Getting to know you: Favorite Holiday

This weekend, many of us celebrated a holiday where people go on picnics, light fireworks and are overrun by ants. That's a fun holiday.

There are many other fun holidays. Some involve food, some involve parties, some even involve going into debt on a yearly basis. Or, some might include......getting presents.

What's your favorite holiday in your world, and why? Why do you like this holiday so much? Is it the good feelings? The decorations? The....presents?

Let us know - we'll celebrate with you!

And, in keeping with the theme, bonus points if you tell us about the best present you ever got!





Note: To stay in their world, let's make this a character only post.

Social Weekend: Fourth of July Picnic

Today is Independence Day in the United States and whether you're American or not, it's a great day for a picnic.







If you have a favorite picnic food, bring some to share!








Load up your plate, pour yourself a cold beverage, toss a frisbee or suggest some other game. Today is a day to relax and have fun with your friends and family here at CIC.




Later this evening after the sun goes down, grab a sparkler and let's watch a fireworks show together!




That was so much fun! Thanks for coming, and have a great Fourth of July!

(Note - the party will go on all weekend! Authors and characters drop in as you're able!)

Character of the Week: Ricky!

This week's Character of the Week is Maelstrom's band manager, Ricky. Ricky, tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in this line of work.

Hi. I'm Ricky Landon, owner of Landon Talent Management, a music promotion agency. Okay, let's be clear. I am the agency, since I'm still trying to get this business off the ground.

I was really into music as a kid and my dad always encouraged me to follow my dreams. He died of a heart attack when I was in high school and that's when I decided I'd have a career in music, no matter what. Unfortunately, I wasn't all that good. I thought I was, but once I got to college I met a lot of people with really amazing talent. I knew then that I'd never be a performer.

That was about the time some frat buddies of mine put together a garage band. I offered to be their promoter and actually got them some gigs. Since my mom was pestering me to get a degree in something practical, I changed my major from music performance to just regular music and added marketing as a second major. I graduated from Penn State, missing cum laude by a tenth of a grade point.

When I graduated, I came into my trust fund. My dad had been well off, but not what I'd call rich. I used my trust money to start a talent management agency. I got some bands and session artists, but none of them were very good, which made it hard to promote them.

I'm embarrassed to say I was part of the problem. My focus wasn't on business in those days. I wasted my trust money on sound systems and cars, going to clubs (supposedly to see new acts, but really for the party) and taking girls out. My bands weren't doing well and it all caught up with me. Bands terminated their contracts, the bills piled up, and I knew it was time to get serious.

I was down to my last twenty dollars when I met Kalila. At first I thought her band was my worst nightmare, but now I'd have to say that they're the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm out of debt, my business is back on track, and I'm working hard to get Maelstrom to the next level. They're capable of being major stars and when that happens, I'll be a success with them because we all win in this game. It started with just one lucky break.

So how many of you have had a lucky break? If you haven't, please tell me you haven't lost faith. It can happen for anyone, usually when you least expect it.

(Character of the Week is an "everybody" post.)

Announcement: Fourth of July

Hi, Everyone! I just want to let everyone know that we'll be having a Come in Character Independence Day picnic and fireworks show on Saturday. I know a lot of you will be spending time with your real-world family on that day, but if you've got a few minutes to spare, send your characters to enjoy a little holiday fun with the CIC family! Characters are encouraged to bring their favorite picnic food to share.

See you there!

A Forum Game: Three Little Words

Today we're going to try something new. Below are three words. Use one or more in your comment or just share your thoughts about the words. Once you've offered your own take, feel free to expound on other people's comments.














Today's Words:

aura
ukulele
curiosity

Let's see what kinds of interesting discussions this can lead to!

Open Discussion: Warning Labels

Did you know that there is an annual Wacky Warning Label Contest? Recent winners include:

• An information booklet that reads, "Do not use if you cannot see clearly to read the information in the information booklet";
  
• The warning, "Always use this product with adult supervision," a label that appears on the underside of a cereal bowl; and
  
• A warning provided with a 1" by 4" LCD panel, reading, "Do not eat the LCD panel."

What objects in your life should contain a warning label or a warning sign, and what would that label or sign say?

Anyone can answer, but characters preferred.

You and Your World: Favorite Season

Do you have a favorite time of year? Do you prefer basking on the beach in summer or sipping hot chocolate by a cozy fire in winter? Do you look forward to fall harvests or the flowers of spring? What season is your favorite, and why?

Anyone can answer!

Getting to know you: What animal would you be?

If you could be any animal in the world, what animal would you like to be? Would you swim? Would you fly? Would you crawl on the ground and hide in people's shoes? (I know, me too!)

Or maybe there are some unusual animals where you live....or if you're already an animal, what type of human would you be?

Either way, we want to know the dish: If you could choose, what type of animal would you be?


Note: This is an everybody post.

Open Dicussion

Authors and Characters alike can feel free to discuss whatever is on their minds.

Possible topic for conversation:


Michael Jackson. For those characters who have not heard of Michael, he was a musician who was both very talented, and very troubled. He recently passed away.


Characters, how do you feel about authors that are um....not all together. Authors, what do you think about creativity vs. emotional health?

Or if that doesn't interest you, talk about what does!

A forum game: Make a prediction

This is a very simple game. When you post, you make a prediction about the person who posts after you. Then that person answers if you predicted correctly, and makes a new prediction.

Example:

Person #1 - I predict the person below me likes apricots.
Person #2 - I can't believe you said that. I loathe and despise apricots. They are the epitome of evil and will bring down Western Civilization as we know it. Okay, I predict the person below me wants to bring down Western Civilization.

And so on.

Quick note: I know games like these are a bit hard on our psychics, like Aidan. Aidan, maybe you can make this fun by deliberately guessing wrong. Don't want to leave you out!

(Games are for everybody!)

Character of the Week: Flower!

This week's Character of the Week is our Flower. Flower, please tell us about your world.





My name is Flower.



I don’t… I’m uncomfortable with talking much but, well, I talk here more than I do anywhere else so… that’s why I said I’d try to stick with being sociable for a bit.



The invite hurt - I don't mean to be quiet like deliberately but, my head throbs when I have to think of words to say. I can feel them in my head, and in my mouth sometimes, but I can't always make them come out (I feel them stretch behind my temples - like lines of pain - weird). Sometimes people here are just so happy I have to squint so I can read the words and follow. I've done the banging my head on the floor bit and I don't want to go back to it - hurting on the outside might be easier to deal with but it hurts too. I did talking before - can't imagine what I spent all day saying but I know I used to do that.



Anyway, I live in a place with grass, water, gorse bushes and heather. I see more golden eagles here than people.



My Great Uncle Will is my f-amily now… since – but, well – whatever.



There’s only one other croft I can see from our cottage: James and Sam’s Dad – that’s Tom - lives there with Egg’s (Edward) Dad – that’s John - and the boys. The brothers won’t shut up and the other makes me sound talkative. I’m supposed to home school there. Egg ‘draws’ – but I don’t think it’s educational to graffiti. The other two live to learn – most of the time I don’t want to do either.



I reached 16 a while ago – not a celebration – not something I wanted to do – it happened anyway – that’s time for you.



I had two friends I would have tried to walk on water, or through fire, for – they crossed over the road when they saw me after my Mum d – did that thing.



I have trouble with the dark – it was dark that evening when the car that was overtaking her thought better of it and ploughed my Mum’s car into a tree. She didn’t d__ right then – she made time to send me messages on her mobile. I got them next morning at Joy’s (the fosters - not literally, The Fosters – but you know). There was the dinner text that she must have sent before she left work, and the two with shit spelling that said the other stuff – I can’t even think of the words to explain what I did then.



I don’t eat or sleep – and I definitely avoid doing the two later in the day – I dream bad dreams of Mum being gone but worse ones when I think she’s still with me – I wake up vomitting – and no it isn’t my idea of a good idea.



My Mum was sharp-smart, funny, energetic, loving, strict and moral (I was going to mention messy – but that’s not a quality) - she called me Petal for short!



I had to think of things for discussion so –



What would you say are your best and worst qualities?



How can you survive the unsurvivable?


(Note: this is an everybody post.)

In the News: Mascots

It has come to our attention that the College of William and Mary is looking for a new mascot and ideas include asparagus. One person even suggested asparagus with cheese.


Skeptical? Read about it here: Home of the Fighting Asparagus!






Would you cheer for the Fighting Asparagus? Why or why not?

Characters, who or what would you choose as a mascot for you or your group/team/business/army? If you don't have a mascot, do you have a logo or symbol that's important to you?

Authors, do you have your own vision of who or what might symbolize your characters, their teams and their struggles?

Getting to Know You: Food

Today, let's talk about our favorite foods.

What do you like to eat, and how often?

Do you enjoy sumptuous feasts, or do you grab what you can, on the run?










Let's share our favorite foods, recipes and cooking tips today! This is a characters-only post.

You and Your World: Race/Species

It should come as no surprise that many of us here aren't human. So today, let's talk about our race and/or species. What are you? What are the common characteristics of your people? In what ways are you similar or different from others of your kind? Does race or ethnicity play a big role in your life?

Authors, feel free to add your own comments about your reasons for choosing or creating your characters' race or species.

Let's embrace character diversity and understanding!

Getting to know you: What do you like to do for fun?

Conflict.

For some reason, we all seem to have conflict in our lives. We try and try, but we can't get away from that darn conflict.

So, what do you do to take a break for awhile? What do you do to escape and have Fun? Is it a hobby? Friends? Something involving large amounts of intoxicating beverages?

Either way, let us know. We could use some good escape time! Darn that conflict, anyway!

So, what do you do for fun?




Note: Characters only and anonymous, please. Thanks.

New Site Guidelines: Please give us feedback, thanks!

In a place where characters of all sorts roam the streets, naturally, there are a few situations that may pop up. We would like to ask that everyone here follow these guidelines. This will enable the undead to co-exist with the living, vampires with vampire-hunters, and dogs with cats. After all, at the end of the day, we all just need to get along. Right? Right? Yes, evil domineering warlord. That means you, too.

These may be amended as time goes on, and as new situations crop up. We'll alert the site to any changes. Suggestions, as always, are welcome.

Guideline #1 - Keep It Relatively Clean. In order to keep this site from being labeled "Adult", we need to ask folks to stay away from graphic sex and language.

Guideline #2 - Please Report to Management. If you are bothered by something about the site, we'd like to hear about it! However, please e-mail us rather than addressing it on the site directly.

Guideline #3 - All Characters Welcome! This site is non-denominational and non-discriminatory. This site is open to everyone of any species, race, age, ethnicity, creed, religious belief, sexual orientation, gender, moral center or lack thereof, life or lack thereof and nutritional requirements.

Guideline #4 - Author to Author; Character to Character. For the most part, we ask that you stick to your group. Friendly greetings, compliments and exchanges about the weather are exceptions to this.

Guideline #5 - All Multiple Characters Welcome! Go on, pile everyone in the car, and bring them all here. We encourage people to try out many different voices. Our only guideline is this: please stay on topic. If one of your characters strays, send another to rein them in. Please help us avoid topic drift! If you want to suggest a new topic, e-mail us.

Guideline #6 - We all Just Need to Get along. This is a tricky one. We want characters to have natural reactions to each other. Here's an example. Let's say you're an exorcist and an evil ghost just entered the site. Please remember that evil ghost is welcome here, too. Feel free to say 'Begone, foul demon!' whenever you run into each other. However, strong insults, and organizing a posse to capture and perform a ritual on said ghost would....um, not be getting along.


In summary, we want to say that the vision of CIC is to give our characters voices, by pulling them out of their plotlines, putting them in new situations, and exploring their edges and depths. But remember, everyone around you is doing the same, so let's make it easy on each other. If you have any questions, about what does or doesn't work here, definitely e-mail us. We want everyone to feel comfortable.


And there we are. Some simple guidelines that will hopefully help us all have a great time here! Thanks in advance for your cooperation. And thanks, also for joining us. We couldn't have the site without you!

A forum game: Come as a Famous Person

Let's try something new today, just for fun.

Authors and characters alike. Pick your favorite famous person, fictional or real, and come as them. Then introduce yourself. If you'd like, answer one of the following questions.

Take your pick:

Question #1: Do you prefer a stormy night with cuddling or a romantic dinner at a nice restaurant with ambiance?

Question #2: Is the glass half-full or half-empty?

For today, let's pretend we're someone famous!

Character of the Week: Kalila!

Today's Character of the Week is our magical musician, Kalila!

Kalila, please tell us all about your fascinating life:




Hi, everyone! I spent my first two thousand years in Persia and India. In 1682 a trader with the Dutch East Indies Company took a fancy to my lamp and next thing I knew I was on my way to Europe!

I fell in love with Western music and in 1805 I went to Salzburg to study under Maria Anna Mozart. That’s where I met Nevin. A few years later, 1876, I met Thor at the first Bayreuth Festival, where he had gone to see Wagner’s Ring cycle performed. Thor was about to leave for America with a group of Norwegian farmers, and I tagged along.

In America, I studied jazz and rock music, and tired of Thor’s bullying ways. I told him I would become a rock star. To spite me, he said he would become a rock star first and would do it without magic. I accepted his challenge, put together a band, and hired a manager. All of my managers came to unfortunate ends until I met Ricky.

People ask what it’s like to be immortal. Well, I’m only immortal in my djinn form. In my human body, I’m susceptible to the dangers that can befall any mortal. In general, though, there are few limits on my longevity. The challenge is how to keep from becoming bored. So my question to all of you is how do you pass the time?

Quick Poll!

Hi, everyone! We've had a newcomer ask about editing and it seems there may be some interest in a dedicated Author Chat Day where we could talk about writing, hopefully without the interruption of our pesky characters.

Let me know in the comments if you think this would be a good idea, and if so, how often? Once a week? Every two weeks? Let me know!

You and Your World: Money

Let's talk about our money today!

If you don't have dollars in your country or your world, what type of money do you use?

Are you rich or poor? Where does your money come from, and what do you spend it on? Do you give or get alms?

Money has been said to be the root of all evil. Do you believe it? Can one ever have too much?

Tell us what you think about money!

Getting to Know You: Fashion

Let's talk about what we like to wear!

Are you a fashion diva? The King of Cool? Do you follow the styles of your time and place, or do you boldly go forth and set fashion rules for others to follow? Or perhaps you don't care at all and just wear whatever is to hand?

Tell us about your look!

Challenge: Changing the Plot

Since our characters and authors have both had such a fine time lately discussing each others' shortcomings, how about we get specific about what we'd change if we could?



Characters, how would you write the story, if you didn't have that pesky author interfering?

Authors, in what ways are the characters keeping you from crafting the novel you always dreamed of writing?

Getting to know you: Favorite memory

When you think back on your life, long or short as it may be, what is your very favorite memory?

Or if you don't happen to be alive, what is your favorite memory of after-life? Or your non-organic existence? Or....well, you know what I mean!

What memory do you cherish?

Open Discussion and Question: Why don't characters follow orders?

As always, Authors and Characters alike can feel free to discuss whatever is on your mind.

Possible discussion question:

Characters are notorious for having their own minds. What about the characters here? Do they follow orders like they should?

Or are they constantly balking: But I don't want to jump into the bubbling pit. It's scary down there!

And for characters:

Why don't you do as you're told? What's the problem here? Is it so little to ask that you give away all of your worldly possessions and lead a life of pious solitude? Some people enjoy pious solitude. Come on. Try it. You'll like it.

Let's chat!

Please Give us Feedback on the new Site Guidelines listed below. Thanks!

In a place where characters of all sorts roam the streets, naturally, there are a few situations that may pop up. We would like to ask that everyone here follow these guidelines. This will enable the undead to co-exist with the living; vampires with vampire-hunters; and dogs with cats. After all, at the end of the day, we all just need to get along. Right? Right? Yes, evil domineering warlord. That means you, too.

These may be ammended as time goes on, and as new situations crop up. We'll alert the site to any changes. Suggestions, as always, are welcome.

Guideline #1 - Keep It Relatively Clean. In order to keep this site from being labeled "Adult", we need to ask folks to stay away from graphic sex and language.

Guideline #2 - Please Report to Management. If you are bothered by something about the site, we'd like to hear about it! However, please e-mail us rather than addressing it on the site directly.

Guideline #3 - All Characters Welcome! This site is non-denominational and non-discriminatory. This site is open to everyone of any species, race, age, ethnicity, creed, religious belief, sexual orientation, gender, moral center or lack thereof, life or lack thereof and nutritional requirements.

Guideline #4 - Author to Author; Character to Character. For the most part, we ask that you stick to your group. Friendly greetings, compliments and exchanges about the weather are exceptions to this.

Guideline #5 - All Multiple Characters Welcome! Go on, pile everyone in the car, and bring them all here. We encourage people to try out many different voices. Our only guideline is this: please stay on topic. If one of your characters strays, send another to reign them in. Please help us avoid topic drift! If you want to suggest a new topic, e-mail us.

Guideline #6 - We all Just Need to Get along. This is a tricky one. We want characters to have natural reactions to each other. Here's an example. Let's say you're an excorsist and an evil ghost just entered the site. Please remember that evil ghost is welcome here, too. Feel free to say 'Begone, foul demon!' whenever you run into each other. However, strong insults, and organizing a posse to capture and perform a ritual on said ghost would....um, not be getting along.


In summary, we want to say that the vision of CIC is to give our characters voices, by pulling them out of their plotlines, putting them in new situations, and exploring their edges and depths. But remember, everyone around you is doing the same, so let's make it easy on each other. If you have any questions, about what does or doesn't work here, definitely e-mail us. We want everyone to feel comfortable.


And there we are. Some simple guidelines that will hopefully help us all have a great time here! Thanks in advance for your cooperation. And thanks, also for joining us. We couldn't have the site without you!

Game: The lying game

Notice both the picture and the word?

As writers we create illusions with words, too. Let's do that today!

The game is this: No truth allow. Only lies today. After all, truth is an illusion, and illusion, truth right? Let's have some fun and stretch the truth as far as we possible can. In fact, let's stretch it past it's breaking point. In fact, let's lie!

The Lying Game!

Do You See What I See? Miscalculation

What have we here? This looks like a serious miscalculation.

Do you ever make mistakes?

Discuss your own miscalculations, or those of this unfortunate person. What are the consequences when things go wrong?

Poetry Wednesday: Group Poem

Welcome to our first Group Poem! Today, we open with a line from our own David Jace, author of Gabe, Nezbit, Derek Daniels, and Jeff Turnage.

Here is our opening line:

"Down in the gutter, lived a lonely man,"

You add the next line.

Let's make a literary masterpiece!

Quote of the Day: Groucho Marx

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others.
~Groucho Marx





What are your principles? Do you stick by them, no matter what? Or, like Groucho, are you willing to change sometimes, if circumstances warrant?

Let's discuss!

Getting to know you: The most beautiful place you've been?

Candy asked such a wonderful question of Ms. Fettleston, we thought it would be nice to hear everyone's answer:

What is the most beautiful place you've been? A place that touched your heart?

Please tell us all about it. We'd like to go there with you.

Open Discussion and Question: Are characters like their authors?

As always, for Open Discussion, characters and authors alike can feel free to talk about whatever is on their mind.

Also, an interesting question for either authors or characters: How alike are characters to their authors? Do you share traits in common?

Have a happy Sunday!

Social Saturday: Lol game

After the talk of sadness earlier this week, it's time for an antidote! Let's do an LOL game. This is where you post something that makes you laugh: a joke, a phrase, a story. Anything that brings you a chuckle.

Let's have some laughs together!

Character of the Week: Ms. Fettleston!

Please let me introduce you to this week's Character of the Week, our Ms. Fettleston. Ms. Fettleston, please let us know more about you:

____________________________________




Thank you Ms. Mira. I am delighted to have an opportunity to chat with all of you young folk. As for me, really, I'm afraid I am not very interesting. But I was quite flattered when that sweet young Candy asked me to speak, and I shall do my best to answer any questions, dear.

I live alone, and I am older, as you know, dear. I have retired from my profession. I was a librarian, and I quite enjoyed my work. I do miss the bustle of the library at times. I was very proud of my section, and I was gratified to receive quite a few commendations from my supervisors. I keep those commendations on a shelf in my den, dear.

What else shall I tell you? I suppose, being young, you would like to know about love in my life. Well, I did have one rather special friend. He was a lively and handsome young man, always full of fun. So charming. Sadly, we argued over something really quite trivial. However, it seemed so important to us at the time! It was quite a bitter argument, and we did not speak for several months. By that time, my young man had found another. We did remain in touch, occasionally. He had three lovely young children, and I send them cards at Christmas.

My goodness, I'm afraid that I do feel a little sad thinking of this, my dear. However, it would be an unusual life that had no regrets, wouldn't it? And I do have many happy memories, as well.

I have been given many blessings, my dear. All things considered, I have had a long and happy life. I have had an opportunity to contribute my little share to the world. I have much to keep my busy: My knitting and hobbies, my garden, my volunteer work at the hospital, and of course, my activities in my Church. The Good Lord has given me many gifts, including such wonderful friends in my life. I am gratified to include you lovely people among them.

Now. Ms. Mira asked me to ask a question to start the discussion off. Well, really, I think that is more than enough about me. Perhaps you can tell me about all of you. I find being around such vibrant young folk to be quite invigorating. I would love to know what your plans are for your life, dears. Perhaps you could tell me all about them.

Do you see what I see? Guitars and Dogs

Is it better to be a dog or a guitar? Can one successfully be both, as this one is trying to do? Which would you rather be, and why?

If you'd rather be something else, that's okay, too. Tell us about it.

Discuss!

Emote This: Sadness

Sadness. What makes you feel sad? How do you feel when you feel sad? Is it a yearning? An ache? A burning? Do you let yourself feel sadness, or do you cover it with other feelings?

Let us into your world. Tell us about when you feel sad.










Just in case.....

Group Story: Fantasy

Isn't it time we had a nice fantasy story? Bold princes, magical swords, elves, and evil witches? And prophecies! Of course we must have prophecies!












Ready?









Declan Blake, the Chosen One, stood at the edge of the forest. In one pocket was a magic talisman. In his other pocket was his breakfast, a bit of stale bread. Sadly, the magic talisman was no good at turning stale bread into a proper meal, so he would have to go hungry into the Forest of the Talking Trees.

At least he wasn't without a plan for how he would achieve his quest to save the kingdom from the evil that had befallen it. Nor was he alone...

Getting to know you: What is your favorite food?

A simple question, but an interesting one. What do you love to eat?

Assuming you do eat. Perhaps instead, I should ask what you love to absorb through osmosis? Or maybe you don't need to eat at all, but enjoy food vicariously?

Whatever way you gain substenance, we'd like to know: What is your favorite food?