ruchi-writes

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you've heard of bad boy love interest who is only nice to the female protagonist...but are you ready for wholesome dude who gets along with everyone except the unhinged goblin female lead?

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character moodboard: Becca Cavanaugh

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out of context thing I wrote today

"Some gaming houses do get pretty crazy, but our org keeps it tight: strict rules about drugs and drinking. We’re good boys.”

I glanced at my second monitor again. The way his jaw tightened didn’t match his nonchalant tone. I had the sudden, unmistakable sense he wasn’t telling the whole truth. 

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out of context thing I wrote today

“I don’t make a habit of being the weak link,” I said finally. “Even when the game is likely going to be a loss, I still try.”

He leaned forward. “And what if you are the weak link?”

“I won’t be.” It slipped out, barely louder than a whisper. I swallowed, lifted my chin. “I won’t be,” I repeated, steadier this time. “I’ll do my best. And like you already figured out, my best holds up.”

For the first time, the corners of his mouth lifted into a grin.

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character moodboard: Matteo Ruiz

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Book Review: The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

Before starting a new book, I usually skim recent Goodreads reviews to get a sense of whether it’s my kind of read. This one seemed pretty polarizing, but since I’ve enjoyed everything else I’ve read by Leigh Bardugo, I decided to give it a go anyway.

I’m so glad I did.

Many other reviewers have brought up fair points — this is a story with a plain-Jane heroine who turns out to be incredibly powerful. There is a millennia old, brooding and pallid love interest. The religious institutions are predictably misogynistic, and the women are appropriately beaten down by society.

It is about all of those things, but somehow, it’s also about more than that. At the start of the novel, Luiza is an orphaned wretch, working for an ill-tempered mistress who is resentful of her own life. Luzia has some magic, but she keeps it small, contained. She’s been taught—by society, by religion, by the world—that meekness is a virtue, to be content with your lot is piousness.

But Luiza wants more. Not to save a loved one. Not for some conveniently noble cause. She wants more for herself, because she’s tired of longing, tired of shrinking to fit the role the world carved out for her. At the core of it, this is a story about greed and ambition, but unlike most novels, it isn’t just reserved for the bad guys. How often is the female protagonist allowed this, without being vilified or condemned for it?

This is what I adored most about Luzia. Seeing her become more, step forward and claim what she wants with nothing but her will and her wits, was one of the most satisfying character arcs I’ve read in a long time.

As always, Bardugo’s prose is a delight to read, rich and easy to sink your teeth into. The pacing is admittedly more languid than some of her other books. I can see this putting off readers who are expecting constant action or the usual YA-style momentum. However, there is a strong core plot with many moving parts, and I enjoyed watching it all come together.

It’s not without its flaws, of course.

I found the romance with Santangel convincing in the beginning, and I’d definitely consider this a slow burn. But then there is a moment where their attraction comes to a head and they seem immediately too taken with each other. There are a couple of complications thrown into the mix after that, but it felt weak. I wish his backstory was explored in more detail, I wish we got a bit more from the romance in general.

The supporting cast, especially the women, was great. I adored Valentina by the end, and Hualit was wonderful, too. While not every one of them had their own arcs considering the constraints of a standalone novel, each character’s story was grounded in a kind of truth that made them feel real.

Overall, I didn’t regret picking this up one bit. It’s not for everyone, but it was an easy 5/5 for me.

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out of context thing I wrote today

I wasn’t going to shoot myself in the foot just to play fair—I was going to use every advantage I had.

If this smelled faintly like justification, I didn’t want to think about it. I sat on top of my bulging carry-on—there was no way I was paying extra for checked luggage—and wrestled it shut. 

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What are your fandoms?

God I haven't thought about it in that way for a while. I have a Cruel Prince (Holly Black) fanfiction up on AO3, does that count? Used to be SUPER into Doctor Who but I'm old now

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That sense of satisfaction after a writing session at the end of a long workday and a bunch of errands? Unmatched. I am so powerful.

(even if I only got a 1000 words in today but let's not talk about that)

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out of context thing I wrote today

Instead, he called me. 

What was with these people and calls? Didn’t they know it was rude? I had to psych myself up for an hour just to make a dentist appointment. 

His video was on.

The first thing that struck me was how pale he was—light hair, thick, pale brows that seemed permanently furrowed, and clear skin that made his eyes look almost shockingly blue. The only real contrast on his face came from his glasses. His jaw was all hard edges, clenched just enough to suggest he was still calculating whether recruiting some nobody off the ladder was a good idea.

And for an esports guy, he was surprisingly jacked.

Interesting. 

I kept my camera firmly off. 

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Are you a miner? Like, for gold, coal, silver, plutonium, or anything?

Only been drilling your mom

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Omg you're blog is so cool! I love your writing and mood boards and your book is exactly what I would LOVE to read

That is so encouraging to hear, thank you!! There are so many days when I feel like my writing is garbage. I aim to write something I'd like to read myself, but who doesn't need a bit of Validation to keep them going on some days?

(Also, my protagonist has a bad case of impostor syndrome...wonder where she gets that from)

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Are you a minor?

I am not

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How do you guys outline your novels/fanfics?

No matter how many methods I've tried, I always go back to the good ol' method of scribbling down random scenes and character snippets and connecting them all with increasingly frantic arrows.

Sometimes, I even indulge in a flowchart as a treat.

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Hi

How's it going?

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character moodboard: Jacob Weiss

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out of context thing I wrote today

“Sure, sure. Hey, watch yourself out there in LA, kiddo. Don’t let anyone talk you into doing drugs.”

“I’m sure my biggest problem isn’t going to be people trying to give me free drugs,” I said. “But I’ll do my best.”

“You never know,” he said, and went back to scrolling on his phone.