NaNo2014: T minus 2 weeks.

Hi!

TL;DR: Writing "Zephyr", not "Sun Dagger" for NaNoWriMo 2014. Was thinking of joining a deviantART roleplay but won't. (Featuring a drawing!) Some musing about what my mentor teacher said and a few images of identity.

NaNoWriMo 2014: As indicated last week, I'm not going to be writing Sun Dagger for NaNoWriMo 2014. I talked it over with Forsaken before finalizing the decision, but basically, Sun Dagger has always been a story I worked on slowly and random scene by random scene. In my excitement I had come up with a beginning-middle-end story format for Sun Dagger, but upon closer examination, it had a lot of plot holes and a lot of cultural situations I would like more time to develop.

From there my options turned to: Psychic, ECA prose version, or Zephyr:

• I decided against Psychic because my original vision for it was nowhere near 50K words, and honestly I didn't really want to try writing it in a month. 
• ECA prose version was a very tempting option. I already have a solid story with 100+ scenes that just need to be fleshed out, and it would help me explore into Edge territory. (Edge is unwritten and its story keeps getting changed, but....it's personally meaningful. 
• Zephyr isn't really a story. It's an extended character background of my roleplay character Alina Zephyr. I do have an outline of it, but Alina's adventures leave enough leeway for me to write random scenes and explore the world with her. 

We narrowed it down to ECA or Zephyr, and from there, I decided to take a risk and work with Zephyr. ECA would be the "safer" option, but I want to work on something new, and play with a different character. We'll see if I made the right choice. 

Roleplay and Art: I stumbled upon King and Queen Academy yesterday and was super excited, enough to redesign a character, draw and ink her for an application portrait, but then reality caught up to me.

Enlaika Hieron as a KQA student.
So many problems with this drawing, but
I'm still proud of it.
It's been a while since I've drawn.

RealisticMini: Wait, Mini, do you really have time for a roleplay? Especially one that involves drawing?

OptimisticMini: No it should be fine. I'll be able to spend a little time every week on dA and drawing. 

ArtisticMini/ the mini that draws and sews and does creative projects besides writing: Yea! It'll be ok. If I don't need to color, then it'll just be a sketch and inking. One a week. It's good practice and it's not time-consuming. 

WriterMini/ NaNoWriMo mini: If you're concerned, then you can just tell the admins that you're doing NaNo in November and won't be active until December. 

ArtisticMini: exactly! You usually do an art project in December anyways :)

Mini: yea....this sounds like a good idea.

RealisticMini: Hold up. December means finals. You've got to study and keep up with fieldwork. Fieldwork isn't just a side-class thing now. It's as important as anything else. 

Mini: Well...yea....that's true.

WriterMini: I hadn't considered that. You have writing projects to continue in December too, did you forget? You promised you would try to treat me more seriously as well, not just as a hobby.

ArtisticMini: .... :'( 

Mini: But...

ArtisticMini: No...they're right....

WriterMini: D: ArtisticMini, I'm sorry! 

ArtisticMini: I understand. :') I just have a small request: Get a proper notebook/sketchbook and start noting details down. Observations. And...even if it's not for a roleplay, try to draw more. You'll be happier too. 

So ultimately, it's like Forsaken mentioned: "I don't recommend it, but [I'm not going to stop you]." (Paraphrased at the end.) The artsy part of me agreed: it's not recommended, but it shouldn't stop me from drawing entirely. 

Being You: I keep going back to something my mentor teacher said on Friday: "I've had quite a few more years of being me than you have being you. I've had more time to get comfortable in my own skin."

In context, I was asking how I could be more humorous and she responded it just wasn't me. I shouldn't be trying to mimic her brand of humor, but to find my own personality and my own niche. Being funny just isn't something I am. I admire wit, but don't consistently expect from myself. Her conclusion was that "You're quirky; you just have to find a way to show it." Forsaken helped me understand this conclusion today as well. I actually like it. (hey, it has "q", "k" and"y" in it. I like all those letters.)

Out of context I thought it was insightful because it gave me the image of people wearing different "skins" (think character alternative looks) and gradually finding what was consistent and fundamental about them across all the different looks. Like a kid in an oversized/ weirdly shaped costume and gradually growing into it to that it fits them perfectly. 

And in the context of my artistic disappointment: I've always appreciated my breadth of interest, but I think I'm finally starting to find pillars that are central to my character. And as I find these, I want to put more into them:

I write. I enjoy school and learning. 

I'll definitely be ok.

Kaza meets Addaellis: the meme

As promised, the meme to last week's scene!

And...because we all know I'm indecisive, I think I'm actually doing a different story for NaNo 2014. This is because Sun Dagger as always been my go-to for writing episode-by-episode and despite having a semi-plausible idea for a novel plot, I think I would rather keep it in little parts and develop the world that way. XD More next week. 

WC: 769

Pick a character: He or She or It has just broken the fourth wall to come to visit you. 

Kaza at 11/12ish/ the age he is in Sun Dagger. 

1. Their reaction: Surprised. Completely creeped out by how everything looks and the trees and the “metal trees” and honestly scared shitless. Once he calms down he tries to figure out what’s going on.  

2. What is the first thing they say upon entering our world? “Where am I?…Who am I supposed to be here? Uhm…excuse me?” 

3. They find out you are their author/ the god of their universe. Their reaction? “You are…the creator of all things? Even before the Gran Tkalis? What…what does that even mean?” Decides eventually that this means that I was the parent/ one of the sibling deities of Gran. Once I tell him that he’s the protagonist, he’d be like (after a lot of contemplation)“…I’m not sure the world works that way, even if you think you built it that way. The Gran Tkalis thought that we were just portions of his children, but we have individual feelings and thoughts too…I’m just a character in a world you built, one that you decided to focus on. But everyone else in my world is just as real and complex.” Aka “I respect your power but I’m not sure that you’re entirely right.” 

4. Until they can return to their world, they have to stay with you. How do the living accommodations go? How does your present roommate react? He’s gotta hide in my room or my brother’s room. Like, maybe we can pass him off as a friend of Wells’s. Once we get him some more modern clothes anyways. 

5. Who do they miss? Ani the most. My brother’s wisecracks would be a mean and thoughtful version of Ani’s headstrong and brash statements. We’d be poor company, although he’d get comfortable with asking us about stuff. After than, He’d miss talking to and working on stuff with Eli and Kiwa. I would remind him of Keri, with how talkative we are.  

6. What aspect of their world do they miss? His city, the open space, and knowing everyone. The simple and community-based lifestyle basically.  

7. What do they like most about your world? The university and forums. Lectures would be familiar (aside from the AC) and he’d love listening to new ideas about how the world works. He’d be interested in how online forums connect people’s thoughts, and be very interested to hear even the trolls.  

8. What do they hate most about your world? Money/ the capitalistic aspect of it. The concept of working for something that buys material things would be more foreign and unappreciated than even the concept of working for power.  

9. What do you guys do together while they're here? He would come to class with me! He’d probably try watching me write sometimes, and otherwise just try to gather as much information as he could about this world. 

10. Actually, why are they even here? Was the visit accidental? Are they demanding something? He might have been trying to get help from a different “realm” or something and instead was transported here. Once he understands what I can do, he would ask me to help solve the problems in his world, but would be absolutely against my just erasing them and giving them a happy-go-lucky existence. 

11. When it's time to send them back, how do you two part? Shake hands, something cordial like “Hope you enjoyed your time here”. “Yes, thank you for your hospitality. Please continue to take care of me when I return.” 

12. How long was this visit? A few weeks, months, less than a year for certain though.  

13. Does any aspect of their behavior change after their experience with you? (Assume time has passed and they remember their time with you for this question) He’d probably tell Ani and Kiwa in confidence about it, but then more or less keep it to himself. He’d occasionally wonder something like “Is this what she would call a plot point? How many times has she revised until our lives became like this? Or is this moment a revision that I will forget in an instant, rewritten by another drop of ink?” 

14. And how would their reaction be if they reappeared in your world again after the conflict in their world was resolved? (Assume they recognize their world and reappear next to you while you’re alone and finishing up editing their story.) Hello! Life goes on though, doesn’t it? I don’t suppose there’s a sequel?

Kaza meets Addaellis

Salve! Apologies for the late update ><"

TL;DR: BLOOD OF OLYMPUS. I've been breaking the fourth wall in anticipation of Sun Dagger for NaNo 2014. This is a rough scene/ writing exercise.

Reading: The fifth and final book of the Heroes of Olympus, came out on the seventh! :D :D :D :D Despite school, I finished it in two days. XD This marks the conclusion of my favorite series (yes, this beats even Harry Potter for me) and a world of wondering at the ending. It's a brilliant ending, although not without Rick Riordan, Troll in Chief's touch. D: D: D: D: D: I'm suspecting answers will be hinted at in Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, due in 2015.

Writing: For NaNoWriMo, I plan on adding 50K to the Sun Dagger word count. This week, in anticipation of that, I wrote a scene where Kaza is pulled through the fourth wall to and meets addaellis, aka me! ^_^ (this concept just drips with self deification -_-)

This is posted anachronously. The accompanying Break the Fourth wall meme I made up for Forsaken and I was heavily referenced (this will be posted next week!) This was supposed to be a short 20 minute writing sprint. I got a little carried away and ignored the 20 minutes part.

I have problems with the wording in places. I was getting sleepy as I edited, which is probably why Kaza's dialogue is a weird sounding and why Adda sounds entirely haughty. This might be edited further to address those issues but it was really just a speedwrite. We'll see.

Nevertheless, I hope you like it! Next time is the meme that preceded this scene. Also, I might be updating the Projects Page and Index soon, so if that changes, please don't be alarmed.

Word Count: 1,013

Character: Tkalis Kaza, from the pen of addaellis.
Setting: A timeless void (some random room in the Writer’s Convention).  

Sand and dust settled around Kaza. When he emerged from the swirling sand, he saw nothing but darkness and the twinkle of stars in every direction. He blinked, thinking his eyes would adjust to the darkness. But the blackness persisted. He looked down to find his bearings and found the ground equally discocerting. He could hear the sounds running water below him if he concentrated enough, and when he concentrated even more he could feel cool but not cold water running through his toes. The water moved quickly, then slowed, then quickened again. Despite the pull of the water though, he was not pulled by the current. His feet felt like they stood on firm ground, and when he walked, he did so without apparent splashes in the smooth ground.  

Evidently, Kaza was not in Anasazi Xhihalla. In fact, he reckoned he was not in any place that Sun Tribe ever rode. Kaza immediately kept alert. In that case, who was he in this new place?  

“Welcome, Tkalis Kaza,” a voice greeted. Below his feet, the water slowed to a calm and he looked up to see a woman crossing to meet him. She was dressed in strange draping clothes that flowed off her like the river beneath his feet.  

He raised his hand in greeting. “Excuse me, Are you familiar with this place?” 

“I am.” She responded. “Let’s not waste time with introductions. I am Adda Ellis, the avatar of your Writer. Everything you or your world entails is a figment of my imagination, penned into words or drawings. This is a room in my mind; here we may speak briefly.” They shook hands and from the instant their skin touched he had a sudden understanding of what she just said. 

Kaza was a little concerned by the words she used and the authority with which she spoke. “Writer…As in…the created of all things? Even before the Gran Tkalis?” 

“Yes. I created Gran to create your world. You though, are the protagonist.”  

Kaza struggled over her words. He might have struggled longer, but she touched his shoulder in a comforting motion. Again, understanding filled him. Several weeks of contemplation filled him in an instant. Mentally, he likened her to the sibling or parent of the Gran Tkalis. As such, he spoke with respect, but candor—it would not do to hide his grievances against her. A being of that magnitude of power would be able to able to handle his small qualms, and would know his thought anyways, maybe even before he had it. 

“I…see. Yet..I don’t think it works exactly that way though, even if you think you built it that way. The Gran Tkalis thought that we were just portions of his children, but we have individual feelings and thoughts too. I’m just a character in a world you built, one that you decided to focus on. But everyone else in my world is just as real and complex.” He lowered his head in a humble bow. “I respect your power, but am not sure you are entirely right.” 

Adda Ellis returned the bow, opening her arms in welcome. “But you do grant me the ability to manipulate your world?” 

“If you do reserve that power, I’d rather you use it to help the problems that are happening in my world.” 

“Would you prefer if I erased these problems completely?”  

He thought about her offer for a moment and made up his mind as soon as he could: “No. That would make our existences meaningless, not only for ourselves, but for your stories as well, wouldn’t it?” 

Adda Ellis nodded. He had come around to her way of thinking very well. 

“Definitely not then,” he decided. “But can you give me the guarantee that we will solve these quandaries and come out stronger for it?” 

She smiled. “Of course. There wouldn’t be much of a story if that didn’t happen, did it?” She summoned a ceramic vial from the nothingness around them. “What though, you don’t seek to elicit a promise not to kill off those dear to you?” 

Kaza had a sudden insight that the vial in she was holding was one that could save any of his friends—even bring them back from the dead. He took a step forward instinctively, then stopped.  

It was true he wanted to protect those close to him. He didn’t want anyone to be hurt, even those opposing him and Hopa, if that were possible. But there was something wrong with that guarantee.  

“There’s a catch, isn’t there?” 

“No, no, no catch.” She held the vial out to him temptingly. “None as bad as you think anyways.” 

“I’d love some of that. But….” He couldn’t shake the feeling that the vial was trouble. If there was meant to be a way to save everyone, then he would definitely come by it by his own power. If not, then he would know it was in the will of their fates for tragedy to happen. He hated to condemn anyone to that, but could not bring himself to accept a panacea in blind faith. 

“I see your train of thought,” Adda interrupted. “Well, if you think so.” She banished the vial. Kaza was surprised he didn’t feel regret at its disappearance. “Alas, your time here runs thin. Naturally you won’t remember your time here,” she said briskly,  She reached forward and they shook hands again. “But I’m sure we will meet again. I hope you enjoyed your time here.” 

“Thank you. Please continue to take care of me when I return to my world.”
Her smile wasn’t exactly reassuring as golden sand swirled again around his feet. In a moment, his senses left him and he vanished from the void. He hoped he had done well enough—impressed this avatar enough so that his visit did good. Writer or not, it did no good to offend those that would be friends. 

Summer Manga-Final Update

My usual reading/ watching post! As always, SPOILERS AWAIT! (Though most of them should be appropriately marked.) This can be considered a continuation off of the update earlier this summer. 

ANIME/ TV SHOWS
Bakuman: As mentioned, this is probably my favorite manga ever and I wanted to watch the anime just to relive the story. I like the power of the manga more, but the anime seems pretty faithful to it. :) And we get to see everything in color! XD

Legend of Korra: Can't believe I didn't mention book one and two, but I watched book three over the summer. Definitely the strongest season of the show so far. I like the development of the antagonists and the insight in airbending. Korra's gotten more character development as well.

No Game No Life: Finished season 1 and OMG SO AWESOME. I need to analyze everything more, but my initial response was just sheer amazement at the scheming that Sora and Shiro do. Stephanie Dola's ditziness is sometimes face-palm worthy and other times just flat out annoying, but I do appreciate her sense of loyalty and faith. Jibril...her wings....that's just too cool.

MANGA:
Absolute Duo: (ongoing) This one just started, but I really like the art and am curious where it goes. A little disappointed with the lack of updates though.

Battle Royale: (for some reason I can't find a link that works; complete) Similar premise as The Hunger Games: every year, a middle school class is chosen to participate in The Program. Students are given a bag of supplies and sent out to kill each other until one person remains. If no one dies within 24 hours, the collars on their necks kill everyone.
The manga shows snippets of the students' lives and the life they came from. It's scary, and sad to get to know this kid and then watch his/her brains get blown out (literally; it's graphic). Connected to the reoccuring motif of personal demons and childhood traumas, there's an interesting theme about how demons/ monsters are made, not born.
(Kinda a plot-spoiler): All my more-liked characters die...so sad.

Kyou, Koi wo Hajimemasu (Today, Love Starts!; complete): Cute shoujo manga with an interesting though insecure protagonist, Hibino Tsubaki. I especially like that she's a hardworking student with a random hobby like hair styling. It took me a while longer to get used to the genius/ playboy/ make lead Tsubaki Kyouta, although I ended up really liking him as well. Super cute, definitely worth the read. Always action/drama-packed (probably because they're both a little too insecure -_-) and I like it enough to go back and reread a few cute scenes sometimes.

Last Game: (ongoing) Shoujo and school life--I particularly feel a connection to this one because most of the action happens in college instead of high school. Both of the protagonists are great students; unlike Kaichou wa maid-sama and Special A though, it's the guy that's in second place that's perpetually chasing the girl. Koujo is naive, even for me, but I think that's what makes her so adorable. Super cute; I'm definitely looking forward to this one; it has good monthy updates too. This is probably my favorite on this list, and might even go somewhere in my top ten, depending on where things go from now.

Mahouja Koukou no Rettousei (ongoing) -- Shounen, scifi/ fantasy and school life. "Magic" has become a science, and nations are competing to nurture the new "magicians". First High School in Japan is one such high school devoted to training students with magic capability. I love the theory of magic and the way magic is quantified into science. Even if it's not exactly the kind of theory I'd go for, it's an amazing theory of magic, and I'm really enjoying the theory of magic as portrayed this way. Even though I'm looking forward to updates, I really dislike the two protagonists. The boy strikes me as ridiculously clever and overpowered, and I'm not liking his sister any more either, even though she seems to lack his extent of cleverness.

Rockin Heaven: (complete) Shoujo and school life. Pretty good. There are a few drama elements and  some pretty interesting scenes that kinda go against the typical shoujo manga, and overall a cute story. I like the ending particularly.

Romeo x Juliet: (complete) An interesting take on the traditional Romeo and Juliet story. It's really short, and quite interesting. It might have benefited from having more time to develop the characters and their motives.

Shinshi Doumei Cross: (complete) Shoujo and school life (and a great touch of drama). The sickness of greed and the rich is pretty prevalent in this one, considering everyone is rich. The backstory isn't revealed until pretty late, but it's pretty interesting. Some gender-bending in this one.

I've also been keeping up with Daytime Shooting Star (Hirunaka no Ryuusei) which is apparently nearing the end. It's been an incredible run, and I have to hand it to the protagonist for being more assertive. :) (And seriously, Mamura is too kind. <3)