Our Hopes and Expectations

[Revel]

black holes and revelations  ;D

Now that we're getting out of the caves again, what does everyone want to see in the story? Why are you reading it? Are you looking for romance plots, or high adventure? Political intrigue? A mystery, or a war, or a war mystery?

What do you want to see become of each character, even the NPCs?

I found out today that the story I want to tell with Revel isn't necessarily the story you want to read. A lot of people have been telling me I need to do more things. But what? What is Revel supposed to be doing? Because I see her doing things. I see the layers of her personality, and the subtleties of her situation, and every time I try to draw them out, I'm told I need to do things and interact with the other PCs. What is she supposed to accomplish out of this, for you?

I see her heading in a very specific direction. No, she's not the main character of the plot. But with leads like Venril, Eliza and Bellona, do you need Revel to be? Why must she do things, and interact with characters she has no business with and no desire to be with? Wouldn't that be contradictory? What if I can't draw out the right parts of her personality by talking to PCs? What if the only PC character in the story that could ever do for Revel what Zhipzi has done died in week 1?  ???

I want to write a story people want to read. The nature of the contest demands that what I write be about Revel. I can't just drop her and write about Nivard, even if he fits better in the story. Please tell me, where does Revel fit in the story that you want?

[Jarrtail]

Honestly, I like the way you've been writing Revel. I really don't see how she could be written differently, without a complete personality mutation. I would most certainly not like for you to write for Nivard. He does his role as a supporting character, but he is not really developed enough to make a mid-contest switch worthwhile.

[Sparrowhawk]

I am looking for war mystery sprinkled liberally with romance and high adventure! And political intrigue, I guess, although I don't see much room for that seeing as there isn't much in the way of a government out in the desert...

No, seriously, my unhelpful and unexpert but sincere advice to you is to do what you want. All I can say is that I like where Revel is in the story right now, and I like the small hints you've given us of her past during her time in the caves. Maybe that's not satisfying enough for you, and I'm sorry. :( But really, I doubt anyone is going to crucify you for not writing Revel exactly the way they want you to.

Readers/reviewers can tell you what they think about where the story is right now, and vague hopes about where it will go, and likewise about the characters. But I doubt anyone has anything really solid in mind as far as the exact direction things can be taken. That is up to you contestants. We're just along for the ride! D: And I don't know that I can speak for everyone else here, but we will follow wherever you choose to take us.

So, in conclusion, I want Revel to fit into the story in a way that's natural for her character and for you as the writer of her character. It's like when you ask someone what they want for their birthday and they say, "I want you to surprise me."

[Cairn Destop]

black holes and revelations  ;D

I see her heading in a very specific direction. No, she's not the main character of the plot. But with leads like Venril, Eliza and Bellona, do you need Revel to be? Why must she do things, and interact with characters she has no business with and no desire to be with? Wouldn't that be contradictory? What if I can't draw out the right parts of her personality by talking to PCs? What if the only PC character in the story that could ever do for Revel what Zhipzi has done died in week 1?  ???

As you said, she doesn't have to be the lead, but why couldn't she interact with the other main characters?  She has actually become articulate with Eliza.  Sure, they are not friends, but maybe Revel could help break up the lover's triangle by taking Venril as a friend.  Eliza has already made it clear she wants neither male.

Bellona could become another aide to the more feminine side of Revel, which you have exposed.

[Magical Fish]

I agree with Sparrowhawk. I want to read the story that you want to tell. All I wanted from this Round was for everyone to get out of the caves, as I felt that situation was getting rather stale. And lo, you are out of the caves! I'd much rather be surprised by the authors' creativity than dictate what I want them to do. If I wanted that I would just, you know, write my own darn story!

As for Revel, I have no huge complaints. I admit to liking her interactions with Eliza, Rath, and Venril more than those with the NPCs. But at the same time I've also greatly enjoyed Revel's dealings with Zhipzi, and I don't think there was single other character that could have gotten Revel to (somewhat) deal with the reality of her pregnancy. All Revel really needs is balance. In all my notes on Revel's posts I've written pretty much the same thing: Revel can't spend too much time alone, and I sometimes worry about her becoming isolated (though lately this hasn't been as much of a problem).I find the inside of Revel's mind fascinating, but I also like seeing the other main characters coming into contact with that mind.

[Ada Veen]

That song is forever ruined by the fact that Lucette chose it as the loev theam~ for my manic-depressive necromancer and her widowed sister-in-law.

Really, Sparrowhawk said it best; your readers can only offer conjectures, or wishes at this point-- the best way for any character to go is the way that feels most natural for them and for the writer.

[Stonewall]

Steel Cage Match between Bellona and Rath for the Pirates Belt. Make it happen.

[Bellona Littlebrush]

Steel Cage Match between Bellona and Rath for the Pirates Belt. Make it happen.

XD How did you read our minds, Stonewall, sir?! Granted, it was going to be for the Golden Coconut Title, but still!

Seriously, though. Thanks for the input, sirs and m'ams. We just sometimes get worried when we don't see a lot of commentary on the boards (positive or otherwise). We're insecure little writers.

[Revel]

Thank you, everyone. I have to apologize... I was getting whiny at the end there and I didn't mean to. Was just having a really bad day. What I meant to ask was more along the lines of what do you want to see everyone in the story do? Not just Revel. As nice as it is to say "just write what you want", it's not very helpful if there's anything upsetting or wrong about a character that you want to see changed. Someone has told me that they don't like the love triangle because it's unrealistic that Venril and Damask should be so infatuated with Eliza because of her scars. If little things like that are pulling down the quality of the story, please tell us! Tell us what kind of outcome you would be interested in. A lot of things are up in the air still. Even if we try to write what we want, sometimes we just can't think of it, or don't like it as much afterward, than some things that an audience can suggest...

The things I want to know are like... do you want to see Venril and Revel hook up at the end? Do you want to see Bellona's heart break over Revel's kits? Do you want to see Eliza spurn her suitors away by pretending to go after Rath? Things like that. What would interest you, if you could have just one thing?

[Cairn Destop]

What I meant to ask was more along the lines of what do you want to see everyone in the story do? Not just Revel.

My first concern is what happens outside the cave.  If the vermin are still in control, we go back to the slave pit, regardless of what the captain said.  As Eliza stated, if they want to go home, they need wood and slaves.  If the woodlanders have regained the oasis, will that mean the execution or the expulsion of the vermin?  With all but two characters classified as vermin, it could be damaging to most of the participants.

Can we expect honor from a captain who is scheming with Eliza?  What will happen if somebody mentions Revel and the death of the hedgehog's family back home? 

If we are going to remain with the main characters, how will the triangle be resolved?  Is Venril's rival really dead?  Will the bird remain loyal to the dollar?  Can Bellona become a powerful leader?  Of course the biggest question for Revel is about the time of her confinement, aka - when is she due?

Other side issue questions.  What ever happened to the treasure?  What about the two factions within the cave?  Did the squirrle captain die of a disease or something else?  Will it spread outside?

Yes, I know I'm only posing questions and offering no real solutions.  But these are the threads you have woven and left unfinished.  Figure out which should be resolved first and then work on one or two in each week.

[Eliza Lacrimosa]

Someone has told me that they don't like the love triangle because it's unrealistic that Venril and Damask should be so infatuated with Eliza because of her scars. If little things like that are pulling down the quality of the story, please tell us!

I agree!

I'd also like to say that it's a tad unnerving that someone doesn't like the love triangle and doesn't seem to have mentioned it to anyone that's actually in the love triangle.

Don't be afraid to offer criticism, guys! If you think something's unrealistic, feel free to let us know!

(And, hey, at least the males aren't shallow, right? ;p )

[Damask the Minstrel]

Objection, yer honors!

I actually addressed the scars in my first wooing post! Damask adores the maid in spite if the scars, not because of them! (And wishes bodily harm to the beast responsible. That's it, Damask, you find that architect that built the manor she was in and give him what for.)

See? Proof positive she needs to choose the birdy. :rufelle: *steals a Rufey-bird*

(And, again, thanks to you folks for talking with/to/at us!)

[Stonewall]

@ Revel: My biggest concern with Revel was that she had nothing to accomplish, no end goal to work towards. That isn't to say she wasn't interesting, far from it; her perception of the world and what is going on, and the way that you write it, is very well done and enjoyable. But the problem is, if she is just existing and going through the motions, without trying to get anything done, then it's like driving a really cool car that can only rev it's engine, but not get anywhere. With Revel's infatuation with Eliza and trying to be like her, she now has something to work towards, giving her a reason to stick around.

[Revel]

Thank you, Stonewall! It's nice to see my own thoughts reflected in a reader. I was worrying about it, and couldn't decide if that was really the problem I was having.

And thank you Cairn, both for voicing your concerns about the story and the reviews you've given me over PM. I've been too busy too reply to them fully, but I'm still looking forward them!

[Cairn Destop]

And thank you Cairn, both for voicing your concerns about the story and the reviews you've given me over PM. I've been too busy too reply to them fully, but I'm still looking forward them!

It is good knowing they are helpful.  As always, the readers don't know the planning done on the story behind the scenes.  But we can express our expectations.