#writerscoffeeclub 3 June: Should books contain a content warning?
(somehow missed yesterday, but this is important).
I never did that before I entered the English market. But I put a content note on #OdysseyToThePromisedLand. I realized that there are some things in it that might be disturbing, so I'm warning.
Should is the right word. Sometimes, however, I feel like it has to do with respect for the reader.
#writerscoffeeclub Jun 1. Intro and update: Introduce yourself and/or update us on your writing journey since your last intro.
Hello! I'm a passionate writer using two different pen names, avid reader, and tiny publisher. Stories are what make my life special to me.
And the update is: #OdysseyToThePromisedLand is live! And free for a few days on Kindle!
If you want to read, this link will take you to your respective store:
As #OdysseyToThePromisedLand will go live tomorrow, and one of the reasons why I translated that story was #JulesNVera - here is the scene where these two stories connect for the first time.
#pennedpossibilities 331 — Has your MC ever desired the feeling of a fresh start, or a better understanding of themselves and / or the world around them?
Goodness, yes. Katja sometimes feels like she's been caught in a nightmare, not understanding why people around her act the way they do. She would love a fresh start.
#wordweavers May 31 — Do your MCs enjoy games that are more physical or intellectual?
Katja would be up for both, if she has the headspace and time to play. She might argue that she's not up to the task, but she would not back down from a challenge.
Max, main SC, would definitely prefer the physical ones if asked.
#pennedpossibilities 330 — How does your MC go about expressing or not expressing their sexuality?
Katja has a very big problem with that. She falls easily in love, but the only experience she had physically so far was with her much older husband.
She hated it. She cries every time she thinks it might happen again, until [spoiler].
#pennedpossibilities 329 — How is your SC typically seen by others? Does it ring true to who they really are?
Excellent question for Max! As he is often seen as a clown, jokester, and overall cheeky boy, he is not taken seriously by many. He is called Mischief-Max for a reason.
Very few see beneath that and perceive his profound sense of honor and even fewer notice his deep-rooted issues and pain.
#wordweavers May 29: How would your MC handle finding a spider in their home?
Katja wouldn't bat an eye and get rid of it. She's traveled to Jerusalem and back, mostly on foot, so a spider doesn't scare her (unlike the arachnophobic author 😅)
#pennedpossibilities 327 — How much does your MC value other people? Do they wish to have many friends, lovers, and / or associates? Are they an easy person to love?
Katja values others and is very easy to love. In fact, she appeals to men and women alike and causes quite a few to protect her because she is so likeable.
And as Max states at some point, she has no idea whatsoever of her effect on people.
#wordweavers May 26. What childhood similarities do your MC and antagonist share?
Again, the disclaimer thar the roles of antagonists are fluid. But if we take Rainald: Both he and Katja are the children of wealthy merchants, and both are forced to marry according to their guardians' wishes.
#pennedpossibilities 326 — Do any of your characters have a favorite place that they've ever visited?
Constantinople will remain a magical city for both Max and Katja. It's bigger and richer than anything they've ever seen.
Doesn't mean they'll ever go back, though 😜
#writerscoffeeclub May 25
Do you use a cover artist or design your own covers? Share your cover art.
I used to hire cover artists. Meanwhile, however, I had some bad experiences and gained more skills myself. I surely do not range among the top cover artists - but truth be told: We all know how hard it is to make some good money with books. Thus, I've done the newest ones myself. The latest is for #OdysseyToThePromisedLand after some very good input from folks here.
#pennedpossibilities 324 — SC POV: If you could relive one day of your life without changing anything that happened, which day would you choose?
Max: Uhm. Not sure I've had such a day yet. Well, maybe the day Katja lost her patience with me at my mother's house.
That day was... noteworthy. smirks
#writerscoffeeclub May 21. Do you format as you write or do that at the end?
The minute I know that something will be longer than just a scene, I do basic formatting. I'm writing in word, and it simply makes it easier to navigate the document if I've got headers, parts, and so on.
However, I do the final formatting for ebook, PB and HC only once I'm done. They differ too much, so it's 3 different docs in the end.