I've already got my MC going "wtf is this, seriously, and wtf are these pinchy things D:" because he's more sheltered than he ever realized and also doesn't know what a lobster is. But he's happy to learn. The whole thing is a journey of self-realization and also to learn some of what it takes to be a good leader (beyond experience) so it's learning to take instruction from people who know what they're talking about, humility, that most "normal" people have to work hard for everything they have, and that there are so many things in life that people enjoy and/or makes people happy. Sort of a "here, sheltered little princeling; take a good look at the real world".

My world is weird @ It's sort of... super, super future, where things have come full circle and the world is back to sort of Victorian-esque times. What was once Japan is a chain of floating islands (how are they floating? That secret gets unearthed in this book. Why are they floating? That has to wait for book 4, because it's a different protagonist who's going to find that out) and that's where my current MC comes from. And all the people from the islands have wings. Basically at the core of it, science and magic fell in love and got together and everything went a little bit crazy. There's magic, but it's a subtle and twisty little thing and I'm still pinning down the particulars. It's fun to create your own world :3

Sounds like an entertaining story... I love bursting my character's little bubbles and I like reading stories that do the same. XD

I am currently hanging out with a grumpy immortal dragon-shifter. Before I started in on it after joining Nano, I had a vague (though I was unaware of just how vague) idea of the who and why but now I've got about 70% of the necessary factoids figured out. The plot is a bit more slippery though... I mean, I know where I want my protagonist to end up and some things that have to happen to get him there but I can't decide if I want to end up with a single novel or a series of novellas. (The "backstory" is really important to my concept and might deserve 25,000 words to itself.) Anyway, I am writing it like it is a single project for now.

Another of my projects that I am working on simultaneously with this one is also coming along nicely but I can't decide which character deserves to be the protagonist. I mean, I know who "saves the day" but he's pretty powerful by the time my story starts so I am thinking it needs to be one of the "ordinary" people who comes along and kinda drags him out his happy little bubble of willful ignorance. -pulls out needle and makes it go pop- Once I figure out that important point, it shouldn't take me long to figure out my plot.

I hope it's entertaining when all is said and done @ Otherwise it wouldn't be worth reading! lol

I like the idea of having someone who's not as powerful be a catalyst for things ^^ Instead of just a strong character continuing to be strong, giving someone else a chance to grow and change~ It sounds like you have a lot of really good ideas!

Yeah, that's true. My biggest hurdle with going that route is figuring out the romance side of my story. My power player is already very much involved (because I've been assuming he'd be the main character) so he is definitely not an option for the "ordinary guy" protagonist. Thing is, this story wouldn't necessarily have to have romance as a major aspect but I like writing romance. -shrugs-

Maybe there needs to be two stories, one about my power player and then the ordinary guy's story as a follow-up of sorts. Something to consider.

Yeah... writing romance can be really fun. I'm totally fascinated by the ideas I've been starting to spark over my next book - the character who I think will end up being an MC has appeared in at least 2 of the 3 books so far (and I might see about writing him into the rewrite of book 1) as a bit character. And everything he's told me about himself so far is that he might be completely ace. So that will be really interesting to write with no romance subplot. At least not the MC's romance.

Writing without MC romance is not something I am practiced at, so I'm not sure how it would work out but... I do write my romance stories kinda like they are action novels with powerful external conflicts. If I can just stop myself from trying to force a partner on him throughout the story, it might work out okay. I am not sure that's possible though... -grabs character and gives him a list of possibilities- "Pick one!" XD

Hahaha XD I can understand that totally. I might end up having a second MC (depending on how things pan out) who could fulfill my personal need for fluffy romance while still letting my ace MC go about his business.

So immortal dragon shape-shifter, huh? Sounds like one hell of a concept! :D

Yep. The idea is based somewhat on Arthurian legend. That's why the back story is important. The whole thing starts in medieval times but it doesn't stay there. XD

Oh, neat :3 I like that!

Edit: Anyone up for a ? I could use some help pushing down this wall x_x

- still up for that word war? Your world sounds like fun, is this the same world with the steampunk mermaids?

Well, yesterday's word count was disappointing, because after getting off to a strong start, I got stuck trying to figure out my second major project (at the moment)... I didn't get as far as I would have liked so I couldn't start on dialogue and action. (Only 1,614 words added in total. Yuck.)

I'm gonna have to spend some time reading my notes tonight and maybe I can figure out where I need to go next. I'll try to get a little work in towards my word count adding some things like supporting cast names (right now I am just sticking descriptors in parenthesis) and story titles. I keep thinking they are minor things but maybe I need that info to move forward. -shrugs-

Yes! Same world, different area. Merfolk are a REALLY interesting blend of science and magic and I am more and more in love with my secondary MC for that book every time I think about her. Once I've tackled this beast I need to go back and work more on book 2. I got really sick of writing the primary MC because he starts out as a self-absorbed little snot and I just want to kick him in the face XD;; I needed a break from him.

And dear god yes, please, war with me. It's astonishing how much the wars do to sharpen my attention span onto writing instead of letting it go drifting off to Tumblr. Do you want 15 minutes or longer?

That's a ton more words than you had before, though! Up until this point I've only managed a grand total of 649 words so far today. And I just ended my chapter so I have been staring at a blank page for the past half hour. I know how the chapter begins, but my mind is just... not here.

That's a good idea to go looking up names. Sometimes doing naming research can help inspire other ideas just based on the meanings, or you find a fantastic name but it doesn't work for anyone you've already created and so you have to build a person just for the name and then figure out where they fit in... mmmm names.

- 15 minutes should be good. I'm kind of at a stuck point in my story too. My MC who started the story with no memories started remembering things, and this is BAD, so while I know basically what the next couple chapters are going to be about, I can't just move on without my other characters addressing her recovering memories. And I don't really know what do do about it.

Uuughhh. Yeah... I finally got past the first chapter of "why am I doing this" fishing hell and for this one I'm swapping POV to a different character in another area. But it's re-introducing the asshat antagonist from book 1, returned and causing just as much trouble this time around but in different ways and this guy is such a douchecanoe I just UGH. I mean, that's great for an antagonist, but...

Addressing returning memories sounds like it's pretty rough. I can't even begin to think where you would start with that and how she's reacting + how others are reacting and the conflicts and emotions that spawn from that... eeeeeeesh. Good luck D:

15 at the :00 work for you? or :45 (that might be too close to right now though?)

- :00 would work best. I'm talking with a friend on skype who is fairly familiar with my story to get her opinion on how to go about addressing her memories. I'm almost tempted to have the supporting MCs tell her that they don't want her to remember anything cus bad things would happen, and that would pretty much make my MC an emotional wreck, which could be fun, or could be awful.

Ooh, having someone who also knows something of what's going on <3 That's the best.

I vote emotional wreck. See where it goes. You can always change your mind later, right? :)

- kinda didn't do the word war, but I think my friend and I kind of found something that will work. Basically start with them not telling her anything, and keep being evasive, but then eventually break down and let slip that they don't want her remembering. And then have her become a total emotional wreck, and by extension, the other MCs. Until the Antagonist comes along to make everything better! That's what antagonists are supposed to do right?

Oh, lol XD I got 446 words, which puts me significantly closer to today's par. It sounds like you've got a much better handle on things! And it's amusing that your antagonist is the one coming in to make things better XD

Do you want to war again (if you count it as "again" XD)?

- yes word war again! (She doesn't actually make things better, but she tries. She's going to learn some things about my MC that she will think is the reason that the supporting MCs don't want her to remember, but it's not the real reason :P)

Oho XD Sneaky.

15 at :30 work?