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Hello! This journal is where I ramble about things like my Skyrim fanfic, journaling, books, games, or whatever else my brain decides to fixate on at the moment. I like sharing things that seem fun or cool or potentially helpful.
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Last revised: February 1, 2023
Drawtober: Day 1 - Star
Sunday, October 1st, 2023 11:02 pmTitle: Day 1 - Star (Spock)
Artist:![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tippetariuswrites
Rating: G
Fandom: Star Trek TOS
Characters/Pairings: Spock
Content Notes: Created for day 1 of the Drawtober 2023 challenge. Prompt: Star. Couldn't think of how to approach anything starry or cosmic, so I just picked a favorite character from Star Trek. I started trying to learn how to draw again a couple of months ago, and I've been challenging myself to use brush pens only. For now I'm using black and gray Tombow pens.
Preview:
( See entire artwork )
Artist:
tippetariuswrites Rating: G
Fandom: Star Trek TOS
Characters/Pairings: Spock
Content Notes: Created for day 1 of the Drawtober 2023 challenge. Prompt: Star. Couldn't think of how to approach anything starry or cosmic, so I just picked a favorite character from Star Trek. I started trying to learn how to draw again a couple of months ago, and I've been challenging myself to use brush pens only. For now I'm using black and gray Tombow pens.
Preview:
( See entire artwork )
Drawing Again
Tuesday, September 26th, 2023 08:56 pm
Getting back into drawing again. Here's Mehra.
I've always used pencils because it never occurred to me to seriously try anything else. It made sense. You put down the basic shapes, add details, and erase as needed. But then I started coming across advice to use a pen instead when you're learning to draw, because it forces you to think harder before you start making your lines. You can't take anything back, so either you work with whatever mistakes you make, or you move on quickly to the next drawing.
For now I'm mostly using Tombow brush pens. My first attempts at drawing a face were pretty awful a month ago, but I seem to be getting better.
Back from the Dead
Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 09:12 pmGood heavens, the last thing I posted was over a year ago.
Somewhere in that time I started playing way too much two-suit Spider Solitaire. Usually I lose several times in a row and get infuriated until I finally get lucky or quit in disgust.
I've also been spending a lot of time playing The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante. You guide your Sir Brante character through a series of choices from birth to death, and it turns out there are all kinds of ways to make him suffer. There are happy events along the way, and you can give him a happy ending if you do things just right, but most of the time I've led him to some horrible end or other. The music, the illustrations, the characters, and the consequences of your choices make it addicting, really one of the most compelling games I've played.
Somewhere in that time I started playing way too much two-suit Spider Solitaire. Usually I lose several times in a row and get infuriated until I finally get lucky or quit in disgust.
I've also been spending a lot of time playing The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante. You guide your Sir Brante character through a series of choices from birth to death, and it turns out there are all kinds of ways to make him suffer. There are happy events along the way, and you can give him a happy ending if you do things just right, but most of the time I've led him to some horrible end or other. The music, the illustrations, the characters, and the consequences of your choices make it addicting, really one of the most compelling games I've played.
January Blahs
Saturday, January 29th, 2022 08:17 pmI haven't been writing much lately, mostly because I'm badly distracted. January has been a pretty stressful month--lots of change, lots of uncertainty. I've been lucky in some ways, but my energy for hobbies and personal projects is sapped right now. I'm hoping to get back to my usual routines once things settle down a bit. Spring can't come soon enough.
I've been de-stressing by playing the 2009 special edition of The Secret of Monkey Island. Going on an old adventure with Guybrush Threepwood is therapeutic; I've always loved that dorky wannabe pirate. The game's "new" look doesn't quite work for me (did they have to make Guybrush's hair look like a helmet?), but it's fun to hear Dominic Armato voicing Guybrush's lines in the first Monkey Island game.
Mostly this makes me want to play Monkey Island III again. That game had great music and so much atmosphere, easily my favorite in the series.
I've been de-stressing by playing the 2009 special edition of The Secret of Monkey Island. Going on an old adventure with Guybrush Threepwood is therapeutic; I've always loved that dorky wannabe pirate. The game's "new" look doesn't quite work for me (did they have to make Guybrush's hair look like a helmet?), but it's fun to hear Dominic Armato voicing Guybrush's lines in the first Monkey Island game.
Mostly this makes me want to play Monkey Island III again. That game had great music and so much atmosphere, easily my favorite in the series.
10. How would you describe your writing process?
Lots and lots of early drafts. Lots and lots of rewriting. Lots and lots of editing.
The standard writing advice is to go ahead and write a shitty first draft. The idea is to just get some words on the screen and then rest of the work won't be so hard. So that's what I try to do. First I write some notes to help me figure out what needs to happen in a chapter. Then I write a shitty first draft. Then I write a slightly less shitty second draft.
Usually I stall somewhere between the second and third draft. From then on it's like I spin my wheels trying to figure out why everything feels wrong. Why is this chapter not working? Why am I not relating to this character? Why is this dialogue so clunky? Are these scenes really in the best order? Are all these scenes even necessary? Did I pick the best point of view character? If I do this thing here, will I have written myself into a corner several chapters from now? Slowly I keep writing, rewriting, editing, and making notes until I'm finally done. Usually I'm happy with the chapter in the end, but I can't help wondering, isn't there an easier way to get the same results? I'm still figuring that part out.
( Read more... )
Lots and lots of early drafts. Lots and lots of rewriting. Lots and lots of editing.
The standard writing advice is to go ahead and write a shitty first draft. The idea is to just get some words on the screen and then rest of the work won't be so hard. So that's what I try to do. First I write some notes to help me figure out what needs to happen in a chapter. Then I write a shitty first draft. Then I write a slightly less shitty second draft.
Usually I stall somewhere between the second and third draft. From then on it's like I spin my wheels trying to figure out why everything feels wrong. Why is this chapter not working? Why am I not relating to this character? Why is this dialogue so clunky? Are these scenes really in the best order? Are all these scenes even necessary? Did I pick the best point of view character? If I do this thing here, will I have written myself into a corner several chapters from now? Slowly I keep writing, rewriting, editing, and making notes until I'm finally done. Usually I'm happy with the chapter in the end, but I can't help wondering, isn't there an easier way to get the same results? I'm still figuring that part out.
( Read more... )
25 Days of Writing Meme - Day 9: Pantser or Plotter?
Monday, December 6th, 2021 10:11 pm9. Are you more of a drabble or a longfic kind of writer? Pantser or plotter? Do you wish you were the other? Both, or neither?
I've been working on the same fanfic series for years, so definitely a longfic writer. To me it's rewarding to see characters evolve as a result of their experiences.
As for being a pantser or a plotter, I'm not sure. I don't plan things deeply, especially early on. But at some point I do need a framework to guide me, or at least I need a sense of where the story is going. I always have specific scenes or events I want to write about, but my original ideas usually evolve and get shuffled around as I go.
I just learned a new term today, "plantser," which means you're a little bit pantser and a little bit plotter. That feels right to me. Plans are great, but they don't always work out. And that's okay. Sometimes the true purpose of your first ideas is to lead you to better ones.
( See all questions... )
I've been working on the same fanfic series for years, so definitely a longfic writer. To me it's rewarding to see characters evolve as a result of their experiences.
As for being a pantser or a plotter, I'm not sure. I don't plan things deeply, especially early on. But at some point I do need a framework to guide me, or at least I need a sense of where the story is going. I always have specific scenes or events I want to write about, but my original ideas usually evolve and get shuffled around as I go.
I just learned a new term today, "plantser," which means you're a little bit pantser and a little bit plotter. That feels right to me. Plans are great, but they don't always work out. And that's okay. Sometimes the true purpose of your first ideas is to lead you to better ones.
( See all questions... )
Kyne's Gift Playlist: Frostfall - EvilBlueKoala
Saturday, December 4th, 2021 11:33 pmIf Mehra has an instrumental theme song, it's "Frostfall" by EvilBlueKoala. Really it's the Dragonborn theme, but softer and gentler. Sometimes the melody takes a turn that's almost foreboding, but mostly it feels wistful, yet hopeful.
EvilBlueKoala's Additional Music Project is one of my favorite Skyrim mods. I highly recommend it if you want more music that feels like it could have been part of original soundtrack.
Thoughts on Pixar's "Onward"
Saturday, November 13th, 2021 11:47 pmI watched Pixar's "Onward" a while back, and it frustrates me when I think about what sort of movie it might have been with a little more development. I love the underlying "you had what you were looking for all along" message, I love what they were going for with the two elf brothers, and I love the idea of a D&D-ish fantasy world, but the story felt like a rough draft that was pushed out too soon. Despite some cute moments, the story never grabbed me, and it missed out on all sorts of world-building opportunities--it's like humans disappeared and left all their stuff behind, forcing centaurs, manticores, and pixies to make do with cars and motorcycles that weren't designed with their needs in mind. Which is really the opposite of what you see in Monsters, Inc. or Zootopia, where the world is tailored for the many different kinds of people who live there.
That said, the "GWNIVER's Rise To Valhalla" scene has become one of my favorite movie moments. It's ridiculous and beautiful and poignant all at the same time.
That said, the "GWNIVER's Rise To Valhalla" scene has become one of my favorite movie moments. It's ridiculous and beautiful and poignant all at the same time.
Sunshine Challenge: Hades
Sunday, July 4th, 2021 08:34 pm
The Hades prompt reminded me of several animated shorts by Katy Towell. Although the stories focus on horror and death, there's often something poignant or even sweet about them. My favorite is The Mockingbird Song, which is about a girl who lives on a haunted farm with her parents--except they're no longer the parents she knew. There's also one where a little girl befriends Death.
8. Is what you like to write the same as what you like to read?
I think so. I started writing fanfic because there was a Skyrim story in my head that I wanted to read, but because it didn't exist, I had to write it. My favorite novels are mostly historical fiction, and while my Skyrim fanfic isn't exactly historic, I've taken ideas from authors like James Clavell and Larry McMurtry. I also enjoy classic works like The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton and The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and while I don't go out of my way to write in the style of a hundred years ago, I pick up words or phrases that I think help make my characters sound less modern when they talk.
( See all questions... )
I think so. I started writing fanfic because there was a Skyrim story in my head that I wanted to read, but because it didn't exist, I had to write it. My favorite novels are mostly historical fiction, and while my Skyrim fanfic isn't exactly historic, I've taken ideas from authors like James Clavell and Larry McMurtry. I also enjoy classic works like The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton and The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and while I don't go out of my way to write in the style of a hundred years ago, I pick up words or phrases that I think help make my characters sound less modern when they talk.
( See all questions... )
25 Days of Writing Meme - Day 7: Characteristics of My Writing Style
Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 09:54 pm7. What do you think are the characteristics of your personal writing style? Would others agree?
I hope my writing is clear and straightforward without being too bare bones. In the beginning I avoided describing things because I wasn't good at it. Now I put more effort into describing locations than I used to, especially when it matters to the story. I still go pretty light on describing gestures and facial expressions, because it's hard to write those details well without being repetitive or distracting. My favorite writers tend to imply those things through what a character is saying or thinking, so that's what I try to do.
I probably use more dashes than I should. Because I do my writing in a plain text editor rather than a word processor like Microsoft Word, my dashes are always two hyphens (--). I like the energy that dashes put into pauses, interruptions, or sudden changes in tone or subject.
( See all questions... )
I hope my writing is clear and straightforward without being too bare bones. In the beginning I avoided describing things because I wasn't good at it. Now I put more effort into describing locations than I used to, especially when it matters to the story. I still go pretty light on describing gestures and facial expressions, because it's hard to write those details well without being repetitive or distracting. My favorite writers tend to imply those things through what a character is saying or thinking, so that's what I try to do.
I probably use more dashes than I should. Because I do my writing in a plain text editor rather than a word processor like Microsoft Word, my dashes are always two hyphens (--). I like the energy that dashes put into pauses, interruptions, or sudden changes in tone or subject.
( See all questions... )
6. What character do you have the most fun writing?
Sometimes that's J'zargo. I have to admit it was loads of fun to write him when he was touchy, conceited, and ready to blow up at Rumarin or anyone else who was getting on his nerves. But I love how he's evolved too, and how supportive and brave he can be.
Other times it's Rumarin, but it depends on the situation. I enjoy him most not when he's going out of his way to be funny or clever, but when he's in conflict with himself and trying not to be a smartass. Sometimes he reins himself in because he knows it's the smart thing to do and he'd rather not get punched in the face. But other times he's genuinely thinking about another person's feelings and is trying his best not to be hurtful; those are my favorite moments.
( See all questions... )
Sometimes that's J'zargo. I have to admit it was loads of fun to write him when he was touchy, conceited, and ready to blow up at Rumarin or anyone else who was getting on his nerves. But I love how he's evolved too, and how supportive and brave he can be.
Other times it's Rumarin, but it depends on the situation. I enjoy him most not when he's going out of his way to be funny or clever, but when he's in conflict with himself and trying not to be a smartass. Sometimes he reins himself in because he knows it's the smart thing to do and he'd rather not get punched in the face. But other times he's genuinely thinking about another person's feelings and is trying his best not to be hurtful; those are my favorite moments.
( See all questions... )
25 Days of Writing Meme - Day 5: A Character I Most Identify With
Friday, May 28th, 2021 10:39 pm5. What character that you're writing do you most identify with?
There's a lot of me in the characters I write, but I get uncomfortable when I think too hard about how I relate to them. Probably because they often end up with their own versions of my insecurity, doubt, or guilt--things that can be fun to write about but aren't so fun to live with. That said, Mehra is probably the one I most identify with. Oddly enough, that doesn't make her an easy character to write; her chapters are often the most challenging for me.
( See all questions... )
There's a lot of me in the characters I write, but I get uncomfortable when I think too hard about how I relate to them. Probably because they often end up with their own versions of my insecurity, doubt, or guilt--things that can be fun to write about but aren't so fun to live with. That said, Mehra is probably the one I most identify with. Oddly enough, that doesn't make her an easy character to write; her chapters are often the most challenging for me.
( See all questions... )
4. Share a sentence or paragraph from your writing that you’re really proud of (explain why, if you like).
I kind of like this paragraph about J'argo from chapter 16 of Throat of the World:
( See the paragraph... )
( See all questions... )
I kind of like this paragraph about J'argo from chapter 16 of Throat of the World:
( See the paragraph... )
( See all questions... )
25 Days of Writing Meme - Day 3: That One Scene I've Always Wanted to Write
Saturday, May 15th, 2021 10:30 amThe day 2 writing meme question is difficult for me to answer without giving away spoilers, so I'm jumping over to this one:
3. What is that one scene that you’ve always wanted to write but can’t be arsed to write all of the set-up and context it would need? (consider this permission to write it and/or share it anyway).
My answer isn't so much a scene as a collection of scenes that want to be a story. I've long wanted to do a short fanfic with Rumarin as a kid, something that offers a glimpse of his life with the traveling artists and shows how his relationship with Otero developed. It would be fun to write about such a group; aside from bards, dancers, and actors, I have in mind a puppeteer, a fortune teller, and an archery sharpshooter. I struggle to come up with a story to make it all work, but maybe one of these days I'll finally do it.
( See all questions... )
3. What is that one scene that you’ve always wanted to write but can’t be arsed to write all of the set-up and context it would need? (consider this permission to write it and/or share it anyway).
My answer isn't so much a scene as a collection of scenes that want to be a story. I've long wanted to do a short fanfic with Rumarin as a kid, something that offers a glimpse of his life with the traveling artists and shows how his relationship with Otero developed. It would be fun to write about such a group; aside from bards, dancers, and actors, I have in mind a puppeteer, a fortune teller, and an archery sharpshooter. I struggle to come up with a story to make it all work, but maybe one of these days I'll finally do it.
( See all questions... )
25 Days of Writing Meme - Day 1: About My Current Projects
Thursday, May 13th, 2021 10:23 pmI forgot that I meant to do this writing meme!
1. Tell us about your current project(s) - what's it about, how's progress, what do you love most about it?
I'm working on a three-part Skyrim fanfic series called Kyne's Gift. The second "book" in the series, Throat of the World, is now in its third act and will likely be wrapped up in another ten chapters or so. I've been working on this story in some form since February 2016. Although I regret the snail's pace and feel like I should have finished it ages ago, it's still important to me. I haven't given up and I don't plan to.
When I started writing this Skyrim fanfic, it was mostly a character study of Rumarin, a follower from the Interesting NPCs mod. But it grew into something much bigger. Kyne's Gift is a story about three unlikely friends; Mehra, J'zargo, and Rumarin are very different people, but deep down they have a lot in common. They've all faced terrible losses, and they're each burdened with doubt and guilt. But they become important to each other, and they're vital to each other's growth. As they journey together, they meet more people and make more friends (and maybe some enemies) along the way. Though the story eventually takes some dark turns, in the end I hope people find it positive and uplifting.
( See all questions )
1. Tell us about your current project(s) - what's it about, how's progress, what do you love most about it?
I'm working on a three-part Skyrim fanfic series called Kyne's Gift. The second "book" in the series, Throat of the World, is now in its third act and will likely be wrapped up in another ten chapters or so. I've been working on this story in some form since February 2016. Although I regret the snail's pace and feel like I should have finished it ages ago, it's still important to me. I haven't given up and I don't plan to.
When I started writing this Skyrim fanfic, it was mostly a character study of Rumarin, a follower from the Interesting NPCs mod. But it grew into something much bigger. Kyne's Gift is a story about three unlikely friends; Mehra, J'zargo, and Rumarin are very different people, but deep down they have a lot in common. They've all faced terrible losses, and they're each burdened with doubt and guilt. But they become important to each other, and they're vital to each other's growth. As they journey together, they meet more people and make more friends (and maybe some enemies) along the way. Though the story eventually takes some dark turns, in the end I hope people find it positive and uplifting.
( See all questions )
Second Dose of Moderna
Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 09:17 pmI got my second dose of Moderna yesterday, and this time I definitely felt my immune system kick into action. This morning I woke up feeling tired and weird. By early afternoon I had a fever and a weak, achy, wiped-out feeling. For five or more hours I wasn't good for anything except sleeping, but now I feel okay. My arm is still sore, but it's improving.
They didn't give me a cool "I got vaccinated" sticker. But I did get a shiny hologram bandaid, so that's something.
They didn't give me a cool "I got vaccinated" sticker. But I did get a shiny hologram bandaid, so that's something.
First Dose of Moderna
Friday, April 23rd, 2021 10:59 pmMy poor languishing journal. I keep meaning to post something new, and the next thing I know several weeks have flown by. (I also keep meaning to post a new chapter, but that's not from lack of trying; I've got a lot written, but it needs more reworking and editing.)
Last week I got my first Moderna shot. The shot itself was quick, but I had to sit in a waiting area for fifteen minutes to make sure I wasn't having a bad reaction. I had a sore shoulder for a couple of days, and I felt a tiny bit of proto-sicky stiffness when I went to bed the first night, but otherwise I was fine. The second dose is supposed to hit you harder, so I'll see how I fare next time.
Last week I got my first Moderna shot. The shot itself was quick, but I had to sit in a waiting area for fifteen minutes to make sure I wasn't having a bad reaction. I had a sore shoulder for a couple of days, and I felt a tiny bit of proto-sicky stiffness when I went to bed the first night, but otherwise I was fine. The second dose is supposed to hit you harder, so I'll see how I fare next time.
SciShow Videos about COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines
Sunday, March 14th, 2021 03:39 pmI went looking for videos that explain how mRNA vaccines work, and why we were able to develop effective mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 so quickly. These two by SciShow are really informative yet easy to follow. I remember watching some of Hank Green's Crash Course Biology videos back in 2012, and I'm glad he's still out there making videos to help demystify science.
( Watch videos... )
