NaNoWriMo 2

Happy Veterans Day!  Or, Remembrance Day!

Just over a third of the month gone…and just under a fifth of my story written:  made of fail.  This past weekend was consumed by locusts, but I’ve been able to eke out a bit here and there between day-job, wife, kids…the whole catastrophe.  I still like where the story is headed…if I really think I know where the story is headed.  I’ve surprised myself before.

Below the fold is a snippet from Lily’s day-job as Assistant Director at St. Edwards Home for Children.  Of course, Ai shows up to rattle some cages.

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NaNoWriMo 1

Never, ever, underestimate a writer’s skill at procrastination.  I’ve had a story in my head for some weeks now, but would rather power-wash the house than sit down and type it out.

Then, I saw that NaNoWriMo has come ’round again.  Dammit.  I guess I’d better start writing this thing down.

This is very (very!) tentatively entitled “The Fourth Law”.

Set a dozen years hence, nursing student Lily Barrett lives in a shattered time:  the US devolved into a group of smaller states and badlands, her sister missing, and her father, after earning the opprobrium of most of the world, presumed dead.

Two things keep her going:  her job at the orphanage outside of Waxahachie, Republic of Texas, and Ai, her odd, but dear friend she met online:  a young woman who only shows herself to Lily as a rendered CG image.

Troubled by her past and facing an uncertain future, Lily seeks only a quiet, normal life.  But, her past and her present conspire against her.

Direxions 2 – Rod & Vanessa

[We originally conceived of “Hot Rod” as a one-off hentai (or, 18+) manga for release on something like the Fakku website. Then, of course, I started writing…and writing.  Suddenly,  I’d enough material for at least three volumes; as is my wont, I just kept finding out more interesting things about these new characters!  About this time, I attended a couple of panels about ‘Webcomics’ at a local animecon.  If we released two pages a week…well, then I’ve already enough material for months!  I can stop now!

Of course, I didn’t. I wanted to know more about Rod Blaine, 19-years old, seven months away from getting his welding certificate from a local vo-tech at a little city in the US Midwest.  He lives with his step-mother and step-sister…how’d that come about?  I wondered how an 18-year old girl like Vanessa Holt developed such an aggressive personality…because she’s only 4’10”?  Able to swing from a punching-rage to cuddly in seconds…why?

Mr. Deonne is preoccupied with some other projects right now, so I see this as an exercise for me to re-learn how to write in a non-visual novel style.

The excerpt below the fold takes place in the Spring on a late Saturday morning. After their karate class, Vanessa wanted to see Rod’s place, so she followed him home.  Note that this is likely PG…although I’d no problems if one of my kids read it]

Direxions 1 – Aya Donne

[Aya is a secondary character from Aris’ and Aoi’s paths in OTChi Kocchi.  A bit like kudzu, she plays a very minor role against Aris, but grows to dominate the last Act of Aoi’s path.  She is featured in both planned sequels in the OKaverse:  “Aoi’s Gone!” and “Through the Iris.”  While looking to be an Celtic girl of about 12-years old…she’s not.

This excerpt is from “Aoi’s Gone,” following Shirou’s efforts to find out what’s happened to Aoi and how to get her back.  This is from my notes, so it’s not quite in either RenPy code nor normative story writing.]

Reflexions 4 – Atti Gaetsuri

[Final of the four main characters, she is the Senior Technician who holds the Department together.  A complex woman with a complex life.

This excerpt is from Act 1, Scene 20a.  Note that in RenPy code, “att” is Atti talking, “sh” is Shirou talking and anything just in quotes is Shirou thinking.]

Reflexions 3 – Aris Kaguya

[A third of the paths of OTChi Kocchi, Aris.  ‘A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery Inside an Enigma.’  Tall and reserved; guarded speech; and is she really reading your mind…?

This excerpt is from her Act 2, Scene 2.  Note that in RenPy code, “ar” is Aris talking, “sh” is Shirou talking and anything just in quotes is Shirou thinking.]

Reflexions 2 – Rimu Shizuoka

[Another of the four main paths of OTChi Kocchi, Rimu, an artist with big dreams, is the protagonist’s childhood friend, even if she routinely beat him up.  They are reunited in the Pharmacy after losing touch with one another for the past two years.

This excerpt is from her Act 3, Scene 1.  Note that in RenPy code, “ri” is Rimu talking, “sh” is Shirou talking and anything just in quotes is Shirou thinking.]

Reflexions 1 – Aoi Yamada

[One of the four main paths of OTChi Kocchi, Aoi is a fun, high-energy girl that seems flighty, but is actually steppy.  She works in the Pharmacy while pursuing her degree in nursing; likes long walks and big meals.

This excerpt is from Act 1, Scene 20d.  Note that in RenPy code, “ao” is Aoi talking, “sh” is Shirou talking and anything just in quotes is Shirou thinking.]

“Reflexions and Direxions”

Looking at all the great art below, it occurred to me that, unless you’ve played the demos or bought a graphic novel, any visitor to this site has no idea who all these characters all.  I’ve been living with them in my head for anywhere from two years to two months, so I thought it best for some “meet and greets.”

The introductions of existing characters will be under “Reflexions,” as it is a look back at established personalities.  For those projects in development (Nyaapoleon, Hot Rod, etc.) I’ll show you what “Direxions” I think I’m going with them.

Also, for those interested in a “look under the hood” of RenPy coding in a visual novel, I’ll include excerpts of that when highlighting those from OTChi Kocchi.  If you’re not interested in the code, then just skip from bold to bold to follow the dialog.  Cheerio!

~Clayton Barnett

Writer’s Corner – Introduction

As always, my esteemed colleague has done yeoman’s work in getting this WordPress site up and running.  I, honestly, wasn’t quite sure where I’d fit in:  everyone likes to look at pictures…does anyone want to read story excerpts?  Chat about what little RenPy coding I can manage?  Such doubts assailed me.

Then, yesterday evening, assisted by the bourbon in my coffee, Mr. Deonne (he changes given names as often as I change my car’s oil) and I had a chat via email that has given me a better grounding for where I may go with this site.

Having said all that to say this:  I look forward to greater interaction with our readers!  Now, off for more coffee…and bourbon.

~Clayton Barnett