#owlkalinity

Finished a more modern ref sheet for Linda. Like the last time I posted a ref sheet, three years ago (huh????), I'll include the text in the post body here because it's tiny and hard to read:

Linda Senaarii Sukaalii.

Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans).

Aspiring detective from Jemsæya.

Hex code: #0cd500

Whiskers optional, but I'm trying to include them more.

1920s-esque shingle bob hairstyle.

Tights have a faint fabric pattern; they're textured like pantyhose but miraculously opaque [smile emoticon].

Fluffy patagia from underarms to ankles.

Don't worry about how flying squirrel clothing works, 'cause I don't know either [open-mouthed smile emoticon].

Eyes generally wide and dark.

Tail is flat.

High-collared cape/coat secured by copper brooch.

Patagia stretch with arm and leg motion.

Hair decs are two large beads.

Nose fades into fur; not solid.

Clothes magically allow patagia to stick out.

(I'm being kind of tongue-in-cheek here. But still, if you'd like to know some of my actual thought processes, I am happy to provide! Just pop into my askbox.)

Start writing at such a young age that you were never told your writing was bad. This way, when you get older, your writing is actually passable, and you can potentially use your old bad writing for a hilarious dramatic readings series.

Have many projects going at one time, so that you can procrastinate on one by working on the other.

Create more than 400 characters, but only use about 50 of them.

View/experience/read about lots of other media, from all over the place, from decades-old video games to violent Flash series. Eventually, you either 1. will find a character that reminds you of one of your own, or 2. get inspiration for a character from a character in that other media. (But watch out! Both of these methods tend to lead to brainrot for your own characters. Not recommended unless you have a lot of time on your hands to spend thinking about your newfound blorbo.)

Set hypothetical release dates for your stuff, in case you get fans. This creates accountability, so when the time comes, you're guilted into finishing something for your fans that don't exist yet. (This is actually the only reason why The Acorn Detective Agency book 1 is finished.)

Have someone who is way more interested in logical worldbuilding than you are fix your plot holes for you. (Thanks, roomie!)

Make art for your stuff too, for double the creative agony.

Also, if you're going to make art, change your artstyle about three times a month to make sure you never get art that looks the way you want it to.

Analyze your work like a high school student in a language class. This way, you can find some awesome symbolism that you didn't even intend on! (I have done this enough to write an actual essay on it.)

Post your work only on platforms that care about tropes, especially tropes you don't have in your work. This way, you fill a niche! And what a niche it is...

This blue thing here that I believe the director called a "gelatinous mass"? (Excuse the quality, iTunes doesn't allow screenshots of movies.)

Cause I HATED that thing and it made such a lasting impression on me that I still struggle to watch that scene sometimes even now as a hecking adult.

Anyway, now you know the inspiration for one of the creatures from my books.

Needless to say, I forgor (💀) again.