WhisperedGrace

Memoirs of a Protagonist Backstories in Characterization Pretend you’re sitting at a bar, listening to the local lush recount his misery over a highball. This time, you decide to swap sob stories. Everyone has one, and you’re betting you can top his. Perhaps, you've had a full life and it’s afforded you scars and wisdom. Now, pretend your character is that lush. What does he have to say? If he’s suddenly mute, you may benefit from a backstory. Backstories are a pivotal element in characterization. They explain why a character acts, or refuses to act as they do. The backstory encompasses both the character's previous

Writing Prompt: Mother's Day Traditionally, Mother's Day has been a celebration in the name of our beloved caregivers. It's a time to reminisce over the days of gentle chastisement and unwanted wisdom. It's a time to bask in those warm feelings of being loved over a lifetime by a woman who cares. It's also an opportunity to create something new. Tweak Mother's Day just a little and it gives way to an altered perception for the reader without giving a lot of detail. Warp it entirely, and it can be the basis of an upheaval, obliterating the world as we know it. Formally removing Mother's Day from a list of nationally recognized holidays can

Her domain butted up against Ka’Grim’s. But, it was always dark. It was always empty. Her world never appealed to the mortals enough to seek her presence. No one ever murmured prayers of thanks. A single throne adorned her world. She reclined there, draped in a gown of night, dotted with stars. She rested with her head in her hand, dreaming. There was little else to do while Ka’Grim perfected his newest creations. She could see him with her second sight, his person as wild as his thoughts. He held his physical form for years at a time, preferring to interact with the world around him. She barely held her form for an hour

It had been three days since Taris had seen her locket. She couldn't fathom the havoc ensuing for the mortals. Darkness, un-death, plague, she thought anxiously. Worst yet, the realm's time shift ensured the unraveling had already begun. She searched through the endless plans of her domain. The trees were bent with thirst. The pools of youth were little more than cracked, clay holes. Maybe, she thought and dug through the crumbling soil. There was nothing. A moment passed as she contemplated her next move. Another day of darkness swept through the frail, human world in her temporary keeping. A dry wind rustled the paling green grass beneath

Reflections on My Second Husband A Writer's Partner Thursday, April 5, 2012 There is no question that you're indispensable. You listen to my day, suffer my quirks, and endure my idle chatter. I, ever patient, soothe your rambling and sort it into something comprehensive. We are lovers on a level that would frighten the world. When I chose to write full time, (as full time as life allows) I was immediately annoyed. My husband, the first one, listened with half his mind. I'd spew an entire world into his lap and he'd smile and pat my head. It wasn't that he didn't care. He cares with more heart than I've seen anywhere in my life. His only s

Be Bold. Be Stupid. Lessons from the Masters Thursday, April 5, 2012 We like to accentuate our flaws. We're human and our shortcomings are numerous. However, as flawed as we are we still push on. If nothing else, we will lead example. So, our newest rule is: Be Bold. Be Stupid. Shortly after we decided to start Sanctum, which was a bold act in itself,  we started another project. Much of our base staff consists of gamers. Not just computer games, or console games, but pen and paper I rolled a 20, games. Naturally, we wanted to make a game too. The conversation went something like this: "I want to make a rpg. I have a few choic

Let us go, you and I down the berry scented path Let us sit in the shade of waning apple trees Let us murmur over iced tea about the changes in the weather. We will reach for the sweets, simultaneously and bump hands We will blush and apologize then gaze down at the grass We will count the heartbeats until we hear a chorus between us The silence will carry us to a dreamy future beyond the clouds The silence will note the moment that our worlds knot together The silence will scare us but it will carry us through to joy