The FAQ, or what you wanted to know.
Writing FAQ
What do you use to write?
Libreoffice Write. I like it because it’s free and doesn’t have the annoying ribbon. It’s also open source and works on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. However, it’s not as powerful as Word, and its spell checker occasionally leaves something to be desired (it doesn’t recognize “teleport” for example). Still, if you’re on a budget, or just don’t want to use Word or Google Docs for whatever reason, it’s a solid choice.
What kind of computer do you use to write?
One that is way overpowered for writing, mostly because I also game on it. It’s a self-built Windows 11 PC with an Intel i7 14700k processor, 32 GB of RAM, an RTX 2080Ti, a pair of solid-state drives, and a 4TB HDD.
How often do you write?
I actually intend to make a blog post about this, but I only write once every other week. I like to have time to think about what I want to write, let it stew and see if I can find any way to refine it. When I do write, though, it tends to be a major burst of writing.
How do you come up with writing ideas?
I have a more extensive answer on my blog. For me personally. however, the most common way is simply by asking a question, and turning that question, or its answer, into a story completely subconsciously. If I have a number of elements that I can stick together, I can also sometimes turn that into a story.
When will your next book be out?
When it’s done. I’d rather focus on making a good story that takes longer to come out than pumping out one in a hurry.
I noticed a flaw in your book.
So did I. While I stand by what I said just above, I also don’t want to get too perfectionist and never release the story. Especially if fixing the flaw requires a major rework of the story. Typos and such, however, I’m all over. It’s basically the question of when the book is solid and good quality before it goes out.
Do you use AI in your writing?
Nope. 🙂
Blog FAQ
Why do you include the URL of the blog post at the end of every blog post?
Because if data scrapers looking for hits steal my posts, I want them to at least link back to me.
Why do you only blog three times a week?
Because I want to avoid running out of things to write about. Also, it lets me get more in depth and have more time to think about the blog posts. I’m rather “bursty” in my writing, preferring to do a bunch at once with breaks in between than some at a time, and giving myself days off in between is very helpful for that style I find.
How do you decide what to blog about?
Simple. Whatever I think follows best from what came before.
The author himself
Do you think it’s right for a straight white male like yourself to write about lesbian characters?
I don’t see a problem with it, as long as I can write it in a way that is respectful, positive, and avoids harmful stereotypes. For example, you will never see me treat homosexuality as a phase, and any sex crazed lesbians are presented as being sex crazed as an aspect of their personality unrelated to their sexuality.
Your dedication(s) is to your dad, who you wish to rest in peace. What happened to him?
Not directly about me, but a fair question. What happened is, during a botched robbery on his home, the thieves stabbed him to death to keep him quiet after waking him up. They were caught anyway, fortunately, because they tried to use his debit card to buy beer. The two of them are now serving 26 years and life.
You mention that you have social anxiety on your about page. What caused that?
Again, a fair question. In school, I was always that weird quiet kid, which made it easy for bullies to pick on me, and the teachers did nothing to stop it. It was the nineties, after all. The bullying peaked in eighth grade, before falling off almost entirely in high school, but the damage it did to my self-esteem and ability to socialize was extensive. I’m working with a therapist to overcome the issues, but it’s a slow process.
What do you like to read, watch, and play?
I like to read and watch stories focused on lesbian protagonists, mainly. However, I also like to read stories about strong female protagonists in general. You’ll see me talking about works I like in a number of posts, tying back to that month’s theme, but a quick selection of my favorites would include Bloom into You, She Professed Herself Pupil of The Wise Man, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear, and The Executioner and Her Way of Life.
As to what I like to play: games like Wreckfest, Audiosurf, American Truck Simulator, Surviving Mars, Roller Coaster Tycoon, The Sims 4, Baldur’s Gate III, The Elder Scrolls III and V, among others that I’m probably forgetting. I also have a fondness of visual novels revolving around lesbian protagonists.
Raven: Priestess of Nocturne FAQ
How did you come up with the story idea?
Again, on my blog (or will be on Friday), but I basically refined it from an older story idea that wasn’t working. Said story idea came about during a playthrough of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.
Why is the story so dark?
Because I was working through some demons coming from both my childhood bullying and other traumatic experiences in my life. The biggest was the murder of my dad.
Is Milla asexual or aromantic?
No. She’s straight. she’s just a mess due to her own time as a slave giving her a very negative, very screwed up understanding of romance.
Where did you come up with all the names you use?
Again, future blog post. However, a good short answer is a combination of line-of-sight names (mostly for locations), names I liked (Raven herself, Nocturne), and a baby name website (Sekler, Evi, Iona).
Did you copy anything from another source for use in your work?
One line, from a public domain work. I took the following line from Delina Delaney by Amanda McKittrick Ros:
Have you ever visited that portion of Erin’s plot that offers its sympathetic soil for the minute survey and scrutinous examination of those in political power, whose decision has wisely been the means before now of converting the stern and prejudiced, and reaching the hand of slight aid to share its strength in augmenting its agricultural richness?
It’s the confusing opening line Raven reads in one of her books. The one she set aside. I think you can see why I used it for her finding an opening line incomprehensible.
Will there be a sequel?
Probably, but not until I take care of my current projects. I do have an idea for the sequel’s story, at least, but it really needs time to stew.