#the more i delve into Blake's story the more i despise what the writers did w her

[constantvariations]

It's just now dawning on me how unnecessary the "Jaune Arc" was. You really expect me to believe Pyrrha "star prodigy whose entire existence revolves around Jaune" Nikos, Nora "orphaned and doing whatever it took to survive from childhood" Valkyrie, and Yang "aggressive and overprotective" Xiao-Long would sit idly aside to let someone harass and assault one of their friends? Each of them would've cornered Cardin in a hallway to threaten to send him home in tupperware if he continued his bullshit and thems the facts

[theouterdark]

Tag: Ten Questions

Thanks for the tag, @zmlorenz, I’m looking forward to answering some questions.

Rules: Answer ten questions, tag ten people, and ask ten questions of your own.

1. How do you title your WIPs?

Naming things is close to second-nature for me. I keep a document full of tiny ideas for chapter/story/book/scene titles. I use titles as a brainstorming and outlining tool. I subscribe to less is more, so I like to keep them ambiguous enough to keep folks guessing.

2. Do you tend to come up with the plot first, or the characters first?

Plot, usually. Plots inherently demand characters just like characters create plot. If I dive into the plot before I know too much, the characters kind of act as way-finders, and help me fill out the rest. But I rarely come up with characters first.

3. Preferred writing soundtrack?

Lately it’s been Lady Gaga, The Beach Boys, and Tally Hall. Almost anything, but it has to be something I’ve listened to before because it’s easier to zone out and let my brain take over. If it’s new I won’t be as productive because I’ll be too busy sussing out the lyrics. But ABBA Gold is a big go to. As are my 80s and Oldies playlists. Soundtracks work too. Specifically the soundtracks for Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

4. How specific are the appearances of your characters in your head?

These are usually ill-defined until I’ve spent ages developing a character or if I delve into a dream-casting fantasy where I’m filling out the cast list with actors. But I don’t spend much time thinking about this, to be honest.

5. What’s your favourite trope to use?

Broke Your Arm Punching Out Cthulhu, probably. It’s the most relevant at the moment anyway.

6. Did you do NaNoWriMo this year? Why or why not?

I did participate in NaNo this year, and that was mostly because I had a project on the back-burner for the better part of a year, and just couldn’t take it anymore. Will I participate next year? Perhaps. We’ll have to see.

7. How do you handle the dreaded writer’s block?

I usually bypass the scene and work on something else or start writing anyway, even if that means it’ll be poorly done, because once the tap is open the words will come readily. Just gotta give it a little push sometimes. On the occasions that doesn’t work, I ignore it and do something else entirely. Go for a walk or run an errand.

8. Where do your characters fit in the cinnamon roll meme?

Both Kenny Deegan and Adam Brand are these to me. Even more possibly Juliet Saint-Yves from The Devil from the Outer Dark. Blake has too much edge to her to fit into this category I think. A few from my space opera series fit in here too, but I won’t go into detail about that now.

9. What do you wish you’d see more of in stories?

Bisexual males would be nice.

Interesting traits beyond a character’s gender identity/sexuality, especially when it comes across as pandering. Also, sex without being gratuitous or pushed away by a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole. I think there’s a healthy middle to explore. Too often, I think, folk forget a majority of people/characters make decisions rooted in sexual desire, interest, repulsion, etc.

Also there should be more dinosaurs and magnets. If both can be implemented, it’s a win-win. 

Also, I want to read a fantasy or sci-fi work where the world-building and characters are pungent and not just copy-pasted search-and-replaced pale imitations of pop-lit.

Less trilogies, more duologies.

10. Aside from writing, what’s your favourite way to pass the time?

Gaming and film/television. Can’t choose b/w the two.

Probably gaming because it’s more social, and I use it to stay connected to friends near and far.

I run a group through Call of Cthulhu, and that’s been pretty fun. Considering trying to rope in some interested users on writeblr/tumblr into a campaign. If any of y’all are interested in pen and paper RPGs that hit a little harder than D&D and prioritize role-play and horror, hit me up.

Tagging: @writingmyassoff, @byjillianmaria, @erinisawriter, @dantedevereaux, @sassypandacandy, @alinakerrin, @haunted-by-neptune, @justanotherwriteress, @littlenebulablr, and @els-writes.

Your questions:

What is your biggest writing hurdle?

What is the work of fiction (written, filmed or otherwise) that made you interested in storytelling?

Name the most underrated character in fiction. Why did you choose them?

Do you have a day job you love, or one you would drop in an instant if you could make money off your writing?

What subjects in fiction are squicky to you?

What’s the most experimental piece of writing you’ve done, and why did you write it?

Do you budget your time or are you more of a free-spirit?

What’s the one project/story/work that most makes you want to jump ship on your current WIP?

Are there any genres you despise, or have no plans writing in?

Have you ever played a pen and paper RPG? If not, is it something you’re interested in?

No pressure. Pass it on!

D