I write it all. From a lot of original works, to long ongoing RP stories, to deep and insightful fanfiction that my friends thankfully love. I have Doctor Who stories published as well. I have a following on Archive of Our Own. My best friends (who I met elsewhere) are @strangeseawolf, @QuokkaMocha, @doctorwanderer, and @DoctorMonkey2. I have a paranormal podcast too! (Link on profile!)
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.17 — What aspects of your life do you bring into your writing?
I try to bring all of my experience and knowledge into my writing. I'm constantly putting my time and effort into research too, though. I'll bring both my experience AND I'll learn anything for my stories and WIP's.
For instance, one of the MC's in #ThePastIsAWound suffers from OCD. I can relate to that. It's a subject I know so much about because it's also a demon I deal with. It's therapeutic to write.
#PennedPossibilities 1 — Intro Day: What does your MC think they are destined for in this life?
Randall is a newsman, a dedicated journalist. He's destined to bring news stories to life, to shed light to the darkness in the world for others to see. He believes in nothing else. He's so passionate.
Lix wanted to be an artist. She still enjoys sketching and using charcoal. She discovered the news, years later, and hasn't looked back once.
Randall was interested in writing and photography from a very young age. Fiction never suited him for writing. Reading, yes, but never for writing. Journalism did. He's talented when it comes to writing poetry as well.
Bel: It was something to do with Randall. He was arguing with Lix during a morning meeting. Well, I say arguing... Anyone else would have classified it as a friendly, work-related disagreement. So, I came to the rescue. He gave me the eyes. Freddie noticed and chuckled. He looked a bit stranded and needed a friend to offer assistance, which I did. Freddie was far too amused, the little prat.
The story I use for this hashtag, #ThePastIsAWound, was inspired by my love of everything to do with the 50's and the wonderful characters in the show. It's a time period that was both terrible and incredible for various reasons. A good portion of the music I listen to is from the 50's and 60's, too. It helps.
I've written so many stories for The Hour. It's a naturally occurring thing. I'm easily inspired.
#PennedPossibilities 151 — Are you proud of your MC? Have they accomplished anything worthy of that pride and satisfaction?
Randall is worthy of every emotion I can pour out, including pride, love, and satisfaction. He's come so far. He fights the good fight. He runs a TV news program. He helps minorities. Furthermore, he fights every single day to overcome or properly deal with OCD, only to have found a woman who loves him exactly as he is. He's finally accepted that.
Randall: News. I always have, but things are different this time. I'm no longer a photojournalist following each petty war, running from warzone to warzone. I worked as a BBC War Correspondent for years. I even ran a co-operating newspaper and radio station in Paris. Now, The Hour is the first television news program. I'm currently the Head of News for said BBC program. We shed light into the darkness.
#PennedPossibilities 155 — Has your MC or SC ever forgotten something that was or is important to them? Are they afraid of forgetting things like that?
Randall has an implacable memory. He never forgets anything, even about Lix. He still remembered how she took her tea. He was so afraid of forgetting her.
Lix did her best to forget Randall for two decades. Then she hated herself for trying to forget him at all. It all came flooding back the moment she saw him again.
#PennedPossibilities 156 — Is your MC or SC deceptive, or willing to lie or deceive to achieve certain means? Why or why not? (1/2)
Randall is Head of News. He runs The Hour. He'll do whatever is needed to achieve that end goal. He's had to deceive the BBC before to keep his team members safe. He protects everyone. If he's being dishonest, it's always for a good reason, and it'll probably be to a blindly devoted official, corrupt policemen, or a villainous politician.
#PennedPossibilities 156 — Is your MC or SC deceptive, or willing to lie or deceive to achieve certain means? Why or why not? (2/2)
As BBC correspondents and war photographers / photojournalists, Lix and Randall went through hell. The ends justify the means when it comes to the business of news. Willingness keeps you alive in war.
Lix would have no qualms lying to get what she needs. She's a minx. She wouldn't even deny it. She'd do anything, without hesitation, for The Hour.
#PennedPossibilities 157 — Is there anything in life your MC has changed their mind about (due to becoming more educated on the topic or certain experiences), or that they COULD change their mind about in the future? (1/2)
Lix feels differently about Randall. She accepts his OCD. There's a better understanding now. It comes from experience. It comes from their time together. It's true love and passion. Twenty years ago, it was all passion and lust during wartime.
#PennedPossibilities 157 — Is there anything in life your MC has changed their mind about (due to becoming more educated on the topic or certain experiences), or that they COULD change their mind about in the future? (2/2)
In the time where this story takes place, in the late 50's, OCD wasn't even a coined term yet. It hadn't been discovered. People just label Randall as obsessive and compulsive. His words: "I'm compulsive, not impulsive."
#PennedPossibilities 158 — How has the loss of fallen comrades and / or loved ones affected your MC or SC? Has it taught them anything or given them any new perspectives? (1/2)
Randall and Lix have been through war. They were BBC correspondents, war photographers, and journalists. They have lost far too many friends and people that they've survived with. It'll change you. They're no different. It broke them. They're the survivors of it all. That is both a curse and a blessing.
#PennedPossibilities 158 — How has the loss of fallen comrades and / or loved ones affected your MC or SC? Has it taught them anything or given them any new perspectives? (2/2)
Being in the line of work that Randall and Lix are in, they knew it was coming. One day, they would lose someone. They never expected it to be so heartbreaking.
Bel almost lost Freddie. It changed her in every way. She's more cautious now. Randall sees that vulnerability. He understands only too well.
#PennedPossibilities 159 — So far, what part of your WIP was the most fun to write?
Delving into the world of the 1950's on a full-scale, missing no details, learning as much as I possibly could, and doing all of the heavy research would have to be my answer. I know so much about the 1950's but it's the little things that I hadn't known about. The wee details needed my attention. For instance, the date the first parking meters were installed in the UK... Who would know that?
#PennedPossibilities 160 — Which of these things does your MC prefer the most: music, art, or reading?
Randall reads obsessively. Poetry, books, and journalism. Lix is the same. Together, they enjoy music and dancing to the fullest. They also enjoy reading WITH one another, all curled up in bed or on a sofa. They spent their evenings that way twenty years ago when they had been together last. While they can appreciate art, it isn't high enough on the list for either of them.
#PennedPossibilities 161 — Do your characters seek glory and accolades, or do they favor a simpler, more personal life? (1/2)
Randall wants a simple life. Lix wants to remain in the shadows as well. When they were younger, it was different. They were chasing wars and stories, and wanted recognition for the hard work. Whenever they had received any praise, it made all the hell they put themselves through worth it. They only wanted to help war-torn countries who deserved it.
#PennedPossibilities 161 — Do your characters seek glory and accolades, or do they favor a simpler, more personal life? (2/2)
Freddie chases glory and accolades. He's arrogant, yes, but also lovable. Bel is all for the praise as well, but for different reasons. She's a woman in a man's world. She deserves an acknowledgment of merit. She truly is good (and worthy) at what she does, deserving of praise and rewards. She wants to help everyone. That's why she's in news.
Bel celebrates all of them. She secretly loves it, despite the trouble with her mother. They even exchange gifts on Christmas, too.
Freddie is an emotional mess over the Holidays. He misses his father. He was his carer. No matter how much time passes, he finds it hard to celebrate. Bel is there to soothe him. She helps him celebrate every holiday now.
Hector and Marnie adore them all! They're parents now, of course, so that changes things. They love having a little one around to celebrate everything with. (In the future, Easter will be a particular favorite.)
Hector never used to be this way but the arrival of their child changed all of it for him. He's a happy father too, and Marnie absolutely adores it.
Thank you for everything you do. You're a remarkable man and an even better friend. I'm not entirely sure of what's going on, but I do know that Bel's not quite herself. She's stressed. Her mother is doing well after the flat was broken into.
Aside from that, I just wanted to say thank you. You're taking excellent care of us. You deserve to hear my gratitude.
While Lix would drink and celebrate everything she possibly could when she was younger, she hesitates to these days. She learned that her daughter is gone. It feels horrible to celebrate holidays without her.
Randall doesn't really celebrate anything. He's been alone. He used to with Lix when they were younger. These days they can celebrate together. Lix wants to.
#PennedPossibilities 165 — If your MC has a love interest, what would be their opinion when it comes to cuddling up in front of the fireplace on a snowy night with that special someone?
(This is a question that I KNOW will get a lot of backlash. Some people despise even the tiniest bit of romance.)
Randall would absolutely adore a snowy night spent in front of a hearth with Lix. It would be heaven. He needs the peace, to be honest. He would love to bring her home to Scotland.
While we already know that the answer would be Freddie for our dear Bel, there's someone else I'd like to mention. In the future, there will be someone that Isaac befriends. It happens so easily for him, which is odd enough. They might even become more than friends. Her answer would be him, and vice versa. It's so sweet, and they're so shy.