Getting to Know You: Religion

Since it came up during our last conversation at CIC, I thought it might be interesting to have a chat about religion.

Whether you're an author or a character, you probably believe in something bigger than yourself – perhaps many gods, just one god, a mystical gaggle of fairies, or simply the random nature of the universe. So, how did you come to believe such a thing? Parental influence, life experience, or something else entirely?

Well, what do you say? Care to share your beliefs with the rest of us?

Story Thread: Aidan and Marenya

From Christine:
Betsy and I are trying an experiment we call "Improvisational Fiction." The interplay between our fantasy worlds and characters has been such a rich mine of material for us the past week, we decided to try pushing it a little farther and see what happens. 

This is spontaneous; we don't know what is going to happen. We welcome other characters to jump in if they wish. We appreciate your forbearance, and your feedback.
 
From Betsy:
We're starting story threads so we don't continue to hijack the regular discussions. In future, we'd love to launch new stories for other characters and authors to play with. You need only email one of us and we'll set up a new thread.

We want to encourage other characters and writers to read and participate. Feel free to jump in at any time as an antagonist, someone needing help, an innocent bystander, or simply an observer with comments. Everyone is welcome.

A brief summary of our story so far:
After months of shameless flirting here at CIC, the demidemon Aidan decided to get a little more serious with Marenya, a respectable hanorja. This prompted Faldur, Marenya's actual love interest, to make his claim on her and approach her uncle about a period of formal courtship. When her uncle refused, Faldur left on a mission, furious. Marenya left, too, seeking some time away from everyone. But Aidan sensed she was in danger and crossed into her world. He saved her life and finally admitted how heartbroken he was over losing her. She agreed to let Aidan speak to her Uncle, who reluctantly approved the match. Unfortunately, when Aidan crossed into her world, he discovered evidence his enemy, the demon Asmodai, has a presence there. He wants to approach the king about making a formal alliance against this shared enemy.

Social Weekday: Happy Mardi Gras!

As I mentioned on Sunday, today is Mardi Gras Day – the pinnacle of the Big Easy's festive, pre-Lent season – a day filled with music, mirth, masquerades, and madness.

I thought it might be fun if we all headed down to New Orleans – for a Mardi Gras celebration of our own. I've brought enough king cake for everyone. So, who's joining me in the French Quarter? I'll be the one wearing the sorceress get-up and shouting, “Happy Mardi Gras!” at the top of my lungs!

Your World: Annual Celebrations

Many authors are greatly influenced by the places in which they were raised. For me, it's my hometown of New Orleans, and oddly enough, several of my characters also hail from that unique American city. Naturally, the city's most notable celebrations often find their way into my stories, too.

This Tuesday, for example, is Mardi Gras Day – a festive holiday known for its crowded parades, colorful costumes, flying beads, marching bands, delicious king cakes, and unabashed debauchery. Of course, given the Big Easy's fun-loving spirit, there isn't just one day devoted to this Catholic-inspired holiday – but a whole, two-week season. In fact, today marks one of this season's biggest days, as both the Krewe of Bacchus and the Krewe of Endymion (which, due to rain, was postponed from yesterday) get ready to roll down the streets of Uptown New Orleans.

So, authors and characters, I ask you:

Do your hometowns or homelands have such festive annual celebrations? If not, why not? And if so, what are they like?

Getting to Know You: Pets

For many humans, there's nothing quite like having a pet around.

Warm, furry felines that sleep across your legs at night. Soft-hearted hunting dogs that plead for extra treats with their big, doleful eyes. Little birds that trill a merry tune whenever you stroll into the room. Wriggling hamsters that look so comical inside their endlessly spinning wheels.

And for some, slithery pythons that would happily swallow such rodents for breakfast.

It's no wonder, then, that pet owners are often less stressed-out than people without such lovable animals in their lives.

So, authors and characters, I ask you:

If you could have a pet, what kind would it be, and why? Of course, if you already do have a pet, please tell us all about him or her!