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Happy Tiny Scene Sunday!!

Here's a prompt with three words to use as you like: Jealous, Hide, and Clash!

@bloodlessheirbyjacques

I got so carried away with this one omg!!!! It is 914 words long, but there are two sparring matches in it. Action like that tends to add to my word count a lot haha. Anyway! I used this as a way to explore Shaun's weapon and element. This prompt was perfect and I loved writing for it! Thank you for the inspiration, bestie!

Jealous, Hide, Clash

(read the full scene under the cut!)

Shaun wiped the sweat from his brow. After two grueling hours of sparring with Darren, he was starting to feel his strength falter. Red marks crawled up his arms, reminders of everytime he failed to block the strong fire blasts that came his way.

And this was Darren "taking it easy" on him.

Shaun lifted his machete just in time. Clash! The harsh shriek of metal hitting metal rang out. Sparks flew. The weapon felt awkward in his hand. Wrong. Like he wasn't meant to wield it.

It wasn't really his, after all.

Darren had granted him permission to train, spar, and fight with his blade ever since they were kids. It wasn't much of a sacrifice on Darren's part. His weapon naturally consisted of two machetes.

Shaun siphoned water from the lake, launching a wave in Darren's direction, hoping to slow him down and catch him off balance. One blast of fire and the water dissipated into steam. Darren wasn't phased. He charged in and swiped furiously at Shaun's blade. Shaun felt the heat and burn of sparks. He dropped his weapon in an instant.

Darren stepped back and laughed. "Come on, Shaun, at least make me work for it. Two hours and I barely broke a sweat. If you can't give me a challenge then what's the point of sparring with you?"

Shaun picked up the fallen blade from the dirt. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"First you fight like a girl, now you're apologizing like one."

"Maybe you should learn to watch your mouth."

Nate's voice made Shaun jump. He could have sworn they were out in the field by the lake alone.

Darren put up his hands in mock defense. "Oh, sorry, Mr. Dictator. I forgot that we have to not hurt anyone's feelings while we're at war."

"We're not at war," Nate said.

Even Shaun could sense the unspoken "Yet" that hung in the air. Nate wanted to keep it that way.

Nate glanced over and noticed something laying in the grass. A polished, sandstone board that Reese had designed and carved for Shaun. He brought to down to practice his element and surf around on it, but he discarded it when Darren asked him to spar.

Nate eyed Shaun and smiled. "Saw you guys sparring when I got here." He nodded at the blade in Shaun's hand. "You still sharing Darren's weapon?"

"It's easier for him," Darren answered quickly. "Not having a weapon will get him killed."

Nate glared at him then addressed Shaun as if Darren didn't speak. "I thought the board worked pretty well last time we practiced together. Seemed like you were getting the hang of it."

"That's not a weapon," Darren snapped, "that's a toy."

"Darren. When I want your opinion I'll fucking ask for it."

Shaun had to stifle a laugh, but he couldn't hide it from Darren. He caught a glimpse of the fury lighting behind his eyes. Shaun stopped smiling immediately.

Nate sauntered over to where the board lay in the grass. He picked it up and inspected it. "Have you used it at all since we last trained together?"

Shaun shrugged, "A little."

Under exaggerating was better than raising Nate's expectations. Shaun had practiced with it almost everyday since then. It was Reese's idea to not only use it with his element as a way to ride the waves, but also try to learn how to handle it like a shield and blunt force weapon.

Nate extended the board out to him. "Show me. Let's see what you got."

Shaun took it tentatively. Nate flipped his own coin in the air and caught the golden short sword and handheld shield that took its place.

"You ready?" Nate asked.

Shaun hesitated. He still felt worn out from his matches with Darren. The water from the lake rose up to meet him. It trickled over his burns and cooled his skin. As it all washed away, he felt his strength return. He put the board down on the ground and stood on it, like a racer at the starting line.

Shaun nodded, "Now I am."

Nate smiled. "Then let's do this."

Once again, the lake rose to match Shaun's whim. It swept him away on his board and he circled Nate, like a shark circling its prey. Nate watched carefully, scanning for weaknesses. He launched a fireball at the water just behind Shaun, a puff of hot steam rising into the air, but Shaun kept his balance and focus.

Nate didn't raise his sword yet.

Another fireball launched into the whirlpool, dissipating the water that was most supporting Shaun's board. He sprawled out and plopped into the water as it seeped into the ground, leaving Shaun in a puddle of mud. Shaun shook off his haze and grabbed his board just in time to block an attack from Nate.

Shaun slapped at Nate's blade, feeling a little silly, like a kindergartener playing keepaway, until Nate slashed down on the board with all his might. The blade stuck.

Nate smiled, an accepting look in his eyes. Do it. You got me.

Shaun spun the board as fast has he could, wrenching the sword from Nate's grasp. It dislodged from the board and landed blade-first in the mud. It turned into a coin at Shaun's touch. He gave it back to Nate and laughed, almost in awe.

Nate smiled. "Yeah. I think I like the board better."

"Yeah," Shaun breathed heavily, catching his breath. "Me too."

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the soul of wit: a series of brief poems

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a feel like the new generation of fanfic readers NEED to understand that clicking on a fic (interaction) does nothing. ao3 has no algorithm. your private discord discussions of fic do not reach the authors. if you do not actively engage with writers they will stop posting. this isn’t social media this is community.

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10 Flaws to Give Your Perfect Characters to Make Them Human

If you're tired of the usual vices like arrogance or impatience, here are some unique (or at least less basic) character flaws to give your perfect characters: 

Pathological Altruism

A character so obsessed with helping others that they end up doing more harm than good. Their inability to let others grow or face consequences creates tension.

2. Moral Narcissism

A character who sees themselves as morally superior to others, constantly justifying selfish or harmful actions because they believe they have the moral high ground.

3. Chronic Self-Sabotage

A character who intentionally undermines their own success, perhaps due to deep-seated feelings of unworthiness, pushing them into frustrating, cyclical failures.

4. Emotional Numbness

Rather than feeling too much, this character feels too little. Their lack of emotional response to critical moments creates isolation and makes it difficult for them to connect with others.

5. Fixation on Legacy

This character is obsessed with how they’ll be remembered after death, often sacrificing present relationships and happiness for a future that’s uncertain.

6. Fear of Irrelevance

A character-driven by the fear that they no longer matter, constantly seeking validation or pursuing extreme measures to stay important in their social or professional circles.

7. Addiction to Novelty

Someone who needs constant newness in their life, whether it’s experiences, relationships, or goals. They may abandon projects, people, or causes once the excitement fades, leaving destruction in their wake.

8. Compulsive Truth-Telling

A character who refuses to lie, even in situations where a lie or omission would be the kinder or more pragmatic choice. This flaw causes unnecessary conflict and social alienation.

9. Over-Identification with Others' Pain

Instead of empathy, this character feels others' pain too intensely, to the point that they can’t function properly in their own life. They’re paralyzed by the suffering of others and fail to act effectively.

10. Reluctant Power

A character who fears their own strength, talent, or influence and is constantly trying to shrink themselves to avoid the responsibility or consequences of wielding it.

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Check out the rest of Quillology with Haya; a blog dedicated to writing and publishing tips for authors! Instagram Tiktok

PS: This is my first short-form blog post! Lmk if you liked it and want to see more (I already have them scheduled you don't have a choice)

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June 20: 1,164 | Reach for the stars by @the-wip-project

What do you mean it’s the 20th? Jesus. Well. Deep in the feels. It’s a great way to get all this pent up stress off, although it just keeps coming back. Like right now. But at least I’m exploring a kinda new way of Bongju, which is very nice. I mean, the notion of exploring, not what I find haha. He’s a very sad boy. Although I almost wrote a full on analysis on him to my friends. And some enneagram nerding out. Really needed to restrain myself to stay normal, lmao. Anyway, it’s a great snippet, helps a ton.

No Context Snip:

Steam thumbled out of the small, tiled space as Dae dried her wet hair with a towel. She stopped as she noticed Bongju still standing beside the fridge. She lazily glanced at the front door, then back at him. Her skin was a hot pink under the towel that though barely but covered her damp torso.

Towel, towel. Gotta edit it the minute I finish this.

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For Pandora and Noah 👀 you choose who answers which! Both or pick one each, whatever you prefer :)

Who makes up your family?  How close are you to them?

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?

Pandora: hm…

Well first we have my mother, Diana De La Dáinn, then my dad, Alexander De La Dáinn, then there’s my aunt and uncle, Elizabeth and Fredrick.

I have 7 siblings, in chronological order we have, Victor, Arthur, Vivianne, Henry, Theodore, Eleanor, and Harriet.

Then we have my 5 cousins, which are (also in chronological order), Clyde, Scarlet, Cecilia, Ellis, and Thomas.

If you want to talk relatives then there’s my great great great… great…

…however many greats, immortal grandfather Sephtis.

My grandparents were Franklin and Nyx, my mum and aunt’s sisters were Artemis, Mona, Luna, and Selene. Their brothers were Altair, Orion, and Sterling.

Then there’s my great aunts and uncles who were Annora, Bellamira, Eirlys, Juliet, Layla, Donovan, Augustus, Azrael, Oleander, Morris, Clarence, and Zane.

and THEN there’s all of my second cousins, Lorelei, Lenore, Abraham, George, Oliver, Annabelle, Charlotte, Cornelius, Emmanuel, Beatrice, Elaine, Irene, Ezra, Hugh, and Matthias.

There’s my great grandparents which are Carmilla, Joseph, Elliot, and Heather.

There’s also Rosalind, Maverick, Irma, Chantal, Crawford, Dorian, and Devina, who are all spouses to several of the members of my family.

Hm… who else… oh! Kardama! She was the first ruler over Morgana, she created the kingdom.

And FINALLY there’s Maveth and Cynthia, the origin parents of our family. At least… that’s as far back as it goes…

…

I… I wish I could’ve met them all. When I lived back home, Mum talked about them all the time…

…

Anyways.

The hardest thing I’ve ever had to do?

That’s… a difficult question. I’ve had to do many hard things in my life.

I think the hardest though, was admitting that I couldn’t heal myself around my family… at least, not while they themselves refused to heal.

Noah: Family… well, it’d just be The Crux. But don’t go telling them that. I don’t need them judging me…

Hardest thing to do?

…happiness.

I find it a lot easier to let rage and anguish consume me. It numbs the pain. But happiness is hard for me. I had a very… nihilistic point of view.

What was there to be happy about in the world if it’s all pointless?

But I think that’s a good reason to BE happy. Because if it’s all pointless then we might as well be happy while we’re doing it.

We are what memories lie in our heads, I guess.

Happiness is hard, but I find it gets easier with time.

. . .

ANYWAYS. Sorry that got really sappy.

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Happy Juneteenth! ❤

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OC Interview Questions

Send me a number and a character (or multiple!) and they’ll answer the question themselves!

Who makes up your family?  How close are you to them?

Who is your best friend?  Tell us about them!

What is your favorite childhood memory?

What is your least favorite childhood memory?

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?

Who do you look up to?

What do you think had the biggest impact on you growing up?

Are you a spiritual person?  If yes, what do you practice?

Where were you born?  Where did you grow up?  Where do you live now?

What is your favorite type of media (TV, movie, books, etc)?  Name some specific favorites (which shows, movies, books, etc do you like)!

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? (on vacation or permanently!)

You’re given an unlimited budget to build anything you want!  What do you build and where do you build it?

What are your favorite music genres?

Do you play any instruments?  Which ones?  How long have you been playing?

Describe your perfect day.

What makes you laugh?

What’s the best way to cheer you up?

What makes you sad?

Describe your biggest pet peeve.

Describe your ideal partner.

What’s the easiest way to flirt with you?

Have you ever had a crush on someone?  Do you have a crush now?

What would you consider your main love language?

Freebie!  Come up with your own question for the character to answer!

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really everyone you love has something miserably wrong with them or an obvious flaw that won't ever be fixed but like it's up to you what kind of person you can and cannot deal with. someone in my family has anger issues which I can handle and diffuse with no problem, but a person who can't tolerate yelling could not be close to him. another person I know is very anxious & needs constant reassurance and she gets along famously with gentler and more straightforward people than myself, but I can't handle being second guessed all the time. someone who is loosey goosey with their morals wouldn't bother me, but a person with a profound sense of justice makes me feel afraid of getting on their bad side. none of these traits actually make someone a bad person & just because there are personalities I can't handle doesnt mean I'M a bad person either. litany against callout posts for stupid shit and simple incompatibilities we all have to live on this earth together & need to learn how to deal with each other

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Nallikari light

hhollstrom

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Your story is still worth writing even if it veers off from what you planned originally.

It’s still worth writing even if you aren’t feeling it right now.

It’s still worth writing even if it’s fanfiction.

It’s still worth writing even if you don’t think anyone else would ever want to read it.

It’s still worth writing even if it doesn’t get published.

It’s still worth writing even if it doesn’t get adapted into a huge blockbuster movie.

It’s still worth writing even if you can’t have fancy illustrations at the beginning of chapters or a map of the world at the beginning.

It’s still worth writing even if someone you trusted told you to stop.

It’s still worth writing if you just rolled your eyes at me.

It’s still worth writing, SO WRITE IT.

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https://kazz.blaze.co.jp/archives/8734

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honestly sometimes stories where characters have self awareness and solve their problems maturely can be really refreshing sometimes. and sometimes it feels like therapyspeak slop. intense stories where no one is capable of understanding themselves and act out in incorrect ways can be very fun. and sometimes it feels like contrived bullshit. whatever makes "a good story" is harder to make happen than just using the right kind of characters using the right words

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the soul of wit: a series of brief poems

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Oulu, Finland

hhollstrom

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Glow In The Night 1 for Oobleck please?

First time doing a color palette challenge/request, I hope I did it correctly!~ <3

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I'm not running out of spoons. Life is just playing "keep away" with my cutlery