Godai Monthly Spotlight

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In Godai, we recognize activity and hard work, as well as effort and time being put into the site by our members. Thus the mod team is now introducing: Godai Spotlight!

Alongside thread of the month, each month staff will select one member who meets the criteria for a written interview on their writing process and character! That characters interview will then be featured on the thread. This interview will feature three to five questions, each unique to the user and crafted by the mods. Along with this we will be introducing a “podcast” were users can submit questions for the user that will be asked of them in an optional voiced interview!

Criteria:

• Approved Character with 1 completed thread.
• A member in good standing and activity, either in chat and/or on site.
• The winner from last month cannot be chosen for the next month.

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This month casts spotlight on… @linden

Linden is a member most notably recognized for their drive and eagerness to improve! Godai has seen your power surge, and would like to know more about you and Bailey! For giving it your all, you have received a 10% dian boost for your next topic~ Continue reading for the interview.


What kind of things do you do to get in the mood to write? Is there any specific ritual you follow to write bailey?

”Hmm, usually hearing about cool things irl that I could apply to my threads- interesting animal facts, etc. Bailey is kinda inspired by a younger version of myself that wanted to be a different person than I was in an unhealthy manner. So usually I just try and think about what I would've done 3-4 years ago. In a strange way, though, Bailey also has some traits that I wish I had I guess? She's a lot more stubborn/determined and less shy.”

So Bailey is an extension of you? That’s pretty enlightening. Where and/or what do you see Bailey like as an adult?

”I think that depends on the choices she makes. She has the potential to be a really good person, she's just going through a rough patch. I kind of see her as a freelancer or a professor's assistant. Not sure what area of Pokémon she would study, but I think Pokémon moves or how emotions/upbringing affect aura.”

You seem to have thought about this a bit, that’s awesome! Is there any reason Bailey is a young child? Does it help her story? I wonder..?

”I feel like that age (12-13) is a very turbulent time. You're no longer as reliant on your parents, you start to open up to the real world, and you start to realize the type of person you are and how it contrasts with the person you want to become. Bailey, in addition to that, has no real role models, so she's not quite sure what she wants to do, and its manifesting negatively. It kind of means that Bailey is very impulsive as well which gets her into more shenanigans.”

That’s deep, haha. Okay but, I’m dying to know… How do you find your thread titles?

”They are all 70s-90s song titles. Bohemian Rhapsody, Hooked on a Feeling, Heart of Glass, Roundabout, Dream On, Escape are all songs.”

Called it, heh! And to close up, what’s some writing advice you wished you would’ve had earlier?

”Hmm… Probably that it's okay not to measure up to the standards of other people. Also, don't burn yourself out you knucklehead.”

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This month casts a spotlight on... seenter

On Godai, striving to improve and eagerness to do so are very much rewarded. For their efforts, Godai would like to know more about Seenter and Chris! Please enjoy a 10% dian boosts for your next or current topic~ Please enjoy the interview below!



Alright! What were you going for with Chris in terms of character?

In a few words, no clue. My original idea was for my character to eventually find a spot to create a semi-automated through Pokemon farm where any excess Pokemon he catches would be sent instead of a PC. I'm still planning on doing this, but with how long my posts generally take time wise it could be a very long while before I reach that point.

It's good to have a long term goal! Chris seems like a really chill guy- do you have any fun fact about him? Stuff you don't plan to add to his character sheet for example.

Well maybe how he got the nickname 'The Human Abra'. I'm hoping to slowly bring out how he got that name bit by bit over several topics until the full story is revealed but you'd have to read his entire journey from the beginning to find all the pieces.

I for one have plans to read all your past and future topics in one go! Do you as a writer have a certain aspect you like about writing Chris? His personality maybe? Or even his looks?

I based Chris somewhat on myself in terms of personality with a few tweaks to make him completely different. Physically he's similar to me, though a bit skinnier and more fit from working on the farm. Most of his knowledge in terms of healing and plants are my own knowledge based on video games growing up like Harvest Moon modified to reflect the Pokemon world.

Games sure do teach us, huh? Ok but, how do you plot your threads? Do you outline or do you "pants" it?

A little bit of A and a little bit of B. I have a basic outline of how I want things to go, but once I start writing the plan can change considerably from what I originally thought. My last topic is a prime example. I was just going to have my character go in, heal his Pokemon himself, head back to the farm, and train. However as I began writing his parents I added so much to their characters that it followed the basic outline with different results.

In that regard we're alike, haha. Last question; What as a writer do you feel is your weakest point? Describing actions, point of view, etc. And what are some tips that have helped you improve those areas?

I'd have to say my weakest point is focusing on a main character, as was commented on by my last eval. Chris was/is supposed to be the main character, like Ash in the anime; but I focus almost as much on the Pokemon as him. I don't give him enough spotlight, and it's affected how I write. I'm trying to give him more of a spotlight with this current topic, but I won't know until it gets graded.

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This month casts a spotlight on... zoobot

Godai has a large variety of people, ages, experience, and more! We're proud believers that anyone can write. This month we've decided to dedicate our spotlight to one who is developing nicely. Your work with Andrew is just beginning, so please take a 10% Boost to EXP in your next OR current topic~! Enjoy the interview below.

Jumping straight in, what was your base idea for Andrew if you had one? Or did he come together as you wrote?

I wouldn't particularly say that I had a base concept for Andrew as a character, but he's not just some human made of cobbled together traits that I pulled out of thin air either. Since he would be my first ever major RP character, I wanted to create a character whose personality I wouldn't have too much trouble writing. I suppose the simplest way to put this is that Andrew is me in a world with pokemon. Not completely me of course, but quite a few of his personality traits and characteristics were drawn from me as a person. Beyond that, the rest of him came together as I went.

Since you mentioned it, what kind of characters do you have trouble writing?

Most characters I guess? Godai is really my first experience with writing so I'm still getting a handle on how to actually write people and not robots. I'm still getting used to it all. Even within that, I would have to say characters that are just mean for no reason or not really nice. I don't like being mean, even if it's as a fictional character.

Ohhh, I see. Does Godai help you out at all?

Actually yes! It gives me a reason to write more, and to actually try and develop a cohesive story for a character + my writing skills. Plus I've always wanted to try writing fanfiction, and while Godai is a RP I would argue that everyone writing for it is also writing Pokémon fanfiction in a way.

Oooh, as a mod your response makes me happy- heh! What’s your weakness when it comes to writing? Alternatively, what’s something you want to improve?

Sometimes I struggle to put my thoughts into words. I'll have a very clear image in my head of a scene I want to write, but I'll struggle to find the right words to describe it which means a lot gets lost 'in translation' so to speak. I would love to improve on my ability to effectively communicate the entirety of whatever scene I'm envisioning.

I feel that, I'm sure there are a lot of members who agree! Last one; what's something you do to spark inspiration to write? Music, yoga, food... I've heard a variety.

Usually I'll start pacing and daydreaming and eventually I'll stumble upon something that would be good to write about. I'm sure I've daydreamed about and forgotten more viable story ideas than I'll ever write down. I've recently found a really neat playlist I'm looking forward to listening to while I write so maybe that will help too.