#pigeonpelt

[peppermint-moss]

Warrior cat oc designs commissions from August ! (+ a coloured sketch that was also commissioned for myrtlestem c: )

commission info || tip jar

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

I know this a weird question, but how will you go about they/them + neopronouns in your story when it comes to writing? I've written them into my stories before but I've had people say its confusing to read and makes the text make no sense.

Not a weird question at all!! I’m actually flattered that people ask questions to this degree for me to answer; it makes me feel like a Real Writer, offerin’ advice, as silly as it is ^^’

So when it comes to neopronouns, I personally don’t really understand them, but I think they’re important and I want to include them and provide ample representation for them! Many of my characters have multiple sets of pronouns (for example, Raven using he/they), and I completely understand that sometimes it can get confusing, but that’s just writing. Writing gets confusing! It can get cluttered! And that’s okay!

I know that a lot of people don’t like using “descriptor phrases” (like: “the blonde man”, “the green-eyed woman”, etc) when it comes to differentiating characters, but I personally really like it so I use it a lot lol, especially where cats are involved. Saying things like “the sleek black cat”, “the dual-eyed tom”, “the towering, powerful molly” is not only fun to write, but it helps to propel the story along in a natural sense and negates the need for personal pronouns at all. I also think people don’t like using said descriptor phrases because they feel flat and can easily get overused, so I try to give mine a little bit of flare and make em’ funky lol.

My advice ultimately boils down to: don’t rely on pronouns quite so much. Let your writing flow! But most importantly: don’t worry about it too much!! Obviously take the criticism you’re given, but don’t fuss over it too hard.

[disturbingsubject]

first attack of the year for af user kibbyc4t!!!

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

I have discovered you through fatal rewrites (HI FATAL IF YOU SEE THIS IT'S SNOWKIT ANON AHAHFHHSHD) and now I am SUPER intrigued by this rewrite!! I must ask (and apologies if this has been asked before): Ableism runs pretty rampant in warriors, and I was wondering, will they be fixed in your rewrite? Like, Snowkit living, Cinderpaw/pelt not being forced into being a medicine cat, Longtail not being forced to retire, etc?

THE FABLED SNOWKIT ANON HAS FOUND MY WORK, WELCOME WELCOME!!

I’ve discussed this a bit in prior posts, but I’m always happy to go through it again! ^^ Let me start off by saying that I, myself, am disabled (I have POTS and debilitating chronic pain) and have to handle casual ableism in my everyday life as I live with my parents who are determined to “fix” me. As such, I try to veer away from ableism in my work unless it is relevant to the story or to a character, in which the ableism is treated very seriously and is warned - but that doesn’t come up very often, both due the very world of OFND in addition to my own comfort and ability to express such topics.

OFND’s whole basis is radiation - I discuss the effects of radiation often, especially when it comes to the physical traits that are expressed in various characters. Due to this, there are also tons of characters who are technically disabled/don’t function as an able bodied member of their species typically would. Some examples would be Laurelstorm’s talons, Minktail’s longer tail, and Sunningstrike’s scale-lined throat. The disabled characters far outweigh the able bodied, though I acknowledge that this is definitely due to my own starvation for casual representation in addition to the intrigue I have of how animals with these radiation traits might actually be handled.

Due to the abundance of these traits, the fealty also in turn has become far more accommodating to other disabilities, especially physical. Our protagonist, Rust, for example, suffers an infection that leaves his left hind leg wracked with constant pain and essentially useless. The Woodruffians don’t even bat an eye when he wakes up; they focus on his recovery more than his injury. Spottedleaf even uses his survival as a sign of his strength, something to pad her claim of him being the flame that will guide them to greatness.

Disabled characters are offered accommodations as easily as breathing. For mobility aids, see Fritillaryheart and Laurelstorm’s braces. For Cherrystorm’s PTSD surrounding combat, she became a pursuer. Fealty Gesture is an entire new language that is fully nonverbal. The character Privetnose is deaf and a highly exalted member of her community. Etc etc etc.

In addition to the general treatment of disabled characters just on their own, there is also more jobs readily available within each faction! This is to ensure that the functioning within each faction is as smooth as possible, and to offer a place to everyone. Alongside this, the role that many retire to (the historians) is not restricted solely to senior or disabled cats; it is a role of history keeping and storytelling, the tales of the fealty’s past. It is moreso a job that implies wisdom and knowledge than age or a lack of ability.

But, at the end of the day, these jobs are also fully optional. There might be some social pressure from peers (friends wanting to go into the same job, family wanting to keep their lineage strictly to one function, etc) but it is entirely their choice.

The only “forced” role found within the fealty is that of an augur, but that’s a whole different story that is in no way linked to physical capability.

In regards to the three specific characters listed:

Snowkit lives! I have big plans for Snowkit.

Cinderpaw/pelt does not become a healer-figure in the same way she does canon - not at all. Her deal is very complicated, but she’s similar to Firefall in that she formed a keen interest in healing while in recovery; she chooses the path for herself.

Longtail (Minktail) is not forced to retire! I also have big plans for Minktail.

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

spoilers for ofnd leafpool if we're allowed to ask ?

Angry Too by Lola Blanc

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

Sand: Who the fuck added me to a fucking group chat?

Raven: >:O language

Bear: Yeah watch your fucking language

Jackdaw: OKAY WHO TAUGHT BEAR THE FUCK WORD?

*incert character*: 'The fuck word'.

Rust: Are you stupid? You guys use the f word all the time

Bear: Oh my god they censored it

Incert character: Say fuck, rust.

Bear: Do it, rust. Say fuck.

THE FUCK WORD, CRYING

Realistically, only Rust would know what the f word is…. It was Rust. Rust taught Bear the fuck word

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

Sorry, asking a lot of Questions... how did you come up with words that don't exist. I've always been in awe of people that do that and you take it to a level beyond space itself! I guess my main question is how do you make up such amazing words?

Everybody who apologies for spamming my inbox with questions is getting bonked with a paper towel roll.

I’m assuming you’re talking about words like the ones used for the leadership’s titles :O (if there’s more or something specific you’re asking after, let me know; I’m a little slow lol)!! Fun fact: most of them aren’t actually fake words ;)

If you take a look at OFND’s dictionary, I’ve actually explained and broken down some of those words! For example:

An “orator” is someone who is “a public speaker, especially one who is eloquent or skilled.” This works perfectly for my purposes, as an orator within OFND is the head of their faction and the one who speaks on behalf of all their cats. The word itself descends from Latin, alongside Anglo-Norman French.

An orator’s title, “rhema”, is directly derived from the Ancient Greek word ῥῆμα (rhema), which translates to: “utterance, thing said”.

It also sounds like a sound a cat might make!! Rrrrrr-ehh-ma

My biggest advice for choosing words in this light? Pick an element. A substance. If it’s connected to a specific ideal within your story, break down that ideal to its most basic form and pick off pieces that could translate into a broader word!

Some resources I use to do this:

Glosbe - English to Old English Translator

Old English Translator

[oldfacesnewdawnoffical]

What does the suffix -blaze mean?

Suffix: -blaze

Basic Meanings:

The suffix “-blaze” represents a cat who is bright-furred, bold, fierce, hot-tempered, brash, and notably destructive.

(A personality suffix; can also be a physical suffix.)

Reasoning:

While “fire” is more gentle, something that gives the imagery of control and warmth, a blaze is at the opposite end of that. All consuming, leaving ash in its wake, destruction.

Coincidental Traits:

Often given to cats who tend to take out their emotions on others. Also often given to cats who are skilled or renown in combat.

Notes:

Rainfall’s name was meant to be Rainblaze before she requested to be named after Songfall.

Due to the nature of the suffix, very few cats actually end up being named “-blaze”, and those that are tend to either be recluses within their community, or bright-burning and popular. No in between.

See Also:

-fire

-frost

-snow

-ice

-heart