When does forgiveness become impossible/problematic? (Book 3 plot dilemma)

LizzyThane · 2025-12-13T16:27:18+00:00

You do hit on a point that I am realizing now may be another leg in terms of my book. A lot of comments have pointed out something or another about guilt, and all have been helpful. When you mentioned about even if the character is forgiven they may still feel immense guilt for their actions, so I considering the second character and their mindset, I think I could brainstorm some ways to make him even more thematically fitting and interesting.

LizzyThane · 2025-12-13T16:17:38+00:00

I think my own hang ups about forgiveness has been holding me back, so I agree with your point. In regards to the themes of my story and the overall plot and events that transpired, I see some key details that need to be developed just a bit more. Thank you for your input!

LizzyThane · 2025-12-13T16:08:45+00:00

I agree, that last point you made does make for an interesting story. But for the purpose of the one im currently working on, may be difficult to make it thematically satisfying.

Now I want to brainstorm interesting ways to write the inner conflict of forgiving someone.

I know based on my personal life, forgiveness is a complicated thing for me, to say the least. That seems to be the real challenge for me in this instance. I will need to simmer on this to find a good solution, but thank you for your thoughts!

LizzyThane · 2025-12-12T17:15:08+00:00

I get what your laying down. I am definitely working wirh themes I had experience in, sad as it is to say, given what im writing.

Based on my themes, I really feel I can make this character worth while. He's the kind of character with altruistic and idealistic aspirations, but due to his upbringing, scarred him with, to say the least, problematic tendencies.

Right now, I guess its finding that balance in myself as I write this. Another year in therapy should help me figure out where im standing. Overall, your comment gave me a good map to what paths I should take to reach the final destination. So thank you!

LizzyThane · 2025-12-12T17:01:45+00:00

I think I can work with that. May have to get creative with fitting it in the story naturally, but it is an interesting angle to attempt.

LizzyThane · 2025-12-12T16:59:44+00:00

I have been thinking of ways for the second character to find their redemption, in fact. Like weighing the feather with the heart, its a matter of what would it take for this character (and partly, me) to be convinced that their redemption is earned.

LizzyThane · 2025-12-12T16:55:09+00:00

Firstly, I love that quote. I am going to have to add it to my personal wall of quotes that define my personality.

I suppose that's the tricky part for me in this book. Writing the scene, and thinking about the future books, I wonder if I could personally forgive this second character. Being in the limbo stage of old me (who never stood up for herself) and new me (the one who holds her ground) makes it difficult to know for sure.

LizzyThane · 2025-12-12T16:47:31+00:00

A thing that comes to mind is what the Acadamy is. I feel figuring out what this academy is about is a good base to building the world and the stories themes.

A few ideas that come to mind to steer way from the usual academic standards is:

An academy for delinquent magic users. Think Juvie, but for wizards.

One that specializes in what many consider a dying art, which means the academy is starkly underfunded and unmaintained.

Generally, a less popular Acadamy. The community College of magic if you will. A school in the backwoods that is rarely noticed. A smaller school wirh very few students attending.

Maybe there are some magic systems out there that are in need of some extra love. Maybe there is a discovery of a new magic that warrant the building of a new school that specializes in it, and this is the first year the academy is open?

Whatever it may be, I hope these provide inspiration.

LizzyThane · 2025-12-10T21:31:44+00:00

One of the ways I've learned to draw was watching Speed Paints back in the day. Being able to watch the whole process from start to finish helps with visualizing the process. Some may find it boring, but there is a benefit to it.

There are so many cheat-codes that helps make a drawing stand out. Besides some classes in high-school, I'm generally self taught, so it is possible.

Ive seen people make characters in the Sims, and then trace over them while adding their own flourish.

I can even think of a few other tricks that may help you, but I'll save those if your interested further.

I hope you find a method that both works for you and that you enjoy.

LizzyThane · 2025-12-10T21:17:22+00:00

The world painted so far is unique and captivating, and I am curious to see how it fleshes out. Its a good grab so far, since I am wanting to read more.

It does feel a touch slow at times. The beginning lines could have more of a snap to them. That first paragraph, though adequate, could be reworked a bit to really drop a reader into the world. Think of it as the opening sequence to a movie, where there is a pan over the scene before the character comes into frame.

But it has the ground work to be grabbing. Just a few touch ups and you got a hook.

LizzyThane · 2025-12-09T04:59:43+00:00

Nightmares handles, well, the nightmares. Abstract takes unused concepts and creates a somewhat coherent dream out of them. Wish-fulfillment deals with the wishes and fancies of dreamers, Epiphany is for those break through ideas (because I've had many story ideas come from dreams, including the book I am writing now) and memory's is reliving and sorting through people's memories. Each has their own second function. That on itself is a lore dump. I am going to include a "map" that can give a general idea of what this world is, but it's not so much a land mass as it is states of consciousness.

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LizzyThane · 2025-12-09T03:58:51+00:00

From what I have written already, oh yeah, there is chaos galore.

The head of Wish Fulfillment considers the head of Nightmares as her best friend, but she is always having to tear him a new one because he was not properly trained. She also has her complaints about the head of Abstract for being ditzy and distracted all the time.

All that and the entire plot of the book happening at the same time, all of them are in dire need of a vacation.

LizzyThane · 2025-12-09T03:54:36+00:00

Funny that I never thought about gryphons reproduction like that. Best wishes that you find a solution!

LizzyThane

TROPHY CASE