CJ Payling is a human-generated self-published author and - because he enjoys self-flagellation - a writing competition enthusiast.
CJ writes science/speculative fiction, sprinkled with a little horror, thriller and noir, all of which explores social mobility through character and choice.
| CJ Payling Website: | https://cjpaylingauthor.wordpress.com |
| Buy my book: | https://cjpaylingauthor.wordpress.com/home/books |
| Support me: | https://ko-fi.com/cjpayling |
| Find my links: | https://linktr.ee/cjpayling |
#WordWeavers 14th May ~ Which of all the characters you’ve ever written are you most proud of?
Tough question. I'm proud of them all because I like the variety, from Grandpa Cyril in 'Chivalry and Chocolate' (featured in my book - see bio for links) to the wacky time traveller, Wilson Gaffney, in 'Hiccups Through Time' (WIP). And I'm sure I'll create more!
#PennedPossibilities 1013 ~ MC POV: Have you ever lived in another country / place besides where you were born? Would you want to?
Wilson: I live outside time and space, why would I want to restrict myself to a single place?
Harold: In one iteration of my life, I live in a bedsit in the middle of a run-down, ex-coal-mining, Yorkshire town. As long as Wilson keeps messing around in time, I'm unsure if I can choose for myself...
#WritersCoffeeClub 14th May ~ For characters, plots, ideas, settings, etc: how much is too much?
I'm unsure how to answer this. I suppose it depends on the process as a writer, which, for me, tends to change depending on the inspiration I feel.
For example, sometimes I have an idea and just start writing the story, other times I need a number of characters and scenes, so I outline with much more detail.
Now I wonder if I've written too much by explaining how little I prepare.
#PennedPossibilities 1012 ~ How do your characters feel about seeing doctors or anyone in the medical field?
Wilson loves being poked and prodded, he has no shame.
Harold hates medicals and avoids them as best he can.
I'm somewhere in between so I can imagine both extremes.
#ScribesAndMakers 5/13. Our next featured creator is exploring pixel art. Have you ever worked with pixel art?
I have not, but it's definitely an interesting kind of art.
I see a lot of pixel art in Valheim, since they chose to make things "pixely" in close-up, instead of rendering it all down. (I assume to spare graphic cards the workload.)
An it's truly amazing how well that pixel art looks "in the distance". So kudos to anyone who can design that.
#WritersCoffeeClub 13th May ~ Follow-up: if writing was not your "thing," what would your "thing" be?
Something in Film/TV. I spent two years studying media - with a focus on film and television - before I decided to take a different creative route. I always thought I'd like to direct a film...
In reality, I'd probably have ended up emptying the bins...
I started a new job on Monday, in an office surrounded by... people. It feels weird after spending half a year sitting at home with a mountain of job applications. It's only a temporary position but at least I'm getting paid again.
#PennedPossibilities 10⁷11 #PennedPossibilitiesImposterToot
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Replace something in your story with something completely silly.
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Time travel has been replaced with a bus ride...
"You're from the future?"
"Sort of... get onboard and I'll show you the stops."
#WordWeavers 12th May ~ What role does romantic love play in your story?
Romantic love has a minor role.
Platonic relationships have major roles.
Other feelings have all sorts of roles.
#ScribesAndMakers 11/5: Our next featured creator is a Table Top Role Playing Game designer. Do you play, or have you played, TTRPGs?
#Pathfinder is the one I've played the most. I enjoy the Table Top Board Games more than role play (Seas of Havoc or Fromage are my current favourites), or a good deck building game, like Resident Evil or Star Trek 🖖🏻
Hannah Steenbock