#oaid

[redvelvetsource]

SLAYN POWDER MIXING WATER TINT with SEULGI🧸

[thel3tterm]

Our Author is Dead

This is my current novel project. I’ve been working on it for ~5 years, and its been through many painful drafts and revisions.

Current status: about halfway through the final draft. ~23 chapters and counting.

Read it here!  What is it about?

When Rouge’s boyfriend, Michael, goes missing under mysterious circumstances, he leaves behind boxes of incomprehensible research, and a realization that he hadn’t been the meek eccentric they always believed.

Rouge wanders from town to town, trying to piece together what happened and hopefully bring him home.

Along the way, they have to deal with biological monstrosities, an enigmatic being who eats words, a vigilante in a rabbit mask, overpowered teens on the run from a nightmarish organization, and worst of all- a war over who gets to be the protagonist of the story they apparently live in.

The World:

Our Author is Dead takes place in a country known as Doma.

Doma is very similar to our contemporary society. There’s junk food, convenience stores, comic books, air conditioning, interstates… but no electricity. The east is bordered by an ocean, and its western desert ends in an incomprehensible, uncrossable ‘wall’ of abnormality.

Lets Talk Biomancy: All technology is based upon living organic tissue- a field known as Biomancy. The field is completely normalized in their world. It gets them from place to place, lets them communicate long distances, runs the factories, does pretty much everything electricity does for us. In many cases its unnoticeable, running through the walls or inside of gadgets one might not even suspect are alive. The most noteworthy examples though, are full fledged lab created ‘animals’ of sorts. They might be pets, household assistance, or most commonly, vehicles. Zap Heads: Some people actually do study electricity, and believe in the merits of it as an alternative means of engineering. …Of course, we all know that its just a fringe science and that there’s no way to actually use electricity for anything substantial. People who study it call themselves Electricians. Everyone else calls them Zap Heads.

Novus: A subgroup of people in this country are known as Novus. A Novus, for one reason or another, is born with a slight or major split from their own body. Most people are only able to have an influence within themselves. They are only able to think inside their heads and move what’s attached to them. A Novus is able to have an influence outside of themself, which can manifest in a myriad of ways. Some might bend reality around them to their will, some might be able to reach into another person’s head and change things around. -Novus are looked at negatively by most of the country, and are often disparagingly called ‘Wiz’, based on the thought that they’re like witches. -Medical researchers believe that it is some kind of a birth defect, but are unable to determine if the root is environmental or genetic. -They’ve been noted to have a much higher average body temperature, and a weaker immune system. Flexing their 'abnormalities’ seems to require an extreme amount of energy, so they need to eat a lot more than average and struggle to keep a healthy weight. -Religious people believe that it is caused by a moral failure, and that Novus need to have more self discipline to 'correct’ themselves. -Upon discovery, Novus are immediately documented and given a facial tattoo and serial number. -Most Novus wind up being seized and taken to a 'rehabilitation’ center before they reach the age of eighteen. Few will ever actually leave the rehab centers. Only a small number remain free to adulthood. The Bones: One of the oldest and most prestigious families in Doma is known as the Bones. Despite appearing frequently in history textbooks, newspaper and magazine articles, interviews, important dinners, parties, and the like, very little is ACTUALLY known about the Bones. Here are some definite knowns: -They invented Biomancy several hundred years ago. -They are the only family who actually knows how to make a Biom from scratch, and they hold this secret very close. (Factories merely assemble the Bioms, but an outside party is not able to make a working one unless it comes from them.) -All of their children are women. No Bones has ever been a man. -They seem to have an extreme influence over all the goings-on in the country. Politics, Novus control, science, media, you name it, they’re there. Melissa Bones is currently in charge of their family operations, and her daughter Pamela is the up and coming heir. Characters: Rouge: -27 years old -Novus -Non-binary (they/them) -Very thin, brown hair (unless they dye it) usually in a sideshave or shaggily uneven, long face, tan skin, chipped front tooth, average height -Almost always wearing a patched up and shabby blue coat. -Anxious, self loathing, self-described as 'completely ordinary and boring’, sarcastic, artistic, tenacious -Was diagnosed a Novus at age 17 in a freak accident. They had never caused anything to happen before, and have done nothing unusual since. -Was rescued from a rehab center under equally bizarre circumstances by a childhood friend, and is a rare 'adult’ Novus. -Has a taste for the finer things in life, and likes to critique food and visual design -Loves outlandish fashion, but has no money for it -Is looking for someone dear to them who mysteriously went missing Valence: -Is that even her real name? -19 years old -Extremely powerful Novus. Perhaps the most powerful there ever was. -Can bend reality around her, create bursts of light and heat, move objects at a distance, alter the shape and material of things -Stocky and muscular, on the shorter side, round face, tan skin, black hair typically kept short -Prefers masculine clothing -Prone to anger, determined, stubborn, courageous, strong moral compass, black and white mentality, fiercely independent -Both of her parents are well known 'Zap Heads’. Her siblings are well known activists and researchers. While smart, she was more drawn to music, and felt trapped under the expectations placed on her by her family. -Was friends with several vigilantes and rogue freedom fighters who knew her family -Was taken at age 18 after snapping someone’s leg in half, and brought to a secret facility run by the Bones -Broke herself out and has been on the run since -Was in a shitty garage band. Plays bass. Loves comic books and underground music. Tariku: -14 years old -Novus with the ability to 'see’ into people’s inner selves and mess with their heads, plus a few other things I won’t mention here yet. -Dark skin, thick hair, short because he’s still young but will grow to be tall, on the thinner side -Prefers to dress crisply, usually opting for collared shirts -Wears a blindfold most of the time to prevent accidentally spying on people. (Also because he was taught that his ability is a sin, and he can’t turn it off…) -Thoughtful, cautious, strategic, quiet, prone to guilt, shows little emotion but feels things intensely, rarely shares what he’s thinking about, extremely curious but is often too afraid to explore or take risks -Never swears or uses contractions while speaking -Grew up in a facility with several other Novus with similar abilities who were being trained for a specific, mysterious, goal -Knew Pamela Bones -Decided to escape with Valence after an incident he is keeping a secret, for now -Is curious about 'normal’ things people his age do, but is so far underwhelmed by the reality of the outside world Corvid: -??? -This thing seems to show up randomly in Rouge’s room at night. Is it even real?  -It talks in garbled voices patched together  -Wears a raven mask. Who knows what it is or what it wants. Is it even human? Michael:  -A childhood friend of Rouges, then boyfriend -Tall, gangly, dark curly hair, freckles -A bit of a know-it-all, passionate about everything, pleasant and friendly, keeps things to himself, doesn’t like to share uncomfortable details of his life -Difficult family life, a lot left unsaid -Might be involved in really dark and shady things -Got kidnapped and who knows where he is now Proto: -Lives in the woods -Always wears a rabbit mask, even while they’re sleeping, like a weirdo -Supposedly a friend of Michael’s, but Rouge had never heard of them -A friend of Valence’s as well, and worked with her family -Vigilante, destructive Pamela Bones: -20 -Pale skin, freckles, bright red hair kept long, perfectly aligned teeth, green eyes, a bit on the shorter side, fit, curvy figure -She’s everywhere, it seems. An international icon -Sounds bubbly and friendly enough, but there’s something wrong with her voice, and her eyes, and her smile. It seems a bit uncanny, a bit... off somehow Read it here! ________________________ Tag list: @leonajasmin-writeblr @zburatorii

[thel3tterm]

Our Author is Dead - Chapter Navigation

Chapter 0: A Memory Chapter 1: Packrats Chapter 2: Wiz Flu Chapter 2.5: ??? Chapter 3: May You Be Whole

[thel3tterm]

Small excerpt from my writing today. I’m fond of Proto. Rouge: “Hey you’ve been gone for a day and a half. Where the hell have you been?”  Proto, shaking a jar full of rocks and random objects: “What”

[thel3tterm]

“I’d rather not be dealing with any of this bullshit, but what choice do I have?” Rouge, the main character from my current writing project.  They’re a ball of anxiety with expensive tastes and no money.  Tag list: @leonajasmin-writeblr @zburatorii

[thel3tterm]

I don't know if you're still doing these but 93 for the drabble challenge?

Send me a prompt, and I'll write a drabble.

93: "I'm telling you, I'm haunted"

The events of the night before played on repeat in my head. My ears rang, my skin buzzed and prickled. That thing... It faded in and out of the darkness, glassy eyes gleaming in the moonlight, voice distorted and unearthly. It'd been years.

As a child, it only came in violent and vague nightmares that sent me crying to my parents room.

As a teenager it showed up infrequently, in bouts of what my doctors called sleep paralysis.

The lucid and physical manifestations were new.

Tariku and Valence sat around our pathetic campfire. Tariku gently stoked it, face stony as it always was. Valence casually flipped rocks and twigs into the air where they caught fire or changed forms with flicks of her fingers.

"I think I'm haunted." I blurted out.

Valence straightened up. "Haunted? Like... A spirit?"

"Yeah. See. There's this thing that sometimes shows up in my sleep. I'm starting to think it's real."

Tariku lifted an eyebrow. "Haunted, you say? That sounds highly unlikely. As far as I have heard and read, extra-physical entities have been repeatedly proven to not exist. Perhaps you should consider seeing a professional and seeking help."

A manic grin split across Valences face. "You know, I always wanted to see a ghost. There were those chatterbox shows about hauntings out in like Terrace Heights or the ghost of the mad butcher of Riviet. I could stay up all night and try to catch it if its bothering you."

She mimed hitting it over the head with an axe. I couldn't help but wince.

Tariku snorted. "It is all fake. Rouge has just been through a lot and it is starting to take a mental toll. It is some kind of stress induced manifestation."

"Thanks guys. This is... Really helping a ton."

[thel3tterm]

Proto 👶 as a child!

Sorry I took so long on this! Thank you so much for the ask, too. [I don’t have a link to the prompt anymore, I’m afraid.]My WIP | Ko-Fi

[thel3tterm]

Valence for the worldbuilding ☺️

world building wednesday

send me the name of a character, and i’ll reply with:

B A S I C S

full name: Valence Phan-Clarke (Real name is Valerie Phan-Clarke.)

gender: Girl

sexuality: big gay

pronouns: She/her

O T H E R S

family: The Phan-Clarke family. Both of her parents are well known, and actually respected (in the scientific community) pioneers of electrical engineering. Sadly they’ve been painted as crazy in their country at large, and are called ‘Zap-Heads’. Her older sister, Alice, and older brother, Nick, are well known activists and scientists as well.

birthplace: Evo, an industrial town in the west desert of Doma

job: None

phobias: Claustrophobic

guilty pleasures: She isn’t guilty about ANY of her pleasures, but loves junk food, comic books, and garage music

M O R A L S

morality alignment?: Chaotic Good

sins - lust/greed/gluttony/sloth/pride/envy/wrath

virtues - chastity/charity/diligence/humility/kindness/patience/justice

T H I S - O R - T H A T

introvert/extrovert: Extrovert

organized/disorganized: Disorganized

close minded/open-minded: Even Split

calm/anxious: Chill

disagreeable/agreeable: Disagreeable

cautious/reckless: Reckless

patient/impatient: Impatient

outspoken/reserved: Outspoken

leader/follower: Leader

empathetic/unemphatic: Emphatic

optimistic/pessimistic: Optimistic

traditional/modern: Modern

hard-working/lazy: Hard working, if she cares about something. Lazy if she doesn’t

R E L A T I O N S H I P S

otp: Her and Proto

brotp: Her and anyone else

Tag list:  

@leonajasmin-writeblr @zburatorii @dontwritethatone @mybitchyoc @rcris123 @minnowf @dreadwvlfscript @writeness @semblanche @susannahkincaid