#POC Development

[cognithtechnology]

What is POC Development? How It Is Essential

In the fast-paced world of software development, ideas abound, but resources are few. Making sure the concept has merit by assuring its feasibility and worth is a precondition to developing a highly sophisticated solution. This is how POC or proof of concept software comes into the picture. 

Understanding POC Development

Creating a POC, in short, is the procedure of building a lesser yet limited version of an app concept, usually to be used at this early stage for testing whether it’s technically feasible, to get user feedback on some features, and also potential challenges that will be encountered in the actual development process.

Benefits of POC Software Development

Proof of concept software development offers a multitude of benefits for businesses and development teams. Here's why it's considered an essential step:

Lessened Risk: Just picture devoting a lot of time and money to developing a software solution only to find out later that it is either not technically viable or does not meet the primary needs of the user. POC development helps to reduce this risk by enabling you to test the essential features and foresee any problems. 

Well-Informed Decision Making: A well-thought-out Proof of Concept offers important information about the project's viability, resources needed, and possible schedule.  With the use of this data, stakeholders are better equipped to decide whether to move forward with the concept's full development, change course, or divert resources. 

Early User Feedback: Through Proof of Concept development, you can see real users interacting with an early version of the programme. This early feedback loop can help identify usability issues, enhance functionality, and manage user expectations.

Improved Communication: Potential users, developers, and stakeholders may communicate more easily while using the POC development process. This cooperative setting makes it easier to define project objectives, see any obstacles early on, and make sure everyone agrees on the intended outcome.

Investment Justification: For ventures seeking funding or internal buy-in, a well-designed POC serves as a powerful tool for showcasing the concept's potential. It demonstrates the technical feasibility, user value proposition, and potential return on investment for the proposed software solution.

The POC Development Process

The POC development process typically involves several key steps:

Define Goals and Scope: Clearly define the objectives you want to achieve with the POC. What core functionalities do you want to demonstrate? What user feedback are you seeking?

Technical Assessment: Evaluate the technical feasibility of the proposed solution. Identify potential integration points, explore different technologies, and assess development complexity.

Develop the POC: Focus on building a minimal viable product (MVP) that demonstrates the core functionalities of the proposed software. Prioritize simplicity and speed over intricate features.

Gather Feedback and Refine: Present the POC to stakeholders and potential users. Collect feedback on usability, functionality, and overall concept. Use this feedback to refine the POC and potentially adjust the development direction.

Decision Making: Based on the POC's performance, user feedback, and overall project assessment, make an informed decision about moving forward with full-scale development.

POC in DevOps

The idea of proof of concept is not limited to software design only. In DevOps, POC has a critical responsibility in the testing and verification of new instruments, automation, and infrastructure modifications.

A distinctive platform that allows a qualitative appraisal to be made on the influence of these changes will help DevOps teams locate potential complications and, accordingly, guarantee seamless implementation with the present-day workflow structure.

Conclusion

POC development is one of the important stages in the software development lifecycle. After choosing a well-articulated POC, businesses can improve the likelihood of achieving their desired outcomes for the final product. 

Early risk mitigation, informed decision-making, and a more user-centric development process are the key benefits of this approach. In the current competitive software market, POC development becomes not only possible but also necessary to create effective and efficient software solutions.

[plushiefucker-moved]

i truly believe that most white USamericans have never had a conversation with somebody who doesn't speak much english irl, and that's why they are so nasty towards palestinians online - bc not only can they not fathom somebody not knowing "casual" (americanised) english, they also see palestinians (and let's face it, poc who don't speak english well / at all too) as being less intelligent for it too. this is because of racism 👍🏾

[roseworth]

i will never understand the people who complain about how hard it is to find well written canon queer characters but then refuse to watch anything but queerbait. you cannot talk about the lack of gay representation in media when all you watch is supernatural

[deception-united]

Let's talk about writing POC characters.

Diversity's important in writing. It reflects the reality of our world, where people of various backgrounds coexist and contribute to society. Including POC (people of colour) characters not only enriches narratives with authentic perspectives but also promotes empathy, understanding, and inclusivity among readers, fostering a more equitable and representative literary landscape.

When writing characters of color (POC), it's essential to approach the task with care, sensitivity, and awareness of the complexities of identity and representation. Here are some key considerations:

Avoid stereotypes: Steer clear of relying on clichés or stereotypes when portraying POC characters. Instead, focus on creating well-rounded individuals with diverse personalities, motivations, and experiences.

Research: This is so, so important. Take the time to research the cultural background, history, and experiences of the specific racial or ethnic group your character belongs to. This will help you portray them authentically and respectfully.

Avoid tokenism: POC characters should not be included simply to fulfill a diversity quota or as tokens. Ensure they have depth, agency, and contribute meaningfully to the story.

Consultation: If you're not from the same racial or ethnic background as your character, consider seeking input from individuals who are. Sensitivity readers or consultants can provide valuable insights and help you avoid unintentional biases or inaccuracies.

Complexity: Just like any other character, POC characters should be multidimensional. They can have flaws, strengths, ambitions, and fears that go beyond their racial identity.

Intersectionality: Recognize that POC characters may face intersecting forms of discrimination or privilege based on factors such as gender, sexuality, class, or ability. Explore these intersections in your character development.

Language & dialogue: Be mindful of the language and dialogue you use for POC characters. Avoid dialects or speech patterns that could come across as caricatures or offensive stereotypes.

Avoid monoliths: POC communities are incredibly diverse, with individuals from various backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. Avoid portraying them as a monolithic group with uniform characteristics or perspectives.

Cultural sensitivity: Respect cultural traditions, customs, and practices when depicting POC characters. Avoid appropriating or misrepresenting aspects of their culture.

Authenticity: While it's important to research and be respectful of cultural differences, remember that no single individual can represent an entire race or ethnicity. Your character should feel authentic and true to their unique identity.

Character agency: Ensure that POC characters have agency and are not merely passive participants in the story. They should drive the plot forward and make meaningful choices that impact the narrative.

Happy writing!

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[dilemmaed]

travnat come home the kids miss you

[interact-if]

Our fifth edition of the Black History Month Author Spotlight series, features Mila (@milaswriting)!

(Mila’s game Golden is one of the games I fell in love with when I first got into Interactive Fiction, and it feels like such a dream to be able to interview her now! It’s so interesting to interview someone who’s been in the IF community for a while now, and see how stories—and their authors—change and evolve as time goes by too.)

Author: Mila

Hello! I’m Mila, a twenty-three year old woman from the UK. Something readers may not know (or probably do considering how much I complain about university), I crave academic validation. I got 90% on an essay I did this year and I was so proud of myself that I’m considering doing a PhD. We’ll see if Dr Mila ever becomes a thing, haha.

Games: Golden (Fantasy, romance, mystery, supernatural)

Short blurb: You work for The Everbrook. A multi-agency organisation in the city of Lehsa that bridges the gap between the human and supernatural world. You’ve been working there for three years now, and you’re suddenly forced to work with a group of allies to solve mysteries that have landed right in the palm of your hand.

Quote from the interview

I wish I could say I’ve had amazing encounters with vampires, magical beings and werewolves to inspire Golden—but that isn’t exactly the case. I’ll let you know if that ever happens though! I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm, more so as a young adult than when I was much younger, but usually the portrayal of poc characters in media wasn’t always shown in a positive light. Or poc characters, when it came to romance, weren’t given the lead roles where a swoon-worthy romance story was played out. To, sort of right those wrongs, and have other black readers like myself, be able to see themselves in the characters of stories—I created a diverse cast of ROs.

Read on for the full interview!

Can you tell me a bit about what you’re working on right now and your journey into interactive fiction? What inspired the game/story you’re currently writing?

I’m currently working on a fantasy supernatural interactive fiction, Golden. Officially, Golden is five years old now. I released it in December 2020 and was regularly writing and working on it for a couple of years. And then I noticed that as I grew from an eighteen/nineteen year old teenager, the ideas I had for my story were different, thus I wanted to make a few changes. A few changes turned into a lot of changes. And now I’m in the process of a whole rewrite, alongside moving to Twine. 

Covid was in 2020, and that’s ultimately the year I got into reading interactive fiction too. I first read fanfics of an interactive fiction game, then read the original story itself, and got really into the process of the reader being able to make meaningful choices that impact their reading experience. That was a supernatural story too, and that’s how I ended up creating my own. 

When it comes to the changes I’ve made to Golden, the inspiration came from a lot of things. One being my love for mystery, crime and psychology—I wanted that incorporated into the story I’m writing. I love the element of lore and world building, so that’s how I knew the fantasy/supernatural element would be in there. Additionally, my love for found family and complex characters also inspired me to write this story, but to also make the changes I have. Lastly, I’m a hopeless romantic at heart, I adore the stuff! So reading and writing good romance is everything to me. 

How has your identity, heritage/background, upbringing, or personal experiences influenced your storytelling or writing process? OR How does your work feature aspects of your identity / experience?

I wish I could say I’ve had amazing encounters with vampires, magical beings and werewolves to inspire Golden—but that isn’t exactly the case. I’ll let you know if that ever happens though! I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm, more so as a young adult than when I was much younger, but usually the portrayal of poc characters in media wasn’t always shown in a positive light. Or poc characters, when it came to romance, weren’t given the lead roles where a swoon-worthy romance story was played out. To, sort of right those wrongs, and have other black readers like myself, be able to see themselves in the characters of stories—I created a diverse cast of ROs.

B Holden was the first one I created. I already knew they were going to be a werewolf, and I wanted them as a character to be the complete opposite of how a werewolf is usually described and portrayed. Aggressive, animalistic, dangerous—yet, I’d like to think that B is, and comes off as, someone who is the sunshine that lights up a room, someone who’d make you feel good on a bad day, a kind of person you’ll always want around. From my own personal experiences, I’m a nursing student and I’ll be graduating this year and going into a working environment. I think the changes to Golden emulate that, instead of being a student, the MC is navigating the supernatural world themselves and they’re very immersed into it.

What does your writing process look like? Any rituals or habits? Any tips, tricks, philosophies or approaches that have worked very well for you?

Oh! So, the background is that I love The Naturals series and The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and I got to meet her at a book event in my hometown. And during her talk, she said that she writes with a ‘Writer’s Hit List’. On that list, the writer jots down all of their favourite things that they love about characters, or elements they want their story to have. It’s a bit like a word dump, for example, ‘loves characters that enjoys baked goods’ or ‘loves when character speaks multiple languages’. 

Then you end up with a super long list of traits you’d like to give your characters or factors you want your world to have. And you can get your inspiration from literally anything, so that’s something fun to have. You can add to it when you’re not thinking about writing, and then when you have writer’s block, or just want some inspiration, you can open your notes app and see what you wrote down.

Currently, whilst juggling uni and personal life, on my days off/working from home, when I get a burst of inspiration I usually open up my laptop and write in my bedroom or the living room. And whilst writing, I put on ROs’ playlists that I’ve made on Spotify. My new RO, Ireland Monroe, their playlist has been extremely helpful in motivating me to write.

What’re you excited to tackle/implement/work on next? Or anything you’re looking forward to in the year ahead?

I’m excited about getting this rewrite out! I’ve felt really guilty about keeping readers waiting so long for content from me, or just disappointed in myself that I haven’t been able to produce content as quickly as other authors. I know it’s a terrible thing to compare yourself to others, but sometimes it’s one of those things you can’t help. We’re into February now and I genuinely think that I’m getting better at telling myself to just work as best as I possibly can. 

But, yeah, I’m excited for people to read and see how Golden’s developed with me as an individual. It’s interesting considering the story has grown up with me, and it’s sort of taken its own shape and whispered to me, “I know you want to change me, don’t be afraid to do so”, and now my nerves about that are near enough gone. 

I just want it to be a good writing year overall! So, I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed that the story ideas that play in my head everyday are able to be transferred to screen so others can enjoy them.

If you were to say one thing to your readers, other authors, and/or the interactive fiction community: what would it be? OR If you could change one thing about the interactive fiction community, what would it be?

My advice to readers would be that as writers, we definitely write our stories as an escape and whilst it’s important to write for ourselves, we write with the hopes that you enjoy it too. If there’s a particular scene or character or story that you love, definitely tell that author. It’ll make their day, their week, even. It’s such a wonderful feeling to hear from you guys. And also, just continue to consume the content that’s put out. And just a personal thank you to the readers I have for being patient with me. 

For authors, I’d say to have fun writing. If, in your gut, there are changes you’d love to make to your story, then do so. Remember that, no matter what, there’s always going to be at least one person that loves what you write. Always. So, if it’s motivation you want to continue putting words onto paper (or a screen), then that’s it. I also think it’s fun adding a little bit of yourself into your story.

Any books, music, movies etc. you’re obsessed with at the moment, or which changed your life (or perspectives on something)?

I read The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and it’s absolutely changed my brain chemistry for the better. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes mystery with a romantic side plot. I love YA murder mystery books, so A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series, books by Karen McManus. I also love Taylor Jenkins Reid. And, as its black history month, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is my favourite black author and she writes queer mystery/thriller books. My favourite of hers is Where Sleeping Girls. 

Music: I adore Billie Eilish (Hit Me Hard and Soft should’ve won a Grammy, I will die on this hill!) Noah Kahan and Sam Barber are artists I’ve really been loving at the moment. Gigi Perez as well, Sailor Song and Fable are songs I can never skip. 

This-or-that segment: (red = Mila's pick)

Coffee or tea?

Early mornings or late nights?

City or countryside?

Angsty or Cozy romances? (Or enemies-to-lovers or best-friends-to-lovers?)  

Steady progress or frenzied binge-writing followed by periods of calm?

Summer or Winter?

First drafts or editing?

Introvert or extrovert? (Gosh, I’m SUCH an introvert)

Plotter or pantser?

Characters or plot first?

Write your own “either-or��� pairing: vampires or werewolves? (don’t tell B or K I even asked… I can’t pick between my faves, so I’ll let you guys choose :D)

[rahleeyah]

Oh so Silva and Velasco are both leaving? They're addicted to not building a legacy over there aren't they

[fruitgravies]

sweet thing (quick little 3 hour drawing of my eldest boy )

insta • twt • read my anthology zine that stars him!

[1eatboys]

I keep seeing the odd post here and there mentioning that Ballister Blackheart is white in the Nimona comic and it hurts my heart a little each time I see somebody say that bc he’s actually not! Ballister Blackheart is canonically Asian in the comic, he is East Asian and simply has light skin.

I just find it saddening and wrong (granted I’m white myself so maybe it’s not my place to have an opinion on) to erase a character who is canonically a poc just because they have light skin :/

This is not a diss to people who didn’t know or people that were mistaken, that’s sort of the reason I’m making this post, so more people can know the truth rather than be misinformed or assume incorrectly.

(Context of the photo attached is that it is from a QnA Nate did on the Nimona comic years ago)

Edit: added alt text of everything written in the photo

[yourdailyqueer]

An Owomoyela

Gender: Non binary - Neutrois (se/se's/sem)

Sexuality: Asexual

DOB: N/A

Ethnicity: Nigerian

Nationality: American

Occupation: Writer, web application developer

[bitterbuffy]

every time i think about how dirty x6-88 was done by the fallout 4 writers i get viscerally upset

[sodafrizzocs]

Have you ever wanted a game not made by a soulless mega corporation? With stoners? Demons? Queer people? Cool spider aliens? Crime? AND it's set in the 2000s?

Well, have I got the thing for you!

A story about demonhood, queerness, and whether we can really be redeemed. HELLBOUND...! THE HELL THAT BOUNDS...! YEAH!

Out now, only for as much as you'll pay! Soundtrack included, along with a buyable concept art package as well.

-> Itch.io Page

-> Ko-Fi

-> Commission Sheet

[bonnibelleangelica]

Status Quo Book Series: Behind the Scenes

~Sketchbook~

Parvus

Noticeboard Promotion

Phylum and Canopy

[cult-of-the-eye]

I have a complicated relationship with books. When I was a kid, I devoured them, I wouldn't discriminate, whatever I could get my hands on would be gone within hours. I took pride in my reading and what I gained from it. It was a huge part of my life and personality. And then my mental health started to get real bad. And I got bored and couldn't concentrate for long enough to sit and read a whole book. But mostly I got tired of books where I could guess what was gonna happen. I knew the patterns of ya fantasy or romance or dystopia or those new mental health books that made metaphors out of like a repeated motif of toast or whatever. I could always guess the ending and it left a bland taste in my mouth. I didn't want escapism anymore, I just wanted something new. I wanted characters I could relate to. I wanted nuance in a way that didn't feel performative. And now I'm neck deep in tma and I'm getting back into reading, trying to find books with queer poc, trying to read new genres (im getting more into horror), trying to read books with characters who feel real. And honestly tma played a huge role in getting me back into reading. The characters are what made me stick with it. I could talk forever and ever about how much I love when a story focuses on how a character changes within the plot, how they react to things, how they interact with others, how that is compared to other characters. I love reading about trauma responses and unreliable narrators and people making the best choices they can with the resources they have and royally fucking up and falling in love and hating themself and hating other characters and falling apart and bringing themself back together and positive character development and negative character development. That's the shit that gets me going. The fact that tma did all of that? Makes me feel like a kid again, flipping through the same Scooby Doo annual over and over.

[interact-if]

Black History Month Author Spotlight: Kiki

Our third edition of the Black History Month Author Spotlight series, features Kiki (@scapegoated-if)!

(I’m rly happy to have gotten to know Kiki better through the feature, and the interview contains really interesting insights on gender and race-locked main characters in interactive fiction, among other things! If you haven’t yet played Scapegoated (and if you’re a fan of Infamous/music IFs, definitely give it a go!)

Author: Kiki Born and raised North London, but ethnic background Jamaican (my parents are a part of the Windrush Gen)

Games: Scapegoated (slice-of-life, music, hollywood, '70s)

Short blurb: Scapegoated is about a female musician in a band that is seguing into an acting career. She is facing a lot of blame and scandal regarding the split between her band that happened in 1968. Not only are a lot of the general public hurt and angry about it, but so is an infamous serial killer that has been terrorising the west coast...

Quotes from the interview

I’m from North London. My parents moved to London when they were children from the Caribbean and are a part of the Windrush generation. I am a black, bisexual woman growing up in the UK, a place that tends to disguise its wider prejudices as a classist issue in all cases. […] A huge part of my love for music is strongly intertwined with my relationship with my late father. He passed away in June of 2023, and he was very much so kickin’ it in the ‘70s. He was a DJ throughout his life, so the legacy of LPs that he left behind was unspeakable and very ‘70s.

Read on for the full interview!

Tell me more about yourself! What are some things new readers or long-time readers might not know about you?

I graduated from a Russell Group university with an English Literature BA (Hons). I think a part of me has always wanted to be a writer in some capacity; I know that I’ve always wanted to write a book. So, I think beginning this IF has existed for me as a gateway to see what that would be like. I thought of it as a brainteaser–the prospect of exploring different outcomes and different pathways that a character may undertake. It has been challenging, dare I say more challenging than writing an actual book, but that’s exactly what I wanted out of this process.

Can you tell me a bit about what you’re working on right now and your journey into interactive fiction? What inspired the game/story you’re currently writing?

My best friend introduced me to the world of interactive fiction one day last year. She introduced Infamous to me and asserted that I would really like it because I’m a huge music nerd. Of course I fell in love with the characters and the world, but I also fell in love with the format of IFs. 

A huge part of my love for music is strongly intertwined with my relationship with my late father. He passed away in June of 2023, and he was very much so kickin’ it in the ‘70s. He was a DJ throughout his life, so the legacy of LPs that he left behind was unspeakable and very ‘70s. I am a huge music lover with such a wide-spanning eclectic taste, but the period of music post-”Dylan going electric”, post-”Elvis being on the out”, Quincy Jones (rest in king) and Beatlemania is just everything to me, so the idea for Scapegoated came into my life in a very natural way. I knew that whichever story I told, I wanted it to explore the Sunset Strip, groupies, rock ‘n roll, The Beatles, The Manson Family and Cher all at its core. 

I am of the opinion that coverage of the ‘70s music scene has been run into the ground lately. There has been a resurgence of nostalgia within the public consciousness when reflecting upon this time due to Daisy Jones & The Six, which was one of my favourite shows the year it was released. So, including Hollywood and murder was my attempt at innovation.

How has your identity, heritage/background, upbringing, or personal experiences influenced your storytelling or writing process? OR How does your work feature aspects of your identity / experience?

I’m from North London. My parents moved to London when they were children from the Caribbean and are a part of the Windrush generation. I am a black, bisexual woman growing up in the UK, a place that tends to disguise its wider prejudices as a classist issue in all cases. I am writing Scapegoated as someone that has only been to the US twice for two weeks at a time. I am writing Scapegoated as someone that can only relate to two aspects of my main character. I am writing Scapegoated as someone that has experienced discrimination and has been scarred by instances of discrimination. In university, I tended to be quite outspoken; in my first year, I felt quite ostracised by my predominantly white cohort during the BLM movement, because I seemed to be the only one willing to speak out in favour of it.

When I first wrote Scapegoated, I was inboxed on Tumblr and replied to on the Choice of Games Forum with genuine curiosity about my choice to gender and race lock my protagonist. This is an excerpt of my response:

I didn’t want to have a self-insert MC because I wanted to ensure that the conversations had revolving these social issues and the murders that unfold aren’t danced around. Perspective is an extremely important factor in that, and I want to ensure that the MC is directly involved–rather than just there as things happen because it wouldn’t be interactive. [...] Initially when I planned this story, before it was titled and the only thing I knew was that I wanted to write an IF about the '70s music scene, it was neither gender or race locked [...]. But I did toy with my ideas by self-inserting (I’m a black woman) when I was attempting to figure out the logistics of gameplay. That’s when I realised that due to the time period and all of the change that was happening at the time, social issues had to be discussed.

To this day, I am extremely proud of my decision and the conviction in my decision. I asserted a level of loyalty to the story I am telling in a way that I didn’t know I was capable of; retrospectively, I think I took a kind of power in it. But I really love the story I am telling and the range of representation. 

I am trying to work the line of prioritising my vision, all the while giving weight and importance to my readers’ opinions in the way that these very interesting and thorough opinions deserve. It warms my heart that even one person might care about my characters just as much as I do.

what are some of the most rewarding or challenging aspects of writing Interactive Fiction for you?

Songwriting. I’m tragic at it, but I like to think I’m self-aware enough. There are different characters with different voices and different reasonings behind their songwriting styles. I struggle to ensure that their songwriting oozes with their individual personalities. 

What does your writing process look like? Any rituals or habits? Any tips, tricks, philosophies or approaches that have worked very well for you?

Story beats. However, planning and writing can exist as two entirely different realms to me. What I think the story may be, can develop into something entirely new all on its own once I begin to write. Sometimes characters that I think I know transform into someone entirely new once I start to get to know them through writing their dialogue. I’ve experienced this with several characters already. On the contrary, some characters are so secure in my mind that they can’t be anything other than who I’ve introduced them to myself as.

I really love the writing process I’ve conjured up. It hasn’t failed me yet, but it isn’t secure–writing can never be anything other than an insecure process. Writing, for me, always remains in a constant stage of planning.

Do you have favourite interactive fiction games, characters, scenes or authors that you’d like to recommend?

I have received a lot of IF recommendations due to how new I am to IFs. I truly haven’t read very many, so all I can recommend to anybody are the 3 IFs that I have read which I each loved enormously: Infamous; College Tennis: Origin Story; and Apartment 502.

If you were to say one thing to your readers, other authors, and/or the interactive fiction community: what would it be?

I only got here in December, and so far everyone has been extremely welcoming and helpful. Honestly, I have no notes. All I can do is encourage everyone to give writing a chance. It’s been so fruitful and rewarding for me, so I strongly urge everyone to give it a shot if you’re considering it. Stop thinking, just do!

Any books, music, movies etc. you’re obsessed with at the moment, or which changed your life (or perspectives on something)?

I’m currently reading I’m With The Band by Pamela Des Barres as research for my IF, which has been a great insight into the mindset of groupies on an intimate level.

As for something that changed my life, I recently watched Sing Sing (2024)--which wasn’t something I did in relation to Scapegoated, I am just an avid film-watcher–and it was such an incredible de-stigmatising eye into the prison system. An extremely important watch for Black History Month, too!

This-or-that segment: (bold = Kiki's pick)

Coffee or tea?

Early mornings or late nights?

City or countryside?

Angsty or Cozy romances? (Or enemies-to-lovers or best-friends-to-lovers?)  

Steady progress or frenzied binge-writing followed by periods of calm?

Summer or Winter?

First drafts or editing?

Introvert or extrovert?

Plotter or pantser?

Characters or plot first?

Kiki’s custom “either-or” pairing: writing in silence or with music playing?