Writer's Block Daily

Shouting into the void just kind of increases the random chance of getting some rando who has no idea what they're talking about. Do you actually want to know if you're going to do something wrong? Then actually seek Romani people out.

EDIT: Why pain't me blue and call me a pig, it's page topper.

edited 19th Oct '16 4:01:45 PM by DarkbloodCarnagefang

Not really. Notice the number of regulars on this thread. There's no more than a few dozen, to be extremely generous. A bunch more people in the forums outside of Writer's Block, but as forums go, these fora are tiny.

The chances that you'll be able to find someone who meets your criteria and answer your question are not zero, but not large either.

Quora or some sub-Reddit might be a better choice. Or see if you can find some culture blog or research paper, and go from there.

edited 19th Oct '16 4:27:02 PM by SabresEdge

Thou art an azure swine.

...sorry, just going stir-crazy and engaging in minor shit-posting to settle. Carry on.

You shout into the void, and the void shout backs: We are fairly certain we cannot help you, find another void

Writing with Color is a pretty good blog, so definitely check it out.

well, i live in south Carolina, my school is mostly black, and my parents are wary if i ever interact with strangers. so the chances of me talking to one scale back to zero.

note: i'm black by the way. just so you know. note: sadly, i couldn't find what i'm looking for. the ask page was broken too.

edited 19th Oct '16 4:39:59 PM by ewolf2015

@Killer Clowns - Congratulations, that was the funniest way that statement could have been put.

And I mean, yeah, you could shout into the void and the void might shout back, but honestly seeking people out would be better. Shout into the void if you want, I can't stop anyone from doing that.

edited 19th Oct '16 4:51:06 PM by DarkbloodCarnagefang

You might be misinterpreting "fine one and talk to one". Online interaction is interaction, too.

Your best chances of getting to do online interaction with one is on a larger forum, or on some resource dedicated to the Romani experience. Because, again, this is a tiny thread on a small forum.

Go forth and research. You have Google right at your fingertips, for heaven's sake.

Re: shouting into the void. Since my family's really gotten into Disturbed's version of "The Sound of Silence" recently, this has been bouncing around my head for a while:

Though I might add a small rant, on the general topic. You ought not trust Google too much. Perhaps I read too much cyberpunk, but its algorithms have an uncanny way of telling you either what they thing you ought know, or what you want to hear.

And of course, Google can provide raw information, but it absolutely cannot teach one how to weigh, process, and analyze that information, to sort what is worthy from what is irrelevant, bullshit, or outright lies. Google is not a bad resource in this particular case — if nothing else, it can recommend a proper essay, or even book, to read on the topic. But in general, one ought think twice before dismissing questions with "just Google it", because Google is a more deceitful and dangerous oracle than any who has sat at Delphi.

edited 19th Oct '16 5:24:08 PM by KillerClowns

That can be mitigated with more research, though, in order to get a larger sample size of opinions. Google can help get that additional research.

But if you have a library nearby, it's probably a better resource for hard research.

edited 19th Oct '16 5:29:41 PM by kegisak

True if you're logged in, as Google will, by default, tailor its searches for you; it's a little worrisome, to be sure. Still, for factual research, Google—like Wikipedia—is a fantastic starting point, so long as keep a properly skeptical mindset going in. [citation needed], as the Wikipedians say; the bibliography is one of the most valuable parts of the page, and so it is on Google too.

Everything is a google click away, but it takes a lot of time and effort to figure out which google click it is.

Oh, it's not just if you're logged in. It pins a certain amount of data directly to the IP address as well, even when you're logged out, and guesses interests depending on what others in your geographical area have shown an interest in. Which makes sense in some cases — if I'm absentmindedly searching for "building codes", I probably mean those of my own city/country, not those of New York, Los Angeles, or some other highly-populous city that might otherwise dominate the rankings. But it also helps to nudge the unsuspecting user towards whatever preconceptions surround them.

Still, with all those caveats aside... yes, I'll admit, an internet search with your engine of choice is a good way to start on a new topic.

I do think it's safe to say, though, that "just Google it" is good advice when the other proposed strategy is just asking an extremely small set of completely random people.

I never was a big fan of non visual research but I did learn a few things about romani culture. Apparently, not all of them are nomadic and most of their lineage can be traced down to India or south Asia. Quite interesting if you ask me.

"True if you're logged in, as Google will, by default, tailor its searches for you;"

Yeah as if it's gonna give a single fuck about that to provide you tailored ads.
It keeps much more checks on people than just logging into voluntary account.

If, by that, you mean you can't be bothered to read through research articles and essays?

Better change that and get used to doing "non-visual" research, or you're going to Have A Bad Time finding the information you need.

I feel like a bit weird today.

Why?

Also, i'm going to participate in the Nano Wrimo thing, except not in their website. I can't bear to show my writing to anyone, if I write by the seat of my pants, very personal information will leak out o-O Nop, just going to write for good sport.

just some discussion concerning kid heroes and what not.

I'm having personal issues concerning empathy, and how I can't seem to write anything heartwarming that doesn't end on suicide, the protagonists being assholes. I can't seem to write good guys, yo.

Lightning Lancer here. Aspiring fanfic writer, 20 years old, and still have not one complete work save some oneshots to my name. ^^;

I'm sure I have a lot of questions but the first is, how do you write a character well who you only know about from second-hand knowledge of who they are and inferences on their personality?

How can a character who starts as prideful and full of themselves change to being more humble and selfless without a Break the Haughty moment? I'm trying to write a character who is powerful and looks down on humans, but eventually comes to care about them enough to sacrifice his very being to sustain a world for humanity for however long he can do this.

edited 22nd Oct '16 3:18:56 PM by LightningLancer

Um, since nobody's replied to my post yet I just wanted to know if I'm doing this the right manner. But I'd appreciate a response to know if I need to do something else instead.

This thread moves rather slowly at times. Doesn't mean we're ignoring you, could just mean we're not browsing here.

As for the question, that sounds like entirely too little information to write the character, unless a) they play a very minor role, or b) you fill in the missing pieces with your own interpretation.