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Thank you for the heads up 🙂 Personally I agree, the original founder having questionable beliefs and using it as a tool of divination is wrong. As an analytical tool? I don’t think it’s necessarily wrong, because it has evolved into a purely neutral personality type tool. It’s useful in our modern world. But anything can be tempting if you make it out to be. It just so happens that Oscar Ichazo made it into an idol, way back when.
There are lots of things inherent to our culture which had questionable origins; some of our founding fathers had horrible personal lives, and as a writing example, Alice in Wonderland was written by a predator. But their works have become necessary topics to talk about, and one can learn from those works without taking on the flaws of the creators.
This is not to discredit your thoughts… Thank you for caring and speaking up ❤️
“Everything is a mountain”
…I guess we’re all in the same boat 😅 It certainly isn’t as simple as Meyers Briggs. I think it’s just a little more subjective and vague. But the motives underneath each type are interesting, because I’ve already begun to classify characters in a similar way since that’s just how writing works.
Obviously it doesn’t need to be the be-all-end-all of personality classifications. Which is great, because who wants to be put in a box? 😜
“Everything is a mountain”
Hm, I’ve heard it has questionable origins but I didn’t know exactly what happened. As a personality tool, it might be okay, but yeah, that’s definitely strange. Thanks for letting us know!
WE ARE REVIVING THE PROTECTION SQUAD! *steals Joseph, Julian, and Sabina from Ellette*
@whalekeeper Never taken a personality test in my life lol
Where'd I get ya this time? The liver? The kidney? I'm runnin' outta places to put holes in ya.
I don’t classify characters by any personality type. I do categorize them by behavior–“this one’s a goofball. This one’s severely traumatized and a real grumpypants. This one is just a psychopath and genuinely evil…..”–but it’s not really a set thing.
Where'd I get ya this time? The liver? The kidney? I'm runnin' outta places to put holes in ya.
I actually never took the test cuz I either had to pay or give them my information or something like that. XD
Write what should not be forgotten. — Isabel Allende
Ah, gotcha XD
WE ARE REVIVING THE PROTECTION SQUAD! *steals Joseph, Julian, and Sabina from Ellette*
@anyone-idk @everyone
Howdy!! I wrote the prologue to my book and thought I’d share it!! 😆😁
_____________
PROLOGUE
Swords, axes, large hammers, spears—hundreds of weapons lined the walls of the warrior training center, and photos of past warriors and their honor badges were framed and pinned. An air conditioner shook silently, blowing a cold breeze into the large conference room where two people sat. The first person was a man whose name was Emrys Gretchen, and the second was his twelve year old son, Blaine. Emrys was a warrior—and one of the most well known warriors in Burne. He worked non-stop, and most people wondered if he ever went home.
Emrys closed his computer and stood up. He walked to one of the large windows of the training center, and stared outward at the shimmering city in the far distance. He processed his tasks for the morrow—attempting to forget the memory that haunted him. Three years ago, his wife—Elia—had been in a car crash, and slipped into a coma for two years. Those years felt like an eternity. During the start of a third year, she’d passed away—leaving ten children and a heartbroken husband. The loss would have an effect that rippled through the family, and created unseen struggles.
Emrys turned away from the window. The lights of the city reminded him of those three depressing years. He looked up, noticing Blaine quietly wandering up and down the aisles of chairs, admiring the clean weapons on the walls.
There wasn’t much to do while Blaine waited to go home. His older brother would pick him up and they would return to the district of Needslight—the place they called home, though it was far from it. He was dreading going home—home to the district of countless sorrows and endless horrors. He hated living there—the fear walking down the streets, and sleeping with a possibility of someone breaking in. The worst part was the reality of the struggle to live—they were poor and hungry, and most homes were dirty. Fighting could be heard in the streets, arguments that were never made better by tired, hopeless words.
There were many ways this problem could be put to an end—and Blaine knew it was possible. Blaine looked up at his father and said, “Dad… I want to be a warrior.”
“You do?” Emrys sighed, looking towards his son.
“Yeah,” Blaine turned away from the long red banner he stood near, and sat down in a chair, “I want to start a warrior team.”
Emrys groaned a little. He walked to a sword on the wall, took it down, and polished it—without taking his eyes off the weapon, Emrys asked, “Why do you want to start a team?”
“I want to because,” Blaine stood up, “I want to bring a change to Needslight. I want it to be a better place for the Burnish. I don’t want people to walk around fearful, angry, and hopeless.”
There was a long moment of silence, as both father and son sat thinking. After a short while, Emrys sighed, “Warrior teams are made of more than one man, Blaine. Do you have friends who want to join you?“
“I—I don’t know…” Blaine replied.
“You’ll need to find some friends to train alongside you,” Emrys said, “We’ll talk again when you find those friends. Okay?”
“Okay,” Blaine nodded. He continued to stare out the large window. A small car pulled up outside, and it parked—waiting for Blaine to get in. Blaine said goodbye to his father, walked outside, and sat down in the passenger seat next to his brother, Bryson. The ride was entirely silent.
Blaine stared out the window as they made their way through the city and finally down a street called Tregartha. This road was one of the few that was often driven, and was known for its frequent accidents. It connected the Needslight residents to a well-lit liquor store—which was the only business in that area, and it did very well. Ironically, it was the only thing that lit the dark street.
The car parked in front of a tumbledown house. Home of the Gretchen family—they’d lived there for a long time. Blaine walked up to the door of the house, opened it, and stepped inside—where he was greeted by his youngest brother, Blaze. Empty cans sat on the counters and lined the floor, most of the windows were busted, and there was barely anything edible in the cabinets. As he passed through the kitchen, he grabbed a jar off the counter and a remnant piece of paper. He scribbled down the date and his new mission, and then shoved the paper into the jar.
Blaine carried the jar to his back yard and hid it amongst the overgrown bushes. He turned around and began to go back inside, but paused outside the door. He could hear his neighbors yelling and their children crying. An intoxicated man’s voice yelled several harsh words at a woman and the couple tussled over the man’s bottle of liquor. There was a loud crashing sound as the bottle smashed against the ground, and the man became enraged. The woman screamed as the man’s fist came upon her—causing the children to cry louder.
Most homes in Needslight sounded like this one, but not many people paid attention to it. People had learned to tune out and mind their own business.
Blaine clenched his teeth as it began to rain. The rain mixed with the his tears and sorrow struck his heart as he struggled to catch his silent cries. Wiping his face, he quickly walked back into the house. He hugged Blaze, and then walked to his bedroom and laid down on the bed he shared with his older brother. The rain picked up, but through it he could hear sirens in the wealthy neighborhoods. Sirens that meant safety for those thought more important.
Blaine rolled over, only to find himself facing Blaze—who had followed him in. He scooped the four year old up and held him close, “I’m going to start a team, Blaze—I’m going to help people in Needslight.”
“Really?” Blaze replied as he drifted off to sleep.
“Really,” Blaine whispered.
Flaz: *yawns* Did the sun just come up? In the west?
@grcr great job!!
One question: Where and in what time period is this supposed to be set? Because you refer to them as warriors and have them fight with old-style weapons, implying either a past or far future time period, but then refer to car accidents and computers (which I assume are computers like the one I’m typing to you on) like it’s set in modern times. Is this set on Earth or an alternate universe/planet? Are the main characters human or something else?
I’m not criticizing you for anything. I think it’s quite a cool story idea!
Where'd I get ya this time? The liver? The kidney? I'm runnin' outta places to put holes in ya.
Thanks!!
One question: Where and in what time period is this supposed to be set? Because you refer to them as warriors and have them fight with old-style weapons, implying either a past or far future time period, but then refer to car accidents and computers (which I assume are computers like the one I’m typing to you on) like it’s set in modern times. Is this set on Earth or an alternate universe/planet? Are the main characters human or something else?
The story is a modern one (and even slightly futuristic in some aspects—such as how the warriors actually learn to fight with futuristic weapons when engaged in war with other countries). Warrior trainees are still required to learn old/traditional weapons for other reasons, and the old weapons are displayed in the warrior training center because of historical reasons.
Though I haven’t yet explained anywhere in my book yet (and it’s likely to change), the story actually starts in 2016, and has little inspirations from other time periods.
It’s in an alternate universe I share with my siblings, but the world is pretty similar to ours. I mention the region they’re in in my first chapter…
Oh, and yeah, the characters are all human… and I do describe them more when they are more “officially” introduced…
Maybe that helps explain more…?
I’m not criticizing you for anything. I think it’s quite a cool story idea!
Oh, no problem!! I appreciate it!! 😄 Thanks for reading!!
Flaz: *yawns* Did the sun just come up? In the west?
@grcr ahh ok makes sense!!
Where'd I get ya this time? The liver? The kidney? I'm runnin' outta places to put holes in ya.
Nice! Good job!
I really like prologues at all for some reason XD
Any noun can become a verb if you don't care enough.
Nice! Good job!
Thank you!! 😊
I really like prologues at all for some reason XD
XD XD
Flaz: *yawns* Did the sun just come up? In the west?
I have a snippet of a scene from a contemporary story I’ve been working on recently. This scene sort of just flowed and I’m loving the sibling relationship between River (the MC) and her brother Blaze. I haven’t shared anything from this WIP before because it’s still very new, and quite honestly, I started it without having any idea of what the plot was going to be, so it’s sort of a discovery as I go. But I just felt like dropping this scene here for anyone who’s interested in reading it!
Idk who all to tag so this is whoever comes to mind first! @savannah_grace2009 @theducktator @stephie @freed_and_redeemed @hybridlore @whalekeeper @esther-c @highscribeofaetherium @literallyanyone
Putting the car in park, River glanced at herself in the rearview mirror and smiled, watching her hazel eyes twinkle. She took a deep breath and got out of the car. She found the door to the house unlocked, so she let herself in. The house was quiet, except for the sound of water running in the kitchen.
“Hello?” River called out cheerily. The water shut off, and Blaze’s head poked around the corner of the doorway.
“River? What are you doing here?” Blaze’s sleek dark hair was pulled up into a man-bun, and he wore a faded For King and Country t-shirt and athletic shorts.
“I thought you’d be happy to see me.” River stopped in her tracks and crossed her arms, giving him her little-sister pout. Blaze rolled his eyes.
“Of course I’m happy to see you, sis,” he said, approaching her and draping an arm over her shoulder in a casual hug. “I just wasn’t expecting you to stop in.”
River dropped her fake pout and wrapped both arms around her brother’s midsection. Only a year apart in age, the two had always been close. They had their fair share of squabbles over the years, but as they got older, they became better friends.
“I decided to come visit, since I’m really not that far away,” River explained. She released Blaze and pushed a hand against his chest. “You need a shower.”
“Hey!” Blaze protested.
“I’m just kidding!”
“Mhmm.” Blaze crossed his arms. “Do you wanna help me empty the dishwasher?”
“Sure.”
Blaze’s eyebrows shot up. “Sure?”
“Sure, I will help you empty the dishwasher.”
“Are you pulling my leg?”
“Nope. I’m being serious.” River started towards the kitchen, and Blaze followed.
“What happened to ‘Do your own chores’?”
“I guess I’ve learned a thing or two,” River replied, now standing next to the open dishwasher with her hands on her hips.
“You seem different,” Blaze remarked, lifting out a stack of plates.
“How so?”
“You never agreed to help me with my chores before.” Blaze shook his head in amazement. “I don’t know, there’s just something… brighter about you.”
“Freedom does that.” River pulled out the silverware tray and carried it to the drawer to empty.
“What?” Blaze’s face contorted in a puzzled expression.
“Freedom does that,” River repeated, a smile spreading across her face. “For years, ever since summer camp that one year where I fell off the horse… I was carrying a lot of fear. Fears that God wouldn’t come through for me, that He wasn’t really faithful. It was crippling me, and I didn’t know it. But Blaze, I rode a horse again this week for the first time since that accident, and the fear is gone. I don’t know how it’s possible for such tiny lies to choke out so much of my heart, but I feel alive again.”
“Wow.” Blaze stared at her. “I thought something changed when you came home from camp that summer. You seemed quieter… more subdued, more closed off. I guess after a while I didn’t think about it anymore.”
River nodded, feeling a lump beginning to grow in her throat. She regretted the years of emotional walls she’d built between herself and her family. As she sorted silverware, River gathered her courage.
“Hey, Blaze?” River’s voice cracked on his name, and he turned to face her.
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry.” Pools of tears filled her eyes, threatening to spill over.
“Hey, you don’t have to cry,” Blaze protested.
“No, listen,” River urged, swiping at the tears. “I’ve shut you out emotionally for years. I don’t know how we’ve managed to stay good friends when I haven’t let you in to the deeper parts of my heart. I haven’t been emotionally available for you, because I was scared of vulnerability. I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”
Blaze’s jaw worked silently, and his chest rose and fell heavily. He turned his face away for a minute, and when he looked back, tears sparkled in his eyes. River was startled. She hadn’t expected that response from him. The last time she’d seen him cry was when he stepped on a nail in middle school.
“Of course I forgive you,” he said softly. “I think…” he swallowed, then continued, “I think I owe you an apology, too.” He wiped his eyes. “I’ve done the same to you. Only I guess I thought I had to be the tough older brother, and maintaining that image wouldn’t let me show you my emotions.” He crossed the space between them and enfolded her in his arms.
“I forgive you, too,” River mumbled into the fabric of his shirt. Brother and sister stood in each other’s arms for a long moment, and River couldn’t hold back the flood of tears. A wall had fallen between them, and the victory was sweet. Neither of them noticed the door opening or the sound of footfalls.
“What in the…” Mom’s voice trailed off. “River, honey! Are you okay? What happened? Is something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, Mom,” River sniffed, lifting her face from Blaze’s dampened t-shirt. “Everything’s right.” Mom looked back and forth between River and Blaze, her expression a mix of confusion and amazement.
“What on earth did you do to make Blaze cry?” she asked at last, setting down her phone on the counter. Blaze was hastily swiping the tears from his face, but it was too late to hide the evidence.
“I rode a horse again this week, Mom,” River replied. Mom’s expression grew more perplexed.
“What does that have to do with Blaze crying? For goodness’ sake, explain yourself, River Elise Santiago!” With hands on her hips, Mom swung her gaze back and forth between her two children.
“Ever since that day I fell off the horse at summer camp,” River began, “I had this fear of horses. But that fear went a lot deeper and was rooted in lies I believed about God not coming through for me. I became scared of vulnerability, and I built walls to protect myself that really only kept people out. God set me free this week, and I decided to come home for a visit. I was just apologizing to Blaze, and I owe you an apology, too, Mom. I’ve not let you into the deeper parts of my heart like I should have. I’m sorry we haven’t had the kind of mother-daughter relationship you tried to have with me.”
“Aw, honey.” Mom wiped her own tears and pulled River into a hug. “I forgive you. We can start fresh.” After another emotional moment, the two pulled back.
River drew in a tremulous breath. “Now I’m gonna have to do this all over again with Dad and Saige, huh?”
“Maybe I need to go buy extra tissues,” Blaze teased.
“Maybe you need to go take a shower,” River shot back.
Mom cleared her throat. “Maybe you should finish emptying the dishwasher.”
"Real love is for your good, not for your comfort." -Justin Whitmel Earley
That was so sweet! I love sibling relationships. And I tell one of my brothers he needs to take a shower all the time. 😂
The squirrels are collecting more nuts than usual this winter. I've already lost 3 relatives.
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