The Bravery to Put Pen to Paper

     After collaborating with someone, I learned not everyone is thrilled to write as I am. It’s one thing to run Neopies award-winning cinematic masterpieces in your head, but once you stare at a blank sheet of paper, the task becomes insurmountable. You may feel apprehensive about tackling such a monstrous undertaking, and that’s okay.

     Let me inspire you to conquer your fear and take the first step. I won’t offer grammatical or stylistic advice because those skills are honed from practice and regular reading. And hey, you can find that stuff at libraries, writers’ groups, and your local bookshop. Whether you’re in Brightvale, Faerieland, or even in Moltara’s Arcanium, self-help texts may provide everything you need to succeed in Neopia with diagrams, step-by-step processes, and interviews with prolific figures in the field. I travelled to the moon (shout-out to Kreludor’s Booktastic Books!) and back and realised a simple fact: studying an entire book is overwhelming for a blossoming Neopian Times Star.

     Let’s try a different approach: We’ll create a short story right here, right now, together! In truth, I haven’t even written this tale yet. Fantasising about the final product fills me with excitement.

     My most fervent wish is that the article not only inspires your creativity, igniting the spark of your storytelling potential, but also serves as guidance to navigate the first drafts of bringing your stories to life.

     Let’s kick this off!

     1. Jot down every idea, even if you consider them of inferior quality, irrelevant, or embarrassing.

     Externalize your thoughts. It matters not if your brainstorming sessions are quilled, typed, or scribbled on a napkin smeared with coffee. You’d be surprised at how skilful you are as a wellspring of adventure. Not only that, but seeing your concepts materialise hands you the advantage of avoiding writer’s block with a clever idea or two ready in your pocket. Be prepared to end up with a jumbled mess. Remain patient and you’ll pick pieces full of potential for a fascinating story.

     I’ll brainstorm ideas using my pet, Rostiello, the Royalboy Zafara. This story has been brewing in my head for ages, and now I’m ready to write it down.

     -I wanted a cute evil-doer who lacks direction yet possesses untamed power and loves witnessing the wisher’s demise.

     -His endearing cuteness and mannerisms make him very popular.

     -He has much to learn about friendships.

     -The Zafara resembles Mr. Krawley, but only focusing on singular victims instead of a broader conspiracy.

     -He recognises other wishers as only fools facing the consequences of their actions.

     -Rostiello’s magic must maintain balance with an equal measure of misfortune.

     -He wants a friend because he’s tired of people using him for his powers.

     -Beltran, a Royalboy Acara, wishes for Rostiello’s friendship. A calamity will befall Beltran to preserve the magical equilibrium.

     -Beltran’s wish doesn’t backfire at first when Rostiello single-handedly staves off the misfortune. In a twist of fate, Rostiello’s earnest goal to save Beltran from disaster led to his own demise.

     -While going on adventures together, Rostiello hides his suffering behind a facade to prevent Beltran from worrying.

     Not every idea makes the cut—that’s fine! For the sake of keeping this article palatable for readers, I’ve spared listing minor details like Rostiello’s love of old tomes and Beltran’s favourite food—Grenelons. Get those brilliant concepts down on paper, but don’t rush or push yourself too hard. Finishing this step will be cathartic. This’ll be a weight off your shoulders.

     2. It’s time to develop those thoughts further. Describe your character’s adventures using the 5 W’s (who, what, where, when, why, and how).

     How can I enhance that list and add my unique touch? Let’s try the 5 W’s. Sort out your ideas above in the categories as they relate to your character and their journey. This process is also helpful for visualising the roles of all characters in the story, regardless of how much time they spend on screen.

     Story Idea: Rostiello grants Beltran’s odd wish for them to be friends. Grim consequences ensue.

     -Who: The seemingly adorable Royalboy Zafara, a wish-granting magical creature, hides a dark, wicked nature born from a history of abuse. He secretly wants good friends in his life.

     -What: He grants wishes that backfire in spectacular catastrophes. Despite the good brought by the wish, an equal amount of misfortune must exist to maintain balance. Knowing this, he continues for the sheer amusement of watching people's demise.

     -Where: Between Brightvale and Meridell because I like the aesthetics of evergreen forests and castles.

     -When: He meets the arrogant yet lonely Beltran, rightful heir to a kingdom, and expects the greatest of all downfalls.

     -Why: Rostiello accepts the wish because his deep-seated desire to befriend people overpowers his trauma.

     -How: His magic ushers miracles, but also tragedies. Rostiello is empowered with the courage to treat Beltran well and spend time with him.

     3. Develop an interesting adventure for your characters.

     Your Neopet’s journey isn’t always a grand cosmic quest to save Neopia—sometimes there’s a mental one alongside. Notable Neopian Times stories unfold in unchanging settings like kitchens, gardens, or seasonal event spaces. Character-growth, from start to finish, was the common thread that kept readers entertained. The characters might have a change of heart or learn a valuable lesson. Or they overcome their frustrations or reach a breakthrough. Significant internal transformation is required of the characters as they explore their environment.

     If conceptualising a character development arc is challenging, then visualise a physical arc. You have a ball, all set to throw. You seek a dynamic path as it leaves your hand. Imagine this: if the 1200-word minimum for short stories is the horizontal distance, then the flight trajectory represents the ever-changing levels of maturity, knowledge, and emotional growth.

     Will the ball’s landing height be above or below its starting point? Does it become lodged high in the branches of a tree, or disappear into a bottomless pit? The story might end with the ball frozen mid-air, leaving readers wanting more.

     It’s important for new writers to realize that audiences often enjoy narratives that emphasize positive changes in characters and situations. We expect the character to become a more virtuous person.

     Rostiello starts off as a mischievous spirit, but his perspective changes through friendship. He meets Beltran, who is an ideal candidate because of his arrogant nature and complex desires. Surprisingly, the Acara doesn’t wish for more power or status, but simply desires to be friends with the magician. The narrative unveils the Zafara’s extraordinary quest for companionship. As Rostiello becomes magically bound to Beltran through their friendship, he is resolute in protecting the Acara and preventing the destructive tendencies of his magic.

     Their friendship might have begun with magic, but Rostiello’s will shaped his perspective on friendship. He holds the opinion that friendship requires self-sacrifice, even self-destruction, to safeguard a friend’s happiness.

      Friendship, he discovers, is not about the devout servitude he lived by all his life. It is accepting a friend’s empathy and support and perhaps embracing the vulnerability required of intimate relationships.

     4. Craft a conflict that would propel your character to fulfil that arc.

     Envision the conflict as the tailwind that cradles the ball’s trajectory. This will supercharge the character’s transformation. To understand the kinds of conflicts and the opportunities they offer, further investigation and analysis are required. I promised to spare you a lecture, and I’ll keep it brief. Some examples are character vs. self, character vs. other characters, and character vs. society. Without exception, conflict thwarts the easy attainment of goals and ambitions. The satisfaction comes from your character succeeding in a well-deserved manner. The struggle becomes more gripping as the steps taken to beat the odds become more logical. This makes your character’s journey so captivating.

     You likely already have a gut feeling about the perfect conflict. It’s the one that you want to happen. Trust your intuition.

     It may be possible there are better conflicts applicable to your characters, but for now, we want your story written, not perfected. I don’t want you to be hampered by technical writing and editing reserved for later stages after the first draft.

     Try writing the shortest possible summary of the story. This process will clarify your character’s goals, the major conflict, and their state before and after the story’s events.

     To help you visualise the story, here’s a quick gist of Rostiello’s character development:

     "Rostiello is a lonely, twisted magician who takes pleasure in witnessing the downfall of the wishes he grants. His latest victim, Beltran, makes a complicated wish, and now the magician must find a new way to battle the uncontrolled magic to protect his newfound friendship."

     The tailwind propelling the character arc is the fight against imminent misfortune. For Rostiello, the conflict is combatting the magic threatening to take his life and in doing so, learns the lesson of having a genuine camaraderie. Happiness isn’t about giving up everything for others; it’s about vulnerability and allowing those closest to you to support you, so you can all stay together as equals.

     Rostiello’s character arc explores the internal struggle between deciding self-sacrifice and accepting help. He’s torn from the desire to protect Beltran at all costs and the realisation that he cannot fight off the magic alone. This conflict is psychological, as Rostiello battles with his own beliefs.

     5. Predict the ideal ending for your narrative.

     What happens in the conflict’s aftermath? Will the character puff out their chest in triumphant victory or mourn in total defeat? Perhaps they’re content with a sip of coffee after a long day. The ending—happy, sad, or neutral—is your choice. Ensure it resonates with your point of view.

     Circling back to an earlier idea can establish a more fulfilling story through continuity. I brainstormed many ideas earlier, and one random thought provided a hint of a satisfying conclusion.

     Rostiello’s conflict happened because of unbalanced wishes. Suppose one could earn the wish on their own merits and not realise it without repercussions—to achieve their dreams with their own hands and the hands of others without magic?

     To their dismay, the wish is an irreversible mistake. Their choice is to face the situation together. Rostiello and Beltran collaborated to solve the problem. Beltran will check up on Rostiello if there is any magic affecting him, and Rostiello will accept aid should his conscience tell him to shut himself away. While the ending isn’t ideal, they’ve overcome the conflict and remain friends.

     6. This is difficult for me to accept, but it is true: Have fun!

     Enjoyment in the writing process translates to a more enjoyable reading experience for your audience. Enthusiasm is contagious in the best ways possible. When you’re having fun, you enter a state of flow that pushes you to keep going and be more productive. Its practicality lies in its ability to conquer the self-doubt that paralyzes you in front of a blank page on a more consistent basis. This differs from the limited and situational inspiration that comes and goes as quickly as a rare item stocked during Half Price Day.

     Your writing may not rival history’s greatest authors, but that’s alright. Perfection is unrealistic to expect at any stage of your new creative journey. Even the most celebrated writers, whose books fly off the shelves, weren’t born bestsellers; they practised and honed their craft.

     My concentration is creating stories I love to read. I refuse to imitate past Neopian Times stories just to increase my chances of getting published. There’s a saying that an eccentric, but intelligent friend once told me: as an author, your biggest fan should be yourself. Write about what makes you happy. Maybe your story won’t have global appeal, but that shouldn’t be your concern. Your goal is to enjoy the creative experience to reach the end. You have a journey to tread similar to our characters. Might as well make it fun.

     What I enjoy most about writing is watching imperfect characters conquer difficult situations. I lean away from stories where a knight in shining armour struts in and solves everyone’s problems. I sometimes prefer my protagonists to be the villains who must deal with the repercussions of their choices. My signature style is solving problems by employing unconventional and often unexpected methods to achieve a successful resolution. I am invigorated by the challenge of generating creative solutions while working within the confines of specific constraints and limitations. Ask yourself: What would you like to read about in other books? Try incorporating those elements into your stories.

     7. Enhance the story’s clarity and keep at it!

     I’m sure your innovative ingenuity is fantastic; however, the artist’s struggle is translating their mental image into a cohesive and engaging piece for others to appreciate. You need to prevent your work from being skipped because of typos, grammatical issues, and confusing sections. Mastering writing techniques is tough, and it seems like everyone else is better at it. Avoid getting caught up in endless comparisons. Persevere. If your draft feels stuck, take a break. Relax with a cup of Aisha Hot Chocolate and Seshatia’s book of the month.

     Afterwards, jump back in.

     Did you know I didn’t write this article in one go? You don’t see the scrapped drafts and time I’ve poured over this. Crafting content is a humbling process. My first attempt never attained perfection. As streamlined as I made this piece seem, my actual journey is messy, like a group of Gooples racing across Haunted Woods. My brain sees the path, but I often stumble, tumble, and grumble as I push through the metaphorical thicket and brambles. I forget plotlines, make common grammar mistakes, and leave a lot of inconsistencies, but I also turn back and patiently pick up the pieces.

     Each person’s approach is different. Some only need two drafts; however, others, myself included, must read aloud and get feedback draft, after draft, after draft. Experiment and find what works best for you.

     8. While submitting your contribution to The Neopian Times is intimidating, don’t let fear hold you back.

     We’ve reached an uncomfortable topic: rejection. Yes, even the best writers of The Neopian Times have unfavourable Neomails from TNT. Sometimes it’s just a matter of making improvements and resubmitting. Other times we receive a “Too many good entries” in their rejection message. When you receive that neomail, there is nothing to overthink—TNT received a lot of great submissions. This response is common when anyone sends a general entry for a themed day. Of course, they’ll prioritise a brilliantly crafted story of fluttering Carmarillers on a spring-themed edition over a memoir of the same calibre of Mika and Carassa sorting out their nostalgic belongings.

     It’s impossible to erase the fear of rejection. It may haunt you into your seasoned years as a Neopian Times contributor. For me, I’m always anxious; the mere idea of others reading my first words is agonising.

     Remember, you write for yourself, not to please everyone. Even the finest works in the world do not receive universal love. Authors encounter inevitable criticism whenever they share their work, with some being valid and some not. We can’t change that. But we can choose to learn from it or ignore it.

     Confront feedback after a deep breath. You’ve got this!

     Although you don’t consider yourself brave, sharing your creative writing with others takes courage.

     Let me say it: you are brave.

     Your writing will reach compassionate people. Not having an enormous fan base won’t lessen the value of the few admirers who support you. Don’t forget to count the timid readers too shy to Neomail you a congratulations.

     Rostiello’s story has yet to be published in The Neopian Times. I’m going to write it, and regardless of acceptance, the experience will be fulfilling. I’m eager to develop the Rostiello story into a saga for a future publication or just for my pleasure. No matter the outcome, I have no regrets about my decision.

     May your writing adventures be grand and wondrous, bringing you rich and rewarding experiences. Who knows? You may have avatars awaiting you on the horizon.

     We await a glimpse into the boundless expanse of your creative imagination. And when that time comes, we will celebrate your remarkable achievements and the triumph of your writing journey.