j-trow-95

[j-trow-95]

Stitches and Sentences

Happy Saturday/Sunday! This week, there were more sentences than stitches happening. Quick update on both below.

STITCHES Cheer Simon has his nose pierced. I've never given a doll a nose, and as it turns out, noses are difficult to get right. Every attempt at a nose (including those that involved mutilating this spare Penny I had lying around) was atrocious.

I also tried to stitch on an extra little felt piece like the ears are extra pieces, but that made such a horrifying nose that I refused to take a picture of it.

Now that I've given you nightmares, here's the nose I settled on. Simple, but cute yeah? Maybe? Who knows. Either way, it's staying.

SENTENCES I have a title for the Cheer AU! FINALLY! I've officially settled on Smile Like You Mean It and posting will start towards the end of August! I haven't picked an exact date yet, since I'm still drafting, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel so.... woohoo!

We are getting towards the part of the story where your character has to actually start solving their problems, so words are coming slower and scenes are tougher to get right. Still, I've made good progress. Currently, we are at ~67k words and 11/15 completed chapters (yes, I added YET ANOTHER chapter). This is going to be so long...

I've mostly given you Baz sentences, so have some Simon sentences I wrote this week. (He's wild in this fic, y'all.)

“Dream of me in class—” I mouth against his skin “—and I promise I’ll dream of you.” Baz whimpers helplessly, and I sashay away to first period, hyper-aware of Baz’s eyes on me as I go.

Hellos and high-fives!

@alexalexinii, @argumentativeantitheticalg, @aristocratic-otter, @arthurkko, @artsyunderstudy, @bachusekart, @best--dress, @blackberrysummerblog, @brilla-brilla-estrellita, @bookish-bogwitch, @confused-bi-queer, @cutestkilla, @drowninginships, @emeryhall, @facewithoutheart, @harrie-leithillustration, @hushed-chorus, @iamamythologicalcreature, @ic3que3n, @ileadacharmedlife, @katatsumuli, @larkral, @letraspal, @mooncello, @nausikaaa, @noblecorgi, @orange-peony, @pato-roldnart, @prettygoododds, @raeny-day, @rbkzz, @roomwithanopenfire, @run-for-chamo-miles, @rimeswithpurple, @shrekgogurt, @skeedelvee, @stitchyqueer, @supercutedinosaurs, @talentpiper11, @the-beard-of-edward-teach, @twinkle-twinkle-up-above, @theimpossibledemon, @thewholelemon, @whatevertheweather, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @youarenevertooold, @jyae23, @j-trow-95

[j-trow-95]

Six Sentence Sunday

Happy Sunday friends! I have been so swamped with work that I've had hardly a scrap of time to write this week, but today feels like the day. I did have time to edit though. My beloved @cutestkilla worked with me tirelessly this week on what is probably The Best chapter of There are Monsters in the Wood so far, and with her input I added 800 words to an already 10,500 word chapter, all really good words, too. The best words. Endlessly grateful to her and also to everyone who agrees to help me with my fanfictions.

That said I am worried about the next chapter!! We're taking a little detour from Simon and Baz to learn more about our antagonist, the lore, the magick, and most importantly, Lucy.

Lucy reached for me and—knowing what she intended—I met her. I placed my hand, palm up, over hers, her freckled skin supple and sun-heated.  She closed her other hand over mine in a simulacrum of prayer, and almost at once there was a shiver of sensation. A fluttering like the wings of a hummingbird between our palms. Her magick—God, it was a wonder. It buzzed and breathed and expanded. I imagined it as something alive, the twisted roots of an ancient tree cutting paths through the resisting earth. It spread all the way to the tips of my fingers before settling. When she finally pulled away there was a single rose pressed into the very centre of my hand. The petals, full and faultless and the colour of new blood. “It’s beautiful,” I said. She smiled her blinding smile and said, “Good. I made it for you.”

It's actually one of my favorite chapters, too. Some of my best work. But I do worry about the lack of Simon and Baz. Ah, we'll see. :)

Tags and hells under the cut!

@stitchyqueer @rimeswithpurple @imagineacoolusername @ileadacharmedlife @aristocratic-otter @letraspal @whatevertheweather @carryonsimoncarryonbaz @raenestee @shrekgogurt @prettygoododds @brilla-brilla-estrellita @ivelovedhimthroughworse @martsonmars @c0nsumemy5oul @facewithoutheart @alexalexinii @iamamythologicalcreature @supercutedinosaurs @best--dress @messofthejess @mooncello @orange-peony @bookish-bogwitch @confused-bi-queer @youarenevertooold @that-disabled-princess @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @blackberrysummerblog @nausikaaa @thewholelemon @cutestkilla @emeryhall @hushed-chorus @forabeatofadrum @roomwithanopenfire @noblecorgi @monbons @run-for-chamo-miles @skeedelvee @valeffelees @ic3que3n @drowninginships @talentpiper11 @fiend-for-culture @leithillustration @j-trow-95 @bookishbroadwayandblind @the-beard-of-edward-teach

[j-trow-95]

WIP Wednesday

well hello. thanks for all your comments on my post Sunday. I really loved reading them, and also hearing you tell me that this "too scared to post until it's perfect so I'm never going to post" bullshit is not unique to me. thanks for being here with me.

I had to check the calendar three times to make sure it really was Wednesday. what am I doing???

1-reading Crying in H Mart. This book makes me both sad and very, very hungry. It's good, it's by the lead singer of Japanese Breakfast.

2-I just finished Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oascar Hokeah. Such a great book. If you read it and you're not from Oklahoma, tell me, I'm so curious what you think. The writing is excellent.

3-Also! I finished Sorcery and Small Magics! I am ready for the sequel now please and thank you! Can't believe we've still got TWO books to go. Just keeping an eye on the @grimmlove feed for fic to appear. definitely recommend this although be forewarned it is the slowest of burns.

otherwise flailing around and reading things I can't tell you about! I hope you're doing okay. tags and texting from hey beautiful :) below the cut. at this rate you'll have the whole fic in snippets.

Baz: Is she your girlfriend, then? Snow: naw shes my best friend. like my sister i guess although idk ive never had one Snow: come on mate. would i be texting u this thirsty if i had a girlfriend??? Baz: You could be. I’m just a wrong number. Simon: im beginning to think theres nothing wrong abt u Baz: Go make your pasta. Don’t overcook it. Snow: (picture) Baz: Very nice. Snow: i even read the package for once and made it Al Dente Snow: did u know that means firm when bitten 😏 Baz: Yes, Snow. Everyone knows that.

@alexalexinii @alleycat0306 @aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @best--dress

@blackberrysummerblog @bookish-bogwitch @bachusekart @bookishbroadwayandblind @brilla-brilla-estrellita 

@confused-bi-queer @cutestkilla @drowninginships @emeryhall  @facewithoutheart

@fiend-for-culture @iamamythologicalcreature @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @j-trow-95

@jyae23 @katatsumuli @larkral @leithillustration @letraspal

@martsonmars @messofthejess @monbons @mooncello @nausikaaa 

@noblecorgi @onepintobean @orange-peony @pato-roldnart @palimpsessed 

@prettygoododds @raenestee @rimeswithpurple  @roomwithanopenfire @run-for-chamo-miles 

@shrekgogurt @skeedelvee @talentpiper11  @the-beard-of-edward-teach @theimpossibledemon 

@valeffelees @whatevertheweather @youarenevertooold @you-remind-me-of-the-babe

[j-trow-95]

[j-trow-95]

Last wipsday post for more than a footnote!

I love a good bookend moment. A solid callback. One of my favorite things about the fic playlist, for example, is that it begins with conan gray's 'best friend' and ends with laufey's 'best friend.' not only do the lyrics in both songs perfectly encapsulate footnote, but it's such a cool statement about the story itself. a lot changes, but the constant? Dev and Niall are best friends at the beginning of this fic—and at the end. 

placing the rest under the cut. chapter 9 drops friday. 🖤

from chapter 2:

Here's a bookend moment from the actual fic. The first snippet is from Dev's first-ever POV in the story, and the second is from his final POV. 

I’ve had months to think about it, and my list just keeps growing longer. Of what I wish I had the balls to say that night. You should never spell your irises blue because your big brown eyes are enough to make me commit forbidden magic, if you asked. Your hair keeps getting darker each year. So the ginger kid I met at the Crucible now has brown hair threaded with copper, and when the sunlight catches it, I kinda want time to stop because it’s one of the prettiest fucking things I’ve ever seen. Your smile could power the sun. It sure as fuck controls my breathing. You’re real and honest without even trying. And you have the weirdest sense of humour. You make me laugh. You always have. You’re my favourite person. Ever. 

from chapter 9:

He smiles sweetly at me. And I can't help it; I smile back, even as I roll my eyes. I comb my fingers through his hair, fluffy from shower water, and my gaze falls to his jawline that I've watched sharpen over the years. Then back up to his clever mouth. And his dimple that halfway convinces me some god must exist somewhere. "You're my favourite person," I tell him, and am rewarded with an incandescent smile. "I'm glad we met, too."

love them. love y'all. 🩵✌️

@whatevertheweather @artsyunderstudy @cutestkilla @valeffelees @bookish-bogwitch

@drowninginships @rimeswithpurple @iamamythologicalcreature @leithillustration @alexalexinii

@fatalfangirl @larkral @orange-peony @hushed-chorus @run-for-chamo-miles

@brilla-brilla-estrellita @theimpossibledemon @fiend-for-culture @emeryhall @j-trow-95

@you-remind-me-of-the-babe @ileadacharmedlife @best--dress @confused-bi-queer @messofthejess

@roomwithanopenfire @shrekgogurt @stitchyqueer @monbons @youarenevertooold

@blackberrysummerblog @thewholelemon @skeedelvee @talentpiper11

[j-trow-95]

From a state hearing in Texas

[j-trow-95]

wip wednesday

I’m posting today in the biggest spirit of both / and.

It feels insane to post about my fictional guys when the world is so bad. Every day feels bad, but things feel so fucking dire right now. War and ongoing genocide. The Supreme Court decision about gender-affirming care. To all the trans kids (esp in the us): you’re valid, and we’re gonna keep fighting for your bodily autonomy and your right to be exactly who you are. I love you.

them.us has a good overview of what this ruling means. Trans Lifeline has good resources, too.

And—

Joy and art are imperative, as always. I’m reading so many queer and trans stories right now because I need them. Lou Sullivan’s selected diaries (We Both Laughed in Pleasure) is changing my brain chemistry. I just started Zoë Bossiere’s Cactus Country. I also started Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl by Andrea Lawlor. Excellent stuff all around.

ALSO !!! I finished more than a footnote. I plan to post the final chapter next week! 

I’m white-knuckling my joy right now. Dancing to Lady Gaga and Conan Gray in my kitchen. Checking in on my people. I’m wearing my colorful DeNiall friendship bracelet that @rimeswithpurple made for me last year. 

Okay, here are a few lines from chapter 9, under the cut for those that haven’t caught up on the fic yet.

Love to you all.

“You’re mad,” I repeat. “Yeah.” “I don’t—” I make a frustrated slash with my hand. “I can’t go back in time, Niall.” “It’s not just that summer. You … don’t talk. Just last week, you were gonna go to Hampshire with Baz. Instead of talking with me.” Any words I was gonna say die in my throat.

I love the scenery and settings in chapter 9:

The ocean bleeds orange as the sun slips beneath the waves, tendrils of lava stretching along the horizon. Sand transforms into pyrite, then returns to dull brown once twilight takes hold of the beach … … Before long, the white chalk cliffs of Kent tower above us. Gleaming blocks of milky bone jut into the sky, now smeared over with gray clouds and painting the beach in silvern light. 

And one of my favorite lines from chapter 9:

I’m kissing my best friend, and it’s better than I ever imagined.

Thanks for the tags today @blackberrysummerblog, @orange-peony, @alexalexinii and @thewholelemon.

Take care of yourselves and your people 🩵✌️

@whatevertheweather @artsyunderstudy @cutestkilla @valeffelees @bookish-bogwitch

@drowninginships @rimeswithpurple @iamamythologicalcreature @leithillustration @alexalexinii

@fatalfangirl @larkral @orange-peony @hushed-chorus @run-for-chamo-miles

@brilla-brilla-estrellita @theimpossibledemon @fiend-for-culture @emeryhall @j-trow-95

@you-remind-me-of-the-babe @ileadacharmedlife @best--dress @confused-bi-queer @messofthejess

@roomwithanopenfire @shrekgogurt @stitchyqueer @monbons @youarenevertooold

[j-trow-95]

Thanks for the tag @orangepeony! I have more W than IP this week. Chapter 4 of Pull Yourself Together is posted and the fic is now complete (many, many thanks to the amazing @thewholelemon for a helpful beta after I was so far done that I could barely tell which words made sense anymore). I began writing this one back in February as a birthday gift to @rimeswithpurple, and then just kept adding chapters because I was having too much fun to stop. Side note: it was never originally my intent for Simon’s spell to physically pull himself and Baz together; I just meant for it to combine the two beds into one that they would have to share. Well, we all know that the best part of the Only One Bed trope is the characters waking up in the morning draped all over each other and drooling on each other’s pillows, etc, and somehow when I got to the part where Baz first climbs in with Simon, I didn’t want to wait. The idea quickly formed about what it would take to break the spell, and I just kept writing (and writing) from there. It’s over 17K now, and I really had a blast with it.

I hope everyone’s summer is off to a great start! Hellos and no-pressure tags to: @aristocratic-otter @best--dress @papierhaikuphoto @raenestee @stitchy-queerista @mooncello @alexalexinii @valeffelees @artsyunderstudy @the-beard-of-edward-teach @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @youarenevertooold @iamamythologicalcreature @monbons @letraspal @leithillustration @asocialpessimist @cows4247 @c0nsumemy5oul @j-trow-95 @forabeatofadrum @roomwithanopenfire @imagineacoolusername @ileadacharmedlife @shrekgogurt @prettygoododds @carryonsimoncarryonbaz @ivelovedhimthroughworse @brilla-brilla-estrellita @martsonmars @facewithoutheart @supercutedinosaurs @bookishbroadwayandblind @confused-bi-queer @that-disabled-princess @nausikaaa @bookish-bogwitch @cutestkilla @hushed-chorus @skeedelvee @ic3-que3n @fiend-for-culture @drowninginships @sourcherrysc0nes @bachusekart

[j-trow-95]

WIP Wednesday

thanks for the monday tag @run-for-chamo-miles! I'm scheduling this post so if anyone else tagged me--thank you and hello.

Hey, where's all my @carry-on-big-bang participants? Fics will start posting soon, right? What are you working on? Tell us, I'm nosy!

My busy time at work is hopefully about wound down so that I could actually have a minute to think about anything else! Writing, even? or just continuing to read everyone else's stuff? I'm happy with either, to be honest.

I finally read Slow Dance and loved it. I finished a KJ Charles or two. I got to beta a few amazing fics, only two of which I can link to currently (Pull Yourself Together is finished! it's great, @blackberrysummerblog! and fittingly, since it was @rimeswithpurple's birthday fic--Arianna's Simon vs Baz photos is so funny. I love revisiting the Infinity in a Teacup universe we made). And I got the extremely loving, indulgent, Simon-love-fest Safe and Found for my birthday from @facewithoutheart! I'm so very honored that in my honor, Simon would get fed tamales. It's fitting.

How about a little bit more texting fic? (if you recall, a wip still firmly in draft mode that I'm calling hey beautiful :).) I've been debating whether to have it entirely in text, or if I should have some sections that are prose, so I experimented with writing a few both ways. I like the prose, but there's something very satisfying about having it all in text. If there's something you love about a text fic, let me know, because this is very much still a work in progress. Below the cut, tags and a little bit of that conversation--the prose version.

“Who the fuck did you give my number to?” I say, slamming down my book on Agatha’s desk.  “Oh hi Basilton,” she says with fake chipperness. “Good morning to you too. I’m fine, thank you for asking.” “Who the fuck is texting me?” She laughs, genuinely delighted. “Oh good! I was hoping he wouldn’t give up!” “This is a violation of federal privacy law,” I huff. “It’s literally illegal for you to give my number to strangers.” “Is it?” She cocks an eyebrow at me. “Well, then, it would be a violation of federal privacy law for me to tell you who I gave your number to.”

Let's ignore the problem of what country's federal privacy law is violated here. Baz isn't that clear and it's his POV, not mine. See, I think you don't gain enough with the switch to prose to make this worth it, but let me know what you think.

keep on keeping on this week, my friends, and tell me what you're up to.

@alexalexinii @alleycat0306 @aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @best--dress

@bookish-bogwitch @bachusekart @bookishbroadwayandblind @brilla-brilla-estrellita 

@confused-bi-queer @cutestkilla @drowninginships @emeryhall 

@fiend-for-culture @iamamythologicalcreature @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @j-trow-95

@jyae23 @katatsumuli @larkral @leithillustration @letraspal

@martsonmars @messofthejess @monbons @mooncello @nausikaaa 

@noblecorgi @onepintobean @orange-peony @pato-roldnart @palimpsessed 

@prettygoododds @raenestee @roomwithanopenfire

@shrekgogurt @skeedelvee @talentpiper11  @the-beard-of-edward-teach @theimpossibledemon 

@valeffelees @whatevertheweather @youarenevertooold @you-remind-me-of-the-babe 

[j-trow-95]

WIP Wednesday!

omg.... I have wips.... on a wip wednesday..... it's been 84 years....

I’ve been extremely busy lately! But do expect more Carry On stuff later in the year… perhaps an animatic or two… WHO SAID THAT???

I’m currently preparing for my largest convention yet and I’m very excited for it! Will probably be posting some pictures on my instagram!

I'm preping a multi image thing for Simon's birthday! Have had this idea in my mind since like March so finally happy to be starting it!

Have half of the wips! With the total being six pieces :) (should've had posted this for six sketch sunday but I need to finish these by Simon's BDay)

Tags below the cut:

@aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @best--dress

@bookish-bogwitch @confused-bi-queer @cutestkilla @drowninginships @emeryhall

@fiend-for-culture @iamamythologicalcreature @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse

@jyae23 @katatsumuli @larkral @leithillustration @letraspal

@martsonmars @messofthejess @monbons @mooncello @nausikaaa

@noblecorgi @onepintobean @orange-peony @palimpsessed

@raenestee @roomwithanopenfire @rimeswithpurple

@shrekgogurt @skeedelvee @the-beard-of-edward-teach @theimpossibledemon @thewholelemon

@valeffelees @whatevertheweather @youarenevertooold @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @wellbelesbian

[j-trow-95]

Stitches and Sentences

I've had a very productive week as far as fandom is concerned. I sewed. I wrote a bit. I read some fic. Goodness it's great to be on summer break!

STITCHES I'm not sure if you've noticed, but it's pride month! In honor of this special time of year, I am working on the most rainbow-tastic version of Simon and Baz possible. I finished the dolls this past week and am starting attire soon. Hopefully I will be ready to reveal the finished set by next Sunday. In the meantime, here's a sneak peek!

Is that a teeny tiny rainbow friendship bracelet? Yes. For scale, see below.

SENTENCES I am happy to report that after a significant dry spell in the writing department, I have finally produced words. I wrapped up the Boy Next Door Verse shorts early last week and then sat down to re-outline my Cheer AU after having abandoned it for months.

Part of my struggle was that this fic is, by far, the hardest story I have ever tried to tell. Not logistically--it's a high school AU with no magic or dramatic plot reveals or anything like that. Instead, it's difficult because Simon has been through some shit that is very much like my own real life shit and facing your childhood traumas is hard.

In any case, have a snippet-- Baz POV. For context, Baz and Simon were childhood best friends who've become estranged.

I’m still lost in the memory when the wind shifts and Simon stills beside me.  “I’m not that kid anymore, Baz,” he says quietly, staring at his feet. “I’m not either.” “No, I mean–” Simon sighs. “I can’t do this.” “Do what?”  “Any of this.”  “What is this?” “I don’t know. You. Me. All of it.” Simon tugs at his curls. “I can’t, okay?” I watch Simon toe at the ground in front of him. He still won’t look at me, and I try not to let it hurt. He used to get like this sometimes when we were small. Sad and distant. Even back then there were things we didn’t talk about. Things he couldn’t talk about. He didn’t have the words. Maybe he still doesn’t.

Hellos and high-fives and happy pride 🌈.

@alexalexinii, @argumentativeantitheticalg, @aristocratic-otter, @arthurkko, @artsyunderstudy, @bachusekart, @best--dress, @blackberrysummerblog, @brilla-brilla-estrellita, @bookish-bogwitch, @confused-bi-queer, @cutestkilla, @drowninginships, @emeryhall, @facewithoutheart, @harrie-leithillustration, @hushed-chorus, @iamamythologicalcreature, @ic3que3n, @ileadacharmedlife, @katatsumuli, @larkral, @letraspal, @mooncello, @nausikaaa, @noblecorgi, @orange-peony, @prettygoododds, @raenestee, @rbkzz, @roomwithanopenfire, @run-for-chamo-miles, @rimeswithpurple, @shrekgogurt, @skeedelvee, @stitchyqueer, @supercutedinosaurs, @talentpiper11, @the-beard-of-edward-teach, @twinkle-twinkle-up-above, @theimpossibledemon, @thewholelemon, @whatevertheweather, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @youarenevertooold, @jyae23, @j-trow-95

[j-trow-95]

[j-trow-95]

(Let's pretend it's still) WIP Wednesday

Thanks for the tags @nausikaaa @mooncello @monbons @thewholelemon @artsyunderstudy the last few weeks

Yes, I am back writing Trails again. I'm rewriting a sizeable chunk, not so much changing the plot, as removing certain elements and shifting them to later in the story, and it's so nice to be back in this au! again.

Enjoy a snippet (that I don't think I've shared before, but you never know!) Baz POV

He sucks in a breath as my nose brushes against his skin. Before I can think about apologising and moving back he’s gripping me tighter to him. “Christ, you’re freezing,” he grits out. “How’s your leg?” “Stiff.” Simon shifts against me, the patchy stubble on his chin dragging through my hair as he looks down the length of my body. I shiver, this time not from the cold. “Do you need to stretch it out? Your knee?” I shake my head. “I’d rather keep it as warm as I can.” Simon lays a hand over my injured knee. I swear the stiffness almost immediately abates, the creaking feeling replaced with smoother movement than I’ve had in weeks. Warmth floods my aching muscles and I relax into him. “This help?” he asks. I nod. “Thank you.” My words are little more than breath against his skin. I think he feels more than hears them.

ASR is firmly into the 75k+ word count bracket, and we still have so much ground to cover. I haven't managed any new words since around the middle of May, but we're getting into the final third (I hope at least) of the manuscript. Then it'll be a case of going back through and gutting it before it goes in for proper editing.

I'm not going to share too many words, but this sentence is one of my favourites from this recent phase of redrafting. Lauren POV

I want you, I think. But if I’m honest, want is already starting to feel too small a word.

Word count wise, we're not doing too bad:

January: 13,736

February: 6,468

March: 4,150

April: 7,683

May: 15,937

May was my best writing month I think in the entire history of this draft, and just in the first 5 months of 2025 I've added 47,974 words to this draft, which is well over half the total draft! Let's hope June keeps up this trend. Honestly, if I just keep adding words it'll be a win.

Tagging:

@artsyunderstudy @aristocratic-otter @blackberrysummerblog @bookish-bogwitch @cutestkilla

@confused-bi-queer @emeryhall @erzbethluna @hushed-chorus @iamamythologicalcreature

@ic3-que3n @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @letraspal @martsonmars

@mooncello @nausikaaa @nightimedreamersworld @orange-peony @shrekgogurt

@skeedelvee @theearlgreymage @thewholelemon @you-remind-me-of-the-babe 

[j-trow-95]

Stitches and Sentences

SCHOOL IS OUT FOR THE SUMMER! Now that year 18 of teaching is a wrap, I can't wait to spend some serious time sleeping, reading, stitching, and (hopefully) writing.

STITCHES In stitch news, I finished the sequin project from my last post. And it’s a smutty, sparkly Simon brooch!

What possessed me to make such a thing? A few months ago, @emeryhall and I were discussing how we wear our fandom bracelets (gifts from the lovely @rimeswithpurple) as fancy dress. So I joked about making a matching dragonboy pin for Emery to wear on all their fancy nights out on the town… and here he is, in all his naked glory!

SENTENCES The words are flowing again! I'm cautiously optimistic that this means I will be able to make some significant progress on one of my long fics this summer, but I don't want to jinx it---so no previews of those for the time being.

I also decided to jump on the 10 days to 1K bandwagon fairly late in the game, but it's been fun to challenge myself to write short, especially because all the resulting fics have been in my beloved The Boy Next Door universe.

Here's Neighbors, the 100 word ficlet that kicks off this series of shorts.

They’re in their windows again. The boys across the street. Like clockwork, the sun sets in the bronze curls of the first as he waits, mobile in hand and knee bouncing, until—finally—the other, with hair like black velvet and a face like moonlight, appears. Shy smiles and soundless laughs punctuate the feverish flight of their fingers tap, tap, tapping the night away.  I wonder: wouldn’t it be easier to open a window? to knock on a front door? Still, they repeat this strange, silent ritual. Two hearts pulsing in-sync across the distance—love blooming in modern-day Morse code.

Feel free to dive into some of the other shorts, including:

Fake (200 words): Fiona gets Baz a present for his 15th birthday.

Scars (400 words): Simon reflects on his newest scar.

Journey (500 words): Baz goes on a journey to find his favorite person.

Sweat (600 words): Baz learns how to make Simon feel good.--The only fic rated M.

Escape (700 words): Baz and Simon go on a trip.

While knowledge of the original fic isn't strictly required to enjoy the shorts in this series, almost all of the ficlets contain significant spoilers for the originating fic, so read with caution.

Hellos and high-fives from the doll factory that has expanded into felt jewelry, apparently. (If anyone else has any fun ideas for quick and creative stitch projects, I'm all ears. And you may even get a surprise in the mail!)

@alexalexinii, @argumentativeantitheticalg, @aristocratic-otter, @arthurkko, @artsyunderstudy, @bachusekart, @best--dress, @blackberrysummerblog, @brilla-brilla-estrellita, @bookish-bogwitch, @confused-bi-queer, @cutestkilla, @drowninginships, @facewithoutheart, @harrie-leithillustration, @hushed-chorus, @iamamythologicalcreature, @ic3que3n, @ileadacharmedlife, @katatsumuli, @larkral, @letraspal, @mooncello, @nausikaaa, @noblecorgi, @orange-peony, @prettygoododds, @raenestee, @rbkzz, @roomwithanopenfire, @run-for-chamo-miles, @shrekgogurt, @skeedelvee, @stitchyqueer, @supercutedinosaurs, @talentpiper11, @the-beard-of-edward-teach, @twinkle-twinkle-up-above, @theimpossibledemon, @thewholelemon, @whatevertheweather, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @youarenevertooold, @jyae23, @j-trow-95

[j-trow-95]

six sentence sunday

happy pride month! thank you for the tag @monbons and for giving me (and all of us) more bubble baz & simon to enjoy!

have you been reading the 10 Days to 1K fest? I have and it's been so fun. I love so many of my ao3 subscriptions showing up in my inbox every day.

I'm also very much in a start-and-never-finish phase right now. Do you get those? Instead of forcing myself to push through, sometimes I find it's more productive to just let it happen. Then when I get in a finish-and-never-start phase, hopefully I can pick up the pieces. So, I started the Captive Prince series and am almost done with the second book. I started My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. I started Swordcrossed by Freya Marske (the audiobook version). I'm trying to go back to fics that I loved that I never commented on, and just...failing. It's still like I've run out of words! But I'm trusting they'll be back.

I started a text fic though, because why not? Remember, we're starting and not finishing things right now. The first snippet & tags below the cut.

Unknown Number: hey beautiful. it was nice chillin with you last night. wanna do it again sometime soon? ;) Baz: You have the wrong number. Unknown Number: oh fr? srsly? Baz: Yes “srsly.” 🙄 Annoyance: are you sure? u kind of have the same vibes as the girl from last night Baz: For starters, I’m not a girl. Annoyance: oh fr fr? Baz: What’s wrong with you? Annoyance: plenty ;) Annoyance: u sound pretty tho. r u? Baz: I could be 85 years old, for all you know. Annoyance: are you? u do kind of sound it Annoyance: hey im not mad abt it i go by vibes n connection  Annoyance: so whatchu up to? ;) Baz: I’m deleting this. Don't text me again.

have a great week this week!

@alexalexinii @alleycat0306 @aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @best--dress

@blackberrysummerblog @bookish-bogwitch @bachusekart @bookishbroadwayandblind @brilla-brilla-estrellita 

@confused-bi-queer @cutestkilla @drowninginships @emeryhall @facewithoutheart

@fiend-for-culture @iamamythologicalcreature @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @j-trow-95

@jyae23 @katatsumuli @larkral @leithillustration @letraspal

@martsonmars @messofthejess @mooncello @nausikaaa @noblecorgi

@onepintobean @orange-peony @palimpsessed @pato-roldnart @prettygoododds

@raenestee @rimeswithpurple  @roomwithanopenfire @run-for-chamo-miles @shrekgogurt

@skeedelvee @talentpiper11  @the-beard-of-edward-teach @theimpossibledemon @valeffelees

@whatevertheweather @youarenevertooold @you-remind-me-of-the-babe 

[j-trow-95]

wipsday: more than a footnote moodboard + playlist (+ extras)

One year ago, I posted the first chapter of more than a footnote. I had hoped I'd have the final chapter ready by this date, but I'm still editing. It will be live very soon.

For today, rather than an excerpt and spoilers, please enjoy this moodboard for chapter 9.

I'm also sharing a special chapter 9 playlist. These have been the songs on repeat as I write the final chapter.

Finally, I thought it might be fun to share a couple author notes and behind the scenes stuff. Read on if that's your cuppa tea.

Nearly there. 🖤

I've shared this before, but more than a footnote was only ever meant to be a distraction from a couple other wips that were giving me trouble last year. 5 chapters max, 16-20k. (lol) I love when characters surprise me.

Also unanticipated: Keris and Gareth. They were originally only gonna have a brief mention. I'm glad both decided to hang out a bit.

I'm proud of several lines throughout the fic but I think my absolute favorite is this one:

Dev, who moves like a cat, and fights like a bear, and whose smile is as sharp as a scythe but always feels like sunshine, and whenever I see it, I don’t want to look at anything else.

Okay, one more. I wrote this for chapter 9, and I'm in love with it *but* it might end up getting axed. Please enjoy it here.

I think of the Crucible pairing Niall and I together, and how immediately enchanted I was by his orange hair and his teeth too big for his head. How we had practically nothing in common, until we did, and we kept choosing each other, in assignments, in mischief, in friendship, until he became the most important person in my life.

I still love the cravens.

Fashion plays such a big role in this fic. While my personal style is more like Dev, I adore Niall's clothes. He's such a casual, preppy nerd. I think my favorite outfit of his is the "Sorbonne student" one during the spring dance. Everything oversized. His cuffed trousers. Fluttering sleeves by his bony elbows. And he looks so good in green, with his copper hair.

Niall is the oldest of the trio. His birthday is September 27 (which is a cube number and makes his brain happy). Dev's birthday is December 5. (Mutable. Fire. Sag baby.)

I've shared Dev's playlist before. I'm working on Niall's study mix. I hc that Niall enjoys a lot of different music genres, and he almost exclusively studies to synth and electronic music. Anything with a repetitive beat that can run in the background of his big beautiful brain. One of his favorite bands is Air, a French duo from the 90s, and he's been searching for their Moon Safari vinyl for years. (Dev finds it in a tiny record shop in London, and gives it to Ni the Christmas after they graduate Watford.)

I have an entire backstory of Niall's mums, Bridget and Paloma. I won't get into it here but DM me or send an ask if you ever want to know more. Same goes for my other OC Clark.

Did I have a secret motive to write a fic that would make people fall in love with Dev Pitch? MAYBE.

While writing, when a scene wasn't working, I'd go walk the dog and listen to a character playlist or song that fit the scene, on repeat, and just let my brain play, picking up pieces, seeing if they fit, working thru literal sentences in my head like those word fridge magnets. Without fail, this method worked every time. So the real MVP of this story is my dog.

Finally: It's difficult for me to finish wips. Because I self-sabotage with doubt. I'll have an idea and soft outline, but then once I get a few chapters in, I doubt the direction, the choices I've made, to the point where I freeze up and can no longer trust myself, or any creative choices. While I did have one notable plot point in this fic I doubted by the time I got to it (the bonfire scene) and I needed my betas to hold my hand, this story unfolded in the way I originally imagined. Far longer and richer and deeper than anticipated. And certain scenes evolved and shifted. But the overall arc stayed. This might be the first time I’ve finished something in which I trusted my writing instincts. Even when it was hard. Even when I thought nobody is gonna like this or that. I stayed the course, and allowed the characters to take me on side quests. The process both structured and flexible.

Alright, I've gotta go catch a train. Thanks for hanging with me. 🖤

HAPPY PRIDE 🌈✌️

thanks for the tags today @monbons @whatevertheweather and @thewholelemon

tagging manually today so apologies if I miss someone!

@whatevertheweather @artsyunderstudy @cutestkilla @valeffelees @bookish-bogwitch

@drowninginships @rimeswithpurple @iamamythologicalcreature @leithillustration @alexalexinii

@fatalfangirl @larkral @orange-peony @hushed-chorus @run-for-chamo-miles

@brilla-brilla-estrellita @theimpossibledemon @fiend-for-culture @emeryhall @j-trow-95

@you-remind-me-of-the-babe @ileadacharmedlife @best--dress @confused-bi-queer @messofthejess

[j-trow-95]

WIP Wednesday

thanks for the tag @forabeatofadrum! it's 1am on thursday now, but better late than never!

here's some Andromache describing Briseis:

Now it was my turn to stare. My eyes flew open, but she didn't notice, staring out at the countryside. In profile, I could see how beautiful she was.

The news in Troy when Achilles retreated from the battlefield and we began to gain the upper hand was that he had fallen out with Agamemnon over a woman, his war prize being taken from him. Was this girl the one they spoke of? Helen may have been the face to launch over a thousand ships, but this was the face to turn the tide of war. A figure carved out of alabaster, with full lips, wide set eyes, and coils of white hair.

and as usual, goat rambles and pics below the cut!

small goat update: Jude and Agatha are growing up fast, and are super friendly. Jude even comes up to me for strokes! i can't keep every goat, so i will be selling them, but as pets, so it's important that they're well socialised. i'll of course do my utmost to make sure they go to forever homes where they'll have the best lives.

Lucy is due in 20 days, and i'm pretty sure she'll only have one kid, so i'm curious if it will be a boy or girl. touch wood, i'm hoping for a boy...

tags and hellos: @cutestkilla @run-for-chamo-miles @roomwithanopenfire @prettygoododds @bookish-bogwitch @youarenevertooold @that-disabled-princess @noblecorgi @orange-peony @larkral @confused-bi-queer @aristocratic-otter @artsyunderstudy @thewholelemon @alexalexinii @hushed-chorus @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @martsonmars @meanjeansjeans @leithillustration @j-trow-95 @blackberrysummerblog @ic3que3n @bookishbroadwayandblind and @monbons