mandylynn4

[mandylynn4]

Which of your faves

[mandylynn4]

Random pieces of advice about worldbuilding and plot.

If every story is worth telling, there are some elements to take into account to make it right.

Every cause has consequences. A story is logical in one way or another. Whether you plan your story or go with the flow, if you ask about: the origins, reactions and actions to be taken following an event, the pieces somehow will ‘click into place’.

Everything has a cost. Magic system, war, life in general... Don't forget that resources are not unlimited. Consider the societal, social, natural, (magical, if need be) limitations.

Challenge the statut quo and the villain's motivations (if there's a villain in the original sense of the term) : Ask yourself why the villain wants to ‘change the world’ (and really question his legitimacy) and what the world should look like after the final confrontation. If we come back to the original point, it's that the plot didn't serve any purpose, being no more than a ‘historical aside’. Remember that everything happens for a reason, so make that reason a good one.

Make actual research about geography and climate: forest, desert and especially rivers can't pop out of nowhere, they must respect certain natural principles. For example, a river must have its source somewhere, often high up in the mountains. So it seems logical that a river should be close to a mountain. Be careful if you want to incorporate a map in your story !

Be careful when you rely on chance, fate or whatever you call it. I still can't work out whether it's worse than deus ex machina - especially if it's done badly. As far as I'm concerned, if you work well enough with the cause-consequence chain and have a good grasp of the limits of your universe, you won't need to rely on this kind of process. this one is actually pretty personnal, you have every right to disagree.

[mandylynn4]

OUT NOW!

Can't Hold You Too Close Now

Ziam | Rated E | 27K | Alpha Zayn, Omega Liam

Written for the @1domegaverseficfest

https://archiveofourown.org/works/66245758/chapters/170776477

(Part 2 of The Agency App series - standalone fic set in the same time and universe as Sweeter Than I Ever Knew, my 5 +1 Omega Harry story from last year's round! Haven't read it yet? Find it here:

https://archiveofourown.org/series/4859413 )

[mandylynn4]

OUT NOW!

5 gorgeous men, 1 very confused grocery worker...

Why in the world is The Green Grocer suddenly spicier and messier than a reality dating show???

Come find out what's happening

Between the Aisles

Rated T | 11.5K | OT5 polyship

Written for @1dsasfest

https://www.archiveofourown.org/works/65960503

[mandylynn4]

Out Now!

Tastes Like Strawberries (On a Summer Evening)

Larry | Rated E | 12K | Omega Louis, Alpha Harry

Written for the @loussyficfest

https://archiveofourown.org/works/65718310

[mandylynn4]

Out Now!

@1dsasfest

Crystal Clear on a Starlit Night

Ziam | Rated E | 11K

https://archiveofourown.org/works/63968965

[mandylynn4]

30+ year old women are the backbone of this website

[mandylynn4]

"a vague disclaimer is nobody's friend"

4x07 The Initiative

[mandylynn4]

Pleaseeeeeee

[mandylynn4]

Anyone needing an invite, I have several!!! DM me or comment and I'll send you one.

With more and more Ao3 authors restricting their works to the archive (due to AI scraping), they're going to be losing guest interaction. And probably generally feeling down because. You know. AI is stealing their hard work.

So! Now is a great time to stop by your favorite authors/stories and drop them some comments! They really appreciate it!

[mandylynn4]

This year's WIP:

[mandylynn4]

Younger writers. Please, just know that you could not skip to different songs on a cassette tape, that’s CDs. With tapes you pressed fast forward or rewind and prayed.

Also, VHS tapes did not have menu screens. Your only options were play, fast forward, rewind, pause, stop, or eject.

Y’all are making me feel like the crypt keeper here, I’m begging you 😭

[mandylynn4]

Help me, potato of luck.

[mandylynn4]

This was literally me when I started Teen Wolf because I had basically read fic and looked at Tumblr posts BEFORE I watched an episode of the show.

Are you fucking kidding me, the smartass twink and hot werewolf aren't even the main characters of the show?

Who the fuck is Scott?

[mandylynn4]

Out Now!

@1dsasfest

Set the Scene

Larry | Rated E | 11K

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64380604

[mandylynn4]

nothing pisses me off more than when i see a fic on ao3 talking about reach. "this ship isn't here but i added them for reach" "this fandom tag isn't necessary but i'm adding it for reach" "reposting for reach" STOP IT!!!! this is not tiktok this is not twitter this is an ARCHIVE this is not how it works!!!

[mandylynn4]

I got chills.

At the Hale House: Peter: This is a private matter. Derek: Stiles stays. Peter: [whispers] This is pack. Derek: [loudly] THAT'S WHY HE STAYS. Stiles: [tries to suppress a smile]