Muse Moment Catch up... again.
Not sure how many I'm going to do, what with it being over 3 months since I last did any of these. We'll see...
What is one character type or trait that you would never write about? Why?
Can't say that there is one. Anything I find actually villainous would, of course, be an aspect of a villain. Anything else, I at least think I wouldn't have a problem with.
What is your favorite genre of reading material (sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, horror, etc.)? Why?
umm... yes. :) Though I don't read that much "hard" science fiction. But more fanciful Science Fiction I do read, along with everything else. My most recent obsession has been Historical Fiction, specifically dealing with the Native Americans.
Though if it does come down to it, my absolute favorite is indeed, Epic Fantasy.
Gah. I'm starting to sound like a broken record on this.
What is your New Year's Writing Resolution? How likely are you to keep it?
I don't do New Years resolutions, because I've never managed to keep one. Next.
How is success as a writer defined for you?
In some ways, I've already done it. I've been published by White Wolf. But it was only one Freelance job. For me, success as a writer is in part Publication, and in part to keep writing. To be so comfortable with your writing and storytelling that you just do it.
Hmm... maybe I am a successful writer.
Have you ever self-published any of your work? Are you likely to do so in the future?
If by self published, you mean web published, then yes. If you mean paid to have it printed in quantities larger than my printer can handle, then no. It's something I've thought about, and if I ever get this world written up as an RPG setting, it's something I may do.
How do you go about creating original characters?
It varies. Usually I start with a concept. Gee, that's helpful. But seriously. I start with a basic idea, usually a gimmick or schtick, or else a single defining word or phrase. "Ambassador", "Courtesan", "Bandit Prince(ess)", etc. I then look at the culture and figure out how the character would have been raised, what the influences would be, and so on.
Of course, all of this is for a protagonist or antagonist. A sideline character is usually created by the needs of the story. The usually get a touch of background to develop their attitude at the time the Protagonist interacts with them, but that's about it.
When and how do you create a title for a piece of writing?
As with everything for me, it varies a lot. When working on an actual story, as opposed to a character background or an adventure for an RPG, I usually have a "working title" which gets changed, but also serves to keep me focused. The final title usually shows up towards the end... which is why a lot of my work doesn't actually have final titles, because they don't get finished.
Adventures (and don't try to tell me that writing adventures isn't writing) usually get titles after they've been plotted out, but before I've actually written them. And it's not uncommon for the title to change once the adventure is run. Of course, if you're talking about Gen-Con adventures, they usually start with a title, then a blurb, then me pulling out my hair trying to keep my adventure in line with said title and blurb, because I have to have the title and blurb written several months before I have to do any serious work on the adventure.
Character backgrounds get titles only if they seem to have one. That is, usually several months later when I'm re-reading it.
(I think this one got lost in a heavy day on my Friends page. It's exactly the sort of thing that would have brought me back to active.)
To what degree do you use metaphor in your writing? Share a favorite example from something you've written.
Well, it depends, but I don't think I really do that much. (Ivan, if you read this, feel free to correct me). I certainly don't use it on a large scale, though I do use symbolism, which is kinda related. I don't have any good examples though.
Okay, that's enough for one sitting.
What is one character type or trait that you would never write about? Why?
Can't say that there is one. Anything I find actually villainous would, of course, be an aspect of a villain. Anything else, I at least think I wouldn't have a problem with.
What is your favorite genre of reading material (sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, horror, etc.)? Why?
umm... yes. :) Though I don't read that much "hard" science fiction. But more fanciful Science Fiction I do read, along with everything else. My most recent obsession has been Historical Fiction, specifically dealing with the Native Americans.
Though if it does come down to it, my absolute favorite is indeed, Epic Fantasy.
Gah. I'm starting to sound like a broken record on this.
What is your New Year's Writing Resolution? How likely are you to keep it?
I don't do New Years resolutions, because I've never managed to keep one. Next.
How is success as a writer defined for you?
In some ways, I've already done it. I've been published by White Wolf. But it was only one Freelance job. For me, success as a writer is in part Publication, and in part to keep writing. To be so comfortable with your writing and storytelling that you just do it.
Hmm... maybe I am a successful writer.
Have you ever self-published any of your work? Are you likely to do so in the future?
If by self published, you mean web published, then yes. If you mean paid to have it printed in quantities larger than my printer can handle, then no. It's something I've thought about, and if I ever get this world written up as an RPG setting, it's something I may do.
How do you go about creating original characters?
It varies. Usually I start with a concept. Gee, that's helpful. But seriously. I start with a basic idea, usually a gimmick or schtick, or else a single defining word or phrase. "Ambassador", "Courtesan", "Bandit Prince(ess)", etc. I then look at the culture and figure out how the character would have been raised, what the influences would be, and so on.
Of course, all of this is for a protagonist or antagonist. A sideline character is usually created by the needs of the story. The usually get a touch of background to develop their attitude at the time the Protagonist interacts with them, but that's about it.
When and how do you create a title for a piece of writing?
As with everything for me, it varies a lot. When working on an actual story, as opposed to a character background or an adventure for an RPG, I usually have a "working title" which gets changed, but also serves to keep me focused. The final title usually shows up towards the end... which is why a lot of my work doesn't actually have final titles, because they don't get finished.
Adventures (and don't try to tell me that writing adventures isn't writing) usually get titles after they've been plotted out, but before I've actually written them. And it's not uncommon for the title to change once the adventure is run. Of course, if you're talking about Gen-Con adventures, they usually start with a title, then a blurb, then me pulling out my hair trying to keep my adventure in line with said title and blurb, because I have to have the title and blurb written several months before I have to do any serious work on the adventure.
Character backgrounds get titles only if they seem to have one. That is, usually several months later when I'm re-reading it.
(I think this one got lost in a heavy day on my Friends page. It's exactly the sort of thing that would have brought me back to active.)
To what degree do you use metaphor in your writing? Share a favorite example from something you've written.
Well, it depends, but I don't think I really do that much. (Ivan, if you read this, feel free to correct me). I certainly don't use it on a large scale, though I do use symbolism, which is kinda related. I don't have any good examples though.
Okay, that's enough for one sitting.