#WritersCoffeeClub 2.20 — How has a setting surprised you?

Oooh, let's talk about #TheCityOfOpulence here, from the #DigitalDystopiaSeries. Every single thing about the setting where this series takes place surprised me, especially in the first story, which I eventually have to finish posting on AO3. Everything about it came as a shock. It developed as the story grew and blossomed. Things changed. Areas became bigger. Business came to be. Battlegrounds made themselves known. This entire setting came from a homebrew (original) #TTRPG I ran, something #cyberpunk, dystopian, and #SFF for my players, and that's also where my characters came from. They were NPCs that I created. As I began writing the story itself, attempting a novel that slowly became a series, things only grew all the bigger. I love love love this setting to death. Ethera is a beautiful, terrifying city. Citune is a gorgeous planet with tons of lore. This is my favorite setting I've *ever* created, hands down.

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#PennedPossibilities 830 — Have you ever created a SC that you later wished was the MC?

I have. It's Dante in #TheCityOfOpulence, so I created the #DigitalDystopiaSeries for the universe, and he's going to be the MC in the second novel.

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#PennedPossibilities 794 — Describe a “happy life” according to your antagonist?

It would be one where Dr. Death would be able to do his work and experiments in peace. Everyone's always bothering him, including his sponsors. No, *especially* them.

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#PennedPossibilities 793 — SC POV: It has been said, “You are what you eat.” Rewrite the phrase. “You are what you ___.”

Dante: Build. You are what you build, be it empires or a simple house with four walls, comfort, and a family of your own inside.

Take me, for instance. I helped to build our gang, our family, our empire. But just as importantly, I also build bodies, technically speaking. You know all that tech that goes inside your head, choom? All those chips that help improve you and keep you healthy? I design those implants, and I'll surgically place, update, or remove them. I do other things as well. If you have a broken arm, I can fix that. A bad heart, I can help that one too. Diabetes? Yep, I'm your man. Anxiety? No sweat. (Pun definitely intended.) I suppose I do a little bit of everything here in Ethera. Docs are needed. We build things, too. Medical empires are just as important these days.

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#PennedPossibilities 792 — Share art pieces or mood boards for your WIP, if you have any.

I can show you guys Alexios, just from the neck down. That's all that I have on hand at the moment. Just imagine a bearded silver fox by the name of #PeterCapaldi. That's who I've always had in mind for him.

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#PennedPossibilities 791 — Tell us about something that will always make your SC laugh.

There are actually a few things that will always make Dante laugh, and that's a guarantee. They are as follows: Cosmia's jokes, Noona's dry, sarcastic commentary, Junk's silliness (because, yes, that man is ridiculous), or how grumpy Alexios can be at times.

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#PennedPossibilities 789 — Is there a food that reminds your MC of home?

Oh, there's quite a few things. Anything like: mince and tatties, Haggis, something closely resembling Lorne sausage, oatcakes, porridge, tattie scones, etc.

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#PennedPossibilities 788 — Out of all of your characters, who would make a “plan,” who follows along, and who knows if the plan is going to fail?

I figured I'd choose a fun prompt for tonight. We need some laughs.

Alexios makes the plan, Junk follows along without issue or comment, and Cosmia AND Dante both know if the plan will fail (and it probably will). I won't even lie about that. Very easy to answer. 😂

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#PennedPossibilities 787 — How does your MC view the gentler, daintier things in life: as things worth preserving and caring for, or things only bound to wither and disappear?

For Alexios, it's actually a combination of the two. Everything beautiful and joy-inducing is WORTH preserving, but he knows only too well that things can end in the blink of an eye. It won't stop him from trying his best, for caring as much as he possibly can, but the fact that remains. He's suffered great loss in the past. His people are now more, and his planet's gone.

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#PennedPossibilities 785 — If you could give a piece of advice to any of your characters, what would it be?

I have two characters in mind.

1. Alexios, it's time to realize you DO need someone in your life, so stop pushing that man away. Let him love you like you deserve to be loved. Also, learn to be patient with yourself, and forgive yourself for any past actions or for the things you've been through. You couldn't save your people. It's time to accept that. It isn't YOUR fault that they're gone. It's Dr. Death's.

2. Dante, you ARE needed and wanted. Those who love the deepest sometimes can't understand or see that others love them and need them in return. You aren't the weakest one in the gang. You're appreciated and cared for. Open your eyes and see that. Try not to be like me. (Best advice I could have ever given. Just don't do the things I do or be how I am.)

Edit: Also, to Dr. Death, do the universe a favor and just send yourself right out into space, hitting the eject button. It'll save a lot of lives. 'Kay, thanks, bye.

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