AM Pennyfeather 🩷💜💙

#ScribesAndMakers 8/17. To what extent do you think art can promote social change?

Art has the ability to live in the hearts of those who experience it.
EXPERIENCE. Not just see, not just watch/read/hear...but experience. And those hearts can be changed.

The issue is, I think (based on the many cynical responses to this question), it very rarely affects those in charge... possibly because a lot of art is incredibly critical of those people and institutions.

But if you really look, society changes, because people change. A story or song weasels into a person's heart, and they respond differently in their daily lives to things. They start to think "maybe this section of the population isn't actually bad." They see themselves differently.

It doesn't work on everyone. And maybe it doesn't really make a difference.
But I believe it builds. And it's real. And one day maybe it'll matter.

#WritersCoffeeClub 8/23. If no one read what you write, would you still choose to write?

If literally zero other human beings read my work?
Honestly, probably not. I'd find that very depressing and I'd probably feel like there was no point to physically writing stories down. The stories would still be in my head, but with zero readers, why would I do the extra work? lol

As it is, I don't need much, apparently. I have confirmation of 2 people reading my books since publication...one of whom is my mother lol But the possibility that others *could* be reading it is enough to keep me writing.

#WritersCoffeeClub 8/17. How do you tackle difficult issues in your writing? Or do you avoid them altogether?

I tackle them through the lens of my characters and how they experience it.

I am getting into some difficult issues in the books I'm working on now. I try not to get too graphic, and I will continue including content warnings for my books. But if something is part of my character's journey, I'm not going to avoid it.

But it'll be about them, not the issue. How do they react and overcome? How does the issue in question affect my character's story?
That sort of thing.

#WordWeavers 8/17. Which scene made you laugh while writing it?

I think the closest I've come to laughing out loud while writing was the bathroom scene in Destinies Ablaze.

Writing Riptha's mental process and expressing his panic in that moment 🤣 It still kind of gets me. That was really fun.

#WordWeavers 8/24. Which chapter or scene took the longest to get right?

The first couple chapters of Destinies Ablaze.
Like, OMG.

So, here's the thing: The Fires of Faldon duology is really just one story. And it originated as just one book.

But then the story grew...like, A LOT, and I realized that nobody was going to read a 900 page omnibus from a no-name author. So I decided the best option was to split it in two. Now, I could've just hacked it in half with a big ol' "To Be Continued...", but I hated that idea. Each book needed to stand on its own, which meant each book needed an arch - which includes a hook, a climax, and a resolution to a minor conflict.

Figuring out the hook and secondary conflict for the second book took SO LONG😩

Honestly, giant pain in the butt. Zero stars, do not recommend.
Although, the end result is pretty incredible and I'm very happy with how it turned out.
But I hope to never have to do that again.

#WordWeavers 8/23. What's one writing "rule" you've happily ignored?

Any rule about the first line being the best line in the whole book (or whatever) comes to mind.

I don't even know if this is technically a rule or just an obsession with writer bloggers lol But I feel like my first lines by themselves are pretty boring.
And I'm okay with that.

#LoveMakeShare 8/24. Lakes, rivers, seas, or oceans? Explain.

Oceans.

First off, I love the beach. And I know technically there are beaches along rivers and lakes, but it's not the same.

The Ocean is so vast and powerful! The way the waves crash as they reach shore - I love the sound, and honestly enjoy the feel of the waves hitting me and the push and pull of the tide traveling in or out.

There is so much life in the ocean. Depths still unexplored. Billions of species and ecosystems and communities. More than we can yet fully know.

And I once learned that the ocean is the Earth's cleaning system. The tide collects toxins from the land and carries it out to see, where (before human pollution got out of control) it would get cleaned for the health of the entire planet.

The ocean is amazing and beautiful and powerful. It's definitely my favorite.

#LoveMakeShare 8/23. Are there themes of environmentalism in your work?

A little bit, but nothing overly explicit.

There's a general respect for nature. A largely accepted understanding that humanity relies on nature, and therefore caring for nature and respecting the natural balance is important.

In *Fires of Faldon* the magic system is closely connected to the nature of that world, so there's a bit more in those books.

As in most things, I write my worlds the way I wish things were. So care and respect for nature is the norm, but that also means it's not something I emphasize.

#ScribesAndMakers 3/2 What does imposter syndrome mean to you and do you think you have it?

It's self-doubt, expressing itself with thoughts that you're not good enough to be a real [insert activity here] so you can't possibly actually be one.

I've struggled with it in the past, but I found a way to change my thinking on the definition of the thing so I can fit into the category.

I still struggle with self-doubt where my writing is concerned, but I don't doubt I'm a writer/author.

#ScribesAndMakers 3/30. Do birds ever feature in your work? Give an example.

Not prominently, but they have, yes.

At the end of Destinies Ablaze, a bird shows up at a most opportune moment to help Kara, and then flutters by again in the story, helping Riptha. (there are magic reasons it's so helpful)

There's also a story about Kara and Riptha freeing a bunch of birds that had been caged lol

I like birds, but they're more story flavor rather than a big focus.

#ScribesAndMakers 4/5. Could you do a scrapbook accompanying your current creative process?

Probably, in theory.

My current WIP is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, so as far as visuals I could use, there's plenty out there.

The problem would be in actually doing it. I've always kinda liked the idea of scrapbooking, and even bought stuff to make scrapbooks.
Ask me how many I've actually made. (the answer is zero)

I just don't have the follow-through on this, so I would make no promises.

#ScribesAndMakers 3/20. Self-promotion day. Shame optional. Boost away.

I have 2 novels available.

My Fires of Faldon duology is a romantic fantasy adventure. Magic, danger, and a pair of best friends fighting to save that which is most precious.

Each ebook is only 99¢ and from various retailers.
https://books2read.com/fatesalight
https://books2read.com/destiniesablaze

#ScribesAndMakers 36. How do you choose a title for your book?

With painstaking effort.

Titles do not come easy to me. I have to roll the story around in my head and play word association games to get one figured out. It can take a long time.

But once I find the right one, it just clicks.

#ScribesAndMakers 4/4. How do you answer if someone asks you what you do? Is your answer different in person than it is online?

Societal expectation is to answer with your vocation, so that's what I do.

I don't typically mention my writing to other people IRL. Except for close friends and family, or if I'm in a group with other writers.
Even at work, I've mentioned in conversation that I write as a hobby, but not a single person knows I'm published.

Online, though, I'm a writer all the way.

#WritersCoffeeClub 4/4. Do you switch between past and present tense? How do you make it work?

No. I write in past tense.

Unless you count dialogue. Dialogue is always in present tense. But everything around it is past.

#ScribesAndMakers 3/1. How much time do you expect to have for creative work this month?

No more than last month.

Which means I'll probably manage 30 mins to 1 hour of writing a week. 😓

I really need this class to be over. Thankfully, this is the last month, so that means I'll be able to get back to a better schedule in April. But, for now, this is my reality.

#ScribesAndMakers 4/3. Do you think there is a creative element to eating?

To eating?
I suppose there could be, but in general no.

Eating is survival. Everyone has to do it.
We as a species may have needed to get creative when it comes to those who have a barrier to eating, and cooking is certainly creative.

But eating is just putting food in your mouth and swallowing to consume nutrients. Chewing recommended in many cases.
Animals are born with that instinct. It's not a creative activity.

#ScribesAndMakers 4/1. How many creative projects do you have going right now?

Just the one, really.

Beast of Beauty is the only one I'm actively working on.
Although my mind will occasionally wander to the book I'm going to work on next - the next book in this series, which will be a gender-bent Cinderella retelling.

But that one likely won't get any real attention until BoB is with my alpha reader, at the soonest.

#WritersCoffeeClub 3/6. Is there a local writing community near you? Do you participate in it?

There is, but no, I don't.

It meets at one of the local libraries. My issue is it seems to be more about critique than writing, and that's not what I want.

I used to attend a group that was just an hour of writing. We supported each other and talked about our writing, but there was no obligation to share your work.
I really liked that. That's more what I'd want, but I can't find that here.

#WritersCoffeeClub 3/5. How do you make sure you don't leave plot holes?

As part of my editing process, I download my book onto my Kindle and take notes. But because I'm reading through like this, I believe I catch things as a reader more often - like plot holes.

I think this is partially because I can get through it faster, so I don't forget those little details that can get dropped.
I also know the future of the book while reading, so I can see the holes forming, as it were.

#ScribesAndMakers 4/6. Some people have creative work inspired by their dreams. Have you ever had dreams inspired by your creative work?

A few times, yeah, but not often.

And honestly not very vivid. I will wake remembering that I dreamt about my characters, even sometimes having the feeling I worked out a story issue in the dream, but I rarely remember any details.

#WritersCoffeeClub 3/2. Does your overall goal differ from project to project?

Not really.

My overall goal is always to entertain, to craft a good story with engaging characters, and to provide an escape from reality.

Each story is different and may have a different message or something, but the basic goal is always the same.

#WordWeavers 3/2. Do you use any special means to get to know your characters?

I mainly just experience them.

I discover my characters as I write. Sometimes I'll fill out the character information section that Bibisco provides, just to learn a little more about them if I'm having trouble. That's kind of like an interview for them, I guess.
But I'm honestly not sure how much from those things actually sticks. I never look at them after doing it.

#WritersCoffeeClub 3/19. Do you need to finish a work before starting another? Why (or why not)?

Depends on what you mean by finish.

I don't draft multiple books at the same time. But I will draft one book, then draft a second while the first marinates.
And I'll jump back and forth like that until one of both is completely finished.

#WordWeavers 3/4 When was the last time your MC lied? Why?

I'll take it from where I am currently.

Beckett actually lied very recently. His mother asked if "the beast" had ever hurt him, and he said no.

He didn't want her to know about the one time they had gotten into a physical altercation and Ada had scratched him. It was so long ago, and they had worked things out after that, so he didn't want her obsessing over that one instance.

Of course, he never was very good at lying to his mother.

#WordWeavers 3/2. Do you write scenes out of order? If so, how do you decide their arrangement?

I often will draft out of order, yes.

The arrangement in these scenes is often one of the few clear details I get before I start writing.

As a story forms in my head, key scenes play out. And because these are so vivid, I start with them in the very first draft. Then I add the smaller scenes between those scenes to complete the story.

I dunno, it works for me.

#WritersCoffeeClub 3/3. On what are you unwilling to compromise?

The story as I know it needs to be told.

Now, I'll listen to critique. I've changed things based on beta reader feedback.
I've also disregarded ideas from my beta readers.

I will only do what I believe will make the story stronger. I'm not willing to add or take away anything that doesn't work for the story.

That's a big reason I self-publish. I won't compromise for mere "marketability."

#WordWeavers 3/5. What's the most supportive/uplifting thing you heard related to writing?

It's hard to pick just one. I've gotten so many supportive, uplifting comments from beta readers and my writing communities.

But I think right now it's the ones that tell me they're excited for more.
I find it hard to write right now, and with everything happening on the world stage...sometimes it feels pointless and a little selfish.
But those comments help me convince myself I don't need to stop.

#WritersCoffeeClub 3/4 Share a recent experience where something just 'clicked'.

There was this particular scene a while ago that I couldn't get mentally. But I knew something needed to happen, and I knew what I needed to get out of the scene.

But when I got to it while drafting I still didn't know what to do, so I just let my characters talk. I followed their conversation, their actions...and it just happened.

I got exactly what I needed. It all just clicked as I wrote. It was perfect!

#WritersCoffeeClub 4/1 What arrangement of plots do you have? No plot? Only one? A main plot and a side plot? Something else?

I dunno.

I guess I go into it knowing what the main plot will be, and the romantic sub-plot (assuming those are different things)

But if there's any more than that I don't know about it.
And, truthfully, the main plot can be a bit of a mystery to me, as well.

I'm a plantser. I have a vague idea of what's going to happen, but a lot of the story surprises me as I go.

#WordWeavers 3/1. What is your greatest fear about your characters?

Whoops, already answered this one lol That's what I get for going out of order 😝

Here's the answer if you want to see it again:

#DestiniesAblaze is out TODAY!
Available in ebook and paperback from various retailers.
https://books2read.com/destiniesablaze

Why is it that every time you think things can't get any worse, they do? Kara and Riptha's lives - and worse, their friendship - continue to be threatened as they travel to Punitachu to fight for the end of the war and bring peace to Faldon. But can they make it before the thing most precious to them is lost?

#Bookstodon #Fantasy #Romance #ReadersOfMastodon

#LoveMakeShare 5/7. We've all got a white whale of a project. What's yours?

I think the project I'm starting now, actually.

Not Beast of Beauty, specifically, but BoB is the first installment in a series of gender-bent fairytales that I want to all come together to tell a bigger story and confront a bigger conflict.

It's the most ambitious thing I've done so far...and it stresses me that I don't actually know how it'll end.

But I'm trusting the stories to lead me to the right place.

#WordWeavers 4/4. Choose a character to invite to a party. What kind of party is it? Does it have special rules (dress code, bring alcohol, etc.)?

I'll go with my current MC - Beckett. I think he'd get along well with my group of friends.

It's casual. Optional BYOB (bring your own boardgame). He's welcome to bring a drink to share, but not required, and there will always be options there.

#ScribesAndMakers 3/4. Make your own Mad Lib from your WIP. (Remove words, ask for suggested adj, n, v, etc to replace)

Okay, I need:
Verb
Noun (thing)
Verb
Verb
Noun (location)
Noun (thing)
Verb
Noun (body part)
Adjective
Noun (animal feature)

[All verbs are past tense]

#WordWeavers 4/3. For which characters do you come up with a backstory?

The ones that need one.

Backstory is one of those things I rarely seek out, but some characters just have one. It usually pops up as a way to help me understand why they react in certain ways.

Although, the backstory doesn't always end up in the books, but it helps me understand their psyche so I can keep them consistent.
I only include what's relevant, important, or just too fun to leave out lol

One week until #DestiniesAblaze comes out.
It is the conclusion to my #FiresOfFaldon duology, and the end for this story that has been roiling around my head and heart for seven years now.
Wow. It's weird to think it's been that long.
Weirder still to think I might be done with it.

But these characters are truly dear to me. My deepest hope is that others love them like I do.

You can pre-order Destinies Ablaze now and read it next week.
https://books2read.com/destiniesablaze

#Bookstodon #Fantasy #Romance

#WordWeavers 4/6. Can you create a character/place/storyhook/device on the spot, if you need to? If so, share an example.

Nope.

I've never been good at this. I can compose whole novels - multiple novels! - but give me a prompt and say "make something" and my brain flatlines.

The story has to come to me, not the other way around.

#WritersCoffeeClub 4/5. How can the physical form of the writing become part of the storytelling?

I don't understand the question.

Like, how does the method of writing affect the content? I guess it might. I don't think I'd write as much if I had to use a pen, because my wrist would start to hurt.

If this is asking something else I don't know what it is lol

#WordWeavers 3/6. If you have several stories, which one should a new reader start with? If not yet published, what other works might your readers enjoy?

The answer to this one seems simple lol

_Fates Alight_. It's my only currently available novel, but the sequel is out in 11 days.
https://books2read.com/fatesalight

And you can still get it FREE from Smashwords, but that ends tomorrow.
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1939221

#WordWeavers 4/5. How would the character from question 4 react to being invited?

I imagine Beckett would be receptive and excited to go.

My book, #FatesAlight, is FREE as part of the #Smashwords #ReadAnEbookWeek sale through March 7th.

Grab up a copy, and maybe get a few others while you're there!
There are a lot of good options - there are several I plan to get. And when it's free, why not?!

#LoveMakeShare 5/5. Scope creep affects us all. Have you ever managed to perfectly scope a project that could easily have gotten out of control?

I honestly don't actually know what this is.

I'm tempted to look it up, but it might make me stress about it, so I'm gonna ignore it lol
NEXT!