The "Of Rising Authors" Tag :: Vol. 3 and... 4?

Oh dear, here we go again...!

Place-holder until I get inspired to make a picture xP 

Rules:

• No tagging back. (When was this added??)
• Tag four people.
• Thank the person who tagged you. 

Thank ye very muchly Ral and Jessica! (Double-tag posts are indeed a thing xD)


Ral's Questions:

1. What Genre of books is your favourite (To read or to write)?

(To read and write) Modern-Fantasy, lots of action and high stakes probably. 

2. What would happen if your MC Loses?

Bad things, man... Bad things. Maybe not straight away-- but my villain would continue to go crazy with power (not the magical kind, the dictator-ish kind) and start exploiting it.... Until one day she slipped up and ended up getting arrested by the police who finally came to their senses.

(But you know, not until after a loooong reign of terror.)

3. What would happen if a secondary character becomes the MC? 

*almost falls out of chair* ARE YOU KIDDING ME. How--?! What--?!

*ahem* Sorry, allow me to explain... The amount of irony in this question is quite amusing considering I'm actually going to attempt this for G.A... Wish me luck :P 

4. How do you get your ideas? 

By spending a lot of time zoning out and thinking. Some other ways would be talking to specific friends and family about it and bouncing ideas back and forth. It's fun. *wise nod*

Either that or just sitting on my bed and staring at the roof works almost just as well.

5. What do you like to do to your characters? (That's NOT Torturing them. I literally have asked this before and TWO PEOPLE have said they torture their characters.)

Tortur-- oh... uhm. *crickets chirp*

This is awkward.

6. What would happen if your villain had a change of heart?

Weeeeell... um, spoilers! *throws down a confetti bomb and disappears in a cloud of confetti*

7. Would you rather: Never write again OR Write for the rest of eternity. Never stopping. (I know, I'm evil >:D)

Oh man, um.... This one is actually super hard 'cos the writing for the rest of eternity implies that I can't draw ever again... o-o But on the other hand, I really like writing and making up stories for characters and not being able to write again would suck.

OH-- Waitaminute... I think I've found a loophole... I won't write, I'll just dictate :D 

8. (If you do Indigo's challenge, you don't have to answer from here on :D) What's your favourite style to write in? (First-person, third-person, etc)

HA. This is pretty much the one thing I am 100% confused about, all the time. I love both, really. They both have way too many pros and cons for me to make a proper decision. (or maybe I just overthink it far too much). This is also why my snippets (for the same WIP) so often vary from third-person to first-person. 

9. Any Tips for writing? If so, please share.

Just. Keep. Writing. 

I know you've all probably heard this one, a thousand times, but it's true. Who cares if it's bad? The only way you'll get good at something is if you keep doing it.

Oh yeah, and reading. Make sure you read lots. *wise nod*

10. What is the hardest thing for you to write?

-Everything- 

Writing is hard for me. It will always be hard for me... But that's fine-- I still love it anyway. *shrug*

* * *

Okie dokie and now for Jessica's Questions!

1. What do you struggle most in your writing with?

I think it'd have to be the actual writing part itself... Sitting down and not getting distracted by anything else.. specifically drawing. (Weirdly enough, Pinterest hasn't been so distracting lately...I dunno how.)

2. What inspired you to write your WIP?

Oooh tricky. I dunno, I think I was listening to a sermon in church when a particular sentence came along and hit me over the head with inspiration. Annnnd then, in the car ride home, I talked to my Dad and older brother about it and basically we came up with so many scene and concept ideas that I just had to write it. The story itself has changed a lot over time. 

3. What is the theme of your WIP?

I think it's 'Redemption'.... Both my MCs, Brinley and Asher, have things they regret doing (or not doing) and the guilt just kinda follows them around everywhere.... annnnd I should stop talking before I spoil the whole story.

4. Which do you enjoy more; planning out your character development or your world?

Planning out the character deveploment, definitely. Creating the world is fun too, but not as much ;P 

5. Do you have a set genre that you write to?

I don't think so... I've kinda been hopping from fantasy to modern-day-superhero (does that count as a genre?) lately.

6. What would be your most dreaded genre to have to write?

Science Fiction. Definitely. 

More so the type of Science Fiction where planets and space travel are involved. I can't really bring myself to read it, let alone write in that genre. It tends to be so full of lengthy descriptions and science-y (wow, really Sarah?) terms that I lose interest almost immediately. 

(SciFi movies are super cool though.)

7. Do you have a favourite character?

Mhm... I dunno. Depends if you're asking about my favourite character of all time or one of my original characters?

For the former question: It'd have to be either Leo Valdez or Hearthstone. (I don't do complete favourites :P that's much to hard)

8. If so, why are they your favourite? (If not, why don’t you have a favourite?)

Aw, come on.... It was hard enough trying to think up a favourite xD

I don't really know how to explain why they are my favourites... They just are. *shrug*

Oh wait maybe it's because they both have tragic backstories.

9. Are you a nice writer or an evil one?

Evil...ish. I think. Considering one of my characters has to deal with PTSD... I'll let you decide :P

(What is the definition of a 'nice' writer anyway? Someone who gives their character ice-cream every few scenes or so? I dunno.) 

10. If you could insert yourself into any part of your WIP in the place of your MC, what would it be and why?

Ooh. I dunno... I probably wouldn't? 'Cos bad stuff happens... and my characters kinda need the calmer moments to relax. I would feel pretty guilty if I did that... unless it was a bad moment. In which case I would be too busy freaking out.

* * *

*realizes I've finished all the questions* Waitaminute. I'm... I'm DONE? *quickly searches under chairs and rugs for anymore questions that might be hiding* ...Huh, I guess so.

Okay! So I don't think I'll tag anyone specific this time... I'll just leave it open. If you, dear reader, haven't by some miracle done this tag already (or if you want to do it again)-- I hereby tag you. :D

Here are ze Questions...

1. Do you prefer writing in your pajamas, or everyday clothes? (Or dressed up in a costume?)

2. If you absolutely had to rewrite a well-known book and put zombies in it, which one would you pick? (Bonus points if you write a small snippet (with zombies) for that book :D) 

3. Which do you prefer: First person, or third person?

4. If you had to choose only one hobby (any of them) to have perfected for the rest of your life, what would it be? (You can still have other hobbies, but you won't have mastered them)

5.  If you could live in a book of your choice, which one would it be? (Please also explain why?)

6. What book do you love so much that you often wish you had come up with the idea?

7. So.. *leans back in a comfy chair with a cup of tea* How's your WIP coming along? 

8. Write a small scene in which your MC encounters a talking squirrel (who is also an assassin with a secret weapon). (Please? :D) 

9. Have you ever written a scene that made you cry? 

10. How many times have you made your character cry in their story? (Or made them want to cry?) 

Now go forth! (...And let me know if you did it!)

-Sarah

Wisteria Writer's Tag

Eek-- Here we are again with another tag folks :D 

Good golly gosh, it's been a while since I've done one of these things.. Not sure if I remember how to do it O-O

Eh-- I'll figure it out I guess. On to the post!

Thank you so very much Jane for tagging me! This looks like so much fun :D


Rules

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.

2. Answer the ten questions asked.

3. Add ten (writing or book related) questions of your own.

4. Nominate people.

1) What inspired the idea for your current WIP (work in progress), and how long have you had the idea?

Oooooh boy. I don't really know? I do remember that when I had the idea, I was sitting in church at some point in March, listening away to the sermon when suddenly; WHAM. Story Character idea appeared outta nowhere and has stuck with me ever since :D (And yeah, it was for 'Guardian Angel' if anyone was wondering :P)

As for how long I've had it... Er, since somepoint in March, 2016. That's what my ancient notebook says, anyway...

2) What are you most looking forward to about this WIP?

Ruining my MC, Brinley's life :D

....

Hehe okay not really... In all seriousness, it'd probably be actually finishing the first draft. That'd be nice.

I just want it to be doooooooooone already :P

3) Have you ever dreamed about your characters?

Sadly no.. Well, at least not that I can remember. I've dreamt up story ideas though... Those ones are really weird.

4) How do you go about naming your characters?

I pretty much just pull up as many name lists I can find... and go through them until I find a name that fits the character perfectly... 'course this doesn't always work so once I at least narrow down the results, I look up each name's meaning. If it means something completely pointless and boring, I chuck it out and move on to the next one. (Unless I actually really like the name-- in that case I'll put it to the side and go back to it later.)

5) Do you plan out your theme?

Eh, not in great detail, no... I usually have a vague idea that I'm pretty sure is what I'm going for... but not really a full-on plan.

6) Do you discover the MBTI thing of your characters? (if so, what are the types of your WIP protagonists?)

I tried to :D

Okay so-- I know Brinley is apperantly an ISFJ... But I'm not quite sure, because I had another thing say she was a INFJ... So.. I dunno?  xD

Ember, however, I'm pretty darn sure is an INFJ.

I'm not really sure what MBTI type Asher and Lewis (I suspect he might be an ISTP) are.

7) Have you a favourite genre to write in? (or do you like switching it up randomly)

Ooh. Definitely medieval fantasy. It's the very first genre I ever started writing in and honestly, it feels like coming home whenever I get back to it. I'm pretty much in love with the whole knights, castles, dragons and magic thing. It's pretty cool

These days it's more a weird, smush up between SciFi-Fantasy-Modern-Something-I-dunno, that I've been writing in and been getting ideas for lately.

8) What is a big inspiration for you in writing? (a person, book, quote, scenery, ect.)

Basically any book that has brilliantly realistic characters; A great, well-paced plotline and amazing stakes (as well as villain). Everytime I read one of those stories... It's like my motivation and aspiration to become a better writer is increased sevenfold. 

9) Are you competitive in your word counts, or more chill and relaxed?

I am probably the most chill and relaxed person there is when it comes to word counts... While it does make me happy to get a whole lot of words down in one sitting, I don't much care for the competitiveness side.

10) Do you like sharing small snippets of your work? (*hint hint* :P)

Uhhh... Kinda? xD

Depends if I'm fond of said snippet or not, but anyway, here you go! *throws snippet at ya*

(Le Snippet is from WIP 'Guardian Angel')

Brinley staggered back into the apartment and closed the door behind her quietly. Leaning back against the wall, she shrugged the backpack off her shoulders and allowed it to fall to the floor, moving it to the side and out of the way with her foot. She took in a deep breath, not mentally ready to move away from the nice, solid door, she forced herself to do so anyway. 

She had only just made it halfway to her bedroom when a sharp, disapproving voice from the room behind made her freeze in her tracks. 

“Brinley Ann Taylor, where on earth have you been!?” 

...Mrs Auguste.

Crap. Brinley grimaced, throwing a quick, panicked glance towards the clock. It was now 10:26 PM. Five hours after she had originally said she’d be back. She gripped the banister tighter in fear, her mind completely devoid of any reasonable, or otherwise, excuses.

There was a slight pause in which Brinley imagined Mrs Auguste shaking her head in disappointment. “--I really hope you have a good explanation for this.”

* * *

Okay! Up to the question-making and tagging-other-people part now... 

Here are the questions:

1. Tell me a bit about your current story? :D (Who are the characters, what sort of struggles do they face-- anything really!)

2. Do you prefer to write by hand, or just type it up onto the computer?

3. Do you keep a journal for all of your ideas?

4. When do you find is the best time of day for you to write?

5. Do you have a favourite word? (Perhaps a word that you think sounds pretty cool to say, or an interesting word with a cool meaning, for example.)

6. Do you prefer Castles and Dragons or Spaceships and Aliens? (Or- alternatively; Spaceships and Dragons?)  

7. What do you do when you fall into a reading slump?

8. First-person or third-person point of view when writing?

9. QUICK-- Your character accidentally bumps into your story's most evil villain- WHAT DO THEY DO?!

10. (Okay, last question now, don't worry :D) How do your characters get along with eachother? (Eg, do they hate eachother or...?)

And now I shall tag the most lovely Ralraymee @ The Art of Life and my kinda-sweet-kinda-crazy younger sister, Jasmine @ Where My Wild Heart Grows

Annnd also anyone else who stumbles across this post and wants to do it! Consider yourself now tagged ;P

Anyway, that's all for now! *waves and teleports away*

***EDIT*** 

So. I got tagged for this again... And because I am far too lazy to draw up another picture for the post (or write another introduction) I shall answer the questions on here!

So thanks Jasmine :D (you monster, you.)

Note: Because nearly all of these questions are character-related... I'll be using the MC of my work-in-progress 'Guardian Angel', Brinley Taylor... She has the power to see the possibilities of someone's death via a vision sort of thing... and basically can prevent it if she chose. So yeah... I thought I should probably mention that or something 'cos I don't really talk about it on my blog very much. (Unless specifically asked to, that is.)


1. What was the closest time ever your character came to perishing?

Oh dear... Probably the time Brinley was in a really bad car accident. But instead of dying like she technically should have, she got powers! Yay!

(also, that's kinda like the very begining of the story... so don't worry about spoilers.)


2. Was your character close to his/her parents or were they very distant?

I honestly haven't decided... I know Brinley is at least close to one of them. It's just a matter of deciding if it's the one who is still alive, or the one who died.


3. When was the last time your character felt scared? Like they couldn't do anything- helpless!

This isn't the latest thing but... The very first time Brinley had one of her vision things of the possibility of someone dying... She was petrified.

That counts, right?

4. What would your character do if they lost the ones they loved/cared for?

o-o

That's like... the whole story dude... It's basically why she runs around helping people... So that their families wouldn't have to go through the same pain and grief she had to...


5. What are your stories stakes at this moment?

People will die if she (Brinley) doesn't intervene.


6.  Your Character's friends are all jumping off a dragon. Would your character do it too?

Ember: Are you crazy? No. *Grabs Lewis' arm so he couldn't either 'cos this question implies that he would*

Brinley: Uh... No. Just no. *starts backing away slowly*

Valen: ...Maybe.

Isaac: And land on the back of yet another dragon? Sure, I'm in.

(phew. I have too many main characters... and this was only a few of them.)


7. The villain has won. What become's of your character(s)?

Oooh. I dunno. My villain would probably try to convince Brinley to join her... or at least destroy her spirit enough so that she'd (Brinley) never try to save another person again. (my villain isn't a murderer. Other people do that for her.)


8. What does your character want? Instead, what does he/she actually NEED?

She needs a hug.


9. Say your character has a pet, what would it be?

A dog... Brinley needs a dog.

Because, a) Dog can protect her while she's out, late at night, saving people.

and b) Brinley just needs a friend she can tell everything too... someone who won't judge or pity her and so on.


10. You character needs something done imminently, but they are trapped in a cave. Wait, there is someone on the other side who can help your character! What would your character say to them? 

*yelled through some hole or something leading to the outside* "HEY- TELL THAT PERSON NOT TO GO BACK HOME! TELL-- TELL THEM THAT SHE KNOWS. OR SOMETHING. DON'T BE CREEPY ABOUT IT THOUGH."

Random Person: "Waht."

* * *

Okie done now :D

*** SECOND EDIT *** 

OKAY SO APPERANTLY I'M NOT DONE...  O-O

Thanks Ral :D


1. Do you draw your characters? *Hint Hint*

I do indeed! *squints at the "hint hint" thing suspiciously* What are you trying to get me to do...?


2. Is there some strange thing you do to help you write? If so, what?

I mostly stuff my face with chocolate.

Okay, not really... I don't really think I do anything crazy strange thing to help me write.


3. Is there a time you've been interrupted while reading/writing and gotten so bored of reading the same thing over and over again? If so, what book?

Hmm, I don't think that's really happened to me...


4. Does your main villain have any special 'connections' with the main character? (Eg; Epsilon, Star Wars, ect)

Nope ^-^ ...Other than the fact they've both gone through terrible loss and stuff.


5. Is there a time you've never seen a plot twist coming and it surprised the living daylights out of you?

Ack-- I'm sure I have once! I just can't remember what book it was for. >-<


6. 3 worst books you've EVER read. 

Ooh boy. I dunno? Any terrible books I read, I just erase from my mind... And besides, how does one define a terrible book? Dull characters? Weak plot? ....yeah probably. But that's not my point ;P

Er... The only ones I can really think of are currently all fanfiction stories... but personally I'm not sure if they count, and it'd be rather mean of me to list them here so I won't.


7. 3 BEST Books you've read.

NOW THIS I CAN ANSWER :D (I assume this means fictional books)

In no particular order:

The Hobbit

Percy Jackson // Heroes Of Olympus

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children.

(Yes, I know I just listed two book series but I couldn't help it... Also, I'm not sure if I'd call some of these the "best" books I've ever read, but they are most certainly the ones I enjoyed reading the most and would even go to bed early just so I'd have more time to go on an adventure with the characters.)


8. Your character and their friends have to go on a looonnnnggg journey. Monsters attack. What does the main character do?

Okay so...! Brinley has friends. *nods thoughtfully*

Okay, Asher would probably be most of the fighting (if at all possible. What kind of monsters are we talking here? ...Meh, he'd have a gun anyway.)

Riley would be trying to drag Brinley to safety.

Brinley, meanwhile would also be trying to drag Asher to safety becuase she really doesn't want anyone to die.

So basically, they'd choose to make a tactical retreat or something. (What? Being modern kids from the city, they're not really cut out for battling magical monsters and that sort of thing xD)


9. One of your favourite things you've ever written

Uh.... Probably something I wrote a long, long time ago, lemme see if I can find it... *wanders off to dig through old story files*

Ooh-- found something! It's heaps old. But I still like it.

***

Well, this is just perfect. Of course we just had to go meet this strange ‘Baron’ that we had never heard of. Not even bothering to think; ‘Hey! Maybe this could be trap or something!’ Noo... We just had to go in there. Charlotte thought to herself grimly as she tried to loosen the ropes that bound her and Vala to the heavy barrel. After a few more useless tries, she gave up for the time being and rested her head back against the barrel. She closed her eyes so she could try and think of a plan to get out of this mess. She came up with a few ideas-- but they soon crumbled when she realized that they could be in the middle of nowhere for all she knew. Sure, she may be able to get them out of the cabin and on the deck... providing she could find her bow, but what then? She was definitely no expert sailor and she had a feeling Vala wasn’t either.

Speaking of Vala... Charlotte peeked over her shoulder and seeing that Vala’s hand had been tied close to her own hand, she began to poke it gently. There was no response.

“Vala..?” She whispered in another attempt to get her attention. She was a bit taken-aback by the rather grumpy sounding ‘what?’ in reply but she shrugged it off due to the fact that she would also be grumpy if she had been the one knocked unconscious and then woken up on a boat, tied to a barrel of stinking fish.

Oh wait a minute.

“Doing okay?” Charlotte asked, doing her best to sound cheerful for Vala’s sake. But not too cheerful of course… That would be weird.

***

It's my favourite in the sense that it makes me chuckle each time I read it... So yes. Anyway.

10. (Last one, phew *sighs with relief*) Your character has the opportunity to kill the super-ultra-evil-villain BUT. He's She's unconscious, he she doesn't have a weapon, he's she's severely wounded, someone else beat him her up. Would your main character spare him her (for now), or straight up kill him her?

Brinley would spare the villain, definitely. She is smol and would never want to kill anyone.


Bonus question!!! (Only Slisby has to Answer)

...wait what?

Did you like the Plan me and Jas made in order to get you to do a post before August? XD

Er, yes... kinda.... I guess? xD (Technically didn't work since I'm writing this all up in the same post >:D mawhahaha)

* * *

*flops on the nearest couch*

Okie... I'm done now. 

Camp Nanowrimo 2017 :: July Edition (A Comic)

Well... You can't say I didn't try!

-Sarah. 

(P.S I've made a page-thing for these guys that kinda sorta explains who they are and stuff... Don't have to check it out, but should you want to, you can find the magic page link either 'Here' or at the top of the page next to Home ^-^)

A Series of Story Hijackings by My Family

Or alternatively; ‘Why You Should Never Leave Your Story Open On Your Computer When You Leave The Room’. But that one is a bit of a mouthful to have to say each time I refer to this post so… yeah, maybe not. Maybe next time.

In this case, it’s mostly my dad and younger sister doing the hijacking. I leave my desk to get something (or just take a break and face-plant into the couch) and whether it’s less than half an hour or more; I usually find a small addition to whatever word document I left open, and whoever left said addition to the story, nowhere in sight. 

I must admit that sometimes it takes me a little bit to actually notice (so far my record is 10 minutes-- but only because I had multiple documents open at the same time), but once I do, I either laugh, cringe, laugh and cringe or just wander off to resume face-planting into the couch. (After minimizing the document, of course.)

So anyway, below are the lovely additions:

Me: *squints at document* ....Pretty sure I didn't write tha-- Hm, nope. *shrugs and fixes it up (after taking a screenshot and asking who did it) so it was back to the way I had left it*

Me: *leaves desk YET again with story document still up, because who would do the same thing twice after being found out?*

Dad would.

....In hindsight, I should've totally seen it coming.

(Fast forward a few days!)

-Once again, by Dad.

By that time, I had finally learnt not to leave it open (although I was quite amused with each one). A few months (or something, I dunno... It was a while, okay? :P) went past, I pretty much forgot all about why I shouldn't leave open documents unattended and April arrived with the lovely Camp Nanowrimo.

Then this one happened (completely unprompted and unknown by the writer that she was following in the footsteps of the master story hijacker-- AKA Dad.)

-Jasmine "helping me reach my word goal"...Sure sis. Sure xD

Ahhh, family.

You gotta love 'em.

The Music Tag of....Musical-ness. Yay!

Hi :)

Okay, now that's over and done with, let's get on with the actual post!

Ze Rules

1. Thank the person who tagged you.

2. Answer the questions.

3. Tag others.

4. Add you own question to the tag for your nominees to answer.

5. Include the rules in your post.

Thanks Clare for tagging me!

Do you play any instruments?

Yup! I can play the clarinet, violin (still learning that one though, but it doesn't sound like cats dying anymore thankfully) and sort of piano... Meaning I can only play one song (both parts)... Yah.

(It's 'Ode To Joy' if you were curious.)

What is your favourite music genre?

Uhhhhm... To be honest, I don't really know? I think the music I listen to mostly has a jazzy/pop feel to it. I also like sound tracks and musicals...Especially stuff like 'Les Mis' and 'Phantom of the Opera'.

I can't really pin down an absolute favourite.

Is there a music genre you absolutely cannot stand?  

Rap music. Okay- in some songs I don't mind it, but only because there's just a tiny amount and when it does come on, I just stop singing. No big deal, I know the best part of the song is just around the corner... I can wait.

What is your favourite way to listen to music? (CD, vinyl, MP3, radio, etc)

MP3. Definitely. CD's aren't too bad though I guess... until they get broken.

What/who are your three favourite bands/singers?

Oooh, tough one! All time favourite or just the ones that are my current favourites? 

Also: Do they have to be in a band and/or a singer? 

...In order to be able to answer this question I'll just guess 'no' to the last one.

No. 1 - Lindsey Stirling,

No. 2 - Mandisa,

And finally,

No. 3 - Britt Nicole.

Some honourable mentions are Pentatonix and Owl City :)

And now for Clare's question! :D

Do you have a funny story to do with playing music or band, if so please share it?

Mawhaha..Yes I do.

So this happened at a town band practice... We had stopped in the middle of a song (I can't remember which one, sadly) because no one was really paying attention to the dynamics of the song.

The band conductor asks if any one could hear the flutes and clarinets, since we had the melody.

And basically...

An elderly man grumbles behind me: I couldn't hear any of them!

Fellow clarinet player whips around in her seat: *jokingly* That's because you're deaf!

Elderly man leans forward slightly: What?

Fellow Clarinet player: Ha!

She then grins and elbows me in triumph.

I thought it was hilarious.

The End.

Oh wait, I still have to tag people? Erm... Okay. *Tries to think of people I can tag* ....Um, nope. No idea. Therefore, I shalt just leave it open for whoever stumbles across my blog and wants to give it a go. Yah, have fun :)

Your Random Musical Question Of Awesomeness: How good are you at sight-reading music?