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Journal housing all my assignments for OctoPrep 2025 |
| Let's see where we go! |
| Assignment #23 "Oct. 23 - "Complications:" "Plot: Complications" Complications. Identify additional things that could go wrong for your protagonist. You are not required to resolve any problems yet, just create them. Remember: The more hardships your main character faces, the more readers will cheer them on, and the more engaged and invested the reader will be in your story. Brainstorm a list of problems you could throw at your protagonist(s) throughout the story, using ""What If,"" mind mapping (see the resources at the bottom of the calendar), freestyle writing, or any other form of brainstorming you prefer. Hint: Other characters are a great source of realistic strife, since characters often are driven by conflicting motivations.  Muriel Iyana finds out that she has Orophobia when the Vala mountains come into range. A night that they've stopped, they hang out at a bar that night and get drunk. Find out that Gideon isn't exactly as he says. Adelaide is taken during the night. The crew must find her. Adelaide's confidence takes a nose dive, afraid of disappointing her parents, the world, her companions. The night before they're to make it to River Passea, Adelaide has a panic attack. |
| Assignment #22 "Oct. 22 - "Rising Action (How does the story get to the climax?):" "Plot: Rising Action (How does the story get to the climax?) "Review your notes from the ""Premise"" and ""Beginning"" plot exercises, and tweak the conflict(s) and inciting incident as needed before proceeding with the "Rising Action" plot exercise, as follows: (1) Describe any initial refusals on the part of your protagonist(s) to face the conflict. (2) Describe the moment when your protagonist(s) makes the choice to face the conflict. (3) Describe the moment when your protagonist(s) crosses the point of no return and cannot change their mind. (4) Fill in some of the blanks: How will your characters get from the point of no return to the climax? (1) Dane, while told it would be something he'd be forced to do, he doesn't believe in the prophecy. It's hard for him to deal with the paraphysical, when everything he does is what he can see and feel. But regardless of what he feels, he promised his mother. (2) I don't think Adelaide ever thought of not doing it. It became who she was, why she was. So when Lady Althena called for her and her mother to come, she never second guessed it. She had a duty to fulfill. Almost elated that it's time for all of the training to be put to good use. She also learns more of what is behind the prophecy. (3) They're attacked by a group of small beasts in a thicket, they come to realize that Adelaide's friend and companion, Mihaela Roxana, had a part in it and is killed. It is this point where Adelaide (and Dane for that matter) realize that the prophecy is for real. (4) It's from that point that they head to where they've been planning since the beginning, with a fervor they didn't have before. She learns about the River Passea and how she must pass since she isn't dead. It's such a big moment because it's the last big hurdle before she moves on to do what she had been training for. What her whole life had built up to. |
| Assignment #21 "Oct. 21 - "Freestyle Brainstorm, World Building or Research, Round 2:" "General: Freestyle Brainstorm, World Building or Research, Round 2" (1) Spend at least fifteen minutes clarifying things through ""What If"" brainstorming, mind mapping (see resources at the bottom of the calendar), freestyle writing, lists, drawings or research. You may also choose to use this time to finish a previous assignment that needs more time. (2) Update your characters, definitions and settings lists as needed. List of Gods Uikhi  Ota: Goddess who Gave Life/Light Onteus: God of All Else/Underworld/Night Maara: Goddess of Fertility and Harvest Azotz: God of Water and Storms Unja: Goddess of Marriage, women, and family Uthys: Goddess of Healing Cetar: God of War and Men Phetia: Goddess of the Hunt Oella: Goddess of Love, virginity, and beauty Brigyn: Goddess of Wisdom/Philosophy/Thought and Crafts and twin sister of Aesis Aesis: God of Fire/Volcanos and Forge and twin brother to BrigynTheir Children  Dorus: God of Pleasure/Fun/Insanity Amla: Goddess of the Spirit World/Daughter of Onteus Iphene: Goddess of Plague and Disease/Daughter of Onteus Nadite: The Ferrywoman of Vala/Daughter of Onteus Bysara: Goddess/Mistress of Animals/Beasts Qrenja: Goddess of Fate - Birth/Babies Qeone: Goddess of Fate - Suffering Qusaris: Goddess of Fate - Death Zomos: God of Oaths and Promises Cidite: God of Tricks, Chaos, LuckInir Aagi: God of Winter/Cold/Death Domagi: Goddess of Spring/Fertility/Birth/Harvest Eagi: God of Fire/War/Destiny Xeagi: God of Water/Storms/Fate Khegagi: Goddess of Wisdom/Marriage/Seasons Caagi: Goddess of Plague/Disease/Healing Chysagi: God of Vengeance/Wrath/False Oaths/Strength Uagi: Goddess of Love/Lust/Pleasure/Beauty Sheagi: Goddess of Hunt/Justice/Protection Okagi: God of Prophecy |
| Assignment #20 "Oct. 20 - "Definitions List:" "Setting: Definitions List" (1) Create a list of definitions (see below) in a format easy to edit and expand. (2) Optional: Brainstorm and describe an object critical to the plot. Add to definitions list. In your definitions list, you'll flesh out details that you'll want to remember later for consistency. You won't have to dig through pages of scribbled notes to find whatever you decided about these definitions - they will all be compiled into a neat list / binder / database / note cards / whatever your favorite form of organization happens to be. Example definitions for the Harry Potter series:  rules of magic the Ministry of Magic modes of transportation (apparition, Floo network, portkeys, flying, etc.) the four Houses at Hogwarts the sword of Gryffindor (note: this would also make a good plot background story*)Non-speculative examples requiring definitions: a fictional student organization to which your protagonist belongs the fictional company or division of the FBI for whom your protagonist works the disease afflicting a character, which is a real condition you need to research the antique artifact your protagonist intends to heist*see Contest Round 4 NOTE: You can revise this list at any time (and that's the point!), so this revision is not expected to be fully accurate or complete. Rules of Magic Magic is usually something a person is born with. Having a natural ability which often needs to be honed by either attending a school or working as an apprentice. In some circumstances, very rarely, there are people who can obtain magic abilities and be able to use them, usually though it is because at one point they had the ability and through specific types of magic, it was removed from them. Types of magic:  Conjuring Magic Elemental Physical Shadow Magic Time Magic Elemental MagicDifferent from Elemental conjuring, in that they can control the elements, where conjuring is creating the elements Summoning Magic SpellweaversMagic was believed to have come from the Gods. A few of the Gods slept with mortals and the results were the different types of magic. It is also why the hatred/fear against those who have magic, which leads people to keep it hidden. Though there are some kingdoms that believe it is a gift from the Gods and are the ones who have schools and apprenticeships. What's it Cost? Chemical energy. It's like any kind of physical activity, you can do it for as long as you have the energy for it. You can also work and practice the magic to extend the chemical energy so that you can use it more/longer or learn stronger spells. This also limits the person for how often they can use their magic or what types of spells/magic they can use. Lists of Gods Making a list of the main gods and their children Ota - Goddess who Gave Life Aagi - God of Winter Original Ten Gods and their children - Uikhi Ancient Ten - Inir Realms Earth Klesosia IoferothProphecy In shadows deep where silence weeps, The magic of the dead shall wake from sleep. A babe is born ‘neath blood-red skies, Whose cry will bind the earth and rise. From Ioferoth’s abyssal gate, Demons stir to test the fate. Neither blade nor flame shall sever, The bond the Chosen wields forever. In the Chosen's hands, the spirits dance, A power born of death’s expanse. Beware the child, both curse and key, For in their breath lies destiny. When twilight meets the breaking dawn, The realms of life and death are drawn. The magic of the dead, the demon’s breath, Will shape the world and seal its death—or birth. |
| Assignment #18 "Oct. 18 - "CONTEST ROUND: Setting Description:" "Setting: CONTEST ROUND: Setting Description" Describe a setting in words. Use all five senses and make your reader experience the setting as if he or she were there. *Contest Round entries may be any rating. Submit your ITEM or ENTRY number by 1200 noon WDC time on Sunday to compete. WDC time is New York City time and can be found at the top of the IM Console. If you miss this deadline or choose not to compete, you must still log the assignment complete (without linking your work) for the grand prize, per the standard Prep guidelines.  River Passea Sight A section of Passea River only a few miles from the foot of the mountain, where it travels through woods. Light filters from the canopy above, will the occasional God rays. The river is deep, looking almost green from the reflection the leaves and other plant life at the shore of the river. Trees sit right on the edge of the shore, some leaning over the river; their roots reaching out of the earth like bony arms. Others, their branches arch over the water. Hear The sound of the wind through the leaves is the only thing you'll hear. No birds, no insects, no wildlife. Just the sound of the wind. Feel It's a bit unsettling. It errs on the unnatural, the quiet. Like something is preventing life from speaking, or maybe even existing in this section of the River Passea. Taste It tastes of green, but sour. Smell It smells of earth, of plant life, of bark, of moss, of damp, but it's the damp that slightly over powers the other smells. |
| Assignment #17 "Oct. 17 - "Settings List:" "Setting: Settings List" (1) Create a list of settings in a format easy to edit and expand. (2) Add brief descriptions, drawings, images or Google Maps coordinates (find the location on Google Maps/Earth and record the URL) for each. NOTE: You can revise this list at any time (and that's the point!), so this revision is not expected to be fully accurate or complete. Shimmerwood - Capital city of Caelkirk Kingdom. The castle is also located here. Castle - Where the royal family lives. Where Adelaide trains. Lady Althena's House - A villa on the north side of the city, on the edge of Caelkanna River. Beresboia Forest - A large forest just outside of Caelkirk Kingdom where Dane has built his home. Bearglen - A small town outside of Caelkirk Kingdom. Holombsia - A Free Town where farmers and traders sell their wares. Edgespell - A religious village where Gideon Amari resides Vala Range - A large circular range of mountains located in the central area of the continent. River Passea - A river that begins in the mountain range and ends in the ocean. Also connects the live world to the underworld. |
| Assignment #16 "Oct. 16 - "Cultural Setting:" "Setting: Cultural Setting" Describe the cultural, political and/or religious setting in your novel, regardless of whether the cultural setting is fictional, historical, or modern. (1) What do your societies believe? (2) In what practices do they engage? (3) What laws or rules of society are in place? (4) Who/what enforces the laws and rules and how successful are they? (5) What technologies are in use? (6) How does the setting impact your protagonist(s) in their pre-story lives? (7) How does the setting impact the plot of your story? (1) There are three main religious groups.  Church of Ota: A modern monotheistic version of the original polytheistic religion. Focused instead on Ota, the Goddess who Gave Life, the Goddess who created the planet (mother/godmother to the other Gods and Goddesses It doesn't have a name, but the ancient word, Uikhi, which means sacred, is often used for the polytheistic religion that many have followed for thousands of years. There are ten original Gods and Goddesses and then their children. While the Church of Ota has started to grow, mostly thriving within large cities, Uikhi, still covers many of the towns, villages, and farming communities. Only practiced by those who live in the valleys of the Aagi range. Inir, an ancient word meaning devotion, is often used as a name of their religion, though there is no official name. They believe in ten Gods and Goddesses that are different than the original ten in Uikhi. This religion is believed to be older than Uikhi. While there is no holy book and it is passed down from generation to generation, it is practiced in a language long assumed to be dead.(2) Church of Ota has religious villages, where people of faith, including priests (called the Otdos) and Paladins (called the Osoi). There are also places where Ota faithful can gather in other cities, called an Orus. They honor Ota by singing songs and performing ceremonies. There are certain holidays where the faithful make a pilgrimage to the religious villages where special rituals and ceremonies are performed. While those who follow Uikhi have their own set of songs, ceremonies and rituals, they also find their religion very private as it is what makes the world function. They will pray to a specific god for a specific purpose: for strength, love, children, bravery, money, etc. They will usually have a personal god or goddess that they follow and will build a shrine to in their home. Those who follow Inir, often do so as a community. Their holidays celebrate the ten gods and goddesses with large celebrations, sacrifices, and rituals specific to the holiday. They wear jewelry to show their devotion to them. Men and women once they hit puberty get a facial tattoo, usually a symbol relating to one of the gods or goddesses mixed with a symbol of the village they are from. This is a point of pride with them. (3/4) Each kingdom has their own set of rules and laws, even certain sets of protections for people. Most kingdoms have very similar laws, such as it being illegal to kill other beings. Though there are some old laws that are being overturned, such as magic being illegal, though there is still a stigma in the kingdoms that have changed this law. The enforcement of laws is dependent on the kingdom, some use the Osoi while others use a police like group to enforce them. The success is often pretty good, though some of those who profess a higher percentage, often with the Osoi, are usually because the rules are enforced with a very black or white belief in the laws. (5) Technologies in use are very similar to what we use in modern times. (6) The setting is also where they live. Though some of it they have never seen, only heard and in some cases not even that. (7) The impact of the setting is that it is what is at stake, which is why those (other than Adelaide and Dane) agree to join her. It is where they live, work, pray, and love. |
| Assignment #15 "Oct. 15 - "Outline Revision #2:" "Plot: Outline Revision #2" (1) Review your plot elements thus far and organize them into your outline. (2) Add a chronological timeline to your revised outline, using whatever measure of time is appropriate in your story. Determine when plot events happen in time (which is not necessarily when you will reveal them in your novel.) See this example composed by JK Rowling while outlining one of her famous Harry Potter novels. (3) Optional: Brainstorm the best chronology(ies) for your story and work it(them) into your outline. Chronology Strategies Linear Narrative - the story is told in the order the events occurred. Non-Linear Narrative - the story is told out of order. Reverse Chronology - the story is told backwards. In medias res - the story starts in the middle, goes back to explain how it got there, catches up, and then resolves. Flashback/forward - individual scene(s) that take place prior to or after the current action.Note that the difference between these chronological devices can be minute. Read the examples below to see how most stories use more than one style of chronology. Your job is to plan the order in which you will tell your story to the reader. Don't get hung up in the nomenclature. The time has come for Adelaide to begin her journey. She is brought to Lady Althena's home where everything is fully explained to her. After being brought up to speed, she is to go see Lady Althena's son, Dane. It is here she is introduced to him and understands that Lady Althena isn't the witch, her son is and that she has been covering for him. Adelaide's friend, Mihaela Roxana, finds out that the time has finally come for Adelaide's journey and that she wants to join her. She has her bow and arrow. Heading towards the Vala Range, their first stop is in a small town outside of the Caelkirk Kingdom, called Bearglen. The next day when they prepare to leave, they meet Muriel Iyana, a fai or elemental summoner. They make a stop at a religious village, Edgespell. They meet with the priests there and a small group of Paladins who are there to protect the priests and the village. They talk with one specifically, Gideon Amari, who is feeling doubt about his place and joins Adelaide. After making a small camp in a thicket, they are attacked by a small group of beasts. Come to realize that Adelaide's childhood friend, Mihaela had a hand in it. She is killed. As they come up on on the Vala Range, they discuss what is to happen and how Adelaide must maneuver River Passea. Adelaide enters River Passea, meets with Nadite and is told of three challenges she must win to reach the entrance to Vala. Adelaide fails the second challenge. Nadite shakes her head and uses her power to expel Adelaide from the river. While Adelaide is still alive, she soon dies shortly after. The group brings her body back to Shimmerwood. Lady Althena mentions that while she was wrong, she just picked the wrong one. Mentions that Adelaide was a twin and that her sister was put in a safe place. Plans are made to bring her twin to their realm. |
| Assigment #14 "Oct. 14 - "Freestyle Brainstorm, World Building or Research:" "General: Freestyle Brainstorm, World Building or Research" Spend at least fifteen minutes clarifying things through ""What If"" brainstorming, mind mapping (see resources at the bottom of the calendar), freestyle writing, lists, drawings or research as follows: World Building: For fantasy, science fiction, or other speculative fiction, develop the history, economy, geology, ecology, and/or maps for your world. Research: For reality-based fiction, research aspects of your novel that will lend credibility to your writing. The world of Klesosia is similar to Earth. The books will focus on a large continent (will come up with name later) where the kingdoms are all located.  The geology of Klesosia is very hilly, with large expanses of woods and plains. There are three large mountain clusters/ranges on the continent. The largest, by far, is up north in the icy and cold area of the continent. It takes up nearly three quarters of the land mass. It is basically half glacier and half stone. It's ancient and is considered a holy site to many. Called the Aagi range, named after the ancient god of winter, Aagi. The harsh and unforgiving range is home to a few who live in the valleys of Aagi. They're an ancient people believed to know the history of not just their continent, but the world. The world often refers to them as Aagians, but they have their own names. The central mountain cluster, named after Vala, the underworld, the Vala range is a circular range of mountains often believed to be an entrance to the underworld. The river Passea begins from this range and flows southeast to the ocean. These mountains are craggy and snowcapped and some love to climb them. In the southern end there is a long mountain range called the Ota range, named after the Goddess who Gave Life. Ota is believed to be the first of the Gods, who birthed all of life. The Ota range has some of the tallest mountains in the world and many believed in ancient times that if you climbed the mountains, you could visit with Ota. |
| Assignment #13 "Oct. 13 -"Dramatis Personae:" "Character: Dramatis Personae" (1) Identify allies and enemies encountered along the journey and describe how they help or hinder your protagonist(s). (2) Create a list of characters in a format easy to edit and expand. (3) Write a brief profile on each character new character. *Bullet* Name *Bullet* Age *Bullet* Occupation *Bullet* Relation to the main character(s) *Bullet* Rough physical description or image (try a Google Image Search or comparable) NOTE: You can revise this list at any time (and that's the point!), so this revision is not expected to be fully accurate or complete.  Lady Althena Ravizac 52 years old Midwife Mother to Dane, the one who deciphered the prophecy and delivered The Chosen(Adelaide/Rowan) King Rafe de Caelkirk 50 years old King of the Caelkirk Kingdom Father to Adelaide Queen Greta de Caelkirk 45 years old Queen of the Caelkirk Kingdom Mother to Adelaide Nicolau Vistel 45 years old Personal trainer Personal trainer to Adelaide since she was a child, preparing her for her journey. Nadite ~ years old Ferrywoman of the River of Passea Takes Addelaide through the River of Passea. Amla ~ years old Goddess of Vala Guardian of the River of Passea entrance of Vala, greets Rowan Iphene ~ years old Goddess of Vala Main Goddess of Vala Mihaela Roxana 26 years old daughter of Noble Roxana family that also resides at Caelkirk court Long childhood friend of Adelaide. Also turns on her later in the journey. Gideon Amari 28 years old Paladin with the Holy Royal Caelkirk Church Because of personal struggles, joins Adelaide in her journey Muriel Iyana 26 years old Daughter of a trader/student of conjuring magic Stumbles upon Adelaide's group and joins her on her journey |
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