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narrative fruits

@geneticcatalyst / geneticcatalyst.tumblr.com

gen: technician, botanist, whole adult, white. in the cnovel/drama wormhole
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There’s no such thing as work-life balance for neurodivergent & chronically ill people.

This is because everything in my life requires work:

  • maintaining friendships
  • keeping up with my hygiene
  • managing bills
  • making money
  • remembering my basic needs
  • sleeping regularly
  • outputting creatively

All requires some aspect of work for me.

And when everything in your life requires work, your balance goes out the window.

If you're neurodivergent and overwhelmed — I see you.

If you're chronically ill and overwhelmed — I see you.

You're not dysfunctional.

You're not incapable.

You're doing your best.

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So my problem with most ‘get to know your character’ questioneers is that they’re full of questions that just aren’t that important (what color eyes do they have) too hard to answer right away (what is their greatest fear) or are just impossible to answer (what is their favorite movie.)  Like no one has one single favorite movie. And even if they do the answer changes.

If I’m doing this exercise, I want 7-10 questions to get the character feeling real in my head. So I thought I’d share the ones that get me (and my students) good results: 

  1. What is the character’s go-to drink order? (this one gets into how do they like to be publicly perceived, because there is always some level of theatricality to ordering drinks at a bar/resturant)
  2. What is their grooming routine? (how do they treat themselves in private)
  3. What was their most expensive purchase/where does their disposable income go? (Gets you thinking about socio-economic class, values, and how they spend their leisure time)
  4. Do they have any scars or tattoos? (good way to get into literal backstory) 
  5. What was the last time they cried, and under what circumstances? (Good way to get some *emotional* backstory in.) 
  6. Are they an oldest, middle, youngest or only child? (This one might be a me thing, because I LOVE writing/reading about family dynamics, but knowing what kinds of things were ‘normal’ for them growing up is important.)
  7. Describe the shoes they’re wearing. (This is a big catch all, gets into money, taste, practicality, level of wear, level of repair, literally what kind of shoes they require to live their life.)
  8. Describe the place where they sleep. (ie what does their safe space look like. How much (or how little) care / decoration / personal touch goes into it.)
  9. What is their favorite holiday? (How do they relate to their culture/outside world. Also fun is least favorite holiday.) 
  10. What objects do they always carry around with them? (What do they need for their normal, day-to-day routine? What does ‘normal’ even look like for them.) 
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iamwestiec

Ooh, I love these. My other favorite is:

  • What’s the thing they’re into that they’re most embarrassed/conflicted about? (Hobbies, interests, kinks, etc. Gets into self-image vs how they want to be perceived vs what compels them anyway, plus backstory.)
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reblogged
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narcatsisst

something i think a lot of able bodied people dont understand is that being chronically ill affects your emotions. constantly being exhausted and feeling bad is going to make you sad or depressed or angry or jealous. constantly being in pain is going to affect your mental health. never feeling "good" is obviously going to affect the way you act.

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