When To NOT Talk About Life Insurance

At this point in my life, I'd like you to read an interview that I'm going to do with one of my NaNoWriMo (that's National Novel Writer's Month to those of you who are in the dark) characters who has yet to appear in my story. If you haven't already realized, today is November the tenth. This means that, to be on my self established word goal of 30,000, I should have 10,000 words by 11:59 PM tonight. But leaving that factor and going to the next, I want you to realize that my story is on its third chapter (okay, the first is more of a prelude, but just give it to me, 'k?) and my main character is still in the process of meeting his soon-to-be-fellow-protagonists. Today it was brought to my attention---by secret sources *ahem*dad*cough*---that I need a character sacrifice.

That is, someone (one of the protagonists) to die for a (questionably) good reason.

Unfortunately, this must happen soon in the plot development and it just so happens that I have a rather small cast of protags and none of them that I can kill off. This is due to the fact that I need a dose of character development to take you readers for a spin in the chapters ahead.
Oddly enough, I've never been faced with a problem like this before. Each time that I've had one of my story dudes suffer a death it's been by my own choice---usually because they don't have anything better to do. However, in the current case, I'm actually having to deliberately make (what I'm calling in honor of Dr. Who) a Rory Character. Only in this character's unfortunate case, he WON'T be coming back to life.

*reconsideration*...I guess he's not really a Rory Character then...

Anyway, I need someone who my readers will begin to think shows promise of becoming someone awesome by the end of the book. AND THEN IS CUT SHORT IN HIS PRIME BY A DEATH OF HORRIBLENESS. Thus, breaking the reader down, exposing them to shock, despair, and fear for the remaining dudes, causing them to blubber in tears over their Lucky Charms.

And that is why, my friends, I write now. Because, if I'm not mistaken, the character in question is due to show up right about...now.

___

Hello nameless Rory Character who will be dying presently, how are you at the moment?

Huh, me? Oh...I guess I'm doing all right. Considering the circumstances about---well, y'know. 

Your death?

*cowers a bit* Umm, yeah. That.

Oh it's fine, I'll try my best to keep it painless as possible on your part.

I appreciate that. *nods sincerely*

No prob. Anyway, I'm sure our readers are wondering: Are you a guy or a girl?

A guy. The author---err, eh, that would be you wouldn't it?---figures this is the best way to go. 

What about your name? (I gotta go through the basics here)

...Well...I actually don't kn---

*explodes in spastic episodes of glee* AIYEEEEEE! I'VE GOT IT, I'VE GOT IT, I'VE GOT IT!!

*looks hopeful* A way to bring me back to life?

NO---YOUR NAME! 

*frowns* Oh. What is it? Do tell.

YOUR NAME IS RORY! 

*mutters and looks a bit disappointed* no duh. 

Excuuuuuse me? 

Nothing. What's my next question?

Do you eat ranch?

Nope. Allergic. 

To ranch??

Yup. 

What kind of personality would you describe yourself with?

*pauses to think and mumbles:* Isn't this your job?

Shush and just answer the question.

I guess I'm kind of...shy. Maybe. Or more like indecisive. *puts hands on sides of head* Ahg! I don't know! 

*writes notes* Hmm...indecisive...that's helpful.

*moans* Glad to hear it.

What about family? Do you have any family?

A wife. We've only been married for two years. 

Oh well congrats!

Thanks! 

What about animals? Do you like animals?

Funny you should ask about that. It just so happens that I'm working as an assistant to one of the world's most knowledgeable zoologists. 

Really? Do you work at the Lab that's on the top of Humphreys Peak?

Oh yes. Have you been there?

Actually, it won't exist for the next two hundred years, but I've heard a lot about it. What do you do at work?

Just the usual: Help Dr. Smite with animal tissue samples, check research and feed the few animals we have at the establishment.

*look of worry* But it's not like one of those creepy science lab where they mutate and cause harm to the animals, right?

Oh not at all. It's perfectly humane. I even take some of the animals home with me after work---their practically family pets.

So your wife, she likes animals too?

Definitely. 

*keeps taking notes* Also good to know...I wonder if her name should be Amy...

You ask something? 

Wha?

What?

Nothing. I have one last inquiry before we break up this brief talk. 

And that is?

How perfected are your survival skills?

Like, outdoors and such?

Yeah. 

Well I'd say I could survive for a little while. I'm not the smartest person on the subject, but I know the basics. Out of mere curiosity, why do you ask?

Oh, well, I'm just wondering. Just in case you might---ah---need them by chance. You know, later on.

*gives sideways look* I'm dying in the wilderness? 

*sits up straighter and puts on innocent look, speaking quickly* I didn't say that. 

Right. Well if you excuse me, this whole conversation is making me rather uncomfortable. *gets up out of cushy chair and walks away*

*stares at ticking clock in awkward (and lonely) silence* Well that when nicely. I don't feel guilty at all. Nope. Not one bit. *gets up and walks away in opposite direction*

___


Okay, well if you were wanting to know, it is awkward trying to interview someone who you both know is going to end up dying by your hand.

But that's not the point.

The point is for you to enjoy this post because it gives your nosey little nose a sneak peak at what is to come.

Also, in that case that you might have had a brainwave, I was wondering if you have any better name ideas than just "Rory". I like that name but extra suggestions are very welcome! =)

And that closes our post of November 10, 2012. Thank you for reading!
Kismint

Fresh Breath of Leaves

I feel a newness in the trees, in the earth, even in the sky itself
My nose is tickled with the cinnamon scent that goes spelunking in the neighborhood
Some things are simply meant to be taken in
Others are meant to be given
The autumn is giving me a greeting card
And the question is whether I will treasure it or not

 K-Minty

And It Continues

Excuse my lack of words and blame it on NaNo.

Plant Life

(Words taken from Plant Life || Owl City)

From Me To You

Cheers!

A Chronology, If You Will

Dear friends, today I woke up and realized that I have not taken a single picture for weeks. So I decided to make up for it today. I now present to you, the stereo-typical Monday of a Kismint Plink-a-Dink.

**NOTE** These pictures are completely unedited and were shot on auto mode. Thus, they are exceedingly awful at worst and not my finest work at best. Enjoy as my day unfolds before you.

I started today's photo log at breakfast. Naturally, my fine cooking skills produced a feast of quite scrumptious quality

Fed this fellow.

Can't you just see the gratitude?

It's been my experience that panic takes place at about this time on Monday mornings...something about it being eight minutes to departure time.

Wore my Shell Shocked jersey with my pirate boots today. I hope you are proud.

Road trip.

This is what is looks like after I've just defeated the evil evil evil evil evil stairs that mark the way to digi art.

Yes. I know it's a shock. Homeschoolers have to take notes from the board too.

I hope I don't get sued for taking pictures of the innocent.

Note to self: lunch could suspiciously be likened to breakfast.

You know you're under your word count if you're working on NaNo at lunchtime. 

Friends who are awesome and do goofy things with me during lunch hour as I wield a camera. Thank guys, I had a lot of fun today---and seriously, you are brilliant when it comes to photo ideas.

Lit. class: the place of the kiwi walls.

Tramping my way to science. 

  Tramping my way from science.

GOODBYE FRODO!!!! *sniff* 

Yay for home and screechy garage doors.

Today marks a cornerstone for me. It was the first time I single handedly popped my own little bag of greasy microwave popcorn all by my own little self. 

Plus, I tried to make a video documentary of me doing it, but that fizzled and my camera decided not to keep its end of the bargain up.

Guess what this spells!...

...A Merlin marathon COMPLETE WITH POPCORN AND SODA!! 

(Surprise! I've become an overnight fan.)

After I finished season one of BBC's finest, I went over to the young writer's program NaNo website and decided to try to strangle my word count (currently 1,240 behind schedule).

NaNo playlist. 

The lack of variety in artists bothers me not.

After sitting too long with my eyes glazed over trying to conjure up those missing 1,240 words my mum kicked me off the typewrit---err, computer. What else to do but re-read this classic in the November nighttime?

Until of course, the dude came and told me that I needed to shower him with love and attention (and food). 

This picture was weird because I couldn't see a thing when I took it. Flashes are annoying, but fun when I don't care about the quality. 

I usually spend my nights pacing around in the dark. It's just what I do---and how I think.

Sad but true: this is what I think of as a typical Monday night dinner. Cooking just isn't what you'd call a love.

And from there I sat down and blogged about my day. 

Which, ironically, doesn't have a picture to go with it, because the picture is...right here. 

I hope you had a good Monday. And I very much hope the rest of your week will be fine and jolly with lots of chocolate and pretty sunsets (because sunrises are too early in the morning and you deserve to sleep in). 

These are just some of the pictures I took today, so expect to see some more soon at my photography blog! Tell me what you think of my Monday photo log...maybe I'll do another day of the week. 

But until then,

God bless and be inspired,

K-Minty

Yesterday's Headdesk

This minus the fact that I love Revenge of the Sith.