ajthinks

[ajthinks]

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck google with a 10 feet pole.

Seriously, fuck them. They are breaking the internet BADLY.

Everyone needs to get out of Chrome ASAP. Use duck duck go or any other alternative too.

[ajthinks]

NaNoWriMo 2023 - COMPLETED!

I have done it! Woo! That’s a third nano in a row complete and won. Not too bad, if I do say so myself.

I feel like this nano was more about discovery than productivity. Getting words out felt a lot harder, more like I was flailing around more than usual. But I did learn a lot more about myself as a writer, about where I’m comfortable and what I still need to work on. (It’s dialogue. I desperately need to work on dialogue.)

Word Count: 50,004/ 50,000 Daily Streak Count: 30 Scene Count: 40

My graphs look a bit more haphazard than last year’s. I didn’t even try to keep up with the daily word goal, but I did get there in the end, so there’s that.

My best days were November 19 (3949 words), with November 5 (3567 words) and November 7 (3303 words) as runners up. Not too shabby at all.

My worst days were November 23 (303 words), which was American Thanksgiving Day, so maybe there’s some excuse, and November 1 (378 words), which was just a bad start.

My average daily word count was actually 1666, which is so close to the nanowrimo daily, it tickles me. :3

Here’s some cool stats from the nanowrimo stats page.

How did your NaNoWriMo go this year? Did you accomplish any goals you set for yourself? Did you win?

Snippet

“Master,” the apprentice spoke up, tilting her head up just enough to see Grandfather eying her. “I could show the young son the training grounds. If you so wish.”

Grandfather and Mum studied one another in cold silence. Then the both gave identical, curt nods.

The apprentice released her breath, and held out a hand to Rin, beckoning to him.

Rin glanced up at Mami Kaira.

Mami’s lips pressed into a tight, compact line, and she gave a significant look to Dad. Which he missed, standing up.

“I’ve never seen a warrior dojo— ” he began.

“And that particular trend will continue,” Grandfather interrupted smoothly. “I won’t have my daughter’s spouse injured from his own ineptitude.”

Mum’s eyes narrowed.

Grandfather huffed. “You recall your training,” he told Mum. “Accidents can and do happen. One mis-thrown dagger is all it would take.”

Mum leaned back on her back supporting leg, glancing to the floor for the first time since this “talk” began.

Mami bristled. “And you’d have Rin out in that?”

Grandfather sniffed but nodded to her again, giving the master healer the respect of turning to fully face her as he spoke. “The boy is a warrior, not a merchant. He has instincts.” He peered down his long nose at Rin. “Or he should.”

Rin let the apprentice pull him outside.

#dungeons of danrya #fantasy #snippet #writing #nanowrimo #nanowrimo2023

[ajthinks]

This is unbelievably satisfying and brain bending all at once. o.O

#reblog #mobius #3d

[ajthinks]

NaNoWriMo 2023 - Update 4

What with the American holidays, I kinda knew this week was a bust, but I’m proud I managed to stay on target, at the very least. That’s all I wanted to do this week, just stay on track.

This week I rewrote some really old scenes and expanded on other old scenes from prompts long past. Really digging into the bottom of the proverbial creative barrel, so to speak.

Word Count: 40,065 / 50,000 Daily Streak Count: 24 Scene Count: 30

Just one more week...

Ok, I'm tired now. Off I go to eat some leftovers and pass out. Enjoy this second to last snippet.

Snippet

A whole room just for waiting? Rin thought, looking around. There weren’t even cushions.

“I am Yaotl,” the apprentice announced with a low bow directed to Mum. He didn’t rise until Mum nodded. “Master Zuma bids you take tea with him. He will see you momentarily, if you will please wait here.” Then he backed out of the room and around the corner, never rising from his low bow.

“Of course,” Mami Kaira muttered darkly, hands resting on her belly. “Of course he keeps us waiting.”

“Kaira,” Dad chided, glancing from Mami to Mum.

Mami followed his gaze, and her cross expression vanished, worry replacing frustration.

Mum stared out the nearest window, unseeing obsidian gaze somewhere else entirely. Little breezes whirled into existence about her shoulders only to die out in between breaths.

She’s not breathing right, Rin realized. A chill ran down his spine. Mum always breathes right!

Before Rin could move, Mami strode around Mum and took the other woman’s face in both hands. “We’re here, love,” she said, clearly and carefully. She inhaled deeply, then exhaled, puffing out her cheeks in exaggeration.

Dad’s hands rubbed up Mum’s back, over her shoulders and down her arms, smoothing down tiny, on-end hairs before twining their fingers together. He leaned into Mum’s side and whispered while Mami breathed for Mum. His round face split with a wide grin when a wet giggle finally squeaked out.

With a rough shake, Mum straightened, throwing back her shoulders and clearing her throat. When she turned back around to face the rest of the room, she was Mum again, calm and steady. As unyielding as the northern mountains.

#dungeons of danrya #fantasy #snippet #writing #nanowrimo2023 #nanowrimo

[ajthinks]

the fact that we only have “herculean task” and “sisyphean task” feels so limiting. so here’s a few more tasks for your repertoire

icarian task: when you have a task you know you’re going to fail at anyways, so why not have some fun with it before it all comes crashing down

cassandrean task: when you have to deal with people you KNOW won’t listen to you, despite having accurate information, and having to watch them fumble about when you told them the solution from the start (most often witnessed in customer service)

feel free to chime in i ran out of ideas much faster than i anticipated

#reblog

[ajthinks]

Fantasy Guide to Building A Culture

Culture is defined by a collection of morals, ethics, traditions, customs and behaviours shared by a group of people.

Hierarchy and Social Structures

Within every culture, there is a hierarchy. Hierarchies are an important part of any culture, usually do ingrained that one within the culture wouldn't even question it. Hierarchy can be established either by age, gender or wealth and could even determine roles within their society. Sometimes hierarchy can may be oppressive and rigid whilst other times, ranks can intermingle without trouble. You should consider how these different ranks interact with one another and whether there are any special gestures or acts of deference one must pay to those higher than them. For example, the Khasi people of Meghalaya (Northern India), are strictly matriarchal. Women run the households, inheritance runs through the female line, and the men of the culture typically defer to their mothers and wives. Here are a few questions to consider:

How is a leader determined within the culture as a whole and the family unit?

Is the culture matriarchal? Patriarchal? Or does gender even matter?

How would one recognise the different ranks?

How would one act around somebody higher ranking? How would somebody he expected to act around somebody lower ranking?

Can one move socially? If not, why? If so, how?

Traditions and Customs

Traditions are a staple in any culture. These can be gestures or living life a certain way or to the way a certain person should look. Traditions are a personal detail to culture, they are what make it important. Tradition can dictate how one should keep their home, run their family, take care of their appearance, act in public and even determine relationship. Tradition can also be a double edged sword. Traditions can also be restrictive and allow a culture to push away a former member if they do not adhere to them, eg Traditional expectations of chastity led to thousands of Irish women being imprisoned at the Magdelene Laundries. Customs could be anything from how one treats another, to how they greet someone.

How important is tradition?

What are some rituals your culture undertakes?

What are some traditional values in your world? Does it effect daily life?

Are there any traditions that determine one's status?

Values and Opinions

Values and Opinions are the bread and butter of any culture. This is the way your culture sees the world and how they approach different life hurdles. These may differ with other cultures and be considered odd to outsiders, what one culture may value another may not and what opinion another holds, one may not. There will be historical and traditional reasons to why these values and opinions are held. Cultures usually have a paragon to which they hold their members to, a list of characteristics that they expect one to if not adhere to then aspire to. The Yoruba people value honesty, hard work, courage and integrity. Here are some questions to consider?

How important are these ethics and core values? Could somebody be ostracised for not living up to them?

What are some morals that clash with other cultures?

What does your culture precieved to be right? Or wrong?

What are some opinions that are considered to be taboo in your culture? Why?

Dress Code

For many cultures, the way somebody dresses can be important. History and ethics can effect how one is meant to be dressed such as an expectation of chastity, can impose strict modesty. While other cultures, put more importance on details, the different sorts of clothes worn and when or what colour one might wear. The Palestinian people (من النهر إلى البحر ، قد يكونون أحرارا) denoted different family ties, marriage status and wealth by the embroidery and detailing on their thoub.

Are there traditional clothes for your world? Are they something somebody wears on a daily basis or just on occasion?

Are there any rules around what people can wear?

What would be considered formal dress? Casual dress?

What would happen if somebody wore the wrong clothes to an event?

Language

Language can also be ingrained as part of a Culture. It can be a specific way one speaks or a an entirely different language. For example, in the Southern States of America, one can engage in a sort of double talk, saying something that sounds sweet whilst delivering something pointed. Bless their heart. I have a post on creating your own language here.

Arts, Music and Craft

Many cultures are known for different styles of dance, their artwork and crafts. Art is a great part of culture, a way for people to express themselves and their culture in art form. Dance can be an integral part of culture, such as céilí dance in Ireland or the Polka in the Czech Republic. Handicrafts could also be important in culture, such as knitting in Scottish culture and Hebron glass in Palestine. Music is also close to culture, from traditional kinds of singing such as the White Voice in Ukraine and the playing of certain instruments such as the mvet.

Food and Diet

The way a culture prepares or intakes or treats certain foods are important to a culture. In some cultures, there is a diet yo adhere to, certain foods are completely banned. With Jewish culture, pork is prohibited along with fish such as sturgeon, along with shellfish and certain fowl. Meat must also be prepared in a certain way and animal byproducts such as dairy, must never be created or even eaten around this meat. This is known as kosher. The way one consumes food is also important to culture. In some cultures, only certain people may eat together. Some cultures place important on how food is eaten. In Nigerian culture, the oldest guests are served first usually the men before the women. In Japanese culture, one must say 'itadakimasu' (I recieve) before eating. Culture may also include fasting, periods of time one doesn't intake food for a specific reason.

What are some traditional dishes in your world?

What would be a basic diet for the common man?

What's considered a delicacy?

Is there a societal difference in diet? What are the factors that effect diet between classes?

Is there any influence from other cuisines? If not, why not? If so, to what extent?

What would a typical breakfast contain?

What meals are served during the day?

What's considered a comfort food or drink?

Are there any restrictions on who can eat what or when?

Are there any banned foods?

What stance does your world take on alcohol? Is it legal? Can anybody consume it?

Are there any dining customs? Are traditions?

Is there a difference in formal meals or casual meals? If so, what's involved?

Are there any gestures or actions unacceptable at the dinner table?

How are guests treated at meals? If they are given deference, how so?

#reblog #wolrdbuilding #notes #for another time

[ajthinks]

#reblog

[ajthinks]

holy shit

#reblog #health #multiple sclerosis #celiac disease

[ajthinks]

NaNoWriMo 2023 - Update 3

Yup. It’s that time again. Can you tell the energy is waning?

So, this week I really tried hard to push myself and write scenes that are more slice-of-life and less action in order to fill out the first half of the arc. It worked alright, but I’ve noticed these recent scenes are about half as long as the other scenes I’ve written this month. Not really important, as I’ll end up stringing multiple scenes into one chapter later on (for the most part), but it’s something I’ve noticed. Maybe this coming week I’ll focus less on new scenes and more on fleshing out existing scenes… or maybe that’ll be a task for December… will think more on this later.

Enough rambling. Here’s the official list for this past week:

More discovered about how I write: slice-of-life is hard for me and must be a deliberate choice. Yeah, I think I wrote twice as many scenes compared to last week, but they’re all half as long on average.

I’ve managed to stay on target! Not every day, some days were just lighter on words than others. But as of last night, I’m just barely a day ahead. Woo!

Sunday was my best day so far this month, with 4771 words! A good day, especially as I’m sure I’ll struggle to find time to write this coming holiday. Thanksgiving Day just looming over me…

How about you? Good words? Bad words? They’re all words and so count.

Snippet

Uncle Tio was the only family mage Rin knew that wasn’t also clan. Maybe he’d have a different perspective, Rin thought. He bit his lip, then blurted out his question. “How do you weave illusion?”

“Easy,” Tio answered with an easy shrug. “I look at where I want the illusion and I picture it.” He held out his hand to Rin — palm up — to demonstrate. Half a heartbeat later a beautiful pink blossom bloomed from the center of that calloused hand. Fingers tipped with hooked scars just brushed the edges of the bloom, swiping the petals as Tio twisted his wrist and then held a dark green stem. He proffered the flower to Nika.

“Like I’d fall for that again,” he sniffed.

With a huff of laughter, Tio let the flower mist away. He tugged a limp lock of hair that dangled behind Nika’s left ear. “Too much of your mum in you, serious one.”

Nika’s grumbling red face smoothed into something too still and neutral, and Rin winced.

Rin shook his head and looped his arm through Nika’s, tugging his brother close. “Nika’s league’s of fun. Just the quiet kind.” With that declaration, he waved to Tio, then steered Nika towards the food tables and the roaring laughter that could only be caused by their father.

#dungeons of danrya #fantasy #writing #snippet #nanowrimo2023 #nanowrimo

[ajthinks]

Zuko small dog energy is something i can never unsee now.

Throwback to that time Zuko thought he could take down an airbending master that had fans

#reblog #atla

[ajthinks]

Reading a Terry Pratchett book is literally just: Here's a funny little joke Here's something that you can tell is a joke but don't get and will only figure out five years later Here's a surprisingly cool fantasy concept Here's a unique and well written simile Here's a lil guy Here's something that has aged depressingly well into the modern day Here's something that has aged remarkably queer into the modern day Here's a character that you can barely understand what he's saying Here is the most terrifying and deeply disturbing concept you have ever heard, casually mentioned Here is the dumbest fucking pun you've ever heard but in the best way Here is a quote so profound that it makes you view morality and the world in a different way Here is a plot twist that you can't tell if it's genius or stupid Congratulations! You've finished the book! It has fundamentally changed you as a person and you will never be the same!

#this #all of this #sir terry pratchett #reblog

[ajthinks]

NaNoWriMo 2023 - Update 2

I won’t lie, the first week of this month was rough. Life has continued to kick me while I’m down, which made actually sitting down to write a lot harder. But with my partner’s help in protecting that writing time, I’ve actually worked out a system at this point, and I’m feeling a lot more optimistic about this month.

Here’s some more detail on how NaNo’s going for me:

I managed to catch up to where I’m supposed to be to stay on track for the total 50k words! Big win!

I’m getting a lot of new scenes, which is really good! It’s about a scene a day, but I’ll take it.

I’m discovering more about my writing process as I do this. In particularly, this past week has really taught me that I rely on action scenes. If I don’t know what to write and just start typing away at a blank page it will be an action scene. Rin fighting, Rin running, Rin hiding from something scary, Rin training; they’re all scenes that rely on a setup of movement and a certain amount of heart-racing going on. Which is interesting. I might try to push myself next week and write a certain number of dialogue or slice-of-life scenes or something.

So, how’s your writing goals going? Any progress? Any road blocks giving you particular trouble?

Word Count: 18,545 / 50,000 Daily Streak Count: 11 Scene Count: 10

Snippet

Rin whirled around, throwing himself into the first form. His right leg slid forward into a low lunge, and he flung out his arms in front of his face and chest in an aggressive block and counter. Beneath him his shadow boiled and sprang up, moving in the same aggressive block and counter, but a pace ahead of Rin. Long black claws unsheathed from the black mass of darkness as Rin curled the fingers of both hands into claws, raking one hand forward as he swept the other back behind him. His shadow – and every shadow was his now, ever since he’d connected to his mark under Tani’s eager eye – spiked up in a swirling nest of shattered spikes encircling Rin – weapon and shield in one move.

Move.

Rin moved. Maintained his momentum and spun it into a whirl of darkness, the shadows trailing his every motion, tendrils hanging off his fingers like mist, like mud, like darkness made real as he spun his arms out, snapping fingers tight into fists and striking forward. Three rapid shots that slung clumps of shadow out to explode against the hapless tree.

Don’t stop.

He spun on toes, easily twirling on the slick ground – the trick was maintaining your balance – and ducked an imagined strike. Shadows spiked again as Rin hit the ground, fingers digging clawlike into the ground. He rolled on his shoulder flipping up and spinning on his hands, legs whirling around him. Clear attackers, then rise.

Rin flipped up, feet slamming back down to the ground in a solid stance. Darkness moved in the same clearing way, swirling about him.

Rin flung out his arms, reaching for the shadow. Now listen.

It wasn’t listening, not exactly. But he didn’t have any other word for it. And neither did Tani. It was a humming in his blood that extended out past his body and into the shadow he worked. A kind of resonance. A subtle shift that had nothing to do with wind and everything to do if his shadows felt threatened.

#dungeons of danrya #fantasy #snippet #writing #nanowrimo #nanowrimo2023

[ajthinks]

NaNoWriMo 2023 - Update 1

Here's where I stand so far this NaNo.

I actually got a temporary cover going for Arc 2. It's cute. Art by Johanna Rupprecht (not mine).

I passed the 1,667 limit. It's slow going, but going we do be.

No chapter work yet, just scene… singular.

Word Count: 1,804 / 50,000 Daily Streak Count: 3 Scene Count: 1 (~ish)

So, how's your NaNo going? Are you doing NaNo this year? Drop a comment and let's talk!

Snippet

Abruptly, Mum slammed her hand down on Dad’s desk. “Tatsu, I would speak with you. Please. Privately.” Her eyes darted to the farthest corner of the office from Rin, on the other side of Dad’s big wooden desk.

Dad rushed over to her.

They huddled, exchanging whispers.

Then Dad chuckled. He pressed his fingers to his lips to still the sounds, but his shoulders began to shake and his eyes sparkled.

Mum gaped. “Tatsu!” She flicked his shoulder, then whirled away.

“No! No, love!” Dad grabbed her and squeezed her into a hug. “I swear to Bajulo, I — I’m not laughing at you.” The words came out breathy, interspersed with giggles. He nuzzled her neck, and Mum’s unconvinced expression softened. “And I’ll take care of it.”

Relief washed over Mum’s face, the harsh lines of her expression softening as she peeked over her shoulder at Dad. She nodded, kissed him, and fled the room.

Dad huffed out a last breathy laugh before walking over to Rin. “So,” he drawled out and squatted before Rin. “Your mum said you had a question.”

Rin blushed. Ah, so that’s what all that was about. “Um, yeah,” Rin bounced on his toes.

“Why don’t you sit down?” Dad asked. His head inclined in the direction of two big sitting chairs, both facing each other next to the window.

#dungeons of danrya #fantasy #writing #nanowrimo2023 #nanowrimo #snippet

[ajthinks]

Happy November 1st to all who celebrate :)

#too real

[ajthinks]

NaNoWriMo 2023 START!!

Fudge biscuits, I'm late.

It's that time of year again! NaNoWriMo 2023 has begun! \o/ And since this is probably the last year I'll get to participate fully this year (expected life changes for next fall), I'll be trying for the full 50k words once again. I probably won't hit the daily word count, but I'll still try for the 50k. We'll see what happens.

I'm still working on Arc 2 (now titled Learning Curve). It's slow going due to life shenanigans; the past few months have been chaotic at best. But I'm going to try to use NaNo to get back into the swing of things. Hoping to have a full draft 0 by the end of the year, then restructure that mess into a proper first draft. So here goes!

What about you? Doing NaNoWriMo this year? Proper or rebel? What project, if any? Whatever you're doing, I wish you luck! \o/

#writing #nanowrimo #nanowrimo2023 #dungeons of danrya #arc 2

[ajthinks]

Inktober Day 31

This is from the official daily Inktober 2022 prompt list that I have, once again, repurposed for my own writing uses.

Inktober Day 31: Farm

“Shhh!” Rin insisted, slapping a hand over Nika’s mouth. “Just come on, and I’ll show you.”

Frowning and muttering under his breath, Nika followed Rin down the road. With a quick glance up and down the street, the boys slipped behind a waxed tarp and through the break in the outer wall. From there it was simple to climb down the high wall via the thick net of vines that had grown up this monsoon season. Within the twenty minutes, Rin tugged his brother over a sodden wooden fence into a muddy farm field.

Nika yanked away and straightened his glasses. “Alright. We’re here. Now, what did you find?”

Glancing around surreptitiously, Rin yanked the staff from the bag slung over one shoulder.

Nika quirked an eyebrow.

With a smirk, Rin twisted the leather grip, and both ends of the rod shot out, lengthening the staff to twelve hands.

Nika’s jaw dropped. “Okay,” he admitted. “Okay, that’s wicked.”

#writing prompt #inktober #this is during Arc 2 #probably early Arc 2 #and we're done! :D

[ajthinks]

Inktober Day 30

This is from the official daily Inktober 2022 prompt list that I have, once again, repurposed for my own writing uses.

Inktober Day 30: Gear

Wrapped in the thoughts of roasted beans and honey buns and fried fish, Rin nearly ran right into the end of the staircase. Smooth metal slid across the tips of his fingers and dimly reflected the glow of his light stone.

A door!

Rin twisted the latch.

The door didn’t budge.

He twisted the latch the other way.

The door didn’t budge.

He twisted the first way again, yanking and forcing the opening gear to rotate. The door ground in its groove, opening the barest crack in the darkness with a rattling scrape.

Warmth flooded the space, soaking deep into Rin’s bones, and he pressed closer to the opening. He shook in surprise and relief, basking in the heat. He hadn’t even realized how cold he’d become.

#writing prompt #inktober #this is during Arc 1