synopsis | the shroud

The once prosperous frontier planet of Tilurus has been plagued by war for decades. The Iron Hand are stretched thin, fighting a losing battle against The Teeth, the eastern gangs, cannibals, mercenaries and an impossible storm known as The Shroud. Across the climate-ravaged continent, in the capital city Rival, Commander Konrad Heller of The Iron Hand, has lost track of his estranged son Niko. He hires a local bounty hunter by the name of Logan Wilder and his partner, Darren Gunn, to find him before The Teeth find him first. Akari Sun, head of Sun Industries and the leader of project CHIMERA, has a vested interest in finding Niko, her current employee. Rumor has it, she has been searching for a way to stop The Shroud from consuming Oxgate Country, and Mr. Heller might just have the answer. The bounty hunters soon team up with a wayward member of The Teeth, a veteran soldier, a scientist and her lethal experiments, a drug-addled spy and a squad of cybernetically enhanced soldiers.

taglist: @anonymousfoz @schepper-wubs-wips @dyrewrites

Here is mine, from A Night at the Brass Sword:

They took the right at the end of the hallway and stared down an identical hallway. Identical, save for a door on the right a few steps away. They passed it and Kaz shined the light inside. The room was damp smelling and had two rows of washers on opposite sides of the room, with matching dryers in the center. It was dusty and in the corner of the room was a large cobweb hanging just near the overhead lamp. The bulb was broken.

taglist: @anonymousfoz @dyrewrites

Daily Sip 4/28

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You reblog someone else's snip!

Just tag it sipofsnips so everyone can find each other. ^.-

Nine People You Want to Know Better

Thanks to @rowanmgrey-author for tagging me in this! You can find her original post here!

I know it has been a minute but as I always say, better late than never!

Currently Reading: Listening to the audiobook The Feud: The Hatfields and McCoys by Dean King. I've otherwise been going through a huge slump this month.

Last Song I Listened To: Lollipop (Ode to Jim) by Alvvays

Currently Watching: Just finished rewatching Community and Avatar: The Last Airbender (big comfort shows). Today I started Baby Reindeer so I'll see how that goes.

Current Fic I'm Reading: I'm not reading any fics at the moment. The reading slump subdues all.

Current Hyperfixations: Alvvays since I recently saw them in concert (they were so good!!!) Otherwise, I gained a second wind with the current chapter I'm writing.

Favorite Color: I'm really into green at the moment: from light pastel to lush verdant. Must be spring!

Spicy, sweet, savory, or salty?: Definitely savory and salty. I can tolerate spice up to a certain point and would prefer it to blah.

Relationship Status: Single

Last Thing I Googled: Double checking the meaning of "verdant" to make sure I'm using it correctly.

Song Stuck in My Head: "Party Police" by Alvvays and "Cake" by Remi Wolf.

Favorite Food: Anything potato (except scalloped). If we're talking meals, it rotates but a curry fried rice sounds good right now.

Dream Trip: I do want to do a cross country trip across the US one day and I've always wanted to visit the UK (to appease the anglophile of my college years).

Gently Tagging: @wintherlywords, @axl-ul, @ibuprofen-exe, @poethill, @saetheglitternado, and anyone else who wants to participate!

NEED HELP WRITING? (a masterlist)

I have likely not added many that I've reblogged to this list. Please feel free to roam my blog and/or ask/message me to add something you'd like to see on this list!

Synonym Lists

Look by @writers-potion

Descriptors

Voices by @saraswritingtipps

Show, Don't Tell by @lyralit

Tips & Tricks

5 Tips for Creating Intimidating Antagonists by @writingwithfolklore

How To (Realistically) Make a Habit of Writing by @byoldervine

Let's Talk About Misdirection by @deception-united

Tips to Improve Character Voice by @tanaor

Stephen King's Top 20 Rules for Writers posted by @toocoolformedschool

Fun Things to Add to a Fight Scene (Hand to Hand Edition) by @illarian-rambling

Questions I Ask My Beta Readers by @burntoutdaydreamer

Skip Google for Research by @s-n-arly

Breaking Writing Rules Right: Don't Write Direct Dialogue by @septemberercfawkes

Databases/Resources

International Clothing

Advice/Uplifting

Too Ashamed of Writing To Write by @writingquestionsanswered

"Said" is Beautiful by @blue-eyed-author

Here we go! I am going to try and do these more @dyrewrites.

From "The Shroud".

Kyle plopped onto the ground next to Niko. “We do the job, get paid. Get right…” His eyes gleamed, the skin around wrinkled and dark. “Hey, if we survive, we’ll both be set for a few years.” Niko scoffed, “At least there’s that to look forward to.” “What are you gonna do with all that scratch?” Kyle smirked, “I mean besides buying more booze.” “Huh…” Niko scratched his neck, “Haven’t given it much thought.” “Pff,” Kyle stood and rolled out his sleeping bag, “haven’t known you but three days, and I already know you’re a reckless fool.” “Huh, you’re one to talk.” “Shit…” Kyle laid down on the bedroll, “Maybe we ‘re made for each other.” “Yeah right.” Niko stood and moved toward Kyle. He rolled out his bedroll next to him and laid down. Kyle propped himself onto his elbow and stared at Niko. “What?” “You kinda saved my ass today.” “It’s a fine ass.” “Ha, just take the thanks, you smart-mouth.” He leaned down to lay a kiss on Niko, and he leaned into the warmth. Didn’t matter that the place reeked of stale water and his gear was splattered with vodka. It was warm and nice, while it lasted.

taglist: @anonymousfoz @schepper-wubs-wips @dyrewrites

Daily Sip 4/22

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You can make your own post.

You reblog someone else's snip!

Just tag it sipofsnips so everyone can find each other. ^.-

Writing Share Game

Tagged by @dyrewrites even though she knows all I have to share is world building ><

Rules: Share some writing!

Tagging @mthollowell-writes @aziz-reads @stesierra @digital-chance @fire-but-ashes-too

From The Shroud, which is a WiP that barely has any writing for it, but I will share what I got! FYI this is super old, like six years ago and some things have changed:

THE SKY WAS A BRUISE. A black and blue smudge, and in the distance, electric blue flashes raged where the trees met the sky. He quickened his pace down the broken road. Raising his arm as he went, he tapped the skin of his forearm, prompting E.N.D.U.R.E to start. A crack of thunder shook him, but he didn’t look back. A small screen emerged from his flesh and a red blinking triangle showed rapid and warning. A signal of the coming Shroud. “Not long now.” He tapped his earpiece, small and innocuous in his ear, “Bron you there?” Nothing but white noise responded. It’d been a few hours since they separated to look for a working vehicle. Then the Shroud began gathering from the distance and Logan had a new objective. Find shelter or die. Wind struck his body and he struggled to stand upright. He forced his leg forward, one foot after the other, but a few paces later his boots rolled over something small and hard. A trail of spent shotgun shells littered the ground to end near a disheveled structure that might have been a house, once. Now, the roof was caved in near the back, and the front door had buckled in on itself. A rustling behind him had his fingers reaching for his hip. He slid his palm over the body of his gun, cold metal against sweaty fingers. He wavered for a moment, focusing his cybernetic hearing past the wind. A low growl erupted from the trees. Gravel crunched under his boots as he spun around, pistol out of his holster and aiming for the trees. His eyes darted back and forth along the tree line. Glinting metal and a tuft of ratty fur was all he caught sight of as something dashed through the forest. The wind was picking up every minute and dust whipped against his body. Heavy lashes of rain followed. Soon his eyes itched from not blinking, but he wouldn’t move. Wouldn’t risk turning his back. The Shroud’s first cyclone touched down in the distance. Blue bolts littered the thick rolling clouds as the funnel dropped to the ground. It danced on the horizon for a few moments before splitting into triplicates. Logan pursed his lips, eyes narrowed at the trees. “I don’t have time for this.”

taglist: @anonymousfoz @schepper-wubs-wips @dyrewrites

wip questionnaire

@dyrewrites, thanks for tagging me! Sorry it took so damn long for me to get to it. (And get ready for tag spam because I have a backlog of tag games to play)

Answering for: The Wild Ones

What was the first part of your WIP that you created?

It was a terrible short story that started with one of the Demon Kings. I eventually decided I'd prefer an ensemble cast instead of just a story about one Demon King. That story was useful, though, because it sparked the entire world building for the planet Pandemonium, where the demons reside.

If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be?

I hadn't given it much thought, but after looking through all my story playlists, I feel like Providence by Foals is a good choice.

What are your favorite characters that you made? Why?

In this WiP, that is definitely Jackal. He is a complex, morally interesting character. The kind of character in a piece of media that I just love and love to hate. He's deceptive and selfish and sometimes very easy to dislike, but at the same time, he's empathetic and cares deeply for the people in his life. He's do anything for them, and all the while feels like he doesn't deserve those people or happiness because of the things he's done. The way his father treated him colors a lot of his personality, even decades later, and I can sympathize. He's a beautiful mess of a demon.

What other pieces of media do you think your fan base would share?

I have no idea. The idea that I have a fanbase or could have one is pretty wild to me.

What has been your biggest struggle with your WIP?

Fixing it post finishing the first draft. I have changed a lot as a person since starting this novel, and now it feels too big to continue. I have so many ideas and so much love for these characters, and so much I need to say and do. It's a bit overwhelming because I want to get it right for myself the first time.

Are there any animals in your story? Talk about them!

So many, but most of them are people >_< With a world of shapeshifters, I haven't thought too much about regular animals, but they do exist, of course. The main character, Ari, for example, had a family dog, and there are several other pets in the series; also, some encounters with wild animals in the future.

How do your characters get around? (Ex. Trains, horses, cars, dragons, etc.)

Cars, trains, and teleportation stations (yes, those exist). The story takes place in the real world, but the magical realms have blended with humans in innovative ways. There are many ways to transit now, but the most popular in larger cities is in the way of Portal Stations, which are basically tube like structures that you get into, tell it where to go, pay a fee and are transported instantly to your destination (or near enough).

What part of your WIP are you working on right now?

Can I say none of it?? I have been on a break from The Wild Ones since I am working on world building for another series right now.

What aspects (tropes, maybe) of your WIP do you think will draw people in?

Found family, characters with trauma, trauma bonding, werewolves, demons, magic, complex characters, and all the cool stuff that comes with an urban fantasy series.

What are your hopes for your WIP?

I would like to finish the first book's second draft before next year.

What was the first part of your WIP that you created?

If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be?

What are your favorite characters that you made? Why?

What other pieces of media do you think your fan base would share?

What has been your biggest struggle with your WIP?

Are there any animals in your story? Talk about them!

How do your characters get around? (Ex. Trains, horses, cars, dragons, etc.)

What part of your WIP are you working on right now?

What aspects (tropes, maybe) of your WIP do you think will draw people in?

What are your hopes for your WIP?

taglist: @anonymousfoz @dyrewrites

@dyrewrites I thought of you ❤️

Some writers: *meticulously plan out every plot point and the tone and meanings before they start writing*

Me:

I am working once again, for the first time in five years, on The Shroud. The first book in The Edge Series. It's a sci-fi epic that has a western feel and takes place on this planet (pictured).

This is only my first attempt at map drawing, so I hope it makes some sense to others. Expect more of The Shroud and my shorter novel A Night at the Brass Sword soon!

Writing tip of the day: whenever you can, plug a plot hole with a character flaw!

Every time you realise that it makes no sense that the characters didn't do some super logical thing in the first place, figure out which character could have prevented it by simply the way they are as a person. You're not only solving the problem of the plot hole, but also the issue of writing flaws into your characters in a way that doesn't feel gratituous and contrived.

Why did the characters not use this weapon they had access to the whole time? - The character who could have told them about it wants to have control over people and had personally decided they shouldn't have it.

Why didn't that one genius character just tell everyone how to dismantle the robots? - They meant to, but being an absent-minded genius, they literally just forgot.

How did nobody notice that this little girl has been hanging out with an actual demon for seven years? - The demon made her pinky-promise not to tell anyone about it, and being naive and overly trusting, she didn't find that sketchy at all.

Why didn't the characters go to The Big Cool Guys for help in the first place? - The character who is stubborn and overly proud wanted to choose death before dishonour and didn't want to ask for help.

Every time there was a perfectly reasonable solution accessible to the characters all along, that could've resolved the whole plot in minutes, always try to find an angle where someone prevented it just by who they are as a person.

@dyrewrites did it!

cosmos persona

wasn’t tagged, just wanted to find out what cosmos persona i am!

pretty accurate apart from the energy (tho maybe i am and it’s just ib again)

tagging @justanotherautie, @amara-laz, @bildadtheshuhitestudies, @izzy-b-hands, and any other mutuals / people who want to do this!

OC Music tag (?)

@poethill for starting this thing, and my lovely sister @dyrewrites for tagging me!

Rules: share what songs remind you of your OCs, or what song do you think they would love.

I'm tagging @quantumlandbooks, @fire-but-ashes-too and @mthollowell-writes and leaving this OPEN

The Wild Ones: Bloodlines characters will be used for this since I have playlists for them.

ARIANE WARD (she/her) - indie, dark country kind of person. Downtempo, lots of guitar and strings with dark and tragic lyricism.

reminds me of her: wolves by down like silver something she would listen too: graveyard by feist

ERON WARD (he/them) - alt rock and indie-rock with a lot of synth and experimental stuff thrown in.

reminds me of them: come a little closer by cage the elephant something they would listen too: providence by tv on the radio

JACKAL BELLARE (he/him) - synth, heavy dark tempos and experimental stuff. The darker and louder the better, even better it's weird.

reminds me of him: orca by wintersleep something he would listen too: claws by son lux

KHALON AYOMIDE-CATTANEO (he/him) - soul ballads to chill singer-songwriter music, old R&B and pop as well as indie folk and modern rock. Khalon just loves music and can really get behind anything with a good beat.

reminds me of him: mountain at my gates by foals something he would listen too: try again by aaliyah

LUZ (she/her) - indie rock, indie folk, chill dreamy beats and experimental/ slow dreamy music and uptempo funky rock.

reminds me of her: speaking in tongues by arcade fire something she would listen too: accidente by las ligas menores

Same here, I never let the stats decide, only if the fic is complete or has been updated recently. This applies to novels and others media too. If it looks interesting, I'll give it a shot.

Another AO3 thing I’m curious about, how do yall decide if something is good enough to read? Usually I follow a rule of 1 kudos for every 10 hits. One because it’s easy math and two it’s yet to fail me. Thoughts? Do you just go for it and pray it’s good?

Do you have some prompts/ideas for wild west whump? I always thought that there are great opportunities for whump there but it's basically non excistent in the whump community...

Sure! Here are a few:

Whipping

Wagon accidents

Attempted hanging

Knife and gunshot wounds, especially if infected

Sunburns, dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke

Thunderstorms, lightning strikes, hail, dust storms, tornadoes

Animal attacks: spiders, scorpions, snakes, coyotes, wolves, etc.

Horses: falling off, getting bitten, kicked, dragged, trampled, etc.

Illnesses: dysentery, smallpox, measles, mumps, influenza, cholera, mountain fever, scurvy, typhoid, tuberculosis, etc.

Here is the result! The answer was option 2, "He hates his demon form" is the lie. He actually likes his demon form but feels somewhat insecure about it when he looks like a demon around humans. He likes to be liked, not feared and people find his demon form scary.

Two Truths and a Lie

@dyrewrites for tagging me, thank you! This is fun.

Here are the rules.

Rules: post a 24-hour poll with two truths and a lie about your OC and have people guess which is the lie.

I am going to us Jackal from my WIP "Bloodlines".