#Metalsea series

[tryingtimi]

Old Times

Inspired by Disappearance of the Girl by PHILDEL while failing my poll dears. It’s at least still a Darmon piece, even if not the promised one. I’m on it tho. Also, first try of figuring out their dynamic, so no context.

BOOK I EXPLORATION | CHARACTER EXPLORATION | DYNAMIC EXPLORATION | WC: 1,640

The Crystal Palace always showed its true magnificence at dawn.

Thick, sparkling blanket of snow covered the infertile soil outside as if its freezing white wouldn’t have hidden rough blackness underneath. Flakes rarely fell so deep in the belly of the circling mountain range, and yet the snow never seemed to dwindle.

Darmon turned from the groove they used as a window. The dining room showered in the red-orange light that seeped into the space, the palace’s crystal walls reflecting and multiplying its brilliance. They couldn’t see the auroras this far from Atarq, still, their colors reached them at every dawn.

“Its power to chain you to the window could not die away with the years. I dare say it never will,” Zheva called from the end of the refectory table.

The Nordic shines of the sun bathed her sitting figure in its slowly disappearing light. Since the day she put her armor down, she preferred to wear shadow-colored long tunics made of warm and strong textile, embroidery decorating its full length in rich shades of red and gold. Such as it did today as well. Her midnight tunic had sewed-in golden leaves scattering around in a somehow organized way, broad red hems on the sleeves and neckline adding to the harmony of colors, while a same shaded wide belt tightly wrapped around her waist.

Darmon nodded, then hesitated for a second.

His mind has been plagued with that old prisoner’s words. Words of suspicion and secrets. He found himself growing somehow careful around her. A disturbingly foolish act on his part.

Darmon joined the servants bringing in their many servings feast as they walked to the table. One of them leaned over to pull out his seat, but he stopped them with a soft gesture of a hand. The servant bowed their head, then placed four plates before Darmon as he seated himself.

“Is there a special occasion I‘m not aware of?”

Various roasted meats and vegetables ruffled up his hunger, the scent of melted butter, rosemary, and thyme twirling into his nostrils. Beside them, beautifully shaped glass bottles contained the translucent alcohol beverage made of anise, its curving form ornamenting the deeply shaded grape and pistachio bowls secured with lemon-mint tarts.

All Darmon’s favorites.

Zheva smiled a little.

“Can’t an old woman be lonely at times?” She earned a glance from Darmon.

Zheva’s face had been painted with curious tenderness today. Her features bore age, and maturity, something Darmon had grown accustomed to through the years. Her sharp, narrow eyes carried authority and wiseness while they let some visible wrinkles build a nest beside them.

Yet, Darmon wouldn’t ever call her as simple as old.

“I just find it unusual, that is all,” he added eventually. There were times when he – shamefully – craved to dine with her, but they never did. Only during lunch, they shared their meals and company truly.

Zheva took a bite from vibrant pink meat, the crystals orienting the last rays of dawn at her as a reflector. Her focus never left her meal.

“You are right, there is an occasion you might not be aware of. Two, perhaps.” She cut another slice, something almost like blood glistening on her chopsticks. “Have I ever told you about my son?”

A piece of carrot stuck in Darmon’s mouth as he stopped chewing. Only for a second, but he did.

“No, I didn’t know you had children.”

“Child,” again, she smiled a little, “only him. Especially after I left his father… or he left us, I am not certain anymore. It doesn’t really matter, I barely remember him and my son didn’t need him to outgrow him. He was a rascal since his birth, but he’d also been loyal and valiant. One could always rely on him in times of need. Qiang, that was his name.”

The biting sensation of the anise liquor did not ease the dryness of Darmon’s throat. All the food tasted delicious, yet somehow still felt as if he was eating sand.

He never heard such affection in Zheva’s voice before, not once. He couldn’t even recall if he ever heard her talk about her past. A legendary warrior of the ages and a believer left with a crumbled faith. There was not a seed of questioning in Darmon for why she never mentioned any of it before. Still, he couldn’t deny his surprise. And something else; a stirring, unsettling shred of thought.

The seed of how little he knew about her truly.

“Sounds as if you two were close.” Why continuing the topic felt like dragging a limp leg, Darmon couldn’t say. His plate almost emptied, his stomach nearly full, but he picked up another, large meat slice nevertheless.

“Hardly. We shared a lot, but his innermost thoughts remained his in the end. I knew only a version of him, one he felt comfortable sharing with me.” Zheva gestured with her hand, and the chandeliers brightened above them. A moderately dim, purplish light conquered the hall. “Raising a child does not equal that you’ll know them best.”

A strange sensation scraped Darmon’s throat; a scoff. He didn’t felt this reaction since… well, a long time ago.

He packed another bite in his already full stomach.

“You two are very akin to never asking questions. Unlike him, however, your nature is curious, Darmon. That much, I know. So, why don’t you ask?”

Traveling rays of light fell under the horizon, and the end of dawn brought darkness to the mountain range and everything slumbering within. As the hall turned completely amethyst from the only remaining source of light, Darmon found himself frozen. He cut the meat in half on his plate, his chopsticks abandoned beside it. He stared at the food, then with slow realization in his chest, he turned to Zheva.

“I never expect to receive an answer, hence why bother.”

Deepening crow’s feet, gentle, dark eyes, and a pause of silence. Then, Zheva put a comforting hand on Darmon’s, and all the cold of the world evaporated into nothing.

“You are free to ask, and with that, you shall earn answers.”

It’s been such a long time. More than a thousand decades, perhaps, since he saw the difference between Zheva and his family. Darmon couldn’t even recall when was the last time he just thought of them, yet their impact still reached him. However, with them, the reason why he joined her in the first palace was reborn as well.

“Why telling me about him now?”

She did not pull her hand back.

“Because today is the day he left me. You see, he did not share my view on how things should be. He loathed the cause I represented, and therefore, he loathed me. Some thousand years before, on this very day, he abandoned his mother. On this very day, I lost my son.” She sounded utterly mournful as she looked into Darmon’s eyes. For the longest time, he even caught a glimpse of some kind of exhaustion and age in that dark gaze. Then, ever so lightly, Zheva squeezed his hand. “Then, on this same day, you joined me.”

Crystals sang under the wind that sneaked inside the place. It reached Darmon, crawling under his padded tunic, yet it could not make him cold. He glanced at the table again, drinking in the view of the delicately prepared food. Meats, spices, alcohol, and tarts. Favorites, with just enough sweetness. Thoughtfulness to please one.

Darmon realized there was a tradition he completely forgot through the years.

And with that, the words unspoken made his eyes sting. Those words Zheva didn’t need to speak aloud. She lost someone today, and still, he was the one she celebrated. When he joined her, when he was reborn. Today, they weren’t celebrating something mundane, but the birthday of her son.

Darmon reluctantly put his hand on hers.

“I could say so many things, I don’t know which to actually say,” he said quietly.

“There’s no need for such formalities. I am grateful you’re beside me. I know what we do is hard, and it is delightful to have someone around, especially when one has a tender heart. Speaking of, I’ve heard you frequently visited the chambers recently.”

Darmon froze upon hearing this. Of course, she would know about it, he wasn’t trying to sneak around. Yet, it still made him tense under her motherly touch.

“It’s admirable how you manage those creatures, I was certain you’ll be the best to take upon this task.”

However appealing the words sounded, he knew it wasn’t exclusively a compliment. Oh no, it wasn’t. Darmon did not break the eye contact, letting those dark irises devour his soul as they stared into them. He would almost say that they spread the darkness around them as the night deepened.

“You can trust me,” he uttered. Why that was the first thing that tiptoed onto his tongue, was a mystery to him as well. He could have thanked her, he could have said he had a plan. But he didn’t. He knew she would be aware of his lies if they were actually those.

Was he worrying about lying without knowing it?

He wasn’t sure anymore. Not when he stood trial under those unwavering eyes and that oh-so-longed motherly touch. Darmon felt shame washing over him as in his shuddering heart he found the tiniest speck of desperate alarm.

Zheva did not smile anymore, yet she leaned closer and breathed a kiss upon Darmon’s forehead.

“I know,” she whispered. “I do.”

[tryingtimi]

Another Challenge

[ WET ] : our muses find one another in a torrential downpour of rain, both soaking wet.

[ DANCE ] : our muses dance together in close quarters.

[ BRUSH ] : sender reaches forward to brush a strand of receiver’s hair from their eyes.

@bloodlessheirbyjacques ✨

If I Push Will You Pull?

Thank you for the challenge, my love! It was a fun exploration for Cronyl and Syon, since you know they were the first one to pop into my mind. Though, I took the liberty to translate dance to "their version" of dance lol. Also the song where I get the title and the vibe from is Push // Pull by Sam Sky, Lauren Babic.

Context: Syonehlia gets the news about that she her attendnce is required as one of the possible candidates of the Prince's bride. In the meantime, Cronyl's late from their martial art practice. Prompts from this list.

CRONYL AND SYON | BOOK I EXPLORATION | ANGST | WC: 1,119

He’s not coming, isn’t he?

Syonehlia spun on her heels, hitting her invisible enemy in the throat with the edge of her hand. Her palm and fingers were stiff enough to make the move lethal. However, there was no one to tell her if it was actually as accurate as she presumed.

She kicked into the air, her training pants rustling from the intense movement.

Have you seen the letter on the counter? It came soon after you left today.

An hour, two or more, she couldn’t say how long she was out here. Time slipped away, and she didn’t even try to catch it anymore. Her forehead soaked, pearls of her sweat hitting the stone when she sharpened her ankle spike for an attack.

The back of the garden has always been quiet around dawn.

It bore the royal seal.

Her panting and silent growl almost echoed through the backyard. It counted as one of the charms of the place, and the main reason why they chose this spot to practice. Not even the servants wandered here.

Your Majesty gave it to me personally during our last consultation.

Syonehlia was completely alone.

He said the time has come when the Prince shall find a bride.

She stepped further, ready to strike at her make-believe enemy. But then, she tripped. She could balance herself just in time to not land on the ground.

Syonehlia stopped, heaving. A massive wave of wind blew through the land, rustling every leaf, and carrying the bitter scent of dirt. Then, as a vague attempt of soothing the troubled, the smell of rain hit her nose.

Cronyl liked the rain. He said the best way to learn how to control your motions is when you train under rainfall. It felt as if he repeated a hundred times now.

Syonehlia leaned over on her knees, her sweat stinging her eyes. She closed one eye, looking at the gathering clouds up in the sky.

Grey.

The grey dullness always reminded her of Cronyl.

It’s an invitation, dear daughter. Dedicated to you.

She gritted her teeth, her bothersome panting not easing fast enough. It wasn’t enough. She wasn’t improving fast enough. She needed to do better. She needed to be better at this.

Working yourself to death out of spite will take you so far, heiress.

Cronyl’s voice resonated in the almost unhearable rumbling of the rainclouds. They silently sneaked upon the land, slowly blanketing it.

Then, without warning, it began to pour.

Syonehlia straightened, her face towards the sky. Father’s voice never left her mind, the way he addressed the letter and its content. Yet, it huddled in the back as Cronyl’s advices overshadowed it.

She closed her eyes, letting the eager raindrops wash over her face, soaking her entire body.

There was no denying; she knew a moment like this will come. A wealthier noble heir was her boldest assumption, but the Prince… no. He was something she never considered.

She shrugged, something crawling under her skin.

Unfortunately, it made sense, if she thought about it.

Her Father was the High Scribe of the King, they spent a considerably long time together every day. She was a fool.

Syonehlia listened to the rain. It washed over the land, like a wall of gentle disappointment. Her heated body slowly cooled down drop by drop, her hair stuck onto her face.

There was no point in waiting out here anymore.

She didn’t hear footsteps, nor heavy breathing, but she noticed the patting of the raindrops on the grass changing. She opened her eyes and turned around; perhaps a little too quickly even.

Cronyl’s soaking wet clothes stuck to his figure, bringing out his lean, muscled body as it never did before. His hair trapped into a ponytail completely drenched as well.

If soundlessly, but he was panting.

And he only stood before her, not nearing closer, nor trying to utter a million excuses any minute now.

He just frowned.

“What are you doing?” Cronyl’s eyes wandered from her gaze, down her body, then back to her face.

She didn’t answer. She could only watch him while listening to the melody of heavy rainfall. As it somehow convinced the Humming Oaks to hum in sync with its resonating drops.

Then, Syonehlia launched forward, spinning on her heels to kick toward his head.

Cronyl leaned back just in time, but still, she cut a tiny piece off of his hair, the strands falling quickly under the force of nature. It wasn’t a storm, yet it poured heavy enough. And it seemed to strengthen.

She saw his frown deepen before she aimed her wrist spike at his side.

Water splashed as he caught her arm in mid-air, then tried to twist it behind her back, while he gracefully leaped at the side and turned to get behind her. She could already feel his breath on her neck. She saw the motion coming, however.

With a quick twist of her wrist, she freed herself, turning with Cronyl in sync.

Only to find herself face to face with his wrist spike at her throat.

She lost once more.

It was quiet again. No one uttered a word as both panted slightly, rain still pouring at them from the grey dullness from up there. Faces inches away from each other, their breaths were wisps of air in the cooling weather, mixing and twirling away. They locked eyes and none of them was about to break it.

Her skin itched where the point of the spike almost touched it.

She could see flames in his eyes, but she couldn’t tell what summoned it exactly. Or what it meant.

Anger, confusion, desire.

She didn’t care. She didn’t, and so she let her guard down.

As if sensing this, Cronyl’s breath slowed as well, the tension in his muscles visibly easing while he lowered his hand. Only to evenly rose it to her face. His spikes pulled back, his eyes never leaving her’s as he carefully brushed a wet strand of hair behind her ear. It stuck to her face during their fight.

“Talk to me,” he whispered, watching after his delicate fingers.

Such a tender movement, a loving touch. There was an unsettling urge at her core to lean onto it. To lean closer. What would he say if Syonehlia just grabbed him by his tunic, crashing on his lips and dragging him into her bedroom? What would she see in his eyes?

Anger, confusion, or…

She snatched his hand away, turning on her heels.

“Your fee is on the table. Session’s over.”

[tryingtimi]

All the links and details for my important worldbuilding and lore elements. More about the races and the uniquness of every nation will be in their individual posts. Constructing and extending this post as I go.

Onidia as a Whole

Nations

Illathia | Atarq | Laqounia | Heloris

General Worldbuilding

Project Page | Glossary

The Planet's Uniqueness

METALSEA. Onidia is the name of the world and planet where the Metalsea series takes place. It’s first and most important aspect of it is the Metalsea itself. In the ancient times, this planet got torn apart into two half and so the Metalsea is a phenomenon that is a golden-bronze machine which holds both part together. The name "Metalsea" comes from how the driadlin (the race of the people living mostly in Illathia) refer to this phenomenon in-world. It contains no screws, no fittings, nothing that of the kind of steampunk stuff. It's literally just a simple golden-bronze thing that despite its metal-like texture, still wobbles and waves like water. Some say it is sentient.

Detailed Metalsea Post

GEMRAINS AND METALCLOUDS. Onidia has usually liquid gems fall from the metallic clouds that gather around the sky. There are however, storms, where these gems solidify. They have various kinds, and most of them are not that harmful. But there are some that require the people to take shelter from; like the diamond storms for example. The nations deal differently with these rains.

Detailed Gemrain Post

STARLESS SKY. Onidia has no stars on the sky. The only light a nigh can offer is the one the moon possess. There are, however, some creatures that carry stars in their body, so the world is not entirely starless.

Nature and Magic

MAGICAL ENERGY. Magic in Onidia is something that roams everywhere basically. As time passes, this magical energy grows and gathers in some places, shaping everything further.

Magic System Post

ANIMALS AND MONSTERS. Considering how the magical energy is everywhere, it also shaped and still shapes the wild and plantlife further as well. In fact, sometimes it mixes the two, adding some mushrooms to the back of a tiger etc. However, when something absorbs considerably big amound of this energy, it ends up turning into more of a monster, than a very weird version of an animal.

Monster Manual | Bestiary

[tryingtimi]

All the pieces I’ve posted so far, in chronological order. Trigger warnings and more details in the posts. I will also extend this list as I share more stuff.

Canon

Night of The Broken | 3,348 ⥇ Cronyl and Darmon share an intimate moment and find some understanding in one another. Where? | 654 ⥇ The last battle of the story, where everything seems to be lost.

Non-Canon

[tryingtimi]

All the pieces I’ve posted so far, in chronological order. Trigger warnings and moredetails in the posts. I will also extend this list as I share more stuff.

Canon

Painful Endings, Reluctant Beginnings | 1,736 ⥇ Avelyn finds out the truth about her religion which shatter something in her. Cronyl comforts her in his own way. A Home So Near, Yet So Far | 1787 ⥇ Avelyn and Syon are having a sister bonding at the Mid-Summer Festival in Yaran. His Tools | 655 ⥇ Urien finally reveals his true ideals and intentions. For Now | 1,708 ⥇ Darmon and Syonehlia share their first kiss. The One They See | 627 ⥇ Syonehlia and Darmon look over the saved city of Evalon as a possible book ending.

Non-Canon

Kiss Me Then | 964 ⥇ Avelyn and Cronyl unravel their affection when they’re finally by themselves. Kill The Flame | 1,754 ⥇ Darmon threatens Urien, before he snaps. Waiting Game | 1,764 ⥇ Cronyl teaches Avelyn how to ride a cougar. Tension-filled softness.

[tryingtimi]

Going lowkey, but still wanted to have a proper wrap-up of 2023, because it's been a hell of a year. I've looked back what were my goals for the year, but they lost their relevance after the first half of 2023, so I won't be mentioning them.

WHAT HAPPENED

86,969 words throughout the year on various project. This was the first year I tracked my writing and I will continue doing so because it feels nice to look back on it hehe. Especially because the number is higher than I expected.

Lonel's first ACT is done, and I couldn't be happier for that.

Submitted two short stories to writing contests. Didn't win, but creating them was fun, and honestly, the fact I finally gathered enough courage to submit was a big achievement for me personally.

Written five short stories for Lonel and one for IQRUS.

Decreased the number of my drafts from 80 something to 8.

Drew a Cronyl x Avelyn picture, that I was not brave enough to share lol. I might do it later sometimes. We'll see.

PLANS FOR 2024

Finishing Lonel's zero draft.

Starting the first draft of Book 1 for the Metalsea series.

Submitting to at least four more contests/ magazines. (shorts only)

Pumping up my painting/art skills to do fanart for friend's and my stories.

I've grown a lot this year as a person and an artist (partly because of you guys here) which helped me having a clearer picture of where to go further. Taking steps to get my writing out there is one of those that I'll strive for in the next year.

Hope you guys will have a year full of creative achievements, risk takings, and many experiences that you'll find treasurable at the end! <3

[tryingtimi]

So, I was thinking

Starts off strong and unusual, I know. But. I started this year with the intention of finishing at least one draft, and I'd like to ramble a bit about what changed in my ways to achive that. Feel free to ignore this, though, I'm really just releasing all this into the void.

So, the Metalsea series' first book was the one I wanted to dedicate this year, and I made a pretty decent progress in scenes, overall worldbuilding and outlining. However, I also realized how many things its still lacking, while also some unforseen circumstances reduced my time and social/mental/emotional-energy, capacity. Which made me eventually shelve the idea of having this one to go through the year with.

But then Lonel came.

Now, Lonel is an old story idea I was playing with, and which I introduced here just a little while yet. It has a big advantage, though, which my other WIPs haven't. A solid, thorough outline I left myself back in 2010 something when the idea and inspiration struck me first. I abandoned, because it felt boring or too cliché back then, but now with some new found spark, and inspiration I see the potentional, and it made me incredibly motivated to work on it. Especially, when I realized how much I want to make that story probably the most personal one with giving the setting the authentic vibe of my own city/country.

And that leads us to my conclusion. Which is that I will dedicate the rest of the year working on the zero draft of Project Lonel, and to keep myself extra motivated I will log them here in weekly reflection posts. We'll see how that last part goes, but I'm determined to try to keep myself consistent despite my constant struggle with time, and life-work-passion balance.

Anyway, you're very, very sweet if you read it through here, thank you! Please wish me luck, and I hope you guys are having a nice year writing-wise and in general! <3

[tryingtimi]

2023 in Favourites and Inspirations

Hey, loves! I like summing up my year and going through what I watched/read, so I though making a list for fun. I'll list the ones that also came out this year separaterly, because I usually comsume older media lol. Feel free to make it a tag game if you’d like.

Favourite Book: Interview with The Vampire by Anne Rice.

Favourite 2023 Book: Yumi and The Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson.

Book That Inspired Me The Most: When The Stars Alight by Camilla Andrew (@aninkwellofnectar). Literally made me write half of the side story of Avelyn, and will re-read it when I start drafting Metalsea.

Favourite Movie: The Whale. I already cried on the less than one minute long trailer, so yeah. It hit hard.

Favourite 2023 Movie: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. I've watched only three movies that came out this year, apparently lol. Which among this was the best.

Movie That Inspired Me The Most: Crimes of The Future. Oh man, if you have seen a disturbing artistic movie. I wouldn't call it a good one, but it was very interesting and had many curious ideas.

Favourite Series: Beef. I've watched a ridiculous amount of A24 creations this year, and will continue doing so because oh how they fit with me.

Favourite 2023 Series: The Bear Second Season.

Series That Inspired Me The Most: The Bear aand the re-watch of the first season of True Detective. God, the inspo hit so hard, I got creative juice for months.

Favourite Animated Series: Blue Eye Samurai.

Favourite 2023 Animated Series: Blue Eye Samurai. No-one's suprised I think.

Animated Series That Inspired Me The Most: Blue Eye Samurai. As I said, no surprise here guys. I devoured it, and loved to pieces.

Favourite Video Game: Baldur's Gate 3.

Favourite 2023 Video Game: Baldur's Gate 3.

Video Game That Inspired Me The Most: Baldur's Gate 3. Once again, no-one’s surprised I think. Larian Studios is my one and only favourite game company (which for I’d love to work too in my dreams) so it’s only natural. In fact, let me leave here a pic of my character, Mulissi — and our already lover Asti— , because I forgot to ramble about my playthrough when I started. Got a funny face even tho she’s usually just surpised or horrified or just a cutie. (she was my very first dnd character and will do either an comic or just episodic stories for myself with her in the future. already started the stories since the game ofc, lol. might ramble about her later.)

Favourite and Inspirational People (and their stories) of Tumblr: @jacquessayshello, @the-void-writes, @circa-specturgia, @tc-doherty, @dyrewrites, @aninkwellofnectar, @author-a-holmes, @blind-the-winds

I haven't been as present online as before due to some circumsatance, but I loved to follow all of your journey here (all of your who read this). Tumblr continued to be the place where I feel home, and where I can meet or just follow people I like. It makes my day when I see any of you accomplish your dreams, or your goals you set. I hope there was many occasion you can highlight in this year, and there will be many more in the next year. Thank you for being here, can't wait to follow you to the years to come! <3

Happy New Year, Loves!

[tryingtimi]

Taglists for the WIPs in the individual posts. To sign up for any of the taglists, please fill out this form. I will also share snippets and crumbs from projects other than these three as well. Those will be tagged with timis other stories, but I'll make them a masterpost someday for organisation purposes. ♡

〄 METALSEA SERIES settled with this one for now

When Cronyl, the exiled young driadlin man tries to fight against a fairly corrupt kingdom alone in a reshaped world that no longer bears humans on its back; an unexpected Turn of the Metalsea happens to upset everyone's plans — and life itself on both half of the planet it holds together. Confused and disoriented, Cronyl teams up with the people who he stumbles upon in the chaos and they begin to wander together, revealing more and more secrets about their roots and the world they thought they knew.

PROJECT PAGE

Masterposts

SNIPPET | CHARACTER | WORLDBUILDING

genre: epic fantasy, adventure, with a sprinkle of romance pov: past-tense, third person limited, also a lof of character (i think i have at least 5 MCs) setting: fairly typical high fantasy, but i try to come up with as much original stuff as i can — hopefully original races for example, also a little bit steampunkish later in the story status: slowly starting the first draft — when i can finally stop worldbuilding plus note: i plan this to be a series of 4 or 5 books, because i can't write short stuff if i happen to start writing tag: #Project Metalsea

◉ IQRUS temporary title, sometimes I call it Project Icarus

A slowly growing, great gap separates the two borther, Dane and Adran Cohren, when they begin to fight againts Aetherius' otherwordly horrors on the brink of human extinction.

PROJECT PAGE

Masterposts

SNIPPET | CHARACTERS | WORLDBUILDING

genre: sci-fi, fantasy, eldritch-lovecraftian horror or thriller (not sure yet), probably a little grimdark pov: past-tense, third person limited, more than one character pov setting: cyberpunkish, futuristic, deepwater stuff and a fair amount of bullshit science status: outlining and drafting plus note: i know the description is very vague but i couldn't write one without too much worldbuilding (yet), so i'll make it up some later, maybe when the individual post is up already tag: #IQRUS

☏ LONEL settled with this one for now

Lonel has two secrets. One, he is the last of his kind since his mother was killed. Two, he is certain a vampire is to blame. These, however, are secrets he can’t tell anyone about. Vampires do not exist, and he can't be sure if his mind could be trusted anyway. Until one day, during his daily forensic cleaner job, he witnesses a scene that changes everything.

PROJECT PAGE

Masterposts

SNIPPET | CHARACTERS | WOLRDBUILDING

genre: neo-noir, thriller, urban fantasy pov: past-tense, third person limited setting: Wolf Among Us and 1960s-esque city with full of crime and all. status: brainstorming and outlining plus note: i need to come up with a better summary, but all in all this is it. everything is subject to change, especially since i may or may not want them to be vampires or werewolves but something a bit more unique, even tho the base concepts are the same. tag: #Project Lonel | Draft 0 logs

SIDE BLOGS | OTHER TAGS

TIMISRECS. I reblog works from here to keep others' works I enjoyed in one place. TIMISHELPSAVES. The URL says all. I reblog writing advice, helpful tips and such from here.

#timisramble | #get to know timi | #timis general worldbuilding

[tryingtimi]

One Two Songs, One WIP❤️‍🔥

Tagged by the lovely @bloodlessheirbyjacques

Rules: Share one two songs that you associate with each of your WIPs, then tag as many people as you like!

Metalsea Prequel: Eternal Dragon (title is subject to change)

100 Way by Jackson Wang

When The Truth Hunts You Down by Sam Tinnesz

Metalsea Series

Brave New World by Kalandra

Lay Your Weapons Down by UNSECRET, Sam Tinnesz

IQURS

Living in the Shadows by Matthew Perryman Jones

Here We Stand by Hidden Citizens, SVRCINA

Lonel

No One Will Save You by Aviators

Nightcall by Kavinsky

tagging: @the-void-writes, @agrimedena-drax, @aschlindartroom, @nectargrapes, @circa-specturgia, @approximately20blorbos, @friendlyneighborhood-writer, @aalinaaaaaa

[tryingtimi]

Hi! Happy Blorbo Blursday!

What is the one thing that one of your secondary characters would never do for your protagonist? What's the worst way they could realize this?

--Joy (@italiangothicwriteblr)

Deana, Avelyn’s best friend and fellow apprentice as a soon-to-be Priestess of Veilnieve would never abandon her fate for her. She would do anything for Avelyn, and would believe anything she says.

Except that their god doesn’t exist and their religion isn’t real.

Which will happen throughout the Metalsea series. And the worst way Deana could realize this is when Avelyn tells her that, after finding out the truth.

[tryingtimi]

Happy STS!

Amazon or Netflix want to adapt Metalsea. Assuming you have complete creative control what would your requirements be in order to make it a product that is up to your ideal standards?

Aw, happy late STS, Nectar! ❤️ Thank you for your question!

I've never thought about this before, but it's so interesting I was sitting on it for a bit.

It definitely would be an animated series. I am someone who graduated from animation and later 3D modelling which naturally made me lean more into these stuff, so I can only picture Metalsea as animation rather than live action. Onidia is full of things that are not in our real world, which could be better executed and visualized in that kind of media. (The draar for example have literally a humanoid, half-dragon half-something other predator look) Especially because I would never settle with less than what's in the book, visual-wise. An Arcane kind of production would be amazing, but I'm a huge fan of a Castlevania and ATLA kind of 2D work too (or any traditional animation), so as long as it looks nice and the movements of the character’s flow I'm happy with it.

I wouldn’t want it to have a hundred seasons, so probably 2 or 3. More can be whacky, also take away the satisfaction from the ending if it’s too lenghty. I would only do more if the production and writing team is good and can handle it well. But we also should need more episodes then so all the arc can have enough time, so I think I would go with 2 or 3 seasons and 15-20 episodes in each maybe. I also wouldn’t want to have only one season planned beforehand, because that’s the thing a lot of shows fail at. At least one more season should be planned from the beginning because it’s gonna be rushed and a mess if we want to continue but have no actual clue how to.

I would debate whether it should be a straight adaptation of the book or not. There are certain changes that should be always done while adapting since visual media is different for a reason. But, I also consider that maybe another story in the same world would be better, that rather completes the full picture of the book or plays in the rest of the world and shows the full range of it. Explores different places, characters, cultures. Different media sometimes requires a different story. The Metalsea cast would be mentioned, present and/or in it just it just wouldn’t be their story, since that has been already told in the book. (this is something I considered after listening a Brando Sando podcast, it’s a very interesting but considerable thing I think)

My world is divers and I wouldn’t let it be presented otherwise. I wouldn’t want to change the appearance of my characters, neither their gender. In an animated series. However, if it would be a live action for some reason, I would be okay with gender-swapping and having even more POC character in it. As long as the actors grasp the characters’ personality it wouldn’t matter if they wouldn’t look the same as I originally wrote them in the book. New media, new look. Totally fine.

Guillermo Del Toro. I love that man and his work from the bottom of my heart. So, I would definitely attempt to ask him to direct and curate the whole project. He can make the best fantastical, yet haunting stuff.

Accents. I want a bunch of accents to be presented. Also speaking various languages, maybe my imaginery ones too haha.

I would also stay open for new ideas. Always. I’m a huge team player and we can’t make a good movie or series alone. Hell, I even can’t make a good story without others. I need people who question my ideas, tell me if it sounds wrong or illogical, or them to add more to it if some ideas gave them a good push for a concept. So, I would be totally open for any changes and brainstorming as long as they can still convey the visions, messages and vibes we intend to put in it.

A working and cooperating team would be the base requriment of course. This was very interesting to think about tho, so thank you again!❤️

[tryingtimi]

Hiya Timea!!

🍇 I want to get to know your work better

🍐 I want to read everything you write

🥝 I want to see your story (Project Metalsea) made into a movie or TV series

for the fruit emoji game!

Hiya, precious! 🥺 Thank you so much! Your username sounds so cool! ❤️

[tryingtimi]

TIIMIIIII. 6, 15, 17, 18, 23, 34, 39, 44, 48, and 49, right back atchu! >P

HAH, FAIR ENOUGH. I’M READY!

6.  Single or multiple POV? Multiple. I’ve started with single POVs, but then somehow I always ended up with a bunch lol.

15.  How do you deal with writer’s block? Basically same as self-doubt. Stepping back from writing and painting, modelling instead. Cleaning, organising and reading a whole lot, also working out, meditating. I start every healthy habit again I left behind some months ago for some reason. Plus watching a new series or movie, meeting up with friends and family. And/or asking or searching for prompts :D.

17.  What writing habits or rituals do you have? None. I just need a clean space and music to start writing, so if I have that, I’m ready.

18.  If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be, and what would you write about? You and anything ;) Also Brandon Sanderson among famous people with some quirky sci-fi fanatasy stuff.

23.  Favourite author My keyboard is gonna get worn out on the letters of Brandon Sanderson’s name.

34.  What was the hardest scene you ever had to write? Huh, there’s a lot, but recently there was a scene where Syonehlia and Avelyn from Metalsea are getting homesick and they’re having some sister bonding time. That was a very hard one because happy moments are not coming to me that easily than angsty ones do. Idk why tho.

39.  Weirdest character concept you’ve ever had Umm. Maybe this bloodsucker (no, not a vampire exactly) dude who wanted to sacrifice himself to perish his kind from earth because he was the first and last one, but then he kind of changed his mind through the process of killing him because deep down he thought it’s unfair from the others to wish him die. This is from a story that I have among my docs in a year now but I'll still leave in the backburner even though I really love that idea. I'll finish those I've started already before I dive into that one.

44.  How much research do you do? "A metric fuck ton." :D I am a research freak that's for sure. I really love to learn about new things and I have this thing that I want to be expert on the interesting stuff I stumble upon. So that means, if I start to search for something I end up in a rabbit hole of new information which leads to not getting actual writing done.

48.  What’s the most self-insert character/scene you’ve ever written? I give all of my characters a little piece from myself usually, but, to be completely honest, Avelyn Dione from Metalsea turned out too much of like me. So, uh, yeah. You'll see, I guess.

49.  Which character would you most want to be friends with, if they were real? Oooo, I love this one too. Bra'aka from Metalsea and Auva from IQRUS. Bra'aka would be very fun to hang out with, because he would literally mother me all the time, but also we could bicker a lot and write poems together. For Auva, I would love her questions on how things work and why we do what we do, or why it's really confusing what we do and we say, etc. She would also be the one who would encourage me to write and read a lot when I'm with her, so she can basically study these things and she would love to know everything about the process, the "why"s in this topic too.

[tryingtimi]

What are some of your biggest world building influences? Got a favorite series of books that you try to emulate? Also, as you told me, feel free to ramble your little heart out about your WIP.

*tucks chin in palms and swings feet* *waits patiently*

I love love love influences questions <3 So thank you for this one!!

One of the biggest world-building influence for me is weird or fun real life experiences/things in general. Either mine or one of my relative's – usually my father's or grandma's because those people had a crazy life omg. The last thing I got an idea from was when I needed an MRI for example. That machine was wild, and it was an awful but interesting experience, so it kinda gave me an idea for the base of the magic system in Project Metalsea and some cultural stuff for the draar. But another example: a significant orphanage-like place where anyone's got a place no matters their origin or anything like that and is led by an old draar warrior woman was influenced by the whole attitude and life philoshopy of my grandma (and most of my family in general) and I just love this bit of my story so much. This was one of the first thing I figured out, because I knew I wanted to put her and her mindset into some of my work. This draar woman, who I'll call Zaherra, will be that cranky, yet very well respected character who adopts everyone into her home and becomes that one person for them who will teach them how to toughen up for the world. She's not gentle with words and doesn't sugarcoat anything, so teens often going as far as telling her they hate her, but they'll still go to her when they get beaten up or something, because they now, whatever they said to her or did to her, they'll get a bowl of soup with only one word of reprimand and then a comforting silence and caress on the head 'till they open up. The whole idea of the draar rebels comes from this and her too. Hehe I love to talk about her and this.

But I also use some of my vivid dreams that stuck with me after waking up or interesting stuff I read online posted by NASA, AskHistorians subreddit or these kind of stuff. I'm very into weird pieces of history too. And of course I'm influenced by other media content too! The idea of IQRUS came from playing with Doom Eternal and watching some deep water documentary after I read some Lovecraft novels too lmao. What a day that was.

So, honestly, I can be influenced by literally anything as long as it tickles my interest.

Also I'm impressed by the Stormlight Archive series, so I guess that could be the one I try to emulate, even tho I really try to differ from it too.

Omg I probably could write more, but it's getting very long already haha. Thank you so much for the ask @aschlindartroom! It was a blast to ramble about this! ❤️❤️