Knowing

[Metarie]

posties?

[Metarie]

Alyson, I think the current post is yours.

Did I miss someone's post about going out of town?

[Isaac Arcott]

I think it's Frug's turn, isn't it?

[Metarie]

Ohhhh. Well that explains it then.

[Alyson Rolfe]

I apologize for not being around lately. I should have posted being away, but as I was home I didn't think it would be that hard to be online. My family was in town visiting for the past 10 days - and we ended up doing a ton of remodeling projects around the house. They are gone now, so I am back and will be posting regularly again.

[Isaac Arcott]

Sorry it's taken me a while to post. I've been sick the past few days, which I believe is why I haven't been able to write anything of substance lately. Every time I sit down to write, I end up spending an hour on one paragraph, which remains unbearable to read.

I know I could always just post something short and straightforward, and let the story move forth, but I don't think that would really help any of us. I joined Thar Shaddin not just to have fun, but to improve my writing. I'm not saying my every post has to be perfect, but I have to be sure that my best goes into each post, otherwise it feels like I shouldn't even be here. I'm doing this not only to become a better writer, but to save you from having to read what I know are tiresome and uncreative paragraphs. Some might argue that it's better to just move the story along until the good stuff happens, but I think it's the quality of the writing that determines the quality of the story, and I'd rather wait a week to read an exhilarating page rather than spend each day reading a really slow and uninteresting novel. I hope you feel the same way.

If I don't post tonight, I'll try and post tomorrow as soon as I wake up and am hopefully less sick. I was thinking that in the meantime, if we're ever feeling inspired and want to build on the story, but are stuck waiting our turn, we should use this thread to discuss EVERYTHING in as much detail as we like. As I mentioned to Metarie, there are certain things that don't come up in the flow of a post, but may still have importance later on (i.e. clothing). Though we'll often give a general description of an appearance, there are certain details that get left out without being forced in. Like Metarie said, no one ever talks about their shoes, unless they become involved in the scene somehow. It might not be that important in most forms of storytelling, but when collaborating with another writer, it's helpful to disclose these things, just in case they come up in someone else's flow of words unexpectedly. This could apply to objects and places. It can be frustrating and/or fun to disambiguate something by describing it as much detail as you can, as if you've never seen anything like it before. It'll also save time on having to scroll through posts because we can't remember what colour earrings someone is wearing. Either way, it's a good exercise for the imagination. If that's not your thing, pictures make a great shortcut.

For example, Isaac's chest is like a slightly flattened cylinder, which viewed from the front narrows just a bit at the abdomen, and from the side narrows at his shoulders. Excluding his armpits, his hair is nearly invisible, with the exception of just a few darker hairs visible beneath his belly button, which is small and sticks in less than a centimetre deep. Beneath almost pale white skin, the sides of his rib cage become visible whenever he expands his chest, and the rough outline of abdominal muscles is present when he tenses up. At his left side, just below the nipple, his skin is a mix of red and purple from scrapes and bruises, which appear darkest, almost black even, at their centre. One bruise almost resembles the shape of Eyropa. He is the thin wire frame of a bulky warrior, and the wide meaty counterpart to a starving torture victim.

As for actual 'plot' discussion, I think I have a way for Isaac to get close to Alyson, but for the most part I think we should focus on Alyson's journey for answers, so that we can leave Isaac's intentions undeclared for as long as possible. Speaking of which, I'm curious; do you already know the cause of Alyson's 'sixth sense' around particular individuals, or do you plan to make it up as you go? I only ask because it might be fun to discuss some theories here, if you're stuck on it. It would also be easier if Metarie was in on it, since Alyson is coming to her for answers. You could always just PM it if you want to surprise the rest of us.

[Alyson Rolfe]

I don't mind sharing - since it is in Alyson's character sheet. Alyson has an awareness of magic - that shows itself in the "feelings" she is experiencing. She doesn't realize what she is doing yet, and hopefully Metarie will be able to recognize the source of Alyson's strange feelings, but we'll just have to wait and see if she can. Even if she does find out what is causing the feelings, Alyson will have no idea what to do with that knowledge - or even if she should do anything with it. She will be stuck in the pursuit of who she is and what she is supposed to do with her life for awhile, as I don't have definite plans that far ahead.

[Metarie]

Awww, I hope you get to feeling better soon. I know how un-fun being sick can be.

Frankly, Isaac, I think all that you posted would have made a fine post and fallen in line with what I had hoped you would describe. That way, I'm not taking liberties with your character.

, I hope you will post it in character vs. out of character.

I like things to develop through the posts. I do find your request for more detail in the posts a challenge that I hope to meet, but I may not. Just sayin'.

I hope you get better, soon! I look forward to reading your next post.

[Isaac Arcott]

Oh, I tried to fit that description in to the post, but it fit horrendously into the text. It's like, "Isaac looked down at his discoloured chest, and then decided now would be a good time to think about it in great detail." BORING! My narrative tends to follow the character's thoughts and point of view pretty closely, so if Isaac isn't thinking about it, it doesn't come up. I just can't roleplay as an omniscient narrator who sees everything completely and objectively, especially when it comes to describing someone else's character, as I only have my incomplete mental image of them to go on. I can only post objective descriptions OOC, but don't think that its non-cannon just because its in here. I just couldn't make it fit into the post without just sticking it on the end, and that would look funny. Don't worry about taking liberties, just do whatever you feel makes sense. If Metarie starts treating a wound, feel free to describe it however you like, I just posted that description to help you if you get stuck. And don't worry about going into too much detail in the thread, I just meant we could discuss those vague details like, as Alyson brought up, the location of the Hospital in Marn. Think of it like the world development thread, but on a much smaller scale, pertaining only to our thread.

Also, and I'm sure you ladies would like this, but as I'm hardly a fashion expert I thought it might be fun to post pictures of clothing similar to what our characters wear. I constantly have google images open just in case I come across an article of clothing I'm unfamiliar with (they have lots of names, OK!), so I can appreciate those fashion choices more aptly. Your descriptions have been sufficient for me so far, but if you find something on the internet that resembles what your character wears, post a link anyways. It's like fantasy shopping! Isaac's clothes are horrendously simple (he is a guy after all), so I don't really have anything unique to post here, but I'm sure you ladies have some interesting imaginary wardrobes.

[Metarie]

Isaac,

I'm thinking about what to write. Will post soon.

[Alyson Rolfe]

I know that Willow and I probably will not have much more to say until Metarie finishes with Isaac, so if you two want to post back and forth skipping me until you are finished and ready to talk to Alyson again (I won't speak for Frug but I'm sure he would be fine with it too) then please feel free.

[Alyson Rolfe]

Isaac - I know you kind of got left, alone to dress I suppose. Feel free to interrupt Alyson and Metarie, I know Isaac was curious about his rescuers, and feel free to have him overhear as much or as little as you like of their conversation.

[Metarie]

I'm pretty sure that Willow won't have much to comment upon, unless Frug has a post for Willow brewing in the brain pan.

Frug?

[Metarie]

Ok, so Isaac posted. I'm not sure if that means it my post or Alyson's.

[Alyson Rolfe]

Well... we have not been on a very set rotation of turns... how about I'll try to post today, if not you're free to post first Metarie.