#(inw) commentary

O: How do you begin a story–with the plot, or the characters?

For me, I think it would certainly be the characters. Then I imagine different themes and concepts surrounding them. Then I think of plot and scenes. Tbh plot is the hardest for me.

For instance, ironically enough, for (In Other Worlds), what inspired me to write it was Patton in the au. Ironic because I have not introduced him yet! I really resonated with the song "Hello, World" by Louie Zong, because it made me think "Patton but if he was a robot."

After I thought of Patton and Logan, I began brainstorming for Virgil. Things snowballed from there, and I started thinking of more ideas about him as an alien, incorporating concepts/themes regarding computing, philosophical definitions of life, and plants. I also stuffed a lot of my own feelings and thoughts, really projecting/extrapolating onto the character.

In Millennia chapter 00001111 (15), I wanted to show Virgil rediscovering music, as I was inspired by Terrence for Virgil’s character--I had watched some of the videos be was in with Thomas and had listened to “Birds” on repeat for a good chunk of time before I started writing the fic. I was so nervous writing him in, but I love his voice so much that I just had to.

I am most proud of the entire section when I described him singing!

“And the song continued, faster, bumpy, like rolling hills. Each word falling into the next, like dancing footsteps. The song rose, the intensity buzzing in his chest. And then it simmered down, letting the resonance waft in the air like steam from a hardy stew.”

Admittedly, that last metaphor is a bit odd, but I loved the comparison to the music to rolling hills and dancing footsteps.

Incorporating song into a story is difficult, and I often don’t get the same feelings when I just see lyrics and stuff. So I really wanted to describe what the music was like, and what it meant to Virgil.

This whole chapter was really neatly structured too. There is this conflict between Virgil’s taste of freedom and the restraints imposed upon him by Dei’dra.

Upon the completion of Millennia, I suppose a few comments on my end are in order (TL;DR at the end):

This story is just a beginning of the series! There are a lot of loose ends. I haven't even introduced Patton yet lol.

We will see more of Dee in his 'companion' novel. (If you don't know what that is, I would check out Jenna Moreci, who made a YT vid on companion novels and is overall a writing inspiration. I ADORE her Savior Series, and would highly recommend it, especially if you like roman myths/aesthetic. It is only two books so far.) I would say it is best described as such, but the ending of Dee's story will be later in time than this one's.

We will also see more of the characters, as I sort have structured this series by character, as opposed to by time. So, each of my stories will revolve around one or two sides. I have a Thomas Sanders oneshot, a Remile oneshot, a Virgil and Roman story, a Janus and Remus story, and a Logan and Patton story on the way. I will post a more detailed list of the currently planned stories and here is the link to the post.

I realized a bit late that I forgot to tag relationships in this story. This series will possibly contain LAMP, dukeceit, and Remile in a romantic sense. I don't think I will be writing any romantic scenes in this series though, so primarily it will be all platonic. LAMP especially will be entirely platonic throughout the series, like super close friends; but far off into the future, I might end up writing them romantically. Dukeceit and Remile I am considering to be couples in the series, but I don't know how detailed I will be in their romantic relationships.

This is a weird thing I am explaining, but it's mostly because I don't feel qualified to write romance at this point in time; but I wanted to keep it open-ended because I love romantic ships. Essentially, you can expect this fic to really only have platonic/friendship sort of dynamics, but you can sort of interpret them as something leading towards romantic relationships. IDK, interpret as you wish.

Finally, my plan is to update monthly. The multi-chapter fics will most likely not be posted until they are completely pre-written. The next story to be posted will hopefully be a oneshot that explains what "Thomas Sanders" is all about. If you want to give me nudges, or inspiration points, please send me asks on tumblr! I might reblog an WIP ask game every once in a while.