Much like character profiles, I thought I'd do fact sheets about cities, since cities play a large part in FG. I will continue posting character profiles, but I prefer not to use them all up too fast, and also avoid revealing too much too soon.
The setting of FG is composed of eight countries, each of them populated by different peoples and races. Most large population gatherings have their own particularities and I'll try to give a portrait of a few important cities in Fighting Gravity. Here is the profile of... *random draw* Samasa.
Full name: Desert Town of Samasa
Town Leader(s): Crime lords
Town Centre: The market
Founded: End of the Second Age
Current political orientation: Guardian Alliance
Location: East of Holodrum, south-west of Hyrule's town of Gerudo
Geographical advantage: Overlooking the desert pass from Holodrum to Hyrule; large underground complexes and caves
Climate: Desertic, mountain
Weather: Windy, very hot; sandstorms are common.
Economy: Good; mostly a centre for reselling and purchasing stolen goods.
Technology: Medium-advanced.
History: Originally a small hideout for a group of thieves, Samasa grew into a large burg of black market trade and illegal activities. While considered a town of Holodrum, it doesn't recognise leaders or politicians. The civil war is beneficial to Samasa.
Main races: Hylian, Gerudo, Twili, Rito
Layout: Sprawling from the dry desert to the mountain cliffs above, hubs are connected by narrow strips of needle-turn roads on the cliffs; the rest of the city is relatively flat. The underground complexes are extensive.
Architecture: Stone, cliff-side formations; ground-level buildings are a mix of metal and rock; many mountain-level buildings were carved straight into the cliffs. Basic and utilitarian, they do not focus on beauty, but rather on practicality.
And that's that, for now. :)
Love,
CM
P.S. Remember, you can always consult the world map for FG here.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
My god.
It always astonishes me how people have a strong propensity for nasty thoughts. Seriously. I mean, I do count myself among them (how else could I write innuendos so well? XD) but I think I'm not that bad. Compared to my co-workers.
There's a conversation in Privateer in which Zelda is shocked to hear Link thought her Uncle was her husband/lover. At the time I thought that kind of thing was just fiction. But then I guess that when people remarked how OiH mirrored my life in a disgustingly similar way, I should have been wary.
I had to endure the same conversation as the one Zelda and Link had... except with my coworkers playing the role of Link (not nearly as hot). If at the time of Privateer someone had told me that would happen, I would have laughed until my sides burst.
It's kind of funny how things happen, right? I was learning to work the cash register, so my focus was very focused on trying to solve a particularly difficult transaction (dear customers, please avoid asking us to adjust prices, do returns and purchase new things all in one go... it's not easy, okay?). The man I was serving was really frustrated too, which made no sense since it was evening and there was no rush.
I didn't notice my uncle was in the store until I was done with the asinine customer and turned around to make a face at my two co-workers, a lady I'll call Chan and a girl I'll call Anya. Both of them have way more experience with cash registers than me, so they would know how tough it is to learn, but all they did was stare back at me uncertainly, glancing to their side awkwardly.
That's because my uncle was waving at me from beside Chan, looking good-humoured (as always). Uncle Bill is the kind of successful broker who knows everything about legal and financial stuff. He's rich, too, but he doesn't brag about it. He's the kind of guy who always has this really hilarious-but-never-dirty joke ready. As with all my family members, I really like my uncle Bill. He's cool, even though he's, like, fifty-five or something.
So of course I had to greet him happily. I came around the counter and started chatting with him. He was getting ready for a trip to Hawaii (!) with his wife the next day, so he had some last minute purchases to make.
He said, "I figured I'd drop by your counter to say hi."
I grinned. "I know you and Dave stalk me. It's okay." (Dave is his second son, my closest cousin. Really sweet and really smart.)
He shrugged and smiled. "You know it. ... Well I won't keep you from your job too long. We have to get ready for the trip and all."
"When are you leaving?" I ask, sincerely interested.
"Tomorrow morning, and I haven't started packing."
I raised a brow. "Jeez, don't you know better?"
He laughed. "Well, we were busy handling other things."
"You're so lucky."
He smirked. "I know, I know. I'd invite you along, but it's kind of short notice." He put his wallet away and added, "So you be good. Say hi to your mother for me. And your father, of course."
"I will," I promised, and smiled. "You have a nice trip, and make sure to take pictures."
"We will," he nodded. And then we leaned over to kiss each other's cheeks in greeting, and then he waved and walked out.
So I came back to Chan and Anya, who had been silent for the whole exchange, shrugged and said, "My uncle," by means of explanation.
They burst out with a relieved and surprised, "Ooooooh. Your uncle...!" Like it hadn't dawned on them...?
I'd just like to say the conversation totally went like it did in Privateer, minus Link being his usual sexy self. Because Link wasn't there.
"Well," I asked knowing where this conversation was going BECAUSE I'D ALREADY WRITTEN IT BEFORE, "What did you think he was??" (Oh? Mistress to whom, Captain?)
Link Forster cleared his throat and laughed to himself. The lady heard his self-amused chuckle, and asked, her voice rising in indignation, “Captain! How could you think—I? … My Uncle, wasn’t it? Oh, really!”
I swear. That's exactly what I said: "Wait. You didn't think he was, like... my... Oh, my god. You're kidding me!"
Chan and Anya just laughed it off, a little nervously, I'll say. Defensively, Chan just said, "No, no, no, of course we didn't think he was... you know. Your boyfriend. Right?"
I just blinked and let my jaw drop in indignation. Then, almost shrieking, I said, "HE'S, LIKE, FIFTY-FIVE!"
"Well," Anya laughed, "Now we know!"
I cannot believe this. How come all the embarrassing stuff I write comes true, but none of the hot guys I know act like Link? It's unfair.
I'm going to petition against this, I tell you.
Love,
CM
There's a conversation in Privateer in which Zelda is shocked to hear Link thought her Uncle was her husband/lover. At the time I thought that kind of thing was just fiction. But then I guess that when people remarked how OiH mirrored my life in a disgustingly similar way, I should have been wary.
I had to endure the same conversation as the one Zelda and Link had... except with my coworkers playing the role of Link (not nearly as hot). If at the time of Privateer someone had told me that would happen, I would have laughed until my sides burst.
It's kind of funny how things happen, right? I was learning to work the cash register, so my focus was very focused on trying to solve a particularly difficult transaction (dear customers, please avoid asking us to adjust prices, do returns and purchase new things all in one go... it's not easy, okay?). The man I was serving was really frustrated too, which made no sense since it was evening and there was no rush.
I didn't notice my uncle was in the store until I was done with the asinine customer and turned around to make a face at my two co-workers, a lady I'll call Chan and a girl I'll call Anya. Both of them have way more experience with cash registers than me, so they would know how tough it is to learn, but all they did was stare back at me uncertainly, glancing to their side awkwardly.
That's because my uncle was waving at me from beside Chan, looking good-humoured (as always). Uncle Bill is the kind of successful broker who knows everything about legal and financial stuff. He's rich, too, but he doesn't brag about it. He's the kind of guy who always has this really hilarious-but-never-dirty joke ready. As with all my family members, I really like my uncle Bill. He's cool, even though he's, like, fifty-five or something.
So of course I had to greet him happily. I came around the counter and started chatting with him. He was getting ready for a trip to Hawaii (!) with his wife the next day, so he had some last minute purchases to make.
He said, "I figured I'd drop by your counter to say hi."
I grinned. "I know you and Dave stalk me. It's okay." (Dave is his second son, my closest cousin. Really sweet and really smart.)
He shrugged and smiled. "You know it. ... Well I won't keep you from your job too long. We have to get ready for the trip and all."
"When are you leaving?" I ask, sincerely interested.
"Tomorrow morning, and I haven't started packing."
I raised a brow. "Jeez, don't you know better?"
He laughed. "Well, we were busy handling other things."
"You're so lucky."
He smirked. "I know, I know. I'd invite you along, but it's kind of short notice." He put his wallet away and added, "So you be good. Say hi to your mother for me. And your father, of course."
"I will," I promised, and smiled. "You have a nice trip, and make sure to take pictures."
"We will," he nodded. And then we leaned over to kiss each other's cheeks in greeting, and then he waved and walked out.
So I came back to Chan and Anya, who had been silent for the whole exchange, shrugged and said, "My uncle," by means of explanation.
They burst out with a relieved and surprised, "Ooooooh. Your uncle...!" Like it hadn't dawned on them...?
I'd just like to say the conversation totally went like it did in Privateer, minus Link being his usual sexy self. Because Link wasn't there.
"Well," I asked knowing where this conversation was going BECAUSE I'D ALREADY WRITTEN IT BEFORE, "What did you think he was??" (Oh? Mistress to whom, Captain?)
Link Forster cleared his throat and laughed to himself. The lady heard his self-amused chuckle, and asked, her voice rising in indignation, “Captain! How could you think—I? … My Uncle, wasn’t it? Oh, really!”
I swear. That's exactly what I said: "Wait. You didn't think he was, like... my... Oh, my god. You're kidding me!"
Chan and Anya just laughed it off, a little nervously, I'll say. Defensively, Chan just said, "No, no, no, of course we didn't think he was... you know. Your boyfriend. Right?"
I just blinked and let my jaw drop in indignation. Then, almost shrieking, I said, "HE'S, LIKE, FIFTY-FIVE!"
"Well," Anya laughed, "Now we know!"
I cannot believe this. How come all the embarrassing stuff I write comes true, but none of the hot guys I know act like Link? It's unfair.
I'm going to petition against this, I tell you.
Love,
CM
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Bitching against writing
Okay, seriously, who decided that epic stories had to be so complex? I get that you need to keep people interested, but it's like I'm on a whole new level here. Seriously. By my recknoning, I only just finished the beginning of FG and I'm past 50 pages.
Oh, sure, now I can get into the fun stuff, but come on. Something's gotta give.
Maybe that's what I get for trying to make it "epic". OiH was so much easier to plan out. It was so straightforward. But FG has multiple stories going parallel and intertwining at crucial moments and all that. You can SO NOT plan that out without like, a thousand diagrams.
But that's okay. I'm okay. I'll show that bloody story who the master is here. I'll show it.
*pulls out hair*
Love,
CM
P.S. Seriously, though, I'm fine. Just giving a heads-up.
Oh, sure, now I can get into the fun stuff, but come on. Something's gotta give.
Maybe that's what I get for trying to make it "epic". OiH was so much easier to plan out. It was so straightforward. But FG has multiple stories going parallel and intertwining at crucial moments and all that. You can SO NOT plan that out without like, a thousand diagrams.
But that's okay. I'm okay. I'll show that bloody story who the master is here. I'll show it.
*pulls out hair*
Love,
CM
P.S. Seriously, though, I'm fine. Just giving a heads-up.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Exclamation points!
Before I get into the massive hyperactivity attack that usually captures me at this time of day (thank you, one AM), LOOK AT THIS!
LOOKIT ALL THOSE HITS!!!!
I KNOW!!!! I'M TOTALLY SHOCKED TOO!
*fans self*
Sooooo... As a thank you for all your amazing feedback and lurking (I'm grateful, even for the lurkers), I published a Zelink oneshot. It seems, though, that ff.net is being annoying and not sending alerts, so here's my alert.
Thank you so much, everyone.
Love,
CM
Edit: Why... I'm quite sure that...
Wait. Hang on. Ah. Yes, indeed, it seems FG will be, like, fifty billion times longer than OiH. How exciting.
*weeps*
Back to writing, then. Rome was not built in one day, and it was built by anti-procrastinators at that. Imagine what it is for me.
(Am currently at page 52, in the part where the following phrase is spoken: "I didn't know they still made attractive mechanics." Am incidently loving my inane wit and hilarious dialogue. ... Hah.)
LOOKIT ALL THOSE HITS!!!!
I KNOW!!!! I'M TOTALLY SHOCKED TOO!
*fans self*
Sooooo... As a thank you for all your amazing feedback and lurking (I'm grateful, even for the lurkers), I published a Zelink oneshot. It seems, though, that ff.net is being annoying and not sending alerts, so here's my alert.
Thank you so much, everyone.
Love,
CM
Edit: Why... I'm quite sure that...
Wait. Hang on. Ah. Yes, indeed, it seems FG will be, like, fifty billion times longer than OiH. How exciting.
*weeps*
Back to writing, then. Rome was not built in one day, and it was built by anti-procrastinators at that. Imagine what it is for me.
(Am currently at page 52, in the part where the following phrase is spoken: "I didn't know they still made attractive mechanics." Am incidently loving my inane wit and hilarious dialogue. ... Hah.)
Friday, July 06, 2007
FG Character Bio
I realise updates are slow in coming, but seeing as I'm juggling my job (my boss gave me plenty more hours! Money!), writing, revising, reading most excellent books (Meg Cabot, Michelle Jaffe, and many more) and fanfics... (*looks pointedly at Lyxie's Chance*), and shopping (it's sidewalk sales weekend! Bargains! Promotions! Sales! Cute shirts and capris!!), I'm a little short on time to update as often as I'd like.
Still, I'd like to dedicate this post to Hunk Boy 50194875, whom I saw yesterday when I came to work, and I would like to ask him (assuming Jedi Mind Tricks have an impact on guys who don't even know me) "WHY DID YOU HAVE TO JUST WALK OUT?"
I work in the children's department, you know, Hunk Boy 50194875, so why didn't you slow down a little so I could marvel at your godliness and so we could pick out clothes for our future children? I also wanted to know if I was hallucinating or if there really was a wind machine in front of you. Because you were totally amazing-looking.
But no, Hunk Boy 50194875. You just had to walk out, striding along, with those square shoulders, snug tee-shirt and your head held high like you were a man on a mission. LEAVING ME IN YOUR WAKE, DROOLING. How could you wreak such damage on me and leave me like that? Do they not tell you handsome bastards to care for the women you debilitate with your mere presence?
Obviously not, since you just walked out of the store.
Well, see if I care. You go on right ahead and ignore your hunkiness. Ignore that you make girls' jaws drop and weaken us in the knees. Go on. Like I care.
Where was I? Oh. Yes. Character profile.
Name: Zelda Harkinian
Age: Twenty-three
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue
Residence: Citadel of Time, Castleton, Hyrule.
Skills: Convincing public speaker; bright tactician
Occupation: Princess of Hyrule
Origins: Zelda was raised to become queen for the whole of her life. After her father’s death, she was brought to the throne without a coronation to keep the country as steady as possible. It was a difficult time for her, and instead of flourishing, she withered a little from the stress and pressure. While she formed many friendships with other leaders and monarchs, the war strained her relationships with the few friends she had.
Personality: Gentle, with strong aspirations for peace and good. She tends to overanalyse or push off decision-making for fear of choosing the wrong path. She fears the immensity of the world, and is introspective enough to understand her flaws, which is all the more frustrating, as she is confident everyone else can see them, so glaring are they to her. She reactively crafted a cool, collected mask, one that covers up a frightened and slowly crumbling self.
Family/Friends: No living relatives / her fellow Hyrulian politician Renado, and aristocrat bookkeeper ****.
Likes: Learning new things, children, her pet Wulf.
Dislikes: Condescension, emergencies, posing for portraits.
Hopes: To restore peace to Hyrule.
It occurred to me that profiles would have to be seriously altered at some point because I could be giving away plenty of spoilers, especially in the upcoming ones. But hey, don't mind me.
Love,
CM
Still, I'd like to dedicate this post to Hunk Boy 50194875, whom I saw yesterday when I came to work, and I would like to ask him (assuming Jedi Mind Tricks have an impact on guys who don't even know me) "WHY DID YOU HAVE TO JUST WALK OUT?"
I work in the children's department, you know, Hunk Boy 50194875, so why didn't you slow down a little so I could marvel at your godliness and so we could pick out clothes for our future children? I also wanted to know if I was hallucinating or if there really was a wind machine in front of you. Because you were totally amazing-looking.
But no, Hunk Boy 50194875. You just had to walk out, striding along, with those square shoulders, snug tee-shirt and your head held high like you were a man on a mission. LEAVING ME IN YOUR WAKE, DROOLING. How could you wreak such damage on me and leave me like that? Do they not tell you handsome bastards to care for the women you debilitate with your mere presence?
Obviously not, since you just walked out of the store.
Well, see if I care. You go on right ahead and ignore your hunkiness. Ignore that you make girls' jaws drop and weaken us in the knees. Go on. Like I care.
Where was I? Oh. Yes. Character profile.
Name: Zelda Harkinian
Age: Twenty-three
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue
Residence: Citadel of Time, Castleton, Hyrule.
Skills: Convincing public speaker; bright tactician
Occupation: Princess of Hyrule
Origins: Zelda was raised to become queen for the whole of her life. After her father’s death, she was brought to the throne without a coronation to keep the country as steady as possible. It was a difficult time for her, and instead of flourishing, she withered a little from the stress and pressure. While she formed many friendships with other leaders and monarchs, the war strained her relationships with the few friends she had.
Personality: Gentle, with strong aspirations for peace and good. She tends to overanalyse or push off decision-making for fear of choosing the wrong path. She fears the immensity of the world, and is introspective enough to understand her flaws, which is all the more frustrating, as she is confident everyone else can see them, so glaring are they to her. She reactively crafted a cool, collected mask, one that covers up a frightened and slowly crumbling self.
Family/Friends: No living relatives / her fellow Hyrulian politician Renado, and aristocrat bookkeeper ****.
Likes: Learning new things, children, her pet Wulf.
Dislikes: Condescension, emergencies, posing for portraits.
Hopes: To restore peace to Hyrule.
It occurred to me that profiles would have to be seriously altered at some point because I could be giving away plenty of spoilers, especially in the upcoming ones. But hey, don't mind me.
Love,
CM
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