Author and reader on a quest for sci-fi by women, trans & enby authors. Sometimes nomad. On and off climate activist. Blogger. ADHDer. She/her.
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Published at
2024-02-10 21:06:46 Event JSON
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Last Notes npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub15wt…7rek Aw, I think it’s so sweet! I might do it one day, too ☺️ How old were your kids when you wrote stories for them? Did they like them? npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1k4e…4d28 Screaming grass sounds like a nightmare 😅😅 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1k4e…4d28 Agreed. Unfortunately, most readers will ignore the book if the cover looks unprofessional. The book might be great, but they'll probably never find out because, I guess, people assume if the cover is unprofessional, so is the whole book. Paying professionals is a great way to get a cover that will attract readers or at least give the book a chance. The problem is not everyone has money, but I've heard that pre-made covers are usually affordable. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova Started drafting my new novel and got a bit over a thousand words! Will I have to rewrite or outright get rid of most of them in the future? Most likely, but I got the ball rolling, and that's what matters 😁 #AmWriting #WritingCommunity npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova I've just made a rough outline for my new book! Might start talking about it on #WordWeavers soon 😊 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1fjz…3aet @npub1k74…dmux You're welcome, that's a great question 😊 And it's great to be able to learn something from our characters! npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1zp5…rk72 I’m happy it comes across! I loved writing about their relationship ☺️ npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1k24…26zw For sure! npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub15wt…7rek That’s poetic ☺️ npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub13h2…fr8q Thank you 🧡 It's been a lesson for me (and hopefully for others who were thinking about using Etsy). I've already got some suggestions! npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1kyu…fju2 Yes, that's what it looks like! I wonder when they start noticing that they're losing profit from it... npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub15wt…7rek I was selling signed copies of my book with a bookmark. Yeah, I've heard about Shopify. I'll look into it when I start selling again. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova Oh crap, I've only been on #Etsy for a few weeks and made 3 sales, but it has been *THE WORST* experience! Endless spam, useless, automated "support", punishments that were never explained and finally getting my account suspended for no reason, and Etsy gets to keep my money for up to half a year — if you want to sell your stuff somewhere, I'd recommend *anywhere else*! Check out my blogpost if you want more details. https://alinaleonova.net/blog/etsy #WritingCommunity #blog #shit npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1k4e…4d28 That sounds like a depressing place to be 😔 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1mfg…zv6k @npub1k74…dmux Lol, nice one 😆 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1j0f…wj55 @npub1yy2…7vpm @npub1k74…dmux Yeah, I also seem to remember this question, though I'm not sure whether it was in WritingWonders or WordWeavers. The list of all WordWeavers questions is here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mDd0mWHFxdMNBdQ2-kL4PDcq_J0U660_GG8ioZIMfkE/edit?usp=drive_link npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1mwg…67w6 Yay, that's awesome! 🤗 I'll send it on Monday when the post office is open. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova You can still get a signed copy of #WildFlowersElectricBeasts with a personal message and a beautiful cover, now with 25% discount 🎉 Time is running out though because I'm leaving sometime at the end of next week and will be traveling & unable to send it for the next few months. So, if you wanted it as a gift for yourself or someone, now is the perfect time! https://www.etsy.com/listing/1606610582/a-signed-sci-fi-book-with-a-beautiful #SciFiBooks #RedingCommunity #SciFi #solarpunk https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/111/591/010/039/328/866/original/778769513c4a2367.jpeg https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/111/591/012/076/953/494/original/c0069f4d070c00cc.jpeg https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/111/591/012/111/366/380/original/238733fb7b6b9921.jpeg https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/111/591/012/140/506/018/original/b07f82a72d52b363.jpeg npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1zp5…rk72 It's in my first book. I'm not entirely sure it survived later editing, but I think it's still there 😁 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 15 — Have any of your scenes been inspired by personal experiences? Because my first book was dedicated to my partner, there was a scene there where the characters do exactly what we did once — a little easter egg just for him, and a cute/fun scene for the rest of the readers 😊 On a more sinister note, a lot of brutality by authority figures in my newest book was "inspired" by the experiences I, my friends, and ppl in Belarus had with the police. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub17xx…mfqa Thank you for being understanding 🧡 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub15wt…7rek @npub18fp…qc3u She just had to figure out her relationship and save the world, like we all do 😁 But yeah, I know what you mean, I think the way we feel in the beginning of a relationship is very universal, plus there will be some peculiarities based on the character's personality (maybe she's shy, or self-confident, or had a great relationship in the past, or has just gotten out of a bad one, etc.). npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub17xx…mfqa It doesn't though. It's a community question that has been submitted by a bisexual person (who's stated it in his today's post). And if you look at the responses, lots of them are given from a non-cishet perspective. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub14ms…anja Thank you 🧡 🧡 It was made by Maria Levene: https://www.marialevene.com/ npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1fge…swrx I know what you mean. Getting reviews and even just star ratings is hard! Especially in the beginning. And you're right, it's better to get some mediocre reviews than none. I really love some of the critical reviews I got because of how thoughtful they were, and because I could learn from them. I hope you'll get some reviews soon! Have you tried reaching out to reviewers or book bloggers who are open to that kind of thing? npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1k24…26zw 🤗 🧡 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1q32…xgsx It's so awesome when readers just drop a message like that out of the blue! Best thing ever 😭 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub10d5…vvxa I'm sure they will 🧡 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers I'm enjoying reading all the compliments and great reviews that your stories got 🤗 It can be so inspiring and motivating — even when it's just a few words. I think #readers often don't realize how much their opinions mean to us. A kind word can give someone the strength to keep going in a tough time, make them smile when they're hurting and even make them believe in themselves. I guess what I'm saying is, if you love someone's work, let them know 🧡 🧡 🧡 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub18r2…4slu Aww, that's so sweet! 🥰 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub15wt…7rek Which author did they compare you to? 👀 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub126x…zeed The best compliments ever! 😁 🔥 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1k24…26zw Lol that’s probably true 😆😅 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1k24…26zw I’m so sorry to hear that 💔 Sending you all the hugs you might need! npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1py0…64pt No problem, sorry it took me so long to write! npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub15ax…lqq5 @npub1py0…64pt Awesome 🤩 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub18dn…a7tx Hope you'll get there soon 😁 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub15ax…lqq5 @npub1py0…64pt Then Taliesin, Chief of Bards might be right up your alley! npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova It took me a while to finally write this short review (a backlog of other reviews and lots of personal stuff standing in the way), but I finally did! A lot of you know @npub1py0…64pt as a frequent contributor to #WordWeavers and other writing games, and you might know he has a book about Taliesin based on Welsh mythology and legends about the bard. I read it a few months ago, and enjoyed it, so check it out — you might, too! #BookReview #ReadingCommunity https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/111/540/215/470/773/755/original/93d3ab1f2cd32dc3.png npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 3 — Do you use foreshadowing, and if so, how do you do it? I've used weather to create tension and indicate that something bad/dramatic was about to happen. There were flashbacks that a character started having at a certain time to indicate their connection to a place. Some people said some awful things that seemed meaningless but later turned out to reveal something about the character's past. Probably more, but I can't think of anything now. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1k24…26zw That's a great way to leverage being a celebrity 😁 I wonder if she would be allowed to do all that stuff, though. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1zp5…rk72 I feel like if she were a celebrity, her fans would never run out of juicy content about her 😆 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova After finally catching up on reviews I had 8 books to share in my newsletter yesterday. Actually more, because 2 of those were series 😁 Want to get newsletters just like this? Subscribe here: https://alinaleonova.net/newsletter #SFF #SciFiBooks #FantasyBooks #newsletter #WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/111/506/433/537/590/523/original/e4f5a297b60e1e09.png npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 1 — Introduce your favorite secondary character as if they were a celebrity. She never holds her tongue, engages in controversial causes, and loves having fun. What scandal is she involved in this time? We are, of course, talking about Adri — the woman who flipped off our reporter last time we tried to get a comment from her. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova December #WordWeavers — all the questions are in the thread below 😊 Start anytime, answer any questions you want, skip as many as you feel like. Use the #, talk to other writers and have fun! The only rules: be respectful to others and use CWs (content warnings) when necessary. Everyone is welcome to participate 🧡 Created by @BranwenOShea and me. #WordWeaversQs — this # is only to find questions. Don't use it in your answers. Use space (# WordWeaversQs) when sharing to keep it tidy 🙏 https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/111/499/372/257/808/795/original/1d9e7e9b77cb3fc0.png npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 13 — When you’re drafting, do you consider comps and marketing? No. I start considering marketing later on, and it's mostly organic marketing based on building relationships anyway. As for comps, Idk why, but I just can't do it. I blank. I guess my brain just doesn't work this way or something 😅 A few readers compared my first book to Black Mirror (in its earlier days — the book is from 3 years ago), and I can see why it makes sense but I wouldn't have thought of it myself lol npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 9 — Secondary character POV: What do you respect about the MC? Adri: He can be really determined. Stubborn, too, and if he believes the wrong thing, he can do some damage, but then he'll do anything to make it right. I think he's secretly brave — not in your face, and he probably doesn't know that he is, but he'll do what few others could. And he has this quick, creative mind that's good in a crisis. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1k4e…4d28 Your antagonist is relatable 😁 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub10d5…vvxa Both of my MCs are also afraid to trust, especially Sammah. I'm sure there is a reason behind that fear for your character, and I can see how it can impact the story in interesting ways. It also has a great potential for a character arc 😊 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1f7p…qvtt Thank you so much! 🤗 🧡 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1vmn…r9uz Sounds like fun 😁 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub125d…yray Yeah, I feel for them 😅 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1vmn…r9uz Does she hear people's heartbeats? 😮 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub125d…yray I can imagine how annoying it is sometimes 😅 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova And here it goes, the first review of #WildFlowersElectricBeasts 🥳 It's available for preorder and will go live on October 13th. Oh, and you can also win it in a #giveaway on TheStoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/giveaways/cbdda5be-f23e-464c-8b17-b9aea82ffb0f #SciFiBooks https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/111/206/141/765/303/279/original/c814f1dab00b0f8a.png npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1yy2…7vpm Lol, that makes sense, he can be really frustrating sometimes 😁 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1fem…u22c How did you surround yourself with so many writers? Sounds awesome 🤩 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 2 — Who is your most intriguing character? I can never choose anything "the most" or "the best" 😅 The MCs have intriguing past, and there is usually at least something interesting about other characters, often related to their culture. But maybe throughout the story, Sammah's friend Adri will be one of the most intriguing, because the reader will experience her through an unreliable narrator, thinking that she's hiding something and changing their opinion about her a few times. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1q32…xgsx A witchy old woman with a shadowy past sounds like an awesome character for sure 🤩 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1dnd…pv0c That's so nice to hear, Edwin! Glad that you're enjoying the game 😊 🧡 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova October #WordWeavers — all the questions are in the thread below 😊 Start anytime, answer any questions you want, skip as many as you feel like. Use the #, talk to other writers and have fun! The only rules: be respectful to others and use CWs (content warnings) when necessary. Everyone is welcome to participate 🧡 Created by @npub1k74…dmux and me. #WordWeaversQs — this # is only to find questions. Don't use it in your answers. Use space (# WordWeaversQs) when sharing to keep it tidy 🙏 https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/111/137/607/583/795/600/original/356974ce1ed2f018.jpg npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova I've just posted a sneak peek of the first chapter of my upcoming novel #WildFlowersElectricBeasts 🙌 Check it out! https://alinaleonova.net/blog/extinguished-fire #AmWritingSciFi #SciFiBooks #SciFi #NewBook https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/111/069/648/733/735/516/original/16f4b867fbd38bbc.jpeg npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 15 — Is your MC neat or messy? Sammah is really messy. He has ADHD and lives in a tiny apartment, which results in him quickly cramming all available spaces with utensils, piles of clothes, empty mugs, etc. It's hard to say about Balika because as a hunter-gatherer she doesn't have many possessions. She has a small hut that she only uses for sleeping, and later she travels with the kassilar sleeping outdoors, so we wouldn't know. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub10d5…vvxa It's been a long time since I read a mystery, so I don't remember how I felt about stuff like this, but it seems like something I might enjoy or be annoyed with, depending on how it was done 😁 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub10d5…vvxa I haven't done it at all, but I like it as a reader 😊 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub10d5…vvxa Unless they get their own POV! npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 14 — Does your antagonist have any likable or redeemable qualities? I assume they do, just like any complex humans. But we only encounter them through the MC's experiences with them, when they display their worst qualities. Maybe some of those will seem likable to you (to me, they aren't, given the context 😁). These are collective qualities of 2 antags that *might* be likable: - loyal to her company - self-confident & brave - a leader - driven to achieve goals npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1vmn…r9uz Oh, I know that cover art can be painful for the wallet 😅 No pressure, just buy it whenever you feel like or don’t buy it at all, I don’t want to seem like I’m trying to convince/pressure you — that’s not my intention 🧡 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1vmn…r9uz Thank you so much! 😊 🧡 It's already available for preorder in case you'd like to order it sooner 😊 https://wandering.shop/@AlinaLeonova/111051912434487339 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1vmn…r9uz Of course, I understand 😊 It doesn't make sense to put pressure on yourself — reading should be for pleasure! npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1vmn…r9uz No worries, I understand that it's only a month away and many people already have reading plans (I'm one of them — got 2 books lined up after the one I'm finishing now 😁 ). So yeah, you can just read it after it's published 😊 Alternatively, if you think you'll be able to read it and post the review before the end of October, I can still send it to you. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova Looking for #ArcReaders & #BookBloggers who will read #WildFlowersElectricBeasts before it's published on October 13. Interested? Let me know! P.S. It's the book I've been discussing on #WordWeavers One planet. Two species of humans. Two people who will lose everything if they don't stand up to an unexpected common enemy. - another world - animal that makes music with its entire body - ace MC - activists - shamanic ceremonies 🍄 - elements of solarpunk & cyberpunk 😮 - power of friendship https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/111/057/540/427/209/810/original/5702ce9407c2ba89.jpeg https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/111/057/545/383/970/005/original/493cbe56f58752a5.png npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 13 — What animal would you like as a muse and why? A kassilar! An animal from my upcoming book #WildFlowersElectricBeasts that makes music with its entire body while dancing and just moving around 😊 It's just so effortlessly creative while having fun — exactly the spirit I'm going for 😁 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 12 — Side character POV: What do you find difficult to say to other people? Adri: I don't have a problem with saying exactly what I think! But sometimes telling people I care about the truth about them that is hurtful, and at the same time, they *need* to hear it — that can be hard. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 11 — What would you do if you met your antagonist? When I meet people like the antagonists (who have power to destroy my life and would very much enjoy doing that — hello, Belarusian police ✋), I just try to stay away from them while quietly boiling with hatred. The only thing I can do is give them a dirty look, but in some cases it's better to try to remain unnoticed, so not even looking is preferable. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 10 — Is writing dialogue easy for you? Why / why not? It has always been pretty easy and fast, but looking back, some of it was really bad 😅 I enjoy writing dialogue, it's fun! But I'd like to be better at creating unique voices and making it sound natural, so I know there are still things I need to work on. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 9 — MC POV: What do you hate the most about the author? Sammah: Are you kidding me? Someone *wrote* this? Obviously, I don't believe it, but if we entertain the idea... Why did my childhood have to be so bad? And what about all the recent stuff? Couldn't they write a utopia? That would probably be boring to read, but at least I'd be happy. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 8 — What do you pay attention to when describing your characters’ surroundings? I try to make my descriptions sensory. Not only what the character sees, but what they feel, or smell, what temperature it is, etc. Of course, I don't describe every sense in every scene, I just sprinkle different things here and there. It's important to me how the character interacts with the world and how the world feels to them. This way, the reader can feel present, too. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub13vq…cct8 Makes sense, tbh 😁 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 7 2/2 But she's the only one who hurts others intentionally. So it's not like her destiny was predetermined. She made choices along the way that led her to this path. In the book, you'll see other people who made different choices. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 7 — Why did your villain become a villain? I could say that she had a difficult childhood. She lost her parents, spent time in an awful orphanage in a dying town where everything was falling apart, became a part of a violent gang to protect herself. Later, she wanted to be safe and in control, so she joined a powerful organization and protected it... no matter the cost. But that's not completely fair. She's not the only character with this background. 1/2 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 6—detailed description: yes or no? I think it's necessary when it enhances the story — gives a better understanding of the character/world, or it's significant for the plot & will come into play later. It's better to skip during an action scene or some fast-paced part of the book, when the description slows down the pacing. Or when it doesn't matter what sth/sb looks like for plot/characters/world. Or when it's an ordinary thing that everyone can imagine without the description. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 5 — How detailed are you when you describe your characters’ clothes/looks? Not very. I'll give you an idea of what they look like & a sense of their style. You'll get most of it as an additional note, as the characters interact with the world. E.g. you'll learn about Sammah's hair when a long, black hair of his is stuck to the glass & he tries to get rid of it while talking to a friend. And he often scratches the shaved side of his head when nervous — now you know his hairstyle 😁 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 3 — Does your antagonist have a chance to become a better person? Maybe. At the end of the story there is something that might force her to see things from a different perspective. However, I'm not sure she'll be willing to accept the perspective shift. It would be painful to see the evil in her actions. People generally don't like that and protect themselves from such realizations with various psychological tricks. So, there is a chance, but I'm not sure she'll take it. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 2 — What could you change about your world to make it better for most people? There is a lot, but what comes to mind is, especially in the context of MCs' lives & plot is reducing the power of corporations. An international corp basically has the same rights as a country. It has to follow the laws of the country where it's at when dealing with the outside world/in terms of employee rights, etc., but it's free to deal with internal & external threats however it sees fit. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub18fp…qc3u Haha glad you found us! 😁 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1ajs…l2sx That makes sense 😅 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1tfp…0mnp Thank you 😊 I love these covers, too 🧡 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WritersCoffeeClub 1 — Introduce yourself & your work. Hi, I'm Alina, a sci-fi author ✋ 👽 I love exploring other worlds, weirdness, connections, technology, etc. I have a blog where you can find cool sci-fi books. I've got a dystopian sci-fi thriller Entanglement that readers call mind-bending & unpredictable. https://alinaleonova.net/book My new book #WildFlowersElectricBeasts will be published soon! Set on a different planet with 2 species of humans it combines elements of solarpunk & cyberpunk. https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/110/989/133/386/726/920/original/663333a5cd10aac0.jpeg https://stockroom.wandering.shop/media_attachments/files/110/989/136/816/759/107/original/9c7474b907609ba2.jpeg npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova #WordWeavers 1 — Introduce your antagonist with as much sympathy as possible. S has had a tough childhood full of abuse and cruelty. She's grown up hoping that someday she'd have enough power to never be under anyone's control again. She's risen in the hierarchy working internal security in a certain company. She takes her job seriously and cares about her underlings. She won't allow anything to put the company and the people working there in danger. npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub13f9…e0tz 😆 😅 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1tfp…0mnp I'm with you, I envy people who can write good blurbs — it's such a struggle for me 😅 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1ch5…dxxq Thank you, I'll think how to flesh out this aspect 😊 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1k9e…2zj2 Thank you 😊 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1vmn…r9uz Thank you! Writing blurbs is the worst 😆 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1cy3…ra4a What happens to the characters is kind of the plot, but there is also this bigger event/conflict that they get pulled into. However, this big event is explored on a personal level — how it affects these characters' lives and what they do about it and how their actions impact what happens on the big scale. I have no idea how to connect all the dots and make a compelling yet short blurb 😅 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1x7x…w0km I can imagine, but you did a great job 😁 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub13vq…cct8 I think it can be so frustrating as a ghost to see and smell coffee but be unable to drink it 😭 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1rv5…laep Awesome! Welcome 😊 npub127nkh7cudwmevacsappj7y8je982540ladkqnc2m0l5828vvrx4qv4yf0u Alina Leonova @npub1ajs…l2sx I like the concept of a character who is their own antagonist!