tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post6561537423779792956..comments2023-09-07T10:40:00.762+01:00Comments on Stranger Worlds: Plain Janes vs Chosen OnesEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-31150618887575901152016-07-09T22:38:31.022+01:002016-07-09T22:38:31.022+01:00I think about Jem and Peril both having different ...I think about Jem and Peril both having different coloured eyes SO OFTEN! But I assumed you would have forgotten!<br /><br />~dances in mad circles~<br /><br />(Seriously, the amount of time I spend thinking about Peril's eyes. Probably only Oddball thinks about them more ... oi oi!)<br /><br />I will not spoil, fear not ;)Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-66386432445370339852016-07-06T19:08:01.406+01:002016-07-06T19:08:01.406+01:00No way, Em. That is too weird! Especially after th...No way, Em. That is too weird! Especially after the whole Jem and Peril both have different color eyes and like crowds, and -- AH! <br /><br />I dropped my brain.<br /><br />Oh, I see how it is. Clamming up now, huh? ;) I'm just teasing. I definitely understand. And I keep asking dumb questions like, "are there any character deaths" as if I want to be spoiled. Which I do not. <br /><br />*hops around also* a.n.g.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03667996517318905980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-29761010465163950642016-07-04T22:16:00.123+01:002016-07-04T22:16:00.123+01:00*hops. But I am hoping too, I guess, hoping she li...*hops. But I am hoping too, I guess, hoping she likes it!Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-59702416930821741472016-07-04T21:58:10.822+01:002016-07-04T21:58:10.822+01:00I guess the Post thing works two ways. (Kinda like...I guess the Post thing works two ways. (Kinda like duty to family vs country. Like the war. Like the city in TCATT ... EVERYTHING WORKS TWO WAYS. It's almost as if our writing is, like, NUANCED or something????!!!!) <br /><br />She does a bit of writing-y stuff like that in TCATT .... to be honest I'm concerned about giving you spoilers! So I'm not gonna, uh, say anything else ;)<br /><br />I'M EXCITED THAT YOU'RE EXCITED ABOUT TCATT! My pal says she's gonna finish week. ~hopes about in a frantic dancing fashion~Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-88009352858103791712016-07-02T02:53:50.784+01:002016-07-02T02:53:50.784+01:00Gosh, that bloath. Grr.
Hm, I've never really...Gosh, that bloath. Grr.<br /><br />Hm, I've never really thought of it that way? One of the Postal Travlers has kind of taken upon himself to seek out new recruits. He looks for kids who are in trouble or alone (like Oddball) and the Post in a way helps them by taking them out of a bad situation or putting them in a place where they can make friends and have a job. But I kind of see what you mean. <br /><br />I see. societal constraints are always so bothersome! <br /><br />Oo, a secret war raging beneath!! I love it! *claps hands* It does make sense that she wants to help as someone who actually knows the true purpose of the war. Does she help spread news of the real purpose? Like as a writer? <br /><br />And I love the different conflicts here too! For one the city is safety, for another it is danger. <br /><br />I'm getting really excited now about TCATT! I feel like saying something weird like: The plot thickens, or The game's afoot! a.n.g.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03667996517318905980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-28303397475908422692016-07-01T20:21:31.299+01:002016-07-01T20:21:31.299+01:00I wrote such a long reply to this yesterday but th...I wrote such a long reply to this yesterday but the bloath got it D:<br /><br />That detail about the Post is really sad! It's almost telling the Four they're less important because they don't have families. They break MY heart for sure! </3 (<-- see?)<br /><br />A summary of my long reply (~mourns for lost comment~): You can get Selected from thirteen and it's OK to move out, and at 16 Corrie could be married, BUT running off to war, as a girl, is not really the thing. (It's the opposite for boys, though. So many stereotypes/societal constraints! D: )<br /><br />The war is over kingship but also magic. There are kind of two simultaneous wars, that is, two levels to the war. Most people are only aware of the evident issue of the ruling of Ivaria, but there's also dark magical stuff going on under the surface. As Corrie knows about this, I guess she feels kind of obliged to do something about it, at least that's what she says to her parents in TCATT. She feels like most of her country is fighting a war over kingship which ultimately doesn't matter.<br /><br />She will be having conflicts herself, though! I think the title Stay in the City will come into this. Is staying in the city what one should do to stay safe (eg we might all shriek at Jem: Stay in the city! Don't run off! Stay with us!), or is it putting oneself in danger (eg Corrie may say to her fam, I've got to stay in the city! And they'll be like no please come home!). ... I feel like that all makes more sense in my head, but oh well. WE'LL SEE WON'T WE??<br /><br />I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-69942724268114843942016-07-01T19:52:47.066+01:002016-07-01T19:52:47.066+01:00I've not heard of that, but it sounds a bit te...I've not heard of that, but it sounds a bit tedious! I am very conscious of wanting to break tropes etc, so hopefully Corrie will be a new and fresh character! Thanks for visiting, Envy :)Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-61709304341914246002016-07-01T11:02:18.587+01:002016-07-01T11:02:18.587+01:00While reading this post I was instantly reminded o...While reading this post I was instantly reminded of this YA book called Zodiac. It had a Chosen One, turned into an orphan within the first few pages of the book and I was bored before I even made it to chapter four. In YA the Chosen Ones are often bland and unoriginal these days. They're predictible and because they're the Chosen One you just know they're going to do amazing things. I'd like to see some variation on the theme. I think making your character a Plain Jane is a good idea. It'll give a new dimension to her character and can influence her development in a way we susually don't see in novels these days. Good luck writing :)<br /><br />x Envy<br /><a href="http://verdwaaldinvertaling.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Lost in Translation</a>Envyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16340236336535717116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-42108240628048052462016-06-29T17:35:16.782+01:002016-06-29T17:35:16.782+01:00Very interesting topic, of course. In Oddball, the...Very interesting topic, of course. In Oddball, the Foursome are Postal Travelers who specialize in going to dangerous or uncharted places to make deliveries. The Post actually makes a specific point to hire young people who have no family connections so they aren't breaking some poor parent's heart. <br /><br />Obviously, this is different. I would normally say that she eventually has to grow up and leave her family and do her own thing. A ship is safe at harbor but that's not what it was made for and such stuff. But Corrie is sixteen, and I'm guessing by the standards of your fantasy world that's still considered to be too young to gallivanting off to do your own thing? In the Dark Ages, it would've been normal to be sixteen and independent, but if that's still too young then how in the world does she justify leaving her family? I have no idea! Somehow, it has to be personal to her? Like what is the war about? Is it just over kingship? Or do certain values and living circumstances come with either side winning or loosing? Is there some way in which Corrie could be equally frustrated with her family for not wanting to get involved? Is there a way in which Corrie may also be fighting for principles, morals, or ideals? I really have no idea; I'm just throwing suggestions around. That is a difficult corner to be in. <br /><br />I really like the idea that Corrie's not a chosen one though. And if even she does have a good reason to leave her family and help her friends, she will still probably have that internal struggle inside herself about leaving her family? <br /><br />I love these questions and discussions! We've kind of been batting them around a bit. And even if the answer still seems a little gray, I think it would be a good topic/theme to explore throughout the book itself, maybe? <br /><br />Excellent post!a.n.g.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03667996517318905980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-72500531331725560042016-06-27T19:37:40.490+01:002016-06-27T19:37:40.490+01:00That's true. All this Chosen Ones chat makes m...That's true. All this Chosen Ones chat makes me want to write about a Chosen One who doesn't want to be chosen, or something. Or just fails their destiny. Cheats Fate. ???<br /><br />Yesss, in your 777 Josiah's dad was being nasty to him wasn't he??? Poor Josiah. Bless his heart!!!! </3 (I love him already ngl.) <br /><br />I don't know! This is kinda what she says in TCATT, but I guess the point is there's nothing (at least, I don't think there's anything) that SHE could do specifically. Whether she joins the war or not, they're all gonna be in danger; she doesn't really have a specific role / destiny. At least, I don't think she does, though she is mates with the queen so potentially she'll actually be, like, ordered to stay with the royal party? (Which is where the rest of her friends are too.) That's looking increasingly likely, actually.<br /><br />(I know, same!) Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-91923689469376315742016-06-27T18:59:57.860+01:002016-06-27T18:59:57.860+01:00It IS hard! She has left her parents once before, ...It IS hard! She has left her parents once before, to go to the capital, and I think her mum especially has a bit of (confused) resentment about that that she and Corrie haven't really worked through. Hence her especial desire to keep Corrie at home. But I guess her friendship bonds do need to come into play. Ugh, I'm just not sure!<br /><br />I've had a couple of recs for that in these comments alone, I'll have to look out for it!Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-46496991259014898532016-06-26T22:14:05.076+01:002016-06-26T22:14:05.076+01:00This is so haaaaarrrrrd. I've wrestled with it...This is so haaaaarrrrrd. I've wrestled with it before, and still am!<br /><br />As far as chosen ones go, I still love them (*cough* I WRITE about 'em) but I like to leave room for free will. Someone may be "chosen" for a great destiny blah blah blah, but they could still reject it and choose another path. It would be a terrible choice, yes, but they're not bound to their chosen-one-ness, if you know what I mean. I like to compare it to how God has laid out the best path for our lives, "planned good works for us to do long ago," but we don't HAVE to take that path. I certainly want to, but I have to choose to. So in writing chosen characters, doing it that way lets them have an ordinary, Plain Jane side too. An ordinary person with the opportunity for great things, but it's not forced upon them by Fate or Destiny or Some Other Such Thing. (That was a long rant. Oops.)<br /><br />BUT PARENTS. UGH. THAT IS EVEN HARDER. I got away with it in The Prophet's Quest because circumstances don't let my chosen ones tell their parents they're going gallivanting off on a life-threatening adventure. But later on, the truth has to come out, otherwise my heroes would turn into dishonest people who don't respect their parents enough to inform them, "Hey, the world is on my shoulders and I almost died yesterday and I might just die tomorrow."<br /><br />One set of parents is working to accept this hard truth and actually supports their daughter because they realize she's doing the right thing. The other set freaks out and practically disowns their son. Being kicked out, he can now do what he wants (but his poor heart is shattered, so). I don't know how/if this will help your Corrie situation, but there it is.<br /><br />Could something happen to make her realize that she has to leave her family for THEIR sake? That if she doesn't join the war, they'll be in danger, and so will tons of other people like them? Higher motivations and all that?<br /><br />(Now that everyone is recommending "The Rest of Us Just Live Here," I'm interested in reading it too...)Tracey Dyckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-39772371573603159312016-06-26T13:43:17.555+01:002016-06-26T13:43:17.555+01:00Oh man, this is definitely a very hard one. I'...Oh man, this is definitely a very hard one. I'm honestly not sure what advice I can give you for Corrie's motivation to leave her parents behind...but I guess it'll be quite similar to children deciding to move out of home / to another country? Of course...it's not that similar at all, but I think you can have a think about the motivation for why we would leave our parents behind to pursue our own thing. Mainly for independence really...in a fantasy world though, if not fate it's probably strong friendship bonds? Oh man, too hard!! <br /><br />Have you read "The Rest of Us Just Live Here" by Patrick Ness? It's all about the ordinary people in a world full of 'Chosen Ones'. I think you might like it Emily :)<br /><br />Joy @ <a href="http://thoughtsbyj.com" rel="nofollow">Thoughts By J</a>Joy @ Thoughts By Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15174637282742149374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-50897735700697007122016-06-25T17:31:09.554+01:002016-06-25T17:31:09.554+01:00I'll look out for it! Thanks for recommending ...I'll look out for it! Thanks for recommending :)Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-86161288622753866022016-06-24T19:49:28.971+01:002016-06-24T19:49:28.971+01:00Well, it definitely fits your topic since it is ab...Well, it definitely fits your topic since it is about a group of non-Chosen ones. :)Lauren Stoolfirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07777860030600932061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-44098189384768509552016-06-24T19:13:21.190+01:002016-06-24T19:13:21.190+01:00Ha, I think a lot of us have taken that way out be...Ha, I think a lot of us have taken that way out before! XDEmilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-24121752005429891252016-06-24T19:03:55.059+01:002016-06-24T19:03:55.059+01:00Thanks, Rachel, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I hop...Thanks, Rachel, I'm glad you enjoyed it! I hope I'm able to strike that balance. Thank you for visiting! <3Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-32845937400313020772016-06-24T18:59:38.159+01:002016-06-24T18:59:38.159+01:00I love that idea! Keep us updated with your progre...I love that idea! Keep us updated with your progress with it! :DEmilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-69016016895804748752016-06-24T18:47:23.709+01:002016-06-24T18:47:23.709+01:00That is very true! Thanks so much for you insight,...That is very true! Thanks so much for you insight, Blue. Honestly I can't wait to start writing the thing. Then, I think (I hope??) things will start sorting themselves out ...Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-86313689326603524042016-06-24T18:45:52.316+01:002016-06-24T18:45:52.316+01:00I'm interested in that book now -- thanks for ...I'm interested in that book now -- thanks for the rec! Obviously Corrie is VERY special (she is my #1 bae and general narrator queen after all) but it is a tricky issue. Ugh. Thanks for visiting, Emily! :)Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-79383824662393295332016-06-24T18:40:25.953+01:002016-06-24T18:40:25.953+01:00Thanks, Lauren! I hope so. I've not read it, b...Thanks, Lauren! I hope so. I've not read it, but I did enjoy A Monster Calls by Ness so I might pick it up :)Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-90058973142579333012016-06-24T18:39:35.821+01:002016-06-24T18:39:35.821+01:00Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks, Skye <3Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks, Skye <3Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-80055079311724138702016-06-24T18:38:24.057+01:002016-06-24T18:38:24.057+01:00She's definitely going to go home -- she can&#...She's definitely going to go home -- she can't not, she HAS to let them know she's OK. But she has two sisters at home. One of them is quite broken and I guess her parents will see the contrast between them and be like actually, Corrie, we need to change the world so that people aren't hurt like she's been hurt, and also you are now the stable one. If that makes sense??<br /><br />Maybe I'll just murder them viciously, yeah.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08057480293595295502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-46419808146848060262016-06-22T20:38:04.854+01:002016-06-22T20:38:04.854+01:00I ALWAYS struggle with what to do with parents. Ho...I ALWAYS struggle with what to do with parents. Honestly, this is why they usually end up dead. lmao. It's so difficult :/ Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09001744932829238184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797055056494841024.post-74933044875679349222016-06-22T18:23:43.081+01:002016-06-22T18:23:43.081+01:00I want something in the middle. I don't want s...I want something in the middle. I don't want someone bland and lackluster, nor do I want the special snowflake. I want to see a character's struggles and desires and watch them overcome adversity and triumph and fail at times. That is what makes a character easy to relate to and that's what makes me cheer for a character. Great post!<br /><br />Rachel @ <a href="http://aperfectioncalledbooks.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">A Perfection Called Books</a>Rachel https://www.blogger.com/profile/06616299360211920794noreply@blogger.com