#writing in rough mh patches

[brattyspence]

Would you maybe write something for depressed reader and spencer taking care of her? Maybe some unhealthy coping mechanisms on readers part? 🥹

I've been going through a bit of a rough patch and can really relate to reader and would love to imagine spencer taking care of me.

If you're not comfortable with it, I understand, but I wanted to ask.

Love your work btw!❤️ - 🦋

a/n: thank u for requesting!!!!! hi butterfly anon

tags: fluff/comfort, depression, reader uses sleeping/avoidance as a coping mechanism, rlly fluffy sticky sweet.

<600 words

-

“We could take the train out and go to the new exhibit you wanted to see?”

“Mh,” you mumble. It's less than half-hearted, muffled by the pillow smashed against your cheek. Lying on your side with your back to him, you can't see his expression, but you still know it's hopeful. It only adds to the guilt you already felt.

“Or… we could just go to the farmer’s market. Get more of the tea you like.”

You feel bad. You really do. Spencer is more patient with you than you are with yourself, and you know he's been growing restless being stuck in the apartment over every recent weekend. Still, it's like your limbs are weighted and your thoughts are elsewhere; the idea of doing things is more unappealing than anything.

“Don’t want to.”

“What do you want to do?”

You close your phone, leaving behind the morning of doom scrolling. You rub your eyes, trying to stop the growing strain with cold fingertips.

“Go back to sleep.”

The room grows silent again, save for the soft sound of steady breathing. You know Spencer well enough to understand that he's scheming something.

“You can't sleep all day,” he says, voice somehow managing to become softer than it already was.

“Why?”

The question drags a sigh from his lips, and you feel the bed shift.

You've always been thankful for the many ways Spencer is good at reading you. Now, though, it feels more like a drain on energy, and you feel bad for thinking that.

Warm fingertips find your side, guiding you onto your back. You can't even manage to roll your eyes the way you intended to before his hands make their way towards your face, coaxing loose strands of hair off your forehead in a way that's so tender you could cry right then and there.

“Why can't you sleep all day?”

“Mhm.”

“Because you need to do something,” he says, looking down at you. “Eat something. Shower. Move.”

“But-”

“No ‘but,’” he says. “I'm not letting you spend a third day like this.”

This time, when you huff in response you find the covers being pulled away from you.

“Ten more minutes?”

You track him with your eyes, watching him get up and make his way around the bed. He stops next to your side, offering his hand to you.

“Angel. You wanted ‘ten more minutes’ on Friday. It's Sunday.”

You can't argue with him on this. Instead, you take his hand and let him pull you up to sitting, legs dancing off the edge of the bed as you look up at him. Your eyes flutter shut as he tucks your hair behind your ears once again. It's not out of necessity, but love. When his warm hands cup your jaw next, you know he's waiting for your attention.

“I don't want to leave the apartment,” you mumble.

“We don't have to,” he replies, shaking his head. “You can go shower, I'll find something for you to eat, and we can do something at home–that's not sleeping.”

“Cuddle?”

“I mean, the point is you need to be up and moving,” he says. “But I don't think I can deny you anything.”

When you finally crack a smile, he leans in to press a kiss to your forehead.

[personasintro]

Hi! I hope you’re having a good week ♡ I recently started reading MH and it is so good! Thank you for putting in all this effort, it was truly a joy to read up until now. It’s been keeping me company through a rough patch and it’s actually inspired me to get back into writing fics again. So just.. a big thank you from my whole heart to yours 💜

No, thank you 💝 I wish you all the happiness and love 🫂🩵

[fourthseal]

[lovelycherub]

Long Live Life Author QNA!

Recently, I had the pleasure to interview @denn1s-lessing and @gekitoutsu-rispba about their JJBA fanpart Long Live Life! It was an honor since 3L is one of my most favorite JJBA fanparts and I always wanted to see what the behind the scenes of making it was

My Interview with @denn1s-lessing:

Q: How does the writing process for Long Live Life go?

A: We first plan out the major plot beats of all chapters (Jocelyn discovering the Crest of Stone, for example) and write down the events and how they play out. Then we figure out how to best and most naturally connect each scene with one another, keeping in mind things like characterization, character development, where the location is and so on. It's like painting; first you make the rough sketches for what's supposed to be there, then refine them until you're ready to paint the whope piece. We also do chapter summaries, but while they're quicker the chapters don't come out as good as the ones where we used the other method.

Q: Do you and Rispba have any inspirations?

A: Mh, I can't really speak for Rispba but I *did* notice that she takes some inspiration from magical girl anime for character design. As for me, I am inspired by the art movement of realism and pirandellian philosophy (Luigi Pirandello, an italian playwrighter). Another inspiration for me is Valerio Massimo Manfredi and DeAndrè's music. Along with that, I draw from my real-life experiences. Sure, I never had to play an intense scopa match or got slapped by a spirit, but I *did* go through some rough patches in my past.

Q: Who is your favorite character to write for?

A: I really love writing Calliope! She's a pretty strong woman who knows what she wants, plus she's sassy and direct, something not many kids have unfortunately. She's also my favoruite character, along with Erina and Matteo! Stands like Whitesnake and Prosciutto (Yeah he's not EXACTLY a Stand but for convenience's sake) are fun too, altough they are more on the quiet and contemplating side

Q: What's the process of making up a original stand?

A: The process is quite simple, quick and straighfoward: we come up with powers and a name (usually placeholders, but then those placeholders stick), then stats if it's a recurring Stand and assign it to a character, or come up with a new one. We don't give much thought as we should when it comes to developing Stands, since we tend to focus more on the character and what they do with it.

Q: Do you have the full story of Long Live Life planned out (have an ending in mind for it)

A: yes! We planned out the whole story and went through different plots before we set on one we liked. it's how we like to do fanfiction: plan EVERYTHING out before posting anything, so things will be streamlined. Doing the opposite is a common mistake (or feature, call it what you want I'm not telling you what to do) in the fanfiction I've read, along with a few shows too. The old Long Live Life story followed that principle and it suffered from it severely

Q: Was Jocelyn always meant to be a child or was she older when you first started drafting the story?

A: She was always meant to be a little kid! Though if you're interested in seeing her all grown up, an adult version of her appears in the story's epilogue.

Q: What scene was the most challenging to write for?

A: the hardest thing to write was Duran's fight, Piazza in Vita Morta. Duran for some reason gave us (both here and in the old 3L) a lot of trouble, he was the biggest roadblock. Now we passed that roadblock though and so far we're doing quite alright. There is a lot happening in that chapter, it's incredibly dense and long, with many elements present. To call it chaotic is to underestimate it. That scene was so far the hardest thing to write, again, and I'm glad that's over with.

Q: How do you choose the music references?

A: We pick the first song that we think of, we don't worry about the music references

Q: Once Long Live Life is done, do you plan on making more JJBA fics?

A: Yes! We are working on a sequel story called Wind of Melodies, where Sid's son and a few of his friends (plus an old face) join Eurovision :) we'll expand magic in there too. it's going to be awesome, trust me!

My interview with @gekitoutsu-rispba

Q: I heard that you were the one to come up with the idea for Long Live Life! What inspired you to make a JJBA fanpart?

A: Honestly, I don’t work well in the realm of major, canon characters. I prefer to make up my own stories that use the rules of a certain universe, but not necessarily the main characters. And a fanpart was a perfect outlet for that kind of thinking

Q: You mainly write the action scenes, and I was wondering what the writing process for them is?

A: Honestly there isn’t much of a process? I just do the fights based on who’s there and where they are- a fight in an apartment, for example, requires different strategies than a fight in a public plaza. I do try to keep things even between both sides until the point where the story needs to continue.

Q: Who writes the most, you or Dennis?

A: Dennis, by far. I try to do what I can but I’m working full-time and often feel burnt out by the end of my shifts.

Q: Have a personal favorite chapter so far?

A: The panic station chapter! It was a fun change of pace and a nice breather chapter.

Q: How do you come up with the designs for the characters?

A: I wanted 3L to have a different feel than regular JoJo, so I used a different point of reference- street fashion instead of haute couture. I do tend to keep characters powers, personalities, and various other things in mind, but normally it does boil down to what looks good on them.

Q: If you were able to rewrite some chapters of 3L, what would you change?

A: Honestly I feel like this whole thing was a rewrite of our original idea and there’s a lot of little things I considered changing before publishing. Ultimately, however, I’m proud of what we’ve written so far.

Q: How long have you been writing fanfic for?

A: Not long, actually, this is my first work I’m seeing through to the end. I have lots of ideas but can feel very insecure about execution.

Q: Dennis told me that you'll be making a sequel to 3L. Is that still in the planning phase or is the story already laid out?

A: It’s kind of in the middle ground. We have characters and a plot laid out but nothing is absolutely set in stone and probably won’t be until we get closer to 3L ending

Q: Do you have a favorite character in 3L?

A: That’s like asking me to choose between my children tbh but joss has the most personal connection to me so I’ll go with her

Q: How did you get into JJBA?

A: Honestly it’s been a long time so I don’t remember exactly how but I know it had something to do with all of the music references (I’m a sucker for a good reference)

Thank you again @denn1s-lessing and @gekitoutsu-rispba for letting me interview you! Also, check out @hopeful-mothwings to see my interview!