#PennedPossibilities 450 — What originally got you interested in writing?
(New thread for my friends here~!)
Here's the backstory of all backstories and you guys will giggle. This is silly and yet a lovely memory for me. CSI got me into writing when I was young. I loved the crew so much, especially Sara and Grissom, and I wanted to try my hand at writing fanfiction. So, thanks to CSI, here I am! In all my nerdy, wonderful glory as well, of course, and I'm STILL a nerdy thought-filled author. 😂
#PennedPossibilities 451 — Picture This: Your MC befriends a little bird who sits on their windowsill every morning. What do they name him or her? What type of bird are they? (1/2)
I loved coming up with this prompt. It's so silly and thought-provoking.
Crash—because he always flies right into Alexios' window. He's an adorable sparrow who always craves scraps and seeds, which leaves Alexios helpless for him. Of course, he feeds him! Softie. He waits for him every day.
#PennedPossibilities 451 — Picture This: Your MC befriends a little bird who sits on their windowsill every morning. What do they name him or her? What type of bird are they? (2/2)
This idea I came up with randomly for the prompt's answer was so cute that I might just have to write it into my story now, just because I can. I love it so much. Alexios adores animals as well, so it just fits.
#PennedPossibilities 452 — Is your SC able to control their temper?
Dante has a tight grip on his temper. He's a controlled man, and always prides himself on being so disciplined—right up until the moment where he doesn't give a sh*t anymore, of course. Usually, though, his temper is in check.
Junk, though, not so much. He has been known to fly off the handle at a moment's notice. Otherwise, in other circumstances, he's lovable.
#PennedPossibilities 453 — What would your MC do if there was a strange presence in the room and it felt ominous? (1/2)
This is Alexios' life on a daily basis. He wouldn't respond any differently. He will wander into a room filled with people he hates and who hate him in return, but he'll barrel along. He keeps living. He does, however, trust every gut feeling that he has. They have never led him wrong. An ominous, strange presence applies here as well.
#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.
#PennedPossibilities 454 — Does your SC have any identifying birthmarks or tattoos?
Junk has so many tattoos. People would definitely know that it was him. (Plus, his clothes are identifying, too. I've spoken about this already in the available chapters.)
Dante, not so much. He does have birthmarks, though. He's tall, slender, has dark hair. He's a gorgeous f*cker, and he has a plethora of birthmarks along his arms. There's one on his neck that people would see and KNOW.
#PennedPossibilities 455 — What would your MC’s worst nightmare be?
Alexios' nightmare would be losing his family again. And by family, of course, I mean the gang. Especially Trick, although he doesn't know that yet. Losing them would be the worst thing that could ever happen to him. He'd lost his entire planet, all of his friends and family, and to relive that again 200 years later might just be something that he wouldn't survive. He BARELY even survived it the first time.
#PennedPossibilities 456 — Your MC is dead and haunting you. Where do they show up?
Credit: @HeliaXyana
I adore this one!
Ironic! They'll probably make themselves known in my bedroom, seeing as its where I record my very own paranormal podcast. My room is more of an efficiency, though. I have the entire lower level (ground level, not a basement) in my condo, and my nana has the upstairs. It's where the rest of my ghosty roommates (as I call them) reside.
#PennedPossibilities 457 — What are the most frightening monsters or creatures in your story? (1/2)
Credit: @AnnaSaultron
People. They're absolutely terrifying all on their own. Oh, and the zombies as well. The undead are certainly an issue, but they don't show up until pretty deep into our tale, lucky for our not-so-heroic heros. They get some time to enjoy life before they come. ~ (cont.)
#PennedPossibilities 457 — What are the most frightening monsters or creatures in your story? (2/2)
Credit: @AnnaSaultron
(cont.) ~ There's a beginning, a middle, and an end—to simplify things, of course. The full gambit can be found here in this novel. The zombies only stick around for the "middle" bit, though. Nevertheless, they're absolutely horrifying. They're caused by a gas that's released on the Midnight City on All Hallow's Eve by the villain.
#PennedPossibilities 458 — Are there stories (within your novel) about said monsters or creatures? (Refer to Prompt 457.)
Credit: @AnnaSaultron
Of course. People know about the various experiments and creatures that can be found around the Universe, on different planets, and even at home on Citune. Zombies, though? Everyone probably thought they were a thing only meant for the pages of insane horror novels or found in scary movies. No one ever expected them to be real.
#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 459 — Picture This: What would your MC do if faced with a demonic presence? (2/2)
Credit: @lunar_fang
Now, if Alexios was to ever come face-to-face with a demon, I think he would stand up to it. He would fight, if necessary. He's a survivor, and he wouldn't be frightened into submission by a demon. He's seen the depravity of humanity. He's been through his own version of Hell, has met individuals far worse than any demon he might see. He would fight.
#PennedPossibilities 460 — What is the kindest thing that your MC has ever done?
Alexios protects his gang with his life. They are quite literally everything to him, and he'll go to the ends of the "earth" for them. Or Citune, rather. He helped all the strays. Now they've finally found a home. However, with this info, there's one particular character that he saved from slavery, abuse, and fear. She's the woman that Dante may or may not be in love with. Boom! Plot twist.
#PennedPossibilities 461 — Which of your characters scares you the most? Why is that?
Credit: @QuasiTemporal
It's Dr. Death (AKA the Angel of Death) because of how and who he is. He's a monster, plain and simple. He experiments on the slaves that the Syndicate "acquire," either turning them into soldiers, demo workers, or using them in his lab. There's no chance for redemption. He's a disgusting piece of shite, and he absolutely terrifies me. He's one of my worst villains.
#PennedPossibilities 462 — Is your MC romantically involved with another character? Is it a healthy or toxic relationship? (Feel free to list multiple relationships for MCs, if available.)
Alexios will be later on in the story. If anyone hasn't guessed whilst reading #TheCityOfOpulence, it's Trick. It's healthy. Something about him calls to Alexios. He calms him in a way that no one else has ever been able to. They start off as close friends and things slowly begin to change.
#PennedPossibilities 463 — At a party, which character of yours would win at apple bobbing, and how? Would they cheat?
Credit: @HeliaXyana
First things first, about cheating... Of course! They would all cheat.
I think either Alexios or Junk would, though, to be fair. Then again, maybe Trick would. He's good with using that mouth of his. *wink, nudge* The more that I think about it, yeah... Trick would definitely win. He'd used his cybernetics to help as well.
#PennedPossibilities 464 — Imagine a horror universe where your SC has been dropped and is now possessed by a demon. How would / wouldn’t they survive this?
Junk definitely isn't gonna survive. He'll beg the demon to smoke a blunt so they can share the high together, and I think that says a lot right there...
"Let's do stuff together? You promised. Let's get drunk! I wanna know if you can feel it or not. You're in my head, man. Let's share!"
I'm rolling my eyes here.
#PennedPossibilities 465 — Does your universe have Samhain, Halloween, or something similar? (1/2)
Credit: @AnnaSaultron
Yes, Halloween (and Samhain as well) exist in #TheCityOfOpulence. In the Midnight City, All Hallow's Eve is notorious. Mayhem occurs. Come nightfall, gangs descend upon the various districts of the city and commit burglary and other crimes. Everyone stays indoors, including Alexios' gang. They stay in the main warehouse for the evening, all safe and sound.
In our ~ (cont.)
#PennedPossibilities 465 — Does your universe have Samhain, Halloween, or something similar? (2/2)
Credit: @AnnaSaultron
(cont.) ~ story, a main chunk of the events that take place all happen on Halloween and the days following.
I've spoken about the airborne toxins that are released upon the city. They turn foraging gang members into (for lack of a better word) zombies. All hell breaks loose.
Alexios never liked Halloween before this, and he sure won't afterward.
#PennedPossibilities 466 — MC POV: Sorry for the bad news, but you’ve passed away. Who are you haunting first? Tell us the why and how.
Credit: @HeliaXyana
Alexios: Dr. Death. That b*stard ruined my life. I'll slowly drive him insane, to the point where he thinks he's imagining everything and psychosis has fully taken over. Maybe he'll even experiment on himself this time, and not on any innocent lives that will later be lost. I'll make a f*ckin' fantastic ghost, choom.
#PennedPossibilities 467 — Out of every single one of your characters, who would be one to believe in ghosts?
Credit: @QuasiTemporal
Probably Dante or Alexios.
While Dante is a man of medical science, he has some seriously eerie stories to share.
For Alexios, he's suffered all throughout his life. If anyone would be likely to believe in them, it might also be him. It's not a far stretch to imagine to his lost friends and family haunting him on a daily basis.
#PennedPossibilities 468 — What trick might your SC play on someone they don't like?
Credit: @QuasiTemporal
As perfect as talking about Trick would be for this response, I will actually write about my SC. Junk would be the type to put a bag of burning cat shite on someone's front doorstep or on their porch, just because he doesn't like them. Also, it sends a message. It gets it all across quite nicely, in fact. That would be the route he'd take. He might leave a note, too.
#PennedPossibilities 469 — Is fear ever used in your WIP as a concept?
Credit: @AnnaSaultron
Often, and I revel in it. I enjoy scaring readers.
"Fear is a universal emotion, so if you want fear to actually come across to readers, then you need to explore the root causes, make it individual, and keep surprising your readers."
Writing exclusively within the horror genre is incredible, but throwing hints of fear into a #SFF tale... Well, that's an artform in and of itself.
#PennedPossibilities 470 — How would any of your characters reanimate a corpse? Or have they done this very thing already?
Credit: @HeliaXyana
Dante has already done this using cybernetic enhancements, surgery, and medical science. Society has come so far, but sometimes needs must when one's in a gang and living is like surviving war. Staying alive in a ruthless city is tough. Life on Citune can be very... interesting.
#PennedPossibilities 471 — If your SC desires friends, do they see every meeting as an opportunity to make a new friend?
Hardly. Dante isn't in the habit of making new friends. He doesn't really need any new chooms. He tends to scare people away as well, so there's that to remember. People either love or hate him, and to most, he's an acquired taste. On another note, he never sees ANY meetings as opportunities to make new friends. He only cares about his gang.
#PennedPossibilities 472 — Picture This: How would any (or all) of your characters defeat Dracula?
Credit: @HeliaXyana
I love this. It's a hilarious but cool image for a story.
So, here's my idea: Destiny's Maelström (the gang) are good at finding people. If anything, they could locate Van Helsing for the necessary information. They would track him down, talk to him, and either get his help or learn the proper steps to defeat Dracula. They would do it systematically.
#PennedPossibilities 473 — Which character (of yours) is most likely to agree to spend the night in a supposedly haunted house, and why?
Credit: @QuasiTemporal
Alexios. Nothing bloody scares him. (Which, of course, is a lie.) But he would do it, for a fee, and would no doubt last the night. The very idea of spirits doesn't frighten him. It isn't something that he finds off-putting in any way. He's a cyberpunk gang leader! C'mon! If anyone could do it, surely, it's him...
#PennedPossibilities 474 — Either share with us or tell us about a scary scene you’ve written. (1/2)
Credit: @crcollins
I haven't edited the scene yet, so I'll just describe it. All Hallow's Eve is when the gangs come out, destroying businesses and looting. Everyone is SUPPOSED to stay safe indoors. Imagine Alexios carefully opening the door to his warehouse after hearing a loud crashing sound and screams outside. He wants to see if anyone needs help. (He isn't ~ (cont.)
#PennedPossibilities 474 — Either share with us or tell us about a scary scene you’ve written. (2/2)
Credit: @crcollins
(cont.) ~ heartless.) Instead of whatever scene he expected to see, he finds a zombified crowd of rival gang members out in the street. They're screeching and bumping into each other, all searching for a meal. He's absolutely f*cking terrified. It's that first realization that something is going on, something terrible is happening, and his heart sinks.
#PennedPossibilities 475— MC POV: If you could communicate with the dead, who would you chat with?
Credit: @HeliaXyana
Alexios: My lost loved ones, friends... Those who were—are—dear to me. That's my first thought, of course. Some others, though? Perhaps some of my dearly departed arsehole chooms from the gang. It'd be nice to say hello again. Besides, if they're f*cking ghosts, I'd like to know if they can be helped at all, you know? Hate the thought of that. Really do.
#PennedPossibilities 476 — What motivates you to write?
It's a pure desire to get the voices out of my head (and onto paper). 🤣
I have too many ideas and they all just NEED to be written down. As far as fanfiction goes, well—I love my shows, games, and films. I'm a fan of so many worlds and that alone motivates me to write about these various things that I adore. As for my many original stories and novels, I can't just let it all go to waste. Writing is my one true passion (and pain) in life.
#PennedPossibilities 477 — What kind of diet does your MC have? Do they have to be reminded to eat, or are they likely to remind others? (1/2)
Alexios lives near A-Town, where the Asian-Citunians live in the Midnight City, and therefore he's surrounded by the best cuisines that could ever be found. He's friends with a lot of the restaurant owners as well, and has helped a great many of them get out of sticky situations with various gangs just because he genuinely ~ (cont.)
#PennedPossibilities 477 — What kind of diet does your MC have? Do they have to be reminded to eat, or are they likely to remind others? (2/2)
(cont.) ~ cares for them.
That being said, he and Junk are a pair of foodies. They LOVE good meals. Alexios is the type to usually eat healthy meals, but he'll treat himself to calorie-filled, delicious meals every so often as well. He won't deprive himself. He's also the type to remind others to eat, too. Always. He's like a dad.
#PennedPossibilities 478 — If you had all the skill to carve out a jack-o'-lantern of one of your characters, who would it be? Would you like to describe it? (1/2)
Credit: @AnnaSaultron
This one's definitely for me. Fun fact about me, I've won pumpkin carving contests in the past. Now, while I'm really in love with carving jack-o'-lanterns and I kinda pride my silly Halloween-loving self on doing it every year, I could never (and I mean NEVER) carve this gorgeous bastard.
#PennedPossibilities 478 — If you had all the skill to carve out a jack-o'-lantern of one of your characters, who would it be? Would you like to describe it? (2/2)
Credit: @AnnaSaultron
Now, with all of that being said, I would definitely still try. And if I actually HAD that sort of skill, I would carve a cyberpunk man out, like Alexios Jace, and use RGB lighting inside (which I've actually done before, and it looks awesome.)
#PennedPossibilities 479 — Which one of your characters would win a pumpkin carving contest, and how?
Credit: @HeliaXyana
Trick would probably win if it was one held with the gang. He's a creative guy. He's good with his hands, too. *waggles brows* He used to sketch and paint a lot as a younger man as well. These days, he still enjoys art. It's something he recently gotten back into again. Surely, a pumpkin wouldn't be any trouble for him. He'd carve an intricate witch.
#PennedPossibilities 480 — On average, how many times per week do you write?
I try to write as often as I'm able. That being said, my weekly writing might vary. Sometimes, it's only once per week. Others, it's every single day.
When I'm truly in the mood and the muse is there, it really is as often as possible. So, for sake of finding an answer, on average, let's say about 4 out of 7 days. I'm also a gamer, a podcast host, a #TTRPG Dungeon / Game Master, and watch wrestling. I'm super busy.
#PennedPossibilities 481 — Describe a pivotal moment from your antagonist’s / villain’s life that they will never forget.
The moment Alexios got away. (Jace isn't Alexios' real surname. It's the one he chose. Dr. Death doesn't know it. He doesn't even know if he's STILL alive.) But the moment he escaped was life changing. Dr. Death destroyed his entire office in anger. No one had ever had the audacity to try such a thing before. He was beyond furious. Things changed after.
#PennedPossibilities 482 — Have you ever written anything that falls within the genre of horror? If you haven’t, is it something you would be interested in doing someday?
I write a lot of genres, but there's always a touch of horror if that isn't the main one for a particular tale of mine. I'm just a horror-loving panda. What can I say?
I'm really curious to see everyone else's responses to this question. I know some of my friends here don't write and / or read horror, so it'll be interesting.
#PennedPossibilities 483 — What goes bump in the night in your story? (Optional innuendo here, of course.) (1/2)
Credit: @HeliaXyana
Things that go bump in the night: nasty gang members and goons across the city. Zombies will later in the story as well, which is terrifying enough.
There's danger lurking at every corner in the Midnight City. Nothing is safe or sacred.
That innuendo is not to be forgotten... Definitely Alexios and Trick in the future will as ~ (cont.)
#PennedPossibilities 483 — What goes bump in the night in your story? (Optional innuendo here, of course.) (2/2)
Credit: @HeliaXyana
(cont.) ~ well, if you catch my drift. There are wee romances with some of the other gang members that will pop up in the story too, as well as in the sequel. There's a lot to look forward to. Love during wartime (meaning street-level gangs and police violence) is always... difficult.
#PennedPossibilities 484 — What are your favorite chilling (not necessarily full-on horror) scenarios to write? How are you able to accomplish this? Through setting, emotion, dialogue, and / or buildup? (1/2)
It's a bit of everything, but I'm big on the vibes in a story. The setting and the emotions it evokes in different characters. One character might feel completely differently about a scene or setting than another will. We all, as people, experience things differently. Stories are ~ (cont.)
Spooky Panda 🏳️🌈
Cat West