#PennedPossibilities
149 — SC POV: When was the last time you felt needed?
Rizo tries hard NOT to be needed. But when Cordela had use for his expertise with large wild creatures ...
Dec 1, 2023, 7:09:23 PM [original]
#PennedPossibilities
151. Are you proud of your MC? Have they accomplished anything worthy of that pride and satisfaction?
I think saving the world from being turned into chaotic sludge is plenty to be proud of.
#fantasy
#writingcommunity
#writing
#pennedpossibilities
152. MC or SC POV: Describe the work that you do.
Excerpt from The Amulet and the Dragon:
"He [Rizo] didn't mind his life before, which consisted of doing odd surveillance jobs, breaking and entering, light pilfering of targeted valuables, and the occasional heist."
Dec 5, 2023, 3:33:18 AM [original]
#PennedPossibilities
154 — What role do dreams / nightmares play for your MC or SC?
Cordela's patron often communicates with her in dreams. At least once per book.
Dec 6, 2023, 4:55:44 AM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
155. Has your MC or SC ever forgotten something that was or is important to them? Are they afraid of forgetting things like that?
In The Amulet and the Dragon, both MCs forget to pick up a custom item at the silversmith and almost miss their boat.
#PennedPossibilities 156 — Is your MC or SC deceptive, or willing to lie or deceive to achieve certain means? Why or why not? (2/2)
Rizo lies sometimes just to stay in practice, or for fun.
Cordela can just about always tell when he's trying to deceive, though.
#pennedpossibilities
157. Is there anything in life your MC has changed their mind about (due to becoming more educated on the topic or certain experiences), or that they COULD change their mind about in the future?
This is the entire character arc of The Amulet and the Dragon. Simple answer is yes. Longer answer is read the book (link in bio).
#selfpromo
#characterdevelopment
#PennedPossibilities
158. How has the loss of fallen comrades and / or loved ones affected your MC or SC? Has it taught them anything or given them any new perspectives?
I think Cordela hasn't been affected as much as she should have been by the fall of her associates. She seems to just see it as something that happens, sometimes.
Dec 10, 2023, 10:19:12 PM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
(Catching up after a server outage)
159. So far, what part of your WIP was the most fun to write?
A mysterious and suspect stranger is pursuing the MCs across the countryside. He is constantly being slowed down in his pursuit due to the aftermath left behind by the hijinks of the MCs.
Dec 12, 2023, 5:03:08 AM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
160. Which of these things does your MC prefer the most: music, art, or reading?
Cordela definitely prefers reading. It's a running joke amongst her cohorts that if you are looking for her, check the library first.
Dec 14, 2023, 12:39:36 AM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
161. Do your characters seek glory and accolades, or do they favor a simpler, more personal life?
Cordela doesn't seek glory, she just expects it. And is often disappointed when people haven't heard of her deeds.
Dec 14, 2023, 12:51:54 AM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
162. Does your SC celebrate any holidays? If so, which ones, and how?
The night of the summer solstice is considered an auspicious time for things like weddings.
And everyone in town appreciates the Shearing Festival, a week long celebration of everything related to sheep and wool.
#fantasy
#WritingCommunity
#occasions
163. SC POV: Write a quick "Thank You" note to someone.
"Thank you for this wonderful gift. It will certainly come in handy on our new mission."
#vagueposting
#WIP
#amwritingfantasy
#PennedPossibilities
167. Who would your SC kiss under the mistletoe?
Well, that's a spoiler for my WIP, so I'm not telling!
Dec 20, 2023, 1:12:10 AM [original]
#PennedPossibilities
168. Your MC has to go for a hike in the snow. Do they object?
That is also happening in the current WIP. The answer is "yes, strenuously." But they'll do it anyway.
Dec 20, 2023, 1:13:51 AM [original]
#PennedPossibilities
166. Would your MC or SC have any bad Holiday-related pick-up lines?
I think Garynd (new SC) definitely would.
Now I'll have to come up with them.
Dec 20, 2023, 1:15:47 AM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
169. If your MC or SC were to receive a present, what would they want?
What Cordela wants more than anything else is an epic ballad relating her heroic deeds.
As always, be careful what you wish for.
Dec 22, 2023, 4:00:30 AM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
170. Would your MC and SC object to building a snowman, putting up lights, or decorating a tree together?
I don't think Cordela and Rizo would object to building a snowman together. They would argue about which one of them got to stab it first, though.
Dec 22, 2023, 4:05:08 AM [original]
#PennedPossibilities
172 — Who would your MC kiss under the mistletoe?
This is a tough one, since she hasn't really met anyone that sets her on fire, or even slightly warms her up.
She has lots of friends, though. Any one of them might get a friendly kiss.
Dec 24, 2023, 12:30:29 AM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
175. How cautious is your MC? Are they prone to noticing red flags, or paranoid to the point of refusing to trust others?
Cordela sees red flags where there aren't any, and misses many that are obvious. But she always ends up somehow making the right decisions anyway.
Like trusting me to tell her story.
Dec 27, 2023, 4:30:34 AM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
176. Describe a pivotal moment from your MC or SC's life that they will never forget.
When Cordela was out on one of her wilderness hikes, she had a
chance meeting with a stranger that changed the direction
of her life. The man was a cleric, who served in a temple in a distant city. From him she learned that many deities bestow magic powers on their servants. Cordela envisioned herself righting wrongs and aiding the helpless with the power she might acquire.
#pennedpossibilities
177. Does your MC or SC have a love-hate relationship with anyone or anything?
Cordela has a love-hate relationship with her patron Isis. Cordela's service gives her life meaning and she wouldn't leave it for anything. But she has an attitude about most of the actual mission assignments she gets.
🤷♂️
#pennedpossibilities
180. New Year's Eve Edition: Does your MC or SC have any family traditions for the New Year?
The Daughters of Isis mark the new year on the day that the star Sirius rises in the East just before dawn. This is usually shortly after the summer solstice. Offerings from the prior year harvest are made. It is considered good luck to see a gull, so food is left out to attract them. Full containers of water are passed around, with little care to keep them from spilling.
Jan 1, 2024, 1:13:42 AM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
186. Does your MC believe in magical or cosmic forces, or are they more likely to think that their life is ultimately a matter of their own control?
Cordela used magic on a daily basis, so there's no question there. She also gets communiques from her patron deity on occasion. She certainly does not feel like her life is a matter of her own control. Whether there is any cosmic force behind her goddess, well, maybe she will find out in the next book.
Jan 8, 2024, 3:39:57 AM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
187. Describe your MC or SC's relationship with nature and the natural world.
Cordela grew up on a farm. She has deep knowledge of herbs and most growing things. She also appreciates songbirds. However, she harbors an abiding hatred for squirrels.
Jan 8, 2024, 3:44:24 AM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
189. Would the core group of your WIP turn to each other if they ever needed help? MC's, SC's, friends, etc. Are they all close?
The entire action catalyst in The Amulet and the Dragon is when Rizo asks for Cordela's help to research the origins of his mysterious Amulet.
Jan 10, 2024, 5:31:59 PM [original]
#PennedPossibilities
190. Write about something your SC frequently forgets.
Rizo tends to forget that he has the perfect solution RIGHT THERE to the problem he is currently facing.
Jan 12, 2024, 9:17:29 PM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
191. Describe a "happy life" according to your MC?
Cordela had left her simple farming life behind as a purposeful act. Her childhood had been a happy one at her parents’ homestead. But it wasn't the life for her. She wasn't sure that she would classify her current situation as happy, but at least it wasn't boring. She contributed meaningfully to the development of her fellows, and protected them from threats. Cordela would take significant over happy, at least for now.
Jan 18, 2024, 1:00:33 AM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
197. Do any of your characters have their very own "kryptonite" of sorts?
Cordela is sent on missions by her order without full details of what she is getting into. So, if she has any vulnerability, it is loyalty to her friends and her inner circle.
Jan 18, 2024, 10:58:12 PM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
202. What is something or someone that your MC takes pride in? How do they express that pride?
Cordela expects her reputation to precede her wherever she goes. She often is disappointed when people have not heard the legend of her deeds.
She is perfectly happy to tell the story to whoever will listen.
#PennedPossibilities
203. How does your MC view the world: as a cruel and unforgiving place, a land full of wonders, or something in-between?
Cordela views the world as a place that has its problems, but on the whole is worth saving. Which is why she does so again and again.
Jan 25, 2024, 2:23:35 AM [original]
#PennedPossibilities
207. Does your SC’s reputation matter to them?
Rizo prefers to have a reputation for being tough and mean. He finds it leads to less overall violence.
#PennedPossibilities
231. Has your MC or SC retained any friendships from their childhood or young adulthood?
We meet an old friend of Rizo in The Amulet and the Dragon.
Feb 21, 2024, 1:49:11 AM [original]
#pennedpossibilities
251. What clothing materials or outfits feel the most comfortable to your MC?
Rizo commented that he had never seen Cordela in anything that was not emerald green.
Mar 12, 2024, 10:20:52 AM [original]
13. Do #WritersCoffeeClub, #WordWeavers or #PennedPossibilities inspire you?
I looked over months of my own responses and picked the best for this month's newsletter. Some of them were very inspired. Others not so much.
I appreciate others' responses more for the feeling of community and discussion than as direct inspiration. Keep those answers coming, everyone!
Mar 13, 2024, 11:14:14 AM [original]