#its not working: troubleshooting for writers

[velvetlilith777]

Fighting Frostbite

Elliott x Fem Reader

18+ NSFW 🌨️ MDNI

Author's Note: heheheeheeeee I saw this post on Pinterest and knew our favorite author would be perfect for the plot! <3 I hope you enjoy!

Synopsis: A ruthless blizzard has made its way into Stardew Valley, separating you from your beloved poet. When enough is enough and Elliott makes the trek to your farmhouse, his hands get a little too cold...

Disclaimer: I am not someone who subscribes to the popular idea that Elliott isn't rough in bed! That man loves you, and he's gonna give it to you 🫶🏻

CW/TW: there's really a plot here if you squint but it's actually just full on smut, unprotected p in v, oral (male receiving), deep throating, hand job (female receiving), the poet is hung your honor, praise kink baddies rise, frostbite mentioned but not legit

Minors and ageless blogs do not interact! You will be blocked.

Word Count: ~1.9k

Dividers by: @bernardsbendystraws (trees) and @animatedglittergraphics-n-more (snow) 🖤

🎄Ficmas Masterlist! 🎄

Smut under the cut!

The forecast had been bleak. Well into the deep of winter now, meteorologists had been warning of a vicious snow storm moving in for weeks, with temperatures falling well below freezing. Yesterday she came in fast and with a fury, burying the valley in feet of snow with no sign of stopping in the coming days.

But farm work stopped for nothing, the weight from the snowpack breaking and warping some of the older fencing you hadn't been able to replace yet, having to repair holes you weren't aware were causing drafts in your barns, troubleshooting a broken heater and of course, feeding and caring for the dozens of little lives you kept on your property.

It had been a long, arduous and frigid day, all you wanted was to run a hot bath, warm your skin and relax your muscles. So that's what you did, adding some lavender epsom salt as water fell from the faucet and lighting a few candles to set the mood. You finally sink into the steaming water, skin tingling with warmth as your mind lulls off.

Elliott on the other hand, wanted nothing more than to see you. He knew the weather was bad and you had been busy because of it, but it had been days since you’d been able to see each other. Deciding that enough was enough, he bundled himself in his thick, wool coat and scarf before heading out into the bitter climate. It had been too long since he’d seen his muse, so if a trek through heaps of snow was what separated the two of you, then he’d certainly do it.

Creaks cry out from the old hinges on the farmhouse door, causing your eyes to pop open. You aren’t expecting anyone, but your mind eases when you hear a familiar, deep voice call out.

“Hello?”

Elliott. It’s just Elliott.

“In here!” You melodically call.

“Oh, there you are my love. Staying warm?” His face flush from his trek in the outside elements.

“Trying.” You rest your head and arms on the side of the tub, looking up at the writer fondly. “My heater is struggling to keep up but the water is nice.”

“It looks like it,” He lets out a hearty chuckle at the steam still dissipating in the air as he places his scarf and coat on the counter next to your sink.

Elliott kneels down beside the tub, placing a kiss on your temple as he does so.

“So sorry for arriving unannounced, darling. I simply missed you too much to wait for this storm to pass before seeing you again.” He coos, reaching his hand to cup your cheek.

“Elliott!” You jump at his icy touch. “You’re freezing!”

Taking his hand in yours, you begin to examine his skin. Cherry red flush colors his knuckles and finger tips.

“I don't think it’s frostbite,” you remark, “ but just in case.” In one swift motion you shove his hands into the water next to you. The redhead sucks in a breath through his teeth, flesh burning at the sudden change in temperature. “You should've worn gloves, handsome.”

He chuckles. “Yes I suppose I should've. An unfortunate oversight on my part. I was just in such a rush to get here that I forgot.”

Your brows furrow. “Elliott, you have to take care of yourself for me. What if you lost all of your fingers to frostbite?”

Pulling a hand out of the water and placing it gently between the thighs near your knees, he squeezes the chub lovingly.

“Have I told you that I missed you already?”

“You may have mentioned it.” Your saccharine voice tails off.

“Let me say it again” his voice low, “because I really, really missed you sweetheart.”

Elliott catches your lips in a sensual kiss, his movements slow but firm. Eventually, his tongue pushes through your lips and begins dancing with your own. Your arms wrap around his neck, in an effort to pull him closer despite the tub wall separating the two of you. His hand kneading at the flesh of your leg harder now, sending heat rushing down to your core. A whine finds its way from your throat to his mouth, a growl leaving his in response.

The author pulls away from your lips, dragging your bottom lip for a moment with his. You stare into each other's eyes, mesmerized by your lust.

His large hand slowly slides down the inside of your thigh towards where you need him the most, his sight never leaving your face despite yours watching his wrist sink beneath the water. Your legs spread open as he’s nearing his destination, the need in your stomach growing tighter and tighter.

Gasping as his fingers find your clit, your eyes lock back onto his as he begins to rub small circles around the bundle of nerves. Speeding up to a moderate pace, his lips mold into a soft smile as moans start spilling out of yours. Your gaze never leaving the other’s until the coil in your stomach starts burning hotter. Obscene sounds getting louder and louder, falling out of your mouth more rapidly as you throw your head back. Elliott dips his head down taking a damp nipple into his mouth, sucking and nipping at the mound, making your pussy throb and your toes curl.

“Ri-Right there El.” Are the first words you’ve mustered in minutes. His fingers ruthless against the bud, melting your brain. “Stay there and I’ll cum.”

His digits remain where you tell him, but his pace speeds up. Your core begins tingling, burning as cries are torn from your throat. Water is swirling about the tub due to his movements, sloshing around and mixing with your voice in a symphony of his efforts to have you reach your climax.

“Show me how much you missed me beautiful,” He mutters against your skin, kissing his way up to your collarbone before marking the sweet spot. “Let go for me, love.”

In the following seconds, the heat in your stomach boils over. His name is torn from your throat, and he thinks it may be the sweetest sound he’s ever heard. Cunt pulsing under his touch and muscles twitching as his motions continue. What once was pure water is mixed with your juices gushing out of your sweet hole. Your hands find his shoulders, anchoring themselves on them as your vision goes fuzzy.

You ride through your orgasm, his fingers working you through it as he mutters “That’s it. There’s my beauty.”

You press your lips to his as his movements still, hungrily and desperately. Tangling your hands in each other's hair, gasping and puffing in between sloppy kisses.

“Need more of you,” you pant against his mouth.

He pulls away, your chests heaving in unison.

“You've always been able to have as much of me as you desire, gorgeous.”

Without hesitation, you're picked up bridal style and taken to your bed, being sat at the foot of it.

Your hands rush to his belt as he pulls his sweater over his head, broad chest flexing in the moonlight beaming through your window. Once the button on his pants has been undone, he feverishly pushes them down, his heavy cock springing up as it's freed.

Knees hitting the floor as you sit before him, hand taking his member as you run your tongue along the underside. His long fingers tangle in your hair as your tongue circles around his tip, already dripping with precum. You push his head into your mouth, hollowing out your cheeks and sucking. He draws in a breath, stopping himself from ramming his dick into the back of your throat, letting you take your time.

You finally give him what he’s craving, working your way down his shaft until you're choking, the vibration against his sensitive tip driving him crazy. Your head starts bobbing back and forth, grunts spewing from the man towering above you as you slurp and pump. Refusing to take any less of him than you can, tears start streaming from the corners of your eyes as you continue shoving him into your throat, the imprint showing through your neck. Auburn locks fall around his shoulders as he tosses his head back in ecstasy. Your tongue swirls around his tip as you speed up your ministrations, his fingers pulling even tighter on your hair.

“You're doing too well, love.” He stops your movements, pulling out of your pretty little mouth with a pop and standing you up to kiss you deeply. “I was far too close, and nowhere near finished.

The writer turns you around and pushes you onto the bed, positioning you onto all fours. He leans down and licks a stripe from your clit to your entrance before inserting two fingers, moving them in a scissoring motion to stretch you out.

“You're already so wet for me again.” Elliott muses.

You let out a moan, rocking back in his fingers before answering. “When am I not wet for you?”

He laughs heartily, “Is that so, darling? Then you must be ready for this.”

His fingers leave you empty, but it’s only for a brief moment. His thick cock lines up with your entrance, before gliding in to the hilt. Your core is stretching and burning wonderfully as he begins railing into you.

“Three days is most definitely too long to be away from my muse” he grunts out between thrusts. Your tits bounce stunningly as his hips rock aggressively into hours, marks forming from his fingers holding onto your flesh.

“G-god Elliott,” You sob out. “You feel so goo-od.”

Elliott knows your body well, but that doesn't mean his heart ever swells any less when you tell him that he’s working you right.

Freckled skin leans over your back as his lips brush the shell of your ear. “Yeah? You're taking me so well my love. So well.”

You feel that same lighting start charging inside of you, sweet little hole squelching around Elliott’s weighty girth as it drags across the velvety spot inside of you. His orgasm isn’t far behind, with you squeezing him just right and moaning out his name sinfully.

“El! El I’m gonna cum again,”

“Me too, dove. Let me feel you cum around me. Cum on my cock, darling.” He growls out.

Those words have your waves crashing into the cliff, cunt fluttering around his mass while your back arches into the mattress below you. He’s only seconds behind, white hot spurts gushing out of him as he ruts into you, thoroughly milking the both of you.

As your highs die down, you both crawl to the top of your bed, wrapping yourselves in your quilt and each other's arms fully spent. Before falling asleep you grab his hand, bringing it level with your eyesight.

“Stopped the frostbite just in time,” you giggle.

He laughs quietly and shakes his head. “Whatever would I do without you, love?”

“Clearly, we never should go days without seeing each other again so that we don't have to find out.” You smirk. “I happen to like all of your fingers.”

He snorts at your implication. “I know you do, darling. I suppose I’d have to agree. I don't want to go that long without you again.”

[kaq3yma]

𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐀 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐆𝐔𝐘 featuring yoru jin

syn: what if its you that met with a suspicious guy instead of alma?

⸻ cw: brief mention of calamity/maga

qeena's brief note: my first time writing for my autistic baby yoru yaeyyyy ٩(^ᗜ^ )و ´- buttt im sorry, it's pretty short i dont have any idea atm so i thought i'll just feed u guys with some drabble lmaooo any gokurakugai readers or writers here??!! lets be mootsies kekekeke 🤭 that's all thank you, i love you, reblogs and comments are very much appreciated and happy reading xoxo 🩷💚🍡

You are supposedly with Alma right now but the half-maga half-human kid is nowhere to be found after he got his savory taiyaki. You tried calling for him a few times on the street, hoping he's somewhere but all to no avail.

You past by the shrine you invaded earlier that evening to notice a man waiting by the entrance. You quirk your brows in a confused manner and stride behind him silently "What're you doing?" He panicked, hands covering both sides of his head "I'm not a suspicious guy, I swear I was just looking at the blue sheet covering the-" His voice trails, noticing you in front of him "You... Do I look suspicious to you?" You mindlessly shake your head at him. You turn briefly to face the abandoned shrine, sighing "You should leave, it's not good for people to wonder around the streets at night, especially people like you." He didn't quite get what you meant by people like him but he didn't ask.

"What about you?" You look at him, popping one candy you have inside your mouth "I'm working for a troubleshooter agency, I can kick any calamity asses." He secretly shudder at the thought, taking mental notes not to accidentally mumble the truth to you. You look like a troublesome agent to kill.

"I... I don't know where to go! I'm lost!" The dishevelled hair man spewed out, tears bridge beneath his eyes that causes you to almost freak out in bewilderment "Hey, don't cry. What are you, a five year old?" He sniff back his stray tear, shaking his eyes.

You look at him, disbelief and surprised "... I got chocolate. You like chocolate?" He immediately nod his head, thanking you quietly when you give him a piece of your chocolate bar.

"Right, you shouldn't cry anymore. That chocolate supposedly block your sad emotions." You bluffed, a grin make its way to your face. Yoru's eyes widen and they gleam under the bright moon light "They do?!" Well, you didn't expect him to actually believe you but...

"I- I have to go now, good bye." He let you drag his hand forward to give him the rest of the chocolate bar before you leave him alone at the shrine. Yoru got a bright on his face and he stand there still, thoughts lingering of you.

Yomi have to hear about this!

𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓 is open. all rights reserved goes to @kaq3yma on tumblr.

[contritecactite]

Since @fandomtrumpshate starts up again soon, I thought I would babble a bit about my experience last year! Specifically, let's chat about podficcing. A nice and arbitrary 9 reasons to do the thing below the cut!

Thing 1: It's so much fun! I am bouncing up and down at the prospect of doing it again. In fact, I am planning to offer a slot for any fandom this year rather than just ones I'm familiar with!

Thing 2: Nobody was bothered by how amateurish my readings are, how basic my recordings were, or by the extra whistle and sibilance and mouth sounds that sneaked in. Nobody was annoyed that I don't do accents or intense voicework/character voices. It's something I want to improve in the future, but it's really not necessary—reading a fanwork aloud is first and foremost about making it accessible in a new format. Anything else is just icing!

Thing 3: People who want their works read are going to be communicative! The folks I worked with last year were happy to go back and forth until we decided which works were the best fit for me, and they were happy to answer my questions about how to read/interpret certain lines, etc. It was so much fun to toss around idea with them (even if we didn't end up using them all)!

Thing 4: This is a zero-entry-cost hobby (assuming you already have a device of some sort to read fic in the first place). You don't need fancy equipment and software. You can get the job done with an inbuilt audio recording app on your phone, and if you're in a quiet and non-echoey place, it can sound just as good as something made with a dedicated mic and such. Don't let "but I don't have a recording space" hold you back! Sit in your favorite chair and put your phone by your face while you read me a story. That's really all you gotta do.

Thing 5: In direct contrast... it is a good excuse to dip a toe into gear and software. There are lots of fairly cheap suitable microphones, and Audacity is free. I recorded one short fic via three different methods just to troubleshoot for fun!

Thing 6: You don't have to get it right the first time! (Or second or third or...) I save outtakes (profanity warning!) for the creators whose work I read. Sometimes a cat walked in and told me a mournful tale at top volume. Sometimes the neighbors turned on a leaf blower. You can even get silly with it on purpose if you need to warm yourself up! I do a lot of yelling "this is so silly and I am so embarrassed!" into the mic before I try a serious read.

Thing 7: You get to spend so much time with a work and its characters! You're gonna read that thing so many times to make decisions and to alert yourself to what's coming next. You'll be able to recite it around a campfire and it'll feel cozy and familiar (or, you know, extra painful if it's heavily angsty).

Thing 8: If you play things back and tweak them as often as I did, it goes a long way toward getting past hating the sound of your own voice or feeling disconnected from recordings of yourself. I've always been so so shy and hesitant to speak aloud in real-life conversations. I won't claim that I'm completely over any of those things, but spending time getting familiar with what I sound like in an objective, task-oriented setting has helped me learn to listen for my own vocal cues when I'm feeling too overwhelmed to process other kinds of feedback. I'm much more aware of what my uncertainty sounds like, for example, and am better able to cover for it now.

Thing 9: If you're also a writer as I am, it helps you look at your own writing through a new lens! I have been known to write 50+-word sentences, but now I (sometimes) stop to consider the punctuation breaks. How readable is this paragraph? Where would I take a breath if I were reading? Where would the emphasis naturally end up and how do I change that of it's not what I wanted?

I think people who are Better At Things might not necessarily have all the same experiences I shared here, but personally, I'm grateful for the opportunity, and I look forward to doing it again!

Here are the works I read for FTH last year:

Evil Plans by Sodium_Azide

The Night The World Didn't End by Aethelflaed

and the one that belongs to the earlier outtakes:

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear by my dear friend QuothTheMaiden, who still seems to like me just fine even though there's a terrible whine behind the whole thing (this was the troubleshooting fic btw. Software updated and defaulted to the wrong device, but I picked the better read over the better sound quality in the end).

[nanowrimo]

How Finding the Right Writing Community Can Support You as a Writer

Every year, we’re lucky to have great sponsors for our nonprofit events. Novlr, a 2023 NaNoWriMo sponsor, is the world’s first writer-owned creative writing platform, built by writers, for writers. Today, professional writer and Novlr Community Lead Pamela Koehne-Drube shares some of the benefits a writing community can provide:

I’ve been a storyteller since I first learned to speak and a writer since I first held a pen. The writing journey is an emotional roller coaster, and no single day is ever the same. 

There are moments of delight, like when a scene I’ve struggled with finally comes together, or the satisfaction of building a character who comes to life on the page. There’s the sense of accomplishment when my first draft is finished and I get to read my completed story, and the nerves of putting those same words in front of readers for the very first time.

There are lots of silent rooms, the soft tapping of keys, or the scribble of a pen. Sometimes the isolation gets too much, and that’s when I grapple with writer’s block, wrestle with stubborn plot holes, or have to slog through edits I’m just not in the mood for.

In my years as a working writer, the most important thing I’ve learned is that while only I can do the writing, I don’t have to go on the journey alone. A writing community can make all the difference in keeping me motivated. 

What is a writing community?

Writing communities are as diverse as the writers who are part of them. Every writer will have a different need from their community, but what they do share is giving writers the opportunity to interact, share knowledge, and provide mutual support.

Some communities come ready-made. NaNoWriMo is a prime example, where diverse writers all rally together to achieve a common goal and support each other along the way. It has been one of my biggest encouragements over the years. And at Novlr, we’ve built an entire writing workspace around the idea of community, not only offering a virtual space for writers to come together and share their wins, struggles, ideas, and techniques but also giving our writer-owners a real say and influence in how our platform grows and develops.

Why are writing communities important?

Writing communities are a lifeline for many of us, offering a nurturing environment where we can learn, grow, and find kinship. Whether it's seeking feedback, gaining inspiration, or just breaking the isolation often associated with writing, they play an invaluable role in any writer's journey.

Encouragement

Sometimes, as a writer, all you need is someone telling you you’re doing a good job. Positive affirmations and encouragement can make all the difference, not only to your confidence but also to motivate you to stick with it. Being able to share ideas, troubleshoot plot holes, and celebrate even the small victories with people who get it is the perfect motivation.

Accountability

Being part of a writing community that openly shares its goals and commitments is a surefire way to motivate you to follow through. Again, NaNoWriMo is a perfect example of this; announcing your intention to the world and to the wider NaNo community makes your 50,000-word draft more than just an idea you have. It makes it real.

This accountability works for smaller goals too. Just sharing them with people makes them a tangible thing to work toward, keeping you accountable and on track to achieve your writing goals.

Become a better writer

Writing groups offer the perfect opportunity to get real-time feedback on your work and expose yourself to diverse and unique perspectives from fellow writers. Not only can they learn from you and your experiences, but you can learn from theirs by championing supportive and constructive criticism.

Rediscover the joy of writing!

There’s something truly special about the collective joy and camaraderie of sharing your writing journey. Writing groups help foster friendships where you can celebrate your shared successes. The challenges of writing become less daunting and more like puzzles to be solved together, and if you involve group activities, like writing prompts or collaborative projects, the process of writing becomes much more vibrant and enjoyable. 

What types of writing communities are there?

Writing events

Writing events foster writing communities where each member shares a single goal or focus. NaNoWriMo is, of course, the biggest and most well-known goal-focused event in the creative writing space. I have lifelong writing pals I’ve met over NaNoWriMo, and we still regularly get together for critiques. Last year, I even did a 24-hour novel challenge where we took the NaNo goal of 50,000 words but tried to fit it into a single 24-hour period. It was one of the toughest writing challenges I’ve ever done, but the community that came from it is amazing.

Similarly, online communities, like our Discord, that host regular writing sprints, often attract goal-focused individuals who enjoy the thrill of time-bound writing challenges. 

In-person writing groups

In-person writing groups meet at a dedicated time and place, like a local coffee shop, library, or someone's home. I host a writing group at my local pub on one of their quieter afternoons, and there’s a handful of us who get together, exchange ideas, play writing games, provide real-time feedback, and just generally share our work in the spirit of improving our craft. 

The value of personal contact can't be underestimated, as it does allow for more nuanced discussions about works in progress and provides a structure that many writers, myself included, find beneficial.

Critique groups

Critique groups, as the name suggests, focus primarily on providing constructive feedback on members' work. These groups are all about sharing drafts and receiving detailed criticism about your writing — anything from accuracy to style and accessibility.

Peer critiques can offer a variety of perspectives on your writing. It’s a great way to find plot holes, character inconsistencies, or stylistic improvements that you might have overlooked early on. Furthermore, by critiquing others' work, you learn to sharpen your own editing skills and gain fresh insights into the writing process.

Writing retreats

Writing retreats are designed to provide writers with a break from their everyday environment and immerse them in a space dedicated to their writing. These retreats can range from weekend getaways to month-long residencies and are often situated in inspiring locations, from country houses to beachfront cabins.

The tranquil and focused atmosphere of a retreat is designed to spark creativity and reduce distractions, allowing writers to concentrate solely on their craft.

Online writing communities

Not everyone lives near other writers or is comfortable seeking out strangers in person. Online writing communities offer a digital space for writers to interact and learn from each other, extending the possibility of collaboration regardless of geographical location.

Platforms like Reddit, Discord, and the NaNoWriMo forums are popular for hosting vibrant writing communities, providing a dynamically interactive space that keeps writers connected, inspired, and motivated in their writing journey, even if they can’t be with other writers in person.

Social media

Social media channels offer various ways for writers to connect, exchange ideas, and foster communities. On Twitter and Tumblr, writers can follow trending hashtags like #writingcommunity, #amwriting, #writeblr, #writingtips, or #NaNoWriMo to engage in conversations, share inspiration, or get advice. TikTok has also recently emerged as another hub for writers, with the #BookTok and #WritingTok trends really taking off. 

To sum up

Writing communities come in many forms and serve different purposes, but each offers unique benefits to support and enrich your writing journey. They provide the encouragement, accountability, feedback, and camaraderie needed to navigate the often solitary path of writing. It may be your journey, but you don’t have to take it alone.

As you seek to join or create a writing community, consider what you want from the experience and explore various options that align with your needs, preferences, and schedule. Remember, writing doesn't have to be a lonely endeavour. In the company of fellow writers, the journey becomes a shared experience, making the process less daunting and far more rewarding. Happy writing!

Novlr is free to use. However, for those who need the extra bits, there’s a 40% discount on Novlr Pro for 12 months for NaNoWriMo writers. Simply add the NANO23 coupon code when subscribing at Novlr.org. Offer expires December 31st, 2023.

Pamela Koehne-Drube is all about building creative writing communities where imagination thrives and writers achieve their goals. As a professional ghostwriter and editor, Pamela has first-hand experience in the book trade, from supporting fledgeling writers all the way through to working with the Big Five publishers. She’s an expert on all things writing. In her role as Writer Development & Community Lead at Novlr, you'll find her organising challenges and chatting about writing in Novlr’s Discord and building a repository of amazing writing, editing, publishing, and marketing resources for the Reading Room.

Top photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash.

[pondering-gales-left-orb]

I have said it many times with the sims and i'll sayit once again with DATV (it really seems like an EA thing now to force thier devs and writers to do thier own game advertising by themselves) , the devs need to stop being at the forntline of interacting with the public and fans, because of 2 reasons

1- they are not prepared in any shape way or form to interact with fans at all, they dont know how to word things professionally, they dont know how to set boundries, they dont know how to seprate thier personal views from thier fan facing persona, they dont know how to take criticism correctly (think how actors do it) and they come at this from a very biased pov because its thier work that they spent alot of time and n effort on, plus they have to advertise positivity or the company will come down on them so they do not take well to any criticism and start to only respond to Scripted postive interactions, while turning on the online equivalent of a pitty party, they end up cornering themselves into this echo chamber with a bunch of yes men they pretend are the entire fandom (bonus point if that group ends up being the most racist bitches out there lol)

2- 99% of them cannot keep thier own personal politics and opinions from seeping through and frankly most of them are a flavour of racist and unpleasant which then ends up souring anything they comment on, and without fail every single time i read anything that they say i think to myself "i wish they would just shut up and stop making it worse somehow"

like i appreciate thier input on the technical side of things sure thats awesome tell me how you made things show me the thought process your sketches your work flow thats insanely interesting!

but once they get into answering fans or fan service or whatever it just gets so bad they somehow always end up alienating a massive amount of fans and kiss ass to a specific group (see point 1)

I dont keep up with other games to know if this is a consistent thing all game Studios put thier devs through

i know sdv is a one man show so the dev kinda has to talk to the fans but even then Eric( the dev) doesn't even talk much or interact that much at all just answers the occasional troubleshooting question but sdv is not the same as DATV scale wise so the comparison is not fair

The one other non EA game i know is BG3 and i know they had the actors do the talking which is the CORRECT way to go about this as they are fucking trained for this they are very charismatic and are very aware of the impact thier words have they dont just say shit out of thier ass and can command a room they know boundaries and not to create a false echo chamber and generally avoid creating a parasocial relationships atleast...

I think EA's strategy of just making the deves do the advertising themselves with no help fucking sucks and its really really reflecting negatively on decade long franchises that are genuinely now dying at the speed of light because of this specific move to strip the team down and unrealistically put everything on the devs and just make the success of thier game thier sole responsibility with no help from other departments as they dont exsist anymore (late stage capitalism yay!) And no training or preparation with insane expectations for devs to know every single peice of information they need to pull at any given moment and just....

Yeah YEAH if you play alot of EA games i think you will notice a pattern as to how they oprate behind the scenes and how actually uncaring and greedy they are yeah

[wyked-ao3]

Heyyy! Question for you: What's the best writing advice you have for other writers? Feel free to go in depth if you'd like!

- @adhdprincess

Thank you for the ask. @bluefiredesire

Okay so to be honest that's a complicated things to me as each person will react differently to any advice given...so I'll break it down a bit and people can pick and choose from the statements most of this is personal so will not work for everyone.

If you have trouble spotting errors change the font you might not find everything but you will catch more of it...my recommendation would honestly be comic sans but if it doesn't work for you try another.

Accept that your story may not be perfect but you tried your best and beta readers will help smooth it's out more....they are a life saver be it a fanfiction or an original story.

Write what it is you want to write...if you change it to much you will not enjoy the story nearly as much be it a fanfiction or original work.. although on original works you do have to keep publishing standards in mind if you intend to go that route...also not going that route so... don't know a ton besides always read the small print.

If you hit a roadblock and time doesn't fix it then perhaps go back a chapter you may have went the wrong direction.

Another thing to remember is that your story is just that yours...add some twist and turns you enjoy or s little Easter egg that only certain people would know...have fun with your writing and it will show in the work.

On the other side of that

Writing will not always be easy and will push you at times.. remember to take care of yourself while crafting your worlds.

You will not catch all your mistakes and while it's embarrassing it's a part of life and having autocorrect... unfortunately along with any other number or reasons...

While you shouldn't be to critical of your work you will not improve if your aren't critical at all...its a hard thing to balance

Take advice from others when it's applicable and don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't know something .. most people who know about the subject will be happy to talk about it with you to some degree and will be way better than google.. although it doesn't hurt to double check your sources.

Beta readers and alpha readers can help troubleshoot but at the end of the day the decision is yours to make...and no two people will see things the exact same way, which is why beta readers are usually an important step if you can handle it. Although I always recommend the person to do the first read through be someone you trust and who's opinion you value...it makes things flow easier for both parties usually... although if you don't feel comfortable with friends reading it than perhaps a stranger works better for you...(Not my area of expertise)

While it's is your story sometimes it doesn't hurt to keep the readers in mind as well as the genre's general rules or structures... Sometimes stories just don't pan out for one reason or another..don't judge all of a genre on a few.

And last but not least not everyone is going to like your work and that's okay because eventually your work be it original or a fanfiction will find a fandom even if it's a small one...

once you post/publish you never know who has read it and you don't know how it effected them...it could be the story that gets someone through a rough time or it be someone's comfort story ...it could be completely average and that is something you will rarely ever find out

I'm not sure who all wants to see this so I'm not going to tag many ... although I would like to include a special thank you for beta reading @gioiaalbanoart who has already helped smooth it out a lot already and I'm looking for to seeing what we end up tackling in the second reading.. and your opinion of the last few chapters lol 🫂

And thank you as well as the two I recently asked @leahnardo-da-veggie and @illarian-rambling 🫂 I'm looking forward to seeing your feedback and incorporating parts of it in.

[arlathavellan]

Twine Theme: To3

A theme for Twine (2.9.2) Sugarcube (2.37.3) meant to mimic the style of Ao3

Download on Itch.io (with more information on the page's description)

This theme is intended to be my attempt at a bit of a bridge between fanfic writers and the world of interactive fiction; giving the familiar comfort of Archive of our Own with the freedoms and customization of Twine.

If you've never made a game with Twine before, here are some resources I recommend:

Twine Cookbook (official documentation) Twine Grimoire 1 --Grimoire 2 --Grimoire 3

For transparency: I did attempt to use Ch/at/GP/T as a troubleshooter for issues I couldn't find on forums. However, with the harm is causes for both creatives and the environment, its utter uselessness was just the final nail in my decision and I won't be attempting it again. I discourage anyone from trying to use Ch/at/GP/T-- especially when trying to learn something new, as it will dump a load of hot garbage on your plate and insists it works perfectly fine

[writingquestionsanswered]

First off, thank you so much for all of your writing advice! You're an invaluable resource when it comes to new writers, and I wanted to thank you for doing what you do!

I am not new to writing, but in the past few months, I've decided to seriously pursue completing my WIPs. I am running into a problem when revisiting my old work, specifically finding motivation to complete them. Most of my WIPs are fully fleshed out with planning docs, outlines, etc., which should make the writing process all that easier. My problem is that once the outline is completed, I am no longer interested in writing the story. I usually try to freestyle my writing, meaning no outline, but I've found that when I freestyle, I often have issues creating a coherent plot. So I've recently turned to creating loose outlines to keep myself on track, but once the outline is finished, I'm no longer interested in the story. I still want to write it, but when I try to use the outline, I find myself getting stuck. Its almost like my brain feels like the story is done and no further development is needed.

So my question is, how do you keep writing once the outline is completed? Is there a way to rekindle the passion for the narratives I've created?

Losing Motivation After Outlining

It does sound like that's what's happening... like after you finish outlining, your brain is saying, "Well, this story is done! Off to the next one!"

I have a lot of ideas for things to try to rekindle your interest in your story. I'll link them all below, and hopefully one will work for you! ♥ Motivational Exercises:

Guide: How to Rekindle Your Motivation to Write Getting Unstuck: Motivation Beyond Mood Boards & Playlists Getting Excited About Your Story Again

Troubleshooting:

5 Reasons You Lost Interest in Your WIP, Plus Fixes!Have Plot, Can’t WriteFeeling Unmotivated with WIPGuide: Dealing with Self-Doubt & Impostor SyndromeWriting and Depression

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

I’ve been writing seriously for over 30 years and love to share what I’ve learned. Have a writing question? My inbox is always open!

Learn more about WQA

See my ask policies

Visit my Master List of Top Posts

Go to ko-fi.com/wqa to buy me coffee or see my commissions

[ask-codeearasure]

The Outer Realms -- Chapter 7

<- [Previous Chapter]

[Next Chapter]->

—-----

Chapter Seven:

Troubleshooting

—----

“The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.”

― Gordon B. Hinckley (Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes)

—-

Occultatum glared at this… mockery that dared exist before him. Izanagi was the one person he’d rather see dead than anywhere near his library. The room they were in was not only the main foyer of his home, but the very library where he took care of for his queen. The archive of his world, of his universe, and even now the multiverse considering he collected as many books as he could from every AU he visited – but never once did he ever consider the scrolls of Izanagi’s universe.

Dire situations required him to put his utter disgust of the demon before him to allow for this one exception. The scrolls Izanagi had were numerous and long, immensely content heavy as well, but all in Japanese. Occult was lucky his magic allowed him to be able to scan, duplicate, and even perfectly translate whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. However, the information was meaningless and worthless to himself in particular.

Lists of demons and rituals were all they were, along with small bits and blurbs of history of that wretched religion Izanagi followed.

Blood Moon.

Sacrificing humans and monsters alike for the demons as a form of respect and payment to bring them to the realm of the living. For a priest, he was a cruel one.

Occult used his magic to search through the scrolls via a key-word. Positivity, Healing, Cure, etc.

But what he found wasn’t exactly pleasant.

“Marbas, Buer, and Ashlesh…?”

All three were out of the question considering that they were not only dangerous to summon, but required too many people to sacrifice. But the first two could barely heal anything, and the last one…

The last one entirely stripped a person of their entire ability to feel any other emotions – only positive emotions, but mostly joy. Ashlesh was a demon of joy, having the ability to feed off of primordial joys, obsessions, and delirium. The cost of gaining the demon’s favor was unknown, but the toll was expected to be high. Occultatum could only guess that even the writers of these scrolls did not want to attempt to get to know the demon or its demands.

“None of this is going to work.” Occult growled, closing the magic screen that he had been using to read the scrolls and search through them.

Izanagi looked as though he expected the answer, but wanted to deny it.

Occult stared at him for a moment before forcing his pride down and simply asked, “Do you have anything that isn’t… that?” he lightly gestured to the scrolls, “Surely your AU has something, anything that can buy us some time, at least.”

Izanagi fidgeted with his sleeves and frowned, his mind seemed to be elsewhere, thinking deeply. “Maybe… I’ll try…”

Occult watched him leave through a blood red portal. He couldn’t fathom why Izanagi was always so solemn around him, but he had to admit, it was better than being attacked.

Then there was a knock at the front door. The skeleton took a deep breath, counted to twelve, then exhaled, using his magic to open the grand doors of the library. He recognized the magic signatures instantly, Doctor Toriel and Nurse Alphys. He could surely check in on Cy and… that Dream.

It was outrageous to think that the happiness of the entire multiverse relied on the existence of one person. It was a faulty plan, if anybody had thought of it in the first place, because what if that one special individual died? Oh, yes. Everyone else would die in quick succession. Occultatum couldn’t help but think whatever created the original Nightmare and Dream had wanted for their series of their unfortunate events to happen as they did in the first place. From what he could gather of the original Dreamtale, the mother of the twins, Nim, was a vindictive woman. But she was also murdered by an equally monstrous man. Whether or not one or both of them were to blame probably didn’t matter at this point, nor was this something easily reversible as far as the Royal Archiver was concerned.

If anything, he hoped that there would be a possibility to recreate a device or maybe a spell that would permanently recreate the guardian’s aura. That way, the kid could get some rest. 500+ years old or not, Dream was still a kid as far as he was concerned.

“You okay?” asked Toriel when she walked up to him. Her doctor’s cloak was a bit wrinkled, she probably hadn’t been sleeping much, she had almost an entire underground’s worth of patients to look after, and had been putting up with Izanagi, so it was to be expected.

Occult nodded, “Yeah, I’m fine.” he lied.

She gave him a narrow glare but didn’t push it. She knew he and Izanagi were on the thinnest ice in the multiverse, and thus could barely be in each other’s vicinity without getting into a violent confrontation. “How’s the patient?”

That question…

“He’s alright, he tried to convince me to let him go, but I had to almost argue with him to get him to stay, but he’s fine. He ate a full meal and everything.” Occult stated.

“How’s Izanagi?” asked Alphys, getting her clipboard ready.

“Alive.”

The two women stayed silent.

“He’s run off to his AU to find anything actually useful.” Occult said through gritted teeth.

Toriel sighed, “Well, that’s certainly better than the first answer.”

Alphys nodded.

Occult wished it was over and done with so that way he could just toss that bastard right into the–

“We’re going to check on the patient,” Toriel said simply, “And if I hear you and Izanagi argue, even slightly, I swear I’ll have your head!”

Occult nodded, “Yes ma’am.” He wasn't taking the threat as seriously as he should.

The doctor gave a small growl from the back of her throat as she watched Occultatum set up the scrolls in a small case that he teleported to the table, locking it with magic he hoped would be too complex for the priest.

Alphys tapped Toriel on the shoulder and nodded towards the room Dream was in. They could focus on the Archiver later. For right now, they had far more important matters at hand. Toriel huffed and followed Alphys to the room. The moment she saw Dream up and about, looking at all the trinkets, she knew she was going to have to consider staying in the library.

“Nope, nope, nope.” Toriel bleated, using her magic to levitate Dream back over to the bed, “You need rest, not to go moving about without at least someone here to help. To think he left you here alone–”

She took a deep breath and sighed. Yep… it was gonna be one of those days. By the way the guardian looked at her, she was going to have to keep an eye on him.

“I was fine–” Dream said, attempting to set himself upright as Toriel and Alphys walked over, only to realize they weren’t really listening to him.

Alphys checked his forehead, “Just above average temp. About 100 degrees.” 

Toriel tutted, her eyes glowed bright red, “Soul Wavelength is thirty beats per second.” her eyes stopped glowing as she took notes.

Soul Wavelength? Dream never heard of such a thing. He shook his head. “What are you talking about?”

Toriel brushed off the question with a simple, “We’re just doing a basic check up, dear.”

“Have you been feeling any aches and pains?” Alphys asked.

“Well, yes–”

They noted it down.

“Where?” Toriel asked, checking his left hand, looking at his joints in particular, her paw pads gently pressing on them to check dexterity.

“My joints.” Dream stated.

That was also noted.

“His joints are functioning, but they’re very gray. HP seems to be fluctuating, and we are going to see if we can figure out a way to extract the energy from the apples themselves or up the venom extraction from the arrows…” Toriel stated.

“Now for the harder questions,” Alphys said as she noted down Toriel’s words.

Toriel nodded, “Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health disorder before?”

Dream shook his head, “No–”

 “Have you ever received any mental health treatments before?”

“No.”

 “What is your family's mental health history?”

“I’m not… sure what you’re asking me. I’m sorry.”

Toriel gawked at him for a full five seconds before looking over at Alphys as if wondering if she too heard the same question. “You’ve never seeked therapy before?” “No.” Dream loosely crossed his arms, his hands rubbing his upper arms nervously. “I haven’t really thought about it.”

Toriel frowned, a wave a pity radiating off of her, “Oh, my child, no wonder you were so reckless. Well, we’re going to have to start now. Have you ever felt depressed or even suicidal?”

Dream was taken aback by the question and concerned by the slight waves of negativity. Depressed or suicidal? He knew what those things looked like and did, so much of the tasks he completed across the multiverse included aiding the unfortunate with those problems. But he didn’t think- well- maybe. Maybe, but he only had so much free time before Nightmare struck again, or if someone got too attached to him on the basis of his aura. He didn’t get the time or space to evaluate himself, not when his existence was responsible for everyone else’s positivity. Dream’s face visibly scrunched as he struggled to put the situation in order for himself. In practice, he didn’t even know how therapy worked aside from talking. But why were Toriel and Alphys running him down for these answers? The most important issues at hand had to do with his body, his soul- not his mind! No… okay, maybe he understood, just a little bit. Suicide and depression were negative things, and whatever he was shot with weeks ago sent him into a spiral. So this was just as much about his mind as it was his soul and body. “I don’t want to- to die, but I suppose there is some… guilt.”

Toriel simply nodded, as she wrote down something, “Don’t worry dear, we’ll help you any way we can. I’ll see to it that you have a cellphone to contact me at any time you need to talk.” When she finished writing, she asked, “How has your mental health impacted you before and after the incident?”

Dream tried to think about his time before that bullet. It was such a blur. It was almost repetitive in a way, like a simple clock, correct only twice a day, but a mess in between those times before and after. But it was far more complicated than that. He didn’t have a routine, but to think about himself wasn’t just a personal choice, but it was genuinely difficult. Did the bullet break his mind or impact his soul that harshly?

“Dream…” Toriel said softly, snapping the guardian out of his thoughts. Her soft scarlet eyes looked into his eyelights, “Breathe. Take your time, there is no need to rush.”

Dream nodded simply. Stars, he felt useless. He shook his head and mumbled, “I… honestly don’t know. Everything is just… blurry. I remember I had a routine, it was simple and almost daily. I’d jump to help anyone and everyone in the multiverse with their positivity, but my aura is addicting. So I have to make sure I only stay for short amounts of time  – well, had to, since it’s gone now. But when I got shot with… whatever it was, my aura disappeared, and I just tried to keep up my job.” he shrugged, “...and I ended up spiraling. I’ve seen people spiral before, and I know how they feel when that happens, but I’ve never experienced it personally until then… I don’t want to ever do that again.”

The guardian bit the tip of his tongue, swallowing back the disgust he had for those memories and the way he acted. The amount of supplemental misery that bullet forced on him was worse than the loneliness and sadness he was used to managing for himself, even if it ended in a few tears here and there. But there wasn’t anything he could do about that, not unless Nightmare’s problematic activity ceased, and he knew better than to believe that would happen while he remained alive.

Toriel gave him a gentle smile, there was a small wave of sadness and understanding, “Nightmare’s venom is like that, it is understandable as to why it hit you so hard.”

Dream gave her a perplexed look. “Venom?”

“Our Dream and Nightmare don’t simply have magic that is based off of Positivity and Negativity, they have venom laced within their spells and weapons. They cannot control it, rather it’s just there. The same way a lot of Sans have the Karma Venom, one that depletes an opponent’s HP depending on the amount of people they killed. Nightmare’s doesn’t simply give people misery, it enhances it. I like to call it a Depression Instigator. It will unlock closed doors that the mind hides off. Your loneliness or things you deny you have, they come spilling out, almost violently. I’ve seen the effects before, but since you survive off of positivity…” she pursed her lips.

Alphys finished for her, “In a nutshell, you are self-destructing because of it. We’ve seen our Dream be in our asylum so depressed he just can’t get out of bed for weeks. It’s not a pretty sight, but it's the way the venom works. Nightmare DeVille is the most depressed person I know, but his venom can knock a person lower than he’s ever been in his life.”

“So I’m doing this to myself?” Dream asked.

“No, dear.” Toriel said, almost offended, “It’s very hard to explain, but you are not doing it to yourself. It’s like… Think of yourself as a vase. You’ve been placed at the edge for a long time, but the venom knocked you down and you’ve shattered. You’re not broken completely. You just need a bit of repair. The minds of everyone are different. You’ll be better before you know it, you just need help.”

Dream wasn’t sure if he trusted her answer. Help? Any kind of help he gets will always be under threat of what Nightmare finds out sooner or later. Say Nightmare found out Toriel and Alphys were giving him a hand in terms of survival- their lives would be on the line. But it would be nice, at least, to not need to be by himself anymore. At least in concept.

Toriel put a paw to Dream’s cheek to get him to look at her, “Dream, what’s the matter? You’re making that pout that our Dream does when he has something bothering him.”

“It’s the exact same one, too.” Alphys gave a small smile but there were waves of worry coming from her.

“My brother, Nightmare… He’d find out sooner or later about you all… I’m a walking target for him. If he finds out about you, you will become another target.”

Shockingly, the two women laughed. But not at him, no. Their laughter and waves of positivity weren’t directed at him, it was the answer they found so absurd.

“Oh, deary,” Toriel said smiling, “Occultatum wouldn’t ever let that happen. His magic easily hides us and our universes!”

“Huh?” Dream tilted his head.

“His magic is spacial and temporal.” Alphys smirked, “It locks out people he deems as a threat, and he’s locked out everyone he doesn’t know. It is only because of our Dream that you’re allowed in here. He vouched for you and Occult allowed you in. Think of it as an invincible door and only Occult has the key. He keeps the door locked and only opens it for certain people, and their specific magic and Soul Wavelengths. When anyone he doesn’t know tries to gain entry, they’re blasted away by their own soul and magic. Izanagi had to be let in since he was the one that got ahold of our Dream, which forced Occultatum’s hand. But even then, if he wanted, he could easily lock him out.”

“How sure are you?” Dream asked.

The two women exchanged looks.

“Try leaving.” Toriel said.

Dream froze.

“Go on.” Toriel said, “We won’t stop you.”

Dream was taken aback by their confidence, but quickly nodded and slid off the bed, held out a hand, and tried to expand his awareness to other sources of positivity outside of Outerswap. Just when his senses breached what he thought was the boundary of the universe, it was like he hit a solid wall, forcing his attempt back. 

The guardian’s golden eyes widened, then blinked in shocked silence. The dulled yellow magic around him died down, and he turned back to the bed to take his seat again. “I-... I didn’t think you were lying, jus- just to clarify, but that is… impressive.”

For a moment, Dream’s small ounce of disbelief made his eyelights sparkle, then shift into the shape of excited stars.

“Occultatum’s magic is beyond impressive,” Toriel nodded, “He’s cast this spell on our universe as well. And don’t worry, we know you’re learning a lot about our side of the multiverse. We were already told of how… different things are on your side.”

“He has a lot of books from many different AUs,” Alphys smiled, “I sometimes come here to read. I’m more than certain that he’d be willing to let you read a few books on Spacial Magic to gain a few new spells of your own.”

Dream got a little bit worried. When was the last time he read a book? Maybe he was going to need a dictionary to go alongside whatever book he gets… Maybe he could sneak out of the room and find the library, then go book hunting later on so no one sees. Could he even use the spells they were talking about? He was from the inner circle, could those from the inner circle use spells from the outer circle and vice versa? How would that even work? That would be so cool if he could but he doubted it…

At least he’d have some entertainment other than a rerun of a Napstaton’s show in Underswap. Wait, speaking of Underswap, didn’t Occult say something about the camera?

—----

A toddler of a skeleton was tinkering with a device that only he knew the use of. He hummed a song to himself and stuck out his baby blue tongue out as he worked, scrunching up his face as his visor showed him thousands upon thousands of analyses and calculations. He was about to fall off of his chair, but a giant floating robot the shape of a rabbit’s head caught him with a clamp.

“Thank you, Millie!” babbled the toddler.

“Careful, Cyber.” said the robot.

“I will!” Cyber said, smiling, getting back to work, climbing onto the chair and going back to his tinkering.

After screwing on a final bolt, he used his magic to summon a bright blue screen that showed his machine, incorporating the tiny camera found on the stranger’s outfit – and its analysis of the signal. He then pressed on the screen and had it follow the signal’s trail, to find the universe it was going to.

“Found it!” Cy smiled, “Yay! We get pancakes for breakfast for the next three days!”

“You must remember to brush your teeth thoroughly after eating.” said Millie.

“I know.” Cy giggled before yawning immensely.

“Nap time.” Millie stated.

“But I need to tell Taty–”

“I can tell him for you, Cyber.” Millie said. It opened a hatch on it’s head showing a comfortable baby bed with a pillow and a nice thick blanket.

Cy yawned again and was about to protest, but the bed looked so comfortable! The robot floated over to him.

“I shall give him the data.” Millie said, “Rest now, Cyber, when you wake there will be games to play, and paper to draw on.”

Cy climbed in, curled up under the blanket as the hatch closed, not with metal, but glass and a soothing lullaby played. The sounds of the outside world was unable to penetrate the glass. Nothing could ever break through his mother’s and brother’s machines. People as brilliant as them were never outsmarted. They worked for a queen, after all. They were too smart for the multiverse.

He stretched and slowly fell asleep as he watched from the glass as Millie floated out the bedroom door to go to the library.

Millie floated and floated, not even swaying. If anyone didn’t know any better they’d asume the world was moving and the robot was stationary. But it truly was the robot moving, it just didn’t look like it with how perfectly it was made. It located Occultatum with ease, slipping through the bookshelves.

“Occultatum, Cyber has located where the signal is headed towards.” Millie stated.

“Show me.” Occult watched the robot pull up a screen that had the data. It took him a moment to see what it all meant. Unlike the toddler, Occult had to take a few moments in order to fully comprehend such data. So the signal was deep inside the Inner Circle… The realms inside the Inner Circle were so clumped together, so it would take a moment to get some relative idea as to which AU the coordinates were pointing to. He texted the coordinates to a good friend of his and hoped that the people there wouldn’t cause too much trouble.

Dream did say they were friends. But what kind of friends… well, would be determined by that of Occult’s own.

[coldresolve]

"criticism" is a neutral word to me, but the internet seems to use it in a way that's inherently negatively loaded. but i can criticise the lord of the rings and come to the conclusion that its an incredibly well-crafted story. it's just making an informed judgement based on literary devices used. that's it

but as a result of this knee-jerk aversion upfront, sometimes i feel like people get so caught up in the idea that criticising anything a person does for fun is inherently wrong, and being completely honest, as someone who doesn't view underdevelopped skill or a lapse in judgement as indicative of personal failure, it kinda baffles me. it gets so bad that people are reluctant to criticise your writing even if you explicitly ask them to. why?

with writing especially, i get that a lot of people are in it casually, and that's perfectly fair, that should be respected. but its as if people forget that consuming other peoples stories as a writer seeking to develop their own skills, and criticising them on a technical basis, isn't something you can only do to well-crafted, published stories. if you want to know how to do something right, sometimes you have to see what it looks like when you do it wrong, what sort of pitfalls you risk falling into when you stray from industry standards, so to speak. it's a good skill to have, being able to recognize what bad writing looks like, and picking apart what makes it bad, because being familiar with that process makes you better at troubleshooting when something in your own work feels off. you know?

and im not telling you to write a detailed essay in the comments of every mediocre smut fic on ao3 breaking down all the ways it fell flat, obviously some writers aren't there for that. it's not something you verbalize to creators directly, unless you know they're cool with it. im just saying that making that criticism in and of itself isn't morally wrong of you. it's just another form of learning

[k00299393]

Time-lapse Experiment

With the mold I made from the toddler shoes I decided instead of making a candle to melt I decided to freeze some form of liquid, do a time-lapse and have it melt in front of the fire. the idea was that I would set it up with my phone on a tripod, plug my phone in to a power source so as not to worry about my battery wasting during the process. In theory that way I would be able to hit record and not worry about it until the shoes had fully melted. This was not the case.

The Set Up

Materials and reasons for using:

I started by creating the scene, taking a box and painting it red. Originally I painted it red because Pantones colour of the year for 2023 is viva magenta. Then I put a layer of gloss finish modge podge over it in the hopes of helping it to not soak up any liquid too quickly.

For lighting I wanted the colours of the flames from the fire to flicker through the video. During set up I realized the light from the fire wasn't very strong so I used the light from a battery operated candle.

I decided to use milk as the liquid as this is what we are reared on from infant to childhood.

To create drama I wanted to put a contrasting coloured liquid in the base. After much thought I decided to use red wine not only for its contrasting colour but the fact that it has to be matured over time and we are adults before we are allowed to consume it. It also would work well with the red of the box. I hoped the milk entering the wine would create a dramatic white cloud.

Lastly I wanted the shoes to be elevated out of the wine so as not to have the shoes melt too quickly. I used two thin cut logs, I liked the roughness but also the natural texture.

I sat the box into an oven tray for any spillage.

For audio I had planned to have a sound effect of a fire but as the video ended up being over two minutes long I decided to go with music, specifically an instrumental song so I chose a song by Carter Burwell called Bella's Lullaby included on the Twilight Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Which is kind of sentimental to me and I named my eldest daughter Bella.

Outcome

The time-lapse took about 4 hours, I underestimated how long it would take the milky shoes to melt. But there were a number of complications. You'll notice the camera get jumpy a number of times as a result of this.

1st- Turns out the battery operated candle was made of real candle wax on the outer shell, this melted all over the fireplace. So I lost most of the effect of the flames early in the video.

2nd-Never considered how the heat of the fire would affect my phone which was set up to record the time-lapse. The phone overheated and turned off. I had to remove it from the tripod and wait for it to cool down. I also had to then block the heat from the fire completely losing the flame effect and slowing down the melting process.

3rd-Set phone back up again. Noticed my battery was at 9%. After much troubleshooting I discovered the extension lead was not working. So again I had to move the set up closer to an outlet. This changed the lighting again.

4th-The dramatic effect that I had hoped for doesn't happen until about 1 minute and 30 seconds which is about 3/4s of the way in, for two reasons. The first was the length of time it took for the frozen milk to melt and secondly when the milk did finally melt into the wine, I had the wine too deep and the milk sunk to the bottom before finally coming back to the surface.

The finished Video. 'Changes over time'

''Time, which changes people, does not alter the image we have of them.'' Marcel Proust.

I think this quote from Marcel Proust is very fitting for this video. Marcel Proust is an early 20th century French writer responsible for the longest novel in the world: 'A la recherche du temps' which has 1,267,069 words. I think I'll stick with the time-lapse videos.

Overall I enjoyed the making of this time-lapse, however stressful it was at times. I have decided that I would like to re visit this idea in the future with the knowledge gained from my mistakes and recreate how I imagined it would go.

[lithub]

June 13, 2025

Today, we’re looking at the relaunch of Lapham’s Quarterly, documenting this week’s best reviewed books, honoring the experience of connecting with a heritage through food, and more!

On Lit Hub dot com:

“We believe Lapham’s Quarterly should live on because, to quote Marilynne Robinson, a writer Lewis was proud to have published, ‘This country is in a state of bewilderment that cries out for good history.’” Donovan Hohn remembers Lewis H. Lapham as Lapham’s Quarterly relaunches. | Lit Hub Biography

Iryn Tushabe on writing stories of African Black queer joy under oppression as an act of faith. | Lit Hub Craft

Emily Hauser looks at ancient Greek visions of gender and resurrects a forgotten woman from Homer’s Iliad. | Lit Hub Criticism

Caroline Fraser’s Murderland, Jess Walter’s So Far Gone, and Geoff Dyer’s Homework all feature among the best reviewed books of the week. | Book Marks

“A lackluster character was on the prowl, and he’d become the King Midas of meh.” Lucas Schaefer on how to troubleshoot a character problem. | Lit Hub Craft

Joan C. Williams on the rise of right-wing populism in America and how retro masculinity fooled working class men in the present. | Lit Hub Politics

Mike Curato reflects on the validation he experienced while learning to cook Filipino food. | Lit Hub Food

Danny Lorberbaum explores how new parenthood changes (or doesn’t change) a writing practice. | Lit Hub Craft

Prentis Hemphill examines relationships as arenas for social transformation: “History was never the story of great men alone, as our textbooks would have us believe. It was always the story of relationships.” | Lit Hub History

“He was on fire. Adrian’s son was on fire.” Read from Robert P. Baird’s new novel, The Nimbus. | Lit Hub Fiction

From around the internet:

“What Sabir wants is food, medicine, diapers, and a decent home rather than a tent. He wants what all Palestinians want—not to line up for aid packages, not to fight over flour, but to eat the foods that our own hands grow.” Mosab Abu Toha on the everyday horror of life in Gaza now. | The New Yorker

Melissa Febos explores the legacy of Shulamith Firestone, radical feminist and “political celibate.” | Hazlitt

“But Goshen was not an attempt at charity. It was, according to my parents’ interpretation of scripture, a tangible manifestation of holiness…” Caleb Gayle on family, refuge, and Mansfield Park. | The Paris Review

Sarah Aziza on the Palestinian American dream: “The US, for all the violence it wreaked outside its borders, promised safety and privilege to those inside its fold. In short, gaining entry here might protect my father and his family from what happened there.” | The Nation

Rebecca Jennings explains why reading long, challenging books might be the key to restoring your attention span. | Vulture

“The heart of the matter is how can we believe the seemingly incredible?” Greg Eghigian explores an American history of belief in alien abduction. | Aeon

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[ear-worthy]

Podcaster Profiles: Forrest Kelly Offers His Listeners A Generous Pour!

Indie podcasters wear more hats than any network-supported podcaster. They are creators, writers, producers, sound engineers, I.T. troubleshooters, researchers, hosts, distribution pros, marketing gurus, public relations professionals, and, most importantly, financial backers for the podcast.

This issue of Podcaster Profiles focuses on podcast creator/host Forrest Kelly of The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast.

Moreover, Forrest Kelly, who has been a radio and television broadcaster since the 1980s, is an excellent host with just the right blend of enthusiasm and curiosity. The show is well-constructed, with catchy intro music that could be a Top 40 hit and then an easy-listening tune at the end with lyrics that encourage listeners to subscribe.

The podcast’s marketing pitch is: “Join Forrest Kelly each week on The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast, where we take you on a whirlwind journey through the world’s most enchanting wineries.

“In just five minutes, you’ll discover irresistible wine conversation starters, hidden travel gems, and expert insights — all while fueling your passion for wine and wanderlust. Named one of WELP Magazine’s Best Travel Podcasts of 2021, this podcast is your passport to a world of flavor, adventure, and unforgettable experiences.”

Forrest Kelly is an indie podcast success story. In fact, as we discussed this story, Forrest told me that he has become the latest podcast to join the BLEAV Network. This network focuses on sports and lifestyle shows, and The Best 5 Minute Wine Podcast will fit right in.

Forrest admits: “I’m all in on opportunities that offer more exposure. After working in major radio markets like Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, I’ve definitely got a competitive streak. I’d love to go toe-to-toe with the major podcast players — or at least try. I’ll attempt just about anything that helps get these stories out to more people.”

First, we asked why Forrest got into podcasting.

“After decades in radio and TV, podcasting was the natural next step. I missed that one-on-one connection and saw it as a way to return to storytelling on my own terms — no format clocks, no playlists, just stories, passion, and personality. Honestly, I got into podcasting because — for the fourth time — I lost my radio job to AI. Back then, they called it “automation,” but it was the same story: a machine taking over the shift. Podcasting allowed me to do what I love without worrying about getting replaced by a robot again.”

Then we asked Forrest why he wanted to start a podcast.

Then Forrest adds: “But more personally, I started the podcast because my beautiful wife loves wine, and I fell in love with everything that happens before it gets to the bottle. The stories, the craft, the people, the places — that’s what drew me in. So this podcast became a way to bridge both our passions and share that discovery with others.”

Like all independent podcasters, Forrest had to become the podcast’s I.T. person, but it’s not a chore for him.

“I’ve always loved electronic gadgets, so my home studio is packed with tech,” admits Forrest. “ I’ve got multiple RØDEcasters, microphones, DAWs — you name it. That part’s easy for me; I grew up around it. Being a broadcaster for so many years, the gear and production side just feels like second nature. I actually enjoy the behind-the-scenes stuff just as much as being on the mic. The challenge isn’t the tech — finding the time to play with it all!”

Forrest then shared his broadcasting origins. “I grew up in northern Idaho, in a town called Lewiston. Our local high school had its own radio station, and as a shy kid, I thought it would be the perfect way to avoid attention — just sit alone in a studio, play music, and fill my speech and history class credits at the same time. Little did I know I’d give speeches in front of the class… and eventually speak on stage in front of 50,000 people. That radio station was my first real taste of broadcasting, and it completely changed my trajectory as I started working full-time while in High School.”

When we asked Forrest why he became a broadcaster, he answered: “It actually started as a way to escape the spotlight. I was a shy kid, and radio felt like a safe space just to be myself behind the mic. I’ve always loved music, but despite taking lessons, I couldn’t carry a tune or play a note to save my life. So, broadcasting became my way of being part of that world — sharing the talents of others and helping tell their stories. Plus, let’s be honest: getting backstage at concerts for free, scoring free food and merch — that’s a pretty great perk when you’re a teenager. But over time, it became about much more than that. I fell in love with the medium — the energy, the storytelling, the real connection you can make using just your voice.”

When I asked Forrest about Mr. Sour Grapes, he replied, “Great question — believe it or not, no one’s asked me that until now. Sour Grapes is an amalgamation of all the radio characters I’ve created over the years — sarcastic, quick-witted, a little grumpy, but always entertaining. Officially, he’s a 75-year-old legend living in the rolling hills of Sicily, born and raised on a vineyard that’s been in his family for generations. His earliest memories are of running barefoot through the vines, dodging stomping feet during harvest, and critiquing grapes with a toddler’s palate sharper than most sommeliers.

“But he’s also got a little Wild West in him — a cowboy at heart who isn’t afraid to grab a wine bottle by the neck and pour with no pretense. He’s here to cut through the snobbery and remind us that wine should be fun, not fancy. As Sour himself would say: ‘If the wine’s good, drink it. If it’s bad… drink it faster so you can open another.’”

Forrest explained how Mr. Sour Grapes evolved. “He started as a one-off character, just a bit of comic relief to break up the flow of the podcast. But listeners really connected with him, probably because he says the things we’re all secretly thinking but wouldn’t dare say out loud. So he stuck around… and now he’s basically part of the crew.” Forrest continued: “Of course, being Sour Grapes, he doesn’t just sit quietly in the background. He likes to show up randomly, especially when he thinks he’s not getting enough mic time. Just recently, he shaved his dog — Bubbly — and paraded him around town with #JusticeForSourGrapes written on his side. He’s always got something to say about the latest wine trends, and whether he’s praising them or roasting them, you can bet he will make it entertaining.”

Forrest Kelly may have some of the best podcast intro and outro music. When I asked him how he developed those tunes, he answered, “Thank you! Living out in Joshua Tree, California, I’m lucky to be surrounded by an amazing music scene. World-famous producers, musicians, and studios are quietly hidden all over the area. I called in a few favors from some incredibly talented friends, and they worked their craft.”

Forrest continues: “I told them, ‘I love life, I want to project energy into this podcast — make it feel alive.’ That was the vibe I was after, and they totally got it. I wanted upbeat music, had personality, and set the tone right from the first second. I think it’s got just the right balance of fun, style, and momentum.”

Recently, Forrest interviewed Jake Kloberdanz, the owner of OneHope Wine, where ten percent of every purchase goes to a charity of the buyer’s choice.

Forrest has met the challenges of an independent podcast.

Forrest begins, “If you love what you’re doing, you won’t work a day in your life. Sure, there are challenges — managing time, constantly learning — but that’s also what makes it enjoyable. You can create something from scratch, strive for perfection, and grow with every episode. And as Sour Grapes might say: ‘Doing it all yourself builds character… or at least gives you someone to yell at when things go wrong.’”

Finally, I asked him, “Does anyone ever mistake you for DeForest Kelley, the doctor on Star Trek?”

If you’re into wine, check out The Best Five-Minute Wine Podcast. Forrest Kelly is a seasoned pro who can fascinate with his visits to wineries around the world. I love the five-minute increments. Kelly has multiple episodes on one winery or topic because of that runtime, which makes editing a chore for him and his team, but it is a seamless process for listeners.

[020butterfly]

Advantages and Disadvantages of Blogging: Opportunities vs. Challenges

Blogging has become a popular platform for sharing knowledge, opinions, and experiences, attracting millions of individuals and businesses worldwide. However, like any other activity, blogging comes with its advantages and disadvantages. This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of blogging, helping aspiring bloggers make informed decisions before embarking on their blogging journey.

Advantages of Blogging

Creative Expression and Personal Branding Blogging allows individuals to showcase their creativity and personality. Writers can choose topics they are passionate about, creating a unique voice that helps build personal or professional branding. This platform offers an excellent opportunity to establish authority in a niche.

Income Opportunities Blogging can be monetized through multiple avenues such as advertisements, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or selling digital products. Successful bloggers can earn substantial income if they attract a large audience and maintain quality content.

Enhanced Writing and Communication Skills Regular blogging helps improve writing abilities and teaches bloggers how to communicate effectively with a specific audience. Crafting engaging posts also develops research and storytelling skills.

Networking and Community Building Blogging fosters connections with like-minded individuals. By engaging with readers and other bloggers, one can build a community and gain valuable insights. Networking through blogging can open doors to collaborations and partnerships.

Career Growth and Opportunities Many professionals use blogging as a portfolio to demonstrate expertise in their field. Blogs serve as an excellent way to showcase skills, leading to job offers, freelance opportunities, or business growth.

SEO and Digital Marketing Skills Blogging requires knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) to make posts visible on search engines. By blogging, individuals learn digital marketing techniques that are invaluable in today’s online-driven economy.

Disadvantages of Blogging

Time-Consuming Blogging requires significant effort and dedication. From creating content and researching topics to promoting posts and engaging with readers, it demands consistent work. For many, maintaining a blog alongside a full-time job can be challenging.

Uncertain Income While blogging offers potential income, the journey to profitability can be long and unpredictable. Success largely depends on niche selection, traffic generation, and competition. Many bloggers quit due to low or no income.

Burnout and Creativity Blocks Consistently generating fresh and engaging content can lead to stress and burnout. Bloggers may face creative blocks, making it difficult to produce high-quality content regularly.

Technical Challenges Beginners often struggle with technical aspects like setting up a blog, managing hosting, troubleshooting errors, or implementing SEO strategies. The learning curve can be steep for non-tech-savvy individuals.

Privacy and Security Concerns Sharing personal information through blogs can lead to privacy risks. Additionally, the blog may become vulnerable to hacking or data breaches if proper security measures are not taken.

Increased Competition The blogosphere is saturated with millions of blogs, making it hard for new bloggers to stand out. Building a loyal audience requires time, effort, and continuous innovation.

Conclusion

Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of blogging is crucial for anyone considering starting a blog. While blogging offers creative freedom, income potential, and opportunities for personal and professional growth, it also requires commitment, technical knowledge, and resilience to overcome challenges.

For those who are passionate, disciplined, and patient, blogging can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. However, it’s essential to set realistic expectations and prepare for the hard work it demands. By weighing the pros and cons, aspiring bloggers can make informed decisions about their blogging journey.

[atplblog]

Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] - Details) [ad_1] This comprehensive reference features all the major audio software: SONAR XL; Cubase SX; Logic Audio Platinum; Digital Performer; Nuendo; Pro Tools; Peak; Spark XL; SonicWorx; Audition (Cool Edit Pro); WaveLab; Sound Forge. If you need advice on which systems to purchase, which are most suitable for particular projects, and on moving between platforms mid-project, this book should be your one-stop reference. Mike Collins is a trainer and consultant who has been tackling these issues for years and his expert advice will save you time and money. Each section covers a specific system, providing a handy overview of its key features and benefits, including help with setup. "Hints" and "Tips" appear throughout these sections, addressing issues such as how to record drum loops using a virtual drum-machine, recording basslines and keyboard pads using virtual synthesizers, and adding strings, brass or other instruments using virtual samplers. Mike then illustrates how to convert these MIDI recordings into audio tracks to mix alongside vocals, guitars and any other real instruments. The many short tutorials provide both a source of comparison and means to get up to speed fast on any given software. Mike Collins is a music technology consultant and writer who has been making music in London's recording studios variously as a MIDI programmer, session musician, recording engineer, producer and arranger since 1981. He offers freelance Pro Tools engineering, consultancy, troubleshooting and personal tuition, as well as presenting seminars and lectures on related music technology and audio recording topics. Mike has written over 500 articles for magazines such as Macworld (UK), Pro Sound News Europe, Sound on Sound and AudioMedia, and for Electronic Musician and MIX in the USA. Mike's wide-ranging career and experience enables him to bring excellent insight from all sides into his writing, from technical detail to creative expression. Starting out as a musician and club DJ in the 1970's, Mike moved into professional recording in the 1980's, initially as a Songwriter/Producer for EMI Records. Later he worked as a Songwriter for Chappell Music; as a Film Sound Consultant for Dolby Labs; as a Music Producer for TV recordings; and as Senior Recording Engineer and Music Technology Specialist at Yamaha's London R & D Studio. Throughout the 1990's Mike worked as a MIDI Programmer on records, films and music tours with bands such as the Shamen and film composers such as Ryuichi Sakamoto and David Arnold. Mike was Executive Consultant to Re-Pro (The Guild of Record Producers and Engineers) between 1996 and 1999 and Technical Consultant to the Music Producers Guild (MPG), contributing to the Education Group and organising and presenting Technical Seminars between 1999 and 2002. He has a BSc in Electroacoustics and an MSc in Music Information Technology. ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0240519213 Publisher ‏ : ‎ Focal Press; 1st edition (8 March 2004); 011-49344934 CBS PUBLISHERS AND DISTRIBUTORS PVT. LTD Language ‏ : ‎ English Paperback ‏ : ‎ 544 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780240519210 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0240519210

Reading age ‏ : ‎ 15 years and up Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 350 g Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 19.05 x 3.18 x 24.13 cm Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA Importer ‏ : ‎ CBS PUBLISHERS AND DISTRIBUTORS PVT. LTD. PH. 011-49344934 Packer ‏ : ‎ CBS PUBLISHERS AND DISTRIBUTORS PVT. LTD. PH. 011-49344934 Generic Name ‏ : ‎ Book [ad_2]