#PennedPossibilities 655 — What’s the most unusual source of inspiration you’ve found?

(Okay, I edited my post with my answer. I was too exhausted last night for any writing, even for just a quick prompt answer.)

This was such an interesting prompt. For the moment, I'll stick to the series I'm currently working on. I write in every genre, having written many different stories, and inspiration strikes at any moment.

Inspiration for this series, however, is quite a mind-blowing concept. Time to put my thinking cap on. It comes mostly from Blade Runner (an adaptation of Philip K. Dick's novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and is set in a dystopian, futuristic Los Angeles in 2019). It was my first experience with the genre. The rest of my inspiration comes from decades of playing cyberpunk #TTRPG stuff, like #CyberpunkRED, #Cyberpunk2020, and my own homebrew games that fall within the genre. I'm actually a game master for TTRPGs, so all the hard, grueling work for my players is done (and created) by me. It's helped a ton. It made me fall in love with the genre. Combining that with SFF was a beautiful idea, and one that made everything fit together like the pieces of a puzzle. It worked out perfectly for me.

Inspiration strikes at the oddest of times and in the most interesting of places.

@Fuchskind Hey, sehr schön.
Bei uns geht es am Wochenende mit der #GURPS #InfiniteWorlds Kampagne weiter, wo unsere Charaktere aktuell auf der #Cyberpunk2020 Zeitlinie "Arasaka" unterwegs sind. *hibbel*

#PennedPossibilities 632 — What originally inspired your WIP’s plot?

Oh, that's easy. For me, it was playing #CyberpunkRED, #Cyberpunk2020, and finally moving on to GM the games as well. The universe used in the homebrew games I've created is the same one featured in the novel. I love creating original universes, worlds, and stories.

We revisit how Night City's landscape changed (and districts simply moved) between #Cyberpunk2020 (the RPG) and #Cyberpunk2077 (the video game).

#PennedPossibilities 566 — What hobbies do you have outside of writing?

Because I'm a writer, I think reading also goes without saying here. I love reading (and listening to audiobooks) so much. So, number one, and at the top of the list: I'm a podcaster. I have a paranormal podcast named #PandasDen.
 
Random fact about me, I'm a huge gamer. To name a few of my loves: Call of Duty Zombies, Assassin's Creed, Dragon Age, Baldur's Gate, Layers of Fear, Diablo, Zelda, and The Witcher. I have a full gaming desk setup, love my Switch, and older gaming systems too, of course.

As far as gaming goes, I'm also a #TTRPG game or dungeon master as well. I've had some campaigns running since about '09 or '10 with close friends. I love it. We have or are playing various games such as #DnD / #DungeonsAndDragons, #CyberpunkRED, #Cyberpunk2020, #VampiretheMasquerade, #CallOfCthulhu, and a lot of homebrew stuff as well.

Aside from that, I'm a sports fan. That keeps me busy enough, believe me. I probably get my daily cardio minutes in during games or races.

Not to be forgotten, I love cooking as well. And photography. I'm (more than) a bit of a classic film nut, too. TCM feels like home. You guys know that about me, I'm sure.

#PennedPossibilities 561 — Give us your thoughts on the genre of your WIP. Do you love it, is there not enough stories written within it, are you an avid reader of the genre, etc.?

First off, yes, I love my two genres. No, I wouldn't say that there isn't enough of them. There are some fantastic #cyberpunk stories. #SFF stories as well. And lastly, yes, I'm an avid reader of those two genres.

My thoughts on the genre(s), though?

Well, let me put it to you this way... At the heart of cyberpunk is a simple yet meaningful contrast: high-tech and low-life. The technology in these worlds is incredibly advanced, but it exists in dystopian societies marked by extreme inequality and corruption. It mirrors our world in such a terrifying way. It's therapeutic to write. Beyond that, however, there is a hope for a better future, and even a love for our MCs, SCs, and their own character arcs that naturally occur within stories. It's a genre that I've poured a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into. For years, I've played #CyberpunkRED and #Cyberpunk2020 as well. That says enough. It's definitely on my list of favorite genres. I'll always return to it. I love #hopepunk, #grimdark, and #solarpunk tales as well. This series delves ever so slightly into those subgenres, too.

Generally, I simplify things and say that it's a dark romance series set in a science fiction fantasy (and cyberpunk-inspired) universe.

@randomwizard the localized hit point system in TS/SI was great, a simple, quick way to solve the "pile o ' hit points" AD&D (and most simpler #TTRPG systems) issue.

#Cyberpunk2020 (aka Cyberpunk v2.0) also had a very interesting, easy way to address that.

#PennedPossibilities 408 — Do you like the process of world-building?

It's my favorite thing about writing. I'm a #TTRPG Game Master too, so it comes rather easily for me. I play #DnD / #DungeonsAndDragons, #CyberpunkRED, #Cyberpunk2020, #VampireTheMasquerade, #CallOfCthulhu, etc.

#Fantasy worlds of any kind, #cyberpunk ones, #SFF, #SciFi, #mystery, #horror, you name it. I love all of it. The creation of something new is exciting. My love of that process will never fade.

#WordWeavers 2.26 — Do you draw inspiration from other characters? What are your greatest influences?

Oh, gosh. Heck yeah, I did for #TheCityOfOpulence. I draw inspo from a lot of things, but most notably #CyberpunkRED, #Cyberpunk2020, and #Cyberpunk2077. I created this character decades ago whilst playing cyberpunk #TTRPG's.

Some inspiration might have to be Takeshi "Tak" Kovacs from #AlteredCarbon, one of my favorite shows. My MC, Alexios Jace, has similarities to him. All coincidence, too.

#PennedPossibilities 240 — What inspired the idea for your latest WIP? (2/2)

The idea came to me because of the MC, Alexios Jace, who is a character that I've written into many a #TTRPG, #CyberpunkRED, and #Cyberpunk2020 game. I also love zombies... They feature in the story later. I loved it and ran with it, creating my own entire universe for the character. It's completely my own and original. I'm a Game Master, so worldbuilding has always come easily for me. I'm so happy with the product.

#PennedPossibilities 237 — How would you describe your WIP’s ideal reader?

My new WIP, an original novel named #TheCityOfOpulence, will be a fun one. It's a #SFF / #cyberpunk story. My intended audience would be science fiction and cyberpunk lovers, of course. Those who enjoy #LGBTQ+ stories are on the list as well because the MC turns out to be pansexual within the story. Anyone with an open mind will enjoy this wild tale. Any #CyberpunkRED and #Cyberpunk2020 players too, of course.