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submitted by kojolion
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1. Tell us about your most recent project (written or published). What inspired it?

I am currently working on a novel in between short stories. With the time I have between work and other hobbies it is progressing gradually. I would, however, like to shift the focus to one of my stories recently accepted by AnthroAquatic for his sports anthology Claw the Way to Victory back in June, entitled “A Leap Forward”.

Sometime last year, I had the idea for a story featuring Parkour (PK) a physical discipline which emphasizes the use of one’s body to circumvent obstacles in the natural and physical world. There had been few stories written on Parkour, and they, alongside the numerous videos to be found on YouTube, tend to focus more on the more action-intensive aspects of the sport. Although the benefits of PK are obvious, especially to people largely dependent on set paths and roads for getting around, I wanted to explore the social aspects of the discipline, and what makes its practitioners tick. Like any high-intensity sport, the adrenaline rush is there, but for some, it is also a way to entertain oneself in the absence of other means, and even a means to earn a living.

Although PK looks glamorous in film and video, there are also other aspects of it that has been largely forgotten and passed over in favour of its more colourful and exciting visuals. Aspects such as the philosophy of the discipline, and the importance of bettering oneself for self-growth over the need for competition. Because PK finds its place not just in Europe where it had hailed from, but also in unlikely places such as Brazil and the Gaza strip, there are countless reasons why one would choose to take up the discipline, cultural and social differences aside. I believe that for people to truly understand a lifestyle, one has to go into the mind of those who do as they do.

And in the case of “A Leap Forward”, my African Civet protagonist Lesaut.

2. What’s your writing process like? Are you a “pantser,” an outliner, or something in between?

I used to pants-write every story, given that it is extremely liberating in terms of feel. However, as was often the case, things don’t always fall seamlessly together, especially when there’s a lot of detail like a novel would have. Without a layout or plan, the ending may not be known, which can give rise to conflicting events in the story itself.

I now plan the layout of my stories on paper, unless they’re for shorter works, in which freewriting generally works best for me. I don’t always refer to the layout step-by-step and the ending can be different from what was originally intended, but at least I have a direction to work the story towards.

3. What’s your favorite kind of story to write?

Stories with a message, themes people can relate to. We may not be living in a futuristic world fifty years ahead of now, but some themes remain universal. Finding our place in a society that rejects others simply for being weak or different, for one. I also try to fit some action scenes in my stories, both to give the thrill of the chase and allow characters the chance to fight for their goals. I find it enjoyable to work on humourous stories, but because some themes don’t work well with humour, I don’t do many of them. “Kenyak’s Conquest”, my story in the Anthrocon 2015 conbook was one of the few. Most people may think of Vikings as a bloodthirsty people who conquered other territories, so I thought it would be interesting to have the concept of “conquest” redefined for the protagonist, a swiving warrior.

4. Which character from your work do you most identify with, and why?

Mikasi from my second novel. Although Mikasi started off as the least confident of the other three apprentices he was travelling with, he was their mediator and unofficial leader despite the efforts of the most stuck-up apprentice. Despite being a mage apprentice, he favours the skill of the blade over spellcraft, much as how I prefer all things mechanical over electronics. :) Lesaut from “A Leap Forward”, however, represents my free spirit.

5. Which authors or books have most influenced your work?

Before having read books by Kyell Gold, with Waterways being the first, I was focused more on the action-based and adventure aspects of the story. Kyell’s work reminded me, however, that with people being complex creatures, how they interact with each other can determine the outcome of one’s life as much as other events. Anthony Horowitz had taught me the importance of giving personality to objects, such as calling a vehicle by its make rather than simply a car.

6. What’s the last book you read that you really loved?

Shadows in the Snow, the second volume of Stories of New Tibet. There are few books that provokes my thinking when I’m not reading them, and this was definitely one of them. Most of the stories are dark and depressing in nature (though it seems more of that case in the first volume), but somehow it makes you think about the fragility of life. Although the stories take place on a planet an untold number of lightyears away, they still relate to situations in the human condition. I think the most important theme from the book is that leaving for greener pastures is not always be the best option. And sometimes, the only meaning in a planet and city so crime-ridden and bleak is that someone to share one’s life with, the someone you protect and hold dear.

I really wish Sofawolf would release another volume.

7. Besides writing, how do you like to spend your free time?

I sometimes do crafting, probably one reason why I’m interested in technology. I also enjoy video games as long as the story and/or game mechanics are interesting and require some player consideration to solve its missions. Poetry is also something I had started recently, and I also do the occasional art piece which I upload to my FA account. Art was a major introductory for me into the fandom, and I’m still inspired to do it. I used to work on a gag strip, but for now, the Way of the Word takes priority.

8. Advice for other writers?

Give characters a reason for their actions, and make them likable in the process. If you have a protagonist who is a jerk simply because that’s his innate personality rather than it having been motivated by other stronger factors (such as a troubled past, betrayal, etc.), readers are going to be tired of him pretty quick and drop the book fast.

Last of all, a story is about something happening, something different from normal events. A situation in which the characters work towards their goal, coming out better in the process. I believe something different has to happen in the story’s challenge or characters by the time the story ends, otherwise there is little reason to be reading it. I had read quite a few stories, in which two characters get together only to depart without really gaining anything life’s experiences. I believe there’s got to be more to differentiate a story from real life.

9. Where can readers find your work?

I have a story out in Fred Patten’s The Furry Future, and stories in the Punked and Claw the Way to Victory anthologies (to be released in January 2016). My stories had also appeared in several conbooks such as in VancouFur 2015 (Noir), What The Fur 2015 (Time Travel) and Anthrocon 2015 (Viking Invasion). I will continue writing stories for conbooks if their theme interests me, so that’s another venue you may find them in.

And of course, I maintain a FA and twitter account as follows:

http://www.furaffinity.net/user/mikasiwolf/

https://twitter.com/mikasiwolf

10. What’s your favorite thing about the furry fandom?

We all come together for a common interest; all things anthropomorphic. I had tried speaking with non-furries about anthropomorphic characters in writing and literature, and the most common answer I get is “Why do you make them animals instead of humans?”, often with a inscrutable expression on their face. Being in the fandom allows us to talk about possibilities otherwise impossible to do so in the real world. We even have people coming together from across the world to conventions just for this common interest. Whether we’re writers, artists, fursuiters or just fans, we’re united in that way. It doesn’t matter if you’re a cougar or a lion; the other guy who’s a mouse will still get along with you. Colours, patterns or hues don’t matter; if you can dream, you can have it! The choice to choose what character or species you wish to be gives members of the fandom the sense of fulfillment otherwise fixed in other subcultures.

 

Check out MikasiWolf’s member bio here!

What is their gun of choise? My sona uses a rk-62 and a makarov, plus an antitank rifle he made himself.

submitted by Yuppie2
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submitted by NeedlessBird
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DHX Media (the production home of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Littlest Pet Shop, and many many more) have recently signed an international distribution deal for a new CGI TV series called Endangered Species. Unfortunately, so far none of those distribution deals include the USA! “The series follows Pickle, Merl and Gull, a bunny, a squirrel and a seagull who might not seem high on the protected species list, but who are constantly on the verge of catastrophic extinction through comical misadventure.” Check out the article over at Animation World Network to find out more.

image c. 2015 DHX Media

submitted by pandf_
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submitted by The_Ninja_Nero
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I'm not a "furry" if that's like, the right term, but anyways, I never even knew this was a thing, but I looked through this sub and you know what, this is pretty freaking cool. I don't know anything about this community/fanbase but so far I think you're all great and creative and confident, have a nice day.

Quick edit: My apologies, I was browsing some more and found another post quite like this one, hope you don't mind..

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submitted by pretzelbagel
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I don't care what it is. I'll pick anything that sounds either easy or fun to do. Can be fiction or just weird.

Give me your best and/or your worst.

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submitted by CantonSkunkwolf
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submitted by mandog202
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Hey everyone, just decided to get a Reddit account and check out the furry fandom here. I'm 20 years old going on 21. I have always loved anthropomorphic animals for as long as I can remember but hadent started identifying as a furry until about middle school. Anyway, I moved away from my home town two years ago and lost all of my friends. Granted I only had about 3 but we lost touch with each other and how everyone is on to better things. I don't have any friends outside of work anymore and I would like to change that. It's so hard to find people who want to talk to you nowadays. I am open to chatting about anything and everything. Tell me all about your fursona, about your interests, your pets, what music you like. Everything! So if you're ever feeling a bit lonely, please just give me a shout because I would be tickled to death to talk!

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I don't mean to make this a support subreddit. That's not what this sub is really here for, but you can't really. At least I cant, just vent to my friends about pursuing further education.

I only really have two friends. I don't just make friends. I mean I don't even know how you're supposed to do that. No one goes out alone because it depresses you even more. It's not as if a random stranger approaches you and wants to be friends. Most friends you make through an event you are attending with friends; or you're forced together through school or some work project.

I have trouble meeting people. I don't want to go out alone. I'll look alone and feel even more alone than I do. The more I sit here and half convince myself that everything will be okay, the worse it gets.

I've never been alone without something to distract me from how alone I really was. I spent lots Of my time playing WoW when I was out of state. It sidetracked me from my internal feelings.

I don't even have a pc anymore, so I feel like I'm really stuck this time. I'll have to deal with the fact that I'm alone.

Honestly, I think when I listen to sad songs it makes me feel okay because someone else has felt the same despair I have. I'm not trying to make myself out to be someone anti social, weird and unlikeable.

At heart im quirky, but I'm really fun and caring. I just, I know inside I have one month to enjoy my current life. After that I'll slowly sulk until every day in depressed again.

It's not as if I can wake myself up and realize that you don't need friends to be happy. It doesn't feel like that's a reality. Without friends I have all this free time alone.

I don't have a mate, and without friends I'll just be another person that spends their days by themselves. My only happiness will be coming home from work to watch tv and sleep. What kind of life is that? I keep falling into it.

Just when things picked up, they got taken away again. No matter who it is, everyone leaves my life. It's not even something I do, it's just lifes circumstances. People have to go to school. It's just reality that you can't keep things the same way they are.

I wish they were, because I keep trapping myself like this into a whirlwind of negative emotions and daydreaming of a better tomorrow. Like, somehow I'll wake up and meet a new group of friends to fill the void. Magically I'll meet someone that I actually get along with, and who won't lie or fuck me over. It's these little tangents of hope that keep me moving, and at the same time coalesce into my heart leaving drops of despair. Every time those hopes fail, it gets worse and worse.

As I sit here at the bottom of a bottle, it really makes me think about my life. Where did I go? I lost everything that made me who I was. I lost the happy to lucky kid that I once was. Do you really call cynicism a synonym for maturity? That's how it feels for me. The older I've gotten I've been able to see clearer that life is just..worthless. without people around you that love and care for you, you're just another lonely person that is passed by without a thought.

I couldn't be more upset and happy with how I am. On one hand, I've confirmed my beliefs that I would turn out just like this. No matter how hard I try to be likeable and a fun character, no one ever asks if I would like to hang out sometime. People are always laughing with me and love my positive energy. That's not how I feel when I'm doing that for you. It's a cry for help. A cry from someone who just wants people who won't leave when they are needed most.

I tell mysel I'll keep these things short, but they never end up like that. I bottle things up until I can't handle It anymore. Then I tell people how I feel all in one burst.

"That's why this guy doesn't have friends." "You should know how to meet people." "Just go out and do things, friends will come."

Yeah. It's easy to say that when you really don't know the feeling. That's not to say others can't relate, but when you try your best and always get beat down, it starts to take effect. I don't know how I'm still standing anymore. Between the dreams of unattainable realities and the letdowns of current reality, I'm on a boat that's sailing through rough seas.

I have my ups and have my downs, but a v8 can't change that. There's nothing magical I can do to make myself have friends. All I'm good for is support. People just think I'm happy and friendly because "I just am", well that's not the truth and no one seems to understand how upset I am to have everything collapse in what will be a short time. When all you have known is two people your whole life and they leave, it's a terrible feeling of helplessness. It's what I have to deal with right now. I never thought I would have to confront this reality, and I'm not equipped for it.

I'm just going to let myself spiral. It will end up happening regardless.

Karbairusa

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