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wowww…that’s a lot to think about and really helpful!!! Thank you!
"Hair. Mouth. Cheese of yak. Come, Sintar, bRiNg a MeLoN."
I liked how you had Neveah try to combat the lie, and it’s obvious it’s for Sef’s sake, not her own. To make this sequence really work, maybe make Sef think her Mani is just trying to save herself – it’s not a lie about Sef, but it would make the former lie hit home. Make her really crumble since the last thing keeping the lie from holding folds.
Sooo…I’m not really thinking that Neveah is fighting it.
How the magic system works is that only the person who is being lied to can stop it. So only Sef can resist it, Neveah couldn’t resist the lie for Sef. So that wouldn’t really work…and I’m not sure how I would write that.
That’s a really good idea though!!! It just doesn’t really fit with the theme, and it doesn’t sound like Sef to think Neveah would try to simply just save herself.
I was trying to imply with that part, how Neveah’s heart broke for Sef. Putting myself in Neveah’s shoes, nothing would hurt more than to see my child being abused into thinking they’re unloveable.
I’m thinking the initial lie would need to be an escalation of whatever Iver has used to bind Sef. (which you already basically sad, lol.) If it’s doubting her worth as a person, make her doubt her worth as a soul. Maybe she doubts there’s a purpose in everything. That there’s hope that her life will be healed. That her life deserves to be healed.
Ohhh that’s a cool idea!
Lastly, it feels like this is leading to Sef’s lowest point, or her midpoint. If that is the case, you want his lie to directly contradict the theme. Similarly, what does Neveah represent to Sef? I mean, is it Neveah’s love for Sef that gives the most strength? Or maybe Neveah’s faith in God encourages Sef? Whatever that is should probably support the theme, and also contradict this lie he tells.
Hmmm…I guess it kind of is in a way, except it’s not really the lowest of the low points for her.
I’m debating whether I’m going to show how broken Sef is by her not feeling the pain like she should, and just succombing to the lies completely, or if I”m going to have her go completely over the edge with grief. Because both sound like Sef, but I think it’s too soon to have her go off the deep end. There’s still a few more things that need to happen.
Neveah’s faith was practically gone last time Sef saw her…both Neveah and Sef didn’t really believe in God. I’m thinking that Neveah has stronger faith now after being imprisoned and meeting someone (not sure who yet) that encourages her, but Sef doesn’t know this because they’ve been apart for months.
So that can’t be an option right now…
I’m thinking that the lie breaks Sef because she “knows” she is worthless already, but she’s holding onto hope that at least her mani still loves her. And then when she believes that lie, she believes that nobody can love her. I’m rambling but it kind of makes sense to me (I think?) and I’ll need to think about this more!!! Thank you for all your questions, that’s helping me a lot!
So, in three words, what would you say Sef’s theme is? That’s pretty much the aim of the lie he will tell.
I’m also going to have to think about this.
When I think of Sef, I feel more of emotions than words…and I really need to figure out how to put it into words.
Thank you so much for all your help!
"Hair. Mouth. Cheese of yak. Come, Sintar, bRiNg a MeLoN."
I’m glad it helped! I knew a lot of it was randomness, but when I can look at my difficulty in a new light, everything can start to click. Randomness that really doesn’t fit is typically what I use like. XD
I was trying to imply with that part, how Neveah’s heart broke for Sef. Putting myself in Neveah’s shoes, nothing would hurt more than to see my child being abused into thinking they’re unloveable.
Yes. Absolutely.
I’m thinking that the lie breaks Sef because she “knows” she is worthless already, but she’s holding onto hope that at least her mani still loves her. And then when she believes that lie, she believes that nobody can love her.
This was what I was thinking you were aiming for! It makes sense.
And it might not be her “dark night of the soul” yet, since you said you have a bit more ground to cover, but it definitely feels like a turning point. Her “last” hope is gone.
And you’re welcome! I get how hard it can be to put our characters into words. It’s not like we know everyone’s motivations in real life either.
You have listened to fears, child. Come, let me breathe on you... Are you brave again? -Aslan
500 pages!!! Woohoo!!! *throws confetti*
I want candy! *hand jives dramatically*
Girl, I spawned in that seed and nearly had a heart attack. XD I am not used to playing video games and I got serious motion sickness, but that spawn is super cool and I want to build one of those towers in BotW where you can’t see the bottom.
oh that’s cool! I’m building a hanging complex, probably with bridges connecting different rooms.
I also didn’t know what was in the Pale Forest biome, so that was interesting.
Hah, yeah if you don’t know what’s there it might get crazy.
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
I’m asking you an Avatar The Last Airbender question.
I remember you were telling me to watch the show like your life depended on it years ago. Still like it?
@whalekeeper @linus-smallprint @whoever else knows this TV show IDKOk so I loaded up my tablet looking for reference images for a completely different thing, and I found a great drawing I could use as inspiration.
It was part of a Team Fortress/Avatar crossover AU. Actually, it also included Valve Software’s other famous games, Half Life and Portal.
I took one look at the description…
started from the beginning, the first work that’d been done for this tale…..
and DEVOURED the storyline this artist had set up. She never wrote a full fan fiction nor a comic like she’d done for some of her other crossovers, nothing but drawings of important points in the timeline, and the story told through the images’ descriptions. But it was AMAZING.
I’m iffy on the show itself. I don’t need another fixation. There are a couple issues I’d like to avoid with the mythology of it all. But this crossover?
Oh, this was phenomenal, and I almost feel like writing at least a short story set in the universe (which the original artist said was okay, not to me specifically but to other writers who asked)
But anyway, my question. Three of the main characters in this storyline are powerless. No bending abilities. They were born like that.
Is it possible, though, for someone like that to gain their ability later? Or, perhaps, to have a weak one that never showed up until one day they’re like “WAIT I CAN MANIPULATE (insert element)?!” Cause I can do some MAJOR stuff with that.
If I’m gonna write somethin’ in this universe, I’m gonna at least make myself knowledgeable of the other half.
also the other thing I loved about it was the hybrid animals. I drew a bunch after seeing this AU’s design for Medic’s dove, Archimedes, who was part moth in the story and had antennae and moth wings. I’ll post them on the art sharing forum.
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
@whalekeeper just to confirm you were on of the people who mentioned the show a couple times right? Or was it someone else?
I don’t knowwwwwww sorry
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
oh that’s cool! I’m building a hanging complex, probably with bridges connecting different rooms.
Niiiice, that’s kinda what I was thinking, but it will probably be just a tower with a few bridges because I ain’t an experienced builder.
I’m iffy on the show itself. I don’t need another fixation. There are a couple issues I’d like to avoid with the mythology of it all. But this crossover?
…If I’m gonna write somethin’ in this universe, I’m gonna at least make myself knowledgeable of the other half.
I meeeaaaannn, I recommend watching it to really understand what it’s like/about. It’s a really fun show, arguably the greatest kids’ show of all time. And it’s really hard to write a fanfic based on something you aren’t familiar with.
But to answer your question, yes, hypothetically a character can grow into their bending abilities later in their life. Usually they feel a connection to the element, and they know they could bend it, but they don’t have the teacher and resources to learn. For example, Katara can bend a little at the beginning of the show, but she doesn’t know any other benders, so she doesn’t progress.
Also, you usually bend a particular element based on your nationality, and the styles of bending are very different based on where you live, the land biomes around you, etc. like the desert and swamp benders.
I think it’s hard to master an element unless you understand/embody the personality of the element. Things like the cultural meaning and the fighting forms.
#ProtectAdolinKholin
I don’t knowwwwwww sorry
You’re good, I do not mind being accidentally tagged even if that were the case. ;]
#ProtectAdolinKholin
Niiiice, that’s kinda what I was thinking, but it will probably be just a tower with a few bridges because I ain’t an experienced builder.
Very cool!!
I meeeaaaannn, I recommend watching it to really understand what it’s like/about.
I’ve seen literally one episode and that’s cause my cousins had it on at my grandparents’ house, does that count??
IDK I’m just so bad about actually getting around to watching stuff, especially if my parents and brother aren’t interested in it. The only TV watching we do is as a family unless one of us is sick and needs a pastime or our parents are out doing something and me and my bro are alone in the house.
it’s really hard to write a fanfic based on something you aren’t familiar with.
True., although I’ve written fics of stuff I haven’t read/watched before (mostly basing one other people’s fanfics+a good amount of, say, wiki reading). Some of them turned out ok and some of them were wonky.
But to answer your question, yes, hypothetically a character can grow into their bending abilities later in their life. Usually they feel a connection to the element, and they know they could bend it, but they don’t have the teacher and resources to learn. For example, Katara can bend a little at the beginning of the show, but she doesn’t know any other benders, so she doesn’t progress.
ohhhhh this makes sense!
could someone feel a connection but every time they try to do it it doesn’t work and they screw it up, so at some point they’re just like “Y’know what? Forget it. I’m not even gonna try.”
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
@whalekeeper ooh yeah and is there a possibility of two siblings having completely different abilities?
Like, the characters in question (my MCS if I ever write this) are twins, but judging by their personalities they’d bend completely different elements.
Could it maybe be a genetic thing?
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
IDK I’m just so bad about actually getting around to watching stuff, especially if my parents and brother aren’t interested in it. The only TV watching we do is as a family unless one of us is sick and needs a pastime or our parents are out doing something and me and my bro are alone in the house.
I get that, it’s the same in our house. If no one else wants to watch it, then too bad for me, I’m outvoted. XD
True., although I’ve written fics of stuff I haven’t read/watched before (mostly basing one other people’s fanfics+a good amount of, say, wiki reading). Some of them turned out ok and some of them were wonky
I could never. But hey, I have plenty of friends who watch video game play throughs and know everything about a game without playing it.
could someone feel a connection but every time they try to do it it doesn’t work and they screw it up, so at some point they’re just like “Y’know what? Forget it. I’m not even gonna try.”
Yep. I think every member of the Gaang, except maybe Toph, has gone through a phase like that.
ooh yeah and is there a possibility of two siblings having completely different abilities?
Yes. This would happen if their family has blood from multiple nations, i.e. an Earthbender and a Firebender get married and have kids.
Like, the characters in question (my MCS if I ever write this) are twins, but judging by their personalities they’d bend completely different elements.
Personalities do not determine which element you have, but if you were raised in the culture which embraces, say, the element of fire, you’re probably going to be raised with more high-strung emotions. It’s just part of the culture.
Basically you as the writer can give a character an element that matches their personality, but their personality cannot be the reason they have the element in-story-canon.
#ProtectAdolinKholin
500 pages!!! Woohoo!!! *throws confetti*
Yeeaah!! 😀 *High five* Also I am over 4000 posts. Crazy, crazy.
#ProtectAdolinKholin
Basically you as the writer can give a character an element that matches their personality, but their personality cannot be the reason they have the element in-story-canon.
That makes sense. So it’s a genetic and culture thing.
Time to go read a wiki or somethin’
I could never. But hey, I have plenty of friends who watch video game play throughs and know everything about a game without playing it.
Basically me with both Portal and Team Fortress haha
(Although I kinda wanna play Portal in the future, I just haven’t got it yet.)
"When in doubt, eat cheese crackers."-me to my charries who don't even know about cheese crackers
-Me being chronically inactive cause I’m about to serve a mission
-Someone mentions Avatar
-Me, breaks through the ceiling falling before you
I am here
I’m iffy on the show itself. I don’t need another fixation. There are a couple issues I’d like to avoid with the mythology of it all.
Always fair, however, I will say that you are severely missing out. Whaley is right that it’s arguably the greatest kid show, I would personally venture to the greatest show at all, though that gets far more controversial. Not sure what issue you would have with the mythology, though there is one note I personally don’t like is the implications of Aang’s past lives, though I personally just have a more nuanced head cannon that essentially just plays it down.
But anyway, my question. Three of the main characters in this storyline are powerless. No bending abilities. They were born like that.
Is it possible, though, for someone like that to gain their ability later? Or, perhaps, to have a weak one that never showed up until one day they’re like “WAIT I CAN MANIPULATE (insert element)?!” Cause I can do some MAJOR stuff with that.
As Whaley pointed out, you should probably watch the show before writing fan fics. You are free to do as you will of course, but people who have watched the show may become frustrated with any obvious inconsistencies between the Avatar world and your story. I don’t know the fan fiction community much though, and it would make sense if things like cannon and consistency were less stressed and focused on. At the same time, the name fan fiction, indicates that you are a fan of the world/story, and wish to engage in it on a more intimate level, which in this case feels more second hand. Of course, you feel inspired by this writer’s crossover world, and that’s what you wish to engage in on a more intimate level rather than what it itself was inspired by, so in that sense, the system works.
As for your question, If someone is born with no bending ability, then no, they cannot develop one later. However, like Whaley was talking about with Katara, she was always a waterbender, but the manifestation of her abilities started out with very little, then progressed. Her brother Soka is not a bender and will never be one. So a better way to say this is that you are either a bender or your not, but if you are a bender, it may be possible you may not realize until much later. That doesn’t functionally change anything for you, just a little bit of how things are described.
Aang himself shows this very clearly. He’s always been the Avatar, and therefore can bend all four elements, however, such powers do not manifest until he engages in the powers and learns from a teacher. He struggled the most with earthbending, as it required him to think in a completely opposite way in how he interacts with the world, so he was unable to bend earth in any way until he was able to get past that.
Another good thing to know for fan fic stuff and this question is that there are sub-elements that masters can manipulate with enough practice. Toph for example invented metal bending, which is really just a more refined form of earth bending. Before she did though, metal was considered unbendable, with her included, until she figured it out.
Now I’ll actually say that I’ve partially lied, because if you watch the sequel series The Legend of Korra (which is mid, but gives a few interesting notes regarding the mechanics of bending), you’ll know that you can also gain bending abilities as a gift from a lion turtle, each turtle as far as we know gives a particular ability, but they’re not really rare and hidden, despite their size. You could explore in your story perhaps something like finding a lion turtle if you wanted.
That’s my rant, hopefully that clears some things up and gives you more ideas of what you can play with, in the world.
He is perfect in Justice, yet He is perfect in Mercy, even when we fail Him. For this, He is good.
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