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whimsical character traits ⛧⋆˚࿔⋆
“who cares if i’m pretty, i feel like i’m phoebe” .⋆♱
humming to themself without realising it
naming every houseplant
waving at animals
carrying the band-aids with cartoon characters on
leaving shiny objects out for crows
collecting antique keys without knowing what they’ll open
knowing the latin names for plants/trees/flowers
having an uncanny ability to find four leaf clovers
having lucky socks
[thank you for reading, my loves! if you guys like this sort of post then maybe i’ll do more. as always, my asks are open if you have any requests, i’m trying to get out of my slump and get better at replying to asks! again, if you are able to give and support my ko-fi i would be eternally grateful ⏾]
Something that I think is pretty fun is that you don't necessarily have to do too much to characterise historical characters in your writing
Recently I developed a character for a House my little sister developed in the lore of our story. It's actually one of my favourite pieces of lore in the entire story and they're one of the most fucked up white haired families since the Malfoys in Harry Potter and the Targaryens in Game of Thrones.
But the character I developed for the House was a 13th Century knight who fought for the Anglo-Norman forces against the Irish and became the Earl of Leinster after defeating the head of a rival Irish Clan. Then when he came back home he was spurred on by his Earldom, desire for land, and the Catholic Church's opposition to consanguinity to kill off a sect of the House that was practicing incest, and he blooded his children by getting them involved in that battle.
So, overall, a pretty fucked up guy even when dealing with something that we can all agree is pretty fucked up. He prevented the House from becoming the Targaryens, but at what cost?
But the characterise him, I didn't need to do a lot of work to be honest. Besides noting that he was extremely arrogant and had nice hair, there was one bit of characterisation I gave the Earl of Leinster that basically sums up his whole personality.
During The Battle of The Frozen Bogs, which is the battle where he fought against the Irish Clansman, I imagined him in his knight armour on an armoured horse. And as he gets ready to fight the Clansmen he snaps his visor down and lets out an arrogant "Ha-ha!" and then charges in on his horse. That says everything you need to know about his character in a single action and I think that's pretty funny.
Hhhhhh autism strict values/morals makes it really fucking hard to write characters that are different than myself bc it’s hard not to put my perspective on morals in them bc like sometimes i just don’t understand outside myself
And here I give y’all a sneak peak into the first chapter. I’ve written, like, two pages so far and this excerpt is just under one page.
I plan on making very long chapters, and my goal for the wordcount is however many words it takes me to get to my chapter break lol
Probably not even an eighth of the way there, but I’ve only just started so I can’t give a good assessment
I plan on having long chapters for my fic, my readers will be eating good
I’m surprisingly finding it easy to write a child, I thought it would be harder. When it comes to writing Ceres, I’m focusing on highlighting her innocence as a child so that it hits harder when responsibility starts to pile up on her.
Keep an eye on my account for more updates on my fanfiction-of-a-fanfiction!
ok so i have a question and i need some answers. i would ask a muslim woman i know in real life but i don't actually know any muslim women in real life the way i know like jewish women or christian women or whatnot, unfortunately, so we're turning to the internet cause it's the 21st century goddamnit.
SO. i have this character, Dr. Chione Badawi. She's 37, a doctor aboard the Heretic's Constellation (the ship my characters are on. long story). She's married to John Conwell, who's white and British. She has two young children, an eight year old son and a five year old daughter. Dr. Badawi is Egyptian and speaks Arabic, but her parents immigrated to Isla Mortalas (multi-cultural "utopia" in the Sea Between, also a long story) when she was young.
So right now, I have her as a practicing Muslim, but she doesn't wear a hijab except for when she goes to meet the gods (another long story). this is NOT for some bs rick riordan-ahh reason (im sry uncle rick ily but wtf was with the "sam takes off her hijab cause valhalla is her second home"), this is because when i got her character up and running, i was like "i know enough about muslims to make her muslim, but not enough about hijabi women to write her as a hijabi" and also for whatever reason idk i didn't create her character with a hijab in mind? if that makes sense? like not in an islamophobic way it js didn't occur to me.
But she does the five prayers a day follows the five pillars and she fasts during Ramadan and she practices modesty and adheres to the dietary restrictions, she just doesn't wear a hijab on the day to day.
IS THAT BAD. or unrealistic? like, ig im asking, do i make her a hijabi? if so, i may need someone's help with that, because i do NOT feel like getting cancelled for accidentally being islamophobic (i would never be islamophobic on purpose but ignorance can be js as bad and this book is trying to be as inclusive as possible, diversity is literally woven into the core of the Sea Between's plot so it IS IMPORTANT)
that's all! please help because i am STRUGGLING with poor Dr. Badawi and i love her and she deserves better than my fumbling. Literally anything is appreciated, tysm!
People will be like “here’s my WOKE ocs!!” and it’s just two men who have been made gay and bi. Maybe if we’re lucky we’ll get a lesbian or autistic character in there. Oh! and they’re all white and skinny :D
Where are the people of color??? Im not just talking one “inclusive” black or asian person, it’s no better than a whole white cast if you do not have multiple. And why are we just using black, white or asian? Don’t tell me their supposed skin color, tell me; American, Canadian, African, Australian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, European, Spanish, the list goes on. And people who are mixed as well!!
What about body types?? Skinny, fat, average, tall, short, strong, buff, chubby, frail? And having Women and nonbinary people and gay men having diverse bodies and not always being skinny or curvy.
Genders?? Why is no one trans or nonbinary, or otherwise gender nonconforming? And when they are why do they only use she/her, he/him, or they/them? How about characters that use it/its and specific neopronouns? People that are genderfluid and bigender and transmasc or transfem (which are not the same as trans)? People who don’t use pronouns and just their name?
Split attraction?? What about aro and ace spec characters? Especially aroallo ones! Aplatonic characters?? Labels that don’t make sense to people like bi-lesbians, gay and pan?
Disibilities??? Does no one use a wheelchair or crutches? No one is blind or deaf or mute? No one has to carry around epipens or wear a CGM? No glasses or hearing aids? And what about mentally? What about neurodivergent people of all types? Different levels or autism and ADHD, bipolar, schizophrenic, depressed, OCD, DID or otherwise plural, narcissist, tourrettes, dyslexia, BPD, etc.
Where are the peole with alternative Styles?? Goth, punk, decora, cottagecore, fem aligned people who dress masculine and masc aligned people who dress feminine, nonbinary people who dress or present leaning towards one binary (without their gender being forgotten)? Anything outside the norm?
Other religions? Not everyone can be christian or if we’re pushing it, atheist, what about buddhist and islam and shinto, etc.?
And hobbies?? Why is everything so basic? Not one character is into something unique? And no D&D and legos do not count. Give your adult characters favorite “kids cartoons” go on. Make them obsessed with a niche or simple or cute game. Make them absolutely adore bugs or plants or dog breeds and be able to point out every single thing. Make them collect swords or soda tabs or coins!! Perhaps they know the entire history of their hometown or a random place they have never even been to. There’s so so many opportunities here, thousands I couldn’t even begin to go over.
Most importantly why are they so perfect? Give them flaws. Make it easy to hate them. And you don’t have try to make an excuse to get around it. They don’t have to be “good deep down in their heart” or conventionally attractive. They can be ugly and angry and apathetic and still be a good character. Just don’t strip them of their humanity. They can still be likeable no matter who they are, because regardless they are human, and they will be relatable. Maybe not to you, not to most people, but to someone.
That’s the entire point!
You don’t have to relate to a character to create them. You don’t have to have the same heritage or experiences or interests as a character you create.
“But I’m afraid of getting it wrong!” Good. Do it anyways. Research what you can. Don’t get pissy when someone points out an inaccurate or stereotypical depiction. Learn more as you go on. Be openminded and ready to learn and listen to people who do know more than you. You can’t be perfect, but you’ll never even be good if you never do it, and you’re going to continue excluding people who need representation and someone to relate to.
A meet cute with Javi, and we stumble on an unintentional little praise kink.
WC: 1200
It's not a thousand words, but A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words Challenge hosted by the irrepressible @the-blind-assassin-12 ! Thank you Alyssa for hosting such a fun challenge!
Tagging the librarians @littlemisspascal and @pedrostories thats so much for what you do
The number 3 rattles on its tracks, and as it rounds a curve, the wheels start to squeal.
The P.A. crackles to life, and a staticy voice announces, Clark Street! Next Stop Clark Street!
"Clark Street? Did I miss..."
You open your eyes to the muttered question filled with worry beside you.
Turning your head toward the fellow next to you, his warm brown eyes were perfect circles, his brows disappearing into his honey brown curls. His head swiveling and his neck long to locate a sign. He looks like a meerkat.
"Where are you headed?"
He jumps a little, coming out of his little bubble of concern.
"I, ah, well, I was going to Broadway."
"Times Square Station?"
"Yes, Times Square," though his voice is anxious, it was also warm and accented.
"That's... you've overshot by a bit. Doze off?"
"I, well, no, I was going over this script I'm writing, and I just got lost in it, I guess."
He looks down at his watch, then up at the map, grimacing as he counts the stops.
"Well, it's no big deal, we're crossing into Brooklyn, but you can just jump off and pop back on going the other way."
"I think I am going to miss my appointment." Then he looks down at his feet, his brows tightly knit and the sweetest, saddest pout you've ever seen.
"Eeshh, I'm sorry. Can you text whomever you're meeting?"
He quickly nods as he pulls out his phone.
"If anyone can get this meeting moved to tomorrow, it's Nick." He starts typing away, his phone pings, he reads, snorts in embarrassed amusement at whatever it said, and types some more. Then sighs.
"Sssso, what's your script about?"
This guy. It's as if the clouds parted from the sky, his face radiant. And he launches into a summary, but then starts including asides about influences and particular shots that must reference this or that.
Chuckling, you suggest that he should name the dog after Gene Hackman's character in The French Connection.
His eyes go round again, but this time in surprised delight, and he starts scribbling the note on his script.
"Well, this is me coming up," you sigh, pointing up to nothing in particular. "Nice talking to you."
Then he takes your raised hand in both of his, cradling it and looking into your eyes, the very picture of earnestness.
"Thank you so much for - everything... I just," he sighs, "my friend Nick, he has a tight schedule tonight, so now I am on my own. I guess I can eat dinner at the hotel, but-"
You look at him, for a beat, and surprise yourself-
"Well, if you want, you're getting off here anyway, to turn around- we could have dinner, and then you can head back to Manhattan."
"You wouldn't mind? I would love that!"
"Not at all," you said, and introduced yourself.
"I'm Javi."
The train squeals to a stop, and the conductor announces again that it is the Clark Street Station.
"So where are we going?"
"Well, lots of good places to eat, along the way to my neighborhood- "
"Sounds great. What neighborhood are you in? So many cool Brooklyn neighborhoods from movies! Would I know it?"
"I dunno, I'm in Red Hook."
"Hm. It does sound familiar..."
You don't get all the way to Red Hook, regardless of how sweet this guy looks, you know enough not to bring him to your apartment. You stopped at a café with lots of open seating outside, not too far from the Station.
Javi chats away about his favorite New York movies, but doesn't forget to ask about you and your interests... and your favorite New York movies, Nick Cage movies, and if you like cheesecake.
This is so unlike you to be so impulsive with a stranger, no less. But the man just seems like a walking, talking green flag, and it was kind of nice not to just go home after work and stare at the TV or scroll on your phone... or, let's be honest, do both, only half-paying attention to the show or movie you put on. Thinking this sort of guiltily, you blurt out-
"Is it true that studios push writers to have characters narrate and repeat plot points because we're all splitting our attention between screens?"
Javi sighs the sigh of the woe-begotten and beleaguered, "It is a problem. And of course there are people who notice and complain about the writing being childish if you do it, AND if you don't do it there's people who complain about plot holes, that they didn't know what was going on!"
Suddenly, Javi looks at you suspiciously and waves a forkful of cheesecake at you. "And which one are you?"
You laugh and grimace. And he looks to the sky like he's looking for strength.
"I am both," you admit. " But, but, I don't complain. When I realize I am getting distracted and don't know what's going on, I put my phone down and rewind. I promise!" You cross your heart. "Honestly, I'm usually good, I futz with my phone mostly when I'm listening to the news or other more listen-not-look type things. But I have caught myself being bad." You look at him with big, sad, guilty eyes. "Sorry."
"Naughty," he jokes, wagging a finger. "You have to be a good girl if you want good stories."
You choke a little on your cheesecake, trying to recover with a sip of your drink. Javi just looks at you with concern.
"Are you okay?"
Relieved, he didn't seem to notice your ridiculous reaction. You try to move on-
"Fine! Anyway, Nick Cage, huh?"
The two of you veer into a small park. You know it's time to part ways, but you're just not sure how to do it. Luckily, Javi is so much more outgoing than you; he takes your hand, just like that, so easily, it doesn't feel weird, forced, or too forward... It's just friendly.
"Can I see you again?"
"Oh yes, please," you blurt out, but you refuse to feel embarrassed by it. "I'd really like that."
"Great!!" Javi is sweetly acting like he's the one who has won the big prize at the carnival. He pulls out his phone and you get yours, he takes a quick selfie with you and sets it up for you to type in your details. He texts you the selfie, and you save it and his number.
"So we just went south, you just head up a few blocks to Clark Street and hop back on the train." You press your lips together in a small smile and go to wave. But he steps into your space, brushing your cheek with his soft lips, with a small kiss. You think, oh, Europeans, and you ready yourself to kiss the other cheek... but he murmurs your name and your knees liquefy.
Then his lips reach your ear-
"Until next time. Be good."
His lips curl into a wicked smile that you are shocked to see on this Labrador of a man, and he heads toward the station, leaving you staring, mouth open just a little.
THANKS FOR READING! 💚 YOU CAN FIND MORE JAVI AND OTHER PPCU FIC ON MY MARSTERLIST!
