Illusions Of Your Fantasy

End of NaNoWriMo

2011-12-11T13:27:00.001-06:00

Hi guys! Sorry for the long wait between posts. November, as per usual, was pretty much utter hell. (And now I'm ankle-deep in finals week! Blah, college.) I did finish my 50k word count (hoorah!), but I didn't finish The Ram because I am an utter derp. I'm close, though. So close I could taste it. ...Well not quite that close, but I'm close! I think it's down to what, two plot points? Yeah, that sounds right. And one of them is fight-related! I can go through fight scenes in ten seconds flat, y'all.

I also got a new story idea! ...Which is a bad thing, actually, since I'm already struggling and failing to balance four fucking stories (The Ram, WHIPLASH!, Ree Majors' Wonderful Journey, and Engel der Wache). Engel der Wache is very much a background thing, and WHIPLASH! has been shoved waaaay back onto the backburner, but it's still not easy. I don't think very many authors can balance that many successfully. I sure can't. Advice: don't do that!

I've also decided to reopen my writer advice blog, but there's nothing there yet. I'm not sure what to make the first post about just yet, but I'll probably write it over winter break. Since, y'know, I'll have that silly thing called "free time" again. And I'll finish that marketing thing soon! Promise!

What Time Is It? NaNo Time!

2011-10-28T23:23:00.001-05:00

Hey guys! I updated the site. In shades of red! JUST IN TIME FOR NANOWRIMO. (y'know, 'cause it's like blood and what better way to get a boosted wordcount than by killing characters)

You may also notice that I reworked the page layouts. All of the stories still have their own pages! They're just not on that top bar anymore. Otherwise, I would rapidly run out of room up there, and this way, people can easily ignore my fanfiction or original works (why would you do that) and pick and choose. No more luring in with fancy or intriguing titles.

So guys, who's excited for NaNoWriMo? I'm chillin' right over here and I'm using the month to finish The Ram and start on The Owl. Fun times! Right now, though, I'm struggling just to get one last chapter of RMWJ done before november, especially since I missed last week's update. Sigh. I'd also love to get a chapter of The Ram done before november, just so I can start a new document (I'm neurotic when it comes to such things) with the new chapter and wouldn't have to count like, half the words. Because that would just be silly. Good news is that it'll be a longer chapter, and we'll get past two very important plot points. Bad news is that Tuesday is misbehaving again. She knows what awaits her. Sigh again.

Though for all the uninformed, it's a good thing when your characters misbehave, trust me. It means they have enough life to know what they want, and those are the types of characters that are generally believable and not necessarily liked, but respected.

I'm not sure how much I'll really post during november, but if I do, it'll likely be little progress things. Nothing special. Come december/the new year, however, I'd like to start posting here more often again! And I'd like to do some actual, you know, blog posts. Not all just narcissistic stuff about me. I've been writing for a good many years now, despite my age, so I know a thing or two. Also, I'm getting a unique sort of degree and education that's quite suited for story writing! So I can offer some different perspectives. I know for sure I'd like to write up a couple posts on gender, main characters, tragic backstory, and psychological themes. Oh, and on worldbuilding and languages! Because I have made mistakes there, that's for sure. Learn from mine, young skittens, and do not repeat them.

So I'll see you guys whenever! Have a fun nanowrimo, all! ;3

NaNoWriMo Post The First + Mock Book Trailers

2011-10-16T14:55:00.000-05:00

Hey guys! Well, less than half a month to go to NaNoWriMo. Fun times!

I've pretty much given up on getting The Ram completely finished by then, so I'm basically gonna get as much done as I can beforehand, and use some of my words to completely finish it up. And then I'll start the last in the trilogy with the rest of my words!

Since it was a couple years ago now, I bet y'all didn't know that I made a mock book trailer for The Rook! You can view it here. I'm not a master movie maker, but I'm rather proud of it, haha. Mock book trailers were very in that year.

I tried making one for The Ram, but it fell short. Just didn't happen. This year, however, I managed to scrape together one for the last in the trilogy! I'm not sure anyone's noticed, but I haven't actually said the last title in the trilogy yet. But since it's nanowrimo season, since it's coming closer, and since I have a trailer for it, may as well toss it out to the internet.

The last title in The Rook series is "The Owl"! And you can view its trailer here. I used the same song as The Rook's trailer, but with different parts, and sort of the same overall theme. Because it's what I do and I like matching things.

I'll still throw up an actual preparations post closer to november, but I thought I'd share those little things first. :> Though please, be aware of some minor spoilers, mostly by implication (and don't you dare pause that trailer during the words part! :c). That's also the reason why I kept the title under wraps. Because title characters are important.

Non-Marketing Ploy

2011-10-06T15:05:00.000-05:00

I know I said I'd have the next post be a "part two" of sorts in the marketing thing, but I'm sorry! I haven't even started it and yeah.

I've finished Pedestal! It's been an incredibly long-running - well, okay, shush, two and a half years is a long time for someone my age - and well-loved fanfiction, and I'll miss it terribly. Except not yet, because I'm simply glad to be done with that beast of an epilogue. I like epilogues. They're neat. But not when they take a month to write.

On a hilarious and random note, fanfiction of a fanfiction - no, wait, fanfiction of two fanfictions! That's even better. There is a Pedestal (mine) / Regret (Crukix) crossover being written by another person. It has both of our blessings, and what I know of the plot, it's gonna be a fun ride. It's called Memento if you'd like to check it out.

I'm also working on finishing up The Ram. Don't you look at me with those judging eyes, I'm working as fast and as hard as I can!It's just slow. Not only do I have to get used to third person again, but an entirely different tone and cast. But on the upside, not a lot left of the story! Thank god.

I also started a short story fanfiction titled Engel der Wache. It's Adventure Time fanfiction detailing the Great Mushroom War, but mostly is set around how the Guardian Angel character came to be. Also, now with 20% more Lich and candy. You know you want to read it. (It's a short enough story that I'm not going to put a page for it on this site. That's donated to my bigger projects.)

Anyway, yeah. I'll do that other marketing post eventually! Probably once The Ram is finished, then I'll be all hyped to up do some marketin'! (read: not)

On a semi-related note: WHO'S READY FOR NANOWRIMO? :D Closer to november, I'll probably throw out a short post detailing my project for it. Last in The Rook series, woohoo!

Why You Ought To Own The Rook

2011-09-22T14:10:00.001-05:00

Or: A Tale of How Not To Market Your Book

I'm giving this marketing thing a try, because the most I ever do to advertise any of my writing is leave a link here or there. That and tell my friends to tell their friends. Not sure how well that's working out, actually (but it is a sound method! just don't let it be your only method).

To get your book, your name, your title, what have you, to get your thing out there, you have to have a certain amount of confidence and aggression about it. Don't be afraid of being annoying. Post in forums if you wanna maintain some anonymity or reach a ton of strangers. It's not a great technique, but who knows? You could snag a couple readers here and there. (I think that's one of the important things. Getting readers where you can. They may come from unexpected sources - trust me, I don't want my grandma to read The Rook but she liked it anyway - but always encourage them.) Everyone else is trolling forums with links and pictures and posts, anyway, so why not add to all the noise?

I mean, everyone knows the basics. Tell your friends. Tell your classmates. Tell your family. Tell your in-laws. Tell your pets. Tell your study buddies, babysitter, children, teachers, bosses, coworkers, underlings, facebook creepers, and twitter followers. Throw yourself and your book out there! You may get criticized for it, and you may get ignored. But you may also get praised and drum up some readership. ...Actually, maybe not the facebook creepers. They probably already know about your book, anyway.

Tell all those aforementioned people to tell their friends and family and coworkers and who knows who else! Six degrees of separation, my skittens. Foist your book upon enough people and it may just sit in J.K. Rowling's library one day. Or Suzanne Collins'. Or Stephen King's. Or Stephanie Meyer's. (By the by, how do you think they got famous? Besides having known names and really kickass agents, I'm guessing. They get their books out there! With help, granted, but who's to say you can't get help, too?)

It also depends on how your book is put forth, too. A book that is only available online would have to be marketed a bit different than a book that you could go down to a bookstore (not borders! /cry) and pick up off the shelf. And yes, it is slightly embarrassing to tell people that no, you can't buy your book at a bookstore. Don't you know what self-publishing is? Only online, grandma. Just have mom buy it for you.

I am far from a marketing, writing, publishing, anything guru. Far from it. But perhaps, that lets me be a little more helpful. I've stumbled through this, just like I bet a lot of you have or will. I'm not making beaucoup bucks off my writing. I'm still doing this not as a career. So I could probably help people with what little I know, right? At the very least, it can be a place to start. So, skitty, where do we start? You start BEFORE the book is done. (Or even written.)

But - wait - why then? I'm still busy writing the damned thing! I don't have time to tell people to buy it when it's not even done yet!

Good points! But it doesn't mean you can't drum up interest and anticipation. If you're using NaNoWriMo as a kickstart to your novel, for example, utilize the forums there! Fill out your author profile and fill in tons about your book. If nothing else, random strangers trolling around the site would be able to see a snippet and/or a quick synopsis. On the internet, you can't really control who can and can't see your public information, so why not just let it be? Throw it out there and get it to as many anons as possible! Link people to your NaNoWriMo profile. I've found that a LOT of people misunderstand what it's actually about, but they can see a summary, an excerpt, and that handy little progress bar. What more do they need? They don't have to understand it to cheerlead for you.

The internet age is a grand one, but it does have its downfalls. Then again, use it, too! Use all the world to your advantage! Facebook and Twitter (or google+, or myspace, or tumblr, or livejournal, whatever your cup of tea is!) are great ways to get your book out to a lot of people with not a whole lot of effort. Sure, you lose the ability to individually tailor your sell to each person, but it's all about snagging a couple readers wherever you can get them. Post links to your facebook profile! Pimp it out in your twitter! Don't ignore these easy marketing ploys. Really. Don't be like me and be embarrassed about your writing; you will get nowhere with that attitude. (And don't be like me and resist posting on facebook because of that one person who you don't want to read your writing.)

Where else do you frequent on the internet? What other big forums that are fairly creativity-friendly do you check in on daily? It doesn't have to be a writing site, although those are generally more sympathetic to your plans. (But remember, they're also out there to promote their own writing too, half the time. Sometimes, it's a good idea to trade - you read mine, I'll read yours - but not for everyone.) FictionPress.com, FanFiction.net, LiveJournal, TvTropes (although be VERY careful in perusing that site. or not. I'll see you in a week.), and even more art-centric sites like deviantArt and tumblr are also pretty easy ways to drum up some interest. Post a link to your book as your 'homepage'. Put links in your journals, profiles, whatever is available and freely available to the public. The internet is a vast series of tubes, and those tubes are full of cats, but they could also be full of your story. Just so long as you don't push out the cats. I like them.

Now, onto non-internet-related ways to market your new book. Friends and family are invaluable here. Personally, my mom has been a huge help. She's been helping to sell books to just about anyone she knows, and she does it with no small amount of massively embarrassing pride. Relatives are also good targets! Remember, they're your kin. Guilt them into it if you have to. But use them! Tell them to recommend it to friends and coworkers.

Want to know a surprising gift from getting relatives to read it? New audiences. My aunt read my book, and she happens to be a teacher. Now it seems like several german classes in Douglas, Wyoming are quite enamored with my book. Use that sort of thing! Teachers, nurses, students, accountants - there are lots of careers these days that connect you to a lot of people. Use that! You don't have to thrust the book in their face, but just a mention. "Oh, my cousin wrote a book... I just got done reading it..." They don't even have to like it to help you, really.

There are perks to where you live, of course. And people you know, or people your close friends and family members know. Don't waste these, either. I come from a pretty unpopulated neck of the woods, and it seems as if my family has been around here since the dark ages. There are two small towns in this state I can't go to without tripping over distant relatives or neighbors. This is a great way to get the word out there, too! Yes, these are miniscule towns that you will never find on any map, probably. But they're people. They're potential readers. And they have friends and family outside that little town, too, I'm betting. It's like a spider web.

Speaking of local politics and how you can work them to your advantage, if you come from a smaller town, use this to your advantage as well! After all, it's not every day they get a brand new author in their midst. Contact the local newspaper, see if you can get an article. Donate a copy or two to the local library. (That's another thing - you may not always make money off of your books. But getting your name out there is just as important. ESPECIALLY if you plan on continuing writing.) If you can get an interview on the local news, all the more power to you! (Note: I did not do any of these things except donations to several libraries. I am shy, and it sucks, especially since a couple of these were offered. Do NOT let your shyness get hold of you! You are amazing and talented and you just wrote a book! Let the world know!)

So now that I've offered some pretty common sense and basic advice, I'll just end Part One here. The second part will mostly be me trying (and failing, most likely! :D) to write a good "sell" for The Rook. Think of it more as an example than anything else. ...Unless, you know, you'd want to buy it. Because that would totally be cool, too.

holy shit what are these numbers

2011-09-16T22:16:00.001-05:00

Oh my god.

2600 reviews and 510000 hits.

Why is this a thing.

Explanation: Pedestal, my nearly completed wildly popular Pokemon fanfiction, recently hit the 2.6k review mark. And 510k views over all of its chapters. And that is only on fanfiction.net.

Now what I'm wondering is what the hell why can't my original fiction be this popular.

These are my white skitty, first world problems. Internet famous problems? Fanfiction writer problems? Me being stupid and ungrateful? (I am grateful. I'm just shocked. Very, very shocked, and very much in disbelief.)

In other news, I'm working on an actual blog post that isn't a silly short update-y one like this! I'm trying to be a little more helpful to my fellow writerlings, especially in a facet of writing that most writerlings don't think about: marketing and advertising! (Note: I'm writing it from the view of it being a published or soon-to-be published or eventually published piece, but most of the tips also work for works that are only on the internet! Such as fanfiction.)

Skitty, away~!

Never Cross The Writing/Fan Streams

2011-09-11T23:38:00.002-05:00

snohshine 11:20 pm
    Okay...
    I'm working on The Ram! It makes me happy to write Tuesday.

snohshine 11:20 pm
    Though she's rebelling against me with everything she has. She knows what's coming next.

WillyW2010 11:21 pm
    LA LA LA LA LA

snohshine 11:21 pm
    What?

WillyW2010 11:23 pm
    dont want to hear

snohshine 11:24 pm
    I wasn't going to tell you.
    Although apparently, Claire taught one of her dogs to pee on Stephen.
    Claire = Stephen's girlfriend.
    I like her already.

WillyW2010 11:24 pm
    You're mind is scary.

snohshine 11:25 pm
    *your

WillyW2010 11:25 pm
    YOUR MIND IS SCARY!

snohshine 11:25 pm
    8D
    Dog pee = scary?

WillyW2010 11:26 pm
    No, how your characters have lives in your head.

snohshine 11:27 pm
    Oh.
    That's normal for a writer, really.

WillyW2010 11:27 pm
    I assumed such.

snohshine 11:30 pm
    I am awesome in the fact that I have a mental map of Tuesday's apartment, though. Usually I don't do that for buildings.

WillyW2010 11:32 pm
    I'll get you help.

snohshine 11:34 pm
    I just imagined the Hamtaro themesong with 'persona' substituted. It fits.
    IT'S PERSONA TIME!
    PER SON A
    WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER IT'S MUCH BETTER
    MY BEST FRIEND
    ...Now you may get me help.

This is why you don't mesh 'writer' mode and 'fan' mode, kiddies. It's painful to watch. While entertaining at the time, it's liable to leak over into both sides, and then it just gets into a mess of references and characters. (snohshine is me, obviously, and willyw2010 is a friend of mine who has read The Rook).

Working on The Ram, Pedestal's epilogue, and finished the second chapter of RMWJ. I've been slightly productive lately, just spread thin over a range of things. Which is fine, but I usually don't recommend it. Especially if you are working with deadlines.

More Site Updates

2011-09-01T16:33:00.001-05:00

Redid the site layout! A little cleaner, and lots brighter now. :D Sorta miss the red, but blue is pretty too! I also went through the pages and tweaked them some more, taking out those old drawings, and I separated out The Rook as its own page and revamped the series page to be more general, as well as linking to the two pages themselves.

So for all those who don't follow my fanfiction (I don't blame you, but it can be hilariously cathartic to write at times, so no judging), I recently posted the last chapter of my longest running story ever. It still has an epilogue to go, but the last chapter. It was a long, LONG story, and definitely a crazy one at that. I definitely enjoyed writing it, and I'll miss it terribly. But all stories have to have an ending! It makes them better.

Anyway, onto the writing challenge of the day! (I think I'm gonna throw these out there whenever I can think of a decent one. They're silly and I doubt many people, if any, do them, but still! If I can get one or two more people out there and practicing writing, I'll squee.)

What organization, if any, would your character volunteer for? Red Cross? Humane Society? Doctors Without Borders? What does this say about them, and do you think they would be able to stick with it for long? Why would they quit? Would they EVER quit? Maybe you'll like this little quirk enough to make it an actual facet of your character's personality - or, on the reverse side, are they not the volunteering type? Too greedy, too busy, too indecisive? Write a drabble or oneshot about it and find out!

Site Updates and a Writing Challenge!

2011-08-26T00:35:00.006-05:00

Quick note - I've shuffled around the site and updated some things, most notably the pages for the stories, updating them. Added cast info for The Ram, personality info for WHIPLASH!, small tweaks on Pedestal and RMWJ.

I've hit (another) block on The Ram, and last night, I ended up with a very creative, if failed, way at getting around that. My plot buddy and I were discussing it, and casually, I tossed you "YOU BE TUESDAY, I'LL BE STEPHEN". I had no idea what I was actually planning past that... but...

Basically, it culminated in us both getting dolled up like the characters as best we could. The catch? My plot buddy is male. He wore make-up, stuffed his shirt for boobage, and got prettyful. I only put on a sweater with a collar and tucked my hair back, but that's beside the point. We didn't actually get anything discussed or written with The Ram, and instead got sidetracked designing a Persona 4-themed dungeon and Shadow for me, which was also fun and productive. Just on a more personal level.

Challenge to all the writerlings out there: If you're aware of the Persona series, make a Shadow and a Persona for your character! This means you have to know them on a deep, psychological level, and prey viciously on their insecurities, flaws, and repressed feelings.

For all of those unaware of the series, here's a quick dictionary for you:

Shadow - Shadows are monster that, while initially looking like your character (only with golden eyes and a very mean expression, in addition to a voice from HELL), transform into a highly symbolic monster. Shadows are repressed feelings, almost always negative, and have to be accepted by the character in order to gain a Persona. If they are not accepted, they will attack again and again until they kill their host. Common themes amongst Shadows are: nakedness because of the desire to show it off, when in reality, they just want to be accepted and accepting of their bodies ; flamboyantly gay because of confused sexuality and the desire to be accepted by someone, ANYONE, and it just so happens that the same sex is a little easier ; dark and empty, lost, nihilistic and fatalistic, hating the world around them because everyone else is happy and they're not ; professing to using a friend because it makes you feel better, etc etc. Shadows aren't always humanoid in shape or appearance, and usually work off of one theme, such as "caged bird" or "fallen savior".
Protip: The Shadow always says, at some point or another, "I am a Shadow, the true self." Shadows are capable of thinking on their own. When their host denies them, almost always with a panicked "You're not me!", the Shadow can act on its own and that's when it chooses to attack.

Persona - Persona is the creature/power you gain from defeating and accepting the Shadow. It is more or less the magical weapon in the games, but it's also highly symbolic and much more positive than the Shadow is. It does follow along the same themes, usually, or other character themes, but almost always has some sort of callback to the Shadow design. Color tends to be easiest with that. A lot of Personas are also based on mythology from around the world. Most Personas have an elemental affinity - fire, ice, lightning, wind - and are usually on the physical/attacking side, or healing/support side. What kind of character do you have? What would your character's soul (basically) look like and attack like?
Protip: "I AM THOU THOU ART I" but no really. Personas are the lighter, evolved version of the Shadow. There are strong "soul" ties in, too; this could very well be your character's soul manifested. What would it look like? Or, at the very least, it is the facade used to overcome life's hardships or something like that.

I'm not sure I'll be able to do this. XD; This would require GREAT THOUGHT about your character. It'd be easier for stories with one obvious Main Character, rather than large casts with several main characters. Still, if anyone wants to tackle it, go for it! I'd love to hear about Shadow and Persona ideas. :D Maybe I will get around to making some, one day...

This Is How You Don't Approach Deadlines

2011-08-20T23:59:00.004-05:00

You know how I said I'd be totally mortified if I couldn't get The Ram done by the end of summer?

WELL BOY AM I EMBARRASSED. :D;;;;

Getting dragged across the country (in more ways than one) didn't help the writing front, and neither did Pedestal drawing to a close. (Whoo boy, that ain't even done yet. Boy, do I have egg on my face.) But those are excuses! Basically, I've just been failtastic this summer. Kidlings, don't do this. This is bad. This makes people angry and impatient.

New deadline: I'm just gonna throw it down to the last possible minute and say by NaNoWriMo, The Ram will be completed. (Since I'm three chapters away from the end of Pedestal, I know for a fact that'll be out of the way...) It will ABSOLUTELY be done by the end of october. Otherwise I'm just gonna have to hit something, probably my face.

So good news - Pedestal's almost over, and that'll free up a lot of time. I do already have RMWJ in the works, but those'll have longer chapters, so I have an excuse to have a slower updating schedule. :D Then november will be for the last one in the trilogy! <3 I'm excited, even if I don't have all of the plot 100% worked out. But that's the fun part!

Anyway, skitty out! (I'm moving back to college next week, so yay! Routine again! And probably a job... I hope that doesn't impact the writing or homework too bad, damnit. Wish me luck guys!)

The Ram Work

2011-07-15T17:17:00.003-05:00

So I've been sort of busy lately being an unemployed bum! Ah, getting into the writer lifestyle early, I know.

Pedestal is coming to a close, at last and finally. I have less than ten chapters to go, no matter how much I stall. I'm slowly working on that just to get it out of the way.

But mostly, I'm trying to work on The Ram. I say trying because it's been exceedingly difficult. (Kids, this is why you don't leave a story alone for half a year without looking at it. Even if it's just a sentence, write every day on a story you love!) I formatted what I do have for publishing and I'll just update that as I go along, just so I don't have to do it all later at once, but I still have to write the damn thing first. Then editing. THEN publishing.

Soon, though, I should have it done with. I've been telling people "by the end of the summer", so boy, will I be embarrassed if I don't get it done by then. (Then again, the original plan was to have it done by the end of june. lol nope.) So now I'm putting on my deadline on the internet again so I can be even more mortified if I fail! (This works, I swear. Or at least it works more than self-imposed deadlines. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO USE THIS TRICK, ALL YOU WRITERLINGS OUT THERE.)

Anyway, that's about it on my writing end. Except my friends keep giving me good ideas (most recently, the Bat) so I'm stuck in idea mode and not writing mode. Le sigh.

Here's to another book in a month and a half!

Well well well.

2011-06-06T00:59:00.003-05:00

Well. This isn't going well.

I have 1.3k words to show for this time in June so far. Granted, I've been busy, but still.

What I did today? Watch Princess Mononoke and download Iris Online. I'M SO PRODUCTIVE VIDEO GAMES RULE MY WORLD.

Oddly enough, I'm more inspired than ever with future ideas for writing. It's just... They're future. Not the part I'm writing now. u_u I hate that about writing.

I'MA GO TO BED NOW AND FAIL SOME MORE. PROBABLY TOMORROW, TOO.

June NaNoWriMo

2011-06-01T11:49:00.002-05:00

Well, awhile ago, I decided to have an out-of-season nanowrimo! TWO, in fact. (Why yes, I am borderline suicidal at points.) One for June, one for July. June is for finishing up last year's nanowrimo, The Ram, and July will be for a rewrite of WHIPLASH!.

AND GUESS WHAT DAY IT IS TODAY. THE BEGINNING OF THE END OH SNAP.

Basically, I'm very ill-prepared, and to make matters worse, my mind gave me a really awesome potential story as a dream last night. CURSE YOU, MIND. I've recorded it in my story ideas document (number nineteen!), and I'll try not to dwell. >A> Back to my demon bbs!

I'll probably update this every so often with my word count and whatnot, but basically, I'm gonna be neck-deep in demons for this month. |D

Things I'd Some Day Like To Write

2011-05-16T22:42:00.004-05:00

So far, all of my non-fanfiction (well, and one fanfiction...) stories have had some basis in a dream.

+I was originally Michael and Silvermin had kidnapped me, and I was forced to make him chocolate ice cream almost constantly. I was eventually rescued when I killed him with the Rook.

+I was Sonya and Nathan and I went out into this ruined, wasted city and fought bad guys. Nivedidus was even included! We rescued a bunch of small child-like things, putting some sort of not-nivedidus on their heads to put them into a sort of stasis, and then put them on a hover-cart to transport them. We fought the bad guys over these carts.

+I was Alter, and I was a little street urchin. I wanted to become a hero, though. Apparently they were special. I managed to get taken in for training by one, and we fought stuff! There was a talking fox, and this huge monster, and I couldn't step in the water otherwise the water snakes would smell me...

I feel as if I should put a quick disclaimer in here: I'm all for getting story ideas from dreams! BUT FOR GODS' SAKES. Edit them. Add to them. Create basic logic in them. Use 5% dream content and 95% (conscious) imagination, coherent plot, new characters, and tweaking. So much tweaking. As you can see above, the stories have changed drastically. Some of the characters are the same, even the plot could be similar.

I also actually have a document that's just for story ideas. I think I'm in the twenties right now. Some of them are completely ridiculous, and some of them have already been borrowed from (heavily) to go into other stories (Emil, for example!), but they're nice to write down and remember. Protip: Write down your dreams! Even if they're ridiculously crazy, and even if I'm the only one who has weird dreams like this, do it anyway! You'd be surprised by what inspires you and what you can use later.

Anyway, I digress.

Current projects and casts aside (whom I love dearly), there are some things that I would love to write at some abstract point in the future. Some of these ideas are more fleshed out than others; a couple have already been "started".

+"Crystal Rain". Crystals with "magical" abilities suddenly fall from the sky one day, and the world falls into chaos because of it. Governments scramble for these powerful gems, the black market and underground flourishes, and the population is reduced because of casualties of the initial fall as well as increased crime. The story itself follows one Annabelle Lee, a relatively innocent ranch girl who, after the murder of her cousin in front of her, resolves to kill the woman responsible. This entails joining a rival gang - think twenties gangsters. And all of the characters are named after obscure literary references! (Annabel Lee = Edgar Allen Poe poem.)

+Alter story! Alter, a beggar boy with no home or family to speak of, resolves to become a hero and help save the world. Or something. You know how kids are. The difference between him and every other ragamuffin on the street is that he actually does. He gets taken in by an old hero and mentored, learning magic and swordsmanship and all sorts of heroic things! This one is less planned out than Crystal Rain.

+A random fantasy story. Inspired a bit by Pan's Labyrinth in the fact that there's fantasy stuff all over but none of it's explained. It's just there. Our hero is going through a massive labyrinth, questing for... something! Monsters, heroes, villains, all sorts of shit will appear. No world explaining required! (I tend to explain too much. I just want to do something in which I can say "here's a monster. don't question what it is or how it came to be. it's just going to be here, kay?".)

+"Emerald". This one's fairly fleshed out (and was originally going to be titled "Emma", until I realized that there's kinda sorta a classic by that name. derp.) and stands a chance of actually being written if my imagination stops vomiting at me in my sleep. The story follows a relatively young girl, originally from the eighteenth century or so. Father dead, mother poor, she's become a thief and a beggar to help out at home. With the "Hundred Year's Party" going on in the mysterious manor that only opens every century, she figures that there HAS to be some treasure in there. Plus, rich people. Can't go wrong there. The problem is that it DOES. Long story short, she gets trapped in the mansion and becomes the new guardian of the emerald. If it ever leaves the mansion by foreign hands, she dies. Pretty good initiative for guarding it. Centuries and parties pass, and she keeps protecting it. In the future, however, things are harder. Eventually, someone manages to break in and leads her on a merry chase. It is only by virtue of bursting out into tears that allows her to exploit the loophole - he escorts her out of the mansion, and SHE is the one carrying the emerald. (It's huge. Like, the size of someone's head.) The man who commissioned the thief to steal it instead finds interest in the girl. After some tests, they discover that she can ONLY die by parting with the emerald - at least not through a lot of normal means. An emerald necklace later, the crime lord has a new mercenary. The bulk of the story would follow that.

+"those without souls". I would just really, really like to write this at some point. It started out as a failed autobiographical webcomic, but the story is still near and dear to my heart. (Double fail for the fact that "I" didn't even appear in it yet and would be a fairly minor character.) The story follows a teenager named Rhona, who, after a run in with a somewhat questionable blonde in a park while she was angsting, ends up with her soul nearly torn away. Souls, you see, are actual things. Only those without souls can see them, though, and they're constantly craving them. The problem is that those without souls cannot simply steal someone else's - but if someone's soul is picked up and carried away by someone else, then that person loses their soul as well. Rhona manages to stop the girl, but since her soul had been picked up and held by a stranger, she is never quite the same. She can see and interact with her own soul, and she becomes aware of other peoples - those closest to her, anyway. She also starts noticing... trends. Some people act different, look different, and they don't have souls. They want them, though. So badly. Soon enough, all but a war springs up. Possibly the most stylistic of my story ideas, since I have IDEAS. Like the fact that the soulless ones don't capitalize anything and almost always have light eyes and yeah. In some ways, it would have been better as some sort of graphic novel.

+"Naive"! OMG YAY. I love this idea. It stars this girl, Penelope, and this alien, Baxter. Basically, every year, they must race. If Penelope wins, then the earth becomes trading partners with his race. If he wins, then he just comes back next year for another try - although, of course, there ARE only so many chances they get. The catch is that Penelope wasn't supposed to be the racer for earth. (She's only nine when it starts.) Unfortunately, Baxter is very insistent on the fact that she cannot back out. Basically, an alien love story!

I'm not sure when my schedule will ever free up, haha. I have two more books to go for The Rook series, and WHIPLASH!. I'm not sure what's in store after that! But one day...

On Ree's Story And DeviantArt's Continued Vendetta Against Writers

2011-05-14T16:48:00.005-05:00

HAY SUP GUYS.

School's been out for about a week now, but past that, I decide to upload the first chapter of Ree Majors' Wonderful Journey to the internet as a celebration! Only on deviantArt, though; the fanfiction.net version will go up as planned (after Pedestal officially ends).

The problem is that deviantArt apparently has a text limit. This, in itself, is not surprising and is expected. The problem is that it was smaller than the chapter. Granted, the first chapter is fairly large - just over 12k words - but still. It was annoying as fuck to have to split up the chapter into two parts. At least ff.net has no such problems...

Anyway, here we go!

First half of Chapter One: Ree Majors' Wonderful Journey Of Failed Tests:
here
Second half of Chapter One: Ree Majors' Wonderful Journey Of Failed Tests:
here

(Each chapter will start with a similar title. Ree Majors' Wonderful Journey Of _____. Each chapter will also have a preview, of sorts, for the next chapter at the end. Each chapter will also not be nearly as long as 12k words...)

WOO I'M EXCITED. DON'T JUDGE ME.

On a couple other notes: I hope for Pedestal to be done by the end of May, even if that's a little crazy and highly unlikely. June will be devoted to finishing up The Ram, and July will be donated to the rewrite of WHIPLASH!, which will stay as one (long) novel instead of becoming a series. I'm not good with subplots and overarching plots. After that, who knows?

Completed: Chapter 1 of RMWJ

2011-04-19T11:54:00.002-05:00

Woo! I finally got done with the first chapter of Ree Majors' Wonderful Journey. I'm not completely happy with it, but it's the best I got and it's done. -w-

Now back to my psych papers... (This is why I've been quiet on the writing front. Too many papers due before school ends.)

Things You Didn't Know About My Story

2011-04-11T18:06:00.003-05:00

Here are some random facts about some of the stories I've written! Or am working on. Please be aware of spoilers, or implications of spoilers, however. >: Don't want to ruin anything for anyone!

+The semi-famous nameless narrator in Pedestal started out completely by accident. The same with the mystery gender.
+Tuesday's Rook is very different from my Rook in the ending and a couple other key features. It'll be like a guessing game for the rest of the series.
+If WHIPLASH! evolves into a series, I'm completely lost for what the other names should be, overall series name should be, or anything involving names.
+The Rook series is the only series that I'll ever self-publish. I'm aware of the view of the literate world on self-publishing, ha.
+I pick character names either very, very carefully for their sound and meaning, or completely at random because it seems right.
+Apparently, I like culture building. I never realized this until I began developing the Lannish culture.

And that's all for now, since I have two horribly long psych papers to write! Keep your pens to the paper, ladies and gents!

Story Page Updates!

2011-03-31T11:15:00.004-05:00

I finally got around to updating some of the story pages on this site, and made the RMWJ page public! Naturally, there's not a lot on this page, although I did put in information about Ree and Scott.

I also got around to adding characters to The Rook page, a plot summary to The Ram page (the link is located on The Rook series page!), and tweaking a couple small things on the WHIPLASH! and Pedestal pages. Damn it feels good to be productive.

I've also made it so comments can be left on story pages! Up next: possibly an 'about the author' page, or perhaps a page with links to drabbles/oneshots? Any ideas?

RMWJ Opening Teaser

2011-03-29T13:20:00.001-05:00

“Fuck you!”
Enter Ree Adelaide Majors, trainer of exactly forty-seven minutes, brand new owner of a snivy, lover of foul language, possessor of delusions of grandeur, and general ass.
“Sni!”
Enter Mister Snivy Whiplash, her somewhat imaginatively named starter. She would swear up and down she thought he looked like the villain from her favorite old cartoon. He simply went with it because it made him feel fanciful.
These are the creations of a twisted world, fighting against time and fate and that very same world to achieve eight shiny, senseless little gems. Their goal is not unique, and is in fact shared by most of the training population of Unova—those bright-eyed, idealistic young children, the future of the region. What sets these characters apart is their journey, their strenuous, teary, joyful, heavy, lighthearted, and fantastic journey. It will have ups, it will have downs, it will shed blood, it will shed tears, and very possibly, it will touch your heart.
So, submitted for your consideration, this is

Ree Majors' Wonderful Journey

Why yes, I do want to have Rod Serling's children, why do you ask?

A Tale Of Excitement

2011-03-23T21:32:00.001-05:00

I sometimes forget what people tell me to do or not do because my mouth, salivating and unruly, thinks for me. So I did what I was not supposed to do. I ate the last bit of food. And when I finished the little morsels left on my hands and mouth burned into my skin to render me shamed forever.

"Why do the birds obey you while they only answer stupidly to my calls?" he asked.

"Sugar and spice," the old woman beckoned as she held out palms filled with cinnamon falling between her fingers like sand. As she sprinkled it across the floor my head swum up in a dizzy spell of hunger. I could no longer control my feet moving towards the cheap gimmicks of an old woman.

The girl knelt down at my feet, pressing her furry costume against my skin. "Please help me," she said, and kissed one foot. She kissed the other. And when I looked down I found both the leather-bottomed shoes gone and bare toes remaining. They froze in the mountain wind. At my feet a white wolf with childlike eyes stared up at me, grinned, and ran off with two shoes in her jaws.

After I took the needle from its place, I pryed my father's bones from the floor and put them in my satchel.

As I approached the top of the mountain a white spectacle blinded me for an instant. When I blinked again I saw a white dragon shifting over the mountain like a layer of foam riding ocean waves. I could tell by its movement that it was a territorial creature; I could tell that it would fight me before allowing me to press further.

I watched as the folds of his skin began to swallow him alive under the sadness of defeat.

My feet, wearing their newfound bottomed shoes, pressed gently across the soils as not to wake the men clamoring upwards. But I still felt a shadow trail at my footsteps that did not feel like my own. As I walked faster the shadow moved behind me as well, sometimes touching my bare skin with sodden ground.

"As a child, my son could dance along the soil so quickly that the men who died and live in the ground could not catch him. Prove this to me now,"

Mother licked her fingers and placed them to my face, wiping the thick layer of dirt away. Then I truly began to look like my father's son, in form, face, and color.

(take from here~)

Idea?

2011-03-19T16:24:00.002-05:00

So I've been entertaining the idea of doing a sort of Mark Reads thing, but with fanfiction. (There's nothing like that of repute on the internet, is there? IF SO WHERE.)

I mean, the tricky thing would be finding quality finished fanfiction. Would I skip around in genres or just go with one? (I would probably stick with pokemon, then, it being my first and most knowledgeable.) How would I pick stories? Would anyone bother reading it? (it wouldn't go on this site, probably would make another. i like my writing angst too much to let it die.)

Oh well, just a thought. (lol all the 'great ones' of fanfiction! I actually haven't read that many pkmn ones lately (and completely missed out on ones like "The Sun Soul" and "Clouded Sky" due to general laziness and busy-ness), so I'd be new to most of them! The only one I WOULD want to do, though, that I've already read part of is "Regret", but I left reviews so I could use those for some of my initial reactions while rereading...)

Also I think I'll start using actual post titles! Too lazy to go back and change the others, though. Ha.

i can't help but say that i love you that i love you

2011-03-17T21:17:00.004-05:00

Ree's story is so hard to start! I'm having problems adjusting back to third-person writing. I'm never writing first-person again. ;A; Pedestal, you've ruined me forever.

The idea I'm currently fighting with (instead of studying for my big test tomorrow, but hey, at least I got my homework done) is a bit of an homage to Rod Serling. I love that man. Why no, Pedestal doesn't have enough references to him my other stories need more.

(For the uninformed, Rod Serling is the genius behind The Twilight Zone. The original.)

Edit: Also, updated my fish! Blue is for the nameless narrator of Pedestal, orange is for Nathan Loar of WHIPLASH!, purple for Ree of RWMJ stuff, red for all of the blood spilt (or my possible infatuation with redheads), and white for all of the dead. Because really guys, I go through characters like they're going out of style. And blood is ALWAYS fun.

I'm also - slowly - working on the pages and stuff for the stories. RMWJ has a page, too (just hidden for now), and it'll go up when the story itself has its first chapter released. I have a separate page for The Ram, too, but I'm still working on that one... Pedestal's pretty much done, though! :D AT LEAST I HAVE SOMETHING OKAY.

and even though she's dreaming she's unlocked the meaning

2011-02-26T11:38:00.003-06:00

Here's some random and generally useless information! :D But fun.

RMWJ:
Predicted Favorite Character To Write: Tyron or Ree (hopefully)
Actual Favorite Character To Write: n/a
Predicted Least Favorite To Write: Scott or Ororin
Actual Least Favorite To Write: n/a

Pedestal:
Predicted Favorite Character To Write: NamNar, I think?
Actual Favorite Character To Write: it varies between NamNar, Kostya, Nick, Harlan...
Predicted Least Favorite To Write: I can't remember. Hanna?
Actual Least Favorite To Write: Benjamin, you little shit.

WHIPLASH!:
Predicted Favorite Character To Write: Sonya
Actual Favorite Character To Write: Sonya, Nathan, Maria, Lenore when she's angsty
Predicted Least Favorite To Write: Allen
Actual Least Favorite To Write: Lenore when she's pissy

The Rook series:
Predicted Favorite Character To Write: the Rook
Actual Favorite Character To Write: the Ram
Predicted Least Favorite To Write: I can't remember...
Actual Least Favorite To Write: Tuesday, the Rabbit, it varies

I'm mostly just still on a RMWJ hype, haha. Trying to push through the first chapter while knowing nothing about geography and few official names.

So here's some fun facts about RMWJ and its cast so far:
+I think the story starts in August, which means that Ree's birthday is in September.
+I will not be capitalizing 'pokemon' or the species names in this story.
+Maya is two years younger than Ree.
+I have entertained the thought that Mister Snivy Whiplash will be mute, but haven't decided either way.
+I'm not sure whether to rate this as T or M on fanfiction.net.
+Ree owns metallic purple lingerie.
+Scott likes singing and will call her to sing several times throughout the story.
+I haven't worked out a precise timeline yet, only faint concepts of who arrives when.
+Each chapter title will match; they will all be "Of _______". Some ideas that will probably be used: "Of Failed Tests", "Of Silver And Gold".
+Ree is my second tallest female character, behind Lenore (naturally).
+References to Pedestal - mostly through references to the state Sinnoh is in - will be made.
+Other characters so far include: Ty (Tyron), Perdido (alias), Maya, Scott, Unika, Marcella, Andy, Harry, Ororin, and probably more as I come up with them.
+This story will be written on a time limit, which I am not comfortable in it. Not in a time limit in real life, but in-story (which makes it worse); Ree decides to get all eight badges in under a year.
+Ree, unlike most trainers, will probably end up being very rich. She starts off fairly rich due to working in various ways since she was ten (mostly babysitting at first), and wins a lot of her battles through sheer ferocity.

i'm so lucky lucky i'm so lucky lucky i'm so lovely lovely

2011-02-23T17:10:00.005-06:00

Woah, hey guys! Long time no post, I know. College does that sometimes (but only sometimes).

So I have a new fanfiction in the works - brb loling at myself - and I'm excited for it. It's still very much in the planning phase, but hey, why not? Pedestal's coming to an end very quickly and I'll need something else to neglect The Ram with.

On that note: June will be a nanowrimo for it, and July will be a nanowrimo for my WHIPLASH! rewrite (aka REWRITE!). Anyone wanna join in either of these things with me? Or become a cheerleader? More details here!

Anyway, let me pause to gush an itty bitty bit about RMWJ - the new fanfiction I mentioned. I'm keeping what the title actually is under wraps for now, but it follows a relatively small and definitely crazy little cast. We have Ree Majors, main character, possibly psychotic, and resident badass. Scott Felton, her boyfriend, ex-trainer, and owner of a very odd team. Maya Majors, sister, apologetic, possibly neurotic, and only sane ~~man~~ girl. Of course, we don't have a proper story without the famous skitty twist or two! But I'll keep those to myself, too.

my oh my do you wanna say goodbye

2011-02-03T22:30:00.004-06:00

Okay, so it should be semi-common knowledge now, but WHIPLASH! is actually the name of a fiction song by a fictional band in the story. It's all very meta but there's a reason for it. (Not mind control. Probably.) If there's a series, this trend will continue, with other song names by the same band.

The problem is that I'm not a songwriter. And I sort of need any and all of these title songs written out, at least partially. (Hey, even better if they could be actual songs, holy crap lol. I have a general sense of what WHIPLASH!-the-song sounds like, but I'm pretty bad with music in all things but listening.)

So, any songwriters (or even pro poets) out there, oh internet? Anyone wanna join such a project? Obviously, credit would go completely to the writer and whatnot, and any and all pricing or monetary deals could be figured out later-ish when I know exactly what's going down.

(Sonya coming next for the character thing, btw. Something to look forward to!)

A Study In Ash: Nathan Loar

2011-01-30T19:36:00.000-06:00

Here is a link to Nathan's character forms. Both are pulled more or less directly from The Plot Thickens by Noah Lukeman, and I strongly recommend picking up a copy of that book for all writers out there, aspiring or otherwise.

Physical and personal life: here

Personality traits: here

Nathan is a pretty mellow guy. His loves in life include his gun, his cigarettes, pickles, and winning arguments. He's a little elitist and controlling, but he's incredibly good at what he does. He's not conceited and doesn't let pride or emotions get in the way of his work (well, unless Sonya is directly involved), just so long as his training or instincts tell him what to do. Otherwise, he's a little lost.

Nathan is fiercely loyal to anyone on his good side, but even that is a little warped; basically, if he knows you, and you haven't held a gun to his head before, he'll save you. Even if he hates you. That said, he will not hesitate to throw anyone else under the bus if it means saving someone more important. He has a habit of rationalizing after the fact, especially if it involves a mistake.

He cares deeply for his country and would go to any lengths to protect it. Unfortunately, many of his friends don't share his ideals, especially as the storyline wears on. He probably cares for Sonya more, though, so that's pretty redeeming.

you're living in america at the end of the millenium you're living in america leave your conscience at the tone

2011-01-26T16:06:00.006-06:00

So I've decided, officially or unofficially, to work on rewriting the beginning of WHIPLASH!. I knew it would have to go under some serious revamping if I were to be serious about publishing it already. But I want to rewrite the first chapters before "starting over", I guess. Especially since its arrival in my life was years ago and there's so much time between the chapters.

Obviously, this would not happen overnight. Or soon. I'm definitely going to finish Pedestal first, and The Ram if I think I still stand a chance at making the summer deadline for the free proof copy.

But after that, in between the proofing things of The Ram and next year's NaNoWriMo, I'll have time. (Even more since my boyfriend will be deployed overseas... /cry) So I could start then.

Another thing I'm now wondering (although admittedly this is far more recent and far more unofficial) is if I should turn WHIPLASH! into a series. The overarching plot can handle it, although I'd have to work on some subplots and single-book-plots. I'm a long writer, so I'm quite familiar with going on and on. The only dangers are if I get bored of it (/cry again)...

On the upside, it means I could expand the universe a lot more. Which is always fun and I've poured a lot of effort into that already. (I'm currently working on nailing a culture for Bauk. It's going better than expected!) I could work on character relations and development (which I will not lie; these are my strengths). I wouldn't have to sprint through missions (which I've sort of been doing) and I could slow down the pace overall. (Not of the first few chapters, but yeah. Regardless.)

I don't know. Thoughts, anyone?

sometimes the feeling is right you fall in love for the first time heart beat and kisses so sweet so much in love in the moonlight

2011-01-22T21:29:00.005-06:00

I always feel icky with love and pregnancy while writing. (Warning! ~~Science Content~~ Personal views and opinions and facts ahead!)

Well first let me say: Not love. Love is a wonderful driving force in fiction and no matter WHAT you do, it's nigh impossible to write without some semblance or cameo. There can be background couples, a onesided crush, a drunken night, even accidental kisses for comedic relief. It can be one of the most violent, powerful, insane emotions and of course writing (really, all of the arts) and I love love in literature.

That said, I am by and large not a regular human being. I can pass as one in public most of the time. But I fail even harder as a girl. This puts me at a severe disadvantage in the world of romance and it's why I'll never manage to write a non-action thing, because it's the only thing I can fall back on. I don't look forward to marriage. I will never have children because I find the entire process of pregnancy revolting and can't stand smallthings under seven or so disgusting. I'm socially and romantically awkward, emotionally distant, and have adverse reactions to most things that others would consider 'cute'. I don't want flowers, I only want chocolate because I'm a pig, I will hold your hand on MY TERMS and MY TERMS ONLY, don't you dare kiss me if I don't want it, etc. I'm very much a cat in the fact that I only want affection when it suits me.

But I digress. A lot. It's this unfamiliarity and half-rejection that makes romance so awkward to write. I will probably never be able to write a sex scene - hell, probably not even a strong kiss scene. I find it awkward to write and can't connect to the emotion behind it. I'm an advocate of plot-relevant sex scenes and how it's not just fanservice, and even though there will have to be one in WHIPLASH!, I am not looking forward to that. Ugh.

(For example as to how I am very bad at human-human relationships, here's how I just answered the phone when my boyfriend called:
"Hello?"
"I heart you."
"...What."
"You're cute."
"Kittens are, and you're tired. Go to bed."
I am terrible and I fully realize this. Oh well.)

Pregnancy is also awkward in my writing, but not completely because of my total unfamiliarity with it. It's also because I am a feminist when it suits me and I all but HATE it in literature. It's very rarely done in a way that I can stand, much less like. I appreciate the happy family view, I do. I like that kind, just so long as it's... backstory-ish. It's not meant for endings. Pregnancy is a beginning; I don't want a book to end with it. Don't you dare.

There's also the fact that I very rarely would ever write it because I am a soulless bitch who hates babies. Because you know what? Having to decide literally EVERYTHING about that child, literally from birth, sucks. It sucks hard. Most of my characters come to me damn near fully-formed. A lot of them in dreams. I rarely have to consciously CREATE a character, and even when I do, I have a vague semblance of whether the plot needs a male or female. Or maybe I have so many females in this scene I want a male. Or the reverse. Whatever the reason, I don't just pick a gender. But babies? They're potentially characters before they actually exist. They can been introduced and even named without having a gender. There's emotional attachment without a gender. And you have two roads in front of you. Do you want the little boy, climbing trees, riding a bike, sucking his thumb? Do you want a little girl with a doting father, cute dresses, and skinned knees? One will exist and the other will immediately die.

So, in review and because I am currently having to debate the merits between a male and female child:
+Love in literature ROCKS MY SOCKS OFF.
+I hate writing physical love.
+I love writing emotional love.
+Sex scenes are very awkward when not in smut novels or settings.
+Pregnancy in literature sucks.
+I am a bad specimen of the female homo sapiens.

Skitty out! (to decide on an eventual gender)

she won't ever get enough once she gets a little touch

2011-01-17T22:51:00.005-06:00

More drabbles! 8D

One Week - Sara Grace & Maria, character study, canon past

Anything You Like - Allen, character study, mild canon spoilers (but nothing that I haven't already given away on my blog/dA, haha)

Won't Ever Get Enough - Nathan & Emil & Sonya, fluff, lulz, sort of 'what if' ish

Sweet Sugar Candyman - Nathan & Allen, continuation of the above, a little lulz, sort of 'what if' ish, a little character study ish

to add color to your boring today to put magic into your melancholic tomorrow

2011-01-16T15:34:00.003-06:00

So I've been writing some drabbles/flash fiction/vignettes, what have you. So far, all WHIPLASH! themed and based on songs because no one can give me some good prompts. XD

The Only Difference Between Suicide And Martyrdom Is Press Coverage - Sonya, 'what if' AU

Blame It On The Girls - Sara Grace & Maria, past canon, character study ish

Because There's Beauty In The Breakdown - Lenore, introspective, character study

Help Me Leave Behind Some Reasons To Be Missed - Nathan, character study, 'what if' ish

Lullaby - Sonya, character study, fluff ish

a wolf with an apple in one hand "are you what's fallen down?" he asks

2011-01-13T17:45:00.005-06:00

So I'm still gonna do the character stuffs for WHIPLASH!, rest assured, but I just wanted to drop in to say that I haven't actually really started on writing such things. XD; If any of you have read that book, you know that there's a TON of character exercises in it. It's sort of a project to take on and I haven't had the time yet to sit down and go through it...

Anyway, I am working on The Ram again! Rejoice! So far, too, it's been fun and a half. Here's an excerpt because I love this sort of thing.

And then there was that niggling little voice in the back of his mind that reminded him too strongly of the Owl, telling him not to do that, that he'd regret it in the future.
The Ram selected a dagger and pulled it out of its leather sheath, examining it in the half-light. He caught the Rook looking at it, too, and smiled for the first time. He held it up by the blade between two fingers. “Like it?” he asked politely. As if they were discussing the weather or a fresh kill. The Rook snorted in response and dropped his scowl.
The dagger was suddenly buried in his eye.
The Rook screamed and flapped his wings in vain, arms struggling against his bindings, leaping to his feet and knocking over his chair in the process. The Ram watched him in amusement. He walked over and ignored the screeching, delicately pinning the Rook against the wall as if he weren't fighting with all his strength.
He pulled the knife out and wiped it on the Rook's leg. The Rook snarled something garbled and tried to turn against him, but the Ram kept him pinned with one hand. “You'll regret this!” he said hoarsely, chest heaving, wings still struggling in vain.
The Ram chuckled. “My dear Rook, I've regretted the day I met you for some time now.”
“Yeah, well—fuck you.”
“You'd like that, wouldn't you,” he replied thinly, letting the other go. The Rook sagged to the floor, wings immediately curling tightly around him. “If you want to play defensive, I could simply break through those precious little feathery twigs—” He hadn't finished the threat before the Rook was shielding his wings with his body, keeping them folded protectively behind him, glaring up at the Ram with his one good eye. The other was a mess of blood and flesh and who knew what else. The Ram couldn't help but laugh at the sight of it.

EDITEDITEDIT:

Apparently this is my 100th post! /joy and happiness abound

so let's not get carried away with the process of elimination i don't wanna waste your time

2011-01-06T14:56:00.004-06:00

So I'm rereading Noah Lukeman's The Plot Thickens and I'm gonna go though my WHIPLASH! cast with them. A post for each character. Be excited for this! (I am.) :D

(I'm not doing The Ram because it's too late for it, and Pedestal's almost done and arguably has some of the best characterization I've created. Stupid fanfiction...)

And I'll do this later when the cramps aren't killing me. D|

with a thousand lies and a good disguise hit 'em right between the eyes

2011-01-01T17:56:00.002-06:00

So completely and shamelessly stolen (but probably not unique to) from The Meek, but I doodled up some new year's resolutions for some of my characters.

NamNar: I resolve to make up my mind about Nick. (Um, maybe...)
Nick: I resolve to keep up the good work.
Tuesday: I resolve to... survive.
Luca: I resolve to be properly fuckin' introduced. (Thomas in the background: Me too!)

My favorite thus far are the rebels of the group.

I plan on drawing Nathan and Sara Grace simply having a catfight/pulling on each other's hair. And I already have Maria and Emil drawn up with the following:

Maria: Jero shanai toa esimer, mies surdan parvite.
Emil: S-Silenco, tou ors nordin!

Which translates to "I shall (it sounds more formal translated, but isn't when spoken in Lannish) eat you, my little southerner." and "Sh-Shut up, you northern bear!".

Basically this is just fun and a great way to ~~torture~~ play with my characters.

so kiss me goodbye honey i'm gonna make it out alive

2010-12-31T02:04:00.006-06:00

So I'm (finally) working on the newest chapter of WHIPLASH!, and goddamn, this shit's depressing. Not in the fact that it'll bring tears or anything, or it probably won't even sound all that depressing when read because it reads pretty quick and doesn't dwell (unlike actual tear-jerkers), but still. imagine this.

I decided to open up with some Lenore goodness. Because really, she doesn't get enough writing time yet. This'll change once the plot picks up, but as of now, she's pretty side-character-ish.

So we get major posttraumatic stress disorder and a good glimpse of what she goes through on a nearly daily basis.

“Nora, wake up.”
Flashes of memories, bits and pieces, frames of smiles, of kisses, of tears, were in her mind’s eye before she could stop it. Lenore screwed her eyes shut tighter and dragged her arms down to her stomach with a sleepy groan. Allen’s snoring jarred her completely out of her slumber. Lenore opened her eyes, unsurprised to find that Thomas wasn’t beaming down at her with his usual wakeup.
He never was.
She shut her eyes again and pushed herself up onto her elbows. It wasn’t even light out yet, but she knew she wouldn’t be getting any more sleep. It was happening more and more often, too, she noted with no small amount of irritation.
Lenore ran her fingers over the nivedidus on her arm, contrasting the smoothness to that of her skin. It may as well be part of her skin, but even after years of service, it felt so alien. Especially in the real world, out of the wastes. She looked over at Allen, still snoring quite loudly, and couldn't help a small smile. She silently got up, untied her hair, and knelt down beside his bed. “Allen,” she whispered as softly as her voice would allow, although he immediately cracked an eye open, “I'm going to go take the shower first. Go back to sleep.”
“What time is it...?” he whispered back, settling back into his pillow with a sigh.
“Early. Go back to sleep.”
He didn't need to be told again. He was snoring once more by the time she had the water running. Lenore moved her long hair behind her shoulders and tried to concentrate on the shower, she really did. All that came to mind, however, was Thomas. She could practically hear him complaining about her taking too long in the bathroom. Lenore shook her head, biting her lip, trying to stop the tears. It was much too early in the morning for such things.
“Thomas, I miss you.”
The scalding water didn't answer her. Lenore slowly sunk down to the floor, nudged the drain shut, and let the water and her hair flow around her until she stopped crying.

That's right. She actually, canonly wakes up every morning to "Nora, wake up" as her mental alarm clock. If she lets it happen, she would completely zone out and get lost in memories. Also, the stomach thing - in case people had forgotten, she was pregnant in the prologue. If she ever wraps her arms around her stomach, it's either damn cold or she's trying not to dwell.

And then, surprisingly, we get a dose of helpless angst from Nathan of all people. Imagine this one: You're nineteen, twenty in a couple months. Almost fresh out of school. Oh, you've had training. Graduated (nearly) top of the class and whatnot. Feeling pretty cocky about everything. Sure, the first mission was a bit of a surprise, but everyone came out more or less okay. At least on their team.

Then this mission. (Minor spoilers, but it's implied in the end of the last chapter and it's in the beginning of this one, so...) You meet this family. Adorable kids, beautiful wife. Cue monster the second you leave them alone for five minutes. You come back, manage to kill the thing, only to find one child mercilessly and literally ripped to pieces, the mother dead, the father wounded and breaking down, and the other kids and your goddamn Inven missing. You have two dead bodies and a dead monster lying at your feet and a man sobbing over it all and your literal link to life is hiding somewhere. It's dark out, the smell of blood and death hangs in the air, and your heart is about to explode. What do you do in this situation. Do you go out looking and leave the man alone? Do you lead children back to where their sister and mother are brutally murdered and still laying in their own guts and blood? Do you dare hope there aren't any more creatures roaming the wastes around you this very second?

The Lannish man took all of two steps before collapsing to his knees. Nathan started forward—only to be halted when he heard a sob.
I... I don't know what to do. He had never felt so helpless before. Training didn't prepare him for this. It didn't teach him to shoot monsters or what to do with attacks or how to comfort a man who had just lost a wife and child. Nathan looked, almost unwillingly, at Seraphine and the other body. It—she—was one of the girls. He wished desperately he could have remembered her name.

I think helplessness is one of the worst feelings in fiction, but when conveyed properly, is worse than almost everything else. It's incredibly powerful. Nathan has NO IDEA what to do, regardless of his class rank, regardless of his gun, regardless of his training, regardless of everything. He's just thrown into this and wasn't prepared in the least.

(I'm also reminded tragically of an episode of Adventure Time. Yes, it's a kid's show (but it's kickass). But in the episode The Jiggler, amongst catchy tunes and goofing around and an adorable little whistling creature they call the Jiggler, they nearly kill it and without anything else to do, the main character (a young boy) starts kissing it. "Why are you doing that?" his partner asks, alarmed. "Because--I don't know what else to do," he replies in the most heartbreaking little voice imaginable. It's short and sweet and that's how these things should be, lest they completely overpower the reader/viewer and break them/the character. A key element of tragedy is the helplessness, but mostly it's implied. When attention is drawn to it, well... Well maybe I'm just tired, I don't know. But I enjoy this.)

careful what you wish for 'cause you just might get it just might get it

2010-12-27T00:31:00.003-06:00

Sooooo I got a new laptop!

This is awesome because, well, hey! New laptop! Major bad news because it has NO working word processor program. >: I'm trying to yoink my last one from my previous computer, Tachi the first (who went to my brother), but so far, no good. Good news is that I managed to get all of my pictures, photos, word documents, and music off. Which is good. XD I am NOT going to rebuild my music library. >> Like any good teenager, I have a huge one.

Speaking of which, I'm only a teenager for another twenty five minutes! :D As of the twenty-seventh, I will officially be twenty. XD I'm old now, damn. As such (and because of family and the whole not being able to type thing), probably no Pedestal update tomorrow... whoops. I had wanted to get that and a christmas one up, but life's like that. >:

(My new laptop is Tachi II.)

come with me and you'll be in a world of pure imagination

2010-12-22T23:54:00.003-06:00

WEEEEELL. Got back home. Finished Assassin's Creed 1 and am waist-deep in 2. I love this series. Distraction!

As such, not a lot of writing. I'm not even sure I'll have a pedestal update for next week. No christmas thing, either, oh well.

Worst news of the year: NEW STORY IDEA AUGH.

"But cora, why is this bad news?" you all cry, I'm sure. The problem is that when this happens, stories get ditched. I think Pedestal's in the clear, but The Ram would be on the list of going down. WHIPLASH! too if I let this idea keep eating away at me. The problem is that I have no self-discipline whatsoever. I have never finished a novel prior to Dark Knight, and never finished an original completely-mine novel until The Rook. (note: these were both last year)

Uh it's late now I'm going to bed. More on this later.

furry walls turn out the light furry walls please stay the night

2010-12-15T21:03:00.003-06:00

WARNING! ~~Science content!~~ This is an older post that I'm just now getting around to sprucing up and posting. Remember when I had a neat little entry about the ladies of the WHIPLASH!verse? Well...

Let's have the menfolk now! Who I secretly have a huge complex about because I shared chapter one of WHIPLASH! with my boyfriend and he critique'd my manspeek. I fail at the 'manly' man, I know. (But at least in Allen's case, it's purposely averted.)

Jack Gallagher.
Jack is tall and built with brown hair that likes to fall into his eyes and big dark brown eyes. He's terribly a dog. He's loyal, energetic, prone to puppy love, etc. Maria arguably sees him as a pet, too. He's very cheerful, and not a lot can get him down. And if it does, not for long. He can rebound from almost anything - which is crazy useful out in the field.
He was ranked fifth in their graduating class. Probably could've tried harder and gotten higher, but he a) didn't terribly care, b) was busy helping Allen not-fail, and c) had to go up against some crazy motherfuckers for those top spots. At some point, I imagine he just gave up and let Sara Grace and Nathan duke it out. Then put Luca and Zeren in between them for safety.
Jack is trained in how to use most handguns (well, in theory, they ARE pretty much the same anyway) and usually uses a .45 or a 9mm, depending on his mood. In fist fights, he hits hard, but usually remains defensive and lets his opponent come to him. He likes to think he waits for the opportunity to get under their guard, which may be true and he may go for it, but he often fumbles it. He can take a hit, though (and usually does). Probably one of the more composed men while injured, haha.
Inven: Emma Jagg. His is the opposite of Nathan & Sonya's - their relationship is about 25% brotherly and 75% fatherly. If pressed, he'd claim he sees her more as a sister, but that's a lie. He's enjoys playing the father figure far too much.

Luca Becker.
Luca is a tacit, tactful, reserved, emotionally constipated man. (I'm also congratulating myself on getting to utilize the phrase 'emotionally constipated'.) He has close-cropped hair that one color that is hard to describe. Not black, but dark; not brown, but almost gray, although he's in his twenties. You know what color I'm talking about. He has dark eyes that could be brown or black or maybe even blue. Luca is always wearing his dogtags, or at least people assume they're his. No one's ever worked up the courage to ask. He graduated third, but due to a mistake in the system, didn't get paired up with an Inven with the rest of his classmates.
Luca, like Nathan and unlike Jack and Allen, knows the value of a single well-aimed shot as opposed to three potshots. He can change between a handgun and a rifle comfortably, and in the couple months he had of very unexpected downtime, he started to learn the basics of knifework. Physically, he is built and muscular and knows how to fight. He, like Jack, relies on his opponents to come to him; unlike Jack, he uses openings well. He's ruthless and goes for weak points if it will win him the fight, but he only fights if it's a life or death situation.
Inven: He eventually gets paired with Emil (it's an open secret at this point). Luca unexpectedly develops a soft spot for the boy and it's hard to tell what exactly he sees their relationship as. It may be like a father and ~~daughter~~son, or it may be like an owner and his pet... Either way, Emil very quickly gets him by the balls and keeps him. Very luckily for him, Emil is too sweet or possibly unknowing that he holds so much power over his Tego. (Very unluckily, Sonya has power over Emil and knows it. But that's another matter.)

Zeren Kaya.
Zeren hails from the land of Bauk to Sovine's direct south. In fact, he emigrated to Sovine just a couple days before leaping headfirst into the Tego exams. He didn't know a word of Sovinian and passed with flying colors. Three laws had to change after he entered into schooling. (First, 'you must speak our language'. Second, 'you have to have lived here for x amount of time to participate in the exams'. Third, 'goddamnit how could you have passed all of the tests without knowing what the hell you were doing - uh, we mean, you have to have lived here x amount of time to do anything government-related so gods help us, don't one-up us again, immigrants'.) Anyway! Zeren has soft bluish-gray hair, which a key minority in Bauk possess, and cold, steel gray eyes. He is a man of few words and doesn't like to speak in front of others. He's shy and reserved and has antisocial tendencies.
He graduated fourth in his class, and like Jack, probably could've done better but had had enough with the drama and Nathan and Sara Grace's escalating rivalry. He is skilled in weapons, but is possibly even more skilled in hand-to-hand combat. He fights in a Baukish style that he jealously guards and rarely shows off, although to his ultimate shame and annoyance, both his Inven and Allen Pershing have managed to pick up bits and pieces of it.
Inven: Genevieve Walter. Zeren isn't sure how to deal with her and does so very awkwardly at first. They soon come to a rather quiet decision on how to act, however; he treats her as an adult and they rarely talk about anything other than work. Probably the most srs bsns pair.

I'll chop it off here because the last one had just a couple characters, too. |D

she's like a star tonight without warning she gave up the ghost inside

2010-12-14T22:55:00.006-06:00

I'd first and foremost like to thank the nice comments I've been receiving lately, especially from one Trisha. If blogspot has a nifty 'reply' feature, I'm missing it; I don't mean to ignore you! That said, I thoroughly enjoy comments on what I'm aware are usually just my half-coherent ramblings. :>

I thought I'd just leave some fun facts here about various characters and myself, haha. Because I can.

+I just found out tonight that "Kamala" also means "horrible" in finnish. If you've read Pedestal, this is hilarious.

+Also on names - I just now finished creating/naming all of the other Gym race trainers' teams. Some of the awesome names: Hansel, Gretel, Nolan, Hark, Asher, Litese, Samael, Noe, Reva, Ato, Vina, Taraka, Desmond, Miles (you see what I did there), and Susannah.

+Vaikuntha means "the savior".

+Lola and Lenore both means "sorrows".

+Nick means "victory of the people".

+I share a birthday with Hyuuga Hinata, one of my favorite characters from the series Naruto.

+I mentally call the nameless narrator 'NamNar' even though I know his name. I have a feeling this will persist for forever.

+I like to call Nathan 'Nate', although that's not his nickname and I don't like it for him.

+I seem to be very rough on my characters. Lenore has the most scars (by far) of all of my female characters, Sela is still missing a tooth from the riot, Alicia has broken ribs and a leg before, Sonya will probably end up getting shot/break some bones, Lola's had stitches and in fact has had that shoulder ripped open on three separate occasions, Sara Grace will break an arm, and Maria will probably get mauled by a bear or something. Tuesday also has some scarring around her wrist from tugging on her bracelet so much. She also has numerous scars from the Rook...

+For the menfolk: NamNar, a fourteen year old boy (at the time of writing; he started out in-story at ten and will end when he's fifteen) is the most scarred BY FAR of the male characters I own. Following at a distant second is probably one of the male Tego, possibly Thomas or Allen (Lenore, what do you do to those boys!). Nathan will get shot, Allen will have broken bones, Jack's already been in the hospital, and I'm sure SOMETHING will happen to Luca and Emil and Zeren.

+I myself have a couple interesting scars. My newest and most obvious is on my left elbow, from where I skinned it going down the super slide at the county fair this summer. BEST SCAR STORY EVER Y/Y (maturity what maturity)

+I'm not fluent in any language save English, but I'm sure as hell working on that avec francais. Though usually I just speak franglish.

+I'm also making up the language of Lanne (screw the others! SCREW THE OTHERS!) for WHIPLASH! and it sucks ass. It's based heavily on latin, french, spanish, and the basque dialect/language. I'm completely and utterly making it up as I go along.

I am now going to bed! *v*

you're gonna catch a cold from the ice inside your soul

2010-12-11T22:35:00.003-06:00

I want to write something about myself (which I never do, haha). Due to recent events in my life. But I don't want to be a walking stereotype; I don't want to have it looked at as a cry for attention. I'm a writer, and writers write what they know. I want people to know this, to know about me, to bare my soul to someone without fear of judgment and only for support.

But I know this won't happen, haha. Humanity is too... idek. I'm selfish, too. I like keeping secrets. I'll just return to my characters and their fictional lives, even if I finally have some drama to rival their own.

who do you think you are running around leaving scars

2010-12-09T21:40:00.003-06:00

So I'm rereading After School Nightmare (delicious, delicious manga - I don't care if you don't normally read manga, read it because it is amazing and the best psychological horror thing I have possibly ever read) as a treat to myself and because I am impulsive. This has made me start on a second WHIPLASH! ASN thing, because I am a dork.

At least I'm writing again. I've also worked more on chapter 8, although Nathan's being a dork, too. I'm glad to be writing something that's not The Ram, though, haha... idk what I'll do with Pedestal. I have an actual buffer! Shock and awe, I know.

But now mangafox's server died, so I can't read any more ASN. EVEN THOUGH I'M ON LIKE THE SECOND TO LAST CHAPTER /flail

Wolfie and I are planning on writing the most depressing thing ever. This is actually like, the third thing we said we'd write together in the past couple months. XD If you want an idea of what it'll be like, go play One Chance - but be aware, it's true. You only get one chance to play it. And you could possibly end up with the saddest pixelated scene ever created as the ending which will LOOP FOREVER if you let it. Even if you reload the page.

i wonder why my heart feels dead inside it feels cold and hard and petrified

2010-11-30T20:42:00.003-06:00

OH MY GOD GUYS I JUST REACHED 50k. Admittedly, I was sitting at 49k for the past three days, but hey, life gets in the way sometimes. STILL. GREEN BAR. GONNA GET PURPLE ONCE I'M DONE WITH THIS PASSAGE.

Here's the last paragraph I wrote:

Oh my God—Stephen. With that, her train of thought finally derailed. He had been poking and prodding at her the entire time she’d known him for this sort of thing, although admittedly because he thought she was still seeing them as hallucinations. If he found out that the Rabbit was more or less real, he would immediately become suspicious of the rest. Even more so because she had never mentioned it to him before. And with his overactive imagination…

and with his last breath severus said "take it, take it!"

2010-11-22T17:07:00.003-06:00

I wrote over 3.5k yesterday!

/celebrations

In other news, I'm sick. XD Doesn't make for very good writing... Although I've been a bad girl in the fact that I've switched stories for some of my wordcount. I'm still writing, so that's good, right?

Anyway, I'm off to eat soup and watch NCIS and think of more ways to torture my Namelss Narrator.

la vie ne vaut rien rien la vie ne vaut rien

2010-11-19T12:24:00.006-06:00

God, look at that horrible rainbow of a NaNoWriMo update box.

I will fix that this weekend. THIS, I SWEAR.

Here are some cute things I drew though:

here i am a rabbit hearted girl frozen in the headlights it seems i've made the final sacrifice

2010-11-10T15:16:00.003-06:00

So my laptop's charger finally gave up on life and refuses to charge my laptop. The good news is that it's not the laptop itself and that my roommate's charger actually works in it. The bad news? She won't actually let me use it.

Now I could go into a long rant about how much of a bitch that makes her and how she's kinda stupid for thinking that it will utterly destroy her charger (even though that it a) fits both computers comfortably, since they're the same make, b) I pointed out that they have the same ampage, and c) she said it 'heats up too much' and I outright proved to her that it does not), let's skip that. :U The point is, my laptop has less than 20% power and is, for all intents and purposes, unusable.

Thankfully Mark is coming up this weekend and will hopefully bring a new charger with him. If all else, my dad will mail it to me when it arrives (although I'd be pissed, as this is my second day without a working laptop and I already have to wait until friday night).

UGH I HATE NONCUSTOMIZED COMPUTERS. ESPECIALLY ONES WITH NOISY KEYBOARDS.

your heart is true you're a pal and a confidante

2010-11-08T08:20:00.002-06:00

URGH.

So I forgot to set my time back for Daylight Savings Time on NaNo, thinking that it was done automatically. It wasn't. So those 168 words it seems to think I wrote today? I wrote those at 11.08 last night. I DON'T DESERVE THAT YELLOW BOX. GIMME THAT GODDAMN GREEN ONE.

I changed it now, but... ugh. That's just annoying. I stayed up past my bedtime last night - and with a test to take right away in the morning - just to make that wordcount to get my words in to get that green box.

Raeg.

this is a gift it comes with a price who is the lamb and who is the knife?

2010-11-07T20:57:00.005-06:00

So. Tuesday has been asked by her brand new therapist to keep an online journal. And because she's paranoid/obsessive about these things, she changes her password every time she logs in.

Her username is "aviscarmenae" which should translate loosely to "bird of song".

Her passwords have/will include:
"TheGunpowderTreasonAndPlot" from V for Vendetta
"communityIDENTITYstability" from Brave New World
"NightlockNightlockNightlock" from Mockingjay
"ALOHAMORA" from Harry Potter
"QuothTheRaven_nevermore" from The Raven

I also want something from:
+the Artemis Fowl series
+The Lovely Bones
+how i live now
+The Great Gatsby
+To Kill A Mockingbird
+The Scarlet Letter
+the Narnia series
+Where The Wild Things Are
+Les Miserables
+Catch-22
+Message In A Bottle
+Good Omens
+WHIPLASH! & Pedestal, haha

Any more suggestions? Tuesday reads just about EVERYTHING but horror and gory stuff. She likes magical fantasy and romance, especially the star-crossed kind. "Intelligent" books are also on her list of loves. Even references to your own novels would be great! XD

i am the second alone in a faceless crowd a human caught in monochrome dreams i scream to wake up

2010-11-01T22:16:00.004-05:00

So last night I thought it was a GRAND IDEA to go to tvtropes.

I didn't get any more preparations done last night. And, in fact, I also gave myself nightmares from reading Guts (do. not. read.) and the Eldritch Abomination page. DAMN. Eventually, I went to sleep thinking of hugging Mister Beggar (best therapy I have ever found; if you appreciate that reference, YOU ARE MY NEW BEST FRIEND) and thinking of my own horror plans. I thought of my horror to comfort myself. XD

And now we've officially started into november! EXCITING TIMES AMIRIGHT. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

As a reminder, here is a link to my '10 story! (the first two chapters and 3,291 words of the third chapter are not counted in my nano wordcount, rest assured.) I also have this neat little wordcount thing to the right over there that keeps track of my wordcount here!

HAPPY WRITING!

why to people live in sorrow why do they have to live in fear for all the children of tomorrow we'll be stronger way is clear bring that beat back

2010-10-27T11:14:00.003-05:00

Left my Rook notebook at home (again). Damn. The earliest possible chance I could get it is over veteran's day weekend, and that's IF I allow my family or boyfriend to root around in various notebooks to find out which one. Which I don't feel like doing. SO that means I don't get it until thanksgiving! XD

I've compiled all of the demons and their powers that I can remember/came up with recently on EverNote, which is an amazing program. Only being the idiot that I am, I downloaded it too early and subsequently, my free trial will run out on October 31st. Damn. I'll probably get another month's worth on my own and then try to con someone into getting me a year's worth, but it's a great program. *w* Me likey.

Just typing this made me recall a couple of demons though... Or just one. XD I'm pretty sure I've at least gotten the ones that are mentioned in The Rook and the new ones that'll appear in The Ram... PLANNING. THIS IS HOW YOU DON'T DO IT, GUYS.

well i've never had to knock on wood but i know someone who has

2010-10-26T20:33:00.003-05:00

[[Tuesday AGAIN! This is important and spoiler-ish. X3 This is post-Rook Tuesday.]]

1. What is your full name? Do you have a nickname?
Tuesday Leonora Olson. James and Anna call me Day sometimes.

2. How old are you? When is your birthday?
I am twenty-two years old now... My birthday is September 18th.

3. Where were you born? Where do you live now? Are you patriotic?
I was born in Arkansas, but now I live in Seattle. I don't think I'm very patriotic. I don't wave flags or anything. I hardly even find the time to watch fireworks on the fourth...

4. Who are/were your parents? (Names, occupations, personalities, etc.)
My mother was a librarian. My father had a couple jobs... Their names were Thad and Anita Olson. Mom was, well, like a librarian--pretty quiet, loved books and reading, very loving but firm. But she was very smart and could tell you anything about any book ever. She was the best. Dad was quiet, too, but more solemn than bookish. He was very much a business man, but that's not to say he didn't have his silly moments. He loved playing with our dog. He had the most handsome smile...

5. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
I was an only child.

6. What is your occupation?
Um... I work at a book store, and I suppose I'm a writer... *sigh*

7. How tall are you? How much do you weigh?
5'6, 148 pounds...

8. What color is your hair? What color are your eyes?
I have very dark brown hair, and very dark brown eyes. I think they've gotten darker recently...

9. What is your race?
I'm human.

10. To which social class do you belong?
I feel like a college student again, although I suppose my income puts me in the middle class. I'm still making a bit off of my book, Mr. Fallun wants to make a movie, and I have pay from the book store. And the Ram's income...

11. Do you consider yourself to be attractive? Do others?
Not really. I know I've gained weight and I wear baggy clothes on purpose. I don't know what others thing. The Rook doesn't find me very attractive, that's for sure.

12. What is your style of dress?
Long skirts, the loose kind that fan out. Baggy sweaters and long-sleeves. Neutral, natural colors. I still like blues and greens...

13. Do you have any scars? Tattoos? Birthmarks? Other unique physical features?
I have a couple of scars, the most recent one on my wrist from wringing that charm bracelet around it so many times...

14. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
I have some mild allergies to furry mammals. But not much else.

15. Are you right- or left-handed?
Right-handed.

16. What does your voice sound like?
Quiet. Very, very quiet. I-I sort of have a stutter now, too, because of those stupid demons...

17. What kind of vocabulary do you use?
I'm not sure. A large one? A well-educated one? A reading one?

18. List three quirks or other defining characteristics.
I still wear lots of mascara and eyeliner. I like dark lashes. Um, let's see... I fidget a lot. Mostly it's touching my hair, but I also play with my bracelet. I hum to myself just before I fall asleep.

19. How often do you bathe? Do you wear perfumes?
Every evening I take a shower, early enough so I have time to dry my hair before I go to bed. I don't wear actual perfume, but I like to wear body spray. Usually something like sweet pea. I like the more natural scents instead of those flowery or fruity ones.

20. What kind of facial expression do you commonly wear (dour glare, wry smile, etc)?
Lately... I have a habit of frowning nervously or biting my lip. It might be my makeup, but I also seem to have wide eyes, like I'm scared all the time. Of course, that might not be too far off...

21. Do you use body language? How?
I keep eye contact with the Rook and Ram, but I look down or away for humans, I think. I fret with my fingers when I'm in public, or with the bottom hem of my shirt.

22. Do you have a commonly used saying?
I don't believe I do.

CHILDHOOD

23. What is your earliest memory?
A bed time story with my parents.

24. How much schooling have you had? Did you enjoy it?
I had a year of college and completed high school. I mildly enjoyed it, but I haven't been able to muster up the energy to go back to finish it.

25. Where did you learn most of your knowledge and skill?
Life experiences and books.

26. How would you describe your childhood in general?
So very happy. My family was so warm and safe and happy...

27. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A storyteller, or a librarian like my mother.

28. When and with whom was your first kiss?
It was in grade school or middle school, with a boy by the name of Bobby Fitz.

29. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
...I am not. I lost it to Chris during senior year.

30. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? Does that affect you?
I don't, so it doesn't.

INFLUENCES

31. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
...The island events. Important doesn't necessarily mean good...

32. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I don't know. Getting into college, even if I didn't complete it.

33. What is your greatest regret?
...what happened on the island...

34. What is the most embarrassing or shameful thing ever to happen to you?
That time of the month in the asylum...

35. Do you have any secrets? If so, what are they?
I-I tried to keep the island a secret. I keep the truth secret.

36. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
...

37. When was the time you were the most frightened?
The night when the Rook followed me into the asylum and I realized that he was real.

38. Have you ever traveled outside of your country? If so, to where?
I've been to Italy and Canada.

BELIEFS

39. What is your alignment?
I'm an atheist.

40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
Pessimistic, I'm afraid. I've been through too much to be otherwise.

41. Do you believe in a god? If so, which one and why?
I don't, not anymore. If He existed, He wouldn't have let any of this happen.

42. Do you believe in an afterlife?
Hell is where I'm going, I'm fairly certain.

43. What is your greatest fear?
Hell, but probably not in the sense you're thinking of...

44. What makes you angry? Sad? Happy? Why?
My life, for the most part, haha... When people treat that damned book so frivolously or say they enjoyed it, that makes me angry. Or perhaps frustrated is the better word? Frustrated and aggressive. When I recall certain memories, particularly my parents, they make me sad... Not much makes me happy anymore, but a good book will. So will polite customers who don't recognize me.

45. Do you think people are basically good or basically evil?
Yes.

46. What are your views on politics?
They're messy and I stay out of them now.

47. What are your views on gambling, lying, theft, and killing?
They're all wrong.

48. How far will you go to defend your beliefs?
To the death.

49. How much do you value money?
I value it as far as it gets me in life.

50. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Take away someone's loved ones.

51. Do you believe in self-sacrifice for the greater good?
Yes.

52. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
I want to, and I may have once, but not anymore. Not since Chris left my life.

53. Are you superstitious?
Not really.

54. How much do you respect the beliefs and opinions of others?
I respect them as much as they respect mine.

55. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings?
I am honest with my feelings, but usually not my thoughts.

56. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
I'm biased against all of the petty little humans running around, ignorant of what could be hunting them. They're so lucky and so damn stupid.

DEALING WITH OTHERS

57. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
I'm not sure. Probably Mr. Fallun.

58. Who is the person you respect the most? Despise the most? Why?
I despise the Rook and the Ram and the rest of their kind! They're horrible, monstrous creatures who should kill each other off and get the hell away from me!

59. Do you have a significant other? Who? Why?
Not anymore. In a way, I guess I'm still getting over Chris.

60. Do you have a lot of friends? Who is your best friend?
Not anymore. I'm friendly with my coworkers, and some of them seem to like me, but we never hang out or anything.

61. How do you relate to members of the same race? Class? Sex?
I'm definitely better with humans than demons. Also better with females than males.

62. How do you relate to members of a different race? Class? Sex?
...Stiffly at best.

63. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
I was in love with Chris, but after the incident of the island, and after seeing him once in the asylum... Never again.

64. What do you look for in a potential lover?
I'm not looking, because the Rook would only end up taking him away from me. I'm not going to do that to anyone else.

65. How close are you to your family?
...They're dead.

66. Do you want a marriage, family, and/or children?
I did, I really did. But now, I'm not sure...

67. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
I'm an avoider. It's so much easier to avoid fighting with the Rook and not get hit for it, and it's spilled over into the rest of my life, too.

68. Are you a listener or a talker?
I'm a listener. I'm quiet.

69. How long does it usually take for you to trust others?
I'm not sure I can anymore.

70. Do you hold grudges?
Not anymore. They're petty and stupid.

71. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
I don't like to, but I'd like to think I'm still able to...

72. Do you like interacting with large groups of people?
Not at all.

73. How well do you express yourself?
I've been struggling with it more and more ever since the Ram came into my life.

74. How quickly do you judge others?
Instantaneously, but only little judgments.

75. Do you care what others think of you?
Not very much.

76. Do you have any enemies? How or why are they your enemy?
The demon populace at large... They're terrible monsters!

PERSONAL TASTE AND OPINIONS

77. What is your favorite pastime? Color? Food? Possession?
I still like reading, and working is actually fun. My favorite color is indigo, since it's cool and dark and very pretty. My favorite food is anything chinese or asian.

78. What are your preferences in arts and/or entertainment?
I generally stay away from horror, and I'm a sucker for romantic things...

79. Do you smoke, drink, go whoring, or use drugs? Why or why not?
Never. I've done enough stupid things in my life without adding to the list.

80. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
Working, getting groceries, or curled up and watching television.

81. What is your most cherished fantasy?
...changing the past. I just want to go back to how things were. I want him back.

82. How long is your attention span?
Long. I'm very patient.

83. Do you laugh a lot? What do you find funny?
Not anymore. Although I do find dry humor (like british things) funny.

84. Is there anything that shocks or offends you? If so, what?
The Rook. The violence in the world. What even humans are capable of.

85. How do you deal with stress?
I'll read alone, listen to some light music. Or I'll leave the house, since the Rook and Ram are usually around.

86. How much athletic ability do you have? Artistic?
I don't have much of either of those...

87. Do you like animals? Do you like children?
I love them both.

88. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
I prefer plans, mostly due to the Rook's tendency to be spontaneous.

89. Do you have a pet? If so, what is his/her name? Species? Fur color? Etc…
I did as a child, but not anymore. The Rook would kill it. Unless he counts...

SELF-IMAGE

90. What is your greatest strength as a person? Weakness?
I've gotten more and more stable, back to being even. But sometimes, the little things pile up and once they do, I'm utterly useless. Once I break down, I'm out.

91. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My past.

92. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
Introverted, unfortunately.

93. Do you like yourself?
Not anymore. I'm working on that, though. My therapist says I have to get my self-esteem back up.

94. Do you have a daily routine? How do you feel if your day is interrupted?
I do, but since interruptions are fairly standard, they don't bother me as much as they once did. Stuff happens.

95. What goal do you most want to accomplish in the next six months? Your lifetime?
In the next six months, I would like to survive with my sanity still intact. I'd like to get rid of the demons before I die...

96. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
I don't even plan that far ahead anymore...

97. If you could choose, how would you want to die?
Content with life!

98. What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for after your death?
Nothing, hopefully.

99. What three words would you use to best describe your personality?
Gloomy, submissive, skittish.

100. What three words would others probably use to describe you?
Shy, independent, airheaded? I'm not sure. It would depend on who you ask.

101. Why are you risking your life to adventure?
Because living with the Rook as a poltergeist is risking my life. I didn't ask for this. Lord knows I didn't.

curtain goes up and the lights come down wanna see the new look gotta hear the new sound

2010-10-13T12:47:00.003-05:00

Herpaderp, no update for Pedestal tomorrow. Didn't get the chapter done, not even half done. ._. Plus I want all of the last race chapters to be double length to go through it quicker, so yeah...

I'm also very keenly stuck on WHIPLASH!. This is terribly annoying because I really really really want to work on it a bit more before November rolls around, but the words won't come. I know what I want to happen, I know roughly what the rest of the chapter should be, but it's just... not coming. Ugh.

I'd also like to get chapter three of The Ram done by November so I can start a new chapter/document for NaNo. But Stephen, that little ass, isn't cooperating. Neither is Tuesday. And the Ram only wants to beat on the Rook. idek what the Rook's up to these days.

Note to self: Get something done of WHIPLASH! first. Then finish The Ram chapter. Then spend the rest of the month churning out excess Pedestal.

i've been here before a few times and i'm quite aware we're dying

2010-10-08T11:25:00.003-05:00

So since I'll be in the state's only big city this weekend, I'm going to be going out shopping! Exciting, right, but you may be asking what this has to do with writing. Well!

Apparently, a new nanowrimo trend is to get an article of clothing/outfit for each of your main characters and to wear it when you feel inspired for them/want to feel inspired for them! This sounds terribly fun, so I decided I'm gonna give it a try. :D I have no idea how many characters I'm gonna get stuff for, but I plan at least three.

Tuesday = baggy sweater, I'm thinking dark blue or green or purple.
The Ram = turtleneck! Haha, no, seriously.
Stephen = hipster clothes! Probably some shirt (+maybe a scarf?) with some hipster-esque design on it. I sorta already have the glasses.

Optional characters, if I could find the right clothes for:

The Rook = I know his exact outfit, but somehow, I doubt I'll find it. If I could find some sort of maroon long-sleeved shirt, though, perhaps.
The Owl = a blue dress, which I highly doubt I'll find, much less buy. But hey! If I find it, I'll go for it.
The Mockingbird = Some sort of brown or black hoodie... I'm not entirely sure. But if I saw it, I'm sure I'd pick it up.

I may just do this for other characters, too. XD Just because it sounds really fun and it'd be like a giant inside joke with yourself and your characters. Nathan and Sonya would be hella fun, too... And I have wanted to make a Pedestal shirt or two... HMM.

my voice drowns deep underground only the dead can hear me see me

2010-10-02T22:48:00.002-05:00

Well, the new NaNoWriMo site is up and running, and I'm already perusing its forum. XD And updating my profile, etc. I'm mad because I had typed up an awesome synopsis for The Ram on there, completely forgetting about the site wipe, and then came back to no synopsis. D:

November's going to be fun. XD My roommate is more or less used to the creepy-ass music at midnight (she loooooves silent hill), but I have a new guy since last November, and he's kinda scared of it. He also said he's not going to visit me, aww. D: Probably for the best, though... More writing time. And less creepiness he gets to see from his girlfriend.

I'm also going to go to a write-in or meeting or something if it kills me. Especially since we evidently have TWO MLs for east river this year! (as opposed to none the year before, and one for the entire state the year before) Yeah boyyyyy. It'd be even awesomer if I could get some USD students to be NaNoers, or find the ones who already are. (I know there are others, damn it! DX I just don't know who they are...)

trust me there's no need to fear everyone's here waiting for you to finally be one of us

2010-09-25T23:22:00.005-05:00

NNGH. Porn is hard to write.

After spending the day being terribly, horribly inspired by some Pedestal things and a fuckton of Rook things, I brainstormed a lot with my wifey, and then we collapsed into discussing how hot/cute shota!Ram is. And how he needs to get laid. By the Rook. Don't ask. XD

But seriously, mini Ram. How cute would that be. We also decided Tuesday is the mommy to everyone but the Rook & Ram are her parents, haha. Paradoxes aside, IT MAKES SENSE. I also tweaked The Rook soundtrack so now it's more for the general series instead of just the first book. Basically I added Petite Cossette, a whole hell of a lot of Silent Hill, Disgusting for the lulz, and some Neuroticfish. And then took out some of the 'lighter' songs. It's a lot more mellow, creepy, and sad now. Less anger, haha.

I also left my notes for the other demons in my other notebook AT HOME FFFFFFFFFF. And of course I didn't put it on le internet. u_u My only hope is either somehow going home before November, doing the best I can with what I can remember (read: not a lot), or biting the bullet and having my boyfriend pick it up for me when he visits which would not only entail him reading my notes but GOING THROUGH THE NOTEBOOK. Going through several. Which have drawings in them. BAD DRAWINGS. The more I think about that option the more I think 'oh hell naw'.

Originally I was going to put the oneshot I wrote up on here, but then I realized there were spoilers. >: Sorry guys. MAYBE LATER WHEN THEY'RE NOT SPOILERS ANYMORE? :D?

it's disgusting how i love you god i hate this i could kill you

2010-09-23T17:30:00.002-05:00

Dream sequence GO!

This is gonna be so amazing. Pretty sure it'll be the last one of the story, too. D: Well... TECHNICALLY not... >w> But that would be telling, so it's the last "dream" sequence. Terribly enough, y'all will figure out what I'm referring to later. And it'll break your hearts. (It's been hard to write.)

Anyway, there's so much foreshadowing in this it's hilarious. Not to mention SYMBOLISM! And I'll admit, some of it is symbolic for things NamNar doesn't even know. u_u But I couldn't resist. (Hints: Alicia & her feathers, Celia's appearance...)

Also I have something REALLY FUCKING EPIC planned. You have no idea. It will be the best thing ever, promise.

and all he said was and roses are red

2010-09-11T00:02:00.005-05:00

Here's some WHIPLASH! character things for y'all. Both so I can work on my babies, and so I could get feedback. (that means comment. *stares hard at certain readers*) Let's do the ladies first!

Sara Grace Kellner.
Her left eye is blue, her right one is hazel. She has "honey" colored hair. I based her physical design off of the concept of a "prom queen". She's very pretty, hair in ringlets, great body, gracious attitude, etc. ...Except when she's not like that. Sara Grace can be catty (mostly to Nathan), rude, brutal, and calculating. She's smart and knows how to manipulate others. (Hey! Just like a prom queen, after all!)
Personality-wise, Sara Grace is a girl. She's insecure deep-down - but mostly about being female. She sees herself as a Tego first, then a woman. Unfortunately, this is hard to do when everyone and their mother knows you as the "girl Tego". As a result, she's become more and more withdrawn and dresses up less and less. Which is sad, because she probably really likes cute clothes. She tries to act like a tomboy. And when she's not trying, she's great at it; six years of training with a class full of men lets her interact with the rougher gender pretty easily. But when she IS trying, she fails. She hates being called weak, and doubly so if she thinks it's because she's female. She will not hesitate to show you that she can, in fact, kick your ass without breaking a sweat.
Her training was pretty routine. She uses a .45 as her gun of choice, and relies mostly on weapons. If pressed into a physical battle, she'll hit hard and fast and hope to disorient or incapacitate her opponent quickly.
Inven: Ann Iridos. Their relationship is sister-like.

Maria Delgado.
Maria is heavyset, but don't let that fool you. A lot of that is muscle. Muscle she will throw around. And what she can't do with her fists she'll do with her sharp tongue and quick wit. Or, you know, with a gun. Maria is laid-back, doesn't give a flying fuck about anyone other than those she cares about, curses like a sailor, and has a temper. She has black hair and black eyes, very characteristic of northern Lanne.
Maria is hard and caustic, but does surprisingly have a softer side. People aren't sure which side it is she presents to Jack Gallagher, but it's pretty well known that she's put him in the hospital a couple different times. She's best friends with Sara Grace and was friends with Talli Johnson as well. She can be one of the guys (case-in-point: she can outdrink most of them) and is just as comfortable as a girl. She's very comfortable in her skin and while she's heavier, she has no problem with this. She's more or less fit and what disadvantages she does have due to that, she made sure to balance out with other things.
Maria went into sniper training and generally uses a .22 rifle for that. She knows Kyymese and Lannish martial arts but prefers hard punches and kicks to the groin/stomach.
Inven: Natania Novak. She and Natania have a working relationship. They mostly use each other, but probably like each other deep down. Probably.

Lenore Coracks.
Lenore is tall. Like, oh my god, tall. Breaks six feet easy. She's self-conscious about this, but hides it well. She has long black hair and black eyes, but is only a quarter Lannish. (Dark hair is fairly common in Sovine, anyway.) Lenore prefers to wear yellow and lighter colors, mostly because with that much black hair, it's too easy to fall into gothic trends. So she's tall and willowy, with angular eyes and a small nose.
Lenore is motherly to a fault. No, seriously, it's one of her biggest faults. She would go after refugee children and was a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, this very often placed her in danger and her Tego was not fond of that habit of hers. This also attached her immediately to any children and, well, heaven forbid one should die on a mission. This has toned down since her last Tego died and other circumstances happened, but it's still very apparent in how she treats the younger Inven. She secretly wants to adopt Sonya and Emil.
Lenore had a year of physical training and can at least protect herself, and can usually wield a knife pretty well. She knows how to point and shoot a gun, but not much else. She's an Inven; she relies on her Tego for physical protection.
Tego: Thomas Sayre. She was in love with him, and he with her. I'm pretty sure they were basically married. Very cute couple. They were the best team and a favorite among the officers.
+Allen Pershing. They eventually get past the awkward stages, but Lenore still can't let go of her past. She doesn't want to get romantically involved, even though Allen seems all for it.

I think Sonya speaks for herself...

quand il se penche quand il se penche mes nuits sont blanches et pour toujours

2010-09-09T11:28:00.004-05:00

So Pedestal passed DK as my most favorited (by a fair amount, too, hmm...) but I still have no idea what to do for it. D: HELP GAIZ.

And I had twenty minutes free time in French, so I outlined the next arc or two in WHIPLASH!. Which is good, since, you know, I have no idea where that story is going. I almost miss(?) writing blind. |D

So here's a WHIPLASH! excerpt (I would use a Pedestal one, but the next chapter is going up later today, so I figure it would be redundant).

“What was that about?” Allen asked cluelessly.
“There will always be things between a Tego and Inven that simply will not be understood by any other pair,” Lenore replied, tone curt. He bowed his head, cowed, and didn’t reply. She sat down in the chair Sonya had claimed before, crossed her legs, and folded her hands neatly in her lap. “I’m going to talk to you boys about a few things now.”
“Is it really the best time?” Nathan inquired, eyes narrowed.
“Sonya’s asleep and I have you both as a captive audience. I see no better time,” she said with a beam.
“In that case, by all means, continue.”
“Nathan,” Allen scolded. Nathan only shrugged, coughed, and turned back to Lenore.
“Right now, Allen and I have been stealing a lot of the attention,” she started right in. Nathan huffed and crossed his arms. “It’s true. You and Sonya wouldn’t have even appeared on Leland’s radar for another couple of months, save for the fact that you brought in the little Lannish boy. This is both a blessing and a curse for you two. Emil now serves as Leland’s new distraction, but you two are now known to him.”
“Why are you saying this?”
“Because Leland Aminov is not someone you want to get too comfortable with. Especially Sonya,” Lenore surmised grimly. “Eventually, he will either try to recruit her for one of his special projects, or you could luck out and be too important to the Tego half for him to interfere much. I hope that is your case.”
“It will be his case,” Allen broke in with a look down at his friend, “Nathan and Sara Grace are the favorites. They’re both safe.”
“Leland is gaining more power over this project. The Inven are what drive this effort—let’s not try and pretend it’s any different. Without us, you would simply be fodder on the front lines.”
“Lenore!” Nathan snapped, sitting up with a glower. She glared right back at him. Allen pushed Nathan back down and turned to give his Inven a look that told her to plainly back off as well. Not that she noticed or respected it.
“I’m trying to give you a warning, Nathan Loar. I have years of experience on you and I’ve seen the darker side of this war.”
“It’s a war. It’s all dark. And if you badmouth our soldiers one more time—”
“Nathan, kindly shut up.” Lenore pinched the bridge of her nose, head tilted away from him. “You can be patriotic later. I’m only giving you this warning because you are a friend of Allen’s, but if you’re not going to take me seriously, then I’ll stop here and let you die out there.”
“Lenore, he doesn’t—well, you both don’t—Lenore, be nice. Nathan, listen to her.” Allen had to physically keep Nathan pinned to the couch.
“You’re on her side?” he asked, falling back with a betrayed look.
“She’s my Inven, and in this case, she’s right,” he admitted, though he couldn’t meet his friend’s eye. Allen fidgeted nervously and looked at Lenore. “I… I’ve seen the front lines. They’re not pretty, Nathan. I haven’t seen a Prissy yet or any of the monsters, or found any dead refugees, or what have you, but I’ve seen Sovinian soldiers get shot up and killed, and we had to bring them back. I’ve seen Aminov argue with Lenore, try to push his research forward through intimidation and enticement.”
“That reminds me. If you see a Prissy, for the sake of anything you hold precious or holy, run,” Lenore interrupted briskly. Nathan coughed again but didn’t say anything in argument. “I don’t care if you want to try to be a hero. You can play hero all you’d like with the regulars and Paronese and soldiers.”
“What are Prissies?” Nathan deadpanned.
“It’s slang for Pristines. They’re those monstrous things you’ll see out in the wastes, except they still look human. They won’t be broken or bloody or hurt. They’ll look, well, pristine. And that’s why you have to run like hell,” she explained, ducking her head so her hair covered her eyes. “They stayed clean and whole for a reason—because they’re dangerous. I’ve only seen one myself once before and it ripped apart three soldiers, two Tego, and an Inven before someone managed to stop it. So if you see one, run. I‘d like to avoid as many funerals as possible in the near future.”

only you can make me feel so true i'll never never be so blue as long as i have you

2010-09-07T22:35:00.003-05:00

[kampfbee] says (10:26 PM):
I want to name one of the WHIPLASH! chapters "Beata Maria".
It's latin.
[kampfbee] says (10:27 PM):
It means "Forgive me, Maria", and Maria of course refers to the virgin Mary.
I know it's religious, but I like the phrase and the implication.
Plus I have a character named Maria.
I just can't decide which chapter it'd be for...
[kampfbee] says (10:29 PM):
I have this really clear scene in my head of Nathan and Allen coming back from a join mission and Allen bowing his head, his bangs would cover his eyes, and just ask Maria to forgive him. He'd be near tears, gritting his teeth, and telling her that Jack died. Maria and Jack are going to become a canon couple, so that would be sad. If I did do that, I want Maria to not only break down, but whereas
earlier she had sex with Jack and hoping she wasn't pregnant, after that, desperately hoping she WAS so she could have his bb.
Then again, I'm not sure I could handle killing Jack.
He's too cute to.
Plus Jack x Maria = cutest couple EVAR.
...though Sonya x Vai and Allen x Lenore probably top it at their high points.
[kampfbee] says (10:30 PM):
So the other option would be to kill Annie, Maria's sister-in-law. Which would be safer, but a bit harder to justify the impact, you know?
Or maybe...
Maybe Sara Grace could die. XD
Nathan would be like "YES".
[kampfbee] says (10:31 PM):
Because he actually does NOT have one of those "I hate her but I LURVE HER" relationships with her. He actually just hates her. There's no romance. XD Which is rare, especially for male - female relationships.
But Sara Grace actually did go out with Allen earlier in their training, so she and he are still on fairly civil terms.
[kampfbee] says (10:32 PM):
...And apparently that fact I was looking for I didn't put in. ._.
So I get to make it up! ...apparently.

I was looking for the fact of what is a Tego's pay, because I could not remember what I had set it as. But apparently, it was in an earlier draft and got deleted somewhere along the way. On the upside, I reread WHIPLASH!, corrected the one mistake I found, and refamiliarized myself with a couple of the subplots I had going on. (Samantha is a big one.)

I also want to find a way to put in what really happened to Jack and Emma during the attack somewhere. Because Jack's story was a lie. I just don't know how to do that. D: Jack and Emma are basically the only 'normal' Inven pair that gets any amount of screentime. Nathan & Sonya are CRAZAY, Allen & Lenore are quirky beyond reason, Maria & Natania regard each other grudgingly and as fodder, Luca & Emil are both male (very rare) and are very unsure of each other, et cetera.

i don't want you to change for all the hurt that you feel this world is just illusion always trying to change you

2010-08-25T15:27:00.004-05:00

Two things this post shall hold:

One, this song will be mandatory listening during the last scenes of Pedestal. I'll give out the mp3 to anyone who wants it, so just drop me an email or something and I'll send it your way. BEAUTIFUL song.

Second, when I was holed up in the Denver airport (which I loathe) for four hours with literally nothing to do, eekun and I decided to make a story via text. I sorta want to delete them out of my outbox already, so here they are. XD

"Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Sonya. She was a happy, friendly girl with loving friends and a natural charm that helped her through life.

But one day, she met a boy. But not just any boy, oh no. He immediately changed her life. No one knows [if] it was for the better, though.

His name was - well, that would be telling. He was a little quieter than she was, but no less spunky. His most defining feature, however and oddly enough, was his luck.

It was terrible. They met when he was running - from someone unknown, since he refused to tell - and he ran right into her. She may have overreacted and kicked him off with a bit too much force.

He received a bloody nose, but they bonded after she decided to feel sorry for him and helped him clean it up. She snuck him into her dorm... Or tried to.

Thankfully, it wasn't her caretaker, but instead their neighbor, Lenore [who caught them]. She sympathized with the children and got them safely to Sonya's room.

'Sonya,' Lenore asked, 'Is this another one of your ploys to get Nathan to like you?' Sonya only stared at her, unable to grasp what she was getting at.

Lenore calmly explained that some girls try to make boys jealous by hanging out with other boys. This made the unlucky boy nervous."

And that's as far as I got in the time allotted. XD NamNar (the unnamed boy, obviously) was going to think that Sonya was using him to get to Nathan, which was pretty much a lie. Nathan WAS going to get jealous, but not in the way that Sonya (hadn't) planned. And NamNar was running from Nick, so there'd be a whole showdown. It'd be epic.

i just feel stupid when i'm dancing like a psychopathic fool

2010-08-23T13:25:00.002-05:00

I am never going to be productive again.

~~or maybe I'll be extra nerdy and make some for my characters?~~

In ACTUAL writing news: I'm back from Wolfie's, Mark is monopolizing a lot of my free time, The Hunger Games series is monopolizing the rest, but college is coming back to me this weekend so hopefully I'll get back into a stable routine then.

I'm also going to do SOMETHING EPIC if Pedestal manages to KO Dark Knight as the top of my "most favorited story" list. And we're unnervingly close to that. (like, five away? WHAT) The problem is that I still don't know what that something epic should be. D: Epic things are hard to come up with out of story. You know, IN REALITY.

On the (lulzy) upside, some of Mark's witty banter is going into mah stories. My favorite thus far:
"I can't win a battle of wits with you. It's like going in with a butter knife while you have an Uzi. I'll cut you, but you'll still win in the long run."

YOU MUSTN'T BE AFRAID TO HRNK A LITTLE LOUDER DARLING

it's been one week since you looked at me cocked your head to the side and said i'm angry

2010-08-10T13:38:00.004-05:00

Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom.

Also Pedestal got 1000 reviews HOLEE SHIT.

praise to my father blessed by the water black night dark sky the devils cry

2010-08-01T01:17:00.004-05:00

In addition to still wanting to in-character text with someone (*stares hard at MundaneJester*), very suddenly, I want to write smut. Which I have never actually written before. Moreover, I am still deciding between my Rook and Ram or Nate & Allen. (Also if anyone else other than me ever calls him Nate I will punch you in the balls.) So I'm currently discussing why my writing gland suddenly wants to do this.

And now for some fun ideas we're throwing around!
+hate sex (RR)
+drunkenness (sort of a given for NA)
+michael!verse vs. tuesday!verse

...and that's about it. I guess we're going with Rook & Ram first, hate sex, michael!verse (aka the first book).

I have no idea about the actual smut part, but surely writing different genres and different things is good for you, right? Right? (and lord knows I need practice on romance. ...if this can even be called that.)

god i hate you i could kill you

2010-07-29T23:58:00.002-05:00

So I have known about this "idea" for awhile, but I guess I'm just now dorky enough to try it? idk. But texting in-character. Sounds fun. I wanna do it with someone. Any volunteers? What characters? XD

no dawn no day i'm always in this twilight in the shadow of your heart

2010-07-26T23:18:00.006-05:00

The boy was pinned up against the wall before he could finish. Nick held him with one hand at his throat, the other reaching down to where Byron’s shovel was leaning against the wall. He picked it up and held the flat side against the boy’s cheek. “Do you know what this is?”

“B-Byron’s shovel?”

“Yes. It is. He’s hit me twice with it. He also nearly knocked out Chase when we challenged him. Byron was very animated with this shovel of his. And you know what?”

“What…?” the boy squeaked.

“He will never be able to do that again, will he? Byron will never be able to lift his shovel again and smack sense into younger trainers. He won’t be able to hand out badges. He won’t be able to give advice on continuing on with a training journey. He won’t be able to admire the up-and-coming young trainers. He won’t be able to challenge the next generation. He won’t be able to test trainers to see if they deserve their Pokemon. Are you seeing what I’m getting at here?”

The boy only stared at him, eyes rolling in terror.

“You, who are using Pokemon to bully others—no, it’s not even that tame anymore is it?! You are all using your own Pokemon to kill others! Do you know how stupid that is?! You don’t do that! You don’t have the right to pass judgment on anyone! You are the ones who don’t deserve the Pokemon that follow you!” Nick roared, dropping the boy and turning to the room. He swung Byron’s shovel against the nearest window, shattering it. Glass rained over the fallen Gym leader’s body. “You all claim to be my followers, right?! So you should know what’s coming next!”

Nick grinned at them all, arms spread, waiting for someone to answer him. The other two trainers in the room didn’t dare speak, and the Pokemon cowered before him. Nick stomped over to them, still swinging the shovel beside him, and beamed at them all.

“You don’t deserve these Pokemon, so that’s why I’m going to take them away from you! Chase, Flamethrower.”

He didn’t kill anyone himself until he found the burning warehouse with thousands of lives trapped inside and two starry-eyed girls responsible for it. For the first time, it wasn’t his Pokemon doing the dirty work; Nick still had Byron’s shovel, and was beating their faces in until the blood soaked the ground around them. They deserved it. They deserved it so much and so much more for doing what they were doing. They were killing not only innocents, but all in the name of their twisted judgment call on all of Sinnoh. They were trying to imitate him and decide who deserved what—so he just gave them a hand with a shovel and a parting Flamethrower just to make sure they got the message.

So what if he was screaming at them, too. “You don’t do that! You don’t attack other trainers, you’re stupid for trying to follow me! You’re as bad as I am! Why are you doing this?! Why did you try this? Why, why?!”

-------THIS IS A BREAK-------

“Is he always this shy?” Lenore asked, still trying to coax Emil toward her.

“Oh yes. Terribly timid. Though he’s got a nasty streak if—”

“Bevriedera ors,” Emil said with a fierce pout.

Aminov sighed. “If you happen to be from northern Lanne. And I know that you’re not, but with the dark hair and eyes, you could pass for it.”

“Technically I’m a quarter Lannish. On my mother’s side.” Lenore straightened up and smoothed out her dress, looking severely put-out. “Still, what has that have to do with anything? What did he say?” Allen had been wondering exactly the same thing.

“I’m currently teaching him more of our language. He knows the basics, and he’s picking it up quickly, but these daily meetings with him are still a bit of a pet project of mine. He’s the only southerner we have right now in the program, and I haven’t spoken to one in years, anyway…” he trailed off wistfully.

“…He’s in the Inven project?” Lenore asked brightly. Allen rolled his eyes. And just like that, child-loving Lenore was back.

“Yes. Actually, the accelerated program. Within a year, he should be out in the field on his own. I hope to use him as a key to further missions and negotiations with the southern half of Lanne,” Aminov explained, patting the boy on the head. Emil flushed at the attention and ducked out of it rather hastily. He completely scooted around the scientist in an effort to further evade Lenore—though eventually she got fed up and chased after him, much to Aminov’s amusement. By the time Emil figured out he was being pursued, she had caught up and had her arms around him, picked him up, and carried him rather awkwardly back towards Allen. He was reminded very strongly of a child with a puppy. Complete with pathetic whining and squirming.

“So a little Lannish Inven. Look at his hair, though…” she crooned, setting him back on the floor—though not allowing the poor boy to escape her grasp—and ran her fingers through his wavy hair. “Look, Allen. It’s even paler than yours is.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m Lannish, though I always thought they had dark hair and eyes. Like you or Maria,” Allen replied, eyeing Emil with equal parts curiosity and pity. The boy looked ready to burst into flames, judging by the redness of his face. “So, he looks new. He acts new. Who brought him in?”

“B-Be-Bevridera ors,” Emil stammered, repeating the same odd phrase as before. It didn’t elicit any sort of response from Lenore, however, much to his obvious confusion and irritation.

“One of the new pairs. Actually, a Tego from your graduating class, unless I’m gravely mistaken,” Aminov said, chin in hand. Lenore and Allen exchanged a look. Allen, for his part, figured it was one of two people. “Loar, I believe his name was. Your age, with orange hair and brown eyes. He also had this spicy little Inven with silver and brown hair, oh, and glasses. Do you know them? I think they mentioned you…”

“Yeah, we know them,” Allen replied with a sigh. Nathan had been his first guess, anyway. It wasn’t as if he expected anything less. “Nathan Loar and Sonya Karahalios.”

“They’re good friends of ours,” Lenore added, still petting Emil.

He perked up at the name, however. “Shachelle? Capelleau halon, beli oei lilietta na?” he asked, gesturing vaguely. Allen literally felt the words fly over his head once more. Thankfully, risking an embarrassed glance to the side, he found that his Inven was in the same boat; she stared down at the child in her arms blankly, as if he had just spoken another language—oh wait.

don't call my name don't call my name roberto

2010-07-23T00:53:00.003-05:00

Got a Twitter for my writing because sometimes I can't be halfassed to post on this. XD; Though I have a feeling it'll start to turn into a character profile eventually.

I've worked out some ideas in my mind (well, most of them are lulzy and crack and will be put into comics/drawings instead of the actual stories, but still, they are ideas) lately and while I meant to donate tonight to writing - faaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiil - at least I have these things in my mind. I just don't know when I'd get the chance to put a lot of them onto a word document. >A> I have work for a lot of tomorrow, saturday I've donated to Mark, and my next free day off after that is for an eye appointment / new glasses. Yeah. Lookit how exciting my non-writing life is.

But back to my yes-writing life! Looks like we'll have a Pedestal update next week. As for WHIPLASH!... damnit I gotta work on that. BUT THE ROOK. YES. I made a Rook doll to go with my Mister Beggar doll, but I'm not sure what I'll be doing with him just yet. Wifey's claimed my Ram doll that I'll make at some point. I wanna do WHIPLASH! characters (Nick and NamNar are a given), but I'm not sure how I'll do the crazy hair colors and, well, hair for that matter. Lenore and Sonya's spring to mind as being rather complicated. Heaven forbid I attempt Sara Grace.

Yeah I'm done now so I can actually WRITE GASP.

she got a halo around her finger around you

2010-07-20T01:19:00.002-05:00

OH GOD GUYS

NO TIME FOR WITTINESS NOW JUST GO BUY MY BOOK OKAY THANKS

power is not what he craves my friend it's just a means to his electro end

2010-07-11T13:59:00.004-05:00

There are upsides to being sick! Who knew!

Upside 1: I finished proofing The Rook, updated it on createspace, and sent away for the finalized proof. I got the email notification saying they shipped it today, so in a couple days, I'll have it, and then I'll look over it once more (look over, not read) to make sure there are no spacing errors or anything. And then. Sale. aka the phase where I'm all like "GIVE ME YO MONEY HO" and beat people with my pimp cane.

Apparently a couple of my readers are making posters to hang up in their school, and quite a few have recommended it to their friends. ;w; This is so touching, guys. ~~Now if only you were that cool with WHIPLASH!.~~ But no, seriously, you guys are great, fantastic, wonderful.

Upside 2: Writing time! This is actually because I have missed three days of work now (and I'll probably miss part/all of tomorrow too, due to an appointment), but still. It gave me time to finish up with TR, mess around a tiny bit with WHIPLASH!, and write almost two chapters of Pedestal thus far. I hope to make a buffer again, even if it's just one chapter. It'll help tremendously. Plus it seems like the plot is moving ahead speedily now, especially since I only have one more planned competition and then the end. How does that work? Well, just watch and find out. Er, read. You know what I mean.

Oh, I also already pimped this out in the Pedestal-TeamAwesome group on deviantArt, but Pedestal has a tvtropes page. It makes me lol hardcore and is definitely something every pedestal reader should check out.

I was also playing chess the other evening with my brother, and we named all of the pieces after characters in The Rook. Dorky, but fun.
Rook = the Rook.
Bishop = the Rabbit.
Knight = the Mockingbird.
King = the Owl.
Queen = the Ram.
Pawns = the humans. All little Tuesdays and Michaels and Stephens and Silvermins.

Skitty out.

hello there the angel from my nightmare

2010-07-05T23:07:00.007-05:00

So looks like next up is Lanne, mmyep.

It's technically pronounced "layne" (rhymes with "spain"), but mentally I've sorta been calling it "lan". I might change it. Or I might just leave it up to the readers' collective imagination. WHO KNOWS IT IS A MYSTERY OOOOOOOH~

Lanne is, very technically, the southernmost country in the "world" of WHIPLASH!. Why is this? Because no one actually knows where the southern border is. Most northern countries regard it very vaguely and hesitantly as the large canyon that cuts through the bottom half of the world (and serves as part of the southern border of Bauk), but the southern countries know better. Especially the northern Lannish. They may not like the southerners, but they know that many groups have traveled a lot farther south than the canyon.

Oh! Let's just jump right into the two groups then.

We have the northern Lannish, and the southern Lannish. This has already been introduced as a concept in chapter five (remember, I don't count the prologue as a chapter), but here's a quick recap: Two groups who are very opposite and hate each other to bits and pieces. They get along like a house on fire. Even Maria, who was born and raised in Sovine, and Emil, a young boy who probably never met a northerner before in his life, were about to come to blows over it. People outside of their culture can't really grasp it, but look at it this way. They have been warring for forever and a day. They currently aren't now, since they see the outside war as a bigger threat and are not stupid enough to weaken themselves, but it doesn't mean they have any sort of alliance. In fact, it basically means that the southerners went into hiding in the deserts and left the northerners to work it out with the political bullshit flying every which way.

Another note: southern Lannish are very skittish, simply put. They do not socialize well and are perfectly content with letting the northerners run the politics with other countries. They very rarely trade with certain Baukish companies, but that's about it. They are nomads who travel around the desert and basically just chill there for all their lives. They also only make up about 15% of the Lannish population - and that's a very rough and generous guess, since it's not like there's a census bureau down there. There's been talk lately (by the northerners, granted) that they've been dying off lately. Why? It's a mystery...

Anyway, geographically speaking, Lanne is separated pretty cleanly into two sections: the southern desert (about 40% of the region internationally known as the country) and the northern mountains. There's some plains in between, making a neat little belt in the middle, but no one lives there because while it would make for a temperate climate and nice farmland, neither the northerners nor the southerners would have anything to do with them and they'd probably die in a civil war battle, anyway. The mountains in Lanne are high and cold, but only the northernmost are snowy all year round.

Northerners have dark hair and dark, angled eyes, and usually have stockier and thicker figures. They traditionally hunt, but that's not to say they're uncivilized; they have cities, and roads, and while it's too mountainous for a train system, they know all of the safe passes and can get around pretty easily. They like hunting, and have an equal society; anyone who can hunt, will. Anyone who takes down large prey will be celebrated, male or female. They don't like the stereotype of wearing furs and sitting around fires, and won't take kindly to the implication, either. (but they are known for their very nice fur coats and have several companies who sell various kinds. they're considered a luxury in other countries, but everyone and their grandma has one in northern lanne.)

They wear dark colors and thick clothes. On the western border, Baukish fashion is not uncommon, too. Other than that, they don't really get into other cultures that much.

Lanne is technically neutral in the war, which is partly because they genuinely don't want to mess with that can of worms up north, and partly because they are nestled between Bauk and Kyym and enjoy their peace with both. This does not mean that they are neutral in action, however. Both Bauk and Kyym have recently taken more aggressive actions against them in order to sway them to their side of the war, and most refugees to the badlands are from Lanne. Bauk, without a guarantee of an alliance, won't let very many through their country up to Sovine, so going to the badlands is their best bet. Where they go from there is a mystery. A fair amount do end up in Sovine, though rumors state that the rebels have a large amount of Lannish in their ranks...

Southern Lanne is a whole 'nother beast, though. Emil is pretty typical of their kind. Thinner, darker skin, pale blond or brown hair, and light blue eyes. Whereas northern Lanne is staunchly atheistic as a culture, southern Lanne is polytheistic. (We'll learn more about that with Emil later on.) They wear long sleeves and long cloaks and tunics, but they're light and airy (and surprisingly comfortable). Camels are practically worshiped, since it's the easiest mode of transportation in the desert, not to mention the food aspect. Some groups have also taken to raising other domestic animals for food, though not in any large number.

Southern Lannish don't fight with technology or sheer number like northerners tend to do; instead, they are all built wiry and tough. They are used to scorching sun, freezing nights, sandstorms, poisonous insects, animals, and arachnids, and have on more than one occasion slaughtered "peaceful" groups of Baukish or Kyymese negotiators coming to, well, negotiate with them. No one but they know whether or not they actually have some sort of unified system of government between them or are simply a bunch of groups traveling around. They've also, due to their nation's proximity to both Bauk and Kymm, created their own fighting style that is a haphazard mix of the two, but somehow, it works for them. (Sadly, we don't get to see that, because Emil never learned it.)

Lanne as a whole speaks one language, though dialects naturally vary between northern and southern. And as a whole, the culture is based upon the Spanish, French, and Basque cultures. It's sort of touch and go at this point, though, haha. It is only one of two of the countries in the "world" that are based on existing countries/cultures.

And that's about it! From here on out, these things will probably be shorter, since I don't have as much planned for the other countries (nor do I need that much...). Still! What country should come next? (paronene, bauk, kymm, avle, escaia)

waterloo i was defeated you won the war

2010-07-03T22:54:00.004-05:00

It looks like Lanne is going to be the next country to get a "story" thing here, which'll be fun, since it's the country I have the most figured out about, aside from Sovine. XD It won't be this post, but it should be the next one.

So I've gotten an xbox for all those who don't already know, and it's been eating up my time. It's not as if WHIPLASH! is gone from my mind - far from it. All this has created is doodles of Nathan and Allen in assassin "uniforms" running around and doing stuff. Oddly enough, expect a couple comics featuring various WHIPLASH! characters to things to ABBA songs. (seriously, go listen to "Does Your Mother Know" and try not to think of Sonya.)

I also keep meaning to do a Get Down thing for Pedestal. SHHHH DON'T TELL ANYONE IT'S A SECRET.

So basically the point of this was to inform my writing-blog-readers of three things: Lanne will be the next country up, I am distracted by video games, and I am sending The Rook back for one last proof. I'm slowly working through it, though, and it shouldn't be too much longer. D: It's just going a little more slowly with le work. *le sigh*

and they think they've got it made and they're right but they're wrong and they try to use our words but it's a lie

2010-06-29T01:40:00.006-05:00

So I've talked a lot about the characters of WHIPLASH!, but I haven't really stated much on the world (aside from the fact that world-building sucks ass). So this post will be outlining the world of WHIPLASH! a bit, just so y'all who are lucky enough to read this will have a better grasp of what's happening, who's involved, and all that jazz. Since it's not as if the characters themselves talk about this. Damn them.

So the main country is Sovine. I think the capital city is also named that, but I'm still figuring that one out. Then again, they don't really have a system of rural/urban like we do. They basically have one giant city, miles and miles of city. Then around the fringes of that city, where it's slightly less populated, they do their farming and ranching and rural-ish things. Sovine has a fair amount of land, and a pretty large population, so they're basically a world power. They're highly militaristic. They have a leader who is chosen by a council of advisors, who are in turn appointed by whoever has seniority at the time. It is not a democracy; there is no voting for leaders. The military soaks up most of the funding, and there are four branches: the Tego branch (smallest), army (largest), navy (second smallest), and a reserve army-like thing thats sole purpose is to stay at home and take care of disasters, accidents, riots, etc. Domestic things. (they're also the second largest, though it's sort of like the national guard in the US; they're not on active duty all the time.)

Nathan was born in the capital city, like most Tego. Actually, like most Sovinians. About eighty-five to ninety percent of the population lives in that humongous city. Allen is one of the few who did not live there prior to training. The rest of the rural population is very spread-out and are farmers or ranchers, and generally live with their families in giant farms/ranches. They get a fair amount of government support (since farming is hardly lucrative), since they provide the food to the empire.

Sovine's allies are all to their south. Sovine's located in the northwest of the continent. To the northwest and west of them, they have tall mountains. To the northeast, a sea. To the east, they border Paronene. To the southeast, the badlands. To the south, they border Bauk.

Bauk, and Lanne to some degree, are both Sovine's allies. Paronene, Escaia and Avle are aggressively their enemies, and Kyym has been mostly staying out of their way but has been trading with them more than the "good guys". There is also the rebel group. That is a conglomerate of many different nationalities, though most of them are non-Sovine and non-Paronene, since those are the two major players in the war. They are not allied with any of the countries (at least not openly), but lately have taken to attacking Sovinian troops - and, more often than not, Tego. Several of the other countries view the Tego and Inven pairs as barbaric, since it deals with children, and will actively hunt them down.

The tactics used against the Tego and Inven pairs evolve throughout the novel. At the start, they will either kill the Inven to easily kill the Tego, or, if possible, kill the Tego and try to kidnap the Inven to "liberate" them. A surprising amount of the kidnapped Inven stay with them and join their cause. Later in the novel, however, let's just say they figure out a bit more of how the nivedidus works...

Anyway, back to Sovinian culture. (more on other cultures later.) They have a fairly conservative culture. Tego and most military roles are for men. Inven and nursing jobs in the military are for women. Teachers and religious leaders are female, while businessmen and military leaders are male. Politicians, however, are pretty evenly spread, though that happened fairly recently. No one really views it as a bad change, however. More women are also breaking out into researching roles (especially into the Inven program). Otherwise, the roles are pretty "traditional". Men work, women stay home. Working wives and mothers are not unheard of or looked at funny. Marriage is still seen as something sacred, though it is not religious; it is more of a duty to each other, an act of love. Sovine as a country does not have an official religion, though its largest one is a monotheistic one.

Schooling is public, free, and mandatory up until a certain age, unless the child in question is enlisting for service. The ages vary. Inven can join as early as age eleven with parental consent, or thirteen without it (though there has been talks to move that age back to twelve). Tego training begins at thirteen traditionally, though varying ages are not uncommon. Traditional schooling for that afterward takes six or seven years, depending on a lot of factors. (and contrary to popular belief, there is actual schooling involved, too.)

The entertainment in Sovine is pretty laid-back. Alcohol, smoking, gambling, and prostitution are all legal with age requirements, though are frowned upon in excess. (Light drinking is an acceptable social outing.) Homosexuality is viewed as weird and a phase, but not illegal or terribly immoral. (they do not have gay marriage though. >: poor dears.) Music and literature are popular. Bands are more popular than individual singers, though there aren't a lot of artists/bands at a time, anyway. The current most popular band is Daydreamer Syndrome (with their hit WHIPLASH! ;D). There isn't exactly a New York Times bestseller list or an equivalent, so most literature travels by word-of-mouth and it's difficult to tell what's "big" at any one time. Moreover, what's big in the city usually isn't so out in the rural areas. Foreign music and literature are seen as very exotic and sought after, though not unusual or all that expensive.

Fashion in Sovine is, again, sort of conservative. Showing chest is acceptable in women (well, not to the extent of some american ladies tend to), but showing leg is only acceptable in dresses and skirts, and even then, only in slits in the side. Shorts are to the knees or not at all. (which is why a lot of inven and female tego enjoy messing with their uniforms so much.) Jeans are common, but only for very casual things and working. It is perfectly acceptable to walk around in military uniform, or wear one to almost any occasion. Currently in high fashion: Kyymese style for the women, more formal attire (dress shirts predominately) for men, blues and reds. Currently in common fashion: lots of contrasting colors, big belts for ladies, long sleeves, bracelets, longer hair (for both men and women, though naturally 'longer' varies between the genders). Many of you might notice that these things bleed through into the WHIPLASH! cast drawings even now; Lenore likes contrasting colors and long sleeves, Maria almost always wears a belt, almost all of the ladies have long hair, Nathan has longer hair, Sonya wears bracelets, the Tego and Inven uniforms are blue and red, etc. Maria and Sara Grace also like to wear low-cut shirts, but no one outside of uniform has been shown with shorts/short skirts on.

I think this is long enough now. I hardly tapped the wealth of information, but there's a basic rundown of the main country of Sovine. What country should I do next? (choices: paronene, bauk, lanne, avle, escaia, kyym, the badlands)

angels sang out in an immaculate chorus and down from the heavens descended chuck norris

2010-06-24T00:39:00.004-05:00

In honor of me completing the Tego class list and finally putting it in a word document as well as my dingy old WHIPLASH! notebook (complete with a map, Tego class list, semi-completed Inven list, main character bios, semi-completed scientist & politician list, semi-completed culture list, et cetera...), here's the class list. It's in order of class rank, and the numbers after are the ages. (I also made progress on chapter seven ohmaigaw. Though I really hope no one's expecting a Pedestal update tonight. *cringe*)

Sara Grace Kellner (19)
Nathan Loar (19)
Luca Becker (20)
Zeren Kaya (23)
Jack Gallagher (19)
Liam Wright (23)
Maria Delgado (20)
Del Mattson (27)
Hudson Blanshir (23)
Tristan Swarovski (22)
Gavin Erikson (19)
Vayden Amirmoez (20)
Cameron Lint (22)
Allen Pershing (19)
Peter Sherrill (20)
Kevin Blanchard (22)
Darren Gold (23)
Warrick Faulkner (20)
Conrad Teriti (20)
Kendall Williams (23)
Josh Morrison (20)
Chris Daniels (19)
Felix Azeel (20)
Ivan Callen (22)
Yuan Aldana (20)
Brian Rockefeller (23)
John Caldwell (22)
Samuel Mas (20)
Vachel Herriot (20)
Talli Johnson (23)
Matthew Bethaway (19)
Sol Palek (23)
Oliver Visatris (20)

A couple tidbits/fun facts:

+I will mention every single name on this list at least once. I will. A lot of them are actually semi-fleshed out in my head, too.
+Sara Grace (mentioned already; main character), Nathan (mentioned already; main character), Jack (mentioned already; minor character), Gavin (nope), Allen (mentioned already; main character), Chris (nope) and Matthew (Allen's neighbor lol, will be mentioned in chapter 7) are the only ones who graduated early.
+There are so many references it isn't even funny. Some examples: Sol Palek is pulled directly from A Queendom Fallen, (Prince) Vayden is pulled from AQF with an added last name, Hudson Blanshir is named for Mister Hudson's song "White Lies", Gavin is a friend's son's name, Brian is a friend's name, Johnson is a friend's last name, Tristan is my brother's character's name, Vachel Herriot is inspired by Hiruma Arakawa (mangaka of FullMetal Alchemist) (it's a long story), Conrad was named for Hanna Is Not A Boy's Name, etc etc.
+Three laws had to change after Zeren Kaya took and passed the Tego entrance exam. Muse on that. :D
+Of the top ten, one is full-blooded Lannish, and one is full-blooded Baukian. The rest are either mutts and/or had families from Sovine. Zeren is the only one not Sovine-born, however, since Maria, while very Lannish, was born there. (Luca is... something. A mutt, but I haven't decided of what yet.)
+The top five will all be main characters, to some degree. The first two are a given. It's an open secret that Luca Becker becomes Emil's Tego. Zeren Kaya will be mentioned numerous times and will have something else happen, and Jack Gallagher has already been the first injured Tego of the class (lucky guy).

And, what the hell, here's a couple Inven names thrown in for the fun of it. (Good luck figuring out who belongs to who, though. :P Although it's surprising how many have already gotten a mention/feature. For example, Ann Iridos has already been introduced and named as Sara Grace's Inven.)

Lenore Coracks (??)
Ann Iridos (13)
Emma Jagg (12)
Clover Gold (13)
Rani Solo (12)
Samra Tyn (13)
Natania Novak (14)

and if you threw a party invited everyone you knew you would see the biggest gift would be from me

2010-06-22T00:31:00.004-05:00

So I really really don't like this latest chapter of WHIPLASH!, but me being me, I hate hate hate deleting things. I probably should since it went off on this hugeass tangent. Buuuuuut it still hasn't happened - progressed or deletion. XD It's how I roll.

Pedestal hasn't had any progress for awhile, too. Hmm.

'cause tramps like us baby we were born to run

2010-06-19T12:20:00.001-05:00

I miss writing.

friday night it's time to party drop it down and get real naughty

2010-06-12T16:04:00.002-05:00

OH MY GOD YOU GUYS.

I GOT MY PROOF OF THE ROOK TODAY.

well she's not bleeding on the ballroom floor just for the attention 'cause that's just ridiculous goodbye

2010-06-12T12:07:00.002-05:00

Oh! Completely forgot about this, but today is the Write-A-Thon! Here is a link to my profile, if it'll let me post it without forcing anyone/everyone to sign up. :'D

Basically, you write 3k words in a day. Easy, especially for a veteran NaNovelist. In fact, I already have a thousand words down, since I had been writing late last night and didn't notice the time change, haha. I'm like that.

Anyway, just gonna do that today. It'll make me feel accomplished. Plus I'll use that 3k for WHIPLASH!, woo. I really really wanna get back to the main cast already... Sonya, Nathan, quit being whiny bitches and finish up with your flipping mission. :I

come with me honey i'm your sweet sugar candy man

2010-06-12T01:20:00.004-05:00

Here are some fun writing-related links for y'all if you don't already have them. (And I'm assuming the drabblematic link just below this will work and doesn't have to be included in this post.)

The Evil Overlord List. Lulzy and true. Some day, I'd like to write a story about the "bad guy" who sticks dangerously close to that list. (It's also fun to look at it and think of how many villains fail at it. *cough*nick*cough*)

The Phobia List. A list of phobias! Even some really, really crazy ones! Give your character a debilitating fear of anything! (For example: Lenore - ornithophobia. NamNar - hydrophobia. Sonya - Nathandoesn'tlikemephobia.)

And now for some naming and other generators:
+ Serendipity
+ Seventh Sanctum

And now for some translators:
+ Quick (but not perfect) romaji converter
+ A very handy little translator for many different languages (opens up on the french one)
+ Another translator

Keep in mind that many/all of online translators and dictionaries are very far from perfect (and can even lead to some hilarious and unfortunate mistakes). But it's handy for simple things or vocabulary. It's also super super handy for making words. :D Tego, Inven, and nivedidus were all frankenstein'd together using words from other languages (primarily latin).

Basically, the first two links are lulzy and mostly there for entertainment, though they can provide an interesting amount of insight into a character. I use generators all the time for inspiration and a quick name for anything from a city to a drink (I kid you not; Dreamer's Dread is still my favorite). Translators are also a key, especially if you're like me and are world-building. Because worlds need cultures. And cultures need languages. Damn those cultures. Though remember kids, always put your original spin on things. If you just shamelessly steal, bad things will happen.

Here are some bad things:
+ If you decide to be "cool" and just use a randomly translated word as a term, chances are it'll either be wrong in a hilarious or offensive way and a native speaker will call you out on it. Publicly. With shouting. In the correct foreign words.
+ If you decide to be "cool" and "borrow" names from generators, other stories, or again, a translator, chances are that'll be wrong, too. The owner will track you down and flay you. In a foreign language if you really messed up.
+ You will get the pants sued off of you. And then you'll have to live a shameful, pantsless life. Come on folks, no one wants to go through that (or have to see it).
+ These stories are supposed to be your own, your creation, your babies! You would not use someone else's arm to make your baby, now would you? No. No you wouldn't. So use your own goddamn genes to make your own goddamn baby. You'll be more proud of it in the end, too, I promise.

(Though, just as having a baby, the process of creating it - labor - is very painful and long. Just so you know. Or perhaps the world does not wish for authors to procreate and thus gives them this trial instead. Hmm.)

aye amidakeni kaye amidakeni kaye amidaya emaeya

2010-06-09T22:01:00.003-05:00

Woo, chapter two of The Ram done! Fuckin' finally. I think I'm going to lay off of it for awhile now and concentrate on WHIPLASH! (and, of course, the ever-present Pedestal).

Speaking of Pedestal, y'all may or may not have noticed that Bulbapedia is running a fanfiction contest! A generous awesome reader of mine volunteered to sign up and nominate it (aka "smear it all over"). The only prizes are some computer-made graphics, but those are cool in their own right and hey, if I win either of the sections, I can say Pedestal is an award-winning fanfiction! ;D How cool would that be.

In other news the song Moonflower from the Petite Cossette OST is gorgeous. The link is to a youtube video with the song, so go give it a listen! :D You won't regret it. (Unless you don't like it. Then I guess I just wasted three minutes of your life. Score!) It goes on The Rook series soundtrack, mmyup.

secretly you're so amused that nobody understands you

2010-06-09T01:20:00.002-05:00

Taken from here. Totally fun times! I entered in Sonya and Nathan, and here are some of the best lines.

"There was the tree, with its deadly lights, and the presents, heaped up violently--" [my kind of christmas]

"Sonya was so angry, she picked up a cigarette from a table and threw it hungrily under a rainbow."

"Ho! Ho! Ho!" Santa said. "Why don't you give me a kiss too? Then things will be hillbilly-esque." [i knew the word 'hillbilly-esque' would pay off!]

"Santa was the best kisser ever, as if he was more rotted than road kill. He made Sonya's thigh feel all terrible." [...oh god]

"We'll make a really deadly snow man!" Nathan said.
"Why don't we make a snow woman instead?" Sonya said. "That would be more terrible and politically correct."

Sonya screamed hungrily and ran but the snow deer chased her until she tripped over a tree root. Then the snow deer slayed her quickly.
"Nobody does that to my little Smokin' Cigarette," Nathan screamed. [i... just...]

If only I hadn't been so beautiful, Nathan thought, pouring a sparkling amount of rum into his eggnog. Then Sonya might not have got so painful and left me all alone at Christmas time. He wiped away a terrible tear and held his hand in his hand.

"I'm so awesome!" she said. "You're awake. My name is Sonya. You saved me from the truck. But your hand is broken." [i'm pretty sure this would be canon.]

"Your hand must hurt lightly," Sonya said. "I think this will help." And she screwed Nathan several times. [sonya wishes this was canon.]

"It looks hard," Allen said huskily. [THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID]

Lenore and Allen were out for a handsome Valentine's walk in the sky. As they went, Allen rested his hand on Lenore's head. It was the most romantic walk ever. [can he even reach her head?]

"Do you suppose it's hard here?" she asked huskily. [...'nough said]

Things looked dead. But Lenore, although she was yellow, knew she had to save her love. She grabbed a dress and, like a rook screaming in the night, beat the fox lightly until it ran off. "That will teach you to nail innocent people."
Then she clasped Allen close. Allen was bleeding quickly. "My darling," Lenore said, and pressed her lips to Allen's finger.
"I love you," Allen said silently, and expired in Lenore's arms.
Lenore never loved again. [this is too canon.]

When Lenore came to, Allen was holding her hand and looking lovely. "My love," Allen said quickly, "I'm sorry for the handsome shock. I've been shipwrecked on a dark island for the last ten years, living like a rook screaming in the night. I was only rescued last week." He paused. "I lost my head in the wreck. Can you still love me?" [OH MY GOD THE ROOK MEETS WHIPLASH!.]

Lenore was almost in the sky when she came across a lovely cake, lying alone on a handsome plate. "That must be a treat from my dead bear," she said to herself, and tripped over to it. [trip indeed. lenore, honey, you might want to lay off the drugs.]

"I got you a dress. It must have been that yellow man who lives nearby. He acts a little quickly, ever since he nailed a gun."

"My darling," Allen said, stroking Lenore's finger, "I have something for you." He gave a box to Lenore. "It is but a bright token of my dark love." [that last part is actually kinda cool...]

If only I hadn't been so gorgeous, Nathan thought, pouring a beautiful amount of rum into his eggnog. Then Allen might not have got so pulsing and left me all alone at Christmas time. He wiped away a breathtaking tear and held his member in his hand. [i decided to do a nathan x allen one. this is what i get.]

"I missed you huskily," Allen said. "And I wanted to do your chest again."
Nathan hugged Allen and started to sob.
"I think you're drunk," Allen said.
"I think so too," Nathan said and they did each other's chest until they knocked the Christmas tree over.
On Christmas Day, they ate roasted horse face and lived sexily until Nathan got drunk again. [and taking into account nathan's drinking...]

"Wait," Nathan said and caught Allen by his member. [brb dying of laughter]

How could he expect Allen to love someone with a pulsing member? [dying some more]

They came together and their kiss was like the glow from the fire of a thousand burning zombies.
"I love you," Nathan said breathily.
"I love you too," Allen replied and did him.
They bought a horse, moved in together, and lived huskily ever after.

"On the eighth night, Allen climbed into bed with Nathan. He burrowed under the covers and huskily did Nathan's member." [i am convinced the bot behind this is a yaoi fangirl]

What's in a name? That which we call a member
By any other name would smell as beautiful [and here yaoi goes shakespeare!]

Allen swept Nathan into his arms, bent him on a table, and kissed Nathan breathily, slipping him the tongue and groping his member. [*gropegrope*]

See, how he leans his member upon his face! [...someone's well-endowed.]

Then one night, Allen looked up at Nathan and said, "If you kiss me, I will become a rock hard prince."

And here's a complete story, just so you can see how fun this can be.

Sonya was walking through a red meadow, laughing at the butterflies flitting around her head when she spied a smokin' little deer lying under a tree.

Sonya skipped over to see the dear thing and was tired to find that he was hurt! A gauntlet had pierced his awesome little thigh and he whimpered violently with the pain.

"My silvery little friend," Sonya said. "Let me help you!" She took out her Leatherman Multi-Purpose tool and pulled out the gauntlet, as haltingly as she could. The deer cried out and Sonya's heart ached, as if he was more rotted than road kill. "You'll be all right," Sonya whispered. "I'll take care of you. I'll call you Nathan and you can live with me forever!"

Scooping Nathan up in her arms, Sonya carried him home and made a bed for him beside her own. For seven days and seven nights, Sonya nursed Nathan, cleaning his thigh and feeding him Bacon-brand deer chow.

On the eighth night, Nathan climbed into bed with Sonya. He burrowed under the covers and hungrily slayed Sonya's ear. It made Sonya giggle and she cuddled close to Nathan, stroking his eye and singing sleepily to him.

They continued that way for a long time. Every day, Sonya hurried home so she could curl up with Nathan. It gave her a silent feeling whenever Nathan slayed her ear.

Then one night, Nathan looked up at Sonya and said, "If you kiss me, I will become a hillbilly-esque prince."

Sonya screamed quickly, she was so surprised. How could a deer talk? She must have dropped off and dreamed it.

"You're not dreaming," Nathan said. "Kiss me."

"Don't tell anyone I screamed like that," Sonya said and kissed Nathan on his eye. The air swirled and suddenly, there stood a hillbilly-esque prince! With a crown and everything!

"I'm Prince Nathan," he said. "I was cursed. It's a long story."

"Is it really you?" Sonya said.

"See?" Nathan said and showed Sonya the scar from the gauntlet on his thigh. Then he kissed Sonya and they tumbled under a rainbow and did a lot of very deadly things, some of them involving a terrible cigarette.

"I love you," Nathan said when they were done. Sonya clasped him close and they lived together happily ever after on all the prince treasure Nathan had stashed away.

And if Nathan didn't know about Sonya's visits to the deer sanctuary, well, it wouldn't hurt him.

(I'm pretty sure this would be a canon Sonya daydream.)

you don't know me you don't know me at all

2010-06-08T22:53:00.001-05:00

snohshine (9:52:24 PM): “Day, darling, I know you don’t have a cell, and it’s great because it means I never have to worry about you texting or calling anyone during your work. And I know you’re a big shot author and your book is selling well and that’s great. But tell that goddamn James of yours that if he calls this number looking for you once more time I’ll chop his balls off, okay?”
snohshine (9:52:27 PM): This makes me happy.
tomigewithlove (9:52:51 PM): ...what.
snohshine (9:53:12 PM): .w. I've been looking forward to introducing this character for ages and that turned out to be her first line.
snohshine (9:53:28 PM): And any character that introduces herself into the story threatening to chop someone's balls off is a winner.

And here Tuesday's boss in The Ram rears her ugly head. Metaphorically, of course. I imagine her to be pretty in a really aggressive way, actually. Still, I'm exciting. (I'm also almost done with chapter two, woo~ then after that I'm back to WHIPLASH! for awhile.)

je veux te voir dans un film pornographique

2010-06-08T01:43:00.003-05:00

Added a poll, lol. I have no idea why. But I'm kinda curious. :D

I also added The Ram to fictionpress, and am working actively on it again. So while updates won't be very frequent, at least it's progress on the series.

(I also added the link to it on the sidebar over to the right and updated The Rook's link to the createspace page. I'll change it again to the eStore once it's available. :D)

you lie silent there before me your tears they mean nothing to me

2010-06-07T14:43:00.005-05:00

Okay last time I tried writing this post blogger decided to shut down, so second try go!

Submitted The Rook for the proof copy yesterday, got an email saying they shipped it today. It shouldn't take that long to get here then! Wolfie gave me a no-go on the picture, so it's a text-only cover. Le sigh. Oh well, can't win 'em all. This series will just be text covers. (WHIPLASH!, on the other hand... since my plan for the cover doesn't necessarily entail models, I can handle it on my own.) So in a couple weeks, The Rook will be available for purchase! Oh yay! :D!

I'll pimp it out more once it's actually all finalized, but yeah. I'm excited. GIMME YOUR MONEY PLZKTHX

i gotta tuck you in girl i gotta sing you sweet melodies about babies yeah

2010-06-05T14:30:00.002-05:00

Finishing up Neko-chan's writing/reading likes/dislikes thing. :'D

Things I Dislike Writing:

+Romance. Maybe I'm just romantically stunted, but I feel flat-out embarrassed writing it in any amount of detail. I can handle the cutesy stuff like kissing and hugging but ehh. That's about it. Which is going to make later parts of WHIPLASH! fun...

That's actually pretty much it. Because if I don't like to write it, I don't write it. I'm usually not forced to do it or anything. XD;

Things I Dislike Reading:

+Poorly-written shit. Excuse my french, but it's true. If you want me to read your story and it turns out to have major spelling errors, punctuation errors, grammar errors, or is about a Mary Sue being kidnapped by the hottest canon character and having a whirlwind romance and singlehandedly saving half the cast, I am going to close out of the window, shut off my computer, and go to my writing god shrine and pray for the future of humanity. I understand that not everyone is good at writing. I'm not. A lot of people aren't. Only like 0.000001% of writers make enough selling their books to actually live off of it. The internet is even worse in the fact that there are no editors or feedback system except those that are voluntary. But just as it's your choice to write, it's my choice to read.

Uhh, that's about it. -w- I like reading a wide variety of things, really.

close your eyes clear your heart cut the cord are we human or are we dancer

2010-06-02T17:53:00.005-05:00

Finally, finally made some more progress on WHIPLASH!. Got about a page, but more importantly, I got past the stuck part. XD; Thank god for Sonya's... personality.

“You’re so cool.”
He nearly choked on his breath. Recovering, he looked away and covered his mouth with his hand, feigning another drag. She had been rather quiet on the mission up until that point—no, she had been calming down in general. “What brought this up again?” he asked carefully, blowing smoke at her across the fire.
She giggled girlishly (never a good sign) and smiled at him. “I can’t help it. Just seeing you like this. I mean, I know smoking is terrible for your health and everything, but you look so much like a bad boy when you do it. It’s highly attractive. Nathan, have you ever had a girlfriend before?” The smile dimmed enough for him to notice.
Still, after a brief internal debate, he decided honesty was the best policy. “Of course I have. Why do you ask?” As if he couldn’t guess.
“Oh… Then I guess you’ve already had your first kiss, huh.” She didn’t have to sound so disappointed about it.
“Sonya, if you were my age, would you expect anything less?”
“No, but—I guess I hadn’t been expecting much, anyway.” She gave up with a defeated sigh. “It’s just—I haven’t!”
He couldn’t help but smile at the sheer outrage in her voice. “This is a problem for you?” He really shouldn’t be teasing her, but he was only human. At least he was humoring her.
“Yes! Don’t—Don’t laugh, Nathan!”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Y-Yes you were! You’re so mean! I’m a girl, okay, and we think about these things! These things are important to us!” she snapped, her cheeks a very bright red. He held up his hands in surrender.

(I also doodled a little comic last night that has me terrorizing Sonya & Nathan in mid-this-scene.)

Anyway, here's some fun facts:
+Nathan and Sara Grace both use .45 semiautomatic pistols as their weapon of choice. No one is sure who started it and who copied who, but of course both of them will fervently exclaim that they were the first and the other is copying.
+Maria is the only female Tego in their year to have been properly sniper trained. Sara Grace went for .45 training, and Talli Johnson took on .22 rifle training as a bet and fell in love with the gun after that. She went in for some sniper training with it, but it wasn't her forte.
+Sonya is one of the youngest in her class. She turned twelve only about a month before meeting Nathan.
+Lenore, unlike most (okay, basically all) other Inven, has had combat training. She is skilled with a hunting knife (long story, and she will never tell you it on pain of death), a Kyymese style of fighting, and due to circumstances repeating themselves far too many times, she's unofficially trained in using her previous Tego's gun.

a falling star fell from your heart and landed in my eyes i screamed aloud as it tore through them and now it's left me blind

2010-05-30T21:54:00.003-05:00

So I had some crazy dreams last night, and long story short, new novel idea!

So guys, mentally meet Alter. He's a swordsman. He'll be sharing his adventure with us at some point in the future. (but think of it this way - when this is the next harry potter, you can go back to this blog post and go "OH MY GOD THIS IS THE DAY SHE CREATED AWESOME".)

I'll come up with a name for the story at some other time.

Until then I'll just drop little hints here and there about him. :>

please don't go i want you to stay i'm begging you please oh please don't leave here

2010-05-30T00:11:00.003-05:00

Taking a leaf from Neko-chan's book and deciding to do a sort of writing thing. Meme? Form?

Things I Like To Write:

+Angst. Though I've gotten gradually less dependent on it over the years, you still can't be a good angst fix.
+That one character. Yeah. You know him/her. There's always that one character. There's something about him/her that makes them a blast to write. Usually for no good reason.
+Fight scenes. C'mooooon, they're fun! I see stories like I would see a movie, so scenes where the action is nonstop is more fun for me. Though I think I've also gotten rusty here too since I stopped Dark Knight. Or maybe DK ruined me; I'm too use to ninjas. Damn those ninjas.
+Jokes. Yeah, I'm lame. But I like writing in those tiny, subtle little things that only one in a million people will ever understand. References like that, too. Or I'll take the stupidest thing and turn it into a running joke, just to see how many people catch on. Nathan's smoking habit is a very obvious example. The cough medicine in Pedestal is a little less obvious.
+Character abuse. This is basically a culmination of the above things, but I thrive off of it. I could not function without it. :D I mean, look at my stories. Name a character who doesn't have some form of mental problem. Name one, I challenge you. (I mean, The Rook is basically this. Just this.)

Things I Like To Read:

+Romance. Ranging from fluff to smut, I dig it. |D Actually, smut should practically get its own category in this list... Oh well.
+Horror/Dark. Stephen King, Poe... It's delicious. Which is weird, considering I'm a total pansy. Still, I dig me some dark, dark stories. The darker, the better.
+Deep things. You know, those books that just make you think once you get through with them. You just lay back, spread-eagled, on your bed and stare at the ceiling and think.

I'll do things I dislike to read/write later on.

i'm your biggest fan i'll follow you until you love me

2010-05-27T15:00:00.003-05:00

Wow, so Pedestal reached 100 chapters. Officially. Not counting the 47.5 chapter or the april fool's one. BUT STILL.

That's a lot of chapters.

A year and a couple months ago, I never would've guessed my little pact with Neko-chan would've gotten this big or, well, epic. I was writing by the seat of my pants for the longest time (the first time I started thinking of an actual plot was around the Froslass' appearance). And now look. A plot! A fun cast!

I don't know what I'll do with myself when Pedestal ends. XD ...Well, probably the same thing I'll do when Dark Knight ended, only minus the crappy sequel. :'D

I swear to god I will make a MLIP shirt at some point, too.

[ps: the part of the lyrics 'promise i'll be kind but i won't stop until that boy is mine' remind me very strongly of sonya...]

you know what i don't hate?

2010-05-26T00:08:00.006-05:00

I made a little comic about Sonya - and, by extension, the Rabbit and Nathan - today as a random request. X3 Here is the first part, out of four. Just a sugary sweet little thing that shows a bit about Sonya's psyche and her and Nate's relationship.

I haven't written in forevah though. D: This makes me a sad, sad Skitty. INSPIRATION, COME BACK TO ME. In a couple years, I might write an epic, epic novel, but as it is, right now, I cannot. >w> Top-secret project though. If it gets pulled off (and I don't die for it), it'll be spectacular.

Tonight, I will write WHIPLASH! if it kills me. If it kills me.

Wolfie will also (very hopefully) have my picture done by the end of this week! *fingers crossed* OH GOD. This would mean that I could potentially get The Rook off to publishing this weekend. This weekend. *insert hyperventilation here*

and i can't fake it the way i could before i hate you but i love you i can't stop thinking of you it's true i'm stuck on you

2010-05-25T00:53:00.005-05:00

“Looking for someone?” Vaikuntha asked curiously.
“Yeah, my parents… And Hanna and Jude and Cossette. They’re here somewhere…”
“Even if you cannot see them, I am sure they are cheering with all their might for you, brother.”
“You mean for us. We’re a team now. Even more now, I mean.”
“Ah… Yes, that is right! I have people cheering for me, too.” He smiled happily to himself, pleased with this. I frowned thoughtfully at him. I knew his parents weren’t here, and he hadn’t introduced me to any other visitors (I had introduced him to Jude and Cossette), so maybe he didn’t have anyone here for him…
I set my mouth in a firm line and said, “Yeah, Vai. You have people cheering for you, too. You’re now an honorary part of Team Awesome, yeah?”

You know Vai totally teared up and had a really shoujo-manga-ish moment with a smile and everything. YOU KNOW IT.

And Nathan waxes philosophical:

“…It’s quiet,” Sonya said, straddling the empty windowsill. She stared out at the downpour. Nathan leaned against it, arms crossed against the slight chill the rain had created. It seemed as if the world was painted in nothing but shades of grey. But even with the dull roar of the rain, it was true. It was quiet out. Silent, once you learned to tune out the rain. “I wonder… I wonder what this place was like when it was still alive. When there were still people living here. D’you think someone sat here, right here, and stared out at the rain like I am now?”
Statistically speaking, it had probably happened. Nathan exhaled and leaned down onto the bottom of the sill, and said instead, “Doesn’t it make you feel better to think that you are the only person to have ever done it?”
Sonya turned to him, surprise written across her face. She relaxed into a smile, though, and soon turned back to the rain. “Yeah, I guess so. It’s more fun to be unique.”
“It is, but it’s also sort of lonely.”
“Is what why you’re here with me?”
“Yeah. I guess it is.”

but we are two worlds apart can't reach to your heart when you say that i want it that way

2010-05-21T02:03:00.003-05:00

1. What is your full name? Do you have a nickname?
Lenore Coracks. Some have called me Nora, but I wouldn't call it a nickname.

2. How old are you? When is your birthday?
I... am not going to share this. ><;;; [word of god: she's older than everyone else. far older. think about a decade.]

3. Where were you born? Where do you live now? Are you patriotic?
I was born in Sovine, I live in Sovine now, and...

4. Who are/were your parents? (Names, occupations, personalities, etc.)
My mother was a half Lanne, half Bauk immigrant who fell in love with my father. He was a politician of some sort for awhile, but he retired when I was young and acted as some sort of consultant. My mother also worked for the government with translations and teaching others.

5. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
I had an older brother. He died in the war.

6. What is your occupation?
I'm an Inven... again... *sigh*

7. How tall are you? How much do you weigh?
U-Um... let's skip this question... [word of god: she may not act it, but she's very self-conscious about her height]

8. What color is your hair? What color are your eyes?
Black. All of it black...

9. What is your race?
I suppose I am a mix. The Lanne genes are fairly strong in me, though. Officially speaking, half Sovinian, a quarter Lannish, and a quarter Baukish.

10. To which social class do you belong?
During my childhood, upper class. After my father retired and my brother was drafted, we sunk into the middle class. Now I am back in the upper echelons with my canceled retirement...

11. Do you consider yourself to be attractive? Do others?
Yes. And I guess so. I'll go ask Allen.

12. What is your style of dress?
I... wear lots of yellow. ._.;;; Yellow and pastel colors. W-With my dark hair and eyes, I can't wear darker colors, so...

13. Do you have any scars? Tattoos? Birthmarks? Other unique physical features?
A couple scars here and there. No tattoos or birthmarks. As for physical feature... Well, I do not have a nivedidus around my head. ;> [word of god: she has several scars from her first career as an Inven, and a couple on her stomach from surgery]

14. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
None that I'm aware of.

15. Are you right- or left-handed?
Right-handed. And firmly. *glares at left hand* You are useless to me.

16. What does your voice sound like?
D-Deep... -_-||| [not all that deep, she exaggerates] A little soft, a little raspy, but deep. u_u

17. What kind of vocabulary do you use?
I like to think myself fairly refined and well-educated.

18. List three quirks or other defining characteristics.
I am currently the only Inven in a second run, I am amazingly tall, and I am deathly afraid of birds of prey. [word of god: this is a joke. true in-story, but I made her that was because it was funny. see notes on her name origin for details.]

19. How often do you bathe? Do you wear perfumes?
Often enough, and only for special occasions. I used to before...

20. What kind of facial expression do you commonly wear (dour glare, wry smile, etc)?
A small smile, maybe? [a mysterious smile, more like]

21. Do you use body language? How?
I try to keep my personal space, but I gesture a lot with my arms. Not just my hands - my arms.

22. Do you have a commonly used saying?
"So, are you pregnant yet?"

CHILDHOOD

23. What is your earliest memory?
I can't pick one out that is distinctly the 'earliest'...

24. How much schooling have you had? Did you enjoy it?
I had private schooling during my childhood, and then entered into Inven training at age fifteen. The entrance age was later back then because they didn't know the dangers of equipping the nivedidus later...

25. Where did you learn most of your knowledge and skill?
From raw experience. :I

26. How would you describe your childhood in general?
Serene. I was a happy child, but not obnoxiously so.

27. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A mother...

28. When and with whom was your first kiss?
...With Thomas, about three months after we were paired together.

29. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
Err... to Thomas again, but I'm not comfortable saying 'when'... [in other words, early].

30. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? Does that affect you?
Dear, I will be the notorious ancestor.

INFLUENCES

31. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
...that one february...

32. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I haven't achieved a lot, I'm afraid.

33. What is your greatest regret?
...That I couldn't save him.

34. What is the most embarrassing or shameful thing ever to happen to you?
Heh... Let's just say it involved that time of the month coinciding with a mission and Thomas being very, very embarrassed as well.

35. Do you have any secrets? If so, what are they?
I'm an open book. If you know how to read it.

36. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
I've killed.

37. When was the time you were the most frightened?
When I heard the news about Thomas.

38. Have you ever traveled outside of your country? If so, to where?
To Bauk a couple times, to the badlands...

BELIEFS

39. What is your alignment?
There is no god.

40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
Hmm, I wonder. :>

41. Do you believe in a god? If so, which one and why?
No. Not anymore.

42. Do you believe in an afterlife?
I wish I could, but I'm afraid I don't.

43. What is your greatest fear?
There's not a lot I fear that I haven't run into before.

44. What makes you angry? Sad? Happy? Why?
Allen sometimes makes me all of those. Thomas, too. They're just... like that, I suppose.

45. Do you think people are basically good or basically evil?
No. Everyone has some good and some evil in them.

46. What are your views on politics?
At this point, I place my hands over my ears and close my eyes.

47. What are your views on gambling, lying, theft, and killing?
Nasty human vices.

48. How far will you go to defend your beliefs?
Not very. Once upon a time, I would've taken it far. But I guess... all the fight's just left me, huh?

49. How much do you value money?
I couldn't care less about it. Thomas handled the finances before, and Allen's unassumingly taken it over now.

50. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Take a life that was needed.

51. Do you believe in self-sacrifice for the greater good?
No. Humans are selfish creatures, and we don't care about the greater good. If there was a 'greater good' I wouldn't have lost him to it, would I?!

52. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
Yes. I do.

53. Are you superstitious?
Not at all.

54. How much do you respect the beliefs and opinions of others?
I don't care enough to disrespect them.

55. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings?
Honest about most things. But in other things, I will lie through my teeth.

56. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
Yes. [word of god: s-so curt... *A*]

DEALING WITH OTHERS

57. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
I guess it's Allen's turn to fill that role. *sigh* [thomas will probably always have that role...]

58. Who is the person you respect the most? Despise the most? Why?
I greatly respect no one at this point. There isn't anyone who deserves my respect anymore. That's not to say I despise anyone, though... I guess I'm just growing into a bitter old woman.

59. Do you have a significant other? Who? Why?
I had one. Not anymore. [much to allen's dismay] Thomas was my fiancé once upon a time.

60. Do you have a lot of friends? Who is your best friend?
Uh... Actually I don't. Most of the Inven in my class are dead or married and raising kids of their own. I don't keep in contact. Allen's become my dear friend, and I suppose he and Nathan are a package deal... and if there's Nathan then there's Sonya...

61. How do you relate to members of the same race? Class? Sex?
The same as anyone else.

62. How do you relate to members of a different race? Class? Sex?
The same.

63. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
Yes, I have been. I was paired with Thomas and love bloomed. All those happy years together... *happy sigh*

64. What do you look for in a potential lover?
...nothing anymore. I'm tired of love.

65. How close are you to your family?
Not close.

66. Do you want a marriage, family, and/or children?
... [word of god: she would smile politely through this question and then later that night go cry herself to sleep; she wants all of them very, very much]

67. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
I avoid, unless it's something worth arguing about.

68. Are you a listener or a talker?
A listener sometimes, a talker sometimes.

69. How long does it usually take for you to trust others?
It depends. I trust Allen on principle, but others, not so much.

70. Do you hold grudges?
I guess I do.

71. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
Yes. It usually comes with being the tallest and *cough* oldest.

72. Do you like interacting with large groups of people?
Not particularly.

73. How well do you express yourself?
Well. :>

74. How quickly do you judge others?
Not quickly at all. Impressions of others are constantly changing, after all. Example one: Allen. *nod*

75. Do you care what others think of you?
At this point, not at all.

76. Do you have any enemies? How or why are they your enemy?
Just the abstract ones Sovine's fighting.

PERSONAL TASTE AND OPINIONS

77. What is your favorite pastime? Color? Food? Possession?
I... I used to play the piano. ._.;; And paint a little. My favorite color is pale yellow, my favorite food is anything poultry, and my favorite possession is the yellow dress Thomas bought for me.

78. What are your preferences in arts and/or entertainment?
Classical things. Old things. Beautiful things.

79. Do you smoke, drink, go whoring, or use drugs? Why or why not?
I don't do any of the above. They're just not for me, and not very healthy, either.

80. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
Curled up on the couch with a book sipping tea. Or being dragged out to do something by Allen. ^^

81. What is your most cherished fantasy?
A... A happy family.

82. How long is your attention span?
Long.

83. Do you laugh a lot? What do you find funny?
Not laugh, but I do smile often. (not all of them are real. u_u) I find some of the younger generation's antics funny, and some inside jokes come to mind...

84. Is there anything that shocks or offends you? If so, what?
Abortion offends me. Greatly. ...And Allen's frank devotion is something that still shocks me.

85. How do you deal with stress?
Reading and ignoring it. Not healthy, but it gets me through things.

86. How much athletic ability do you have? Artistic?
I'm fit and flexible, but not particularly strong or fast anymore. I can paint a little and I'm pretty sure I remember how to play the piano.

87. Do you like animals? Do you like children?
I adore both.

88. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
I like plans better, but spontaneity has its uses, primarily on the battlefield.

89. Do you have a pet? If so, what is his/her name? Species? Fur color? Etc…
Not at this time, no.

SELF-IMAGE

90. What is your greatest strength as a person? Weakness?
I'm very even-tempered and can read others fairly accurately. Unfortunately, I tend to be a little... emotional over certain topics. [thomas, pregnancy, family]

91. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Being a little shorter would be nice... u_u;;

92. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
Introverted more and more lately.

93. Do you like yourself?
...Probably not very much.

94. Do you have a daily routine? How do you feel if your day is interrupted?
Yes, I do. I like routine; it allows me to go through the motions without having to think too much about it. I can handle interruptions, though, with relative ease and grace.

95. What goal do you most want to accomplish in the next six months? Your lifetime?
For the time being, survive the next six months. Maybe someday... start a new family...

96. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
Hopefully not still working. -_-; I'm too old for this.

97. If you could choose, how would you want to die?
I would've preferred to die with Thomas.

98. What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for after your death?
Being a good mother.

99. What three words would you use to best describe your personality?
I would use? Hmm, let's see... Compassionate, lukewarm, bitter.

100. What three words would others probably use to describe you?
Caring, smart, ...tall.

101. Why are you risking your life to adventure?
I ask myself that more and more often, you know. :/ Some days I wonder.

the dust has only just begun to form crop circles in the carpet

2010-05-19T23:30:00.002-05:00

YES!

Somehow, somehow I managed to get a buffer up for Pedestal again! *o* This makes me ungodly happy. But it means no more missed updates (no promises though) and return to the occasional monday update even!

In fact, I think next week shall be a monday/thursday update week. ;D

I'm currently working on chapter 102, and chapter 98 is going up tomorrow, so that's an indication of where I'm at. I'm starting another challenge (there's the assassins one to wrap up, another one, and then the one I'm at) now and it gives me moar Vai time. <3 Because everyone needs more Vai time. It also has a little more team interaction, which is always fun to do but lately has been a little less spotlit in the plot. >:

Anyway, that's pretty much it. XD; WHIPLASH! has sorta suffered because of this, but hey, once I'm done with Pedestal... I'll have all the time in the world for that bb.

like indecision to call you and hear your voice of treason

2010-05-16T00:00:00.005-05:00

1. What is your full name? Do you have a nickname?
Allen Pershing. Nope, no nickname really. :>

2. How old are you? When is your birthday?
I'm practically twenty - my birthday is August 28th! [word of god: as of the end of chapter six, it's august fifteenth-ish]

3. Where were you born? Where do you live now? Are you patriotic?
I was born in Sovine, and still live in Sovine. Though I'm actually a country boy, haha; I was born outside the capital. And yes, I'm very patriotic!

4. Who are/were your parents? (Names, occupations, personalities, etc.)
Both my parents were very rural. You know, farming, ranching a little, very grounded people.

5. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
I have an older brother and a younger sister. Erik's sorta quiet - okay, he is quiet. Deathly quiet. Painfully quiet. He's really shy, too. It's hilarious to see him interact with any strangers or girls... XD But he's great. Ora's a sweet little girl, too. She's really friendly and the cutest little thing. >u<

6. What is your occupation?
I'm a Tego now. :D

7. How tall are you? How much do you weigh?
5'10, 152 pounds...

8. What color is your hair? What color are your eyes?
Sandy blond hair, and I don't know this really weird hazel/gold eye color. I never really cared to give it a name.

9. What is your race?
Sovinian for generations. :P

10. To which social class do you belong?
Uh, countryfolk? Does that count? Or now I guess I'm a military man, haha. I have no idea really.

11. Do you consider yourself to be attractive? Do others?
Er... *blush* I guess so? I mean, I don't think I'm unattractive... o_O;; I have no idea what others think. I'll ask Sara Grace or Leno--okay, actually, no, I won't ask Lenore. >>;;;

12. What is your style of dress?
Well, now it's military gear... In my downtime, though, Lenore can't get me out of sweatpants.

13. Do you have any scars? Tattoos? Birthmarks? Other unique physical features?
Yes to the first, no to the second, no to the third, and I don't know, maybe? I've noticed that most urban kids in my graduating class have dark hair and eyes. ._.

14. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
Nope! I'm healthy as a horse. ;P

15. Are you right- or left-handed?
Right-handed, but I can use most weapons with both hands. :3

16. What does your voice sound like?
Er, I'm a little more softspoken than, say, Nathan or Jack. (or even Maria.) Or I guess my voice isn't as deep and intimidating as them. -_-; Then again, Nathan's is steadily going hoarse because of his smoking... XD

17. What kind of vocabulary do you use?
I'm not sure. I don't usually think about such things?

18. List three quirks or other defining characteristics.
I've gotten this bad (and annoying >A>) habit of clicking the lighter Nathan gave me, so there's that, OH AND I'M THE ONLY ONE IN MY CLASS NOT TO SPECIALIZE. :D :D :D I say that counts as every quirk ever.

19. How often do you bathe? Do you wear perfumes?
Eheh... I'm one of those guys that you have to chuck into the shower when I get busy with something... (or lazy...) But no, no perfume. o_O

20. What kind of facial expression do you commonly wear (dour glare, wry smile, etc)?
I don't know, a smile? Probably?

21. Do you use body language? How?
Doesn't everyone? I'm sorta a physical person, I guess. No, wait, I'm not - but I'm a close-to-your-personal-space person. I have a very small bubble and usually I expect others to, too... ^^;

22. Do you have a commonly used saying?
"What if--*insert terrible scenario here*"

CHILDHOOD

23. What is your earliest memory?
Fighting over one of the cats with Erik. I wanted to give it a bath, and Erik told me it wouldn't be a very good idea. Well, somehow I won the argument... and it turned out not to be a very good idea. (I listened to him more after that.)

24. How much schooling have you had? Did you enjoy it?
I didn't go to a whole lot of schooling, just because I lived pretty far out in the countryside. Then I joined the military and had Tego training for a very short six years. That was... interesting.

25. Where did you learn most of your knowledge and skill?
Mm, it's about half and half.

26. How would you describe your childhood in general?
Hard work. Lots and lots of hard work. ._. But it was pretty fun.

27. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Just like Erik, haha. Then I somehow got it into my head to go off to the city and join the military. I can't even remember how that seed got planted... ._.

28. When and with whom was your first kiss?
This neighbor girl who lived a couple miles down the road from us. .w. I had the hugest crush on her for most of my childhood... It happened when I was what, let's see... nine? Maybe?

29. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
Nope, I'm not, and let's just say it will be an experience I never forget. :D;;; NEXT QUESTION NOW (dear god Lenore never ask me this) [word of god: that 'whoring around' nathan and his friends did? about that... let's just say they dragged the then-country-boy out with them.]

30. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? Does that affect you?
Nope. .w. [this is such a stupid question]

INFLUENCES

31. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
Um, probably getting paired up with Lenore? I feel as if I should say something grander...

32. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Er, wasn't this just asked?

33. What is your greatest regret?
I sort of tripped over the finish line with the training, haha... If Nathan and Zeren hadn't stopped and helped me study for those last few tests, I'm not sure I would've passed. I sorta regret falling behind so bad and for getting into that situation in the first place...

34. What is the most embarrassing or shameful thing ever to happen to you?
Um... I don't care to share that. >>;;;

35. Do you have any secrets? If so, what are they?
Yup. I have many secrets. Doesn't mean I'm sharing. XP

36. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
There was this time when we stole the girls' clothes when they went swimming on a school trip... :'D I'm not sure it qualifies as 'evil', though they sure as hell thought so.

37. When was the time you were the most frightened?
Getting on that bus and heading to the city for the first time alone... It was terrifying. I was a kid, so sue me.

38. Have you ever traveled outside of your country? If so, to where?
No, no I haven't. [like nate & sonya, he'll travel more later on]

BELIEFS

39. What is your alignment?
Aha, an agnostic... Seriously don't tell my family though. It'd break my mother's heart. >: But I guess that's what military training does to you.

40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
Pessimistic... >>

41. Do you believe in a god? If so, which one and why?
Isn't there only one? o_O That's what I was taught growing up.

42. Do you believe in an afterlife?
I guess. I mean, something has to happen after you die... right...?

43. What is your greatest fear?
Being too weak, not being able to save someone.

44. What makes you angry? Sad? Happy? Why?
I'm not so sure I have an 'angry' side. More panicked, probably. As for sad... Well, you know, the obvious things: death, leaving people, having people leave you... whenever Lenore is mean to me... ;m; Lots of things make me happy. Being with my friends, winning a fight against Nathan, Nathan not smoking, Lenore not calling me annoying... .w.

45. Do you think people are basically good or basically evil?
Um, yes. I do. ._. Is that bad?

46. What are your views on politics?
Uh, I plead the fifth? I'm just a simple country boy...

47. What are your views on gambling, lying, theft, and killing?
Bad. :I ...doesn't mean I haven't done those, but still. Morally, they're in the red.

48. How far will you go to defend your beliefs?
Pretty far, I guess.

49. How much do you value money?
I guess I'm a little cheap, haha... I blame that growing up on a farm. We were never very rich.

50. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
...

51. Do you believe in self-sacrifice for the greater good?
...Yeah, I guess I do, don't I?

52. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
...Yes. :'D;;

53. Are you superstitious?
Not really, I guess, but I do avoid doing some things because of bad luck, heh.

54. How much do you respect the beliefs and opinions of others?
I try to. (sometimes, though, if they're an idiot...)

55. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings?
Honest when it gets me what I want. I can be a little manipulative when I need to be, though. |D

56. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
Eh. I used to think city folk were jerks and stuff, but living there for the past six years changed my mind on a lot of things.

DEALING WITH OTHERS

57. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
My family's all pretty important to me - and of course Lenore!

58. Who is the person you respect the most? Despise the most? Why?
Hmm... Those are both hard...

59. Do you have a significant other? Who? Why?
...heheheheh >u>;;;

60. Do you have a lot of friends? Who is your best friend?
I guess so. I'm pretty much friends with the entire graduating class. ^^ Though Nathan's my best friend.

61. How do you relate to members of the same race? Class? Sex?
Um, well? I guess. D:

62. How do you relate to members of a different race? Class? Sex?
Uh, I guess well... I don't interact much with other races (unless some of my classmates count?)...

63. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
Um, probably not. I thought that crush on that girl was love, but it wasn't. .w. [word of god: lenoooooore]

64. What do you look for in a potential lover?
Uh, a great personality? :D;; I don't know who will be reading this...

65. How close are you to your family?
Really close. I miss them. >:

66. Do you want a marriage, family, and/or children?
Yeah. I mean, it seems fun, and who doesn't like love? Haha... ^^;

67. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
It depends what about. Usually I'm an avoider.

68. Are you a listener or a talker?
A listener, mostly... But I get talkative when I worry. [which is often]

69. How long does it usually take for you to trust others?
Awhile. :/

70. Do you hold grudges?
I try not to.

71. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
I try not to, but sometimes I'm forced into it... especially when the first two ranks in our class are too busy fighting to do anything... >I

72. Do you like interacting with large groups of people?
Sometimes.

73. How well do you express yourself?
Probably not all that well. XD; But I'm steadily getting better at it. Lenore's helping.

74. How quickly do you judge others?
First impressions are pretty quick. I consider myself a good judge of character.

75. Do you care what others think of you?
To some extent, I guess. But that's been decreasing these past couple years.

76. Do you have any enemies? How or why are they your enemy?
Sometimes I think Nathan's out for my blood... Aside from that, I guess the countries we're at war with count?

PERSONAL TASTE AND OPINIONS

77. What is your favorite pastime? Color? Food? Possession?
I like outdoor things, like hiking and camping. Hmm, my favorite color would be green, my favorite food is probably a roast beef sandwich, and my favorite possession... huh, I guess the lighter Nathan gave me, ha. I don't have many others I consider special, anyway.

78. What are your preferences in arts and/or entertainment?
Lenore's got me into classical music, if that counts. She also regularly insists I read certain books.

79. Do you smoke, drink, go whoring, or use drugs? Why or why not?
I don't smoke. -_-; I drink occasionally and socially, and, uh, no more whoring. >> Ever. No drugs, either. :/

80. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
Sometimes Nathan and Jack drag me out drinking, though lately Lenore's been making me stay home. So I guess my new 'typical' is relaxing at home with her.

81. What is your most cherished fantasy?
Um... >>;;;;;; NO COMMENT KTHX.

82. How long is your attention span?
Um, sorta long? I don't know the system of measurement we're using.

83. Do you laugh a lot? What do you find funny?
Yeah, I do. :D I find some of others' antics funny. I like laughing at other people. :D

84. Is there anything that shocks or offends you? If so, what?
Some of Sonya's antics shock me. ._. Greatly. Also, some of the things Lenore says.

85. How do you deal with stress?
Going for a walk. A long walk. Or beating someone. :/

86. How much athletic ability do you have? Artistic?
I'm athletic thanks to my upbringing and training, but not much artistic ability. Lenore wants to teach me how to paint though. I guess she's the artsy one of this pair.

87. Do you like animals? Do you like children?
I like both, yes!

88. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
I can be spontaneous, but I guess I like plans. Though they have a habit of going wrong... really fast...

89. Do you have a pet? If so, what is his/her name? Species? Fur color? Etc…
No, I don't. I'm not sure if they're allowed in the dorms.

SELF-IMAGE

90. What is your greatest strength as a person? Weakness?
Hmm. My greatest strength would be my flexibility with weapons and fighting styles, even argument styles, haha. Weakness... uh, probably my tendency to worry. [or his self-sacrificial nature, though it's unknown whether or not he knows he possesses this]

91. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Being taller than Lenore would be nice, though I'm not sure I'd like to be that tall. So, uh, stop worrying about the small things so much.

92. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
Extroverted, though it doesn't mean I'm all that outgoing.

93. Do you like yourself?
Pretty much.

94. Do you have a daily routine? How do you feel if your day is interrupted?
Don't all military personnel? I get a little antsy if it's interrupted, though.

95. What goal do you most want to accomplish in the next six months? Your lifetime?
I don't know, still be alive, I guess. As for lifetime... Retire at some point, settle down, start a family, move back out to the country...

96. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
Five years, still working. Probably still working in ten, too. I'm not sure when I want to retire, so maybe even still working in twenty. Could you imagine? A Tego with a twenty-year-long career. ovo

97. If you could choose, how would you want to die?
Not of lung cancer. -_-

98. What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for after your death?
Hmm. I guess being a good person.

99. What three words would you use to best describe your personality?
Worrier, cheerful, caring?

100. What three words would others probably use to describe you?
Worrier, trollish, friendly.

101. Why are you risking your life to adventure?
I signed up for it. Literally. |D

and only one will survive i wonder who it will be this is the ultimate showdown of ultimate destiny

2010-05-14T12:19:00.002-05:00

Woo, updated Pedestal for the first time in EVER. It really feels like forever, though. I really ought to work on that. XD; At least if I wrap it up I can concentrate solely on WHIPLASH!.

...though I'll miss all of the reviews in my inbox WAH. (I dub thee "dark knight syndrome".)

I'ma gloss over a lot of the challenges, too. XD This is taking forever and I sorta want to wrap it up. Or at least get onto the giant awesome battle royale-esque fight at the end. WHERE ALL WILL BE REVEALED kukuku.

it's so hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world you've got my heart and it's beating for every girl

2010-05-12T23:34:00.006-05:00

I read "Le Jardin" by Megan Gedris (same author as Yu+Me, which I suggest you read as well) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am also wanting to write a short, dark, poe-esque story about love and murder as well, but I am le terrible when it comes to short stories. That and I wouldn't know where to begin.

idk what else. I'm trying to write today, I really am. I haven't written in forevah. (oddly enough I'm not going into withdrawal like I normally do, but I do believe I can attribute that to my drawing) I wrote about a paragraph for the new pedestal chapter, but I really wish I could work on WHIPLASH! some more...

Speaking of my darling little WHIPLASH!, I gotta plan more of that out. ._. I'm in the delicate phase of "wtf am I doing with this story here". In other words, I have the beginning (obviously), I have the cast, and I have the ending. But past that, I'm shooting in the dark here. So I made it storm. :'D

But I really gotta come up with some fun missions for them. XD I have a couple ideas for some tagteam missions and character exposition, but hmm... HMM...

Also can I say I cannot wait for a year to pass in-story so Emil can properly come back, kick ass, and take names? I want to introduce Luca Becker moar and oh god there are a couple scenes with him I am SO EXCITED for. :D :D :D Like him literally beating on Nathan when he upsets Sonya and then the little kiddies being brats and cheering. (also I plan to keep subtly mentioning Becker until people know the name, though he's only been in one itty bitty scene thus far)

It'll go something like this:

It wasn't hard to know where Sonya was headed. There were only so many places she could go, anyway, and none of them were nearly so keen to be sympathetic than Emil and Luca. Unfortunately, she had a head start and speed on him. By the time he arrived, panting, at the building, Luca was already waiting outside for him, arms crossed.
He didn't seem at all surprised to see Nathan there, either. Trying to regulate his breathing and setting his hands on his knees, Nathan bit out, "I'm not going to fight you for her, Becker."
"I have strict orders not to let you on the premises. And since she has Emil by the balls and he has me by the balls, I think it prudent not to argue against them," Luca said flatly, pushing himself away from the wall. He didn't appear to have a gun on him - which was good, considering Nathan hadn't had the time (or foresight) to grab his. Dog tags jingling as he waltzed over, he used his height to stare down at Nathan. He tried his best to stare back, but it was hard when he was losing by height, muscle, hand-to-hand combat training... and even he knew that he was morally in the wrong here.
Still, Sonya was his Inven. He had to do something, even if it involved getting his ass handed to himself in order to get to her.

yeah idk.

may i have your attention please - please refrain from not smoking

2010-05-12T02:10:00.010-05:00

I really like doing those 101 question things, but egad they are long as sin. D: I really would like to do Allen and Lenore and maybe even Sara Grace and Jack and Maria, or maybe even Emil as well... Or, for that matter, a hella lot of characters. But it really is a long bitch. ._. And I hate how it stretches out the page... (hence why I'm going to start sprinkling in these little ones; they'll start moving the long things down the page and out of the way... eventually.)

In other news I am still absolutely amazed at how much of a troll Allen has become. As evidenced by this sentence (each one is a link; click, click~). Seriously though. I had originally planned for him to be a motherly-hen-type... Or a worrier, at any rate. He still is, definitely, but he's more mischievous and immature and developed a sense of humor along the way. (him and his candyland picture are now the new one for this site, too) ...I guess that's just how characters evolve.

So for the rest of this post, here are a couple characters from their conception to their roles now. (and who knows, they'll probably grow more along the way~)

+Nathan Loar was originally supposed to be very, very laid back. Somehow, he lost that. Most of it. Almost all of it. He's now a little more easily annoyed, and more stressed, haha. Maybe it's just how Sonya acts around him.
+Sonya Karahalios wasn't originally going to be so peppy and cheerful and immature. Then again, I actually wholeheartedly like her transformation.
+Lenore was originally supposed to have a bad, bad case of PTSD. She still does, but apparently she hides it better. Then again, she hasn't been in a chapter for awhile... I'm thinking about writing a chapter about Allen and her (as opposed to Nathan & Sonya), so I'm sure we'd see more of her then. But yeah, she was originally a freak. XD She was originally going to greet other females with the question "so are you pregnant?". Yeah.
+Sara Grace has gone from a vague concept of 'bitch' to 'righteous bitch'. *shrug* I like her character and design a bit more, but I'm a little irked at how feminist she's become...

bitches love me 'cause they know i can rock

2010-05-11T00:25:00.004-05:00

1. What is your full name? Do you have a nickname?
Sonya Karahalios.

2. How old are you? When is your birthday?
I'm twelve! And my birthday is June third. :>

3. Where were you born? Where do you live now? Are you patriotic?
I was born... some place else. I live in Sovine with Nathan now, and you bet your butt I'm patriotic! Why else would I have become an Inven?

4. Who are/were your parents? (Names, occupations, personalities, etc.)
Um. ...I'm not sure. I can hardly remember them. They died when I was pretty young.

5. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
Only child. I think.

6. What is your occupation?
I'm an Inven! :D

7. How tall are you? How much do you weigh?
I'm 4'9, and I weigh ninety pounds.

8. What color is your hair? What color are your eyes?
I dye my hair! :D Brown with silver bangs. It's amazing. And I have violet eyes. I also wear glasses. [word of god: the violet eyes are a slight plot point]

9. What is your race?
Um... Sovinian? [not genetically]

10. To which social class do you belong?
Um? I don't know.

11. Do you consider yourself to be attractive? Do others?
I am adorable. And I'm going to be hot when I grow up and grow boobs and curves. Then Nathan will fall for me and my gorgeous looks and we'll get married and live happily ever after.

12. What is your style of dress?
Cute things! o< I like short sleeves and skirts. Also colors!

13. Do you have any scars? Tattoos? Birthmarks? Other unique physical features?
A couple (small of course!) scars, no tattoos, a mole on my back shoulder blade. AND I HAVE SILVER HAIR :D :D :D Does that count?

14. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
Um, probably. I don't have any diseases though. And I guess I'm sorta... not-strong. But it's why I have Nathan!

15. Are you right- or left-handed?
Right-handed.

16. What does your voice sound like?
AMAZING I'M SURE.

17. What kind of vocabulary do you use?
Uh, I don't know. Normal?

18. List three quirks or other defining characteristics.
I am the best hider in my class! And and and I have the best Tego ever! I also have silver hair. |D

19. How often do you bathe? Do you wear perfumes?
I take showers often but baths when I have the time, and no, I don't wear perfume. Maybe I should start that...

20. What kind of facial expression do you commonly wear (dour glare, wry smile, etc)?
I don't know. A smile, I hope. [yep.]

21. Do you use body language? How?
I don't know. I guess so. I'm pretty open and very physical with other people. ;D

22. Do you have a commonly used saying?
Not that I know of. ._.

CHILDHOOD

23. What is your earliest memory?
...Um... >> It was of my parents dying NEXT QUESTION NOW

24. How much schooling have you had? Did you enjoy it?
I had schooling and then Inven training. I didn't like school so much but I mostly liked the training.

25. Where did you learn most of your knowledge and skill?
Most of it was probably from Inven training...

26. How would you describe your childhood in general?
Um, pretty happy, I guess. It's not like I missed my parents. I had plenty of teachers and friends and a couple foster parents when I was younger, but it was pretty fun.

27. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An Inven. :D MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

28. When and with whom was your first kiss?
...n-no one yet... >w> I'm still waiting for the perfect opportunity to kiss Nathan...

29. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
Y-Yes I am. o__o;;; I'M TWELVE OKAY. I'M SUPPOSED TO BE ONE AREN'T I?! D;

30. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? Does that affect you?
I don't think I do. :D So it doesn't~.

INFLUENCES

31. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
Hmm. Um... coming to Sovine.

32. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Graduating from Inven training and getting paired with Nathan.

33. What is your greatest regret?
I don't know. Losing my parents...

34. What is the most embarrassing or shameful thing ever to happen to you?
One time my skirt got stuck on a crate's corner in the obstacle course, and I sorta didn't notice until it ripped... >>; And of course the ONE BOY in the class happened to be behind me. ARGH.

35. Do you have any secrets? If so, what are they?
I... actually remember more of my parent's death than I let on. u_u;; I remember these things attacking us. I'm not sure what or who they were, but my father picked me up and we were running. Eventually we got cornered or they caught up or something, because my mother threw herself at the monster-people to stop them and give my father and I some time to escape. It only bought us time. The next thing I know, my father had dropped me and was bleeding on me. I-I tried to run on my own but the things caught me and picked me up. I remember crying and screaming. Then this black-haired man with glasses was there. I distinctly remember him, because I remember the way some blood was splattered across the lenses. He picked me up and told me that everything would be fine...

36. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
I don't know. I don't think I've done many 'evil' things. ._. I hope not.

37. When was the time you were the most frightened?
...when my parents died...

38. Have you ever traveled outside of your country? If so, to where?
Probably, if I was rescued coming in. *shrug* I don't know where, though.

BELIEFS

39. What is your alignment?
To what?

40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
Optimistic!

41. Do you believe in a god? If so, which one and why?
Not really. Or I guess there could be one out there... There probably is.

42. Do you believe in an afterlife?
Yup. There's a heaven and a hell, right?

43. What is your greatest fear?
Losing someone. Losing Nathan.

44. What makes you angry? Sad? Happy? Why?
Hmm, things that make me angry... When I don't get my way, when people are jerks, when Nathan doesn't take me seriously... Sad things would be when people give me that sad look when they hear about my parents, or the fact that my parents are dead anyway. I sort of wanted that family ideal, right? Happy - friends, Nathan, going to new places, animals, cake, all sorts of things.

45. Do you think people are basically good or basically evil?
I guess so. Isn't that why we're at war?

46. What are your views on politics?
Uh... I don't know. .__.

47. What are your views on gambling, lying, theft, and killing?
They're all pretty bad. :/

48. How far will you go to defend your beliefs?
Pretty far, I guess. I mean, if I didn't believe in these things, I wouldn't care, right? So since I do care, I would want to defend them.

49. How much do you value money?
I guess a lot. I never had a whole lot as a kid, so when I do have some, I feel rich and want to spend it on nice things.

50. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Kill someone who doesn't deserve it.

51. Do you believe in self-sacrifice for the greater good?
Um... I guess so...

52. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
Yes! I do! :D *looks at Nathan*

53. Are you superstitious?
Not really, I guess.

54. How much do you respect the beliefs and opinions of others?
I guess so.

55. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings?
Honest. I let people know what I'm thinking. :>

56. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
I hate snakes. Does that count?

DEALING WITH OTHERS

57. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
Nathan is, because he protects me, he's awesome, he's handsome, and he's just so cool. *happy sigh*

58. Who is the person you respect the most? Despise the most? Why?
I respect Nathan and Samantha and Lenore Coracks. Well, her Tego, too. A lot of Tego I respect. Um, I don't think I really despise anyone. Though Ann Iridos is sort of a bitch. :/

59. Do you have a significant other? Who? Why?
Nathan, if he counts. >u<

60. Do you have a lot of friends? Who is your best friend?
I do have a lot of friends! :D I was friends with most of my Inven class. But Samantha would definitely be my best friend.

61. How do you relate to members of the same race? Class? Sex?
Fine, I guess?

62. How do you relate to members of a different race? Class? Sex?
Emil's pretty quiet and that Maria lady was mean, but... I don't know. Fine, I guess.

63. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
I'm not sure. I do like Nathan a lot though...

64. What do you look for in a potential lover?
Handsome, strong, brave... |D Someone who cares about me and will listen to what I have to say. Someone who will take me seriously. Someone who will protect me.

65. How close are you to your family?
...

66. Do you want a marriage, family, and/or children?
Yes yes and yes! :D

67. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
I'll argue if I'm right. :/

68. Are you a listener or a talker?
I'm a talker I guess, hee.

69. How long does it usually take for you to trust others?
Um, I guess not that long?

70. Do you hold grudges?
A bit. A little bit.

71. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
I guess so. I like organizing other people and telling them what to do, at least.

72. Do you like interacting with large groups of people?
Yes! The more the merrier, right?

73. How well do you express yourself?
Um, well? I get by. :>

74. How quickly do you judge others?
Pretty quickly, I guess. I mean, you can tell a lot about a person by their appearance.

75. Do you care what others think of you?
A little. Who doesn't?

76. Do you have any enemies? How or why are they your enemy?
Ann Iridos is still a bitch, and her friends are mean, too. They're just mean girls.

PERSONAL TASTE AND OPINIONS

77. What is your favorite pastime? Color? Food? Possession?
I like climbing on things and exploring, my favorite color is probably red or pink, my favorite food is baguettes dipped in beef broth, and my favorite possession is probably my nivedidus, haha.

78. What are your preferences in arts and/or entertainment?
I don't know? I like art, I guess. Most paintings are pretty. Entertainment... Like movies?

79. Do you smoke, drink, go whoring, or use drugs? Why or why not?
No to everything! :/

80. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
Just hanging out with Nathan. Sometimes with his friend and Lenore.

81. What is your most cherished fantasy?
...and Nathan will help me up onto the white horse and we'll ride off into the sunset...

82. How long is your attention span?
What are you imply--hey, look, another lizard!

83. Do you laugh a lot? What do you find funny?
I do. :> I find lots of things funny! I find funny things funny. :D

84. Is there anything that shocks or offends you? If so, what?
Snakes offend me. And I guess I'm shocked at why people would want to go to war with us...

85. How do you deal with stress?
I run around outside.

86. How much athletic ability do you have? Artistic?
I'm pretty quick on my feet and I'm a good climber, but I'm not very strong or muscle-y... I like drawing, but I'm not sure how good I really am at it...

87. Do you like animals? Do you like children?
I love animals! Or some of them, anyway. Cats and dogs and lizards and birds and horses and rabbits. I guess I like children.

88. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
I'm spontaneous. :> I mean, plans are nice, but you have to be able to think on your feet, right?

89. Do you have a pet? If so, what is his/her name? Species? Fur color? Etc…
I keep finding lizards on our missions and I want to keep one, but Nathan says no. :< I found this really great one that was orange like his hair, too...

SELF-IMAGE

90. What is your greatest strength as a person? Weakness?
Um, I don't know. I've never given these things much thought. :D

91. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I WOULD HAVE BOOBS.

92. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
Extroverted! ...That's the one that means you're friendly, right?

93. Do you like yourself?
Yup. :>

94. Do you have a daily routine? How do you feel if your day is interrupted?
Yes I do. Nathan makes me have one, that military man. I don't mind if my day is interrupted, so long as it's a nice interruption.

95. What goal do you most want to accomplish in the next six months? Your lifetime?
Survive our missions for the next six months... For my lifetime, get married (to Nathan!) and start my own family. Retire as an Inven.

96. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
Um, probably still active duty for five years. Probably ten years, too. Maybe twenty? I guess I don't know how long I want to be an Inven for...

97. If you could choose, how would you want to die?
In my sleep. When I'm old. oAo ...Or I guess falling off a cliff would be sort of fun. At least you'd get to fall.

98. What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for after your death?
I'm not sure. Being an awesome Inven, I guess.

99. What three words would you use to best describe your personality?
Friendly, cheerful, bright.

100. What three words would others probably use to describe you?
Friendly, talkative, shameless. .w.

101. Why are you risking your life to adventure?
Because I'm an Inven! It's my job. Me 'n Nathan get to do this for our mission and we get to save a bunch of people and shoot some rebels and enemies and monsters and stuff... It'll be great.

why does my heart cry feelings i can't fight you're free to leave me but just don't deceive me

2010-05-06T23:56:00.002-05:00

1. What is your full name? Do you have a nickname?
Nathan Loar. [I haven't gotten around to giving out middle names. Maybe their culture doesn't have them.]

2. How old are you? When is your birthday?
I'm almost twenty, and my birthday is January 26th, sir.

3. Where were you born? Where do you live now? Are you patriotic?
I was born and raised in Sovine, and naturally I still live there now. I am very patriotic; it's why I joined the military.

4. Who are/were your parents? (Names, occupations, personalities, etc.)
My father was an officer who was killed in the war when I was still young. He was always pretty strict, a very strong man. My mother is the softer side of the family, very warm and a bit of a worrier. Allen sort of reminds me of her sometimes. She usually stayed at home, but I think she's gotten a job since I left for training... I'm not sure... I haven't spoken to her in a long time...

5. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
I'm an only child. Although Allen is like a brother to me. I suppose Sonya would be a bit like a younger sister.

6. What is your occupation?
I'm (finally) a Tego.

7. How tall are you? How much do you weigh?
6'1, 169 pounds, sir.

8. What color is your hair? What color are your eyes?
O-Orange hair, and no, it's not dyed. Dark brown eyes.

9. What is your race?
I'm Sovinian and proud.

10. To which social class do you belong?
My mother and I were well off, since my father left us some money and military pay, but now that I've become a Tego, I'm slowly inching up there.

11. Do you consider yourself to be attractive? Do others?
...uh. I don't really give a damn how I look. But if Sonya is any indication, I'm something like a god in human form. *sigh*

12. What is your style of dress?
Military uniforms, school uniforms, does it matter? I rarely get to wear casual clothes anymore.

13. Do you have any scars? Tattoos? Birthmarks? Other unique physical features?
A couple scars from training exercises gone wrong (*cough*), but no tattoos - those are technically illegal for military personnel. Nothing really on my body. I'm boring like that. :/

14. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
As a child, I was allergic to pollen, but I've since grown out of that. Physical weaknesses? Are you kidding me? They dragged such things out of me in training.

15. Are you right- or left-handed?
Right-handed, though I can use a gun with both.

16. What does your voice sound like?
...uh? How am I supposed to judge that?

17. What kind of vocabulary do you use?
Military? I'm not sure how to judge this one either.

18. List three quirks or other defining characteristics.
I smoke. (Get the hell over it, Allen.) My favorite food is pickles, I can safely sleep with a gun under my pillow, and, uh... [word of god: he can hold his liquor, but he can't hold his libido in such instances ;D he doesn't know this, though]

19. How often do you bathe? Do you wear perfumes?
I shower daily on downtime, but missions don't give me that luxury. And no, I'm male. :|

20. What kind of facial expression do you commonly wear (dour glare, wry smile, etc)?
A flat or uninterested stare. Or glare. I'm not sure which.

21. Do you use body language? How?
Actually, not very much. Military training has severely stunted my body language; too much standing at attention and tension. Even now, I subconsciously do it...

22. Do you have a commonly used saying?
Probably something along the lines of "No, Sonya".

CHILDHOOD

23. What is your earliest memory?
Some holiday, and I was being carried by my father. He then tossed me in the air and I distinctly recall having a blast... I didn't say it was an exciting memory.

24. How much schooling have you had? Did you enjoy it?
Regular schooling and then completed Tego schooling. I thoroughly enjoyed it, though it was hell at the time.

25. Where did you learn most of your knowledge and skill?
Tego training. -_-

26. How would you describe your childhood in general?
Subdued.

27. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A soldier like my father, until he died in action and my mother forbade it. Then I decided to become a Tego.

28. When and with whom was your first kiss?
Err... I'm not sure I feel comfortable with this one. [He was dared by one of the older trainees in his class to kiss Maria Delgado, haha. He ended up chickening out and kissing Sara Grace instead.]

29. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
No I'm not and I'm leaving it at that. [with his girlfriend-at-the-time, a non-tego-trainee when he was sixteen ohoho]

30. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? Does that affect you?
No one that I know of, sir. So I guess it really doesn't affect me then, does it?

INFLUENCES

31. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
Graduating from Tego training.

32. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Graduating at the (almost) top of the class.

33. What is your greatest regret?
...almost top of the class.

34. What is the most embarrassing or shameful thing ever to happen to you?
Finding out Sara beat me goddamn it. I was slipping those last few months because I was helping Allen scrape a passing grade, but still. Goddamn. ><

35. Do you have any secrets? If so, what are they?
Everyone keeps secrets. And I'm keeping mine.

36. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
This one time on the third-year-outing, Gallagher, Bethaway, Kaya, Wright, Allen and I decided to go swimming. When we knew the girls were out. So we basically crashed their bath. I don't think they ever forgave us for it, but hey, at least they had the paranoia to wear their underwear. (we did steal their shirts afterward when they chased us off, though)

37. When was the time you were the most frightened?
During our first training exercise in the badlands. I was young, I was weaponless, and there were people chasing me. It was a natural reaction. >>

38. Have you ever traveled outside of your country? If so, to where?
I've been to Bauk a couple times, and out to the badlands numerous times on missions. Past that, no. [later in the story, he'll travel more]

BELIEFS

39. What is your alignment?
Eh, I'm more or less an atheist.

40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
I'm toeing the line between the two, but probably a little more optimistic with a cynical coating.

41. Do you believe in a god? If so, which one and why?
Didn't I just say I was an atheist?

42. Do you believe in an afterlife?
Not really, no. You die and that's the end.

43. What is your greatest fear?
Lately, losing Sonya or another close friend.

44. What makes you angry? Sad? Happy? Why?
Sara, running out of cigarettes, and a run of bad luck all make me angry. Death and helplessness make me sad (and frustrated). I guess a lot of things make me happy. Spending time with friends, being over with training, eating pickles... Drinking. Drinking also makes me happy. :|

45. Do you think people are basically good or basically evil?
No. But I believe those Paronese bastards are basically evil. :/

46. What are your views on politics?
I don't have a lot. I follow the leader of the country, and that's it.

47. What are your views on gambling, lying, theft, and killing?
Hey, gambling's fun so long as it doesn't become an addiction. Lying is obviously morally wrong but white lies aren't so bad, and if they're to protect someone, then I can understand them. Theft is also morally (and legally) wrong, but in extreme cases, maybe it's okay...? And killing... An order's an order. Death is necessary to save lives.

48. How far will you go to defend your beliefs?
Far.

49. How much do you value money?
Not a lot. I've never been wanting, and hey, Tego pay is pretty damn fine.

50. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Kill mercilessly, or kill an innocent.

51. Do you believe in self-sacrifice for the greater good?
...Very much so, I guess. It's what I'm doing, anyway.

52. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
*shrug* I've never given much thought to it. Sure, why not.

53. Are you superstitious?
Not at all.

54. How much do you respect the beliefs and opinions of others?
It depends on whether or not they're an idiot about it. Or Paronese. Or Sara.

55. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings?
Eh, I guess pretty honest. Though I'm honest if people ask. I'm not going to spill my heart to anyone.

56. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
...Paronese bastards... Also Sara Grace Kellner is a rank-stealing bitch.

DEALING WITH OTHERS

57. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
I feel as if I should answer Sonya on principle...

58. Who is the person you respect the most? Despise the most? Why?
I respect my father, from what I remember of him, and the leader of our country. I also have a great deal of respect for Allen. I probably despise the vague Paronese people we're fighting against. Also, Sara. Rank-stealing bitch.

59. Do you have a significant other? Who? Why?
No I don't. Though Sonya would probably tell you otherwise. *sigh*

60. Do you have a lot of friends? Who is your best friend?
I get along with most of my graduating class, and I guess most of them are my friends. Allen is my best friend, though.

61. How do you relate to members of the same race? Class? Sex?
Sovinian is fine. Same class is fine. Same sex is fine.

62. How do you relate to members of a different race? Class? Sex?
Er, it depends. Lannish people are fuckin' weird (read: only experience is with Maria & Emil), the few Bauks I've met are sorta mean, and anyone we're at war with are mighty bastards. Different classes I'm cool with though. It's really not an issue. Different sex is fine, too. Girls aren't all bad.

63. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
I don't think so. At least, I've never felt that sappy spark that most other people cite when speaking of love.

64. What do you look for in a potential lover?
Tits. *shrug* What can I say; they're awesome. She also has to have a pretty face without makeup, and pretty eyes.

65. How close are you to your family?
Dad's dead, and I haven't spoken much to my mother since I entered into training... I could be closer.

66. Do you want a marriage, family, and/or children?
Um, I guess. In the far future. Far future. And if I get married, then I want a son. Maybe a daughter too, but definitely a son.

67. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
I'll argue a bit, but usually it's just not worth the hassle.

68. Are you a listener or a talker?
A listener usually. It helps that Sonya's such a talker.

69. How long does it usually take for you to trust others?
A long while, but when it comes to a mission, I don't have much of a choice, do I? I'm trusting these people with my life...

70. Do you hold grudges?
*glares at Sara Grace*

71. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
Yes. I outrank (most of) them in most cases, and I'm a bit of a leader, I guess. [actually, he's instantly a follower if anyone outranks him]

72. Do you like interacting with large groups of people?
I'm not comfortable, but I can handle it. I do like it if I like the people.

73. How well do you express yourself?
Sometimes... Sometimes I wish I could be better at it.

74. How quickly do you judge others?
I don't judge. I usually don't care enough to.

75. Do you care what others think of you?
Usually not. The ones who I do care already know me.

76. Do you have any enemies? How or why are they your enemy?
Saraaaaaa >I She usurped my rightful place at the top of the class. She also repeatedly chose me for our training exercises.

PERSONAL TASTE AND OPINIONS

77. What is your favorite pastime? Color? Food? Possession?
Napping is a fun pastime; I missed it during training. I guess I like the color blue, that one shade that's sort of grayish. Or midnight blue. I like pickles, and my favorite possession is my .45.

78. What are your preferences in arts and/or entertainment?
Uh?

79. Do you smoke, drink, go whoring, or use drugs? Why or why not?
I smoke regularly. I drink occasionally. I've only "gone whoring" twice, and I don't plan on making that a habit, either. I've never done drugs and never plan on it. This is just how I roll. [he enjoys smoking and drinking, but had bad experiences with a practical joke played on him during a "whoring" excursion, and drugs just never appealed to him]

80. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
Usually it was spent at the firing range or if I was free, drinking with my buddies. Nowadays, Sonya tires me out so I'm in bed pretty early.

81. What is your most cherished fantasy?
Er... *blush*

82. How long is your attention span?
Long. I'm not Sonya. :/

83. Do you laugh a lot? What do you find funny?
I... guess I could laugh more... I find a lot of things funny. I guess...

84. Is there anything that shocks or offends you? If so, what?
Surprises shock me. :/ Sara offends me.

85. How do you deal with stress?
Smoking and napping and drinking. In order of preference.

86. How much athletic ability do you have? Artistic?
I'm damn athletic. ...Not so much artistic though.

87. Do you like animals? Do you like children?
Animals are fine, I guess. Young children make me uncomfortable. Sonya has done nothing to cure me of this.

88. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
Plans are preferable.

89. Do you have a pet? If so, what is his/her name? Species? Fur color? Etc…
Does Sonya count? No? Then how about all of those damn lizards she keeps bringing me? I ought to get a snake just to scare her...

SELF-IMAGE

90. What is your greatest strength as a person? Weakness?
I'm physically strong and can keep a cool head under pressure. My weakness would be, er, probably the fact that I follow orders to a fault.

91. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Number one rank! D<

92. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
Introverted.

93. Do you like yourself?
On the whole, yes.

94. Do you have a daily routine? How do you feel if your day is interrupted?
Wake up, smoke, brush my teeth to get rid of the smoke smell, wake up Sonya, take a shower, go wake up Sonya again, eat breakfast, get dragged out to do whatever she wants to do. It's oddly similar when I'm out on a mission...

95. What goal do you most want to accomplish in the next six months? Your lifetime?
Next six months: survive. Lifetime: ...survive. I'm not sure.

96. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
In five and ten years, still active duty. Maybe in the next twenty years, I'm not sure. I... don't actually have a lot of my life planned out...

97. If you could choose, how would you want to die?
I have this romantic sort of notion of dying on the battlefield, but of old age sounds better and better these days...

98. What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for after your death?
Being a damn fine Tego.

99. What three words would you use to best describe your personality?
Indifferent, loyal, strong.

100. What three words would others probably use to describe you?
...It depends very heavily on who you ask.

101. Why are you risking your life to adventure?
Because I joined the military. That's how it works. I want to serve my country.

this world is just illusion always trying to change you

2010-05-06T23:36:00.004-05:00

Got done with chapter 6 of WHIPLASH!, woo. Sorta neglected Pedestal in order to do so oh well. >A> Pedestal's almost done, and WHIPLASH! is just starting... So I guess logically speaking I should concentrate on Pedestal more so I can wrap it up and move on with my life, right? BUT SINCE WHEN DO I FOLLOW LOGIC.

In other news, after watching parts of The Talented Mr. Ripley, I decided to agree with my mother in the fact that Jude Law would be better cast as the Ram, not the Rook. He even has the accent to boot. (Though the Ram's is very slight and comes and goes.)

I really should work on The Ram at some point. This year's NaNo anyone? It'll definitely wait until after Pedestal though; two stories has me straining as it is.

Maria is slowly turning into a fan favorite, too, which makes me lol. XD; She's such a minor character but I'm thinking she should become more major. If only for the interactions.

Here's some fun facts that I wish I could work into stories but I'm not sure how I'll be able to:

+Annie Delgado, Maria's "sort of" sister-in-law, is "sort of" because her hubby and Maria's bro died. After Annie started fooling around with other men, most of the family basically disowned her, though she kept his last name. (yes, she's currently screwing Chad Coley. that's why they repeatedly look so disheveled; sex hair ftw! Nathan will catch onto this eventually.)

+I think Jack Gallagher x Maria Delgado is so canon I don't even. They're well suited in a weird way.

+Though the Mockingbird and the Owl are basically joined at the hip, I can't see any sort of romance between them. Huh. Platonic relationships ftw! It's not used nearly enough in literature these days.

+Inven are traditionally female and Tego are traditionally male. There is no real rule for this, except societal pressure and, well, tradition. Inven are trained and recruited younger (especially lately), and girls, who are more mature at that point, are encouraged to join up. Boys, who are less mature, figure they'll hold out for the 'real' training - Tego training. Of course there are (notable) exceptions like Emil and Sara Grace.

+Tego do not normally become snipers, just because their jobs are so physical and usually close-range. Still, because of their physical disadvantage, it's a popular route to take for female Tego. Maria and Talli Johnson (the Tego who went missing on the first mission) are both trained as snipers, though Talli also trained with a .22 rifle in closer range fighting as well. Maria, if pressed to fight close combat, will simply hit people with her rifle like it's a baseball bat. She also is known for kicking men between the legs.

+Allen is the only Tego ever to have trained so... evenly. There have been others to specialize in more than one area, but he tried his damnedest to get pro at everything. He obviously has strengths and weaknesses, but otherwise, he did a damn fine job at it. Even though his test scores suffered terribly and resulted in a pretty sad class ranking.

+Lenore is currently the oldest active Inven. I'm not sure how old she actually is, though. She was recruited back in the day when Inven were recruited older - before they figured out the hazards of connecting the nivedidus so late - so she joined probably around the age of fifteen and went onto the battlefield at sixteen or seventeen. (as opposed to Sonya getting chucked onto the battlefield at the tender age of twelve)

+Tego training has gone through very little changes, though, especially dealing with ages. It's been pretty much the same, though initially, simple soldiers were sent out to protect the Inven. As the project evolved, Tego were created with that exact purpose in mind.

+Tego have to be skilled in one form of hand-to-hand combat, one melee weapon if I may borrow the term from video games, and one long-range weapon. Naturally, most simply get good at brawling and pick up a gun, but a couple have decided to be weird. Throwing daggers, swords, and even a crossbow (once) have all been recorded as being used by Tego throughout the years.

+Tego have several different uniforms. The most common is the summer/southern one, which Nathan and Sonya sport for most of the story. There is also a winter/northern version, which is designed for colder temperatures. There is a battlefield/front lines version too, which closely resembles a soldier's. Then there are hybrids of all of these. In fact, after the first year of active duty, Inven and Tego are basically allowed to frankenstein a customized uniform for themselves, based on what works and what doesn't. There are guidelines, of course, but it still makes for some interesting outfits...

a solid soul and the blood i bleed

2010-04-28T20:51:00.003-05:00

Whoops, I have no idea what Jack Gallagher looks like and I'm trying to draw him. XD Doesn't work out so well. Gave up on him and instead designed Lenore's still unnamed first Tego. Emo glasses. |D First character I've designed who has them, haha. He also has sideburns? Yeah idk either. SEXY MOFO LET ME TELL YOU.

Um um um. I finished chapter 96 of pedestal (finally) but I'm still more or less stuck on WHIPLASH!'s chapter six. I made progress on it, though. D< PROGRESS IS GOOD OKAY? DON'T JUDGE ME. I'll work on it more tonight even though I should be studying/working on my SS presentation/doing stuff.

I keep playing that Robot Unicorn Attack game too. D:

and the man in the back said everyone attack and it turned into a ballroom blitz

2010-04-21T19:56:00.002-05:00

The Shirtless Series I have on deviantArt is surprisingly inspirational. It lets me toy with my characters in cracktastic ways without having to worry about writing or canon or seriousness. And how they'd interact with others and act in different situations.

Plus I get to practice drawing manchest. :I

I think I'll go through with Pedestal and WHIPLASH!, though I'm not exactly enthused with it. Slightly more enthused with WHIPLASH!, though. Plus it's too early to give up on it. XD; I have so much more plot to write!

first time i'm naughy second time nice

2010-04-20T15:51:00.003-05:00

Whoops, lost my inspiration for both Pedestal and WHIPLASH!. Instead I had this crazy dream a couple nights ago and want to work on that. IMAGINATION, STOP VOMITING AT ME IN MY SLEEP.

I don't know what to do. I know if I "take a break" from either of those stories I'll basically quit them and will never pick them back up. But I can't exactly force myself to write, either. I need inspiration bad. >:

'cause i feel like such an insomniac

2010-04-14T14:36:00.004-05:00

A couple more character facts in this post. :> Mostly because I remembered some more, haha.

+Vaikuntha's personality is a little based on Nagi from Deadman Wonderland, too. At least his calm, smiling persona. (if you've read the series, they do have more similarities than that... ;D)
+Allen and Lenore's names are sort of a joke. I'm a little surprised no one's caught on. Lenore came from the Edgar Allan (Allan, Allen, yes) Poe poem "The Raven". Her last name, Coracks, is from "corax", which is the latin species name of the common raven. Allen's name is the more common spelling of 'Allan', since I wasn't going to name him Edgar. And Pershing and Poe both start with P. :> (His last name is also that of a famous general, I think...)
+NamNar's real name also came from a plethora of sources. I've always liked his first name, and his last name half came from the Aqua song and half from America's real name in Hetalia.
+Leland Aminov was more or less directly from a previous (ditched) project of mine titled A Queendom Fallen. He was a fairly minor character who died early on. He probably won't share the same fate in WHIPLASH!.
+Only one of my characters is a vegetarian, though I myself am, and he was only it for a short time. (NamNar)
+I have never used my first, middle, or last name for a character, even when the character was actually based on myself. (I consider that fairly poor form as an author, however, so I try not to do that for anything but parodic reasons.)

Not as many this time. X3 Oh well.