OCtober!

[Birdy]

"OCtober? What's OCtober?" you ask. Well, dear NTWFer, it's simple! OCtober is something that originated (as far as I can tell), on tumblr - it's kinda like Inktober, but for writing!

According to the user's blog:

"Heyy friends, it’s that time of the year! These are pretty open ended and vague, so have fun with them. Feel free to skip around, draw, write, rp, whatever you’d like."


So! A list of 31 prompts - one for each day of the month (obviously) - where each day you write something for an OC!

Here's a link to the prompt list on the blog - though beware! while this post itself is safe, the blog as a whole may not be.

Though for easy access, the prompt list will also be posted here:

SPOILER: Click to show

Day 1: Seasons

Day 2: Fashions

Day 3: Habitat

Day 4: Birthday

Day 5: Babysitting

Day 6: Cosplay

Day 7: Palette

Day 8: Comfort

Day 9: Dinnertime

Day 10: Drinks

Day 11: Haircut

Day 12: Pets

Day 13: Fantasy

Day 14: Instagram

Day 15: Pride

Day 16: Pranks

Day 17: Beach

Day 18: Sleep

Day 19: Work

Day 20: Formal

Day 21: Game Night

Day 22: Music

Day 23: School

Day 24: Desserts

Day 25: Family

Day 26: Hot

Day 27: Cold

Day 28: ? ? ?*

Day 29: Horoscope

Day 30: History

Day 31: Celebration


*Day 28 is a "free day", to write whatever you want!

This thread will act as the hub for OCtober on the NTWF - feel free to chat about the event, or, if you so desire, share the results of your prompting endeavours! We'd love to read them. <3


Now, go forth! Write! Torment Develop those OCs!

[♥ Azzie]

I'm in. =D I can't decide which OC to do them for so I might do a mix, or multiple for some of 'em. I'm excited!

[Twillie]

Ooh, this sounds fun! =D I'll try and do at least a few throughout the month, as I'm sure this could help with developing some characters that really need it!

I can also basically promise right now that I'll jump around between OC's depending on my inspiration at the time, so it may be a mix of old and new x3 Also just depends on what I'm able to do, as I'll be trying Inktober as well in between other October activities! unless I try and combine Inktober and OCtober prompts for the ultimate challenge =0

[Lizica]

Augh, this looks so cool, too!! ...Probably won't be able to participate in this, either, but good luck, guys! =DD I'll look forward to seeing what you all decide to do! Have fun! \ o /

Also, oooh, combining these prompts with the Inktober ones sounds like a real challenge, but it'd be really neat to see, even if only for a couple entries. =O

[Moni]

ahhh OCs have always been a weakness of mine (at least, in online circles) because I can never talk about them; story+plot is kind of king to me, so I don't really think of my characters outside these contexts.

I have a bunch of Neopets OCs--because those are the only ones I share with people (and the only fandom in which I actually partake in pfft). dunno if I'll do any "original OCs" (yes, original original characters) because... uh... again, without a story I can point to they're kind of just names in the wind to me.

[Thorn]

This sounds really cool! I'll be away for a week in the middle and busy with people visiting in general, so I'll aim to do half.
I'll switch characters around- I need to write my Space Fantasy gals again so I'm more inspired to work on the rewrite, but there are other characters some of these prompts suit better.

Just to double check: an OC is any original character, right? So I could use something from a personal project (e.g. space fantasy, much neglected werewolf story), not just Neopets characters or fanfic characters and such?

[Twillie]

Thorn That’s at least been my understanding of OC yeah! Which kind of makes the title redundant in my mind, as it pertains really to just any character of yours, but I suppose it distinguishes from already established characters, like if someone non-TNT wrote about Queen Fyora or something.

Of course, that’s just what I’ve picked up on, so others’ definitions of OC may differ/be more accurate than mine! But I’m sure no matter what, people won’t mind if you use characters you created for an original world or a fandom :3

[Celestial]

Argh, I really feel like I should do this (and have half an idea tugging at my head for "birthday") but I feel like this will be like Inktober: only done when my energy levels and inspiration allow. But I do want to do this (again, half an idea for "birthday") It might be good getting me writing regularly again and trying to pick my brain out of the writer's block hole.

[Twillie]

Day 1~ Seasons
This one gave me more inspiration off the bat than the Inktober prompt, so went ahead and knocked it out while I had the chance.

For my Rainbow story, the main culture/religion centers around nature worship, specifically focusing on the sun and moon as the Earth's creators. So, with the short and long days of winter and summer, I figured that perhaps they celebrate these seasonal changes as either the sun or moon's turn to keep a personal eye on Earth. Summer is a time for the sun to watch over productive harvests, and the moon provides a time for rest afterwards with winter.

I'm sure this is similar to at least half a dozen irl religions that I don't know about, but it's my starting point at least, as I actually hadn't considered seasons for this story yet =o

SPOILER: Click to show

also whoops I didn't specify a specific OC here, so I'll just toss in that protag's mother has a position of authority in their "church", so this would impact her directly x3

[♥ Azzie]

I'm gonna cross-post from Tumblr!


Today's little thing features Cortica, a lady from my friends' and my podcast that is not out yet!

SPOILER: Click to show

01. Seasons

It was only late spring, but already Cortica was regretting not investing in some cooler clothes for the journey.

All right, so it was partially that she’d been neglecting clothes shopping entirely since she arrived, save for a hat that had caught her eye. But she had been busy with schoolwork! That was what she had come here for, after all. No, the problem was more that she’d neglected to read up on the climate before she left and prepare accordingly.

This was Cortica’s first real encounter with warm weather; back on Algane, they only had two seasons: the milder season, when the sechals spread their leaves into the sky and people generally got by with lighter clothing, and the cold season, when the heavier clothes came out and everyone spent a week or so adjusting the cable carts so they’d stop seizing up from the cold. It had been the mild season when Cortica left, but even mild weather on a mountain is cooler than off, as she was quickly learning. Even forgoing socks, the sturdy material of her traveling clothes was proving much too warm for the local weather- especially during swordsmanship training.

Perhaps she’d have to go shopping this weekend after all.

[Birdy]

Here's my Day 1 prompt results! \ o /

It took me a while to come up with an idea - at first, I considered picking an OC that fit a season best, and writing a little something about them that way; matching OC to season.

But then I got this idea, and it seemed to work out great! Actually got it written in about 20-ish minutes. So without further delay...


OCtober Day 1 - Seasons

SPOILER: Click to show

“Summer is a fine season – things are growing nicely, the weather is warm and stays warm, not to mention the rain showers which cause things to shoot up in a natural growth, gracing the earth with their beauty.

Autumn is alright; though things are getting colder, the ground beginning to freeze with frost in the early mornings, there is still much beauty to behold – the colours on the trees, for instance, blaze in the sunlight, and when a breeze should blow past, they send their leaves – beautiful red, gold, and brown – to dance along, carried by the wind to places far and wide.

Winter, however…

Winter is… difficult. The ground is hard and frozen, and few plants can grow outside in such bitter conditions. And the ones that do more often than not succumb to the frost that glazes their leaves, like liquid ice running though their veins.

Spring, though…

Ah, Spring!

That glorious season of starting over, of rebirth and new growth! With the melting of the snow and early rains, it makes it so easy for plants to spring forth, spreading their beauty and life across the ground for all to see! New flowers! New shrubs! New trees! All so easily grown, so easy to take root!

…Anyway,” the young man finished, leaning back in the chair, glancing at the camera before him. “That’s why there’s a giant tree in the middle of the roundabout downtown. Guess I underestimated my powers again, just like last Spring,” he added somewhat sheepishly, giving a shrug. And then, as if remembering something, added one more thing…

“…But at least this time I didn’t shut down a whole city block from all the pollen, yeah?”

[Moni]

"seasons" was not at all a prompt i could work with. seasons are for the weak.

it was nice to see what you guys were inspired with.

[Thorn]

I had two solid candidates for Day 2: Fashions, and both of them were convinced they were the best and I should choose them, thus I threw them together so they could argue it out. I think Nyx may have won.
(Nyx was of course from Hero City, Zazz is my current primary d&d character.)

SPOILER: Click to show

Nyx raised a sceptical eyebrow. “You call that fashion?”

Zazz folded his arms.

“I mean, yeah? How can you judge- you’re wearing a bedsheet.”

She narrowed her eyes. “It’s theatrical.”

“Ahah.”

“It’s miles better than your stupid hat.”

Yellow eyes narrowed, and he drew himself up to his full height. Which wasn’t entirely impressive but, even in flats, Zazz had a good couple of inches on the shorter human woman. Even with the stupid hat, Nyx knew that he rivalled her for sheer aesthetic value. The pale web-like capelet was a nice touch, the lamplight giving it a fiery orange glow.

Oh! But she could compare that to a doily! Yes, good.

“You look like a teapot,” she said, interrupting whatever he’d started to say.

The elf blinked. “What?”

“Like. Your face is the teapot. And you have a doily around your shoulders.”

Zazz put a hand to his throat. “Well, you look like you just escaped from some doom-and-gloom movie set!”

“That’s the point, idiot.”

“Good!”

(written in ten minutes before work, so don't expect miracles.)

[♥ Azzie]

Day 2: Fashions

There's a slight reference to a drawing by Huntress, which I can't find, oops! Anyway this has Wrighton spoilers, so. Ye be warned!

SPOILER: Click to show

"Dad, I'm telling you, you can't wear that sweater into space."

Jamil Khouri crossed his arms and glared at his son. "I told you, it's my favourite. I'm not leaving without it."

"You don't have to!" Atif protested. "Just don't wear it on the first day. Please."

"Come on, why not?" Jamil asked. "It's gonna be cold up there."

"Dad." Atif sighed. "They're going to take pictures before the ship goes up. For the paper. People are going to be dressed nice."

At this, Jamil burst out laughing. "Is that what it is? You don't want me embarrassing you? Atif, the only people who even read that paper are from town. Everyone's seen this sweater already anyway."

"They have," Atif paused. "In the last picture. The one half the town was in?"

Jamil grinned slyly. "Is that all? Well, I suppose I could dig out that satin broccoli shirt I bought, nobody's seen that yet..."

"Dad!"

[Liou]

Day 2 - Fashions

(Couldn't finish this last night, posting it today anyway like a rebel.)

SPOILER: Click to show

Half an hour late and on their third call, the secretary finally picked up.

"I'm sorry Mx, it seems that your mother can't make it today after all. We'll give you a call as soon as we can reschedule."

"No surprise."

"You can send us the bill for your lunch."

"No need for that. You take care and have your lunch, though."

Ayo hung up, set down their tiny coffee cup and walked away from the table that was booked for their mother in the high-end restaurant. They'd sat alone at that table more often than with her.

The streets near Kemi's agency were studded with boutiques bearing the biggest names in fashion. Ayo was accustomed to drawing a few stares from shoppers as they went by. Sometimes, they found a poster in a shop front or a billboard featuring their mother, and they stood near her glowing, airbrushed features, enjoying people's double-takes at the resemblance.

Today, they'd combined a wide-shouldered crop-top hoodie with high-waisted, tight-cuffed trousers. The bright geometric pattern on their top matched their belt, their nails and high heels were cyan, and a thick necklace shaped like a snake rested lazily over their collarbones.

When they raised their phone to check their hair, they noticed someone peeping from behind them. After looking the person up and down and liking what they saw, Ayo faced her.

"Do I look familiar or something?"

"Sorry, you probaby hear that a lot. Kemi Kelani. You look incredibly like her."

Looking straight into her dark eyes, Ayo said, "You just look incredible." They held back a smile at the girl's choked giggle. Charmed in a second.

She was a business student. She had an event coming up soon and no idea how to dress.

"What are you most worried about?" Ayo pressed her.

"My short build, I need something to make me look more imposing."

Ayo set their hands warmly on her shoulders. "You need something that will suit you just as you are. It's your confidence that will make you look more imposing. Don't try to dress like someone you're not, just dress like yourself."

Ayo chose the store and walked her through the shopping. They waited outside the fitting room every time she came out with a different outfit, posing more and more coyly for them. She clutched the handles of the bag excitedly as they exited the shop with her first chic outfit.

"Ayo, walking next to you is almost like being Kemi's P.A."

"I'm not a stand-in for her. I don't do that for any of her fans."

"You're very different from her. Her fans ask you to do that?" She gave them a concerned frown. "I guess that explains why the people in the store were ogling you that way."

They paused at the crossroads where they would go on their separate ways.

"I can't thank you enough, you did all this for me when you don't even know me!"

"I know you're someone I wouldn't mind having dinner with," Ayo told her airily, as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Really? But you will let me treat you, won't you."

"You already did. Tomorrow at eight, Olivia?"

"I'll give you a call when I'm ready."

SPOILER: Click to show

((I'm so sorry, here's a second one.))

The pink fabric looked so soft with its tiny white polka dots that Jun wanted to pet it somehow. They clutched the frothy frills of the cozy little dress and played with the bow that decorated the small of their back. It made them want to dance, just a little bit, swaying from side to side or spinning on their tiptoes. It made them want flowers.

Jun pulled back the curtain. In the full-length mirror, the dress looked very different from the smaller size that had been on display. Their broad brown shoulders stuck out from the soft fabric like elephant ears. Their limbs looked one size too large, even with their arms crossed demurely and one leg desperately trying to hide behind its neighbour. Jun drew the curtain.

Seated on the nearest bench, their older sister Nao looked up from her phone. "What? Are you dressed or are you naked?"

They opened the curtain again to give her a glimpse.

"It's cute! Turn round?"

They obliged.

It took Nao a long time to comment. "Cute, but it's not really you, you know?" she said at last, fiddling with the blue-dyed tips of her hair. "And the folds don't look right around your waist. Try the turquoise."

The turquoise was longer, floatier, and made Jun think of a sunny lagoon.

"That looks amazing with your skin tone! Do you know what shoes you're going to pair it with?"

They didn't. Definitely not high heels. The amethyst dress also looked very nice, but Jun had no idea where or when they might wear it. They suggested that Nao, with her petite frame, try one of the dresses in a smaller size, but she declined - it was not her style.

At last, Jun stepped out in a loose tank top and skinny jeans.

Nao's eyes lit up. "Hey! That looks rad!"

"That's my clothes. That I was wearing. When we came in."

Nao tucked her hair behind her ears. "Oh! Well of course they suit you, then."

The two siblings fidgeted quietly for a moment. Jun inched back towards the clothes they'd tried on, ready to gather them up and return them.

Nao saw them coming. She jumped to her feet.

"Buy one of them Jun."

"Which...?"

"They're all pretty."

"None of them fit -"

"You like them all."

"They're not for tall -"

"Models are tall."

"But Nao -"

"Buy. Yourself. A dress."

They did.

It stayed in the back of their closet most of the time. Jun ran their hands gently over the fabric and wore it when they went home to their sisters, or for having tea on quiet rainy days. Or on dates with people who made them feel really comfortable.