The End of Beautiful People

Hosted by Cait Grace

So, I admit, I didn't do a great job of keeping up with Beautiful People while it was running . . . but I do want to join in for this last hurrah of the tag. I'm sad that it's going away, but at the same time, I can kind of get why. Coming up with new questions every month must get pretty tiring. This final edition takes favorite questions from previous iterations of the tag and combines them into one, so it kind of flip-flops between general writing questions and book/character specific questions. For the latter category, I'll be answering for my current main WIP, Dust of Silver (formerly Danger in the Tower).

1. Favourite genre to write in?
Fantasy! You've got dragons, magic, epic battles, adventures, quests, griffins, fae folk, and more, just from the genre, and plenty of variety once you get into the subgenres (High, Low, steampunk, retelling, mythic, urban/contemporary, historical, so on). I get all the joys of creating characters and throwing them into stressful situations, plus the pleasure of worldbuilding and writing epic battle scenes (ok, that's not always a pleasure, but you know what I mean), and I don't have to stress too much about "Wait, is this actually how it works in the Real World?" because in many cases, it's my world, my rules.


2. What book (a real actual published book!) do you think your character would benefit from reading?
Ohhhhh boy. That's a tough one. I think all of them could benefit from reading the Bible, obviously. Other books . . . I'm half-tempted to give Aster Entwined, because it would help her realize what's going on in her life, but that might also break the plot, so . . . yeah. Poppy gets the Dragons in Our Midst series, which she'd read because dragons but which would help her because she's the most independent of the sisters and I think that the Dragons in Our Midst books do a pretty good job of emphasizing that you can't do anything on your own. (Not that independence is a bad thing, but it can be taken too far.) Ivy I'm not sure about, so I'm going to give her Goldstone Wood because everyone needs to read that.

Also, bonus side-and-future-main-character books: Pansy gets Gillian Bronte Adams' Songkeeper Chronicles and the Jackaby series, since both deal with a character who can see or hear things that others can't. Hayden, like Ivy, gets the Tales of Goldstone Wood, but he also gets C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy— the former because he can learn quite a few lessons from it; the latter because he'd appreciate the blend of theology and storytelling. And Jason gets the Invisible Library series, less because he needs to learn from it than because he needs a break and it's a good series. That said, he'd probably also get the Dragons in Our Midst books because Poppy would throw them at him for being annoying.


3. Favourite piece of dialogue you’ve written?
Well, my overall favorite in this novel so far is still Poppy's rose-petal insult, but I already posted that one. So, my favorite that I've written since then . . . Hmm. I guess I'll go with this one because all the others only make sense in context:

Ivy glanced back, grinning. "Not Lily? Is she not a responsible adult tonight?"

"Not responsible for your lot." Lily laughed and slid what must've been the twentieth pin into Aster's hairdo. "Aster has given me leave to thoroughly enjoy yourself tonight."

"Just make sure that while you're thoroughly enjoying yourself and meeting new people, you keep your eyes and ears open and maybe ask some useful questions. We need you as a discoverer of secrets, not a charmer of strangers."

4. What did your character want to be when they grew up, and what did they actually become?
Well, I can't do the second part for most characters because either they aren't grown up yet or the answer is a spoiler. However, I will answer the first part for my major characters.

• Aster, the oldest sister, shifted through a few different dreams, most of them very traditional little girl dreams— princess, dancer, mother, dancer again— but by the time she was eleven or twelve, she mostly just wanted a life that wasn't consumed by younger sisters and confined to the tower. 
• Poppy also went through a phase when she wanted to be a dancer, but then she decided that staying in cities all the time sounded boring and she wanted to be an explorer instead and map the mountains where the dragons dwelt. Barring that, traveling entertainer sounded pretty good too.
• Ivy mostly went along with whatever Poppy wanted for most of her childhood. Eventually, though, she decided that she wasn't so interested in adventure and that she'd rather just live on a farm and grow things. That said, she also ages weirdly, so she'd be happy to just grow up period.

5. Favourite character name(s)?
I am inordinately fond of the name of my main-main character, Ivy Jade. Where I got it from is a little bit stupid, but I enjoy the fact that the connotations of the name (at least in my mind, outside of the storyworld) run so counter to who the character actually is. Of course, the in-world connotations are quite different . . . I also like the name of one of my princes, Hayden. It fits him.


6. What makes your character feel loved, and who was the last person to make them feel that way?
Ivy feels loved when people listen to her and show that they value and respect what she says and thinks. The last person to make her feel that way was probably Poppy before the main plot of the book began. Poppy most loved when people spend time with her, especially if they're doing something that those people wouldn't necessarily do otherwise, and when people seek her out for things, either fun things or I-need-help-and-you're-the-first-person-I-thought-of things. Ivy was definitely the last person to make her feel loved in the first way; in the second, Clover and Dasiy, the two youngest sisters. And Aster feels loved when people do things to make her life easier, and the last person to do that was Wisteria, the second-oldest of the sisters, who wrangled the youngest four sisters into bed and kept Aster from having to listen to their complaints.


7. Favourite character you’ve ever written?
Ever? Oooh. That's a tough one. I really enjoy writing Katelyn Stevens from Between Two Worlds because I can get in her head really easily, plus she makes a ton of fandom references. But I also like writing the trio of Jared, Jason, and Jarek; they have very similar voices (heavy on the snarky and teasing comments), they all love to get a rise out of other characters, and Jared and Jason have character arcs I really enjoy.


8. If your character were permanently leaving town, what would they easily throw out? What would they refuse to part with? (Why?)
Ivy and Poppy probably wouldn't take much of anything except the basic necessities and maybe a picture of all the sisters together, or some other small token to remember their sisters by. They aren't interested in mementos of the tower, just of their family. Aster would take the basic necessities, plus a few cuttings from her favorite lilac bush outside and mementos of each of her sisters. Pansy, on the other hand, would take as much of the tower library as she can, plus her entire collection of diaries and notebooks.


9. Favourite tropes to write!
Ooooh. I love big, messed-up families, big families in general, sibling teams, sibling rivalries, dramatic family reveals, characters' family members showing up to haunt them . . . basically, family tropes in general. I also love rogue-and-regal love stories (I have two so far, though one is less obvious than the other), lovable rogues, and battle couples. Aaaand all my favorite tropes are relationship ones . . . oh well.


10. Which story has your heart and won’t let go?
Um. All of them? That's the whole point of why I'm rewriting Dust of Silver and hoping to rewrite the Berstru Tales and Monster in the Castle, and why I want to write more in the Between Two Worlds and Way of the Pen universes as soon as I come up with plots.


11. Favourite relationship between characters you’ve written?
In Dust of Silver: I love all the sister relationships, but my favorite is the one between Poppy and Ivy. They're super close, and they tease each other but in a nice way, and if you mess with one you're messing with both (and you really don't want to mess with either, especially Poppy, because she's scary when she's mad). And there's a little bit of a disconnect at some points, but Poppy will trust Ivy a lot more than she'll trust others, even some of her sisters.

A few other favorites from my projects in general:

• All the Alyron sister relationships (so! much! drama! Also sweetness when they actually manage to get along).
• Poppy and Jason (loads of snark because they're both stubborn but have to work together quite often; would actually get along if they decided they didn't hate each other).
• Jason and Hayden (because polar opposites who, again, have to work together; Jason is the only one who can get Hayden to make even slightly snarky comments).
• Hayden and the Princess du Karel (less original than I thought, but still fun to write and I like where it's going).
• Jared and Bianca (one of the rogue-and-royal pairings I mentioned earlier, with bonus snark and chess).
• Katelyn and Aedon (the cutest couple I've written in my life) and Katelyn and Jarek (snarky magic best buddies).
• The Baili-Chouko-Gan friendship triangle (in which Baili is idealistic, Gan is mysterious, and Chouko is just grumpy at everyone).
• Rinna and the Taleweaver (because characters interacting with authors).

I might or might not have a lot of favorites. I regret nothing.


12. Toni Morrison once said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” What are the books that you want to see more of, and what “holes” do you think need filling in the literary world?
I've done a few posts on this topic already, but a quick rundown:

• More awesome fantasy families.
• More female heroes who can be fierce and awesome but still like traditionally feminine things without shame.
• More female heroes who do awesome stuff without being warriors.
• More time travel and time-based superheroes.
• Fewer books where miscommunication causes 90% of the plot.
• More unusual fantasy creatures.
• More historical fantasy.
• More fantasy-mystery.
• More clean urban fantasy.
• Odyssey retelling in space.

Will I actually write any or all of these? I'm already working on some of them. The rest, we'll see.


13. Favourite Pinterest board/aesthetic for a book?
I'm bad at aesthetic, but my Berstru Tales Pinterest board is one of my favorites, with Between Two Worlds a close second. Y'all get both of them. (I'd post my Fairy Tale Retellings board too, but it's mostly stuff about Jason Silver, so . . . yeah.)

<a data-pin-do="embedBoard" data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-scale-height="240" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="https://www.pinterest.com/sarahtaleweaver/storyboard-berstru-tales/"></a>
<script async defer src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>

<a data-pin-do="embedBoard" data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-scale-height="240" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="https://www.pinterest.com/sarahtaleweaver/storyboard-between-two-worlds-%252B-kaedon/"></a>

14. Favourite time periods & settings to work with?
Since I'm a fantasy author, I'm just going to talk about settings. I think my favorite world I've created is a three-way tie between Udarean (The Way of the Pen; the inhabitants know they're characters in a series of novels), Berstru (Berstru Tales, the first world I created, and the most developed of my worlds), and the world of Once Upon a Dream (because I get to mess around with a dream world in which anything can happen).


15. When people are done reading your book, what feeling do you want them to come away with?
Happiness, satisfaction, desire to visit the world and meet the characters in person, and eagerness to read the next book.


And there you have it: the last Beautiful People. Thanks for reading, y'all!
-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)

Beautiful Persons: Valentine's Day 2018

Ok, so technically, this isn't a real Beautiful People post because Cait isn't doing Beautiful People anymore. I'm not sure when or why she stopped, but yeah. However, for the last two years, I've used the Couples Edition question set for a Valentine's Day–themed post, and I didn't want to give up the tradition. So, I've pulled questions from all three Couples sets to create my own Beautiful Persons interview! Today, I'll be interviewing Xiang and Baili from Blood in the Snow, mostly because getting into their headspace is currently really easy. As things turned out, writing their responses was also super fun because I've never had the chance before to write about them when they aren't stressed and on guard and so on. Anyway, hope you enjoy!

To start off, how long have you been a couple?
Xiang: I believe that depends how you define a couple. We were betrothed when we were fairly young, but we did not meet and fall in love until much later.

Of course. So, how and why did you meet?
Xiang: If I recall correctly, we met on the riverbank by the goose pastures because one of Baili's companions pushed her into the river and I happened to be walking nearby.
Baili: *blushes* I don't believe it was quite like that . . .
Xiang: But that did happen, did it not?
Baili: Well, yes, but we'd known of each other before then. We were betrothed, after all, even if that was our first real meeting.

Well then. What were your first impressions of each other?
Xiang: That, even soaked, in rough robes, and very flustered, she was every bit as beautiful as she was said to be.
Baili: Xiang!
Xiang: *innocently* The Zuòjia asked, Baili-qīn. Would you have me answer untruthfully?
Baili: No— I just— *gives up* I thought he was very kind to help someone who surely seemed to be the lowest of his servants.

Indeed. And now that you've had much more time to interact, how committed/loyal are you to each other?
Xiang: Very. I would have gladly searched to the furthest reaches of the realm to find my lovely bride.
Baili: As he said, but . . . Our match was political first, even though it turned to love. To be unfaithful would have consequences reaching far beyond just our personal relationship. So, our love is in many ways how we remain committed, not merely why.

I see. So, how would you prove your love for each other? Would you die for each other?
Baili: Yes. Absolutely, yes.
Xiang: Baili speaks for both of us. As for how we prove our love, spending time with one another is part of it. In our culture, emperors who barely see their wives are very common. But we're both committed to sharing our lives as much as possible.
Baili: *nods* For us, it truly is the smallest things that mean the most.

They often are. So, is there something you emphatically disagree on?
Xiang: Thus far, we have had few major disagreements, merely instances in which one of us felt strongly about a matter and the other was indifferent. We both pray that will continue.

So do we all. Now, fun question! List 5 “food quirks” you know about each other.
Baili: Xiang has a special fondness for exotic fruit, more than anyone else I have met.
Xiang: I believe Baili enjoys it nearly as much as I do. However, she no longer eats apples, ever since a certain turn of events that I believe I am forbidden from going into detail on.

Oh, yes, you definitely are. But go on.
Baili: Xiang doesn't seem to care for fish or seafood, which I find odd.
Xiang: No doubt, Baili-qīn, I would like it as much as you do if I had grown up as near the sea as you did. I do not think there is anyone in my father's court who enjoys such dishes as much as you do.
Baili: They do remind me of home, yes.
Xiang: Is that four quirks or just three that we're up to?
Baili: Four, I believe. Can you think of any other?
Xiang: No, unfortunately. Zuòjia, perhaps we can move on?

Of course. Next question: Are you ever embarrassed of each other?
Baili: *blushes* I do not think I should answer this question.
Xiang: *pulls Baili closer to his side and smiles down at her* I fear that Baili-qīn is easily flustered whenever I happen to display affection with people around, no matter how subtle I am.
Baili: I can't help it! It doesn't just happen with— with what he said. He says things, quietly usually, but always just loud enough that I'm afraid someone else will hear.
Xiang: You enjoy my little words of affection, though!
Baili: Of course, but I would rather others not hear them.

All right, enough! What’s one thing you know about each other that no one else does?
Baili: I know that Xiang is not always as formal and serious as he shows himself to the court.
Xiang: Of course I am not. As for myself, I know that Baili is far stronger than most realize. She always makes much of the help given her by others, yet she has endured much which would have caused others to despair.

Last question! What would you consider an ideal date?
Baili: A private meal, just the two of us. A picnic by the river's edge would be nice.
Xiang: And after that, a walk beneath the stars.
Baili: In short, we would prefer something simple, quiet, and private.

That sounds lovely. And now the interview's over! Say goodbye to the readers!  
 Baili & Xiang: *both bow*
Xiang: Farewell, honored readers. May your Valentine's Day be blessed, no matter who you spend it with. *smiles at Baili* I know mine will be.
Baili: *blushes* Yes, farewell, and thank you very much for reading!

Thank you indeed! And as Xiang said, happy Valentine's Day! Do you have any plans? Do you think Xiang and Baili are a couple you'd enjoy reading about? Please tell me in the comments!
-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade) 

Beautiful People February 2017: Couples

Hosted by Paper Fury

Hello! Look what's back! Yes, I know, I haven't done a Beautiful People post in ages- in my defense, I was kind of busy the last few months, plus I didn't really have a project I could do one on. But I loved doing the couples questions last year, and I'm excited to do it again now. I'll be doing it interview-style, as usual, and I'll be focusing on Jared and Bianca. Also, I'm interviewing them as they are at the last edited portion of their story, rather than at the furthest point I've written- if I focused on that time, their answers would be very different indeed.

1. How and why did you meet?
Bianca: Jared was the latest in my brother's line of friends, mentors, and miscellaneous acquaintances whom he invited to dinner in hopes that one of them could talk me into officially joining the Circle like the rest of my family. Like the others, he failed. Unlike the others, he proved somewhat interesting, since he didn't treat me as a recruitment project.

2. What were your first impressions of each other?
Jared: Eh, I thought she was pretty, but an ice princess like no other girl I've met.

Bianca: I- correctly- judged Jared to be a rogue, a scoundrel, and a flirt. Thankfully, he proved to have some redeeming qualities.

3. How would you prove your love for each other?
Jared: . . . *eyes narrow* Define 'prove your love.'

Storm it, Jared. We're not asking for commitment. Just how you show that you care more about Bianca than some random girl off the street.
Jared: Fair enough. I'd say letting her come with me would qualify. I mean, she's pretty and good company, but generally, I travel alone, with no one to question if I know where I'm going.

Bianca: The fact that you also promised to see me safely through Arrain doesn't also indicate any . . . concern?

Jared: The fact that I promised, yes. The content of the promise, no. You're the one who keeps insisting I'm a better person than I admit, princess. And no half-decent fellow would lead city folk into Arrain without making sure they at least got somewhere safe.

Bianca: Interesting. For my part- I would say that my giving Jared the benefit of the doubt as to his character is proof enough of my commitment- and yes, I will say commitment, Jared, don't give me that look. As is the fact that I trust him enough to be led into Arrain.  

4. What would be an ideal date?
Bianca: A nice dinner at one of Port Metre's better restaurants would be pleasant, followed by either a walk along the shore or a concert at Port Metre's opera house. We would end the evening, of course, with a game of chess.

Jared: Some social event, not too formal, with plenty of good drinks and the lady willing to give a few kisses and not ask for more. That said, the last few nights- riding across Arrain with the stars coming out- haven't been unpleasant.

5. Is there something you emphatically disagree on?
Jared: The nature of this relationship, for one thing.

Bianca: Also, the relative merits of the Circle.

Jared: By which she means that she's against it on principle, while I don't care- it's easy money, but I don't like people telling me how to live my life.

Bianca: Essentially, yes. Acceptable levels of risk would be another difference, though Jared's choices seem to have paid off so far.

Jared: Look, princess, part of gambling well is recognizing risks worth taking. I know what I'm doing.

6. List 5 “food quirks” you know about each other. (Ex: how the other one takes their coffee, if they’re allergic to something, etc….and feel free to mention other non-food quirks!)
Jared: Food quirks? Who came up with these questions? Anyway, how would I know that?

Bianca: You have eaten with me on multiple occasions.

Jared: And on half those occasions so far, we've been eating trail food or else what I happened to catch because it ran across our path and I was quick enough to throw a knife. So I know you don't like watching me skin a rabbit, but aside from that, I have no clue. And I don't think you do either.

Bianca: Oh? You dislike shrimp- we had them twice when you came to dinner, and you failed to even try them on either occasion. You drink your coffee black, and refer to tea as "leaf-water for people who are too weak to handle coffee." You prefer wine to beer or ale and whiskey to wine. You undersalt rabbit when you cook it- or it seemed to me that you did so the other night. And you apparently have a great appreciation for any pastry including nuts.

Jared: What the-

Bianca: I notice things.

Jared: Obviously . . . Also, don't think I missed your insult, princess. That rabbit was perfectly seasoned and you know it.

7. What’s one thing you know about each other that no one else does?
Bianca: I cannot speak to who else knows or doesn't know this, but Jared has very strong feelings about Arrain and its merits- which surprised me at first, but having seen what he is like in Arrain as opposed to elsewhere, I am unsurprised. One would not expect a region known for its lawlessness to bring out the best in a man, but there you have it.

Jared: I think you're reading too much into everything, princess.

Bianca: Perhaps. Or perhaps that is merely what you wish me to think.

Jared: Think what you want, princess. Doesn't matter to me. Anyway, guess I should answer the question too . . . I know that Bianca's not always as in-control as she'd like people to think. That count?

8. What’s one thing that you keep a secret from each other?
Jared: I feel like this question misses the point of secrets.

That would be the case, except for the fact that I'm going to ensure whoever isn't talking doesn't hear the secret. *snaps fingers* There. Who wants to go first?
Bianca: I suppose I will. Jared said that he knows I am not always as in-control as I wish people to think. He is not wrong . . . but I do not think he knows how genuinely terrified I am, particularly since we entered Arrain. He promised to keep me safe, true- but though I say I trust him, I have heard too many stories to not fear. But I find it better to fear for my physical safety in Arrain than to fear being forced into the Circle as I have ever since Mother died.

Thank you, Bianca. Jared, your turn. 
Jared: *jumps* The lady of logic done already? And she can't hear me? All right then. Things I keep secret from her . . . plenty of stuff. The fact that I didn't leave the Circle altogether- that I'm still working with them to a degree. The fact that I don't have half the "hidden depths" she seems to think I do- though that's less something I'm keeping secret and more something I let herself keep thinking. But the biggest secret . . . eh. Probably the fact that, somewhere along the way, I ended up caring what she thinks.

9. Fascinating. *snaps fingers again* Back to normal- How would your lives be different without each other?
Jared: I wouldn't be in the middle of a mess with the Circle, for one thing. And I'd be off enjoying myself with cards, dice, and a drink in whatever town caught my fancy instead of traveling through Arrain while I escort the lady of logic to Elgea.

Bianca: The fact that I am with you doesn't seem to have stopped you from enjoying cards, dice, or drink, Jared. As for myself- if I had not met Jared, I would still be at home in Port Metre, carrying out the life of a proper, well-educated lady- with continued study of tactics in my free time- rather than gallivanting across the worst possible region of Berstru with a gambler-adventurer.

Jared: And can you tell me you regret it, princess?

Bianca: I regret whatever I did to make you give me that nickname. Other than that . . . no, I don't regret the choice I made. Not in the least.

10. Where do you each see this relationship going?
Jared: To Hoaka. After that, we'll see. The lady of logic can keep following me around if she wants, or she can find someone to take her further north, where the Circle has less influence.

Bianca: I cannot say for sure . . . but I hope that what I have found in Jared here in Arrain will not recede again when we leave the country. If that hope proves true, well, I will hope further that I will indeed be able to continue to travel with him . . . and perhaps do more than that.

Thank you both for your cooperation. I'll let you get back to your journey now- and I'll see you as soon as I get to another of your chapters. Until then, enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts.
Bianca: I'm not so certain I like the sound of that . . .

Jared: Eh. It'll be fine. There's nothing in Arrain I can't handle, princess. Wait and see.

Sure, Jared. We'll wait and see. In the meantime: thanks to everyone reading this for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed this interview!
-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)   

Beautiful People: July 2016 Edition

Hosted by Paper Fury

Hello, everyone! It's time for another edition of Beautiful People! Once again, there's no particular theme to these questions, just an assortment of various queries. And, once again, I'm doing it proper interview style, because that's more fun. Today I'll be interviewing Callie, the heroine of my Camp NaNoWriMo WIP, Fight Song. (Incidentally: I hit my goal for the month on said WIP! The novella isn't done yet, but I'm hoping to finish that by the end of the month too.)

Anyway! On with the interview!

1.  Do you want to get married and/or have children? Why or why not?
Callie: Good lord. I don't know anymore. When I was a little girl I figured I'd find a nice guy and have a few kids; then I got older and I decided I wanted to into music, and then there was the murder and . . . I don't know anymore. Ask me in five years; maybe I'll tell you then.


2. What is your weapon of choice? (It doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical weapon.)
Callie: My violin- Well, the music off my violin. I'm better on the guitar, but for a weapon, the violin has more oomph.

3. What’s the nicest thing you’ve done for someone else, and why did you do it?
Callie: Nicest thing? Not sure about that either, not really . . . I've rescued a few people; that count?  I wasn't trying to be nice; it was just the right thing to do. Actually trying to be nice; guess you could say taking care of some of my friends when they were sick- throwing-up sick, I mean- would count.

4. Have you ever been physically violent with someone, and what instigated it?
Callie: Mm, define physically violent?

If you think it might be physically violent, it probably is.
Callie: Well, then, I guess so. I've never hit someone, not since I was old enough to know better. 'Least, not hitting them in a way that's meant to hurt. Punching a guy friend in the arm when he's being an idiot's doesn't count. But I've used my songs to hurt, physically hurt, sometimes. Doesn't feel violent, though, using music to control wind or water or fire or earth or steel or anything else you can think of. And I don't do it just because- just when the person I'm after is hurting someone else. Not that I'm not tempted sometimes.

5. Are you a rule-follower or a rebel?
Callie: Rule-follower, mostly.

6. Are you organized or messy?
Callie: In-between. I'm not a neat freak, but Momma was, and she's taught me enough that I keep my place clean enough.


7. What makes you feel loved, and who was the last person to make you feel that way?
Callie: Oh, little things mostly. Doing a chore for me so I don't have to, making or buying food for me, making sure I'm ok, spending time with me doing whatever, taking an interest in my activities. It doesn't take much, honestly. So, last person to make me feel that way . . . Rebecca, honestly. But she makes everyone feel that way- she wants to know about your life and are how are you doing and what do you like, and she actually cares about the answer.

8. What do you eat for breakfast?
Callie: At home, Momma never lets anyone leave the house without a good breakfast. Even if you can't wait for her to be up and making things, she always keeps baked oatmeal cups in the freezer that you can heat up, and cut-up fresh fruit in the fridge or freezer, depending on the season. Here in the city . . . coffee and whatever I can grab before I run out the door. Bowl of cereal, granola bar, something like that. Let me tell you, sometimes I think it's mornings that make me miss home most.

9. Have you ever lost someone close to you? What happened?
Callie: Gramma- Dad's momma- died when I was 'bout ten. No one was surprised, really. She'd been sick for a while. But it still hurt; I missed her stories and her singing with me. And it was the first time I'd really experienced death.


10. What’s your treat of choice? (Or, if not food, how else do you reward yourself?)
Callie: I'd say coffee, but that's a way of life, not a treat. Fancy coffees qualify, though.

I hope you enjoyed hearing about Callie! Are you doing Beautiful People this month? If you are, please link me to your post in the comments!
Thanks for reading!
-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade) 

Beautiful People: Childhood Edition

http://paperfury.com

So I'm cutting it a bit close with this post, yes. But it's still June, and anyway, like Gandalf, this post isn't late- it arrived exactly when I meant it to. (Mostly.) LOTR references aside, this month's questions focus on the character's childhood, which should be fun. I'll be answering with Emma Alyron, and, like last month, we'll be doing this proper interview style.

(Emma: A-are you s-sure about th-this? M-maybe you sh-should ask G-Gwen or s-someone e-else instead.
  
Me: Yes, I'm sure. I told you earlier: all you have to do is answer the questions.

Emma: I d-don't know . . .

Me: You'll be fine. Velone, back me up. 

Emma: *after some nudging from Velone, a purple, kitten-sized dragon sitting on Emma's shoulder* W-well . . . a-all r-right. I g-guess I can t-try to answer . . .)  

1. What is your first childhood memory?
Emma: Um . . . I r-remember Mama s-singing to me. She w-was a-always singing, or h-humming, or s-something. And I'd t-try to s-sing with her s-sometimes . . . but m-mostly I just l-listened.


2. What was your best and worst childhood experiences?
Emma: . . . C-Can I p-please answer a d-different question?

3. Fine. We'll come back to that one. What was your childhood home like?
Emma: D-do you m-mean Alyron Village? O-or my h-house?

Whichever you prefer to tell us about. 
Emma: I d-don't r-really want to t-talk about the V-Village . . . but I l-liked our c-cottage . . . it looked m-mostly like the other cottages, b-but Mama had l-lots of flowers p-planted outside instead of j-just f-food plants. A-and she k-kept white c-curtains on the w-windows, a-and a l-loom and sh-shelves full of yarn and f-fabric in the f-front room. I think we h-had the p-prettiest cottage in the V-Village. 

4. What’s something that scared you as a child?
Emma: *whispering* L-l-lots of th-th-things sc-scared me . . . m-most of th-th-them s-still d-do.
*Velone gives Emma an intent look and seems to be silently saying something which makes Emma perk up a little* 

5. Who did you look up to most?
Emma: Mama and Gwen.

6. Favorite and least favorite childhood foods?  
Emma: My f-favorite food was- s-still is- fresh berries and cream. L-least f-favorite . . . I d-don't know. I r-remember that I w-wouldn't eat rabbit for a w-while, but I d-didn't n-not like it . . . I j-just felt sorry f-for the b-bunnies.

7. If you had your childhood again, would you change anything?
Emma: Y-yes . . .


*waits*

Emma: Wh-what?

Are you going to elaborate? 

Emma: I-I . . . I g-guess I'd j-just try to b-be b-braver . . . or s-something l-like th-that . . .
  
8. What kind of child were you? Curious? Wild? Quiet? Devious?
Emma: I w-was quiet. O-obedient. Sc-scared of e-everything, l-like I s-said . . .  I l-liked st-staying inside a-and w-working with Mama a-and s-singing. N-Nightshade c-called me d-dull as a d-dishrag. I th-think she m-might've been r-right, b-but . . . I l-liked w-what I did .  .

9. What was your relationship to your parents and siblings like?
Emma: *halfhearted smile* W-which o-ones? I h-had l-lots . . . I loved Mama. Loved her m-more than anyone. I d-didn't s-see much of F-Father . . . I d-don't think he r-really n-noticed me, I was so q-quiet. And I w-was in awe of G-Gwen and Jake and Dea . . . and s-scared of N-Nightshade and J-Jared . . . Th-there w-were a f-few siblings I l-liked, but n-not many . . . only the ones who were q-quiet l-like m-me.

10. What did you want to be when they grew up, and what did you actually become?
Emma: I d-don't know w-what I wanted to be . . . but I kn-know w-who I w-wanted to b-be: Mama. Or m-maybe G-Gwen. I'm n-not either of th-them . . . I'm s-still just me . . . b-but I'm n-not r-really grown up yet ei-either.


Great. Now, remember, we still have one question left: best and worst childhood experiences.

Emma: Oh-h-h . . . D-do I h-have to a-answer?

I'd like it if you did. You can at least do the best experience, right?

Emma: W-well . . . I l-liked l-lessons with Mama, when she taught me t-to s-sew and kn-knit and c-crochet and a-all th-those k-kinds of things . . . And w-when I made my first sk-skirt a-all by m-myself.


See, that wasn't so hard. What about the second half of the question? Do you think you can answer that?

Emma: I g-guess . . . *looks down and whispers* The w-worst experience of m-my ch-childhood . . . I g-guess when m-my ch-childhood sort of e-ended . . . w-when Mama d-d- *chokes out the word, trying not to cry* Died.
*Velone nuzzles Emma's cheek comfortingly, humming to her, and glares at me for upsetting his Emma*

Aaaand that's where the questions end. I think I shall back slowly away from the angry dragon now . . . Thanks, Emma, for answering, and thanks to everyone else for reading. I hope you enjoyed that!
-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade) 

Beautiful People May 2016

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Hey'a, everyone! Beautiful People is back after an April hiatus! Like back in March, there's no particular theme to these questions. I'll be answering with Josiah, from Mechanical Heart. And, because I'm experimenting with the format of these a bit, you'll get the answers in his voice- not mine.

1. How often do they smile? Would they smile at a stranger?
Josiah: I would say that I smile most of the time, unless I’m sitting in on a Senate meeting or other political event. As far as smiling at strangers goes, well, I’m a prince and a politician. I believe you can draw your own conclusions.

2. What is the cruelest thing they’ve ever been told? And what was their reaction?
Josiah: I suppose it was not meant cruelly, but when I was about fifteen, a gentleman- a senator and a member of the nobility- informed me in a respectfully roundabout way that my dreams of changing my country for the better were folly and that in this modern era, the royal family’s position is mostly ceremonial. In the moment, I almost wished I had been born two centuries previously so I could challenge the man to a duel without recrimination. As it is a more civilized era, I instead informed the man in a much more direct- though, I believe, still respectful- way that I intended to prove him wrong. And then I set about doing just that.

3. What is the kindest thing they’ve ever been told? And what was their reaction?
Josiah: The kindest thing? I can’t recall for sure. I expect it was something one of my parents said, trying to cheer me up . . . but one comment I recall best was from a friend of mine, Luis. It was not long after the incident I just mentioned, and I was feeling a bit despondent, wondering if the gentleman had been right after all. I told Luis, as he’s a fine listener as long as you don’t mind his working on some invention while he listens, and, well . . . He told me to stop being ridiculous, which might not sound kind, but was what I needed to hear. Then he said that if anyone could make a difference despite the law, I could and would- and as it was him who said it, I believed him. 

4. What is one strong memory that has stuck with your character from childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting?
Josiah: There are quite a few memories I could mention, but one in particular . . . My father teaching me to play chess and backgammon when I was . . . seven or eight, perhaps? It is a small thing, yes, but every Wednesday evening after that, no matter how busy he was, my father would set aside royal duties, excuse himself from any guests, and he and I would play games until my mother finally came in to say my bedtime had long since passed and I ought to go to sleep now. As I said, it is a small thing in a sense, but significant in others- I know many children were largely ignored by their parents save when necessary. And yet my father would set aside a kingdom’s worth of affairs to spend time with me. 

5. What book (a real actual published book!) do you think your character would benefit from reading?
Me: Josiah really can’t answer this question, so  . . . I’m not sure if it’d help him or drive him crazy, but I wish he could read the Queen’s Thief series, particularly the third and fourth books. 

6. Have they ever been seriously injured? How severely? How did they react?
Josiah: I’m informed that I came within an inch of death rather recently, and given what I remember shortly before the incident, I’m inclined to believe it. However, as I was unconscious for the actual event and by the time I woke up, I was mostly healed and had other things to think about, it didn’t affect me a great deal. Later on, once I had a moment to myself, I tried to wrap my mind about the fact that I nearly died and found I couldn’t manage it.

7. Do they like and get along with their neighbors?
Josiah: I don’t have neighbors in the standard sense, but regarding the people who I interact with most often outside my family: I either like or respect a fair number of them, and do my best to tolerate even those I dislike- as my position requires me to do. 

8. On a scale from 1 to 10 (1 being easy and 10 being difficult) how easy are they to get along with?
Me: Another question I’m answering for Josiah, as I can probably rate this better than he can. Josiah is about a 3 or 4 (when you look at the scale the right way, rather than 1 being impossible to get along with and 10 being everyone-loves-him). He genuinely likes and cares about most people, whoever they happen to be and takes an interest in their lives. But he’s very passionate about politics and the changes he wants to make in the country, often to the point of distraction, which can be a bit trying for those close to him. 

9. If they could travel anywhere in the world, where would they go?
Josiah: I can and have visited most of the countries of the known world at some point in my life. By now, I’d much rather stay home.

10. Who was the last person they held hands with?

Josiah: I fail to see how this is something you need to know.

Me: Just answer the question.

Josiah: Well, I suppose it won’t hurt . . . the last person whose hand I held was Miss Breen, but I did so very briefly.

What do you think of Josiah now? Have any other questions you'd like to ask him? If so, just leave them in the comments.
Thanks for reading!
-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)  

Beautiful People: March 2016 Edition

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It's time for another round of Beautiful People! For those who don't know: Beautiful People is a monthly meme hosted by Cait of Paper Fury and Skye of Further Up and Further In. This month, apparently, there's no theme- just ten questions for your character. I'll be answering for Deanna "Dea" Alyron, a major character in my Berstru Tales series. 

1. What first inspired this character? Is there a person/actor you based them off?
Dea, like many of the characters in this particular series, had her origins in the Battle! roleplay on the Underground. Unlike those other characters, however, she never actually made it onto the thread until after she was created in the novel. Her original conception was as a mercenary sort, highly skilled, and relatively ambivalent towards the rest of her family. The highly skilled part remained true as her character evolved to what I put down on paper. The rest of her . . . not so much. Dea's unbendingly loyal, and more attached to the rest of her family than any of the major Alyron siblings, with the possible exception of Jake.

2. Describe their daily routine.
Hahaha. Dea hasn't had a solid daily routine for a fair while now- not since she left home. Adventures aren't exactly conductive to that sort of thing. But before she left, she'd get up, make breakfast for herself and her younger siblings, then spend most of the morning doing various chores. Afternoons contained any remaining chores, plus an hour or so of practice with her swords, and making dinner. And then evenings were solidly family time- plus she'd have breaks when she could earlier throughout the day to do stuff with her younger siblings.

3. If they joined your local high school, what clique would they fit into?
I don't go to a public school, so all my knowledge of high school cliques comes from books. But my guess? Dea could fit with the athletic group if she wanted to- she'd definitely be into sports (probably of the track and field variety, unless whatever high school she went to offered fencing). And she might be able to fit into one or two other cliques as well. But she'd get sick of trying to meet people's expectations pretty fast (particularly because everyone would be wondering which of her sisters she was going to be more like), so instead she'd say "Whatever," go find the least popular kids in the entire school, and befriend them.

4. Write a list of things they merely tolerate. Ex: certain people, foods, circumstances in their lives…

• Being compared to either Gwen or Nightshade
• People who don't like or just don't know what to do with kids (though that depends slightly- if she sees you're trying, she'll have a great deal more patience with you than she otherwise would)
• Jared Alyron
• Fish/seafood (though that might just be a somewhat petty reaction against the fact that Gwen loves it . . .)

5. How do they react in awkward silences?
With unnerving patience.

6. Can they swim? If so, how did they learn? 
Dea cannot swim. But if she ever needs to learn . . . well, she's a fast learner.

7. What is one major event that helped shape who they are?
The first time Nightshade showed signs of off-the deep end tendencies would be a fairly big one, though it didn't effect her immediately. After that, her family started looking at her as if they were scared she'd turn out the same, and she decided pretty soon afterwards that, storm it all, she wasn't going to be Nightshade and she wasn't going to be Gwen either, no matter what anyone expected of her.

8. What things do they value most in life?
Dea values family above just about anything else. People in general would be a big thing too- especially the forgotten and outcast, and especially especially kids. She places a pretty high value on her moral code as well, since it's part of what she feels separates her from Nightshade.

9. Do they believe in giving other people second chances? Do they have any trust issues?
Second chances? That depends on the person and whether or not she thinks they're going to try to do better on their second chance. She doesn't really have trust issues, though- she decides fairly quickly whether or not to trust someone and she sticks with that unless she's proven wrong.

10. Your character is having a rough day…what things do they do to make them happy again? Is there anyone they talk/interact with to get in a better mood?
It varies with the reason for the rough day. Usually, her solution to being upset or feeling down or such is to spend time with her younger siblings, just doing whatever they want to do, whether that's playing a game or making cookies or telling stories or whatever else. On the other hand, if her rough day is because said younger siblings are driving her nuts (which is kind of hard to do- small children are about the only people with whom Dea has endless patience), she's probably going to be more inclined to just shut herself in her room, bury her head under a pillow, and try to take a nap.

I hope you enjoyed hearing about Dea as much as I enjoyed writing about her. Thanks for reading, and thanks to Cait and Skye for hosting this!
-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade) 

Beautiful People: Valentine's Edition!

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So, let's just get this out there . . . I do not write a lot of romance. I mean, I write more now than I did three years ago, but I honestly don't have that many couples in my stories. In general, I'd rather focus on family relationships or friendships. However, there are some characters who are together (or headed that way), and those I tend to ship very hard- though few more than Kate and Aedon from Between Two Worlds. And since this month's Beautiful People theme is couples, guess who I'm answering these questions for? (I know some people do this as an interview, and I might try that another month, but since there's two of them, it's easier to just do it this way.)

1. How did they first meet?

Aedon was the first person Kate met in Aralan. She’d been told that she was being called to another world, but hadn’t been told how or when . . . and, unfortunately for her, the portal landed her not in the city but in the woods outside the city. Thankfully, Aedon happened to be nearby, found her, and guided her to the city. 

2. What were their first impressions of each other?

Aedon thought Kate was rather adorable, if kind of odd. Kate, for her part, was kind of in awe but mostly just happy to have been found by someone very nice.

3. How long have they been a couple?

Officially? Less than a year. Unofficially? About two years, give or take a month or two.

4. How committed/loyal are they to each other? Would they break up over a secret or a disagreement? Could stress drive them apart? Would they die for each other?

Kate and Aedon are highly committed to each other. There’s not much that could possibly drive them apart- they have their disagreements, but they’ll do their best to work things out once they’ve cooled down. When they’re in danger, though, any arguments are forgotten- they’re fighting side by side, watching each other’s backs, and, yes, if necessary they’d willingly die for each other. (Except they’d probably argue over who was going to die for whom . . . most of their disagreements stem from the fact that they’re highly protective of each other and of their families.)

5. List 5 “food quirks” they know about each other. (Ex: how they take their coffee, if they’re allergic to something, etc….and feel free to mention other non-food quirks!)

-Kate loves pie of all kinds- she’s a little notorious for it- but only Aedon knows that her favorite type is strawberry-rhubarb.

-Not a food quirk, but: Kate always dreamed of being a princess/lady in a fantasy world . . . which Aedon found out, and that’s why he started calling her “Lady Kate.”  

-Aedon drinks coffee. Kate drinks tea. No, they don’t fight over it.

-Aedon had never had peanut butter before the events of Between Two Worlds. Now Kate has a stash imported from Earth, which he ‘raids’ on occasion. (She knows about it, and gave him permission to do so.)

-Not sure if it’s a quirk, exactly, but Aedon is a surprisingly good cook, at least in the field.  

6. Does anyone disapprove of their relationship?

‘Disapprove’ is a strong word, but Aedon’s family has discouraged it. Traditionally, people live their lives in the world where they’re born. They may visit another world temporarily, but they won’t stay there. So, while Aedon’s family loves Kate, they weren’t thrilled when the two fell in love.

7. What would be an ideal date?

Something exciting, but not seriously dangerous. Exploring, a mini-quest, something like that. Followed up, naturally, by a stop at their favorite bakery for pie.

8. What are their personality dynamics? Similar? Contrasting? Do they fight a lot or mesh perfectly?

Kate and Aedon are pretty similar in several ways. They’re both protectors by nature- not only in the way that I mentioned in #4, but in the sense that they both plan to spend their lives protecting Aralan as a whole from evil. Kate is a bit more fiery than Aedon, and also more prone to snap decisions, while Aedon is more thoughtful, so they complement each other in that respect. They’re also both on the stubborn side . . . but they work it out. 

9. What have been their best and worst moments together as a couple?

Their worst moment (well, rather more than a moment) as a couple was after the war in Aralan was over, but before Kate returned to Earth. Kate was basically pushing everyone away because she was feeling broken and guilty and was just in a really, really dark place. And she pushed Aedon away most of all because she felt like she didn’t even deserve to see him. And she may or may not have disappeared for a little while.

Their best moment is connected to that worst moment. After a while, Aedon and Jarek agreed that they were fine with giving Kate space but they couldn’t just stand by and do nothing and they were worried about what might happen if someone didn’t intervene. So they found her, but Jarek let Aedon handle actually talking to her (because Jarek’s the tough-love sort and that was not what Kate needed at that point). And Aedon alternately talked to her and prayed over her for a while, until she finally started responding, and long story short, he helped her get on the path to healing. 

10. Where do they see themselves and their relationship in the next few years?

They’ll court for a while, until the standards of both families and Society have been met; then they’ll get married. In the meantime, they both fully intend to keep having adventures.

I hope you all enjoyed hearing about Kate and Aedon. Many thanks to Cait Grace for hosting this event, and thanks to all of you for reading!

Happy Valentine's Day!

 -Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)