#writblr interview

[illarian-rambling]

Thanks for the tag @gioiaalbanoart!

Writblr Interview

Short stories, novels, or poems?

Oh, definitely novels. Even my short stories are pretty long lol

What genre do you prefer reading?

Fantasy, sci-fi, anything fun :)

What genre do you prefer writing?

Definitely fantasy with some heavy steampunk flavor

Are you a planner or a write-as-I-go kind of person?

I'll usually plot out a vague plan for each chapter, but no further than that. Short stories, I pretty much just wing it on.

What music do you listen to while writing?

It's gotta be instrumental or I can't pay attention. I tend towards a mix of video game music, classical, and jazz. Each of my characters has their own spotify playlist linked in my pinned post, so if you're looking for 6 to 8 hours of instrumental music, be my guest :)

Fave books/movies?

Favorite books are anything by Sanderson, the Foundryside Trilogy, and the Kingkiller Chronicles. My favorite movies are the lotr trilogy.

Any current WIPs?

My rotating roster is Honor's Outcasts and The Mystery of the Mortal God. The Final Voyage of the R.S Starbreaker is one I keep on backburner, and I'm currently working on an untitled short story.

If someone were to make a cartoon out of you, what would your standard outfit be?

Probably my work clothes ngl. A fishing shirt tucked into cargo pants, tucked into mud boots with a sun hat and mosquito net. My hair is in pigtails and I'm covered in bug spray. I probably smell musty as hell.

Create a character description for yourself

A tall young woman with a fuckass blonde bob, probably a checked-out expression on her face, and really awful tan lines. She's always wearing a necklace and usually some painted boots. The aesthetics are somewhere between punk and rustic.

Do you like incorporating people you actually know into your writing?

Nah, it's never appealed to me

Are you kill-happy with characters?

Not really, but I've been known to make exceptions

Coffee or tea while writing?

Girl, water. I need hydration lol

Slow or fast writer?

I'm not sure what the metric is exactly, but I'd say decently fast, though it depends on how my life is going also.

Where/who/what do you find inspiration from?

My own brain, books and shows I like, dreams, all sort of places

If you were put into a fantasy world, what would you be?

Probably some sort of alchemist who lives in a basement and eats toads

Most fave book cliche?

Thwarted prophecies. I love it when something goes wrong in a way that's correct to the letter. This is a little ironic, as if never written a prophecy once.

Least fave book cliche?

When characters are overly whiny, but especially when they whine about cool stuff. Like, sorry your shape-shifting abilities are making you question your humanity, but rip to you, I'm different. The only exception to this dislike is if they're whiny in a funny way. Anything is forgivable in literature if it's entertaining.

Fave scenes to write?

Probably those high tension fight scenes or anything with emotional stakes that isn't just a ton of dialog

Most productive time of day for writing?

I'd say early afternoon, but I have more free time to write at night

Reason for writing?

These characters are my friends. Giving up would be abandoning them. Also, I legitimately enjoy reading my own writing.

I'll tag @thecomfywriter @albatris @sm-writes-chaos and anyone else who wants to play :)

[thecomfywriter]

hi hello. high political fantasy writers—please media-train your politicians/royals.

[raineandsky]

#132

tw: knives, stabbing, death

Everything is, quite literally, on a knife’s edge. Everything the villain ever wanted, everything they didn’t, is right here, in this moment.

Victory, happiness, freedom, all a few seconds away. They need this. They need to act.

“I can’t,” the villain says.

The hero is under their blade like it’s where they belong. One little flick—that’s all it would take. One flick and the villain’s worries would be over.

“You’re strong,” the hero says plainly, and the villain isn’t sure how they mean it.

They’re strong? The hero must be joking. No, the villain isn’t strong. They’re faltering, they’re second guessing. What the hero must think is great self-restraint is nothing more than cowardice.

The villain knows that their knife is trembling traitorously in their grip but they can’t find it in themself to care. Why is this so hard? Why did it have to be the hero?

The hero smiles, the confident kind that all heroes seem to do, shifting slightly to pull themself closer to the villain. The edge of the blade brushes against their neck, and the villain flinches more than the hero.

“It’s okay, [Villain],” the hero says. Their tone is bland, like they spend most Sunday afternoons under the blade of someone who supposedly wants them dead. Well, no, not supposed—the villain hates them, they do. “You can stop now.”

The hero is everything the villain despises; the agency’s abhorrent nature personified. Too cool, too nonchalant, too easy to trip and kind of fall in love with.

All the villain can find to say is that same faint, “I can’t.”

The hero slips past the villain’s blade with that stupid smile still on their face. Maybe, the villain thinks, the hero is the affectionate kind. The type to pull a villain into a hug and warp their heart into abandoning their life as a criminal. The villain hates that they want that. They’d change the world for the hero.

Warmth blossoms in their chest as the hero gets close. Then the warmth turns hot. Pain pierces the feeling like glass is buried in their heart. The villain’s own blade, tight in the hero’s grip, is hilt-deep against their chest.

“I know you can’t,” the hero says in that usual flat voice, “but I can.”

It’s hard to breathe. The hero tears the knife out, giving the villain an idle push as they study the blade. The villain meets unforgiving concrete and the hero laughs.

“I think I’ll keep this, if you don’t mind,” they say brightly. “I doubt you’ll be using it any time soon.”

The hero turns on their heel and leaves without another word. As heroes do—the villain knows that well. They should’ve known this would happen. They did, really. Villains just have a habit of ignoring common sense and flying into danger head-first.

It’s colder than the villain remembers it being. They should’ve brought their coat. The breeze bites at their face as they watch the hero’s frame recede until they’re nothing more than a memory the villain is already forgetting.

[mightybeewrites]

Imagine being a fellow black! fem vampire tagging along with Louis and Claudia when they make it to Paris

A/N: getting back into interview with the vampire made me completely starved to be apart of this world and I just had to write smth about it! Hope yall like it! Anybody can read it, I just had a black femme character in mind lol

The three of you met in the battlefields of Ukraine. You slept out in the woods—underground—in a little hole you dug yourself.

You would sleep for days, to avoid drinking. Because the blood is bad here.

Too much misery.

Too much despair.

Too much isolation.

You hated it.

You needed to find a way out.

You needed a place with fresher blood and companionship.

After a couple weeks of waking up—poking your head out of the surface and feed on birds or rats that came across then going back to sleep—you felt the presence of two vampires …

Your eyes immediately snapped open.

It’s been such a long time since you had a companion—the last time you had one was your master. You desperately got out of your hole and sped to the two. It was as if your heart started to beat again.

Seeing that they’re black and since you’re black too, yall hit it off quite well!

——

Getting into Paris was the best thing ever. The streets were lively and the blood was sweet. You, Claudia, and Louis were like siblings. Louis being the oldest—obviously, then Claudia and finally you. Even though it didn’t show physically, given how you was turnt at 22, it showed mentally.

Louis had his hobbies, Claudia was bold and searched out for more vampires in the land, and you kept to yourself—also having a hobby turnt dream.

When you wasn’t hunting with Claudia or conversing with Louis, you liked to draw and read books. The wars of the world made you want to draw to cope.

It started to captivate your time immensely up to the point where the two practically had to drag you outside for some fresh air.

~~

“Working that pencil once more, Y/N??” Claudia said, walking into your room, putting on some of her jewelry.

You was sitting at your desk, drawing on large sheets of paper—pictures of landscapes and portraits hung up around. A faint “Yes.” Murmured out of your lips in which Claudia rolled her eyes.

“Y/N I love you but you have to put your pencil down every once in a while!” She put her arms around you and looked over your shoulder. Something common she’d do. “Oh—that’s gorgeous.”

“Thank you, Claudia.” A small smile tugged at your lips and then you felt yourself being pulled away from your desk. “H-hey-! Claudia!”

“But it can wait, come on! We’re going to a play! Louis found some other vampires!”

“Some other what!?”

[the-golden-comet]

✨OC Interview Tag✨

Thank you for the tag, @just-emis-blog and @pluppsauthor ! 💖✨

Okay, lovelies: you want to see an ACTUAL cinnamon roll? Someone so sickeningly sweet it’ll rot your whole mouth out? Time to bring out the most wholesome goody goody I know: Tenshi, from Tenshito.

I found my concept sketches of him YEARS ago…oh boy he is DUE for a redesign 😰

@wyked-ao3 , heard you liked angels. You might like him too, @sunglasses-in-the-bentley . This dude is INCREDIBLY Pit-coded ✨

Okay, enough of that. Now that you’ve seen fluff incarnate, on with the interview~

Were you named after anyone?

Yes~! My name actually translates to “angel.” I have to thank my mom, Amaterasu, for that one!

When was the last time you cried?

I-I stepped on a bug yesterday, and it took thirty minutes for Ita to calm me down.

Do you have any kids?

Mmmmnope. I’m still young for a celestial. In human I’d be…20.

Do you use sarcasm a lot?

H-Huh? I don’t think I even know how to….

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

OH! Usually if they make me feel all warm and fuzzy to be around. Ita does that all the time! He’s so warm and nice….oh! And he beat up these two criminals the first night I crashed down in Hokkaido, so I know I’m safe with him 💖

What is your eye color?

A shocking blue!! I was given the gift of lightning like Raiden, but I’m…haha….s-still not quite sure how to use it. It makes Ita very nervous…

Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy endings!! Aaaaa, there was one time Ita turned on a scary movie and I couldn’t look up from his chest. I-I felt really embarrassed, but he was so kind about it. He let me snuggle up to him the rest of the night so I wouldn’t get nightmares. Funny, his whole face was so red….like a tomato! Haha….oh, I wonder if he wants me saying this….?

Any special talents?

Oh! I have my scepter! It can shoot a really cool lightning arc. I….may have caused a blackout in parts of Japan because of it….? D-Don’t tell my brothers….Mike will get FURIOUS….! I can also fly when I have my wings unfurled, but…for obvious reasons I can’t do that a lot, haha….~

Where were you born?

That part is still a mystery to me. I’m trying to find my mom for more answers, but it’s kind of hard to get in touch with a sun god…figures, huh?

Do you have any pets?

Umo!!! He’s my pet dove familiar. He’s actually how my brothers were able to send me letters, but he’s a good boy who didn’t tell them my location, nor did he let them put a tracker on him. I have seed for him whenever he visits, and if I can pull it off, we do a flight together 🕊️

What sort of sports do you play?

Uh….I don’t know, actually? Does flying count as a sport?

How tall are you?

164 centimeters~! ✨

What was your favorite subject in school?

Awww, I really didn’t like school, mainly because Mike was my teacher, and he’s STRICT. He made me learn all sorts of boring angel stuff like “don’t go to these dimensions” this or “don’t cross the rainbow bridge” that. However, I REALLY liked my Earth Studies. That’s…kind of the reason why I came here…heh.

What is your dream job?

OH!! Ita got me a part-time job working in a small library in Gaijin, and I LOVE it! It’s really quiet, but we get a little traffic since we’re next to a diner. When I’m not helping customers find books or sweeping the floor, my boss lets me read. There’s SO many cool things about Earth!! Did you know that you have separate cook books for jasmine rice and brown rice recipes? THAT’S AMAZING!!! ✨✨✨

Check your teeth for cavities. Tagging (no pressure): @autism-purgatory , @fortunatetragedy , @thatuselesshuman , @zackprincebooks , @pippinoftheshire , @finickyfelix , @justabigoldnerd , @lychhiker-writes , +open tag for whoever wants to join! ✨

[ominous-faechild]

✦ Writer Questionnaire 2 ✦

Thanks for the tag, @the-golden-comet! (And @the-letterbox-archives tagging me when I was almost done here, haha)

Heads-up! Long post!

How long have you had your writing Tumblr/Writeblr? A fast and loose estimate is fine!

Two months ago to the date actually??? Or, at least, that's when I first uploaded a story here. My first actual Writeblr post was me hopping in on an open tag on the 6th of June, haha. I thought it was just a month, but looks like the summer's gone by in a flash! 😭

What led you to create it?

So, I'm a writer on Tapas! I'd been attempting to social network on other social medias (twitter and bluesky) but wasn't getting anywhere, didn't like the general formats, and uh... I'm sure I don't have to explain why I don't want to touch Twitter with a 10-foot-pole anymore. Let's just say, if you haven't seen, it's just as bad as (if not worse than) everyone says. Anyhow, I'd seen lots of Tumblr short stories on other platforms and started investigating what it's like here. Didn't know what "Writeblr" was or that it even existed, but eventually stumbled into the field after posting my short story. Thanks, @darkandstormydolls! ❤️

What’s your favorite thing about the Writeblr community?

How supportive everyone is??? Like omg you guys are so sweet, idk how to take it. Also I love seeing how much passion everyone else has for their writing, haha.

What’s one thing you’d like your mutuals to know about you?

Uhhhh, I think I'm pretty open about the things I'd like people to know about me, haha. I never mean to offend, so if I accidentally say something wrong, please tell me! I'm autistic and very dumb.

Is there anything you’d like to see more of on your dash?

I'm ngl I keep meaning to build out my followed tags for my fandoms, haha. The only fandoms I really see things for are TMAGP (10/10, TMA is my obsession. I am obsessed. It is one of my Special Interests and I love it with all my heart) and House of the Dragon??? Except I'm not even a fan of HotD??? So that's kinda annoying, haha. (Aka, my fandom stuff, but that's on me.)

WIP it Good

Which Works-in-Progress (WIPs) or writing projects are you noodling about, lately?

Rising From the Ashes, tragically. (Because it's one of the LAST things I should be working on right now, haha.) Otherwise, I'm of course always obsessed with the Arcane Rifts. Then I force myself to be obsessed with Sun and Shadow, though it's slowly growing on me, haha.

How long have you been working on them?

Haha, so I've historically jumped around a lot in working on different things, so these are approximate guesstimations!

Rising From the Ashes has likely had 3 or 4 years put into it/the characters. If you include the Calamity Crew (which overlaps with it in the timeline and originally ended up merging with the cast of RFtA), I'd say definitely 4 years!

The Arcane Rifts has had 5 years put into it.

Sun and Shadow is very new; I'd say it probably only has about 4 months of work in it? It's part of why I'm less interested in it, haha. Less I've put into it and less I'm attached to.

Do you remember what inspired them/what got you started?

Oh... oh dear. How could you ask me this??? 😭😭😭

Rising From the Ashes has existed since, I think, 2016. It started (tragically) as an RP starter on Google+. I wish I was kidding.

To those unaware of how it worked in that space (and likely similar ones to this day), you'd post a starter and people would join in with their own characters. 99% of the time, they'd drop out before long. However, I'd work out details of the characters in the process and carry that info over into the worldbuilding. I eventually stopped RPing with the masses and settled down with a single "partner" who I'll call Kris.

She's the one who stole my docs.

The Arcane Rifts technically originated as another RP starter? It never got attention, though, and instead my ideas for it simply carried over into the worldbuilding in general.

One of the characters of the original starter was important in the worldbuilding. It was not a character you see in the early books of tAR, though, so don't bother trying to figure it out. But, since he was so important, his origins were also important.

The Arcane Rifts started in 2019, as I wanted to make a story building out said character's origins. It was originally going to be a duology, the first book being Gene's backstory and the second being how Gene and The Other Guy's lives intertwined. (No, they were not gay for each other! 😂) It's since changed a lot, and focuses basically exclusively on Gene, haha. The last book in the series will probably be focused on the other character, though!

Sun and Shadow started for a romance novel competition on Tapas which has since ended. I didn't get to finish it in time for a lot of reasons, but I primarily cite stress and exhaustion from working full time at a physically-intensive job. It grew shockingly quickly and I had some fans donate to me related to it, so I'm kinda forced to work on it, haha. Dw--I like it! It's just harder to work on for a number of reasons, haha.

How much time, in your best estimation, do you spend thinking about them?

Tragic, the questions you're asking me--

It depends, haha. I'm autistic and hyperfixate a lot. Also, for one, that's a suuuuuper vague question??? Like what do you mean "how much time"--how much time within the day? How often in general? Idk, man, haha.

I think about the Arcane Rifts a LOT!

I've put an incredible amount of time and effort into it, and I'm in love with 90% of the characters there. Even the background characters have had a lot of work put into them, getting relatively fleshed-out backstories to make their motives understandable (even if not agreeable!), and I love them all so much, haha.

Except Katerina. She's a bitch.

I also think about Rising From the Ashes a good amount, and it's invaded my brain again lately, haha.

I took a step away from RFtA and basically all of my other stories late 2021 when Kris (my ex-writing partner) and I had a falling out. It was incredibly difficult for me emotionally to look at anything I worked with her on, and obviously RFtA was a huge one (actually, tAR was the only thing of my early works she had nothing to do with). Since early this year, I've finally been able to work on it again and it's been incredibly fun removing her stuff, actually!

I think all that is a good part of why I keep randomly getting obsessed with it again, haha. It's like looking at old friends (the characters, not Kris) and being all "omg??? I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU IN FOREVER??? PLEASE TELL ME EVERYTHING YOU'VE BEEN UP TO!!!" except it's removing Kris's stuff, haha.

I think about Sun and Shadow a lot more than you might expect with how much I talk about not preferring it, haha. I love the characters! Crow and, actually, Valyarus especially. They're both super interesting characters, and I'll randomly find my brain working out scenes between characters interacting with them.

(The problem with SaS is that, as a book, it's incredibly different from my usual works. It's a small cast of Frey/Crow and technically Daleira, while most of my stories focus on larger casts. It makes for a VERY different experience, and so it's a lot harder to work on)

When someone asks the dreaded, “What do you write about,” question, what do you usually say?

Actually, I've got a ready answer for this one! Until SaS, I was dedicating my time to the Arcane Rifts and had prepared the answer:

Percy Jackson meets Lord of the Rings in a steampunk fantasy world full of ✨mysteries waiting to be uncovered✨

(I'd say the "mysteries waiting to be uncovered" part ironically/accidentally mockingly most of the time, whoops, haha. I always feel awkward advertising my works.)

It was awkward when people would get actually interested in it from there and ask more questions, haha.

To clarify: that's my tagline for the Arcane Rifts! The story has gods and demigods messing with mortals, using them as their playthings and being REALLY immature babies because they don't really face consequences for their actions like PJ. Then, it's a lot more "grounded yet fantastical" like LotR, where magic is kinda infused with reality and yet you still have issues like starving to death and whatnot.

Let’s Rotate Blorbos

Name any characters you created.  Side characters, protagonists, antagonists, characters who’ve never been written, the first original abomination you ever pulled from your ass; whomever you’d like!

UHHHH THERE'S A LOT TO LIST???

Try this for a taste! These are just the guys I've gotten colors for!

Freya, Crow, Daleira, Valyarus, Grimnir, Soren, Gene, Tazin, Mislav, Adilzhan, Ludmila, Rada, Caspar, Nikolai, Gennadi, Oska, Rieka, Liesel, Carmin, Nora, Sammy, Kieva, Caron, Varik, Elazi, Riaan, Roman, and Tiberius! (Though Tib is getting a name change sooner or later)

Who’s the most unhinged?

Unhinged in which way? There's a lot of options there, haha.

I'm going to give honorary mentions to Valyarus, Gene in the later books, Tazin, Rieka, Gennadi, and Tiberius ! (Why does it not surprise me that most unhinged characters are from tAR? 🤣 Also I swear it's a coincidence most of the unhinged characters are red.)

(... Probably.)

In general, I'd say that, incredibly ironically, the Existence of Order is the most unhinged of all my characters. She's just incredible at hiding it.

(Tbf half of the Existentials probably belong on the "unhinged" list anyway but eh. They still don't compare to Order!)

Who comes the most naturally for you to write?

I'm going to give this as a tie between Gene and Sammy!

Gene has my 'tisms and just about all of my trauma, so we have a lot in common, whoops, haha. Also there's a... very specific detail about his character that makes him easier to write in general. It's just a major spoiler. 👀

Similarly and actually identically to Gene in some ways, while Sammy has a lot in common with me, he's also incredibly perceptive! (Although we don't share that fact.)

Due to the way I write, their analytical natures allow for them to spit straight facts about the worldbuilding and the people around them rather than beating around the bush, haha. Both are highly investigative, try to learn and understand everything around them, and notice small details other characters wouldn't! It makes it much easier for me to write, because uh... well here's an example of what my outlines look like.

Long story short: I include a lot of detail which I then transfer into the POV's character narration, cutting out details which they wouldn't notice or think about, haha. In Sammy's case (which that scene has Sammy as the narrator/POV character), very little information gets cut out because he's so perceptive!

(Here, as a treat--have another example!)

(In this scene, Nikolai is the narrator. Even the outline gets "filtered" to mirror the characters' way of thinking--like it's Nikolai himself seeing Caspar as "doll-like". The crossed-out stuff is details I most likely won't mention, but noted for myself, haha. I do the same thing if/when including details about the motives and thoughts of non-narrator characters.)

Do you ever cringe at them?

Gene and Sammy?

A B S O L U T E L Y .

Gene is a wreck in basically every way and desperately needs help (that he won't get until he meets Dimitry). As much as I love him, there's a lot of moments where you just can't help but wince and be all "shit, did you REALLY have to do/say that?"

Sammy on the other hand? He's a terrified, control freak manipulator who panics the moment he feels like he's losing control of a situation. It can be painful to watch, even if simultaneously fascinating.

How much control do you feel you have over your characters?  AKA, do they ever “write themselves,” refuse to cooperate, or do things you didn’t expect? To what degree? Are some less cooperative than others?

I explicitly go out of my way to add backstory to and develop each and every one of my characters until they "write themselves", haha.

I want my characters to feel like real people, so I do my absolute best to make them as real as possible. (That's part of why tAR is so massive...)

Special shoutout to Dimitry here, btw. Dude COMPLETELY screwed over the planned and intended from the earliest days path of the Arcane Rifts. I've mentioned before that Gene is villain-coded, yeah? Want to know why?

Because he was MEANT to be one! Then Dimitry had to come along, be the sweetest, nicest fucking person around to Gene while he was going through the worst part of his life, and keep Gene from slipping off the deep end!

MITRY, YOU PIECE OF--

Do you enjoy people asking questions about your characters? And do you have a preferred means of receiving said questions? For example, as Asks, as replies, as reblogs, as tag notes, as comments on AO3, etc.

I absolutely love, love, love!!! people asking questions about my characters!!! 🥰

I would absolutely prefer them as Asks sent to me, and especially would prefer if separate subjects/questions were sent in separate Asks! Like, say you were going to ask me about Gene and Dimitry. I'd rather two separate Asks, one asking for whatever you wanted to know about Gene and another for whatever you wanted to know about Dimitry, haha. However, if you wanted to ask a single question about both, that obviously is fine as a single Ask!

On writeblr engagement

What makes you want to follow another Writeblr account? Do you follow ‘em as you see ‘em, or take time scoping out the blog to make sure you align with its content? Do you follow based on WIPs, or vibes?

I definitely scope out before I follow, yes.

I choose based primarily on the personality of the person behind the blog, but the WIPs/vibes can also have an influence on my decision, haha. I'd rather follow people with kind/supportive personalities, and I'll eventually start liking their stories even if they're not initially my thing!

What makes you decide against following?

Bigotry. Moment I see it, I'm on the lookout for even the slightest hint of more and, if I see it, I'm OUT!

(That includes things like: homophobia, transphobia, TERFs, ableism, racism, xenophobia, etc.)

Also, while I include angst in my stories, the people who are big on "I have nothing but bad stuff in my writing and I'm proud" are, uh... not on my "follow" list. While they can write what they want and enjoy it, grimdark is not my thing. Angst is best in moderation and I very purposely control the amount of it in my life.

(Also Kris's--my ex writing partner's--obsession with "grimdark-ness" is a good part of why I'm so ecstatic to remove her stuff from my writing. Yes, I've tried it. For years. I hated it. Please and thank you. Also note that I proudly call myself an evil writer, so it's not like I don't love angst, it's just--moderation. Seriously.)

Do you interact with non-mutuals often?

Yes! I think a good 50-30% of my interactions are with non-moots, haha. I go out of my way to try to support my moots, but I'll definitely share support with anything that catches my attention, no matter who it's from!

To be fair, though, I think a majority of non-moots I interact with are on my mental "probably going to follow soon" list. I can be slow to make decisions, haha. It doesn't help that I try being active with my moots, so I'm trying to avoid growing that list too quickly!

Do your mutuals’ characters occupy space in your noodle?

Haha, depends what you mean by that? My brain is definitely too full of my own characters to have any space for anyone else's, but I definitely do think of others' characters at times! There's plenty of y'alls characters I really like, haha.

Just... omg, my hyperfixated AuDHD brain refuses to focus on anything except for the Hyperfixation of the Moment™.

This was a huge one! Hopefully I'm not screaming into the void with this one, or you guys enjoy finding out more about me and my WIPs.

If you're curious about the reason this is labeled Writer Questionnaire 2... well guess what!

Tagging (gently! This is a lot, haha): @honeybewrites @yourpenpaldee @paeliae-occasionally @mysticstarlightduck @illarian-rambling @.darkandstormydolls (tagged you earlier in the post haha) + open tags!

Divider from @cafekitsune!

[pluppsauthor]

OC Interview Tag

Thanks @illarian-rambling for the tag!

Rules: answer the questions as an OC.

The wheel will decide who I cover today. Today it chose... Yun from Frequency: Kindred Spirits!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Are you named after anyone?

Hmm, I don't believe so.

When was the last time you cried?

I... can't remember now that you mention it. Probably not anytime recently. Well... I've been told I get pretty emotional when I drink too much.

Do you have kids?

*Chuckles* Maybe, I haven't had any on purpose.

Do you use sarcasm a lot?

I'd say I use it a normal amount. ;)

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

Oh, I notice a lot, I like to know what type of person I'm interacting with. I think the first thing I notice is their clothing, and through that what kind of person they are.

What’s your eye colour?

Green. Runs in the family. Although, my left eye has some grey on it, just a slice, not the whole thing.

(Note, sectoral heterochromia in his left eye, 1/4 grey)

Scary movies or happy endings?

When it comes to stories, I think I prefer happy endings. A good scary story is nice, but I like those stories about mythical heroes going through endless hardships, ending with them returning to their home, happy and free.

Any special talents?

Oh, sure. I've spent a lot of my life doing... things aren't allowed everywhere. So, I've gotten pretty good at running through urban environments.

Where were you born?

Shorstone, Locke. I haven't been back in years, but I was there until I was 15.

Do you have any pets?

No, not currently. I had one or two, here and there. I've done a lot of travelling, and pets don't really suit that lifestyle too well.

What sort of sports do you play?

Not many.

How tall are you?

Almost 180 centimetres. I was on the taller side growing up, but there are tall people around the world.

What was your favourite subject in school?

Didn't go to one. My family taught me most of what I know, not everything though.

What is your dream job?

I've never thought about that too much. Maybe something peaceful and relaxing, like being a fisherman or something. I'm not sure, I'm pretty satisfied as is.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

That's all for Yun! Just a mostly content man who has wander the world purely because he can.

As for tags, no pressure tagging @melpomene-grey, @the-golden-comet, @willtheweaver, @leahnardo-da-veggie, @mk-writes-stuff, and of course, a lovely open tag for anyone reading this :)

[mydarlingdearestdead]

Now, I was born of a mother weak in her desire to please and a father violent in his hatred of women. I can not say I carry love for either of them with me, now or ever.

I did well in my schooling. A's and B's, such a number of university acceptations to rival the rejections. Though I found that it hardly mattered, really. I had not the money to attend or the will to continue.

But when I was twenty-three, I met a young man who dared change it all. Or rather, a man whom I thought to be young. That, however, is beside the point for the time being. He told me I was special and technicolour. At that time in my life, that meant more to be than all the wealth in the world.

His smile was unsettling, but not unkind. I welcomed him, after all, and after one is welcomed it is difficult to rescind such an invitation.

I could not deny him.

Now, of course, I think myself a victim of pure idiocy, as we all shall when faced with decisions of youth.

Masterlist

[wildflower-whisperss]

MY FIRST INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE

Sometimes, life sends you signs in the most unexpected ways, and if you’re lucky, you’ll recognize them. For me, that sign came when I enrolled in a Digital Media Writing course at my college. It felt like the universe had whispered, “This is your chance.”

Only a few days before, I’d been chatting with my best friend about starting a podcast to advocate for issues close to our hearts. Then, the course brochure landed in my hands, and I felt an undeniable pull. It seemed like destiny. Still, I approached it thinking, Just another course—some theory, some practical work, and I’ll be done.

But destiny had other plans.

I met Warekar Ma’am, my professor. From the very first lecture, I realized she was nothing like the others. She was refreshingly open, innovative, and inspiring. I wasn’t expecting much from the course, but her presence alone shifted my mindset. I didn’t know it then, but she would soon play a monumental role in my journey.

As the course unfolded, I learned that we were expected to create our own podcast. My first thought? A podcast? Me? The reticent girl who struggles to voice her feelings and opinions? It felt daunting. But as my love for wildlife grew stronger, an idea began to bloom—what if I started a podcast where I could speak to people who work with and for wildlife? The thought electrified me.

It was around this time that my mom told me about Anand Shinde, an extraordinary man who, believe it or not, talks to elephants. She’d seen his interview and was fascinated. Her excitement quickly rubbed off on me. I listened to his story, and like her, I was captivated. My mom’s enthusiasm grew to the point where she pushed me to get his contact number. Every day, she’d nudge me, “Try to get his number. Imagine meeting him!”

One day in October, she found his number on Instagram and, on a whim, called him. He didn’t answer, but he called back later. My mom told him about my passion for wildlife and our dream of meeting him. To my surprise, he invited us to visit him in Chandgad. It felt like a distant dream, one I wasn’t sure would ever come true—until Warekar Ma’am changed everything.

As part of the course, I was tasked with interviewing someone for our college magazine and podcast. Instantly, Anand Sir came to mind. I shared the idea with Warekar Ma’am, who encouraged me to pursue it. Days turned into weeks as me and Warekar ma'am drafted, edited, and finalized questions. The closer I got to securing the interview, the more surreal it felt.

Finally, after weeks of persistent calls and messages, Anand Sir agreed to an online interview on January 2nd. But life threw a curveball—network issues forced us to postpone. I was disheartened but didn’t give up. Warekar Ma’am stood by me, and on January 16th, I tried calling him again. This time, he picked up! Not only did he confirm the interview, but when I nervously asked if we could do it in person, he said yes. My heart leapt.

January 17th, 2025, was a day I’ll never forget. The excitement was electric as we traveled to Chandgad. I rehearsed my questions over and over, determined to make every word count. When we arrived, I met Anand Sir—a man whose humbleness and simplicity was astonishing. For someone who works on an international level, his warmth and politeness left me speechless.

The interview was magical. Listening to him share his experiences and stories was like stepping into another world. His insights, his connection with elephants, and his dedication to wildlife conservation were awe-inspiring. I hung on to every word, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. By the end, I was euphoric. It wasn’t just an interview—it was a life-changing moment, a dream realized.

None of this would have been possible without Warekar Ma’am. They say, “The influence of a great teacher can never be erased,” and she’s the living proof of that. Her unwavering support, guidance, and belief in me turned what seemed impossible into a reality. I owe so much to her and to Anand Sir, who made time for me despite his busy schedule.

This journey wasn’t easy—months of effort, countless calls, endless edits—but it was all worth it. January 17th wasn’t just a day; it was the turning point of my life. Meeting Anand Sir and conducting that interview reignited my passion for wildlife and strengthened my resolve to make a difference.

If my journal ever gets read someday, there will rarely be a page without a mention of Warekar Ma’am. She is, and always will be, one of the most important influences in my life. That day, a dream came true, and I realized that with the right people by your side, the universe truly does conspire to make the impossible possible.

​

[cherrybombfangirlwrites]

OC Questionnaire Tag

tagged by: (a lot of people ages ago... haha oopsie) @kaylinalexanderbooks thank you!

tagging: Open Tag and very softly tagging @afoolandathief |  @thewritingsofevbrowne | @writing-sigh | @unhingednovelist | @the-mindless | @arctic-oceans | @rosebury-archives | @zmwrites |

Your OC's interview questions are: -Do have a favorite book (or alternatively, a favorite story to listen to)? -If you could change one aspect of your appearance, what would it be? -You have a perfect day all to yourself! Describe what that would look like.

My OC's questions:

What's the last thing you replaced, and why did you have to replace it?

Where's a place where you've felt that you didn't belong?

Do you trust your instincts?

I'm going to do this round with Kylee (from TCIO), Triveya (from FSF) Max (from FSF), and Nova (from GD). Two OCs I love and two OCs I want to flesh out more and get to know better, so hopefully this will be good! My OCs responses under the cut!

Kylee (The City is Ours WIP) *Kylee is non-speaking autistic and would answer all the questions with either sign language, or a text to speech app on her phone*

What's the last thing you replaced, and why did you have to replace it?

"I think my spinning fidget ring. It's great for stimming but sometimes I go too fast with my super speed powers and break it. I usually go through about three of these a week." She laughs sheepishly.

Where's a place where you've felt that you didn't belong?

Kylee gives a dry snort. "I'm autistic, it's hard to feel like I belong anywhere, I constantly feel like I'm an alien on my own planet. If you had to ask the place I feel most like I don't belong though, it's definitely school. If one more person tells me high school is the best years of my life I'm gonna break something."

Do you trust your instincts?

"Since these powers popped up, my instincts have given me a lot of near misses instead of getting killed, so yeah, I'd say I do."

Triveya (Fractured Stars Falling WIP)

What's the last thing you replaced, and why did you have to replace it?

She sighs and shrugs, laughing nervously, "Potion bottles. So many potion bottles. Not because they broke, I have a spell for that, and haven't broken any of my tea mugs or potion bottles in years. But I do keep losing track of them... I'm just so scatterbrained and lose track of stuff if I can't see it..."

Where's a place where you've felt that you didn't belong?

Triveya shrugs, speaking numbly, "I'm over a thousand years old, I've kept to myself for hundreds of years now... so yeah, I can feel a bit out of place... but even back in my own time when I looked my age... I've always felt different. Not just because I was such a gifted magic user and leagues ahead of my peers, I was even better than my teachers- I just- I don't know, there's something deeper in my core that feels like it doesn't belong in this world..."

Do you trust your instincts?

Triveya chews her lip, and looks around in confusion. "I honestly don't know what instincts mean anymore. A gut feeling? I have a lot of those all the time, always feeling a little sick to my stomach at the idea of failing, always feeling like I'm not good enough to keep up with how smart I'm supposed to be. Like my knowledge is here, but my common sense and motor functions are all the way over there. I've learned to ignore it at this point because it's always there."

Max (Fractured Stars Falling WIP)

What's the last thing you replaced, and why did you have to replace it?

"I don't remember, really. I've always been very neat and orderly, keep to myself. As far as I can remember I haven't had to replace anything yet." (Narrator voice: note the word 'yet', he will in fact soon have to replace something, because plot.)

Where's a place where you've felt that you didn't belong?

Max rolls his eyes a bit in annoyance and frustration. "I'm the son of a high councilman for a kingdom run by a group of high ranking nobles elected by the people. Sometimes I feel like the only person in court with any sense that actually cares about the problems happening in front of us instead of parties... uh, if that counts..."

Do you trust your instincts?

Max shuffles his feet nervously, looking around to see if anyone is watching. "My instincts to stay out of trouble and keep my head down and not start any drama or stick my nose where it doesn't belong? Yes, I trust those feelings."

Nova (Galaxy Destroyer WIP)

What's the last thing you replaced, and why did you have to replace it?

Nova sighs, processors whirring as she fiddles with the metal plates that make up her body. "I have to replace my parts all the time, and it's hard because parts from PIE cost a shiny credit that I don't have. Who has that kind of money in this galaxy? Not me, that's for sure, not since I got scrapped..."

Where's a place where you've felt that you didn't belong?

Nova rolls her eyes, shooting a look at her crewmates. "I'm a highly sophisticated high intelligence android, in a galaxy filled with flesh idiots. Of course I feel out of place, I'm the only one with any sense around here!"

Do you trust your instincts?

She squints for a second, trying to figure out what the question means. "You mean my programming for self preservation? Yes... obviously I do, I'm a sophisticated and well made and programmed android, of course I trust my programming and processors."

FSF Taglist: @rose-bookblood @chalcid @evethenovicewriter @writing-is-a-martial-art @mjjune @fiercely-raging-writer @wildswrites @corishadowfang @surroundedbypearls @serenanymph (send me a message to be +/- from the taglist <3)

TCIO Taglist: @friendlyneighborhood-writer @jessica-writes22 @rose-bookblood @yejidoesthings @space-writes @cljordan-imperium (send me a message to be +/- from the taglist <3)

GD Taglist: @fiercely-raging-writer @aesa @thatprolificauthor @writeouswriter @rose-bookblood (send me a message to be +/- from the taglist <3)

[ghostlyboysstories]

me: “if i let you do an oc interview, you have to promise not to bring up your kill count.”

ryn: “my lips are sealed.”

me: “see, you say that, but the look on your face is telling me not to believe you.”

ryn: (in gremlin mode) “what look?”

[illarian-rambling]

Thanks for the tag @melpomene-grey!

OC Interview

I feel like I've done all of my protags, so let's go in a different direction >:)

Are you named after anyone?

"My first name, Vermir, just means sea bird, which is sort of a fucked up thing to name a baby. My surname, Nadvalsib, is in keeping with Teaban traditions. My mother's name was Nadval and I'm a woman, so hence the -sib."

When was the last time you cried?

"I can't anymore, so... about five hundred years ago, in that case? I think I cried all the tears I had left when- when I saw the results of my experiment with the dark beyond. I never meant for things to end like that.... I was supposed to have saved them...."

Do you have kids?

"Absolutely not. I don't mind kids, but I've never had the desire for my own."

Do you use sarcasm a lot?

"For people smart enough to pick up on it, sure."

What's the first thing you notice about people?

"If they're sorcerers or not. I might prefer to plan out my captures, but I'll take what's given to me if it comes down to it."

What's your eye colour?

"They were a dark brown when I was human. Perfected as I am, they shine an electric white."

Scary movies or happy endings?

"Oh, scary endings! I love anything with practical effects, especially. The craftsmanship is incredible."

Any special talents?

"Other than my incredible intellect, unbreakable determination, and willingness to do what needs to be done to save the people of Illaros? I've always had an impeccable sense of direction. I don't know if I've been lost a day in my life."

Where were you born?

"In the town of Laben, in what you would now know as the Janazi principality of Teaba."

Do you have any pets?

"Can't say that I do. I don't have the time to take care of one."

What sort of sports do you play?

"Son, I'm in the middle of conquering a planet in order to buck the boot of our tyrant gods. And you think I have time for sports?"

How tall are you?

"I was about 5'5" before my ascendency, but I'm a solid 7'0" now. It feels good."

What was your favourite subject in school?

"I never formally went to school - those weren't so widespread when I was a girl - so I learned my trade through apprenticing under the former mage of the village. He was a nice enough fellow, even if he never had the ambition to add any more to his knowledge than what he'd learned from his predecessor. He did, however, have an incredible knack for alchemy. Learning the potion trade from him made up for his failings in other areas."

What is your dream job?

"It's not ruling Illaros, if that's what you're thinking. I will rule Illaros, don't get me wrong. I'll do it, make the world the best it can be, and keep it spinning that way until it can stand on its own. This is my sacrifice for the greater good. Perhaps after my empire is established though, I'll be able to step back and dedicate myself to my studies alone. I've always wanted to finally crack the secrets of the dark beyond."

I'll tag @the-golden-comet @evilgabe29 @aesthetic-writer18 @autism-purgatory and anyone else who wants in :)

Blanks under the cut

Are you named after anyone? When was the last time you cried? Do you have kids? Do you use sarcasm a lot? What's the first thing you notice about people? What's your eye colour? Scary movies or happy endings? Any special talents? Where were you born? Do you have any pets? What sort of sports do you play? How tall are you? What was your favourite subject in school? What is your dream job?

[thrownbyeris]

the diner (pt 2/?)

(tw: broken glass = tiny mention of blöod)

Rhea follows him, saying something I can’t hear through the buzzing in my ears.

I shake it off, and press the water glass against my throbbing cheek. I’ve made a calendar of stupid choices recently. 

And I watch through the glass as one of the men sitting at the counter reaches and opens the register deftly, so quietly that even the old man two seats down doesn’t notice.

None of my business. I can’t really see him doing it, technically, the cup is making everything blurry. Or maybe my eyes are.

But then he grabs the full tip jar too and I think of what that money would mean to me and I’m on my feet before I realize.

The bell rings as I shove him hard, sending him sprawling through the doorway. The jar shatters and the kitchen door bursts open at the noise, Rhea taking in the scene of me gathering up bills and thousands of coins into the hem of my sweatshirt.

Rhea’s gaze shifts to me, uncertain. “What is-” Looks to where the tip jar used to be, and it clicks. “Did you-”

“He got the register,” I say, blinking. Too much moving. Maybe I should have finished the water before becoming a vigilante. “Probably should have grabbed one of you, now that I think of it.”

“One sec,” Rhea says sweetly. “Silver!”

Her suspicion is just my luck. I stare at the money and glass tucked in my sweatshirt, the blood on my hands slowly dying the bills red. Picked up a lot more broken glass than I meant to.

I dump the tips onto the counter and pull out my own money in the hopes of paying and leaving, another a bad move, because Rhea is now eyeing the cash with what can only be described as more suspicion.

“You gonna make the young lady pay?” croaks the man to my right. Rhea and I turn. 

“I know you’re old-”  I begin.

“I’m not making her pay,” says Rhea stiffly, “She had coffee.”

“After she tore up her hands going after your money?” The old man shakes his head. “That’s just what ain’t right in the world anymore. You do someone a favor and you get repaid with accusations.”

“I haven’t accused her of anything,” Rhea is getting agitated. “I need my boss to see-”

“Rhea.”

I hadn’t even seen the man exit the kitchen. He’s chewing his cigar still, watching me and the old man. 

“Silver, I-”

“Thank you, Rhea,” He motions his cigar towards me. “Sit back down for a minute.”

“I-” 

“Sit, please.”

I sit back down in my booth, and take a shaky sip of water, spilling down my chin. Great impressions overall. I swipe at it, feeling blood smear across my chin, and scrub at it with my sleeve.

“May I join you?”

I look up at Silver. I won’t waste time believing he’ll let me go easy. I saw the bat the Cook had by the kitchen door, and whatever Silver is carrying tells me he makes his own opinions.

“Sure,” I say dully, wondering where they’ll dump my body once they’re done.

Silver settles himself across from me, graceful despite his intimidating size. 

“I’m not chasing, I need money, but not like that,” I burst out. Panic makes me monologue. “Or junking, or- unless that’s easier for you, if you want me to be- I could forget any of this, I’ll find you a new jar, I-“

“I don’t like people stealing from me,” he says.

“I didn’t-”

He waves his hand. “That’s not what I’m asking, kid, I’m asking if you want a job.”

I stare at him blankly as he places my bloodied cash on the table.

“Coffee’s on the house. This part of town can be too much for people,” he says, “I need a tough server. Mine keep quitting.”

“I never-”

“I trust my regulars,” says Silver, and I realize he means the old man. “And you don’t chicken out.”

“You don’t need much experience, you need money.” Silver says. “What, you got another job?”

“I can start tomorrow,” I say, and he nods, satisfied, getting to his feet.

“Wait,” I choke up as he looks back at me. “How- how do you know I didn’t just try to take it and chicken out?”

“I trust my regulars,” says Silver, and I realize he means the old man. “And you don’t chicken out.”

[raineandsky]

#131

Inspired by #16 on @creativepromptsforwriting's drabble list!

The villain is gathering as much cold hard cash into their arms as possible when someone pointedly clears their throat behind them.

“[Villain],” the hero says smoothly. “You’re not above stealing from banks yet, I see.”

“And you’re not above loitering outside waiting for something to happen,” the villain retorts.

“It’s a shame to see you back here.” The hero hums a laugh, but the villain’s too busy scooping money into their bag to care. “You know I hate to arrest my favourite villain.”

“No need,” the villain says with their usual dry sarcasm. “New laws say that you don’t have to.”

The pause the hero leaves is just long enough to be suspicious. The villain glances back at them, just about catching the slight frown before they notice their nemesis looking.

“Yeah right,” they say unconvincingly. “New laws my ass.”

The classic I kind of believe you saying. The one that gives away that the villain’s quip was, for some reason, taken entirely too seriously. They were setting up for a joke, but— are they actually going to get away with this?

“No, no, they’re real.” The villain smiles as convincingly as possible. “Look it up—villains get benefit of the doubt if the agency deems their schemes particularly newsworthy.”

“The agency wouldn’t.”

“The agency recognises talent, don’t they?”

The villain gestures to the hero vaguely, and the hero falls right for the little ego boost. A smirk tugs at their lips for a moment, their stance a little straighter. “Well,” they say offhandedly, “I don’t think the agency would class robbing a bank as newsworthy. You do it every other week.”

“It’s not about the act, [Hero], it’s about the pizzazz!” The villain is in entirely too deep with this joke they were trying to make. “The agency likes people who can have a little fun. You know I like to make a show.”

“I do, unfortunately.” The hero sighs. “So, what? You just leave here with a stack of cash?”

The villain knows pushing their luck will get them in jail. “Well, you caught me—that’s pretty good going. I’ll leave the money as a congratulations.”

The hero watches carefully as the villain puts the money in their hands back on the shelf. “And the stuff in the bag,” the hero adds.

“Oh, come on, I can’t have anything?”

“You said you’d put it back.”

“Ugh, fine.” The villain tips their rucksack up and dumps a pile of cash on the table. “Happy now?”

The hero hums distractedly for a moment, their eyes glancing over the unstolen money scattered about, before huffing defeatedly. “Sure.”

The villain beams way too obviously. “Sweet. I’ll be heading off then.” They make for the door before deciding to dig their own grave a little more. “The agency does a stamp system now, y’know.”

“What is that meant to mean?”

“Catch five villains in the act and you get a free coffee,” the villain says brightly. "Or so I’ve heard. Ask [Superhero] about it.”

The hero nods thoughtfully. “Yeah, okay. Thanks.”

The villain hadn’t come in here expecting to walk straight back out. They certainly hadn’t expected to meet a hero in there without ending up in jail or hidden in some obscure part of the city.

But that doesn’t matter now. The villain is free, hero is going to make a fool of themself in front of the superhero, and that sucker didn’t even notice the forty thousand pounds stuffed into the villain’s coat.

[veronicaleighauthor]

Some of you know that I have an upcoming story that will be published in The People’s Friend. Alan Spink, of The People’s Friend, recently interviewed me. If you’d like to check it out,  follow the link above!

[luckyluan]

STRAIGHT FROM MAGNUM'S BOOK OF MONSTERS! CHECK IT OUT!