#PennedPossibilities 737 — Is there a character in your repertoire that you regret creating?

Credit: @aperfectsong

It's my Kenneth, for sure. And there's a very good reason for that! My standard for men is far too high because of him. It just isn't realistic! 😭

He's my favorite, honestly. I don't actually have a character I regret creating. Yet! But I know some of you might, so it felt important to ask. Send some love to my girlfriend for thinking of this prompt!

Some backstory here... I posted a prompt last year about how my MC would react if faced with a demonic presence. This was my response and it's also a good introduction to Ken.

"In another story of mine, The Final Rite: Chronicles of a Reluctant Exorcist, Father Kenneth /does/ believe in otherworldly forces. He's seen the darkness in life. He believes in all of it. When he steps into a room and feels otherworldly forces pressing down on him, threatening and scaring him to the core, it's just another day at the 'office,' so to speak. He's used to every ominous feeling that washes over him."

I've written him for years in RP (roleplay) stories. With a nudge from friends, I started a book. There's something so wholesome about him. He's fiercely protective. He only wants to help people, whether it comes to exorcisms, paranormal investigations, etc. He cares. In various stories I write with friends, he's even found love and left the Church.

More info: https://ardentirishman.carrd.co/

#TheFinalRite #WritingCommunity

#PennedPossibilities 459 — Picture This: What would your MC do if faced with a demonic presence? (1/2)

Credit: @lunar_fang

I'll be discussing #TheFinalRite, where the MC is an exorcist (and devoted paranormal investigator) named Father Kenneth Sweeney. I don't have to picture this. It happens rather often for him. He stands tall, squares his shoulders, and gets on with it. He deals with darkness on a daily basis. He sends them all back to Hell, right where they belong. He saves lives.

#PennedPossibilities 453 — What would your MC do if there was a strange presence in the room and it felt ominous? (2/2)

Father Kenneth Sweeney is an exorcist (and paranormal investigator as well, much to the displeasure of the Church). When he steps into a room and feels otherworldly forces pressing down on him, threatening and scaring him to the core, it's just another day at the "office," so to speak. He's used to every ominous feeling that washes over him.

#TheFinalRite #WritingCommunity

#WordWeavers 5.23 — Are your MCs picky about where they sleep?

In general, it depends on the story.

Let's take #TheCityOfOpulence, for example. While Alexios prefers his own bed, he can also sleep in the warehouse or in his car.

In #TheFinalRite, Father Kenneth is used to sleeping in various different rectory buildings or hotel rooms. He's always on the road and traveling.

In #TheScarletMirror, Elric prefers their own bedroom, up high in the tower. They're a mystic (AKA a wizard).

#WritersCoffeeClub 3.3 — How much of your worlds are invented versus real? Give examples.

Great question!

#TheCityOfOpulence has a fictional world, all #SFF and #cyberpunk.

#TheScarletMirror has a fantasy world, from a homebrew and original #DnD / #DungeonsAndDragons world of mine, same as above.

The worlds in #TheFinalRite (a horror, paranormal, and exorcist-based story), #ThePastIsAWound (a 1950's news program), and #Unwanted (an office-based love and drama) are all real and accurate.

#PennedPossibilities 186 — Does your MC believe in magical or cosmic forces, or are they more likely to think that their life is ultimately a matter of their own control?

In #ThePastIsAWound, Randall is the logical type. He doesn't believe in magic at all. He never has. He's the master of his own fate.

In another story of mine, #TheFinalRite, Father Kenneth does believe in otherworldly forces. He's seen the darkness in life. He believes in all of it. He is an expert in the supernatural.

#WordWeavers 12.24 — Are any of your characters pessimistic? (1/2)

A lot of my MC's are. Lix and Randall in stories for The Hour and in #ThePastIsAWound are so pessimistic. Alexios Jace, the MC in #TheCityOfOpulence, is a pessimistic grump. Elric, my MC in #TheScarletMirror, tries to portray an air of optimism but it doesn't always shine through. Father Kenneth Sweeney in #TheFinalRite is an exorcist, among other things, and he considers himself a realist. He isn't optimistic, either.

#WordWeavers 12.15 — Have any of your scenes been inspired by personal experiences?

Currently, I'm working on #TheCityOfOpulence, a #SFF / #cyberpunk novel. The answer would have to be no. I'm not actually a cyber-enhanced human (or panda). Some of the scenes in my #paranormal / #romance novel, #TheFinalRite, have been inspired by experiences of my own. I'm sure we all occasionally write scenes, chapters, or standalones that were inspired by our own encounters. Such is the way with writing.

#WritersCoffeeClub 12.5 — What genre is your WIP?

I'm a "serial writer" on AO3. I have a list. Prepare yourselves. I'm just a writer who revels in the chaos of multiple WIP's.

#TheCityOfOpulence: SFF, Cyberpunk, & Dark Romance

#TheScarletMirror: Fantasy & Romance

#TheFinalRite: Horror, Supernatural, Paranormal, & Romance

#TheAgeOfBloodshed: Sci-fi Horror & Romance

#Unwanted: Drama & Romance

#ThePastIsAWound: 1950's Drama & Romance

#Unbound: Psychological Thriller, Drama, & Dark Romance

#PennedPossibilities 121 — Who is your favorite character to write, and why is that person your favorite? (1/3)

My favorite MC is special to me. He's someone near and dear.

He can be found here: https://ardentirishman.carrd.co/

I've written Kenneth for years.

There's something so wholesome about him. He's fiercely protective. He only wants to help people, whether it comes to exorcisms, paranormal investigations, etc. In various RP stories, he's even found love. I'm working on #TheFinalRite now.