Nanami is walking home from school when she realises she is being followed.  She runs, trips and is nearly run over. Thankfully, she escapes uninjured, but in the car's headlights manages to see that someone was indeed following her. The next day Nanami explains to her brother that she thinks someone is trying to kill her. He brushes off her words as nonsense.

A baseball accident following this discussion leads Nanami to suspect that Utena might be behind the attempts on her life (which include flowerpots dropping from high buildings).  While confronting Utena about her situation, they overhear Touga in the greenhouse with Anthy discussing killing something and Nanami assumes it's her.   Heartbroken that her brother wants her dead, Nanami runs off in tears, leaving Miki and Utena to discover that the two in the greenhouse were actually talking about killing pests that were infesting the roses. 

A distraught Nanami is caught unawares by a run-away horse and is saved by a boy. Miki and Utena learn that Nanami has made the fellow her boyfriend and personal bodyguard, despite the fact that he is half her age.  Utena is disgusted that Nanami is using the boy's dedication to her in such a way. Miki explains that her actions, although not justified, can be understood since she has always seen her brother as the pinnacle of manhood and his apparent desire to kill her has shaken her perceptions.

Saoinji, in a rare moment of insight, also contributes that being abused by your loved one is preferable to being separated from them.  Although he is twisted, Saoinji apparently does actually like Anthy which is the first positive sign for his character that we've seen.

Meanwhile three guys in her grade confront Nanami about why she's dating an elementary school boy when they've been trying to win her hand.  She commands her 'boyfriend', Mitsuru, to beat them up which he does, but only barely.  Utena and Miki come upon him and learn that, since he witnessed Touga saving Nanami when they were children, he's aspired to be a chivalric big brother ever since.  Mitsuru reveals he's been putting Nanami in danger to accomplish this.  Since she was eavesdropping, Nanami is furious at the discovery, but this drama is put from their minds when a run-away boxing kangaroo appears.  Yes, this episode is weird

Although Mitsuru is willing to die to protect her, Nananmi carries him off stating that she needs guys like him to work for her so she doesn't want him to die.  Touga saves the day and the three walk away as a very odd family dynamic.

I can't say I have much to say about this episode except that it illustrates how people's perceptions shape the world.  Nanami believes that someone is trying to kill her so she reads meaning into the conversations of others, Mitsuru wants to be a hero so creates dangerous situations to become one and Saoinji believes himself in love with Anthy.

Images courtesy of  http://ohtori.nu/

Our lives are made up of rituals. Most people enjoy an element of the predictable, be it a cup of morning coffee or the annual weekend trip to the beach. Since writing is an activity that must be regularly practiced, authors often have certain habits, environments or even foods they use to get into the creative zone.

I would like to give credit for this blog topic to Accalia Leigh who recently wrote an assignment (run by the NANOWRIMO organisation) on this matter. Of late, I have been writing almost constantly around my work schedule. This is because leogrl19 and I are dedicated to completing the collaboration we're working on (and garner a lot of enjoyment from the process). I mention this because it differs from my usual writing process in several ways, although common elements still exist. The rituals outlined in this post will be fairly general.

My preference (when not participating in a collaboration) is to hand write. I treasure the opportunity to get away from computer screens as well as the flexibility that comes with being able to take a book and pen with me anywhere I go. I've always found the writing experience different in the two mediums, opting for the more manual activity and valuing the opportunity to edit when translating it from book to electronic document.

The morning or early afternoon are when I feel most inclined to write. I'm naturally a morning person and enjoy the peace of sitting with a warm cup of tea, book on my lap, listening to the world wake up. Fun fact: That is what I'm doing while writing this. :) My preferred place to write is a natural, relaxed setting, but the past few years have found me seated on the wing-back chair in my living room, a cat nearby, blanket thrown over me and some relaxing music playing. Having the time and peaceful atmosphere so that I can let my mind wander when thoughts elude me, are also integral parts of my ritual.

I don't generally eat while I'm writing since that endangers my materials, but I always have a beverage present – water or tea. Since writing is stationary, I usually require a blanket as well to feel cozy. Generally, I write between 15 and 30 minutes at a time, taking breaks to perform more menial tasks, then coming back to write for another stretch. At the end of each session, I review what's been written, sometimes reading it aloud to gain an additional dimension.

This read-through also consists of some editing with my own code. For example: If a word needs to be added, I write the word below or above the line and include a v or ^ to show where it needs to be inserted. Words to be removed are scratched out and their replacements indicated nearby. When whole sections need to be added, I write them in the nearest blank space then indicate either through arrows or reference (like, 'add to page 14') where the section should go.

What rituals do you have for your own creative process? Do you have any habits others might find unique? Unusual? All forms of artistic expression are intensely personal. Part of what makes each piece of art special is the process by which it was created, so take the time to consider and celebrate yours. Cheers!