YOUR QUESTIONS and IMPRESSIONS NEEDED For a Double Character Interview

For my blog's sixth anniversary which happens on the 9th of March, I decided that this year I will do a double character interview where my characters, Annabelle and Phoenix, will be answering your questions and reacting to your impressions. The characters are from two different stories, so they'll provide contrasting points of view. I plan to do more interviews in the future with other characters, but I thought I'd start with Phoenix and Annabelle. 

The character interviews will be two separate videos. So you can get creative with your questions, and share all of your initial impressions of their characters with them. If you don't know much about Annabelle or Phoenix I suggest checking out their character sheets here and here.  

To leave questions, comments, and wild guesses about their character to get included in the video, you can either leave them in the comments section down below, or fill out the form below. If you wish to be left anonymous, please either comment anonymously or fill out the "your name" section of the form as "anonymous" so Phoenix and Annabelle know what to call you. 

-Quinley 

Phoenix and Gletta Talk to a Bored Prison Guard

                                                        Click here to see the first post in the series 

I decided to do another response to Ginny Di's POV (Point of View) RP (Roleplay) videos. There are now more videos to choose from: such as bard, a prison guard, and a mage. This time I decided to respond to  the prison guard . In my last responses, I had my characters talking to a villain. 

You can also watch it here

To give you some background this event happens to Phoenix sometime in book one. But of course, he was not arrested for the reasons he says he was. 

You can also watch it here

For Gletta, this happens in the prequel before Eyes in the Night takes place. Note, that I could not find a wig that matched her hair in canon, but, this doesn't mean her hair suddenly became shorter...It just means I do not have a wig that looks like her hair.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What would your characters (or you) do if they got arrested? Have you ever dressed up as one of your characters? 

-Quinley 

P.S. My YouTube Channel just reached 3,000 views!! 

Reflecting on My Surgery

Last year I mentioned in a post   that I had a surgery, so I wanted to make a post to reflect on it. 

 Actually, I had two different surgies for different reasons. One was to put a bar in me (so the indent in my chest didn't affect my lungs), and one to get the bar out, which I've had now for four years. (Side note: I had the first surgery around the time my blog was just beginning).  At that time I didn't really feel comfortable about talking about it (I did write a draft post about it, but I never posted it), but now I would like to talk about it, so that I have something to look back on years from now. And also to find others who have experienced something similar. 

 After I had the bar removed. the doctor asked if I wanted to keep it. I decided that I wouldn't like to keep it but would like a picture of it. This was partly because I had had it with me for four years (and it was pretty painful to have in my chest for four years), and I was not sure what would do with it. So here's the picture of my bar: 

For this surgery thankfully I didn't have to stay in the hospital overnight, unlike my previous one. So, I went home afterwards and mostly lay down while I was in pain. For my previous one, I don't remember a whole lot from it (partly because it was a while ago and partly because of the medication). 

But interestingly enough, I did end up taking a picture of my hospital room (in 2017, while I was in the hospital there). I can't comment much on what happened, but I briefly remember being so out of it the entire time. I watched The Hobbit. Lord of the Rings, and Burn Notice while lying in the hospital bed. 

Watching The Hobbit 

Also, during that time I brought a few of my dolls with me:

Tauriel, Legolas, and Dr. Crusher. And I also brought Sarah and Rebecca with me. 

But the surgery that happened in 2021 was different.

Even after the second surgery was over, and my incisions healed, I was still recovering. There were still things that hurt to do, that I had to get myself back into doing. For example, for a while I found it hard to draw on paper. (I could draw digitally, but drawing on paper hurt because of the pressure.) And I found it hard to play piano. But it has gotten easier. Also, in 2021 after my surgery I started doing Tai Chi and hope to do it every day. It makes me feel better not only physically but emotionally. If I am stressed, I do it, and I feel better. 

                       Stories that helped me through my surgeries: 

"The Gift" (Star Trek: Voyager)- Seven of Nine in that episode, had a surgery to remove her Borg implants. I deeply related to this, partly because I had just had my surgery when I watched this episode, and what Seven was experiencing was something I deeply related to. Star Trek itself was something that I'd watch as a stress reliever before and after both surgeries. For example, before the surgery (the day before it), I couldn't really think to write and watching something was how I kept my mind off of it. 

And while I only discovered this episode in 2021, it was a very happy moment for me, partly because Seven of Nine has been a character I relate to deeply because of how much pain she goes through due to her Borg implants. 

Lord of the Rings (The book and the movie series)- I mentioned a while ago that this book reminded me of something that happened last summer, but I never specified what happened last summer that reminded me of this book (and movie) series. Frodo went through a lot of pain in the book and movie mostly due to the one ring, and to the fact that he **spoilers**  was stabbed by a ring wraith. **end spoilers** The character was one I really related to (much like how I related to Seven of Nine). 

Frankenstein- While I didn't discover it till after the first surgery,  this book came up in a conversation around the second surgery which started with me saying "I can handle Frankenstein, but I can't handle anything medical." This led my sibling to comment that this sounded like something the monster would say about Victor Frankenstein. I also partly wondered  how surgical the monster's creation was. (Shelley doesn't get into details of how Victor brought the monster to life, so it's really up to your imagination.) I have always related to both Victor and the monster (for different reasons). I suppose I can say that I relate to the monster as someone who has also had a surgery. 

How my surgeries affected me creatively: 

While I mentioned that I had difficulty drawing after my second surgery, my first surgery actually opened doors for my creativity. I couldn't sing before my first surgery. (I didn't have enough air to do so.) So, it opened the world of songwriting and singing for me. Had I had not had this surgery, I would not now be able to cover songs or write original songs as I do. 

I also (unfortunately) had nightmares after my second surgery. However, I have decided to use them creatively in my writing. Because even though they were disturbing, they can make wonderful Gothic novels or even poems. 

I have also decided I would like to write a story based on my surgery. One of my novels was actually inspired by my surgery (unintentionally, at the time like my other writing I didn't know I was writing about that). I plan to re-plot this story, given that I wrote a while ago. But it still holds importance to me even today. 

I should say that during my first surgery, I was doing Camp NaNoWriMo, and I made sure that I got to the word count goal. Even though I was in pain, I was aware that writing helped me feel better. And in the end I got to the word count goal!

And after my second surgery, once I was feeling better, I felt empowered to re-film the three video projects I had been working on. At the moment I am still editing the last two videos. but I have posted the one I finished working on here. 

So, even if things seem tough, you can get to your goals in the end. 

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Do you have stories that you like, that remind you of a moment in your life? 

-Quinley 

Never Have I Ever: Book Edition + The Bookworm's Tag

Since these two tags seem very similar to each other, I decided to do a double tag post. 

For the first tag: Never Have I Ever: Book Edition, I was tagged by Annika at Annika Larraine, thank you so much, Annika, this tag looks so fun. 😄

The rules- 

 -Link back to the original creator: Madame Writer

-Link back to the person who tagged you

 -Answer all prompts

-Add one more prompt of your own

-Tag at least five people

-Don’t lie!

-Have fun!

The questions-

Never have I ever: Read a Later book in the series first.

Actually I have, a couple times. I did it either without realizing it or because the book in the series was the one I bought, and I wanted to see if it I liked before I read the first book. 

Never have I ever: Burned a book.

Never, and never want to...Poor books! Plus, there are so many negative connotations behind burning books. So I don't know why anyone would think it would be a good thing to do. (I mean it's usually related to censorship, and I really don't like censorship). 

Never have I ever: gone into a shop to buy one book but came out with many.

Yes! That happens a lot. 

Never have I ever: loved a book when I was younger but hated it when I was older. 

I haven't really had this happen as much. I have had books that I don't like as much now that I'm older, but I've never outright hated a book. 

                      Never have I ever: read a book I knew I’d hate.

(Image from Goodreads, https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/41865.Twilight)

Yes, I've done this with... Twilight. A lot of people around me liked it. I knew I wouldn't really like it if I read it. I tried reading it but never finished it. I couldn't relate to Bella or Edward, and I didn't want either of them to get together. I also really didn't like Meyer's version of the vampire. Give me a vampire that isn't super strong and sparkly but is scary instead!

Never have I ever: wrote a fan fiction about my favorite book.

Yes I have actually. It was in comic form (made on Pixton), but it was still a fanfic. 

Basically it was a fanfic of Percy Jackson but with my original characters: 

Here are a few of the characters I made.
(Also please excuse the spelling errors. I made this comic before I started editing my writing). 

While I wouldn't call Percy Jackson one of my all time favorite books, it was at least a book series I really like, though there are some critiques I do have of it now. 

Never have I ever: dressed up as my favorite literary character.

I have multiple times, usually for Halloween, though more recently I dressed up as Sherlock Holmes for a monologue (that I filmed and posted). And I dressed up as Victor Frankenstein for a comedy sketch scene. 

Never have I ever: hated a book by an author I love.

Yes, it is unfortunate when it happens. 

Never have I ever: skim read a book.

Accidentally I have, but yes. Usually after I do that, I go back reread and annotate. 

Never have I ever: pretended to read a book I haven't.

I don't think I have. 

I know I shouldn't do this, but sometimes I have strong opinions about a book even though I haven't read it. I can get into trouble in conversations with people who like the book...I should probably read the books before I critique them. 

Never have I ever: read a book without the dust cover.

Yes I have, a couple times. 

Never have I ever: had a book boyfriend/girlfriend.

Yes, I think the reason why I did it was because everyone else my age had or has a boyfriend. (I actually don't want a boyfriend, at all.) I found that I felt of left out of conversations with friends. So, I would just say, "Legolas is my boyfriend" or "Raoul from The Phantom of the Opera is my boyfriend," just so I could feel included in the conversation. Side note, you have no idea how many silly arguments arise out of saying a fictional character is your boyfriend, partly because someone else then wants the fictional character as their boyfriend. 

Never have I ever: picked up a book based on the cover alone.

A couple times, some with good outcomes others with not so good outcomes...

One bad outcome in particular was Matilda Bone. I thought the book seemed like it may be good based on the cover...And then I read it, and it turned out not to be. 

Never have I ever: read the end of the book before the beginning.

No, I try never to do that. However, I do sometimes have to read summaries of books (classic books) in order not to feel lost when reading. 

Never have I ever: read a history or anthropology book for fun.

All the time, and while this isn't a book, I am listening to a history podcast about Chinese history for fun. 

Never have I ever: participated in a readathon.

No, but I want to. But I am a slow reader, so I'm not sure I could. 

Never have I ever: bought multiple books in a series before reading it.

I have, actually. I have a lot of Heroes of Olympus books on my shelf that I still need to read...

Never have I ever: written in a book.

Yes, I annotate in them, that's one of the ways I stay focused while reading. 

Never have I ever: filled up an entire bookshelf and have to have stacks of books balanced precariously throughout different rooms.

Yes...That happens a lot, more in my bedroom, and less in different rooms around the house. 

Never have I ever: loved a book most people don't like. (Annika's question) 

  

Yes, but it depends on which friend group I am in. I have been in groups who love the said book, and I have been in groups who loathe the said book with a burning passion. 

One incident in particular happened with a book I really love, Frankenstein. I was in a group who loved the book, and then I was in a group who had to read it for school, so didn't like it at all. 

And my question: Never Have I Ever: Liked the movie adaptation of a book more than the original book. 

I tag: 

Elizabeth 

Sadie 

Skye 

Victoria 

MiddleEarthMusician 

Bailey

The questions + my own question (for copy and pasting purposes):

• Never have I ever: Read a Later book in the series first.
• Never have I ever: Burned a book.
• Never have I ever: gone into a shop to buy one book but came out with many.
• Never have I ever: loved a book when I was younger but hated it when I was older. 
•  Never have I ever: read a book I knew I’d hate.
• Never have I ever: wrote a fan fiction about my favorite book.
• Never have I ever: dressed up as my favorite literary character.
• Never have I ever: hated a book by an author I love.
• Never have I ever: pretended to read a book I haven't.
• Never have I ever: skim read a book.
• Never have I ever: read a book without the dust cover.
• Never have I ever: had a book boyfriend/girlfriend.
• Never have I ever: picked up a book based on the cover alone.
• Never have I ever: read the end of the book before the beginning.
• Never have I ever: read a history or anthropology book for fun.
• Never have I ever: participated in a readathon.
• Never have I ever: bought multiple books in a series before reading it.
• Never have I ever: written in a book.
• Never have I ever: filled up an entire bookshelf and have to have stacks of books balanced precariously throughout different rooms.
• My question: Never Have I Ever: Liked the movie adaptation of a book more than the original book. 

And here is the second tag: I was tagged by Victoria at Soli Deo Gloria. Thank you so much, Victoria! 

                                                                    The Logo: 

The Rules

Thank and link to the blogger who nominated you. 

Include the tag graphic in your post! 

Answer the ten questions the blogger asked. 

Nominate five to 10 bloggers. 

Ask your nominees ten book-related questions!

Don't feel obligated by these rules. 

(Most importantly) Have fun! 

The questions: 

Which book have you read that you wish you had written?

That's a hard question. You see, I don't exactly wish I had written someone else's book (because I feel like that would be stealing). I wish that I was around the time when, for example, epic poetry was being written, so I could write an epic poem, not someone else's epic poem, but my own epic poem. 

And I've also wished I could write like Oscar Wilde, Edgar Allan Poe, Washington Irving and Mary Shelley at different points. But I've never wanted to have written their work. (Unless in writing their work, I could add elements/tropes that show up in my writing? But on the other hand...Would that really benefit their fiction by doing that...?? It helps mine and strengthens mine, but would it work for theirs??) 

Anyway, despite my long ramble about that, I'm just going to choose two books off the top of my head to answer this question with: Frankenstein and The Picture of Dorian Gray are books I would have wanted to have written. 

What is your favorite classic?

Usually I would answer this with a Gothic book from the 18th or 19th century, but I am going to answer it differently this time... 

(Images from Goodreads, here and here) 

So, two of my favorite (classic) epic poems are The Journey to the West and The Odyssey. I started (and am still reading) The Journey to the West. I really like the religious elements (mainly Buddhist religious elements, since the protagonists are Buddhist monks, but there are mentions of other religions too). And I also like Sun Wukong. He is one of the main reasons I really like this book. 

For the Odyssey, I really enjoy it, because I love Greek mythology, and I like how the gods influence the plot and help or stop Odysseus in getting home.

What is one book you want to see made into a movie?

So, I have several books that I want to see made into movies (really, books I would like to make into movies myself). Most of them are classics, but there is a book I wish they would make into a movie, which is... 

      (Image from Goodreads, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/613866.Igraine_the_Brave?                                                  ac=1&from_search=true&qid=EIZ7XQHJun&rank=1) 

Igraine the Brave by Cornelia Funke. A movie was made of Inkheart, so I really want there to be a movie for Igraine the Brave. However, I want to be the one to make the movie, since for a screenwriting class I took, I decided to turn the book Igraine the Brave into a script for a movie. 

If you had to burn any book on your bookshelf which one would it be? (I know, I'm so mean.) XD

I am thoroughly against the idea of burning books, because it is often linked to censorship (which is very harmful).  I know I've said that before, but it's important...Also, why are these questions so obsessed with book burning?? 

But...Let's say I had to burn a book for whatever reason because something horrible would happen if I didn't...

                                                                       (Images from Goodreads, here and here). 

I would burn either Matilda Bone or Tuck Everlasting. Both of these books I despised (and I am not over extracting), since I really disliked the protagonists in both these books and wasn't rooting for them. 

In Winnie's case, I was begging her to leave the Tucks (and to stop flirting with a boy who is older than her). And in Matilda's case I was groaning about her being so judgmental and prejudiced. 

Anyway, if I met either of these characters I would not be friends with them. 

Which book inspired your love for reading?

(Image from Goodreads, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5907.The_Hobbit_or_There_and_Back_Again)

So, the first novel that I read after I learned to read was The Hobbit, which then inspired me to read Lord of the Rings, and then after that inspired me to read other long books (like The Odyssey).

Would you rather spend a day with the author of your favorite book or spend three hours with the main character in your favorite book?

I would spend three hours with the main character from my favorite book, though spending time with the author would be fun too. I feel like getting to meet the main character would be so neat. 

What is one book you have re-read before?

(Image from Goodreads, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35031085-frankenstein?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=AW4g6jfpO8&rank=1)

So, I tend to reread a lot of books. As it turns out, if I like a book I will likely reread it more than once. But I will go with Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. I have reread it at least twice, since it is one of my many favorite books. (Actually, I probably have read it three times, but I am not entirely sure...) 

Which book brings back the most childhood memories?

Okay, so there are several books that bring back childhood memories for me. (I could make a long list of all the books.) But I am going to go with a different answer than I would normally for this and say... 

(Images from Goodreads, here and here) 

Holly the Christmas Fairy and The Faraway Tree. I loved both these books. I loved the character of Holly in Holly the Christmas Fairy. (They should really write more books with her. I'd read them.) And in The Faraway Tree, I really enjoyed the adventures the children had in the different worlds that come to the  tree. 

What is your favorite romance trope?

I don't tend to like romance alone as a genre. That is, I wouldn't usually seek out books that are just romance (though there are exceptions to that), so I prefer it as a subplot in a story. 

But...my favorite has to be the trope of Forbidden Love. For some reason it shows up a lot in my writing, and I have no idea why. But given that I like writing it, I also like reading it...depending on how well it is done of course. 

Audiobooks or no audiobooks?

(Technically Arcasia (the blog's mascot) could not listen to an audiobook, since those things don't exist in her world. (Unless you count people performing epic poems, but that isn't the same.) But since I have no recognizable characters from the modern world, I decided to just go with it). 

Audiobooks for sure. This is because I like the idea of someone telling a story to me. It's just so relaxing. So, when I'm tired, I find them easier to read than normal books. 

I tag: 

Galatea at Blooming Elephant 

Gauri at Brighter Alleys 

Elena at Life is a Beautiful Ride  

Hailey at The Girl Behind the Camera 

McKayla at Tales of a Triple Threat 

Artemis Crescent at Artemis Crescent 

Annika at Annika Larraine 

My questions:

1. What's your favorite sub-genre of Fantasy? And why? 

2.  What is your favorite book series? And why? 

3. Who is your favorite fictional character and who is your least favorite fictional character?

4. Would you rather get stuck in the world of your favorite book and not be able to return to the real world or you're in the real world but you're stuck permanently in the body of your favorite character? 

5. What's your favorite genre of books to read? And what's your favorite book from that genre? 

6. What's your favorite Fantasy trope? And why is it your favorite trope? 

7. Do you have a favorite myth or fairy tale? If so what is it? 

8. What is your favorite novel? And what is the opening line of that novel? 

9. What types of bookmarks do you use? Random pieces of paper, hand-made bookmarks, or something else? 

10. Do you write annotations in your books? Why or why not? 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Have you ever written a fanfic about your favorite book/book series? And do you have a favorite romance trope? 

-Quinley