Staying in Shape on the Road: Adventuring Fitness

Posted on April 4, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Kelemvor and Midnight (I Think)

This doesn’t come at all.  Why would it?  We kind of take it for granted that our adventuring heroes are in shape.  They usually start that way after training or . . . living in a farming village.  It’s rare that you see an out-of-shape adventurer unless you have a comic relief or a pampered type.  So, is this even worth thinking about?

No . . . Well, good-bye.

Seriously though, this is something I’ve been thinking of and never bothered to touch on because I always came up with the same answers.  Mostly that it isn’t worth touching on that often.  Show your warriors work out in the morning once or twice and people will assume it’s their routine.  Same goes for any character who shows even a single interest in exercise.  This is an area where a little goes a long way, but that’s not really necessary when you think about it.

Let’s take a character who isn’t a trained warrior and might not be in shape.  They’re now an adventurer who is traveling and getting into battles.  Their daily life is filled with the following:

  • Eating just enough to not be hungry
  • Walking a lot
  • Running
  • Fighting
  • Carrying all belongings
  • Climbing
  • Hunting

I’m sure there’s more, but that’s a lot of activity and working of the muscles.  That’s bound to have an effect on the body over time, especially if the person is training as they’re traveling.  This is what adventurers do, so they’re going to be in shape as long as they don’t take long breaks or find a way to get around most of that list.  Containers that hold a lot and items that create food can go a long way here.  Still, those don’t change the fact that adventurers live an active life.  Sedentary lifestyles aren’t their thing.

Think I would like to try for an adventurer who is at least not visibly in shape.  They can run, climb, and do all of that other stuff, but they get winded and are on the chubby side.  I might be doing that a little with Darwin Slepsnor, but he’s a halfling species that are normally a little chubby.  That and I’ve already established that he’s fast and durable, so it’s not going to be the same.  Maybe those who are out-of-shape wouldn’t be adventurers in the first place.  Need to think a bit more about that.

So, has anyone else ever wondered about this or am I just getting desperate for blog topics?

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Crafting Rich Characters (Part 4)

Posted on April 4, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Greetings Storytellers! We’re off to Part 4 of Crafting Rich Characters. In Part 1, we explored a character’s physical appearance, mannerisms, and …

Crafting Rich Characters (Part 4)
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The World’s Happiest Animal: The Quokka

Posted on April 3, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Hello again for another animal.  This one is the ‘World’s Happiest Animals’ because they always seem to be smiling.  They aren’t afraid of people either, so there’s a trend to get a selfie with them.  Of course, they live in Australia, so you can’t do it that easily unless you’re a local.  What are they?

The Quokka

Now, this is a type of wallaby, which means they’re a marsupial.  They are considered vulnerable for the following reasons:

  • Loss of habitat
  • Mostly the introduction of dogs, cats, and foxes to their habit.  These aren’t their normal predators, so these animals have weakened their populations.  Foxes are apparently the biggest issue for them.

Here’s a site with more info.  QUOKKA!

Since they’re a type of wallaby, they’re a subspecies themselves.  So I won’t have different types.  Means more pictures of them in general.  Enjoy.  (All images found in Google Image Searc.)

And let’s not forget some videoes.  The second one is very informative.

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A Little Dizzy Here

Posted on April 2, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Jack Sparrow

This explains how my week went even more than you may realize.  I thought this meme would already exist.  If it does, I couldn’t find it, so I had to figure out how to make it myself.  Used it quite a fair amount too.

As the title says, I ended the week in bad shape.  I got home from work on Friday thinking I was doing okay.  Had a little to eat and drink.  Went into the bathroom and immediately had some trouble figuring out up from down.  I noticed this was when my body also hit a sudden point of relaxation, but in a deflated kind of way.  Big sign that I pushed myself too far and on too little sleep.

To be fair, the week started out right.  I didn’t get a lot of sleep over the weekend since I saw ‘The Batman’ that Friday night and then had a wedding last Saturday.  Both kept me up past midnight and tired me out.  Sleeping in on Sunday didn’t work out because stuff was going on in the house.  Still, I thought I had the right amount of energy after sleeping soundless for three nights straight.  Then, I had two really bad nights and everything collapsed.

It was a combination of life drama that I can’t get into and the third quarter of the school year ending.  That meant I was working hard and trying to fend off the other stuff, which didn’t seem to care I was at work.  There were also meetings and errands and my shoulder was giving me trouble until Thursday.  Let’s face it.  I’m a total wreck lately, but I manage to put everything together when I need to.

Anyway, the wedding was a lot of fun.  Great food and the music was fun to get gradually deafened by.  I didn’t dance because that’s not my thing and I was stag.  Loved seeing my friend get married and be happy.  I realized I hadn’t worn a suit since my sister’s wedding in 2017 too.  Not to this extent anyway.  Overall, it was a Saturday very well spent and worth the last minute haircut.

What else is going on?  I didn’t get to any writing because I was so busy.  Think I designed a single character for ‘Phi Beta Files’.  Finished the June posts and started in on July with August planned out too.  May seem strange to schedule so far ahead, but I need to create something with words.  I want to make progress on clearing the field for me to go crazy with the writing during the summer too.  I’m going to use next Sunday to go over the next Darwin outline.  I’d do it Saturday, but I think it’s my birthday.

As far as this weekend goes, my son has a lot to do because his third quarter ends next Friday.  So, we have to study and finish projects.  Hoping to go to a local comic/anime/cosplay convention and get video games in too.  Both of us are burnt out, so it’s going to be a slog.  I think he’s got a good amount of stuff figured out, but it’s going to be a challenge.  End of the quarter is always hectic, so I guess it’s good that my chaos is already over.  Means it’s only 1.5 weeks before Spring Break too.  April is going to pass by so quickly.  Not sure how I feel about that.

Wish I had some more interesting things to talk about.  Slowly making my way through a recommended anime called ‘Fate/Stay Zero’.  It’s okay, but not what I expected.  The characters talk about philosophy a lot with minimal action.  Realized that I was zoning out during the lengthy debates and still didn’t feel like I was missing anything.  I have two other series from the franchise on my list, which I may try further down the road.  I need a show with more action after this one.  Might finally be time to rewatch ‘Outlaw Star’, but I may pass until I feel more rested.

I swear there was something else that happened this week.  For some reason, I keep thinking I worked with Darwin, but I didn’t do anything more than put the outline in the idea book for when I needed to check them.  Maybe I was dreaming about his adventures and don’t really remember it.  I’m at the end of my energy too, so my mind isn’t making much sense right now.

Goals of the week:

  1. Help son with schoolwork and studying.
  2. Play ‘Pirate Warriors 3’ to relax.
  3. July Posts!
  4. Birthday stuff . . . I’m not that excited about it.
  5. Work, which is to be expected.
  6. Sleep and hydrate
  7. Anime/comic/cospaly convention
  8. Make pizza with son for lunch

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Happy April Fools Day . . . Is That Right?

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Thought, we’d just have some funny pictures.  Is it just me or has April Fools Day lost its luster the last couple of years?  Even among kids, it doesn’t seem to be much of a thing any more.  (All images found with Yahoo/Google Image Search.)

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Breaking Writer’s Block: Finding Inspiration to Move Forward

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Greetings, SE’ers! Beem Weeks here with you again. Today, I am going to share some ideas for breaking through the dreaded writer’s block. I can …

Breaking Writer’s Block: Finding Inspiration to Move Forward
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Poetry Day: Animals in Our Minds

Posted on March 31, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

(Got to use one of my puzzle pictures again.  This poem was a silly one that used phrases involving animals.  I couldn’t get it that big, but it worked for me.)

We join the rat race
A loyal work horse
Dealing with the fat cats
With their shark grins
Pushed until dog tired
And hungry as a bear

*

At home we eat a horse
Regaining strength of ox
To have a whale of a time
With the social butterflies
Searching for our fish in the sea

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7 Tips to Writing the Pursued POV

Posted on March 30, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

I Agree

This topic is a little shaky.  At least, trying from the Pursuer POV was tough.  The reason is because you see the opposite more often.  A chase tends to happen when the protagonist needs to escape.  So, readers will be more accustomed to this POV.  That doesn’t mean it’s easy, but an author may be more comfortable here.

  1. The Pursued doesn’t usually know what is coming.  While they may sense that they are being herded into a trap, it doesn’t mean they know the specifics.  Surprises can still happen and probably should.  A clean escape can be boring, so the unknown can be a great source of tension.  For example, a retreating hero may know that they are heading for more enemies.  They may be ready, but they don’t know the type and amount.  So, they barrel into the area to find that it’s worse than they imagined.
  2. While the Pursuer is focused on catching, the Pursued is fixated on getting away.  This comes with a sense of fear, panic, or tension.  There is never a guarantee that they will escape even if they’re confident.  A part of them or a character along for the ride may sense this, so there should be signs of negative emotions.  Even if they are remaining calm, there needs to be something to show that they are not in control.
  3. The Pursued doesn’t have to be calm.  They can be the type of character to panic and just go rushing wherever they think they’ll be safe.  This can make the POV fast-paced and make the scene feel rushed in a good way.  The character is trying to get away as quickly as possible after all.  Panicking can also make them do the unexpected, which extends chase scenes in a believable manner.  A wrong turn that the Pursuers ignored because it was a bad move can turn into a game changer.
  4. As long as the Pursued isn’t trying to sneak away, you can use dialogue to demonstrate how they are feeling.  If this involves a group then arguing and conflicting directions can add to the chaos.  These actions can lead to mistakes as well because they count as distractions, which are more likely on this side of the action.
  5. Knowing the terrain is an important factor when it comes to the mentality of the POV character.  If the Pursued knows the area then they are less likely to make mistakes or freak out.  If they don’t then they are going to be flying blind and are more likely to make a mess of the situation.  Even if they don’t know it, a character with a map or a GPS can make the chase interesting.
  6. The POV character can reach a level of desperation that leads a crazy stunt.  Jumping off a building or diving into an open manhole are possibilities.  Wilderness terrains have waterfalls, cliffs, and caves.  It’s a move that they feel their Pursuers would never dream of taking.  Of course, you can’t do this right off the bat.  These moves work better as acts of desperation that typically end the chase.
  7. Tension and suspense.  Just like the Pursuer, you need this two things to really make the POV work.
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Happy Smoke and Mirrors Day! (No Tricks with This $2.99 ebook deal!)

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Yahoo Image Search

Take a break from the daily illusions and escape into an adventure where secrets are around every corner!  Legends of Windemere: Family of the Tri-Rune!

Cover Art by Jason Pedersen

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7 Tips to Writing the Pursuer POV

Posted on March 28, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Friday the 13th

One type of action scene is ‘The Chase’.  It doesn’t happen as often as fight scenes unless the story involves vehicles or running, but it’s a big one.  A challenge here is to bring across the pace and feelings of those involved.  You can’t bounce around from one POV to the other or it will be a mess.  So, you have to pick either showing the chase through the eyes of the Pursuer or the Pursued.  We’re going to the former today and the latter in two days.  Enjoy.

  1. The Pursuer is fixated on catching their prey, so they need to show that this is their only real concern.  Don’t have them deviate from the chase unless it’s an attempt to cut the other person off.  Whenever the Pursuer stops thinking and talking about the chase, the tension drops.  With these scenes being limited on time, you can’t risk that happening because you can’t guarantee it can be recovered.
  2. One exemption of the previous tip is if you have a Pursuer who is also concerned with innocent bystanders.  Typically, these people are ignored or always manage to get out of the way.  Yet, you can show that the Pursuer isn’t a bad guy or why they aren’t catching the enemy easily by having them dodge obstacles.  Much of this depends on who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist.
  3. Pursuers are characters as well, so you need to make sure that they demonstrate emotions.  They may be mostly calm, but there has to be more if they’re willing to drive or run after someone.  Let this be shown in what they say or think.  You can also have their emotions change as the chase progresses.  Frustration may set in if things start taking a long time.
  4. Moments of panic for the Pursuer can be created by them losing track of their prey.  It is their POV that the reader is following, so this would be a time when one may think the scene is over.  Did they lose their target?  Are they going to be able to get them back?  Continue having them move to keep the questions flowing until you either end the chase or have it continue.
  5. Try not to jump to another POV as soon as the chase is over, especially if the Pursued got away.  You want the readers to see how the Pursuer takes the loss.  They were the focal point of this scene, so you need to bring some closure.  This can be done with a single paragraph or even a single piece of dialogue.  Show that this person is either happy or upset with the outcome.
  6. Pursuers tend to have a better plan than their prey if they’re the ones who initiate the chase.  This means, their POV will hint or flat out tell the reader what they are planning.  Normally, this would eliminate the suspense because there’s no element of surprise.  At least, in terms of what the others will run into.  The suspense has to come from if the plan will work and, since they tend to fail, if the Pursuer is able to adjust in the face of changes.
  7. If you decide to use multiple Pursuers, show the others through the POV of the one you’ve chosen.  It’s tempting to jump to another one who might be doing something exciting at the time.  You start describing what they’re doing and end up switching POV without noticing.  Instead, imagine that you are the person who is watching this and write it as such.  The POV character might not know what the other one is doing, so it can be a description that isn’t entirely clear or has judgements.  Some information may be missing if the POV character stumbles into this stage of the chase.  It’s possible to show big events in these scenes from an outsider perspective without minimizing them or messing up the focus.  It’s just really tough.
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