Another month, another spotlight! As most, if not all, of you know we like to use the start of each new month to celebrate one of your characters that has caught our attention for one reason or another. This could be an incredible biography, intriguing plots or a remarkable personality. Usually, it's a combination of a few factors that has left us impressed and willing to see more. Whatever the reason, a spotlighted character is one that we adore and the monthly spotlight is a great way for us to celebrate your creativity!
This month we're spotlighting Victoria de Lacey, RPed by the wonderful Zazz!
For more information on Tori make sure to check her bio, relationships or character interview.
As is tradition, we asked Zazz a couple of questions:
What was your initial thought when you were contacted about being spotlighted? I'd been sending a lot of PMs lately, so I was initially confused trying to remember specifically which PM this one was until I read it 
Once I realised, I was thrilled! I've only been back for less than six months, so it felt like such an honor to be spotlighted.
What was the inspiration for your character? Tori is inspired by my psychology classes, actually, and exploring themes of childhood resilience, independence and difficult family dynamics. Her strained relationship with her dad plays a huge role in who she is, and the drive she has to prove herself to everyone else around her. She craves a lot of approval. I also wanted to explore what it would be like for a kid who wears so many different hats, not in terms of what she can do, but in terms of the friend she's trying to be. She can't be everything for everyone, but it doesn't stop her from trying.
What is your favourite RP that your character has taken part in? It's really hard to pick just one, she's been in quite a lot of threads surprisingly, butI really enjoyed threads that let me dig into her emotional aspects, or threads where she tries to connect with people on a level she's not really sure she understands, in that sense, do what you must was great because it was the first time she was finding herself in a group of people. aftershocks was also good because it did two things for her, one: it helped me to establish that she can't win all the time even when she doesn't lose and two: she grew closer to Eoghan in it which was something she was trying to do all year. I also loved both of her threads with professors Lyra Potter and Adorah Zumwalt because they both have her seeking advice in different areas, but also allowing her to really think about what she's doing in these early, formative years. She definitely considers them mentors and he mentioned you by name and an answer to a question
What is your favourite aspect of your character? Personally I love her resilience and determination, she really does struggle a lot, and she will continue to do so in the coming years, but she always tries to find a way to move forward, even if her life is really messy and imperfect, she really works hard to figure out what she's doing and where she's going and how to get there.
Your least favourite aspect? She can't stand lying, and she's really stubborn and impulsive about it. It's also a problem because she sometimes does things that require her to get into trouble from her professors and she'll either say nothing or extend the truth a little. And I'm not just talking about straight up white lies, she hates being left out, she can't stand it. Any sort of lie to her would be considered a massive betrayal and trying to win back her trust would be next to impossible. Unless... that is, you're her dad, who pretty much lies to her face on the daily, but she accepts that.
If you could meet your character in real life would you want to? Why or why not? Oh sure! I've known kids like Tori, I've been a kid like Tori, she'd be a lot of fun to talk to but it would probably take a while to get past her walls and really understand the core of who she is. If I could earn her trust, I think it’d be worth it—Tori’s someone who feels deeply and cares passionately once she lets people in.
What do you feel your strength in developing characters is? Well, I’d say creating layered, emotionally complex characters is my strength. I enjoy exploring what makes them tick and how their pasts influence their decisions and relationships.
Your weakness? As for a weakness, sometimes I get so caught up in their struggles or emotional arcs that I neglect to develop their lighter, fun moments. Balancing drama with levity is something I’m working on.
What would you recommend to those looking to further develop their characters? Put your characters in situations that challenge them emotionally and push their boundaries. Let them fail, make mistakes, and learn from them. And don’t be afraid to collaborate with other writers—other perspectives can really help shape your character in unexpected ways.
What are you most looking forward to on HNZ in the next several months? I’m excited to see where Tori’s journey takes her, especially as she starts to build relationships outside of her family. I’m looking forward to exploring her growth as she figures out who she is on her own terms.
What is your favourite part of HNZ? I've really enjoyed reconnecting with friends I haven't spoken to in a while and just generally having more time to do all the fun things I want to do. It's been nearly 16 years since I joined the site, that's literally half of my life. My entire identity has been shaped by the people and the places I've been to and met through HNZ. That's really a massive deal for me. I don't take that lightly.
Once I realised, I was thrilled! I've only been back for less than six months, so it felt like such an honor to be spotlighted.What was the inspiration for your character? Tori is inspired by my psychology classes, actually, and exploring themes of childhood resilience, independence and difficult family dynamics. Her strained relationship with her dad plays a huge role in who she is, and the drive she has to prove herself to everyone else around her. She craves a lot of approval. I also wanted to explore what it would be like for a kid who wears so many different hats, not in terms of what she can do, but in terms of the friend she's trying to be. She can't be everything for everyone, but it doesn't stop her from trying.
What is your favourite RP that your character has taken part in? It's really hard to pick just one, she's been in quite a lot of threads surprisingly, butI really enjoyed threads that let me dig into her emotional aspects, or threads where she tries to connect with people on a level she's not really sure she understands, in that sense, do what you must was great because it was the first time she was finding herself in a group of people. aftershocks was also good because it did two things for her, one: it helped me to establish that she can't win all the time even when she doesn't lose and two: she grew closer to Eoghan in it which was something she was trying to do all year. I also loved both of her threads with professors Lyra Potter and Adorah Zumwalt because they both have her seeking advice in different areas, but also allowing her to really think about what she's doing in these early, formative years. She definitely considers them mentors and he mentioned you by name and an answer to a question
What is your favourite aspect of your character? Personally I love her resilience and determination, she really does struggle a lot, and she will continue to do so in the coming years, but she always tries to find a way to move forward, even if her life is really messy and imperfect, she really works hard to figure out what she's doing and where she's going and how to get there.
Your least favourite aspect? She can't stand lying, and she's really stubborn and impulsive about it. It's also a problem because she sometimes does things that require her to get into trouble from her professors and she'll either say nothing or extend the truth a little. And I'm not just talking about straight up white lies, she hates being left out, she can't stand it. Any sort of lie to her would be considered a massive betrayal and trying to win back her trust would be next to impossible. Unless... that is, you're her dad, who pretty much lies to her face on the daily, but she accepts that.
If you could meet your character in real life would you want to? Why or why not? Oh sure! I've known kids like Tori, I've been a kid like Tori, she'd be a lot of fun to talk to but it would probably take a while to get past her walls and really understand the core of who she is. If I could earn her trust, I think it’d be worth it—Tori’s someone who feels deeply and cares passionately once she lets people in.
What do you feel your strength in developing characters is? Well, I’d say creating layered, emotionally complex characters is my strength. I enjoy exploring what makes them tick and how their pasts influence their decisions and relationships.
Your weakness? As for a weakness, sometimes I get so caught up in their struggles or emotional arcs that I neglect to develop their lighter, fun moments. Balancing drama with levity is something I’m working on.
What would you recommend to those looking to further develop their characters? Put your characters in situations that challenge them emotionally and push their boundaries. Let them fail, make mistakes, and learn from them. And don’t be afraid to collaborate with other writers—other perspectives can really help shape your character in unexpected ways.
What are you most looking forward to on HNZ in the next several months? I’m excited to see where Tori’s journey takes her, especially as she starts to build relationships outside of her family. I’m looking forward to exploring her growth as she figures out who she is on her own terms.
What is your favourite part of HNZ? I've really enjoyed reconnecting with friends I haven't spoken to in a while and just generally having more time to do all the fun things I want to do. It's been nearly 16 years since I joined the site, that's literally half of my life. My entire identity has been shaped by the people and the places I've been to and met through HNZ. That's really a massive deal for me. I don't take that lightly.
Please join us in congratulating Zazz on this month's spotlight or ask any burning questions you might have!
~Emzies
(on behalf of the HNZ site staff)
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