augustedevane

[augustedevane]

character A is fully unhinged. character B is emotionally repressed. the chemistry? electric.

[augustedevane]

I never can do it. I never could get it. That intricate dance of words and silence that makes up the start of a romance. I never know what should be said and what should remain unsaid, what leaves anticipation and excitement in the air at their most palpable. I cannot speak in implications and euphemisms, nor can I grasp when others are doing so, and match their steps in that wild and edgy tango called flirting. I can only be myself, and I am straightforward and simple, ineloquent in the language of love, a perpetual foreigner in the realm of human connection. Perhaps it means that romance was not meant for me, nor I for it, or perhaps this condition of mine is some higher power’s way of telling me that my path is one I must walk alone.

[augustedevane]

I wonder how to get over this fear, especially in the digital age when writers and readers have so much access to each other. I have a character who routinely kills people, but I still want him to be likeable to the reader, or at the very least, interesting enough that the reader wants to see where his story will go. Everyone has their own personal line for what a character can do and still be likeable, sometimes based on personal experience or preference, sometimes influenced by social groups. I know it helps if a character who does terrible stuff is charming, but is it possible to write a character who does terrible things, has absolutely zero rizz, and still enthralls readers?

been stewing on an analytical approach to fiction which I call "is this book afraid of me?" and in order to answer this question you determine how hard the book is trying to make sure you don't come after the writer on twitter

[augustedevane]

Also, to be clear, I don't think fanfiction is to blame for the overwhelming amount of meh cosy fiction or romance out there. Fanfiction and the folks who write it aren't doing anything wrong. I think it's due to the publishing industry's desire to sell you something you would otherwise be reading for free.

That's my ultimate hot take.

[augustedevane]

how i feel making silly little writing posts instead of being productive.

[augustedevane]

Sometimes I go back and forth as to whether to characterize a vampire's bloodlust as hunger or thirst. Like, it's not a perfect analogue, but for the most part, blood takes the place of food in a vampire's life. But at the same time, blood is a liquid, and drinking it is the most convenient way to consume it. So, the conclusion I've come to is that vampiric bloodlust is a kind of hunger, but a sort of hunger wherein you specifically crave something liquid, like soup.

[augustedevane]

Me when I feel interest in one of my WIPs waning:

[augustedevane]

If you ever find yourself in need of my services, which, for your sake and mine, I hope you never do, my office is located in the rift between Heaven and Earth, smack dab between the realm of the mortal and the realm of the divine.

Is that helpful? No?

Well, for mortals, it's on the corner of Angel Avenue in Sandal City, on the second floor. If you’re divine, I’d really prefer that you enter through the front door rather than manifest directly into my office from Heaven. During my time on Earth, I’ve really learned to appreciate what mortals call “privacy.” And suddenly appearing in a flash of light while I’m in a state of undress or eating my lunch of microwave ramen (another mortal cultural object I’ve come to appreciate) is a violation of privacy. It makes things awkward for whomever barges in, and makes me look less professional. Because no matter what sort of earthly debauchery I engage in, I am one. A professional, that is.

A quick character sketch based on an idea I had for a story. For now, it's called "Stray Fallen Detective."

[augustedevane]

"If you're going to bite, sink your teeth in down to the gums. If you're going to stab, sink your blade in down to the hilt. Killing is no fun when it's done half-heartedly." - Roy, the antagonist of my wip "Away from the Sun"

[augustedevane]

If I ever write something that is exclusively heterosexual and cisgender, like zero (0) queer characters and no hint of queer themes, go ahead and take me out bc that is def NOT me that is my EVIL CLONE

[augustedevane]

So to-date, not including the copies I myself have ordered, I’ve sold 45 copies of Eternal Night and the funniest thing has happened with my target audience vs my actual audience.

My loudest cheerleaders are my few sets of grandparents and my mom and her friends, shoving my book at anyone who will listen, and I just heard that some older lady 65-75ish was gushing like a teenager over whether or not so-and-so would get together.

Reminder that this is hella gay vampire fantasy, written for 18-30-year-olds.

I may not have found the people I intended to find but that lady will be very pleased when the sequel comes out.

[augustedevane]

I've submitted a short story of mine to an online literary magazine for consideration! Fingers crossed! Of course, even if this one doesn't work out, I'm not going to stop with just one magazine/submission >:)

[augustedevane]

A vampire has worked at the local 7-11 for the past 5 decades. No one has the heart to slay them—partly because they're a good employee, but mostly because they think the vampire is doing a "great job" hiding their vampirism (they're really not).

[augustedevane]

I was reading this post over on the Ao3 subreddit this evening and I think it brings up a lot of good points about how fandom, as a community, has been shifting in its treatment towards fanfic writers.

Fanfic is more popular than ever, which means there are more works "competing" for the readers' attention, who take on a passive approach that treats fanworks not as a means to talk to people with similar interests, but as content, as products. [...] Gift cultures thrive not on monetary exchanges, but on the expectation that the gifts freely given will be returned in an unspecified future through emotional and relational means. This used to set fandom apart, but it's slowly being absorbed into the mainstream way capitalism operates. Where does that leave us?

And it's demotivating to see the responses authors get when expressing their grievances with this state of affairs, or how they feel underappreciated. Being called entitled, told to write for themselves, or to promote their work as if writing and posting isn't enough. I write for myself, I post for the community. There are things I want to say about the source material and characters, and I do through storytelling. And I'm grateful about each of the comments I got, no matter how short. It's just that it doesn't feel like there's a community out there when no one talks back. Writers aren't just expected to write, but to do it for the "right reasons", and to also be as pleasant about it as possible, lest they'll be criticized by more people than the amount that's offering them support.

I've seen posts going around on tumblr that have approached this topic as well--that fanworks (particularly fanfic) should be created from the perspective of a perfect vessel that can pour, pour, pour out and never needs to be poured into. You should do it for the "right reasons" and not complain because "no one owes you interaction". But what is fandom if not interaction?

Writing fanfic is one of the most time-consuming labors of love that makes up a fandom. (That's not to say other fanworks aren't labors, time-consuming, or made with love. We're talking about fanfic). Your 300k+ enemies to lovers slowburn porn-with-plot fic that has reshaped the entire way you approach a specific pairing or media has been made with time, effort, for free, with the intention to be shared with you.

And in the state of current fandom, it has been made with the expectation to receive nothing back. Is that fair? Maybe. Silent readers exist and a kudos on Ao3 is at least an acknowledgment that some people read and enjoyed. But does it hurt to leave a comment? Even a heart emoji or an "I loved this, thank you for sharing!" is enough to at least start a dialogue, a conversation, form a connection.

That's not even to mention the isolation of fandom interactions to private Discords; time after time I've heard from fanfic authors who found out that there have been discord servers or twitter groupchats where their fanfic has been discussed, loved, and lauded at length--but never once was the author told this! Ao3 has comments for a reason. Many authors link their tumblr profiles or emails in their bio for people to reach out to them.

It's just a sorry state to see it go.

[augustedevane]

writing anything dark is so annoying cuz now anyone i know who reads it is like, "are you okay???? 🥺" NO!!!!!! i am Unwell!! but that is unrelated!!!

[augustedevane]

Me, writing: Should I make this section shorter?

Internet tip I read 5 years ago: Yes, of course. It’s nice but it’s not advancing the plot.

Me: yeah maybe you are right…

Tiny Victor Hugo living in my head: don’t listen to her. We need more. Add another 5000 words. And a detailed description of the sewers!

Me: yeah you’re so right

[augustedevane]

I tell myself I don’t need views and comments to validate my writing…. I for some reason do. I want others to love my work as much as me.