Writing Environs

It seems like it has been hot and rainy for weeks. Hot even by my standards, and so humid that I'm becoming uncomfortable. For the majority of my life, I've preferred temperatures in the mid-high 70°s Fahrenheit, but lately I've noticed that I'm becoming more acclimated to temperatures in the low 60°s - 70°s. To the point that the present temperature of 79° has me sweating and debating air conditioning. I absolutely blame my partner, who prefers downright chilly temperatures and whom I want to keep comfortable in our home during the summer. It's only fair, since he suffers through winter while I have the heat cranked up to temperatures unreasonable to most other human beings. Once I'm cold, I cannot get warm; it's worse without sunshine.

Beyond the personal relationship implications of the weather, it is also seeping into my writing. I was working on a scene in my fantasy novel in which the protagonist is traveling. Suddenly, a rainstorm occurred! Granted this protagonist is a sorcerer with some watery magic abilities, so the storm could plausibly suit the story, but it definitely wasn't in the early drafts. Outside my window, a fresh rainstorm beat into the yard and had me considering building an ark. Whether or not the impromptu rain remains in the scene, it did remind me to pay more attention to atmosphere.

Where I live, I worry about damaging rainstorms and flooding more than tornadoes or fires or drought. If such an event did occur in my area, I would be far less prepared to deal with it than others who more often experience such natural phenomena. Types of weather can become routine, and you can forget how awesome and terrifying they truly are.

Artemis is sprawled at my feet declaring things have become too hot and humid. It's time for me to close up the house and turn on the AC. She'll retreat under the bed for maximum frost (it'll be like someone unleashed the Casket of Ancient Winters) and remain there throughout the expected thunderstorm. Yes, I'm adjusting the household temperature based upon the wishes of my cat, rather than my partner. Luckily for him, she also appreciates a cool abode :)

Raccoon Creek State Park (2013)

For our second annual summer sibling trip, Sasquatch wished to backpack. We defined this as carrying all the gear we could possibly need to survive a day-long trek and at least one night of rustic camping. I had visited Raccoon Creek State Park on a previous camping trip which had not gone well for me, but I was acquainted with the area and willing to give it another go.

Raccoon Creek State Park is located in Beaver County, PA, approximately a 2-hour drive southeast from Cleveland. They offer educational programs, multiple camping and fishing areas, boating areas, swimming and sunbathing areas, and more. For this particular trip, we were interested in none of that!

S'quatch and I found an empty trailhead parking lot and set off along the more rigorous hiking trails. According to the map, our route would take us 9.5 miles through the park to a backpack camping area milepost. We both considered ourselves in fairly peak condition at that point, well-prepared for a strenuous outdoor adventure, and expected the excursion to provide a moderate challenge.

It rained sporadically and the temperature wasn't quite sure what to do at any given moment. The humidity definitely made things seem more dire. And our path included the most difficult hiking trail within the park. But both of us were eager to prove we could manage such a challenge, so we had a blast.

Bug spray and sunblock were used and reapplied. At one point we were sweat- and rain-damp on the outside, while near dehydrated on the inside. The water bottles went empty and it was time to risk a drink from the creek. Drinking from wild sources is one of my favorite things; I always look for a spot that is well-aerated and with stages of rocks and sand for maximum natural filtration. I've sipped from a variety of springs and never had an issue, but of course caution is always recommended.

After a long afternoon of pushing through dense foliage, we reached the overnight area just before dusk. The Adirondack shelters, fire rings, and pit toilets were perfectly acceptable. However, we decided not to stay, opting instead to continue the loop trail. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't have made this additional push. My back ached and somewhere along the return journey my legs went numb below the knees. I was convinced my feet had become bloody stumps held together only by my hiking boots. Sasquatch's enthusiasm waned as well, and our shenanigans dwindled.

I don't remember the hike out as well as I do the hike in, probably because I was so tired. I do recall using a service road as a bit of a cut-through at one point, and that the sounds in the darkness were exhilarating and concerning all at once. In the end, we hiked an estimated 19.1 miles that day, which placed us in the category of average human. We were no less impressed with ourselves and our backpacking capabilities, and certainly earned the semi-delicious dinner-in-a-bag that we had!

See more photos from our hike in the Raccoon Creek State Park (2013) album.

Community

Being an introvert, I have always bristled at the suggestion that I should be part of a wider community. Having the high anxiety that I do, I have always felt a gut-twisting fear of judgment and inadequacy. Both of these conditions often led me to spurn situations where people of like-mindedness gathered with the intention to assist one another. I was wrong; at least in this particular case with regard to my writing and with these particular people.

I met Duckie and Tenmao over a decade ago while pursuing my creative writing degree. Of the individuals in our classes and writing workshops, they were the two with whom I connected most and whose comments and criticisms were most constructive for me. Recently we discussed forming our own writing group, just the three of us, to hold each other accountable for progress on our projects. It's been less than one week, and already I've seen the immense benefit.

We each have different styles and strengths and thought processes, and just having to explain to another person what I am working on has helped solidify ideas. My memory warehouse is a labyrinth in which I have gotten lost more than once. Having their support is the proverbial fuel my creative vehicle needs to crest the next hill, and knowing they are waiting for updates and results is the tailing officer in my rearview mirror.

I knew I wasn't accomplishing as much as I could, having to answer only to myself. Facing organized goals is daunting, but will help me improve my habits and establish more solid expectations. And I didn't realize how alone I had become in my own thoughts creatively, until I had someone with whom to brainstorm. I prefer working alone so much that I had gotten to a point it was restrictive rather than conducive. Tenmao and Duckie are the inspirational rays of light through my clouds of procrastination.

I still feel all the same anxieties about communities (especially larger communities) in general, even though I know how helpful some can be. In this case, my case, it comes down to trust. I have a difficult time trusting, especially with regard to my creative ideas. I trust these writing pals of mine; I value their input. That makes all the difference.

If you're having difficulties progressing in your project(s), maybe a small community could be of value.

A Handful of Shenanigans - California Edition

California, 2007

That brief period where I enjoyed smoothies from local vendors, shopped the farmers' market, and received my first (and possibly last) tan in life on Zuma beach. I visited Six Flags and walked the entirety of Disneyland in high-heeled sandals (do not recommend). I ate dinner at the amazing Stinking Rose and met up with AveMarie for a movie date night near Alfred Hitchcock's grave in Hollywood Forever Cemetery. I was with Dracona while she received her first tattoo, and did not receive one of my own because the artist didn't understand the design I wanted.

riding in front with Dracona

movie on a mausoleum with AveMarie

I also attended the Hollywood red carpet premier of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix...If by "attended" you mean slithered through the crowd from the Kodak Theater parking garage to Grauman's Chinese Theater and plastered myself against the barricades. I was up close for the arrival of the three leads, and Daniel Radcliffe was surprisingly smoldering (sexily) for his photos. That sounds a bit weird, because I always think of Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as children, but they're not much younger than me. Finally, because I was there and it was there, I slipped through a gap to step onto the red carpet. Security was quick to escort me away - thankfully only back behind the barriers - but for one brief moment, I, Aeroaux, stood upon a true red carpet in Hollywood. *Bow*

April, 2007 (pre-California) for comparison

July, 2007 (post-California) as tan as I naturally get

The Shinkickers

I present to you the adventures of The Shinkickers!
(Not to be confused with these Shinkickers, who are also amazing.)
Sasquatch requested an all-short-stack campaign, so I've been creating an adventure that caters to his gaming desires. This is the most world-building I have done for a tabletop RPG thus far, and I find myself getting into the weeds a lot of the time just because I love having the detailed intricacies for him to discover. I'm also trying to balance gameplay and prepare meaningful sessions. It is overwhelming!

The Basics
Campaign: The Reach (homebrew)
Game System: Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 / Pathfinder
Storyline: Due to his longstanding amiable relations with the monarchy of Mallondil, Jarl Cailan's allegiance to his own king has recently been questioned. King Kirden of the Iron Mountain is unsure how to handle the situation. Cailan's political dealings have certainly benefitted the kingdom and, should it come to a moot or outright war, Kirden isn't certain he would have the people's support in removing the renowned Jarl. The over-arcing story will ultimately decide who controls the Dwarven kingdom within the Reach.

The Setup
Location: Anatheim

Anatheim is a small trade city on the eastern sea, known foremost for its visible mountain of blackrock that shields the cliffside castle. Originally settled by dwarves, the city proper is surrounded by imposing stone walls, ornately hewn and several feet thick.

Opening Plot: The Jarl of Anatheim has recently opened the city for tourism and new business; a rarity, given how strictly the dwarves regulate trade. It is an opportunity to build wealth and reputation in the region.

The Player Characters aka The Shinkickers

All PCs must be of small size for this campaign.

Asa Ro-Boam: male | halfling bard | chaotic evil | leader of the Ro-Boam Company of entertainers

Bar-Bar Biff Bozo: male | gnome ranger | chaotic good | basically along for the ride

Skozel: male | goblin barbarian | neutral evil | likes opponents to crush and easy money

Khos'o: male | kobold sorcerer | lawful neutral | adores the jarl's daughter (and her shiny tiara) and is seeking her favor

Prominent Non-Player Characters

Jarl Cailan Reachdelver: male | dwarf noble (fighter) | lawful neutral

Cailan Reachdelver is part man, part myth in his city of Anatheim. At the age of 70, Cailan set the record for distance traveled into the cutting bowels of blackrock beneath Anatheim, opening new avenues of mining opportunities and pushing back monsters he encountered in the Darkreach.

Guard Captain Edric Rainwalker: male | human fighter (light) | lawful good

Born in Mallondil, human Edric rose through the ranks of law enforcement due in large part to his natural dexterity, earning him the moniker 'Rainwalker' within the mostly elvish force protecting Mallondil-on-the-Sea. He was initially disappointed to be redeployed to Anatheim, but has found the dwarves' appreciation for structure and tradition to be comforting.

Lieutenant Azarhine: male | half-elf ranger (woodland tracker) | neutral good

Originally from somewhere northwest of the Reach and orphaned at a young age, Azarhine is one of few half-elves found in Anatheim. An encounter with Edric Rainwalker led Azarhine to join the city guard, where his survival skills brought swift advancement. Still, a half-elf is so often out of place.

Chammolie: female | halfling rogue (informer) | chaotic neutral

The halfling called Chammolie acts as spymaster for Jarl Cailan Reachdelver. No one seems quite sure what Chammolie does; but isn't that the hallmark of a great spymaster?

Stay tuned for character highlights, more worldbuilding, and the adventures of The Shinkickers!