WIP Special Part 4 || you get to meet a lot more characters

[Write an intro, etc etc, does anyone read these things, never mind, let's just get on to the exciting bit! more about the Beast and cinnamon-roll boys and sisters and a villain that isn't there yet! yay!]

WELCOME TO PART FOUR.

(Thanks to Lila for making the awesome graphic! which even happens to fit with my blog colours, so that's extra-cool. xD)

The March 5-Part Special

Part 4: Supporting Characters (And Villain!)

–{{Introduce your side characters, explain what makes them unique, and perhaps include their relationship to the MC.

H'm. How many side characters should I do?

Eh. Why not keep going until you all yell at me to stop already. 

WIP Special Part 3 || I talk about Billie (yay!)

hahahaaa

Well. I'm sure it's still Friday somewhere?

Look. I have a cold. I have study. I have work. I have been reading 100k+ fanfics. I am sorry I didn't get to this earlier, because Julian has organised a great thing here and I'm pleased to be part of it and ramble about my dear WIP. 

And I love ya all because you understand the craziness of life. <3

(Thanks to Lila for making the awesome graphic! <3)

The March 5-Part Special

Part 3: The Main Character(s)

Part 1: Introduction || Part 2: Setting

–{{Introduce your Main Character(s):

Oooh! Today I get to talk about Billie! (Elsie and Josie will be POV characters, I'm pretty sure, but Billie's definitely the main character of Three Sisters.)

Here's the first paragraph of my blurb again, because with the way I write, introducing my story basically equals introducing my MC:

Billie's the oldest of three. That makes her the one responsible for Elsie and Josie. She works hard to keep their life together - their new life, their life in a little cottage in the forest, the life they've built for themselves. But Josie is caught poaching: not by kingsmen, which would mean death, but by a legendary Beast of the forest, which... also means death. Billie's the oldest. Billie's the one who keeps her sisters safe. What option does she have? She invokes the old traditions to pay for her sister's debt herself.

Aww. I love her so much. Also she refuses to connect with anyone because she was betrayed in an unspecified previous relationship, so she just snarks people. Aggressively. All the time. Because she doesn't want to get hurt.

And at one point that led to a saucepan battle with a bandit in the Beast's kitchen. Good fun.

Possibly when you read this question you were expecting a physical description of Billie?? If so you obviously haven't been around me very long. She's, y'know, fairly regular, I guess? Brown hair [I think. Let me check.] Eyes. [Just... like... eyes. She has them. *awkwardness intensifies*] Oh, no, wait. She has blonde hair. [W o w, Jem.]

I think she's an ESTJ; I took the test for her a few times, and that's what I got.

She's the opposite of touchy-feely and doesn't do words of affection; she's not terribly sensitive and can miss emotions in others. (Also in herself. Except for anger. Because she's good at that one [and uses it to be productive.])

WIP Special Part 2 of 5 || this is when I wish I spent more time on worldbuilding

*frantic typing at 10pm*

So I knew this post was coming. And I should have planned ahead. But hey, what's life for if not last-minute panic? And mentally kicking yourself? because this post is about worldbuilding and yours is nonexistant?

Welcome to -

(Thanks to Lila for making the awesome graphic! <3)

The March 5-Part Special

Part 2: World and Setting

–{{What would we immediately notice upon stepping into your storyworld? (What would stand out the most?)

Oookay.

...I have decided to skip this week's post.

Most of my story is set in a house (of some sort) that's in a forest (of a cliche sort)?? My storyworld is rather thin?? I'm focused on the characters, okay.

Also where exactly are you stepping into my storyworld? If you arrived in the capital city, which would probably be a good spot for tourists to start at, you might notice that it's very elegant and has lots of white stone buildings. If you were in the three sisters' cottage, you'd notice the log walls' rough edges and gouges from inexperienced hands, but also the colourful braided rug and the unevenly dyed green curtains. (And probably two pairs of muddy boots left haphazardly by the door. That's Josie and Billie.)

If you were in the forest, though, you'd notice... trees. Lots of trees. Some narrow trails, worn down to dust; a lot of bird activity high in the treetops. You would not notice the bandits, because they're hiding.

Side note: As a companion to this post, maybe go read my post on settings from the last 4-Part Special, okay? I started it basically the same way... by threatening to leave... Reading back over it, the thing I'm most noticing is that I recognised that I needed more worldbuilding... and almost five months later, I've barely added a thing. Regardless of that - or perhaps because of it - that post is still very relevant. In fact, you can read the whole series here!

Um, so, I'm having an anniversary? || #MyFirstPostRevisited

"What??" I hear you say. "Jem's going to be posting on Friday! She can't be posting today - she only posts once a week!"

Well, yes. I only post once a week (maximum) because I don't want to go raising your expectations. But today is special! so of course it's 7pm and I've just remembered I needed to actually write this post.

........

Everyone in the blogosphere (it seems) has been having an anniversary. Several blogs reached one year old over the last few months - and they're so lovely-looking for baby bloggers that I'm in awe - but one of note is turning seven. Seven. Wow. (Go congratulate Christine, okay?)

Anyway, I'm jumping on this trend: I, too, am having a blog anniversary! Blogoversary! Blog... birthday?? 

One year ago today, I started this blog. I didn't have any huge ambitions for it, or even any idea what I was going to do with it, but my TAFE studies required me to start a social media platform (just to show I could), and the alternative was Facebook.

I've seen my grandmother's Facebook feed. It frankly scares me. 

So! It's been one year. I gradually developed a kind-of aim, although I'm still pretty scattered in my topics, and I joined the community of young Christian writers. It was intimidating at first, because everyone knew each other and the blogs all seemed to be huge famous things that wouldn't want me there.

(I have since discovered that's a crazy way to think and that everyone here is welcoming and a lovely person.) But I still get intimidated. *sighs at self*

I now have 43 followers on the Blogger gadget, and at least 12 email followers! You all are amazing and quite possibly slightly crazy. Thank you for reading what I have to say. <3 And to everyone who reads and/or comments, whether or not you're following, I extend a huge thank you as well! Every comment is special to me, however short or long it is. (or: however formal or scream-y.)

*throws lamingtons and TimTams at you all* *no confetti, because that would get in the food*

........

And, back in December, Melissa Gravitis tagged me for the #MyFirstPostRevisited hop. I decided to save it for this particular occasion, because there's really no better way to celebrate than by looking back at your past self and cringing, right?

The Rules for the hop, originally started by Sarah:

• No cheating. You must highlight your first post. Not your second post, not one you love… the first post only.
• Link back to the person who tagged you (thank them if you feel like it or, if not, curse them with a plague of ladybugs).
• Cut and paste your old post into a new post or reblog your own bad self. (Either way is fine, but NO editing.)
• Put the hashtag #MyFirstPostRevisited in your title.
• Tag five (5) other bloggers to take up this challenge.
• Notify your tags in the comment section of their blog (don’t just hope they notice a pingback somewhere in their spam).
• Feel free to cut and paste the badge to use in your post.
• Include “the rules” in your post.

Thanks, Melissa! *starts scavenging for a few friendly ladybugs because I'm not sure how to feel about this tag*

'kay, here we go.

........

So I seem to have a blog.

?

Well, at the moment you can probably expect casual posts about writing - including encouragement, the details of a few points of grammar, occasional rants on the writing life, and hopefully some flash fiction prompts. Also, I'll probably write about reading and libraries, and no doubt there'll be fandom references.

Of course, there will be deviations from the writerly theme when I find a new favourite thing, so please excuse. (Mug cakes. So cool. I'll stuff them under 'writing life', actually, because they're quick and easy and gooey and there's just something about eating cake out of a mug that has me enthralled.)

........

(Sadly, the mug cakes sort of... died.)

That was not as bad as I'd maybe anticipated?? *sends Melissa happy yellow ladybugs* It was also not very exciting. But to be fair, my only known audience for my first post was my TAFE lecturer. See if you don't think that would cramp your style.

Tagging:

1. Cait Drews
2. The author of that debut YA novel titled "A Thousand Perfect Notes" (it won't be too unprofessional of a post, I'm sure??)
3. Paper Fury
4. The Dragon Queen who's planning on taking over earth from her base on Jupiter
5. ...guess who?

Look. I can't find the archives, okay? And once or twice she's threatened terrible things to anyone who hunts through her old posts. She's such a successful blogger, considering she routinely threatens her audience, and I want to see where she started from.

I dare you, Cait. I daaaare you. *puppy eyes*

........

So... that's my blogoversary. I'd have done a Q&A, but I'm too secretive I wasn't very organised. Or organised at all. So, since you might have to wait for next year's blogoversary, I hope there was nothing dreadfully urgent you wanted to ask me!

(If there was - "what are your opinions on pineapple on pizza", for example, which is obviously a very urgent question and is also one I stole from Evangeline's recent Q&A - you would have to ask me in the comments. I promise I would answer. As long as this hypothetical question was urgent. And important. Like "would an alpaca or a goat be a more dangerous ride for a small child". Urgent questions, see.)

How long have you been blogging? Don't there seem to be a lot of blogs turning one in the last few months? If yours was one of them, tell me in the comments! Also ask any urgent questions you may have. If you're a follower of Paper Fury, are you anxious to see her first post? (answer: yes.) Have you found the young writers circles of the blogosphere to be wonderfully welcoming? (if not, tell me, and I'll give you more lamingtons. as a welcome.)

Also, shoutout to Miss March (who runs a beautifully classic/period drama appreciation style of blog) for being my first ever commenter (and the only commenter on my first, oh, five posts?) It meant a lot to me. <3

The WIP Special is Back! || MORE ABOUT THREE SISTERS

JULIAN'S 4-PART SPECIAL IS BACK.

...But this time, with new, bonus content! Now, for the same low price, you can order four, get one free! 

*coughs*

Basically, this time, we've fit five weeks into the month. So it's actually the-



(Thanks to Lila for making the awesome graphic! <3)

The March 5-Part Special

Part 1: Introducing the WIPs

–{{Give a 1-3 paragraph blurb of your WIP

[INSERT SUPER-COOL BLURB/HOOK HERE HAHA]

[whoops I meant to take that out ahaha]

Billie's the oldest of three. That makes her the one responsible for Elsie and Josie. She works hard to keep their life together - their new life, their life in a little cottage in the forest, the life they've built for themselves. But Josie is caught poaching: not by kingsmen, which would mean death, but by a legendary Beast of the forest, which... also means death. Billie's the oldest. Billie's the one who keeps her sisters safe. What option does she have? She invokes the old traditions to pay for her sister's debt herself.

The Beast must accept her offer, but he knows the traditions more deeply: whatever is offered in free payment of another's debt cannot be harmed. Billie wakes up a manor deep in the forest; her sisters think she's dead, but although he's not happy about it, the Beast refuses to harm her - even after she has several aggressive outbursts involving his tea and his scones and his ferns. She was willing to die for Josie. But she's not sure if she can handle watching her sisters think she's dead while she lives in unwilling comfort. And then her sisters start making bad choices - and she can't do a thing about it.

Josie's on a mission now; she wants vengeance on the monster that killed her sister, and has teamed up with bandits to get it. Elsie is distraught and leaves the forest, meeting a ghost from the past and unintentionally making the sisters' presence in the forest known. As everyone works at cross-purposes, old and new enemies and acquaintances are gathering in the forest. Eventually, for the three sisters, their hiding will be over.

(I made that up on the spot, if you can't tell...)


[BONUS FEATURE: Draft blurb!]

Everyone is working on an incorrect information and is confused and meets all the people they don't want to. Snark is considered a valid fighting style.

[That works too.]