To live in a story -- from apricotpie

Sometimes I think about the world in my stories and wonder who and what I would be if I could enter that world and live there with all my characters. What would my life be like there? Would I be a Selkie, living in the sea and visiting human lands in search of new adventures? Would I be an Elenali, flying amid the tall trees and weaving clever enchantments? Maybe I would be a human, living in the mountains or the forest, or maybe even the lost Isle of Tânynis.

Just because I created that world, doesn't mean I would be a queen there. Maybe I would be a ranger, or a servant, or a shepherd. No matter what, I would still be a princess.

What kind of adventures would I have if I were a naien like Nyéranta? What if I were a phoenix, or even a dragon?

If I could go there, I would want to see and do and taste everything, every place, every moment of history. First I would visit the Mistwood Forest, with its ferns and vast trees, and then I would go to the Snollë Mountains, to Saranor, to the icy land of the Northlin, and below the sea to the ancient city of Cetacea.

Sometimes I think I wouldn't need to go there, because I've already seen it in my dreams.

Naien, part one of chapter one

The evening was grey and misty. Melenyáriel the naien trotted swiftly through the trees, her thick, tortoiseshell fur fluffed against the cold. This was the coldest winter she had yet seen. Light snow was falling, collecting in a thin layer on the mossy ground and melting in minute drops on her fur. She stopped for a moment, tilting back her head to peer at the sky where it showed between the trees, and spotted a bird, its wings dark against the fading light. It might have been one of the Elenalië, but there was no way of telling.

Melenyáriel sighed and padded on, more slowly. She had missed the Council, and had met no one to speak with all day before it. She wished she hadn't fallen asleep in her den. By the time she had woken and made it to the Afoncircle everyone had gone. The circle of boulders was strange and eerie when no one was there. Melenyáriel shivered and cast another quick look at the deepening sky. Snow clouds were not so uncommon this close to the mountains, but Melenyáriel was already uneasy and these seemed ominous, somehow.

The snow was getting heavier. Melenyáriel shook the bothersome unmelted flakes off her fur and carried on faster. It would certainly be too cold to sleep in her pool tonight. Her hidden bed beneath the bushes would be comfortable, and warmer and safer than the water, where she might be trapped in ice. She could catch a fish from the pool and eat it peacefully. Her mouth watered at the thought. Maybe Nyéranta would come to see why she had missed the council. If not, perhaps she might go to see her.

Her spirits lifting, Melenyáriel broke into a run, and soon came to her home. The waterfall was flowing unhampered by ice, but the edges of the pool gleamed faintly with a leaf-thin layer of it, and the rocks all about were coated with ice from the spray. White, powdery snow hid the shapes of the pine bushes under which she slept. The space underneath, as always, was free of ice, and the moss was pleasantly damp. She pushed through the narrow entry and lay down to rest, curling her tail around her nose. She would wait until morning to fish. The sun had set; the clouds were dull and purplish grey, what she could glimpse of them through the dark branches of the bushes and trees. She sighed softly and closed her eyes.

"Melenyáriel! Come, wake up!" Nyéranta sounded grumpy, as usual.

Melenyáriel yawned and stretched out. Immediately she wished she hadn't, as a shower of snow fell on her. She gave a meow of disgust and stood up. "You can come in here if you like."

"No, I won't. I'd only drag in a bunch of snow."

"What?" Melenyáriel looked around more closely. Her nest was under the snow; at least a foot of it had fallen overnight. "This is amazing!" she cried in delight. "It's like that story you told me when I was a kitten, about the winter when you were born that was so cold all the Naienel gathered together in one nest to keep warm." She pushed out through the snowbank, and was surprised to find it easy to move through. She looked at Nyéranta, her eyes shining. "I never thought I would really get to see something like it."

Nyéranta's golden eyes were troubled; the wise old cat showed no sign of sharing Melenyáriel's enthusiasm. Alarmed, Melenyáriel tried to push her way out on top of the snow, only to sink again up to her ears. She proceeded to dig away enough snow to make a place for herself to stand, and waited expectantly for Nyéranta to tell what was on her mind.

Nyéranta didn't say anything, only shook herself as if to clear her thoughts away. Then she flipped her tail warmly at Melenyáriel. "You missed the Council meeting last night, young one."

What had she been thinking about? wondered Melenyáriel. She nodded to Nyéranta. "I fell asleep in my den waiting for the snow to stop."

"Airan was looking for you." Nyéranta's eyes glinted mischeivously. Apparently she had decided not to think whatever it was about the weather that had been worrying her; that was what it had to be, Melenyáriel decided. After all the winter she had told of had been a frightfully dangerous one; cold was something all the Naienel took very seriously. If the streams froze too thick it would be impossible to fish, and many cats would starve. Melenyáriel nodded to herself; then suddenly realized that Nyéranta had mentioned Airan.

"Well?" Nyéranta gave her tail an amused swish.

Nyéranta had always teased Melenyáriel about her absentmindedness, but she thought this remark especially rude. She lifted her left paw and began washing it, mumbling something with her tongue caught in its thick, spotted fur, by way of answering.

Thump. Melenyáriel stopped cleaning her paw and looked up. "What was that?"

Whump. "What on earth -- " started Nyéranta, twisting her neck to look around, her teasing of Melenyáriel forgotten.

Just at that moment a large clump of snow fell out of the canopy above them and landed in a shower of white flakes smack on top of Nyéranta. The old naien gave a cry of annoyance. "I should have known." She stood up and shook the snow out of her pelt. "Do you now see what a bother this rubbish is?" she complained.

Melenyáriel bounced with mirth, her eyes sparkling with laughter. Nyéranta sighed and shook her head, though even she seemed slightly amused.

part of "Fire and Ironwood"

Strad fingered the silver chain around Mora's neck and pulled it free of her tunic. He examined the small circle of crystal with a derisive sneer. "The crest of the Elenalië, eh? If you're on their side, you'd better get on out of 'ere before I lock you up with your friends."

Mora stood her ground. "You've no more brains than a toad does if you think I'm going to do what you say. My friends are not going to stay in your pathetic excuse for a prison any longer than it takes me to get back there and break them out!"

"Argh! You're all the same, all of you!" He spat in her face and then gave her a shove. Mora stumbled and fell on her behind, splattering mud everywhere. Before he could open his mouth to utter one more curse she was on her feet again, unsheathing both her knives. She stared straight into his eyes without speaking, anger making her blood roar in her ears.

Smirking, Strad toyed with the rusty hilt of his sword. "Oh, you wanna fight then, is that it? Think you can best me?" He was watching her closely. "I never say no to a battle. But I daresay your sort would have little skill in such brutal ways, eh?"

Mora clenched her blades tighter, but remained still. She didn't want to fight if she could avoid it, but she could see that the idea of one was appealing more and more to Strad.

"Tell you what," he said. "We'll go back to the village. If you can fight me and win, then I'll release your friends and all three of you can be on your merry way."

"And if I lose?"

"I'm not sure yet." Strad grinned, showing a mouthful of broken, rotted teeth.

Crandon and Mora Ironwood

There's a town in Northern Wisconsin called Crandon (like one of my characters) -- in Forest County. Nearby? (Well, relatively near.) Ironwood, Michigan, and Mora, Minnesota. Rather shocking. Imagine, once we've moved there, if I try to tell anyone about my stories, they'll want to know if I named the characters after the towns. I didn't! I'd never even been to Wisconsin when I gave them those names. Admittedly, though, Mora is the name of a camping area in Olympic National Park. That is on purpose. Her (and Crandon's) other name, Ironwood, is really from the incredibly gnarly trees that grow in Eastern Oregon. Crandon I just liked the sound of.

It's true, though, that I find inspiration for the names I choose from place names a lot of the time. Even more so, plants, especially the scientific names because they sound so interesting. Trientael (the name of my story's world) is like that. The plant it's from looks like this.

More conventionally, I've found ideas in myths, and here and there picked names to give homage to someone else's story. Ellidir, the town where Mora's grandmother was born, I named on purpose after Ellidyr from the Chronicles of Prydain, for reasons that I'm not going to tell you. ;) Actually, notice that I'm not really telling the specific reasons I chose any of those names. ;D

a states map!

Because I like showing off how many states I've been to so far. :D


visited 31 states (62%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

That's all overland travel, I've never been on an airplane in my life! Up next: probably the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. :D

A thought about The Hunger Games

It's not a really important aspect of the story -- but I find myself wondering where all the other districts besides the 12th are located, especially Rue's. I think District 11 is probably spread across Northern Illinois and Missouri, based on the variety of crops that are grown there without irrigation. If global warming made the seas rise, the Deep South would likely be mostly underwater, and what was left I'd bet would be too hot for human habitation, so it certainly wouldn't be there. If they use irrigation in Panem, it could also be in Oregon's Willamette Valley, Eastern Washington, or even part of Saskatchewan. The character of Rue and her fellow tribute seem to fit well with the current character of the Upper Midwest, though.

Character battles

First, list twelve favorite characters, then answer the questions below.
1. Cat (Pirate Adventures)
2. Mora Ironwood (mine, from Fire and Ironwood)
3. Catherine Morland (Northanger Abbey)
4. Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)
5. Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit)
6. Edmund Pevensie (Narnia)
7. Romir (mine, also Fire and Ironwood)
8. Sapphira Adi (Oracles of Fire)
9. Gregor (Underland Chronicles)
10. Briallen Connor (mine)
11. Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter)
12. Bardon (Dragon Keeper Chronicles)

1. Who would make a better college prof, 6 or 11?
Edmund would be pretty cool. He could probably teach all kinds of things, Navigation and Fencing especially, although I bet he'd rather not be inside in front of a class, he'd probably get frustrated with the more smart-alecky students. Luna Lovegood wouldn't do so well, but her classes would probably be the most wacky and entertaining in the whole school!

2. 12 sends 8 out on a mission. What is it? Does it succeed?
Sapphira Adi would think Bardon was a little odd, but she would do what he asked. Maybe cross dimensions to rescue Kale from the clutches of an evil wizard taking refuge in Hades. There'd be some mishap with a dimensional shift, and Bardon would get frustrated and end up coming along with her by accident, but he'd be cool about it (especially since there aren't many people in the circles). They'd outwit the wizard, with a bit of luck, and Kale and Sapphira would work together with fire and light to get everyone back to where they belong.

3. What is or what would be 9's favorite book?
Gregor probably doesn't like to read much. He'd prefer something with a relatively mild adventure (compared with what he went through) and a strong element of hope and overcoming tough times. The Wingfeather Saga would be perfect.

4. Would it make more sense: for 2 to swear fealty to 6, or the other way around?
Mora would totally swear fealty to Edmund. He's a king, and he's for all the things she also values so highly, like bravery and loyalty, and she'd be VERY impressed by his history and redemption. She wouldn't want to stay in Narnia, though.

5. For some reason, 5 is looking for a roommate. Should (s)he room with 9 or 10?
Bilbo wants a roommate? Gregor'd probably be the best choice, they'd get on pretty well, although the ceilings would have to be higher to accomodate him. Gregor would appreciate Bilbo's cooking skills and storytelling. Bilbo would appreciate having a young listener, sympathize with Gregor's nightmares, though he wouldn't understand his impulsiveness. Briallen would drive him crazy!! He'd be afraid she'd burn the place down, and even though he'd be very pleased by her manners and politeness and interest in his stories, he'd take a very long time to get used to her powers.

6. 2, 7 and 12 are going out to dinner. Where do they go and what do they discuss?
Mora, Romir, and Bardon. Oh, boy. They'd go to a respectable pub and get a booth in the back. Romir would order Mexican food, Mora would go for something with exotic fruits, and Bardon would probably try pizza. Romir would be disrespectful to Bardon over being a halfling; Mora would snap at Romir and try to engage Bardon in a discussion about it. Romir would figure out they were both making him uncomfortable and change the subject to swordfighting, weapons, and battle training, in which all three are interested, and they'd talk for hours. Mora'd take out her enchanted knives to show Bardon and get them kicked out of the pub.

7. 3 challenges 10 to a duel, who wins?
Briallen would win (if she would consent to fight, which is unlikely). Catherine'd have to be nuts to even think of fighting her.

8. If 1 stole 8's most precious possession, would (s)he get it back?
If Cat stole something of Sapphira's, she would probably assume he really needed it and trust that God would bring it back into her possession again at the right time, and she'd be right. So, yes.

9. Suggest a story title in which 7 and 12 both attain what they desire.
Romir wants to become a swordsman famed and respected in all the land (and to get Mora to like him); Bardon wants to have a long life of adventures with Kale and his kids. How about "Squire Romir"?

10. What kind of plot device would you have to use if you wanted 1 and 4 to work together?
Cat and Mr. Darcy?? Anne might want to visit Elizabeth; Mr. Darcy and Cat would be hanging out (a little awkwardly) when suddenly they hear screams; pirates are kidnapping both their wives! They would work together to find and rescue them.

11. If 7 visited you for the weekend, how would it go?
Romir. Oh, man. He'd be loads of fun to talk to, and he would probably want to teach me swordfighting. We'd get into arguments over whether archery or "bashing up close" is better, and since he's so opinionated, probably about other things too. My brother'd offer him wasabi peas and they'd have a spicy food eating contest!

12. If you could command 3 to perform any service or task for you, what would it be?.
I'd want Catherine to teach me to talk the way she does.

14. If 2 had to choose sides between 4 and 5, what side would (s)he choose?
If Mora had to choose between Bilbo and Mr. Darcy it'd be a toughie. She'd like Mr. Darcy for his chivalry, but also Bilbo because of his liking for elves. She'd probably sympathize more with Mr. Darcy because they're both proud.

15. What might 10 shout out while charging into battle?
Briallen would shout, "For the King!"

16. If you had to choose a song to best describe 8, what would it be?
For Sapphira Adi: "Whisper to the Wild Water" by Maire Brennan

17. 1, 6 and 12 are having a dim sum at a Chinese Restaurant. There is only one scallion pancake left, and they all reach for it at the same time. Who gets it?
Probably Edmund. Bardon would let him have it because of respect for him being a king. Cat would be thinking about something else or just plain not want it.

18. What would 5 most likely be arrested for?
Bilbo Baggins would be arrested on suspicion of bank robbery because he has so much treasure.

19. What is 6's secret?
What Aslan said to Edmund before he sacrificed himself to save him.

20. If 11 and 9 were racing to a destination, who would get there first?
Gregor would get there first. Luna would get distracted by something randomly bizarre and get there late -- unless she happened upon a thestral, in which case she would warmly invite him to ride with her on one, and they wouldn't be racing at all.

21. If you had to walk home through a bad neighborhood late at night, who would you feel more comfortable walking with, 7 or 8?
It's a toss-up. Romir would be lethal against gang members, but Sapphira is seriously cool and would be able to get away quickly if anything went wrong -- or at least scare the bad guys to death.

22. 1 and 9 reluctantly team up to save the world from the threat posed by 4's sinister secret organization. 11 volunteers to help them,but it is later discovered that s/he is actually a spy for 4. Meanwhile, 4 has kidnapped 12 in an attempt to force their surrender. Following the wise advice of 5, they seek out 3, who gives them what they need to complete their quest. What title would you give this fic?

Translation: Cat and Gregor team up to save the world from the threat posed by Mr. Darcy's sinister secret organization. Luna Lovegood volunteers to help them, but it is later discovered that she is actually a spy for Mr. Darcy. Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy had kidnapped Bardon to force their surrender. Following the wise advice of Bilbo Baggins, they seek out Catherine Morland, who gives them what they need to complete their quest. What title would you give this fic?

Cat and Gregor working together is a wicked awesome idea, they'd be best friends. Mr. Darcy's secret organization would be trying to find out how so many characters crossed worlds and figure out how to control the phenomenon to bring over other characters, which would unwittingly do awful things like bringing Bartholomew Thorne and the Bane back. Luna Lovegood would want to help, but Mr. Darcy would tell her that he could bring her mom back and she'd be hooked, though she'd refuse to betray any useful information about them. Mr. Darcy would trick Bardon into thinking Kale was in trouble and thereby kidnap him. Bilbo would tell them that all dragons have a weak spot, and advise them to seek out someone who's familiar with whacked-out wild stories. He'd be wrong about her kind of advice, but Catherine would have heard some rumors about Mr. Darcy being kidnapped and cloned, and advise them that the Mr. Darcy in charge is really a robot which can be taken down by being electrocuted. Cat steals a stun gun, defeats the robot, and the organization collapses. This is very steampunk, so the title is "Victorian Doublecrossers" or something like that.

. . . Wow, that really made no sense at all, LOL.

A first post

So far blogger is much cooler than wordpress. :D