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mushroomsmusing · 10 months ago

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The following post is meant to be silly and light-hearted. However, the advice is very real. I'm no expert, just someone who's been writing for over 12 years and wished they'd started with better habits.

Are you thinking of starting writing?

Do you want to write and post your work, be it original content or fanfiction?

Well I have some tips for you! These are all things that I wish I had known when I started writing because it's much harder to change bad habits than it is to start with good ones.

Advice and personal experience below the cut!

Keep in mind I've been writing for 12+ years (literally since I was a child), but have only recently started sharing my works outside of close friends. Do with that what you will.

1) For the love of the gods, please do some sort of pre-planning/plotting! It doesn't have to be a full outline, but you'll be kicking yourself when you're halfway through a story and you've forgotten what's supposed to happen next.

- I'm a hard-core pantser, and I'm only now starting to write down a rough estimate of the planned plot for my stories. It was a life altering change that I implemented when I decided to start posting online.

2) DO NOT compare yourself to other writers. I know, it's tempting, but they are not you. Everyone has different writing styles, levels of experience, and education, so there really shouldn't be any comparing between authors/writers.

- I'm a very anxious people-pleaser. It took a while for me to feel comfortable sharing my works, but when I stopped comparing my writing to other peoples' writing, I felt much more confident. What matters is that you grow and hone your craft on your own time at your own pace.

3) Don't hurt your health to get fics/stories done. Sounds simple enough, right? However I know many writers (myself included) who are simply incapable of following this advice.

- I stayed up until 3:45 last night (aka this morning) to work on my fics. This was a horrible idea! But I'm working on prioritizing sleeping over finishing a chapter. Please please please do not let your writing interfere with your health (this includes, but is not limited to: skipping sleep/water/meals to write, consuming excessive caffeine, and sitting for prolonged periods of time without stretching.) Start with good habits now so you don't hate yourself later!

4) The biggest thing to remember though, is to do what works for you.

- I don't work well with rigid outlining, so I don't do that. I do work well with music in my ears, so I utilize that often. There are some writers who are the complete opposite of me and need to outline but hate music while writing. Figure out what works for you! Take in all the advice you can, but tailor it to your needs.

I have a lot more advice I could give, but this is the stuff I wish someone had told me when I started writing. Feel free to send asks or message me if you want to talk about writing or just want to chat in general!

#writing #writing advice #ametuer writer #fanfiction #fanfiction writer #original content #original content writer #advice #asks open #my opinion #take what you need #leave what doesn't resonate #writers

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mushroomsmusing · 10 months ago

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Hello!! I'm participating in @erisweekofficial this year, and while I have no idea what I'm doing, I'm excited! I'm a major procrastinator, though, so I had to start early. Below, you'll find my contribution for day 1! (I really hope it's ok to post this early)

Eris Week Day 1 - Bonds

WC: 1191

TWs: None thay I can think of. If I need to add some, though, please let me know!

Extra A/N: please be kind 😅 this is my first time doing anything like this

Ao3 link in case anyone wants it:

Waking up to the light filtering in through the large window and his mate’s arm wrapped around his midsection was possibly one of Eris’s favorite parts of the day. Whenever the Shadowsinger could stay the night at the Forest House, Eris always got the best sleep. It was the only time he wanted to stay in bed with his eyes closed for longer.

Azriel always slept on his stomach to avoid pinching his wings, but whenever he was in Eris’s bed, his arm was slung over the ginger’s waist, holding him close. This morning in particular though, Eris had rolled over in his sleep and was facing away from his beloved. To rectify that situation, he oh so carefully shifted so he could face his Illyrian. Eris tries to be as slick as possible so he didn’t wake his mate who had trouble sleeping anyways.

When Eris was finally facing Azriel, he couldn’t help the smile that erupted on his face. Memories of their relationship flash in Eris’s mind. From their first kiss, to their mating ceremony, Eris didn’t regret anything since it led to him cuddling the Illyrian in his bed. There had been rough patches for the two of them, especially when Beron was still alive, but they made it through. Together.

Azriel begins to stir as Eris takes in his mate’s handsome face. Eris desperately wants to reach up and stroke his hair and maybe murmur sweet nothings in his ear, but he knows that Az probably wants to get up to train. The thought makes Eris sigh.

“What’s wrong, my flame?” Az asks with his gravelly morning voice.

“I don’t want to leave this bed.” Eris says petulantly. Azriel huffs out a laugh.

“We have to eventually, love. You have work and I have to get back to the Night Court.”

“If I tell Rhys that I have an important task for you, do you think he’d let you stay?”

“No, my dear,” Az replies, “as much as I’d love to stay here cuddling, we both have responsibilities. Besides, you can always tug on the bond.”

“Fine.” Eris pouts. He’s usually not much of a pouter. He’s far too sophisticated for that. However, there’s something about his mate that makes him so needy. If you asked him, Eris would blame it on his father’s recent death and his subsequent ascent to power. He’d argue that it’s the first time he’s felt free.

Azriel knows how hard it is for Eris to show real emotion. He held Eris when he broke down in tears because everything was too much or when he had taken a particularly harsh punishment. Az was so proud of his mate and how far he’d come. Az began to rub small circles on Eris’s waist.

“I promise it will be ok.” Azriel tells Eris. “I’m only a shout down the bond away.”

That evening, Eris was sitting at his desk working on paperwork when he felt a rush of love down the bond connecting him and Azriel. Eris had thought he was keeping his stress underwraps, but apparently the Spymaster had detected the burden anyways. Eris had to stay calm, even though he felt like he was drowning in paperwork.

He’s taking a few deep breaths with his eyes closed when he smelled a familiar scent. His eyes burst open and his heart skipped a beat at the sight of the male before him. Of course he thought Azriel was beautiful, but with the male, his male, standing in front of him now was absolutely breathtaking. Azriel had on simple linen pants and a silky dress shirt.

“What’s the occasion?” Eris asked his mate, bewildered at the attire. Eris was the fancy one, not Azriel. Eris was pretty sure that Az had not even known what colors clashed with each other and which one matched before they got together.

“It’s your two year anniversary of your rise to power, High Lord.” Az said dramatically. Eris suppressed a giggle. Two could play this game.

“Well, Shadowsinger, I suppose it is time for celebration then.” Eris said with a wiggle of his eyebrows. Azriel knew Eris wouldn’t want to celebrate his freedom from his father, but he still wanted to honor his mate, who had survived so much.

“I have supper ready to go, if you would be so kind as to join me for a picnic, High Lord.” Az said softly.

“I’d love to, my mate.” Eris grinned. He stood up from his desk and went around to kiss his Shadowsinger. They stood there for a few minutes, exploring each others’ mouth and body before they separated.

“We should probably go before we end up staying here all night.” Azriel said.

“I wouldn’t mind that.” Eris retorted playfully.

“Uh uh,” The Illyrian shook his head, “I have this all planned out, Vanserra, you can’t get out of it now.” Eris let a giggle escape his lips, but he found himself following the taller male out the door.

With the basket in hand, Azriel led the way to a secluded spring in the middle of Autumn’s forest. It was a little bit of a hike, but the view was worth every second. Eris gasped when he saw where Az had led him. He used to sneak out and play in the spring with his brothers. After being caught once and reported to Beron, Eris never dared go back.

Now though, he was with his mate. He was with the male that made him feel safest. He turned and planted a kiss on Az’s cheek that quickly turned to a make out session. When they finally released each other, they were both panting.

Azriel was quick to lay out the picnic blanket and the spread of food. Az had made sure that the kitchen made as many sweets as possible. From pie to pastries, cakes to cookies, the spread was a sugary heaven. Eris wasted no time diving right in. His first choice was a cinnamon cookie.

While Eris chewed his mouthful, Azriel just beamed at his mate. Az knew Eris would skip meals when he worked too hard, so he was delighted to see Eris gobbling down all the treats. Azriel picked up a spiced apple pie to try. He was still getting used to some of the Autumn Court food.

The pair enjoyed their sweet picnic as the evening grew darker. When both of them had full stomachs, they laid down on the blanket. They lay so that they can lean over the peck the other on the cheek or lips. They lay there together for hours gazing at the night sky. At times they’d chat softly, but otherwise they enjoy each others’ silent company.

“Do you remember when the bond snapped?” Eris asks Azriel.

“Of course I do! Do you?” Azriel responds.

“I think that was the most magical moment of my life.” Eris says. He knows the Shadowsinger is looking at him, but he can’t look back at Az without tears of joy forming.

They both lean over to kiss each other, their mating bond feeling just as alive as the first day.

#eris vanserra #erisweek2024 #fluff #acotar #a court of thorns and roses #acotar fanfiction #azris #azris fanfiction #azriel x eris #this is so cute

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