Because I had to work today (and think too much about my characters)... another "30 Days" post!
Eh. Well. Um. It's a second "30 Days" post in a week. But to be honest, I feel like I have a lot more to say about the next question than I had about the last. While that was more of a blah post, this one could become a veritable rant, seeing as I have to say a lot about the character I like to write least... but let's start at the beginning (also, tons of spoilers, mostly for Minor Characters, so if you want to read that series in the correct order and unspoilered... better skip this one).
That is, the first ten questions:
1. Tell us about your favorite writing project/universe that you’ve worked with and why.
2. How many characters do you have? Do you prefer males or females?
3. How do you come up with names, for characters (and for places if you’re writing about fictional places)?
4. Tell us about one of your first stories/characters!
5. By age, who is your youngest character? Oldest? How about “youngest” and “oldest” in terms of when you created them?
6. Where are you most comfortable writing? At what time of day? Computer or good ol’ pen and paper?
7. Do you listen to music while you write? What kind? Are there any songs you like to relate/apply to your characters?
8. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
9. How do you get ideas for your characters? Describe the process of creating them.
10. What are some really weird situations your characters have been in? Everything from serious canon scenes to meme questions counts!
And the newest one:
11. Who is your favorite character to write? Least favorite?
Right now, my favorite character to write seems to be Thomas Moore from the Minor Characters series. Or at least he's the one currently producing most of the one-shots (what do you mean, I am the one producing the one-shots? Don't you remember what I wrote about the character creating hostage taking process?). But maybe that's just because of he's a possessive, cocksure attention whore real charmer.
Or maybe that is, and that may actually be a shocker to the people knowing me a little closer, because currently, he seems to have a lot from me, probably the most any of my characters have from me. I can be just as annoyingly know-it-all as Tom can be and I tend to know more than people give me credit for because my ears are better than most people think (and I listen to more and forget less than people like to think). And yes, I totally enjoy catching people off-guard with revealing that knowledge, just like Tom does (sometimes, I even do feel the same kind of perverse enjoyment he does...).
I am, however, also capable of admitting that I made a mistake (after needing sufficient time to convince myself of that, that is) and I do follow the maxime of never repeating a mistake, and only being able to learn through failure. Both of that is also part of Tom, even though people having only read the first four parts of Minor Characters might be inclinded to disagree (I, however, have the good fortune of knowing about his future and what I'm going to do to with him in the years following the first four Minor Characters stories... I also should put away the Regency romances for an extended time again... ahem). But I swear, Tom is very well aware of the fact that he's fallible (in fact, it's probably the think that scares him most - making mistakes he can't ever redeem... I honestly don't want to think how much that applies to me too, though). He just doesn't like other people to think so, too ;)
All in all, I love writing Tom's POV also because I can swear abundantly (he really is the one swearing the most, with Laura and Evan probably coming a close second... but you wouldn't expect different from a hard-ass Black Ops guy who's been killing for his country before most of you were let out of the house by your momma, would you? And yes, those were his words, not mine) and because he can be all the things I never really have the guts to be (to my eternal shame my sometimes cavalier and cynical attitude to certain things pales in comparison to how he masters it) and because I love his full disregard for authority (outside of combat, that is... he is very aware of the fact that there is indeed a place and time for pushing his superiors' buttons (mostly those of Evan Lorne, to be honest) and that's not whenever life and limb are at stake) and the great things I can do with that (mainly driving Evan Lorne crazy). Tom is just so much damn fun writing!
Another character I currently love to write is Maureen Reece, also Minor Characters. Maureen is very much not like me. She does have a couple of things from me (for example the deep-seated self doubt that probably won't ever leave her, not even far into the future when... no, wait, that would be spoiling it) but I'm neither as quiet nor as smart as her. I am, however, an observant person... but I talk way more about it than she does. I also kind of envy her the calmness and self-assuredness (that would be in later stories then... and no, it doesn't contradict the aforementioned self-doubt, trust me) and her dutifulness. I'm not dutiful and sometimes I wish I were. It would sure help me get a ton more things done... But I love writing her most because she can both unsettle Tom very easily and because she's maybe the only one able to manage him... mostly, because she's maybe the only one who never actually tries managing him.
I love to write their relationship, in the very, very early stages, the courtship, the established relationship, the marriage... they're a rather unlikely pairing and I honestly think that's what makes them so great to write, as a pairing and as individuals. I honestly just can't get enough of them curently.
Of course, there are also Evan Lorne and Laura Cadman, and I'm starting to yearn to get back into writing more for them. I love Evan's serious determination, his dutifulness, his earnestness and his dedication, both to his job and the people he loves and cares about. He's also so much fun to write because there's this other side to him; his wit and the underlying current of irreverence. It's not nearly as prominent as Tom's full out insolence (at times, at least) but I think that's what makes it such a challenge and so much fun to write. I also do love his non-tolerance for stupidity in other people. I honestly do think that Evan Lorne doesn't suffer fools gladly and will tell people when they're making an ass of themselves... but in a very understated manner, maybe sometimes even blink and you'll miss it (because, come on, wasn't that exactly how he behaved around Rodney practically every time on the show?).
Laura Cadman, on the other hand, is so much fun to write because of her very big mouth and her refusal to keep it shut when she should. God, I love Laura and her talk first, think later attitude (sometimes also transferring into shoot first, ask later...). She's that bold, capable go-getter I often would like to be, even though it gets her into serious trouble more often than not (and usually, writing how Laura gets herself in serious trouble is the best thing about her). Also, she has all the pre-requisites one needs for making things go boom as often as possible and things going boom always make a story better. She's a definite asset to every story that needs a boom. And usually those that don't, as well.
As for the character I like to write least... Rodney McKay, hands down. God, I hate his pompous ass. With a vengeance. I know that this is probably sacrilege because it seems to be a given that as a Stargate Atlantis fan you also had to be a fan of Rodney McKay (I honestly haven't heard anyone beside myself publicly declare their dislike for Rodney... which means I'm obviously doing the whole kid pointing at the naked Emperor thing again...) but I am most decidely not. I honestly think he's an arrogant vain idiot without manners, and no I don't find his social ineptness "cute" or "endearing". I just find it tiresome and irritating. I also think if he'd just put some effort into being social, he wouldn't be inept at all. And no, being a genius doesn't excuse you from being nice to people. I also think he's a terrible boss and I wouldn't wish him on anyone.
However, he has one redeeming quality: for bashing him, one just has to write him just as he is. Granted, that's exhausting and unnerving and irritating but when you write him like he is, at least you get the satisfaction out of bashing a character without actually bashing him. So maybe I just disqualified my Rodney stories ( I Hate You and Four Times Rodney McKay Didn't Say Anything, And One Time He Did) but that's how I write him. I'm not gonna sugarcoat him and quite honestly, I don't think Rodney would want anyone to sugarcoat him. But I still hate writing him (that is, his POV). I really, really do. Which is why it's probably gonna take a few years until I'll attempt it again.
And yes, I promise, next time I'll talk more about non-Stargate characters. Really. I promise. Honestly.
~*~
12. In what story did you feel you did the best job of worldbuilding? Any side-notes on it you’d like to share?
13. What’s your favorite culture to write, fictional or not?
14. How do you map out locations, if needed? Do you have any to show us?
15. Midway question! Tell us about a writer you admire, whether professional or not!
16. Do you write romantic relationships? How do you do with those, and how “far” are you willing to go in your writing?
17. Favorite protagonist and why!
18. Favorite antagonist and why!
19. Favorite minor that decided to shove himself into the spotlight and why!
20. What are your favorite character interactions to write?
21. Do any of your characters have children? How well do you write them?
22. Tell us about one scene between your characters that you’ve never written or told anyone about before! Serious or not.
23. How long does it usually take you to complete an entire story-from planning to writing to posting (if you post your work)?
24. How willing are you to kill your characters if the plot so demands it? What’s the most interesting way you’ve killed someone?
25. Do any of your characters have pets? Tell us about them.
26. Let’s talk art! Do you draw your characters? Do others draw them? Pick one of your OCs and post your favorite picture of him!
27. Along similar lines, do appearances play a big role in your stories? Tell us about them, or if not, how you go about designing your characters.
28. Have you ever written a character with physical or mental disabilities? Describe them, and if there’s nothing major to speak of, tell us a few smaller ones.
29. How often do you think about writing? Ever come across something IRL that reminds you of your story/characters?
30. Final question! Tag someone! And tell us what you like about that person as a writer and/or about one of his/her characters!
~*~
BTW... who's your favorite character to read, Stargate or non-Stargate? Of mine, that is. Tell me?
That is, the first ten questions:
1. Tell us about your favorite writing project/universe that you’ve worked with and why.
2. How many characters do you have? Do you prefer males or females?
3. How do you come up with names, for characters (and for places if you’re writing about fictional places)?
4. Tell us about one of your first stories/characters!
5. By age, who is your youngest character? Oldest? How about “youngest” and “oldest” in terms of when you created them?
6. Where are you most comfortable writing? At what time of day? Computer or good ol’ pen and paper?
7. Do you listen to music while you write? What kind? Are there any songs you like to relate/apply to your characters?
8. What’s your favorite genre to write? To read?
9. How do you get ideas for your characters? Describe the process of creating them.
10. What are some really weird situations your characters have been in? Everything from serious canon scenes to meme questions counts!
And the newest one:
11. Who is your favorite character to write? Least favorite?
Right now, my favorite character to write seems to be Thomas Moore from the Minor Characters series. Or at least he's the one currently producing most of the one-shots (what do you mean, I am the one producing the one-shots? Don't you remember what I wrote about the character creating hostage taking process?). But maybe that's just because of he's a possessive, cocksure attention whore real charmer.
Or maybe that is, and that may actually be a shocker to the people knowing me a little closer, because currently, he seems to have a lot from me, probably the most any of my characters have from me. I can be just as annoyingly know-it-all as Tom can be and I tend to know more than people give me credit for because my ears are better than most people think (and I listen to more and forget less than people like to think). And yes, I totally enjoy catching people off-guard with revealing that knowledge, just like Tom does (sometimes, I even do feel the same kind of perverse enjoyment he does...).
I am, however, also capable of admitting that I made a mistake (after needing sufficient time to convince myself of that, that is) and I do follow the maxime of never repeating a mistake, and only being able to learn through failure. Both of that is also part of Tom, even though people having only read the first four parts of Minor Characters might be inclinded to disagree (I, however, have the good fortune of knowing about his future and what I'm going to do to with him in the years following the first four Minor Characters stories... I also should put away the Regency romances for an extended time again... ahem). But I swear, Tom is very well aware of the fact that he's fallible (in fact, it's probably the think that scares him most - making mistakes he can't ever redeem... I honestly don't want to think how much that applies to me too, though). He just doesn't like other people to think so, too ;)
All in all, I love writing Tom's POV also because I can swear abundantly (he really is the one swearing the most, with Laura and Evan probably coming a close second... but you wouldn't expect different from a hard-ass Black Ops guy who's been killing for his country before most of you were let out of the house by your momma, would you? And yes, those were his words, not mine) and because he can be all the things I never really have the guts to be (to my eternal shame my sometimes cavalier and cynical attitude to certain things pales in comparison to how he masters it) and because I love his full disregard for authority (outside of combat, that is... he is very aware of the fact that there is indeed a place and time for pushing his superiors' buttons (mostly those of Evan Lorne, to be honest) and that's not whenever life and limb are at stake) and the great things I can do with that (mainly driving Evan Lorne crazy). Tom is just so much damn fun writing!
Another character I currently love to write is Maureen Reece, also Minor Characters. Maureen is very much not like me. She does have a couple of things from me (for example the deep-seated self doubt that probably won't ever leave her, not even far into the future when... no, wait, that would be spoiling it) but I'm neither as quiet nor as smart as her. I am, however, an observant person... but I talk way more about it than she does. I also kind of envy her the calmness and self-assuredness (that would be in later stories then... and no, it doesn't contradict the aforementioned self-doubt, trust me) and her dutifulness. I'm not dutiful and sometimes I wish I were. It would sure help me get a ton more things done... But I love writing her most because she can both unsettle Tom very easily and because she's maybe the only one able to manage him... mostly, because she's maybe the only one who never actually tries managing him.
I love to write their relationship, in the very, very early stages, the courtship, the established relationship, the marriage... they're a rather unlikely pairing and I honestly think that's what makes them so great to write, as a pairing and as individuals. I honestly just can't get enough of them curently.
Of course, there are also Evan Lorne and Laura Cadman, and I'm starting to yearn to get back into writing more for them. I love Evan's serious determination, his dutifulness, his earnestness and his dedication, both to his job and the people he loves and cares about. He's also so much fun to write because there's this other side to him; his wit and the underlying current of irreverence. It's not nearly as prominent as Tom's full out insolence (at times, at least) but I think that's what makes it such a challenge and so much fun to write. I also do love his non-tolerance for stupidity in other people. I honestly do think that Evan Lorne doesn't suffer fools gladly and will tell people when they're making an ass of themselves... but in a very understated manner, maybe sometimes even blink and you'll miss it (because, come on, wasn't that exactly how he behaved around Rodney practically every time on the show?).
Laura Cadman, on the other hand, is so much fun to write because of her very big mouth and her refusal to keep it shut when she should. God, I love Laura and her talk first, think later attitude (sometimes also transferring into shoot first, ask later...). She's that bold, capable go-getter I often would like to be, even though it gets her into serious trouble more often than not (and usually, writing how Laura gets herself in serious trouble is the best thing about her). Also, she has all the pre-requisites one needs for making things go boom as often as possible and things going boom always make a story better. She's a definite asset to every story that needs a boom. And usually those that don't, as well.
As for the character I like to write least... Rodney McKay, hands down. God, I hate his pompous ass. With a vengeance. I know that this is probably sacrilege because it seems to be a given that as a Stargate Atlantis fan you also had to be a fan of Rodney McKay (I honestly haven't heard anyone beside myself publicly declare their dislike for Rodney... which means I'm obviously doing the whole kid pointing at the naked Emperor thing again...) but I am most decidely not. I honestly think he's an arrogant vain idiot without manners, and no I don't find his social ineptness "cute" or "endearing". I just find it tiresome and irritating. I also think if he'd just put some effort into being social, he wouldn't be inept at all. And no, being a genius doesn't excuse you from being nice to people. I also think he's a terrible boss and I wouldn't wish him on anyone.
However, he has one redeeming quality: for bashing him, one just has to write him just as he is. Granted, that's exhausting and unnerving and irritating but when you write him like he is, at least you get the satisfaction out of bashing a character without actually bashing him. So maybe I just disqualified my Rodney stories ( I Hate You and Four Times Rodney McKay Didn't Say Anything, And One Time He Did) but that's how I write him. I'm not gonna sugarcoat him and quite honestly, I don't think Rodney would want anyone to sugarcoat him. But I still hate writing him (that is, his POV). I really, really do. Which is why it's probably gonna take a few years until I'll attempt it again.
And yes, I promise, next time I'll talk more about non-Stargate characters. Really. I promise. Honestly.
~*~
12. In what story did you feel you did the best job of worldbuilding? Any side-notes on it you’d like to share?
13. What’s your favorite culture to write, fictional or not?
14. How do you map out locations, if needed? Do you have any to show us?
15. Midway question! Tell us about a writer you admire, whether professional or not!
16. Do you write romantic relationships? How do you do with those, and how “far” are you willing to go in your writing?
17. Favorite protagonist and why!
18. Favorite antagonist and why!
19. Favorite minor that decided to shove himself into the spotlight and why!
20. What are your favorite character interactions to write?
21. Do any of your characters have children? How well do you write them?
22. Tell us about one scene between your characters that you’ve never written or told anyone about before! Serious or not.
23. How long does it usually take you to complete an entire story-from planning to writing to posting (if you post your work)?
24. How willing are you to kill your characters if the plot so demands it? What’s the most interesting way you’ve killed someone?
25. Do any of your characters have pets? Tell us about them.
26. Let’s talk art! Do you draw your characters? Do others draw them? Pick one of your OCs and post your favorite picture of him!
27. Along similar lines, do appearances play a big role in your stories? Tell us about them, or if not, how you go about designing your characters.
28. Have you ever written a character with physical or mental disabilities? Describe them, and if there’s nothing major to speak of, tell us a few smaller ones.
29. How often do you think about writing? Ever come across something IRL that reminds you of your story/characters?
30. Final question! Tag someone! And tell us what you like about that person as a writer and/or about one of his/her characters!
~*~
BTW... who's your favorite character to read, Stargate or non-Stargate? Of mine, that is. Tell me?