Another one for Reverse Asks! This time filched from mimble-sparklepudding's Herbal OC Questions.
Rosemary - Memory, Mental Acuity and Recollection of Information.
1. What is your OC's earliest memory? Is it one they would sooner forget or do they recall it with fondness? Do they genuinely remember it? Or have they just been told about it so often by their family or community that they can picture it clearly?
For Aeryn, this changes over the ARR -> EW journey. For a long time, her earliest memory is the game's opening sequence: hearing Hydaelyn's voice, then waking up in the Shroud before Bremondt's cart passes by and offers her a lift.
She has zero memories of her past until StB, when swimming in the Ruby Sea triggers a disorienting series of memory fragments to flash through her mind. Most of them swiftly fade (like waking up from a dream and promptly forgetting all the details); but one that stays with her is being aboard a ship during a terrible storm.
In ShB, during the climactic battle, she ends up with an extended look at that memory via the Echo, during which she both sees and relives the last moments of her life and the death of her star, courtesy of Emet-Selch's having been there. That then becomes her "earliest" memory... albeit arguably, since the memory is both hers and not hers?
It's a violent, horrible memory to have; but it's also cathartic for her to have anything at all when, by that point in the story, she thought her past fully lost to her. It's the catalyst that pushes her to finally, finally let go of the notion that her identity is tied to her missing past (a major turning point in her arc). After so long having nothing at all, I don't think she'd want to forget, in spite of it being so brutal to recollect.
(I sometimes waffle over whether Aeryn will ever remember more. My gut instinct is, though she might make certain inferences based on experiences in Endwalker, she'll never actually regain other memories. It's important to me that the culmination of her journey is releasing the need for her unknown past so she can choose, instead, a future she makes for herself, as herself. Regaining more of her past feels counterproductive to that end, I think... though I reserve the right to change my mind! :D)
I'm trying to get motivation to work on old WIPs and wanted to do an ask game about it, but I couldn't find any that were exactly what I was thinking so I'm gonna try to make one! I also have a long travel day so hopefully this will help pass the time lmao (sorry if it's a short list)
WRITER'S ASK GAME
WIP Questions
What's the meaning behind the title?
What's your current word count?
Was this story inspired by anything?
What made you stop/pause working on your WIP?
If you took a break from writing (as a whole or just one WIP) what made you stop?
What character is easiest to write for? The hardest?
What's your favorite scene to write?
Give me a word and I'll look in my WIP and post the sentence it's in
OC/MC QUESTIONS
How does your OC/MC handle their physical and mental health?
Does your OC/MC have a best friend? How did they meet?
What about a romantic interest? How did they meet, and what makes them a good pairing?
OC/MC's sexuality?
Does your OC/MC want to be a parent? What kind of parent would they be?
What job do they get as an adult? Do they get to retire?
Thank you for sending this @remnantmassacre! These were really fun to think about and answer <3
💝 what is a fic that got a different response than you were expecting?
A side-fic in the TVOTE ’verse, Outside of Love (AO3 | FFN). It’s a oneshot about the Hyuuga, the brewing discontent among the Branch House, and my OC from TVOTE, Hana… who is in a ~situationship~ with Neji.
This isn’t the kind of fic I ever would have anticipated anyone caring about, and it got way more engagement than I expected. Readers’ reactions to Outside of Love was one of the best surprises y’all have ever given me 🥰
🤍 what's one fic of yours you think people didn't "get"?
Most of my readers pick up what I’m putting down, but there are a few stories that piss off a minority of people. Usually because they don’t understand what "monogamy" means 😂
Obviously the biggest offenders are the fics where Sakura has *ever* encountered a penis that is not Sasuke’s! Most notably, To Leave Your Love Behind (AO3 | FFN).
🕯️was there a fic that was really hard on you to write, or took you to a place you didn't think it would take you?
For Everything There Is a Season (AO3 | FFN). I have such a clear plan for the rest of that story, which is over halfway done, but writing it is very demanding. It’s the only fic I’ve ever written that can trigger me. When I started it, I was excited and inspired. But during my first hiatus, I experienced some things (not miscarriage) that align with Sasuke’s and Sakura’s trauma in FETIAS. And every time I pick it up I go straight to that place mentally. There's a 50/50 chance whether I'll cry if I work on it >.<
All that said, I do hope to finish it one day! It's on a long hiatus, but it's not abandoned.
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If anyone else wants to ask me fanfic questions from this awesome list go for it! Or reblog it for yourself. It's the best one of these I've ever seen ngl
Character Ask Meme! Drop in a random character plus a number (Can be used for OC’s, Comfort Characters, or anything really to do with fictional characters)
1- Favourites thing(s) about this character?
2- What song(s) remind you of this character?
3- Do you like this character?
4- Would you write about this character?
5- What do you not like about this character?
6- Favourite thing this character has said?
7- What do you like most about this character?
8- Do you think this character is underrated or overrated?
9- What’s your favourite headcanon(s) for this character?
10- Who do you like to ship with this character? (If you do of course) Is it another character from the cast or is it an OC?
11- Who do you not like to ship with this character?
12- Have you read any fics about this character? (if it’s not an OC)? Can you recommend anything good?
13- Contrary wise if it is an OC, what’s your favourite story with them in it you’ve written?
14- What outfit would you really like to see this character wear? Or what’s your favourite outfit of theirs?
15- Favourite line of theirs?
16- What do you think would improve this character? Like, character-arc wise?
17- Have you ever had a crush on this character…?
18- What’s something you associate this character with? E.g. a certain colour, object or scenery?
19- What would the show/book/movie be like if this character wasn’t present? (if it’s not an OC)
20- Contrary wise, if this character is an OC, how does their presence change the story?
21- Wild card! Talk about anything to do with this character! Anything at all!
241. What are the biggest holidays celebrated in your world?
242. What form of communication do your characters use wen they’re separated?
243. What is something you need before you can write? (Can be something like music, a writing buddy, or a snack; OR something like a plot, a villain, a motive)
244. How do people get around in your WIP?
245. What personal grooming ritual do your characters do that would seem strange in real life?
