Cilla or Gwyn? Cilla or Gwyn? Cilla or... Arrrrrgh! Help! and Goats??

Fellow people with opinions, I need your help!
For a little while now, I've been debating on whether or not to change my main character{from my main novel: The Legend of Skyrian} from Gwyn to Cilla. Can you help?
  Here are the Pros and Cons

Gwyn{short for Gwyniver}

Pros: 

• Has a Medieval ring to it
• Is suited for her era
• Full name is unique to my story 

Cons: 

• Looks too similar to "Gwinivier"
• "Gwyn" has been used in other medieval fantasy books
• I'm not positive it suits her character perfectly

Cilla{can be short for Percilla}

Pros:

• Has rarely been used at all
• Suits her character maybe a little better than "Gwyn"
• I like it's slightly musical sound and how naturally comes to me when I think about her character

Cons:

• "Percilla" is a period name from the 18th and 19th centuries
• It can come off as sounding "prissy" - which my character is not in the least!

Well, there it is. Can you help me out? Please leave a comment and vote!

Other news.....

The weather has been gorgeous around here{at last}! In the 70's and 80's! Can you believe it?
 I have been riding and photographing like there's no tomorrow. I want to stick all my pictures up on Wandering Stills, but the computer with the pictures, the iMac, needs a brain transplant aka new hardrive, so that's out until Da can find enough time to install it. :/


 Some more May news:
A few day's ago, while I was feeding the horses, I found that my brother's rabbit "Madam Miffy Fluffypaws" had died. And that it was probably my fault. *guilty look* You see, the day before I'd given her some fresh grass - and it might have been to much. Rabbits have extremely delicate digestive systems... I might have kicked her bucket, so to speak. Well, that's the only reason I can find anyway. I could have been something else I don't know of but...*shrugs*  She was young, bouncy, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed until I found her stone dead.
So that's it for the rabbits around here. It couldn't have happened at a worse time, either, when I'm trying to convince my Da to let my get a couple pygmy goats. I cacn do goats, by the way. I've had them before for years and we got on splendidly! But Da doesn't think we need them, Mum says if I can care for them and keep them off her lilacs it's okay.
  So really all I need is a purpose for them other than "pets" in Da's eyes. I don't fancy raising them for meat. And I don't think you can milk pygmies, can you? People with goats, please throw in your advice!

Thank you!!! Gwyn/Cilla :)

Horses: The way they are portrayed makes all the differance

This is a topic that really got me started writing The Legend of Skyrian. I realized a need for horses to be portrayed for what they really are: Horses.

 If you have differing opinions please, share them. I'd love to see other angles of this...

In many books and movies and video games horses are evoked as perfect angels that come at your beck and call, you know the kind. "My Little Pony" stereo types. This has always irked me.

Now, don't get me wrong. I think horses are angels and are some of the greatest things on the planet. But I also realize there is a a line to be drawn. 

Horses are not people.

Seriously, if your going to write a book about planets you get the facts. You don't simply write planets to be what you assume they are. They may end up to be just like stars in different skin. The same way horses need to be explored before you write up what you think they are like. You have to know them.

Some one once told me words I will never forget: "You can't write about something you don't know about."

When you do, people who do know about it will see through your story right away and the whole thing will collapse. Take this book and its reviews for example. Pay special attention to Writer/rider, ~*RanchGirl*~, and Lifelong horsey girl's reviews. (writer/rider's and ranchgirl's reviews are on the sidebar)

In my books I am really trying to stress that real horses don't match the media's view of them. I want my horses to be horses. To roll around, get dirty, play horsy games, ignore their owners commands on occasion, have mood swings, run away when said owner approaches with a bridle; you know real horse stuff!! Things that real horse people experience daily. Getting frustrated with a stubborn pony is as much a part of loving him as when you learn a new trick together and something just clicks.

If you take away a horses 'bad side' and replace it with perfect behavior, you might as well have your character brush a cardboard cut-out.

Okay, I'm not sure if I got my point across clearly,(there's still plenty I want to say!) but its all I have time for right now.

A hurried Cheers!~Gwyn

The horses in my li-- ahem, story

I found some pictures on the web using Google Images of horses that, for the most part, match the three main horses in my novels. I also did some mild enhancing...

Here they are...

These two here are Skyrian, who takes center stage in book one. He is the First Stallion

This is Enya(pending) The name Enya is Gaelic for 'little fire'. She is the First Mare and doesn't enter the story till the second book.

...And we seen this lady before! Once again its Gana. Who I haven't completely figured out where she will come in....

Okay my thirty minutes are way past so....

Cheers! ~Gwyn

Quiz Results!!

Gwyn:

Age: {est.}14 1/2

Gwyn struggles in a world that views women as total inferiors to men. She wants to fight and prove that women too can do adventurous things. She longs to explore the world and discover new things; and one day, she shall. 

Gwyn is constantly getting in to trouble, from falling asleep in lessons to endangering half the population with a crazed runaway horse. She loves practical jokes, especially when it concerns a snake and some hapless person’s bed.

But Gwyn also has a quiet side, though seldom seen. She loves music and books, but most of all she loves the tales, or legends of old that are passed down orally through songs and plays. 

Ëarwen and Olive Tree, you are most like Gwyn: Independent, mischievous, brave, and in love with animals. And perhaps a bit fool hardy. 

Emy{pron. ee-mee}:

Age: 14

Emy has been best friends with Gwyn since childhood, her mother taking Gwyn in as almost a second daughter until her tragic death left Emy an orphan at age 7.

Emy is almost the exact opposite of Gwyn. She enjoys quiet and peace and wishes wistfully of the life of a noble. 

Her lovely singing and dancing has promoted her to the higher parts of the traveling minstrels.

She hopes to one day be married to a good man and be a good mother to their children.  She clings tightly to the Bible and the LORD.

Emy is a good counter weight to rambunctious Gwyn, though she has some what despaired of ever teaching her friend to be a true lady.

Eldarwen, you are most like Emy: Quiet, sweet and wise.

Will:

Age: 15

Will’s past is darkened by a rough childhood, but despite that he is friendly and fun to be around. Thoughtful at times, reckless in others. 

He comes along later in the story than the others, so I shan’t say too much more about him.:){And also he’s ‘under construction’; He hasn’t told me much about himself yet;)}

Bethany, you are most like Will: Friendly, funny and with a few secrets.

Nobody was Tyrel and I don’t have much time left so I won’t write up his part. Sorry Tyrel!

I hope you guys enjoyed the quiz!

~Gwyn

Quiz!! Which (teen) character from my book are you?

YOU CAN STILL PARTICIPATE!! 

Just leave a comment with your answers and I'll get you the results as soon as I can!

1. Out of these, which do you aspire to be most?

a. Explore the world! Go on adventures like in the tales of old! 

b. (girls) Be a good wife and mother.

c. Become a great warrior.

2. Which of these sound most like you?

a. Laid back, easy going, fun loving

b. Quiet, calm and sweet

c. Adventurous and mischievous 

d. For the most part serious and hard working

3. Suddenly you find yourself in the midst of a raging battle! What do you do??

a. You're terrified and run for it! There is no such thing as glory in battle!

b. Reluctantly(but quickly) join in the fray, helping out the 'good side'

c. Plunge in! You're eager to prove your worth to your captain and comrades

d. Find out what the quarrel is about and determine if its worth risking your neck

4. What is your choice weapon?

a. The Bible: a sword against evil and the devil.

b. Sling shot! Hey, simplicity is great!

c. Hand-and-a-half sword

d. Recurve bow and arrows

e. Broad sword. Five feet of pure power

5. An assassin suddenly jumps out of the bushes, intent on taking your life; without thinking, you react with a sword and (wether intending or not) kill the assassin. How do you react afterwards?

a. You look on in horror. What have you done??

b. In mild horror you try and convince yourself it was necessary.

c. It doesn't faze you. You've seen and delt death before.

d. Swallow, feeling a bit queazy, but go on your way on careful watch for more attempts on your life.

6. Your ideal horse(out of these)?

a. A big powerful charger/battle horse

b. A slender, graceful animal; like the ones the noble ladies ride in parades.

c. A sturdy yet beautiful horse. And it has to be fast! 

d. Something that will stand up to your rather rough lifestyle for many years.

7. What would you prefer to sleep in/on?

a. A castle chamber; full of silks and interesting baubles and a HUGE bed! Though, worldly things can only go so far...

b. Anywhere, as long as you can leave when ever you want, including in the middle of the night.

c. A straw cot will do fine. As long as there aren't any bugs.

8. What do you think of politics?

a. Mildly interesting.

b. Seemingly pointless bickering that's endless. Give me some action!

c. Dull, dull, dull. But that won't stop you from voicing your opinion.

d. Leave it for others to decide, and hope they will do what is best for everyone.

9. How often do you get yourself into trouble/mischief ?

a. Every day! You wouldn't believe it! They must have eyes on the backs of their heads....

b. Never. I try and do my best to be good, sinner though I am.

c. Ahhh... funny you should ask...

d. Not often. The penalties are too high.

10. Favorite animal(out of these)?

a. A horse of course! 

b. A cat

c. A good ol' hunting dog

11. Which legend intrigues you most?

a. The Legend of Skyrian: Tale of the first horse Created

b. The Sliver Knight and the Seven Dragons: A knight battles with seven dragons over one of their eggs.

c. The Thousand Year War: a battle that lasts a thousand years until a brave knight resolves it.

d. The Ice Princess: A cursed princess that charms the hearts of many with her beauty, yet is in love with a Knight Star.

Did you like it? :D

Post your answers in the comments. Please include the # of the question for each answer(example: 1.-b)

Writing Dilemma!

I have reached a point in my story where I want to add someone. A furry someone to be exact. I want to give Gwyn a mink(like a tiny weasel, only 8 inches when full grown), but I'm afraid it might take the attention off Skyrian, the main horse. I'll give you a summery of how it would work out:

Gwyn is checking traps in the forest, Skyrian following quietly behind her. She comes to one of the smaller traps and finds a less than half grown mink with its tail stuck in the trap. Feeling sorry for it, she  carefully releases it, but finds the end of its tail broken. She takes it back to the cabin and care for it, etc...  eventually the mink becomes Gwyn's pet.

This is just the pre vis.  so it's sketchy, but what do you think? I just don't want the focus taken off Skyrian. After all, the first book is The Legend of Skyrian!

Input, please!