#WordWeavers 1.11 — What does the opening chapter of your story reveal about the world it’s set in?

1. It's set sometime in the late 1800s (but the actual date is revealed later).
2. The supernatural exists.
3. Alistair is a vampire and an author, and is also close friends with a werewolf. That third one is a big taboo.
4. Alistair is still in love with a previous lover and it's a fact that Hati knows and yet hasn't said a word about until now.

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#WordWeavers 1.12 — Does your MC have a good support system?

Alistair does. So does Fenella as well, which she finds out as the story progresses. She's as much of a part of Dorcha Castle as Alistair is. It just takes some time for her to remember and understand that fact.

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#WordWeavers 1.13 — Where was your latest writing session? How did it go?

Right at my gaming, writing, and podcasting desk, my cozy spot, same as always, and it went really well. I've really been upping my writing game lately and pushing out chapters that will soon be published. I've been very proud of myself, which is a nice change for me. Writing is my escape from the chaos of life, which is the case for a lot of us in the community.

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#WordWeavers 1.14 — If your MC lived your antagonist’s life, what would they be like?

Evil and morally repugnant? My antagonists are corrupt and unhinged. They do things that are just plain wrong.

More to the point, being honest here, if Alistair was living the lives of either of the antagonists, he would turn things around and change his life. Here's the thing, he's a *good* man. He would live his life differently than Isma or Duncan.

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#WordWeavers 1.15 — MC POV: What’s the most exciting thing that ever happened to you?

Oooh, there's something I'd love to answer this prompt with but it would be the worst kind of spoiler given to readers, and I have quite a few here on Masto. I'll behave, instead.

Alistair: Meeting Fenella. We didn't care for each other in the beginning but there was something there, something inexplicable. I couldn't tell you what it was, but it was there for us. We became close friends not long after. It was the first exciting thing that happened to me in a long time.

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#WordWeavers 1.16 — If your MC had one photograph near where they sleep, what or who would it be?

It would be a small painting, instead. It would probably be one that he worked on for Fenella. In fact, I might have to write in this detail now.

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#WordWeavers 1.17 — If cost wasn’t an issue, what would your ideal setting be for you to write in?

To be completely honest, I already have my ideal setup/setting. The only thing I would change is having a much better computer. I'm a gamer, podcaster, and writer, and this is my cozy space.

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#WordWeavers 1.18 — Your antagonist gets a call or message from their mother. How do they respond?

Oof, okay, I can't answer this one. That's the first time that's ever happened. Not only does this story take place in 1890, but the majority of my cast are supernatural beings, either vampires or werewolves, and that means their families are loooooong dead, sorry to say. I will, however, say this: Duncan's mother would be so disappointed in him. Then again, she felt that very same way while she was alive and he was still a mortal as well, so let's keep that in mind.

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#WordWeavers 1.19 — Who is the most moral character in your story?

Oooh, a very good question. It's definitely Eleanor. She's a goodhearted woman, and one with scruples, strong moral principles, and a lot of love in her heart.

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#WordWeavers 1.20 — Do you make use of weather in your story? If so, how?

I do. For instance, rain can certainly set the mood for a particular chapter or scene. Weather creates mood, develops characters, and drives plot by acting as a metaphor, antagonist, or reflection of internal states, and it's a tool that I absolutely *love* using within my stories. It plays a key part in Wings of Quiet Longing at some points.

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#WordWeavers 1.21 — If in the middle of the book your MC discovered a foundling, what would they do with it?

This is such a fantastic question. Alistair would probably take the babe home and pray that Anna wouldn't mind adopting them. (For context, Anna is one his maids.) She has a daughter named Rose, and Alistair would hope she would take the child in, someone who could be an adopted sibling for little Rosie in the future.

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#WordWeavers 1.22 — Would you MC or antagonist be more successful at school?

Ooooh, good question. I'll break it down, instead. They're all so different. I would say that Alistair (MMC) would be the best at creative writing and English courses, Fenella (FMC) at drama club, and Isma (antagonist) at anything for mathematics. Duncan, though? (Another antagonist, of course.) He would have skipped school.

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#WordWeavers 1.23 — How satisfied are you with your current story? Why or why not?

Ironically, very. I'm satisfied with the way things are turning out. That usually isn't the case with me, only because I'm too hard on myself. I'm trying to *enjoy* myself with this story, though. It's working out well for me.

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#WordWeavers 1.24 — Your MC has to start a new business with their current skills. What do they do?

How about if he *joined* a business? In my mind, I can't imagine him starting a new business, but I *can* imagine him working for Caden's art business that he has. He would make paintings for him to sell, seeing as he's already an artist but it's only a hobby of his.

Hmmmm... I might have to find a way to add this plot point in someday now.

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#WordWeavers 1.25 — If traumatic events happen, do your characters process it on page for longer than a chapter?

Oh, traumatic events *do* happen within this story, and it takes far longer than just a page for them to process what has happened (or what is still happening) to them.

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#WordWeavers 1.26 — What is your current project teaching you, craft-wise or personally?

I love questions like this. I'm learning to trust myself when it comes to plot twists or random ideas that might come to me along the way. I'm *also* learning how to post on a schedule, twice-weekly, and get the damn thing done. I've never been capable of doing that. (Right now, however, I've been forced to take a wee break. The start of the new year is always insane for me.) I'm learning more about my craft, adding in as many "vivid verbs" as I can, better sentence structure, polishing my writing, etc. Even now, all these years on, I'm still learning. Writing is a never-ending journey.

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#WordWeavers 1.27 — Is it difficult for you if your partner or closest friends don’t enjoy books?

My partner writes and reads, same as me. That should answer the question right there, honestly. All of my closest friends are also heavy readers and writers. They're just the sort of people I surround myself with. I'm assuming it would be tough for me if the situation was different.

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#WordWeavers 1.28 — If your MC and SC each got 3 wishes from a genie, would any of their wishes cause problems for the other?

Ironically, things would be great. It wouldn't cause any issues. They're best friends.

Lord Alistair MacKay (MMC, a vampire):
1. Peace between immortal beings. (I.e. no matter fighting and bitterness between werewolves and vampires.)
2. Fenella's safety...
3. Duncan and Isma will forever leave them (he, Hati, Samuel, Fenella, and Caden) alone.

Mrs. Hati Kerr (FSC, a werewolf):
1. Again, peace between all immortals.
2. More money for she and Samuel to live on.
3. Happiness for Fenella and Alistair because they've earned and deserve it.

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#WordWeavers 1.29 — Have you ever written a pet into one of your stories?

I have. Many times. One story that comes to mind for me is with Murk, Elric's familiar. She's a black kitty that faithfully remains by his side. I'm talking about #TheScarletMirror right now.

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#WordWeavers 1.30 — If there was a party, would your MC be the center of it or hiding in the corner?

There actually *is* a party that takes place during this tale. It's an All Hallow's Eve ball at Alistair's castle. He doesn't *enjoy* being the center of attention but neither will he hide away from it. He'll gracefully take it on, despite how uncomfortable he might be inside.

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#WordWeavers 1.31 — What’s your MC’s relationship with food like?

It's non-existent in the human sense of the word. He's a vampire, and he only drinks blood.

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#WordWeavers 2.1 — Who is your most despicable character and how do you feel about them?

It's Duncan. There is absolutely nothing, and I mean *nothing* at all, redeemable about him. If I could, I'd end his miserable existence myself. He's a murderous vampire. Give me a stake and *I'll* take care of it, just so Fenella and Alistair don't have to worry about it.

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#WordWeavers 2.2 — Do you enjoy writing good, bad, or morally gray characters more? Why?

Let me share something from my own hashtag with my answer. It fits this prompt perfectly. 👌🏻

“As a writer, what is your favorite sort of character to write?”

This stems from a conversation. My girlfriend asked me this question the other night and I apparently gave her the answer she wasn’t necessarily seeking but already knew.

Give me a morally gray character. That’s my bread and butter. Now give me a morally gray character who’s more bad than good (or has a bit more evil in them than the good sort of righteousness) and now we’re cooking with gas.

I never write characters who have always just been “good guy” heroes and always will be. That’s boring. It’s blah. Give me pizzazz. I’d also never write a villain who’s evil without having a very good reason for it. Again, boring. Add substance, add flavor, and the story is better off.

My characters tap-dance on the line of being a hero and a bastard. One moment, they’re a good guy, and in the next, they’re a complete arsehole. (Or a douche canoe, as my girl said.)

From an array of my characters like the Doctor (Doctor Who, not mine but still), Alistair MacKay and Fenella (Wings of Quiet Longing), Father Kenneth Sweeney (The Final Rite), to Dr. Arcturius “Dante” Cason and Alexios “Ghost” Jace (The City of Opulence, Digital Dystopia Series), they’re all morally questionable MCs but good at heart in spite of it all.

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#WordWeavers 2.3 — Share a vivid sensory description from your story. What was writing it like?

Here we finally get to see Fenella through Alistair's eyes, and it's for the first time in nine years. It was tricky to write, trying to get it all down perfectly, but I loved the finished product.

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#WordWeavers 2.4 — Look back at the first thing you wrote. What did you do right?

I started writing stories before I even hit double digits in age. I could *never* find that sort of stuff. I will easily admit that my writing was atrocious. The main thing I did right was trying in the first place. I tried. I did it. People read my stuff and enjoyed it, somehow. They liked my ideas and stories. And more importantly, I'm here where I am now because of it. The idea was there, to write and be an author, but I needed the practice and experience first.

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#WordWeavers 2.5 — If you found out that someone had to live your MC’s life, would you change the story?

Every single character is different. No two are the same, so I think everything about the story would change with the new MC. They might make the opposite decisions as Alistair, or take a different path in life. It's rather mind-boggling to think about, honestly.

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#WordWeavers 2.6 — Share an important or fun lesson you’ve learned as a writer.

An important lesson: Not everyone is going to be fan of yours and that's okay. Don't let it get you down.

A fun lesson: You have to enjoy the process. Enjoy writing your story. And it should never feel like work. You'll cease to enjoy it if it does.

#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon

#WordWeavers 2.7 — What’s the most rewarding thing about writing?

This ties in with the last prompt for me. It's enjoying things as I'm writing a story, and it's the good feeling of reading everything over once I've finished, either before or after proofreading and editing.

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#WordWeavers 2.8 — What’s the most frustrating thing about writing?

Again, this ties in with the previous prompt. Hands down, it's proofreading, editing, and rewriting. The tweaking process, and polishing things off.

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#WordWeavers 2.9 — Have you ever talked to a reader of your story? How did it go?

Many times. This prompt is different for someone like me, just because I started off on Fanfic and then Archive of Our Own. I have a lot of readers who also happen to be close friends of mine. A lot of them became friends through my stories. For instance, they would message me, then we started talking and became friends. Very sweet. They're always fun (or helpful, if I'm asking for it) conversations.

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#WordWeavers 2.10 — Have you ever dedicated your work to someone?

Again, same as yesterday, I've done this many times. I've written tons of stories for friends. It's actually one of my favorite things to do as well, whether it's my original work or something for Doctor Who, The Thick of It, The Hour, Star Wars, Sherlock Holmes, etc.

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#WordWeavers 2.11 — MC POV: Sit down, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. What do you see in your mind’s eye?

Alistair: It's the same thing, the same person, even, I *most likely* see while I'm asleep. I'm willing to chance it. He's the one nightmare I can't free myself of. Aside from Isma, that is, but that's another story entirely.

(Small aside, because he doesn't know but I do, he's right. He *does* dream of Duncan.)

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#WordWeavers 2.12 — What would you tell a fellow writer who was struggling with self-doubt?

To just keep writing. Never stop. Self-doubt is our greatest enemy.

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#WordWeavers 2.13 — SC POV: You get an unlimited budget to buy one thing. The money can’t be used for other purposes. What will you get?

Hati: Food. And not only for me, but for everyone who's starving in Moray, all the mortals as well, because we should *all* have the ability to eat, survive, and live. Everyone's struggling, and that would change a lot of lives.

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#WordWeavers 2.14 — Who does your antagonist care about?

To answer this one about Isma would be a major spoiler, so let's go with Duncan on this one. The answer is himself. He cares for no one else. He's selfish, nasty, narcissistic, and sadistic. He's a murder. You can absolutely say that not only is he one of the antagonists but he's a true villain.

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#WordWeavers 2.15 — Describe your MC’s eyes.

Alistair (in my mind, anyway) has a very specific face-claim. It's #PeterCapaldi. I'll need to mention his features and stuff, then I'll get to the eyes.

Alistair's face: I see hawkish features, laugh lines and wrinkles, kind eyes, soft expressions, and curls that are graying yet still brown at the nape of his neck. When he's in a dark mood, on the rare occasion, his expressions are pure stone and even harder to read. The eyes will match.

Alistair's eyes: His eyes are interesting. All vampires have varying shades of color depending on their mood.

When relaxed, when they're a soft, pale green. Here: "His irises were a washed green, as if the color had been stirred with smoke and sunlight." Or this one: "His eyes were green pools, edged with shadows that made you wonder what he’d seen."

When angry, they're a thunderous, crackling silver or gray. Here: "His gaze was smoke, soft but dangerous, curling into every space you left unguarded." Or even this one: "He blinked, and it was thunder held back, a promise of something breaking open."

I'll include some pictures and explain things in the alt text.

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#WordWeavers 2.16 — If your MC had a statue put up in their honor, what would it be for?

It would be a statue of a moth, in honor of love, perseverance, and kindness. Moths are important to vampires, which I've gone into depth about before. That's wishful thinking, though, because other vampires don't approve of his behavior. He doesn't kill, and he happily mingles with mortals and werewolves. It's all taboo.

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#WordWeavers 2.17 — Would you still write if you had to use a typewriter or pen and paper?

Of course! I use pen and paper all the time, and I love typewriters as well. That wouldn't stop me.

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#WordWeavers 2.18 — Can your MC carry a tune?

He can, actually. Hati and Fenella know this. He plays piano and sometimes you'll catch him humming or singing along. He has a nice voice. (I should include this in the story more than I already have. There's an idea!)

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#WordWeavers 2.19 — Does your antagonist believe in the supernatural?

My antagonists *are* supernatural beings. They're vampires. 🦇

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