#wordweavers#writng 24. While drafting, do you avoid or binge-watch similar material?
Neither. I read what I want to read. On occasion, I will read things that contain an idea I want to develop. It's called research. The only time I think I ever truely binged though was reading the complete works of H.P. Lovecraft before writing a Lovecraft pastiche.
#WordWeavers: Is your antagonist more of a dragon or dragon rider?
Because my WIP is a cozy paranormal, there’s not a clear antagonist. I suppose the closest to it would be the town’s only vampire, Sunny. He’s more of a dragon rider, because he wouldn’t go into battle alone, and he craves social interactions. He’s also got no attachment to stuff, so no hoarding tendencies.
#WordWeavers 23: Are your MCs picky about where they sleep?
Neither Arianell nor Ellis are.
Arianell because she travels a lot as a Guardian of Hera, and while she's often offered accommodation, they aren't always super comfortable, and other times she has to do with the forest floor.
And Ellis because she's been poor and a nomad since forever. Not enjoying the same privilege of Pantheonic Devotees, she rarely finds people willing to lend a roof for free, and so she learned to sleep wherever.
#WordWeavers 23May- Are your MCs picky about where they sleep?
When you've slept in awful places, not knowing if you'll be attacked while you sleep, pickiness develops a new meaning. Being warm(ish) and safe, having a door, and even a lock are still novelties to Eerie. That being said, his new favourite place to sleep has to be in Caz's massive bed. the ability to starfish in comfort comes in a close second to playing the little spoon.
He could learn to be picky about that, given the chance.
#WordWeavers 23/5: Are your MCs picky about where they sleep?
Both Jerya and Rodal grew up in a village where they slept on platforms carved from solid rock with only a thin pad stuffed with goat-hair for a mattress. And crossing the mountains they (and Railu) slept under a tarpaulin on whatever bit of vaguely smooth and level ground they could find. so, no, they’re not picky. #writingCommunity#ThreeKindsofNorth#TheSunderingWall#VowsAndWatersheds#writing#books
#wordweavers#writing 23. Are your MCs picky about where they sleep?
Ume? "I sleep where ever. I prefer the bed, but we have a futon in the living room I sometimes use. My job is physically demanding so that helps and if I can't I get up and do some writing."
About a month ago I kind of disappeared from this place. Some personal and family problems threw me out of the writing headspace and keep me busy. Patience is required of which I don't have much. Nothing dangerous though, don't worry. I'm slowly getting back into the writing, at least with microfic.
I think I'll be back in June with a different story, more gritty, fitting my mood. 😉
Eventually I'll find the energy to interact here again.
#wordweavers 22/5: Is your antagonist more a dragon or a dragon rider?
Once you’ve explained what a dragon is…
Ask Perriad and she’ll probably see herself as a dragon rider (or else as a slayer of dragons!).
Ask Jerya, or anyone else who‘s butted heads with Perriad, and they’ll see her as a dragon—and they won’t mean it as a compliment. #writingCommunity#ThreeKindsofNorth#TheSunderingWall#VowsAndWatersheds#writing#books
#WordWeavers: Do you consider how your MCs appearance may contribute to stereotypes?
Yes. Not only their appearance but their personality and hobbies and such as well. I’m playing with inverting paranormal stereotypes a bit in this book, but even though they’re paranormal beings, Im being very careful about stereotypes, and doing it in a way that’s not offensive. Well, the vampires might be a bit offended in the first half, but I make it up to them.
#WordWeavers#Writing 2405.22 — Is your antagonist more a dragon or a dragon rider?
My antags would def be dragons and not the kind you ride. The kind that burns the countryside. Riddles give them no delight only the smell of smoke and the gleam of burning embers.
These are Sigried's dragons, not modern fantasy ones.
#WordWeavers 2405.22 — Is your antagonist more a dragon or a dragon rider? CW: Innuendo
This question has me rolling on the floor laughing, but then you'd have to know the context of the story Fire Brand is in. The antagonist's type of human is called a... You guessed it. The MC has described his "attributes" cough intimately, having let herself be captured by him... And, well... "riding" is a euphemism she's well acquainted with. So, will she become a dragon rider...? 😊
I wrote about the dynamic between these two characters in the tootfic Ms George and the Dragon https://eldritch.cafe/@sfwrtr/110603595653290409. Please read it, if you haven't already. It should amuse you in this context...
#WordWeavers#Writing May21. Do you consider how your MC's appearance may contribute to stereotypes?
This bothers me. Most of my character's visual appearances are reflections of individuals who are considered attractive. Thus they reflect cultural biases of beauty. I am certainly not doing anything to break cultural stereotypes. The only place I give this much thought is with negative or unpleasant characters making sure I don't lean into stereotypes of what "bad" people look like.
#Wordweavers Day 21: Do you consider how your MC's appearance may contribute to stereotypes?
Sometimes. There are many stereotypes of female characters (the femme fatale, the 'evil' witch, etc). I like to subvert stereotypes and turn them on their head. Each character is unique with their own personality. I show that through their dialogue and actions.
#WordWeavers May 1: Introduce your setting as if it’s a character in your story.
The Greater Cascadian Megalopolis was born from the need to house the population of the Pacific North West but leave the bulk of the continent free of humanity,"re-wilding." The fetal megapolopolis started as superblocks and then arcologies,multiplying until they formed an urban organism that now stretches from the middle of British Columbia all the way to the California border.
#WordWeavers May 21: Do you consider how your MC's appearance may contribute to stereotypes?
Yeah, of course. To do less would be unethical. Especially for me, a white man. I deliberately steer away from stereotype, and the result is a story that's lively and unexpected. I don't rehearse the same old thing, at least not when I can help it.
#wordweavers 01/05/2024 Introduce your setting as if it's a character in your story.
The McAlistair mansion POV: “I’m currently the host of Esther and her strange little maid. Before I belonged to Esther’s husband, but he wasn’t with them when they came back from the colonies. Something has happened there, I don’t know what, but it makes Esther ill. The little strange maid tries her best to help.”
#wordweavers 21/05/2024 Do you consider how your MC's appearance may contribute to stereotypes?
Esther is a stunningly beautiful woman with everything where it should just in the needed quantity, who loves to fashion. She spends lots of time taking care of her appearance. So she adheres to most of Victorian young lady’s stereotypes (except being dark skinned).
#wordweavers 22/05/2024 Is your antagonist more a dragon or a dragon rider?
Lady d’Arcy is definitely a dragon rider: you have to be crazy to do such a dangerous thing as riding a dragon, but the reward is high, exactly the kind of feat she would take.
[Illustrations: dragons exist in my universe… but they are rode by leonines]