Wanderer's Pen

Friday, June 26, 2015

Beautiful People Parental Edition: Dina

It's time for this month's Beautiful People! Yay! This is a link-up hosted by Paperfury and Further Up and Further In where you answer questions about your characters. I participated in Beautiful People #1, #2, #3 and the villain special last year. And I've done Beautiful People Author Edition, Beautiful People Valentine Edition, Beautiful People #7, Beautiful People Sibling Edition and Beautiful People #9. This link-up has been just so helpful with character development.

I'm doing Dina, a secondary character from my steampunk fantasy Red Hood. I know I just did an interview with her last month, but I think this Beautiful People will draw out more about her character ... and she's one of my few characters who actually know their parents ... and Mor already had a Beautiful People so she can't hog them all. If you'd like to participate in this link-up yourself, check out either Paperfury or Further Up and Further In to see how. Here we go!

1. Do they know both their biological parents? Why/why not?

Dina does. She's grown up with her mother, father, and sister all of her life.

2. Have they inherited any physical resemblances from their parents?

Dina looks more like her father than her mother. She has his brown hair while her mother has black hair an she also has her father's nose and browner skin tone, but she has her mother's eyes.

3. What’s their parental figure(s) dress style? Add pictures if you like!

Well, her mother is a Red Hood, a werewolf huntress, and Dina is also so she wears the traditional Red Hood garb which includes leggings, knee-high boots, a leather bodice, leather bracers, and a red cloak. Dina wears a combat skirt with hers.

4. Do they share any personality traits with their parental figures? And which do they take after most?

She takes after her father more since she has more of his gentleness as opposed to her mother's stern and strict nature. She prefers peaceful activities over fighting and would much rather just keep to herself and sew as opposed to going out and killing werewolves.

5. Do they get on with their parental figure(s) or do they clash?

Dina gets along with her father wonderfully, but her mother not so much, since Dina wants to be a tailor and her mother wants her to be a Red Hood.

6. If they had to describe their parental figure(s) in one word, what would it be?

Decent. Dina believes she doesn't come from an exceedingly tough family. People like Claes have it worse. It's just tough for her right now.

7. How has their parental figure(s) helped them most in their life?

Dina's mother has taught her many Red Hood skills including how to use a crossbow. Her father has taught her how to sew which ignited her dream to be a tailor.

8. What was their biggest fight with their parental figure(s)?

Definitely one with her mom when Dina told her she'd rather be a tailor than a Red Hood. That resulted in them not speaking for weeks and Dina crying to her best friend Mor about what happened.

9. Tracing back the family tree, what nationalities are in their ancestry?

Since Dina comes from a fantasy world, she lives in Silfurlund which is a Scandinavian mix with browner skin tones like Spain or Portugal, but with varying hair colors and sometimes paler skin. It's an interesting combination. XD

10. What’s their favorite memory with their parental figure(s)?

When Dina's father taught her how to sew her first dress. She remembers that so fondly. It's one of the things that drives her love for sewing.

And that's a bit about Dina! If you'd like to know a bit more about her, check out her character interview and bio! If you'd like to know more about her book, check out the My Books tab! Thanks for reading!

Did you participate in the Beautiful People? Are you planning to? If so let me see your posts in the comments!

If you liked this post, come back every Saturday for more writing advice, character interviews, book reviews and more! On Sundays I have Soundtrack Sundays where I post a new score piece, Tuesdays are Tea Tuesdays with tea reviews, Wednesdays I have Wonderful Word Wednesdays where I post a new vocabulary word, and Fridays are Fan Fridays where I post tags and other goodies. To help support my dream to be an author follow this blog, like me on Facebook, watch me on deviantART, and follow me on Pinterest and Twitter. If you want to know more about my books check out them out here. Thank you! :)

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Wonderful Word Wednesday: Aggrandize

It's Wonderful Word Wednesday again! Do you as a writer ever struggle finding that perfect word to describe something or you want to shake your writing up with some new words? Each Wednesday I post hand-picked descriptive words for writers and other vocabulary nerds out there. ;)

aggrandize

verb (used with object), aggrandized, aggrandizing.

1.) to widen in scope; increase in size or intensity; enlarge; extend.

2.) to make great or greater in power, wealth, rank, or honor.

3.) to make (something) appear greater.

Example Sentence: Nzelt the Vulture seeks to aggrandize his rule to Silfurlund despite his righteous exterior.

Silfurlund looks a lot like this place.
(I don't own this image.)

Have you seen or used this word before? What do you think of it?

Click here for last week's word!

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Tea Tuesday: River Tam

I'm not really a coffee person. I prefer tea, and I know a lot of fellow writers love tea, too. But have you ever wanted to break out of the Early Grey or English Breakfast norm and try something new? Well, let me help you find some cool new teas! If you need a little hot and flavorful boost to help you reach your writing goal or you're just a lover of tea or you'd like to try some tea but aren't fond of the stereotypical types, these Tea Tuesday posts are for you.

This weeks tea is ...

*drum roll*

River Tam

How I found it: I'm back with another fandom set from Adagio Teas. I've had my eyes on this one for a while and now I've finally gotten the Firefly set! Shiny! Any Firefly fans out there? Then this is the set for you. I'll be reviewing the six teas of this set: Serenitea, Captain Mal, Inara, Zoe, Jayne, and River Tam.

This is the same site I bought the Avengers set,Sherlock set, Tolkien set, Avatar: the Last Airbender set, Doctor Who set, Attack on Titan set, RWBY set, and Divergent set from!

The Tea: I love this tea! It is certainly my favorite of this set! Like River Tam it is sweet and strange. The tea is a very floral, sweet, and feminine tea with the summer rose, vanilla, marigold flowers, rose petals cornflowers and reminds me of River's innocent and gentle girl side. The earl grey green adds an odd taste into the mix which makes me think of River's more not all there side. Poor girl. I feel so bad for her. She's been through so much. I wish I could give her a cup of this tea for comfort her!

Sweet.

Strange.

Serving Recommendations: I steeped this tea for three minutes and added sugar and milk.

How much is it and where can you get it? You can find this tea at the Adagio website. I bought this tea in a sample set which was about $22 including shipping and you get a goodly amount of tea since you only need about a teaspoon per cup. Some of these teas you can buy individually for about $10 a pouch.

So how good is it? This tea is amazing! Buy it. Drink it. Love it. Five stars!

Have you tried this tea? What did you think of it? Have you seen Firefly? Who's your favorite character?

Bonus! If you are a first-time Adagio customer I can send you a $5 giftcard! Ask in the comments for details! (This is no joke and no catch I seriously can. It's part of the amazingness of Adagio Tea!

And that's it for the Firefly set. :( But more tea reviews are to come! Don't you worry! Next week is the Birthday blend from Adagio Teas!

Click here for last week's tea!

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Soundtrack Sunday: Evening Wind (My Neighbor Totoro)

It's Soundtrack Sunday again! The day where I post awesome music to write to or just listen to for pleasure if you're a fellow soundtrack junkie. In light of my recent post Writing Lessons from Anime: My Neighbor Totoro, I decided to share with you some of the beautiful soundtrack from this adorable movie.

I love the theme for the movie and how it carries through the music of the film. This is a gentle, wistful piece with gorgeous flute and clarinet. This piece is suited for any calming scene. It's very lulling. You can listen to more epic music in my Soundtrack Sundays YouTube playlist.

Have you heard this piece before? What do you think of it? Have you seen My Neighbor Totoro?

Click here for last week's Soundtrack Sunday!

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Writing Lessons from Anime: My Neighbor Totoro

Though I didn't grow up with this film like many people have I've been touched by this Japanese Narnia story (Don't believe me? Mei = Lucy Pevensie). I've watched this film three times now and cried each time. Just recently I watched My Neighbor Totoro with my best friend and during this watch, I realized there are some great writing aspects to be gleaned from this movie.

Warning: I'm going to keep this as spoiler free as possible, but there may be some minor ones.

1.) There Was No Info Dumping - In many kids films, it seems as if the writers think the audience is solely children and not very bright children, at that so often lazy writing is implicated. One of the biggest writing sins committed in those situations is info dumping which is when the writers spell out the situation for the viewers/readers. This was done a lot in the beginning of Big Hero 6. I enjoyed the film later on, but at first the contrived dialogue between Hiro and his brother was just killing me.

My Neighbor Totoro didn't do this. In fact, you didn't know completely what was going on until nearly a third of the way into the film. Instead of taking the easy route, the writers hinted at the characters' situation as the film went, allowing this intrigue of the unknown propel the story. This film isn't intense. In fact, it's pretty mild, but because you didn't know everything from the beginning, you wanted to keep watching.

My favorite scene of the movie.

How this can be applied to writing: Your readers aren't stupid and holding back information isn't a bad thing. Instead of telling your readers about the background of the characters or other details either in a long swath of narration or having your character conveniently feel the need to spiel about their lives, drop small questions in phrases, interior monologue, and even settings and let your reader put it together. It's funner this way and it's just good writing.

2.) The Movie Started in a Great Place - I could see this film starting in many places. One could have been back before Satsuki and her family ever moved and shown their mother sick or another after they moved into the house, but the writers began where they did because it was the closest to the inciting incident while still giving some background to the story. This gave us time to grow attached to Satsuki and Mei and their awesome dad, before the mysterious Totoros came into play.

The iconic scene.

How this can be applied to writing: Where you start your story is essential to drawing in your readers. I've changed my beginnings so many times to find just the right spot. Choosing the right starting place can make or break a book. Look for a place close to the inciting incident, but far enough so you can learn about the character before throwing them into the action. Before you put your characters in danger whether it be emotionally or physically, your readers must care.

3.) They Captured the Nature of a Child - These screenwriters did their research. I've often observed in movies that children move very similar to adults and sometimes think similarly to adults as well. I like that in Totoro, Mei and Satsuki act like children, simplistic yet natural and it doing so it captures the voice of a child and you feel with them throughout the story not like an overseeing adult. I loved how Mei tripped while she was running and copied Satsuki.

Mei running after some Totoros.

How this can be applied to writing: One extremely important part of writing especially in first person and third person limited is really getting into the head of a character. This is called voice which is making the reader feel like he or she is seeing through the eyes of that character like describing things how the characters would or portraying the character's thoughts and movements accurately. For example the thoughts of a soldier would be very different than the thoughts of a doctor or high school student.

My Neighbor Totoro is an adorable film for adults, teens, and children. I would strongly recommend giving this movie a watch not just for its great writing, but also for this heartwarming story about two sisters and a trio of forest spirits.

Have you seen this movie? Who's your favorite character? Are there any writing learning points I missed?

Friday, June 19, 2015

Interview with Faol (Red Hood)

Me:

*sitting outside with my laptop in a chair* Hey, everybody! Today I'm interviewing Faol, a secondary character from my steampunk fantasy Red Hood. If you'd like to learn a bit about him before reading the interview, check out his bio. Thank you, everyone who submitted questions! These interviews really help me develop characters! If you'd like to get some tips about interviewing characters, I wrote a post all about it! Let's get to it! Good afternoon, Faol!

Faol:

*is a giant eight and a half foot tall blue werewolf (see pic at bottom), has the voice of a middle-aged man* Good afternoon, Victoria.

Me:

Are you ready for your first ever interview, my friend?

Faol:

Indeed. Mor and Dina have informed me much about this event. I have been looking forward to it.

Me:

Good good. All righty, first question is from Amy Covel: Faol! ^^ I have some questions! Can you talk like a human?

Faol:

No impertinence meant, but obviously I can.

Me:

*snickers* The second question is from Andrea Salvador: Why is your name... your name? I'm curious.

Faol:

An intriguing question. Lord Nzelt named me shortly after my creation. He takes pleasure in naming his werewolves.

Me:

The next question is from Elizabeth Hemingyway: Do you have a humanoid form or do you stay a wolf all of the time? P.S You look awesome either way.

Faol:

*smiles* Well, thank you, Ms. Hemingway. You are very kind. To answer your question, I always stay a wolf.

Me:

Here is another from Amy Covel: Are you the largest of your kind?

Faol:

I am not. I am about the average height of a werewolf at eight and half feet tall. Some werewolves have grown up to twelve feet tall.

Me:

This is new information to me. *writes that down* Okay next question is from Jessi Roberts: Does the full moon do anything to you?

Faol:

No, it does not. Is there any particular reason why it would?

Me:

Other types of werewolves react to it.

Faol:

I see. I am not in that category.

Me:

That I know. *smiles, pats his leg* Here is the last one from Andrea Salvador: Do you have any triggers that cause you to behave violently as a wolf?

Faol:

Besides anger, no.

Me:

The next question is from Annika Smith: Does his mechanical leg detach or ever need repair?

Faol:

It does actually need repair and occasional oiling. Sometimes it is damaged in battle. Concerning taking it off, that is only done if absolutely necessary since it is attached to my flesh.

Me:

Also didn't know that. *writes that down too* The following two questions are both from Amy Covel: What do you love above all else?

Faol:

*opens mouth to say something*

Me:

SPOILER! Moving on to the next one. What do you hate?

Faol:

*lays ears back, raises the area where he would have eyebrows if he was a human, shakes head* I strongly dislike Nzelt and what he has done to Silfurlund and even his own country.

Me:

Next question is from Annika Smith: Wow, poor Faol! How long was he working for Nzelt?

Faol:

I appreciate your sympathy. I have been working for him since my creation so about ten years.

Me:

This is one from Skye: You had me at werewolf. What is his biggest regret, and what is his biggest accomplishment? :)

Faol:

My biggest regret is destroying a village close to one of the Red Hood borders. *ears droop, whines* It had women and children in it. *perks ears* On a lighter note, my largest accomplishment was breaking away from Nzelt's control.

Me:

Jessi Robert's character wants to say a few words: My character Rolf wants to say deserting is a very brave thing to do. Thorn (One of my werewolves): I got exiled, so I can understand your situation, even if it's a bit different. Do you have any family? Is it hard, being separated from your pack?

Faol:

It is difficult at times yet at the same time a relief. As soon as I broke control from Nzelt, being around other werewolves felt like being the only seeing being among the blind. I miss the comradery, but not the wrong doing.

Me:

Here is another from Annika Smith: Is he being hunted down by Nzelt now that he's deserted?

Faol:

I am.

Me:

And the next two are from Amy Covel: What is your ultimate goal?

Faol:

To assist the Red Hoods in winning the war against Isriki.

Me:

How do you plan to atone for what you have done?

Faol:

The same answer as before applies, but I will expand more on this one. I have exclusive information they have never been able to gather from my side of the war and I plan to deliver it to them.

Me:

The last one is from Annika Smith: How does he intend to approach the Red Hoods without getting killed?

Faol:

I haven't quite figured that one out yet. Approaching even one would be risking my life. I just have to pick which one I wish to attempt to talk to.

Me:

And that is all of the questions! What did you think of that Faol?

Faol:

It was enjoyable. My thanks to all of you lovely ladies for the questions.

Me:

I'm glad you enjoyed it! My thanks go out to everyone as well! If you'd like to learn more about Faol's book, check out my Beautiful Books posts! Also take a look at his fellow characters' interviews such as Mor or Claes's. I hope you enjoyed this one! And thanks for reading! Come back next month for Emil from my sci-fi novel Subsapien's interview!