pilcrowtudinous

[pilcrowtudinous]

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: DANIEL SELON IS AN ABSOLUTE DELIGHT AND SWEETHEART. He was SO delighted by all the Agatha cosplays and so enthusiastic and took time for all of us who were blathering about how much we loved the show and his work on it and generally all round top notch human.

[pilcrowtudinous]

Look I'm not even a B'Elanna fan, and I'm even further from a B7 fan, but even I can acknowledge that the woman definitely knows her way around a strap.

But the correct answer is still Raffi.

Star Trek Strap Tournament Round Two (Match 12)

(Reblog for larger sample size!)

Link to other matches

[pilcrowtudinous]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/65665624

Me, a fool: Well gee, I have so many WIPs. Guess it's time to start a new series.

THAT'S RIGHT. Time for me vs. Times VOY Seemed Like It Had A Way Home And Then Didn't and turning them into one shots where OH WAIT THEY DID. First up is (obviously) a bit J7-y but they won't all be. 'Bliss', but not. Have fun.

[pilcrowtudinous]

OMG A NEW CHAPTER OF MY ADMIRAL JANEWAY/GENERAL ORGANA FIC. MORE LIKELY THAN YOU THINK. I love this little crossover chaos pair you guys.

[pilcrowtudinous]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/55854844/chapters/166668766

We're up to Round 6 of 8 for the pub quiz fic! This round? Visual entertainment.

[pilcrowtudinous]

Okay, I think that some of my favourite fic stuff I've written is in my epistolary fic 'fall into an ocean of you', but I do love the bits of it that aren't epistolary too. So here's Raffi being surprised by Seven.

I see you and my heart stutters, the way that it has every time you appear unexpectedly in my life. Since the first time. I don’t know where to look – at you, to drink you in. At Zani, accusingly, since she was clearly in on this. At Elnor, who probably looks like I do, slack-jawed. 

I can’t decide, so I look at Jhuhavra, and the way her face lights up in recognition and she runs to you.

The problem with watching someone who is running towards you is that eventually, I’m watching you – your legs as she wraps her little arms around them, your arms as you pick her up. And then I finally – finally – bring myself to look at your face. The gentle adoration that others might miss but I know how to spot. The way you smile and guide Juju’s hand to your ocular implant when she tentatively reaches for it but waits for permission. 

I watch as you walk towards me, my granddaughter in your arms. Never lifting your eyes from hers, because she warrants your full attention. 

The sound that seemed to have been muted since I saw you gradually comes back as you approach me. I hear your conversation. I hear your voice.

‘Well, if Graffi says so, it must be true,’ you say, and you look up and your smile softens as your eyes meet mine. 

I can’t help it. I sob. I think it’s going to be a single thing, a clearing of the throat, but it’s not. It’s mortifying. I know that I missed you, like a body part, like a limb. But the true weight of your absence only really strikes me when you are here in front of me, and the feelings that I’ve kept bottled up ever since the Titan, ever since Spacedock,  ever since the galaxy changed forever in so many ways, all those feelings hit me in a wave. I think that the joy of reconnecting with family has managed to eclipse the other emotional turmoil. Until now. 

I see your face shift, concerned, in the moments before I lose myself, sink down to crouch then fall onto my ass in the dusty grounds of The House of Truth. Dignity be damned. At least I don’t fall. 

I like how there's beauty to it, but there's the sense of Raffi's voice and humour even when she's facing this overwhelming sensation.

And I tag... anyone who sees this and wants to feel proud of something they've written!

I was tagged by @the-oracle-of-the-lost to share a favourite scene I’ve written and boy, that’s a hard choice. For a short scene, I think it has to be a part of In the Woods Somewhere.

A fic about how much Seven pines after Raffi, surrounded by pine trees and bioluminescent moss. The scene before this one I love too, but this specific scene is just so calming and visceral.

Seven wakes up first just as dawn begins to break. It takes her a few seconds to realise why she feels so content and cosy. She’s only partly in her sleeping bag, one leg hooked over Raffi, hand under her ridden up tank top, fingers brushing the underside of her breast whilst her head lays directly over her heart. Raffi’s hand is settled on the back of her neck, the other on her knee.

She lays there, soaking in the warmth that Raffi radiates, at how her head and her heart feel lighter to be in such a position. But she knows she can’t stay like this as much as she wants to. Seven doesn’t want Raffi to be uncomfortable if she wakes up now. (It feels good though. So good and so, so right). Still, she quietly slips from Raffi’s hold, and sits up, putting on her clothes with hopes that she can disappear outside whilst she sleeps.

It's foggy outside as Seven emerges from the tent. The grass is damp with dew, the treeline hazy and mysterious as it disappears in and out of view. The temperature has dropped and the hairs on her arms stand up as she makes her way to the campfire to light it and boil some water for coffee. She can see her breath in the air as she sits on one of the logs, watching as the low clouds pulse and move in ways that are beyond comprehension.

The forest has a completely different energy this morning, one that draws in travellers with ghostly, beckoning hands never to be seen from again. Raffi had said the day before that every forest is magical in its own way. Seven hadn’t believed her then because magic was a myth, a fantasy, but now, she can feel the power pouring from the trees and ground. Everything is so still, so peaceful. Seven decides it’s her favourite way the forest looks.

It makes her want to live somewhere like this one day. A cabin surrounded by trees (pine, for sure - she loves the smell) with a view of mountains or a river where the fog rolls in come the morning and is burnt off by the sun before the afternoon. Somewhere that holds more power and secrets than she ever thought could exist, but is kind, patient and protective to those who respect it.

If Raffi was a place.

The water boils and Seven makes her coffee. She takes the first, hot sip and lets the seeping sensation trickle through her. The steam spirals into the air and Seven watches the sun rise through the trees and how the sky changes from blue, to purple, to pink, to red and yellow. She sees a flock of birds soar from distant trees, swooping and dancing around one another in a spectacular show.

At ease, Seven sits.

The other scene, which is far too long to post here is in Roots Before Branches. For so long I’d wanted to write a story where Raffi and Michael met. I wanted to create a world where the many coincidences between them made sense. They were part of the same family.

The whole fic is very special to me. It took four months to write and is so far my longest single chapter work.

But in the scene Michael helps Raffi realise that her memory and legacy are carried into the future, that so many people admire her and think she’s important. And Raffi helped Michael know that they were never forgotten in the past. That Discovery lived on, that everything they lost wasn’t for nothing. They find family in each other. Connection they never knew they were missing.

It also holds my favourite line about Raffi and Seven at the end.

I’ll share a small snippet:

And as if Michael was reading her mind, ‘’Do you believe in coincidences Raffi?’’

Raffi shook her head quickly. ‘’No, I don’t. Not very often anyway. If coincidences like this existed, I think I’d go a little insane. I had an experience a long time ago which I only came to understand years later and if that showed me anything, it’s that the universe has created a well-crafted trail for me to end up in the most unlikely of places.’’

‘’You think you being here and us having this conversation was destined?’’

‘’No, I don’t exactly believe in destiny, I wouldn’t even call myself spiritual to a point, but there’s been too much…I don’t know, too many signs for me to say that all of this was a coincidence. Similar family names, how everything feels oddly familiar with you, the fact that over a year ago while I was undercover I came across the phrase The Red Lady , searched multiple results and what happened to come up? A wormhole by the name of The Red Lady . A wormhole we so happened to come across that sent us into the future directly into your path. And adding onto how the angel suit matches a red lady description too…’’

Michael laughed and nodded, leaning back against the table. ‘’When you put it like that, I’d say you’re probably right. Too many variables in this to be considered a coincidence.’’

‘’Exactly! It’s nice to know someone gets it. Most people would say I’m crazy.’’

‘’We’re not exactly most people around here.’’

‘’No, no, I guess not.’’ Raffi hummed, eyes shifting to the brass telescope as it peered out at the great expanse of space. ‘’I’m grateful though, that I’ve been able to have this experience. That all of you have been so welcoming and accepting. Last time I time travelled…it changed me, carved me out into something hollow. But this seems to have balanced it out a little. That is if we can get back home.’’

Michael placed her hand on Raffi’s shoulder in a supportive grasp. ‘’Don’t worry, we’ll get you back to your time. You and Seven have many more adventures to go on.’’

‘’Oh really?’’ Raffi smiled. ‘’For how long?’’ She asked, teasing, not so much expecting an answer to it.

‘’Indefinitely.’’

Raffi felt something settle inside her, an old anxiety that had reared its head ever since she had met Seven. The fear that they could never match each other's momentum for too long. One of them would be going too fast or too slow. She would never be good enough for Seven of Nine, even if the universe had been plotting their paths to converge since the dawn of time. But that had dissipated now. Raffi trusted Michael’s word inexplicably.

They were indefinite. Just like her love. Just like time.

Thank you for the tag! I’m going to tag @sevenofninehouseofmusiker, @pilcrowtudinous, @falltonadir and @happenstobehere if they want to do it

[pilcrowtudinous]

Oooh yay!

and thank goodness some of this is asking for last yadayada rather than favourites for all because I am TERRIBLE at favourites but I love filling this things out.

Last song: 'Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No!' by The Mint Chicks

Last Movie: I rewatched Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants on the flight back from Fiji 😂

Last TV Show: Just watched my third ever episode of mothership L&O because the latest episode of SVU is part 2 of a crossover so I needed the context. Been too busy for any big binging lately, but I watched all of S3 Yellowjackets as it came out and DS9 is my current dip into when I have free time.

Favorite color: myriad shades greens (but mostly ones that you can find in New Zealand bush)

sweet/savory/spicy: all of them depending on the moment.

relationship status: complicated

Last thing I googled: Seaqaqa, a town on Vanua Levu in Fiji

Current obsession: Polynesian language overlap with Fijian

Looking forward to: I have just wrapped up the thing I was looking forward to and now I have to try not dwell on the fact that I have literally nothing major to look forward to going forward. So I guess maybe trying birria ramen some time these school holidays?

tagging ummmm @cirquedereve @ussjellyfish @sevenofninehouseofmusiker and would tag other people but I can't remember your tumblr names

10 things for 10 people you'd like to know better!

tagged by: @revleftshark thanks 🫶🏼

Last song:

Last book: Ugh, ummm... probably The Children's Hour screenplay

Last movie:

Last tv show: Currently in the middle of Yellowjackets, debating whether or not to even keep watching.

Favourite colour: Green and purple

sweet/savory/spicy: sweet then savory or vice versa. spicy gives me heartburn.

Relationship status: single

Last thing I googled: the composition of adderall

Current obsession: ugh. Olivia and Natalia, a ship from literally 16 years ago. The actresses keep making stuff together so I just keep watching them kiss.

Looking forward to: uh. beach days. yeah. I miss the beach. in a few weeks the weather will be good enough to go.

tagging: @chaosandorder46 @arestlessrunaway @pelgraine and @jae-fae (even though Rev already tagged you lol)

[pilcrowtudinous]

Seven looking at Raffi like this reblog if you agree

[pilcrowtudinous]

Madeline (1998)

[pilcrowtudinous]

TWO SQUARES DOWN. Newest WIP: updated. ✅ Update Your Oldest WIP: 'send me a handful of soil so that i may weep over it'

⬜ Finish a WIP that's been buried deep in your drafts wrap up the barely started one-shot

⬜ Finish a WIP you haven't posted yet lil one shot of seven and raffi at the house seven is living in at the start of firewall when janeway comes to visit

⬜ Finish a recent WIP ooh, e-rated agathario that i just remembered i started at the beginning of feb and never followed through on

⬜ Finish a WIP you're scared of tbd. although i guess inherently i should just pick the thing i least want to??

⬜ Finish a WIP that's been haunting you i think 'the hip rock'n'roll scenester' somewhat fits the bill here.

⬜ Update a partially posted WIP um. the bookstore AU really needs an update after that (checks notes) one chapter drop and then forgotten. 'the universe contracts to sigh'

⬜ Finish any WIP/Free space watch this space... i have no idea

⬜ Finish the next WIP in a series you've been avoiding see previous response

✅ Update your newest WIP 'to boldly pursue trivia that has never been pursued before'

⬜ Finish a WIP that's been ignored for at least 6 months add to (and in theory FINISH??) 'all i knew of the rote universe'

⬜ Finish the next chapter for a fic you've been meaning to for months it's really really really time to update 'fall into an ocean of you'

(text description in ALT and below the cut)

Based on some rumblings I heard, I ended up quickly throwing together a fun little WIP bingo sheet! I'll admit I largely wrote the prompts for writing, but I think a good number of them should also apply to art!

Ultimately, the goal is to have fun, and finish whatever WIPs you can (without burning yourself out or having a bad time). If you needed a sign to pick up that project you've been putting off, the time is now!

3x4 Bingo square titled "Finish your fucking fics february"

the top three across left to right read "Update your oldest WIP", "Finish a WIP that's been buried deep in your drafts", and "Finish a WIP that you haven't posted yet"

the second row reads "Finish a recent WIP", "Finish a WIP you're scared of" and "Finish a WIP that's been haunting you"

the third row reads "Update a partially posted WIP", "Finish any WIP/Free Space", and "Finish the next WIP in a series you've been avoiding"

the last row reads "Update your newest WIP", "Finish a WIP that's been ignored for at least 6 months", and "Finish the next chapter for a fic you've been meaning to for months"

[pilcrowtudinous]

ONE SQUARE DOWN. Oldest WIP: updated. ✅ Update Your Oldest WIP: 'send me a handful of soil so that i may weep over it'

⬜ Finish a WIP that's been buried deep in your drafts wrap up the barely started one-shot

⬜ Finish a WIP you haven't posted yet lil one shot of seven and raffi at the house seven is living in at the start of firewall when janeway comes to visit

⬜ Finish a recent WIP ooh, e-rated agathario that i just remembered i started at the beginning of feb and never followed through on

⬜ Finish a WIP you're scared of tbd. although i guess inherently i should just pick the thing i least want to??

⬜ Finish a WIP that's been haunting you i think 'the hip rock'n'roll scenester' somewhat fits the bill here.

⬜ Update a partially posted WIP um. the bookstore AU really needs an update after that (checks notes) one chapter drop and then forgotten. 'the universe contracts to sigh'

⬜ Finish any WIP/Free space watch this space... i have no idea

⬜ Finish the next WIP in a series you've been avoiding see previous response

⬜ Update your newest WIP chapter to be added to 'to boldly pursue trivia that has never been pursued before'

⬜ Finish a WIP that's been ignored for at least 6 months add to (and in theory FINISH??) 'all i knew of the rote universe'

⬜ Finish the next chapter for a fic you've been meaning to for months it's really really really time to update 'fall into an ocean of you'

(text description in ALT and below the cut)

Based on some rumblings I heard, I ended up quickly throwing together a fun little WIP bingo sheet! I'll admit I largely wrote the prompts for writing, but I think a good number of them should also apply to art!

Ultimately, the goal is to have fun, and finish whatever WIPs you can (without burning yourself out or having a bad time). If you needed a sign to pick up that project you've been putting off, the time is now!

3x4 Bingo square titled "Finish your fucking fics february"

the top three across left to right read "Update your oldest WIP", "Finish a WIP that's been buried deep in your drafts", and "Finish a WIP that you haven't posted yet"

the second row reads "Finish a recent WIP", "Finish a WIP you're scared of" and "Finish a WIP that's been haunting you"

the third row reads "Update a partially posted WIP", "Finish any WIP/Free Space", and "Finish the next WIP in a series you've been avoiding"

the last row reads "Update your newest WIP", "Finish a WIP that's been ignored for at least 6 months", and "Finish the next chapter for a fic you've been meaning to for months"

[pilcrowtudinous]

really enjoying all the videos Muslims have been posting of their cats looking like this

when the humans are up at 4 am for suhoor

[pilcrowtudinous]

Easy Ways to Pick up the Sagging Middle of Your Novel

A lot of writers have trouble writing the middle of the novel. Either they don’t know how to structure it properly or they’ve just lost motivation (I’ve written endless posts on motivation, so try searching for them). I think we’ve all read books that have just lost all momentum in the middle, so here are a few ways to stop that from happening to your novel:

Try to lead to something important – The middle is a great time for a really exciting moment or the climax. There can be more than one, so don’t think you’re going to waste any momentum you have.

Throw in a twist – Blow your readers minds! Is there a moment you’ve been waiting to reveal to your audience? Do it in the middle of your novel and then deal with the aftermath.

Divide it into another three acts – Try to break down the middle of your novel into smaller pieces. Think of it as a beginning, middle, and end. Create a structure to follow.

Introduce some new blood – Focus on a new character. Introduce a new character. There should be a reason for them, so don’t go completely wild, but get excited about your new addition. Weave it into the plot.

Do something drastic – Do something unexpected to your hero. Throw a wrench in their plans. There should be ups and downs in your novel, so fit some in here.

Build an intense action sequence – Sometimes an intense scene breaks writers out of their doldrums. If it fits in your story, try it. Pump up the adrenaline.

Plan, plan, plan – For me, planning is the best way to figure out where my novel is going. Take a moment to think about what’s happening in your story and find a way to organize it.

Focus on tension – Build tension and put your readers on the edge of their seat. If there’s something exciting happening in your third act, now’s the time to build it up.

Think about the ending – If you’re unsure about the middle of your novel, take a look at the other parts. How are you going to get to your ending? Focus on that journey.

Make it less complicated – Sometimes middles are hard to write because they’re too complicated. Cut subplots that you can’t follow or just muddle up your story.

Obviously, trying all of these will make an absolute mess of your story, so pick and choose what might work for you.  These are just suggestions and they won’t work for everyone’s story. Think of them as ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

And remember, the most important ideas to pursue are those that help drive the story forward or help reveal information about your characters!

-Kris Noel

[pilcrowtudinous]

This from In Writing, a collection of writers reflecting on practice, really resonated with me.

[pilcrowtudinous]

So I do realise it's no longer February, but I started kind of working on one of those squares while it was still Feb... and life/work/etc is A Lot right now so writing time and brainspace is minimal. So we're going to just adapt it into 'Finish Your Fucking Fics For... a bit longer'.

(text description in ALT and below the cut)

Based on some rumblings I heard, I ended up quickly throwing together a fun little WIP bingo sheet! I'll admit I largely wrote the prompts for writing, but I think a good number of them should also apply to art!

Ultimately, the goal is to have fun, and finish whatever WIPs you can (without burning yourself out or having a bad time). If you needed a sign to pick up that project you've been putting off, the time is now!

3x4 Bingo square titled "Finish your fucking fics february"

the top three across left to right read "Update your oldest WIP", "Finish a WIP that's been buried deep in your drafts", and "Finish a WIP that you haven't posted yet"

the second row reads "Finish a recent WIP", "Finish a WIP you're scared of" and "Finish a WIP that's been haunting you"

the third row reads "Update a partially posted WIP", "Finish any WIP/Free Space", and "Finish the next WIP in a series you've been avoiding"

the last row reads "Update your newest WIP", "Finish a WIP that's been ignored for at least 6 months", and "Finish the next chapter for a fic you've been meaning to for months"

[pilcrowtudinous]

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞

post/artist

[pilcrowtudinous]