#PennedPossibilities 207 — Does your SC's reputation matter to them?
Bel's reputation matters quite a bit to her. She wants to know how people feel about her, even though she shouldn't ask. She wants it to be known that she's a woman who's worked her arse off to be in the position that she is. She's a producer. A bloody producer! She's incredible, and hard work has gotten her there. That matters to her. So, yes, her reputation is important to her. She cares what others think.
#PennedPossibilities 208 — Does your villain actively seek romantic companionship, or cherish the liberties of being single?
In #ThePastIsAWound, our villain (Mateo González) is a single man. A widower, to be exact. He doesn't care about anyone anymore, only himself.
In #TheCityOfOpulence, our villain (Dr. Death AKA The Angel of Death) is exactly what I would call a f*ck boy. He just sleeps around for the fun of it. He has no real feelings for anyone. He loves himself enough for everyone, too.
#PennedPossibilities 209 — Does your MC have any "unusual" habits, interests, and / or talents? Do they hide it, or are they proud of it? (1/3)
Well, Randall (and Lix as well) are or were bowlers. Randall has bowled over the course of his entire life. Lix learned to bowl as a child and still occasionally enjoys it. Randall doesn't usually tell people but he's fantastic at it. He's also incredibly skilled at doing crosswords and other puzzles. He's such an ~ (cont.)
#PennedPossibilities 209 — Does your MC have any "unusual" habits, interests, and / or talents? Do they hide it, or are they proud of it? (2/3)
~ intelligent man. He needs to do word or number games in the morning with a cup of coffee just to calm himself. It helps ease his mind. It isn't really something he tells people, of course. He's quiet about it. Lix knows, though. She loves that about him. He's also excellent with poetry. He writes and reads it on a regular ~ (cont.)
#PennedPossibilities 209 — Does your MC have any "unusual" habits, interests, and / or talents? Do they hide it, or are they proud of it? (3/3)
~ basis.
Learning or knowing any of these things would be unusual in reference to Randall. You would never know that he was bowler. You would never know that he enjoyed puzzles. You would never, ever know that he was a writer and enjoyed penning poetry as well. People ALREADY find him odd. He's quirky. He has OCD. He's different.
#PennedPossibilities 210 — How is your MC typically seen by others? Does it ring true to who they really are?
Similar to my answer last night, Randall is typically seen as the odd boss. Before then, he was the quirky war photographer and journalist out of the bunch. He's different. He suffers from OCD. People tend to stay away from him. Those who get to know him enjoy his company. You just have to befriend him first. He is so much more than his OCD. He's an incredible man.
#PennedPossibilities 211 — Where does your MC draw inspiration in life? What motivates them?
From the strongest people, that's who. Randall looks to those who are survivors, those who are warriors in their own way. All minorities, people who are different, those who are surviving in war-torn countries, anyone living with a mental illness, everyone dealing with bigotry or racism, etc. Those are the individuals that he looks to for inspiration in life. It keeps him motivated.
#PennedPossibilities 212 — Has your MC or SC ever had any prejudices that they later came to regret?
I loved this question. It's such a deep one.
Lix, as a young woman, was brought up in a posh family and raised to hate those were deemed "poor" in her mother and father's eyes. She ran from them the moment she was of age. She left, never looking back, and became a war photographer and journalist. Look at how far she's come... Lix cares for people of all walks of life.
#PennedPossibilities 213 — How meticulously do your characters look after their physical appearance? Do they spend a lot of time on their hair, makeup, grooming, and clothing? Is there a particular reason why they do or don’t?
Of course. We have to remember that the year is 1958. Everyone cared a great deal about their appearances. In the workplace (and out of it), everyone was judged based off of their clothing, grooming, hair, makeup, etc. Books were judged by their covers.
#PennedPossibilities 214 — Does your villain have any birthmarks or tattoos? (1/2)
Mateo González is more of what he considers a purest. Pure body, pure soul, pure hatred. He doesn't have any tattoos. He didn't get any while he was in prison, either. He's completely against them. He does, however, have a few birthmarks on his arms and neck.
#PennedPossibilities 214 — Does your villain have any birthmarks or tattoos? (2/2)
Dr. Death (AKA The Angel of Death) does have a few tattoos. They're random, from his days before he joined up with The Syndicate and began working for them as Head Medical Scientist and a mad bastard. They're symbols of his truest self: combinations of chaos and order, of self-love (LOL because he's so conceited), and Japanese writing. As to birthmarks, he doesn't really have any on his body.
#PennedPossibilities 215 — Is your MC inclined to help others, or will they only do it when it benefits them, if at all? What makes them this way? Has it ever gotten them into trouble, or inconvenienced them? (1/2)
Randall will help anyone if they truly needed it. He often does things for others, even if it means he MIGHT possibly get into some trouble for it, and he has. Lix is the same way. She plays tough but she'll always help anyone. They're GOOD people. They ~ (cont.)
#PennedPossibilities 215 — Is your MC inclined to help others, or will they only do it when it benefits them, if at all? What makes them this way? Has it ever gotten them into trouble, or inconvenienced them? (2/2)
~ want to help, if they can. They're selfless individuals. Their upbringings, although different, shaped them to be this way. It made them charitable, warm, and compassionate. Their childhoods weren't easy. They remained thoughtful and empathetic despite it all.
#PennedPossibilities 216 — Does your MC have any birthmarks or tattoos?
Randall has birthmarks, and so does Lix. She she stretch marks from her pregnancy, scars, and birthmarks all over. Randall has quite a few scars as well. Their jobs have always meant that they're constantly in danger. While Randall doesn't have any tattoos, who knows about Lix. She might have a few... *River Song voice* Shhh. Spoilers.
#PennedPossibilities 217 — How intelligent is your MC overall? Are they smarter than the average person, or less than? Are they primarily self-taught, or did they acquire most of their knowledge in school? Are they more street smart or book smart? (1/3)
Randall is a combination of street and book smart. He was a war photographer, same as Lix. They are amazing journalists. They're the same here in that respect, acquiring knowledge in and out of school, self-taught and ~ (cont.)
#PennedPossibilities 217 — How intelligent is your MC overall? Are they smarter than the average person, or less than? Are they primarily self-taught, or did they acquire most of their knowledge in school? Are they more street smart or book smart? (2/3)
~ learning as they go. War teaches you in the moment. You learn everything as you experience the horrors of what it entails. It sharpens you. It gives you PTSD. The trauma will stick with you. They were taught as they ~ (cont.)
#PennedPossibilities 217 — How intelligent is your MC overall? Are they smarter than the average person, or less than? Are they primarily self-taught, or did they acquire most of their knowledge in school? Are they more street smart or book smart? (3/3)
~ did their jobs, right there on the spot. Somehow, they survived. Now, years later, they have created the first television news program. Randall runs it.
They are brilliant. They're smarter than the average person for sure.
#PennedPossibilities 218 — If you had to pick one song as a theme song for your WIP, which song would that be?
Credit: @HeliaXyana
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes from The Platters would be the main theme of this entire story. There's no doubt about it. This song perfectly fits Lix and Randall and what they're going through and already have endured, both together and apart. They're a pair of romantics at heart.
#PennedPossibilities 219 — Is your SC inclined to help others, or will they only do it when it benefits them, if at all? What makes them this way? Has it ever gotten them into trouble, or inconvenienced them? (1/2)
Freddie landed himself in a heap of trouble when he helped Ruth Elms (a childhood friend) back at the beginning, as The Hour was being created in the first place. He helped her because he loved her like a sister. He wasn't looking for anything in return. ~ (cont.)
#PennedPossibilities 219 — Is your SC inclined to help others, or will they only do it when it benefits them, if at all? What makes them this way? Has it ever gotten them into trouble, or inconvenienced them? (2/2)
~ He cared for her. Unfortunately, later in the story, she died in his arms. He had to unravel the whole mystery.
Despite what others might say or think, he isn't a selfish man. He wants to help the world. Occasionally, though, he does do things for personal gain.
#PennedPossibilities 220 — Is your MC merciful? Why or why not? (1/2)
Randall is. He is a kind, understanding, and compassionate man. He's empathetic. He knows when the right time to show mercy is. He also knows when to be hard, brutal, or tough.
He had a chance once to blackmail someone (Angus McCain) over a photo of him with a male lover. Angus is only interested in men. It's the late 1950's, and therefore it's a punishable offense. He was in government. Imagine ~ (cont.)
#PennedPossibilities 220 — Is your MC merciful? Why or why not? (2/2)
~ what would have happened him. It's a scandal. There would have been quite a fall from grace. What's more, he would have gone to prison. Instead, Randall chose mercy. He knew how to effectively put the fear of God into Angus without ever needing to use said photograph for leverage. He even said as much. He's better than that.
Randall will always choose mercy if the chance presents itself. He is a good man.
#PennedPossibilities 221 — Which of the four seasons suits your MC best, and why?
Randall would ASSUME that he would be a wintery man. Inside, he feels decayed, empty, and hollow. He thinks cold weather, the snow and the bitterness of it all, would suit him. Instead, he's more of a spring man. In front of him, he has a new beginning waiting. It's all there if he can take a chance and let Lix into his heart again. Springtime means new beginnings, life, and warmth approach.
#PennedPossibilities 222 — Does your SC actively seek romantic companionship, or cherish the liberties of being single?
Bel sought companionship. Before she and Freddie ever admitted how they felt to one another, she went from relationship to relationship, if they could even be called that. Let's just say that she went from man to man. Things with Hector were WRONG but still happened, Bill wasn't right for her, but she finally found her way to Freddie in the end.
#PennedPossibilities 223 — What brings your MC joy in life? (1/2)
Randall is simple: strong coffee, a delicious meal, a clean home, time with friends, reading, how exemplary The Hour is and will remain, etc. He isn't a man of many needs. Relaxing at home with Lix brings him joy. Doing ANYTHING with her has always given him joy. It's the simple things for him. Allowing her into his heart again would give him joy as well. If only he could just let it happen. Perhaps one day.
#PennedPossibilities 223 — What brings your MC joy in life? (2/2)
Lix is more complicated than Randall. She enjoys peace and quiet. Instead of being bothered at work, she appreciates time to herself. She's Head of the Foreign Desk. Basically, she IS the Foreign Desk for The Hour. She writes the news on politics and war. She needs the time to properly get her best work done. Being with Randall always makes her happy as well. He makes everything better. If only he could see it.
#PennedPossibilities 224 — Recently there have been a lot of conversations about music for writers. Do you have a specific playlist or mix for your current WIP?
I do! I have a mix that I made specifically for #ThePastIsAWound, and I love it to bits. I listen to it while I'm writing. I've always listened to 50's-60's music as well, so making this particular mix for Lix and Randall was rather easy for me.
Here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5v3xQlVEzzUp3FnlbbeWQq?si=53933aa121dc409e
#PennedPossibilities 225 — Does your MC or SC know how to swim?
Freddie actually can't swim. He never learned how to. Bel teases him about it, but she'll probably teach him one day soon. Marnie can't, but Hector can. I'm not sure about Sey and Sissy. Interesting thought. Let me think on that one. Both Randall and Lix can swim as well. This might come up in the story one day, but you'll never hear any spoilers from me. That's all that I'll say on the matter.
#PennedPossibilities 226 — How seriously does your MC take themselves? Do they prefer a solemn and intellectual atmosphere or do they delight in jokes and banter? (1/2)
Randall is a combination of the two. The latter is something he only indulges in with friends. Outwardly, he's rather serious, thoughtful, and awkward. He's always pensive, questioning everything, etc. He enjoys a good joke and lighthearted banter with close friends, though. He can be rather teasing as well.
#PennedPossibilities 226 — How seriously does your MC take themselves? Do they prefer a solemn and intellectual atmosphere or do they delight in jokes and banter? (2/2)
For all that Lix is, she's a serious woman as well. She hides behind an air of mystique, with her teasing comments and meaningless flirtation, but she's a serious journalist. She cares about the state of the world as it crumbles, same as Randall, and she wants to rage at the wars and lives lost. It's difficult.
#PennedPossibilities 227 — Is your SC receptive to warnings and advice given by others?
While Freddie sometimes HEARS it, the advice and warnings might just go in through one ear and out of the other. He almost died once due to a terrible beating that left him with scars, minor cognitive issues, a limp with a need for a cane, and sight issues that occasionally act up for him. It was all because he took a chance for The Hour. He needs to learn how to actually LISTEN to others.
#PennedPossibilities 228 — What is the most mundane action described in your WIP? (1/2)
Credit: @HeliaXyana
I love this.
Randall fussing and fidgeting are probably the most mundane actions, all of which I write an abundance of. He suffers from OCD. He's always moving things around, placing them where he sees fit. He has vocal and motor tics. Back in the 50's, OCD hadn't officially been "discovered" yet. People call Randall an odd and compulsive (but not impulsive) man.
#PennedPossibilities 228 — What is the most mundane action described in your WIP? (2/2)
Credit: @HeliaXyana
Also, addendum to my post:
I'm making an addition to my response here. The answer could also be smoking. Everyone smoked back in the day, and my story in particular takes place in the late 1950's.
Everyone. Bloody. Smoked.
This is no exaggeration. They drank in the workplace too, of course, so there's also that. My MC was once an alcoholic, so he quit years ago.
#PennedPossibilities 229 — How comfortable is your MC in their body? How do they feel about their height, weight, strength, and body type? How important is being attractive to them? (1/3)
Randall has issues with his body. He's older now, almost in his fifties, and he's grown far more comfortable with himself over the years. Still, his OCD brought with it anxiety, depression, and a deep hatred of himself. He's never satisfied and can be quite a self-loathing man at times.
#PennedPossibilities 229 — How comfortable is your MC in their body? How do they feel about their height, weight, strength, and body type? How important is being attractive to them? (2/3)
While Lix knows that she isn't quite the bombshell she was in her twenties, even if she's just as feisty, she knows she's a beautiful woman. Men still pursue her. It's all bravado and courage from her. She doesn't always like her body. She has wrinkles now and stretch marks from Sophia.
#PennedPossibilities 229 — How comfortable is your MC in their body? How do they feel about their height, weight, strength, and body type? How important is being attractive to them? (3/3)
While Lix and Randall know that beauty isn't success, they have mixed feelings on the subject. They know that for a woman, because it's the 50's, it's everything. It's the difference between having a job or not. They find one another incredibly attractive. Then again, everyone wants Lix.
#PennedPossibilities 230 — What characters in your WIP or your latest work are most similar to you or to people you know?
For me, it's Randall. He has OCD, as do I. My case is much "milder" than his. It's an isolating thing to suffer from. When it comes to verbal or motor tics, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and depression, only those who also deal with everything on a daily basis will ever be able to understand. No one can usually understand him. Lix is the only one.
#PennedPossibilities 231 — Has your MC or SC retained any friendships from their childhood or young adulthood?
Credit: @aperfectsong
(PS, that's my girlfriend, so please go follow her!)
Randall and Lix have. The pair both kept in contact with a lot of their friends (all of whom were fellow journalists and war photographers) from the Spanish Civil War.
Bel has a few a few friends from young adulthood but not many. She has new friends these days. Freddie, though? Not anymore.
#PennedPossibilities 232 — Does your MC’s reputation matter to them? (1/2)
Randall's reputation matters to him. To a point, really. He's a professional. He’s a journalist. He wants to be seen as the man that he is, the man whose hard work has gotten him this far. His "reputation" can also be something else as well. He's also known as a quirky, compulsive (but not professionally impulsive), obsessive man. He's quiet, thoughtful, and has OCD.
(This was before anyone ~ (cont.)
#PennedPossibilities 232 — Does your MC’s reputation matter to them? (2/2)
~ even really knew what OCD was or what it entailed. For context, it's the late 1950's.)
He suffers in silence. People know that he has a form of OCD, only they don't use (or know) that term. They call him quirky, odd, etc. Anything and everything you can imagine. He hates it. It DOES bother him. So, it goes both ways. The latter part of this is something that he doesn't want to be known for. At all.
#PennedPossibilities 233 — Does your MC or SC view themselves as virtuous and moral? What do these words mean to them?
Randall would never say it. He just isn't that sort of man. He wouldn't need to say it, but he's both of those things. Lix is as well. To them, it simply means: virtuous, good, upstanding, doing the right thing whenever, wherever, and however possible. They wouldn't be involved in the news if they weren't genuinely goodhearted people who care for others.
#PennedPossibilities 234 — What is your "kryptonite" as a writer?
My MS getting in the way of things would have to be a kryptonite of sorts for me. MS brain fog, neuropathy and nerve pain in my hands and feet (or anywhere else, really), my eye issues acting up, flare-ups (whether they're minor or major), etc. There are other things, though. Two examples: writer's block, or simply not having the time. Being a writer is difficult.
This article is really helpful: https://becomeawritertoday.com/writing-challenges/
#PennedPossibilities 235 — MC or SC POV: Did you have a childhood nickname?
Lix: I did, and it stuck all throughout childhood. Stormy was my nickname. My surname is Storm. I loved it, though. I found it was rather sweet. In reality, I can admit that I /am/ a bit of a storm, so the moniker suited me. My childhood friends understood that about me. I'm not to be trifled with. The neighborhood boys soon understood that as well. After only a few incidents, they left me alone.
#PennedPossibilities 236 — Does your SC have any allergies?
It's funny this should come up because Bel is allergic to peanuts. Freddie doesn't eat them anymore, just to be safe. You never can be too careful. He would rather not take the chance around her.
#PennedPossibilities 237 — How would you describe your WIP’s ideal reader?
My new WIP, an original novel named #TheCityOfOpulence, will be a fun one. It's a #SFF / #cyberpunk story. My intended audience would be science fiction and cyberpunk lovers, of course. Those who enjoy #LGBTQ+ stories are on the list as well because the MC turns out to be pansexual within the story. Anyone with an open mind will enjoy this wild tale. Any #CyberpunkRED and #Cyberpunk2020 players too, of course.
#PennedPossibilities 238 — How strong is your MC’s sense of intuition? Are they aware of it? Do they ever fear that it’s only paranoia?
Randall can read people's motivations so well. His sense of intuition, something of a sixth sense, is absolutely unparalleled. It all comes from experience. He wasn't always so excellent at his various news jobs. Whether he was a war photographer, a column writer, or a journalist — his life has led him to this point. He isn't paranoid at all.
#PennedPossibilities 239 — How does your MC feel about babies, children, and teenagers?
Lix and Randall like the purity of children, and will always feel protective over them, but it aches. They could have had a proper family twenty years ago... If only. Instead, they broke up. Afterward, Lix gave birth to their little girl and handed her over to a family that could care for her better than she could have as a single, unwed mother. The family later died. It's too painful.
#PennedPossibilities 240 — What inspired the idea for your latest WIP? (1/2)
My latest WIP? Let's choose my ovel, #TheCityOfOpulence. It was inspired by this phrase right here, which encapsulates the #cyberpunk genre perfectly: low life, high-tech. The allure of futuristic technological and scientific achievements, such as artificial intelligence and cyberware, juxtaposed with societal collapse and dystopia will always be too much for me. I always bring compassionate humanity to the genre.
#PennedPossibilities 240 — What inspired the idea for your latest WIP? (2/2)
The idea came to me because of the MC, Alexios Jace, who is a character that I've written into many a #TTRPG, #CyberpunkRED, and #Cyberpunk2020 game. I also love zombies... They feature in the story later. I loved it and ran with it, creating my own entire universe for the character. It's completely my own and original. I'm a Game Master, so worldbuilding has always come easily for me. I'm so happy with the product.
#PennedPossibilities 241 — MC POV: If you could relive one day of your life without changing anything that happened, which day would you choose?
Randall: The day Lix chose me, twenty years ago. That would be the day I'd relive. We were at our usual pub and she coxed me out onto the dance floor and wouldn't take no for an answer. I had no choice but drop the act, to stop ignoring her and dance with her. One thing led to another and we went home together. It was a special night.
#PennedPossibilities 242 — MC POV: If you could relive one day of your life and CHANGE its course of events, which day would you choose?
Randall: There's a few. I wouldn't have left Lix twenty years ago. Instead of following my orders, I would have begged to stay. Maybe we would have fixed things. Another day comes to mind... I was shot while in Spain. I never should have left the café where the journalists were all hiding. If I hadn't, I would have been fine. War is hell.
#PennedPossibilities 243 — Imagine, if you will, an alternate universe… Which of your characters is most likely to attempt karaoke?
This was inspired by a friend of mine on here! We could all use a silly question every so often.
For #ThePastIsAWound, my answer would most definitely have to be Lix. She would, with enough alcohol in her system, happily make a fool of herself in front of her friends and colleagues if they all needed a laugh!
#PennedPossibilities 244 — Do your characters have any co-workers they’re close with? Are there any they can’t stand?
The characters in my story are all co-workers. They're a tightly-knit group of journalists. They're close NOW, but they weren't always this way. There used to be a lot of tension for various different reasons. Circumstances changed them. Now, they all see eye to eye. They became close friends. Times change, and so have they right along with them.
#PennedPossibilities 245 — Where does your villain draw inspiration in life? What motivates them?
Various things: greed, rage, disgust, a need to shove people down, wanting obedient civilians, etc. That's how he was during the Spanish War and prior to said not-so-civil war. Nowadays, post-prison, it's just revenge. He won't stop until he finally gets it. Randall and Lix were the main reason (in his eyes) that he went to prison. He wants to murder them for what they did.
#PennedPossibilities 246 — On average, how many hours per day do you write?
It would depend on how I'm sleeping. Some weeks, I barely sleep, so I might spend a few hours (or at least an hour) every night writing. If I'm busy, maybe only 10-30 minutes. I'm consistent in my inconsistency. I might spend an hour every day writing roleplay stuff with my girlfriend and close friends, which is just collaborative writing. It's our favorite hobby. Sometimes, I'll be on a roll and we'll be writing a ton.
#PennedPossibilities 247 — Who does your MC or SC share their deepest secrets with?
It takes a while, but Randall (our MC) eventually does share his darkest, deepest secrets with Bel. Likewise, Bel (our SC) shares her secrets with Randall. They trust each other in a way that's very organic, pure, and wholesome. They're friends in such a special way. At first, they struggled but things slowly changed. It became a strong friendship. We all need someone like that in our lives.
#PennedPossibilities 248 — If your MC has an accent, does it affect their word choice? Was their dialect adopted from their relatives, or from the locals where they grew up?
Of course. Randall is Scottish. He has a Glaswegian accent. It softened ever so slightly over the years, if only so various English journalists that he's worked alongside could understand him. He chooses his words very carefully. Once he's back home with family or the locals again, the slang returns.
#PennedPossibilities 249 — MC POV: What is something you were insecure about when you were a child?
Lix: My family. They all acted like the disgustingly posh family that we were, and I wanted absolutely nothing to do with it.
Randall: Being different. I always knew that I was. I wasn't like everyone else. Things were... hard for me. Mental health was a taboo subject. It's still staunchly avoided.
(FYI, even though I've said it here before, Randall actually has severe OCD.)
#PennedPossibilities 250 — Does your SC have next-door neighbors? Who are they?
Bel and Freddie have a slew of next-door neighbors. Some are kind, and some aren't. The neighborhood has changed over the years. A few unsavory people have moved into the area: bigots, racists, etc. Freddie's home was once a house but was split up into flats. He rents the space out now. Immediately downstairs from their flat are Sissy and Sey. Sissy also works at The Hour. They're all very close.
#PennedPossibilities 251 — What clothing materials or outfits feel the most comfortable to your MC? (1/2)
While Randall might wear expensive suits to work, he often wears classy jumpers at home or simply skips a tie with his tops. Dressing is a calming routine for him. It's something that soothes him and offers comfort with his OCD. That truly is what he loves. He's very comfortable in his favorite clothing. He likes to look dashing. It makes him feel good — inside and out.
#PennedPossibilities 251 — What clothing materials or outfits feel the most comfortable to your MC? (2/2)
Never one to follow the norm, Lix chooses comfort over stereotypical and era-typical clothing for women. She prefers cotton trousers over skirts. She's comfortable in them. She wears silken blouses or button down tops as well, with her hair kept short and curly. She won't be judged. She doesn't care what others think. She loves her style of dress. Other women admire her.
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Rachel Beth Ahrens
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