#and i need to finish sp many books and also work on my novel
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d4jamso · 2 years ago
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Alright bc the majority of you asked nicely here's the basic story plot for my byler pirate au :)
Will Byers is a privateer, captain of his ship SS Cleric, and well respected across the seas by his enemies and peers. He works under King Jim and Queen Joyce of the country of Haicela. Will is royalty, but his family was married in, so he never found his life in the palace, but on the sea. Wills crew on The Cleric are Princess Jane "Eleven" Hopper, Dustin Henderson, Steve Harrington, Robin Buckley, and many others in Haicela. Will has always encountered a prominent enemy, the infamous pirate Mike "Nightingale" Wheeler.
A runaway prince from the country of Eskaria, hiding underneath a fake identity. He sails the seas freely, scamming the greedy, raiding ships and docks, and exploring the world of its treasures on his ship The Cardiac. Mike's crew consists of Max Mayfield, Lucas and Erica Sinclair, Eddie Munson, and many others.
The Cardiac and SS Cleric clashed frequently, every crew member was well acquainted with eachother, especially Mike and Will, whose bickering over time had a gleaning hint of attraction, not that the two would admit to it. One day, darkness starts to spread across the seas as the kingdom of Eskaria is over thrown by the evil sea wizard Vecna, with the power of the powerful sea monster the Mind Flayer. They seek out to control the seas and all the countries of Hawkins and maybe even further. Queen Joyce decides that the only way to win this war is for SS Cleric to fight along with the army of Eskaria. Will knows they can't just do it on their own, so he reluctantly offers to make a deal with Mike that they work together to stop this evil, but for a price. Since they are pirates, they agreed.
The two boats set out to take over this evil with their bravery, and along the way, some special bonds are made, and Mike and Will learn they aren't so different after all.
That's the plot for it so far! It might change as I continue it, but that's the backbone of it for the mean time, I've also decided yes, I AM writing a fic for this😋
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neitherthehoneynorthebee · 2 years ago
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Okay so here's my ask list:
Do you also write other things than fanfic? If so, what kinds of things and do you publish them?
What do you like most/least about writing fanfics?
Do you try to improve as a writer? If so, how?
Do you aspire to publish your own book one day? (In case you haven't yet.)
What's the ratio of fun to discipline in your relationship with writing? Does it differ between different kinds of texts?
Hi hi hi!
1 - I do do some writing other than fanfic! Mainly poetry, some nonfiction (though nothing worth going into), I'm also working really slowly on an original story but that's always more difficult than fanfic. And no, I don't publish them (though I'm hoping to get a pamphlet/short poetry book together and find some sort of competition for it at some point!) If I finish my original story I may put it online/on my ao3 though.
2 - I love fanfic so it's hard to choose my favourite part! I'd say it's the community - it's so lovely to read other people's work and for them to read yours, and people in the SP fandom are so supportive, and it's so nice to make friends through writing!
I think the least favourite part is the fact that the lack of accountability means I often write myself into corners with my multichapter fics. Because writing and posting is much more fun than outlining, I focus more on the first than the second.
3 - honestly not really. I just write fanfic, and try to use that to develop different parts of my writing. But I don't do writing exercises or anything.
4 - definitely! I'd love to publish work officially - nonfiction and fiction. I want to have a poetry book published and I'd also love to write papers that get peer-reviewed sometime in the future! And one day I hope to get the knowledge and experience enough to write a fiction novel, partially because I want to write trans characters whose experiences actually reflect my own. (so many fictional trans characters either seem inauthentic and written specifically for a non-trans audience, or their transness seemed very formulaic. The last two may have their place in some regards, but I feel like diversity in rep is super important. I've definitely found enby rep that was unique and awesome, but I feel like we need more.)
5 - I mainly just try to have fun writing, unless I realise I've left an ongoing fic too long without updating it. But yeah, I don't tend to write fic unless I'm enjoying it. And with poetry I only really write completed works if it comes naturally, so I suppose for that form it's like 98% fun ratio. :)
Thanks for the ask!
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funkymbtifiction · 3 years ago
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Not really an ask, but I would just like to say I know you've mentioned that ENFPs can fall in love with something, even for many years, and then get tired of if once it doesn't provide stimulation - anyway, I am grateful that you are still interested in MBTI/Enneagram after all this time! I certainly enjoy keeping up with all your posts and I learn so much. Thank you for all your hard work! Also - I hope you enjoyed your vacation!
Thank you for appreciating me! I spent most of my vacation working hard on my book because... apparently, I don't do time off. :P I won't set a release date at this point because I'm a perfectionist and can't predict how long it will take me to finish it, but I'm not allowing myself to write a novel until I'm done, which means I WILL BE DONE soon. I can't stand not writing fiction. It's my first love. :P
To be honest, my interest has been waning for a long time in MBTI. I stick with it blog-wise because it's a useful way to contribute to the world and typing characters is fun. But I suspect having worked so hard on this book, and exhausting what I know about the types for it, once it's out I'll move away from MBTI except in typing characters. I want to make room in my life for new knowledge and ideas. (I'm actually doing a major 'detox' this year and getting rid of any hobbies and obligations I've kept up out of habit. I'm looking forward to the freedom it will give me to do whatever I want, for as long as I want to do it, rather than feeling like I 'should' keep doing it. I have stalled my life too many times holding onto things that were interests "just for a season" in my life. Problem is, I get other people involved in them in some way and then feel like I'm obligated to them to keep going! Ah, the joys of being an ENFP. "Come do this thing with me!!" LOL)
Enneagram still has areas in which to learn, though my learning has stalled since I've read / listened to whatever already exists (many times) and am just waiting for good info on the social variants. That's the only hazy area for me about it, but hardly anyone is talking about them in depth and I like external descriptions to 'confirm' my own suspicions. I'm starting to notice patterns in people's behaviors that indicate an over-focus on soc, sp, or sx, but I NEED MOAR.
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randomahjummafan · 3 years ago
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Go Go Squid!
Go Go Squid! is a 2019 chinese drama based on a novel with the same title ~ugh this sounds too formal lol going back~. Personally, I'm not really sure if this should be classified as an esport drama or rom-com drama. But it can be both as both genre were present. Like, both were presented 50% each for the drama.
We have Tong Nian as the female lead character and Han Shangyan as the male lead. For this drama, it has a lot of characters. But I'll jusy group them for your reference.
Team K&K, we have the main people, Han Shangyan, Wu Bai, Grunt, Demo, 97, One, Su Cheng. For Team SOLO, we have Solo, Appledog, Xiao Mi, Ou Xiang and Han Shangyan. Team Solo disbanded after a few years and a new team formed named Team SP with a few of the original members of Team Solo. Then, we have Tong Nian, Sun Yaya, Lan Mei, Lan Mei's hubby (sorry I forgot the names huhu), Tong Nian's cousin/s, parent, & relatives. Also Han Shangyan's grandpa and step mom. If I forgot another character I'm soooooo sorry.
Tong Nian is a post-graduate student. An online singer with looooots of fans, under the name Little Squid.
Han Shangyan is K&K's founder, aka Gun of Team Solo. Considered as the master of CTF. Please don't ask me about CTF, I still don't understand it but except the fact that they're competiting with cyber security something.
SPOILER UP AHEAD. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
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My favorite parts are too many. Jk. But seriously, there are a lot of parts that I found entertaining. Especially when the kids of K&K love to snoop on Han Shangyan and Tong Nian's moments. I like how they joke with their boss then later becomes scared. Then again, goes back to being naughty. I also found it cute that they were each other's first love. I'M JEALOUS!!! Also, I like it when Shangyan and Tong Nian are being lowkey sweet to each other. THAT'S WHAT I WANT IN LIFE! This may also be the reason why I like those part so much. It was also cute when Shangyan creates an account just to reply to Niannian's posts. I also like the parts where there are quite a few things that are like a reality. Some would be, your parents would always be the judge of your lovelife. Your parents/elders are really nosy. Proposing would not always get a yes. You know this drama is also amazing like Nian nian's friend, Yaya, she met her idol and they end up together. On a scale of 1-10, how does that usually happen? 1, right? Any, both are cute. I also like when DT is lowkey making some moves to Ai Qing. I won't list all the parts I liked because it's was too many, just imagine how many would you found in a 41 episode drama. But then, there also a lot parts wherein you can just skip it but, make sure you understand the story before skipping.
Though it was a good drama, my rating would be 8/10. It was okay, but I actually got bored in some parts. Like I was about to drop the drama. But like I always say, give it a chance. And yayy I finished it! I haven't read the book (there are english translation available online) but in the drama, I guess, the flashbacks were too much for me. I know that flashbacks help us understand why the character is acting that way on the present time, but seriously, some flashbacks were not necessary. Some were repeated a lot of times. And I'm not really sure but there was something in a few flashback that wasn't adding to the whole flashback story. This is also why I hate too much flashbacks because sometimes, it makes everything more complicated and then it isn't necessary. The reason why I also cannot conclude if it was an esport or romcom, because it was really mixed. I've watched an esport drama but it wasn't like this. And of course we know how rom-com works, and you might be disappointed because sometimes it isn't there. I recommend this show to people who needs a different genre. But for people who would want something light and fun, you can watch this but you might get bored but then again, don't drop it. Just skip a few parts.
Here are some parts that I can’t get enough of
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Ahjumma
P.S. I googled Go go squid and saw that there will be a season 2 but it is the spin off of DT and Appledog's story. It was all great and I'm excited until I found out that not all actors who were in the drama would be retained. The characters are still there but they changed actors, including Appledog. My gosh. Don't they know how cute DT and Appledog is? Any, this is not a new case. Most chinese dramas that gives a second season, they always change actors.
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i-am-not-anon · 5 years ago
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Under the eye of an institution
Part 10 (we have come a long way..)
Summary: Logan and Patton (both 16), as older students, are expected to look after two groups of freshmen in Watersouth boarding school for boys. Both of them despise the tradition of bullying that is subjected to the newcomers by older students in their school. The two respectively get a student in their groups who is a little different from the ordinary crowd: Roman and Virgil (both 15).
Author’s note: Hey, I’m back! Special thanks for those who pre-read this chapter and commented on it, you really helped me finish this chapter! There’s going to be some new conflict between our students, but don’t stress about it... or should you?
Triggers: General bullying, abuse and violence, violent punishments, panic attacks, self-deprecation, name-calling, i n s t i t u t i o n 
Other parts here
...
“So, what did Simons exactly do to you?” Logan questioned, shifting his legs as he stood before the two younger boys. His emotions rarely affected his body language, but now he kept pacing around and fixing his glasses, which already were perfectly standing on the bridge of his nose. And he wasn’t the only one, whose nervousness was noticeable. 
“Don’t ask me, sir,” Roman squeaked, taking a step back that he was almost hiding behind Daniel. “I wasn’t telling you anything. He was,” Roman pointed at his friend.
Daniel sighed. “He’s afraid because Simons made him swear he won’t tell this to you, sir.”
Logan nodded. “I see. So I have to pose as if I never heard any of this? Makes things more complicated to a degree, but I’m sure I can handle it. Roman, I assure you no soul excluding the three of us will find out if you disclose that information to me.”
Roman let out a breath. “Um, he told me how much he hates me and how disgusting I am, then took a grip of my hair and flipped me around in the air.” The poor boy lifted his hand to his curls, gently brushing them to not hurt his sore scalp. 
“I see.” Logan frowned, trying to remain calm. “And what for did he punish you like that?”
“For, because I was the goalie and I missed so many times and then we lost, and he was in my team,” Roman rambled, looking at the ground.
“What kind of atrocity!” Logan was shocked. “That has nothing to do with the school rules whatsoever!” The older student straightened his collar in a frustrated movement. “Did any other person in the losing team receive similar treatment?”
“No, sir,” Daniel answered, being the one who had been able to observe the situation better. “After being done with Roman, Mr. Simons walked back to the field and seemed to have no intentions to punish anyone else.” 
Logan leaned his hand on his desk, trying to regain control over his feelings. Why was he suddenly so taken aback by a punishment fairly common in this terrible school? Well, at least common for the tutors that were the most violent. He sat back on his seat, where he had been interrupted from doing his homework a few moments ago. “Please, take a seat both of you, I need a moment to contemplate this,” the older student advised, gesturing the boys towards his neatly made bed.
Daniel and Roman sat down, the former still protectively holding the latter. Roman didn't mind that, leaning his head on Daniel's shoulder while waiting for Logan to figure something out. It was nice to have one good friend, at least. They had known each other for barely two weeks but it felt like a much longer time. 
….
Virgil sat in the second most comfortable sofa of the library, reading a collection of short novels while listening to a relaxing playlist. He had finished his homework already, and tried to focus on the story instead of the welling homesickness inside him. Oh, how he missed his brother. Why did he have to be exactly three years older than Virgil, so that he just had finished this school when Virgil came in? Emile was in university now, studying his beloved psychology. He had been the one to support Virgil when he had felt his worst, and helped him to get the therapist he had urgently needed.
The young boy sighed, putting his book away. Emile was the person he loved most in this whole world. He also was the only person excluding his parents who he was comfortable getting a hug from. Virgil felt the tears coming, but there was nobody watching so he let them fall. 
Because there definitely were people who cared for him and who he deeply loved, but why did they have to be so far away?
Logan almost felt steam coming out of his ears as he wrote notes about which teacher would be the most likely to actually take action in making sure only the respective tutors took care of their students. That was part of the school rules, but in reality nobody really made sure it was practiced accordingly. Once again, the teachers didn’t really care as long as it caused no interruption to their classes. 
List of teachers 
Mr. Brass- would only encourage more punishments
Mr. Wilson- would scold the culprit for a minute, but not make big enough deal about it
Mr. Houston- is always too tired to care
Mr. Higgins- has little authority
Mr. Atkinson- very lawful, might actually be irritated about Simons not following the rule
The list went on, but no better choice was presented than Mr. Atkinson. Logan sighed quietly, remembering Roman and Daniel were still sitting on his bed, chatting quietly to each other. 
“Boys, you can go continue your afternoon. It will take me a moment to figure this problem out in its entirety, and in the meanwhile I would instruct you to stay away from Simons.” Logan scratched the back of his neck. “I know it’s not solving anything, just a temporary solution until we get him actually responsible of his actions. I hope you a relaxing rest of the day.”
Daniel and Roman glanced at each other, then getting up and walking to the door. “Thanks, Mr. Andrews,” Daniel nodded his head as they got out of the room. 
“You’re welcome, boys.”
...
The next morning began with chemistry classes for both Roman and Virgil. The latter waited further away in the hall until the others had entered the class. That way, he hoped, Roman would not see him and therefore forget to insult him. He still had to think which would be more effective way to get past it when leaving, though; leaving earliest or latest. He could think about it during the class. 
“Alright, boys,” Mr. Houston called their attention. “I’m giving you a group project that will be presented next week-” He shot a frustrated glance at Roman, who had cheered in a hushed voice, “and I’m assigning the groups.” Mr. Houston payed no attention to Roman’s groan, but became naming the boys who had been paired together. 
“George and Matts, Isaac and Daniel, Roman and Virgil...” 
Virgil crushed the piece of paper he had been holding in his hand. This was so unfair. And Mr. Houston wouldn’t bat an ear to any compliments about the pairings because “You have to learn to work with all kinds of people for your future” He ignored Roman, who moved his desk next to his and greeted excitedly. 
What an idiot.
Roman kept trying to get Virgil’s attention, talking to him or sometimes poking his side. At first he tried to be nice and work with the quiet boy, but as his partner kept turning his back on him and not answering on how they should start the work, Roman began annoying him more and more. 
“I thought you stuttered, and wasn’t mute, stupid,” 
poke to the side
Roman whispered to Virgil’s ear, leaning way closer than Virgil preferred. “Or did you go deaf, too? We gotta do this project!”
Virgil moved slightly further away, continuing to look at the textbook page but not being able to concentrate. He hated Roman So. Much.
Roman stretched over to smear the face Virgil was looking at on the book with his pen. He grinned victoriously, as Virgil finally turned to look at him. 
“L-l-l-eave m-me al-a-al-alone!”
Roman tilted his head, still grinning maliciously. “O-o-oh? S-s-so no-no-now you can s-sp-s-s-pe-spe-speak?”
Virgil striked Roman on his face, and Roman’s chair crashed loudly on the floor as he fell down more out of surprise than the power of the punch. “Ow!!” In a second, he lunged on Virgil, who had stood up and almost managed to dodge the other boy, sending them both tumbling on the floor, where they continued fighting. Mr. Houston shouted at them, and when it didn’t seem to cause any kind of reaction, he had to separate them by force and held them up by their collars. 
“WHAT was that?”
The teacher shouted in such a volume, that Virgil held his ears. Mr. Houston began dragging the boys to the door, handling them roughly. He muttered something along the lines of “Hasn’t happened in three years” And quickly instructed the rest of the class to continue working and better behave while he was gone.
Mr. Wilson, having been teaching the older group Linear Algebra, opened the classroom door after hearing the angry knocks. He looked confused for a second, finding his workmate holding two yonger students apart by their collars, but stepped to the side to let him look inside. Teacher Higgins stepped one foot in the class, looking around with annoyance, as if he had been the one getting in trouble. 
“Logan Andrews, Patton Sawyer! Your students started a fight in my class and interrupted it greatly. I reckon you two do something about this, I need to get back to my work.”
Logan and Patton glanced at each other, and quickly collected their things to get outside. Mr. Wilson gave them the rest of the exercises to complete later, and now they were faced with two pouting students in the hall. 
“Virgil?” 
Patton looked so betrayed, that Virgil finally felt the guilt stinging in his chest. But it didn’t stop him from glaring at Roman with all the hate he could possibly gather.
Logan frowned at the two. “Roman, why did you hit Virgil?”
“Oh!!!???? I hit the poor Virgil?? He started it!” Roman screamed, pointing at the boy. There was about 3 feet between them, and Virgil didn’t bother to look up.
“Did you, Virgil?” Patton stepped closer, but Virgil stayed silent. He wouldn’t say a word when the Idiot was present, because he refused to be mocked again. 
Patton sighed, taking a step back. “Alright, boys. I think we need to find a place to sit down and talk this through. I don’t want anybody getting in any more trouble, and it’s not cool to hate others for long.”
“I agree,” Logan nodded, and they began walking to get downstairs.
“It’S nOT cOoL To HatE OtHeRs” Virgil mimicked to himself behind the tutor’s backs. He didn’t remember a time when he had been this angry towards everybody around him, but in all honesty, it made him feel powerful in a situation where in reality he had little to no control.
Roman sticked his tongue out at Virgil as they walked behind their tutors, and Virgil tried to slap him but the boy dodged it, so Virgil kicked him, to which Roman cried out loudly. That guy is way too good in making all of this look like my fault, the boy thought to himself, as Patton turned to scold his student. He really had to do the rest of this carefully and not fall in Roman’s traps like he just had. 
There’s only one thing good about all of this, Virgil thought. It all goes just like my worst, anxiety-filled thoughts had assumed, so I feel like I’ve at least seen this coming.
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miscellaneous-oxy · 7 years ago
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rambling: wok of love, ep1-8
Here’s the thing.  I have just finished watching the 8th episode for the second time, and I am so pleased and excited in terms of the plot development but totally distracted by Seo Poong’s sexiness – he looked so good, excessively good in that black shirt: I’m confused.  So, I’m just going to ramble tonight.  Yes, this is my excuse for being rather aggressive in this post.  Please beware.  This might be unsettling and even displeasing to some, but I just have to let it out for the peace of my mind.  Before watching tonight’s episodes, and reading some of the reactions to them, I was planning on posting a follow-up to my SP analysis, but now it seems impossible for me to be as efficient and persuasive as I aim to be.  I guess I need to set it aside for a bit till I’m calmer.
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I had been a bit concerned about the delay in the development of love line between SP and SW because so many people seemed to have been shipping CS and SW already from the beginning – no, actually, they were doing it even before the drama started.  I was also wondering why some people are so willing to dismiss all signs of SP’s characterisation and consequently choosing to believe that the OTP is (or should be) the CS-SW pair, as if SP did not deserve SW.  (By the way, believe it or not, I myself is actually open on this matter.  I don’t mind whichever or no character is chosen by SW in the end, as long as the character developments through the love lines are substantial and her final choice a valid one.  Furthermore, to be honest, I must admit I would most likely find the SP-CS pairing at the end of the story more amusing.)  
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I’ve read online more than a couple of viewers complaining the non-likability of SP’s character, mainly because of his arrogance.  Some of them don’t even forget to add that another actor would be likable in whatever kind of character he may be playing, however arrogant, implying that Junho could be the one to blame for making the character unlikable. (Absurd!)  First of all, as it happens, and I’m sure everybody who has watched more than a couple of dramas or read a dozen stories is perfectly aware, that the leading character is often supposed to be arrogant at the beginning, for that gives him the necessary room for improvement.  Second, and this is essentially my point that I have been discussing in my previous post, SP’s show of arrogance is otherwise a manifestation of his vulnerability: His arrogance is even given a premise for the viewers to be sympathetic towards him.  He needs to be arrogant to keep on going with his life: Arrogance is his armour.  It’s his way of dealing with his crushed identity.  Indeed, it may be an immature course to take, but that’s the very reason he needs to grow up in the story.  Having his self-esteem brutally impaired by SDH, he needed to find something he can hold on to. When he felt his whole being – his past, his present profession, and his future plan – totally denied, he had nothing left but what he can do – to cook delicious dishes.  He needs to feel accepted in the world again, and the only place where he could get the recognition and appreciation that he needed had been The Finishing Touch.  The vulnerability in his eyes is the key to understand this character.  Once you see his weakness, it’s impossible not to root for him, if not love him yet.  Those people who feel distant or indifferent to SP seem to be missing out on the details that show the depth of his emotions, quite possibly because they are so focused elsewhere.  (And I know it’s quite easy to fall into that trap.)
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Some more viewers persist that, while admitting SP would be the writer’s preferred choice for SW, they do not understand why SP was so suddenly interested in SW at the end of the 8th episode.  This, to me, seems to show that there’s this really firm preconceived refusal to accept SP as a leading character.  They are tenaciously ignoring the detailed portrayal of SP, and the lack of understanding in his character thereof leads to a further undermining of the significance of SP’s behaviours.  What a spiral.  I do realise that this may be the case of either the character is portrayed poorly –script-wise, direction-wise, or acting-wise, or, simply the viewers are blind to see the subtleties that are composing the character.  Most viewers who claim SP’s sudden interest in SW to be incomprehensible also mention that SP’s character is difficult to sympathise with.  Obviously, they are entitled to their own opinion and all, but that does not make them entitled to degrade other characters.  It is really frustrating to see some viewers boasting their views as the only sensible ones, just because they have no idea that they may be blinded by their love for their bias or by some preconceived notions that have derived from that love.  How can anyone miss all those signs that indicate SP is yet to learn that his feelings towards SDH might not have been true love but a sense of obligation that had been grown out of youthful infatuation and his mentor’s death?  Of course, both young SP and SDH must have believed that they were in love, but they did not succeed in cultivating the true thing.
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Furthermore, there were so many signs, from the first episode, that point SW as a trigger for SP’s character development and even as the answer to his quest (and questions; here, I’m thinking about George’s question mark in A Room with a View).  Remember how SP was repeating every other things SW chatted away?  SW was literally giving keys and answers to SP’s question: Is the love between SP and SDH true?  SP’s interest in SW is already there, even though he tries to act indifferently.  He notices SW in a crowded dining hall, remembers SW’s words and needs, feels compassion, and even identifies with her hunger and despair.  It’s not sudden but a gradual process.  He is certainly a bit slow to notice his own feelings; which is made a contrast with CS’s instant crush on SW, but that is the whole point of his story.  SP is going to learn the deficiencies in his character and his life through his interactions with the new people around him. He will learn the true meaning of humility, friendship, and love.  Therefore, the development in SP-SW love line is sure to make the story so much more profound and entertaining!  
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 As much as I enjoy watching those charming scenes between CS and SW (and I really do, as I have been a fan of Jang Hyuk for ever so longer than I’ve been fangirling Junho; I have watched most of his dramas since Thank You, even including the cameos in webdramas solely for his sake), I still maintain that it is SP’s potential emotional journey that gives depth to the story, where CS’s comedy gives the necessary relief from the strain.  That’s the supposed balance of the drama.  It wouldn’t work or it’s not of the writer’s intention if the story focused too much on CS’s character development.  It may be hard for some to accept it, but the writer seems to want Jang Hyuk to play the comic relief to some extent and he took the job.  He admitted when he guested a radio programme that the writer had asked him to play the “entertainment.”  He is doing a perfect job at that, and I can see people rooting for him, but the fact of the matter is, I don’t think we should expect much portrayal of his character development in this particular drama.
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One last detail I’d like to defend has to do with how some people are trying to make the possible SP-SW love line sound like an old classic cliché and thus boring. On the other hand, they seem to believe a love story between a gangster and a chaebol daughter as something new and refreshing, but that’s where I can confidently say they are in the wrong.  Frank Capra’s It Happened One Night (1934), the first romantic comedy film to win an Oscar instantly comes to my mind, and a long list of films, dramas, novels and comic books follows.  (I must say there are tons of romance novels and Japanese girls’ mangas, in particular, with a gangster – princess type pairing.)  Of course, Clark Gable is not exactly a gangster in the film, but he sure looks like one – coincidentally, he even has a moustache and suspenders on in this film, and he does fit in the stereotypical pattern.  I mean, it’s basically the classic Beauty and the Beast concept in the first place.  But please do not misunderstand me.  I am not saying that the cliché settings and characters are boring.  At the end of the day, what matters is how the characters themselves are idiosyncratically refreshing and how all the elements are executed in an enjoyable and satisfying way.  Whether it is a fallen chef or a sweet gangster, any character can be a cliché and simultaneously not boring.  The reason I believe they are not watching with clear eyes is how they say SP-SW is a cliché and CS-SW is not.  This is the proof of their biased views.
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OK, I think I’m calmed down now.  Hope I can now focus on writing up something more convincing.  Thank you for reading, if any of you have come thus far.  I really appreciate it.
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theonyxpath · 7 years ago
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Another beautiful Chris Huth illustration from Cavaliers of Mars, this time in crisp, detailed, black and white line-art. Aesthetically, this is a look that our recent projects have tended to move away from in favor of staying current with audience expectations of full color, or at least some color. But it is a style and look I’ve always enjoyed and I was thrilled Rose wanted Cavaliers to embrace this style of art.
It’s also a style that I started with and love working in; pen and ink, mostly with a crowquill pen and some brushwork. As far back as the graphic novel I wrote and drew in grad school (based on a series of adventures in my D&D world), and a style I returned to recently for Nocturnal Media‘s re-push of the “Storypath Cards”. (No relation to our StoryPath System). Which are still coming soon, I hear.
    Lasombra for Prince’s Gambit clan card by Mark Kelly
      To continue the theme of what I’m up to, and you can see what else we’re all up to down in the BLURBS! section, here’s a rundown of the things on my To Do list for this coming week with no explanations provided:
Contact FG
C20 needs bookplate and dice- Q
Remind Q-Workshop *
Guys for Roll20/FG projects
Modify and create 2yr contract
Reply Ben
DE2 BackerKit finish*
Need W20 emails for Dice Roller
Write note for Pentex cover*
Reply Ed
Reply Rand
Start CtL2 KS
Talk Rose’s friend
Talk Eddy- SP rules
Sure would like to see Blade Runner
That’s what I’m starting the week with, and the real start on these items is always after getting this blog done each week.
    Beast Players Guide illustration by Brian LeBlanc
      The good news is that at the end of the week I’m going to attend the Save Against Fear convention in Harrisburg, PA. About 90 minutes away in the center of the state. Long time readers of this blog will no doubt recognize this con, and may even recall I’ve a big supporter since it started.
Why this con? Well, it’s run by the Bodhana Group, a non-profit organization of therapists, and proceeds go towards their efforts to meld their therapeutic techniques with tabletop gaming. This is a smart group of folks, and their mission to help people using RPGs is one that I’m proud that Onyx Path can be a part of.
Time and again, I’ve been told stories by members of our community about how X-game changed their lives. People who were able to confront their fears by first facing them in-character. Who learned how to deal with a social issue by playing through the permutations in-game. Who found a way to better face and understand their own lives through roleplaying sessions.
And people who were able to just generally deal with the real world by spending time in fictional ones. Some of you may have heard these sorts of things too, or even had this kind of experience while playing, yourselves.
The Bodhana Group are taking those general examples I’m giving here as springboards to a well-considered program of healing and therapy that provides tangible assistance to those who need it. They are doing the work to take these projects Onyx Path and other RPG companies create as entertainment and turn them into transformative tools that can intentionally change people’s lives.
Making cool games is very satisfying, and I love doing it, but what they do: that’s what art is all about.
    Giovanni for Prince’s Gambit clan card by Mark Kelly
    So come by to the Save Against Fear con if you are anywhere near the middle of Pennsylvania and lend your support for their great cause. (And if you are, it might just be the only thing to do in the middle of PA.) I’ll be there Saturday and I’ll be on a panel or just walking the show and talking to folks, and I’d love to say hi.
Different Worlds, One Path!
      BLURBS!
ON SALE!
YOUR COVER IS BLOWN! The Demon: The Descent Bundle of Holding  runs until the 23rd – unlocking new books as it runs!  http://ift.tt/ZkIwwy
      KICKSTARTER:
  The Cavaliers of Mars Kickstarter is closing in on 700% funded, with Stretch Goals including an Exclusive T-Shirt, an increased art budget, Postcards from Mars, and we’ve passed the goal that completes an additional book: City of the Towered Tombs, describing the bustling canal city of Vance, from the brooding waters and desperate criminals of the Dredge to the beautiful environs and macabre spectacles of the Hangman’s Garden. Delve into the affairs of colorful nobles and the schemes of the desperate criminals in this look at Mars’ greatest remaining city! If all that sounds interesting to you, here is the link: http://ift.tt/2jF6HdQ
  ON AMAZON:
  We’re delighted to announce the opening of our ebook store on Amazon! You can now read our fiction from the comfort and convenience of your Kindle. Our initial selection includes these fiction anthologies: Vampire: the Masquerade‘s Endless Ages, Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition‘s Rites of Renown: When Will You Rage 2, Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition‘s Truth Beyond Paradox, Chronicles of Darkness‘ God Machine Chronicle, Mummy: The Curse‘s Curse of the Blue Nile, and Beast: The Primordial‘s The Primordial Feast!
And now you can get these books in the Barnes and Noble Nook store too!
Vampire: The Masquerade: The Endless Ages Anthology
Werewolf: The Apocalypse: Rites of Renown: When Will You Rage II
Mage: The Ascension: Truth Beyond Paradox
Chronicles of Darkness: The God-Machine Chronicle Anthology
Mummy: The Curse: Curse of the Blue Nile
Beast: The Primordial: The Primordial Feast Anthology
  And here are six more fiction books:
Vampire: The Masquerade: Of Predators and Prey: The Hunters Hunted II Anthology
Werewolf: The Apocalypse: The Poison Tree
Werewolf: The Apocalypse: Songs of the Sun and Moon: Tales of the Changing Breeds
Vampire: The Requiem: The Strix Chronicle Anthology
Werewolf: The Forsaken: The Idigam Chronicle Anthology
Mage: The Awakening: The Fallen World Chronicle Anthology
  Andand six more more:
Vampire: The Masquerade: The Beast Within Anthology (Kindle, Nook)
Werewolf: The Apocalypse: W20 Cookbook (Kindle, Nook)
Exalted: Tales from the Age of Sorrows (Kindle, Nook)
Chronicles of Darkness: Tales of the Dark Eras (Kindle, Nook)
Promethean: The Created: The Firestorm Chronicle Anthology (Kindle, Nook)
Demon: The Descent: Demon: Interface (Kindle, Nook)
And even more books are going up on Amazon and the Nook store on Wednesday!:
Vampire: The Masquerade Dark Ages: The Cainite Conspiracies
World of Darkness: Strangeness in the Proportion
Vampire: The Requiem: Silent Knife
Mummy: The Curse: Dawn of Heresies
Scarred Lands: The Walled Warren
    We’re working with Studio2 to get Pugmire out into stores, as well as to individuals through their online store. You can pick up the traditionally printed main book, the Screen, and the official Pugmire dice through our friends there!
http://ift.tt/2w0aaEW
    Looking for our Deluxe or Prestige Edition books? Here’s the link to the press release we put out about how Onyx Path is now selling through Indie Press Revolution: http://ift.tt/1ZlTT6z
You can now order wave 2 of our Deluxe and Prestige print overrun books, including Deluxe Mage 20th Anniversary, and Deluxe V20 Dark Ages! And Screens…so many Screens!
And you can now order Pugmire: the book, the screen, and the dice! http://ift.tt/1pOsnTb
    ON DRIVETHRURPG.COM:
A Land Where Legends Walk
Drawing enthusiastically on Greek mythology, the revised and re-imagined Scarred Lands nonetheless retains its place as a modern fantasy RPG setting. This is a world shaped by gods and monsters, and only the greatest of heroes can expect to be counted among them. The most populous continent of Scarn, Ghelspad, plays host to vast unexplored regions, hides unsolved riddles from ancient cultures, and taunts adventures with the promise of undiscovered riches hidden among the ruins of older civilizations.
Yet the myths of the Scarred Lands are relatively recent events. The effects of the Titanswar still ripple through the world, and the heroines and villains of many of these stories are part of living memory, if not still living.
The Award-Winning Fantasy Setting Returns
Scarred Lands has been a favorite fantasy setting since the release of the Creature Collection for the d20 System in 2000. In subsequent years, over 40 titles were published for Scarred Lands, making it one of the most fully supported fantasy RPG settings ever and the premiere product line of Sword & Sorcery Studios.
Available in both 5th Edition and Pathfinder compatible versions! PDF and PoD formats available this Wednesday!
  Heroes, Villains, and Others in Between! 
This tome is a revision of the original book by the same title, originally published for use with 3rd edition rules for the world’s most popular roleplaying game. In this revised edition of The Wise & the Wicked, all the same characters have returned (and we’ve added some new ones, too!), for use with the Scarred Lands Player’s Guide. 
Champions of Gods and Titans 
The Wise & the Wicked introduces a rogue’s gallery of the Scarred Lands’ movers and shakers, characters who carry out the will of the gods or the fallen titans. These non-player characters can be friends, enemies, or simply convenient resources for the player characters in your game.
Inside, find villains such as King Virduk of Calastia, the Black Dragon, along with his wife, the beautiful (and black-hearted) Queen Geleeda; the Grand Vizier to King Virduk, the wicked warrior-mage Anteas; and the sinister general of Virduk’s northern armies, Archduke Traviak the Steel-Fisted. At the other end of the spectrum, meet the gracious Lady Ariniel, the Swan Knight, champion of Madriel; Kimer the Shatterer, bearer of the Earth Sword of Scarn and tenacious foe of the titanspawn of the north; and King Thain the Just, the Aleking, ruler of Burok Torn. And many others beside!
Here you’ll find a fascinating compendium of characters from the Scarred Lands, but easily transported into campaigns set elsewhere. In addition, find multiple appendices full of new magic items and artifacts, class archetypes and prestige classes, new feats, new creatures and races, and more.
Available in Pathfinder and 5th Edition versions! PDF and PoD formats available this Wednesday!
        From the massive Chronicles of Darkness: Dark Eras main book, we have pulled this single chapter, Dark Eras: God’s Own Country (Geist: The Sin-Eaters New Zealand 1950s). World War II is over and a new age of technology is coming, but a hidden storm threatens to overwhelm both the Maori and the European New Zealanders, flooding the world with the restless dead. The Bound are the last line of defense between a spirit-world gone mad and a sleepy island nation concerned with the advent of rock and roll and mourning their lost soldiers.
On sale in PDF and physical copy PoD versions on DTRPG! http://ift.tt/2kCGjSn
      EX3 Music Suite #1: Fanfare for the Chosen sounds off long and proud on DTRPG! http://ift.tt/2fHws8A
Fanfare for the Chosen includes inspiring soundtrack themes for each of the ten types of Exalted (Solars, Lunars, Sidereals, Dragon Bloodeds, Abyssals, Exigents, Getiminans, Liminals, Infernals, Alchemicals), to set the tone as you encounter these Exalted in your games or are seeking inspiration for new stories.
        From out of the Dreaming, the C20 Jumpstart: Yours To Keep PDF and PoD are now live on DTRPG.com: http://ift.tt/2fmlF3s
There is magic hiding everywhere. You just need to know where to look.
You are a changeling, a faerie soul hiding in a mortal body, fighting the chill of Nightmares and the oppressive weight of Banality with the pure creative power of Glamour. You have lived many lives, but the story of this one? It outshines them all.
In this hidden world, knights in steel and leather clash sword to sword outside the homecoming dance, dragons fly between skyscrapers, and fantastic castles rise from suburban lawns. A world of magic, intrigue, and adventure, and now that your fae side has awakened, it’s your world too.
“Yours to Keep” includes a rules and setting overview, as well as pre-generated characters and a complete introductory scenario for Changeling: The Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition. It’s perfect for jumpstarting a new Changeling chronicle!
    The PDF and PoD versions of C20 are now on DriveThruRPG.com: http://ift.tt/2w4Eq2m
Twenty years ago, White Wolf published Changeling: the Dreaming, the fifth of their promised five game-lines that together comprised the World of Darkness. Seen by some as a lighter, more fantasy-based setting in the modern-day, and by others as the darkest game White Wolf had yet created, players had to face the question of what happens once creativity and magic fades from their world.
This 20th Anniversary Edition of Changeling: the Dreaming returns to that deceptively bright yet terrifying world and both compiles and completes the concepts of the previous two editions. Led by veteran White Wolf and Onyx Path developer “Blackhat” Matt McFarland, our writing team consists of longtime Changeling creators like Ian Lemke, Jackie Cassada, Nicky Rea, and Peter Woodworth, as well as familiar names such as John Snead, Maggie Carrol, Matthew Dawkins, and Krister Michl. One and all are dedicated to making Changeling: the Dreaming Twentieth Anniversary Edition the most playable edition yet – while not losing the wonder, awe, and majesty that Changeling is known for.
A revised and up to date look at the World of Darkness through the eyes of the Kithain – what has happened to the Dreaming in the last 20 years, and what is the state of Glamour and dreams?
Rules for all of the kiths including in 2nd ed, plus fan favorites from other books: selkies, piskies, clurichaun, and both Arcadian and Concordian sidhe.
Rules for the Gallain: The inanimae, the hsien, the Nunnehi, and others!
An overhauled and reimagined system for fae magic, including new Arts and the powerful but dangerous practice of Unleashing!
New full-color beautiful artwork as well as classic Changeling illustrations including remastered full page pieces of the kiths by Tony Diterlizzi.
          Calling all Good Dogs! The Pugmire Core Rulebook PDF is now available on DTRPG.com!
http://ift.tt/2wAaAp3
And the actual physical book, screen, and dice, are available to order on the IPR and Studio2 websites!
Studio2: http://ift.tt/2w0aaEW
          Satyr Phil Brucato beckons you once more into the Annex of Mage: The Ascension with this 300 page follow-up to M20. The M20 Book of Secrets is NOW on sale in PDF and PoD versions at DTRPG.com! http://ift.tt/2tKyJtb
More Than Magick
For mages who think they have everything, this trove of treasures expands upon the wealth of material presented throughout Mage: The Ascension’s 20th Anniversary Edition. New Traits, new rules, essays, answers, information… the Secrets are revealed within.
Enter the Annex
Building upon the M20 core rulebook, this Book of Secrets features updated rules and setting material, such as…
An M20 FAQ Genres & Resources
Matters of Focus Justice & Influence
New Abilities, Archetypes, Merits & Flaws
Expanded Rules for Combat, Resonance, Wonders, Computer Systems, and More
This Ascension Continues…
        What dark secrets do the eldest vampires hold? Find out in Thousand Years of Night for Vampire: The Requiem! Advance PDF version available now on DriveThruRPG.com. http://ift.tt/2sV8lZR
You may think that with a multitude of people coming, going, dying and running away, we’d be tired, done, or ready to give up. Instead, I find myself restless, looking for the next thing.  There’s always a next thing, and I for one am not yet ready to die.
– Elder Kincaid, Daeva Crone
This book includes:
• Detailed instructions on creating elder vampires, including how to base chronicles around them
• A look into the lives of elders, how they spend their nights, who they work with, and why including their roles in both their clans and covenants
• New Devotions, Merits, and Rituals for elder vampires
• The kinds of creatures that pose a threat to elder vampires, including Inamorata, Lamia, Sons of Phobos, a new elder conspiracy, and more!
          CONVENTIONS!
I’ll be at Save Against Fear in Harrisburg PA on Saturday, walking the floor and chatting with folks. Might be on a panel or two. See above for my thoughts on this very worthwhile convention. http://ift.tt/2cE742J
  Fast Eddy Webb will be running Pugmire during the online convention Gauntlet Con: http://ift.tt/2sSctbs which runs from Oct. 20 – 22. Here is the sign-up link for the event which will be live-streamed. Currently three of six seats are still open: http://ift.tt/2xt3HaM
  In November, we’ll be at Game Hole Con in Madison, WI. November 2-5: http://ift.tt/2xsOnuzMonica Valentinelli (Hunter: the Vigil 2e, Dark Eras), Manda Collis (Exalted 3e), Scott Holden (Scarred Lands), Matt M McElroy (Operations Manager) and other folks from the OPP crew will be there!
  Also in November, the Onyx Path crew including Rich, Matt, Lisa, Neall, Dixie, and Meghan will be at the first ever PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia, November 17-19. http://ift.tt/2kBzmfv
  Planning ahead for 2018, we’re heading back to Midwinter Game Convention in Milwaukee, January 11-14, where we’re going to be bringing a big crew of many of your favorite Onyx Path designers and we’ll be running demos and making some special announcements at the show!  http://midwintergamingconvention.com
  And now, the new project status updates!
DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM ROLLICKING ROSE (projects in bold have changed status since last week):
First Draft (The first phase of a project that is about the work being done by writers, not dev prep)
M20 Gods and Monsters (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
M20 Book of the Fallen (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
C20 Novel (Jackie Cassada) (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition)
Monarchies of Mau (Monarchies of Mau)
Night Horrors: The Tormented (Promethean: The Created 2nd Edition)
Deviant: The Renegades (Deviant: The Renegades)
They Came From Beneath the Sea! Rulebook (TCFBtS!)
  Redlines
Kithbook Boggans (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition)
Hunter: the Vigil 2e core (Hunter: the Vigil 2nd Edition)
  Second Draft
WoD Ghost Hunters (World of Darkness)
Tales of Good Dogs – Pugmire Fiction Anthology (Pugmire)
Exalted 3rd Novel by Matt Forbeck (Exalted 3rd Edition)
  Development
Signs of Sorcery (Mage: the Awakening Second Edition)
SL Ring of Spiragos (Pathfinder – Scarred Lands 2nd Edition)
Ring of Spiragos (5e – Scarred Lands 2nd Edition)
Scion: Origin (Scion 2nd Edition)
Scion: Hero (Scion 2nd Edition)
Trinity Continuum Core Rulebook (The Trinity Continuum)
Trinity Continuum: Aeon Rulebook (The Trinity Continuum)
GtS Geist 2e core (Geist: the Sin-Eaters Second Edition)
The Realm (Exalted 3rd Edition)
  WW Manuscript Approval:
  Editing:
Ex Novel 2 (Aaron Rosenberg) (Exalted 3rd Edition)
Pugmire Pan’s Guide for New Pioneers (Pugmire)
Dragon-Blooded (Exalted 3rd Edition)
  Post-Editing Development:
W20 Changing Ways (Werewolf: the Apocalypse 20th Anniversary Edition)
Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition, featuring the Huntsmen Chronicle (Changeling: the Lost 2nd Edition)
DtD Night Horrors: Enemy Action (Demon: the Descent)
  Indexing:
    ART DIRECTION FROM MIRTHFUL MIKE:
In Art Direction
W20 Pentex Employee Indoctrination Handbook
Cavaliers of Mars
W20 Changing Ways
Ex3 Monthly Stuff
Scion Origins
Ring of Spiragos
Book of Freeholds
DtD Enemy Action
C20 RMCs – Finishes coming.
Changeling: the Lost 2 – ADing. Getting art in for KS a priority.
Trinity Continuum – Splats for core book with Mr Jones
  Marketing Stuff
  In Layout
Beast PG
Becket’s Jyhad Diary – Adding typo corrections and tweaking some of the textures.
Pugmire/Scarred Lands Community Content
VtR Half Damned 
  Proofing
Ex 3 Arms of the Chosen 
Wraith 20
Prince’s Gambit – Going to WW for approval
M20 Cookbook – With Phil for proofing.
  At Press
Beckett Screen – Shipped to shipper.
Scarred Land PGs & Wise and the Wicked PF & 5e – On a boat to the US. PoDs on sale Wednesday.
VTR: Thousand Years of Night – Files updated and PoD processing.
Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition (Changeling: the Dreaming 20th Anniversary Edition) – Deluxe Edition cover and Screen in the works.
CtL Huntsmen Chronicle Anthology PDF – getting PDF ready.
Art of Mage – Ordered PoD proofs.
Pugmire Trick, Condition, and Initiative Cards – PoD proofs ordered.
V20DA Jumpstart – PDF going out to backers this week.
  TODAY’S REASON TO CELEBRATE: Today is the day that some people celebrate a traditional event that may or may not be about a guy who might have been a daring explorer and/or a vile abuser. History marches on, and our understanding changes. Both our personal understanding, and our society’s. To me, that’s this day’s lesson and reason to celebrate: that we can grow and understand more and look behind the simplified lessons learned in our childhoods.
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aion-rsa · 5 years ago
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How Star Wars Author Delilah Dawson Brings Galaxy's Edge to Life
https://ift.tt/32gM5KY
We talked to Star Wars author Delilah Dawson about Resistance spy Vi Moradi, and what it was like to step into the galaxy far, far away.
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Delilah Dawson has been a powerhouse Star Wars author since her novel Phasma told the radiation-soaked backstory of the First Order enforcer. Since then she has published several novels outside the Star Wars universe (most recently No Country For Old Gnomes with co-author Kevin Hearne).
She’s now part of Batuu history with her novel Black Spire, a tie-in to the Disney Star Wars land, Galaxy’ Edge. At New York Comic Con we sat down to talk with her about how Resistance spy Vi Moradi developed over the course of the two books, what it was like to step into the galaxy far, far away at a Disney park, and more.
Black Spire is available now from Del Rey. Dawson’s other most recent Star Wars book is The Skywalker Saga, a fairytale retelling of Episodes I through VIII, available from Disney Publishing. 
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Den of Geek: Black Spire is about Vi Moradi, who was introduced in the novel Phasma. How has she grown and changed since we saw her last?
Deliah Dawson: We brought Vi Moradi to life in Phasma because we wanted to tell a One Thousand and One Nights Scheherazade story, because the thing about Phasma is no one ever gets behind the mask. So all of the stories about her are … stories. Throughout Phasma, Vi is captured by a First Order officer named Captain Cardinal. She is tortured for information and it’s pretty rough, but she’s holding out, and in the end she manages to escape. But she’s been tortured, dehydrated, beaten, starved—it’s a rough time.
Then, we get to see her go back to the Resistance and see what happens between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. We get to see the Hosnian cataclysm and some of her healing, and then she gets sent to the planet Batuu, which is where Galaxy’s Edge is, to build a new kind of Resistance cell. Because as we saw after the battle of Crait, the Resistance needs warm bodies and hidey holes. That’s what they have the least of. 
read more: Poe Dameron Returns in The Rise of Skywalker Tie-In Book
When she arrives there, she’s accustomed to being a spy. She works alone, she infiltrates, she gets intel, she sometimes gets tortured, but she’s trained in withholding. So she suddenly has this new job, which is to build a Resistance cell.
The characters there start calling her mother hen, because she pulls this family together. It’s a very new experience for her. She is also dealing with trauma. That’s one of the things I wanted to talk about in this book that we don’t see a lot in Star Wars. We’re in the middle of the war. These people are veterans. And the war just isn’t ending. We get to see what it’s like for her finding a new purpose, finding a new family, and pushing through the various things that make life hard for pretty much anybody over 30. 
The other main character is Cardinal, Vi’s former enemy. What is the heart of his story in Black Spire? 
Cardinal is one of my all-time favorites. He’s my little cinnamon roll! When we were building out the story for Phasma, we said who would be Phasma’s foil in the First Order? And the first thought was a bigger, badder Phasma! But there isn’t one. The idea is he firmly believes, at least in Phasma, that the First Order is the answer. He was saved by them when he was starving to death, after a life of slavery. He was given good food and a warm place to sleep for the first time. Throughout Phasma he learns all of that is a lie and they don’t have the populace’s best interest at heart. 
You don’t have to read Phasma to read Black Spire, but it does build a foundation for the main characters. 
When we see Cardinal again, he’s broken. He’s lost his life’s purpose, his family, everything he was working for. He realizes he was basically training murderers. He’s also been stabbed by Phasma and bacta can’t fix the poison. 
So he’s trying to find his purpose, along with this woman who he recognizes that he tortured. So he’s a pretty messed up guy. I love seeing these characters with history, and how, realistically, people have to work with other people that are maybe not the person they want to work with. You have to look these people in the eye and go on. Respect is still something to build a relationship on, even if you have nothing else.
What was your experience with Batuu via Galaxy’s Edge before you wrote the book? Had you visited the park?
I had a very big dossier of information with several maps that were too small for me to read them! And they couldn’t be blown up, and they were watermarked with my name. So my experience with most of the book was begging them: I am an hour away from Orlando, let me see a miniature version or show me a map I can read! So they did the best they could. Once, they sent a map that was a half inch bigger, and I was like, no! 
But they were so gracious as to let me come to the soft opening of the Disneyland Galaxy’s Edge—Batuu West, as we call it—and so after exploring the world and taking some notes I got to go back to my document and do one final edit. Super helpful not only for the walkthrough, but also for things I had read a description of and I had pulled out certain details where I had read their description and put it into my story, and I had been wrong. In Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities there is a chandelier, and from it are hanging Ithorian wind chimes. The way they described it, I took and described it in my own words. But when I got there I realized I did a bad job! So I got to fix that. 
The Den of Antiquities is an incredible place, but the list of items they had provided to me were not what caught my eye when I actually walked in. I was able to look at the things that literally caught my eye and put those into the narrative to reflect more of what the reader will experience. Which was incredible! There’s nothing like the land and capturing that feeling of loving Star Wars and then living it. 
The theme of hope and resilience was important in this book. What does that mean to you personally?
Black Spire is a book that had to serve many masters, but every book I write, whether it’s my creator-owned work or in an IP sandbox, has to have a heart and a theme. It has to mean something. One of my favorite shows right now is Brooklyn 99. I can’t go to sleep without a TV on, so I watch the shows that I love and that are comfortable over and over again. It’s a show that is warm, funny, has that found family. It’s about damaged people who love and support each other. And it never punches down. So I wanted to do the Brooklyn 99 of Star Wars. 
The people of Batuu don’t think of themselves as heroes. Most of them don’t even believe that the Resistance and the First Order exist. So Vi has to explain to them that trouble has never come their way, but it’s going to and they have to be ready. There’s one character who says straight up they’re not strong enough to help. And Vi has to convince her, yes, you are, that’s what a hero is: someone who feels the fear and does it anyway. 
On the flip side of that, this is also a book involving war and torture. What is your approach when writing the darker tone? 
In any Star Wars book, no matter how sweet it is, when the First Order shows up things are going to get dark. There’s actually a note from one of my editors that said “I am concerned you think about torture this much.” 
I knew we needed a torture scene. I had to find something new that no one had done before, but was still at a Star Wars level of violence. I was very adamant that there not be any implied or threatened sexual violence, so that was off the table immediately. So I went for the eyes with this one. 
My brand is whimsical and dark. I’ve done some horror books, and Phasma is a pretty dark book. So when there had to be darkness there was, and I tried to temper it with moments of light and mercy to give the reader some breathing room in those scenes. The First Order character I created for this book, Wulfgar Kath, was another case where I was looking for something new in Star Wars. So he’s a First Order officer that is very fastidious. He gets a ping from General Hux when he’s working out in the officer’s mess, which he does at night so he doesn’t have to talk to anybody. And he won’t answer until he’s finished his set. He’s that kind of fastidious, sociopathic character, like Hannibal without the style. He will beat you senseless and then put his hair back in place. 
Phasma was a much grittier book. Was it easier or more difficult for you to write a more hopeful one? 
They’re both sides of my personality and my experience. Every book I write relates to what I’m experiencing in the moment. While I was writing this book I pinched a nerve, and I had to write a lot of the book on my back, on a heating pad, with a special setup. I was in a lot of pain. The line in there where someone says to Vi after her ship crashes “You have the spine of a 90-year old woman,” that’s what my doctor said to me that day. The pain and the trauma is part of me, and when that comes through in the books, that’s because it’s a part of me, and I think that’s important to show in books. 
But I also have a family and play with my kids and my dog and have a really nice life, so I think those are balances that most readers will have in their lives. 
How is the process of writing a tie-in novel different from writing a creator-owned work? 
With IP you’re in someone else’s sandbox. You have to love it—I don’t think you can write Star Wars if you don’t love it and haven’t been internalizing it forever. I think of Star Wars as history. It’s more real to me than Herbert Hoover and William Howard Taft. So I’m already there. I write a lot of IP, and I feel like it’s something I’m good at because when someone gives me parameters I don’t think I’m stuck in a box, I think there are so many things I can do inside this box.
With Star Wars, I don’t just start writing at home. There is a process with a group of people. We develop an outline, and I don’t start writing until I have an outline that is probably 14 pages single spaced. Then I work from there. I can’t randomly deviate from that outline, although there’s always some room to play with day to day stuff like the Indiana Jones sequence in this book, which you’ll know if you’ve read it. That was one line in the outline and ten thousand words of this experience Vi goes through. When you get to the line for Rise of the Resistance [the ride], you’ll hopefully see some of the places Vi goes. But that I can play around with.
But when I write for myself, I have to know the main character, the beginning, the instigating factor, the main conflict, the climax, and the ending. I leave a ton of room to play around. But in Star Wars we don’t get quite that much room. 
With Star Wars books, I usually get one to two months. With my own books I get up to three months. 
Megan Crouse writes about Star Wars and pop culture for StarWars.com, Star Wars Insider, and Den of Geek. Read more of her work here. Find her on Twitter @blogfullofwords.
Read and download the Den of Geek NYCC 2019 Special Edition Magazine right here!
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Interview
Books
Megan Crouse
Oct 14, 2019
Star Wars
Del Rey
NYCC
NYCC 2019
from Books https://ift.tt/31flHzN
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