#ScribesAndMakers 18: Have you ever done your own cover?

All the time. My webcomic had a cover page for each series that I would draw (below), Epsilon had an image on the main link page, and I have even slapped something together for "Time Untied" (below).

Are they GOOD? Not really.

Best cover is probably the commissioned art of my MC, to which I added the "Time & Tied" title. I might commission something to use again in future.

#ScribesAndMakers 19: Gaming affect creativity?

Half the characters in my "Epsilon" serials are from RPGs that ended, but then I wanted to keep the character around. These were either D&D dice style, or online MUXes. So that's a pretty big influence.

I've never been DM/GM though, so as far as plots go, nope. At least, no known direct inspiration from any game plots (visual novels or otherwise).

#ScribesAndMakers 20: Misconception in popular media that bothers you?

That's a difficult one, mostly because:
-I'm not sure I know what is currently "popular" media
-I automatically emotionally disassociate, meaning it's damn hard to "bother" me

Someone's mentioned the 10% of the brain one, that is annoying. Then there's the vaccine/autism study that was thoroughly debunked, yet a belief persists. Finally, sugar doesn't cause hyperactivity. They've done randomized controlled trials on that.

#ScribesAndMakers 21: #TTMD w/ @Firlefanz

Still 10pm for me, so first question is about the avatar. Not a wolf, dragon or person, thus what does the horse represent? (Apologies if it's an obvious thing I missed.)

Also, the buildup mentioned gaming. What sort of gaming, fantasy? Do you ever find it more of a distraction?

Finally, anything else you felt like delving into that didn't happen to come up.

#ScribesAndMakers 22: A line from a book you wrote, and from two others. Which is mine?

A. We're to text each other immediately if we get any ideas or notice any problems in the timeline.

B. I don't suppose we could just time-travel over there? We don't seem limited spatially when doing it.

C. Whatever I do, it's already happened, yeah? It's not like I can change the past.

#ScribesAndMakers 23: Line poll

The thought of needing other lines concerned me, but then I remembered #TimeTravelAuthors does quotes every couple weeks, so I used that.

A was @juliebihn ; I don't use texting much.

B was @NaraMoore ; I often have rules about moving through space

C was me from a short story anthology. I do tend to have characters argue about fate and paradox.

I did think all were plausible. The voting seems to back that up. Thanks for playing along!

#ScribesAndMakers 24: Something you learned about one community member's creativity?

Sincere apologies, but most of this tends to flow through my brain day to day with little of it sticking long term. I very possibly re-learn things I already knew. Everyone's amazing.

Today I learned @saposcat has an impressive memory, and re-learned that the people who organize this are both clever (seriously, did not pick up on the birthday thing) and dedicated.

#ScribesAndMakers 25: Stream process/work creation?

Oh, I probably would, because I've done a bunch of things online that could be considered stupid, including my song parodies.

However, it's probably not in your best interests I do, because my random outbursts aren't as interesting as they sound. And it's probably not in my best interests either, because someone out there would take offense at the smallest thing and harass me. I don't need more stress.

#ScribesAndMakers 26: Abandon creative projects?

Frequently. Usually because others aren't interacting with them and wouldn't seem to miss them. Rarely because I stopped enjoying them myself, but did have other projects to attend to. I always try to leave off at an endpoint.

Examples include personified math (serial, revived as webcomic, shelved again), Epsilon (less than 5 votes on plot) and Marmalade Mercury (revived 18 years later and completed).

#ScribesAndMakers 27: Splat?

The name of the cat in the series of books by Rob Scotton? My daughter read them more a year ago, less so of late.

#ScribesAndMakers 28: How was Feb?

More productive than the last three months combined (despite being shorter), but that's pretty much par for the course after we've achieved semester turnaround.

In brief, actual writing occurred on at least four separate occasions, resulting in getting through a couple scenes. Meanwhile, the AO3 repost continues.

#ScribesAndMakers Mar 1: How much creative time this month?

Eh. Work will be busier than February, but there's March Break, but I'll be spending that as a full time Dad as my wife works.

Maybe the same as last month, meaning I could get through a couple more scenes.

#ScribesAndMakers 2: #TTMD @NaraMoore

Getting late, a few more questions to round things out:
-You mentioned having set things in the same universe with some character crossover. Was that a conscious decision, organization tool, Easter Egg for readers, other?
-Do you read manga in the original Japanese?
-Might the WebAuthorsCafe make a return someday?
-How much of a slow burn do you like in yuri, is it different reading vs writing?

Finally, any other thoughts that didn't already come up.

#ScribesAndMakers 3: Ripple?

I do prefer the ripple cut potato chips to flat potato chips, though I really don't know why. Possibly more robust in dips?

#ScribesAndMakers 4: MadLib Request

Okay, I'll take:
-Two plural nouns
-Two verbs ending in -ed
-A verb ending in -ing
-Two speaking words (eg. "said")
-Two adjective/noun combos (eg. "large table")
-An adverb
-An article of clothing
-A body part

Those last just to make it interesting. Results will follow tonight.

#ScribesAndMakers 5a: MadLib Reveal
(original to follow)

@saposcat version:

“Lots of bicycles,” Peaches yelled.

Carrie clapped. Peaches had whacked a piece of wacky clown by wrapping her hand around her skivvies, using the piece to flip open one of the towers.

Carrie approached, bluntly ignoring the extra elbow Peaches was exposing.

“Someone is whining to stay here for a while,” Carrie called.

“Or they’re whining a very terrible actor.”

#ScribesAndMakers 5c: MadLib Reveal
(original to follow)

@adaddinsane version:

“Lots of cats,” Peaches said.

Carrie ranted. Peaches had lasted a piece of sleepy cat by wrapping her hand around her bandanna, using the piece to flip open one of the dogs.

Carrie approached, coldly ignoring the extra knuckle Peaches was exposing.

“Someone is requiring to stay here for a while,” Carrie said.

“Or they’re requiring a very sleepy cat.”

(Golly, Carrie sounds threatening in this one!)

#ScribesAndMakers 5x: MadLib Reveal
(original text)

“Lots of {instant noodles},” Peaches {remarked}.

Carrie {turned}. Peaches had {grasped} a piece of {discarded wood} by wrapping her hand around her {skirt}, using the piece to flip open one of the {boxes}.

Carrie approached, {pointedly} ignoring the extra {thigh} Peaches was exposing.

“Someone is {planning} to stay here for a while," Carrie {said}.

“Or they’re {planning} a very {sad party}.”

#ScribesAndMakers 6: Choosing a title?

For the work? Generally come up with wordplay options and settle on what I like the most. ("Time & Tied" is a play on "time and tide", formerly "Time Trippers" until I learned that name was in use elsewhere. "Epsilon Project" references math epsilon as being a small change.)

For the serial entry? Whatever I like, based on what I wrote. A bit generic, so need to keep a record so I don't reuse titles.

#ScribesAndMakers 7: Communicate in sign language?

I wouldn't say communicate. I know bits and pieces from when we took a course with my daughter back when she was two or so. I remember "more", "thank you" and some letters. All ASL, I don't think I realized there was no universal standard.

#ScribesAndMakers 8: Country other than yours (Canada) that influences creativity?

Can't really escape the influence of the USA, for better or worse. To a lesser degree there's also shades of France (my in-laws are from there, my French isn't all Quebecois) and England (my father and grandparents, plus royalty on our currency).

Japan is a reach, but given I've watched anime for over half my life, read manga and written fanfic, it may be influencing me more than I think.

#ScribesAndMakers 9: Song line, guess how it continues.

Canadian Content time. Using Carly Rae Jepsen's song "Tonight I'm Getting Over You".

LINE: "It's been a real hard night. And I just hold my pillow tight."

THEN:
(1) But the more we try, no, this we can't deny.
(2) It won't love me back, no, it's not you and I.
(3) You won't know the truth, if it hit you in the eye.

#ScribesAndMakers 10: Song results

Carly Rae Jepsen's "Tonight I'm Getting Over You":
It's been a real hard night. And I just hold my pillow tight.
It won't love me back, no, it's not you and I.

Half of voters picked the correct lyric above. Either knowing a less popular song, or process of elimination, or luck.

-"...this we can't deny" is in fact from my song parody "Probability", which used this same tune.
-"...hit you in the eye" is from a song by The Clash.

Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBOE1aUNZVo

#ScribesAndMakers 11: Ever done 3D printing?

Nope. Saw a 3D printer once, forget where, I think some Professional Development thing. Have never felt the need (or time) for one.

#ScribesAndMakers 12: Any customizations, like an em-dash key?

Nothing occurs. I am pretty much novice level in all the things, having no motivation to figure out such details.

#ScribesAndMakers 13: Short fiction?

I don't read short stories much, unless they're part of an anthology. Weird, I know, because it takes me forever to get through novels unless it's summer. Somehow I prefer reading to take a while?

Nothing against them of course; I have some published myself. I do find them harder to write in that I always want to spin things out more, but in the right circumstances I manage.

#ScribesAndMakers 14: #TTMD with @degroof

Random mix here:
-Where did the name Pickles come from? Do you ever have difficulty naming characters?
-Are you in any of your dreams that became short stories?
-I have to know about the Adam Savage art connection, and was it during Mythbusters' run?

And then, whether there was anything else you wanted to comment on that you weren't specifically asked about.

#ScribesAndMakers 15: Time for creativity expected thus far?

Pretty much. Some words have been achieved. Could have even finished the Heather scene, but took a detour to edit an older work instead. No regrets.

#ScribesAndMakers 16: Convincing to read a book you don't care for

Might get what this is going for, but I don't know classics and hesitate on disparaging. So yuri again.

"The Executioner and Her Way of Life". Religious figure Menou tasked with eliminating characters who come to their world, and can't kill the one whose power is to reverse time. They travel together.

Great premise, superior villains, but you have to get over how time girl's a ditz, and Menou's sidekick is worse. I can't. No.

@QuasiTemporal

Wow, I gave up on that one as well. OP characters being OP is not my thing.

Thank goodness I don't have to sell your pick.

@NaraMoore Fair enough. Guess I don't mind OP, or didn't mind it so much in that story. (Perhaps because Carrie herself can qualify.)

But Akari is whiny, and Momo is jealous, and when it didn't seem like those arcs were going to resolve any time soon after the second book, I couldn't go on. Both character traits I loathe. (I gave the manga an extra volume past it, then shifted attention elsewhere.)

Makes me curious where else we cross over, or don't.

@QuasiTemporal

I imagine we will find out as time goes by.

Some things I gave up on:

I also gave up on "The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady," again because of OP characters.

There's No Freaking Way I'll be Your Lover! Unless...: I'm not good with satire. So for me, it reads like an over-the-top, poor imitation of better work.

And there was the one about the woman who becomes invincible with a cursed sword. OP again.

@NaraMoore True enough. Interesting list.
-"Princess and Genius" is on my to-read.
-"No freaking" I was hesitant on, but damned if it didn't suck me in. To the point of following the anime.
-Don't know the sword one.

I admit I gave up on "Adachi & Shimamura" in light novel form, the pacing was too slow. I'm trying out the manga.

"I'm not a Succubus" had enough plot for me to try it, but it wore out its welcome.

"Citrus". Stepsisters mixed with non-consent became a deal breaker.

@QuasiTemporal

Right Citrus. The manga was tolerable, but I haven't kept up on it. The anime was sickening.

Don't know the succubus one.

And we know I've read and am still reading AtS. I have two short story books on my e-reader.

Watch out for their newest one. I finished it, incest and pedophilia galore, and a bad ending. "My First Love's Kiss," I have very mixed feelings about it.

@NaraMoore I couldn't even get past the third volume of Citrus. But then, I had similar feelings about Bloom Into You. Never gave either anime a try.

Succubus is a sapphic send-up of Monster Musume, so given your remark about satire, probably not for you.

And thank you for that warning, yikes and a half.

@QuasiTemporal

I enjoyed "Bloom into You," especially the spin-off novels, "Regarding Saeki Sayaka."

@QuasiTemporal

I could talk about a lot of series. I have read a ton. But yeah, I have been finding high school yuri less and less interesting. Thank goodness there is more Joseshi yuri these days.

My favorite high school yuri would be "A Kiss and White Lily for Darling Girl," or "Sami Koto/Whispered Words.

@QuasiTemporal

As for "Failed Princesses," I thought it was meh.

@QuasiTemporal

I'm working on "The Vexations of a Shut-In Vampire Princess" right now, and if I hadn't bought it I would have given up already.