#ScribesAndMakers 10.12 — Do you find poetry and writing equally rewarding, or is it more of a mood thing?

(I messed up my thread of posts for the month, but... Oh well.)

It's all writing, and there are many forms it can take. Novels, short stories, poetry, prose, etc. What does it matter? But yes, I think mood has something to do with it. If I'm in the mood for telling stories, that's what I'll write. If I want to dabble in poetry, that's why I'll scribble down in my notebooks as well. The same goes for reading. I'll read whatever I'm in the mood for.

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#ScribesAndMakers 10.13 — Create a poll with two truths and a lie about what kinds of books / art you enjoy. Ask people to pick the lie.

Spot the lie with these genres:

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#ScribesAndMakers 10.14 — Reveal which one was the lie and tell us about why you don't like it.

I write and read Romantasy works on a regular basis, so that one's true. I also adore Thrillers & Suspense novels. As for Self-Help, it's clearly not for me. That's the lie. My life's a mess, so maybe there's no further explanation needed. It's obvious. Also, my AuDHD would *never* allow me to concentrate long enough to read anything from this genre or listen to any of the audiobooks. 🤣

#WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity

#ScribesAndMakers 10.15 — How's your creativity going? Would you like help or critique?

To be fair, everything's been going really well for me lately. I'm currently working on a story and posting chapters on Mondays and Fridays for it. It's something for the month of October and beyond. Ooky spooky and so me, I have to say.

Other than that, I've been writing other things and posting them as I go along. I have some great friends who don't mind helping when I ask for it. We all do that for each other, so it's very helpful. I'm feeling great about it.

My creativity pops whenever this time of year arrives. It's always been that way.

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting

#ScribesAndMakers 10.16 — How do you involve native plants in your gardening?

I used to garden all the time. Multiple Sclerosis changed that for me. I miss it dearly. Maybe someday I'll get back into it.

#ScribesAndMakers 10.17 — If you play video games, what do you play them on?

Ooooooh! A prompt just for me! Fun fact, I have a full gaming desk setup, and I game on PC and Nintendo Switch.

#TheWitcher #TheWitcher3 #WritingCommunity #GamingCommunity #Gaming #GamingSetup

#ScribesAndMakers 10.18 — If you have published one or more books, do you read them after they have been published?

I do, and I have. In the world of writing and authors, we tend to write the things we can't find anywhere to read. We put those things out into the universe when we publish (or even just share) them. Of course, I've gone back and enjoyed my published stuff. It makes me feel proud. I've done the same with my stuff on Archive of Our Own as well, on another note. It reminds you of how far you've come, and where you're going.

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#ScribesAndMakers 10.20 — How often do you go to physical bookstores? Do you have a favorite store?

Often, actually. There's a used bookstore in my own that I love visiting. That one's my favorite spot. I also enjoy going to the mall and popping by the bookstores there as well, and I always bring something home with me. There's nothing quite like having a real book in your hands. That's my favorite, even if I also avidly listen to audiobooks most days (while walking, exercising, or good house chores) and read ebooks as well.

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#ScribesAndMakers 10.21 — Do you prefer fonts with or without serifs? Do you like different fonts for different purposes?

To be fair, and this is as I'm writing, I only ever use the Spectral font. That's my *only* preference. I'm easy.

Here's my blurb for example:

#WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Romantasy #Fantasy #Vampires #Werewolves #Ghosts #Romance #Victorian #WritingCommunity #Worldbuilding #AmWriting

#ScribesAndMakers 10.22 — What’s your favorite horror novel?

Don't make me choose! I love horror.

It's a toss-up between these two beauties. Read Drood, seriously.

I'll leave you with this: "Drood" is a novel that delves into the last five years of Charles Dickens' life, focusing on his obsession with a figure named Drood. The novel is narrated by Wilkie Collins, Dickens' friend and fellow author, and it intertwines Dickens' personal and literary struggles with his obsession. The narrative is complex, blending fiction with biographical facts and exploring themes of obsession, jealousy, and the darker aspects of human nature. The book has been praised for its imaginative storytelling and Simmons' ability to weave historical details into a compelling narrative.

#WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity #Horror #CharlesDickens #DanSimmons #MaryShelley #Frankenstein #Drood

#ScribesAndMakers 12.1 — What creative projects do you hope to work on this month?

Fingers crossed! It'll be Wings of Quite Longing for the rest of the month, I think. I'm getting my writing in where I can, still trying to work on that story. It's my only focus at the moment.

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#ScribesAndMakers 12.4 — Tell us about your audio recording experience(s). (Audiobook, podcast, music, recorded notes, etc.)

I actually have a podcast with 25-32k listeners, depending on the month. It's called #PandasDen, and I have my own hashtag for it on here. It's a wonderful community that I've built up over the years. I needed something to do during COVID, and this was it. I'll never stop now. It's my favorite pastime.

A tiny bit about it: Check out my show, PANDA'S DEN, a paranormal podcast about mediumship, where we share stories and have spirit box sessions with occasional (okay, more than occasional) funny moments. My girlfriend AKA @aperfectsong often joins me.

The blog for it: https://floofpaldi.blogspot.com/

My main profile (where you can also listen): https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/radiopandabear/

Here's my summary for the show: Do you enjoy exploring the realm of the paranormal? Welcome to our peculiar corner of the internet, a place where we perform live paranormal investigations and discuss mediumship and coexisting with the supernatural. If it's creepy or eerie, you're liable to find it here. Indulge your unearthly spirit and join us on a journey of spooky discovery at PANDA’S DEN, where the mysterious drop by for tea. This show is now available on iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and wherever the spirits are listening! (I'm on 80+ platforms now.)

#writingCommunity #Podcast #PodcastLife #Podcaster #Podcasting

#ScribesAndMakers 12.5 — Do you have a special bookmark?

I actually do. It was my dad's, just something special to me, and I miss him tons. I lost him back in 2016, and it's just my way of keeping him close to me. My cousin Emily makes a lot of handmade gifts, thrifting things and improving on them or making things from scratch, and this bookmark was one of them.

#ScribesAndMakers 12.6 — If the internet permanently stopped functioning, would you still share your creative work? If so, how?

With my girlfriend. That's probably it.

This one was really easy for me.

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#ScribesAndMakers 12.8 — Share a single line from a song you like. Ask people to identify the song.

Oh, this one's easy for me.

"You were the sweetest thing that I ever knew. But I don't care for sugar, honey, if I can't have you."

#ScribesAndMakers 12.10 — Have you ever seen a theatre production where you were impressed by the props?

Oh, definitely. My cousin worked on Broadway and recently retired. I was so impressed by every show that he did, from Mary Poppins to Cirque du Soleil to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. All sorts of things. (Mind you, I'm a theater and Broadway nerd as well.) For me, the most impressive one just has to be The Lion King. I was ten years old, and he brought me backstage to meet all the performers and see the props afterward. It was the best time, and I think experiencing that kickstarted my love for the business. The props (and god, the costumes too) were the most impressive things I've ever seen.

#Theater #Theatre #LionKing #TheLionKing #Broadway

#ScribesAndMakers 12.10 — Have you ever seen a theatre production where you were impressed by the props?

Addendum to my post: I want to talk about a theater production that had almost zero props. Peter Capaldi and Zoë Wanamaker blew my mind with Constellations. It was probably one of the best plays I've *ever* seen. I adore those two. What a story, and what a rather heartbreaking end. Check it out!

A bit of background: Constellations is a two-hander play by Nick Payne that explores the romantic relationship between Marianne, a physicist, and Roland, a beekeeper. The play is set in a multiverse, where every possible future exists, and the choices made by the characters can lead to different outcomes. Peter Capaldi and Zoë Wanamaker play the lead roles, with the play's structure involving multiple versions of the same scenes, each with slight variations. The play delves into themes of love, science, and the infinite possibilities of a relationship, making it a thought-provoking and engaging experience for audiences.

#PeterCapaldi #ZoeWanamaker #Constellations

#ScribesAndMakers 12.15 — How's your creativity going so far? Do you need help or critique?

Everything's going well, although I've been forced to take a bit of a break this month. I've only posted a few chapters for my current serial WIP. (Which is also how I got behind on my writing prompt tags as well.) The holiday season is always insane, and you can sprinkle in the madness of my nana having a broken foot, so I'm instead doing all the work myself. But I *have* done a bit of writing and things on that front are going well, all by some miracle. I always turn to my girlfriend and a few friends when I need a bit of help. I'm thankful for them.

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#ScribesAndMakers 12.16 — Create a poll describing three creative projects you've worked on and one you haven't. Ask people to guess the one you haven't.

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting

#ScribesAndMakers 12.17 — Reveal the answer to yesterday's poll.

Here's the thing: I talk about Wings of Quiet Longing (current novel), The City of Opulence (another novel), and Panda's Den (my podcast with 32k listeners) all the time. It's hard to shut me up. 🤣

Veil of Ash and Thorns isn't a novel of mine. I made the name up yesterday on the spot. But it *is* a good title, especially one for a dark romantasy novel, and I might just use it someday!

#WwritingCommunity #AmWriting

#ScribesAndMakers 12.18 — Do you listen to music as an activity in itself, or is it more in the background?

Music is an integral part of who I am. As I'm writing this, I have a music mix that I made for a story of mine playing. I always have music (or podcasts) on. It's both things: background noise *and* an activity for me.

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#ScribesAndMakers 12.19 — How often do you have time (or make time) to just sit and think? Not about a project or a problem, but just idle thinking.

Having anxiety and AuDHD makes this a bit difficult for me, along with a busy life, but I try. There's a lot to be said for relaxing, idle thinking, and letting your mind takeover (in a *good* way), and just letting yourself be. It's how I get ideas for my stories, to be fair.

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