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Ahh, will do! XD What I've done in that thread in the past was an icon-centric meme thing, where I would pick a theme with five questions, and people would post 100x100 sized icons as answers with accompanying explanations. It was pretty fun, even if I do say so myself.

Dude, it is hard to get people in your hangout and keep it active. I don't know how other folks manage it, tbh. You're always welcomed to host something in my hangout too, if you like. But you know, if you revived your hangout, I'd join it too. XD I don't go to many hangouts 'cause I don't know the folks there or wouldn't be as involved in their themes.

I'll try to remind you about the art. I work Tuesdays, but it's usually not too busy, so I might be able to slip in here for that.

Aha, niiice. I've never done FxF, but considering that I rarely have female mains, it's none too surprising. I'd like to fix that some day, and I guess I sort of am in the process of that, since I'm working on my supporting female cast and investing in them more. It's helping me get a feel for writing women. I rarely do MxF, but admittedly, I'm fickle when it comes to female characters. *facehands*

I like vampires and werewolves and that whole paranormal genre too --as I see it, it's still an extension of fantasy, and there are a lot of interesting lore about them. I used to watch a lot of Buffy: the Vampire Slayer, and I've read a couple of Anne Rice novels. I was really into that stuff in early college. I also don't watch Teen Wolf, but funnily enough, I read a lot of Sterek fics. It's a sad kind of funny, how much I'm invested in the ship. I just can't watch a show the does gay-baiting though. I feel like it's kinda mean to the gay community? The gay-baiting, that is.

Most of my fantasy involves European folklore/legends, European fairy tales, Greek mythology, or witches. I tend to do my own world-building for those, but there's a heavy influence in the previously mentioned genres.

Funny that we were talking about religion, because today I was talking to my coworker about it too. We agreed that religion should be something for the person who believes in it, not for using against other people's. My beliefs shouldn't be tearing you down, and your beliefs shouldn't be forced on me; that sort of thing.

The people who complain about money when they don't have jobs (because they aren't looking hard enough) or can't manage it are pretty annoying to me. Even if you don't have many skills, you can always start with something basic that even a high schooler can do (like food service). I know so many high schoolers who've gotten jobs just by applying to places, and I have friends who've entered dozens of applications and interviews before they've gotten hired. You just have to keep at it, and even if you get a job you don't want, at least you can use it as a base to grow and move forward.

I think the frustrating thing about those people is that they guilt/burden others. I have a friend who always complains about being broke (not the same guy as previously mentioned), and I always felt bad when we hung out at places, like I should pay for his meal because a group of us would be eating at a restaurant together and he would just be there and not order anything? I have another friend who's the same way too. I kinda understand them wanting to join in on the hanging out, but it still feels kinda sad and as a friend you want to help them, but at the same time, it's like it's something they could've prevented.

Jason Todd is one of my friend's favorite Robins. I'm for Tim Drake, mostly because he was the less emo of the Robins. I liked him more in the Batman end of the franchise, rather than Teen Titans.

Aha, I've only seen part of an episode of Supergirl (and will probably not watch it again), but their choice depiction of Olsen was completely different from who he was originally. XD I kinda liked it in a way, but I also liked the more nerdy original.

"Ella Enchanted" was a great book, and the she and Charm (I think that was his name?) were adorable together. I really liked them both, which again, unusual, because all too often, I find many couples in pairings to be annoying. (I think it's the teen drama and the bickering that puts me off a number of them. Also the lack of communication and being able to talk about problems like adults. *facehands*) Oh yeah, Levine did a bunch of fairy tale retellings, didn't she? I prefer McKinley's retellings in general, although Jane Yolen also did some interesting ones (though I do have a small problem with her, since the endings of most of her books are weak. It often feels like she gave up or had to rush so many of them, but they generally have promising beginnings). I read a lot of fairy tale retellings as a kid, aha. I still have a number of them in my closet, in fact.

Watership Down is a story of rabbits (like what if rabbits in our world were capable of thought, but not to the extent of being able to communicate with people?) In the story, a rabbit named Fiver receives a vision that their community would die horrible deaths if they did not leave their burrow. He convinces his brother, Hazel, of this fate. After failing to convince the chief to have everyone leave the burrow, Hazel and Fiver, along with a few others, make their escape to find a new and safer home. They have many adventures along the way, have obstacles to overcome, and we as the readers learn of some very interesting rabbit lore (the come off like African and Native American folktales). It's not the sort of writing that reads easily for everyone, but I do appreciate how descriptive it is and the poetry of the writer's style.

XD I haven't seen any of the series you've mentioned! I've gotta check them out sometime.

Aha, it's 10:30 or so here. I had work today, but it was fine. How was your day?

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I'd love to finish it tonight, but I don't know if I'll be able to. I just get so gushy about my OCs... so many things I want to say, and this is supposed to be an art ref! DX

So far I'm active in Kat's hangout, KC's hangout, my hangout, the Charities forum, the Avatar forum, and the game's thread for "Flight Rising".

Aha, I have most Wednesdays off too!

Dude, I feel the same way when making female characters! *sob* Too many times, I end up worried that she's falling into one stereotype or another, or rebelling too much against one stereotype or another. I think I've been scarred from my RP noob days where my female characters came off Sue-ish (gotta start somewhere, but it's no less embarrassing). I mean, my guy characters probably came off Stu-ish too, but it never felt as bad because of the guy to girl RP ratio.

There are plenty of authors who do female characters justice though. I love Cynthia Voigt for that, and Robin McKinley has some interesting ones. Megan Whalen Turner has excellent female characters, but they are all secondary so far.

I think the problem I generally have with female characters (and effeminate gay boys) in fiction and RPs is that they don't seem to have much of a drive or identity outside of romance? Like, most of the time, the RPer's goal is for their kids to hook up with someone, and I'm fine with that, since I like romance, but once it becomes "my character's goals in life is to get a boyfriend", it just feels a little sad to me. I mean, I know RL people like that, but I don't think that's very attractive, and I certainly don't want my OCs to become romantically involved with them. OCs who are more well-rounded and are more purpose-driven are naturally more likable and appealing (as is in real life). I also tend to stay clear of characters who are emotional vampires (generally those who are more of a pain to deal with than an asset in my OCs' lives). Not always the case though; for better or for worse, Ara is actually drawn to people who can be difficult to deal with (and he has a good reason for it). Can't always agree with your OC, I guess. XD

I think I'm getting better with balancing the male and female characters in my stories. Ara's life is full of all sorts of women, of all sorts of ages and personalities and backgrounds. I just need to flesh them out more.

Also, don't stop rambling! I love reading it! I think that the "unrequited love for the main" trope can still be written right though. I mean, I'm one of those people who believe you can get away with anything in writing, if you're good enough at it. I've had a character who made a stereotypical uke on purpose, and he was such a hilarious and adorable character because she would parody him to the extreme but balance with enough traits to keep him likable. She's a talented writer though; always made me laugh.

That's the reason I'll never ever watch Supernatural. I kinda have secondhand anger about that? Not really, but I am put off by it. I actually liked what I know about the straight ships in Teen Wolf too! I thought Scott and Allison were adorable together (they were such a sweet and sappy couple, but why did they have to do the whole break-up thing? And hooking up with other people? Why can't we have teens who are more committed to each other? I mean, dude, and Isaac x Allison?? NOOOOooo!) You can tell I have strong feels. XD; Good grief, but I hated that thing with Derek dating other people --not because of the other characters per se, but because it really seemed un-Derek-like? I mean, this guy is so wary and emotionally constipated; he has social problems for real and was burned by love (I'm a horrible person for this pun), so you'd think he'd be more wary or take it slow? Stiles hooking up with people at least made some sense. Ugh. (Sorry for the rant; I'm just... I need things to make sense.)

Aha, I would ramble on for eternity about it, tbh. I've made cultures, history, communities, lore, and terminology for my worlds --to different degrees for each, but still. I love all that background info stuff. It just helps me get a better grasp on my OCs, knowing where they're born and who they've grown up with and how that stuff affects them and makes them who they are.

Yes, that's true. I think prayer's not a formula, it's you talking to God. The awesome thing about it is, you don't have to change your language to speak to God; rather, God speaks your language! God already understands you! He can communicate in English or French or Tagalog. He can use images or the people around you or words from the Bible. He can communicate so simply that even kids understand Him, and He can use such wisdom and complex terms that leave scholars mind-blown. I find it to be very beautiful that we have a God who knows us that much, that He can say just the right thing in the right way.

Aha, the job market... I feel it. Congrats to your roommate, though! Good luck to her!

Hear, hear! We're all adults, so we should attempt to act like it? XD

I can see how you wouldn't like Batman. I think I like him because he was the hero I grew up with. Plus, his villains are pretty badass. Except the Joker. I have no love for Mr. J.

Barmarre is still relatively popular in the YA community though, yeah? I've heard many people mention it before when the genre gets brought up.

Retellings have been around since I was a teen, but it looks like the YA trend right now is all dystopian. I remember how it was vampires and werewolves for a while. (Not that that was anything new, but Twilight blew it up.) I've picked up some Peter Pan ones too, but I haven't gotten around to reading them yet. Do tell me if any of the ones you got are good -- for PP and for fairy tales!

Yeah, it's told from the rabbit's perspective (with a lot of real rabbit facts added in). The lore bit is only in their mythos, not for the majority of the book, but it's still good.

Nah, I've seen YYH (I meant I haven't seen the other ones; sorry, I forgot that excluded YYH!) There is a character in HxH who is similar to Hiei, and he's one of my favorite in that arc.

What tickles me about the HxH/YYH manga artist is that his wife is the manga artist of Sailor Moon. I find it very cute that they got together.

Aha, well we both shouldn't stay up too late anyways. XD

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Pfft, that sounds about right! Take your time though; you know I'm multitasking anyways. XD

I'm always paranoid that I'm getting hacked when my internet gets wonky. *facehands*

Aha, I'm so letting it out in the refs sheet. XD So, so much.

I wonder if that's because we're brought up in a society that elevates men, that puts men as the norm, the default, you know? It might have something to do with that on a subconscious level, as well as the lack of diverse (or even all that many good) female representation while growing up. I try to mix up my characters and go with a lot of diversity too, aha. But I also sometimes just make a character a certain way because I want to. I definitely have a favorite type to write for though (fun & dorky guys, and solitary grumps). It's good that you've realized it and are working on it. What I'm working on right now (aside from more steady female characters) is a diversity in age and ethnicity.

Many RPers want their characters to find love. One reason is because it's a nice and squishy feeling for said RPer, and another is because those in love are generally happy, and who doesn't want happiness for their OCs? I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with that; heck, I'd want it too! I'm just incredibly fickle for my OCs though; I can't force it, no matter if our characters are the only two in the world.

Aha, writing in group RPs also help with creating diverse relationships. Thanks to the art group he started in, Ara's able to form all sorts of relationships, and in the process, discover all sorts of things about himself. It's really nice.

Dang, that sounds like one amazing backstory! Poor guy; I can see how that would make him closed off. Poor kids too!

All these stories sound so interesting and I want to hear more! DX Ty for sharing with me; I like the idea of the princess being Jasora's best friend, even though people would assume that a boy and girl who are close together would hook-up. XD

Ara's love-life is a joke, to the point that I'm known as the person who c***blocks their own OC, LOL. People often assume that he's romantically interested in one of his best friends (one dude, one chick), but they're just really close buddies.

There are many reasons for why he was single for a long time. One was that despite his loyalty and bravado, he could be weak-willed and cowardly. Another was that he idolized women rather than seeing them as equals. He was also a sucker for romance, but for the most part was too preoccupied with outside threats to allow anything to develop.

The thing about Ara was that as genuine as he was with people, he withheld many aspects of himself due to the threats of war. He was always concerned that his sister would be a casualty should anything happen, and felt guilty for leaving her to joined the academy, as necessary as it was. He entered training while burying that guilt and all the unspoken dread, and because he was naturally friendly and expressive and outgoing, his new friends didn't question him about it. The whispers of war was like a Sword of Damocles over his head. Even so, despite that, or because of it, Ara was able to be more carefree when it came to the little things; he was able to laugh at himself and make attempts and mistakes, and forgive others easily. He'd already learned that everything he'd known in his life could change overnight.

(I think I'm rambling about him too much, ugh.)

I hate the killing of ladies in SPN. It's like anyone who dated the brothers was doomed to death, or so I hear. From what I've heard, Kira was like the sexy Asian girl trope.

Oh, those sound like really great stories! I'll have to look into them! I can't take Achilles and Patroclus seriously though --or at least think of them without cracking a smile. Several years ago, I was in an RP, and my character was convinced to go as Patroclus by an upperclassman (who was going to be Achilles, and really, he just wanted to get back at his girlfriend for dumping him). It was pretty much a jock meets nerd type of story, but it was hilarious as heck. My poor kid got so hungover, though, but despite the experiences he'd had with the popular crowd, he'd actually ended up making some solid friends and realizing that he'd rather be the way he was instead of pretending to be someone he wasn't.

Aha, go nerdy about it! A lot of people like YYH, and for good reason too! I think was pretty good for its time, but my preferences definitely lean towards HxH. Kuwabara, though; I like him a lot. XD I have a soft spot for Japanese delinquents? (Yusuke counts as one too, I suppose.)

Yeah, you definitely can (see Easter eggs of HxH and Sailormoon stuff), and there are characters in Togashi's story that are heavily influenced by his wife's art.

I should lie down too. XD Night!