Having five protagonists in Star Eaters means I’m using the 5 Chinese elements (五行).

While western philosophy has 4 elements, Chinese philosophy has 5 – water (水), wood (木), fire (火), earth (土), and metal (金). Each element supports one other and restricts one other. For example, wood is supported by water, but hindered by metal, and wood supports fire but hinders earth.

It’s quite a nice way to plan out a group of characters’ interactions.

#XanNoWriMo

By the seeds you sow
You will know your harvest

Plant fine seeds
And you’ll harvest sweet fruit

Plant poor seeds
And you’ll harvest bitter greens

Plant no seeds
And your garden will be empty

#XanNoWriMo #WisdomOfDenalyn

The greatest seeds to sow
Are seeds of kindness

A garden of kindness
Will always be in bloom

And all of tomorrow’s flowers
Lie within yesterday’s seeds

#XanNoWriMo #WisdomOfDenalyn

She ran her fingers through the leaves of the little orange tree, which responded with a cheerful purr.

“Good morning,” she said softly. “You’re very friendly, aren't you? Are you thirsty?” She touched a finger to the soil in the pot. “You’re feeling a little dry.”

Picking up a small bottle of water from next to the pot, she splashed a little onto the soil. As it soaked in, the tree let out a delighted little squeal in reply.

#XanNoWriMo #StoryBeats