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GingerOpal β€” I've forgotten how to draw these guys.

#lars #darnda #fescu #loknich #gingeropal #realmsandremedies
Published: 2016-06-26 21:43:15 +0000 UTC; Views: 1421; Favourites: 50; Downloads: 0
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Description Fescu, Darnda, Loknich, and Lars,

It's been a long time since I drew my Realms and Remedies characters. I got a new brush pen and decided to try it out on these guys. Ugh, they look so stiff, and Lars' beard is wrong. And even if Fescu didn't look stupid, I'd think he looked stupid anyway, because so far it's his fault that I can't seem to make this book marketable. He's an "unsympathetic" character, and then when I rewrite him to make him more sympathetic to the reader, then his character "isn't believable". Well, I wouldn't believe a prankster with no respect for authority would be all that sypmathetic of a person either.

So to those who ask me why my book isn't published after all these years, it's because Fescu isn't a marketable character. I've been told the twisty plot is great fun, the world is cool, and the writing is professional. BUT! Fescu fits the protagonist mold so poorly, which was my intention, that I don't think Realms and Remedies will ever get picked up by the mainstream publishing market. I've gone to conferences and talked to professional authors and agents, and the more I try to change Realms and Remedies to match their marketing requirements, the worse the story seems to get. It's been discouraging, to put it lightly.

But I'm not sensible enough to give up on such a lost cause. LOL, no way! I can wish all I want to shelve any of my favorite projects forever, but I ALWAYS return to them, because I have no self control, I guess.

So, now that I've been to all these writing conferences and learned a ton of stuff on how to write for the market to get on the New York Times Bestseller list, I'm going to say to heck with the market. I'm going to write Realms and Remedies for myself, for the reasons I wanted to write it in the first place. I NEED to write it for myself, because I love sincerity in writing, it would break my heart if my story didn't feel sincere. I have no idea how I'm going to sell it when it's done, but at least I'll know I'll be true to myself, instead of catering to the consumer's market. I hope to reach out to people like me who need characters who aren't the usual cookie cutter type I read in almost every mainstream story.

Oh, and I really like my new brush pen.
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Comments: 27

marycoxillustration [2019-03-11 01:17:56 +0000 UTC]

Are you going to self-publish Realms and Remedies? I really really hope you keep doing this story if you love it.Β 
-Long time admirer here <3

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GingerOpal In reply to marycoxillustration [2019-03-12 09:48:17 +0000 UTC]

Yes, I'm definitely still planning on self publishing. It's just taking a long time because life keeps interrupting my work in rude ways. Nonetheless, Realms continues to progress and improve. I'm hoping this is the year I finish the final draft of the first book in the series. (The rest of the books are mostly written so they won't take nearly as long to publish as the first one has!) Thank you so much for your motivating comment!

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ThaleiaFantasy [2018-08-11 17:33:35 +0000 UTC]

Why is Realms and Remedies not a comic? It's such a splendidly beautiful world, and their individual characters are so apparent from the way you draw them, you just fall in love instantly! I've loved these guys for years, even though I haven't read any of the prose you've put up!

And tbh, I think the comics industry would eat this up! I know I would.

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haius [2017-05-03 03:02:46 +0000 UTC]

:/

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CynderSpyro-maniac [2016-07-16 16:37:25 +0000 UTC]

First off, don't listen to those silly "professionals." I love Fescu just the way he is. I think it makes sense for a character to start out unsympathetic. That's what character development is for. I'm glad you're not giving up! I still hope to read this book one day!

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SapphireGamgee [2016-07-04 19:58:44 +0000 UTC]

I love these guys! Β Also, I swear, Fescu and my character Li could be secret twins. Β XD

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Theophilia [2016-07-01 15:20:39 +0000 UTC]

I just want to second what everyone else said and add that you should be very thankful for your strong persevering streak (or stubbornness, however you'd like to put it ) because it's the one telling you: "To heck with the market!" And I for one am glad it won't allow you to shelve Realms and Remedies. And I think writing it for yourself and for the reasons you've mentioned is definitely the best way to go about it. There are certainly too many books (and movies, for that mater) that just seem to fit into the "market-mold" and are soulless and dull because of it (not to mention that they're mostly just cheap knockoffs of other popular franchises) and you are far too creative and original to be riding the bandwagon with them.

And if at the end of the day you do get an acceptance letter from a major publisher, at least you'll know it was because the publisher recognized in it a story with real merit and not just as another cheap knock-off to sell that tried to fit the mold. So you go girl!

Also: what's a brush pen?! I want one! Because these drawings look fantastic (and super clean)!

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BookLyrm [2016-06-29 10:46:02 +0000 UTC]

Hooray! Go you! Write Fescu the way you want--I'll be happy to finally read your book whenever/wherever it comes out.Β 

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BookLyrm In reply to BookLyrm [2016-06-29 10:46:52 +0000 UTC]

Also, jeez, I have read so many books with unlikeable lead characters. There's plenty of media out there, I don't know what people are thinking.

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JaceyKing [2016-06-29 02:34:46 +0000 UTC]

Oh, phooey on all of those mainstream neanderthals. I remember reading the first book, and I absolutely loved it! I thought it was charming and lovable, and pretty friggin' awesome! I would buy it! And then buy a hundred more copies to hand out to random passerby in need of a good story. So what if Fescu is nothing but a punk? Sometimes you need those kind of characters, even as a protagonist, because some people out there are punks and would relate to that (plus it makes character diversity so much fun). I don't know what it takes to publish a book, as I have never tried before, but I am sure that you will one day, and even if you don't, at least know that there are some people out there that really appreciate your talent! Don't give up! It makes my day to see your work! You are fantastic!Β 

And also, I think these drawings are great and I'm really glad you like your new pen

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SeeSpotRock [2016-06-28 20:41:00 +0000 UTC]

Pff, marketing just seems to wanna sell the same stuff over and over again. I believe in you.

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SlytherinsHeiress [2016-06-28 01:06:07 +0000 UTC]

First, I want to read this book. Sometimes a character doesn't need to be a Johnny-Do-Gooder to be likable. And frankly, who wants to read about those types all the time anyway? Sometimes rebels are fun to read about. Β 

Second, if it's any consolation, a friend of mine racked up over 100 rejections before her book got published. She ended up going with an independent company. I would consider that route. Or self-publishing. A lot more people are going that route nowadays and it's losing its stigma.Β 

So know that even though I haven't read your book yet, I'm already a fan. I feel like I know these guys through the art you post here and I can't wait to read the book. Don't lose heart. <3 <3 <3

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LaurenGreiner [2016-06-28 00:50:20 +0000 UTC]

First of all, these sketches are amazing and I've really missed your characters. Second, to HECK WITH THE PUBLISHING AGENCIES! I think you're right in wanting to write this story for you because if you love the story and the characters, then that will show in your writing and I think other people will love it just as much. So, best of luck! Keep us posted! I would love to read this story!!!!

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Sammybunny711 [2016-06-28 00:08:44 +0000 UTC]

Good luck with your publishing goals! Have you considered self-publishing it? You could TOTALLY do it and I'm sure a ton of people would check it out! (myself included!!!)

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lisastree [2016-06-27 23:06:33 +0000 UTC]

It never makes sense to write something if it stops being itself. I have plenty of story ideas, and not all of them are great, but I want to write them, and that's what's important. And I don't understand why people don't like Fescu. Sometimes following a less-than-sympathetic character makes books interesting. He seems like an interesting character to follow with a complex story, no matter what people think. I mean, some books that do get published that I've read don't seem to have interesting or sympathetic protagonists either, so the argument just seems silly. I hope you're able to complete your project to your own liking. That's what counts.Β Β 

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Voodoo-kiss [2016-06-27 01:18:55 +0000 UTC]

HECK WITH THE MARKET! WE LOVE YOU! and R&R Β <3
i think what i love most about Fescu is precisely that he does not fit the said protagonist mold! or the average anti-hero thing either!
he is his own creature...at least as i see it... that is the core of what he is, he's so free!
stay true!Β 
And also... stay strong, sometimes is hard to get that kind of feedback, especially over our creations...they take so much of Β ourselves in them its like a blow to the face...but don't shelve them forever, id miss them terribly! and i can't wait to see all of it <3Β 

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Morloth88 [2016-06-26 23:00:02 +0000 UTC]

I love seeing them I am always happy when I get to ^^

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GingerOpal In reply to Morloth88 [2016-06-27 01:05:07 +0000 UTC]

Lucky you, I'm going to start drawing them more often!

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Morloth88 In reply to GingerOpal [2016-06-27 09:52:55 +0000 UTC]

YAAAAAAAAY! Huzzah!

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RoguishBard [2016-06-26 22:44:27 +0000 UTC]

Marketing does tend to ruin everything. You'll find a way, I'm sure of it!

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GingerOpal In reply to RoguishBard [2016-06-27 01:09:30 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, I might have to do a kickstarter or something like that. *shudder!* Sounds stressful! Although no matter what I do to publish, it's going to be stressful.

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RoguishBard In reply to GingerOpal [2016-06-27 03:37:10 +0000 UTC]

Hey, all the great artists had rocky starts, but through perseverance they found success. ^__^ Β 

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StaciaJoy [2016-06-26 22:02:44 +0000 UTC]

Three cheers for staying true to yourself!Β 
The best writing always comes from that in my opinion. <3

And gosh I missed these dweebs.Β 

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GingerOpal In reply to StaciaJoy [2016-06-27 01:04:20 +0000 UTC]

Dweebs indeed they are! Thank you for your kind words.

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Moonstone27 [2016-06-26 21:49:17 +0000 UTC]

Ohhhh love how you draw ladies' hair

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GingerOpal In reply to Moonstone27 [2016-06-27 01:02:16 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! This brush pen has been my favorite to ink hair with. You could say it's a great...hair brush.

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Moonstone27 In reply to GingerOpal [2016-06-27 01:07:49 +0000 UTC]

you're welcome X3 and haha XD

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