@whalekeeper
Active 2 days, 9 hours ago- Rank: Chosen One
- Total Posts: 5472
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Hey girl!! It’s good to see you around. :] And good to hear you’re doing well.
You finished it??
Congrats on hunkering down and finishing the draft!! That’s crazy… I can’t believe there’s a full version of your first book out there. You have to get on here when it’s done so I can read it.
You haven’t hurt November too much, have you? *Grabs him and hides*
I’m doing good! Sunny weather has finally returned where I’m at, which I’m excited for. Project Radio is shaping up to be longer than expected. (Will it be a series? Who knows.) I have another, newer story that is coming along nicely.
Mostly, I feel sometimes like this is so big…like the idea is bigger than me and I just wanna do it justice?
If you ever want people to help brainstorm with you, sign me up. I can’t resist when someone has a brainstorming question. It’s fun to come up with ideas based on the information you have, and maybe come up with something the other person wouldn’t have imagined.
Being overwhelmed with your first draft seems to be normal. When I ask people how they feel after finishing one, they always say they’re overwhelmed.
I am out of signature ideas
If I need a different language, I usually use some messed up version of Latin. because I already know basic Latin. Or I just make up words that sound like the essence I want to convey.
I may not create other languages, BUT I love collecting words, phrases, and names in English that belong in the world. The slang and vocabulary can make one book very different from another. It’s like creating a biome. In fact I call it a “word biome.” (I think I got that phrase from someone, but I don’t remember who!)
For example, names. Ethel sounds older than Zane. Its popularity peaked a while ago in America. Now imagine my MC’s name is Ethel. You probably wouldn’t think she’s from a futuristic sci-fi novel, would you? Different words have different feelings associated with them.
I collect older slang, names for people and places, etc. I also have a list of words and phrases that have different meanings, but they all secretly originate from one concept. I’m not going to say what it is, but it’s relevant to my story and it’s a neat bit of worldbuilding.
Anyway. I highly recommend keeping a list of words because it helps solidify your characters’ vocabulary, if nothing else.
I am out of signature ideas
Aww, Mel is such a cute girlie
Lucille
Lucy smiled at Mel. “He is a runt, isn’t he? Still giant, though. Corvus colosseus. Scientifically sp-”
Runt pulled his beak out of her hands and began snapping at her hair. It was like being tickled with a pair of tongs.
“Hey!” Lucy burst into chuckles. She pulled away and the crow snapped at her shirt. She had to wrap her arms around his beak to stop him. By then, she was wheezing. “That’s – you – stop it!”
Runt smelled sour and musty, like something left out in the summer rain and covered in barn dust. The familiar scent, combined with such a fantastical animal, made it impossible not to fall in love. Lucy wrung her hands to keep in a squeal. “Stop, stop, stop…”
The nibbles stopped.
“Hm… Can – Would you let us ride on your back? Fly around a little?”
Runt cocked his head from side to side and croaked.
I am out of signature ideas
Yayy
Okay let’s hope this comes through. KP has ignored me all day.
Lucille
The scuffle left the small crow even scruffier than before. Feathers stuck out from his neck like a frilled collar. He kept turning his head to the left, making the best use of his single right eye.
As he busied himself with the nest, Lucy tried not to catch him by surprise. She tended to do that. Birds shrieked or flew away, and baby pigeons toppled over at the touch of a finger. They often reacted poorly because they were startled.
She held out a hand, slowly, and patted the crow’s curved beak. He stood still. As Lucy stroked him, his plumage puffed out, and a satisfied sound burbled in his chest.
Lucy turned to Mel. “He’s ours now. He smells kinda stinky but he’s ours.”
I am out of signature ideas
Are you in the mood to rp? We can add more to the girls’ path or we can reunite them with the main group. If you don’t feel up to it, that’s okay.
I am out of signature ideas
<3
Thanks for asking! I’m as well as I can be, given the circumstances. I’m probably going to contract a stress-induced illness; that’s how I roll.
I am out of signature ideas
I didn’t grow up with a TV, but still grew up watching Rin Tin Tin, Story Keepers, and Planet Earth. What did you watch?
“I watched Planet Earth too! When I was little, I liked Clangers, Bagpuss, Fraggle Rock, Doctor Who… and some of the Ghibli movies.”
I can imagine it is. What is your favorite thing(s) to learn about?
Merlin pokes his head out of a nearby door again. “All Shaffers are under contractual obligation to enjoy biology the most.”
Cosmo exaggerates a sigh. “My family’s blood runs in my veins.”
Oh, ditto. Is there any species in particular?
“Merlin has a bone to pick with the people who decimated the Great Auk. Yes, that happened almost two centuries ago. But as his brother, I support the sentiment.”
Sure! Mutton is a favorite with me, although I’ve never had it as a pie. Did you make it?
“I used pre-made pastry, but otherwise yes. Mum asked me to get that done before she gets back from her business trip.”
How old is Merlin? Are you close in age?
“He and I are fourteen, and we’re twins. For your information – yes, we are genetically identical despite the mutations that make us slightly different. People ask.”
What kind was it? Did you like it?
“He has a black kingsnake.” Cosmo lowers his voice enough to not be heard from the next room. “I… don’t hate it. But he left it in a bag on my bed one time, and it escaped the bag. It was shedding. The amount of scales in my sheets was diabolical.”
Do you believe in ghosts, or do you use the term metaphorically?
“Yeah, I believe in ghosts.”
I am out of signature ideas
so my father wants me to inherit his title and academy.
What is your father’s title? (And yours, by extension)
Why don’t your father and sister get along?
I don’t have many hobbies since some things aren’t practical when you’re stationed for war.
Is there an active war going on? How did you get into that station?
In general, do you like hanging out with people more, or being by yourself?
What is your most important personal possession?
When is the last time you felt excited and passionate about something? What was it about?
*Listens to Angelo singing* That’s lovely! It would be cool to listen to a bunch of you singing in flight.
There is an older bat who’s been nice to me. Maybe we’ll be friends.
Having an older friend is very helpful and fun. You should try to be friends with this fellow.
What is your family like? What was your life like before you got lost?
Echoes are textured. You just have to be able to hear the textures.
I’m so jealous. That would be such a fun sixth sense.
I nearly got eaten once.
How?? What happened? Has anyone ever come to your rescue in these crazy predicaments?
He’s been all over the Mediterranean! That’s what he calls the sea. He’s got lots a stories.
What’s this bat’s name? What else do you know about him?
I’m guessing you’re nocturnal, right? What time of the night is your favorite time and why?
What do you think about other animals? What other species do you like to talk to? Which ones are harder to get along with?
Now he goes around trying to convince others that the En’Garun grew from green beans.
I subscribe to that theory, hehe.
Anyone who is Belnayan is either classified a Protector or a Mender.
Describe the dynamic between Protectors and Menders. I’ve never heard of this system before. What is your society like?
We have an ability to form shadow-figures which can assist in battle.
I assume you have that ability. How difficult is it to do? What do you usually use it for in your everyday life?
Yet I would say that unfortunately yes, I have a few close friends.
Unfortunately? *Chuckles* What is that supposed to mean?
Who do you care about the most?
Soggy crackers dipped in some kind of sauce.
Oh goodness. Well, I’ll agree with you there.
Would you describe yourself as hot-tempered or level-headed?
Daredevil or careful?
I am out of signature ideas
ACK that is embarrassingly long. I promise to fix the error of my ways and write shorter posts. I have majorly overspoken
I am out of signature ideas
I feel a bit like a spammer myself, so don’t worry about that. XD
Hello, Cosmo. I’m so glad to meet you. How was your day?
“Nice to meet you too!” Cosmo shakes your hand and hugs himself, the patchwork sleeves of his jacket bunching up. “Please sit down anywhere. My day was good.”
He swivels around and yells down the hall. “Merlin!”
“What?” A voice calls from another room. Footsteps thud on the floor, and a boy pokes his head in the kitchen.
“There are so many people here,” Cosmo tells him. “They all want to talk with me. Isn’t that insane?”
“Insane it is.” The boy looks at everyone. His face is identical to Cosmo’s, except for his sharper gaze and a leather patch over his left eye. He disappears, but not before saying, “Salutations!”
What are some things you want to do in your life?
Cosmo looks away from you. He’s smiling, but he wears an absent expression as he picks at something on his stool. “That’s complicated. Lots of ifs and whens.”
What is something you are passionate about?
He thinks about your question. “Yesterday, I went for a walk. It was a windy day, and I saw a yellow paper bag dancing down the street. I was in its way. Before I knew what I was doing, I nodded politely and stepped aside for it to pass me.”
He looks at you, then laughs, embarrassed. “I instinctually treat trash as an equal. But what I’ve noticed is… people ought to see the world for the life in it. Even the objects, the things without souls. Because here’s the thing – if you see life in a stuffed animal, that’s amazing. That’s – that’s empathy; that’s your base instincts looking for faces and a chance to connect. That’s such a strange and wonderful idea. And if we look for life, how much more would we try to protect our world? How much more would we connect with each other?”
What’s something people rarely ask but that you wish you knew about others?
“I often wonder what people used to watch on television when they were little.”
What kind of schooling are you having/you have had?
“It’s complicated. We used to learn at home. Now we go to a private school because Mum and Dad both work, and some of the kids there definitely think we’re freaks. Mum and Dad like to teach us when they can. It’s surprisingly hard to get a balanced education when your parents are geniuses.”
What is something you wish was different in your world?
“I wish extinct animals were given more chances to survive.”
What is something you hope never changes?
“Merlin and I, growing up and doing things at the same time. We owe each other that much.”
He suddenly seems very interested in the oven. He pulls out a pie and becomes very busy cutting it and getting out plates. “Would you like some mutton? It’s not fresh, just reheated, but I wanted to serve food.”
Would you agree with this statement: “snakes are great pets too.”
He looks at you as if you just grew another head. “How did you know about Merlin’s pet snake?”
I’m sorry, but I just saw that one of Cosmo’s childhood dreams was finding the bodies of Edward V and Richard. Does he mean Richard II?
He listens to your ramble, his eyes glowing, and you can see him breathing more quickly before he interjects. “I’m sorry. I meant Edward V of England and Richard, Duke of York. The missing Princes. I should say their bodies are probably already found, but when I was younger, I thought there was always a chance they got away. But that crypt looting story is funny. Imagine haunting the bottom of the Thames and telling other ghosts why you’re there.”
I am out of signature ideas
When you hum, what type of tunes do you gravitate towards? Jigs, waltzes, instrumental, lyrical?
“I get classic folk songs stuck in my head against my will. Merlin is at fault. Willy O’ Winsbury haunts me, I tell you. He has a habit of singing whenever he feels like something bad or challenging is going to happen, so I learn all of the chants.”
What makes you think of “infection” when you hear the word “droplet”?
“Droplet infection. Has a sibling ever coughed in your face? Diseases can travel via tiny droplets and land on your mucous membranes.”
What smell do you remember when you think of childhood?
“The smell of hospitals.”
What emotion is tied to that smell?
“There are lots of -” He checks himself. “Mm, whatever. I’d say nostalgia.”
Did you ever have any pets?
“We’ve fostered pregnant dogs before. That was awesome.” His eyes shine. “We’ve also had outdoor cats, goldfish, sea-monkeys, praying mantises, moths, and my father’s retired lab rats.”
I am out of signature ideas
I’ll have to listen to it! When my headphones charge after a whole day of listening to tunes, haha.
Sennin, what kind of hybrid are you?
Also, how do you feel about the rulers of Staten, if you don’t mind me asking? What’s the political atmosphere?
Are you and Nahim similar ages?
How would you describe yourself in the context of your family? What role do you play?
How often do you feel stressed?
Where is your safe place to relax?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Aw he’s clinging to the chair
What are bat folktales like? I’ve never heard one before.
How could wings be a curse?
Do you have any friends?
I’ve always wanted to use echolocation. What is it like? Is it fun?
It seems to me like you’ve traveled far. What kind of things have happened to you? Have you gone on any adventures?
I am out of signature ideas
Questions for Mandin:
What do you think is your greatest strength?
How easily do you trust people?
Who would you consider your best friend and why?
How do you feel about your family?
What did you fear as a child? What do you fear now?
I am out of signature ideas
If my brain sounds fried, it’s because it’s 2 AM.
Meh, don’t worry about it. My brain is mush half the time anyway
I gave a little description/intro of Cosmo on the last page, when I answered Keilah’s questions. Other than that, you should know he is a young teenager in the modern day.
What motivates you to get up in the morning?
Cosmo looks off to the side, watching dust swirls in the light. “Um… the wonderful, watery world, as they say, and all its mysteries. Breakfast.”
What was your biggest dream as a child?
“When I was little? I wanted to go to Ireland, with Merlin, and find a fairy mound. We wanted to find ancient burial sites in the middle of nowhere – be the first to leave flowers on the earth for thousands of years.”
He starts ticking things off his fingers. “Find fairy country, find the origins of the children of Woolpit, find Edward V and Richard’s bodies, find Owain Glyndwr… Honestly, we still want to do those things.”
What do you enjoy as a hobby?
“I told Keilah already, but I’m into miniatures and stop motion. I like to make tiny things out of other tiny things and… convince people something is alive. Yeah.”
What do you do when no one is around?
He shrugs one shoulder, tilting his head sheepishly. “I get a lot of urges to hum and dance when no one is around. Is that what you mean? Otherwise I do normal everyday stuff.”
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “droplet”?
“Infection.”
I am out of signature ideas
Alright! Hm. *Calling upon the memory hall with statues of your characters* How about Mandin? He’s interesting. And I have to admit I don’t know much about him, which must be remedied.
You can either interview Cosmo, one of my other characters per your choice, or none at all. Up to you.
I am out of signature ideas