's thanks to the hashtags I play with. I got to know my characters really well, I got ideas, I saw other people's struggles and just felt good in this community. Which, in turn, was a great motivation for writing.
What are your thoughts on using real brand names in your writing?
In my writing, SF and Fantasy, I hardly use any. I hate it when people throw around luxury brand names or oodles of localized pop culture references. Common brands in contemporary fic are fine with me.
Do you have a favourite letter of the alphabet? How does it feature in your work?
They don't teach me but they make me think thoughts and have insights that without them may not have been there.
Can your MC/SC easily tell if someone is a good or a bad person?
Their world isn't that black and white. They give the benefit of the doubt at first meeting and judge by people's actions and what they say. There are means to find out though.
This wasn't really a deliberate decision or a plan. At some point I got tired of playing in other people's worlds and always having to think about copyright and book canon and stuff. So I decided to do it my own way, write my own worlds and canons. How difficult can it be, right?
😂 😂 😂 😂
168: Your MC has to go for a hike in the snow. Do they object?
Stevie has been traveling in the winter with snow on the ground. She would enjoy a hike in the snow, especially if the right people hike with her.
Robin wouldn't object either.
Do you name or number chapters? If you name them, how do you decide on a name?
I name chapters, but that's not final. The names give a brief idea what the chapter is about. It helps in case I want to shuffle something around. Also: I really like named chapters in books. IIf they have a table of contents it's easier to find the way if you don't read in one go.
And yes, I number them too. But only if I ever get to something resembling a finished draft.
Betrayal, especially from loved ones. And overwhelming exterior forces. It depens on the 'inner giving up' and the 'outer giving up' -- it also depends on the danger giving up presents. If giving up means death penalty, they will fight to the death. Otherwise they would lick their wounds and very likely start rebelling/plotting/fighting again. I don't know what it would take to destroy their spirit for good.
Given the magical people's general attitude towards flirting, kissing et al., they'd happily kiss everyone who stands under a mistletoe.
Connor, the only SC so far from our world, would fit right in.
Do you write sympathetic antagonists? Why or why not?
Not really, at least not in this WIP. They often have reasons for the way they act but that doesn't automatically make them sympathetic. I like a at least semi-evil antagonist my MCs can hate. 😁
If you could remove one rule of grammar, which would you choose?
English isn't my native language hence it'd feel presumptuous to consider changing grammar rules.
That said, language is a living, changing construct. These rules aren't set in stone and will change through (lack of) use over time or by some language keepers deciding on changed rules (as happened for German grammar during my lifetime). So, these rules may be there for a reason, but not forever.
Do you intend to read a book over Christmas/the holidays? What will you choose?
I have rediscovered the joy in binge reading again, mostly thanks to you all here, and your interesting books. I've started several series from writers here and will continue with them, really looking forward to it. I'll also read the free books that were so generously provided by writers here. I'll be busy. I'm not telling whose books. They'll get my reviews but not under this name.
Does your MC look more toward the future or the past?
They're both young, their focus is on the future. Since their Mum died and their old home and life are lost to them, at least for now, they do think about the past a lot too. Perhaps more than they'd normally do at their age.
165: If your MC has a love interest ... cuddling up in front of the fireplace on a snowy night with that special someone?
Stevie has a love interest now and they'd both love to do that, and will do that although likely off-screen.
Robin doesn't feel like romance atm, but if he had a love interest, he'd be into that as well. Romantic or not, cuddling up in front of a fireplace with a friend, a pet, or a warm blanket smply feels good too.
Have you ever removed a favorite scene for the plot?
Only one? 😁
Before pantsing I removed scenes that were planned but bored me into sleep. After pantsing I got scenes that were fun to write but don't really do anything for the plot.
Edit: I forgot the favourite part... the boring ones aren't favourites, the fun-to-write ones are though.
SC POV: Write a quick "Thank You" note to someone.
Ellida,
Thank you so much for another great Year End Festival and your outstanding hospitality. I will miss our chats and the comfort you know to provide so well.
And my troupe tells me to give you hugs and kisses and many thanks.
Until we meet again
Thaleya (directress of the Cirque d'Argent)
161: Do your characters seek glory and accolades, or do they favor a simpler, more personal life?
The MCs and the important-ish SCs don't need glory or accolades. Having done their work well is enough. Praise is welcomed as long as it is honest, encouraging, and not over the top.
A few of them are performers and they love the applause.
The antagonist must have glory and accolades.
Share a great review/message/compliment your writing got. If you haven’t received it yet, what would you like people to notice about your writing?
In fanfic people sometimes asked why my stories weren't more popular. This brought on a smile because they liked it, and a shrug because I never was and never will be in any kind of 'in' crowd.
Have you ever wanted to give up writing? What helped you to continue?
Yes. I started writing because I told some ideas to someone else many years ago and told them they could use them if they wanted to. I knew nothing back then. The answer was: have plenty ideas of my own, write it yourself. That's how it started, I always enjoyed it but I'm not driven. And over the years, when I produced crappy story after crappy story I did consider to let it be. I'm still writing.
159: So far, what part of your WIP was the most fun to write?
That varies, it's mostly the unexpectd 'writing magic' that makes twists and turns without me planning them. And every scene with dragons in it, and the romantic parts.
Whom am I kidding. Writing this whole thing has been and still is great fun. I don't know if anyone ever gets to read it, but I love where it takes me.