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Welcome back,

There's no denying that fantasy has been at the core of some of the most enchanting, daring, and downright unforgettable tales (for one reason or another) that have shaped the literary landscape. Who doesn't love the thrill of journeying to some new adventurous place with otherworldly creatures and epic battles between the forces of dark and light? Personally, I'm all about the dark side. Even for the most seasoned writers sparking the imagination can be difficult. Things like inspiration seem elusive as a dragon hiding in a mist-covered mountain. Today, I will cover a few ideas to find your muse. My muse sometimes hides in a dumpster...so let's find better ways to do this, shall we?

People Watching, with a Twist: Observing people in everyday situations can be a great source of inspiration. Now, add a layer of 'What If?'. What if the barista at your local coffee shop could control elements? What if the older woman feeding pigeons in the park was a retired warrior queen? This exercise allows you to create complex characters with intriguing backstories, ripe for the world of fantasy.

Travel Through Time: History is brimming with periods that, with a little twist, can become fantastic settings for your story. Victorian England's social hierarchies, the Renaissance's scientific innovations, and the fierce battles of Feudal Japan offer fertile ground for fantastical tales. Weave in elements of magic or mythical creatures, and you have an intoxicating cocktail of historical fact and enticing fantasy.

Bioinspiration – Fantasize with Flora and Fauna: The natural world is a veritable treasure trove of inspiration. Let's call this approach 'bioinspiration.' Start by exploring Earth's biodiversity's peculiar traits, behaviors, and survival mechanisms. Why not envision a species that communicates like whales but hunts like a pack of wolves? Or perhaps a plant that blooms under the moonlight and has the power to manipulate time? The possibilities are endless when you fuse the wonder of our world with a dash of fantasy.

Take a Hike (Literally!): When was the last time you truly engaged with the wilderness, the mountains, or the sea? Natural landscapes are rife with potential for fantasy storytelling. As you walk through a dense forest, consider the creatures that might inhabit such a place in a fantasy realm. That murmuring stream could be a water nymph's dwelling, and the wind howling through the canyon might be a dragon's call. Try to visualize your surroundings through the lens of fantasy — you may be surprised at what your imagination conjures up!

Harness the Power of Music: Like music, few things can stir the soul and spark the imagination. A piece of music can evoke many emotions and images depending on its rhythm, melody, and harmony. Try listening to music without lyrics (like classical, orchestral, or ambient music) and let your mind wander. Picture the scenes that the music evokes. Is that tranquil harp melody the song of a peaceful elven village? Does the tumultuous symphony represent the climax of an epic battle? Use these mental images as a springboard for your fantasy narrative.

So there it is, everyone. Five unique ways to draw up some inspiration. Go find your muse!! Probably shouldn't have said mine hides in a dumpster. I'm all about being superstitious, so I'm sure she'll never speak to me again.

Happy Writing,

Indigo Everly 

P.S. Need more? Check out this post!

Even though there’s going to be some major shake-ups in the DoWntime landscape soon, we still have some of that classic coverage format from the vaults left for you to enjoy!

The fact that he frigging introduces her in the middle of environmental protest and then has her say that, I mean, come on. It's not just politically groan-inducing and ooc, it's contradictory within the writing of that episode itself, and it makes me so angry

Guy Adams also just put out a Torchwood set with really creepy sexual politics in a Tosh subplot so I'm extra side-eyeing him right now.

yeah, she’s literally an activist in this and yet somehow he doesn’t seem to get that these two perspectives don’t match.

So this is a declaration of vore between your households?

two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Voreona, where we lay our scene,

So, this obviously has to be a thing after the Christmas Special. One last time, folks. (Moffat Appreciation Days might not be a thing of the past, but they will never truly be the same, right?)

That said, a couple of things have to be sorted out before we go for another round of Moffat appreciation and I’d love to have some input.

1. When should Moffat Appreciation Week 2018 take place?

I’ve been aiming for late January, tenatively the week between January 22 and January 28, but nothing is set in stone. So if you prefer one week over another or have a completely different suggestion, I’d really value your input.

2. What kinds of prompts do you want to see there?

Right now, there are a couple of prompts on the forefront of my mind. I really want to do “Favourite Doctor”, because I think it’s a surprisingly flexible question (sure, it might be Eleven or Twelve, but there’s always Clara or River... or maybe even Steven Moffat himself). Of course, there will be a final day dedicated to just celebrating Steven Moffat himself. And I’d love to bring back “Favourite underappreciated work”, because I imagine the responses will be spectacular.

That would still leave four days wide open though! What would you love to write or read (or make gifsets or...) about? Previous prompts have included favourite characters, episode, arc, line, moment, friendship, villain and many more - you can look at them here. But we could always include new ones, for instance a day for our favourite Doctor Who Special written by Moffat.

3. Do we want to do anything different this year?

For instance, I quite like the idea of an “afterparty” in which we take some time to actually read people’s posts, maybe look back at our favourite metas or gifsets (or fanfictions or videos...) over the last couple of years. And you know, cry a lot.

Shall we start digging a soil pit in the earth for you to permenantly rest in.