Character notes for "The Imagination to Improvise"

[ysabetwordsmith]

Here are the character notes for "The Imagination to Improvise."


Kathan Vilt -- She has fair skin, gray eyes, and long curly hair streaked in lighter and darker shades of blonde. She is tall and elegant. She is abrosexual, with her orientation changing as she shapeshifts. (For instance, she is lesbian in human female form, gay in human male form, and aliquasexual in animal forms that have a mating season.) Her heritage is American; she speaks English, Esperanto, French, and Spanish. She is 21 years old in 2016.
Kathan started out working toward a Bachelor of Science in Science, Technology, and Society with a minor in Creative Writing at the University of California-Berkeley. There she joined the clubs Board Games at Berkeley, Disabled Students Association at Berkeley, Miss STEM Careers at Berkeley, Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Story Workshop, and The Wildlife Society at Berkeley. After her freshman year, Kathan took a summer program in Science Illustration at California State University, Monterey Bay. While not a professional artist, she wanted to get good enough to do coherent sketches. In spring of her sophomore year, a lab accident caused Kathan to develop superpowers, so she took a year off to get a handle on that. During that time, she explored how shapeshifting gave her different perspectives for writing.
Then the Big One hit, and Kathan moved west to Omaha, Nebraska. By summer, her refugee relief funds came through. So she rented a small studio at Hanson Hall, where she began taking workshops in creative writing as well as arts and crafts. Kathan also enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, planning to start with the fall semester. However, she didn't want to study science anymore. Instead, she used her previous credits in that to make a Science Minor, and switched to working on a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with a concentration in Worldbuilding. There she joined the Creative Writing Club, Games Guild, Historic Recreation Club, Mind & Craft, and QUILTBAG Club.
Kathan follows animism, an aspect of many ancient religions which acknowledges the soul in all living organisms as well as inanimate ones such as rocks and rivers. She never felt strongly drawn to any religion before the lab accident, but after that she could sense the animating spirits that gave shape to everything, so she looked for religions matching that and found animism. She has since touched on various traditions including Paganism and tribal ones, but hasn't officially joined anything yet.
Although Kathan loves the great outdoors, she has to watch out for her asthma. She usually does okay with working en plein air for writing, drawing, or crafting. Too much exertion, a high pollen count, or bad weather can cause an asthma attack, though. So Kathan doesn't tend to do wilderness sports beyond walking, biking, or riding in a boat. The limitation frustrates her in human form. In other forms, it's much less bothersome, encouraging her to spend more time in animal shapes.
Origin: In spring of her sophomore year at college, a lab accident caused Kathan and several other people to develop superpowers. Most just got sick though. The new soups all became polymorphs, and they each started out with a different cat form.
Uniform: Kathan likes comfortable basics in female or male human form. She also enjoys historical recreation and keeps a variety of garb. Her base colors are black, brown, ivory, and white. For accents she favors deep shades of red, green, blue, or purple. She prefers cloaks to coats.
Qualities: Good (+2) Crafty, Good (+2) Graceful, Good (+2) Science, Good (+2) Teamwork, Good (+2) Writer
Poor (-2) Asthma
Powers: Good (+2) Animist Polymorph
Her abilities allow her to sense the spirit in all things, but it takes her a considerable amount of time studying something before she can learn a new shape.
Motivation: To explore and experience.

Abrosexual: having an orientation or feelings about it that constantly change and cannot be pinned down for this reason.

Aliquasexual: not normally feeling attraction, but feeling it on occasion under specific circumstances
This commonly applies to anyone who goes into heat.

Animism is the idea that all things -- animate and inanimate -- possess a spirit or an essence. First coined in 1871, animism is a key feature in many ancient religions, especially of indigenous tribal cultures. Animism is a foundational element in the development of ancient human spirituality, and it can be identified in different forms throughout major modern world religions.


(Kathan had completed 2 years toward a major when the lab accident occurred. After the Big One she moved to Nebraska and decided to start over with writing instead of science, but she had enough courses for Science Minor.)
(T-Berkeley offers this as a major or a minor. Students may choose one of four concentrations or mix-and-match courses.)
Science, Technology, and Society
at the University of California-Berkeley

1. THE HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
Code Title Units
HISTORY 138 History of Science in the U.S. 4
STS C100 Introduction to Science, Technology, and Society 4

2. MEDICINE, THE BODY, AND SOCIETY
GWS 131 Gender and Science 4
UGIS 110 Introduction to Disability Studies 3

3. ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND SOCIETY
ENGIN 157AC Engineering, The Environment, and Society 4
ENGLISH 180Z Science Fiction 4

4. THE HUMAN CONTEXTS OF DATA AND COMPUTING
BIO ENG 100 Ethics in Science and Engineering 3
LEGALST 152AC Human Rights & Technology 4


Courses for Students Building Their Own Pathways
This is a broad list of courses that students should reference if they elect to build their own pathway through the Minor, in collaboration with the Minor advisor.
Code Title Units
Anthropology
ANTHRO 150 Utopia: Art and Power in Modern Times 4
English
ENGLISH 172 Literature and Psychology 4
History
HISTORY 100S Special Topics in the History of Science: Superpowers 4
Information
INFO 188 Behind the Data: Humans and Values 3
Rhetoric
RHETOR 107 Rhetoric of Scientific Discourse 4


Minor in Creative Writing
at the University of California-Berkeley

Course Requirements
Code Title Units
Upper Division
Select three courses in creative writing (see below) 1
Select two courses in literature (see below)

Creative Writing
Code Title Units
COLWRIT 130 Introduction to the Craft of Creative Writing 4
COLWRIT 131 Introduction to the Craft of Creative Nonfiction 3
COLWRIT 140A Seminar-Workshop in Creative Writing: California en Plein Air 3
ENGLISH 143A Short Fiction 4

Literature
Code Title Units
COM LIT 156 Fiction and Culture of the Americas 4
ENGLISH 152 Women Writers 4
GWS C146A Cultural Representations of Sexualities: Queer Literary Culture 4


(In T-America, there is a condensed summer program running eight weeks with one week per topic, worth 4 credits. A similar program covers digital artwork and scientific web design.)
Science Illustration
at California State University, Monterey Bay

Introduction to Artwork
Presents a variety of media including charcoals, pen and ink, colored pencils, pastels, and watercolor. Covers foundations of art such as color theory and composition. Instruction in basic techniques of drawing and painting.

Introduction to Science Illustration
Instruction in black and white techniques, including graphite, pen and ink, coquille, and scratchboard. Attention to the tools and skills essential for creating accurate and effective scientific illustrations.

Field Sketching
Sharpens visual perception, drawing, and design skills through extensive sketching practice. A broad range of media are explored, including graphite, ink, colored pencil, watercolor and mixed media. Field trips to forest, riparian, coastal and other environments provide varied subject matter from which to draw. Basic morphology of commonly illustrated organisms, methods of collecting visual information, and design experimentation are discussed.

Science Illustration in Color
Intensive instruction in colored pencil, watercolor, and mixed media. Emphasis on keen observational skills, mastery of color concepts, and communicating accurate information using color media.

Applied Techniques in Natural Science Illustration
Builds on skills gained in previous courses to increase professionalism in all areas of science illustration. Topics include improving skills with media, integration of images with text, work strategies and business practices, and the illustrator/art director relationship. Emphasis on special-view and conceptual/editorial types of illustration: representing abstract, multi-faceted, socially delicate, and/or un-photographable subject matter.

Advanced Techniques in Color Science Illustration
An intensive investigation of advanced color techniques, with a focus on gouache, acrylic, and mixed media. Emphasis on idea generation, composition, and visual storytelling.

Botanical Illustration
With herbaria, live specimens, and field drawings as reference, students produce botanical images using a variety of media. Basic plant morphology, dissection studies, plant environments and human usages of plants are integrated into illustration assignments.

Zoological Illustration
Focuses on production of zoological illustrations as they are most commonly used in publication. Using appropriate traditional and/or digital media, students produce several illustrations on topics such as form & function, behavior, and animals in their habitats¿all with an aim toward portfolio development. Techniques for representing dimension, texture, and detail as well as morphology and movement of animals are discussed during the course of individual projects.


Clubs

Board Games at Berkeley
We are a social club that hosts two game nights a week and has thriving D&D and Magic the Gathering communities! All game nights are completely free, and there are no commitment or membership requirements for the club.

Disabled Students Association at Berkeley
DSABL aims to foster a supportive community where disabled students at Berkeley Law receive mentorship, facilitate access to resources and accommodations, and provide a space to advocate and understand disability rights.

Miss STEM Careers at Berkeley
Our mission is to inspire young women to close the gender gap by pursuing underrepresented STEM Careers. Our vision is to foster a community of young women across the United States interested in STEM.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Story Workshop
Do you like science fiction? Do you like fantasy? Do you like to read, or write, or interact with others who have similar interests? If you said yes to any of those questions then you are more than welcome to join the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writing Workshop. We specialize in wacky writing warm-ups, writing contests, attempted NaNoWriMos, and workshopping stories in constructive and insightful ways. We accept all sorts here - whether you like time travel, dragons, space, castles, demons, ghosts; it doesn't matter what you write as long as you're passoniate about it.
Do you have a story you want to workshop? Then come on by. Do you want to practice your writing skills but can't dedicate more than an hour a week to do so? Us too, so come and join! Do you want a good de-stresser during midterms and crazy work weeks? This club was basically designed to do just that. We are a club that doesn't take membership all that seriously - if you want to come for a meeting we are happy to have you and if you stay every week then all the better.
In short we are a club filled with members who love science fiction and fantasy in all forms and if you share those interests then you'll fit right in.

The Wildlife Society at Berkeley
Do you have an interest in wildlife or wandering around outdoors? Are your friends tired of you sharing animal facts? Do you have blurry insect pictures on your phone?
Wildlife Society at Berkeley is the place for you! We have weekly meetings where we present a wildlife of the week, plan events, and connect with down to earth students, as well as hosting professors and professionals in the field. Events that we host include hikes, trivia nights, field trips, volunteering, and museum tours.


Creative Writing, Bachelor of Fine Arts
at the University of Nebraska-Omaha

Requirements

Bachelor of Fine Arts
The Writer’s Workshop offers a major leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree, with concentrations in Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, and Screenwriting
Writer's Workshop Core Requirements
Code Title Credits
Literature and Theory Core 9
WRWS 1010 CONTEMPORARY WRITERS: IN PERSON IN PRINT
WRWS 3010 LITERARY MAGAZINE (APPLIED)
& WRWS 4000 FORM AND THEORY 5

Foreign Language 8-10
Select 8-10 hours 2
French

Lower Level Literature 9
Select three (3) 2000-level literature courses from any discipline offering a course in a primary source of literature; WRWS Special Topics courses (2000) included. Of the 3 courses, at least 1 must be from the following: 3
ENGL 2510 GLOBAL EXPLORATIONS: MEDIEVAL TO EARLY MODERN WORLD
ENGL 2520 LITERATURE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION: THE MODERN WORLD
WRWS 2000 SPECIAL STUDIES IN WRITING: Superpowers in Literature 3

Upper Level Literature
ENGL 4340 SHAKESPEARE 3
Select five (5) additional 3000- or 4000-level literature classes from any language or discipline (in consultation with faculty adviser) offering a course in a primary source of literature. 4
ENGL 3000 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENGLISH: World Literature in Esperanto (3 credits)
ENGL 3100 NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURE: MAJOR FIGURES (3 credits)
ENGL 4230 LATINO LITERATURE (3 credits)
ENGL 4270 WOMEN WRITERS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WEST (3 credits)
ENGL 4280 QUEER AMERICAN WESTS (3 credits) 15
Total Credits 44-46

WRWS 2000 SPECIAL STUDIES IN WRITING (3 credits)
Offers varying subjects in writing and reading for the basic study of special forms, structures and techniques of imaginative literature. Consult the current class schedule for the semester's subject. May be repeated for credit with change of subject.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): ENGL 1160. Not open to non-degree graduate students.

English Courses

ENGL 3000 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ENGLISH (3 credits)
This course introduces students to a specialized subject matter in the disciplines of English Studies not covered in existing courses. This course may be repeated for different topics.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): Variable according to topic.

ENGL 3100 NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURE: MAJOR FIGURES (3 credits)
An in-depth study of elements of Native American literature or of particular poets, novelists, biographers or short story writers.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): ENGL 1160 or permission

ENGL 4230 LATINO LITERATURE (3 credits)
A study of representative works of Mexican-American, Spanish-American, and American writers, along with their cultural and historical antecedents. Formerly ENGL 4180/8186 Chicano Literature and Culture. (Cross-listed with ENGL 8236).
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): Permission of instructor.

ENGL 4270 WOMEN WRITERS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN WEST (3 credits)
A survey of U.S. and Canadian women writers (18th century to the present) enabling students to examine issues of gender and sexuality across a wide thematic range, including settlement, land use, cultural displacement, and survival in western territories, states, and provinces of North America. (Cross-listed with ENGL 8276, WGST 4270).
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): ENGL 1150 and ENGL 1160 or equivalent; completion of ENGL 2410 or other writing in the major course recommended.

ENGL 4280 QUEER AMERICAN WESTS (3 credits)
A survey of queer literatures about the American West. The course will explore a variety of genres, including poetry, short stories, plays, novels, creative nonfiction, and, depending on time, film/television. "Queer" will be construed as including any "non-normative" sexualities and sexual identities (e.g., genderqueer, winkte, two-spirit, 3rd/4th gender). Non-western writers (e.g., Walt Whitman) imagining the West queerly may also be included. (Cross-listed with ENGL 8286, WGST 3160).
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): ENGL 1160; completion of writing in the major course recommended.


Concentration in Worldbuilding

WRWS 3100 INTERMEDIATE FICTION STUDIO
WRWS 4100 ADVANCED FICTION STUDIO I

(Kathan skipped the 1000-level classes.)
ENGL 2000 TOPICS IN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE: Introduction to Worldbuilding and Shared Worlds (3 credits)
ENGL 2600 Worldbuilding III (1-6 credits) (T-American)
ENGL 2601 Worldbuilding IV (1-6 credits) (T-American)
ENGL 3160 Worldbuilding V (1-6 credits) (T-American)
ENGL 3161 Worldbuilding VI (1-6 credits) (T-American)
ENGL 4500 Worldbuilding VII (1-6 credits) (T-American)
ENGL 4501 Worldbuilding VIII (1-6 credits) (T-American)

Because Kathan had already taken several basic writing courses, she was able to choose more advanced ones at her new college.


Concentration in Creative Nonfiction

WRWS 3300 INTERMEDIATE CREATIVE NONFICTION STUDIO 4
WRWS 4300 ADVANCED CREATIVE NONFICTION STUDIO 4
Select three of the following or discuss options with advisor. NOTE: some courses have pre-reqs. 9
ENGL 4860 THE MODERN FAMILIAR ESSAY
JMC 3400 MAGAZINE ARTICLE WRITING
WRWS 3000 SELECTED TOPICS IN WRITING: Nebraska en Plein Air

ENGL 4840 TRAVEL WRITING (3 credits)
Travel Writing is a course in professional writing. Although the course includes critical examinations of texts, the primary focus is on the composition of various kinds of travel essays. (Cross-listed with ENGL 8846).
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): ENGL 2410, ENGL 2420, or ENGL 3150


(These are from Lincoln; the Omaha campus has similar groups.)
Clubs

Creative Writing Club
Welcome to the team! The UNO Creative Writing Club is a fun and encouraging environment for young writers to grow their skills and find a welcoming and inclusive community. Whether hoping to achieve a professional career in writing or just looking for a creative outlet to let out some steam, all are welcome to join in weekly meetings, an edit-and-feedback space, book talks, and so much more!

Games Guild
Welcome to the Guild! We're a club focused on bringing people together to play games. We have three divisions: Board & Card Games, Dungeons & Dragons, and War Games. Meetings are held for members and guests to hang out and play some of the club's games or bring their own.

Historic Recreation Club (T-American)
This student organization spans all periods of historic recreation with their various archaic crafts and hobbies.

Mind & Craft
We are a crafting club for any and all lovers of craft!
We are open to any skill level and are eager to help teach you a new craft whether it be knitting, crocheting, needlework, or anything else of interest.
You already know what to do? Perfect! Bring your personal projects to work on as you please.
We strive to create a comfy, relaxed, and safe environment for all.
We provide yarn, hooks, and needles during our meetings.
Our Mission
The purpose of M&C is to share the arts of crafting with fellow UNO students and guests of the group.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a safe environment for UNO students who love and enjoy crafting.

QUILTBAG Club (T-American)
The QUILTBAG Club supports students in exploring all aspects of sexuality, romance, gender, and related aspects of orientation and identity. It hosts weekly meetings, social activities, support groups, a queer library, and more.

Kathan Vilt Male Human Form

Kathan Vilt Lioness Form

Kathan Vilt Horse Form Palomino Mare


Capsule Wardrobe Bodices Medieval 6 Assorted Colors with Slashing

Capsule Wardrobe Shirts Medieval Chemises 9 Short and Long Sleeves

Capsule Wardrobe Skirts Medieval Embroidered Black Brown Blue Green Purple

Capsule Wardrobe Skirts Medieval Jagged Skirts Short Black Green Purple Red

Capsule Wardrobe Dresses Medieval Black Blue Green Red

Capsule Wardrobe Cloak Medieval Kinsale Black

Capsule Wardrobe Abrosexual Flag Scarf

Capsule Wardrobe Mens Fantasy Vests and Shirts Black Brown White

Capsule Wardrobe Mens Fantasy Swordsman Shirts and Trousers Black Brown Ivory Blue Green


Winky is a male Scottish Fold and a good, quiet art model.


Tripawd was born with only three legs. It doesn't slow her down at all; she's very exuberant and loves meeting new people.


Pinto Bean lost his front legs and part of his tail in a car accident.

 

Comments

Re: Thoughts

[chanter1944]

Awwwwww. <3 Zoom-by scritches for Gesture Sketch Dog the clearly joyful and curious, ear snuggles for Pinto Bean (there was another dog with the nickname Pinto Bean at a social media account I follow, a big floofy creme golden retriever who was actually named Voodoo, and he's who I think of whenever I see that name), and all the cuddles for Winky, because purry lap kitties are love.

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

Yay! That sounds like fun.